Rosa DeLauro

Rosa DeLauro

Rosa L. DeLauro is a Communist Party USA connected Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 3rd district of Connecticut.

DeLauro was first elected to Congress in 1990.

DeLauro is married to Stan Greenberg, President of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a public issues research firm.

Influence

DeLauro left, Pelosi center

DeLauro has been the co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee since 2003, where she makes committee assignments. The representative from Connecticut’s 3rd Congressional District is the second-highest ranking woman in the U.S. House, after her friend Nancy Pelosi.

DeLauro is married to prominent Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg, who was President Bill Clinton’s chief pollster from 1991 to 1994 and worked for both Vice President Al Gore and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) during their presidential campaigns. Obama Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) once lived in Rosa DeLauro and Stan Greenberg’s basement.

DeLauro was chief of staff for Chris Dodd during his first years in the Senate, and he named her national chairwoman for his 2008 presidential campaign. DeLauro also worked with the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) on Rep. John B. Larson’s (D-Conn.) run for House Democratic Caucus vice chair.

Lobbyist Dick Woodruff, the director of federal government relations for the American Cancer Society, was formerly her chief of staff, and consultant David Eichenbaum of Struble Eichenbaum worked as a staffer in her office. She is also close to Ellen Malcolm, founder of EMILY’s List, although Malcolm was disappointed by DeLauro’s decision to support Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary.

Family background

Rosa’s parents always stressed the importance of hard work, compassion for others, and a quality education. Her father, Ted, came to America when he was 13, speaking no English, but went on to serve as a New Haven Alderman whose hard work earned him the nickname “Mayor of Wooster Square.” Rosa’s mother, Luisa, was raised by Rosa’s grandmother, who was widowed with six children in 1918, and supported the family by running a pastry shop, Canestri’s, in New Haven’s Wooster Square. Despite these challenges, Luisa DeLauro became the longest-serving member of the New Haven Board of Aldermen, serving from 1965 to 1998.

Education

After graduating from the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford, DeLauro attended the London School of Economics and, in 1964, graduated with honors from Marymount College. Two years later, she received an M.A. in International Politics from Columbia University.

Community organizing

Returning to New Haven, Rosa DeLauro campaigned door-to-door with her father and also became involved in community organizing, working with Frank Logue’s New Haven-based institute to train neighborhood volunteers for work in President Johnson’s War on Poverty and with the National Urban Fellows, an urban leadership development program seeking to create good job opportunities for minorities and women.

In 1975, Logue challenged New Haven Mayor Bart Guida, an incumbent Democrat, and Rosa DeLauro became his campaign manager. The campaign was difficult but successful, and DeLauro became the first woman to hold the top administrative post in City Hall when she served as Executive Assistant to Mayor Frank Logue. While working on Logue’s campaign, DeLauro also met her future husband Stan Greenberg. The couple married in 1978.

Politics

Rosa DeLauro with Chris Dodd

Though she had never been involved in statewide politics, in 1979, Chris Dodd tapped DeLauro as campaign manager for his first Senate race. She was the first woman in Connecticut to run a statewide campaign, and she was so successful that Senator Dodd asked her to be his Chief of Staff, a role she held for seven years. During this time, DeLauro was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer and underwent several months of radiation treatment before being declared cancer-free.

In 1987, DeLauro left Senator Dodd’s office to pursue independent advocacy work. She became executive director of Countdown ’87, a group which lobbied Congress to end military aid to rebel forces in Nicaragua, and successfully brought U.S. aid to the Nicaraguan Contras to an end. She went on two years later to serve as the first director of EMILY’S List, a national organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in elected office.

When Connecticut Congressman Bruce Morrison decided to run for governor in 1990, Rosa DeLauro was encouraged by Nancy Pelosi to run for his seat. Her first platform focused on family issues, jobs and taxes, and she ran against Republican Tom Scott. The race was close, but DeLauro defeated her opponent 52% to 48% and has not faced such a close election since.

In Congress

DeLauro sits on the influential House Appropriations and Budget committees. She serves as chairwoman of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee and as a member of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education and Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations subcommittees.

In 1999, she was elected assistant to the Democratic leader by her colleagues, making her the second highest ranking Democratic woman in the House of Representatives. She was reelected to this position in 2000. She has served as co-chairwoman of the House Steering and Policy Committee since 2002.

JStreet PAC endorsement

In 2024 JStreet PAC endorsed Rosa DeLauro.

Resolution condemning socialism

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

The Resolution began:

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

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

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

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

Representative Rosa DeLauro voted "Nay".

NRDC Action

In 2022 the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund endorsed Rosa DeLauro.

MPAC intern

In 2021 Shaezmina Khan was a Muslim Public Affairs Council Congressional Leadership Development Program intern in Rosa DeLauro 's office.

Labor Caucus

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

THRIVE Resolution

September 10, 2020 Contact: Kenny Palmer | press@indivisible.org

Washington, DC — Indivisible, along with a coalition of grassroots groups, labor unions, Black, Brown and Indigenous leaders from across the nation, and members of Congress, is excited to announce the introduction of a bold plan for economic renewal known as the THRIVE Agenda. THRIVE -- Transform, Heal, and Renew by Investing in Vibrant Economy -- will be introduced tomorrow in Congress by Senators Chuck Schumer, Ed Markey, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Deb Haaland, Debbie Dingell, Donald McEachin, Sheila Jackson Lee, Raul Grijalva, Rosa DeLauro, Brendan Boyle, Barbara Lee, Ilhan Omar, and Ro Khanna.

"The THRIVE Agenda is the bold new vision we need to create millions of good jobs, repair and revive our economy, and address the overlapping crises of mass unemployment, racial injustice, public health, and climate change,” said Mary Small, Legislative Director for Indivisible. “It is critical that any recovery package offered by Congress rise to meet the level of crisis, rather than inexcusably shrink to the scope of political convenience."

Indivisible will be mobilizing its national network of thousands of groups and millions of individual activists to call their lawmakers to demand their support for the THRIVE Resolution.

Built on eight pillars -- from creating millions of union jobs while averting climate catastrophe to investing in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities -- THRIVE’s top priorities are the families and communities who share the dream of a good life: free from worry about meeting basic needs, with reliable and fulfilling work, and a dignified and healthy standard of living.

85 members of Congress have already endorsed the THRIVE Resolution as original cosponsors, and a new poll finds strong majority support for THRIVE nationwide.

Anti-Retail legislation

Elizabeth Warren and Rosa DeLauro agitates with United for Respect

on November 30, 2019, democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren tweeted that she and Rosa DeLauro were pushing anti-retail legislation, in response to United for Respect's Jamie Pasqualetto's complaints about scheduling.

"Retail, fast food, & other hourly workers deserve some basic fairness when it comes to scheduling shifts. That’s why my #SchedulesThatWork Act with @rosadelauro would end some of the very worst abuses that hurt workers & families. #FairWorkWeek"

Countdown ‘87

Rosa DeLauro led the Institute for Policy Studies -inspired Countdown ‘87, which pushed to defund the covert US war against Nicaragua.

Progressive Turnout Project

In 2022 Rosa DeLauro was supported by Progressive Turnout Project.

Supported by Council for a Livable World

The Council for a Livable World, founded in 1962 by long-time socialist activist and alleged Soviet agent, Leo Szilard, is a non-profit advocacy organization that seeks to "reduce the danger of nuclear weapons and increase national security", primarily through supporting progressive, congressional candidates who support their policies. The Council supported Rosa DeLauro in her successful House of Representatives run as candidate for Connecticut.

Sponsored Communist Party "Jobs Bill"

H.R. 950, the Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act of 1997 was introduced in the 105th Congress on March 5, 1997 by Congressman Matthew Martinez of California. It had 33 original co-sponsors, including Rosa DeLauro. The primary purpose of this emergency federal jobs legislation was to provide much needed jobs at union wages to crisis ridden cities by putting the unemployed to work rebuilding our nation's infrastructure (schools, housing, hospitals, libraries, public transportation, highways, parks, environmental improvements, etc. $250 billion is authorized for emergency public works jobs over a five year period.

Congressman Martinez had previously introduced this bill in the last Congress (as HR 1591) at the the request of over 50 prominent Labor leaders who formed the Los Angeles Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs, which is why it is often referred to as the "Martinez Public Works Jobs Bill."

This is the most significant jobs legislation introduced in Congress since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal established the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This bill is the WPA-type program for today. It has strong provisions which will put hundreds of thousands of unemployed building trades workers to work as well as provide jobs for victims of plant closures, welfare recipients who are parents, youth, and the long term unemployed. The public works projects which will be established under this bill will be built in communities with the highest levels of unemployment and with the greatest needs.

The goal of the New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs is to build the movement to pass the Martinez Jobs bill as part of the National Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs. You can help by asking your union, community organization, or local government body to to join those who have already passed resolutions to endorse the bill. Such a resolution has been introduced in the New York City Council. Calling on additional Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor the bill is very important. We will be organizing petition campaigns, visits to elected officials, and demonstrations and other actions for a public works jobs program.

The leaders of the Los Angeles Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs and its only affiliate New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs, were all known supporters or members of the Communist Party USA.

Los Angeles , National Labor Coalition For Public Works Jobs

• Jerry Acosta - Chairman
• Art Rodriguez - Coordinator

A New York affiliate, New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs, c/o Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2.

