DeLaney urges full transparency after man dies in ICE custody at Indiana detention facility

Today, Feb. 18, it was reported that a Cambodian detainee held at the request of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Miami Correctional Facility was found dead in his cell on Monday morning.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement:

“I have spoken to officials at the Department of Correction and urged them to conduct a thorough investigation of the death of this detainee. We need to ensure that our procedures and medical contractors are up to the task of appropriately caring for people in ICE custody.

“Public trust in ICE is near zero. Since the state of Indiana has decided to allow ICE to use our facilities, it is incumbent on us to ensure that the conditions in that facility are up to standard. Over the last few months, I have visited Miami Correctional Facility three times to see for myself that detainees are receiving proper treatment. I will continue to monitor this situation until we have a full public report of what happened to this detainee and receive proper assurance that there was no systemic failure that could cost another person their life.”

DeLaney comments on national debt posturing by Statehouse GOP: ‘Let’s get serious’

Today, Feb. 16, Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and the Braun Administration held a press conference with numerous state officials and lawmakers about passing a resolution to raise awareness about the National Debt.  

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement in response:  

“Indiana Republicans have taken a page out of the old GOP playbook and decided to declare their focus on the national debt. It is encouraging to see that this issue still troubles my friends across the aisle. I was beginning to think that they had abandoned their concern for the national debt as they continuously celebrate the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ (BBB) that will increase the national debt by $3.4 trillion while depriving many Hoosiers of health care and food assistance.  

“While Indiana Republicans offered lip service today about lowering the national debt, they have taken steps to import this fiscally irresponsible policy by bringing Indiana in line with the excessive cuts under the BBB. Under the bill passed this summer, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the national debt will exceed $52 trillion in the next decade – over $10 trillion above what the bill accounted for. As of October 2025, the national debt was accumulating at the fastest rate in history outside of the international emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Passing down a $52 trillion national debt to our children and grandchildren is irresponsible and unsustainable. Let’s get serious and prioritize popular programs that help Hoosiers instead of tax cuts for the mega-rich. 

“Let our seven Republican congress members and two U.S. Senators get to work on the debt they vote on.”  

Republicans reject measure to require transparency from state contractor

Today, Feb. 12, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to Senate Bill 226 that would require state contractors to disclose their campaign contributions as a part of the contracting process. In recent years, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales came under fire for offering no-bid contracts to large donors to his re-election campaign.   

DeLaney released the following statement upon the defeat of his amendment:  

“Plain and simple, this amendment is about fiscal responsibility and transparency. Hoosiers deserve to know who is receiving public funds, especially when contracts are offered without a competitive bidding process. Contracts involving taxpayer dollars should be awarded to the best possible service provider, not to the highest campaign contributor. The only way to ensure this is to require contractors to disclose their political contributions to prevent the possibility of waste, fraud, abuse and corruption.”  

DeLaney amendments to protect Hoosiers from harmful provisions in ICE bill rejected

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Ed DeLaney offered a series of amendments to Senate Bill 76 to make hospital police, university police and school resource officers exempt from coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain people suspected of being in the country illegally. The amendments were all rejected. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement:

“School resource officers should not be expected to grab children out of classrooms. Campus police officers should not be forced to snatch students on their way to a lecture. Officers protecting hospitals should not be tasked with detaining people seeking health care. This is an outrageous overreach of government that puts local law enforcement in impossible positions. We ought to show our respect for local law enforcement, but forcing a task upon police that is offensive to the people they serve is not respect. 

“These amendments would simply protect peace in places that are meant to be sanctuaries. Unfortunately, chaos and violence seem to be prevailing.”

Additionally, DeLaney offered an amendment that would require violent criminals to serve their sentence in Indiana before being deported to another country. That amendment was defeated. 

“It is against Hoosier values to allow violent criminals to walk free in their country of origin. If someone commits a violent crime against my neighbor, I want them to be held accountable and serve their sentence in the State of Indiana, not shirk responsibility when they get deported. Victims of violent crimes deserve no less.” 

DeLaney inspired by student advocacy

Over the last few weeks, students across the Indianapolis area have acted to protest violence committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis), a member of the education committee,  issued the following statement:

“Throughout American history, students have been exercising their First Amendment right to be at the forefront of peacefully protesting to bring about social change. I appreciate that young Hoosiers are engaged in issues of consequence to their generation. These Hoosier students have the right to use their voice to stand against the injustice being wrought against our immigrant communities by ICE, particularly when ICE impacts our schools.  

“It is not the place of the school to stymie student expression, but study is important. I urge students and school administration to collaborate to minimize academic disruption while students continue to pursue these complex topics. This is an opportunity to find creative solutions that encourage civil discourse and civic engagement amongst this upcoming generation. Let’s use this opportunity. 

“I am inspired by the student activism I have seen from high schoolers in my district and throughout the state. Young people being this engaged is worthy of applause, not scolding.”

DeLaney attempt to protect taxpayer dollars, investigate IEDC struck down

Today, State Rep. Ed DeLaney offered an amendment to House Bill 1003 to investigate the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for corruption and for failings around the LEAP Project. His motion would establish the House Select Committee on Accountability and Handling of Economic Development Appropriations. This House Select Committee would be formed to investigate the practices of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and its affiliated entities and to release findings and recommendations for improved transparency and stewardship of public funds. This comes after a report from the governor on the IEDC revealed that there was every opportunity for misuse of taxpayer funds to occur, but stopped short of saying if that misuse happened and how much money was involved.

Last week, DeLaney put forward House Resolution 12 to form this House Select Committee. HR 12 was adopted on Tuesday of this week before House Republicans suddenly reversed that action yesterday. In response, DeLaney forced a vote on the proposed investigation.

DeLaney released the following statement after his amendment was defeated on the House floor today: 

“While the governor started the process of determining if wrongdoing occurred at the IEDC, the result of the forensic audit was limited at best. I am not satisfied with knowing that powerful people were given every opportunity to steal. Hoosiers deserve to know if their tax dollars were indeed misused and, if so, how much money was lost. As the House of Representatives, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity of public funds and therefore owe it to our taxpayers to uncover the truth.

“We need a thorough investigation to ensure transparency and accountability for the IEDC and to make sure that this type of potential for corruption never happens in the future. I am disappointed that this amendment was killed based on a campaign of misinformation amongst the majority.”

DeLaney amendment to reverse changes to IU Trustee selection process rejected

Today, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to House Bill 1408 that would reverse changes slipped into the 2025 budget bill at the last minute that allowed the governor to have sole appointing power of all nine Indiana University trustees. The amendment also aims to restore the IU faculty’s role in university policymaking to its former level. The amendment was defeated.

“One of the reasons that IU has seen so much success is that we have the nation’s largest living alumni network," DeLaney said. "This body stripped away their power to influence university policy with no debate in a midnight budget vote.

“Aside from taking power away from alumni, my Republican colleagues also robbed IU’s faculty of their ability to influence university operations and added on a system where professors must submit to 'productivity reviews.' This isn’t a factory—it’s a university. People should be able to turn on their TVs and hear Pam Whitten say, ‘Google us, we have great football and great academics!’ Only one of those things can be said right now.

“We should be rejoicing in IU’s athletic achievements while giving their academics the same type of support that we give the football team. This amendment is an opportunity to right last year's terrible legislative wrong. From Eugene, Oregon, to Pasadena, California, to Miami, Florida, IU alumni showed up for the Hoosiers. It's high time we showed up for them.”

DeLaney astonished by Republican refusal to take ratepayers’ side

Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments to House Bill 1002 to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. One of those amendments would have prohibited utility companies from passing on the costs of lobbying and political activities to customers. House Republicans chose to block this amendment on procedural grounds instead of allowing it to be voted on.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after speaking out on the House Floor against a ruling to not allow a vote on the amendment:

“It seems straightforward to me that consumers should not be footing the bill for utility companies to lobby directly against the interest of consumers. However, when my colleague State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered an amendment to prohibit utilities from passing along the cost of lobbying to ratepayers, the Republicans chose to block the measure in order to duck a yes or no vote. This could have been an opportunity to prove to consumers that the general assembly is looking out for their best interest. However, the supermajority is unwilling to go on the record about whether they are on the side of the utility company or the ratepayers.” 

DeLaney amendment to protect communities from unwanted military presence rejected

Today, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to House Bill 1343 that would require local authorities to agree before military police from the National Guard be deployed to their city to enforce civil laws. Currently, this bill gives the governor authority to send a paramilitary police force into any part of the state whenever he deems necessary without the consent of the community or its elected officials. 

