Salud O. Carbajal

Carbajal Questions Trump Administration on Iran War During Committee Hearing

Position: Rep. Carbajal opposes the ongoing war in Iran, characterizing it as misguided, unpopular, lacking clear objectives, and costly to taxpayers and the economy. He questions the military's ability to achieve stated goals despite significant expenditures.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 During today’s House Armed Services Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) questioned Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman and Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), about the cost of the ongoing war in Iran, the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and the current status of U.S. humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza. The hearing, entitled “U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa”, examines Defense Department policies, programs, and activities in the Greater Middle East and Africa in preparation for negotiations on the 2027 defense budget. Download a video clip of Rep. Carbajal’s questions here. See the full hearing here. A rough transcript is available below: Rep. Carbajal Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today. You know, it's interesting to hear that during Biden and Obama, there were challenges, gas prices were high, and that was terrible back then, but now it's okay. Now it's okay. Talking about partisanship, I think it's important to understand what's being said. I want to start by expressing my condolences to the families of the 13 service members who lost their lives in this war, and of the two service members who passed away during the training exercises earlier this month in Africa. Admiral Cooper, I also want to thank you and all the men and women serving under you for your service to our nation during this difficult time and a misguided war. We are quickly approaching three months of deeply unpopular war, a war that still has no clear objectives and end in sight. A war that is costing billions of taxpayer dollars, a war that is driving up the cost of living for every American, especially at the pump. This war was not authorized or budgeted, which means the Department will be asking Congress for a supplemental funding package on top of the proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027. Secretary Zimmerman, we know the cost of oil has gone up globally, with some estimates over 55%. How much has this increase in oil cost CENTCOM directly over the duration of Operation Epic Fury, and now into Operation Project Freedom? Secretary Zimmerman Congressman, I would be happy to take that question back and get you as accurate an answer as I can. Rep. Carbajal Is there any percentage in the increase of cost? Anything? Secretary Zimmerman I think I'll have to get back to you on that. Rep. Carbajal I don't think that anyone is questioning that Iran's military capabilities have been severely degraded over the course of this campaign. Yet, despite the intense bombing campaign and the apparent eradication of Iran's navy, they are still able to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and hold targets around the region at risk. Admiral Cooper, do we possess the military capability to open the Strait of Hormuz against a military that has been severely weakened? Admiral Cooper Congressman, I wouldn't want to talk about any specific capability, but broadly speaking, we have - we are well postured to execute military operations across virtually any contingent. Rep. Carbajal But the Strait of Hormuz is still closed. Admiral Cooper Congressman, the Strait of Hormuz, in the last couple of weeks, has had multiple instances of ships passing through, including U.S. destroyers, U.S. flagships, and just last night… Rep. Carbajal Secretary Zimmerman, earlier this month, there were reports that the Civil-Military Coordination Center, or the CMCC, was set to be shut down. The administration denied these reports. Can you confirm whether the CMCC is actually closed or there is a plan that it will be absorbed into another entity? Secretary Zimmerman Congressman, my understanding is no final decision has been made along those lines, and the thing I would like to say is that first of all, as has been said before, no one does more to protect civilians in a wartime scenario, in a conflict scenario, than the United States. And we are moving, if I may borrow a phrase, actually from, from the Admiral, we are moving from compliance to culture. The principles that are inherent in protecting civilians are now baked into our processes in a way that hadn't been before. Rep. Carbajal Let me, let me continue. How much is the CMCC currently overseeing the distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza? What are the current obstacles to aid delivery, and how would the closing of the CMCC affect aid delivery? Secretary Zimmerman Can I defer to you on that? Let me defer to Admiral Cooper on that. Admiral Cooper So, the CMCC plays an indispensable role in both stabilization and the coordination of the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Since its inception, more than 70 countries and international organizations are in the CMCC. Rep. Carbajal Admiral, what are they doing right now? Admiral Cooper They are helping to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and keep the ceasefire in effect, which has been successful for the last seven months. Rep. Carbajal How much aid has been delivered in the last six months? Admiral Cooper I can come back with the exact number, but back in December, the IPC, who is the oversight organization for aid, said that famine is no longer a threat in Gaza. I think it's a reflection of U.S. service members' absolute commitment to this mission, which has gone extremely well. Rep. Carbajal Thank you. Mr. Chair, I yield back.

