Press Releases

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced the Protecting Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act. This legislation will provide U Visa eligibility for immigrant workers who report unsafe or unfair labor practices. The bill will also strengthen labor agencies’ investigative powers and allow a stay of removal and work authorization for workers who file a workplace claim. These reforms will provide all workers with the assurance that they can speak up against illegal business practices without fear of retaliation. The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Charles Rangel (NY-13), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), and David Cicilline (RI-01).

Today, the House voted 363-64 to pass a transportation bill that will provide $325 billion in funds for six years for highway, transit, and highway safety programs.

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced the Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act. The bill permits members of the uniformed services access to qualified acupuncturist services without the requirement of a referral and requires that acupuncture services be offered to all veterans. The bill also ensures that qualified acupuncturist services are covered by Medicare so that seniors have another effective treatment option available to them. In addition to increasing access, the bill recognizes the important contributions of this medical field and makes acupuncturists eligible for appointments as Commissioned Officers in the Armed Forces and in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), voted with 265 other Democratic and Republican Members of Congress to pass H.R. 1314, a bipartisan budget agreement that would lift sequester spending caps and avoid a default on the U.S. debt for the next two years.

Today, the House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im). The reauthorization process began in early October when House Democrats filed a discharge petition to bring the bill out of Committee and up for a vote to the full House. On Monday, 62 Republicans joined all 184 Democrats to vote in support of the discharge petition. The Ex-Im Bank is an 80-year-old institution that supports U.S. jobs through the exporting and financing of American goods and services. Its authorization expired on June 30th of this year due to inaction by Republican leadership.

Today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement applauding a new rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that improves home mortgage data collection and reporting. CAPAC Members have been advocating for this new rule to better understand the housing needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities for a number of years.

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act. This bill, cosponsored by Reps. Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), and Tony Cardenas (CA-29), and supported by local water, conservation and recreation groups, would expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument boundaries and create a new National Recreation Area (NRA). Establishing an NRA along the Foothills and San Gabriel River corridor would enhance conservation, increase access for all communities by connecting park poor areas to open space, and improve the management of the area through improved resources, education, and public engagement.