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Congresswoman Luz Rivas Joins Colleagues at Los Angeles Democratic Hearing to Defend Democracy

April 8, 2026

LOS ANGELES  — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) joined Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), and House Democratic Caucus colleagues in a shadow field hearing in Los Angeles on the Trump Administration’s assault on our democracy and barriers to free and fair elections.

 “This Administration has repeatedly manufactured lies about voter fraud, challenged the integrity of our elections, and placed barriers between voters and the ballot box. Now, communities like mine in the San Fernando Valley are facing the possibility of ICE being stationed at polling locations in the area.” said Congresswoman Rivas. 

“ICE’s presence in our communities has nothing to do with safety, and all to do with fulfilling this Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. Their attempts to intimidate our communities and interfere with our elections threatens the very foundation of our democracy. 

“Today’s hearing focused on what we can do to make sure that our democracy can survive in the face of attacks from Trump and Republicans in Congress. I will continue working with my Democratic colleagues to preserve our democracy and make sure everyone’s right to vote is protected.” 

Background:

Congresswoman Luz Rivas joined Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-12, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Pete Aguilar (CA-33), and Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), and other Members of the House Democratic Caucus for a shadow field hearing on the Trump Administration’s assault on free and fair elections. 

This field hearing discussed how House Democrats are working to protect American democracy, including election security and voting rights, through combatting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at polling locations and Trump’s SAVE America Act. Witnesses spoke to the impact of voter suppression and constitutional violations. 

Witnesses: 

  • Jenny Farrell; Executive Director, League of Women Voters of California
  • Darius Kemp; Executive Director, Common Cause California
  • Justin Levitt; Professor of Law, Loyola Law School
  • Hector Villagra; Vice President of Policy Advocacy & Community Education, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • Sonni Waknin; Senior Staff Attorney, UCLA Voting Rights Project 

On February 11, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas joined 212 of her House Democratic colleagues in voting against the SAVE America Act. Congresswoman Rivas previously voted against the SAVE Act on April 10, 2025. 

 

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