Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Congresswoman Lateefah Simon Visit Oakland Head Start Facility and Community Health Center, Condemn Republican Cuts to Childcare, Healthcare, and Education Programs

October 8, 2026 Press Release OAKLAND, CA – This week, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) hosted, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-05), the highest-ranking woman in the House of Representatives, in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. They visited the Unity Council’s Head Start and Early Head Start Preschool facilities and La Clínica de La Raza, a federally qualified health center, to meet with families, frontline health care staff, and care workers who have been impacted by Republicans’ devastating federal aid cuts. President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ “One Big, Cruel, Ugly Bill” has made deep cuts to federal funding for healthcare, childcare, education, and food assistance programs. In California’s 12 th Congressional District, it is estimated that 31,000 people are experiencing rising healthcare costs and 35, 595 people will lose health coverage because of Republican cuts to Medi-Cal and decision to end enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits. In Congress, Congresswoman Simon has consistently fought against cuts to Medicaid/Medi-CAL and SNAP and attempts to gut Head Start . “My daughter was a Head Start child, and I know intimately that federally supported childcare and healthcare is a lifeline for many families. It allows children to learn safely and be healthy while their parents attend school or work in our local businesses,” said Congresswoman Simon. “Whip Clark and I are taking everything we heard from our visit back to D.C., where we are hell bent on fighting this Administration and reversing their harmful policies so our Head Starts, our community health centers, our care workers, our families have everything they need to continue growing and being brilliant.” "Congresswoman Lateefah Simon is an unrivaled champion for working families," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. "It was a privilege to join her in Oakland to see firsthand what communities need from the federal government: investments in healthcare, childcare, and the wellbeing of regular people, not giveaways to the ultra-rich. While the Republican Party continues to bend its knee to the billionaire class, Democrats are ready to take back the People's House and get to work for the working class.” “We are honored to welcome Congresswoman Simon and Democratic Whip Clark to Fruitvale and share firsthand the impact of The Unity Council’s work,” said CEO of The Unity Council, Chris Iglesias. “From giving our youngest learners, a strong foundation at our De Colores Head Start, to bringing La Catrina de Oakland to Fruitvale as a powerful celebration of culture and community, our work is rooted in creating opportunities and strengthening families. Their visit underscores the importance of continued investment in the people, programs, and places that allow communities like Fruitvale to thrive." “At our De Colores Head Start Center, we see every day how a strong start can shape not only a child’s future, but an entire families’,” said Chief Early Learning Officer of The Unity Council, Luis Arenas. “Head Start creates opportunities for children to learn and grow while giving parents the support and resources they need to move their families forward. We were proud to welcome Congresswoman Simon and Democratic Whip Clark into our classrooms and share the real, lasting impact this work has on families throughout our community.” “We are deeply grateful to Whip Katherine Clark and Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for visiting La Clínica and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the communities we serve. Their visit shows what federal investment looks like on the ground, and highlights what is at risk when coverage and resources for community health centers are reduced,” said La Clínica CEO, Jane García. “What’s at stake is whether parents can get their children to the doctor, whether patients can access dental and behavioral health care along with primary care, whether families can afford their medications, and whether community health centers have the resources to keep the staff who provide this care. La Clínica thanks Whip Clark and Congresswoman Simon for listening to our patients and staff and for bringing their voices back to Washington. The decisions made there have very real impacts here in the Bay Area.” ### Issues : Health Care Education