Maxine Waters

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, issued the following statement in response to recent reports that four members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) refused to testify in the coroner’s inquest into the shooting death of Andres Guardado:

“It is outrageous that the officers involved in the killing of Andres Guardado are now refusing to testify in the coroner’s inquest into Guardado’s death. It is this type of obfuscation by the LASD that has fueled decades-long outrage and resentment among the communities who find themselves victims of police violence time and time again. LASD has a known history of serious abuses and allegations of misconduct that include racist gangs, the targeting of people of color, and shootings of civilians.

“On June 18th, Andres Guardado, who was just 18 years old, became a victim of unacceptable police violence after sustaining five gunshot wounds to his back at the hands of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies. Let me be clear that from the very beginning of this case, there has been a complete lack of transparency and information from the Sheriff’s department, which also put a “security hold” on Andres’ autopsy report in an effort to prevent it from being made public.

“It now appears that in another move designed to prevent any answers from coming to light, Deputies Miguel Vega, who opened fire, and his partner Chris Hernandez, as well as two homicide detectives investigating the case are all refusing to testify in the coroner’s inquest by not answering any questions about what led up to the tragic and unfortunate murder of Andres Guardado. To make matters worse, Miguel Vega, the deputy who killed Andres after firing five bullets into his back, could not even be bothered to show up for the hearing and was instead out of the country. This is unacceptable, outrageous, and is nothing short of an affront to justice for Andres, his family, and our community. It cannot be lost on us that the two officers directly involved in Guardado’s death were identified by a whistleblower within the LASD as alleged members of the “Executioner’s Gang,” a rogue, violent gang operating within the department that sets illegal arrest quotas, threatens and harasses fellow officers, and even holds parties after shootings.

“As was indicated by Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson, one can only conclude that this is a coordinated effort designed to protect the Sheriff’s office and make it more difficult for the truth to come out about what really happened on June 18, 2020. Sheriff Villanueva and all those involved in this effort cannot and must not be excused from this.

“In an effort to ensure transparency and accountability, I, along with Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán, requested that Attorney General Xavier Becerra investigate the killing of Andres Guardado. Separately, Sheriff Villanueva also requested that Attorney General Becerra monitor their investigation. Attorney General Becerra declined both requests.

“The truth is that for too long our community has suffered at the hands of rogue officers who take it upon themselves to be the arbiters of life and death and we are determined to get justice for Andres and the many others like him who have been unjustly taken from us. Andres’ family deserves justice. They deserve answers and they deserve transparency and accountability. I will not rest until all the facts about what led up to the killing of Andres Guardado are fully disclosed.

“For all of these reasons, I will be formally requesting that the Attorney General of the United States investigate this as a civil rights violation. Enough is enough.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, issued the following statement following the death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

“Today, the world has lost one of the greatest fighters for working people it has ever known. Richard Trumka was not only a friend to me and so many others who have fought for years to support organized labor and protect working people, but he was a forceful, unapologetic voice that resonated throughout the world. He will be sorely missed.

“His impact and advocacy for working families cannot be overstated. As President of the AFL-CIO, he represented over 12 million working people and did so with an unwavering commitment to their best interests. I am grateful that, throughout my career, I have had the honor of working with him in our fight to ensure that every working person in this country is protected and able to live a decent quality of life. There was not one meeting with him that left me feeling uninspired or hopeless. He was the kind of person who rolled up his sleeves, got to work, and got things done – and he inspired all of us to do the same.

“While I am shocked and saddened by his passing, I am more determined than ever to ensure that his legacy lives on. During this difficult moment, I send my most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement after student loan borrowers scored a victory in court this week against Education Secretary Betsy DeVos related to the Borrower Defense program. 

