Frankel, Lois RSS Articles

Frankel Responds to Trump’s Primetime Attack on Voting Rights

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Thursday evening election remarks:

“President Trump’s address last night was another attempt to distract the American people with falsehoods and long-debunked conspiracy theories about our elections instead of addressing the issues families care about most,” said Rep. Frankel.

“While Americans are paying more for groceries, housing, and health care, President Trump and Republicans are focused on spreading election misinformation and advancing legislation that makes it harder for eligible Americans to vote. The facts remain unchanged: the 2020 election was secure—a conclusion confirmed by the Trump Administration’s own review, bipartisan election officials, independent audits, and the courts.

“Along with House Democrats I will continue fighting to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, defend the freedom to vote, and hold accountable anyone who abuses public office for personal gain. We stand with the dedicated state and local election officials who protect the integrity of our elections, and we will continue working to ensure every eligible American can cast a ballot freely and confidently. The strongest answer to fear and misinformation is participation. Make a plan to vote, vote early if you can, and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. In our democracy, the most important title is not President or Representative—it is citizen.”

Frankel: Trump and Republicans Are Making America Less Secure

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), released the following statement after voting against House Republicans' Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill.

"This bill should have been our moment to strengthen America and show the world that American leadership still matters. Done right, it would have made our nation safer, stronger, and more secure—at home and abroad. Instead, it falls painfully short," said Rep. Frankel.

"Rather than making smart investments in the tools that prevent conflict and build peace and prosperity, the Trump Administration has embraced bullying, reckless tariffs, and a war that is costing our nation billions of dollars and countless lives, with no end in sight. Real security requires more than military force. It requires diplomacy. It requires development. It requires humanitarian leadership. It means showing up before a crisis becomes a catastrophe, before instability becomes extremism, and before conflict becomes war. That is how we build strong alliances, create trading partners, stop diseases before they reach our shores, and keep America's sons and daughters out of costly wars.

"Instead of repairing the damage caused by dismantling USAID, this bill doubles down. It slashes humanitarian assistance, weakens our diplomatic corps, undermines development programs that advance American interests, and turns its back on the partnerships that have strengthened our nation for generations. Foreign assistance is not charity—it is a strategic investment in our national security. When America steps back, our adversaries—including China—step in.

"As Ranking Member of the NSRP Subcommittee, I will continue fighting for a foreign policy that reflects our values and protects our security. A strong America requires both hard power and soft power. Our greatest strength has never been our military alone—it is our diplomacy, our alliances, our humanitarian leadership, and our enduring commitment to building a more stable, more prosperous, and more secure world. This bill fails to meet that standard, which is why I voted no."

The FY27 NSRP bill would

Slash development and global health programs that strengthen stability, promote economic opportunity, combat poverty, and prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
Turn its back on women and families worldwide by cutting international family planning programs, prohibiting U.S. contributions to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and expanding the Global Gag Rule.
Expand ideological restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance by conditioning aid on compliance with anti-DEI and anti-LGBTQ policies while limiting health providers' ability to provide complete medical information.
Abandon America's leadership at the United Nations by eliminating funding for the U.N. Regular Budget and voluntary contributions to UNICEF, the U.N. Development Programme, and U.N. Women, creating opportunities for adversaries like China and Russia to expand their influence.
Eliminate funding for proven American institutions, including the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Inter-American Foundation, and the U.S. African Development Foundation, weakening efforts to prevent conflict, strengthen democracy, expand economic opportunity, and advance U.S. interests abroad.

Frankel, Kamlager-Dove Introduce Esther Coopersmith Award Act to Honor Champions of Women, Peace, and Security

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-22), co-chair of the Women, Peace, and Security Caucus, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-27) introduced the Esther Coopersmith Award Act, legislation to create a State Department award honoring public servants who advance Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) around the world.

Named for Esther Coopersmith — a trailblazing diplomat, philanthropist, and lifelong champion of women’s leadership — the award would recognize members of the Civil and Foreign Service whose work strengthens peace, security, and stability by elevating the role of women in preventing conflict, resolving crises, and rebuilding communities.

“Women are the backbone of families and communities — and when they have a voice in decisions about peace and security, the world is safer and stronger,” said Rep. Frankel, “Esther Coopersmith spent her life bringing people together and opening doors for women leaders. This award honors her remarkable legacy and the dedicated diplomats and public servants carrying that mission forward.”

“Throughout her remarkable career as a diplomat, host, and philanthropist, Esther Coopersmith not only blazed a trail for herself, but brought countless other women to the table too,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. "At a time when world leaders too often choose force over diplomacy, Esther’s legacy reminds us of the importance of human connection and the inclusion of women when tackling global issues. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation that both honors Esther’s life’s work and reaffirms the U.S.’s commitment to Women, Peace, and Security.”

Esther Coopersmith dedicated more than 70 years to diplomacy, public service, and building bridges across cultures and communities. She served on the U.S. delegation to the United Nations (UN) under President Jimmy Carter, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as an advisor to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, became only the second woman to receive the UN Peace Medal, and was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Known for bringing people together across political and international divides, Mrs. Coopersmith regularly convened women leaders, Members of Congress, diplomats, and advocates to promote cooperation, peace, and opportunity.

The Esther Coopersmith Award Act builds on bipartisan efforts to recognize the important role women play in creating lasting peace and advancing U.S. security interests.

Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

For full text of the bill, click here.

Frankel Calls on House Oversight Committee to Advance Long Overdue Epstein Hearing in Palm Beach County

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) sent a letter to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY-01) and Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-CA-42) requesting the Committee issue long-overdue subpoenas for key witnesses in the Epstein case and put the local Palm Beach County prosecutors and officials responsible for Jeffrey Epstein’s failed prosecution under oath.

“I again respectfully request that the full House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform come to Palm Beach County and subpoena key witnesses to testify under oath,” wrote Rep. Frankel. “Their testimony could provide critical insight into how Epstein secured such a lenient agreement, why survivors were denied the justice they deserved, and how we can prevent such failures in the future.”

Rep. Frankel has called for a hearing in Palm Beach County for years. Previous hearings were postponed at the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect the ongoing prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell. Rep. Frankel believes it is past time that the Committee moves forward with this hearing—a belief strengthened after hearing directly from survivors last month at the Oversight Democrats field hearing in Palm Beach County.

Last month, through her role on the House Appropriations Committee, she also helped advance two provisions to:

Require the DOJ to remove and prohibit the further release of personally identifying information of Epstein survivors on DOJ websites and in public materials.
Direct the DOJ Inspector General to review compliance with the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) and examine reforms needed to ensure all survivors are guaranteed their rights under the law, including timely notification of plea agreements before they are finalized — addressing the very loophole exploited in Epstein’s secret 2008 non-prosecution agreement.

For full text of the letter, click here.

Rep. Frankel Joins Legislation to Protect Jewish Community, Counter Antisemitism

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined 29 of her colleagues in the House of Representatives in introducing the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act to strengthen Federal efforts to counter antisemitism in the United States and protect the Jewish community.

“As antisemitism continues to rise and threats against our community become more frequent, Congress and the Executive Branch must do more to protect Jewish communities, students, and institutions from violence and discrimination,” said. Rep. Frankel. “No one should have to fear for their safety while practicing their faith or gathering to celebrate Jewish life. The Jewish American Security Act is an important bipartisan bill that will enhance and strengthen federal protections for the Jewish community and counter antisemitism. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort.”

The bill would:

Authorize the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) at $1 billion and improve the program by allowing the use of grant funding to hire security personnel, improve the application process, and ensure clearer access to grant opportunities;
Mandate the Department of Justice award grants to state and local law enforcement to increase security around religious sites;
Require civil rights training and public awareness campaigns in schools, create an Antisemitism Coordinator at the Department of Education, and require increased transparency from social media platforms on how they are handling antisemitic content on their sites.

For full text of the bill, click here.

