Press Releases
Cárdenas, Moulton and Stewart Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard 988 Mental Health Emergencies Lifeline
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) and Congressman Chris Stewart (R-Utah) have introduced the Create Accountability and Liability Against Lifeline Attacks (CALL) Act of 2022. Since it was launched in July, the 988 lifeline has seen a 45% increase in call and messaging volume. Response times have kept pace with the higher call volumes. As part of a continued effort to improve the effectiveness of 988, the CALL Act would make … Continue Reading
October 10, 2022
Cárdenas Calls on Councilmembers Cedillo, De Leon and Martinez to Resign
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) released the following statement calling on Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, Kevin De Leon and Nury Martinez to resign: "Once again, I am appalled by the callous and racist language used by Los Angeles City Councilmembers. The only way we can achieve meaningful progress is when we set aside our differences and lead with compassion and empathy. After speaking with community members and leaders, it is clear that Councilmembers Cedillo, … Continue Reading
October 10, 2022
Cárdenas Statement on Leaked Audio of Comments by LA City Councilmembers
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) released the following statement in response to the leaked audio of comments made by Los Angeles City Councilmembers: "The callous and racist language we heard used by Los Angeles City Councilmembers is appalling. History has shown us time and again that we can achieve meaningful progress when we set aside our differences and lead with compassion and empathy. This is a reminder that we must continue to work together to … Continue Reading
October 05, 2022
Cárdenas, Castro React to Second Installment of GAO Report on Latino Underrepresentation in American Media
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) joined Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) in reacting to the second of two Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on the underrepresentation of Latinos in the American media industry, including the film, television, news and publishing sectors. In 2020, as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressman Castro led a coalition of CHC members, including Congressman Cárdenas, in requesting a … Continue Reading
October 04, 2022
Cárdenas Applauds Governor Newsom for Signing Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan’s Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) applauded Governor Gavin Newsom for signing Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act. AB 988 provides funding and a framework for the long-term implementation of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline to ensure everyone has someone to call, someone to come and somewhere to go. "Thanks to Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan's tireless leadership, we are one step closer to building out the full … Continue Reading
October 03, 2022
Cárdenas, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Applauds President Biden for Affirming Support to Build the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall
Washington, D.C. - Representative Tony Cárdenas, alongside all other Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), sent a letter to President Biden urging him to publicly support building the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. During today's White House Hispanic Heritage Month reception, President Biden affirmed his support. "... Congress should take action to honor the Latino community and women with their own museums on the national mall. It's time." … Continue Reading
September 30, 2022
Cárdenas, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Send Letter Urging President Biden to Publicly Support Building the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall
Washington, D.C. - Ahead of the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the White House tomorrow, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) joined all 36 Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) to send a letter to President Biden urging him to publicly support building the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. The museum's site has yet to be determined, and due to bureaucratic restrictions, it's unclear if the museum will sit on the National Mall alongside other … Continue Reading
September 27, 2022
Cárdenas Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month on House Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) spoke on the House Floor to honor the contributions of Latinos to the United States and recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. Below are his remarks on the House floor: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to honor the heritage, culture and immense and amazing contributions of Latinos to the United States by introducing a bicameral resolution recognizing September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. "When you walk into my … Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Cárdenas, Porter Bipartisan Bill to Increase Public Safety, Protect Americans Experiencing Mental Health Crises Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Mental Health Justice Act, led by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Katie Porter (CA-45), Michelle Steel (CA-48), Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The legislation would empower state and local governments to send trained mental health professionals instead of police when 911 is called for someone experiencing a mental health crisis. "Time and again, we've seen repeating tragedies … Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Cárdenas, Envigo Beagles Show They CARE on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Beagles rescued from the Envigo breeding and research facility in Virginia visited Capitol Hill this week to help give even more laboratory survivors a second chance at life with loving families. The meet-and-greet at the Rayburn House Office Building was hosted by Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), sponsor of the Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act, which would ensure that dogs, cats and rabbits, are put up for adoption when no longer needed for … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Cárdenas Statement on Radical Republicans Flooding the 988 Lifeline with Prank Calls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), sponsor of the 988 Implementation Act, released the following statement after it was reported that 1776 Restoration Movement members flooded the 988 Lifeline with prank calls earlier this week: "I am extremely concerned and appalled at the news that radical Republicans are prank-calling 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline for veterans. The men and women who served our nation should not have to wait to get the help they need … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Cárdenas Joins Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), House Leadership, Partners and Advocates to Address Voting Rights Issues
