Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal, won the 7th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016. She has a long history of activism and advocacy in Seattle. She founded the post-9/11 immigrant rights group Hate Free Zone (now OneAmerica), which has held massive voter registration drives.

“The only reason I got into politics was because I believed it was another platform for organizing,” she says, “and that’s what I want to do with my congressional campaign. We’ve brought in thousands of leaders, young people and people of color and women who never saw themselves as part of democracy.”

She is married to Steve Williamson.

Background

Pramila Jayapal was born in Chennai to Malayali parents who now live in Bangalore.

Jayapal earned her bachelor’s in English language and literature/letters at Georgetown University and her M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She moved to Seattle in 1991 and began working for an international public health nonprofit, PATH.

Ceasefire Now Resolution

From an article from The Intercept regarding the Hamas-empowering Ceasefire Now Resolution dated October 20, 2023 by Ryan Grim:

Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2023) — Today, Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Andre Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03), alongside Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Nydia Velazquez (NY-07) announced a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.

Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Maxwell Frost, and Greg Casar joined a few days later.

Resolution condemning socialism

February 2, 2023 House Republicans moved a Resolution condemning socialism and certain dictators.

The Resolution began:

Whereas socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships;

Whereas socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide;

Whereas many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues, including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Nicolás Maduro;

Eighty six Democrats voted no. Fourteen voted "present" and six didn't vote.

Representative Pramila Jayapal voted "Nay".

No to China committee

Sixty-five Democrats in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday January 10, 2022, against creating a committee to investigate China and find ways to counter the communist country’s growing international influence.

The House overwhelmingly voted to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on a 365 to 65 margin, in one of the first votes since the Republicans took control of the chamber.

However, even though some members did not vote, all 65 lawmakers who voted against the committee’s creation were Democrats, including Pramila Jayapal.

Progressive Turnout Project

In 2022 Pramila Jayapal was supported by Progressive Turnout Project.

NRDC Action

In 2022 the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund endorsed Pramila Jayapal.

JStreet PAC endorsement

In 2024 JStreet PAC endorsed Pramila Jayapal.

JStreet conference

Secretary of State Antony Blinken headlined a JStreet in December 2022.

Other speakers included former Bernie Sanders adviser and longtime Israel critic Matt Duss, Daily Beast writer Wajahat Ali, a cadre of pro-Palestinian activists, and several Democratic members of Congress, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.) and senator-elect Peter Welch (D., Vt.).

Eric Alterman was on the list, as were Representatives Sean Casten, Gerry Connolly, Madeleine Dean, Mondaire Jones, Pramila Jayapal, Jamie Raskin, Melanie Stansbury, Jennifer Wexton, Ben Wikler of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Leah Greenberg of Indivisible, Ruth Messinger, Ambassador Rabbi David Saperstein and Hesham Youssef of US Institute of Peace.

Effort to Stop Development Projects

Rep. Ro Khanna, Tefere Gebre of Greenpeace, Grace Tuttle of Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights and Naadiya Hutchinson, Government Affairs Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice were listed as speakers for a "Special Town Hall" dated September 15, 2022 sponsored by Our Revolution. The meeting is to discuss strategies to stop the public from using strategic litigation to shut down development prjects. Our Revolution, Greenpeace, Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) and WE ACT for Environmental Justice participated. In a mass email, Our Revolution linked to a letter signed by democrats to thwart development projects.

From the event invitation:

"Our Revolution, America’s largest grassroots progressive organization, is partnering with Greenpeace USA to stop a looming threat to our communities and our planet. together, we are hosting a Town Hall to mobilize our networks of millions of members and hundreds of local chapters to stop a deal negotiated between Senator Joe Manchin, The American Petroleum Institute (API), and Democratic leadership to fast track permitting of fossil fuel extraction projects, leading to potential catastrophic climate impacts.

Join frontline communities and our allies in Congress to learn what you can do to help us stop Manchin's Dirty Deal!

From a mass email sent by Our Revolution dated September 12, 2022:

"Our Revolution is leading the charge alongside frontline communities and environmental justice groups like Greenpeace to kill Joe Manchin’s side deal for more dirty oil favors.

"Manchin is willing to shut down the government for more fossil fuel projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline in WV and strip safeguards from impacted communities.

"Dems can’t celebrate “the biggest climate steps in history” while reversing them by caving to a literal coal baron.

"Our coalition of 650 organizations is urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to detach the deal from the must-pass bill to fund the government — we cannot let Manchin hold us hostage!

"Bernie railed against it on the Senate floor this week and says he’ll vote it down, and Our Revolution is calling for a progressive mutiny in Congress.

"A coalition of 72 US House Reps have signed onto a letter led by US Rep. Raul Grijalva - but we need more of our representatives in Congress to stand in opposition.

Pramila Jayapal signed the letter.

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

The National Domestic Workers Alliance is taking its drive for a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights national, combining an online petition with extensive testimony before sympathetic Democrats on the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee.

Illinois, Oregon, California, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Virginia, plus Seattle and Philadelphia, have passed their own Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. NDWA founder Ai-jen Poo and C. Nicole Mason, a PhD who heads the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, laid out the case for a nationwide statute on July 28 2022.

“You will find domestic work is much more than meets the eye. They are teachers, nurses, confidants, coaches, event planners and much more” and should be treated with respect and rights many other workers now have, such as overtime pay, Ai-jen Poo urged.

If approved, HR4826, the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, would do just that. It would ensure the nation’s 2.2 million-plus domestic workers “access to a safe workplace,” by setting standards their employers must meet.

Besides overtime pay, it would give them sick leave and “protection from discrimination and harassment,” she testified. And it would “afford domestic workers the right to meal and rest breaks, establish written agreements to ensure clarity on roles and responsibilities and protect against losing pay due to last minute cancellations,” an NDWA fact sheet says.

“A standards board will allow employers, enforcement agencies and workers to work together to improve the industry. Finally, this bill makes these protections real by providing resources for implementation,” though Ai-jen Poo did not say how much money was involved.

Ai-jen Poo’s prepared statement also did not include raising the minimum wage for domestic workers to $15 an hour. In the original version of his now-dead Build Back Better Act, Democratic President Joe Biden advocated it for nursing home workers—who are also overwhelmingly women of color–tipped workers, and workers with disabilities.

But to keep the pressure on lawmakers, in both the House and the evenly split Senate—though it didn’t say so—NDWA launched the online petition at https://act.domesticworkers.org/a/move-the-national-bill-of-rights-forward.

“As we speak, there are millions of working parents and family caregivers counting on nannies, home care workers and cleaners to enable them to work,” Ai-jen Poo told Subcommittee Chair Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., whose mother was a domestic worker.

Adams and subcommittee Democrats were sympathetic and promised to push the bill, originally crafted by House Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., with aid from the Service Employees. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced the companion Bill of Rights there.

“Domestic workers allow Americans to live with dignity and independence and make it possible for family caretakers to contribute to communities,” said Adams. “Though domestic work is vital to the lives of countless Americans, federal labor laws do not sufficiently protect domestic workers.” Since the nation’s basic minimum wage and overtime pay law excludes domestic workers, their median wage is $12 an hour “compared to $20 for other workers.”

Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter

December 16 2021 , House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY), House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy Chair Bobby Rush (D-IL) led 114 Members of Congress in a letter to President Biden asking him to prioritize the well-being of the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history...

In the wake of this year’s protests, the members urged the administration to support the Cuban people by suspending U.S. regulations that prevent food, medicine, remittances, and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Cuban people...

Signatories included Pramila Jayapal.

Labor Caucus

The Labor Caucus is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2021 members included Pramila Jayapal .

Green New Deal Resolution

Washington (April 19, 2023) – During Earth Week and on the four-year anniversary of the Green New Deal Resolution, Representative Summer Lee (PA-12) and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) will reintroduce the resolution at a press conference at the Senate Swamp on THURSDAY, April 20th at 12:00 PM. Lee will also join Senator to announce new legislation focused on tackling the intersecting climate and public health crises.

The lawmakers will be joined by Green New Deal members of Congress and labor, health, climate, and justice advocates to celebrate the intersectional coalition’s achievement in getting the Inflation Reduction Act passed—the federal government’s largest-ever investment in climate and clean energy—while outlining the fight ahead to deliver a just, Green New Deal future that upholds the promise of the resolution and the movement that it inspired.

— Senator Ed Markey —Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez —Representative Ro Khanna —Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) —Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) —Representative Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) —Representative Summer Lee (PA-12) —Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10) —Representative Delia Ramirez (IL-03) —Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42) —Representative Becca Balint (VT) —Kaniela Ing, National Director of the Green New Deal Network —Sara Nelson, President of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA —Dr. Colleen Achong, SEIU Healthcare, Committee of Interns and Residents —Jacqui Patterson, Executive Director of the Chisholm Legacy Project and Climate Justice Alliance member

Representatives Chellie Pingree and Valerie Foushee also showed up. THURSDAY, April 20th at 12:00 PM, Senate Swamp, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Our Revolution endorsement 2022

Our Revolution endorsed Pramila Jayapal in 2022.

Our Revolution call

September 27 2021 Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin.

Our Revolution 2020

"Health Care Justice"

September 23 2020 with Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rev. William J. Barber II, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Ady Barkan, Sarah Nelson.

Congressional Freethought Caucus

In 2020 members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus included Pramila Jayapal .

Emergency organizing call

Ady Barkan🔥🌹 @AdyBarkan

Congress is about to spend a trillion dollars! Will it be used to enrich the 1%, or help the American people?

Please join

• @ewarren

,

• @PramilaJayapal

,

• @NNUBonnie

,

• @NelStamp

,

• @WorkingFamilies

,

• @BeAHeroTeam and me tonight for an emergency organizing call.

Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal, Bonnie Castillo, Nelini Stamp.

"When We Organize We Win"

"When We Organize, We Win: Celebrating Progressive Wins in the First 100 Days"

"Join the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF) for When We Organize, We Win: Celebrating Progressive Wins in the First 100 Days, a digital event celebrating some of the organizers and progressive leaders behind key policy wins from this Congress and Administration in its first 100 days. We'll hear from organizers, grassroots leaders and special guest members of Congress about what these changes mean for our families and what we're fighting for next."

• Representative Pramila Jayapal, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Representative Grace Meng, First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• Representative Marie Newman, Vice Chair of Communications for the Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Representative Ayanna Pressley, MA-07
• Ai-jen Poo, Senior Advisor at Care In Action
• Maurice Moe Mitchell, Executive Director of the Working Families Party
• LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter Fund
• Danielle Atkinson, National Executive Director/Founder of Mothering Justice
• Alex Gomez, Co-Executive Director of Living United for Change in Arizona
• Nse Ufot, Chief Executive Officer of the New Georgia Project
• Rosalba Perez, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 888
• Alan Barber, Policy Director of the Progressive Caucus Action Fund

Defense spending cuts letter

May 19, 2020.

Dear Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry:

We write to request a reduction in defense spending during the coronavirus pandemic. As you draft this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we encourage you to authorize a level of spending below last year’s authorized level. Congress must remain focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic and distributing needed aid domestically. In order to do so, appropriators must have access to increased levels of non-defense spending which could be constrained by any increase to defense spending.

Initiated by Mark Pocan and Barbara Lee.

Co-signatories included Pramila Jayapal .

Debt Collective debt

In June 2019, Bernie Sanders and representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Pramila Jayapal held a press conference outside the Senate and announced the College for All Act of 2019, which, if passed and signed into law, would cancel all student debt and make public college free.

They shared the podium with members of the he Debt Collective, an offshoot of Occupy Wall Street Astra Taylor cofounded.

Our group put student debt cancellation on the national radar when we launched a groundbreaking student debt strike. The strike began with 15 former students who had attended for-profit colleges and bravely refused to pay their federal loans. That led to a larger campaign that has helped secure over a billion dollars in debt relief for tens of thousands of people, and has been said to rankle Donald Trump’s billionaire secretary of education, Betsy DeVos.

The Debt Collective has also made progress on the issue of medical debt abolition. In 2012, we launched something called the Rolling Jubilee, which involved buying portfolios of medical debt on the secondary debt market (where it is sold for pennies on the dollar), just like debt collectors do. But instead of collecting on the debts, we erased them. Ultimately, we wiped out over $15 million in predatory medical debt this way. In September, we were overjoyed when Sanders proposed eliminating all $81 billion of medical debt currently in collections using a mechanism similar to the one we devised.

When we first raised the idea of debt resistance and debt cancellation at Occupy, we were mocked. We’ve come a long way: Thousands of people have had their loans erased; our efforts have influenced the 2020 Democratic primary; and we’re planning an even bigger campaign to ensure full student debt relief and free college become not just proposals but realities. Remember this: If the federal government ends up canceling your student loans, you’ll have Occupy to thank for it.

Resolution calling for a final settlement of the Korean War

February 26, 2019 Press Release

Washington, DC – As President Trump arrives to Hanoi, Vietnam, Rep. Ro Khanna, along with eighteen Democratic Members of Congress, have introduced a resolution calling for a final settlement of the Korean War, now officially in its 68th year.

The resolution -- which is backed by former President and Nobel Peace Laureate Jimmy Carter and a range of Korean-American and pro-diplomacy organizations -- urges the Trump Administration to provide a clear roadmap to achieve a final peace settlement while highlighting the importance of reciprocal actions and confidence-building measures between the parties.

“Historic engagement between South and North Korea has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity to formally end this war,” said Rep. Ro Khanna, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “President Trump must not squander this rare chance for peace. He should work hand in hand with our ally, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, to bring the war to a close and advance toward the denuclearization of the peninsula.”

“I commend this important resolution that will help bring this nearly 70 year conflict to a close,” said President Jimmy Carter. “I have visited North Korea several times to talk with their leadership and study the best path forward for peace. Ending the threat of war is the only way to ensure true security for both the Korean and American people and will create the conditions to alleviate the suffering of the ordinary North Koreans who are most harmed by ongoing tensions.”

Co-led by prominent progressive Reps. Andy Kim, Barbara Lee, Pramila Jayapal, Deb Haaland, and Jan Schakowsky, the resolution calls on the Trump Administration to make greater efforts to include women in the peace process, citing the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 which Trump signed into law. Women’s rights icon Gloria Steinem, founder of the peace group Women Cross DMZ, published an op-ed in the Washington Post on Sunday in support of the resolution.

The resolution clarifies that ending the war does not necessitate a withdrawal of US troops from Korea or an acceptance of North Korea as a legitimate nuclear power. The resolution calls on the Administration to continue the repatriation of servicemember remains, and expand cooperation to achieve reunions of divided Korean and Korean-American families and facilitate people-to-people exchanges and humanitarian cooperation.

Rep. Khanna has been a consistent voice for diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula. Shortly after Trump threatened “fire and fury” against North Korea, Khanna was joined by over 70 Congressmembers on his bipartisan “No Unconstitutional Strike on North Korea Act”, which would reinforce existing law prohibiting an unauthorized and unprovoked strike on North Korea. He has also been critical of those in both parties who have sought to restrict flexibility in negotiations, instead urging support for the diplomatic approach of our South Korean ally and its President, Moon Jae-in.

Rep. Khanna will travel to Atlanta next week to sit down with Pres. Carter to discuss developments on the Korean Peninsula and solicit guidance from the Nobel Laureate about how the next generation of policymakers can best pursue a pro-diplomacy agenda for America.

Current original cosponsors (18): Pramila Jayapal, Mark Pocan, Barbara Lee, Deb Haaland, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jan Schakowsky, Raúl Grijalva, Bobby Rush, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Tulsi Gabbard, Adriano Espaillat, Andy Kim, Rashida Tlaib, Judy Chu, Jose Serrano, Gwen Moore.

The resolution is endorsed by organizations including the National Association of Korean Americans, Ploughshares Fund, Women Cross DMZ, Korean Americans in Action, United Methodist Church – Global Ministries, Win Without War, Peace Action, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), Just Foreign Policy, Beyond the Bomb, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Fighting for Illegal Immigration Rally January 16 2018

Pramila Jayapal with DACA activists

On January 17 2018, Pramila Jayapal protested with DACA activists from NAKASEC (Dae Joong Yoon Co-Director, Sam Yu Communications Coordinator), Tony Choi, Rob Bonta, Kevin de Leon, UndocuBlack Network, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), African Communities Together leader and Local 23 President Bert Bayou and others.

From the Facebook Live Video:

"Community members from the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), the UndocuBlack Network (UBN), Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), African Communities Together and UNITE HERE Local 23 will host a timely press conference denouncing President Trump’s racist statements in his meeting with U.S. Senators last week and call for a DREAM Act that leaves family sponsorship and diversity visa programs intact by January 19th, the deadline for the upcoming Continuing Resolution (CR). In addition to impacted community members and community leaders, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC Immigration Subcommittee Chair Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, California State Senate President pro tempore Kevin de Leon and California Assemblymember and Chair of the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Rob Bonta will participate."

SPEAKERS

NAKASEC Facebook Live Video January 16 2018

The speakers in the order in which they appeared:

• Kevin de Leon
• Pramila Jayapal
• Rob Bonta
• Tony Choi, 18 Million Rising, Former organizer with the Women’s March
• Guerline Jozef, UndocuBlack Network
• Bert Bayou New York Immigration Coalition
• Judy Chu (absent)
• John Yang, President, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC

CAPAC Press Conference on Illegal Immigration

Jung Bin Cho

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus hosted a press conference for illegal immigration in September 2017. The speakers included Jung Bin Cho, Judy Chu, Chirayu Patel (founder of DACA network), Nancy Pelosi, and Pramila Jayapal.

Our Revolution endorsement

Pramila Jayapal was endorsed by Our Revolution, an organization run by former campaign workers and supporters of former socialist presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

National Nurses United endorsement

National Nurses United 2018 endorsements included Pramila Jayapal WI 7.

Berniecrat

Pramila Jayapal is a Berniecrat, a term used for those democrats (generally) running for office who have expressed support of former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Endorsements page

See Pramila Jayapal endorsements.

Activist history

A native of India raised in Indonesia, Pramila Jayapal became a US citizen in 2000 and quickly emerged as an essential activist in the state of Washington. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, she formed the group Hate Free Zone to advocate on behalf of Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities threatened by violence and discrimination. Now known as OneAmerica, the group has earned broad recognition for championing immigrant rights, for its focus on voter registration and participation, and for its innovative campaigns to make real the promise of American democracy. Jayapal also worked to create Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs; played a pivotal role in selecting the city’s police chief (as chair of a high-profile search committee that emphasized the need for community engagement and accountability); and was elected to the State Senate in 2014.

Pramila Jayapal, Kshama Sawant

As a legislator, she’s been at the forefront of fights to hike the state’s minimum wage, cut costs for higher education, and promote voter registration. While Jayapal is one of the most progressive legislators in the country, she has developed a reputation for working across the lines of party and ideology to develop bipartisan support (make that tripartisan support—she’s worked closely with socialist Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant) for a bold reform agenda.

National Leading From the Inside Out Alum

Pramila Jayapal, Founder & Executive Director, One America With Justice For All, was a 2010 Rockwood Leadership Institute National Leading From the Inside Out Alum.

According to sister site Social Transformation Project, Pramila Jayapal is one " 240+ leaders who have completed Rockwood’s Leading from the Inside Out (LIO) National Yearlong Fellowship..."

Pramila Jayapal made several friends on the year long course. Ai-jen Poo, Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Rinku Sen, Executive Director Applied Research Center, Ilyse Hogue, former Director of Political Advocacy and Communications, MoveOn.org, Judith Browne Dianis, Co-Director, Advancement Project, Vanita Gupta, Deputy Legal Director, Director of Center for Justice, American Civil Liberties Union.

The group has worked closely together ever since.

Immigration arrest

Organizers Pramila Jayapal and Megan Macaraeg get arrested in DC. Photo by Jen Soriano, We Belong Together

Friday, September 13, 2013 roughly 200 women came to D.C. to march, blockade, protest and get arrested as a part of a mass demonstration on Capitol Hill. We Belong Together, an initiative of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), organized the action. The protest featured various women’s groups that gathered, held hands in a circle and sat down on Independence Ave between Capitol Hill and House members’ offices. By the end of the day over 100 women were arrested as they called for a move on immigration legislation.

Color Lines

Pramila Jayapal, a distinguished taconic fellow at Center for Community Change and a co-chair of the We Belong Together campaign has contributed several articles to the Freedom Road Socialist Organization linked magazine ColorLines.

• Why Immigration Policy Is 'Sexclusionary' (and How To Fix It)

The U.S. immigration system boxes women out in several ways, from the type of work it recognizes to the pressure it places on families. Here's how Congress can make reform work for everybody.

Pramila Jayapal March 18, 2013

• Why This Round of Immigration Reform Is Different

Because the immigrant rights movement is ready, says Pramila Jayapal. We've deepened, grown--and built strength out of previous losses.

Pramila Jayapal January 16, 2013

• Rising Hate For Migrants Worldwide Starts With Criminalizing Them

Pramila Jayapal says that's why she's celebrating the 10th International Migrants Day by dropping the i-word.

Pramila Jayapal December 15, 2010

The Nation event

Working with Jess Spear

Pramila Jayapal worked closely with Socialist Alternative member Jess Spear on the Fight for $15 campaign.

Working with Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott worked closely with Pramila Jayapal in launching Hate Free Zone (later OneAmerica) after the 9/11 attacks, "as they championed a people’s movement to defend our immigrant brothers and sisters who were under unjust racist, anti-Muslim, and immigrant-bashingattacks and threats".

In 2002, Jim McDermott stood almost alone and dared to tell the world that George W. Bush was misleading the Americanpeople about the situation in Iraq. Hebecame “Baghdad Jim.” Months later, he and Pramila Jayapal would share the stage at one of the largest demonstrations in Seattle history, opposing the Iraq War.

We were not able to stop that war, but brother Jim and Pramila Jayapal were our champions in that fight Pramila Jayapal is anotherwonderful example of a courageous leader.

Jim McDermott and Pramila Jayapal worked together on a number of issues.

When the mosque near Northgate was targeted by hate crimes and when Muslim women were attacked in Seattle for wearing the hijab, Pramila led the fight to protect them. When the immigrant grocers in the Rainier Valley were unjustly accused of being supporters of terrorism, brother Jim, Pramila Jayapal, and Hate Free Zone stood with them. Months later, the grocers were fully exonerated. Pramila also led the successful class action lawsuit against the Bush administration’s planned mass deportation of thousands of Somali men, preventing those deportations of thousands across the country.

CCC award

Since 2005, the Center for Community Change has "recognized some of our nation’s top community leaders for advancing the cause of social justice, with a particular impact on the lives of low-income people and people of color. CCC’s Community Change Champion Awards are presented to individuals and organizations who are our heroes in the social justice movement".

In 2011, awardees were;

• Quinn Delaney, President of Akonadi Foundation
• George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU United Health Care Workers East
• Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director of OneAmerica
• Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera
• Frances Fox Piven, Professor of Political Science CUNY
• Congressman Raúl Grijalva, United States Representative, Arizona 7th District

Steinem connection

Pramila Jayapal and Gloria Steinem.

Pramila Jayapal supporters 2016

Todd Prieb November 11, 2016 ·

With Emily Anderson, Matt Yoo, Danielle Fulfs, Hamdi Mohamed and Sarah Brady.

2014 supporters

Pramila Jayapal March 16, 2014.

Wow! We had a committed, fired-up, collective that assembled this afternoon to plan the Campaign Launch scheduled for April 1st at New Holly Community Center from 6pm - 8pm. Details to follow. Put it in your calendar now! Already, so inspiring when you hear why folks are jumping in to get Pramila elected! — with Mauricio Ayon, Abdullahi Jama, Charlie McAteer IV, Steve Williamson, Pam Keeley, Nimco Bulale, Mohamed Sheikh Hassan, Pramila Jayapal, Neha Vyas, Seferiana Day, Sharon Maeda, Rahwa H, Nafiso Samatar and Connie Burk.

Congressional run

Pramila Jayapal is an immigration rights activist and Washington state senator U.S. House of Representatives, Washington’s 7th District.

After State Senator Adam Kline announced his retirement in early 2014, Jayapal was one of several Democrats to enter the race to succeed him. She was endorsed by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. She won more than 51% of the vote in Washington's open primary on August 5, 2014, out of a field of six candidates. She went on to defeat fellow Democrat Louis Watanabe in November.

When progressive stalwart Jim McDermott retired, a seat opened up in one of the most progressive congressional districts in the country. Of the four candidates seeking the nomination, the India-born Pramila Jayapal is the only one to endorse Bernie Sanders. Jayapal, 50, also has been a prominent supporter of socialist Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant.

When announcing her candidacy in January, Jayapal said, “What Congress needs is a progressive voice who is unafraid to take on these powerful interests—who is willing to fight for all Americans, not just the wealthiest 1%.”

She is endorsed by Washington MoveOn.org, Democracy for America, King County Labor Council, American Federation of Teachers and eight state senate colleagues.

Seattle United Against FBI Repression

February 7, 2011, Seattle United Against FBI Repression, contacts: Ellen Finkelstein and Doug Barnes press release;

Local leaders and groups ask President Obama and U.S. Attorney General to end Grand Jury investigation of peace and solidarity activists...

More than 70 regional community leaders and organizations have signed an open letter calling on President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to use their authority to "stop assaults on freedom of speech and association, to halt FBI entrapment, [and] to keep nonviolent activists from being sent to prison.” The letter (attached) was issued by Seattle United Against FBI Repression.

Signers to the letter include Larry Gossett, Chair of the King County Council; Alice Woldt, Executive Director, Washington Association of Churches*; Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director, OneAmerica; Juan Jose Bocanegra, El Comité Pro-Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social; Angela Ying, Pastor, Bethany United Church of Christ; Rodolfo Franco, President, Washington Federation of State Employees Local 304*; Terri Mast, Secretary-Treasurer, Inlandboatmen's Union; Jafar Siddiqui, American Muslims of Puget Sound; George Bakan, publisher of Seattle Gay News; Steering Committee of the Seattle National Lawyers Guild; Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation; Freedom Socialist Party; Jane Cutter, ANSWER Seattle; Elmer J. Dixon, cofounder of Seattle Black Panther Party; and many others.

According to Doug Barnes, an initiator of Seattle United Against FBI Repression, “People from a variety of communities have signed the letter because of their concern about FBI raids around the country on peace activists, labor organizers, Palestinian and Colombian solidarity groups, and socialists.” The raids began on Sept. 24, 2010 in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. Twenty-three activists have been issued subpoenas to appear before a Grand Jury or face imprisonment.

The letter states, “Here in the Northwest, we have not forgotten the false FBI terrorism charges after 9/11 against the owners of a Somali grocery store and wire service in South Seattle. In 2009, Olympia activists planning nonviolent civil disobedience against the war in Iraq were infiltrated by an Army intelligence agent, who passed information to the FBI, police, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). …We are also disturbed by the FBI’s renewed targeting of the Muslim community with its so-called ‘sting operations.’…These FBI entrapment tactics are creating anti-Muslim hysteria in those communities, which should not be the policy of our government.”

The letter concludes, “We are greatly concerned about these threats to our democracy, our First Amendment rights, and the civil liberties of all people who reside in the United States.” Signers ask for a prompt “proactive response” from President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder.

80th anniversary of Social Security

80th anniversary of Social Security celebration in Seattle on Saturday, Aug. 8 2015 at Westlake Plaza, Seattle.

• Sen. Bernie Sanders, US Senate
• Rep. Adam Smith, US House of Representatives
• Sen. Pramila Jayapal, Washington Legislature
• Hon. Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council Member
• Lynne Dodson - Secretary Treasurer, Washington State Labor Council AFL-CIO
• Heather Villanueva - Senior Community Strength Organizer, SEIU 775, Board member, Ingersoll Gender Center
• Rebecca Saldana - Executive Director, Puget Sound Sage
• Gerald Hankerson - President of Alaska, Oregon, Washington State Area Conference NAACP
• Marcelas Owens - Youth leader, Washington CAN!
• Hugh Foy, MD. Physicians for a National Health Plan Western Washington, Professor of Surgery, UW School of Medicine, Director of the Surgical Specialties Clinic, Harborview
• Jackie Boschak - President of Washington Alliance for Retired Americans

Organised by Robby Stern of Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, and Chuck Haunreiter, Washington Community Action Network.

2016 volunteers

Pramila Jayapal, August 7, 2016.

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of this campaign. #JoinTheMovement! pramilaforcongress.com/volunteer — with Raisah Vesteinsdottir, Rachel Stone, Seth Bergeson, Zoya Gheisar and Hamdi Mohamed.

Supporters

"Pramila inspires us through her gifts, her hard work, and her ability to get things done." — with Jorge Bustamante, Jr., Pramila Jayapal, Michaela Murphy, Leigh Friedman, Alex Wenman and Honey Dotson.

Endorsements

Pramila Jayapal isn’t the only candidate who supported Bernie Sanders in the state’s caucuses in 2016, but she is the one who’s running with a strong endorsement from Sanders, as well as from Congressional Progressive Caucus cochair Keith Ellison, climate activist Bill McKibben, feminist Gloria Steinem, 10 of her fellow state senators and dozens of local officials and activists, and groups like Friends of the Earth, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee, the NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC, Emily’s List, the Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO), the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, MoveOn.org, and Democracy for America.

Progressive Change Campaign Committee

Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed Pramila Jayapal in 2022.

PowerPAC+ 2016 Endorsements

PowerPAC+ 2016 endorsements;

• Lucy Flores - U.S. Congress - Nevada-04
• Mary Gonzalez - Texas State Legislature
• Kamala Harris - U.S. Senate, California
• Jane Kim - California State Legislature
• Zephyr Teachout - US Congress, New York
• Deborah Ross - US Senate, North Carolina
• Pramila Jayapal - US Congress, Washington 7th District
• Catherine Cortez Masto - US Senate, Nevada
• Victoria Neave - Texas State Legislature
• Michael Tubbs - Mayor of Stockton

Far left support

In 2016 Washington State's District 7 seat had become available because Representative Jim McDermott, retired after 37 years in the U.S. House.

After winning the consequent primary Pramila Jayapal's victory in the primary was greeted with jubilation here in the Emerald City as hundreds of her grassroots supporters cheered her at a post-election celebration.

Jayapal told the crowd in the Hale's Palladium Ballroom in Ballard, "You have fueled the flame of our movement with the clear belief that we can and will reclaim our government to work for all of us."

If her words sounded like those of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, it is not surprising. Jayapal is seen as an ideological soulmate of the Bernie Sanders grassroots "political revolution."

Sanders endorsed Jayapal. Her 1,000 campaign volunteers were overwhelmingly Bernie supporters.

Jayapal would face Brady Walkinshaw November 8. Like Jayapal, a serving Washington State senator.

Elena Perez, community organizer for United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 21 told Seattle Weekly at the election night celebration, "Pramila is one of the rare candidates I will do anything for....I trust her implicitly. I feel like if she is in Congress then I'm in good hands."

Jayapal was endorsed by OneAmerica Votes, UFCW Local 21, UNITE HERE! Local 8, the Service Employees International Union, International Association of Machinists District 751, the American Federation of Teachers, and many other labor and community groups. The campaign knocked on 70,000 doors and made 140,000 get-out-the-vote phone calls.

Facebook, August 10 2016

Imogene Williams was one of scores of members of Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action who worked hard to Jayapal in the primary. PSARA does not endorse candidates but Williams said she attended a house party for Jayapal at the home of PSARA President, Robby Stern, who personally endorsed her.

"I'm very, very enthusiastic about Pramila," Williams told the People's World. "She is a wonderful candidate to work for. I asked for 400 pieces of her literature to cover my own precinct and the neighboring precinct to the north and distributed all of them.

"Pramila won both of these precincts," Williams said. Walkinshaw will be her contender in November so we have our work to do. Pramila is a truly progressive candidate. Washington is moving forward."

Writing in The Nation magazine, John Nichols quoted Jayapal as saying, "We're building a movement that can clearly stake out a positive vision for the future of America at a time when too many people feel cynical about change, and when too many people are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table."

According to Nicholls, Jayapal argues that "corporations and special interests have their voice in Congress, and they have too many members scared of their power. What Congress needs is a progressive voice who is unafraid to take on these powerful interests-who is willing to fight for all Americans, not just the wealthiest one percent."

Nichols wrote that Jayapal joins "a number of the Democrats ... being nominated for the House [who are] progressives who really could change the chamber and the country."

Radical organizer

David Ayala was, in 2016, a Field Oganizer with the Pramila Jayapal for Congress campaign.

Millennials For Revolution

In December 2018 Millennials For Revolution called for "progressives" Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Katie Porter to be appointed to key Congressinioal Committees.

People's Summit 2017

Pramila Jayapal, Congresswoman was a speaker at People's Summit 2017.

Ryan Skolnick June 10, 2017 ·

1. PPLSummit breakout session 2: Transforming the Democratic Party

• Shannon Jackson, Our Revolution
• Hon. Pramila Jayapal, Member of Congress
• Rob Quist, Montana Congressional Candidate
• Chandra Paetsch, Our Revolution
• Joe Dinkin, Working Families Party
• Phillip Kim, CA ADEMer
• Ben Tulchin, Bernie 2016 pollster

Socialist staffer

In June 2018 Shaun Scott was a field organizer for Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal’s re-election campaign, and an organizer for Seattle Democratic Socialists of America. .

Facing Race conference

The Facing Race conference participants gathered just days after the conclusion of the most contentious election season in decades, November 10-12, 2016 — Atlanta, Georgia.

Both major parties exposed their deep splinters, Trumpism became the new normal and many politicians were forced to deal with issues that communities of color raised to national prominence. In Facing Race's closing plenary on November 12, racial justice leaders speak to the challenges of governance before us, and how the movement can position itself to make the most of the next four years.

These are the activists and thought leaders featured in "Where Do We Go From Here?" listed in alphabetical order:

• Kara Denise Brewer Boyd, director, American Indian Farmers
• Marisa Franco, director and co-founder, Mijente
• Glenn Harris, president, Center for Social Inclusion
• Pramila Jayapal, U.S. congresswoman-elect for Washington's 7th Congressional district; founder, OneAmerica; co-director, We Belong Together campaign
• Van Jones, author and co-founder, Rebuild the Dream
• Linda Sarsour, advocacy and divic engagement coordinator, National Network for Arab American Communities
• Rinku Sen, president, Race Forward

Judith LeBlanc approval

Communist Party USA member Judith LeBlanc approves of Pramila Jayapal.

58th birthday of Medicare and Medicaid

A big crowd at the Federal Building here Aug. 1 2023 cheered and applauded as Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and others blasted medical insurance companies for reaping billions from fraudulent overcharges to the Medicare Trust Fund while denying urgently-needed care for millions of patients.

The rally sponsored by PSARA (Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action) and their allies celebrated the 58th birthday of Medicare and Medicaid signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 30, 1965.