• Eddie Davis
• Bill Davis

Chinese trade practices

At a press conference to protest job losses from China’s unfair trade advantages in front of the now-closed Winchester firearms plant in New Haven, Ct., CT. AFL-CIO President John Olsen, CT AFL-CIO Sec.-Treas. Lori Pelletier, Local 609 President John Reynolds, Craig Gauthier of Winchester Ad-Hoc Committee, GrowJobsCT Director John Harrity, former Winchester employees Kerry Dawson and Larry Edwards and John Bauman, president of the Organization for the Rights of American Workers.

Cheap imports from China carried a high price for 186 members at the iconic Winchester rifle facility after parent company US Repeating arms closed the New Haven plant on March 31, 2006.

Former Winchester workers spoke out at a Connecticut AFL-CIO rally in support of an unfair trade practices petition filed by the AFL-CIO to force the Bush Administration to take action against China’s violation of workers’ rights. Those violations, including slave-labor conditions and extensive use of child labor, give China an unfair competitive advantage and cost millions of North American jobs. Under the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. has the ability to take action against China, but the Bush Administration has refused to do so.

“March 31 was a very sad day; 186 jobs, that’s 186 families,” Local 609 President and 40-year Winchester employee John Reynolds told the New Haven Register. “We are looking for our representatives in Washington D.C. to do something.”

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) had recently introduced legislation to stem the tide of manufacturing jobs going overseas and has urged the Bush Administration to take tougher action.

"The closure of the Winchester plant was a blow to both the generations of workers who were the backbone of the plant as well as the surrounding community," DeLauro said. "Yet, the closure of this New Haven institution represents something much bigger — it is a symbol of the Bush Administration’s failed trade policies and its impact on families right here at home."

Clinton/Pinochet letter

On October 21, 1998, many Members of Congress wrote a letter to President Bill Clinton, urging him to release information to a Spanish judge investigating former Chilean President Pinochet for alleged crimes committed during and after the overthrow of the Marxist Allende government.

Dear Mr. President:

The October 17 arrest of General Augusto Pinochet in London is a good example of how the goals you outlined in your anti-terrorism speech at the United Nations can be put into practice. Indeed, when the rule oflaw is applied to combat international lawlessness,humanity's agenda gains...we call upon you to ensure that the U.S. government provides Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon material related to Pinochet's role in international terrorism -- material and testimony that the U.S. government has thus far withheld.

Signatories included Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

Colombia Support Network letter

In 2002, the Colombia Support Network organized a :dear colleague" letter to President Andres Pastrana Arango, of Colombia, through Ned Steiner, a staffer in Rep. Sam Farr's office.

The letter called on President Pastrana to end a military blockade on the Colombian town of San Jose de Apartado, a sister community of Madison Wisconsin, where the Colombia Support Network is based.

We write to you to bring your attention to the humanitarian crisis facing the civilian population of the Peace Community San Jose de Apartadó and its outlying settlements.

We urge the appropriate authorities of your government to dismantle the paramilitary checkpoint on the road between San Jose and Apartadó, ensure the continued safety of the road, and fully investigate recent threats and attacks on the Peace Community.

The Peace Community San Jose de Apartadó and its settlements, including the village of La Union, receive the permanent accompaniment of international organizations.

These include Peace Brigades International (PBI), as well as the U.S. Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), which currently has two US citizens in La Union. We support the work of these two respected organizations as well as the Peace Community in its effort to build a non-violent alternative to the conflict.

Representatives who signed the Colombia Support Network inspired letter in 2001 included Rosa DeLauro.

2006 letter to Condoleezza Rice on Colombia

Alleged Colombian Army killings prompted Fellowship of Reconciliation to work with Representative Sam Farr to forge a response that would impact the 17th Brigade, the unit allegedly responsible for the violence against San José de Apartadó and communities throughout northwestern Colombia.

As a result, Reps. Sam Farr and Jim McGovern, wrote a letter to their colleagues in Congress urging them to join in calling on Secretary Condoleezza Rice to cut funding for the Colombian military.

Letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

(Deadline for Congressional representatives to sign: February 22)

We applaud the decision, noted in your certification letter of August 2005, that the US "will not consider providing assistance to the 17th Brigade until all significant human rights allegations involving the unit have been credibly addressed." Because the Brigade is a component of the Colombian Armed Forces' command structure and has been implicated in the above referenced human rights violations, we implore you to abide by both the letter of the law and the spirit of the law by withholding human rights certification for Colombia until the following conditions are met:

Signatories included Rosa DeLauro.

Colombian "Peace" process

According to a May 2014 FARC press release;

In an historic action, 245 politicians from the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland have expressed their collective support for the Colombian peace process in a letter to both sides in the current negotiations, the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - FARC. The politicians from the US Congress, UK Parliament, Irish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, many of whom supported the peace process in Northern Ireland and some of whom were directly involved, congratulate the two sides for having engaged in talks. In the letter, the signatories, from sixteen political parties, encourage the negotiating parties “to consider the possibility of a ceasefire and take the necessary measures to minimise the human cost of the conflict”, emphasising that for them “the only route to bring an effective and long-lasting peace to Colombia is through dialogue and compromise”. The letter expresses the hope that measures to guarantee the safety of civil society activists will be taken.

The letter was coordinated by Justice for Colombia), the British NGO with the support of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and a cross party group of politicians.

High profile signatories include (former) Congressman George Miller, leading US Democrat on the Labor & Education Committee, the "legendary US Civil rights leader" Congressman John Lewis and Members of the Congressional Monitoring Group on Labor Rights Jim McGovern, Sam Farr, Jan Schakowsky, Hank Johnson, Keith Ellison and Rosa DeLauro. Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness from Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland party leaders Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP and Naomi Long of the Alliance, and leader of the Republic of Ireland’s governing Labour Party Eamon Gilmore also added their names.

Progressive Majority Advisory Committee

In 2003 Rep. Rosa DeLauro served on the Progressive Majority Advisory Committee.

Agenda for Shared Prosperity

Rosa De Lauro speaking at Agenda for Shared Prosperity event in 2007

On May 24, 2007, Agenda for Shared Prosperity, a project of the Democratic Socialists of America-dominated Economic Policy Institute, sponsored an event entitled "Getting Real About Families". Speaking at the event were Rep. Rosa DeLauro, introduced by Lawrence Mishel, Heidi Hartmann, introduced by Harold Meyerson, and Janet Gornick.

Connecticut Opposes the War

March 23 2007, Hartford, Conn.: After a 12-hour snow and sleet storm, 1,500 Connecticut residents dug themselves out for the Connecticut Opposes the War rally at the Old Statehouse March 17. Buses, vans and carpools left from campuses, union halls, churches, suburban towns and cities, reflecting months of grassroots organizing.

Speakers included U.S. Reps. John B. Larson and Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut House Majority Leader Chris Donovan and Connecticut AFL-CIO President John Olsen. Participants vowed to go after Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) and Rep. Chris Shays (R) “until they change their minds about this war.”

DeLauro, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, called the war “a mistake of historic proportions,” saying “Congress must take up its own constitutional responsibility.” She said, “This week Congress took the first step to get the troops out. I’m going to work my heart out to get this passed.”

A bill prohibiting the president from invading Iran without approval will be taken up next week, said Larson, declaring, “We will end the policies of unilateral and pre-emptive war.” He urged the crowd to keep sending letters and phone calls.

2009 letter on Colombia

From November 6th through December 7th 2009, a letter calling for change in U.S. policy towards Colombia was circulated through the House of Representatives. This letter called for a decrease in U.S. aid for Colombia's military and an increase in support for human rights and humanitarian efforts. The initiators of this letter were —Representatives James McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, Donald Payne, and Mike Honda.

Dear Secretary of State Clinton,

The FY 2011 budget will contain the twelfth year of a major aid package to Colombia—an aid package originally slated to phase out after six years.

After eleven years, it is time to scale down assistance for Colombia's military and more systematically "Colombianize" such programs, within both the State Department and Defense Department budgets.

Signatories included Rosa DeLauro.

NEXT AGENDA Conference

NEXT AGENDA was held at the National Press Club, Main Ballroom, Feb. 28,2001.

At Feb. 28 Conference on NEXT AGENDA, progressive activists, Congressional leaders will unite to forge strategy for "working families" agenda -- the day after President Bush delivers his plans to joint session of Congress.

-- Calling themselves the real "democratic majority," organizers and thinkers, led by the Campaign for America's Future, to release new book outlining an agenda for changes they insist most voters endorsed in 2000 elections.

On Feb. 28, a national conference on the NEXT AGENDA, will bring together progressive activists, intellectuals and allies in the Congress for the first time since the disputed election and battles over President Bush's cabinet nominees. It will frame the next two year's debate.

Sponsored by the progressive advocacy group, the Campaign for America's Future and its sister research organization, the Institute for America's Future, the Conference on the Next Progressive Agenda has been endorsed by a who's who of prominent leaders from the labor unions, women's organizations, civil rights groups, environmentalists and individual members of the House and Senate. Their goal: to forge a progressive movement to fight for the "working family" agenda they insist was endorsed by a majority of the voters in the 2000 election.

Organizers of the conference would release a new book, THE NEXT AGENDA: Blueprint for a New Progressive Movement, edited by Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey and published by Westview Press.

3:45 - 5:00 Bold Initiatives

Chair: Roger Hickey

• Cong. George Miller: Get Real on Education
• Bob Chase, President, NEA
• Cong. Luis Gutierrez: Living Wage/Minimum Wage
• Katie Fitzgerald, ACORN
• Cong. Rosa DeLauro: Pay Equity
• Karen Nussbaum, AFL-CIO Working Women's Department

Take Back America Conferences

Rosa DeLauro was on the list of 237 speakers at the 2007 Take Back America conference, which was organized by the Institute for Policy Studies, and Democratic Socialists of America dominated Campaign for America's Future.

America's Future Now Conferences

Rosa DeLauro was on the list of speakers at the 2009 America's Future Now conference, which was organized by the Institute for Policy Studies, and Democratic Socialists of America dominated Campaign for America's Future.

Labor Sec. contender

In December 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported that Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Professor Harley Shaiken had emerged as finalists for the job of Secretary of Labor. the job eventually went to Shaiken's American Rights at Work colleague Hilda Solis.

Congressional Progressive Caucus

As of February 20 2009 Rosa DeLauro was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

EMILY's List

DeLauro has been supported by EMILY's List during her campaigning.

Supported Inez Tenenbaum

Rosa DeLauro issued a statement supporting president Obama's June 2009 nomination of Inez Tenenbaum to chair Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Robert S. Adler as a new commissioner of the CPSC;

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) issued the following statement on President Obama’s nominations on Inez Moore Tenenbaum to chair Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Robert S. Adler as a new commissioner of the CPSC, as well as his plans to strengthen the CPSC by expanding the panel from three commissioners to five.

“I applaud the appointments of Inez Tenenbaum and Robert Adler to serve at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Their experience and leadership on consumer protection issues will help the CPSC to implement fairly the important product safety law that was enacted last year. I look forward to working with them to restore the effectiveness of CPSC and ensure that American families are protected from unsafe toys and other potentially dangerous products.”

UE 71st convention, 2009

At UE's 71st convention in September 13, 2009, UE General President John Hovis introduced New Haven’s Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D), now in her 10th term. DeLauro expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to address the convention and acknowledged UE’s progressive leadership, as well as her “good friend” Ray Pompano. She said that she was “raised in the house of labor.” Her grandfather, an immigrant from Italy, worked at Sargent by day and made pastries by night, which her grandmother sold. When DeLauro was a child, her mother took her to see the garment sweatshop where she worked so that she would understand hard work and those who do it. When she first ran for office, the initial support she received was from the unions, and her philosophy is that, “you stay with the people that brought you to the dance.”

She spoke passionately about the need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to make organizing easier, and summarized the findings of a recent UCLA study of wage theft and exploitation of immigrant workers. “This would not happen if people had union representation,” the congresswoman said.

She also described passage of healthcare reform as an urgent necessity, pointing out that Anthem Blue Cross recently raised its premiums in Connecticut by 32 percent. The Republicans have made it clear that their top priority is to block any healthcare reform, she said, with one GOP senator saying they need to make healthcare Obama’s “Waterloo.” She said it is important that a public option be part of the healthcare bill, to compete with the private insurers and hold down costs. “No American should go broke just because they got sick.” [UE 71st Convention] Rep. Rosa DeLauro

DeLauro also spoke about the continuing fight for equal pay for women. Delegates applauded when she mentioned that she had voted against Bush’s invasion of Iraq, and she called for bringing the troops home by June 30. She also expressed her skepticism about the war in Afghanistan.

She closed by calling for organized labor to once again become “a force to be reckoned with” as in the 1930s, and thankedd the delegates “for what you do.”

Helped Missouri Communist Party supporter

In 2005, Missouri Communist Party USA supporter Melanie Shouse went to the Siteman Cancer Center and was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

“The delay in treatment and diagnosis was the result of my inadequate medical coverage,” Ms. Shouse said matter-of-factly.

After starting her third round of chemotherapy, Ms. Shouse’s insurance company, WellPoint, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, informed her that it would not continue to cover her latest treatment. It was, Ms. Shouse said, “A case of monopoly bureaucrats coming between a patient and her doctor.”

Medicare and Medicaid, which Ms. Shouse called great public programs, began paying half of the cost of her treatments. But Ms. Shouse was disappointed that in receive services, she had to be deemed completely disabled. It was another reason she championed health-care reform.

She also spoke to individuals, like U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., a vocal proponent of health-care reform legislation and a long-term survivor of ovarian cancer. Rep. DeLauro intervened with WellPoint on Ms. Shouse’s behalf, continuing her efforts to get treatments approved for Ms. Shouse through February 2010.

Labor Endorsement

At the Connecticut AFL-CIO convention June 23, 2008, state AFL-CIO President John Olsen, calling on everyone to go out and organize. “We got the House and Senate back in 2006 and now we have to get the presidency back so we can win the Employee Free Choice Act, universal health care and an energy policy like the Apollo plan.”

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd was warmly welcomed by the delegates. Decrying the disparities in America, he lauded the labor movement for hard fought battles for workers’ gains “not given benevolently by corporate America,” and passionately called for an all-out push to elect Barack Obama on Nov. 4.

Saying he hopes the Employee Free Choice Act will be the first bill on the new president’s desk, Dodd emphasized that “this election will determine what kind of country, what kind of world, we leave to our children and grandchildren … We can’t afford four more years of Bush.”

The convention unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming opposition to the war by national and state labor bodies, and asserting that Obama “shares labor’s opposition … while John McCain supports the war and President Bush’s military policy.”

The resolution urges unions to inform their members “of McCain’s pro-war position and how it is directly related to his anti-union economic policies; and how the continuation of the war is fueling the current economic crisis.”

Bill Shortell, representing the Machinists Union and the Bristol Labor Council, recalled asking, when the war began, “Is this an issue for us?” to which his buddy replied, “Who’s going to speak for me if the union doesn’t speak for me?” Shortell called on the delegates to “take a strong position and back candidates committed to get us out of Iraq and end this bloodshed as soon as possible.”

A heated debate took place over the endorsement of Jim Himes, a pro-labor, antiwar Democrat challenging incumbent Republican Christopher Shays (4th Congressional District), a leading proponent of Bush’s Iraq war policies. Shays was the only representative from Connecticut to vote for additional funding of the war last month. He had angered the endorsement committee during an interview in which he objected to a question on the war, saying, “Why are you asking me about that? That’s not a labor issue.”

AFSCME delegate Blair Bertaccini got a round of applause when he called on the convention to “support candidates who support us as a class, as workers, not just one particular sector. Otherwise we will keep losing numbers and become irrelevant.” Himes won the endorsement overwhelmingly.

The convention also committed to help Democratic Reps. Chris Murphy (5th CD) and Joe Courtney (2nd CD) return to Congress. They both defeated Republicans in 2006 and have been targeted by the Republican National Committee for smear attacks.

Speaking to delegates from the 3rd CD, which she represents, Rep. Rosa DeLauro thankedd the labor movement for enabling her to win by large majorities. “With big margins I can take on the strong fights, which those with small margins many not feel free to do,” she said, referring to the vote against further funds for the war.

Delegates signed up for the Labor 2008 program, including speaking to members in their workplace and at home. Signatures were collected on postcards for the Employee Free Choice Act which will be presented to the new president in January.

A moment of silence honored prominent union leaders who recently died, including Merrillee Milstein, former District 1199 vice president and then deputy regional director of the AFL-CIO, known for her dedication and commitment to organizing and building diversity within the labor movement.

The convention adopted a strategic plan for the elections and legislative and organizing goals. A Diversity Dialogue will be held Sept. 20 with the aim of developing new union leaders. AFL-CIO representative Barbara Nicole Holtz urged delegates to attend, projecting the conference as a model for other states.

Honoring Communist Party supporter

De Lauro and Cordova

He waited nearly 60 years to receive the combat medals he won in Korea. But the "love and accolades of area Latino leaders for Celestino Cordova as the man on whose shoulders they stand meant every bit as much as the overdue honor from his days with a Puerto Rican combat unit."

Admirers gathered at the Fair Haven Elderly Apartments community room on Saltonstall Avenue in June 2010 to witness U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro pin on 81-year old Cordova the combat infantry badge, sharp shooter badge and several others.

Cordova earned these honors during service, including hand-to-hand combat, with a reconnaissance unit within the fabled Borinqueneers of the all-Puerto Rican 65th U.S. Army Regiment during the Korean War.

Cordova is a known supporter of the Communist Party USA.

Guest of honor at communist run function

Rosa DeLauro cuts the cake

Rosa DeLauro, Joelle Fishman

The genius of the Social Security system is that it ties generations together," emphasized Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) at the August 2010, kickoff event for Social Security's 75th birthday held at the Communist Party USA run New Haven People's Center by the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA). "I pay in for my mother during my working life, and in the future my children will pay in for me," she said, adding that it will never become insolvent.

Addressing a packed room decorated with balloons and a birthday cake, DeLauro decried attempts to privatize or limit Social Security, citing the fact that millions of seniors, disabled and children would fall into poverty without this program.

Communist Party supporter Celestino Cordova, a Fair Haven resident who works with seniors, presented DeLauro with postcards filled out earlier in the program by the 70 participants who ranged in age from 9 to 89, calling on Congress to reject any proposals to raise the retirement age or cut benefits. The postcard campaign and birthday parties will continue through the month of September.

Mary Elia, ARA field staff in Connecticut, gave a PowerPoint presentation with the hard facts about Social Security showing that it is not bankrupt as opponents have claimed, but has a surplus that will last until 2037.

Speaking on behalf of the 53,000-member Connecticut ARA, Cal Bunnell, a retired steelworker, stressed that Social Security is essential for those who have worked hard all their lives to maintain a decent standard of living with dignity.

"There is a big debate going on in our country about what role government should play," said Joelle Fishman a board member of both ARA and the Peoples Center. "Those who want to do away with Social Security want to do away with any role of government for the well-being of people except to protect the corporations and the super rich," she said, urging a large turnout in the November elections.

The event was the first of two co-sponsored by the Connecticut Alliance of Retired Americans, with another event scheduled at the West Hartford Senior Center on August 18.

The Peoples Center was founded in 1937, two years after the enactment of Social Security, by those who marched and organized for Social Security, unemployment compensation and the right to form unions.

ARA 2024 endorsement

CARA 2022 endorsement

Leading up to Labor Day in 2022, the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) gathered to endorse worker rights champion Rep. Jahana Hayes for re-election in the 5th Congressional District, a battleground targeted by the national Republican Party and corporate funding sources re-take control of the House of Representatives.

Representing more than 59,000 members from many unions, the CT ARA also endorsed US Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. John B. Larson and Rep. Joe Courtney for their 100% voting records on senior issues and commitment to oppose privatization of Social Security at the top of the Republican agenda.

Embracing communist leader

Rosa DeLauro embraces Joelle Fishman

According to the August 12, 2010 New Haven Register;

Joelle Fishman of New Haven, chair of the Communist Party USA's political action commission, second from left, greets Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, left, before DeLauro speaks at the People's Center in New Haven as local groups gather there together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Social Security.

Joelle Fishman's role in the Communist Party USA's Political Action Commission gives her responsibility for organizing party support for "progressive" Democratic Party candidates at the state, congressional, senate and presidential level.

ARA endorsements

The Alliance for Retired Americans Political Action Fund endorsed Rosa DeLauro in 2012, 2014.

Chained CPI

July 2013, over 50 members of Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (CT ARA) along with our Labor and Community allies worked together to create a human chain across the street from the Federal Building in New Haven to protest the chained CPI. Bette Marafino, President of Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans organized the group into a human chain.

Noted speakers included Lisa Perrone Chief of staff for Congressman John B. Larson, Marilyn Cheyne staff for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Win Heimer CT ARA board member read a statement from Congressman Joe Courtney in opposition of the Chained CPI, Manny Gomez newly elected CT ARA board member representing the New Haven People's Center spoke about the importance of Social Security , Jade our youngest participant (12 years old!) explained that Social Security needs to be there for her when she is older, Connecticut AFL-CIO President John Olsen commented that Social Security provides retirement security for millions of Americans. Mark Henson District Director for Congressman Jim Himes greeted attendees. Our Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy were unable to attend. However, CT ARA President Bette Marafino assured our group that both Senators do oppose Chained CPI and both have signed on to Senator Harkins bill S567.

Peace legislation

Legislation, H. Res. (House Resolution) 68, calling for the U.S. to abide by the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty is co-sponsored by CT Congressmember Rosa DeLauro.

2019 trip to Cuba

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and a leading voice on improving relations between the United States and Cuba, has concluded a five-day congressional delegation to Havana, October 2019..

Joining McGovern on the trip last week was Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). While in Cuba, McGovern and DeLauro met with U.S. Embassy and Cuban officials and attended meetings with leaders from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) and the New England Council, who sponsored a separate delegation of business, academic, and medical leaders to explore opportunities for mutually beneficial economic development, biotechnology research partnerships, and trade.

“For over five decades, America’s economic blockade against Cuba has been a failure,” said McGovern. “Not only does it hurt the Cuban people, it hurts America, too. There are lifesaving medicines that have been developed and produced in Cuba that are not available here because of our embargo. Our businesses want to trade with Cuba, but they can’t because of our sanctions. And the American people are the best ambassadors our country has to offer, yet they have to jump through hoops to travel to Cuba.

“Here’s the bottom line — Beijing and Moscow are already working to deepen their partnership and economic support for Havana. The United States needs to be engaged in the world. Where and when we are not, China and Russia will be. And to the extent that we disagree with the Cuban government on economic issues and human rights, diplomacy and communication are the solution.

Trip to Cuba

From May 27 to June 1 2007, Rosa DeLauro travelled in Havana, Cuba, with the purpose: "to examine the transition that is occurring in Cuba and the impact of that transition on U.S. policy, as well as to examine agriculture and trade with the island." The cost of the trip, $1,906.50 was paid by the Center for Democracy in the Americas. Her trip was approved by Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Chairwoman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Also invited on the trip were: Marion Berry, Bob Etheridge, Rodney Alexander, Collin Peterson, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Jack Kingston, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Ray LaHood and Zach Wamp.

Populist Caucus

The Populist Caucus was founded on February 11, 2009 in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Bruce Braley of Iowa. The caucus originally included 26 other Democrats in the House. Rosa DeLauro joined some time afterwards, and became Whip, and vice chair.

Mobilization to End Poverty speakers

The Mobilization to End Poverty Conference was held in Washington, D.C. from April 26 - 29, 2009, and was hosted by Sojourners and sponsored by World Vision.

The following were speakers at the conference:

• Rachel Anderson, Boston Faith and Justice Network
• Angela Glover Blackwell, PolicyLink
• Rep. Rosa DeLauro, United States House, of Representatives
• Dave Donaldson, Convoy of Hope
• Joel Edwards, Micah Challenge
• Alexia Kelley, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
• Rep. John Lewis, U.S. House of Representatives
• Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Brian McLaren
• Wes Granberg Michaelson, Reformed Church in America
• Donald Miller
• David Lane, ONE
• Tony Hall, Former ambassador and member of Congress
• Bishop Mark Hanson, ELCA Churchwide Organization
• Dr.Vincent Harding
• Lisa Sharon Harper, New York Faith and Justice
• Freddy Haynes, Friendship West Baptist Church
• Zina Jacque
• Rev. Ellen Nissenbaum, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Jeffrey Sachs, The Earth Institute at Columbia Univeristy
• Tavis Smiley, The Tavis Smiley Show
• Richard Stearns, World Vision
• Alexie Torres-Fleming
• Sharon Watkins, Disciples of Christ
• Jim Wallis, Sojourners

President Barack Obama was also invited to give a major address on poverty at the conference.

Labor support 2010

New Britain, Ct, Nov. 4, 2010 – A massive get-out-the-vote campaign targeted to Council 4 AFSCME members and their families made the difference in helping Dannel Malloy and other pro-worker candidates get elected in Connecticut, the union said today.

“Connecticut voters echoed what our union members were saying as they headed tothe polls: everyone deserves quality affordable health care, secure retirement and fair taxes,” Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano noted.

All of Council 4’s endorsed candidates prevailed in races for Governor (Malloy), Lt. Governor (Nancy Wyman), Attorney General (George Jepsen), Comptroller (Kevin Lembo), Treasurer (Denise Nappier and Secretary of State (Denise Merrill). Council 4- endorsed candidates also won their races for U.S. Senate (Richard Blumenthal) and Congress (John B. Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Chris Murphy).

“We used people power to counteract corporate and wealthy donors pushing their anti-union agenda,” Luciano said.

Anna Montalvo, President of AFSCME Local 1522 in Bridgeport, said union members grasped the high stakes in the election:

“Right from the start of this campaign we had our boots on the ground, whether for Dan Malloy or Jim Himes or Chris Murphy. Connecticut staved off the anti-working family tide that swept the nation,” said Montalvo, who co-chairs Council 4’s political action committee.

Jobs roundtable

Left to right, Inez Bell, Mike Alberino, Alexandra Ferreira, Lori Pelletier, Rosa DeLauro, Nate Brown, Joe Guerrera

On August 8, 2011, "Third District voters gave U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro a simple message to bring back to Washington: It’s all about jobs".

Connecticut AFL-CIO, faith-based groups, community leaders and organizations in the We Are One coalition coordinated a roundtable discussion Monday with DeLauro, of New Haven, at the Second Star of Jacob church on Chapel Street.

“I have three to four months of unemployment benefits left, and actually, no prospect for a job,” said Alexandra Ferreira, a college-educated mother of an 8-year-old boy. “People need to work so they can take care of themselves, their families, their communities. Until more jobs are available, people need to have access to government assistance, that should include health care.”

DeLauro said she is sponsoring legislation that would make it illegal for employers to advertise that long-term unemployed people should not apply for an open position and a bill to boost economic development, infrastructure maintenance and improvements and create jobs.

She sponsored the Manufacturing Reinvestment Act, which allows companies to save up to $500,000 a year in pretax contributions in a community bank for up to seven years. The funds would be taxed at a low rate and could be used to buy equipment, improve facilities or for job training.

“I got the idea from the New Haven Manufacturers Association,” DeLauro said.

Joe Guerrera, community and government relations director for the International Union of Operating Engineers and an unemployed construction worker, spoke in favor of generating construction jobs in the state, not just talking about it.

DeLauro said that even though the stimulus package created millions of jobs, she does not believe it was large enough.

Inez Bell, a recent high school graduate, and a supporter of the Young Communist League USA and Brian Boorman, a teacher and member of the Middletown Federation of Teachers, both said the government should invest more, not less, in education and helping students who want to pursue higher education but do not have the financial means.

Other speakers included Nate Brown, Middletown Federation of Teachers President Steve McKeever and manufacturing worker Mike Alberino.

Lori Pelletier, Secretary-Treasurer of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, that is part of the We Are One coalition responsible for organizing the roundtable, also appeared on the panel.

Supporting Obama's birth control plan

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and three other congresswomen attended a special news conference Feb. 8, 2012, reacting to Republican Speaker John Boehner's attack on the Obama administration's birth control policy.

Boehner vowed to overturn the policy, complaining that it was a violation of religious freedom because its coverage includes schools and hospitals with religious affiliation. Other Republicans saw this as a political opening, and argued that this was a sensitive issue of "religious liberty."

Schakowsky, along with Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Lois Capps, D-Calif., and Gwen Moore, D-Wis., said at the press conference they supported the president's policy, explaining that it strikes a balance between religious and individual freedom.

Schakowsky said the policy exempts churches from providing birth control benefits for their workers.

As for religiously-connected hospitals and schools, she explained, "If they want to be part of the business world, then they have to follow the same rules as other businesses."

Capps and DeLauro outlined some of the benefits of the birth control decision, noting that it was based on scientific evidence, decreased infant mortality and unintended pregnancy, and would reduce the long-standing gender discrimination issues that women in health care face.

"The idea that birth control could be controversial in 2012 is outrageous," Schakowsky remarked. "Women's health care should not depend on who the boss is." Furthermore, she predicts a backlash among women if Republicans continue to attack this policy.

"It would be at their peril if they try to undo this," she concluded.

Alfred L. Marder 90th Birthday Celebration

New Haven People's Center blog

The March 2012 Host Committee, in honor of Connecticut Communist Party USA member Al Marder's 90th Birthday Celebration, held at the New Haven People's Center consisted of;

Hon. Rosa DeLauro, Sen. Toni Harp, Sen. Martin Looney, Rep. Juan Candelaria, Rep. Patricia Dillon, Rep. Toni Edmonds Walker, Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, Rep. Roland Lemar, Ald. Jorge Perez, President, New Haven Board of Aldermen, Ambassador Sylvester Rowe, Mohammed Barrie, Vinie Burrows, Mary Compton, Joelle Fishman, Craig Gauthier, Emanuel Gomez, Hilda Kilpatrick, Henry Lowendorf, Kenneth Marder, Rev. Scott Marks,William Morico, John Olsen, Quentin Snediker, Jarvis Tyner, Andrea van den Heever, Susan Yolen

A statement issued on the committee's behalf read;

Dear Friends and Family of Al Marder,

We are excited to invite you to celebrate the 90th birthday of Al Marder and to recognize his many contributions, international and local, toward world peace, justice and equality.

Please join us in this joyous occasion on Sunday, March 18, at 3:00 pm at the New Haven Peoples Center, 37 Howe Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511.

The afternoon will include remarks, greetings, cultural expressions, and refreshments.

Among Al's many projects, there is one he selected for support on this occasion. The New Haven Peoples Center is a site on the African American Freedom Trail in Connecticut. It provides social, cultural and educational opportunities for the community. From his youth, Al has taken part in the activities of the Peoples Center, where today he serves as president.

The Peoples Center, built in 1851, urgently needs costly exterior brick work and energy efficiency updating. Al has been kind enough to allow us this celebration opportunity to raise matching funds toward grant requests to attend to these needs. In lieu of gifts, donations may be made to PERA, 37 Howe Street, New Haven, CT 06511.

If you cannot attend, greetings may be sent to the Peoples Center for inclusion in a special booklet.

Tribute to Communist Al Marder, in Congressional Record

Rosa DeLauro inserted a tribute to Connecticut Communist Party USA member Al Marder in the Congressional Record of March 20, 2012;

Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise today to join the many friends, family, and community leaders who have gathered to celebrate the outstanding contributions of Alfred L. Marder as he celebrates his 90th birthday. Al is one of our community’s most active advocates—dedicating much of his life to fighting for social justice and the improvement of the quality of life for all.

Al Marder is an institution in our community. He is perhaps best known for his work to promote peace, social justice, worker’s rights and equality. His commitment to these issues is unwavering—regardless of controversy, he always stands firm in his fight to protect human rights.

Over the course of his 90 years, Al has made innumerable contributions to our community and our nation. In his early years, Al served as Executive Director of the Connecticut CIO Youth and Sports Organization and was President of the New Haven Youth Conference. He served in the United States Infantry during World War II and was stationed in the European Theater where he received the Bronze Star.

Following the war, Al completedhis college education at the University of Connecticut and soon found a passion that he would pursue for the rest of his life. During the McCarthy era, Al was one of those singled out for proudly sharing his thoughts and ideas. Standing firm in his support of civil liberties and the right of every American to freely express themselves, Al discovered his passion for civil and workers rights—two issues to which he has dedicated a lifetime of advocacy...

I am honored to have this opportunity to join all of those gathered today in wishing Alfred L. Marder a very happy 90th birthday. At 90- years young, Al continues his work on behalf of those whose voices are too often silenced....

Labor support 2012

Powered by the grass-roots efforts of union members who made phone calls, knocked on doors, talked to their co-workers and attended Get Out The Vote events, labor-endorsed candidates swept to victory in the Nov. 6 election.

The list starts with President Barack Obama and Chris Murphy -- who withstood Linda McMahon's $47 million effort to buy the 2012 U.S. Senate seat -- and Elizabeth Esty, who defeated the well-funded campaign of Republican Andrew Roraback in the 5th Congressional District.

"This was a victory for the middle class," said Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano. "Our members refused to allow corporations and right-wing billionaires to buy the election and ram through their extremist, anti-worker agenda. I am proud and grateful for everyone's effort."

AFSCME-endorsed candidates John B. Larson (1st Congressional District), Joe Courtney (2nd), Rosa DeLauro (3rd) and Jim Himes (4th) also were reelected, winning by sizeable margins.

Council 4 members Blair Bertaccini (Local 269), Tom Lukowicz (Local 1183) and Esma Ajruli (background), Local 714 phone-banked on election eve.

Meeting Bertaccini

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (3rd District) discusses workers’ concerns with, from left, AFSCME International Field Rep Suzanne Haviland , Local 269 President and Communist party member Blair Bertaccini and Local 562 President Thursa Isaac

AFSCME's Council 4's annual conference and convention took place April 21, 2012 in East Hartford. Nearly 200 members participated in a day filled with inspiring speakers, including U.S. Reps. John B. Larson (CT-1), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Chris Murphy (CT-5), Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Comptroller Kevin Lembo and Secretary of State Denise Merrill.

The conference closed with the presentation of Council 4 PEOPLE political action awards to Tom Stough (Local 991, Manchester), Jon Green of the Working Families Party, and State Sen. Edwin Gomes of Bridgeport (with Anna Montalvo accepting on Sen. Gomes’ behalf).

Supporting Chris Murphy

Gary Holder-Winfield, Rosa DeLauro, Chris Murphy

New Haven Democrats gave Chris Murphy a rousing show of support for his U.S. Senate campaign—even as his opponent claimed some of them as her own backers.

The event took place Sunday, late january 2012, at the East Rock home of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. It marked the launching of Murphy’s campaign organizing drive in the third U.S. Congressional District. He was running for the 2012 Democratic nomination of the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Joe Lieberman.

Some 80 Democrats, many of them elected officials and influential activists, crammed the downstairs of the home DeLauro shares with Democratic strategist Stan Greenberg. As Dannel Malloy learned in the 2010 gubernatorial elections, New Haven Democrats, the state’s largest and best organized bloc of urban votes, are the big prize in statewide elections. Both Murphy and his leading opponent for the Democratic nomination, Susan Bysiewicz, had been calling and calling ward-level Democrats for months seeking their support.

Murphy drew an impressive turnout at DeLauro’s home Sunday. Leading state legislators like state Sen. Majority Leader Martin M. Looney and Reps. Toni Walker, Roland Lemar, and Gary Holder-Winfield all spoke in support of his campaign. And 16 members of the city’s 30-member (all-Democratic) Board of Aldermen showed up, including many of the newly elected labor-backed activists who represent a formidable vote-pulling force.

“I think we have the entire Board of Aldermen here!” DeLauro proclaimed while introducing Murphy to the crowd from a perch on a stairway.

“I think the overflow crowd at Congresswoman DeLauro’s house spoke for itself as to who New Haven Democrats think the best candidate is to stand up for the middle class,” Murphy campaign manager Kenny Curran said.

Fred Ross award campaign

In early 2013, mainly Democratic Socialists of America aligned activists, together with many elected officials across the United States came together to urge President Barack Obama to award posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the legendary organizer, Fred Ross, Sr.. The Saul Alinsky trained radical was the first to organize people through house meetings, a mentor to both Cesar Chavez and DSAer Dolores Huerta, and a pioneer in Latino voter outreach since 1949 when he helped elect Communist Party USA affiliate Ed Roybal as Los Angeles’s first Latino council member, "Ross’ influence on social change movements remains strong two decades after his death in 1992".

Congressional endorsers of the proposal included Rosa DeLauro.

Lifting travel ban on Cuba

A May 03, 2013 Press release from the radical controlled and Institute for Policy Studies affiliated Latin America Working Group's Cuba Team stated:

Due to your action/emails/phone calls we have 59 signatures from House representatives urging President Obama to support travel to Cuba by granting general licenses for ALL current categories of travel.

By eliminating the laborious license application process, especially for people-to-people groups, that is managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the majority of the bureaucratic red tape that holds up licensable travel to Cuba would disappear and actually facilitate what the President wanted to see in 2011, liberalized travel regulations.

Signatories included Rep. DeLauro .

Congressional Letter for Neutrality, 2014 Salvadoran Elections

On Monday December 16, 2014 Reps. Juan Vargas (D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) sent a letter to Sec. of State John Kerry – signed by 51 Members of Congress – calling for a public statement of neutrality by the State Department before the first round of El Salvador’s presidential elections on February 2, 2014.

The letter, , highlighted several “important steps” that the current government has taken to “strengthen its democratic system and expand the right to vote to all citizens,” including those living outside of the country, who will be voting by absentee ballot for the first time in February. Since the election of Mauricio Funes, the first President from the Marxist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) party, the government has increased the number of polling places four-fold to increase accessibility, especially in rural areas.

“We’re glad to see so many Members of Congress expressing respect for the right of the Salvadoran people to determine their own future. That’s an attitude that’s sorely lacking in much of the US’ policy in Central America, especially with regard to economic policy,” said Alexis Stoumbelis, Executive Director for the pro-communist Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), in Washington, DC, which has observed every post-war election in El Salvador, starting in 1994.

Signatories included Rep. DeLauro..

“When Women Succeed"

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic women rolled out a campaign on July 18th, 2013, called “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families.”

The campaign was announced at a press conference on the steps of the Capitol. Leader Pelosi was joined by several members of the House of Representatives and leaders of many organizations that address issues of working women. Amongst those present were the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the AFL-CIO, UFCW, the Feminist Majority, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Women’s Law Center, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the American Association of University Women, the National Council of Women’s Organizations and others. In addition to Leader Pelosi, Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (CT), Donna Edwards (MD), Nydia Velazquez (NY) and Doris Matsui (CA) participated in the press conference along with several women who told their stories.

The campaign agenda focuses on policies that address real economic needs facing women and families: ensuring equal pay for equal work, promoting work and family balance, and providing access to affordable child care.

CLUW support

Delegates to the 17th Coalition of Labor Union Women Biennial Convention, November 15th, 2013 in Reno, Nevada, endorsed the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act), sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, which would create a national paid family and medical leave insurance program to ensure people have much-needed income when family and medical needs arise.

Roosevelt Institute

In 2010, DeLauro sat on the National Advisory Board of the Roosevelt Institute. The namesakes of the Institute are Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Historical leaders of the Progressive movement.

Serving as advisors to the Roosevelt Institute are:

• Jim Dean
• Representative Rosa DeLauro
• Al From
• Katrina vanden Heuvel
• Representative Zoe Lofgren
• Senator Richard Lugar
• Dee Dee Myers
• Amy Overton
• Robert Reich
• Simon Rosenberg
• Rob Stein
• Jim Roosevelt
• Patricia Bauman
• Bill Perry
• John Podesta
• John Prendergast
• Robert Borosage

The Roosevelt Institute works closely with many progressive political and educational organizations to encourage public debate, promote sound public policy and involve students in the civic life of their communities. In addition, they are supportive of the efforts of a wide range of groups involved in similar progressive causes. Partners include:

CDA connection

Tom Downey, Greg Craig and Rep. Rosa DeLauro

Rep. Rosa DeLauro attended the Center for Democracy in the Americas' 8th Anniversary Event, June 19, 2014.

No cuts rally

Scores of seniors came to the U.S. Capitol October 2013, joined hands with Members of Congress, and formed a human chain in opposition to the Chained CPI formula and all benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Congressional Progressive Caucus hosted the demonstration, as Alliance for Retired Americans members joined with Social Security Works and other allies. The event was emceed by Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Keith Ellison (D-MN). Other Members of Congress at the event included Reps. Cheri Bustos (IL); David Cicilline (RI); Yvette Clarke (NY); John Conyers (MI); Elijah Cummings (MD); Rosa DeLauro (CT); Alan Grayson (FL); Mike Honda (CA); Steven Horsford (NV); Barbara Lee (CA); Sheila Jackson Lee (TX); Alan Lowenthal (CA); Dan Maffei (NY); Carolyn Maloney (NY); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Mark Pocan (WI); Jan Schakowsky (IL); Mark Takano (CA); and Paul Tonko (NY).

Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter

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

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

Signatories included Rosa DeLauro.

Cuba trip, 2014

Barbara Lee, Rosa DeLauro, Anna Eshoo, Betty McCollum, CDA's Sarah Stephens, meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, June 21, 2014

Delegation at Foundation of Nature and Man, June 21, 2014, Rosa DeLauro, center

In June 2014 a delegation organized by the Center for Democracy in the Americas traveled to Havana Cuba. It consisted of Sarah Stephens of CDA, US Congresswomen Barbara Lee, Anna Eshoo, Rosa DeLauro, Betty McCollum, and Laura Richardson, Bettina Duval, Alicia Daly, Heather McGhee and other, The delegates had several meetings in Havana, including on June 21, when the Congressmembers and Sarah Stephens met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

The delegates also visited the Foundation of Nature and Man.

On June 18, Lee, Eshoo, and DeLauro also met with former Communist Party USA journalist Portia Siegelbaum, now living in Cuba, married to a Cuban.

At Paladar Atelier, Betty McCollum, Barbara Lee, Anna Eshoo, Rosa DeLauro June 21, 2014

Portia Siegelbaum, left

PDA contact 2014

In 2014 Progressive Democrats of America assigned activists to deliver their material to almost every US Congressman and Senator, Shannon Clarkson, was assigned as the contact for Rep. De Lauro. In June it was Connecticut Communist Party leader Joelle Fishman.

2014 WOLA Awards

The Honorary Committee for Washington Office on Latin America's 2014 Human Rights Award Ceremony and Benefit Gala, consisted of;

• Former Rep. David Bonior
• Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
• Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
• Sen. Christopher Dodd
• Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)
• Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
• Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
• Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
• Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
• Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA)
• Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA)
• Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
• Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI)
• Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
• Rep. James McGovern (D-MA)
• Rep. James Moran (D-VA)
• Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
• Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
• Former U.S. Sec. of Labor Hilda Solis
• Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

"Progressive Agenda"

Signers of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's May 12, 2015 launched The Progressive Agenda to Combat Income Inequality included US Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

Backing Toni Harp

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp announced her bid for a second term at a campaign kickoff event on a Saturday in early May 2015.

The kickoff, held at Edgewood Park, was attended by community members as well as representatives of New Haven at the state and federal levels. Sen. Richard Blumenthal LAW ’73, Sen. Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and state senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney each endorsed Harp, underscoring her commitment to bolstering youth services in the city. In her remarks, Harp spoke of the city’s progress in reducing crime, bettering public schools and creating new jobs as strengths of her administration. The campaign’s office will open on June 6 at 940 Whalley Ave.

“I’m excited. I’m joyful. And I’m proud to announce that I’m running for a second term for mayor,” Harp said.

Several city officials, including Hill alder Dolores Colon ’91, have noted that Harp is the leading candidate in the race, but Murphy said city residents should still vote on Nov. 3.

“This is as important as it gets,” he said. “It’s up to everyone here … to take nothing for granted in this election.”

Meeting Peace Council

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the New Haven Democrat and powerful right hand to then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, met with the Greater New Haven Peace Council for more than an hour this spring on the topic of Afghanistan. Peace council member Henry Lowendorf says DeLauro heard the group out but was not persuaded.

“She is sincere,” Lowerndorf says. “She really believes. She wants to support Obama. I just see Obama digging us deeper.”

Lowendorf and company aren’t letting DeLauro off the hook, doing what small things they can to keep the pressure on. Last Friday, with Washington consumed in a national health care debate, demonstrators held a protest outside DeLauro’s New Haven office with the theme “Health Care Not Warfare.”

2015 Cuba visit

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi traveled with a congressional congregation to Cuba mid February 2015.

The trip is the first official House delegation to travel to the island nation since President Barack Obama announced late last year an easing of trade restrictions with the Castro regime.

“This delegation travels to Cuba in friendship and to build upon the announcement of U.S. normalization of relations and other initiatives announced by President Obama,” Pelosi (D-Calif.) said. “This delegation will work to advance the U.S.-Cuba relationship and build on the work done by many in the Congress over the years, especially with respect to agriculture and trade.”

The delegation includes Democratic Reps. Eliot Engel of New York, Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Anna Eshoo of California, Nydia Velazquez of New York, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Steve Israel of New York and David Cicilline of Rhode Island. Engel is the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The lawmakers will meet with Cuban government officials, Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino and local community leaders.

Pelosi and Israel met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, in Havana February 18, 2015.

The delegates also met Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, marking the first time Cuba's heir apparent to power has received an official American delegation.

Nancy Pelosi and the eight other House Democrats concluded their two-day visit by meeting Diaz-Canel, 54, who is first in line to the seat of power held by brothers Fidel Castro and Raul Castro since 1959.

The nine Democrats, all supporters of U.S. President Barack Obama's policy change on the Communist-led island, were due to be escorted directly to the airport after the meeting.

Diaz-Canel and the Americans talked about Cuba's market-style economic reforms, bilateral relations and prospects of the U.S. Congress lifting the country's 53-year-old trade embargo of Cuba, official Cuban media reported.

