Delia C. Ramirez
Representative for Illinois · Democratic · United States
“No one has been spared from their abusive authoritarian assault, not United States citizens, children with cancer, not pregnant women, not fathers with legal residency, not organ donors, not student activists, not professors, not green card holders, not asylees, not DACA recipients.”
“Mr. Speaker, fascism always demands a public enemy. Through lies and scapegoating, the Trump administration has tried to make immigrants the enemy. They have tried to convince us that the problem isn't their abuses of power or the unchecked greed of multinational corporations but it is immigrants.”
“Carlos shifted the dynamics of local politics by making sure that neighbors and constituents had power over land use, development, and zoning. In doing so, Carlos modeled what a collaborative co-governance approach to community development could look like and work.”
“Carlos shifted the dynamics of local politics by making sure that neighbors and constituents had power over land use, development, and zoning. In doing so, Carlos modeled what a collaborative co-governance approach to community development could look like and work.”
“Her work developing thousands of leaders laid the groundwork for winning affordable housing, quality education, and more in Chicago and across the State of Illinois.”
“Her work developing thousands of leaders laid the groundwork for winning affordable housing, quality education, and more in Chicago and across the State of Illinois.”
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“I will close with this: Today, Trump, Noem, and the administration have made the immigrants the enemy. Tomorrow, it will be whoever they deem undesirable.”
“No one has been spared from their abusive authoritarian assault, not United States citizens, children with cancer, not pregnant women, not fathers with legal residency, not organ donors, not student activists, not professors, not green card holders, not asylees, not DACA recipients. Trump and Noem have wasted millions of taxpayer dollars in their criminal acts from a $200 million anti-immigrant ad campaign to $46 million paid to illegally detain people in offshore prisons to more than $300 million to militarize and end parole and due process at our borders. There is no end to how they will abuse their power, and we have to say: Enough. As I demanded yesterday in the Homeland Security Committee, Noem must step down. We can't give one more dollar to this administration to continue its unconstitutional, anti-immigrant, authoritarian agenda.”
“Mr. Speaker, fascism always demands a public enemy. Through lies and scapegoating, the Trump administration has tried to make immigrants the enemy. They have tried to convince us that the problem isn't their abuses of power or the unchecked greed of multinational corporations but it is immigrants. In their 100 days in office, the Trump administration and Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, have abused the power of the Department of Homeland Security to pursue a campaign of persecution, of mass incarceration, and of deportation. Day after day, they have disregarded the authority of Congress, the laws of the land, and the constitutional rights of residents, the courts, due process, and every check and balance that protects us from fascist authoritarians.”
“As a leader with DuPage United, Deborah has been successful in imagining what safe, livable communities look like and building power and coalition to realize those dreams for people in Wheaton. [[Page H1688]] I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah at one of my townhalls, where I saw firsthand her passion to fight for herself, her family, her community, and our district. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Deborah for her lifetime of leadership in Wheaton and for her advocacy for a fair, safe, and affordable community. I thank Deborah. ____________________”
“I am thankful for Carlos.'' Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Edwards). The gentlewoman will provide a translation of her remarks. National Fair Housing Month: Deborah Suggs Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, in commemoration of National Fair Housing Month, I rise to recognize my constituent, affordable housing resident, and community advocate, Deborah Suggs. For over 50 years, Deborah has called home the Marian Park Apartments, a Wheaton affordable housing community serving seniors and families. While raising her children, grandchildren, and now great- grandchildren, Deborah has brought together her community to organize for the resources they need to thrive, whether it is secure transportation for school, childcare for working families, or road and pedestrian safety.”
“Carlos shifted the dynamics of local politics by making sure that neighbors and constituents had power over land use, development, and zoning. In doing so, Carlos modeled what a collaborative co-governance approach to community development could look like and work. It is how we resulted in tangible wins and how he was able to bring those wins to communities, including the development of 100 units of affordable housing in the heart of Logan Square in the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my privilege and my honor to commend Carlos Ramirez-Rosa for his commitment to a fair, safe, and dignified life for all of his neighbors. ``Se que continuara transformando nuestras comunidades. Y estoy agradecida contigo, Carlos''; ``I know you will continue transforming our communities.”
“National Fair Housing Month: Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Fair Housing Month to honor Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, my constituent, my friend, and the former 35th Ward alderman, for his legacy of leadership to realize safe, affordable housing for all. Moreover, I want to congratulate him on his recent appointment as CEO and superintendent of the Chicago Park District. In his decade as alderman of the 35th Ward, which includes Logan Square, Hermosa, Irving Park, and Avondale, Carlos championed policies to expand affordable housing and resist gentrification and displacement. He has also led unapologetic efforts to expand protections for immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and workers in Chicago.”
“Her work developing thousands of leaders laid the groundwork for winning affordable housing, quality education, and more in Chicago and across the State of Illinois. I am proud to have worked alongside Amisha during her 15 years as the executive director of Grassroots Collaborative, where we opposed school closures, championed affordable housing, and fought for critical investments to our social safety net. Amisha is a fighter for peace, justice, and community. As a three- time cancer survivor currently in treatment, I want her to know that we are with her as she continues this fight. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my sincere honor to commend Amisha Patel for her lifetime of service organizing our communities to fight for the future that we deserve. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Amisha.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1687-H1688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH: AMISHA PATEL (Mrs. Ramirez of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate longtime Chicago leader, organizer, and my dear friend, Amisha Patel, for her nearly three decades of civic engagement and community organizing. From leading environmental justice efforts at just 19 years of age to organizing Chicago care workers with SEIU Local 73, Amisha has consistently united diverse communities to build power.”
“As a leader with DuPage United, Deborah has been successful in imagining what safe, livable communities look like and building power and coalition to realize those dreams for people in Wheaton. [[Page H1688]] I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah at one of my townhalls, where I saw firsthand her passion to fight for herself, her family, her community, and our district. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Deborah for her lifetime of leadership in Wheaton and for her advocacy for a fair, safe, and affordable community. I thank Deborah. ____________________”
“I am thankful for Carlos.'' Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Edwards). The gentlewoman will provide a translation of her remarks. National Fair Housing Month: Deborah Suggs Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, in commemoration of National Fair Housing Month, I rise to recognize my constituent, affordable housing resident, and community advocate, Deborah Suggs. For over 50 years, Deborah has called home the Marian Park Apartments, a Wheaton affordable housing community serving seniors and families. While raising her children, grandchildren, and now great- grandchildren, Deborah has brought together her community to organize for the resources they need to thrive, whether it is secure transportation for school, childcare for working families, or road and pedestrian safety.”
“Carlos shifted the dynamics of local politics by making sure that neighbors and constituents had power over land use, development, and zoning. In doing so, Carlos modeled what a collaborative co-governance approach to community development could look like and work. It is how we resulted in tangible wins and how he was able to bring those wins to communities, including the development of 100 units of affordable housing in the heart of Logan Square in the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my privilege and my honor to commend Carlos Ramirez-Rosa for his commitment to a fair, safe, and dignified life for all of his neighbors. ``Se que continuara transformando nuestras comunidades. Y estoy agradecida contigo, Carlos''; ``I know you will continue transforming our communities.”
“National Fair Housing Month: Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Fair Housing Month to honor Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, my constituent, my friend, and the former 35th Ward alderman, for his legacy of leadership to realize safe, affordable housing for all. Moreover, I want to congratulate him on his recent appointment as CEO and superintendent of the Chicago Park District. In his decade as alderman of the 35th Ward, which includes Logan Square, Hermosa, Irving Park, and Avondale, Carlos championed policies to expand affordable housing and resist gentrification and displacement. He has also led unapologetic efforts to expand protections for immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and workers in Chicago.”
“Her work developing thousands of leaders laid the groundwork for winning affordable housing, quality education, and more in Chicago and across the State of Illinois. I am proud to have worked alongside Amisha during her 15 years as the executive director of Grassroots Collaborative, where we opposed school closures, championed affordable housing, and fought for critical investments to our social safety net. Amisha is a fighter for peace, justice, and community. As a three- time cancer survivor currently in treatment, I want her to know that we are with her as she continues this fight. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, it is my sincere honor to commend Amisha Patel for her lifetime of service organizing our communities to fight for the future that we deserve. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Amisha.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1687-H1688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH: AMISHA PATEL (Mrs. Ramirez of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate longtime Chicago leader, organizer, and my dear friend, Amisha Patel, for her nearly three decades of civic engagement and community organizing. From leading environmental justice efforts at just 19 years of age to organizing Chicago care workers with SEIU Local 73, Amisha has consistently united diverse communities to build power.”
“I look forward to many more years of partnership and to continue to fight in the Halls of Congress for every constituent in my district. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________”
“They have built unique intergovernmental and cross-sector partnerships, and I am proud that our commitment and collaboration with President Saviano, Village Manager Volpe, and Senators Durbin and Duckworth have secured $13.1 million for a transformative project that included grade crossing improvements to enhance resident safety in Elmwood Park. I thank all the hardworking employees of the village whose public service enables residents to access critical services and programs. I remain committed to continuing to deliver the resources our communities need to improve public safety, create well-paying jobs, and expand economic opportunity for Elmwood Park and across Illinois' Third Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Elmwood Park for these 111 years of community.”
