National Security

I actually wept: Lawyers frantic efforts stop a plane, allow 2 men to enter U.S. at Sea-Tac

| Posted in In the News

They were running for the gate, the two attorneys, one specializing in immigration law, the other a Port of Seattle commissioner. They knew they might not make it in time. An Emirates airplane was about to leave for Dubai at just after 5 p.m. Saturday, and on it were two men who had landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. They had been told they could not stay because of an order…

As the Feds Detained Banned Travelers at Sea-Tac, Local Political Leaders Were Given Virtually No Info About What Was Going On

| Posted in In the News

As chaos unfolded at airports across the country on Saturday, it quickly became clear that officials ranging from frontline border patrol agents to high-ranking members of the administration were unprepared for President Donald Trump's travel ban. In Washington, that turmoil translated to a group of state and federal leaders unable to find answers to questions as basic as how many people…

First Small Victory Achieved Over Immigration Ban at Sea-Tac

| Posted in In the News

Washington politicians are demanding answers after the weekend scuffle over immigration at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Suzan DelBene, governor Jay Inslee, and other officials were quick to denounce president Donald Trump’s immigration ban from seven Muslim-majority countries after two men—from Yemen and Sudan—were…

DelBene demands answers after rebuff at SeaTac Airport following Trumps immigration and refugee executive orders

| Posted in In the News

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today wrote to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeking an explanation for why so little information was communicated to members of Congress during her visit to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) on Saturday. DelBene went to the airport on Jan. 28, after learning individuals traveling to Washington with visas were detained at…

Seattle braces for another night of immigration ban protests

| Posted in In the News

Sea-Tac officials are expecting another wave of protests Sunday night, following massive crowds on Saturday.  A rally is planned for Westlake Park on Sunday, from 5 to 8 p.m., against the president's ban on refugees and immigrants from select Muslim countries. A few thousand are expect to gather in downtown Seattle Sunday evening, but some believe that people will also be gathering…

DelBene discusses No Religious Registry Act and more with interfaith leaders

| Posted in In the News

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene glanced around the table on Tuesday afternoon at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) and told the eight interfaith leaders that these are challenging times. DelBene, a Democrat who represents Washington’s First Congressional District, was glad to be connecting with the leaders at the Redmond mosque, but wished it was under more pleasant…

House bill aims to block tech giants from building "Muslim registry"

| Posted in In the News

A new House bill would prevent the incoming government from forcing tech companies to build a so-called Muslim registry. The bill, dubbed the No Religious Registry Act, is set to be reintroduced by Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA, 1st) after it failed just days after now president-elect Donald Trump won the election. It comes after the Republican candidate made repeated calls for a "total and…

Senator Patty Murray, Dems, Introduce Bill to Block Muslim Immigrant Registry

| Posted in In the News

Yep, this is what it's come to: Washington State's Senator Patty Murray and a coalition of other Senate Democrats have introduced a bill to block the creation of a federal registry based on religion, ethnicity, race, age, gender, national origin, nationality, or citizenship. The "Protect American Families Act" would block draconian actions from the president-elect should Trump's…

Supporting our National Guard members

| Posted in eNewsletters

Dear Friend,  President Obama just signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2017, which contained my bill to ensure National Guard members retain health coverage when responding to state emergencies, such as landslides or earthquakes. After the tragic Oso landslide in 2014, my office was contacted by members of our state’s National Guard…

President Signs DelBenes Fix for National Guard Healthcare Into Law

| Posted in Press Releases

President Obama today signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2017, which included Congresswoman Suzan DelBene’s (WA-01) National Guard Family Protection Act (H.R. 4554) to ensure National Guard members retain health coverage when responding to state emergencies, such as landslides or earthquakes. The bill also included a DelBene measure easing the burden…