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Public Policy & NGOs

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KFF: U.S. Homelessness Data Climbs Sharply as Unsheltered Population Remains a Major Challenge

WASHINGTON, June 12 -- The number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. reached a record level in the latest Point-in-Time count, according to data compiled by the health policy organization KFF. The figures, collected during the last 10 days of January, provide a one-night snapshot of homelessness across all states.

The table, sourced from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2025 Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness, shows that an estimated 771,480 people were experiencing homelessness nationwide in 2024. Of that total, approximately 497,256 people (64%) were staying ... Show Full Article

Human Rights Watch Issues Commentary to PassBlue: Free Education Is Crucial to Combating Child Labor

NEW YORK, June 12 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch posted the following commentary by Jo Becker, advocacy director of the Children's Rights Division, to PassBlue:

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Free Education Is Crucial to Combating Child Labor

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Peter lives near Monrovia, Liberia's capital, with his mother and three younger sisters. He attended school through ninth grade, but after his father died his mother could no longer pay his public-school fees. So, at 15 he dropped out and began working in a carpentry shop and selling goods in the market. When I met him in January, he told me: "I had no choice ... Show Full Article

Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces First Round of Legislative Endorsements

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 12 -- The Florida Chamber of Commerce issued the following news on June 11, 2026:

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces First Round of Legislative Endorsements

Bipartisan list of over 80 current and former legislators informed by performance on the Chamber's annual Legislative Report Card

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The Florida Chamber of Commerce is again uniting Florida's business community to help make Florida more competitive and today endorsed a bipartisan list of over eighty current and former legislators running for election this year.

These legislators have a strong track record ... Show Full Article

Environmental Defense Fund, NRDC, Sierra Club Join Court Fight in Support of California Clean Truck Measures

NEW YORK, June 12 -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release on June 11, 2026, with the Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club:

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EDF, NRDC, Sierra Club join court fight in support of California clean truck measures

(Washington, D.C.) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Sierra Club are helping defend California's protective clean vehicle standards in court.

Last year, truck manufacturers filed a court challenge to California's standards limiting the emission of harmful air pollutants, as well as to California's ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, June 12 -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release on June 11, 2026, with the Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club: * * * EDF, NRDC, Sierra Club join court fight in support of California clean truck measures (Washington, D.C.) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Sierra Club are helping defend California's protective clean vehicle standards in court. Last year, truck manufacturers filed a court challenge to California's standards limiting the emission of harmful air pollutants, as well as to California'sClean Truck Partnership - a voluntary agreement signed in 2023 between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and major truck manufacturers that represent more than 90% of the state's truck market.

On Tuesday, EDF, NRDC and Sierra Club filed an amicus brief (or "friend of the court" brief) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in support of the California's clean truck measures.

"The state measures Plaintiffs seek to enjoin address some of the most virulent and deadly forms of air pollution. Emissions from the diesel-powered heavy-duty motor vehicles cause enormous harm to millions of Californians, and account for an outsized share of California's chronic air quality problems," the groups state in their brief. "Disabling the California regulations means more air pollution and shortened lives for Californians."

The transportation sector is an enormous source of climate and health-harming pollution in California, including deadly particle pollution, smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other dangerous air pollutants. Particulate pollution from the diesel engines used in most heavy-duty vehicles poses particularly severe health risks.

California began regulating vehicle pollution long before the federal government did and has been a leader in creating policies and technologies to limit it and protect Californians' health. California also has specific geographic and other challenges that cause especially significant air pollution problems. Under the Clean Air Act, Congress specifically granted California the right to set its own air pollution standards with waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA has granted dozens of these waivers over more than half a century.

EDF analysis finds California's more than 50 years of emission standards have significantly reduced harmful emissions, leading to substantial improvements in air quality, protecting thousands of lives, and saving billions of dollars. One program alone, which is now under attack in this lawsuit - the Omnibus Low NOx regulation - is expected to reduce pollution by 2050 in amounts that will result in as many as 4,800 fewer Californians dying prematurely, along with fewer hospitalizations and ER visits.

Last year, Congress used the Congressional Review Act in an attempt to reverse three already-approved waivers for California's vehicle standards - in spite of the fact that the Congressional Review Act's plain language does not cover agency adjudications such as preemption waivers and only authorizes Congress to disapprove federal laws. The Senate Parliamentarian, the office specially charged with determining which agency actions are subject to Congressional review, the independent Congressional Research Service, and even long-time Congressional opponents of California's actions consistently agreed that waivers for California's state vehicle standards are not subject to the Congressional Review Act.

California and 10 other states also filed a lawsuit challenging the Congressional Review Act resolutions attempting to reverse the three waivers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. EDF, NRDC and Sierra Club filed an amicus brief in support of the state plaintiffs in that case in January 2026. That case is pending.

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With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org

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Original text here: https://www.edf.org/media/edf-nrdc-sierra-club-join-court-fight-support-california-clean-truck-measures

[Category: Environment]

Earthjustice: Trump Administration Continues Attacks on Pristine Pacific Marine Monuments

SAN FRANCISCO, California, June 12 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on June 11, 2026:

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Trump Administration Continues Attacks on Pristine Pacific Marine Monuments

New proclamation signed to open marine monuments to commercial fishing

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Honolulu, HI -- President Trump today signed a proclamation attempting to allow commercial fishing in the Mau and Ho'omalu Zones of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. The order threatens critical species' habitat within ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, June 12 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on June 11, 2026: * * * Trump Administration Continues Attacks on Pristine Pacific Marine Monuments New proclamation signed to open marine monuments to commercial fishing - Honolulu, HI -- President Trump today signed a proclamation attempting to allow commercial fishing in the Mau and Ho'omalu Zones of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. The order threatens critical species' habitat withinand around the monument.

