McGovern, Jim RSS Articles

20 Members of Congress Release Joint Statement Affirming Colombia’s Sovereignty & Rejecting U.S. Election Interference

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, 20 Members of Congress led by Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) released the following statement condemning efforts by U.S. elected officials to interfere in Colombia’s presidential election and reaffirming that Colombia’s future must be decided by the Colombian people alone:

“We strongly support the sovereignty of the people of Colombia and their right to determine the future of their country. The peoples of the United States and Colombia have enjoyed two centuries of friendship and partnership, with democracy as a core shared value. We wholeheartedly support the right of the Colombian people to exercise their democratic freedoms.

“Colombia is in the middle of national elections that will determine the country’s next president. The right to select that president belongs to the people of Colombia, and to the people of Colombia alone.

“We see actions by U.S. President Donald Trump and other Members of Congress to endorse, advocate for, or otherwise tip the scales to a particular candidate as detrimental to the democratic rights of the Colombian people, an insult to their sovereignty and integrity, and wholly inconsistent with long-standing U.S. principles of non-interference in foreign elections. The future of Colombia must be decided by the Colombian people—not American politicians with their own agenda.

“We look forward to working with whomever is democratically elected to advance relations between Colombia and the United States.”
McGovern was joined by Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

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Spanish translation below:

WASHINGTON—Hoy, 20 Miembros del Congreso, liderados por el representante Jim McGovern (MA-02), emitieron la siguiente declaración condenando los esfuerzos de funcionarios electos estadounidenses por interferir en las elecciones presidenciales de Colombia y reafirmando que el futuro de Colombia debe ser decidido únicamente por el pueblo colombiano:

“Apoyamos firmemente la soberanía del pueblo de Colombia y su derecho a determinar el futuro de su país. Los pueblos de Estados Unidos y Colombia han disfrutado de dos siglos de amistad y asociación, con la democracia como valor común central. Apoyamos de todo corazón el derecho del pueblo colombiano a ejercer sus libertades democráticas.

“Colombia está en medio de elecciones nacionales que determinarán al próximo presidente del país. El derecho a elegir a ese presidente pertenece al pueblo de Colombia, y solo al pueblo de Colombia.

“Consideramos las acciones del presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y otros miembros del Congreso para respaldar, abogar o inclinar la balanza a favor de un candidato en particular como perjudicial para los derechos democráticos del pueblo colombiano, un insulto a su soberanía e integridad y totalmente inconsistente con los principios estadounidenses de larga data de no injerencia en las elecciones extranjeras. El futuro de Colombia debe ser decidido por el pueblo colombiano, no por los políticos estadounidenses con su propia agenda.

“Trabajaremos con quien sea elegido democráticamente para avanzar relaciones entre Colombia y los Estados Unidos”

A McGovern se unieron los representantes Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) y Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

McGovern, Markey, Van Hollen, Dean, Dexter Lead 57 Congressional Democrats in Demanding Medical Evacuations for Palestinian Cancer Patients

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, Representative James P. McGovern, Senators Ed Markey and Chris Van Hollen, and Representatives Madeleine Dean and Maxine Dexter led 57 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding the Administration take immediate action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis facing cancer patients in Gaza.

In their letter, the lawmakers called on the Administration to press the Israeli government to reestablish a medical corridor that would allow Palestinian cancer patients in Gaza to obtain life-saving medical care in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The lawmakers also demanded that the Administration ensure hospitals and medical infrastructure in Gaza are rebuilt and protected.

“Cancer diagnoses have become death sentences in Gaza,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter. “It is imperative that the United States and its regional partners urge the Israeli government to reestablish a medical pathway for cancer patients in Gaza to receive life-saving treatment in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.”

The letter highlighted a six-year-old boy named Ghazal, who was diagnosed with leukemia and died while waiting for his evacuation request to be approved by the Israeli government. The lawmakers noted that more than 18,500 Palestinians require urgent medical care that is unavailable in Gaza, including approximately 11,000 cancer patients.