A giant banner held by protesters in front of the Federal Building read, “Stop Raiding Our Medicare.” Another held by Backbone protesters dressed in black read, “Merchants of Death.”

Jayapal told the crowd she is proud to be the lead sponsor of a bill “Medicare for All” to expand Medicare coverage to the entire population.

“Medical debt is ruining the lives of millions,” Jayapal declared. “Medicare is under threat. I want to make one thing clear: I will fight Medicare privatization tooth and nail!”

She added, “Medicare Advantage is privatizing Medicare and we will not stand for it… Just recognize that if we took the $41 billion—with a ‘b’—that the Medicare Advantage program overcharges the government, we could plow that back into expanding Medicare. We could afford dental and vision. We could eliminate co-pays and deductibles instead of subsidizing private insurance companies.”

Seattle City Council member Teresa Mosqueda, who served ten years on the staff of the AFL-CIO, said Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are key benefits in a democratic society, vital to equalizing income in a country with a handful of billionaires and the rest struggling to survive.

PSARA Co-President Jeff Johnson, former president of the Washington Labor Council, chaired the rally. He pointed to a purple papier mache octopus sitting on the sidewalk, each of its tentacles labeled with the name of one of the Medicare Advantage providers. One of them was Amazon’s One Medical.

Claude Burfect, a leader of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), charged that Medicare privatization is stripping millions of their right to health care. He blasted President Donald Trump’s so-called Medicare “Direct Contracting Entities” (DCEs), renamed and re-packaged as “ACO REACH” by the Biden administration. Both opened the door wide for the private takeover of Medicare by private, for-profit outfits, he charged.

Cindy Domingo, a Filipina leader of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, praised PSARA. “Power concedes nothing without a struggle and that is why we are here today,” said Domingo. “We need to stop the overcharging of these private insurance companies that totaled $75 billion… We must educate our communities about the fight for Medicare for All.”

Bryce Walker, a fourth-year student at the University of Washington Medical School and a youth representative of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), said he has seen 2,000 patients ranging from infants and children to senior citizens afflicted with cancer or other lethal diseases.

A delegation led by PSARA Co-President, Karen Richter, went up to meet in the office of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Cantwell was not present, but the delegation met with Cantwell’s senior staff adviser, Josie McKinley.

After the delegation returned, Richter told the crowd, “It was a pretty good meeting.” McKinley had never heard of PSARA, said Richter, but after McKinley had agreed to meet with the delegation, she read every edition of the Retiree Advocate newsletter, which is filled with commentaries on the menace posed to Medicare by runaway privatization.

Dr. Jaisri Lingappa, a specialist in infectious diseases from Port Townsend, was in the delegation that met with the Cantwell aide. She urged the crowd to “keep up the struggle because his fight is a long-term fight.”

Richard Timmins, a retired veterinarian from Whidbey Island, also joined the delegation. A leader of PSARA, Timmins’ referral to a dermatologist to examine a lump on his ear lobe was rejected by his MA provider, Premera. It metastasized into skin cancer.

“Ms. McKinley was very receptive,” Timmins told this reporter. “She had read our articles about Medicare privatization. I was able to tell my story. She told us they know that this is an issue. But the staff cannot get a statement from Cantwell about privatization.”

PSARA webinar

Join Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) for an engaging webinar featuring Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative for Washington’s 7th Congressional District and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, will speak about the issues she looks forward to taking up in 2021 with a new Congress and under a new Administration. Larry Brown, President of the Washington State Labor Council and Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, will also be joining her to speak on this hopeful topic.

Webinar Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Time: Noon, PDT

Location: Zoom

Register Now

Co-sponsors: 34th and 36th LD Democrats, 350 Seattle, Economic Opportunity Institute, Indivisible Seattle, NOW Seattle, Pass the Federal Green New Deal! Coalition, Pride At Work King County, Seattle Anti-War Coalition, SEIU 775, Social Security Works, Transit Riders Union, Washington State Labor Council.

Jodeen Olguin-Tayler approval

Freedom Road Socialist Organization supporter Jodeen Olguin-Tayler strongly approves of Pramila Jayapal.

Marxist meme

October 23, 206 Jodeen Olguin-Tayler, Yong Jung Cho, Xochitl Oseguera, Latchmi Gopal, Heather McGhee, Nikki Fortunato Bas, Sarita Gupta, Alicia Garza, Laura Dawn, Agunda Okeyo, Greisa Martinez Rosas, Edith Sargon, Renata Pumarol, Ai-jen Poo, Trina Greene Brown, Naila Awan, Pramila Jayapal, Cindy Wiesner, Brigid Flaherty, Serena Perez and Angel Kyodo Williams, were part of a #GOPHandsOffMe meme.

CPC

In 2017 Pramila Jayapal was a new member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Supporting Keith Ellison

In 2017 Reps John Lewis, Rick Nolan, Pramila Jayapal and Luis Gutierrez all endorsed Keith Ellison for DNC Chair.

Capitol vigil

March 10, 2017, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian civil rights organization, along with partner organizations, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Arab American Institute (AAI), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Desis Rising Upand Moving (DRUM), Indiaspora, MPowerChange, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), National Network For Arab American Communities (NNAAC), Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and Sikh Coalition joining with and Members of Congress, held a vigil on the steps of the Capitol to honor the victims of hate violence in South Asian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, and Arab communities nationwide.

“At a time when South Asian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, and Arab community members are facing hate violence and harassment on nearly a daily basis, we need real leadership from Washington to stem the tide of injustice,” stated Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of SAALT. “Waiting nearly a week before commenting on a deadly shooting in Kansas won’t do it. Issuing a second toxic Muslim Ban won’t do it. We need direct action from this administration to forge inclusion, justice, and hope in this quintessential nation of immigrants. SAALT will continue fighting for laws and policies that light a path toward a just and inclusive future for us all.”

Other speakers included Yolanda Rondon, Esq., Staff Attorney, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Amrita Bamrah, SALDEF, James Zogby, President, Arab American Institute, Robert S. McCaw, Director of Government Affairs Department, CAIR.

Members of Congress who joined the vigil included Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY), and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA).

Letter on US-Mexico security Co-operation

From Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice;

Urgent alert from our friends at CISPES- Los Angeles Chapter : "The US plans to expand cooperation between Mexico and the United States to unfairly and inhumanely target Central American migrants and asylum seekers at the upcoming "Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America".

We asked Representative Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach to author a letter to Secretary Tillerson calling for to put the human rights of Central Americans and all migrants and refugees front and center, and he's circulating a letter now. To have the biggest impact possible we need as many Members of Congress as possible to sign this letter!

Call or email your representative today and ask them to join Mr. Lowenthal as a co-signer.

Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) led 37 Members of Congress, including top Democrats from the Armed Forces, Judiciary and Appropriations committees, in sending a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to raise red flags about “suggestions that the United States deepen security collaboration with Mexico along its southern border [with Guatemala] due to evidence that Mexico’s Southern Border Program has led to wide-spread human rights violations and abuses against migrants and asylum-seekers.”

Signers: Don Beyer (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mike Capuano (D-MA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), John Conyers (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, DC), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA) , Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Jose Serrano (D-NY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Adam Smith (D-WA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), John Yarmuth (D-KY).

Democracy in Color podcast

The Democracy in Color podcast, hosted by Aimee Allison, features today’s best and brightest political political leaders, strategists and thinkers of the New American Majority. We’ve featured Senator Cory Booker; Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal; San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs; BART Director Lateefah Simon; writer Eric Liu; #Goodmuslimbadmuslim co-host Tanzila Ahmed; New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb, and writers Rebecca Solnit and Jeff Chang, among many others. Ellen McGirt, editor of Fortune magazine’s raceAhead, calls it: "The smartest podcast on race I've found in ages. Listen and grow.".

Democracy for America

Pramila Jayapal, U.S. House, Washington 7, was endorsed by Democracy for America in 2018.

Tagawa connection

Pramila Jayapal with supporter Mike Tagawa May 2014.

AAPI Mobilization to demand a CLEAN DREAM ACT

South Asian Americans Leading Together November 27, 2017.

On Nov 15 and 16, SAALT along with NCAPA, AAJC, APALA, NAKASEC and other national partners rallied on Capitol Hill to press for the passage of a clean, bicameral Dream Act and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Over 120 Asian American and Pacific Islander undocumented youth and allies, including two young South Asian DREAMers brought in by SAALT, hosted a press conference, rally, and individual meetings with House and Senate leadership. This included Representative Judy Chu, Representative Luis Gutierrez Representative Ro Khanna, Senator Dick Durbin, and Senator Dianne Feinstein, among many others. The young leaders demanded a clean DREAM Act that doesn’t compromise the future of other immigrants or negatively impact our immigration system.

Attending the rally were Al Green, Tulsi Gabbard, Judy Chu, Pramila Jayapal, and Raja Krishnamoorthi.

