Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
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LULAC CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON IMMIGRATION ACTIONS AFFECTING VENEZUELAN NATIONALS IN THE U.S. PENDING A FULL HUMANITARIAN REVIEW
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 -- LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, issued the following news release:
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LULAC CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON IMMIGRATION ACTIONS AFFECTING VENEZUELAN NATIONALS IN THE U.S. PENDING A FULL HUMANITARIAN REVIEW
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Urges Restraint, Stability, and Protection for Venezuelan Families and Individuals
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) urges the Trump administration and Congress to immediately pause all immigration-related decisions affecting Venezuelan nationals currently living in
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 -- LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, issued the following news release:
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LULAC CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON IMMIGRATION ACTIONS AFFECTING VENEZUELAN NATIONALS IN THE U.S. PENDING A FULL HUMANITARIAN REVIEW
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Urges Restraint, Stability, and Protection for Venezuelan Families and Individuals
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) urges the Trump administration and Congress to immediately pause all immigration-related decisions affecting Venezuelan nationals currently living inthe United States, pending a full humanitarian review. This call comes because of unfolding developments in Venezuela after the actions by the United States government involving Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
"At moments of international uncertainty, discipline and humanity must guide U.S. immigration policy," said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. We are calling for a temporary pause on immigration decisions affecting Venezuelans until the situation stabilizes and Congress and relevant federal institutions make authoritative determinations," he stated.
LULAC stresses that the situation remains fluid, with critical facts still pending review by elected federal government authorities. In this environment, the organization urges restraint and cautions against rushed immigration actions that could place Venezuelan families, many of whom are lawfully present or seeking asylum, at unnecessary risk. LULAC states that Venezuelan families already living in the United States should not become collateral damage amid geopolitical uncertainty. A measured, fact-based approach is essential to protect due process, family unity, and humanitarian protections under U.S. law.
"LULAC's primary mission continues to be defending the civil and human rights of Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico", states Palomares. "At the same time, LULAC affirms its longstanding support for democratic principles and the right of the peoples of all nations to determine their own future through peaceful and lawful means. Further, LULAC upholds the principle that any U.S. action domestically and abroad must adhere to constitutional processes, congressional oversight, and the rule of law," he added.
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About League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit https://lulac.org/.
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Original text here: https://lulac.org/news/pr/LULAC_CALLS_FOR_IMMEDIATE_PAUSE_ON_IMMIGRATION_ACTIONS_AFFECTING_VENEZUELAN_NATIONALS_IN_THE_U_S_PENDING_A_FULL_HUMANITARIAN_REVIEW/
[Category: Political]
Human Rights First Condemns the Illegality of Military Action in Venezuela and Calls for Legitimate Transition to Democracy
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 -- Human Rights First issued the following news:
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Human Rights First Condemns the Illegality of Military Action in Venezuela and Calls for Legitimate Transition to Democracy
Human Rights First condemns the illegality of recent military action taken by the Trump administration in Venezuela and its announced plan to take over and run the country indefinitely. Venezuelans voted for democracy in 2024, not Trump's transferring one regime to another and sidelining the opposition.
In the wake of unilateral U.S. military intervention, Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 -- Human Rights First issued the following news:
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Human Rights First Condemns the Illegality of Military Action in Venezuela and Calls for Legitimate Transition to Democracy
Human Rights First condemns the illegality of recent military action taken by the Trump administration in Venezuela and its announced plan to take over and run the country indefinitely. Venezuelans voted for democracy in 2024, not Trump's transferring one regime to another and sidelining the opposition.
In the wake of unilateral U.S. military intervention, Human Rights First President and CEO UzraZeya declared, "Two wrongs don't make a right. Removing an illegitimate leader by unlawful means to establish open-ended U.S. control of Venezuela's governance and oil sector undermines the likelihood and legitimacy of a future democratic transition. Human Rights First rejects any approach that substitutes one illegitimate arrangement for another under the false narrative of stability, security, or "America First" policy."
Under the guise of combatting drug trafficking, the Trump administration has escalated a costly new military entanglement in the Western Hemisphere that a vast majority of Americans oppose. The Trump Administration's claimed counternarcotics justification for this action is riddled with falsehoods about the scale of Venezuelan drug trafficking to the United States and contradicted by recent White House pardons of notorious drug traffickers, including the former President of Honduras.
Zeya added, "That Nicolas Maduro abused the rights of Venezuelans and stole the July 2024 and prior elections is without question. However, the January 3rd U.S. military operation to arrest and remove him from power was unlawful, both in its absence of authorization by the U.S. Congress and its blatant violation of the UN Charter Article 2. President Trump's declared intent for the United States to "run" Venezuela indefinitely and exploit its oil resources represent a further trampling of international law and norms, including the core principle of national sovereignty often cited by this administration. Furthermore, U.S. boots on the ground to defend a U.S.-chosen regime or seizure of oil resources would violate the universal rights and self-determination of more than 30 million Venezuelans and put American service members in harm's way for unjust ends. It is now imperative to honor the right of the Venezuelan people to govern their own future."