The lawmakers provided five recommendations for Administration action:

• Engage the governments of Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye in a coordinated diplomatic effort to secure medical evacuations for pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers from Gaza to appropriate medical facilities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank;

• Facilitate the reestablishment of the medical corridor between Gaza and East Jerusalem and the West Bank for all patients requiring medical evacuation;

• Obtain assurances from the Israeli government that evacuated patients and caregivers will be permitted to return to Gaza once they are able;

• Ensure that Palestinians can rebuild and protect hospitals and medical infrastructure in Gaza; and

• Respond to all questions raised in a November 2025 letter by Senator Markey and Representative Dexter.

The full text of the letter is available here.

McGovern, McCaul Introduce Legislation to Assure Continued Engagement with the Tibetan People After the Dalai Lama

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (MA-02) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) introduced legislation to strengthen the United States’s commitment to the aspirations of the Tibetan people for human rights and dignity. The ‘‘Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026” would empower the U.S. government to continue its engagement with the Central Tibetan Administration after the 14^th Dalai Lama has passed.

“Congress has a long-standing abiding interest in resolving the dispute between Tibet and China,” said Congressman McGovern. “Sadly, the Dalai Lama won’t be with us forever. We must ensure that the U.S. government has the authority and the tools to continue its advocacy for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people. Essential to this effort, we must support the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate, democratically elected representative of the Tibetan people.

"Decades after the Dalai Lama and his people fled the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution on a perilous journey to India, the CCP continues to threaten Tibetans’ faith and freedom,” said Congressman McCaul. “As I promised his Holiness when I visited Dharamshala, the United States will always with stand Tibetans in their pursuit of self-determination. I’m proud to support this important bill to permanently cement our commitment to the Tibetan people and guarantee unbreakable ties with their democratic leadership.”

The legislation:

Makes it U.S. policy to maintain engagement with the Tibetan people directly and through their democratically elected leadership and religious and cultural leaders;
States that that the Central Tibetan Administration represents continuity of governance of the Tibetan people as established by the Dalai Lama;
Supports the Tibetan people’s free exercise of their fundamental and universal human rights under international law, including the right to self-determination; and
Affirms commitment to a resolution of the dispute between Tibet and China as a matter of strategic interest to the United States.

To carry out its objectives, the legislation directs the U.S. government to:

Advocate for the Central Tibetan Administration to be given observer status within the United Nations system and in relevant international bodies and groupings;
Grant officials of the Central Tibetan Administration with appropriate senior levels of engagement and diplomatic courtesies by the U.S. government, possibly to include the extension of diplomatic security and privileges and immunities.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

McGovern Leads House Colleagues Urging Collaborative Approach to Combatting Transnational Crime

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, Representative James P. McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, led a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern over reports that the Administration is considering designating two Brazilian criminal groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). They warned such a move could undermine U.S.-Brazil relations and hinder effective strategies to combat transnational crime.

“We are concerned the Trump Administration’s overuse and weaponization of Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designations without meeting the clear statutory threshold for terrorist activity could weaken efforts to thwart organized crime in our hemisphere,” the lawmakers wrote, continuing, “[m]oreover, given the Administration’s use of terrorist designations as a justification to commit extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, we are concerned by how the Administration may use such a designation.”

The letter calls on the State Department to provide Congress with clear evidence before pursuing any designation and emphasized that counterterrorism tools must be used responsibly to protect Americans—and not to interfere in Brazil’s internal affairs.

The lawmakers urged the Administration to prioritize diplomatic cooperation, law enforcement collaboration, and multilateral frameworks to address the root causes of organized crime.

The full text of the letter is available here.

McGovern and 27 House Members to Trump Administration: Family Members Deserve to Know Whether Their Relatives Are Being Held in Salvadoran Torture Prison

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, along with 27 other Members of the House of Representatives, have written a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin demanding information on the individuals sent on deportation flights to El Salvador who are still held incommunicado in the notorious maximum-security torture prison, CECOT, and other prisons.

“We are extremely concerned the U.S. government has denied these individuals the right to challenge these deportations and detentions,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter. “As Members of Congress, it is our moral and official duty to ensure that the United States does not violate international human rights standards by ensuring transparency and accounting of official U.S. acts.”

