This installment of the Signal Tribune’s monthly series covers actions taken and statements made by Long Beach’s federal and state representatives in March 2026.
Elected officials were involved in discussions, debate and legislation surrounding immigration enforcement, the Epstein files and the disgraced César Chávez.
The purpose of this ongoing series is to help the public stay abreast of their elected officials and hold them accountable beyond Election Day.
Federal representatives:
Congressman Robert Garcia talks to Long Beach residents during his first town hall meeting in Downtown Long Beach on Aug. 23, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Robert Garcia – U.S. Representative for California’s 42nd Congressional District
Federal Funding: On March 10, Garcia announced that Long Beach would receive $3.7 million in federal funding for the following public projects:
$1,031,000 to create a DNA lab within the Long Beach Police Department, in an effort to expedite investigations, cut down on case backlogs and enhance public safety.
$850,000 to improve the Broadway Corridor through improved street safety, public art, lighting and accessibility. These changes aim to bolster small businesses located along the corridor while preparing downtown infrastructure for the 2028 Olympic Games.
$850,000 for updates to Colorado Lagoon and Marina Vista Park, including new communal spaces, recreational amenities and recycled water infrastructure.
$750,000 to enhance safety and upgrade facilities at Admiral Kidd Park, making sure the community center can continue to host neighborhood activities and youth programs.
$250,000 to make improvements to the Washington Neighborhood Youth Center so that it can be used for after-school programs, mental health services, job readiness training and youth development.
“I’m proud to bring federal dollars back home to support projects that make our communities safer, more connected, and more livable,” Garcia said in a public statement. “These investments will support safer neighborhoods, better schools, and stronger community spaces across Long Beach. I can’t wait to see these projects come to life and make a real difference for our community in the years to come.”
An overhead look at some of the construction fencing near the playground of Admiral Kidd Park in Long Beach on April 5, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
César Chávez: Earlier this month, the New York Times revealed that multiple women and girls say the late Chicano leader César Chávez had sexually abused them throughout his life. Among his accusers is renowned labor rights activist Dolores Huerta, who publicly recalled being repeatedly raped and impregnated by Chávez.
Garcia released the following statement on March 19: “I stand in solidarity and give my unwavering support to Dolores Huerta and the other courageous women who came forward with their stories of abuse by César Chávez.
We must always stand with survivors and recognize the trauma and pain that has been inflicted by Chávez and so many others. I am committed to working with our local cities and community as we look to rename local landmarks and centers.
A movement is not defined by any one person, and we will always honor the work of our farm workers and the dignity and rights they organized for so many. We won’t forget their struggle and sacrifice.”
Epstein: On March 31, Garcia spoke with Long Beach resident Annie Farmer, who says she was abused by sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein when she was a girl. They discussed the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s efforts to get all the Epstein files released.
“Annie Farmer is a hero who deserves justice and I’m so glad that so many women are hearing her story,” Garcia said in a public statement. “President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi need to finally follow the law, release the files, and end this White House cover-up. We will not stop fighting until we get the truth for the American people and the justice these survivors deserve.”
State representative Nanette Diaz Barrragán. (Courtesy of Barragán’s website)
Nanette Díaz Barragán – U.S. representative for California’s 44th Congressional District
Detained Immigrants: Barragán and other legislators visited the Dilley Detention Center in Texas earlier this month. During her visit, the Gámez-Cuéllar family, who have two teen sons known for their talent in mariachi, were released.
“Relieved that we were able to bring the Gámez-Cuéllar family back home safely from the Dilley Detention Facility,” Barragán said. “They should never have been detained in the first place. Antonio and Caleb, two of the Gámez-Cuéllar children, are wonderful high school mariachi musicians who recently performed at the U.S. Capitol. Their family did everything by the book. They had passed their credible fear interview and had an outstanding asylum case — they never missed a court date or check-in.”
Protestors hold the middle finger up at Long Beach police as the anti ICE protest progressed throughout the night on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)
Deportation: Barragán joined other legislators in writing a letter demanding the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State provide further information on the deportation of a mother and her two young children, one of whom is deaf and was deported without his hearing aids. The family was detained by federal agents after a routine immigration check-in in San Francisco.
The children’s mother, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, has since filed for humanitarian parole in hopes of returning to the United States so her 6-year-old can continue his medical care and education.
“There is no excuse for ICE to have taken away 6-year-old Joseph’s hearing aids. None,” Barragán said. “To take away a young child’s tools that help him to hear is a cruelty that is both disgusting and pointless. Shame on DHS and ICE. They must work to bring the family back to the US and get Joseph the care he needs and deserves.”
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César Chávez: On March 18, Barragán released the following statement on César Chávez’s reported sexual abuse of women and girls.
“I am heartbroken, outraged, and sick to my stomach. Heartbroken for the young girls and women who suffered abuse and violations by a man who was lifted up as an icon. I’m outraged that someone could abuse their power and stature to take advantage of young girls and women. […] I applaud the brave women who have come forward to tell their story. Your story and courage are empowering for women and survivors everywhere. You deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I offer my support and help, in any way I can.
