Congresswoman Lucy McBath

McBath Announces Winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Mon, 124 May 2026 12:00:00 EST

Atlanta, GA — This weekend, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) hosted students and their families at the Cultural Arts Council Douglasville for her 2026 Sixth District Congressional Art Competition reception and awards ceremony. During the event, she announced the top 3 winners for this year’s competition.

“I am so proud of how well-represented our entire district was in this competition,” McBath said. “It is a joy each year to celebrate the talent and creativity on display by young people in our community. I give thanks to their parents and teachers who helped inspire a love of the arts at such a young age. Congratulations to our winners and to all our competing students!”

This year’s competition received 25 submissions from 10 high schools across Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District. Schools represented in the competition were Atlanta Classical Academy, Atlanta International School, Chapel Hill High School, Creekside High School, Douglas County High School, The Galloway School, McEachern High School, New Manchester High School, North Atlanta High School, and Woodward Academy. A digital gallery of all 25 submissions can be viewed on McBath’s website at https://mcbath.house.gov/art-competition.

The winners of the Sixth District 2026 Congressional Art Competition are:

Third Place: Amya Newell, Crossandra (McEachern High School)

Second Place: Tim Wang, Still Face (Woodward Academy)

First Place: Sarah Vinnik, Out of The Moment (North Atlanta High School)

Pictured above: Rep. McBath with competing students at Saturday’s competition

Pictured above from left to right: Amya Newell, Rep. McBath, Tim Wang, and Sarah Vinnik

The first-place winner of the competition will have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. The second-place winner will have their work displayed in Rep. McBath’s Washington, D.C. office. The third-place winner will have their work displayed in Rep. McBath’s Atlanta district office.

WANF: Georgia congresswoman raises concerns over ICE detainee’s treatment

Sun, 123 May 2026 12:00:00 EST

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Georgia congresswoman is raising concerns about the treatment of a detainee inside one of the state’s largest immigration detention centers as a metro Atlanta family fought to keep the husband and father in the country.

The case involves a decades-old conviction, a lapsed visa and growing questions about how detainees with serious medical needs are being treated.

For Congresswoman Lucy McBath, the case of Rodney Taylor is about more than one man. It’s about oversight of the entire immigration system.

“It is our responsibility to make sure there is a sense of dignity and respect and humanity by which they’re being detained,” McBath said.

Taylor had been held at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia — about two hours southwest of Atlanta — since January 2025. He was released on Friday, according to McBath, who has been working with Taylor’s family to find answers.

“I am very relieved to know that Rodney Taylor is currently reunited with his family,” McBath told Atlanta News First in a statement. “However, we know that the despicable and inhumane treatment of detainees in ICE facilities continues, and more families are suffering the same pain that Rodney’s family has endured. My advocacy for Rodney and my oversight of the treatment of detainees with disabilities must continue, because we know Rodney was not alone.”

Decades-old conviction at center of case

Taylor was facing possible deportation tied to a burglary conviction from when he was a teenager. He was later pardoned by the state parole board, but under federal immigration law, that pardon may not matter.

Taylor’s family says he was brought to the United States at just 2 years old for medical treatment on a legal visa that eventually lapsed over time.

McBath suspects Rodney Taylor’s story is not unique. She says Congress must be able to monitor what’s happening inside detention centers nationwide.

“We should all be concerned. Every community should be concerned if there are individuals within their community that are being detained,” McBath said. “And so I wanted to make sure that I was highlighting Rodney’s case because it might be representative of what is actually happening in detention centers all around the country.”

She says her office has pressed federal officials for answers, but so far, she says those responses have not matched what Taylor and his family described.

Family describes medical challenges

Mildred Taylor says while in custody, her husband — a double amputee — was denied full access to food and showers.

“Mentally, physically, it’s been very, very challenging,” Mildred Taylor said.

She says he struggled to get even basic accommodations, which then led to new medical issues.

“Rodney’s been diagnosed with bone spurs and neuropathy as a result of the ill-fitted prosthetics that were not provided to him while in detention, now causing more sensitive situations to his body and breaking down is deteriorating, is debilitating,” she said.

Legal case continues on multiple fronts

Taylor’s case is still tied up on multiple fronts.
His attorney, Sarah Owings, was working to get immigration officials to release him from detention. Separately, she’s working on what’s known as a habeas petition, essentially asking a federal court to review his entire case.

“At the end of this phase, there are appellate phases, so this could drag on depending on the outcome. We’ll just have to see. We’ll see what the board of immigration appeal says and go from there. And the rights of Rodney to either return to the country or remain in the country, that will be going on for a long time,” Owings said. “Immigration in general is very slow. That’s just how things are working these days.”

Despite everything, Mildred Taylor says her husband tried to help others while inside the facility, even while trying to manage his own health problems.

“It’s been a nightmare. I haven’t found a movie that’s nearly close to what we’re living,” she said.

For McBath, the case has underscored what she calls a broader concern: whether the system is meeting its own standards for care and treatment.

“I don’t get to make the decisions about his federal deportation, but it is my responsibility to make sure there is oversight,” McBath said.

An ICE spokesman told Atlanta News First that any claims Taylor or any detainees are dealing with “subprime conditions” are false.

CNN: Jake Tapper devastates RFK Jr. with his own words after secretary denies autism remarks

Fri, 107 Apr 2026 06:00:00 EST

(CNN via Raw Story) President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary tried to walk back his disparaging remarks against children with autism and people with disabilities at his congressional hearing on Friday — but CNN's Jake Tapper had a clip ready to hold him to account.

"Another round of intense questioning for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.," said Tapper. "On Capitol Hill today, lawmakers pressed the Department of Health and Human Services secretary on his promotion of medical misinformation. In one of the most hostile moments from today's hearing, Democratic Congresswoman Lucy McBath of Georgia scolded RFK Jr. about his past remarks on autism, specifically his claim that autism, quote, 'destroys families' and that children with autism 'have no future.'"

Tapper rolled the clip.

"Some people with disabilities do need direct care to assist them with activities like going to the bathroom, but that does not mean that they are somehow less than or unable to lead fulfilling and productive lives as you," said McBath, to which Kennedy replied, "Nobody said they were."

