Gabbard changes her mind and joins other AAPI Congress members backing impeachment inquiry of Trump

SCREEN CAPTURE / ABC

Tep. Tulsi Gabbard joins the majority of House Democrats in calling for an impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump.

As Congress breaks for the weekend and representatives head to their home districts, 223 of the 235 Democrats have stated they back House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's call for an impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump

However, only 218 votes are needed to impeach the White House occupant.

All of the Asian American and Pacific Islander members of the House and Senate have jumped on board for impeachment proceedings to begin, including those who earlier had taken a more cautious position.

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Friday (Sept. 27) she has changed her position and now supports an impeachment inquiry into Trump, Immediately after House Speaker announced the impeachment inquiry, Gabbard  stated she didn't support the move because it would be "terribly divisive."

"[A]fter looking carefully at the transcript of the conversation with Ukraine's President, the whistleblower complaint, the Inspector General memo, and President Trump's comments about the issue, unfortunately, I believe that if we do not proceed with the inquiry, it will set a very dangerous precedent," the Democratic presidential candidate wrote in a statement.

"Future presidents, as well as anyone in positions of power in the government, will conclude that they can abuse their position for personal gain, without fear of accountability or consequences."

“Up to this point, I have been opposed to pursuing impeachment because it will further divide our already badly divided country," the Hawaii congresswoman said in a press release. With her revised position, Gabbard joins the other Democratic challengers vying for the partyi's nomination to run against Trump in 2020.

Gabbard said she changed her mind this week.

“However, after looking carefully at the transcript of the conversation with Ukraine’s President, the whistleblower complaint, the Inspector General memo, and President Trump’s comments about the issue, unfortunately, I believe that if we do not proceed with the inquiry, it will set a very dangerous precedent," she said. "Future presidents, as well as anyone in positions of power in the government, will conclude that they can abuse their position for personal gain, without fear of accountability or consequences."

Gabbard's announcement, makes it unanimous among the Asian American  and Pacific Islander members of the House of Representatives and House of Representatives.

Before Pelosi made the decision to move towards impeachment, Rep.Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-ILL, called for the impeachment inquiry.

"I greatly respect the electoral process and the office of the President. I was raised to respect each occupant of that office, regardless of party, and I feel strongly that no President should be impeached unless clear, substantial evidence of illegal behavior exists to sustain a conviction in the Senate.”

“That said, we have now come to a point where we must engage in an investigation to not only expose wrongdoing and prevent it from happening again, but also to determine whether the current President engaged in behavior meriting the beginning of impeachment proceedings.

Krishnamoorthi's fellow Asian American Illinois representative, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-ILL, tweeted:

“By urging the Ukrainian government to take action to influence our Democracy, Trump has violated that power and the trust of the American people,” said Rep, Andy Kim, D-NJ, in a statement. He was one of the House members withholding his full support until this week. “If the facts are corroborated, that violation, and my understanding of its implications, has led me to come to the conclusion that the President has committed an impeachable offense.”

Kim, who worked as a diplomat and national security advisor in the Obama White House and was present in the Oval Office for many similar calls Obama had with world leaders, said he’s concerned Trump may have put “personal and political gain above our national security.”

“I believe the Commander-in-Chief role is the most sacred responsibility of the Presidency, and it is the last place where partisan politics belongs. We hold this highest of standards because we know the incredible power of that singular office. It is a power that has the potential for doing incredible good, but if corrupted, it weakens America’s national security, international standing and the framework of our very Democracy,” Kim said in his prepared statement.

Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) released the following statement on impeachment.

“After reading the Mueller Report and witnessing the President’s actions, it has been clear to me that President Trump has committed impeachable offenses and went to great lengths to commit obstruction of justice on several occasions.

Multiple committees with jurisdiction have been conducting important and necessary oversight, including investigating and holding hearings into obstruction, corruption, and abuse of power by President Trump. I have supported the committees' actions and will continue to do so, including an impeachment inquiry.

Congress has the constitutional authority to hold the president accountable for his actions. I am confident we will do so.”

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Happy Birthday America from some of your AAPI sons and daughters

JULY 4th, Americans celebrated the nation's birthday.  Here are a few comments by AAPI celebrities and politicians:

House passes Trumpcare, a health care plan that nobody likes (except Republicans)

2 million Asian/Americans andPacific Islanders affected

Donald Trump invited the GOP congress members to the White House to celebrate after the health care vote.
Notice anything? There are no people of color.