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional leaders met with advocates to discuss legislative solutions for voting rights issues ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Topics in today's policy roundtable included voter registration and ballot access; voter education and language accessibility; voter I.D. laws, roll purging, and precinct closures; as well as mis/disinformation. Since the 2020 election, 19 … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Cárdenas, Menendez, Cornyn Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), alongside Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) led 109 of their colleagues in introducing a commemorative resolution recognizing September 15th through October 15th, 2022, as Hispanic Heritage Month. The resolution celebrates the heritage, culture and immense contributions of Latinos to the United States. “Latino history has always been American … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Cárdenas Introduces Bipartisan Access to Critical Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tony Cárdenas and Reps. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) today introduced The Access to Critical Non-Emergency Transportation Services Act, which expands access to non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for vulnerable dual-eligible Medicare and Medicaid patients. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries must obtain prior authorization before accessing ambulance rides to dialysis or diabetes wound care services, threatening … Continue Reading
September 07, 2022
Cárdenas Applauds Over $88 Million in Federal Funding for Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, during National Suicide Prevention Week, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) applauded the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for awarding over $40 million in youth mental health grants in August and announcing they will provide nearly $48 million in new grant opportunities for school-based mental health programs. The Biden Administration's focus on improving suicide prevention awareness programs and especially the Administration's … Continue Reading
August 24, 2022
Cárdenas Statement on Biden’s Historic Decision to Cancel Up to $20,000 in Student Loan Debt, Extend Payment Pause
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) released the following statement after President Biden announced he is extending the student loan payment pause and canceling $20,000 in student loan debt for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for individuals making less than $125,000: "Today is a great day for the millions of Americans who have been drowning in student loan debt. This is huge! We are talking about an entire generation of individuals from working-class … Continue Reading
August 17, 2022
Cárdenas, L.A. Congressional Delegation: More Monkeypox Virus Vaccines Needed
LOS ANGELES - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and 10 members of the Los Angeles County area Congressional Delegation sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighting the urgent need to increase the supply of the monkeypox virus vaccine. This comes as the L.A. County Department of Public Health reported more than 100 new cases over the weekend and that its vaccine supply is expected to run out in the next two weeks, forcing them to pause … Continue Reading
August 12, 2022
Cárdenas Secures Key Clean Energy Wins in the Historic Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes key wins that he led to fund clean school buses and increase access to solar energy for low-income and communities of color. This transformative, historic piece of legislation includes Democratic priorities to lower health care costs, lower energy costs, combat climate change and ensure that corporations pay their fair share. "Anyone can see that the climate crisis is … Continue Reading
August 11, 2022
Cárdenas, Los Angeles County Showcase New National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
LOS ANGELES - Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) as well as leaders from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and Didi Hirsch's Suicide Prevention Center showcased the new National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In 2020, Congress designated 988 as the new, free, 24/7 dialing code to connect callers to the former National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As of July 16, 2022, people in California who are experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress or … Continue Reading
July 28, 2022
Cárdenas, Underwood, Pressley, Menendez, Booker, Warren, Schumer, Lead 100 Members of Congress in Urging Biden Administration to Extend Student Loan Payment Pause
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ahead of the federal student loan payment pause set to expire at the end of next month, U.S. Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.-29), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.-14) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-07), alongside Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), today led a bicameral group of 100 Members of Congress in urging the Biden Administration to extend the student loan payment pause beyond August 31, 2022. This … Continue Reading