Congresswoman Suzan DelBene joined her colleagues in the House Pro-Choice Caucus in introducing legislation today that would prohibit for-profit employers from using religious beliefs to deny employees coverage of contraception or any other vital health services required by federal law. The bill responds to the Supreme Court’s decision last week in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mark Udall (D-CO) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate. The Protect Wome...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene this week called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allocate the appropriate resources to reduce wait times and increase border crossing capacity in Whatcom County. DelBene urged CBP to take action in a letter sent to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske. The First Congressional District includes all five of the border crossings in Whatcom County, and significant delays, disruptions o...
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BOTHELL – Today, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that some for-profit corporations can deny coverage of contraception to their employees based on religious grounds. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement after the decision was announced: “I’m very disappointed by the Court’s decision to allow closely held corporations to deny access to basic healthcare, such as contraception, to their employees. “With this ruling, the Court has allowed employers to impose their rel...
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In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court today ruled that police need search warrants to search cellphones. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement: “Technology has changed the way we live, communicate and do business, but what should not change is our basic liberties and protections under the Constitution. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court requiring a warrant standard for cellphone searches is a significant step forward for privacy rights. It’s a landmark decision that...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene introduced a Congressional resolution to honor and remember the victims, their families and all those affected by the devastating landslide that occurred in Snohomish County earlier this year. The resolution (H. Res. 634) is cosponsored by the entire Washington state delegation. “The landslide was a heartbreaking disaster that was unbelievably devastating in the damage and tragic loss of life it caused. But from this terrible tragedy, it’s been amazing and inspiring ...
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Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Karen Bass (CA-37), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Judy Chu (CA-27), Ted Deutch (FL-19) and Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) introduced the Vulnerable Immigrant Voice Act of 2014 (VIVA). The legislation would provide legal representation to unaccompanied minors and mentally disabled individuals during immigration proceedings, in the wake of the growing humanitarian crisis we confront. Since approximately 2006, there has been an influx in the ...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement reacting to today’s draft order from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to update the federal E-rate program, which has provided critical discounts for schools and libraries for telecommunications and Internet services since its enactment in 1997: “Ensuring that every child in the U.S. has access to a world-class education requires that our schools and libraries have access to high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi. ...
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Joining 15 of her colleagues, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene cosponsored legislation to help families access tax credits in the Affordable Care Act to ensure they get the most affordable coverage possible. Called the Family Coverage Act, the bill would fix what is known as the “family glitch” by clarifying ACA rules so individuals who are offered health coverage by their employers, but whose plans are not affordable to cover their family, can access tax credits to help pay their premiums. “Ensurin...
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Today U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Mike Quigley (IL-05) sent a letter with 56 of their colleagues urging the Obama Administration to take greater action to revise immigration enforcement procedures and provide relief from unnecessary detention and deportation. “Our broken immigration system is hurting Washington state’s economy and families. Today far too many individuals, who pose no risk to the public’s safety, are being detained or face deportation, needlessly tearing them ...
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Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) called for Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign after the VA Office of Inspector General released a report detailing the manipulation of wait lists for veterans seeking medical care. “The Inspector General’s report makes clear that the VA system is failing our veterans. We have a basic responsibility to provide quality health care to those who served. It’s inexcusable that this pact was broken and that some...
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