Last week, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced a two-year delay in the implementation of a rule that forgives the student loan debt of innocent victims defrauded by for-profit colleges.
The revised rule was designed to make it easier for victims to have their loans forgiven and compel fraudulent schools to pay the cost, not taxpayers.
By delaying this rule, DeVos is once again taking the side of predatory corporations and leaving thousands of innocent people in dire financial situations. This decision comes only a few months after DeVos reversed a ban that protected those who defaulted on their student loans from paying exorbitant collection fees — adding insult to injury for millions who put their trust in the Department of Education to do their job and protect students.
This is a moral outrage and we need to take action to demand DeVos implement these rules immediately. Victims of predatory for-profit colleges cannot wait — and taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize their fraud and abuse.
Our country has a responsibility to make education attainable without digging students into a financial hole.
Instead of leading the charge, the Department of Education is letting big corporations take control of our education system and our tax dollars. We can’t let that happen.
When I was Attorney General of California, we prosecuted Corinthians Colleges, a predatory for-profit college conglomerate like the ones that DeVos is protecting, and won. As Senator, I am proud to work with Bernie Sanders and many of my colleagues to introduce legislation that would make college tuition-free for the vast majority of Americans.
I’m asking you to stand with me as I continue this battle by sending a powerful message to Betsy DeVos and the Department of Education that they must start protecting our students, not siding with corporate vultures masquerading as colleges.
Here’s what Donald Trump doesn’t want you to know:
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Exchanges begins today and runs through December 15.
Trump and his Republican stooges are doing everything they can to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, including slashing the budget for advertising and enrollment promotion by 90 percent.
We already know that Donald Trump doesn’t care about our health care — he’s trying to score cheap political points at the expense of the health and lives of hardworking Americans.
But that means it’s up to us as Democrats to make sure our communities have the information they need to stay covered and stay healthy.
Yesterday, a former Trump policy adviser pleaded guilty to lying about his communication with Russian officials. Trump’s campaign chair and his deputy campaign manager were also indicted for conspiracy against the United States.
We are in a crisis. The president is a clear and present danger to the country. That’s why I’ve started a new effort called Need to Impeach.
Donald Trump has brought us to the brink of nuclear war, obstructed justice, and taken money from foreign governments. He must be removed from office immediately.
Trump has exceeded the historical standard for impeachment. Failure to act now gives him license to ramp up his reckless behavior and terrorize American lives.
This is not the time for the political establishment to focus on their personal and political agendas. They should be concerned about our democracy, not just reelection.
There is an urgent need to do what is morally right — and that’s why I’m calling on members of Congress to take a stand on impeachment.
Saturday night I watched Kamala give an impassioned speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual dinner. During her speech, she challenged all of us to speak the hard truths about what’s happening in our country, even when it makes us uncomfortable.
The part that stuck with me the most was Kamala talking about how no one fights alone. The reason our resistance has succeeded is that we’re all standing up to defend one another.
I transcribed Kamala’s speech and pasted it below (you can also watch it by clicking here). As we approach the one-year anniversary of Trump’s election, I think it’s more important than ever we take a moment to remind ourselves of why and how we fight.
I hope you’ll read it and forward it to your friends today.
All my best,
Jenn Liu
Team Kamala
No One Fights Alone
By Kamala Harris
Over the years, together, we have experienced many ups and downs. Victory and defeat, success and struggle. Tonight, we are not only here to reflect on our progress, but to recommit ourselves to the fight we face because we all know we are at an inflection point in the history of our country. I think of this as a moment like the time my parents first met in the 1960’s when they were active in the civil rights movement. I believe this is a moment when our country is witnessing an assault on our deepest values and ideals. Where people don’t trust our government, it’s institutions, or leaders.
To restore that trust, HRC, I believe we must speak truth even when it makes people uncomfortable. Even when others are silent. As the poet Audre Lorde reminds us, there are so many silences to be broken. Let’s speak truth, from Charlotte to Charlottesville. We have been reminded racism in this country is real. Sexism, anti-semitism are real in this country. Homophobia and transphobia are real in this country. We must speak that truth so we can deal with it.
