Judy Chu

09/21/2026

Yesterday, an ICE agent shot Wilber Rafael Garces Perez while he was making a food delivery. Now, he is being held at the South Texas Detention Complex with a bullet lodged in his body, forced to sleep on the floor with no pain medication. This is the reality of the Trump administration's brutality.

I have joined Congressman Greg Casar's letter demanding an independent investigation. This violence must end.

09/21/2026

G’mar Chatima Tovah! Wishing all who observe Yom Kippur a day of peace, reflection, and meaningful renewal.

09/20/2026

After the Eaton Fire devastated our community, timely mortgage payments dropped dramatically. That's because thousands of families were unsure on how they were going to meet their mortgage payments, all while trying to repair and recover their homes. I'm relieved that mortgage relief for victims has been extended, but relief shouldn't be a fight every time disaster strikes.

That is why we must pass my bill, the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, to guarantee homeowners with federally backed mortgages up to a year of forbearance after a disaster. Natural disaster survivors nationwide deserve certainty while they recover, not more worry.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills extending mortgage relief to victims of the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County and other state disasters.

09/19/2026

‼️Attention all middle and high school students in CA-28 ‼️

If you are a young coder with a passion for STEM, the Congressional App Challenge is your chance to use your creativity, create your own app, and contribute to the future of technology.

The deadline to apply is October 26. To learn more, visit:

Congressional App ChallengeThe Congressional App Challenge is a competition intended to encourage students to learn how to code and inspire them to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. This Challenge allows middle and high school students to compete against thei...

09/18/2026

I am deeply concerned about reports that the Pentagon has undercounted U.S. troop deaths in the Iran war. These are Americans' lives. Their families and the public deserve the truth.

Officials who spoke with The Post expressed frustration that the additional loss of life in the Middle East is not reflected in the Defense Department’s casualty database.

09/18/2026

Over $43 BILLION of taxpayer money has been wasted on Trump’s illegal war in Iran. That’s money that could’ve gone towards actually helping American families afford health care, child care, groceries, or gas. It’s absolutely shameful.

09/18/2026

VA healthcare staffing shortages just hit a 7-year high — nearly 5,000 unfilled positions this year, with psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers all ranking among the top 5 clinical shortages.

These health professionals treat Veterans with combat-related trauma, PTSD, and injuries sustained during their service. Staffing shortages means slower, worse care for our Veterans.

This is exactly why I led a letter earlier this year requesting answers from VA Secretary Doug Collins about the significant cuts being made to the VA’s mental healthcare workforce. Our Veterans earned this care. Ensuring they get it is the very least we owe them.

https://www.govexec.com/management/2026/09/vas-reported-staffing-challenges-healthcare-facilities-hits-7-year-high/416034/

09/18/2026

Since the Eaton Fire, survivors whose homes were still standing but were contaminated by toxic smoke have faced challenges in getting their homes tested and remediated. Without a national or state standard for smoke damage, survivors have lived in fear that their homes are not safe to return to or reside in due to these toxic contaminants.

This law establishes first-in-the-nation standards to test and remediate homes damaged by wildfire smoke, and ensure that insurance will pay the cost of making your home safe again.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation to create new standards to test and remediate homes damaged by wildfire smoke, and to require insurance companies to pay for the associated costs.

09/18/2026

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Mariam Tariq, who served as an APAICS fellow in my Washington, DC, office from 2021 to 2022. She quickly became an integral member of my team because of her warm, positive presence and her dedication to public service.

My heart goes out to her loved ones.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mariam Tariq, a cherished member of the APAICS alumni community. Mariam was a 2021-2022 APAICS Fellow who served in the office of Congresswoman Judy Chu and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). She went on to dedicate her career to public service, including serving in the office of Mayor Farrah Khan for the City of Irvine, California and as a leader at the Islamic Center of Irvine. Her commitment to serving others and her community reflected the very spirit of the APAICS Fellowship.

We are grateful to have had Mariam as part of the APAICS family and will remember the contributions she made to our community and to public service. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

She will be deeply missed by the APAICS community.

With the deepest sympathy,
Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke
President & CEO

09/18/2026

An update for our Eaton and Palisades fire survivors on FEMA Disaster Case Management Program Funding: