[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6291548,"mediaKeyId","2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02","parentId",2529965,"title","Seattle advocates tell council federal rollbacks threaten access to abortion and gender‑affirming care","audioSeconds",3588,"startMs",1236000,"endMs",4824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02&start=1236&end=4824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02/thumbnail_1236000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291548/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Seattle-advocates-tell-council-federal-rollbacks-threaten-access-to-abortion-and-genderaffirming-care","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291548-cef0f3a6fec1cab486d589a171398936/orig.mp4?Expires=1775247260&Signature=CjbIxMbpxSMnSZ9-TxWA6BIj0Dgr5MiEso3xlsEaddwSWxW1~j7SGl0uGHvDGLjWGjAMPTbqCQ3IgwwYC-DrHoFfcRyQ0eL6Mz7OccO4sibzFKn0g4BDzzWn8f1L1Q6hyRXMKyIaGP7pt4zbUa8xRbj2vsuCzqG-smB3TWIfQNtHAvpUrsooSCHhCzkUSaLaPwv0HTSp0yMRfuwUL1kFlNbpmu31qfspQtLa7YxbS8U-t2s33zJ1Eiol9DM~cKLZChyM99uYYRZ~GjW17HjLgTjH5slOjmU8zqbl3qcsho9n0HmhkrYwkpMq9vtItjTelAaHN5-NoHfGqQW62NrUrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seattle City, WA","date","2025-03-07T04:02:34Z","article","Speakers at a Seattle City Council select committee on March 6 warned that recent federal actions and proposed policies could reduce access to reproductive and gender‑affirming health care and increase criminalization of already‑marginalized people.

Jalen Scott, executive director of Lavender Rights Project, said the new federal measures disproportionately target “very black, very Latine” trans people and other people of color who may seek care in Seattle. Scott urged the council to keep services accessible for people who will seek care in the city, saying, “We want our hormones.”

Courtney Normand, Washington state director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, outlined six categories of federal threats she and her organization are monitoring, including changes to Title X family planning rules, potential restrictions on Medicaid provider eligibility, and actions that could limit access to discounted drugs through the 340B program. “About 40% of all Planned Parenthood patients are Medicaid patients,” Normand said, calling some proposals “existential” to safety‑net providers.

Sammy Alloy, interim executive director of Pro Choice Washington, described how an administration executive order aiming to restrict gender‑affirming care for youth already produced immediate effects: Seattle Children’s temporarily canceled appointments and notified some nonmedical staff of possible layoffs after the order, she said. Alloy noted that the state obtained a temporary restraining order, but that the policy caused “immediate harm” to patients and families.

Panelists described layered effects beyond direct federal rules: clinic staffing losses, lower Medicaid reimbursement rates, and rising numbers of out‑of‑state patients seeking care in Washington have stretched providers. Proposals to reinterpret federal statutes or use an older federal law, the Comstock Act, to block medication abortion shipments also worry providers.

Advocates urged Seattle to take concrete steps: create or expand local funding to backfill federal cuts (a “reproductive health equity fund” modeled on Oregon’s program was mentioned), conduct public information campaigns in multiple languages to counter disinformation, audit city contracts to avoid directing public dollars to systems that limit abortion or gender‑affirming care, and coordinate with the Washington state attorney general to implement and rely on the state’s shield law protecting patient privacy.

Taylor Farley, executive director of Queer Power Alliance, and other panelists pressed the council to preserve and expand housing and shelter options for LGBTQ people, especially trans and nonbinary people who face disproportionate risk of homelessness and violence. Panelists asked for targeted funding for culturally responsive, BIPOC‑led organizations and for city support in creating physical and programmatic safe spaces.

Council members thanked presenters and asked for follow‑up on concrete funding gaps and legal avenues the city could pursue. Panelists said they would provide additional details about specific programs and funding streams at the state and local level.

The committee heard public comment before the panel. Speakers at the public comment period included Andrew Oshiofu, who described Seattle as a sanctuary space for queer immigrants, and representatives of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission inviting the council to the commission’s March 20 meeting to continue engagement.

The council did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the panel; members agreed to continue the committee’s work and pursue additional briefings and coordination with state and community partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes 3/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers at a Seattle City Council select committee meeting on March 6 said recent federal policies and proposed rollbacks are already disrupting access to abortion and gender‑affirming care and urged the city to use local funding and legal tools to shore up services.","taxTitle","Seattle, King County, Washington","taxId",2543,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291540,"Seattle council signs letter backing federal workers amid regional layoffs",492,4816000,5308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02&start=4816&end=5308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02/thumbnail_4816000.jpg","/articles/6291540/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Seattle-council-signs-letter-backing-federal-workers-amid-regional-layoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291540-36fa0001180695b38e7a5f39cf9f3e12/orig.mp4?Expires=1775247260&Signature=OcUxzwmCnXaV2qps1dtLxmvgFTlUQjedBPoRfAUM0Tl9VA4GeTE2r7SJTPrbzifIJEnUeLRPKv3ktVRXYHiSo1P2qhNHfauvbrl5EyL7EAh5VlpirjKPew11nkBHWwV95F8~T98RJOAOtimxWzzjqXZwZQ2TsivoQF9yOCxBAr8538QrX-h047adWyHLezDlduU~mI9Uq3EAxujKgC2EZ1EKGgWxo-xIJzv4xlNzjedakiKkJN-btvLjNYyWGKAuK5NxyyTLHybMLGuMys-lIRxTurlnS253Q3pTYpXKohfXQpGlmA26uoJYUb4u2Xc6GOmbO91wjIDMd07a-r1~oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seattle City Council select committee on March 6 approved affixing signatures to a letter expressing support for federal workers affected by layoffs and reductions in federal services.

Councilmember Andrew Strauss presented the letter and described the local impact of federal workforce changes on regional services including the Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other federal agencies that serve Seattle and the broader region. Strauss told the committee the letter thanks the city’s congressional delegation for their work and reaffirms the council’s intent to support municipal services while federal capacity changes unfold.

Clerk roll call recorded eight council members who asked to have their signatures affixed: Councilmember Hollingsworth (Aye), Councilmember Kettle (Aye), Vice Chair Moore (Aye), Councilmember Nelson (Aye), Councilmember Rivera (Aye), Councilmember Strauss (Yes), Councilmember Solomon (Yes) and Chair Alexis Mercedes Rink (Yes). The clerk reported “there are 8 signatures that will be affixed to the letter.”

Committee members discussed the letter as a show of solidarity and emphasized clarity so federal workers understand what the city is offering, rather than creating mistaken expectations of direct city authority over federal employment matters. No ordinance or funding action was taken as part of the signatures; the measure affixed council members’ names to a statement of support.","The Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes approved signatures on a letter expressing solidarity with federal employees facing layoffs and service disruptions. The committee recorded eight council members whose signatures will be affixed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291544,"Immigrant‑rights and labor advocates urge Seattle to expand legal defense, coordination and language access",1109,5294000,6403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02&start=5294&end=6403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529965-cedb1d3270f754968e2e0f3f3e979c02/thumbnail_5294000.jpg","/articles/6291544/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Immigrantrights-and-labor-advocates-urge-Seattle-to-expand-legal-defense-coordination-and-language-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291544-c0b71550bf0730f3c58416265bfee4d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775247260&Signature=czlUS54r5KrdAJCFe5Pay0sypGnGANgt1zMtc1GqTTPFmfJgs8Yz0SCEXuqjpP2oC4VFJ7x7hx45d-1ZtHnjDR8vovL08PmvUktNSiioTuUrZl4Zgeh-ClIjWm7s-HSm6XXq-ik4mVwJH6KliH1cbLO1uICw-w45pHgwP5OFGTeNcOOVJHMNsL0mBPs-NQRy~B3TP9qyLL~XVIzyP3QRJ2sMWKbQX4BzmyQQC56dSf-aCahqYqPHkFfCx61~6aiEXYc1hoY1p0n-~o9Y3iAhtEHn2287Ue4cxG-aLH6npcfGEr4Rm4CqfCFpK~zjts4HxgfZhrJ37vDpcX-hdtBGDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advocates and city officials told the Seattle City Council select committee on March 6 that federal immigration enforcement and a set of new policies are producing fear, reported detentions, and interruptions to services that protect immigrants and workers.

Hamdi Mohammed, director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA), said the mayor’s office has issued directives and expanded training and rapid‑response planning for city departments and contractors. “We are in unusual and challenging times,” Mohammed said, and described department training, translation tools and convenings with funders to avoid duplication as immediate priorities.

Anessa Reyes of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WISEN) reported increased calls to a deportation‑defense hotline since Jan. 20 and detailed community reports of enforcement activity: unmarked vehicles stopping people, officers appearing at workplaces and courthouses, and detentions that sometimes included rapid transfers out of state. WISEN said volunteers and legal partners are documenting incidents and coordinating with the state attorney general’s office.

Jenny Maschick, a directing attorney with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), highlighted several legal changes and operational actions to watch: expanded criminalization and mandatory detention for certain arrests; growth in detention capacity at the regional facility near Tacoma; a stop‑work order temporarily issued against legal orientation programs that serve detained people; and the administration’s new registration requirement for some noncitizens (the policy is not yet fully implemented, NWIRP said). Maschick cautioned individuals against acting until regulations are published and advised seeking individualized legal counsel.

Panelists also described the likely knock‑on effects for workers and the local economy. Rigo Valdez of the MLK Labor Council said unions are already supporting affected members, including federal workers facing layoffs; Danielle Alvarado of Fair Work Center and Steve Marchese of the Office of Labor Standards described worker fear that makes employees hesitant to file complaints or sign declarations in ongoing cases.

Speakers urged the council to back specific steps: expand city support for the legal defense network and the rapid response infrastructure, maintain and extend robust language access across departments, coordinate with King County and the state to pool resources, and protect supplier‑diversity and employer DEI efforts that local businesses and workers rely on. Advocates also requested that the city be prepared for potential federal legal actions or subpoenas and to be explicit in public communications that local labor and city protections apply regardless of immigration status.

Committee members asked panelists for concrete funding numbers and implementation steps. NWIRP said its Violence Against Women Act unit carries substantial caseloads (advocates with roughly 150 cases each) and that the organization is turning away dozens of potential clients each week because of capacity limits.

Panelists said they will continue to coordinate with the mayor’s office, county partners and state agencies, and requested additional city funding and planning support to limit service interruptions for immigrants and workers.","Immigrant and labor organizations told a City Council select committee that federal enforcement increases and policy changes are already producing fear, detentions and service interruptions. They asked the city to invest in legal defense, rapid response, language access and coordinated county/state partnerships to protect residents and workers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Seattle advocates tell council federal rollbacks threaten access to abortion and gender‑affirming care

Seattle council signs letter backing federal workers amid regional layoffs

Immigrant‑rights and labor advocates urge Seattle to expand legal defense, coordination and language access