MPAC intern

In 2022 Khadeeja Qureshi was a Muslim Public Affairs Council Congressional Leadership Development Program intern in Pramila Jayapal 's office.

In 2019 Kawther Berhanu was a Muslim Public Affairs Council Congressional Leadership Development Program intern in Pramila Jayapal 's office.

CAIR support for Bill

Senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif., introduced her first bill February 2017 that would provide legal counsel to those held or detained while trying to enter the U.S.

The Access to Counsel Act would allow lawyers to provide legal counsel by phone or video if they cannot physically be present. It would also invalidate any documents abandoning legal resident status or applications for admission if detainees have signed them after being denied legal services.

Harris’s Access to Counsel Act is not without congressional support; there are five co-sponsors in the Senate, including Tom Carper, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., introduced the House companion measure, which has 10 co-sponsors. The measures introduced by Indian American congresswomen Harris and Jayapal have also received support from multiple organizations, including the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and the National Immigrant Justice Center.

“As the Trump administration is attempting to close it borders to refugees and asylum seekers, prompt access to lawyers for people who come fleeing persecution is a critical safeguard to ensure they receive the protections guaranteed under U.S. and international law,” said Mary Meg McCarthy, executive director of the National Immigrant Justice Center.

CAIR connection

Pramila Jayapal May 10, 2014.

With Arsalan Bukhari, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations — with Arsalan Bukhari.

"No Muslim Ban ever"

Muslim Public Affairs Council - MPAC January 28 2019·

We're proud to host a congressional reception tonight with our friends at ACLU, Oxfam & National Immigration Law Center recognizing Members of Congress working to rescind and defund the #MuslimBan. Stay tuned to your feeds tonight for live updates.

Attendees included Reps, Judy Chu, David Trone, Katherine Clark, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Andre Carson, Pramila Jayapal, Zoe Lofgren and Senator Chris Murphy.

"Eradicate Anti-Muslim Content On Your Platform"

December 15, 2020;

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today urged immediate action from Facebook to eradicate anti-Muslim bigotry from the platform and demanded Mark Zuckerberg implement six measures to combat bigoted content. In a letter signed by 29 colleagues, Dingell cited instances of anti-Muslim content on Facebook and recent reports showing the role of the platform in inciting violence against the Muslim community.

“Facebook cannot celebrate the success of its platform, while ignoring its role in elevating the dangerous, deadly content targeting Muslim people,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “In Christchurch, New Zealand, a terrorist attack that stole the lives of fifty-one Muslims worshipping in their mosque was streamed live on Facebook around the world. But in the ensuing weeks and months, Facebook failed to offer a single policy intentionally designed to eradicate hateful, anti-Muslim content. Nearly two years later, it’s time for Facebook to demonstrate that this company recognizes the life and death consequences of their lack of action.”

Dingell’s letter was signed by Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib, André Carson, Carolyn Maloney, Ilhan Omar, Jahana Hayes, Max Rose, Barbara Lee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Bobby Rush, Dan Kildee, Jared Huffman, Kathy Castor, Gwen Moore, Lauren Underwood, Jan Schakowsky, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Pocan, Grace Meng, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Darren Soto, Don Beyer, Jim McGovern, Peter Welch, Jamie Raskin, Pramila Jayapal, Yvette Clarke, Raul Grijalva, Earl Blumenauer, and Nydia Velazquez. Additionally, her letter has received the support of the following organizations: CODEPINK, Common Defense, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Islamic Networks Group, Jetpac, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Justice for Muslims Collective, MomsRising, National Iranian American Council, Peace Action, Progressive Democrats of America, Project South, ReThinking Foreign Policy, and National Network for Arab American Communities.

NIAC Virtual Gala

May 6 2021 with reps Adam Smith, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar.

Plus Anna Eskamani, Azadeh Shahshahani, Hoda Katebi, Jeremy Ben-Ami, Juan Cole, Neda Maghbouleh, Persis Karim, Rahna Epting, Sepi Shyne, Shireen Ghorbani, Yassamin Ansari, Yasmine Taeb.

NIAC 2020 endorsement

First Wave of 2020 Endorsements.

The 2020 Election may be the most critical vote in our lifetime. It is more important than ever that Iranian Americans and our allies have a powerful voice at the ballot box.

That’s why we are excited to announce NIAC Action’s first 2020 endorsements – our largest ever single wave of endorsements!

We have an opportunity to elect more Iranian Americans into office than ever before.

And we have our best chance ever to send the first Iranian American to the U.S. Congress!

We have identified twelve champions of our community – incumbent members of Congress who have worked to prevent war and end Trump’s ban on our families, and Iranian Americans who are ready to make an impact in all levels of government. With your help, we can elect them to office and bring real change in 2020.

By making a donation to NIAC Action PAC, you can help elect these champions of our community and send a powerful, united message that Iranian Americans will not be ignored on the political stage.

Pramila Jayapal – Incumbent, U.S. Congress (D, WA-7)\ Congresswoman Jayapal is a leading progressive voice in Congress who supports legislative efforts to prevent war with Iran and advocates for equitable immigration policies for all communities..

NIAC Action Commends Resolution on JCPOA

July 16 2019 Washington DC – Moments ago, Reps. Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, and David Price introduced a resolution calling for the United States to return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran deal, from which President Trump withdrew in May 2018.

In response, NIAC President Jamal Abdi issued the following statement:

“Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal has put the U.S. on the brink of war with Iran and threatened to undo the hard won constraints against Iran’s nuclear program. Thankfully, many Members of Congress recognize that there is no military solution to the present crisis, and that the best way to de-escalate is for the U.S. to return to compliance with the nuclear deal. Representatives Lee, Schakowsky and Price should be commended for their years of leadership in advancing peace and diplomacy, including by introducing this important resolution.

“There remains strong political will in Congress to restore U.S. credibility and engage Iran diplomatically–despite Trump and Bolton’s push for war. For Members of Congress and Presidential contenders, it is good and important to call out Trump’s dangerous moves that have taken us to the brink of war. Yet, the root cause of this crisis was Donald Trump’s decision to kill a strong nuclear agreement with Iran, which is why signaling support for a return to compliance is so important. The Lee-Schakowsky-Price resolution helps solidify the growing consensus for a JCPOA return while signaling that the window for diplomacy is not shut, nor is the opportunity to restore U.S. credibility with both the international community and the Iranian people.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Reps. Don Beyer, Earl Blumenauer, Steve Cohen, Gerry Connolly, Lloyd Doggett, Anna Eshoo, Ruben Gallego, Raul Grijalva, Deb Haaland, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Andy Levin, Alan Lowenthal, Donald Payne, Jr., Mark Pocan, Jamie Raskin, Peter Welch, John Yarmuth.

SAALT Congressional Briefing on Hate Violence

March 23, 2017, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian civil rights organization, held a Congressional briefing to address the uptick in hate violence nationwide and highlight recommendations for change, as outlined in our recent report, “Power, Pain, Potential.” SAALT was joined by eight members of Congressional leadership and community partners in an urgent discussion on combatting the surge in hate violence aimed at South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Arab, and Middle Eastern Americans across the country.

“As President Trump continues to test fire Muslim bans, this administration appears intent on intensifying efforts to ignore and provoke hate violence,” stated Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of SAALT. “The President has a sworn duty to protect the rights and safety of all Americans. Today’s briefing with Congressional leaders is an important step in making sure President Trump doesn’t escape his responsibilities.”

Our communities have experienced devastating violence in recent months, including deadly shootings in Kansas and Washington State, numerous arson attacks and vandalism of mosques, businesses, and homes nationwide, and mounting fear by our communities across the country.

“SAALT stands ready to work with Congressional leaders to fight hate violence and xenophobic political rhetoric impacting our communities across the country,” stated Ms. Raghunathan. “South Asian Americans are the most rapidly growing demographic group, and we are committed to policies at all levels that reinforce the place our communities have in our nation now and as we continue to grow.”

Honorary Co-Chairs of the briefing included: Senator Mazie Hirono (HI); Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT); Senator Ben Cardin (MD) Member Co-Sponsors of the briefing included: Congressmembers Keith Ellison, Andre Carson; Raul Grijalva; Ami Bera; Grace Meng; Mark Takano; Pramila Jayapal; Raja Krishnamoorthi; Ro Khanna. Judy Chu also attended.

Partner organizations include: Sikh Coalition, Washington Peace Center/D.C. Justice for Muslims Coalition, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Arab American Institute.

National Nurses United lobby day

National Nurses United was live — in Washington, District of Columbia. May 8 2018;

Watch U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Keith Ellison, Rep. Ro Khanna and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal address nurses at our annual lobby day. Over 150 nurses from 20 states have been on Capitol Hill today advocating for patient protections.

2018 Single-Payer Strategy Conference

Healthcare-Now! Agenda: 2018 Single-Payer Strategy Conference Friday, June 22 – Sunday, June 24 Minneapolis, Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown.