Earthjustice vowed to take legal action in response to today's news.

"Commercial fishing in our protected marine monuments would not only be disastrous for the environment, but also does nothing for the fishing industry," said David Henkin, deputy managing attorney with Earthjustice's Mid-Pacific Office. "Without fishing in the monuments, U.S.-based fisheries hit their catch limits for tuna every year. Science-backed management for the benefit of current and future generations requires protected marine areas. Safe havens allow marine life to maintain healthy populations and prevent corporate greed from stripping the ocean of life. We'll see the administration in Court."

Today's news follows similar attacks from the Trump administration on the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument in 2025 and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monuments earlier this year. Earthjustice sued on behalf of Kapaa, the Conservation Council for Hawai'i, and the Center for Biological Diversity over the Pacific Islands Heritage proclamation, and in August 2025, a federal district court struck down the resumption of commercial fishing in the monument.

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About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

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Original text here: https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/trump-administration-continues-attacks-on-pristine-pacific-marine-monuments

[Category: Environment]

Democracy Forward Sues the FBI and DOJ for Records Related to Director Kash Patel

WASHINGTON, June 12 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on June 11, 2026:

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Democracy Forward Sues the FBI and DOJ for Records Related to Director Kash Patel

Lawsuit Seeks Records About Agency Operations, Use of Government Resources, and Internal Concerns Following Public Reporting on Patel's Behavior

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Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit today against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 12 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release on June 11, 2026: * * * Democracy Forward Sues the FBI and DOJ for Records Related to Director Kash Patel Lawsuit Seeks Records About Agency Operations, Use of Government Resources, and Internal Concerns Following Public Reporting on Patel's Behavior - Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit today against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice(DOJ) after the agencies failed to comply with multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking records related to FBI Director Kash Patel's conduct, management of the bureau, use of government resources, and reports that have raised questions about agency operations and leadership.

The lawsuit seeks to compel the FBI and DOJ to process and produce records requested concerning internal complaints, scheduling and calendar records, communications involving Director Patel's security detail, records related to the use of government resources, and other materials that may shed light on reports that Patel was frequently unavailable to perform official duties, difficult to reach by agency personnel, or otherwise unable to carry out the responsibilities of his position.

The requests were submitted following extensive public reporting that raised questions about Director Patel's management of the FBI, his use of agency resources, alleged episodes involving excessive alcohol consumption and unexplained absences, and reports that members of his security detail were at times unable to reach or wake him. Director Patel has publicly denied those allegations and filed litigation challenging the reporting.

"People in America deserve transparency and accountability from the officials entrusted with leading our nation's principal law enforcement agency," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, "Our requests sought records that could help the public understand the validity of serious concerns that have been raised about the management of the FBI, the use of taxpayer-funded resources, and the agency's operations. Because the FBI and DOJ have failed to provide these documents in the timeline required by law, we are filing this lawsuit to compel their release. They cannot simply ignore lawful requests for information about the performance and conduct of senior government officials."

The case is Democracy Forward Foundation v. Federal Bureau of Investigation et al. The legal team for Democracy Forward includes Anisha Hindocha, Daniel McGrath, and Ronald Fein.

Read the complaint here (https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DEMOCRACY-FORWARD-FOUNDATION-v.-FEDERAL-BUREAU-OF-INVESTIGATION-et-al-Complaint.pdf).

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.

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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/democracy-forward-sues-the-fbi-and-doj-for-records-related-to-director-kash-patel/

[Category: Political]

Alliance for Justice: Michigan District Court Nominee Fails to Address Concerns About His Record

WASHINGTON, June 12 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on June 10, 2026:

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Michigan District Court Nominee Fails to Address Concerns About His Record

Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for the nomination of Michael Martin to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. In conversations with the senators from Michigan, Martin was purportedly ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, June 12 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on June 10, 2026: * * * Michigan District Court Nominee Fails to Address Concerns About His Record Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for the nomination of Michael Martin to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. In conversations with the senators from Michigan, Martin was purportedlycommitted to addressing his record of Trump loyalism and giving satisfactory answers to common-sense questions about our democracy. However, he not only failed to dispel concerns about his record, but he also followed a familiar script to qualify evasive answers about whether President Biden won the 2020 election. Martin's nomination only reached the hearing stage following the Democratic senators' decision to advance his nomination despite demonstrated concerns about his record.

There is disturbing evidence that Martin has used his leadership role to support partisan and political actions from DOJ and U.S. attorney leadership. Allegations included his involvement in the firings of prosecutors who enforced the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects those who access and provide abortions, and that he volunteered to assist in political prosecutions related Trump's immigration agenda in Minnesota after attorneys in the Minnesota office resigned in protest.

Alliance for Justice President Rachel Rossi issued the following statement:

"Michael Martin's nomination should never have made it to the confirmation hearing stage because the Michigan senators had a unique opportunity to diligently investigate his record before allowing his nomination to advance. There are serious allegations that Martin has participated in the weaponization of the Justice Department to target those steadfastly committed to justice. After careful review of his record and speaking with several Michigan leaders, AFJ opposed his nomination.

"Senators must remain vigilant to block loyalist judicial nominees who seek to quietly sneak through the confirmation process. Martin only revised the script used by nominees before him, providing updated but similar canned answers on democracy. He has also failed to address significant concerns about his willingness to advance this administration's harmful weaponization of the Justice Department."

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Original text here: https://afj.org/article/michigan-district-court-nominee-fails-to-address-concerns-about-his-record/

[Category: Political]

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