Carbajal Visits Adelanto ICE Facility to Meet with Detained Constituents

Position: Rep. Carbajal opposes mass immigration detention policies and calls for comprehensive immigration reform. He argues that detention facility problems stem from overcrowding caused by enforcement policies rather than insufficient funding, and pledges to block additional federal ICE funding.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 On Monday, May 11, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) conducted an oversight visit to the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility to meet with detainees, three of which were Central Coast constituents. The detained constituents are from Goleta, Santa Maria, and Ojai. The Congressman also assessed conditions in the facility and inquired about the reported deaths of detainees. Since the beginning of the current Trump administration, at least four detainee deaths have been reported at Adelanto. “I visited the Adelanto ICE facility to meet with constituents from the Central Coast and hear the truth about their detention,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Their stories echo what other detainees from facilities across the U.S. have consistently reported: substandard medical care, inadequate facility maintenance, and a lack of some basic essentials like blankets. The stories shared by these Central Coast residents reflect the disastrous reality of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While ICE may argue that the issues I saw at the facility could be fixed with more funding; I argue that the solution is to stop the mass detention policies that have overcrowded these facilities, separated families, and inflicted terror across our country. I will continue to block additional federal funds for ICE and will not stop showing up at these facilities until we see comprehensive reform.” The Adelanto ICE facility is California’s largest immigration detention facility and currently holds over 2,000 detainees. The facility is privately operated by the GEO Group. Carbajal is a leader in Congress in pushing for commonsense immigration reform and holding federal immigration enforcement officers accountable. This week’s Adelanto visit marks Carbajal’s third tour of an ICE facility since the current Trump administration began. He previously visited the Santa Maria ICE processing facility twice in 2025. In February 2026, Carbajal joined over 50 Members of Congress outside of ICE’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to call for the firing of former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. In June 2025, Carbajal co-sponsored the No Secret Police Act, which would require law enforcement officers and agents of DHS engaged in border security and civil immigration enforcement to clearly display identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals and to ban them from using home-made, non-tactical masks. In July 2025, Carbajal co-led the introduction of the bipartisan Dignity Act, a bipartisan bill that would introduce reforms into our country’s immigration system. The bill includes commonsense reforms to legal status and protections for undocumented immigrants, border security investments, and improved asylum and visa processes. In the same month, Carbajal introduced the Fight for the American Dream Act, legislation that allows participants of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program to serve in the United States military and provides them a pathway toward U.S. citizenship after their service. In June 2025, Carbajal introduced the Protect Patriot Parents Act, which would make parents of U.S. military servicemembers eligible for Lawful Permanent Resident status, preventing potential deportations or separations of military families. Carbajal is also a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which establishes a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contributions to the U.S. agricultural economy.

Carbajal, Moore Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Transit Infrastructure in Mid Sized Cities