THE U.S. House of Representatives today voted 217-213 to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. After the vote, the GOP congress members had a beer party.

The reactions from AAPI political leaders came fast and were unanimous in their condemnation in the manner the vote was taken and the impact the AHCA would have have on their constitutents.

Initial estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that the proposed legislation will take away coverage from 24 million Americans over the next decade, including up to 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). 

“I am incredibly saddened and outraged that Republicans ignored the expressed opposition from doctors, hospitals, patient advocates, health experts and even members of their own party to pass this heartless bill," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., who voted against the bill.  Chu is chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), made up of all the AAPI members of the House and Senate.

"It is unconscionable to me that they would charge ahead with – and then celebrate – a vote that they know will force millions off their insurance and raise prices for people with preexisting conditions." 

GOP leaders rushed the vote through the House without waiting for the Congressional Budget Office report on its potential cost, impact and efficacy.

"The haste to act and then immediately hop on a bus to the White House shows that they were more concerned with helping Trump keep a campaign promise than with actually improving healthcare," said Chu.

If the House version of Trumpcare is accepted by the Senate (which is unlikely), here are some of impacts:

• Kicks 7 million veterans off their insurance, 
• Shortens the life of Medicare, 
• Creates an "age tax" for people aged 50-64  by charging them 5 times more than young people,
• Eliminates coverage for 24 million Americans, including nearly 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country. 
• Defunds Planned Parenthood for one year, and would once again allow being a raped or domestic violence victim to be a pre-existing condition,
• Creates a “women’s tax” that would permit insurance companies to charge women more than men for essential coverage like pregnancy. 
• Cuts $838 billion from Medicaid, endangering care for individuals with disabilities, low-income children, and seniors in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.  
• Rips away mental health and addiction services from those who need it most. 

Trumpcare does all this while giving the 400 richest families in America an annual tax break of $2.8 million.

The American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association representing physicians, and AARP, have all opposed the Republican replacement to Obamacare. Then, who's supporting it? The extreme right Congress members in the so-called Freedom Caucus, Wall Street and - of course - Big Insurance.

"We cannot play politics with people’s lives, and what happened today put political goals ahead of the lives of hardworking Americans, said Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., of two physicians in Congress. "The fact that this bill was rushed through with no budget analysis or public debate shows just how bad it is. This is a sad day for America’s patients, and for the public’s trust in Congress.”

Before serving in Congress, Dr. Bera practiced internal medicine, served as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer, and taught at the UC Davis School of Medicine.

When the Republicans got enough votes to pass the AHCA, Democrats began singing "Nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, goodbye" saying that the GOP just lost the 2018 midterm elections by voting against Obamacare, the popular health care initiative introduced during the Obama presidency. Listen, below:

Here are some more reactions:

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TGIF FEATURE: If you are Sikh - Happy Vaisakhi; ad campaign launched

TODAY (APRIL 14) marks the start of the Sikh New Year, Vaisakhi, during which millions in the United States and around the world celebrate the spring harvest and the birth of the global Sikh community. 

Timed to be launched on this new year's day, is  a $1.3 million series of powerful commercials, "We Are Sikhs." The awareness campaign seeks to stop hate-fueled attacks by explaining more about who Sikhs are and what they believe.

The advertising campaign was years in the making, funded by Sikh/American leaders and their families across a dozen U.S. communities, who are being mistaken for Muslims and are victims of the anti-Muslim sentiment that has arisen since the September 11 attacks and inflamed by the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric in the political campaigns. 

Their beards and turbans - symbols of equality in a religion that opposes India's caste system - make Sikh/Americans easy targets for the angry and uninformed.

"Our hope was that as the memory of 9/11 goes down, things would get better. But they have not," said Rajwant Singh, a dentist from suburban Washington and one of the campaign's volunteer organizers.

The TV and Internet ads will air on CNN, Fox News and on TV stations in Fresno, California, home to perhaps the largest Sikh community in the U.S. The plan is to release the campaign in other cities that have large Sikh/American communities.
The overall tenor of the ads is positive rather than dwelling on the 300 hate crimes reported by Sikhs in the US since the 2001 terrorist attacks. The ads feature Sikh families explaining how the world's fifth-largest religion, founded in India, aligns with American values.