Netroots Nation 2015

Speakers at Netroots Nation 2015, in Phoenix Arizona, one of the largest gatherings of progressives and the Democratic activist base, included Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley, Elizabeth Warren, Rosa DeLauro, Donna Edwards, Keith Ellison, Ruben Gallego, Raul Grijalva, Hank Johnson, Robin Kelly, Mark Takano.

COOL vote

August 2015, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson called the recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) a “disappointing, knee-jerk overreaction” and urged the U.S. Senate to continue its thoughtful handling of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute. Johnson also noted that NFU will work with Congress on a clear path forward that will both resolve the WTO dispute and continue to provide consumers with accurate information about the origin of their food. “The House leadership is not interested in any reasonable solutions and blocked all amendments.” Johnson noted that in past disputes, WTO members found ways to work together to arrive at a resolution that worked for all parties. “Unfortunately, today’s action by the U.S. House of Representatives does not work towards a resolution that maintains the integrity of COOL and satisfies WTO obligations. “We call upon the U.S. Senate to avoid the rush to judgment demonstrated by the House today and work with COOL supporters on a viable alternative that will finally bring this long process to closure,” he said. Johnson said family farmers and ranchers across the country appreciated the work of: Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota; Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut; Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts; Chellie Pingree, D-Maine; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; Rick Nolan, D-Minnesota; Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky; Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon; Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas; and others who stood strong for COOL and the right to know the origin of our food. “We greatly appreciate their continued willingness to stand up for America’s consumers and farm families,” said Johnson.

"Women's policy"

"Achieving pay equality for women isn't enough," Senator Elizabeth Warren, said November 18, 2015 when she unveiled the Women's Economic Agenda developed by the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive think tank. "We have to make sure that all workers - men and women - are earning enough to live on."

Elise Gould, EPI's senior economist, explained that "the same factors that have kept women's pay from growing over the last dozen years are the same forces that have suppressed wages for male workers."

Wages for all workers have been suppressed, Gould said, because of national policies consciously adopted to guarantee that most of the wealth being created through increased productivity goes to those who are already the richest, most powerful people in America.

In presenting the Women's Economic Agenda, Senator Warren pointed out that more than half of low wage workers are women and that some 14 million children are being brought up in poverty.

"This is an economic issue," Warren said, "but it is also an issue of American values. No one who works full time should be living in poverty."

Warren discussed her Schedules That Work bill. If passed (which is unlikely in today's Republican-controlled congress) it would prevent employers from calling workers in at the last minute. It would also stop managements from calling workers in, deciding they aren't needed and sending them home without pay.

"Women especially need some control over their work schedules," Warren said, "because a large number have sole responsibility for children. How can you plan for childcare if you don't know what your schedule will be day to day?"

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, D.- Conn., said that along with scheduling allowing for family responsibilities, women also need paid family and medical leave.

"Congressional representatives such as myself," DeLauro said, "can take off as many days as we want to. Yet, one quarter of all workers have been fired or threatened with being fired for taking just one day off to take care of their kids."

EPI's economic agenda for women addresses the issues Sen. Warren and Rep. DeLauro discussed. It calls for equal pay that's also a living wage. It stresses the importance of fair scheduling and paid family and medical leave.

"The surest way for workers to obtain these rights," said EPI President Lawrence Mishel, is to strengthen the right of workers to join unions and engage in collective bargaining."

He added: "Women in unions are more likely to be paid higher wages and have access to needed benefits and protections. When unions are strong, those benefits and protections spread to nonunion workers as well."

The agenda also calls for raising the minimum wage for all workers and eliminating the subminimum wage currently being forced on workers who earn tips.

The agenda states that "More than half of elderly women are economically vulnerable," so it's vital that the nation protect and strengthen Social Security and pensions.

Moreover, it states that "The United States must invest in early childhood education and more affordable child care."

The agenda ends by calling for national monetary policies that "prioritize wage growth and very low unemployment."

"I always get applause when I say I'm for equal pay for equal work," Senator Warren said. "But real economic equality and real economic equity will take real changes in America's economic policies.

2016 Cuba visit

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and 16 other House Democrats will join President Barack Obama on his historic trip to Cuba March 20-22.

Obama will be the first president to visit Cuba in 88 years, and the trip is a symbolic next chapter in his attempts to normalize relations with the country.

The House members will attend along with several senators who previously announced they will make the trip.

The House delegation includes Reps. Karen Bass, Cheri Bustos, Sam Farr, Rosa DeLauro, Barbara Lee, Charles Rangel, Kathy Castor, David Cicilline, Steve Cohen, Jan Schakowsky, Peter Welch, Alan Lowenthal, Jim McGovern and Lucille Roybal-Allard. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra of California will also travel to Cuba along with Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, and Tom Udall of New Mexico are slated to join the trip. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who has been a leading advocate for normalizing relations with Cuba, will also attend. Additional House Republicans may also join.

Pelosi previously led the first official House delegation trip to the country after Obama announced the change in U.S. policy toward Cuba in 2014.

Women's March

Liz McCarthy and Tyree Ford are two seniors from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) who will be joining others from around the nation and Connecticut on January 21 for the Women’s March On Washington.

“Trump’s rhetoric is insulting, demonizing, and threatening to many women, immigrants, diverse religious faiths, native, Black and brown people, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities, and we must all come together in unity and solidarity to stop it!” said Ford, “The Women’s March on Washington is going to be the first of many organized rallies and marches that’s going to change things,” she added.

At a Women’s March kickoff press conference in New Haven City Hall, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said this large scale demonstration will be a “powerful message to Trump and the Republican conference that women’s rights are human rights…We are making ourselves heard, and opening the way for all Americans to get heard.”

DeLauro, a leader in the Democratic House caucus, emphasized that institutions respond to external pressure and declared that “this march symbolizes the first day of organizing and prolonged battles for America’s agenda.”

She singled out four pieces of legislation key to the health and welfare of women, girls and families that she along with allies in Congress will fight for including saving health care and the Affordable Care Act, paid family and medical leave, gender pay equity, childcare assistance and the Violence Against Women Act.

In Connecticut, 80 buses are headed to the nation’s capital with buses also going to smaller sister marches in New York, Hartford, and Stamford Connecticut on Saturday.

“We’re expecting up to 200,000 people, and that’s just in D.C. alone, not to mention the sister rallies all throughout the country and all throughout the world. The numbers are going to be tremendous,” said McCarthy.

The Women’s March idea began when Donald Trump was elected president. Rebecca Shook, a 60 year old retired attorney and grandmother from Hawaii went on Facebook and posted “Let’s March!” The post quickly went viral, a voice for many people who felt the election results were not legitimate.

Soon after, assisted by her friends, Shook created an event page for the march, which was shared on the popular Facebook group Pantsuit Nation. Within less than 24 hours, 10,000 people had confirmed their attendance.

Now, over 200,000 people will join Shook to march on Washington the day after the inauguration, including McCarthy and Ford. They will travel with several other SCSU students who are taking the drive down.

Trump's Russia ties

Members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation joined demands for a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation of Russian influence on the 2016 election after President Donald Trump fired James Comey as FBI director Tuesday May 9, 2017.

“The need for a special prosecutor is now crystal clear,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who has called for a special prosecutor in the past. “President Trump has catastrophically compromised the FBI’s ongoing investigation of his own White House’s ties to Russia.”

In describing the gravity of Trump’s action, Blumenthal conjured memories of President Richard Nixon’s firing of Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

“Not since Watergate have our legal systems been so threatened, and our faith in the independence and integrity of those systems so shaken,” Blumenthal said.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own investigation into possible ties with Russia, said , “The White House cited Director Comey’s handling of the investigation into Secretary Clinton’s emails as the reason for the firing, but many will be rightly skeptical of that explanation.”

“Whatever the merits of Director Comey’s decisions, the investigated has just fired the investigator,” Himes said. “That should never have occurred prior to the full and complete insulation of the FBI’s investigation through the appointment of an independent prosecutor and other measures.”

“I will do everything in my power to ensure that this irresponsible move doesn’t end the necessary work law enforcement is conducting to discover the truth about Russia, its interference in our democracy and any and all who might be complicit,” Himes said.

Sen. Chris Murphy joined Blumenthal in calling for a special prosecutor Wednesday morning.

“No matter the mistakes that Director Comey has made, the timing of his firing clearly suggests that President Trump is trying to influence or upend the FBI’s investigation into his campaign’s possible collusion with a foreign government,” Murphy said Wednesday morning.

“The president’s continued refusal to support the appointment of a special prosecutor would confirm America’s worst fears about the motivation for Comey’s firing,” Murphy added.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said the firing of Comey while he was “spearheading” the Russia investigation “does not pass the smell test.”

“It is painfully clear that we need an immediate and independent investigation of all aspects relating to Russia’s meddling in our election. We need a review that the American people can have faith in,” Courtney said.

Courtney said the fact that Trump’s action was recommended by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whom he called “a political appointee who barely survived confirmation in the Senate,” raised more doubt about the motives behind the firing.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, said the White House has shown a “corrosive pattern of disinformation and obstruction” over the last four months, which has “impeded the public’s ability to determine the full truth” about possible Russian interference.

“The only solution that will restore public trust is for Congress to appoint a special prosecutor to conduct an independent investigation,” Esty said Wednesday morning.

Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, said demanding an independent investigation should not be a partisan issue.

