By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Padilla blasts GOP’s latest attempt to pass SAVE America Act
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, yesterday blasted House Republicans in introducing the SAVE America Act, an updated version of the anti-voter SAVE Act which he said threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens by creating even more burdensome documentation requirements, among other voter suppression provisions.
The SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require “documentary proof of United States citizenship” to register to vote. The bill’s stated purpose is to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections.
“Once again, extremist Republicans are proving that they will stop at nothing to cause chaos in the midterm elections, pushing an even worse version of the anti-voter SAVE Act to mask their unaffordable and unpopular agenda. Instead of working to hold ICE and CBP accountable, Donald Trump and Republicans are focused on restricting the right to vote based on baseless conspiracy theories and anti-immigrant fearmongering,” said Padilla.
“Let me be clear: voting by noncitizens in federal elections is already a felony and it is extremely, extremely rare. This bill does nothing to secure our elections while seeking to disenfranchise millions of married women, military members and spouses, and rural, low-income, and minority voters. It also punishes voters in states that do not comply with Trump’s illegal pressure campaign for state voter information.
“This effort is nothing but a blatant voter suppression tactic in service of an out-of-control Trump Administration, and I will fight to ensure it’s dead on arrival in the Senate.”
Pérez critical of LAPD Chief over anti-police masking law
State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) last week lashed out at Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell’s recent comments implying the LAPD will not enforce California’s anti-police masking law, SB 627.
Pérez was a prime sponsor of the measure during the last legislative session, and it was enacted last year. The bill would make it a crime for a law enforcement officer to wear a facial covering while performing their duties, and is aimed at masks worn by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“LAPD Chief McDonnell’s apparent decision to not enforce California’s SB 627, the No Secret Police Act, by stating it ‘does not make sense’ is alarming and signals a disregard for his legal obligation to uphold our state laws. A Police Chief does not get to pick and choose which laws will be enforced and which will go ignored. This stance squarely contradicts the Chief’s own claim at the same press conference that public safety is the government’s foremost responsibility and, without it, everything else fails,” said Pérez.
“Public safety does not exist when immigration raids with masked agents directly destabilize communities and erode trust. Statements like this create a broader ripple effect that undermines consistent enforcement of our laws and feed into the current federal administration’s arbitrary behaviors. I expect more from a leader who has a distinguished public service career and who has taken an oath to uphold all our laws and protect the rights and safety of millions of diverse Angelenos.
“Chief McDonnell must clarify his position and restate his commitment to enforcing the law, including duly passed laws like SB 627 and SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, which are designed to protect public safety and hold law enforcement accountable to the public.”
Friedman Speaks at First AJC Congressional Community Forum
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) last week spoke at the American Jewish Committee (AJC)’s first in a series of Congressional Community Forums at the Temple Israel of Hollywood.
Former Los Angeles City Controller and current Interim Director of AJC Los Angeles, Ron Galperin, moderated the conversation, which centered on rising antisemitism, ICE and DHS in the community, and the broader fight for the future of democracy.
“During this moment of skyrocketing antisemitism and fear in our Jewish community and across Los Angeles, these conversations are more important than ever,” said Friedman. “I’m focused on taking action, including pushing back against Trump’s attacks on our community, protecting places of worship, and making sure hardworking Angelenos know they aren’t alone. That work is rooted in my Jewish values and my responsibility to the people I represent.”
Friedman has been a leader in the fight against antisemitism and antisemitic violence in the Trump Administration and elsewhere. These efforts include leading her colleagues in calling out Secretary Hegseth for promoting Kingsley Wilson, calling out social media platforms for failing to oversee harmful content, and urging the Appropriations Committee to address antisemitism in healthcare.
Solis, LA County Commission for Women hold inaugural event
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis (D-Central and Eastern Los Angeles, including Downtown LA, East LA, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, El Monte, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Pomona), along with the LA County Commission for Women, the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), and NWPC LA Metro on Saturday hosted an inaugural Civic Engagement event designed to bring together women across Los Angeles County to engage in civic service and community leadership roles.
The event supported women pursuing civic engagement and provided attendees with strategies and tools for success. It included educational workshops, leadership training, and wellness resources that empowered women with the tools, support networks, and confidence to step into leadership roles.
“This is more than just a gathering – it’s empowerment through community, action, and civic engagement for women across Los Angeles County,” said Solis. “Now more than ever, we must continue to carve out intentional space and movement that builds on the education, resilience, and leadership of women and girls everywhere. Together, we work towards a brighter, more just future.”
This event was in response to recent legislative and legal actions in the United States that resulted in setbacks to women’s rights. Speakers emphasized the importance of working together to overcome inequalities and how change starts with leadership roles that aim to achieve comprehensive equality, reproductive rights, economic justice (equal pay, childcare, paid leave), healthcare access (maternal health, affordability), ending gender-based violence, and dismantling systemic barriers to women’s political participation.