“Some undocumented, some are legal permanent residents, and some are naturalized citizens. Mr. Speaker, $1.7 trillion in spending power is what immigrants bring to this economy. Every time they tell you that immigrants are taking from us, let me be very clear: Immigrants contribute every single day. [[Page H1502]] As I am wrapping up, I will say that there are many reasons to be concerned, but it is also important to remember that there are reasons to celebrate. I will take a moment to recognize a reason to celebrate. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Village of Elmwood Park and to celebrate the 25,500 Illinois' Third Congressional District constituents who call this village home. Elmwood Park is a wonderful place to live, to shop, and to do business.”
“Let me also say to you, immigration reform could unleash the full economic power of our immigrant communities to fully participate in a fair tax system. Undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in State, local, and Federal taxes in 2022. Mr. Speaker, $96.7 billion is what they paid. On top of that, undocumented immigrants pay an average rate of 5.27 percent in Federal taxes. That is a rate higher than most of the United States' wealthiest billionaires or megacorporations. Yet, while Republicans give another billion-dollar company another tax break, they are telling us that it is immigrants who are taking from the community and from the people. Well, that is a lie. It is a lie because we understand that 23.6 percent of all entrepreneurs are immigrants.”
“The reality is that Republicans are pushing for a billionaire budget that gives $4.5 billion in tax breaks to the ultrawealthy like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, while cutting trillions of dollars in programs like Medicaid and SNAP. That is not immigrants doing that. That is Republicans doing that. Republicans have the audacity to tell us that they are doing all these cuts because we are broke. Well, Mr. Speaker, like I said to Chairman Green in the Homeland Security Committee, we wouldn't be broke if the ultrawealthy would pay their fair share. Fair taxing could fund a budget that centers working families. It could fix our tax system. It could create opportunity for policies that work for working people.”
“I am the proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, the wife of Boris, who until recently, was a DACA recipient, and I am the niece of a man who has contributed to this country and paid taxes for more than 30 years and put four boys through college. This body considers, once again, a budget that leaves working people behind. I will for a moment talk about immigration and our economy because what these colleagues of mine, the Republicans, will tell you is that immigrants are taking from the American people. Immigrants are taking your jobs. Immigrants are taking your housing. They are taking, taking, taking, so let me clarify facts here.”
“Now is the moment to remain united in our commitment to healthcare for all, courageous in our resistance, and undeterred in our fight against this administration's authoritarian agenda. Mr. Speaker, I will talk to you about immigrants because apparently my colleagues here do everything they possibly can to vilify them every single day. It is almost as if they forgot that their grandparents also crossed borders and shores to get here, but let me say to you, you may have forgotten your roots, you may have forgotten that your parents or your grandparents or your great-grandparents were immigrants, but I haven't.”
“They don't think that you deserve healthcare. They want to take your healthcare away, frankly, let you die, so that their billionaire bosses can get $314,000 in tax cuts. That is what they want to do. They claim to care for working people and our economy, but their actions show us just how terrible and in your face their hypocrisy really is. There are no other words for those who knowingly would put tax benefits for the wealthiest Americans over the working families who depend on Medicaid for their basic healthcare. In Illinois, 772,233 adults are enrolled in the ACA Medicaid Expansion. If Republicans cut Medicaid, these constituents would lose their healthcare. We have the obligation to remain defiant in our position that everyone independent of citizenship status, ZIP Code, or age has a right to a dignified, healthy life.”
“You see, community health centers exist to serve an entire community, regardless of their income, regardless of insurance status, and regardless of immigration status. Many of the services they provide, like emergency care, like vaccinations, and public health outreach serve the public good. Providing these services broadly in our communities keep us all healthy. Community health centers also make a profound economic impact on our communities, creating jobs, not taking jobs like this administration is doing, over 340,000 jobs and generating $118.4 billion in local economic activity. Republicans have chosen to defund healthcare so that they can provide their billionaire bosses with more tax breaks. They want you to go without healthcare so the top 1 percent of Americans can get a $314,000 tax cut. Let me say that again.”
“They weren't living wages, but the Medicaid system that we have that we know isn't working for everyone, that we should be expanding, not cutting, made it difficult for my mom to continue to get Medicaid. I think about the challenges and the struggles that so many American people are living here. I will tell you that in the short tenure, we have seen that this administration has not talked about making Medicaid better. What they are talking about is cutting Medicaid. What they are talking about is announcing executive orders that target immigrants and the social service providers that work in strong immigrant communities. Immigrants that, by the way, pay into Medicaid that they never get. What they are doing is undermining local governments and local agencies who know best what their communities need.”
