National Security

The House of Representatives passed the bipartisan FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 6395) yesterday, a bicameral compromise of Congress’ annual defense authorization bill. This bill includes a key amendment sponsored by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) to strengthen the domestic aluminum industry. The amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), joined by 116 members of Congress, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Attorney General William Barr, calling on the agencies to eliminate the ban on open transgender military service. This follows the June 15, 2020 Supreme Court ruling that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ people from workplace… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after the introduction of the Justice in Policing Act, which will eliminate qualified immunity, call for independent investigations into police brutality, and make lynching a federal crime, among other changes. The bill was developed by the Congressional Black Caucus in light of the murders of George Floyd and other… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement in response to recent comments by President Trump about voting by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic: “The president should be embarrassed by his recent comments about voting by mail. Forcing people to go to a polling location during a public health crisis is shameful. People should never have to… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman DelBene and Congresswoman Jayapal met with officials from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to discuss the multiple cases of Iranian Americans being detained and questioned at length while entering the US from Canada at the Blaine Peace Arch crossing in January and the recently leaked CBP memo directing CBP agents to discriminate specifically against individuals of… Read more »

Today, members of Washington’s Democratic delegation in the House of Representatives issued a joint statement after an internal memo from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows Iranian-Americans and others were deliberately targeted for detainment at the Blaine Peace Arch crossing in early January. The Washington Democratic delegation includes Representatives Suzan DelBene, Rick… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) made the following statement after an internal memo from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows Iranian-Americans and others were deliberately targeted for detainment at the Blaine Peace Arch crossing in early January. “I am deeply alarmed that CBP was dishonest regarding the detainment of Americans of Iranian, Lebanese, and… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined House Democrats in passing a War Powers Resolution that directs the Administration to halt the use of U.S. Armed Forces against Iran without authorization from Congress. This vote was taken in response to the president’s military airstrikes against high-level Iranian officials without any Congressional consultation.  “Today’s vote… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-1) led a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “to obtain more information regarding the holding of Iranian Americans in secondary inspection upon entering the United States in Blaine, Washington” over the weekend. The letter is co-led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The letter… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s travel ban directed at citizens of predominately Muslim nations. “I am deeply disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision. As Justice Sotomayor said in her dissent, President Trump’s ‘policy now masquerades behind a façade of national security concerns,’ when… Read more »