The U.S. Congress and the international community must not rubber stamp the U.S. violation of the rights of Venezuelans and the core principle of national sovereignty that underpins international peace and security. Instead, Human Rights First calls on the U.S. Congress to exercise rigorous oversight on this unauthorized use of U.S. military force and to curb further escalation. We also call on the international community to support a peaceful, rights-respecting democratic transition in Venezuela led by the Venezuelan people and their freely and fairly elected leaders.
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Original text here: https://humanrightsfirst.org/library/human-rights-first-condemns-the-illegality-of-military-action-in-venezuela/
[Category: Sociological]
Compromise Bill Rejects Extreme Cuts to EPA but More Needed to Protect Public Health
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 [Category: Environment] -- Environmental Protection Network issued the following news release on Jan. 5, 2026:
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Compromise Bill Rejects Extreme Cuts to EPA but More Needed to Protect Public Health
Today, House and Senate appropriators released a new compromise appropriations package which included the FY26 funding bill for the EPA.
This compromise EPA budget legislation delivers important progress by rejecting the most extreme cuts proposed by the Administration and House Republicans, blocking many harmful policy riders, and reflecting the leadership of Senate appropriators
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 [Category: Environment] -- Environmental Protection Network issued the following news release on Jan. 5, 2026:
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Compromise Bill Rejects Extreme Cuts to EPA but More Needed to Protect Public Health
Today, House and Senate appropriators released a new compromise appropriations package which included the FY26 funding bill for the EPA.
This compromise EPA budget legislation delivers important progress by rejecting the most extreme cuts proposed by the Administration and House Republicans, blocking many harmful policy riders, and reflecting the leadership of Senate appropriatorswhose bipartisan work helped set expectations for the continuation of EPA's original mission.
"This bill blocks the worst cuts and policy riders to EPA and shows Congress getting back to its job by passing bipartisan bills rather than relying on short-term stopgaps," said Marc Boom, Senior Director of Public Affairs at EPN. "It's a notable step in the right direction, but it doesn't yet undo the damage to EPA's capacity to protect public health or prevent further destructive actions by Administrator Zeldin."
Congress will still need to do more to hold EPA accountable to work for the American people rather than big corporate polluters. Even with this agreement, EPA's budget remains historically low when adjusted for inflation, continuing a decade-long erosion of the agency's capacity as its responsibilities have grown. This chart, prepared by EPN staff, illustrates the issue.
The progress found in this bill follows sustained advocacy by former EPA leaders, policy experts and volunteers with the Environmental Protection Network, who urged Congress to reject deep cuts and instead adopt the bipartisan Senate approach. After what EPN has described as "a year of serial shutdown inside EPA," EPN volunteers will continue to press Congress to finish the job of ensuring EPA is fully resourced, accountable, and able to carry out its proper mission of protecting the American people.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NETWORK
Founded in 2017, Environmental Protection Network harnesses the expertise of more than 700 former EPA career staff and confirmation-level appointees from Democratic and Republican administrations to provide the unique perspective of former scientists and regulators with decades of historical and subject matter knowledge. Find all of EPN's recent press statements here.
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Original text here: https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/20260105_approps_release/
CATO Institute: Maduro Arrest Exposes 'Crumbling Guardrails' of Constitutional Limits
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 -- The CATO Institute issued the following news release:
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Maduro Arrest Exposes "Crumbling Guardrails" of Constitutional Limits
The Constitution's limits on foreign affairs power do not vanish simply because courts decline to enforce them.
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Following the arrest of the brutal Venezuelan socialist Dictator Nicolas Maduro by American forces, Cato Institute senior vice president for legal studies Clark Neily released a new blog post titled: Venezuela--Indictments, Invasions, and the Constitution's Crumbling Guardrails.
In the blog, Neily details the grave constitutional
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 -- The CATO Institute issued the following news release:
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Maduro Arrest Exposes "Crumbling Guardrails" of Constitutional Limits
The Constitution's limits on foreign affairs power do not vanish simply because courts decline to enforce them.
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Following the arrest of the brutal Venezuelan socialist Dictator Nicolas Maduro by American forces, Cato Institute senior vice president for legal studies Clark Neily released a new blog post titled: Venezuela--Indictments, Invasions, and the Constitution's Crumbling Guardrails.