One of the men featured in an ad says, "We teach our kids the American values go hand in hand with the Sikh values: tolerance, religious freedom, gender equality."

Another ad highlights Sikhs embracing U.S. pop culture: "We like 'Game of Thrones'," one person says. "I'm obsessed with 'Star Wars'," says another. Watch one of the ads, below:

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., CAPAC Chair:
“As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and a founder of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, I wish a happy Vaisakhi to everyone celebrating today! Sikh Americans have made innumerable contributions to strengthening the fabric of our nation and represent the best of America. It is an honor to join Sikhs across the country and around the world to celebrate this joyous occasion!”

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., CAPAC Whip:
“Happy Vaisakhi to all those celebrating at home and around the world! I am proud that many Sikhs call California home and join them in celebrating the harvest festival.”

Rep.. Joe Crowley, D-NY, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:
“Wishing a happy Vaisakhi to those celebrating in New York City and across the country. On this historically significant day, I remember the many contributions the Sikh community has made to our promote justice and equality in county and around the world.”

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif.:
“As people around the world celebrate the creation of Khalsa and the harvest festival, I am proud to mark the gains made this year by the Sikh community. Happy Vaisakhi!”

Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY:
“It gives me great pleasure to wish the Sikh community in New York and throughout the world a very happy Vaisakhi. On this important day, I’m proud to recognize and salute the tremendous accomplishments and contributions that Sikhs have and continue to make to our nation. May everybody who observes the holiday have a joyous and prosperous celebration.”

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.:
“I want to wish our Sikh community in the Puget Sound Region and around the world a Happy Vaisakhi! This annual spring gathering celebrates the importance of justice, prosperity, and equality for all people. I thank the Sikh community for their contributions to the culturally rich and diverse 9th Congressional District. I am honored to join in celebrating our Sikh/American neighbors on one of the most historically significant days for the Sikh community.”

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Asian American environmentalists decry Trump executive order dismantling climate change regs

ECOWATCH GRAPHIC

YEAR 2016 was the hottest year on record, according to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the third year in a row heat records were broken. The inevitable war between Donald Trump and the environmental movement is also getting hotter.

Today, March 28, Trump signed another executive order - this one is just one step in trying to undo the environmental regulations instituted under the Obama administration.

"Putting America first means preparing our nation for the storms and extreme weather that are impacting us as a direct result of climate change," said Rep. Ami Bera, D-CA, a member of the House's Science, Space, and Technology Committee. "Putting America first means continuing our role as a global leader in reducing carbon emissions. 

"Our work over the last decade to reduce carbon emissions put America first -- and this irresponsible executive order throws into uncertainty how we prepare for and tackle the very real consequences of climate change" said the Indian/American medical doctor.

The order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to redraft regulations related to carbon emissions at power plants, eliminates guidance calling for the consideration of climate change when making federal decisions, allows for federal coal leasing, and promotes the development of gas and oil on public lands.

Obama signed the Clean Power Plan into law in 2015, but industry opponents have kept it in litigation. It has yet to take effect, and Trump's EO is calling to revise and rewrite Obama’s landmark climate plan.

“Perhaps no single regulation threatens our miners, energy workers and companies more than this crushing attack on American industry,” said Trump.

Trump surrounded himself with coal workers when he signed his EO claiming that his action would bring back jobs. Industry experts say the number of coal-mining jobs around 70,000. There's no debating that jobs were lost in the coal-mining regions, most notably in Appalachia but that was not due to environmental regulations.

Mary Anne Hitt, director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, told The Guardian that despite people’s belief that loosening environmental restrictions could bring back jobs, “the industry likes to point to pollution standards for the decline in jobs, but the reality is the market has markedly changed.”

The fact is, natural gas is cheaper and renewable energy - solar and wind - not only are more economically competitive but  the industry also employ 3 million people.

Trump’s anti-environment executive order:

• Dismantles Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which limited carbon pollution from power plants
• Alter limits on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry
• Halts efforts to prepare for extreme weather events
• Lifts a moratorium on the leasing of federal land for coal mining
• Removes a rule to account for the social costs of carbon
• Revokes an order calling on agencies to consider climate change in environmental impacts

NRDC

Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Asian/American environmentalists condemned the newest presidential executive order and the administration's position on climate change, which Trump has claimed is a hoax  perpetuated by China.