In March and April 2025, the Trump Administration sent some 30 to 40 Salvadorans, along with more than 200 Venezuelans, to be held in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador. Multiple reports by international human rights monitors have documented horrific conditions in prisons across El Salvador, including in CECOT, including torture.

While the Venezuelans were repatriated to Venezuela, the status of the deported Salvadorans is largely unknown. Family members of those sent to CECOT and other prisons, and their lawyers, are unable to ascertain information about the health and status of their loved ones, or even if they are still alive.

Specifically, the letter asks for the release of the names, nationalities, and immigration file numbers of every individual from these deportation flights still held incommunicado in CECOT and in other prisons. The lawmakers cite legal and administrative precedents for the release of such information, as well as the fact that the White House has already published some of the names, disproving anticipated arguments that the information cannot be released for national security reasons.

“The U.S. government’s refusal to provide information about these individuals to Congress, the public, and especially their families, amounts to acts of enforced disappearance, a human rights violation under international law. Whether their names are part of the public record or not, all the men who the U.S. government deported to El Salvador deserve due process and equitable treatment, regardless of any criminal misconduct or deportation orders in their past,” conclude the Members of Congress in their letter.

McGovern Leads Bipartisan Effort to Strengthen Federal Focus on Link Between Diet and Chronic Disease

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), alongside Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Emilia Sykes (D-OH), led a bipartisan letter urging Congressional appropriators to provide essential funding to make healthy food and good nutrition a core pillar of America’s healthcare system as part of the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill.

In the letter to Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the bipartisan coalition emphasized the urgent need to address diet-related disease and rising healthcare costs through “Food is Medicine” initiatives.

“Good nutrition is fundamental for restoring and maintaining health,” the lawmakers wrote, noting that poor diets have “strong ties to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gut health, mental health, cancer, and more.”

The lawmakers’ request for federal funding and an enhanced focus on better nutrition comes amid an ongoing surge in the cost of treating diet-related diseases—an increase which is crushing healthcare systems, federal and state budgets, and private employers. Notably, the combined healthcare spending and lost productivity from poor diets and food insecurity are estimated to exceed $1.1 trillion each year, emphasizing the immediate need for congressional action.

“Further action must be taken to support food is medicine efforts,” the lawmakers concluded. “We have it in our power to save lives, improve nutrition, and lower health care costs by directing more federal resources toward better integrating nutrition into our healthcare system.”

Specifically, the bipartisan coalition is requesting targeted investments to expand research on food is medicine at NIH, additional funding for HHS to bolster ongoing food is medicine work and expand access to medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions, enhanced nutrition support through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and continued efforts to address maternal health by helping clinics provide nutrition services to at-risk mothers.

The full text of the letter is available here.

McGovern Statement on the Passing of Paki Wieland

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) released this statement following the passing of renowned peace activist Paki Wieland:

Paki was an incredible leader. She was a peacemaker in our community, and a fierce advocate for human rights and human dignity at home and around the world.

Paki and I bonded after we learned that each of us had been arrested—multiple times—for civil disobedience. I often turned to her for advice and guidance—strategizing and working together on how to eliminate nuclear weapons, stand up to defense contractors, and fight back against those who seek war and destruction. Occasionally, we disagreed. But in our disagreement, there was genuine admiration. I saw in Paki someone who loved and cared so deeply, and whose passion and energy could ignite and inspire others to action.

Paki was always willing to stand up for a neighbor in need—and the whole world was her neighborhood. She never stopped speaking out, never stopped organizing, and never stopped challenging the rest of us to live up to our values. I so admired her tenacity and her deep, deep desire to bring peace and love into this world.

I pray that her family finds comfort and inspiration in her memory. Paki touched so many lives, and her spirit and legacy will live on in all of us who will continue fighting on her behalf for a more just, compassionate, peaceful future for all.

The world will miss Paki. I already do.

McGovern Delivers $12+ Million in Federal Funding for Community Projects In Second Congressional District of Massachusetts

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, is announcing $12,101,000 in federal funding has been awarded to local projects throughout Massachusetts’ Second Congressional District.

McGovern secured the money through the FY2026 appropriations process, partnering with community stakeholders and local officials to develop strong proposals and bring federal dollars back to the Bay State.