In the blog, Neily details the grave constitutionalconcern that arises from the recent military action in Venezuela:
The Constitution's limits on foreign affairs power do not vanish simply because courts decline to enforce them. They persist both as structural commitments and as warnings. The fact that impeachment and political accountability may be the only remaining checks on such actions is not a solution; it is an increasingly hazardous pathology that puts America at far greater risk than any single foreign despot could, even one as brutal and destructive as Nicolas Maduro.
Additionally, Neily's insight has been used in recent reporting on the arrest of Maduro, including:
* What the Noriega case can tell us about Maduro's upcoming legal battle (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/04/politics/noriega-trial-maduro-legal-battle)
* Maduro's case will revive a legal debate over immunity for foreign leaders tested in Noriega trial (https://apnews.com/article/maduro-noriega-prosecution-legal-immunity-venezuela-panama-c0df9b1ecda36e9e1912729fa7ebf9e4)
To speak with Neily on the constitutional concerns this arrest brings, contact Cato PR at pr@cato.org.
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Original text here: https://www.cato.org/news-releases/maduro-arrest-exposes-crumbling-guardrails-constitutional-limits#
[Category: Sociological]
Americans for Prosperity: Looking Ahead - What 2025's Wins Mean for 2026
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 6 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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Looking Ahead: What 2025's Wins Mean for 2026
As we step into 2026, Kent Strang, Managing Director of Americans for Prosperity, explains in a recent op-ed published by The DC Journal why the legislative accomplishments of 2025 matter. From ending Bidenomics and passing historic reforms to securing the border and expanding education freedom, these wins marked a major shift toward affordability, opportunity, and putting power back in the hands of the American people - and offer
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 6 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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Looking Ahead: What 2025's Wins Mean for 2026
As we step into 2026, Kent Strang, Managing Director of Americans for Prosperity, explains in a recent op-ed published by The DC Journal why the legislative accomplishments of 2025 matter. From ending Bidenomics and passing historic reforms to securing the border and expanding education freedom, these wins marked a major shift toward affordability, opportunity, and putting power back in the hands of the American people - and offerkey lessons for the year ahead.
As the year comes to an end, most Americans won't remember the specifics of this year's biggest policy fights. They will feel how those policy fights affected them and their bottom line what their local lawmakers, Congress and the administration did to make life more affordable and to unleash opportunity.
Americans came into this year seeking change. After soundly rejecting top-down government control in the 2024 election, they sent a bold message to Washington that it was time for change.
I've heard this firsthand.
This year, I've traveled around the country, met with Americans, and asked them what matters most to them. Their answers are usually simple affordable groceries and necessities, healthcare options that don't break the bank, and freedom to build the kind of lives they want for their families.
This has been a giant step forward on all those fronts.
The Trump administration and leaders in Congress put an end to Bidenomics, the top-down government-controlled economic philosophy that caused 40-year high inflation, leaving Americans paying $11,000 more just to maintain their lifestyles.
What's more, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, preventing the largest tax increase in American history, which would have hit families in 2026. This landmark law also cut more than $1.6 trillion in wasteful spending, ended needless energy subsidies, expanded access to healthcare options, and delivered long-term certainty for families and businesses.
The law also provided funding for border security. President Trump and the Republican-led Congress heard the voices of Americans shouting for greater border security, and they delivered. Congress strengthened security through funding and personnel, resulting in the lowest border crossing numbers we've seen in 50 years.
This sets Washington up to work on more comprehensive immigration reforms that allow those who want to contribute to enter the country while keeping out others.
Across the country, state reforms restored accountability, limited government overreach, and returned decision-making rights to the states.
In Texas, citizens worked to deliver a historic expansion of education freedom by passing the largest universal education savings account program in the country. This allows parents and students more control over their education, all because Texans knew that students deserve better than a one-size-fits-all education system, and that parents should decide how to meet their child's needs, not Washington.
States including North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Utah, Oklahoma and Wyoming passed the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, a tool that creates safeguards against excessive regulation by requiring legislative approval for regulations that would significantly affect the state's economy.
Americans in these states have greater protection from overly burdensome regulations that hurt their states' economies. federal lawmakers now have a blueprint for REINS reforms on the national level.
The year 2025 has been about putting freedom and control (and tax dollars) back in the hands of the people.
However, it wasn't all good news.
The historically long government shutdown brought government and needed policy work to a screeching halt. Too many congressional Democrats proved they were willing to hold the government and taxpayers hostage to score political points with their base.
Shutdown fights are precisely the dysfunction Americans hate to see from Congress. Going into next year, we'll work with members to clean up the messes made during the shutdown and in the Bidenomics era with the best solution we have freedom and opportunity....
To read the entire article click here (https://dcjournal.com/2025-was-the-year-of-putting-control-back-in-americans-hands/).
Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity ( AFP ) is driving long-term solutions to the country's biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites activists in all 50 states behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org
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Original text here: https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/looking-ahead-what-2025s-wins-mean-for-2026/
AFP-MS Introduces 601 Blueprint: A Legislative Agenda to Build a Better Mississippi
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 6 (TNSrpt) [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-MS Introduces 601 Blueprint: A Legislative Agenda to Build a Better Mississippi
Jackson, MS - Americans for Prosperity-Mississippi (AFP-MS) is proud to unveil the 601 Blueprint, a bold legislative agenda for the 2026-2027 Mississippi legislative session designed to empower families, expand opportunity, and unleash prosperity across the Magnolia State.
AFP-MS State Director Starla Brown released the following statement:
"In 2026, we have an opportunity to
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 6 (TNSrpt) [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-MS Introduces 601 Blueprint: A Legislative Agenda to Build a Better Mississippi
Jackson, MS - Americans for Prosperity-Mississippi (AFP-MS) is proud to unveil the 601 Blueprint, a bold legislative agenda for the 2026-2027 Mississippi legislative session designed to empower families, expand opportunity, and unleash prosperity across the Magnolia State.
AFP-MS State Director Starla Brown released the following statement:
"In 2026, we have an opportunity toaccelerate progress and create a future defined by opportunity, innovation, and freedom. The 601 Blueprint lays out a clear path to move Mississippi forward in 2026 and 2027. Building on recent progress, the blueprint advocates for transformative reforms to education, health care, energy systems, and outdated regulations that stand in the way of growth and opportunity.
"The 601 Blueprint reflects the voices of Mississippians who are ready for bold, positive change, and AFP-MS is prepared to help deliver."
Key priorities of the 601 Blueprint include:
* Education Freedom : Expand open enrollment so every student can attend any public school regardless of their address, and fully support Education Savings Accounts so families can tailor education to their child's needs.
* Health Care Reform : Repeal burdensome Certificate of Need laws, making the health care market more competitive, affordable, and accessible.
* Economic Opportunity : Promote an innovative and competitive economy by reducing regulatory barriers, expanding portable benefit options for flexible workers, and increasing access to affordable housing.
* Energy Abundance : Unlock innovation, expand supply, and ensure families and businesses have access to reliable low-cost power.
* REINS : Prevent unelected bureaucrats from imposing costly mandates that hinder growth and opportunity.
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REPORT: https://ms.americansforprosperity.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MS-2026-Leg-Agenda-2.pdf?_gl=1*1du57ir*_ga*OTQzMjI3ODk4LjE3Njc2ODk2Mjg.*_ga_J4SPPHS5JJ*czE3Njc2ODk2MjckbzEkZzEkdDE3Njc2ODk3NDUkajUzJGwwJGgw
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Original text here: https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/afp-ms-introduces-601-blueprint-a-legislative-agenda-to-build-a-better-mississippi/
AFP-MN Urges Walz to Clean Up Fraud Before Leaving Office
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 6 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-MN Urges Walz to Clean Up Fraud Before Leaving Office
Americans for Prosperity-Minnesota (AFP-MN) commended Governor Tim Walz from ending his reelection campaign on Monday morning amid national scrutiny into the state's multibillion-dollar Medicaid and daycare fraud scandal.
Jake Coleman, AFP-MN state director, gave the following statement:
"Tim Walz made the right decision in ending his bid for a third term as governor. After making Minnesota synonymous with fraud
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 6 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-MN Urges Walz to Clean Up Fraud Before Leaving Office
Americans for Prosperity-Minnesota (AFP-MN) commended Governor Tim Walz from ending his reelection campaign on Monday morning amid national scrutiny into the state's multibillion-dollar Medicaid and daycare fraud scandal.
Jake Coleman, AFP-MN state director, gave the following statement:
"Tim Walz made the right decision in ending his bid for a third term as governor. After making Minnesota synonymous with fraudand dysfunction, the only thing he should be focused on is cleaning up his mess before he leaves office. But the problem doesn't start and stop with Gov. Walz. There are more people who need to be held accountable for this fraud.
"It's disgraceful that his announcement blamed Republicans for 'wanting to make Minnesota a colder, meaner place' while taking credit for making Minnesota 'America's best place to live and raise kids.' Neither statement could be further from the truth.
"Hardworking Minnesotans deserve better than elected leaders who waste billions of their hard-earned dollars. AFP-MN will be hard at work during the 2026 legislative session to hold lawmakers accountable for their part in this scandal and to restore fiscal sanity in the North Star State."
As the state's largest network of grassroots activists, AFP-MN urges the governor to spend the remainder of his time in office working to root out waste and fraud so that Minnesotans' tax dollars are no longer squandered on oversized, unaccountable government programs.
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Original text here: https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/afp-mn-urges-walz-to-clean-up-fraud-before-leaving-office/