“Today's actions only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels and all the danger and damage they bring. And they protect a deeply-flawed system that has bilked taxpayers for decades to the tune of tens of billions of dollars,” said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Nevertheless, Trump trumpeted the jobs he alleges his EO will produce.

“This is an all-out assault on the protections we need to avert climate catastrophe. It’s a senseless betrayal of our national interests. And it’s a short-sighted attempt to undermine American clean energy leadership," said Suh, a Korean/American who from 2009 to 2014 served as assistant secretary of policy, management and budget for the United States Department of the Interior.

“Trump is sacrificing our future for fossil fuel profits - and leaving our kids to pay the price. This would do lasting damage to our environment and public lands, threaten our homes and health, hurt our pocketbooks and slow the clean energy progress that has already generated millions of good-paying jobs," she said. 

The Trump administration is rejecting the advice of 1000 businesses, over 75 mayors and millions of Americans who are calling for strengthened policies on climate change. Instead, the Administration wants to decide America’s environment and energy future based primarily on consultations with the fossil fuel industry—namely the American Petroleum Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, ConocoPhillips, and the coal company Peabody Energy.

“Working people from coast-to-coast are already feeling the devastating health impacts of toxic air and water caused by corporate polluters who for too long have gone unchecked," said Filipino/American Luisa Blue, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union. "By undoing the Clean Power Plan, President Trump is reverting our communities to unhealthy and unsafe living conditions to benefit corporations over our communities. We can have a vibrant economy and vibrant communities with clean air and water.”

“By cutting carbon pollution from power plants, it aims to spark innovation, drive investment and energy efficiency to create jobs and save families money. Most importantly, it has the potential to address power plant pollution in the communities most vulnerable to asthma and other health impacts,” said Vien Truong, director of Green For All. “It’s clear that Trump is determined to protect the fossil fuel industry, no matter the cost. Green For All will continue to stand with frontlines families and our most vulnerable to enact policies that create jobs and cut carbon pollution to protect the health of our kids.”

Besides Bera, other AAPI congressional representatives were strongly dismayed by Trump's action.

“While the President can afford to live in this alternate universe, Hawaii and other island communities are forced to grapple with the reality of climate change, said Hawaii's Sen. Mazie Hirono. "Our coral reefs are dying because of historically high ocean temperatures. By 2100, Hawaii’s sea levels will rise by more than three feet. We owe it to our keiki to listen to our climate scientists, and build upon, not erase, the progress we’ve made.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-HI, said: "Unless we make a concerted effort to reduce carbon emissions, invest in clean energy, create green jobs, and improve our air and water quality, we are moving backwards, at a time when our planet simply cannot afford for us to do so. In spite of this action today, I have no doubt that Hawaiʻi will continue to lead the nation in renewable energy production. We must continue investing in renewable energy, moving away from foreign oil and fossil fuels, and moving toward our goal of 100% clean energy by 2045."

“Today’s executive order will not bring back jobs nor will it make us more energy secure. What it will do is increase pollution, threaten public health, and risk the ruin of some our most treasured public lands," said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-CA. "Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time – one that we cannot wait to address – and the United States cannot afford to cede its leadership in addressing it."

“The science is clear on climate change. ... It is our moral responsibility to protect our environment for future generations and to justly transition our economy from fossil fuels to clean energy, providing sustainable jobs to our communities. This executive order is a huge step in the wrong direction," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-WA. 

Trumpcare thwarted; AAPI leaders credit resistance; Obamacare remains in place

Fox News

Donald Trump and Rep. Paul Ryan appear chagrined in the failure of the American Health Care Act.

TRUMPCARE, the American Health Care Act authored by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and strongly supported by the Trump White House, was pulled from a House vote this afternoon (12:40 p.m., PST), according to CNN.

After a hastily called meeting between Donald Trump and Ryan, during which Ryan let the Chief Executive know he didn't have enough GOP support to pass the act, it was decided to pull the bill that would have repealed and replace Obamacare.

