Nellie Pou

Pou and Colleagues Introduce New Bill to Help Sick Federal Law Enforcement Left Behind

Position: The release advocates for legislation to establish presumptive eligibility for federal civilian employees exposed to toxic burn pits overseas to receive compensation and healthcare benefits, aligning their protections with those provided to veterans under existing law.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) and her colleagues have introduced the Kenya Merritt Renewing Our Promise to Address Chemical Toxicity (“PACT”) Act, legislation to ensure federal civilian employees exposed to toxic burn pits overseas can access fair and timely compensation for serious illnesses. The legislation is sponsored by Congresswoman Pou and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02), and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). “Men and women who stood shoulder to shoulder with our troops should not be left behind when they come home sick,” said Congresswoman Pou. “These federal workers faced the same toxic exposure, but today they are forced to clear impossible hurdles to get the help they need. Our bill fixes that. It brings fairness, speeds up care, and honors the service they gave our country.” “America’s promise to those who serve in harm’s way must be kept long after the mission ends. That principle has long guided my work for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, and it is the same principle behind this legislation. Federal law enforcement officers, intelligence professionals, and civilian federal employees served beside our troops, breathed the same toxic air, and carried home the same risks. They should not be forced to fight an impossible burden of proof for the care and compensation they earned. The Renewing Our PACT Act brings long-overdue fairness to these brave Americans and ensures that when the cost of service comes due, they are met with care—not denial, delay, or doubt,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. Background For years, civilian federal employees including law enforcement and national security personnel deployed alongside U.S. troops in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, often working near open burn pits that released dangerous, cancer-causing toxins. While Congress acted to support veterans through the PACT Act enacted in 2022, these civilian workers remain outside that system and must prove a direct link between their illness and exposure, a burden that is often impossible to meet years later. As a result, claims are routinely denied, leaving workers and their families without care or support. The Renewing Our PACT Act addresses this gap by creating a clear standard for affected workers. It establishes a presumption that certain illnesses are work-related for eligible federal employees exposed to burn pits during overseas contingency operations. The bill also aligns civilian protections with those already in place for veterans by tying covered conditions to determinations made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and requiring timely updates as new illnesses are recognized. In addition, the bicameral legislation sets clear eligibility rules, ensures the new standard applies to future claims right away, and requires reporting to Congress to track implementation and reach. Together, these changes will help workers get care faster, reduce red tape, and bring long-overdue fairness to a system that has failed too many who served. Support The Renewing Our PACT Act has already received strong support from a range of outside groups including the FBI Agents Association that has been instrumental in working with Rep. Pou and Senator Gillibrand to ensure no one is left behind, as well as the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, American Veterans, and others. “The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) commends Representatives Nellie Pou, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Celeste Maloy for their leadership in introducing the Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act of 2026. FBIAA was proud to lead the advocacy effort, working with bill sponsors to address a longstanding gap in care for FBI Agents, professional staff, and other federal employees exposed to toxic burn pits while serving alongside the military. Since Operation Desert Shield, FBI personnel and other civilian federal employees have served overseas alongside U.S. armed forces, facing the same risks and exposures. This bipartisan legislation ensures that civilian federal employees suffering illnesses linked to burn pits have a fair and appropriate standard to evaluate their claims, consistent with the standard applied to claims from members of the military. The legislation honors the memory of FBI Special Agent Kenya Merritt, who served in Iraq near one of the region’s most toxic burn pits and was later diagnosed with lung cancer; he passed away on October 30, 2024. Kenya’s story underscores the importance of ensuring that those who accepted the risks of service are treated in a manner that reflects that commitment,” said Natalie Bara, President of the FBI Agents Association. “When the federal government sends its workforce into harm’s way, it has a duty to stand by them when the consequences of that service emerge,” said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “This legislation ensures coverage for federal law enforcement officers who served overseas alongside U.S. military personnel and now suffer from burn pit-related exposures. FLEOA thanks Senator Gillibrand and Representatives Fitzpatrick, Maloy, and Pou for their leadership in advancing the ‘Renewing Our PACT Act’ and strengthening fairness and accountability in the federal workers’ compensation system.” “Federal law enforcement officers stood shoulder to shoulder with our service members in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones, breathing the same toxic smoke from burn pits and facing the same long-term health consequences. Yet far too many of these patriots have been left without the protections and care their service deserves. The Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act is a common-sense step to create parity, honor shared sacrifice, and ensure that federal law enforcement officers with service connected injuries receive the coverage they have earned. AMVETS thanks the bill’s sponsors, the FBI Agents Association, and other federal law enforcement organizations for leading this critical effort to close a longstanding gap for those who served our nation in harm’s way,” said Joe Chenelly, Executive Director of AMVETS. "National Brain Tumor Society supports the Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act of 2026 as a sensible extension of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 to non-military personnel who served alongside U.S. troops overseas and were similarly exposed to potentially toxic burn pits, which have been linked in studies as a possible source of devastating, long-term illnesses, including brain tumors. We applaud Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick — also a lead sponsor of the landmark BRAIN Act — and the other bipartisan sponsors for their continued commitment to public health,” said Gary Heimberg, Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer, Counsel of the National Brain Tumor Society. ###

