FIL AM · FILIPINO

Whether you're a first-generation immigrant who journeyed here from the Philippines, a second-generation Filipino-American born and raised in the U.S., or like me—a 1.5-generation Filipino—you belong here.  Published on How Trump and Republicans Are Redrawing America’s Political Maps — And Why It Matters In the United States, every 10 years after the Census, congressional and legislative district lines are redrawn. This process—known as redistricting —is meant to ensure that political representation reflects population changes. But more often than not, redistricting turns into gerrymandering , where the party in power manipulates maps to lock in political advantage. This week, CNN reported that Texas Republicans now have a clear path to redraw congressional maps , thanks to Trump’s continued influence and pressure on GOP lawmakers. On the other side of the country, California Democrats are preparing to redraw their own maps in response, escalating what some call ...

Here’s the latest on Trump’s high-profile budget plan — famously dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill — as it moves through Congress: 📜 Quick Highlights Massive tax cuts — $3.8–4.5 trillion over 10 years, including new deductions and permanent 2017 tax break extensions Healthcare & SNAP cuts — Millions could lose Medicaid and food stamp benefits Expanded defense & immigration funding — Border wall, ICE, deportations, and military investments Rollback of clean energy incentives Deficit impact — Estimated $2.4–5 trillion added to national debt over a decade 🎯 Summary Trump’s budget plan attempts a dramatic reshaping of federal priorities: Aggressive tax cuts skewed toward wealthy individuals and corporations Deep reductions in health, food, and clean energy spending Significant funding increases for immigration enforcement and defense Major increase in federal borrowing despite modest projected economi...

Happy Birthday, America 🇺🇸  Fourth of July On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to announce the colonies' separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain.   Happy Fourth of July, America! pic.twitter.com/U4QuzXwbhG — The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 4, 2024

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) hit back at House Republicans seeking to oust her from a prominent committee on Feb. 2, adding that “representation matters” in the democratic process. Read more: https://wapo.st/3WXpKNR. "Representation matters." Representation matters. We didn’t come to Congress to be silent. We came to Congress to be a voice for families who are displaced in refugee camps and those seeking justice around the world. Because that’s what this child survivor of war would have wanted. pic.twitter.com/BaLD5bZybV — Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) February 2, 2023

Two years ago, domestic terrorists stormed the Capitol, endangering the lives of USCP officers. Honored to stand with the loved ones of those lost that horrible day to honor their memories. We will always remember. pic.twitter.com/0GDkMtoqtS — Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) January 6, 2023 BREAKING: One of the organizers of the deadly January 6 insurrection turns on Trumper Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, announces that he has “evidence” from January 6 that will get her “expelled” from Congress. RT IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER EXPELLED FROM CONGRESS! — Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) January 6, 2023 On January 6, 2021, following the defeat of then- U.S. President   Donald Trump   in the   2020 presidential election , a mob of his supporters attacked the   United States Capitol Building   in   Washington, D.C.   The mob was seeking to keep Trump in power by preventing a   joint session   of   Congress   from   counting...

Thank you Democrats! Big news: Congress just passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan – a historic legislative package that will turn the page on this pandemic, deliver direct relief to Americans, and jumpstart our economy. — The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 10, 2021 BREAKING: House passes $1.9T Covid relief bill that includes $1,400 checks, $300/wk jobless benefits, child allowance of up to $3,600 for one year, $125B for K-12 schools, $30B for public transit, $25B for rental assistance, $14B for vaccine distribution. https://t.co/C3JQIXquMx pic.twitter.com/xcyV3nXqO4 — NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) March 10, 2021

What you need to know The House voted 232-197 to impeach President Trump President Trump is the first US president to be impeached twice Ten House Republicans broke with their party and voted for impeachment The Senate will not convene until next week to hold a trial for the president, according to a spokesperson for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. On Tuesday, Speaker Pelosi named nine House impeachment managers for Trump’s Senate trial. via Instagram Cheney Herrera Beutler Katko Kinzinger Upton Newhouse Meijer Gonzalez (Ohio) Valadao Rice Every House Republican not on this list just gave violent insurrectionists a stamp of approval. — Robert Reich (@RBReich) January 13, 2021 Breaking News: Senator Mitch McConnell is said to believe President Trump committed impeachable offenses, and to be pleased Democrats are moving to impeach him. https://t.co/885RF6WQgG — The New York Times (@nytimes) January 12, 2021 We’re sure someone wants to tweet about their feelings on this second ...

