In May last year, ICE agents stormed Buona Forchetta, a small neighborhood restaurant in my district. They slammed the owner against a wall, handcuffed employees, and deployed flash-bang grenades on bystanders outside. All to apprehend four peaceful, hardworking dishwashers, not violent criminals or drug kingpins. Since then, we’ve seen more schools, small businesses, families, and children caught in the crossfire of ICE’s reckless tactics – and their lawlessness is only getting more brazen. 

Almost a week ago we saw Alex Pretti shot and killed by federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis, and just days before that, Renee Good. What shocked me in particular was that before the facts were even settled, and well before any real investigation could be completed, Trump Administration officials were not accepting responsibility, not expressing compassion for the victims and their families. They were blaming and slandering the victims! 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot continue to operate in its current form. Since she has made it clear that depriving citizens of their rights - and even their lives - is not a mistake but is consistent with her mission, Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or be impeached. And we must reform the agency's tactics, training, and use-of-force rules. On Tuesday, I led my colleagues Reps. Juan Vargas (CA-52), Levin (CA-49), and Jacobs (CA-51) to share our outrage and heartbreak over the militarization of our communities and discuss the need to pass my Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act. The bill sets a higher standard for DHS use of force, strictly limits harmful equipment like tear gas and flash bangs, requires agents to render medical aid, requires no masks and clear uniforms, sets higher training standards for agents, and mandates the use of always-on body cameras. My bill has 89 cosponsors and Senators Kelly and Gallego (both D-AZ) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to pass this bill as a first step to keep our communities safe while still allowing agents to protect themselves and go after genuine threats to national security. 

Open enrollment for Covered California – our state’s health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - ends tomorrow. Right now, San Diegans are shopping for health insurance, and many are worried about how to afford it. On Tuesday, I brought together hospital and community health center staff to discuss how healthcare providers and San Diegans are hurt by two recent events: drastic cuts to Medicaid made in the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill and the January 1 expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Nearly 150,000 San Diegans relied on the ACA tax credits to afford basic health coverage. 

If Congress fails to reinstate the Affordable Care Act tax credits as soon as possible, San Diegans who had relied on the subsidies will no longer be able to afford it and will be forced to delay care or go without health insurance altogether. They will inevitably show up at our emergency rooms because a preventable problem went untreated. That costs our hospitals more, delivers worse health outcomes in our communities, and raises insurance rates for everyone. Cutting health coverage for our most vulnerable neighbors will not make any of us healthier. 

On January 8th, I voted to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for three years. A three-year extension of these credits is not a fiscally sustainable solution on its own. But Republican health care policies caused so much chaos that we had to act immediately to address the premium increases. I’m willing to work with anyone who has a comprehensive solution to save affordable healthcare. 

• This article highlights recent court cases that continue to be ruled in favor of clean energy projects and against President Trump's efforts to pause, cancel, or obstruct them.

• For a lighter read: a satirical take from the perspective of the payroll manager for all the "professional protesters" and "paid actors" in Minnesota.