Agenda for Friday, June 22

• Call to Order and Call to Action for the Conference – Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, President, New York State Nurses Association.
• Video: Victory at the AFL-CIO! The Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare.
• Why We Fight: Testimony from Patients Fighting Back. Ashlea Bassham, West Virginia teacher; Leslea Hodgson, Land Stewardship Project; Rebecca Wood, Healthcare-NOW Virginia; Christie Offenbacher, social worker and Democratic Socialists of America.
• Keynote Speaker: Representative Keith Ellison, lead sponsor of the Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act, H.R. 676. Representative Pramila Jayapal, Washington.

"Summary Execution" booklaunch

All are invited to attend the Commemoration and Book Launch Party celebrating of the lives and work of Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes, and the publication of Summary Execution: The Seattle Assassinations of Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes by Michael Withey, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20 (2018)at the Seattle Labor Temple, 2800 1st Ave.

On June 1, 1981, Domingo and Viernes, two young Filipino activists were murdered in Seattle in what was made to appear a gang slaying. The victims’ families and friends suspected that they were considered a threat to Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his regime’s relationship to the United States. In the days after the murders, they formed the Committee for Justice for Domingo and Viernes to investigate. In Summary Execution, attorney and author Michael Withey describes the 10-year struggle for justice waged by that committee.

• Terri Mast (MC)
• Cindy Domingo (Committee for Justice for Domingo and Viernes)
• State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (CJDV)
• Jeff Robinson (ACLU)
• Teresa Mosqueda (City Seattle Council Member)
• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (by video)
• Nikkita Oliver (Peoples Party)
• Author Michael Withey
• Presentation by Gov. Jay Inslee (subject to availability)

State of OUR Union

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal January 30 2018.

I'm thrilled to be speaking tonight at the State of OUR Union with all-stars like Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Rep. Judy Chu, Tarana Burke of the #MeToo movement, Cecile Richards, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner of MomsRising.org, Alicia Garza and Ai-jen Poo. #SOTU.

Anti-ICE protest

They came from all over, took planes and buses from 47 states, slept at friends' homes or in churches and prepared to be arrested Thursday June 27, 2018in Washington, D.C.

Most of the participants were white women, stumbling over the syllables of Spanish-language chants. Many had never faced arrest before. But here they were.

Capitol Police said 575 protesters were arrested and escorted out of the Hart Senate Office Building in a mass demonstration that called for the abolishment of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and an end to migrant family detentions and the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration policy.

They were charged with unlawfully demonstrating, a misdemeanor.

"I have two kids, and as a white mother, there is almost no circumstance that they would be taken away from me - ever," said Victoria Farris, who slept Wednesday night in All Souls Church after participating in civil disobedience training. "I was awake one night because I couldn't sleep thinking about all those [immigrant] mothers and terrified children. I realized I had to do something more than protest, more than make a sign and march."

Protesters unfurled banners inside the Hart building Thursday as others staged a sit-in, wrapping themselves in shiny, silver space blankets. The political banners, which aren't allowed in the building's lobby, were confiscated by police.

Capitol Police process a group consisting mostly of women demonstrators inside the Hart building in Washington, D.C.

Then the arrests began.

Just after 3 p.m., protesters were rounded up in groups of a dozen or more and led out of the building.

"Abolish ICE," they shouted as more were moved out. "Shut it down."

Demonstrators continued to sing and chant as they were led away.

When the first group was escorted out of the building, the remaining crowd erupted in cheers.

As police continued to clear the area, several senators greeted demonstrators, including Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

"I join them in calling on the Trump administration to reunite these families and give these kids back to their parents," Duckworth said. "On my side of things, I ask my colleagues, let's pass, finally, sensible immigration reform."

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., joined in the protest and was led out with marchers by Capitol Police. Actress Susan Sarandon, who marched at the front as the protest made its way down Constitution Avenue, was arrested with a group of demonstrators.

It took about an hour to clear the women from the building.

The protest began hours earlier at Freedom Plaza, where hundreds of women robed in white and carrying signs deriding the Trump administration's immigration policy had gathered. The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including the Women's March and the immigrant advocacy organization Casa de Maryland.

Several participants wrote "WE CARE" on their palms, a rebuke of the jacket first lady Melania Trump wore on her first trip to visit detained children near the border.

Ana Maria Archila, executive director of Center for Popular Democracy, said calling for the disbandment of ICE "would have seemed absurd even a few months ago."

But now it is central to the mission of her group and Thursday's march.

"This country has finally been exposed to the brutality and inhumanity of immigration enforcement," she said. "This barrage of injustices has inspired us to say, 'No more. We will not be silent. We will not obey.' "

After gathering at Freedom Plaza, the group marched to the Justice Department before heading to the Hart building, singing hymns and protest songs all the way.

Organizers of the D.C. rally said similar protests will take place in 351 congressional districts across the country.

Working with Ocasio-Cortez

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal July 24 2018.

So great to spend time with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez today. Excited to welcome her to Congress and to move a strong progressive agenda for the people together!

Jayapal supporters

Pramila Jayapal September 18, 2016.

With Juliet Klem, Dan Jacoby, Alice Chang, Kyle Schneider, Jacob Holt, Pramila Jayapal, Doria Nelson, Sarah Brady, Jorge Bustamante, Jr., Jose Mariscal-Cruz, Matt Yoo, Andrzej Montano, David Ayala Zamora, Todd Prieb, Hamdi Mohamed and Stephane Estevao Narita.

Pramila Jayapal May 29, 2016.

With Jacob Holt, Mauricio Ayon, Isaac Sheldon Urner, Elisabeth Rose Astwood, Justin Baird, Elena Justine, Rebekah Baker LaSala, Sarah Brady, Pramila Jayapal, Stephane Estevao Narita, Hamdi Mohamed, Diana Rocha, Dan Jacoby, Catherine Tonsberg Syfert, Jake Kaminetzky and Nolan Bush.

Progressive Democrats of America, 2024

Progressive Democrats of America House endorsements 2024 Alma Adams, Becca Balint, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Greg Casar, Judy Chu, Debbie Dingell, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy Garcia, Raul Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Summer Lee, Joe Neguse, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib, Mark Takano.

PDA 2020 endorsement

In 2020 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Pramila Jayapal's congressional run.

PDA 2018 endorsement

In 2018 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Rep. Pramila Jayapal , WA-07.

Justice Democrats

Pramila Jayapal WA 07 was endorsed by Justice Democrats for 2018.

She the People 2018 Summit

She the People's three-year initiative kicked off with its inaugural She the People Summit on September 20, 2018 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco. The sold-out, first-ever national summit of women of color in politics drew nearly 600 attendees, mostly women of color, from 36 states.

Speakers included Pramila Jayapal.

Power to the People

Democracy Alliance

Pramila Jayapal and Mark Pocan addressed the Spring 2018 Democracy Alliance gathering on "Building a progressive legislation pipeline."

"Green New Deal"

From the Sunrise Movement:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has released a proposal for a Select Committee on a Green New Deal, a plan that would transform our economy and society at the scale needed to stop the climate crisis.

We have the momentum to make a Green New Deal real, but we need a critical mass of Congresspeople to support the proposal.

Take action on Dec. 10 to show Congress the Green New Deal is a top priority.

Congressional supporters by December 20 2018 included Pramila Jayapal.

Congressional Advisory Committee

Farmers & Ranchers for a Green New Deal Congressional Advisory Committee: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)

HR 109 endorser

By February 20 2019 endorsers of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's HR 109 (Green New Deal) included Pramila Jayapal.

Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founders

Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founders were Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Keith Ellison, Debbie Dingell.

National Strategy Call to Win Medicare for All

With Bernie Sanders, Nina Turner, Pramila Jayapal and Bonnie Castillo. November 13, 2018:.

Medicare for All launch

With wide backing from unions and citizens groups, and majority public support, the Congressional Progressive Caucus formally unveiled its comprehensive Medicare For All legislation.

Surrounded by more than 100 backers at a Feb. 27 outdoor Capitol Hill press conference, from National Nurses United (NNU), the Center for Popular Democracy and Our Revolution, a parade of lawmakers, led by caucus co-chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., pitched the fight over the new legislation, HR1384, in human, justice and financial terms.

They said it would save people money they now pay on health insurers’ co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, save businesses money they fork over to the insurers for declining coverage for their workers, and save U.S. health care spending by letting doctors and nurses treat patients before their conditions worsen.

“Thirty people die every day in America because they lack health care coverage,” said one backer, Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen. After 150 hearings and events NNU held nationwide, the union concluded “people across this country want real reform, now,” said union Executive Director Bonnie Castillo.

“For all the people suffering from illness in the U.S., this (legislation) is for you,” Jayapal said.

The measure has more than 100 House co-sponsors already. Besides NNU, initial union backers include the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Teachers (AFT), the Labor Campaign for Single Payer, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Postal Workers and the Flight Attendants-CWA.