“This week, student borrowers—and good sense — won. From the beginning of the Trump Administration, it was abundantly clear that Secretary DeVos had neither the experience nor the commitment to lead a Department of Education that puts students first. Secretary DeVos’ unwavering commitment to helping her corporate friends and harming students was so abhorrent that students had to resort to legal action for any support or relief, such as the ongoing Sweet v. DeVos case concerning the Borrower Defense program, which provides student loan relief for those who have been defrauded by an educational institution. This week’s court victory in the Sweet case forces DeVos to cease all systematic and arbitrary denials of Borrower Defense applications and will benefit the roughly 170,000 student loan borrowers seeking relief through the program. More than that, it signals the beginning of the end of one of the worst Education Secretaries in United States history.  

“After being asked to present evidence to a Judge that she was not arbitrarily mass denying applications from students who claim to have been defrauded by educational institutions, including for-profit colleges, she presented none and instead, finally agreed to stop denying applications. We must not forget, however, that from day one and without any remorse, Secretary DeVos made it her mission to undermine the Department and weaken our nation’s strong public education system. From failing to enforce the civil rights of all students under Title IX and increasing the inequities for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, to proposing massive cuts to the Department of Education and accusing public school educators who marched and demanded facility improvements of “hurting students,” DeVos has shown herself to be an adversary to progress and justice. 

“I will be watching carefully to ensure that in her last remaining months, Secretary DeVos acts in accordance with the court order and halts the denial of any applications from students seeking relief under the Borrower Defense program. I look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration to support the Borrower Defense program and any future policies that regulate for-profit colleges, support student borrowers, tackle the student-debt crisis, and improve educational outcomes for everyone.” 

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, released a statement after Trump administration officials threatened to cut federal transportation funding from the State of California – while accusing the state of failing to meet federal air quality standards – less than one week after the administration announced it is revoking California’s authority to set higher auto emissions standards than those required by the federal government.[1]  The State of California, along with 23 other states and the cities of Los Angeles and New York, filed a lawsuit on September 20th challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to undermine California’s auto emissions standards.[2]  The Congresswoman’s statement follows:

“The Trump administration’s threat to cut federal transportation funding from the State of California is a blatant attempt at intimidation.  This shameless threat comes less than one week after the administration announced it is revoking California’s authority to set higher auto emissions standards. It is completely disingenuous for this administration to demand that we clean up our air while robbing us of the tools to do so.

“Donald Trump is engaged in a shameless attempt to punish the great State of California for enforcing tough environmental rules and resisting the corruption and chaos of his administration.

“The people of California are not fooled.  We know that Trump does not care about the air we breathe.  We know that Trump is doing everything he can to slash funding for environmental protection, roll back clean air and clean water standards, open up the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to offshore oil drilling, undermine efforts to fight climate change, and enrich the polluters who donated to his campaign.  We know that this president is corrupt, vengeful, and thoroughly unfit to serve as president of the United States.

“Californians will not be intimidated by Donald Trump and his cronies.  We will continue to resist his heartless, corrupt, and cruel administration.  We will win our lawsuit and protect our right to enforce strong emissions standards, fight climate change, and protect public health.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, issued the following statement condemning the United States Border Patrol’s treatment of Haitian migrants.

“In every sense of the word – I am absolutely outraged by the United States Border Patrol agents’ incomprehensible treatment and abuse of Haitian migrants seeking refuge in the United States. Right now, Haitians are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives after a devastating earthquake in August – the second catastrophic earthquake to hit the island nation in less than twelve years. Haitians are reeling from the aftermath of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the lack of a credible, functioning government that has followed. Haitians are facing widespread gang violence that has paralyzed entire communities. The situation in Haiti is devastating, and Haitians are attempting to seek refuge in the United States for the possibility of a better, safer life for themselves and their families.

“Fueled by the ongoing strife in Haiti, Haitians are making long and dangerous journeys to reach the United States – a country they believe is fueled by compassion and justice – only to be met by the brutality of cowboys on horseback with whips. The images of this unconscionable attack by United States border agents on helpless Haitian migrants have an uncanny resemblance to the photos in our history books that show the truth of how Black people were treated in this country in centuries past. I demand that this detestable treatment of Haitians be stopped immediately!