Position: Representatives Carbajal and Moore introduced bipartisan legislation to create a new federal funding category for medium-sized cities' transit systems, arguing that current federal transit funding formulas inadequately support mid-sized urban areas with 200,000 to 999,999 residents.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Blake Moore (R-UT-01) introduced the bipartisan Medium Transit Intensive Cities (MTIC) Authorization Act, a bill to provide more federal support for transportation infrastructure in medium-sized cities. The bill would create a new Medium Transit Intensive Cities (MTIC) category within the Section 5307 transit‑funding program. The program would be modeled on the successful Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) formula but designed for medium‑sized urban areas with 200,000 to 999,999 residents. Read the full text of the legislation here. While medium‑sized urban areas often provide transit service comparable in quality and intensity to large metropolitan systems, the current federal funding formula for infrastructure projects does not adequately recognize or reward their performance. “Many medium‑sized cities on the Central Coast and across the country have strong transit systems that people depend on to get to work, school, and to stay connected with their communities,” said Rep. Carbajal. “But the current federal transit funding framework isn’t adequate for these communities, leaving too many of them without the support they need. My bipartisan bill closes that gap by ensuring we invest in transit systems that serve their riders effectively, no matter the community’s size.” "Existing transit programs often favor either small or large cities, overlooking medium-sized cities such as Ogden and Layton in Northern Utah. By creating a federal set-aside to reward high-performing transit agencies operating in medium-sized cities, we can ensure that transit agencies are able to meet citizens' needs and make the long-term investments necessary to support growing populations. I’m excited to work with Representative Carbajal to introduce the Medium Transit Intensive Cities Authorization Act to support medium-sized communities that are providing high-quality transit options,” said Rep. Moore. “Communities shouldn’t be penalized for population growth. The Medium Transit Intensive Cities Authorization Act would ensure that high-performing transit providers who connect people with jobs, school, and opportunity have the resources to do so,” said Jerry Estrada, General Manager of Santa Barbara MTD. “The Bus Coalition strongly supports the Medium Transit Cities Authorization Act as a smart, targeted step toward a more equitable and performance-driven federal transit program. Across the country, mid-sized transit systems are delivering high-quality, efficient service that connects people to jobs, education, and essential services, yet too often they are disadvantaged by a funding formula that doesn’t fully recognize their impact. “By creating a Medium Transit Intensive Cities set-aside, this legislation rewards strong performance, encourages continued innovation, and ensures that communities of all sizes have a fair opportunity to compete for federal resources. We commend Congressman Carbajal for advancing a proposal that strengthens mobility, supports economic growth, and better aligns federal investment with real-world transit outcomes,” Ed Redfern, Executive Director of The Bus Coalition. Under current law, transit agencies in medium-sized regions are effectively measured against—and must compete with—large urban areas with populations over 1 million, which benefit from scale, density, and significantly greater resources. As a result, even high-performing medium-sized transit systems are at a structural disadvantage and are less able to access performance-based funding opportunities available within the existing framework. The MTIC program would dedicate 1.5 percent of Section 5307 funding to reward transit agencies in these mid-sized regions that meet or exceed performance benchmarks. Metrics such as ridership, service frequency, and service provided per capita would be used to ensure that funding is directed toward systems delivering strong results for their communities. By aligning incentives with performance, this proposal would: As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal has long worked to support infrastructure projects on the Central Coast and beyond. In 2021, Carbajal helped write and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest investment in American infrastructure in nearly a century. Since its passage, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered more than $1 billion in funding to projects up and down the Central Coast. In July 2025, Carbajal introduced the bipartisan National Infrastructure Investment Corporation (NIIC) Act, which would authorize the creation of a national infrastructure bank. The bank created by the NIIC Act would be authorized to provide loans and loan guarantees to local infrastructure projects, giving local governments another potential funding source in addition to support provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or other federal and state funding sources. In September 2025, Carbajal led a group of bipartisan House members in the introduction of the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, legislation that would fund upgrades to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to make them more resilient against threats ranging from cyberattacks to extreme weather.

Carbajal Statement on Platform Habitat Fire

Position: The representative opposes expansion of offshore drilling in the region and advocates for increased investment in alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the fire on Platform Habitat. "I want to thank the U.S. Coast Guard, Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol, Santa Barbara City Fire Department, and the Santa Barbara and Ventura County Fire Departments for safely evacuating the crew and extinguishing the fire on Platform Habitat. While we await a full investigation into the cause of the fire and any potential environmental impacts, today’s incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks that offshore drilling poses to our coast. Our community shouldn't have to gamble with our environment, economy, and public health just to pad the pockets of Big Oil. I will continue to fight any plans to expand offshore drilling in our region, and advocate for alternative energy sources like wind and solar. These alternative energy sources are safer, reduce our dependence on volatile global oil markets, and lower energy costs for families."