NJ Dems Demand USPS Reject Trump Mail Order

Position: The members oppose President Trump's executive order targeting mail-in voting and urge the USPS to reject efforts to seize control of election administration, arguing the order violates constitutional separation of powers and state authority over elections.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today led nine members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation in urging the U.S. Postal Service to reject President Trump’s efforts to seize control of mail voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Congresswoman’s Pou letter is signed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Congressmembers Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Herb Conaway (D-NJ-03), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12). “We write to condemn the administration’s unlawful executive order seeking to seize states’ constitutional authority over elections. . . . Any effort by the executive branch to dictate or interfere with election administration through federal agencies is not just unlawful, it violates the fundamental principle of separation of powers,” the members write the Postmaster General. The members continue: “The dangers of federal overreach regarding elections—both in New Jersey and across the country—are not just theoretical. They are immediate and real. Any federal action, whether through directive, pressure, or operational change, that disrupts these systems would be unlawful and could disenfranchise voters who rely on the mail to cast their ballots. Seniors, military voters, working families, and people with disabilities would be hit hardest by any decline in the reliability or neutrality of election mail. USPS cannot be used to carry out an unconstitutional executive order.” On March 31, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order targeting mail-in voting, directing federal agencies to compile lists of “verified” citizens and restrict ballots to those lists – an unprecedented federal intrusion into state-run elections. State officials and legal experts across the country have condemned the order as an unlawful power grab that could make it harder for Americans to vote under the guise of “election security.” The full text of Congresswoman Pou’s letter is below. April 6, 2026 Dear Postmaster General Steiner We write to condemn the administration’s unlawful executive order seeking to seize states’ constitutional authority over elections. The Constitution is clear: authority over the “Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections” belongs to the states, with Congress—not the President—as the only federal check. Any effort by the executive branch to dictate or interfere with election administration through federal agencies is not just unlawful, it violates the fundamental principle of separation of powers. Against that backdrop, any effort to involve the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) in carrying out this executive order—especially in ways that affect the handling, timing, or treatment of election mail—must be rejected. In New Jersey, election officials have shown that our systems, including vote-by-mail, can be both secure and accessible to eligible voters. For decades, our state has put in place strong safeguards to protect election integrity. Mail-in ballots, for example, must meet strict labeling requirements, including clear markings such as “Official Mail-In Ballot” and “It is against the law for anyone except you, the voter, to mark or inspect this ballot.” Voters must also verify their identity by signing under penalty of perjury and potential criminal charges. Every county is required to provide secure ballot drop boxes equipped with security cameras to protect ballots. State law also sets clear timelines and rules for the delivery, receipt, and counting of ballots. And voters can track their ballots and confirm that they were received. In addition to state law, New Jersey launched its Voter Protection Initiative in 2022, a multi-agency effort to safeguard election integrity. The program monitors and investigates election fraud and other criminal violations and directs reports of interference to local and federal law enforcement as needed. Together, these protections have produced secure elections, high participation, orderly administration, and strong public confidence. They also reflect the constitutional authority of states to set the time, place, and manner of elections. To be clear, USPS itself has recognized the limits of its authority in its recent rulemaking, specifically stating: “Postal Service does not administer elections, establish the rules or deadlines that govern elections, or determine whether or how election jurisdictions utilize the mail or incorporate our postmark into their rules. The Postal Service also does not advocate for or against any particular voting practices (including mail-in voting). Instead, the Postal Service collects, processes, transports, and delivers mail and packages that are mailable under federal law. As part of that role, we deliver the nation's Election Mail when public policy makers and election officials choose to use the mail as a part of their election system and when citizens choose to utilize our services to participate in an election.” This statement from USPS clearly defines its role and legal obligations. USPS is a neutral carrier of election mail—not an election authority. It cannot assume powers reserved to the states or change its operations in ways that interfere with state election laws or voter access. The dangers of federal overreach regarding elections—both in New Jersey and across the country—are not just theoretical. They are immediate and real. Any federal action, whether through directive, pressure, or operational change, that disrupts these systems would be unlawful and could disenfranchise voters who rely on the mail to cast their ballots. Seniors, military voters, working families, and people with disabilities would be hit hardest by any decline in the reliability or neutrality of election mail. USPS cannot be used to carry out an unconstitutional executive order. Doing so would be a direct attack on states’ constitutional authority over our elections. Accordingly, we demand that USPS: Refuse to implement any provision of Trump’s executive order that interferes with state election laws or the established handling of election mail; Publicly reaffirm the Postal Service’s commitment to neutrality and to following state election laws; Coordinate closely with state and local election officials—including those in New Jersey—to ensure the timely, secure, and accurate delivery of all election mail consistent with state law; and Provide Congress with a full and transparent accounting of any communications, guidance, or operational changes considered in response to this executive order. At a time when our democratic institutions are under great strain, the rule of law must prevail over political partisanship. The Constitution does not allow the executive branch to seize control of state-run elections, nor does not permit federal agencies to carry out that dangerous overreach. USPS must remain what the law requires and what our nation has counted on for generations: a neutral, reliable carrier for the people’s voice—not a tool to suppress it. Sincerely, ###

