Dear Neighbor, 

Happy 4th of July. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday as we recognize the Nation's 250th Birthday.

This week, the Supreme Court continued its pattern of restricting the rights of millions of Americans and expanding unprecedented Presidential power. Meanwhile, for the second straight week, Republican-created chaos on the House Floor led to canceled votes, sending Representatives home early. Before business came to a halt, the House rejected a War Powers Resolution meant to end the US’ involvement in the disgraceful displacement and killings stemming from Israel’s aggression in Lebanon.

In This Week's E-Newsletter
1.Commemorating America's 250th Birthday in Philadelphia
2. Supreme Court Decisions
3. Kids Internet And Digital Safety Act
4. Congress Rejects Lebanon War Powers Resolution
5. Beating the Heat

Commemorating A250 in Philly
Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining my fellow America250 Commission and Caucus members at Independence Hall in Philadelphia as we mark our nation’s birthday. It was 250 years ago yesterday that the Second Continental Congress officially voted to declare our 13 colonies legally independent.



The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence may not have considered the interests of women or people of color when they founded this great nation, but the words they wrote made it possible for us to build a more perfect union; one that expands the meaning of liberty, equality, and brotherhood to all God’s children.

As we commemorate this special milestone, we have a responsibility to reflect honestly on where we have been as a people and what we hope to pass on to future generations of Americans. We also have an obligation to protect the freedom, opportunity, equality, and decency afforded to all Americans.

Unpacking This Week’s SCOTUS Decisions
On Monday and Tuesday, the Supreme Court released the last eight decisions of the 2025-2026 SCOTUS term. While we can breathe easier knowing that birthright citizenship has been upheld, Trump and Congressional GOP leadership have already begun calls for alternative methods to restrict what has been settled law for over 125 years. Meanwhile, there are other decisions that are deeply concerning.

Two decisions regarding transgender athletes, West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, are heartbreaking for trans children and their families across the country. A person’s gender should not bar their participation in the activities they love. N.R.S.C. v. F.E.C. is a win for the wealthy few and special interest groups that will only open the door for more corruption and allow billionaires to have even more influence over our elections. Trump v. Slaughter allows the president to fire heads of independent agencies, overturning a 90-year-old ruling that allowed Congress to shield agencies from partisan activity.

Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act
On Monday, the House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act by a vote of 267-117. I joined my fellow Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders in voting against this bill as we found this legislation would not impose strong enough protections for kids online. While the KIDS Act took some steps in the right direction to protect children, it failed to address the serious concerns of social media’s impact on children’s mental health and suicidal ideation.

In 2019, I chaired the CBC Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health. In hearing after hearing, parents, students, social workers, school administrators, and mental health experts expounded the negative impact social media has been having on the mental health of our youth. To pass legislation meant to protect children online and leave out this vital aspect is to pass half-measures.

Congress now must continue to build upon the KIDS Act by addressing the harmful impact on mental health and suicidal ideation, as well as enforcement measures to ensure social media companies are following through with their commitments to address online safety.

Congress Rejects Lebanon War Powers Resolution
On Tuesday, the House voted down a war powers resolution brought by Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) to end the United States’ involvement in Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon– one that has resulted in the deaths of more than 4,000 people, with another 12,000 injured.

America is not a bystander to the ongoing horror that is the war on Lebanon. Our responsibility during the conflict does not end when we provide intelligence, provide coordination, and green light strikes. This Congress already took bipartisan measures to let an ally commit genocide on the Palestinian people in Gaza with our bombs, our intelligence, our tax dollars. The same is now happening in Lebanon. Their blood is on the hands of those who are indifferent to the suffering of the innocent.

How to Beat the Heat this Weekend…
New Jersey is experiencing record-breaking heat this week. Be sure to check on friends and family, especially the elderly and those with chronic conditions. If you need a place to escape the heat, be sure to check out this list of cooling centers to find one near you.