“The firing of FBI Director James Comey should renew every American and every member of Congress’s call for an independent investigation into Russian involvement,” Larson said.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said the White House must provide “an urgent and thorough explanation” for its decision, given the ongoing FBI investigation into Russian interference.

“These events further underscore why I have continued to demand an independent commission with subpoena power in order to get to the bottom of the Russia investigation,” DeLauro said Wednesday morning.

Porcelen SpecRail strike

Negotiations with the company at Porcelen SpecRail were not going well. The company refused to budge on wages, a retirement plan, or health insurance. The 66 painters union (IUPAT) members began wearing buttons to work listing their demands to show their strength.

As the last bargaining session ended and union representatives were on their way to meet with the membership for a strike vote, the company suddenly produced a list of workers who they claimed, without any back up proof, had Social Security numbers or names that did not cross check. Many have worked at the company for as many as 10 to 28 years. The company said these immigrant workers would be fired unless they got their information corrected within one week’s time.

The union members refused to be intimidated by this threat to nearly half the workforce. They voted to strike, and have been on the picket line since March 1.

The workers immediately gained wide support from the Connecticut AFL-CIO and all its affiliate unions, from community groups including the immigrant and workers’ rights group Unidad Latina en Accion, and from elected officials including Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and chair of the Labor Committee of the state legislature, Robyn Porter.

Speaking at a solidarity rally at the picket line early Friday morning, Rep. Porter decried the fact that the company does not pay a living wage. “We are fighting to raise the minimum wage to $15,” she said. “That is still not a living wage but it is a step forward and it will help you,” she told the strikers.

Refugees welcome

Palestine delegation

Rep. Jimmy Panetta March 30 2018:

Our delegation held a roundtable with Palestinian youth in Jerusalem.

March 30, 2018 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) returned today from a Congressional delegation visit to Afghanistan, Jordan, and Israel. The focus of the trip was on global and regional security and cooperation issues.

In Afghanistan, Congressman Panetta and the delegation traveled to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lighting which is the temporary home to the Southeast Advisory Security Task Force under the command of Brigadier General David M. Hamilton. The visit to the FOB in the Paktia Provence allowed Congressman Panetta to talk to and thank the service members on the front line who are training and advising Afghan security forces. The delegation then traveled to Kabul and met with General John W. Nicholson, Jr., Commander, Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, who briefed them on the current military strategy and security situation in Afghanistan. The delegation also met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the Presidential Palace.

In Jordan, the delegation met with His Royal Highness King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, as well as other senior defense and foreign affairs leadership who shared their insight into the challenges facing Jordan and the region.

In Israel, the delegation discussed U.S.-Israel relations, the prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and regional security issues with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The delegation also met with Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv. Congressman Panetta and the delegation reiterated American support for a two-state solution and for peace in the region.

In addition to Congressman Panetta, the Members of the delegation included:

• Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA)
• Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT)
• Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL)
• Rep. Adam Schiff (CA)
• Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX)
• Rep. Jim Himes (CT)
• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY)
• Rep. Katherine Clark (MA)
• Rep. Donald McEachin (VA)
• Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD)

HR 109 endorser

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

Trade rally

A coalition of pro-worker House Democrats, led by veteran Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., opened talks on June 25 2019 with President Donald Trump’s trade negotiator about writing strong and specific worker rights straight into Trump’s “new NAFTA,” rather than just into U.S. legislation to implement the controversial “free trade” pact.

“We have made it clear from Day One there must be changes in the agreement” itself, DeLauro said in an interview after a Capitol Hill press conference that day with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, other union reps, and other pro-worker lawmakers.

Trumka called the confab to present more than 200,000 names on petitions to Congress demanding Congress not even consider, much less approve, legislation implementing the “new NAFTA”—formally called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement—unless there are strong and enforceable worker rights sections.

With such strictures, Mexican wages would increase, unions and workers say. “If Mexican wages are not allowed to increase, they”—corporations—“will continue to suck jobs out of the U.S.,” Trumka warned.

One reason the lawmakers and unions want the pro-worker requirements written into the trade pact’s text itself is they don’t trust Trump, or U.S. multinationals, to follow any law implementing the new agreement.

“Go back to 1992-93, when NAFTA passed,” said Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., an Electrical Worker and former head of the South Jersey Building Trades Council. NAFTA proponents “promised we’d get more and better-paying jobs, but if you were a worker, you got royally screwed.”

“So the idea of ‘Trust me again and somehow it’ll be different’ isn’t going to do it.”

“My workers asked for” a new trade pact, “but they also said ‘Don’t give us the shaft,’” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., whose district includes Detroit 3 auto plants, such as Ford’s River Rouge. “We need an enforceable deal that pays American workers fairly and Mexican workers fairly.”

The worker rights sections of the USMCA are important. NAFTA, the 25-year-old pact it would replace, cost the U.S. between 770,000 and one million industrial jobs and thousands more white-collar jobs, such as in call centers. Machinists Legislative Director Hasan Solomon said his union alone lost 40,000 aerospace jobs as bosses moved 300 factories to Mexico.

As a result, the AFL-CIO and its member unions have been lobbying hard for enforceable worker rights, and Trumka led a three-day trade pact town hall listening tour to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit earlier in June.

Those enforceable worker rights include extensive labor law reform in Mexico, the establishment of a Mexican Labor Department, and a new court system to handle worker rights, free Mexican unions (not pro-company ones), and hiring of thousands of labor rights inspectors there.

They also include an end, in four years, to the 700,000 contracts those sham unions signed with multinational corporations, Trumka said. He previously doubted Mexico could achieve those goals, even more so since he reported multinationals are now challenging USMCA’s Mexican ratification in 96 court cases.

All those worker rights proposals and more were thought to be in the enabling legislation Trump has yet to send to Congress to implement the USMCA. DeLauro and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., made it clear those rights must be in the pact itself, especially since lawmakers theoretically cannot change the USMCA or the legislation Trump sends with it.

“There must be amendments to the text” of the “free trade” pact, DeLauro said in an interview after the press conference. “That has been our understanding from the outset and the U.S. Trade Representative has been told that,” DeLauro said of Trump’s top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer.

“We have said we want changes in the agreement,” not just in the bill Trump sends to Capitol Hill, Schakowsky added.

“Activists are demanding there be no vote on NAFTA 2.0”—the USMCA—“until it’s fixed,” said Lori Wallach, a trade expert who heads Public Citizen’s Trade Watch. “The petitions demand strong labor and environmental standards” in all three countries, but particularly in Mexico, “and that enforcement be swift and certain.”

And both Wallach and Hassan warned of political trouble should Lighthizer, and Trump, not budge. “Expect an ugly fight” in Congress over the USMCA if Trump stays stubborn, said Wallach.

“I want to be crystal clear,” Solomon added.” This message is for any candidate for president or running for Congress: If you support NAFTA 2.0 as currently written, please do NOT call the Machinists union for an endorsement, political support or a contribution. You need to call Mexico for support! Because that’s exactly where NAFTA 2.0 will send our good American jobs.”

“Unstoppable Women Workers”

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

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

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

Policy Demands Include:

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

safety-net benefits to domestic workers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staff

The following have worked as staff members for Rosa DeLauro:

• Talia Aikens
• Elizabeth Albertine (Liz)
• Jeffrey Alexander
• Eric Anthony
• Arthur Barent
• Tiavalya Jefferson Befecadu
• Portia Bias
• James Bohan
• Jeffrey Bombard
• John Kevin Brennan
• Kimberly Bright
• Hayden Brockett
• Katie Burke
• Melinda Rose Cep
• Marilyn Cheyne
• Alfred Ciaburro
• Tasha Coleman
• Daniel Corsetti
• William Cunningham
• Katherine Cyrul
• Kenneth ( Dagliere
• Sarah Dash
• Marla Davis
• Jill Deloma
• Allison Dodge
• Katherine Elbert Enos
• Joshua Farrelman
• Perez Fernanco
• Christopher Fitzgerald
• Kirk Freeman
• Amanda Freund
• John Patrick Gerken
• Herbert Giobbi
• Leah Gurowitz
• Julie Hackett
• Francine Harris
• William Heinrichs
• Catherine Iarusso
• Jacqueline Jordan
• Kimberly Junior
• Jason Kanter
• Joshua David Kaye
• Jennifer Cosenza Lamb
• Craig LaVazza
• Heather Legge
• Asa Lopatin
• Robert Lott
• Andrew Luxen
• Louis Mangini
• Andrea Maresca
• Leticia Mederos
• Nancy Mulry
• Kevin Murphy
• Brigid O'Brien
• Averi Pakulis
• Gregory James, Jr.
• Caryn Peralta Luneau
• Maura Policelli
• Joseph Redente
• Kaelan Richards
• Brian Ronholm
• Mara Saccente
• Rebecca Salay
• Maria Sanchez
• Nicholas Savaria
• John Sawyer
• Elyse Mara Schoenfeld
• Lesley Sillaman
• Michael Skonieczny
• Todd Sloves
• Michael Sohn
• Adriana Rae Surfas
• Erika Swanson
• Tara Thaggard
• Ashley Westbrook Turton
• Sarah Walkling
• Matthew Weiner
• Stanley Welch
• Damon Wells
• Elizabeth Ashley Westbrook
• Meghan Whealan
• Caren Wilcox
• James Wise
• Richard Woodruff
• Daniel Zeitlin

External links

• DeLauro website with the House of Representatives

References

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