Frankel Moves to Halt Trump’s $1.8 Billion Slush Fund Settlement

Thu, 21 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) joined Democratic colleagues in introducing legislation to stop President Trump’s $1.8 billion “weaponization” slush fund settlement from taking effect.

At the center of the controversy is a newly announced agreement between President Trump and his own Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ announced that Trump agreed to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax returns in exchange for the creation of a $1.776 billion fund for people claiming they were unfairly targeted by the Biden Administration — including individuals charged for their actions attacking the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The agreement also shields Trump, his family, and his companies from certain unpaid tax claims by the IRS.

Rep. Frankel joined Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring three pieces of legislation to prevent presidents from using the power of the federal government for personal or political gain.

The No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act would expressly prohibit the use of federal funds to create or finance the slush fund established under Trump’s IRS settlement, and prohibit any payments from the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund - which pays settlements and court judgments involving federal agencies - to go to the President, Vice President, their immediate family members, entities they control, and political appointees. For the full text of the bill, click here.
The SLUSH FUND Act would require the Treasury Department to publicly disclose recipients of payments from the slush fund and tax any payments received from the fund at 100 percent. For full text of the bill, click here.
The No Presidential Self-Serving Lawsuits Act would bar any president from initiating civil lawsuits against the U.S. government while in office and would prohibit the use of the Treasury’s Judgment Fund to settle civil claims initiated by a president, even after leaving office. For the full text of the bill, click here.

“I was in the Capitol on January 6 when a violent mob attacked the Capitol police and our democracy, so I saw firsthand the consequences when leaders abuse their power,” said Rep. Frankel. “Now President Trump is using his own Justice Department to create a billion-dollar fund that could reward political allies and January 6 defendants while shielding himself and his businesses from accountability. Americans want lower costs, safer communities, and a government that works for them — not taxpayer-funded payouts for the President’s inner circle."

Protections for Epstein Survivors and Crime Victims Advance in House Appropriations Bill

Mon, 18 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Frankel joined Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee to advance two key provisions in the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill to protect survivors of Epstein sexual abuse and strengthen victims’ rights in the justice system. This follows the recent House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Democrats' field hearing on the Epstein case held in Palm Beach County. Rep. Frankel will be available for interviews from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, May 19, to discuss her work to secure these critical protections for survivors. Interested press should contact Elle Walters (904-624-2523) for the specific location.

With bipartisan support, the House Appropriations Committee advanced provisions to:

Require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to remove and prohibit the public release of personally identifying information of Epstein survivors on DOJ websites and in public materials.
Direct the DOJ Inspector General to review DOJ compliance with the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) and examine reforms needed to ensure all survivors are guaranteed their rights under the law, including timely notification of plea agreements before they are finalized — addressing the very loophole exploited in Epstein’s secret 2008 non-prosecution agreement.

At the recent House Oversight and Government Reform Democratic field hearing in Palm Beach County, survivors recounted how prosecutors failed to notify them of Epstein’s secret non-prosecution agreement, shutting survivors out of the justice process. Survivors were recently retraumatized by the Trump DOJ publicly releasing their personal information.

“Epstein prosecutors denied survivors justice while protecting the powerful and well-connected, and now the Trump DOJ has exposed survivors’ private information to the public — retraumatizing the very people the justice system is supposed to protect,” said Congresswoman Lois Frankel, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“These bipartisan provisions will help protect survivors’ dignity and privacy while strengthening the rights of crime victims to be informed, heard, and treated fairly under the law.”

The FY27 CJS funding bill awaits consideration by the full House and the Senate. As it moves forward, Rep. Frankel will continue to push for the inclusion of these two provisions.

House Democrats Press Trump Administration Over Withholding Foreign Assistance Funds and Defying Congressional Intent

Thu, 14 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Democrats on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), led by Ranking Member Lois Frankel (FL-22), alongside Representatives Grace Meng (NY-06), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Mike Quigley (IL-05), sent a letter to Trump Administration officials expressing deep concern over plans to withhold $19 billion in foreign assistance and the Administration’s refusal to spend taxpayer dollars as directed by Congress.