The farmworker movement is about fighting for better working conditions and immigrant justice. That movement was built by a collective effort of countless workers, organizers, and advocates committed to challenging exploitation and advancing dignity for all. Today, we are reminded of the need to continue that work and to hold people accountable, no matter their title or history. We cannot look away.”
California State Senator Lena Gonzalez (left) and Pastor Juanita Matthews (right) stand together with the Woman of the Year award that Gonzalez presented to Matthew on March 26, 2022. Matthews received the awards for her as co-founder of Springs of Hope Grief-Care Center. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
State representatives
Lena Gonzalez – California State Senator for the 33rd District
Conservation Corps: On March 12, Gonzalez visited the facilities of the Long Beach Conservation Corps. In a social media post, the Conservation Corps stated that Gonzalez was able to “strategize with us around state legislative priorities,” during her visit.
Epstein: On March 17, Gonzalez spoke to the Committee on Public Safety in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, which is being sponsored by Gonzalez and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal. If passed, SCR 118 would require the California legislature to denounce infamous sex traffickers Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell for their crimes, as well as President Donald Trump and his administration for not releasing all files related to Epstein as required by federal law. It also urges federal and local law enforcement to go after anyone involved in Epstein’s crimes.
Gonzalez said that so far the Department of Justice has only released 3.5 million out of 6 million files.
Long Beach resident and alleged Epstein survivor Annie Farmer spoke about Gonzalez’s resolution.
“After so many decades of the government’s failures in the Epstein case, Senator Gonzalez’s resolution makes it clear that predators should not be protected by our government, but should be prosecuted,” Farmer’s statement read. “I urge lawmakers across the country to do the same and denounce those that engaged in the trafficking and abuse of so many women and girls and commit to holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We must also ensure the Department of Justice stops obstructing and violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed with near unanimous bipartisan support and provides true transparency that survivors and the American public have long deserved.”
Long Beach police officers aim and fire rubber bullets into the crowd of protesters at the intersection of Broadway and Pine Ave. on Sunday, May, 31, 2020. (Signal Tribune)
Flashbang Grenades: On March 24, the Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety passed a bill by Gonzalez that would restrict the use of flash-bang grenades. This bill would revise existing law, to place the same restrictions on the use of flash-bang grenades during protests that currently apply to tear gas and rubber bullets.
“Though classified as less lethal, flashbangs have caused life altering injuries to both protesters, journalists, law enforcement, and even innocent people,” Gonzalez said to the committee.
If passed, Senate Bill 937 would prohibit law enforcement from using flash-bang grenades solely to disperse protesters, however they can still be used to “defend against a threat to life or serious bodily injury to any individual, including any peace officer, or to bring an objectively dangerous and unlawful situation safely and effectively under control.”
Additionally, SB 937 would ban law enforcement in California from using flash-bangs during immigration enforcement, or near school grounds, parks or other areas where children can be seen.
Josh Lowenthal, U.S. Representative for California’s 69th Assembly District. (Courtesy of Lowenthal’s website)
Josh Lowenthal – California Assemblymember for the 69th District
Hate Speech Training: On March 18, the Assembly Standing Committee on Labor and Employment passed a bill authored by Lowenthal aimed at combatting hate speech in the workplace. Under current law, businesses with five or more employees are required to provide anti-sexual harassment training. If Assembly Bill 1803 is passed, this training would also include information on recognizing and preventing hate speech.
“When hate speech goes unchallenged, it normalizes hostility and emboldens escalation,” Lowenthal said to the committee.
The bill has now been sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Diet Pills: On March 24, Lowenthal’s Assembly Bill 2030 was passed by the Assembly Standing Committee on Health and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. This bill would ban minors from buying any type of weight loss or muscle building pills and supplements. Under current law, minors are only banned from purchasing dietary supplements that specifically contain ephedrine group alkaloids or other specified substances.
“These products are not recommended by physicians but are widely available in pharmacies, grocery stores, specialty chains, and on the Internet,” Lowenthal said. “The use of these supplements for weight loss and muscle building is associated with mental health vulnerabilities, such as eating disorders and dysmorphic body disorders.”
Various pills from Pexels.com
Nitrous Oxide: On March 25, the Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection passed Lowenthal’s Assembly Bill 2076, which aims to make it harder for minors to purchase nitrous oxide. This legislation would add nitrous oxide to the list of products that requires age verification to be purchased online under the California Parents Accountability and Child Protection Act.
“What was once primarily a medical and culinary product can now be ordered online by a teenager with a few clicks and a prepaid gift card,” Lowenthal said to the committee. “It is cheap, it is easy to find, and it is being delivered straight to doorsteps with little to no barrier.”
AB 2076 has now been sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
The bill would also increase penalties for large businesses caught selling prohibited items to minors. Under the current California Parents Accountability and Child Protection Act, the fine is $7,500 per violation. If AB 2076 passes, businesses with over $25,000,000 in gross annual income could be fined up to $250,000 per violation.
“No parent should have to worry that their child can order nitrous oxide cartridges as easily as ordering a book,” Lowenthal said. “AB 2076 closes that gap and gives the parents accountability and the Child Protection Act the enforcement power it is always needed.”