Carbajal Backs Legislation to End Iran War Spending

Position: Rep. Carbajal supports legislation prohibiting the use of federal funds for military action against Iran without congressional authorization through an AUMF or formal declaration of war, citing the conflict's cost, casualties, and economic impact.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, signed onto U.S. Representative Pat Ryan’s (D-NY-18) No Funds for Iran War Act to prohibit the use of additional taxpayer funds for military action against Iran in the absence of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) or official declaration of war from Congress. Read the bill text here. For nine weeks, the Trump administration has waged war in Iran without congressional approval, which has cost at least $25 billion, killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and wounded hundreds more, and caused gas prices to skyrocket at home. The bill introduction also follows the Pentagon’s request for $1.5 trillion in funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 – not including a reported Iran War supplemental funding request of $200 billion. “Trump started his illegal war in Iran without rhyme or reason, and the results have been nothing short of disastrous,” said Rep. Carbajal. “His war has cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars while driving up the cost of essentials like groceries and gas. I’m supporting Congressman Ryan’s No Funds for Iran War Act because Americans should not be forced to foot the bill for an endless, unauthorized conflict.” Carbajal has been a consistent opponent of President Trump’s unauthorized war in Iran. He has repeatedly voted in favor of War Powers Resolutions, including the recent April 2026 proposal. During the April 29th House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Department of Defense FY27 Budget Request, Carbajal questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a wide range of topics, including the cost of the ongoing war in Iran. As a veteran of the Marine Corps Reserve, Carbajal serves on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), which works to conduct oversight over the Department of Defense and protect our national security interests.

Carbajal Hosts Town Hall in Grover Beach

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) hosted a town hall at the Grover Beach Community Center, taking questions and offering updates on the war in Iran, recent congressional actions, and his ongoing work to address the cost-of-living crisis. Download photos here. “I want to thank everyone who joined me at the Grover Beach Community Center to share their perspective,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I appreciated the honest stories and questions I heard last night, whether about the recent cuts to SNAP, ICE raids, or holding Trump accountable for his abuses of power. These conversations are exactly what inform my work and ensure that the priorities of our community drive the debate in Washington.” Over the course of the town hall, Carbajal discussed the need to bring down the cost of essentials such as housing, groceries, gas, and more. He also spoke about the need for stronger guardrails on the Trump administration, including stopping the war in Iran and holding administration officials accountable for the brutal ICE raids on the Central Coast and beyond. Constituents who are interested in participating in the next town hall are encouraged to sign up for Rep. Carbajal’s newsletter here.

VIDEO: Carbajal Questions Defense Secretary Hegseth at Committee Hearing

Position: Representative Carbajal opposes the Trump administration's military action in Iran, citing its high cost ($1 billion daily) and unclear objectives, and criticizes the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil as benefiting Putin while raising gas prices for American consumers.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 During today’s House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Department of Defense FY27 Budget Request, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a wide range of topics: the cost of the ongoing war in Iran, the Administration lifting sanctions on Russian oil, and the new Department of Defense vaccine rules. Download a video clip of the full exchange here. A rough transcript is available below: Times expired, and I recognize the gentleman from California, Mr. Carbajal. Thank you, Mr. Chair and thank you General Caine, Mr. Hegseth, for being here today. I associate myself with the comments of Ranking Member Smith and Mr. Garamendi, so that I won't repeat a lot of what has been said. Mr. Hegseth, I recently realized that we have something in common. I'm also a fan of Pulp Fiction, and no, the movie is not an accurate portrayal of the Bible. You know what I'm talking about. This President and his administration has...have claimed to be the most transparent of all time. With that in mind, I love to get some straightforward, straightforward answers today. Some estimates show that the Trump administration's war of choice in Iran is costing taxpayers around $1 billion every day. In addition to spending taxpayer money on a war they don't want, it is also driving up costs. The cost of gas, while the cost of living is skyrocketing under this administration's policies. To me, and I assume to the American people, it is unclear why we started this war, how it will end, and what anyone gained from it. Mr. Hegseth, about how much money has been spent on this war to date, and how much more do you anticipate spending? Well, as our comptroller laid out, the estimate is less than 25 billion at this point, as far as an expenditure. And the question I would ask this committee is, what is it worth to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, considering the radical ambitions of that regime? I mean, almost every member of this dais at some point has said whether... Thank you for your answer, I'll proceed to my next question, thank you for your answer... President Trump is the one that's willing to make sure it doesn't happen. Supposedly, we had taken care of the nuclear capability last time around, and now this war, we're at it again, because obviously we said we did, but we didn't... [...] I want to reclaim my time. We know that the cost of oil and gas has gone up as a direct result of this war, and the American people are feeling that pain at the pump. In an attempt to alleviate the high price of gas caused directly by this President, he lifted sanctions on Russian oil. The way I see it, this is a massive gift to Putin and Russia's struggling economy. Mr. Hegseth, is there any concern that easing sanctions against Russia will allow Putin to continue funding Russia's illegal war against Ukraine? Well, we've seen Russia's and Putin's inability to make effective battlefield gains, just like their inability to defend the Maduro regime with the billions of dollars of systems the Russians sent to Venezuela in order to defend him, which were defeated in 15 minutes. So Russia's military capabilities are no match.... And you don't believe easing the sanctions is helping Russia? We have the best energy team in the planet at.... It's a simple yes or no. This is not deja vu. It's a simple yes or no... You understand the energy dominance that this administration has unleashed? Last week, it was announced that the Department of Defense is no longer requiring service members to get their annual flu shot. Now this is an easy one for you. It's a softball. Don't screw it up. The rationale was to, and I quote, restore freedom to our joint force. This has been a requirement since 1950 because it is effective at preventing the spread of flu among our troops. It's not some new woke requirement, as you like to lean on for much of your rhetoric. This decision is actively making our military less safe... Mr. Hegseth, at this time, there are plans. Are there plans to remove the mandatory requirement of other vaccinations like measles, mumps, and polio? We made very clear in our announcement that it applies to service members having a choice as it pertains to the flu vaccine. Don't you think that's a little reckless? No, I think allowing well informed Americans who serve our country to make a choice is not reckless, and commanders will still have latitude, say for a submarine or something else, to make a decision for a unit about whether it could be mandatory in a particular circumstance. But overall, our troops have earned the right to be able to choose about something like that related to their health. Mr. Hegseth, I stand by what I said last time you were here, you were incompetent, then you're incompetent now, and you're the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to incompetence with that. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Carbajal Statement on Trump Administration Sabotage of Morro Bay Wind Energy Area

Position: Rep. Carbajal opposes the Trump administration's decision to cancel the Morro Bay offshore wind project, arguing it undermines energy security, local economic growth, and environmental protection while wasting taxpayer dollars.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the Trump administration’s announcement that it is paying $120 million in taxpayer dollars to effectively cancel one of the offshore wind projects in Morro Bay. “I am outraged by this backwards decision to sabotage the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area. In Congress, I championed these projects because they represented a clear win-win-win for the Central Coast. The projects strengthened our energy security, boosted local economic growth, and advanced important environmental protections. Because of a bizarre personal vendetta against wind energy, Donald Trump’s administration is turning a historic opportunity into a historic failure. Beyond the strategic failure of this policy decision, today’s announcement also represents a staggering waste of taxpayer dollars. I won’t let this extreme federal overreach and pressure go unchallenged, and I will continue to fight for the Central Coast’s right to build a greener economy.” Background on Congressman Carbajal’s Work on Offshore Wind: Congressman Carbajal has been a champion for offshore wind throughout his time in office. The Morro Bay Offshore Wind Energy Area is the product of negotiations conducted by Rep. Carbajal’s Offshore Wind Working Group, which was created in August 2019 to coordinate between federal, state, and local partners and is composed of representatives from the offices of Rep. Carbajal and Rep. Panetta (D-CA-19), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Navy, and California Energy Commission (CEC). Negotiations had previously stalled amid hesitation from the Navy, until Rep. Carbajal offered an amendment to the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act in order to move the development forward off of Morro Bay and get negotiations back on track. Following the amendment’s passage in the House, Carbajal secured a written commitment from the Navy indicating a willingness to collaborate with the Working Group to identify an area for development that would meet energy production goals. As a result of these efforts and support from other local stakeholders and officials, Rep. Carbajal and Biden Administration leaders unveiled an agreement in May 2021 to allow offshore wind development off the coast of Morro Bay. The lease sites for this and other areas off the California coast were announced in 2022.

