Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) introduced the Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense (EQUAL Defense) Act to support public defenders in representing defendants unable to afford legal representation on their own. As the U.S. Supreme Court held in the landmark case Gideon v. Wainwright, every individual charged with a crime has the right to counsel, and if they cannot afford the legal representation, the state must provide it. However, public defenders today are often overworked and lack ... Read more

This morning, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) voted to pass a landmark bill to extend civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans. The Equality Act adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes and prohibits discrimination in employment, public education, housing, and other areas. "No one should face discrimination because of who they love or how they identify," said Congressman Deutch, a Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. "Homophobia and transphobia are inc... Read more

Today, during National Police Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Representatives Susan W. Brooks (R-IN-05), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Fred Upton (R-MI-06) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12) reintroduced the Jake Laird Act, a bipartisan bill named after an Indianapolis, Indiana, police officer who was shot and killed in 2004 in the line of duty by a man who struggled with mental illness. This bill provides grants to encourage states to adopt laws, similar to Indiana’s 2005 Jake Laird Law, that en... Read more

Moments ago, as the U.S. House of Representatives considers H.R. 987, the "Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act," the House approved Congressman Ted Deutch's (FL-22) amendment that directs Affordable Care Act navigators to raise awareness of the ACA's mental health and substance use disorder parity laws. Congressman Deutch's floor remarks can be viewed here. According to a 2014 poll commissioned by the American Psychological Association, that year only 7 percent of ... Read more

Today, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), along with Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the No President Is Above the Law Act, which would pause the statute of limitations for any federal offense committed by a sitting president, whether it was committed before or during the president’s term of office. This legislation would ensure that presidents can be held accountable for criminal conduct just like every other A... Read more

Representatives Ted Deutch (FL-22), Scott Peters (CA-52), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act of 2019 to encourage schools to expand evidence-based suicide prevention training to students in grades 6 through 12. The legislation would provide training to students and schools for threat identification, triage, and intervention, as well as guidance and protocol for coo... Read more

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) joined with Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) to reintroduce the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Senate companion (S. 512). Seniors are at particular risk of scams. Cleverly disguised fraud schemes pop up regularly that are specifically designed to confuse seniors and steal their money. In many cases, seniors have watched their entire life savings disappear i... Read more

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced the "Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act," legislation to strengthen Social Security and guarantee its solvency for generations to come by restoring fairness to Social Security contributions. The "Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act" would phase out the contributions cap over seven years until everyone pay into Social Security at the same rate all year long. Most Americans contribute 6.2% of... Read more

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced the "Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act," legislation to strengthen Social Security and guarantee its solvency for generations to come by restoring fairness to Social Security contributions. The "Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act" would phase out the contributions cap over seven years until everyone pay into Social Security at the same rate all year long. Most Americans contribute 6.2% o... Read more

Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL), Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL) introduced legislation to provide needed support for LGBT older adults and increase their access to health care and culturally competent services. The Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act updates the Older Americans Act to better serve LGBT elders, who face disproportionate barriers to accessing support programs and are at a higher risk of experiencing isolation and poverty. T... Read more