“Every one of these awards is tied to a specific, tangible improvement folks here at home will see and feel—more childcare slots in Whitinsville, safer streets on Route 20 in Shrewsbury, cleaner drinking water in Leicester, a new fire truck for Conway, affordable housing in Worcester, and new resources to address economic injustice in Amherst and Northampton,” said McGovern. “These are concrete things that will make life better for all of us. My team and I worked closely with mayors, town managers, nonprofits, and community leaders before doing the work in Congress to get this funding across the finish line.”

McGovern worked with stakeholders in communities throughout the Second District of Massachusetts to secure funding for the following local projects:

$1,500,000 for Worcester Polytechnic Institute to build a continuous flow reactor to destroy PFAS in contaminated soils and plants in Worcester County.
$1,200,000 for Worcester to support utility separation and lead/asbestos remediation at 128 Providence Street, enabling development of affordable, accessible housing for older adults.
$1,092,000 for Holliston to build wastewater infrastructure in its downtown sewer district, supporting smart growth, environmental management, and local economic development.
$1,015,000 to renovate a historic building and expand childcare capacity at the Whitin Community Center in Whitinsville.
$1,000,000 for Princeton to support construction of a new public safety building for firefighters, police, and EMTs.
$1,000,000 for Colrain to support construction of a shared wastewater disposal system.
$1,000,000 for Amherst to design and construct a 35-bed shelter with supportive housing.
$950,000 for Leicester to build a water interconnection with Worcester, strengthening drinking water reliability and addressing capacity constraints.
$879,000 to expand Stop It Now! child sexual abuse prevention programming in Northampton.
$850,000 for Shrewsbury to advance Route 20 corridor improvements, including design work for traffic safety upgrades, new and improved signals, and shared-use paths.
$700,000 for Conway to purchase a replacement pumper fire truck for its volunteer fire department and strengthen emergency response capacity.
$500,000 for Northampton to create a Community Resilience Hub that provides daily access to shelter, meals, and hygiene facilities.
$250,000 for Ashfield to reconstruct a century-old retaining wall near Sanderson Academy.
$165,000 to support renovations at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls, helping preserve and improve Franklin County’s only large, publicly owned performing arts venue.

“These are targeted, practical investments that will strengthen public safety, expand opportunity, and improve people’s lives,” added McGovern. “And we’re investing in the next generation by making smart choices now—paying it forward with safer neighborhoods, healthier communities, and the infrastructure and services that our commonwealth needs to grow and thrive for years to come.”

A full list and detailed descriptions of all the projects that McGovern requested federal funding for can be found here.

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McGovern, Kim lead Bipartisan Group of 10 House Lawmakers Calling on Trump Administration to Make Tibet a Priority

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, United States Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Young Kim (R-CA) led a bipartisan group of 10 House lawmakers in a letter asking the Trump administration to make Tibet a priority. The letter was addressed to Riley M. Barnes, who was appointed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 17, 2026, to serve as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Barnes is the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

“We know what is possible when the Administration and Congress work together to promote America’s interests regarding Tibet,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter. “We look forward to working with you as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to implement these laws and appropriations provided by Congress, to advance a renewed and reinvigorated push to peacefully resolve the dispute over Tibet’s future, and to continue the U.S. government’s unwavering support for our Tibetan allies.”

The lawmakers provided eight specific areas where the Trump administration and Congress can collaborate to advance U.S. policy on Tibet consistent with U.S. law, including the 2002 Tibetan Policy Act, the 2018 Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, the 2020 Tibetan Policy and Support Act, and the 2024 Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act:

Promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and representatives of the Dalai Lama or Central Tibetan Administration (CTA);
Defend the right of religious freedom in the Dalai Lama’s succession
Counter PRC disinformation about Tibet;
Promote access to Tibet for foreign diplomats, journalists and tourists;
Continue programmatic support for Tibetans;
Prioritize a solution for Tibetans in Nepal;
Engage with the CTA; and
Support Tibetan broadcasting services.

The full text of the letter is available here.

McGovern: “Republican Farm Bill a Betrayal of MAHA”

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rule Committee and a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, delivered the following opening statement at the full committee markup of House Republicans’ hyper-partisan farm bill:

[As prepared for delivery.]