“No one should have to choose between getting the care they need, accessing their medication, or paying their mortgage, but I can tell you from personal experience growing up in a family where the insurance company they pay into constantly makes it difficult for them to be able to get healthcare. Knowing that my mom and dad have had to choose often, do they get the medication, or do they pay for the mortgage? You see, my parents worked their lives in this country and my father today has Medicare and my mother up until a year ago had Medicaid because, unfortunately, the wages that she worked were not large enough, were not equitable enough.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman for her remarks. She is absolutely right. Our constituents deserve better. I will talk a little bit about what is at stake. You have heard already my colleagues talk about Medicaid. You have heard them talk about Social Security. You have heard them talk about how their constituents are living in constant fear. I will talk to you about community health centers, which also are incorporated in the Medicaid funding that my colleagues, the Republicans, want to slash. I will start by saying to you unapologetically and very loudly that I believe to my core that healthcare is a human right.”
“We have to make sure that everyone hears we are doing everything we can to protect these critical programs because many of our constituents in this moment are feeling that they are being gaslighted by the very same people that they sent to Congress. It is important to hear from the champions that are taking a stand. With us today is one of our newer Members of Congress. She is someone that yields from the great State of Texas where there are champions for justice who are fighting to protect Social Security, who are fighting to protect Medicaid, who are fighting to protect the very same programs that are critical and have made this country great. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson).”
“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of Congresswoman Tlaib. The gentlewoman is absolutely right. Our constituents do, in fact, deserve better. As I go back to the district and I look at the emails and the phone calls that are coming through, our constituents are asking: What are you doing to defend me? What are you doing to protect the programs that we depend on to stay alive? You need to do more. {time} 1800 One of the things that we have said in our townhalls, on the calls, on the emails as constituents come to D.C. demanding that we protect these critical programs is that we have to use every single opportunity--be in committee, be in the conversations we are having with colleagues, and every moment we can get to the House floor and talk about what is at stake in this precise moment.”
“The Speaker saw children and saw people who are probably closer to 100 years of age walking through streets, going to the parks, and asking other Members of Congress: Have you forgotten about the people who sent you to Congress? Mr. Speaker, I say as we are standing here in the House of Representatives that New York, Michigan, Texas, and Chicago have Members of Congress who are unwilling to accept the idea that we would slash the very same programs that we promised to protect for the American people. Today, I am grateful that I get to be here with Members of Congress not just from New York, but also with a colleague of mine who continues to ring the alarm for the safety net programs that our constituents here and in Michigan need and deserve. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy) for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I have the opportunity and honor to serve with the gentleman on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Every day, I see the work that he does to uphold the work that is necessary to protect the benefits of our veterans. I am so grateful for the ways that the gentleman continues to show up for his constituents in New York and for the entire Nation. It is truly an honor to serve with the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, the Speaker saw constituents from every single State in the country come out to protest and rally.”
“Republicans must also stand up to their billionaire bosses and do what is right, what they were elected to do: represent their constituents. We must protect and defend the federally funded social programs and services that the American people rely on. Mr. Speaker, I will yield to my colleagues who will share about the programs and services that their constituents rely on and that they were sent to Congress to defend. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy).”
“The majority is stealing from the American people so that Republicans can enrich billionaire bosses and expand their wealth at the expense of our working families. Consider that for a moment. The richest man in the world is demanding cuts in the services that working families rely on. The richest man in the world, who could be making contributions to end hunger globally, decides that we should be cutting program services for working families, many of which my colleagues will talk about today. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here today in the people's House, I want to be very clear about something. I will not betray working families by supporting a budget that harms working families to make the rich richer. We have to stand up in this precise moment in the people's House.”
“Speaker, I stand for the 11 federally funded health centers with a presence in Illiois-03 that leverage $78,954,648 in Federal investments for 624,770 patients. I also stand here in the people's House for CEDA, which provides LIHEAP assistance to 179,082 working people in Cook County to weather extreme temperatures. I stand here for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center under the leadership of Jose, the AIDS Foundation, La Casa Norte, and so many in Illinois-03 serving organizations that meet the needs of our diverse constituents who are facing uncertainty about Federal funding in this precise moment. My colleagues and I are standing here because my Republican colleagues have bowed down to the whims of an unelected billionaire and a wannabe dictator.”
“Mr. Speaker, I take to the floor today to raise the alarm for the people of Illinois' Third Congressional District. Today, I am standing here for the 197,569 people, including 94,806 children and 22,000 seniors, whose Medicaid is at risk of being taken from them. I stand here for the 69,000 people in Illinois-03 who count on SNAP benefits and could be losing them. I stand here for the 28,000 people who receive coverage under the Affordable Care Act and may see their average premium go up by $820 a year, a 40 percent increase. Mr. Speaker, the working people of my district rely on Federal programs and services, and they also rely on the essential organizations in Illinois-03 that provide federally funded social programs and services. Mr.”
“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order hour. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Taylor). Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Illinois? There was no objection.”