Let’s speak truth. Voting rights in this country are under attack. Since the Supreme Court gutted the voting rights act in 2013, 10 federal court decisions have found intentional discrimination against voters of color. One even said black voters were targeted, “with almost surgical precision.”
Let’s speak truth. Across this country, Americans worry that our government will take away their health care. At this very moment while we are here this evening, immigrants fear a knock on the door that could tear them away from their families.
Let’s tell the truth. Sexual harassment and assault are real in this country from movie sets to newsrooms to factory floors. We need to confront it.
Let’s tell the truth. From the United States Congress to the United States Census, LGBT rights are under attack. Under attack by a justice department that now stands on the side of discrimination instead of equality. Under attack by a Senate nominee who thinks homosexuality should be illegal and a judicial nominee who says transgender children are proof of Satan’s plan. Under attack by a Commander in Chief who wants to ban transgender troops who are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend our country.
We need to speak another truth. That despite the forces of hate and division that are trying to tear us apart, Americans have so much more in common than what separates us. That is the truth.
You know, I remember, for example, many years ago I was sent to go speak in the Castro to a group of young gay men. I was there campaigning against a ballot measure that would have required young women to notify their parents before getting an abortion. I was going to speak in this home in the Castro with a group of 20 and 30-year-old men. I remember scratching my head thinking, “Okay, what am I going to say to this group who, for the most part, has not had to deal with an unintended pregnancy?”
I said to them, “I guess you guys are wondering what you could possibly have in common with a 16-year-old pregnant girl.” As you could imagine, everyone laughed. Then I asked them, “Well, when you were 16, did you want to speak with your parents about your sexuality?”
And the room went silent because they knew we have so much more in common than what separates us. I think it’s what Bayard Rustin meant when he said, “You have to join every movement for the freedom of people.” In other words, HRC, I think it means fighting for everyone’s civil rights is in our common interest and is in our self-interest. No one should be left to fight alone.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked with many communities who did feel alone. Including, in the 1990’s, working with transgender people of color, many of whom were ostracized and self-medicating, and even some self-mutilating. And despite some progress, last year was still the deadliest year on record for transgender people in America. And when compared to white men, the HIV/AIDS rate among Latino men is more than three times higher. And for black men, nearly eight times higher. We know that black and Latino men should not be left to fight alone.
We are at an incredible moment because none of us in this room are fighting alone. Across all communities, we are standing together. Women, labor, African Americans, immigrants, native people, the LGBT community, and so many more. From Standing Rock to Charlottesville, we are all fighting together.
Let us rededicate ourselves, HRC. We will leave no one to fight alone. Together, we together will fight for the equality of the LGBT community and all of it’s diversity. Together we’ll fight to promote police reforms and progressive prosecutors to prevent shootings like those that took Trayvon Martin and Philando Castile. Together, we’ll fight when Planned Parenthood clinics are being threatened to shut down. Together, we will fight for the DREAM act. Call our members of Congress and donate to HRC’s DREAMers fund. Because no one should have to hide; not in the closet or in the shadows. Let’s fight together knowing, knowing our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power.
One final point: let’s be clear that this fight is about love of country. This fight is patriotic. As I said at HRC, at an HRC dinner 12 years ago, I believe there are two definitions of what it means to be a patriot. One describes those who condone the conduct of their country, whatever it does. The other is the kind I believe us all to be: the kind that fights each and every day for the ideals of our country. The ideals behind the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
It’s patriots like my brilliant friend and advisor Jim Rivaldo who passed away 10 years ago this month, but in life helped elect Harvey Milk, one of the very first openly gay officials in America. Now, we have openly gay leaders everywhere from the C suite to the United States Senate. It was patriotic. It was patriotic when we fought to end the gay panic defense, which was used to justify violence against gay and transgender people. It was an act of patriotism when we worked to pass a law allowing the prosecution of federal hate crimes in the name of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd.
I have to tell you, I most certainly felt patriotic when on Valentines weekend in 2004, I performed marriages of gay couples at San Francisco city hall. Now later that year, of course, the California Supreme Court rendered those marriages void, and in 2008, Proposition 8 was passed. But the important thing to remember about our history is we fought. We fought. We took our case all the way to the highest court in the land. As you have heard, on June 28, 2013, I was honored to again stand at San Francisco city hall with Miss Kris Perry and Miss Sandy Stier and pronounce them spouses for life. One of the sweetest things about that was then the marriage bells rang across our country.
HRC, let’s steel ourselves for the fight ahead. But let’s remember in our fight, we have never been one to throw up our hands when it is time to roll up our sleeves. Let us rededicate ourselves to each other and to our country. Let’s continue getting to work and fighting.
As a member of Congress, a critical part of my job is making sure that the voices of those I have the honor of representing are heard, and that our Valley interests are represented in Washington, D.C. That is why I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know what I have been doing on behalf of the people I represent.
Supporting Affordable Childcare for Working Families
The increasing cost of childcare and rising costs of living in this economy have made it more and more difficult for working families to afford quality child care. We know just how important the early years of life are to a child’s development, and parents who have to work full time should not have to choose between their job and caring for their children. That is why I am cosponsoring the bipartisan Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act. This bill would modernize the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to provide financial assistance to lower and middle class families who struggle with the increasing cost of childcare. Children and families come first in our Valley, and it is my hope that this bill will be included in any comprehensive tax reform package.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year from September 15th to October 15th we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. During this time, we reflect on and honor the history, culture, and contributions of the Hispanic community. From serving in our armed forces, to starting businesses that further develop our economy and provide employment, to making great advancements in science, medicine, and the arts, the Hispanic community and its people have been critical in shaping our nation and our Valley. In California alone, there are over 815,000 Hispanic owned companies, 27,000 of which are in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties. I recently had the opportunity to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor a community that is an essential part of both the San Joaquin Valley and America.
Rep. Costa Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month
Protecting Faith-based Groups, Non-profits, and the Separation of Church and State
The Johnson Amendment to the U.S. tax code prohibits certain tax-exempt non-profit organizations – such as charities and religious organizations – from officially endorsing or opposing political candidates. The amendment is one of our legal structures for keeping separate church and state. It protects organizations from being pressured into taking sides on political issues and during campaigns, and protects government officials from becoming beholden to religion or other interests driving the non-profit organization. Yet, the amendment still allows these organizations to discuss political and social issues as they choose, as long as they do not officially endorse, oppose, or officially campaign for a candidate.
The separation of church and state is a cornerstone of our American democracy, and religious organizations, secular non-profits, and an overwhelming majority of Americans support the Johnson Amendment. In August alone, over 4,000 faith leaders wrote a letter to all Members of Congress strongly opposing any efforts to weaken or repeal the amendment. That is why I joined several of my colleagues in writing to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, urging him to defend the Johnson Amendment protections. It is critical that any tax reform package retain the Johnson Amendment without modification.
Fighting for Victims of Sexual Assault
As a co-founder of the Victims’ Rights Caucus, I have been working to shed light on the issue of sexual assault. Sexual assault is too often overlooked, and it is far too common, especially among young people. At present, 20 percent of undergraduate women and 6 percent of undergraduate men will be sexually assaulted or suffer an attempt of sexual assault during their time in college. This is simply unacceptable, and it must change. That is why I joined with 29 other members of the California Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, urging him to sign Senate Bill 169. This bill would codify Title IX enforcement and procedural standards issued by the Obama Administration in response to the growing crisis of sexual harassment and violence within our schools and universities. This legislation passed the California Legislature with bipartisan support, and I hope to see Governor Brown sign it into law as soon as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any federal issues of your concern. To stay up-to-date on the work I am doing in Congress, please visit my website at costa.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter here. You can also follow my work and events in our Valley on my Facebook pageand twitter account.
Sincerely,
Jim Costa
Member of Congress
Fresno Office
855 M Street, Suite 940
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-495-1620
Fax: 559-495-1027
Merced Office
2222 M St, Suite 305
Merced, CA 95340
Phone: 209-384-1620
Washington, DC Office
2081 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3341
Fax: 202-225-9308
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