Mr. Chairman, I want to speak directly to the MAHA movement—to the millions of Americans who voted to Make America Healthy Again.

I’m a Democrat. I know we don’t agree on everything. But I think we share some common ground. Because I share your outrage.

I think it’s wrong that ultra-processed junk is cheaper than fresh food. I’m sick and tired of Big Ag profiting off pesticides while small family farms get squeezed out of business. I’m disgusted by corporations pumping toxins into our air and water—chronic disease and cancer are skyrocketing while our government cheers them on.

And I believe the direction this farm bill is going— the direction this country is going under Republican leadership—is a betrayal of MAHA. I can point to example after example.

PFAS—toxic forever chemicals. They’re linked to endocrine disruption—decreased fertility—lower sperm counts. I’ve been working on eliminating PFAS for years after my constituent got cancer from PFAS in his firefighting gear. MAHA moms and influencers thankfully helped propel PFAS into public debate. And instead of siding with MAHA, what did this administration do? They delayed setting limits for PFAS in our drinking water! Who knows why! Maybe ask the chemical companies—a lot of people don’t know this, but a lot of pesticides have PFAS in them!

How about glyphosate? For years, many of us have been sounding the alarm. It’s another toxic chemical sprayed on our food—it’s the main ingredient in Round Up. There’s dozens of class action lawsuits because we now know that for decades, chemical companies hid the fact that Round Up causes cancer.

Again, many in MAHA have rightly spoken out. So can a single Republican on this Committee tell me why Donald Trump issued an Executive Order to expand production of glyphosate? And now, big surprise: we have a farm bill that doubles down—this bill grants corporate immunity to the chemical companies! Look it up! Title 10, Section 10205.

Section 10206 prevents localities from regulating pesticides. Section 10207 goes on to allow more toxic chemicals to get dumped into our water.

Section after section of this bill—one giveaway after another to the pesticide companies.

What lobbyist asked for that? Was it drafted in the Monsanto boardroom or something? Follow the money! Big Ag and the chemical companies are two sides of the same coin—all part of the same corrupt corporate machine. One makes the chemicals. The other profits from driving family farms out of business. Both sides buy off politicians, and both sides profit when the rules are rigged against the little guys. And that’s exactly what this farm bill does.

And by the way, the chemical giveaways are tied at the hip to a larger, more structural problem with this farm bill. It does nothing to improve our food system.

Let’s move on to nutrition—because I only have five minutes.

Seniors who take pills on an empty stomach wind up in the emergency room. Working people who can’t afford to buy healthy food end up with chronic disease. Kids who are hungry don’t learn. So clearly—clearly—hunger and health are intricately linked. Which is common sense. You can’t be healthy if you’re hungry. But this farm bill—instead of addressing our hunger crisis in this country—42 million Americans who can’t afford food—this bill makes the crisis worse!

Last year Republicans made the largest cut to nutrition assistance in American history—veterans, families with teens, seniors, people aging out of foster care, all kicked off food assistance. In Massachusetts, thousands of people are losing access to food this month because Republicans took their food assistance away in order to give billionaires another tax break! And by the way, when it comes to students—I’ve introduced a bill to boost school meal reimbursement rates. That would mean more scratch cooked meals, more local foods in our cafeterias.

Not a single Republican will cosponsor it. So to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle—never, ever lecture us again about making America healthy.

Your farm bill rewards the same broken system that made America sick in the first place. Your farm bill empowers Big Ag and enables them to keep dumping toxins on our food. Your farm bill tells local farmers to get big or get out. Your farm bill makes food less healthy and more expensive.

In short, your farm bill is a betrayal of MAHA.

And I’m not here to pretend Democrats are perfect on every issue. But when it comes to standing up against Big Ag and chemical companies, combating hunger, and fighting for healthier food—we are a hell of a lot better on these issues. A hell of a lot better.

This farm bill is corporate control with a wellness label slapped on top.

And to be blunt, it sucks.

End the pesticide loopholes. End the cuts to nutrition assistance. And oppose this Republican farm bill—it’s a blank check to those who want to protect the broken status quo, and none of us should be complicit.