Shutdown Chaos: Pou Blasts GOP Failures at Homeland Hearing

Position: Congresswoman Pou opposes GOP efforts to condition DHS funding on increased ICE enforcement resources, and calls for immediate funding of TSA, FEMA, and Coast Guard. She also opposes ICE enforcement tactics that could disrupt the World Cup and calls for transparency and restrictions on ICE vehicle license plate manipulation.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today participated in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Harmful Impacts of the DHS Shutdown on Americans, using the event to blast Republicans for holding homeland security funding hostage to force through even more money for ICE agents. “If my GOP colleagues cared about keeping our country safe, they would sign our discharge petition and force a floor vote on our bill to fund TSA and other DHS offices like FEMA and the Coast Guard immediately,” said Congresswoman Pou during the hearing. “The problems we’ve seen over the last several weeks are not all due to the shutdown. Yet, DHS has launched a misinformation campaign to mask their own failures by blaming it on the shutdown.” Congresswoman Pou has been a top critic in Congress of the dysfunction and corruption endemic to DHS. For months, she called for former Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal until Noem was fired this month. Pou also led demands for DHS to release $625 million in security funding being withheld from World Cup U.S. host cities. The embargoed money was finally released last week. Pou’s district will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the championship game. As Special Events Task Force Ranking Member, she has repeatedly warned that ICE enforcement actions and broader security gaps could jeopardize the World Cup’s success. At the hearing, Pou also pressed administration witnesses on other withheld federal money: “FEMA is still delaying funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. And other federal counterterrorism funding is being withheld despite Federal judges repeatedly ordering FEMA to release it. When will these funds be released?” At an oversight hearing on February 10, in response to a direct question from Congresswoman Pou, the head of ICE refused to rule out immigration enforcement activity at or around World Cup games this summer. Two days later, Pou led a letter with her Task Force colleagues beseeching the Chairman to call an emergency hearing on ICE’s impact on the coming World Cup. Recently, Congresswoman Pou called on DHS to explain why ICE agents are systematically hiding vehicle license plates to mask their work and identities, introducing the PLATE Act (H.R. 7449), legislation that would forbid ICE agents from manipulating their vehicle license plates. ###