“Not only am I outraged by the reprehensible behavior of these border agents who seem to lack humanity, I am extremely disappointed in the Biden Administration for its willingness to continue the racist application of immigration policies and tactics utilized by Donald Trump, the most xenophobic and dangerous president in our nation’s history.

“I am calling on the United States to allow the Haitian migrants to file for the refugee or migration status they are seeking as allowed by the United States Constitution and urge the Department of Homeland Security to conduct its investigation into the matter in a comprehensive and credible manner.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services and a congressional leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, issued the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Day, which is celebrated every year on December 1:

“Today, we commemorate the first World AIDS Day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. These two global pandemics have striking similarities, and both require a sustained commitment from individuals and institutions at all levels of society to save lives. Many of the same communities that have suffered from the disproportionate impacts of HIV/AIDS – including African Americans, Latinx, and other communities of color – are now suffering and dying disproportionately from COVID-19.

“Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment, with a particular emphasis on the minority communities that have borne the brunt of the disease. Before coming to the U.S. Congress, I worked with local organizations and community leaders to raise funds for local minority HIV/AIDS initiatives in Los Angeles, and I introduced legislation in the California State Assembly to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic among African Americans.

“As a Member of the U.S. Congress, I spearheaded the establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI), which has significantly expanded HIV/AIDS prevention, screening, and treatment efforts among racial and ethnic minorities and reduced AIDS disparities. I am proud to report that funding for this critical initiative has increased from the initial appropriation of $156 million in Fiscal Year 1999 to more than $425 million per year today. Earlier this year, the House passed my amendment to increase funding for the MAI by an additional $5 million in FY 2021.

“On World AIDS Day 2020, we must confront the unprecedented challenges of two simultaneous global pandemics, and we must resist the temptation to abandon the struggle against a 29-year old pandemic that has already killed tens of millions of people around the world while we work to stop a new pandemic that could kill millions more. In honor of the millions of people we have lost to HIV/AIDS, I vow to continue my fight to keep our communities healthy and put an end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic once and for all.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), a longstanding member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), joined with her colleagues and immigration advocates at the CAPAC Congressional Forum on the Rise of Southeast Asian Deportation in order to raise awareness of their efforts in the fight to protect Southeast Asian immigrants—particularly those from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—who have been subjected to racially-motivated targeting, detainment, and deportation by the Trump Administration.

In early 2017, Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained over 200 Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian permanent residents across the country, causing widespread fear for many Southeast Asian communities. Since then, the number of Vietnamese immigrants who have been deported has tripled, and there has been a 279% increase in deportations within the Cambodian community.

The Congressional forum was organized by CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu (CA-27) and followed 2017 and 2018 letters from CAPAC Members demanding answers from the Trump Administration regarding the unprecedented increase in the detention and deportation of Southeast Asians. The forum also featured witness testimonies from Phi Nguyen (Asian Americans Advancing Justice); Tung Nguyen (advocate); Phal Sok (Youth Justice Coalition); and Quyen Dinh (Southeast Asia Resource Action Center).

During her remarks, Congresswoman Waters underscored the need for strong advocacy on behalf of Southeast Asians in her District and across the country, and committed to continuing her strong leadership in the effort to protect the civil rights of the Asian Pacific Islander community.

“The terrors that have befallen so many Southeast Asian immigrants as a result of Donald Trump’s racist and anti-immigrant agenda should shock the core of every patriotic American. For more than two years, this administration has conducted raids targeted toward Southeast Asians – many of whom are lawful permanent residents – and as a result hundreds of Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian immigrants have been detained, and, in some cases deported. As the proud representative of a dynamic Asian Pacific Islander community, I have a profound understanding of the way in which Trump’s unconscionable policies are undermining the safety, security, and well-being of hardworking families in my District. As my Democratic colleagues and I continue to lead the effort for comprehensive immigration reform, we must be vocal and unwavering in our fight to ensure that harm being done to Southeast Asians is not overlooked. Their plight is our plight, and their fight is our fight,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, announced the introduction of the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021 and the Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act of 2021. Both of Congresswoman Waters’ bills take significant action to honor her commitment to veterans in her district and across the country. Each bill is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion.

