The removal of two key Republican players from powerful perches in Washington may clear the way for long-blocked reforms that protect exploited women and that close immigration loopholes that endanger U.S. security.

Members of Congress announced today (6/7/2006) they are re-introducing legislation (H.R. 5550) to reform labor and immigration laws in a U.S. territory that Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff protected from scrutiny for over a decade despite strong evidence of dramatic abuses of women there. DeLay will leave Congress this Friday while still under indictment for money laundering in Texas and Abramoff will enter jail on charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and tax evasion later this month.

1. Press Release
   
2. Representatives George Miller and Hilda Solis speaking at pess conference, 6/7/2006 (audio 1, audio 2, text)
   
3. Statement from Miller
   
4. Background Information on the Bill
   
5. Legislative and Political Timeline of Republican Inaction on Issues Affecting the CNMI
   
6. Summary of the Bill
   
7. Bill Text (pdf file)
   
8. Letters to Chairman Pombo, Speaker Hastert, and Majority Leader Boehner (pdf file)
   
9. Miller’s early reports on Marianas sweatshops
   
10. Ms. Magazine Spring 2006 Article
    Paradise Lost; Greed, Sex Slavery, Forced Abortions and Right-Wing Moralists
    
11. L.A. Times 6/8/2006 Article
    Democrats Mark DeLay's Exit by Targeting Island Manufacturers; The Texas Republican had blocked earlier efforts to raise wages in the Northern Marianas, reportedly on lobbyist Jack Abramoff's behalf.
12. 6/8/2006 Audio Interview with George Miller on the Bill Press Show (audio mp3 file, text)
    
13. White House Press Secretary questioned about Abramoff photo and visitor records.
14. Jack Abramoff Reports to Md. Prison