The letter, addressed to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought and Deputy Director and Acting USAID Administrator Eric Ueland, follows an April 20, 2026 notification to Congress outlining the Administration’s intent to reserve billions of dollars for the closeout of terminated foreign assistance awards—even though information provided to Congress indicates the actual cost of those closeouts is only a fraction of the amount being withheld.

The lawmakers also warned that $3.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 Development Assistance and Global Health Programs funding is being held back instead of supporting congressionally approved programs that combat infectious disease, provide emergency food assistance, strengthen alliances, and promote global stability by reducing conflict and instability.

“We strongly opposed the indiscriminate termination of foreign assistance awards in 2025, which occurred without consultation with—or consent from—Congress,” the lawmakers wrote. “Withholding additional appropriated funds to support these terminations rather than investing in programs that advance both U.S. national interests and global stability is unconscionable and a misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

“The Administration’s stated goal of shuttering USAID cannot be achieved through rushed and wasteful closeouts,” they concluded. “Any such effort requires congressional debate and legislative action to address underlying statutory authorities.”

The full letter is available here.

Frankel, Kim Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Domestic Violence Survivors in Religious Communities

Thu, 14 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Emerita, and Young Kim (R-CA-40), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence, introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen support for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in religious communities.

The bipartisan Supporting Survivors from Faith-based Communities Act would establish a dedicated National Resource Center through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in faith communities. The Center would provide training, technical assistance, and resources to religious institutions, victim service providers, and community partners to better address domestic violence and support survivors from faith communities.

“Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault deserve support that meets them where they are, including in their places of worship,” said Rep. Frankel. “For so many, faith is a source of strength and healing. This bipartisan bill would help faith-based organizations better support survivors, expand access to critical support, and ensure that survivors across religious communities can find safety, dignity, and the tools they need to rebuild their lives.”

“Survivors of domestic violence deserve compassionate, culturally attuned care,” said Rep. Kim. “That’s why I am proud to support the Supporting Survivors from Faith-Based Communities Act, which empowers trusted faith-based organizations on the front lines. These groups provide critical safety, counseling, and support to individuals and families in crisis, helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”

“For too long, the unique experiences of survivors in faith communities have been overlooked in federal law,” said Meredith Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Women International. “We and our Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence are proud to have worked with Representatives Frankel and Kim to develop the Supporting Survivors from Faith-based Communities Act. We applaud their bipartisan leadership and consistent commitment to standing with women and girls.”

While the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has established grant programs to support different demographic groups that face unique challenges when addressing domestic violence, there is currently no dedicated program for survivors in communities of faith. Individuals in religious communities often face distinct barriers when seeking help, including navigating religious practices and accessing services that align with their faith. For example, survivors across many faith traditions may require accommodations related to dietary laws, modesty, or access to gender-specific counseling, all of which can affect their ability to seek safe and appropriate support.

Reps. Frankel and Kim were joined by six original cosponsors: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).

This bill is supported by leading faith-based and domestic violence advocacy organizations, including Jewish Women International (JWI), Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA), Shalom Task Force (STF), Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), The Dinah Project, Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research on Domestic Abuse, Peaceful Families Project, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (U.S. Region), Domestic Violence Outreach (DVO), Hope Rise Thrive, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (NAC), Pax in Familia, and Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse.

For full text of the bill, click here.

Frankel: Airport Naming Decisions Should Be Made Locally

Mon, 04 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

West Palm Beach, FL — Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement ahead of the Palm Beach County Commission’s meeting to approve a trademark agreement with the Trump Organization in a step toward renaming Palm Beach International Airport.

“Airports named after presidents have traditionally been designated once they leave office and through decisions made by local communities and local authorities—not imposed from above,” said Rep. Frankel.

“While the County has to comply with State law, what we are seeing is a clear overreach by the State Legislature that forced through this change without meaningful input from the people who actually live here, work here, and rely on Palm Beach International Airport every day.

Naming a major public asset should reflect community consensus and respect local voices. That is not happening here.”

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