What killed the AHCA was not the Democrats, who are in the minority in the House, but the infighting in Trump's own party. Ryan and Trump could not negotiate the balancing act of appeasing the so-called Freedom Caucus, formerly the Tea Party, wanted to take away more of what they considered "entitlements" from Obamacare (such as mental health and maternity care); and as the entitlements were taken away, moderate Republicans rebelled because they couldn't support a bill that would take away health care from their constituents.

“If this bill comes to the House floor again, we will organize and defeat it," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. "We know when we organize, we win. We cannot be complacent. This is just another fight in a series of battles. But today, we can say that we protected care for tens of millions of Americans across the country.”

RELATED:

• Fate of Trumpcare in limbo
• AAPI congress members vow to fight Trumpcare

The  Affordable Care Act  known as Obamacare, one of President Obama's prime accomplishments during his eight years in office, will remain in place providing healthcare for millions of Americans. 


While the Democrats celebrated, there was concern that the hard work of fixing the Affordable Care Act will likely be opposed by the White House and the GOP majority. According to his book The Art of the Deal, Trump's philosophy when he feels attacked, is to strike back 10 times harder. 

“I’ve been saying for the last year and a half that the best thing we can do politically speaking is let Obamacare explode,” said Trump at a press conference after the AHCA was pulled. Would he  place his personal need for revenge above doing what's necessary to make Obamacare work for millions of Americans?

Even President Obama acknowledged that his signature legislation would need some tinkering. "Just because a lot of the Republican criticism has proven to be false doesn't mean that there aren't legitimate concerns," said Obama in October 2016.

Millions of people are unhappy with their coverage under Obamacare, and in some states, newly regulated insurance markets have struggled ― with premiums rising for a few and insurers, stung by financial losses, pulling up stakes. And there are still a number of states - mostly those with GOP governors - where the ACA never was allowed to take root preferring to allow their own constituents remain uninsured.

"Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to come together, because the job isn’t over until every American has affordable and accessible healthcare," said Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif. "Real lives are at stake here and I’m ready to get to work." Bera is one of two medical doctors in the House of Representatives.

An energized citizenry

Spurred by a bad measure that would have repealed the ACA and leave 24 million Americans uninsured, voters were inspired by the anti-Trump movement by contacting their congressional representatives.

“Today, Congressional leadership did not bring the repeal bill for a vote. This is a testament to the power of collective community action around the nation, as the very people who would be impacted by Congress’ actions have spoken up loud and clear: protect our care,” said Kathy Ko Chin, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.

Still unconstitutional: Critics lambast Trump's new Muslim ban

When the first Muslim Ban executive order was first implemented in January, protests like the one above at
San Francisco International Airport, broke out across the country

NO MATTER how you try to couch it, yesterday's "new" Executive Order restricting travel from six Muslim-dominated countries is still a Muslim ban.

The executive order signed by Mr. Trump is being called "Muslim Ban 2.0" by its critics.

“This replacement order is the same hate and fear with new packaging,” explained Amnesty International executive director Margaret Huang. “It will cause extreme fear and uncertainty for thousands of families by, once again, putting anti-Muslim hatred into policy. No amount of editing can make this executive order anything but what it is – blatant bigotry. There are real threats to security, but this bigoted order will do nothing to make the country safer”

The new executive order unveiled today is supposed to be more defensible than the first EO signed last January. The constitutionality of that deeply flawed earlier order is being challenged by the courts after lawsuits were filed in Washington state. The new EO makes moot all the legal challenges against it.

The new EO will still halt admissions to the U.S., effective March 16, of nationals from six Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) for at least 90 days (Iraq is no longer included in the travel ban.) It replaces the Jan. 27 travel ban that suspended the immigrant and nonimmigrant entries of individuals of seven Muslim-majority countries. Civil rights organizations and state attorney generals have vowed to challenge the new order but the new order, which was vetted and designed to meet the legal standards may be more difficult to undo.

“The Trump administration has conceded that its original Muslim ban was indefensible," said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. "Unfortunately, it has replaced it with a scaled-back version that shares the same fatal flaws. The only way to actually fix the Muslim ban is not to have a Muslim ban. Instead, President Trump has recommitted himself to religious discrimination, and he can expect continued disapproval from both the courts and the people.

“What's more, the changes the Trump administration has made, and everything we've learned since the original ban rolled out, completely undermine the bogus national security justifications the president has tried to hide behind and only strengthen the case against his unconstitutional executive orders.”