“Our citizens do not expect military police to come into our communities against their will to enforce the law,” DeLaney said. “Minnesota is a prime example of what happens when different law enforcement agencies are thrown together without being on the same page. In a scenario where National Guard members are sent into a city without the consent of the local officials, they are likely going to have differing directives and even be put directly at odds with each other. These crossed wires do nothing but sow chaos. As we saw in Minneapolis over the weekend, that chaos can have deadly consequences. 

“Giving the governor sole authority to send soldiers trained in combat, not as civilian law enforcement, into communities against the will of local leaders goes against everything I thought Indiana stood for. The people best equipped to police and protect their communities are the local law enforcement agencies and local officials. Full stop.”

DeLaney offers amendments to protect retirees, taxpayers from risky state investments

Today, Jan. 20, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered several amendments to House Bill 1042 in an effort to prohibit state pension funds from being invested in cryptocurrency. The amendments were defeated. 

“Interfering in the decision of our pension trustees and advisors is not the responsibility of the legislature and may well be beyond our competence,” DeLaney said. “I offered these amendments to protect the pension funds of state employees from high-risk investment decisions. 

“It is fiscally irresponsible to allow state pension funds to be opened up to such risk simply because we want to send a message that the Indiana House of Representatives is supportive of the crypto industry. If state funds are invested in cryptocurrency and that investment goes bad, the state still has an obligation to pay for those pensions. The taxpayers of Indiana could be on the hook because the legislature wants to jump headfirst into something new and risky. 

“Our retirees deserve to be helped by the state, not given hasty investment advice that resembles a technocratic pyramid scheme.” 

DeLaney reacts to Braun announcing partial SNAP benefits

Today, Gov. Braun announced that Indiana will issue partial SNAP benefits for the remainder of November. Since Nov. 1, the fate of SNAP benefits has been unclear due to the ongoing federal shutdown and legal battle over the release of federal funds in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Contingency Fund. Unlike some other states, Indiana's governor and the state legislature failed to take action to supplement SNAP with state dollars.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement: 

“The governor has announced that partial SNAP payments will be made. He failed to note that these are not state dollars that will be distributed. He failed to note that the state has contributed nothing to the solutions of this problem. He failed to note that there will likely be delays and confusion.

"Partial payments will not be enough to prevent families from going hungry. This mess will not be as easy to clean up as the governor is implying. 

“A few township trustees have been funding local foodbanks in their efforts to prevent the half a million Hoosiers relying on SNAP from going hungry. The governor would be much more helpful if he were doing the same. Instead, he blames one party from among his former senate colleagues.

"This would be a good time to act like a statesman.”

DeLaney calls on township trustees to help fund food assistance in light of failure from state and federal government

As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, the distribution of food assistance benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains in jeopardy. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a letter in October directing states to hold all SNAP benefit distribution for the month of November. On Friday, Oct. 31, a judge ruled that the USDA must use their contingency fund for SNAP. However, this contingency fund contains about $4.65 billion, which does not meet the full $8 billion that SNAP recipients receive each month.  

During the Oct. 29 meeting of the State Budget Committee, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) made a motion to help protect the health of Hoosiers. Rep. Porter recommended the allocation of $112 million to the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to cover SNAP for all recipients and to provide an additional $10 million to Indiana’s food banks for each month of the government shutdown. All Republican members voted no, and the motion was defeated.

State Rep Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement: 

“We all know that our federal government has failed us. But sadly, Republican state legislators and the governor’s representative on the State Budget Committee refused to even ask the governor to help these families. 

“Almost 600,000 Hoosiers depend on SNAP to be their reliable food source – one in eight of those people are children. The fact that 600,000 Hoosiers are unsure if they are going to be able to put food on the table is a cataclysmic failure of government. 

“Private citizens across the state have to take matters into their own hands by donating to food banks and volunteering their time. While this is commendable and I encourage more of it, it is still not enough to meet the need. 

“We are down to one last resort. Even if the USDA contingency fund is put to use, SNAP benefits will not be distributed in full or on time. I call on our one thousand township trustees to use their substantial reserve funds to provide food assistance for SNAP eligible households. According to a memo from the Indiana Township Association, there is a legal basis for township trustees to provide food assistance in emergency conditions, such as a disruption to federal benefits. 

“Some township trustees have millions of dollars in their rainy day funds. If hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers facing food insecurity doesn’t constitute a storm, I don’t know what does. It is up to the trustees to make up for the inaction of the national government and our governor and support our communities, both rural and urban.”