“As a Member of the United States Congress, I take seriously my commitment to our nation’s veterans and I am pleased to have introduced two bills that increase support for veterans with a service-connected disability and create funding for the renovation and modernization of veterans service organization facilities,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “Too often, the needs of our veterans are cast aside, but my bills take long-overdue action. To address this, my Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act makes permanent the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Individual Unemployability program so that we can ensure all veterans who are unable to secure a job due to a service-related disability receive benefits. It also ensures that veterans are not kicked out of the program simply because they’ve earned other benefits, like retiree benefits.”

“Further, my Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act creates a facility renovation grant program for veterans service organizations operating local services so that they can better support the 20 million veterans who have been promised healthcare, educational opportunities, and a decent quality of life,” continued Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “As a longtime advocate for those who have served our country in the military, I will continue to work tirelessly in support of our veterans and their needs.”

Over three and a half million veterans live with a disability connected to their service to the United States. For many, these disabilities make obtaining and maintaining employment difficult, if not impossible. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs Individual Unemployability Program has assisted veterans with disabilities since 1934, it is not authorized in statute and it has consistently been the target of cost-cutting proposals, such as proposals to kick veterans out of the program if they happen to receive other benefits they rightly earned.

The Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021:

• Codifies and makes permanent the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Individual Unemployability (IU) program.
• Ensures that veterans, who are unable to maintain employment due to a service-connected disability, can continue to have access to the IU program as it currently exists.
• Guarantees that veterans applying for the IU program will not be denied based on their age or eligibility for retirement benefits.

There are approximately 20 million veterans in the United States today who rely on assistance from the VA to secure care, housing, education, and much more. Veterans service organizations (VSOs) operate throughout the country and serve millions of veterans. The VSOs endorsing this legislation—American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV)—collectively serve 4.5 million veterans.

The services VSOs provide are practically limitless, yet the physical buildings where VSOs serve the community are often dilapidated and in dire need of updates and repair.

The Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act:

• Creates a ten-million-dollar grant program at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development specifically for VSOs that are classified by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(19) non-profit organizations and hold a designated mission to serve the needs of veterans and their families, as well as the VSOs created by Congressional Charter.
• Provides renovation and modernization specific grants of up to $100,000 to VSOs for the purpose of maintenance and refurbishment to already existing infrastructure.

The Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021 would codify VA's authority to grant individual unemployability disability ratings for veterans who are unable to maintain gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities,” said Kristina Keenan, National Legislative Service Associate Director for Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. “The VFW supports this legislation to protect this important benefit for veterans who truly need it. The VFW supports the Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act of 2021 which would allow local chapters of eligible veterans service organizations (VSOs) to apply for grants to improve and modernize their facilities. Local VSO chapters, like VFW posts, are an important part of the community and this legislation would provide an opportunity to improve existing facilities and upgrade necessary technologies to better serve the veteran population.”

“DAV strongly supports the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act as it will ensure that Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits will remain available for all veterans unable to work due to their serious service-connected disabilities, regardless of their age or receipt of any other earned federal benefits,” said Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans. “We thank Representative Maxine Waters for introducing this legislation as well as the Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act to support local veterans organizations. DAV applauds Rep. Waters for her steadfast commitment to the men and women who have been wounded, injured, or made ill during their military service.”

Co-sponsors of the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021 include Representatives: Julia Brownley (D-CA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Bobby L. Rush (D-IL).

Co-sponsors of the Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act include Representatives: Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), André Carson (D-IN), Judy Chu (D-CA), David N. Cicilline (D-RI), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Al Lawson (D-FL), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Michael F.Q. San Nicolas (D-GU), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY).