DelBene, Suzan RSS Articles

Trump Tries to Withhold Tariff Refunds Despite Losing in Court

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on new reports that the administration is attempting to avoid issuing refunds for Trump’s illegal tariffs.

“President Trump stole money from American families and small businesses with his illegal tariffs and is doing everything he can to avoid paying it back. At every turn since the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down Trump’s tariffs, his administration has made it incredibly challenging for consumers and importers to get their money back. Their latest claim that the administration needs a court order to issue refunds is a thinly veiled attempt to ignore the courts and break the law.

“Congress should speak with one bipartisan voice that enough is enough on Trump’s tariff chaos. Congress should make clear these sweeping tariffs are illegal, prevent the White House from continuing to try to reimpose them, and ensure Americans can get their money back.”

Budget Bill Shows How Disconnected Republicans Are from Struggles of American Families

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on the Republican budget bill.

“With this bill, Republicans are saying that they would rather spend over $70 billion to continue enabling ICE’s campaign of violence instead of lowering prices for American families.

“Trump and Congressional Republicans are indifferent to the challenges facing Americans. While working families are struggling to make ends meet because of the rising cost of food, health care, child care, housing, and energy bills, Republicans in Congress are yet again breaking their promise to lower the high cost of living in America.

“Instead, they are falling in line behind President Trump’s demands to continue ICE’s campaign of violence while leaving the door open for Trump to bring back his slush fund. After the waves of violence that immigration agents have committed across the country and the brutal killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in broad daylight, Americans demanded reforms to ICE. But Republicans refuse to make any commonsense changes, like requiring judicial warrants, prohibiting masks, and mandating body cameras.

“House Democrats will keep fighting to make life more affordable, our communities safer, and to hold this administration accountable for its broken promises.”

The legislation, which passed the Senate, now goes to the president.

Democrats Raise Alarm Over Anti-Abortion Moms.gov

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Judy Chu (CA-28) led 83 of their colleagues in conducting oversight of the recently-launched Moms.gov. The letter demands that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. provide answers about the department’s goals in developing, funding, reviewing, and operating Moms.gov.

Moms.gov launched in May with the purported goal of offering guidance to expectant mothers, but the website instead features potentially harmful information about crisis pregnancy centers and puts sensitive health information at risk.

“This website purports to be a resource to support the health and well-being of women and families, yet it deceives vulnerable people by sending them to anti-abortion centers, or so-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers,’ that are not real medical providers,” the lawmakers wrote to Secretary Kennedy. “Additionally, these organizations often engage in questionable data collection practices of individuals’ sensitive health information. We have long raised concerns about deceptive practices that jeopardize patient privacy and mislead people seeking reproductive health care, and we urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to guarantee that all federally supported public-facing maternal health resources provide medically accurate, evidence-based, and comprehensive information and protect Americans’ private health information.”

The “Find Pregnancy Centers Near You” feature on Moms.gov appears to direct users to Option Line, a 24/7 contact center managed by Heartbeat International, a nationwide anti-abortion organization and network of over 1,000 crisis pregnancy centers. Heartbeat International’s mission is to make abortion “unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations,” and it has faced significant scrutiny regarding the collection, storage, and handling of sensitive reproductive health information through services including the Option Line.

“Deciding whether or when to bear a child is a deeply personal decision that should be made by the patient and trusted health care providers using medically-accurate and comprehensive information, not by opponents of reproductive freedom,” the lawmakers continued. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services already has resources with comprehensive information for women on reproductive health, including pregnancy, birth control methods, infertility, sexually-transmitted infections, and more. Moms.gov is duplicitous, a waste of government resources, and a thinly-veiled attempt to push a far right agenda onto people at a vulnerable time in their lives.”

The letter is supported by the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Power to Decide.

The full letter can be found here.

DelBene Introduces Bipartisan Digital Services Tax Resolution

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Ron Estes (KS-04), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing strong opposition to Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) and other foreign taxes that unfairly target and discriminate against American companies and workers.

The resolution highlights that several countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Austria, and the United Kingdom, have already implemented DSTs, while others, such as Poland and Belgium, are actively considering them. These taxes deviate from established international income tax systems by targeting a company’s gross revenue rather than its net income, regardless of whether the business has a physical presence in that country.

This resolution aligns with past investigations conducted by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Those investigations concluded that DSTs are explicitly structured to discriminate against U.S. digital companies, are unusually burdensome due to retroactive applications, and violate prevailing international tax and trade agreements.

“The U.S. should be rule makers, not rule takers, in the growing global digital economy. Digital trade is far more than just a technology issue. It is fundamental to our modern economy, supporting millions of American jobs and growing Washington state’s technology, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors,” said DelBene. “This resolution urges the U.S. to oppose digital service taxes that undermine the competitiveness of our digital sector and defend the high-quality jobs it supports.”

“Free and fair trade relies on international cooperation, mutual respect, and legal certainty,” said Estes. “DSTs are designed to unfairly penalize American innovation, creating a hostile environment of double taxation and market distortion that harms not just our premier tech companies, but also the U.S. small businesses and consumers who rely on them. This resolution sends a clear message: the United States will use every trade and tax tool at our disposal to protect our workers and businesses from discriminatory foreign overreach.”

“As co-chair of the Digital Trade Caucus, I have witnessed firsthand how fair and effective digital trade rules directly correlates to the success of manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses across Illinois’ 16^th District,” said LaHood. “We must remain aggressive in using the necessary tools to combat unfair foreign digital trade policies that are in direct contradiction to our values and seek to undermine American businesses.”

"Foreign governments that single out American companies for discriminatory taxation are undermining free and fair trade. This resolution puts Congress on record demanding they stop,” said Moran. “I'm proud to join Representatives Estes, LaHood, DelBene, Panetta, and Schneider in sending that message clearly and with one bipartisan voice."

“Multiple reports have made clear that other countries' digital service taxes unfairly discriminate against the United States, violating principles of free and fair trade and undermining existing international agreements,” said Panetta. “I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in strong opposition to these harmful taxes that target American digital businesses and hurt their customers. We must build an international consensus against these taxes which undermine fundamental tax principles and fairness.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues on this resolution to show strong bipartisan support for multilateral engagement to address the rise of digital services taxes and other similar taxes that blatantly target U.S. companies,” said Schneider. “We must stand together as members of the Ways and Means Committee to work with our global partners and ensure a fair playing field for U.S. companies.”

The text of the legislation can be found here

DelBene Grills Treasury Secretary on Exposing Financial Data of Millions of Americans to DOGE

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) grilled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on why he authorized Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff to have access to a sensitive payment system that sends out money on behalf of the entire federal government. This system contains the personal information and financial data of millions of Americans. Secretary Bessent personally granted the DOGE team access to the system. This has been called “the biggest breach of US government data” ever known.

Here is a link to the video, and below is the transcript:

DelBene: One of President Trump's first actions was to put his billionaire donor, Elon Musk, in charge of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. By the end of Musk’s short, but destructive tenure, DOGE had nearly quadrupled its original budget, lost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in estimated interest and fee revenue, and paid 200,000 federal employees roughly $22 billion to stop working. DOGE was a massive failure. It turns out moving fast and breaking things and having no clue what the heck you're doing is not the most efficient way to govern. Unfortunately, DOGE’s destruction wasn't limited to wasting taxpayer dollars and gutting the federal service. DOGE staffers also abused their position to gain access to taxpayer-sensitive private data. Mr. Secretary, on January 31, 2025, you personally granted DOGE access to one of the Treasury Department's payment systems at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. This database houses Americans' most sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and bank account information. Shortly after, my colleagues and I requested the GAO review DOGE’s unprecedented access to this critical payment system. GAO completed that report last month, and I ask for unanimous consent to insert it in the record.

Chairman Smith: Without objection.

DelBene: Thank you. GAO’s audit determined that a DOGE employee was inadvertently granted temporary access to create, modify, and delete data from the payment system. Mr. Secretary, you failed to impose basic safeguards that left millions of Americans' personal data vulnerable to unauthorized access and abuse. And so my question for you is, do you take responsibility for that, and what specific managers, if any, have you taken afterwards to protect the affected individuals' data and rebuild confidence in your department's handling of sensitive information?

Bessent: Again, would you care to look up what is inadvertent mean?

DelBene: Did you – Have you taken – But you're in charge? You are responsible for this. Do you take responsibility for that? Do you take responsibility?

Bessent: I will take responsibility –

DelBene: Okay. And then what has been done to make sure that can never happen again?

Bessent: Congresswoman, it was read only. They had no ability to edit.

DelBene: What has happened to make sure that never happens again?

Bessent: We have, just as we have at the IRS, we have tightened up all protocols on systems.

DelBene: I guess that's not very specific, but the GAO also found that a DOGE staffer sent an unencrypted file containing USAID payment information and individuals' names to external DOGE personnel at the General Services Administration. Soon after, it was reported no disciplinary action was taken, despite the employee's failure to protect federal and non-federal employees' sensitive personal data and comply with security requirements. So, again, Mr. Secretary, when employees who violate IT security rules are not held accountable – what does that message send to agencies? And why don't you hold –

Bessent: Why are you bringing up USAID with me?

DelBene: Because a DOGE staffer – GAO found that a DOGE staffer had payment information, payment information –

Bessent: USAID I do not oversee. I wear many hats in this administration –

DelBene: And this is still – this is a file containing payment information. Are you not in charge also of the Treasury?

Bessent: That has – USAID, that has nothing to do with us.

DelBene: But payment information has nothing to do with you?

Bessent: Again, it was not sourced at the Treasury. Why are you bringing this up with me?

DelBene: So, GAO provided six recommendations to address identified weaknesses, including ensuring staff agree to comply with IT security rules and configuring systems to detect and prevent the transmission of unencrypted payment data. The report states that the Fiscal Service, again, the Fiscal Service – part of your agency – agreed with three of the recommendations and did not state whether it agreed or disagreed with the other three. So, Mr. Secretary, can you confirm Treasury's position? – This is part of your purview – Treasury's position on all six recommendations, and if you agree that they're warranted, please let us know, and if you disagree with the recommendations, please explain why.

Bessent: Again, I don't have a copy of the recommendations in front of me, your office did not share them in advance. We'd be happy to get back to you. That we would obviously agree with the ones where we've already agreed.

DelBene: So I hope that you understand that these are findings from the GAO about ensuring that information is protected. And again we have seen access to taxpayer information. What are you doing to address this? And are you taking responsibility? People don't have faith that access has been given against the law.

Bessent: Well, again, President Trump and his family and employees of the Trump Organization – 400,000 people – had their tax returns stolen at the IRS.

DelBene: You are in charge. What are you doing to prevent that? Americans peoples’ sensitive information has been leaked outside –

Smith: Ms. DelBene, your time has expired.

Bessent: We have tightened the protocols. We have tightened access.

DelBene: And you have said nothing specific of what you've done to ensure –

DelBene, Bonamici Introduce Bill to Boost Manufacturing Job Opportunities for Veterans

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced legislation to expand opportunities for veterans to gain long-term, good-paying manufacturing jobs by boosting training options for service members transitioning from military to civilian life. The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act would invest $50 million into creating veteran manufacturing pilot programs that will offer targeted training and apprenticeships from employers and labor-management organizations.

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 296,000 veterans are unemployed and struggling to find jobs. This includes approximately 6,000 veterans in Washington. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector faces a pressing need for skilled workers, with approximately 462,000 job openings and a projected 2 million vacancies in the next decade, largely due to a skills gap in advanced manufacturing.

This legislation would bridge this gap by expanding access to skills training for U.S. veterans in manufacturing career pathways, ensuring veterans have the tools needed to translate their military skills to the civilian workforce, and encouraging manufacturers to recruit, hire, and train our nation’s returning heroes.

“Our veterans deserve access to well-paying, fulfilling jobs when they reenter civilian life,” said DelBene. “This bill aims to give veterans the tools they need to secure adequate employment, while addressing a growing shortage of skilled manufacturing workers. Veterans possess invaluable skills and expertise, and this legislation will help ensure they can thrive in a post-service career.”

“We have a responsibility to care for veterans, and that includes helping them transition to quality civilian jobs when their service ends,” said Bonamici. “Creating more career pathways for veterans will help connect them with well-paying jobs and strengthen the companies that gain qualified employees. I’m grateful to lead this legislation with Rep. DelBene to support veterans.”

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

Trump Tries New Sham Effort to Reimpose Tariffs on Americans

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on the Trump administration’s latest illegal tariffs scheme:

“This latest move from the administration is nothing more than a sham effort to reimpose Trump’s illegal tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down. Trump made clear after the ruling that he would try to find new authorities to continue his damaging trade agenda. This is not a thoughtful investigation into forced labor. It’s Trump’s latest attempt to act like a king and go around Congress to get his way. Families and small businesses will ultimately pay the price for these new taxes while Republicans in Congress stay silent yet again.”

DelBene Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Require Warrants for Emails, Digital Records

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Warren Davidson (OH-08), along with Senators Mike Lee (UT) and Ron Wyden (OR) introduced the bipartisan Email Privacy Act, which would create updated privacy protections for emails and other personalized digital records.

Currently, law enforcement can obtain private email communications older than 180 days without a warrant because the law is based on outdated storage capabilities. Congress passed the Electronic Communications Privacy Act in the 1980s to establish email privacy standards. In the four decades since, usage and storage of email have evolved significantly, underscoring how behind the U.S. is in digital privacy more broadly.

This bill would protect Americans’ digital communications by requiring warrants to access emails regardless of when the message originated. The bill also includes provisions that will allow email providers (Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, iCloud, etc.) to notify users when their data has been accessed, and updates voluntary disclosure language.

“The current law governing online privacy standards is egregiously out of date, leaving millions of Americans’ private communications and data vulnerable,” said DelBene. “Our laws must reflect the capabilities of modern technology rather than being stuck in the past. Personal email communications and physical documents should be protected with the same level of security. This bill makes critical changes that will update email privacy standards and modernize Americans’ civil liberties.”

“The Fourth Amendment is clear: the government must get a warrant before searching an individual’s private property, including written communications. As today’s world has grown increasingly digital, that principle should apply just as strongly to an email inbox as it does to a desk drawer or file cabinet,” said Davidson. “That’s exactly why I’m proud to cosponsor the Email Privacy Act—to ensure our freedoms carry into the digital world and that all communications are protected as the Founders intended. Congress must pass this commonsense legislation so Americans’ rights are fully respected in the 21st century.”

“Americans should not lose their Fourth Amendment protections simply because their private communications are stored with a third-party provider. By eliminating the outdated 180-day rule and requiring the government to obtain a warrant for the contents of emails and other electronic communications, this legislation brings ECPA into line with the realities of the 21st century,” said Lee.

“Right now, the only thing standing between the government and warrantless access to all of the old emails in your inbox is a federal appeals court decision. That's not good enough when it comes to Fourth Amendment protections for one of the fundamental forms of communication right now. I’m proud to partner with a bipartisan coalition to put clear protections for Americans' rights into black-letter law,” said Wyden.

The legislation is endorsed by the ACLU, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Association for Competitive Technology, Center for Democracy & Technology, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Consumer Choice Center, Consumer Technology Association, Demand Progress, Due Process Institute, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Engine, Fight for the Future, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Institute for Policy Innovation, Internet Infrastructure Coalition – I2Coalition, NetChoice, Project On Government Oversight, R Street Institute, Restore the Fourth, Software & Information Industry Association, TechFreedom, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

DelBene is also the author of a comprehensive national data privacy bill that would put Americans back in control of their data.

The text of the Email Privacy Act can be found here.

DelBene Introduces Bill to Invest $200 Billion in America’s High-Speed Rail Future

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced the American High Speed Rail Act, which would invest $200 billion over five years to build a world-class high-speed passenger rail system.

This legislation lays out a comprehensive foundation for America’s rail resurgence and would put the United States on par with nations in Europe and Asia that have long led the world in modern rail travel. It standardizes definitions for high-speed rail (186+ mph) and higher-speed rail (110-186 mph), establishes robust public-private partnership frameworks to maximize federal investment, and targets grants to projects that deliver equity, resilience, sustainability, and economic development for the communities they serve.

The bill also expands transit-oriented development incentives to grow affordable housing and spur commercial development around new rail hubs. It also streamlines project delivery by eliminating expenditure timelines, modernizing labor protections, and directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to fast-track performance-based safety regulations for advanced technologies already proven in global markets.

“This legislation marks a transformative step toward creating a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous future for all Americans,” said DelBene. “By investing in a national high-speed rail network, we are not only alleviating strain on our highways and airports and creating safer communities, but we are also strengthening productivity and lowering carbon emissions. An expanded high-speed rail system would have an incredible value in the Pacific Northwest, connecting key population centers from Vancouver to Portland and beyond.”

“America deserves the same world-class high-speed rail system that other countries across the globe have had now for decades,” said Moulton. “This isn’t just about improving convenience, it’s about creating smart, business-driven investment that will create millions of good-paying jobs, connect communities big and small, fight climate change, and ensure America leads the way in the infrastructure of the future.”

The text of the legislation can be found here.

DelBene Leads Bill to Maintain U.S. Global Leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Thu, 21 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Vern Buchanan (FL-13), and Terri Sewell (AL-07) introduced the Semiconductor Superiority Act to amend the Section 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit to explicitly include property and infrastructure for space-based semiconductor manufacturing.

Section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code provides a tax credit to incentivize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. While Section 48D can be read to include next-generation semiconductor technologies developed in low-Earth orbit, it does not mention them explicitly. This bill clarifies that space-based semiconductor manufacturing technologies qualify for Section 48D, reducing uncertainty for American manufacturers.

Microgravity environments in space enable superior semiconductor fabrication by reducing defects in crystal growth and material deposition that are caused by gravity. These conditions are essential for developing next-generation chips that can power quantum computing, AI, and advanced defense systems. Without policy adaptation, the U.S. risks falling behind global competitors investing in space-based manufacturing. China is currently developing semiconductor materials processes on its Tiangong Space Station, for example.

“The United States must continue leading the way in developing and manufacturing the next generation of advanced semiconductors. We’ve made tremendous progress ramping up domestic capacity through the CHIPS and Science Act, but the semiconductor race is constantly evolving,” said DelBene. “The next frontier of chipmaking is space, where the absence of gravity enables superior semiconductor development. By incentivizing the investment in these critical technologies, the U.S. will continue to shape the future of the global economy. This legislation provides the certainty researchers and innovators need to manufacture cutting-edge semiconductors. This is a smart, forward-looking step that strengthens U.S. leadership and keeps America at the forefront of technological competitiveness.”

“Semiconductor materials manufactured in low-Earth orbit will be a critical component of the next-generation semiconductor chips that will power U.S. leadership in AI, quantum computing and advanced defense systems,” said Buchanan. “My Semiconductor Superiority Act will ensure U.S. companies developing cutting-edge semiconductor technologies in space can access the same incentives already available for semiconductor production here on Earth. It will strengthen Florida’s position as a national leader in the space economy and keep America ahead of China in the race for technological and space dominance. By supporting next-generation semiconductor innovation, we can bolster national security, create high-paying jobs and cement America’s leadership in the industries of the future.”

“Alabama has long been at the forefront of American innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Sewell. “As our global competitors race to dominate the technologies of the future, Congress must ensure that the United States remains the world leader in semiconductor production, space exploration, and cutting-edge research. The Semiconductor Superiority Act is an investment in American ingenuity that will help strengthen our national security, support high-paying jobs, and position the United States to lead in emerging industries. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation to ensure America sets the pace for the next generation of technological innovation.”

The text of the legislation can be found here

DelBene Hosts Telephone Town Hall

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 02:15:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) for a telephone town hall on Monday, February 24 at 6:16 PM PT for a discussion on what's happening with the Trump administration and what she's doing in Congress to protect Washington families.