DC Legislative Updates
Dear Friend,
Biden Executive Order on Immigration
I was appalled last week when President Biden signed an executive order significantly reducing how many people could legally seek asylum into our country. As a refugee, I understand the dire consequences this order will have on people wanting a better life. Stopping the asylum process is not the answer. Rather, Congress must create more and easier pathways to citizenship while protecting the humanity of everyone. I’m hoping to seek accountability from the Biden administration on this new immigration order just as it was done with Donald Trump’s administration. You can read my full press release here.
Global Wealth Tax Letter
Earlier this week, I, along with Senator Bernie Sanders and 16 of our colleagues in the House and Senate sent a letter to the Biden Administration asking them to support Brazil’s G20 initiative establishing a global minimum tax on the world’s ultra-wealthy. It is time for the U.S. to take leadership in the global space by supporting the push for fair tax laws that benefit everyday people and not just the 1%. You can read my full statement here.
My Amendments for the National Defense Authorization Act
In a push to align our national defense policies with humanitarian values, I introduced nine amendments to the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These amendments aim to center human rights in trade and foreign relations, respond to crises like the civil war in Sudan, hold governments accountable for transnational repression, create flexibility for Afghanistan aid, remediate environmental damage from overseas military operations, and remove offensive language about Indigenous peoples. I am also backing efforts to reduce the Pentagon’s topline budget and ban cluster munition transfers.
Congressional Record to Edwin Torres DeSantiago
Last month, I had the honor of recognizing Minnesota Native Edwin Torres DeSantiago in the Congressional Record. Edwin is the first DACA recipient to be a student at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where he will begin his doctoral studies shortly. He came to the U.S. when he was eight and had a high level of academic success, but believed his status as an undocumented immigrant would prevent him from pursuing higher education. Then the Obama administration established the DACA program, and he was able to enroll in St. John’s University in Saint Joseph, Minnesota. He has now also obtained his master’s degree from the Humphrey School. He has achieved high academic success throughout his educational journey and has been a tireless advocate for first-generation and Latinx students. His story reinforces the urgent need to protect DACA.
Federal Jobs Guarantee
Last week, I, along with Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Jamaal Bowman, reintroduced the Workforce Promotion and Access Act (WPA). Minnesotans are still struggling with abnormal work schedules, lackluster wages and benefits, and higher costs of living. This bill would create a fully funded federal jobs program meant to help communities with significantly high unemployment rates. The jobs would support many important community services such as infrastructure, child care, elder care, and health care at a $17/hour minimum wage. These jobs would provide real economic security for individuals needing it most. You can read my full statement on this important piece of legislation here.
In Service,
Ilhan Omar