Besides dropping Iraq among the targeted countries, other major changes of the new travel restrictions include: 

• dropping current visa and green card holders from the ban;
• dropping Iraq from the list of targeted countries;
• dropping the language that would favor Christians over Muslims;
• reducing the total number of refugees allowed into the U.S.

While the new EO was being drafted, Trump's own Department of Homeland Security issued a study that concluded that terrorists could not predicted on the basis of national origin and that refugees were not radicalized when they first entered the country.

“This order has nothing to do with national security, and everything to do with encouraging fear of Muslims," said Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). 

"Omitting one country from the list does not eliminate the need to provide the American people with meaningful evidence supporting this ban," agreed Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. "The White House had more than a month to develop their case, and has failed to provide actual justification based on facts. 

“The tweaks made today do not make this order any less unconstitutional or immoral than the last," said Chu. "No individual from any of the countries named in this order has committed an act of terror in the United States. And worse, he’s particularly targeting refugees – some of the most vulnerable and least dangerous people in the world. 

"If President Trump truly wants to make America safer, he will drop this fanatical and ideological war against Islam, stop his plans to gut the budget of the State Department, and listen to the advice of national security and law enforcement officials who have warned against isolating the Muslim community in this way. As it stands, this updated order is still a policy of cruelty and bigotry and I will continue to resist it as an elected Representative and as an American citizen.”

Other AAPI lawmakers and advocacy organizations weighed in their opposition to the ban:

“The Trump Administration’s repackaging is merely a second attempt to revise his unconstitutional policy. This is the same ban, driven by the same hazardous discrimination that weakens our ability to fight terror. Revised language won't change what this executive order is: an act that prohibits people from entering the U.S. based on their religion or refugee status. The public and courts rejected the Trump administration's first attempt at this, and it must do so again.” - Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

“This scaled-back order represents a partial victory for Americans fighting for the rights of immigrants in the U.S. and directly responds to several immigration cases and scenarios brought forward in CAIR’s anti-ban lawsuit. As White House Adviser Steven Miller promised, this watered-down ‘Muslim Ban 2.0’ was retooled to achieve the same unconstitutional policy outcome as the first deeply-flawed order. We believe this desired policy outcome is in fulfilment of now-President Trump’s campaign pledge to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. This order stills stigmatizes the faith of Islam and Muslim. It does not make America any safer, but does make America LESS great. - Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

"As the country closes the door on immigrants and refugees, our communities and allies have a responsibility to resist and fight back against these attacks. The struggle against the growing anti-immigrant, anti-Black/Brown, and anti-Muslim sentiment needs to happen both nationally and locally because we know we’re better than this. We stand by our immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities and all people of color who are impacted by these hateful policies, and we will not stand down. To remain silent is to be complicit in this institutionalized form of hate.” - Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA)

“When the first Muslim ban came down, we were on the ground in airports across the country and we are ready again to fight this administration's continued attempts to roll back Constitutional protections for immigrant communities. We are not going to sit idly by as this administration attempts to unilaterally roll back Constitutional protections for immigrant communities, who are valued members of our diverse society.” - Elica Vafaie of Advancing Justice | Asian Law Caucus.

“As studied by the CATO Institute, the chances of being killed by a refugee committing a terrorist act is 1 in 3.6 billion. For perspective, the chances of being struck by lightning twice is 1 in 9 million. That’s why members of Trump’s own administration recognize that banning women and children fleeing from terrorist groups isn’t just morally bankrupt—it’s bad for national security. It hands our real enemies like ISIL and al-Qaeda a powerful recruiting tool and undermines our relationships with partners abroad.” - Rep. Ted Leiu, D-Calif.

"It continues to single out Muslim majority countries only, drastically limits and suspends refugee resettlement, and deeply affects our relationships with countries around the world. It continues to do nothing to make our country safer, alienates our allies and gives extremists propaganda for recruitment." - Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.    

"This is a bad second swing at an executive order that is just as un-American and xenophobic as the first version that was struck down by multiple courts. As Americans, we do not close our doors to those who are fleeing persecution, or target people based on their faith," - Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif.  

“[The President] made some small changes…but it’s still basically a Muslim ban. It's still a ban based on one's religion, and every time our country has targeted a minority group for discriminatory treatment, we have been proven to be very, very wrong, and the President is wrong in this instance.” - Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii

"Like the original, this executive order sends a terrible message to our allies while giving our enemies new evidence that America is incapable of differentiating between extremists and the billions of peaceful Muslims living at home and abroad. I also continue to be horrified by this administration’s hostility toward refugees of all faiths fleeing unspeakable violence and oppression. America’s withdrawal from the ongoing humanitarian crisis is a stain on our conscience and will put more destabilizing pressure on our European allies, which will make America less safe in the months and years to come. By mixing cruelty and incompetence, this executive order accurately reflects the first two months of the Trump administration.” - Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif.

"While the administration tweaked the language of the initial order to give it a veneer of legal justification, we believe that the Muslim/Travel Ban 2.0 will not make our country safer and are confident that its discriminatory intent and impact will be challenged again in the courts." - Annie Wang, staff attorney, Asian Ameircan Legal Defense Education Fund.

"As the country closes the door on immigrants and refugees, our communities and allies have a responsibility to resist and fight back against these attacks. The struggle against the growing anti-immigrant, anti-Black/Brown, and anti-Muslim sentiment needs to happen both nationally and locally because we know we’re better than this. We stand by our immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities and all people of color who are impacted by these hateful policies, and we will not stand down. To remain silent is to be complicit in this institutionalized form of hate.” - Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930

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2016 Elections: Congress will have the most AAPI members in its history

By Louis Chan
REPRINTED FROM ASAM NEWS

THERE WILL be more Asian American & Pacific Islander members of Congress as a result of the Nov. 8 elections.

Fourteen AAPI voting members of Congress were elected, surpassing the previous record of 12.

Those elected include California Attorney General Kamala Harris who will become the first Indian/American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. She beat Rep. Loretta Sanchez almost two-to-one.

Harris is already looking forward to her job in the Senate.

“Whatever the results of the presidential election tonight, we know that we have a task in front of us,” Harris told her cheering supporters early in the night. “We know the stakes are high. When we have been attacked and when our ideals and fundamental ideals are being attacked, do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight!”

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Chicago), a purple heart veteran of the Iraq War, won election to the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Illinois by beating incumbent Senator Mark Kirk 54 percent to Kirk's 40 percent.

“Just as I try every day to live up to the sacrifice my buddies made to carry me off that battlefield, I will go to work in the Senate looking to honor the sacrifice and quiet dignity of all those Illinoisans who are facing challenges of their own,” she said Tuesday night.

Three Asian/American women will now serve in the U.S. Senate. The other will be Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono, who became the first Asian/American woman elected to the Senate in 2012.

New to Congress will be Pramila Jayapal who beat fellow Democrat Brady Walkinshaw for the 7th Congressional district in Washington state 57 percent to 43 percent. Jayapal becomes the first Indian/American woman elected to the House of Representatives. Just like Harris, Jayapal, who was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, looked toward working under a Trump presidency.

“If our worst fears are realized, we will be on the defense as of tomorrow,” she said. “We will have to fight for social justice as never before.”

Another newcomer to Congress will be Democrat Stephanie Murphy who beat 12-term incumbent John Mica in the 7th District of Florida 51 percent to 49 percent.

She is the first Vietnamese/American woman elected to Congress. “Tonight, the people of central Florida rejected partisan deadlock and dysfunction and embraced a new approach,” said Murphy. “In Congress, I will work with both Democrats and Republicans, and I will always put people over politics.”

In California, high-tech entrepreneur Ro Khanna defeated eight-time incumbent Mike Honda 60 percent to 40 percent in California’s Santa Clara County. Honda was saddled by an ethics investigation that dates back to his 2014 reelection. He is accused of using his staff during taxpayer time to work on his reelection.

Replacing Tammy Duckworth in the House of Representatives will be S.Raja Krishnamoorthi. He beat Pete DiCianni 58 percent to 42 percent for the 8th District seat in Illinois.

Colleen Hanabusa returns to Congress to represent District 1 in Hawaii. She once held the seat, but gave it up to run for the U.S. Senate. She replaces the late Mark Takei who died of cancer earlier this year.

Reelected to Congress were Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), Rep. Judy Chu (D-Los Angeles County), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Santa Monica), Rep. Mark Takano (D-Rivrside County), Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Rep. Ami Bera(D-Sacramento County).