Carbajal Leads Bipartisan Effort to Address Rising Homeowner Insurance Costs

Position: Representatives Carbajal, Evans, Carter, and Ezell introduced a bipartisan bill to establish a nonpartisan commission to study natural disaster insurance affordability and recommend policy solutions to Congress within two years, citing rising homeowner insurance costs and declining coverage availability.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA), along with U.S. Representatives Gabe Evans (R-CO), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), and Mike Ezell (R-MS), introduced the bipartisan Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act, a bill to create a nonpartisan commission to study natural disaster insurance affordability and report policy recommendations to Congress within two years. Read the full text of the legislation here. As economic losses from natural disasters have increased, homeowners’ and business insurance costs have risen. Meanwhile, availability has declined, leading to a growing insurance coverage gap. “As extreme weather drives insurance costs higher and pushes coverage out of reach for too many families and small businesses, the bipartisan Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act will give Congress the clear roadmap we need to strengthen access to affordable, reliable insurance,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The increasing frequency of billion-dollar natural disasters demands that we proactively confront the growing insurance coverage gaps, and this bipartisan effort is an important step toward doing exactly that.” “Across Colorado, homeowners are facing rising insurance prices as providers are driven out of the state and forced to pull back coverage — leaving behind thousands of families in high-risk natural disasters areas searching for new plans. I'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to combat the surge in expensive policies and help protect access to affordable, reliable insurance that Coloradans and Americans deserve,” said Rep. Evans. “Louisiana families and businesses are facing a crisis of rising homeowners and flood insurance premiums, worsening our housing affordability issues. We've seen premiums skyrocket, forcing families to make impossible choices between protecting their homes and paying for groceries, healthcare, or their children's education. This expert commission will provide Congress with data and recommendations needed to tackle this emergency so that generations of Louisianians can afford to work and live in the place we proudly call home,” said Rep. Carter. “As communities like those along the Gulf Coast know all too well, natural disasters don’t just threaten lives — they threaten livelihoods,” said Rep. Ezell. “Families and small businesses are facing rising insurance costs and fewer coverage options, creating real financial uncertainty. This bipartisan commission will help us take a closer look at the challenges in our insurance markets and identify practical solutions to ensure Americans can access affordable, reliable coverage when they need it most.” The Senate Joint Economic Committee reported that roughly 70% of Americans stated that their community experienced an extreme weather event in 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, the average annual cost of billion-dollar disasters in the United States was $120.6 billion, more than double the 44-year inflation-adjusted annual average. For many Americans whose home or small business is their largest financial asset, growing insurance gaps and reduced coverage pose a vital risk to their financial health. Underinsurance also poses a risk to local governments whose tax bases rely largely on property values. The Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act would represent a step toward protecting homeowners, small businesses, and local governments from the growing insurance gaps. In developing the report, the commission would be directed to: The commission’s membership would include representatives from:

Carbajal Joins Raskin-Led Bill to Strengthen 25th Amendment

Position: Rep. Carbajal supports legislation to establish a permanent congressional commission under the 25th Amendment to formalize Congress's role in determining presidential fitness to serve, citing the need to strengthen constitutional accountability mechanisms.

2331 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) signed onto Representative Jamie Raskin’s (D-MD-08) bill to give Congress a role in determining when a president is unfit to carry out their duties. The bill would establish a nonpartisan “Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Office”, the body and process called for in Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to enable Congress to ensure effective and uninterrupted leadership in the presidency. “Between threatening to wipe out entire civilizations and picking fights with the Pope, Donald Trump has proven himself fundamentally unfit for office,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The chaos of his tenure serves as a critical wake-up call to strengthen our Constitution. That’s why I’m supporting this legislation to formalize Congress's role in the 25th Amendment process. By creating clearer pathways to address an unstable or incapacitated president, we’re ensuring that the White House remains accountable to the American people.” Section 4 of the 25th Amendment empowers Congress to establish a permanent “body” that, with the agreement of the Vice President, can declare that the President is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Although the 25th Amendment was adopted more than 50 years ago, Congress never set up the body called for in Section 4. Rep. Raskin’s bill would establish this independent nonpartisan body: The Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Office. If passed, this bill would mean the Vice President could act either with a majority of the Cabinet or a majority of this body in the event of a 25th Amendment crisis. Under the bill, the Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader will each select four retired statespersons from the Executive Branch (such as former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Attorneys General and Surgeons General, Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury) to serve on the Commission. Additionally, the Democratic and Republican leaders of each chamber will select four physicians and four psychiatrists to serve on the Commission. The 16 appointed members then select a 17th member to act as the Chair of the Commission. In order to avoid conflicts of interest and both civilian and military chain of command issues, none of the members can be current elected officials, federal employees, or members of the active or reserve military. Bill text is available here. An overview of the legislation and background on the 25th Amendment is available here. FAQs are available here.