"'And nobody said they were,' RFK Jr. said," repeated Tapper. "But Secretary Kennedy, someone did say they were, and it was you."

He then played another, earlier clip of Kennedy giving a speech.

"Destroys families and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which our children," said Kennedy in the clip. "These are kids who will never pay taxes. They'll never hold a job. They'll never play baseball. They'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."

"Today, Congresswoman McBath asked RFK Jr. to apologize for his remarks," said Tapper. "He refused, stating that he was specifically talking about profound autism, although that's not what he said. He said autism destroys families."

ABC: RFK Jr. defends vaccine views, autism comments during House committee hearing

By Arthur Jones II — Fri, 107 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EST

RFK Jr. contradicts experts on rise of autism diagnosesHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he was determined to find the "environmental exposures" behind the rise of autism diagnoses.

(ABC News) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endured another grueling hearing on Capitol Hill focused on his decisions that lawmakers claim have impacted children's health, including his views on vaccines and previous comments about autism.

Following the hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee on Friday, Kennedy ignored questions from reporters on President Donald Trump's new nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Erica Schwartz, and Kennedy's upcoming hearings with Senators next week.

Views on vaccines

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., suggested Kennedy's history of vaccine-skeptic rhetoric is correlated to an uptick in measles cases.

"Does exposing infants and children to measles enhance their health and well-being?" Bonamici asked.

Kennedy told Bonamici he is "not anti-vaccine."

"I've never been anti-vaccine," Kennedy said. "I've always said I'm not anti-vaccine."

"Mr. Secretary, you have been a longtime voice against vaccination," she pressed Kennedy.

Kennedy has long sown doubt in the safety and effectiveness of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Despite being a required vaccine in all states to attend public school, rates have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, CDC data shows.

It comes as vaccine exemptions have risen sharply, with at least 138,000 kindergarteners exempt from one or more vaccines during the most recent school year, according to CDC data.

"No, I haven't," he reiterated. "I'm not anti-vax. I'm pro science. What I've said is vaccines should be adequately safety tested so we know both about the risk and the benefits," he added.

Two unvaccinated school-aged children died last year from measles -- the first U.S. deaths from measles in a decade. However, Kennedy said the measles deaths in a Texas Mennonite community should not be linked to him.

"I went to the funeral of one of those little girls, and I spent a day with the family of the other, and both of them told me that when they took their children to the hospital, they were treated as pariahs," Kennedy said.

"They were not given proper treatments. Both families believe their daughters and their own doctors believe their daughters could have been saved if the hospital gave them proper treatment," he continued..

Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock, which treated at least one of the two children who died, said in a statement last year that there were "misleading and inaccurate claims" circulating online about care provided at the hospital.

"What we can say is that our physicians and care teams follow evidence-based protocols and make clinical decisions based on a patient's evolving condition, diagnostic findings, and the best available medical knowledge," the hospital said.

The hospital did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment on Friday.

Medical organizations and public health experts have been critical of the federal government's response to ongoing measles outbreak, including Kennedy's delayed public acknowledgment that the measles vaccine helps prevent infection.

Past comments on autism

Much of the nearly three-hour hearing seized on Kennedy's previous comments about autism that Democrats believe are harmful to the community.

Lucy McBath, D-Ga., asked Kennedy to apologize for saying that "autism destroys families" at a presser last year.

"I was talking about people with profound autism," Kennedy told McBath. "People ... who have lowering impact autism. I'm talking about people who are nonverbal, non-toilet trained, head banging."

"I find that very, very sad. It should be very easy for you to apologize if that's not, in fact, what you meant," McBath said.

"Those are crocodile tears, Congresswoman," Kennedy replied.

Kennedy had a rare exchange with a Republican lawmaker over largely unfounded claims about the link between Tylenol use among pregnant mothers and the increased risk of their unborn children being diagnosed with autism and other health disorders.

Virginia Foxx, R-N. Car., asked Kennedy about a recent study suggesting there's "no connection" between Tylenol usage in pregnancy and autism in babies.

"The study is a garbage study," Kennedy told Foxx. "It should be retracted."

The study analyzed 1.5 million children in Denmark and found no link between Tylenol during pregnancy and autism later in life.

Kennedy claimed the study needed to be retracted because it determined whether women took Tylenol during pregnancy by prescription, and Tylenol is a well-known over-the-counter medication.

Trump's mental fitness

In the hearing focused on Americans' health and health care costs, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., used Trump's social media posts to question Kennedy about the president's mental fitness and stability.

Takano alleged the president's Easter post featuring the f-word and a separate post featuring an AI-generated image of the president seemingly as Jesus was evidence of Trump being mentally "unstable."

"Millions of Americans are now wondering if this President is delusional and thinks he is Jesus Christ," Takano said. "Mr. Secretary, given everything that I've shown you today, will you insist that President Trump undergo an assessment of his mental fitness and his emotional stability?"

"Absolutely not," Kennedy replied.

The moment devolved into a shouting match about the 25th Amendment, which establishes procedures for replacing the president in the event of removal, resignation or incapacitation.

"Secretary, would you invoke the 25th Amendment if he were to fail an assessment of his mental stability or emotional stability?" Takano asked.

"There hasn't been a president who is more sane," Kennedy started before he was cut off by Takano.

On Monday, Trump denied that the deleted post had any connection to Jesus at all, and was, in fact, supposed to depict him as a doctor.

Gender-affirming surgeries

Several Republicans discussed gender-affirming care for minors with Kennedy, claiming the outcomes are detrimental to children.

"The outcomes in children are catastrophic in terms of depression, suicide, all kinds of illnesses. It's condemnation to a life of misery, and there is no scientific justification," Kennedy said.

"What can we do to protect children in the future from the medical associations, and particularly the mental health medical associations, from harming our kids? How can we prevent them from doing that?" Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc., asked.

"We have ended all federal funding for those kinds of puberty blockers and gender mutilation surgeries," Kennedy replied. "We have instructed hospitals and medical centers around the country that if they do host those kind of interventions, that they will lose all their Medicaid and Medicare funding."

