Filipino American History Month garners bipartisan support in Congress

Bipartisan support between Democrats and Republicans is too rare in this Congress, but Members were able to put political differences aside to support Filipino American History Month.

As lawmakers in the US House and Senate move forward with a bipartisan, bicameral resolution commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month, Representative Robert Cortez (Bobby) Scott (D-VA) highlighted the deep significance of the recognition.

"As the only currently serving Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and Co-Chair of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to co-lead this resolution... as we celebrate Filipino American History Month," said Scott. 

“This is a time to recognize Filipino Americans’ contributions as our veterans, our healthcare workers, our educators, and so much more. I have the privilege of representing a rich and vibrant Filipino American community in Hampton Roads and I am proud to celebrate this month with Filipino Americans across the nation.”

Despite widespread legislative support from a growing coalition of lawmakers representing a community of over 4 million Filipino Americans nationwide, the Trump White House has not issued a Proclamation or Statement of Support for Filipino American History Month. Historical records show that the last time a presidential proclamation honored the month was in 2015 under President Barack Obama. Every year under President Biden a Statement of Support came from the White House. 

Rep. Bobby Scott

Congressional push for recognition

The resolution was co-led in the House and Senate by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Michelle Steel (R-CA), James Moylan (R-GU), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).

 FYI: Read the Congressional             resolution here.

The measure celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans and calls on the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities.

Key leaders weighed in on the importance of the resolution:

“From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawaiʻi seeking a better life, to today’s leaders in business, healthcare, and our Armed Forces, the Filipino American community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our national identity.” said Hawaii's Sen. Herono, who has consistently introduced a resolution during her time int he Senate.

“Since 2019, and as the Member of Congress with the most Filipino Americans of any U.S. House district nationwide, said Hawaii's Case.

“I have joined many colleagues in doing so in order to recognize and celebrate the great contributions of Filipino Americans to our country, in government and law, music and entertainment, sports, business and countless other ventures.”

“The Filipino community in Southern California adds rich culture and heritage to our communities, and I am proud to serve as the voice of so many of them in Congress,” said Republican Rep. Steel, who is locked in tight race for her district. "I’m excited to celebrate the enormous contributions of Filipino Americans to our shared American story.”

Honoring History and Alliances

In introducing the resolution, lawmakers also emphasized the growing ties between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. They paid special tribute to the more than 250,000 Filipino soldiers who answered the call to protect and defend America and the Philippines in the Pacific theater during World War II—efforts formally recognized when veterans were awarded the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal.

“Since arriving in Hawaiʻi in the late 1800s to work on sugarcane and pineapple plantations, Filipinos played an important role in the history, culture, and fabric of Hawaiʻi.” added Rep. Tokuda.

“From serving in our Armed Forces to leading some of America’s most important labor movements, Filipino Americans have shaped our nation’s identity for the better,” said Senator Duckworth. “During Filipino American History Month, our resolution makes it clear: Illinois and our country will always be stronger because of our Filipino American community.”

The measure continues to draw broad support from dozens of additional co-sponsors in Congress as states like California, where Filipinos are the largest Asian American group, and Hawaii, where Filipinos make up a quarter of the state's population, and individual cities and communities nationwide observe Filipino American History Month throughout October.

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Hirono, Meng Introduce Congressional resolution recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage Month

As the Donald Trump administration is doing everything it can to minimize the history and role of Americans of color, it becomes more important to highlight the often ignored, and forgotten stories and individuals that make America great.

Back on May 8 United States Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), introduced a bicameral, bipartisan resolution to mark May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country.

        RELATED: Meng, Hirono introduced bill promoting AANHPI history in schools

“During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate the diversity and historic contributions of our communities, while also recognizing the challenges we have overcome,” said Senator Hirono. 

“At a time when diversity is under attack and immigrant communities are being targeted across the country, I’m proud to join Chair Meng in introducing this resolution and reaffirming our commitment in this fight to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all,” said Hirono, one of three Asian American US Senators.

        FYI: The full text of the resolution is available here.

A week later on May 16, the White House issued a similar proclamation making May as AANHPI Heritage Month.

Trump has led and in many ways, encouraged the backlash against reforms that champion diversity, equaity and inclusion that provide opportunities long denied or thwarted by the white-dominated culture and institutions of America.

The Washington Post listed some of actions of this administration that could turn America back to the country that existed before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

• DEI: On his first day in office, President Trump ordered a government-wide purge of DEI programs and offices.
• Civil rights: The Trump administration has moved aggressively to unravelPresident Lyndon Johnson's civil rights legacy, including by reorienting DOJ priorities to focus on "anti-white racism."
• History: Trump ordered a federal review of Confederate monuments toppled during the 2020 protests.
• Police reform: Days before the anniversary of Floyd's murder, the Justice Department scrapped proposed consent decrees for the Minneapolis and Louisville police departments — and dropped nearly a dozen other investigations into alleged police abuse.
• Refugee policy: The administration has effectively ended most refugee programs, except for one tailored to white South African farmers.

In the Senate, this resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In the House, this resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Ami Bera (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Ed Case (D-HI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Al Green (D-TX), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Susie Lee (D-NV), Ted Lieu (D-CA), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Dave Min (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Norma Torres (D-CA), Derek Tran (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

The civil rights policies that was born out of the Civil Rights Movement was led the Black community but they benefitted Asian Americans, Hispanics and women as well.

“Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made invaluable contributions to our country and continue to play a vital role in shaping America for the better,” said Rep. Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

 “In the face of recent efforts to erase our community's achievements, Senator Hirono and I remain steadfast in our support for the AANHPI community and will continue to champion our stories of triumph, sacrifice, and resilience that are integral to the story of America.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.