Other union backers include the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees-Teamsters, the Theatrical and State Employees, the Professional and Technical Engineers, the National Union of Healthcare Workers, the New York State Nurses Association, the Service Employees, the United Electrical Workers and, for the first time ever, the Machinists.

“We know we must take this on now,” AFT President Randi Weingarten declared at the press conference. “Health care costs have become an issue in every collective bargaining agreement for two decades – and an issue in the recent teachers’ strikes.”

“It is past time to shift the health care burden off hard-working families by streamlining our health care system, instead of padding the pockets of the insurance companies,” said IAM President Robert Martinez in a statement.

Jayapal called the union support “unprecedented,” even though a prominent past backer, the Steelworkers, isn’t on the list yet. Nor is the AFL-CIO, which included single-payer in its health care initiatives endorsements at its last convention, in St. Louis.

HR1384 would replace the private insurance industry and its 33 percent overhead share of the nation’s health care spending – along with its high co-pays, deductibles and cost-shifting to workers — with a government-run system that covers far more people and far more procedures than Medicare does. There would be a 2-year phase-in period involving Medicare growth.

Reproductive rights coverage would be guaranteed and dental, vision, mental health, primary care and guaranteed total payment for hospital care would be added to the coverage mix.

And HR1384 would eliminate the high deductibles, rising co-pays and high health insurance cost-shifting by employers that now plague both the present health care payment system and the country. Firms now unload health care costs on their workers, if they cover the workers at all. Weingarten noted the Auto Workers were forced to take over health care costs when GM and Fiat-Chrysler went broke during the Great Recession.

The U.S. spends 19 percent of its gross domestic product on health care, far more than any other developed nation, “and has some of the worst outcomes” for all that money, Jayapal said. They include finishing dead last among developed nations in maternal health and infant mortality and declining longevity.

Meanwhile, the health insurers walked away with $43 billion in profits last year and insurance company CEOs raked in millions of dollars each in salary and bonuses, she said. All because they and Big Pharma “put profits before people.”

“First of all, we cover everyone,” Jayapal declared. That’s in contrast to 30 million uninsured – including a ban, in the Affordable Care Act, on covering undocumented people – and 40 million underinsured.

And while the ACA added millions of people to coverage – 330,000 in Cook County, Ill. alone, said Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill. — too many people, several speakers said, are one serious illness, or one illness of a family member, away from health-care-cost-caused bankruptcy.

Even people supposedly covered by the present system are still stuck with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Jennifer Epps-Addison, executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, told the crowd she usually doesn’t use her own story to illustrate problems, but she would here: Her husband, who has had multiple sclerosis for three years, is covered by CPD’s health insurance.

But while single-payer has wide public support, it also faces determined opposition from the health insurers, who have already launched a multi-million-dollar scare campaign against it, from the GOP, which calls it “socialism” and from the radical right. The health insurers don’t even like a “compromise” to set up a government-run system alongside their firms – and let consumers and companies choose their coverage option.

And one person in the audience held up a hand-made sign imploring four of Connecticut’s five representatives, all Democrats, to support the single-payer bill. The one not on the sign: Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., a first-year lawmaker, union member and former National Teacher of the Year. Hayes made single-payer a key campaign plank in her win in the Danbury-Waterbury 5th District last year.

Venezuela letter

According to The Mobilizer February 2019 Democratic Socialists of America is behind Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal's Venezuela letter:

DSA is organizing a congressional campaign. California Democrat Ro Khanna and Washington Democrat Pramila Jayapal are circulating a letter "rejected threats of US Military intervention in Venezuela, supporting dialogue to resolve the political crisis there, and opposing broad economic sanctions that hurt ordinary civilians." The letter urges support for a mediation process advocated by the governments of Mexico and Uruguay to promote dialogue. Contact your Congressperson, especially members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to sign the letter.

Signatories by February 15 deadline included Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Mark Pocan, Raul Grijalva, Ilhan Omar, Hank Johnson, Adriano Espaillat, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Nydia Velazquez.

WCAN connection

Washington Community Action Network April 8 209:

Our members were STOKED to talk with Rep. Pramila Jayapal at the Medicare for All Speak Out. Nobody should go into debt for seeking health care. #Medicare4All — with Sarah Stewart, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Gina Owens.

CPCC Leadership

Congressional Progressive Caucus Center leadership as of January 2019.

• Robert Borosage - President of the board.
• Mark Pocan - board member.
• Pramila Jayapal - board member.
• Barbara Lee - board member.
• Keith Ellison - board member.
• Raul Grijalva - board member.

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

• Marzena Zukowska, marzena@domesticworkers.org, 872-216-3684
• Natalia Jaramillo, natalia@domesticworkers.org, (786) 317-3524

July 2019 Washington, DC —Today, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, alongside Senator Kamala Harris (CA) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), have announced that they will introduce groundbreaking new legislation to improve the lives of domestic workers and transform the way people work in America.

The first ever national Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which will be officially introduced early in the 116th Congress, will provide basic labor protections to more than two million nannies, house cleaners, and care workers across the country, while developing innovations for the future of one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.

“The work of domestic workers is so incredibly important, both as caregivers and as organizers. This is the work that our economy is built on, yet too often, it’s undervalued and underappreciated,” said Senator Kamala Harris. “In America, we all deserve basic rights, safety, and dignity in the workplace. By fighting for fairness and equal treatment, we are fighting for the best of who we are as a country.”

“For the first time in history, we have a chance to raise the bar for every domestic worker in our country, and set the stage for all working people,” said Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “As people live longer, we have the opportunity to embrace an intergenerational future in America, where all of us are cared for at each stage of our lives. All of us deserve to work and live with safety and dignity, and this legislation ensures that no one is left behind.”

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights will come on the heels of similar laws in eight states and one city enacted over the last decade. In addition to addressing issues facing domestic workers, the bill will:

Create new tools to ensure that these rights are real and that workers can exercise their rights without fear. “In this critical moment for our country, domestic workers are shaping the future of our economy and drawing the shape of our democracy,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “Our future depends on each one of us coming together to make change. And domestic workers are standing up for all of us as women, as immigrants, as workers, as people of color. Their strength, courage and power inspires us all as we fight together for workplace democracy.”

“Unstoppable Women Workers”

Washington, DC -- From July 10-12 2019, in the midst a growing women’s movement, a delegation of domestic workers and farmworkers led by Jane Fonda and prominent activists lobbied Congress for safe and dignified workplaces.

The delegation, dubbed the “Unstoppable Women Workers,” included Ai-jen Poo of National Domestic Workers Alliance, Monica Ramirez of National Farmworker Women’s Alliance, Fatima Goss Graves of National Women’s Law Center, and others.

Guided by farmworker women and domestic workers, many of whom had experienced labor exploitation and sexual violence on the job, the delegation met with key lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), Senator Patty Murray (WA), Senator Cory Booker (NJ), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA).

Policy Demands Include:

• Expanding Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts to extend protections to all workers.
• Supporting the Fairness for Farm Workers Act to ensure that farmworkers receive overtime compensation.
• Passing a Federal Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to provide the domestic workers with basic labor protections, including the development of a new framework and mechanism that can extend

safety-net benefits to domestic workers.

The delegation additionally held a congressional luncheon on July 11, and a public forum at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on July 12 that included Jane Fonda as the keynote speaker.

“The issue of workers rights has been very important to me for a long time. But with the rise of the TIME’S UP and #MeToo movements, this is a new reality.” said Jane Fonda, Academy Award winning actress and activist. “If we are truly going to confront and solve the issues of dignity, equality, rights and safety, we have to stand in alliance with our sisters across all sectors. I am honored to be here with domestic workers and farm workers as we call on Congress for policies that will uphold their rights and dignity. We are here for the long haul.”

“Domestic workers and farm workers are proud to be a part of a growing movement of women that are transforming the way we live and work in America,” said Ai-jen Poo, executive director of National Domestic Workers Alliance. “The workers who have been the least visible and most vulnerable are now at the center of our solutions, which means that when we win, no one will be left behind.”

“As we speak, many farmworkers are working 15 hour days to cultivate and harvest the fruits and vegetables that we eat,” said Mily Trevino-Sauceda, co-director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. “Hundreds of farmworker women around the country are leading to create change for our community. It’s imperative that we work together to ensure safe and dignified working conditions for all working women.”

“As care workers, we provide care to our loved ones and our most precious possessions. Our work makes all other work possible, yet our exclusion from many labor laws makes us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” said Myrla Baldonado, domestic worker and organizer with Pilipino Workers Center. “We need to pass stronger laws and enforce them to protect all of us, not just some. We ask you to stand with us. We must change the way America cares.”

This effort builds on this year’s Unstoppable Day of Action, which for the first time brought together more than 100 domestic workers and farmworker women to the nation’s capital to push for an expansion of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act among other workplace laws.

References

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