With most rioters at the Capitol being unmasked and not socially distanced, experts say another wave of increased COVID-19 numbers could be imminent. New Jersey Democrat thinks she contracted coronavirus during Capitol siege Republicans refused to wear masks. This is outrageous. I worry about more fallout. https://t.co/KQQYJ6HtKm — Dan Rather (@DanRather) January 11, 2021

U.S. House: Pro Forma Session In the House, a resolution calling on VP Pence to convene and mobilize the cabinet to invoke Section 4 of the 25th amendment was read. Tomorrow we advance my Resolution calling on VP Pence to mobilize the Cabinet to state the obvious—President Trump is unable to successfully discharge the duties of office—and to immediately transfer powers to the VP under section 4 of the 25th Amendment. https://t.co/OTSsvvCxUk pic.twitter.com/6bAOTDgk4l — Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) January 11, 2021 Impeachment is one of the gravest powers of Congress. It should always be our last option. If @POTUS doesn’t resign or if @VP doesn’t invoke the #25thAmendment , then we will impeach. Discussed this and more with @SpecNews1SoCal ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ikCgnFlQ92 — Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) January 11, 2021 Section 4: Declaration by vice president and cabinet members of president's inability Section 4 . Whenever the Vice President and a majority of ei...

On Sunday, a second Republican senator called for the president to step aside, as the investigation into last week's U.S. Capitol riot continues.

Let's do this America! My dad brought our family to the USA to escape a dictator and its authoritarian government. I have been afraid that President Trump would invoke martial law since the Covid-19 lockdowns started last year. Here we are. No one should be surprised that Trump incited the violence today at the Capitol. Twenty-fifth amendment invocation is on the table. Do it, Congress!

The House of Representatives voted Monday to increase coronavirus stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden criticized transition officials for withholding needed information from the incoming administration. CBS News White House correspondent Paula Reid reports and Associated Press White House reporter Jill Colvin and Wall Street Journal Capitol Hill reporter Siobhan Hughes join CBSN's Omar Villafranca to discuss. 

BREAKING: Pro-equality majority secured in the House on #ElectionNight . That means we are one step closer to passing the Equality Act. pic.twitter.com/JSWs7o7P2I — Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 7, 2018 Follow @Pinoybuilt

Speaker Paul Ryan: "The Congressional Gold Medal is one of our oldest traditions. It is the highest civilian honor this body can bestow. Today, pursuant to S. 1555, we award this Medal to the Filipino veterans of World War II." Maraming salamat to our Filipino WWII Veterans. And congrats on your Congressional Gold Medals. #FilVetRepCGM ... https://t.co/U5bPV3Fdwr — FANHS National (@fanhs_national) October 25, 2017 This day is long overdue. On behalf of Congress, I am humbled to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino veterans of WWII. pic.twitter.com/xYgm7X4JHI — Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) October 25, 2017 It would cost about 0.007 F-35Bs to buy every living Filipino WWII Vet a replica gold medal. https://t.co/bv0B2Xau6F — Drew Heineman (@drewheineman) October 25, 2017

US Senate approves Congressional Gold Medal bill for Filipino WWII vets The U.S. Senate has passed a bill authored by Sen. Mazie Hirono to make it possible for more than 260,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans , including 300 from Hawaii, to receive the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow -- the Congressional Gold Medal . US Senate approves Congressional Gold Medal bill for Filipino WWII veterans. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , author of a companion measure in the U.S. House , said she hopes to gather enough support to send the legislation to President Barack Obama before the end of the year. Following the Senate's action, Gabbard said House rules require the measure to have 290 co-sponsors before it can be considered. So far, Gabbard has been able to persuade 180 House members to support the bill. "More than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers responded to President Roosevelt 's call to duty and fought under our American flag during...