HHS released a final version of a report on pediatric gender-affirming care in November, claiming it found "medical dangers" posed to children and calling for a broader use of psychotherapy.

Some major medical groups pushed back, stating that psychotherapy first is the standard approach in gender-affirming care and that additional care, such as hormonal therapies, only occurs after in-depth evaluations between patients and doctors.

Some experts in the gender-affirming care space said studies have found gender-affirming care is generally safe and that youth with gender dysphoria are typically evaluated, diagnosed and treated based on an individual assessment by qualified providers.

Special education services

Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich. -- who is chairman of the committee -- and others asked Kennedy about the Department of Education's strategy to move programs to other agencies, including HHS, in order to dismantle the department completely.

Kennedy said the special education programming should return to HHS.

"Some of these programs should have always been under HHS purview," Kennedy said. "It just makes more sense. They're health-related programs rather than particularly [educational] programs, and we have many parallel programs at HHS that can benefit from synergies from each other," he said.

He said the final decision is under the purview of Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

"She has power to contract out these functions at other agencies, and it's a broad power, and she's operating under that power," Kennedy concluded.

-ABC News' Mary Kekatos contributed to this report.

CBS News: RFK Jr. tells congresswoman "those are crocodile tears" during tense moment at House hearing

Fri, 107 Apr 2026 11:30:00 EST

Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. got into a heated exchange during a House hearing on Friday. "Those are crocodile tears, congresswoman!" Kennedy told McBath when she asked him to apologize for his past comments about people with autism.

Forbes: Lucy McBath Grills RFK Jr.: Do You Believe Gun Violence Is A Public Health Crisis?

Fri, 107 Apr 2026 11:00:00 EST

Representatives McBath, Owens Introduce CREATES Act to Streamline Credentialing Process

Thu, 106 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Washington, DC — Representatives Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Burgess Owens (UT-04) are introducing H.R. 8304, the Credential Repositories and Transparency in States (CREATES) Act, which will help states build and maintain their own public credential repositories or registries to connect people with opportunities and good jobs. The bill seeks to bring clarity to a system that has become increasingly fragmented, where students, families, workers, and employers struggle to navigate and understand the hundreds of thousands of degrees, certificates, and training programs that are available in the United States.

The CREATES Act builds on existing workforce development efforts, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), as well as prior legislation introduced by Rep. McBath such as the Youth Workforce Readiness Act, the Adult Education WORKS Act, and the TRAIN Act. Together, these efforts reflect a broader push to modernize workforce systems and ensure that individuals can make informed decisions about their education and career pathways.

“It has become far too difficult, confusing, and expensive for everyday Americans to obtain the skills they need to provide a decent life for themselves and their families.,” said Rep. McBath. “In today’s economy, a credential should open doors, not create confusion. The CREATES Act will bring transparency and accountability to a system that hasn’t kept pace with the needs of workers or employers. By investing in accessible data, we can make it easier for employers to find skilled workers, help workers identify what credentials they need to show proficiency in a given topic, and help students and families better understand what degree or credential is best for them before making major decisions about their future we can.”

“Too many Americans are navigating a confusing and costly credentialing system without an understanding on what actually leads to good-paying jobs. The CREATES Act brings transparency and accountability to the marketplace by helping states build tools that connect workers, students, and employers with the information they need to succeed. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with my friend, Rep. McBath, to strengthen our workforce, expand opportunity, and ensure Americans can make informed decisions about their education and careers. We do not have time to waste,” said Rep. Owens.

The bill establishes a grant program allowing states to receive up to $5 million over three years to develop centralized, transparent credential data repositories through the Department of Labor. These tools would help users compare credentials across programs, regions, and outcomes. Building on a recent $15 million Department of Labor initiative supporting state talent marketplaces and credential registries, the CREATES Act would make it easier for employers to find skilled workers, help individuals understand which credentials demonstrate proficiency, and give students and families clearer guidance as they make major education and career decisions.

This legislation is endorsed by Credential Engine, National Skills Coalition, America Forward, Jobs for the Future, National Association of Development Organization (NADO), Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Youth Employment Coalition, and YouthBuild Global.

WABE: DHS tells Rep. Lucy McBath conditions for disabled man in immigration detention meet standards

By Emily Wu Pearson — Thu, 92 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

Photo: Community members rally before a press conference in front of the Atlanta ICE field office announcing the collection of over 7,600 petitions calling for the release of Rodney Taylor, a double-amputee who has been detained for over a year at Stewart Detention Center. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

WABE—On Monday, Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath visited Rodney Taylor, a 47-year-old Loganville man who uses two prosthetic legs, at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia.

The visit came after McBath highlighted Taylor’s case at a House Judiciary committee hearing, demanding that former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem respond to a letter she and 20 other members of Congress sent questioning why the man remained in immigration detention as he developed further health complications due to a lack of specific care tailored to his disabilities.

“I wanted to be able to assess how he was doing physically, morally, spiritually, just psychologically,” McBath said. “I wanted to be able to assess that for myself and have a one-on-one discussion with him.”

At the hearing, Noem said she had not seen the letter and would look into it. McBath told WABE that since then, DHS responded to the letter, “claiming that they’re following all of the standards and the protocol that are issued in their codes that they’re supposed to abide by,” she said.

“But to hear directly from Rodney, that definitely is not the case.

In the nearly 15 months Taylor’s been in detention, he’s had many cellmates come and go. Taylor told McBath that he feels afraid to take off his prosthetics because he doesn’t want anything to happen to them, and he also doesn’t feel comfortable exposing strangers to the care his legs need, which chafes against his prosthetics.

“I’m just really distressed because, you know, we’re just talking about Rodney’s case,” McBath said. “But let’s talk about all the other detainees as well that are not receiving the care and the attention that they deserve.”

Taylor came to the United States on a medical visa when he was two years old from Liberia through the Shriners organization to receive treatment for deformities in his limbs.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him at his home based on a burglary conviction from when he was a teen that the state of Georgia pardoned Taylor for in 2010, according to his attorney Sarah Owings.

In a statement to WABE, a DHS spokesperson said Taylor has refused the medical treatment offered to him in detention, and that “ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens. This is the best healthcare that many aliens have received in their entire lives.”