New Pou Bill: No ICE at the World Cup

Position: Congresswoman Pou introduced legislation to prohibit ICE and DOJ from conducting civil immigration enforcement operations within one mile of FIFA World Cup venues and fan festivals, arguing that enforcement activities would undermine tournament security and intimidate attendees.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Task Force overseeing security preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, today introduced the Save the World Cup Act, new legislation that would block the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security from conducting civil immigration enforcement raids within one mile of soccer matches and fan festivals during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The legislation is sponsored by Ranking Member Pou and Congressmembers Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), all members of the Task Force, and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02). “With fewer than 90 days until kickoff, the World Cup should bring the world together and not leave families wondering if ICE agents will be waiting outside stadiums,” said Congresswoman Pou. “When I recently asked the head of ICE directly for a simple assurance that they would stay away from the games, he refused. That is unacceptable. So my legislation draws a firm line on the pitch: no ICE raids. There is no successful tournament if fans and players are looking over their shoulders. We want law enforcement to focus on strong security for the World Cup, not meeting civil immigration quotas. We should not allow fear to define this moment and ruin the games.” “How can our country host the World Cup while deporting visiting fans from around the world?” said Rep. Swalwell. “As a former Division I soccer player, I know what an honor it is to host the world’s biggest sporting event. Our priority should be to showcase our best—not have police commandeering buses, trains, and public spaces. This bill ensures ICE cannot turn everyday public transportation into a place of terror. It is shameful for DHS to trap people with political stunts. We are better than this.” “Fans from around the world and across the country will travel to New Jersey to watch the World Cup, and keeping them safe means protecting them from DHS attempting to turn this global event into a dragnet for the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda,” said Rep. McIver. “We fought to secure millions of federal dollars so soccer fans can enjoy the biggest game in the world—they should not be intimidated by immigration enforcement. I’m introducing this bill to draw a clear line that makes sure state and local law enforcement can actually focus on keeping fans safe.” In an opinion piece at The Guardian published just last week, Pou warned about “two critical threats” to the success of the upcoming World Cup: withheld security money and the activities of ICE. In an exchange on the social media platform X, Pou pushed back on a statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem wrote in a post, “No funds have been awarded yet under the FIFA World Cup grant program. The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250.” Pou replied on X, “This is simply not true. World Cup security funding was enacted into law last summer and these matches have been scheduled for years. DHS’ own notice of funding opportunity for this grant program listed the anticipated award date as ‘no later than January 30, 2026.’ Well before the funding impasse. It’s time for DHS to do its job.” Congresswoman Pou’s district will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the championship game. As Task Force Ranking Member, she has repeatedly warned that ICE enforcement actions and broader security gaps could jeopardize the tournament’s success. At an oversight hearing on February 10, in response to a direct question from Pou, the head of ICE refused to rule out enforcement activity at or around World Cup games this summer when questioned by Congresswoman Pou. Two days later, Pou led a letter with her Task Force colleagues demanding that the Chairman call an emergency hearing on ICE’s impact on the coming World Cup. ###

Pou Pressure Pays Off: DHS to Release World Cup Security Cash

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Task Force overseeing security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, today celebrated the Trump administration’s decision to finally release $625 million of World Cup security funding after a long delay. The funds were due on January 30 and had been held up without explanation by the Department of Homeland Security. “FINALLY. Matches begin in less than 90 days. Congress passed this funding long in advance and officials needed this money months ago. So I’m glad to see DHS finally do the right thing and release these overdue funds,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Our local law enforcement and public safety officials in North Jersey and other host cities are among the best in the country, but they need real aid to guarantee a safe tournament. We cannot allow mismanagement or incompetence to threaten years of careful preparation and imperil the security of the millions of visitors to the games. I am hopeful with this money released, host cities and law enforcement have what they need to make the 2026 World Cup a massive success. We cannot waste a once in-a-generation chance to show the best of America.” In an opinion piece at The Guardian just last week, Pou warned about “two critical threats” to the success of the upcoming World Cup: withheld security money and the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. In an exchange on the social media platform X, Pou pushed back on a statement from former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem wrote in a post, “No funds have been awarded yet under the FIFA World Cup grant program. The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250.” Pou replied on X, “This is simply not true. World Cup security funding was enacted into law last summer and these matches have been scheduled for years. DHS’s own notice of funding opportunity for this grant program listed the anticipated award date as ‘no later than January 30, 2026.’ Well before the funding impasse. It’s time for DHS to do its job.” Congresswoman Pou’s district will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the championship game. As Task Force Ranking Member, she has repeatedly warned that ICE enforcement actions and broader security gaps could jeopardize the tournament’s success. At an oversight hearing on February 10, in response to a direct question from Pou, the head of ICE refused to rule out enforcement activity at or around World Cup games this summer when questioned by Congresswoman Pou. Two days later, Pou led a letter with her Task Force colleagues beseeching the Chairman to call an emergency hearing on ICE’s impact on the coming World Cup. ###

Pou Reacts to Leqaa Kordia’s Release from ICE Detention

PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today reacted positively to the release of Leqaa Kordia after one year of derailment by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Today is a great day for justice. Leqaa Kordia has finally been released from ICE custody. My thoughts are with Leqaa, who has suffered a tremendous injustice at the hands of this administration. Her detention has been marred by cruelness, religious discrimination, and persecution. No one in the United States of America should suffer through the treatment she was forced to endure, said Congresswoman Pou.” Pou continued: “I am also thinking about Leqaa’s mother, Hidaia, and our entire community in Paterson that has been waiting, fighting, and advocating tirelessly for Leqaa’s release. My office has been working, and will continue to work, closely on her case to ensure that Leqaa’s legal rights are respected and that she is given her full constitutional due process. Leqaa, your strength and courage is admirable—but make no mistake, this should have never happened.” On June 27, 2025, a Magistrate Judge recommended she be released on bail. Then, on August 28, 2025, an Immigration Judge ordered her releasable on bond. At that hearing, DHS “conceded that Ms. Kordia had met her burden to prove her release would not pose a danger to the community . . . and declined to present any closing argument.” Yet ICE swiftly moved to block her release, forcing Leqaa to remain detained. Congresswoman Pou has been pressing ICE for answers on Leqaa’s detention for months. In December, Congresswoman Pou and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim demanded Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons immediately release Leqaa from ICE Custody. When Leqaa was hospitalized in February, Congresswoman Pou’s office sought answers from ICE on why they failed to inform her family or legal team on where she was taken and the status of her condition following reports she suffered a seizure under ICE custody. Last week, Congresswoman Pou again penned a letter seeking her release. During a congressional hearing, Congresswoman Pou asked the Acting Director of ICE directly if the Department would provide information regarding Leqaa’s condition and if they would commit to freeing her. Since then Congresswoman Pou has been pressing the administration for clear answers. ###

Pou Guardian Oped: World Cup in Crisis – Missing Money and ICE

Position: Congresswoman Pou advocates for the immediate release of congressionally appropriated World Cup security funding to host cities and calls for restrictions on ICE enforcement activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to ensure the tournament's success.

PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Task Force overseeing security preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, today published the lead opinion article at The Guardian on two critical threats to the success of the upcoming World Cup: withheld security money and the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. “On Sunday 19 July, the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For one day, our community will be the center of the world. But as that moment approaches, I find myself spending less time thinking about the games at MetLife Stadium, and more time worrying about whether we are ready. Because if Washington doesn’t get its act together, we risk turning a generational opportunity into an international embarrassment,” Pou writes. Pou’s district will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the championship game. As Task Force Ranking Member, she has repeatedly warned that ICE enforcement actions and broader security gaps could jeopardize the tournament’s success. At an oversight hearing on February 10, in response to a direct question from Pou, the head of ICE refused to rule out enforcement activity at or around World Cup games this summer when questioned by Congresswoman Pou. Two days later, Pou led a letter with her Task Force colleagues beseeching the Chairman to call an emergency hearing on ICE’s impact on the coming World Cup. The complete text of Congresswoman Pou’s oped is below. The US World Cup is facing two crises: a financial mess – and ICE Fewer than 100 days out, host cities haven’t received promised funding, and fears about ICE’s presence are widespread On Sunday 19 July, the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For one day, our community will be the center of the world. But as that moment approaches, I find myself spending less time thinking about the games at MetLife Stadium, and more time worrying about whether we are ready. Because if Washington doesn’t get its act together, we risk turning a generational opportunity into an international embarrassment. The first problem is money. Congress appropriated $625m to help the 11 American cities hosting World Cup games meet the coming crush of visitors. Each of the 104 matches will be the size of a logistical Super Bowl. State and local law enforcement will have their hands full and need every dollar. But the money has yet to reach these cities. Roughly four months out, not one of those cities has received a dollar of it. At a congressional hearing on 24 February, an official with the Miami World Cup host committee testified that Miami’s Fan Fest – which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands – will be canceled within 30 days if the funding does not arrive. In Kansas City, which will host six matches and expects 650,000 visitors, the deputy police chief told us in the same hearing that delayed funds stood in the way of security planning. In Foxborough, Massachusetts, the town has threatened to withhold the license FIFA needs to host games at Gillette Stadium because it has not received the $7.8m it has been promised. For a community of 18,600 people, that figure represents roughly half of what the entire town spends on public safety in a normal year. These are not abstract delays. They are threats to events cities have been planning for years. The Department of Homeland Security is administering these grants through FEMA and needs to release these funds. Every day of delay makes an already complex logistical challenge harder to solve. The games also face a second threat: ICE. As ranking member of the House homeland security task force overseeing World Cup security, I have been pressing this issue. At another hearing last month, I asked Todd Lyons, the director of ICE, directly: would he rule out enforcement activity at or around World Cup venues this summer? He would not. Instead, he described ICE’s presence as a “key part” of World Cup security. He refused to rule out the use of tactical enforcement teams – the same kind deployed in Minneapolis, where federal agents recently shot and killed two American citizens. ICE has a legitimate role in large-event security. It has worked Super Bowls and other big events without incident. My real concern is the uncertainty. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrive at this moment with a record that has alarmed communities across the country. So when an immigration enforcement agency signals it may be at our stadiums and public events, it raises legitimate fears. Dozens of countries have issued travel advisories warning their citizens about conditions in the United States. More than 90 civil society organizations have written to FIFA expressing alarm about the chilling effect of immigration enforcement on fan attendance. My own constituents in Paterson, New Jersey, and people across the US feel this directly. Many of them are immigrants, or the children of immigrants. Some are afraid that they could be swept up by ICE despite being in the US legally. A restaurant worker in my district told a reporter he would not attend any World Cup events, even though he is here legally. He didn’t want to give his last name. He’s not alone. This is the consequence of the administration’s refusal to offer any assurances to the millions of people expected to visit the United States for these games. The New York-New Jersey region alone is projecting $3.3bn in economic activity from the World Cup. Fans who stay home are revenue that disappears. None of this has to happen. DHS must release the funding it is sitting on. Congress should hold emergency hearings on ICE. The administration can offer clear assurances that visitors here legally will not be targeted by enforcement actions at games, fan fests, or watch parties. At last week’s hearing, security concerns were raised by Republicans and Democrats alike. Keeping the World Cup safe and welcoming is not a partisan issue. And while I welcome the firing of Secretary Kristi Noem after her repeated failures, these problems remain. When I visited MetLife Stadium with my colleagues, I was reminded what this moment could be. Eight World Cup matches in our district. The final. A stadium full of fans from Brazil, France, Norway, Panama, Germany and dozens of other nations, celebrating together in a district of immigrant diasporas. That is the World Cup at its best. Fewer than 100 days from now, the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the US. Our task force will keep pushing DHS to release the funding and demanding assurances that every fan – regardless of where they’re from – will be safe. We have one chance to show the world what the best of America looks like. ###

Pou Votes to Restore Congress’s War Authority

Position: Congresswoman Pou voted to invoke the War Powers Resolution to terminate U.S. hostilities against Iran without a formal congressional declaration of war, arguing that military action requires explicit congressional authorization and cannot proceed based on executive discretion alone.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today voted for H.Con.Res.38, a resolution that would demand the U.S. terminate hostilities against Iran without a formal declaration of war, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution enacted in 1973. “For generations, Congress has abdicated its constitutional responsibility to declare war, and in so doing, has directly contributed to the rise of an unconstrained executive and a weakened Article I branch. Our action today seeks to restore critical balance to the balance of powers,” said Congresswoman Pou. “President Trump said ‘he had a feeling’—and now America is at war. The Defense Secretary says our commitment to our objectives grows as our advantages grow. The Secretary of State says this isn’t even a war. And President Trump says he’ll choose the next leader of Iran. What does that even mean? Let me be clear: we cannot send our brave men and women into war based on a feeling, without a clear plan, real justification, or any imminent threat to our nation. America is still living with the consequences of Iraq and Afghanistan. We cannot make that mistake again. “For nearly 50 years, the Iranian regime has been one of the foremost incubators of terrorism in the world. The regime has murdered countless innocent people across the globe, including Americans. Weeks ago, it butchered tens of thousands of Iranians peacefully demanding a better future. The Iranian regime’s quest for nuclear bombs constitutes one of the gravest threats to the world. The ultimate demise of this regime, when it arrives, will be a great day for millions of Iranians, for the United States, and for the cause of freedom across the world. “I am hoping and praying for our brave military personnel, the people of Iran, and all innocent people impacted by this violent conflict. But this conflict can only continue with the constitutional consent of Congress.” ###