McBath said that while she doesn’t have the power to single-handedly get Taylor out of detention, she can hold ICE to its detention standards, advocate for humane treatment of those detained, and push for better standards.

“That is our responsibility to be able to go into these facilities to check to see what the environment is, what the climate is, and how these individuals are being treated,” she said.

Reps. McBath & Williams, Sens. Ossoff & Rev. Warnock Upgrading Drinking Water Infrastructure in College Park

Mon, 89 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

Atlanta, GA — U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Nikema Williams (GA-05), alongside Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, are delivering resources to help remove lead pipes from College Park's drinking water infrastructure.

The group is delivering $2,134,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23. This effort brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to help the City of College Park upgrade its drinking water infrastructure. The Federal resources will help the city replace lead pipes with ductile iron pipes, improving drinking water quality for families.

“Some of College Park’s most well-established residents are threatened by corroding and failing lead pipes,” McBath said. “We owe it to these residents to bring overdue federal investments back to their community to ensure they don’t have to worry about access to clean drinking water. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Georgia delegation for working together to deliver this funding to College Park.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “When Georgian families turn on their faucet, there shouldn’t be a question about the safety of their water—especially not in the wealthiest country in the world. I’m proud to have brought $2,134,000 back to College Park and secured clean, safe, and dependable drinking water with my Georgia colleagues.”

“Clean, safe, healthy drinking water is not a luxury — it’s a necessity,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why we brought Republicans and Democrats together to upgrade water infrastructure in College Park.”

“In a nation as rich and powerful as ours, there is no reason any community should have to worry about the quality of their drinking water.” said Senator Warnock. “I am proud to have worked alongside my Georgia colleagues to provide these critical upgrades, and peace of mind, for the College Park community.”

“The City is immeasurably grateful to Senator Ossoff, Senator Reverend Warnock, and Representatives Williams and McBath for their leadership and for helping secure this funding for College Park. These critical upgrades will help improve drinking water quality and keep families safe for generations to come,” said College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom.

WABE: After no DHS response, Georgia lawmakers advocate for double amputee's release from immigration detention

By Emily Wu Pearson — Thu, 85 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

(WABE)

Photo: Mildred Taylor, whose husband has been in detained at Stewart Detention Center for over a year, stands in line in front of the ICE field office in Atlanta, Ga to deliver over 7,600 petitions demanding her spouses release. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

The family of a Loganville man and Georgia state lawmakers hand-delivered a letter to immigration officials in Atlanta on Thursday, asking for the man’s release.

It’s part of an ongoing campaign of Georgia’s local and federal elected officials to get Rodney Taylor, 47, out of Stewart Detention Center in Southwest Georgia, where he has been detained for more than a year.

“I have seen the conditions that him and others have had to deal with and the heartbreaking stories directly from people in the facility, including Rodney,” said state Rep. Gabriel Sanchez, who visited Taylor in detention and authored the letter. “It is unimaginable the pain they have to go through, and no human being should be ever treated like that.”

Taylor came to the U.S. on a medical visa when he was two years old from Liberia through the Shriners organization to receive treatment for deformities in his limbs. Today, he uses two prosthetic legs and is missing three fingers on his right hand.

His story rose to national prominence in early March after Congresswoman Lucy McBath questioned then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem about the conditions Taylor faced in detention.

“He went six days without a shower because the facility lacked the appropriate medical equipment,” McBath told Noem at a congressional hearing. “When he finally got a shower stool, he found moldy showers covered in feces and bodily fluids. He was threatened with disciplinary action if he tries to use that shower stool. Rodney must crawl through that muck and squalor of feces and bodily fluids to enter and exit the showers.”

Noem promised McBath she would look into Taylor’s case, but she was removed from the role the day after the hearing. Taylor’s wife, Mildred, said no one from DHS has followed up with her on Noem’s promise.

In the meantime, Mildred and the lawmakers are moving forward, calling attention to Rodney’s story and medical needs. In addition to the letter, Mildred delivered a petition with more than 7,600 signatures asking for her husband’s release.

“Rodney’s not just the (Alien)-number. He’s a husband, he’s a father, he’s a loved one. He’s a human being with constitutional rights whose life matters,” she said. “Right now, Rodney is suffering in detention.”

DHS wrote in a statement to WABE, “Any claims that detainees in ICE custody are dealing with subprime conditions at Stewart Detention Center are false…All detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, and toiletries, and have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers.”

Taylor’s state representative, Segun Adeyina, said federal officials should consider alternatives to detention while Taylor’s immigration case moves through the system so he can receive adequate medical care.

“We recognize the importance of enforcing our laws,” Adeyina said, “but we must also recognize the discretion that exists within the DHS to act compassionately, especially when someone’s health and well-being is at risk.”

McBath, Senator Alsobrooks Introduce Legislation to Support Families and Infants

Wed, 84 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

The Extending WIC for New Moms Act is a part of the “Momnibus” package to support America’s children...

Representatives McBath, Valadao, Carter, Lee Launch Bipartisan Caucus to Combat Human Trafficking

Thu, 78 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

Washington, DC – Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06), joined by David Valadao (CA-22), Troy Carter (LA-02), and Laurel Lee (FL-15) this week launched the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. This caucus is a bipartisan coalition of members committed to advancing legislation and policy initiatives that raise public awareness of human trafficking, strengthen the United States’ prevention and prosecution efforts, hold traffickers accountable, and protect human trafficking victims.

“We are proud to launch the Congressional Combating Human Trafficking Caucus, a bipartisan effort to strengthen Congress’s commitment to preventing human trafficking, protecting victims, and holding traffickers accountable,” said Rep. McBath. “Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that demands sustained action at every level of government. Through this caucus, we will work to raise public awareness, advance meaningful legislation, and coordinate closely with federal agencies, advocates, and community partners to confront this crime wherever it occurs. I thank my colleagues for their support on this issue. By bringing together members on both sides of the aisle, we are reinforcing our shared responsibility to combat trafficking and ensure that victims are protected.”

“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that preys on the most vulnerable in our Central Valley communities, and while there’s no silver bullet solution, there are actions we can take to fight back,” said Rep. Valadao. “I’m proud to launch the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus to strengthen support for victims and survivors, improve coordination across federal, state, and local partners, and hold traffickers accountable. This caucus will engage lived-experience experts and key stakeholders to help guide future legislative action, and I look forward to working with my co-chairs to confront this crisis head on.”

“Human trafficking is an urgent threat in communities across our nation, and New Orleans is especially vulnerable as a hub for tourism and major events, leading to an increased rate of trafficking. I’m proud to join my colleagues in launching this bipartisan caucus to strengthen coordination at every level of government and hold traffickers accountable. I am committed to elevating survivor voices, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring victims have access to the support and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives," said Rep. Troy Carter, Sr.

“Human trafficking is an insidious crime that exploits both children and adults and preys on the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Rep. Lee. “I am proud to join the Congressional Combatting Human Trafficking Caucus and work alongside my colleagues to combat this abuse and hold traffickers accountable. Throughout my time in Congress, I have introduced and supported legislation focused on protecting victims and strengthening the tools law enforcement needs to stop traffickers. I look forward to continuing that work through this caucus and advancing policies that help protect vulnerable individuals and bring traffickers to justice.”

Supporting organizations include the American Hotel & Lodging Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Gaming Association, Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking, Kids in Need of Defense, Polaris, TAT, Protect All Children from Trafficking, the Empowerment Dess Perkins Foundation, Kings County Sheriff’s Department, the Central Valley Justice Coalition, Central Valley Against Human Trafficking, It's a Penalty, 3Strands Global Foundation, Without Permission, Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Kings Community Action Organization, California Commission on Sexual Exploitation, Wellspring Living, and Street Grace.

“The creation of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus is a powerful signal that our leaders in Washington are committed to treating this heinous crime with the urgency it demands. The hotel industry has been a leading voice in prevention through our No Room for Trafficking initiative which trains employees and supports survivors. We’ve long believed that preventing human trafficking requires partnership between the business community and government, and are eager to work more closely with the caucus co-chairs – Representatives David Valadao (R-CA), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Troy Carter (D-LA), and Lucy McBath (D-GA) – and all members of Congress to advance policies that strengthen prevention and support survivors on their path to stability and recovery,” said Rosanna Maietta, President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association.

“The U.S. Chamber and our members are committed to combating human trafficking and we commend Rep. David Valadao, Rep. Troy Carter, Rep. Laurel Lee, and Rep. Lucy McBath for launching the Combating Human Trafficking Caucus. The U.S. Chamber looks forward to working with the Combating Human Trafficking Caucus in the fight to stop this heinous crime," said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"The AGA is proud to support the launch of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Human trafficking is an issue that affects communities in all 50 states and requires strong collaboration across government, law enforcement, and community partners. We look forward to working closely with the Caucus and its stakeholders to advance policies and initiatives that strengthen prevention, awareness, and support for survivors,” said Alex Costello, Vice President, American Gaming Association (AGA).

"Human trafficking does not respect borders, and neither can the response to it. The formation of this caucus sends a clear signal that Congress is ready to match the urgency of this crisis with sustained, bipartisan commitment. Combating human trafficking requires more than good intentions, it requires coordinated legislative action. The launch of this caucus strengthens this coordination,” said Anne Basham, Chair, Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking.

"KIND applauds Representatives David Valadao, Troy Carter, Laurel Lee, and Lucy McBath for launching the vital Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. The unaccompanied children that KIND serves too often face trafficking and other exploitation in their countries of origin and the United States alike. For decades, Congress has worked to address these abuses in a robust bipartisan fashion, including by helping ensure that unaccompanied children have attorneys who identify trafficking risks and guide children’s cooperation as victim-witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators. The caucus embodies this bipartisan approach to preventing and combating trafficking. KIND looks forward to engaging with its members on pragmatic solutions that keep children safe and hold bad actors to account," said Wendy Young, President, Kids in Need of Defense.

"We welcome the establishment of this Caucus and are encouraged by its commitment to elevating the experiences and leadership of those most directly impacted by trafficking. Policies are strongest when they are informed by the realities people face in communities across the country, and when survivor insight and credible data guide the path forward. At Polaris, we believe effective policy must center survivors, protect their privacy and dignity, and draw on the best available data and insights from the field. We look forward to engaging with the Caucus as its agenda develops to help ensure these values remain at the forefront of legislative and policy efforts,” said Megan Lundstrom, CEO, Polaris.

"As a non-profit organization that partners with the transportation industry to combat human trafficking, TAT welcomes the establishment of a bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Since its founding in 2009, TAT has trained over 2.5 million transportation professionals on how to recognize and report human trafficking. We also train law enforcement and facilitate the creation of public-private partnerships. Recognizing that coordinated approaches are essential, TAT supports the Caucus’ goals of elevating the voices of survivors and partnering with experts to advance policies to prevent human trafficking, recover and support survivors, and hold traffickers accountable,” said Esther Goetsch, Executive Director, TAT.

"PACT—Protect All Children from Trafficking—is thrilled to support the reconstitution of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Human trafficking in general, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in particular, is a terrible crime that transcends national and international borders, and efforts to prevent it must transcend political divisions. PACT looks forward to working with caucus co-chairs David Valadao, Laurel Lee, Lucy McBath, and Troy Carter to advance survivor-centered legislation that strengthens federal anti-trafficking efforts, from supporting the work of federal agencies to prevent trafficking to ensuring accountability for platforms that facilitate exploitation," said Aram Schvey, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations, PACT.

“The Empowerment Dess Perkins Foundation, is honored to be a part of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus, standing in commitment to protecting our youth, vulnerable individuals, and advancing meaningful solutions to end human trafficking. As a survivor, I believe that what happens to one of us should be the business of all of us. I speak for those who cannot, turning my pain into purpose, helping create legislation, and using my voice to advocate for prevention, protection future generations, and hope for survivors everywhere,” said Dess Perkins, CEO, the Empowerment Dess Perkins Foundation.

“As Sheriff of Kings County, I’m fully committed to this coordinated effort to combat human trafficking both locally and across California’s Central Valley. Like many smaller communities, Kings County has been directly impacted by this crime, and I strongly support measures that increase penalties and strengthen collaborative enforcement efforts. Human trafficking is far more widespread than many realize and often goes unreported. I’m grateful to the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus for taking meaningful action to fight back,” said Dave Putnam, Sheriff, Kings County.

“The Central Valley Justice Coalition is deeply grateful and encouraged by the formation of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Since 2010, the Justice Coalition has been focused on preventing human trafficking through education, partnership, and outreach. We are pleased to see our elected officials giving appropriate priority to prevention and early intervention combined with systemic change and informed by survivor voice. We look forward to future conversations as together we work to bring freedom and flourishing to every member of our community,” said Christa Wiens, Executive Director, Central Valley Justice Coalition.

“Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking is proud to support the launch of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. We are encouraged to see leaders coming together to strengthen national efforts to prevent trafficking and support survivors. As a direct service provider and leading organization of the Central Valley Freedom Coalition, a regional collaborative within California’s Central Valley, we recognize the critical role federal leadership plays in advancing victim-centered responses and prevention strategies. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure all survivors receive the support and protection they deserve,” said Misty Gattie-Blanco, MS, Director for Sanctuary and Support Services, Central Valley Against Human Trafficking.

"We support the launch of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus and the opportunity it creates to strengthen coordination and prevention across sectors. Our work, delivered in partnership with frontline organizations and informed by lived experience, shows that addressing trafficking and exploitation requires trauma-informed approaches, stronger systems, and sustained collaboration. Human trafficking is a global issue that demands shared accountability, and we are committed to strengthening prevention and supporting vulnerable populations,” said Sarah de Carvalho, CEO, It’s a Penalty.

“Human trafficking cannot be addressed without centering the expertise of survivors and the organizations working alongside them every day. The formation of the Congressional Combating Human Trafficking Caucus signals a meaningful commitment to bipartisan leadership and survivor-informed policymaking. At 3Strands Global Foundation, we believe prevention, protection, and accountability must work together, and we look forward to partnering with members of Congress to advance solutions that strengthen communities and ensure survivors are not only heard, but empowered to help shape the policies that impact their lives," said Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Co-Founder, 3Strands Global Foundation.

"Since 2012 Without Permission has served 1,162 survivors of sex trafficking throughout Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, 732 of those were children under the age of 18. Without Permission has three pillars, Prevention, Restoration, and Justice. In Prevention alone we have educated over 50,000 students. In Restoration we work to restore the survivors and support their families on their healing journey. Our Justice department works with District Attorneys, Law Enforcement agencies, and collaborates to provide trainings and education for further victim support and prevention. Without Permission exists to end sex trafficking and we are thrilled and honored to support the Combatting Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. We believe this Caucus will make a huge difference in the fight against Human Trafficking," said Clint Rangel, Director of Prevention, Without Permission.

"The Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking (KCAHT) stands in staunch support of victims and survivors of human trafficking through coordinated, community-based action. Since 2012, KCAHT has led a multidisciplinary approach that unites law enforcement, service providers, and community partners to deliver survivor-centered solutions and disrupt exploitation. KCAHT supports the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus and its commitment to advancing evidence-based policy, strengthening prevention and enforcement efforts, and elevating survivor voices at the national level. We commend the Caucus for its bipartisan leadership and focus on practical, survivor-informed solutions. We stay committed to working alongside federal, state, and local leaders to drive meaningful policy, expand access to critical services, and hold traffickers accountable. Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to combating human trafficking across the United States," said Dustin Contreras, Co-Director, Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

"Kings Community Action Organization is proud to support the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus and its bipartisan commitment to strengthening prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts nationwide. The caucus’s focus on elevating survivor voices, improving coordination across all levels of government, and advancing evidence based policies reflects our shared mission to protect vulnerable populations and hold traffickers accountable. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that promote safety, justice, and meaningful support for all impacted by trafficking," said Joey Cox, M.A, Director of Intervention, Prevention, and Support Services, Kings Community Action Organization.

"The California Commission on Sexual Exploitation is proud to support the launch of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. This effort represents a critical step toward strengthening national coordination to prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. We commend the leadership of the caucus founders for prioritizing this urgent issue and fostering collaboration across sectors. We look forward to supporting the caucus’s work to advance meaningful policies and solutions that address human trafficking in all its forms," said Dr. Tiara King, CEO, California Commission on Sexual Exploitation.

"The formation of the Congressional Combating Human Trafficking Caucus is a critical step forward in our nation's fight against one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. We are grateful to Rep. Valadao, McBath, Lee, and Carter for standing together in this bipartisan effort. At Street Grace, we know that lasting change requires bold policy, survivor-centered solutions, and unwavering political will and this caucus represents all three. We look forward to partnering with Congress to ensure that every child is protected and every trafficker is held accountable." said Bob Rodgers, CEO, Street Grace.

Caucus priorities include:

Highlighting legislation that advances evidence-based prevention, programs, and other initiatives to combat human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking.
Supporting and enhancing the work of federal agencies to prevent trafficking, disrupt financial networks, improve data collection, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect trafficking survivors.
Promoting sustained coordination among federal, state, and local partners to address trafficking ahead of large-scale events.
Advancing policies that ensure access to economic stability, legal remedies, and supportive services for victims of human trafficking.
Protecting youth and vulnerable populations through online safety safeguards, early intervention, and accountability for platforms that facilitate exploitation.

McBath, Meng, Chu, Williams Lead Resolution Marking Five Years Since Atlanta Spa Shootings

Mon, 75 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (GA-06), Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Judy Chu (CA-28), CAPAC Chair Emerita, and Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced a resolution commemorating the five-year remembrance of the Atlanta spa shootings.

On March 16, 2021, a gunman senselessly murdered eight people, including six Asian women, and injured a ninth person at two spas and a massage parlor in Atlanta, Georgia. These shootings occurred amid an alarming surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents nationwide fueled by the use of anti-Asian rhetoric that scapegoated Asian Americans for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Five years after the Atlanta spa shootings, our city still carries the grief of the eight lives stolen in an act of anti-Asian hate,” said Rep. McBath. “That tragedy shook our community and left lasting pain for the families, loved ones, and neighbors who continue to mourn. As someone who has dedicated my work in Congress to preventing gun violence, I know remembrance must also be matched with action to protect people from the hatred and violence which devastates communities across America. We must reject the hateful and harmful rhetoric that continues to fuel division and put lives at risk. On this anniversary, we honor the memories of those we lost and recommit ourselves to our responsibility to champion solutions that will prevent violence and save lives.”

“It is hard to believe that five years have passed since the horrific Atlanta spa shootings that took eight lives, six of whom were Asian women. For many in the Asian American community, it was our worst nightmare realized and the inevitable result of racist slurs like ‘kung flu’ that painted a target on our backs. While my COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act that passed into law marked real progress in addressing anti-Asian hate, more must be done to protect our communities,” said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “As CAPAC Chair, I will never stop fighting against anti-Asian hate and for a future where every American can live with safety and dignity. Our caucus extends our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones as we mark this solemn anniversary. May the memories of those we lost forever be a blessing.”

“Five years after the Atlanta spa shootings, we remember the eight lives taken, six of them Asian women, in a heinous act of anti-Asian hate,” said Rep. Chu. “Their families and communities continue to carry this profound loss. Their memory reminds us of the painful surge in anti-Asian hate that scarred our nation during the pandemic and the responsibility we all share to confront it. While progress has been made, our work is far from finished. On this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to standing with AANHPI communities, rejecting xenophobia in all its forms, and building a country where no one lives in fear because of who they are.”

“Five years after the violent Atlanta spa shootings, we remember the eight lives stolen, the families still grieving, and the communities still carrying deep scars. Remembrance must also move us to action. The work to protect Asian American communities and confront anti-Asian hate is as urgent as it was five years ago. Part of the promise of America is freedom from fear or violence because of who you are, and we will keep fighting until that promise is realized. We honor the lives lost by standing shoulder to shoulder with Asian American communities in the ongoing fight for safety for all,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05).

In the five years since this horrific tragedy, Asian American communities have continued to grapple with the grief, trauma, and long-term mental health impacts of anti-Asian hate. The resolution not only marks the five-year remembrance of the Atlanta spa shootings, but also recognizes how anti-Asian hate has evolved—from misplaced blame and vitriol during the COVID-19 pandemic to enduring suspicions of dual loyalty, reflected in discriminatory policies such as alien land laws and initiatives like the so-called China Initiative that have targeted Asian communities.

The latest federal hate crime statistics show that anti-Asian hate crimes are nearly three times higher than pre-pandemic levels, and that anti-Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander hate crimes are at the highest number ever recorded since the Federal Bureau of Investigation began disaggregating this category in 2013. In a 2025 survey, 63 percent of Asian Americans reported feeling unsafe in day-to-day spaces, and 63 percent feared they will be victims of discrimination in the next five years.

A copy of the resolution can be found HERE.

Capital B News: ‘My Husband Crawls to Shower’: Rodney Taylor’s Wife on His ‘Horrific’ ICE Detention

By Angela Burt-Murray — Fri, 65 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

Immigrants and advocates say rising ICE enforcement in Georgia is leaving families separated and struggling....

USA Today: Kristi Noem grilled about disabled GA man in ICE custody before ousting

By Irene Wright — Fri, 65 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

(USA Today) Kristi Noem is out as Secretary of Homeland Security after congressional hearings ranged from confrontational to heated as funding for the department remains in gridlock.

Noem was questioned about Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and the death of U.S. citizens, Stephen Miller's influence on the department and more as tempers flared in the congressional chambers.

The former secretary was fired on March 5, and quickly replaced by Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin.

But during Noem's last days in power, she was questioned by Georgia representative Lucy McBath about 47-year-old Rodney Taylor, a man McBath said is disabled and being neglected in an ICE detention center in the state.

"Secretary Noem, you claim you are going after the worst of the worst. If you're doing that, I would really be cheering you on, but this simply isn't the case. That's false," McBath said in the hearing.

Who is Rodney Taylor?

"Rodney Taylor, who is incarcerated at Stewart Detention Center in Georgia, is a prime example," McBath said. "He's 47 years old and works as a barber. When he was 2, he was brought to this country legally on a medical visa to address his extensive disability."

McBath explains Taylor was born in Liberia with a "deformed left foot, a missing right foot, and three fingers missing on his right hand." Taylor later became a double amputee at the age of 10 and has had more than a dozen surgeries to address his limb deformities.

Taylor was convicted of a crime at the age of 17, though McBath does not disclose his record. He was later pardoned by former Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue and has not had any further run-ins with law enforcement. Taylor has applied for a green card, and the process is pending, McBath said.

Taylor was taken into ICE custody in January 2025, McBath said, and his health has deteriorated in the year since.

The representative said he had bone spurs in his back, and when he sought medical care, he was rejected by ICE officials. Taylor has lost enough weight that he is unable to use his prosthetic legs due to an ill fit, and he cannot use a wheelchair with only one hand with all five fingers.

"He is at the mercy of the other detainees just to get food since he can't get himself to and from the cafeteria. Rodney's disabilities make it nearly impossible for him to shower. He went six days without showering because the detention center lacked the appropriate medical equipment. When he finally got a shower stool, he found moldy showers covered in feces and bodily fluids. Just yesterday, he was threatened with disciplinary action if he tried to use that shower stool. Rodney must crawl through that muck and squalor of feces and bodily fluids to enter and exit the shower," McBath said.

Taylor is from Loganville, according to reporting by news agency Capitol Beat, and the detention center is in Lumpkin, Georgia, south of Columbus.

"This is despicable. It's inhumane torture that no person should have to endure," McBath said, before introducing Taylor's wife, who was present at the hearing, and is a U.S. citizen.

How did then Secretary Noem respond?

Noem began her response by saying she was "unfamiliar" with the case and would look into it further, before saying she would ensure the Stewart Detention Center was held to the same standard as other facilities.

She called the standards the "highest in the nation," and said all detainees have access to medical care.

McBath asked Noem if she had read a letter about the case sent by McBath and her colleagues more than two weeks ago, and Noem answered "no," but that she would get lawmakers a response in the next couple of weeks.

Noem was fired from her position the next day.

Speaking to Capitol Beat, Taylor's wife, Mildred Pierre, said the couple has two young children, and she feared ICE would "send him home in a box."

Pierre said Taylor's conviction was for burglary, but that part of his life was long behind him, and he was now the primary breadwinner for their family. She said he was taken into custody when ICE agents surrounded their car, boxing them in near their home, and pulling their guns out, all while their then 4- and 6-year-old children were in the vehicle.

More ICE facilities on the horizon in Georgia

Two new ICE facilities are slated for construction in Georgia, including a smaller processing facility in Oakwood and a longer-term detention facility in Social Circle.

Officials in both cities have had little to no communication from the Department of Homeland Security, and believe they do not have the infrastructure to support holding facilities in converted warehouses.

"We don't know (who will pay for utilities)," Oakwood city planner B.R. White told USA Today in an interview. "We don't have a sewage treatment facility in Oakwood. We pre-purchase capacity from three other jurisdictions, and through our agreements, we have maximum capacities from each jurisdiction."

The additional cost of increasing the sewage capacity for the detention center would top $2 million, White says. That's money that the city just doesn't have to spend.

The high price tag raises concerns about whether the water and sewage capabilities of the warehouses will meet a standard of care for the detainees, as they are expected to start arriving later in the spring.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: McBath presses Noem on treatment of Georgia amputee in ICE detention

Thu, 64 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on homeland security oversight, Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the reported treatment of a Georgia man who has been in ICE custody for over a year. McBath mentioned Rodney Taylor, a Liberian-born barber and double amputee from Gwinnett County, who she said has been facing growing health issues sinceentering the Stewart Detention Center in South Georgia in January 2025. Taylor's family was present during the hearing. This comes after McBath and 19 other lawmakers sent a letter to Noem last month seeking the release of Taylor, including a detailed description of his lack of mobility in the facility. Credits: AJC | AP

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Kristi Noem confronted over ‘inhumane’ treatment of Georgia ICE detainee

By Lautaro Grinspan — Thu, 64 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath raised the issue of Rodney Taylor’s declining health inside the Stewart Detention Center. Taylor, a double amputee, has spent over a year in detention....

Capitol Beat: Legless Georgia detainee featured in congressional hearing that preceded Noem’s ouster

by Ty Tagami — Thu, 64 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

(Capitol Beat) ATLANTA — Before she was ousted by President Donald Trump, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem got grilled by a Georgia congresswoman about the way her agency had treated a Loganville man with severe disabilities.

Double amputee Rodney Taylor had been in federal custody for over a year, since agents swarmed the family vehicle and seized him in January 2025.

The husband and father of two was brought to America from Liberia at age 2 for medical treatment. He was born with a deformed left foot, a missing right foot, and three fingers missing from his right hand. He had lived without both legs since they were amputated when he was a child.

Taylor, 47, received a criminal conviction as a teenager, which led to his detention by the federal agents. But Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta, said at Noem’s hearing Wednesday that former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue had pardoned him and that Taylor had a Green Card application pending. She also said he had been held at the Stewart Detention Center in squalid conditions.

Under the care of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Taylor lost 20 pounds, so his prosthetic legs no longer fit, McBath said. The agency made him drag himself to the shower, in less than sanitary conditions, she added.

“Rodney must crawl through that muck and squalor of feces and bodily fluids to enter and exit the shower,” she said. “This is despicable. It’s inhumane torture that no person should have to endure.”

Noem said she was unaware of his case but promised to research it and get back to McBath and Taylor’s wife within two weeks.

That probably will not happen now that Trump has removed Noem.

Taylor is married to a U.S. citizen, Mildred Pierre, and they have two young children.

Pierre went to the Georgia Capitol in January in hopes of drawing attention to her husband’s plight. She said then that she feared for his health. She said he had elevated blood pressure due to the conditions in detention.

“I’m scared they’re going to send him home in a box,” she said.

Taylor is a barber and was the main breadwinner, she said. His conviction for burglary was long behind him and he was a family man when his life was upended, she said.

The kids were 4 and 6 when federal agents surrounded the family vehicle two houses down the street from their home, boxing them in with unmarked vehicles and emerging with ballistic vests and no identification, she said.

“It was scary because they all had their guns and my kids were in the car,” she said. The children were crying and inconsolable, she said.

She said they get to visit him in detention on occasion but that they are separated by glass and talk over a telecommunications system.

House Passes McBath's Bipartisan Bill to Combat Human Trafficking

Wed, 63 Mar 2026 12:00:00 EST

Washington, DC—Today, Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) celebrated House passage of their H.R. 4307 , the bipartisan Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act.

“Today, the House took an important step forward in the fight against human trafficking and passed our bipartisan bill. By strengthening the Department of Labor’s ability to train personnel to recognize and report the warning signs of trafficking, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable from exploitation and abuse. Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that demands vigilance, coordination, and accountability at every level of government. I am proud to see my bill advance in the Congress, and I thank Chairman Walberg for his collaboration as we remain committed to ensuring that victims are protected and perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Congresswoman McBath.

“Today, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle took a stand in denouncing the scourge of human trafficking,” said Chairman Walberg. “Very often, Department of Labor employees are the first to encounter signs of human trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation; the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act provides these employees with the tools and knowledge needed to detect and address this heinous crime. I was proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan bill alongside Congresswoman McBath to protect the most vulnerable, including women and children, from exploitation.”

H.R. 4307, Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act:

Establishes guidelines to ensure DOL staff are equipped with sufficient tools and resources to report labor or sexual exploitation.
Establishes a clear framework for DOL employees to assist law enforcement in preventing labor or sexual exploitation.
Promotes DOL transparency and congressional oversight regarding DOL detection and response to human trafficking.

Federal News Network: House Democrats pressure Bureau of Prisons leadership on staffing ‘crisis’

Fri, 51 Feb 2026 12:00:00 EST

In a letter to the BOP director, House Democrats warned staffing shortages have reached a “crisis point,” leading to operational issues and unsafe conditions....