FOLLOWING SURGE OF SYNTHETIC DRUG OVERDOSES LOCALLY, REP. JOHN KATKO INTRODUCES GROUNDBREAKING, BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO COMBAT EPIDEMIC
John Katko (R-NY, 24th)
June 19, 2017
Toxic, synthetic drugs are designed to mimic street drugs like marijuana, LSD, cocaine, Ecstasy and other hard drugs. They can be more potent than the real thing and just as deadly. Currently, manufacturers and distributors of these substances are able to slightly alter the chemical structure of drugs to avoid law enforcement scrutiny and prosecution. Since being elected to represent Central New York in Congress, Rep. Katko has prioritized addressing this crisis.
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KENNEDY INTROS BILL TO CREATE RUSSIAN RESPONSE CENTER
Joseph P. Kennedy, 3rd (D-MA, 4th)
June 15, 2017
“Russia’s attack on our election was not guided by party affiliation but instead by a deep desire to weaken trust in our institutions and shake the very foundation of our democracy. Without a strong, coordinated response from our government, adversarial assaults on our electoral system, economy and national security will only become more sophisticated and sustained in the coming years. By uniting our agencies and our allies against this common threat, our Response Center will ensure our government is ready and willing to respond to any future meddling before it takes root.”
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STATEMENT: REP. KHANNA SAYS FUNDING NEEDS TO MATCH RHETORIC ON APPRENTICESHIP EXECUTIVE ORDER
Ro Khanna (D-CA, 17th)
June 15, 2017
“Today’s announcement by the White House to create 5 million apprenticeships in the next decade is an aspirational goal. I see this pledge as a way for Congress, the White House, and employers to come together and find new ways to give working families the economic security they deserve. But in order to achieve a 10-fold increase in apprenticeships—from 500,000 to 5 million—the President has to match his rhetoric with funding. His proposed increase to the apprenticeship program is not enough, and the cuts in other parts of the Department of Labor programs undermine his goal.
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STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN DAN KILDEE ON FINAL U.S.-MEXICO SUGAR DEAL
Daniel Kildee (D-MA, 5th)
June 19, 2017
“I am pleased that the Department of Commerce has reached a deal with the Mexican government to stop illegal dumping of foreign sugar in America. Family farms in my district and across the country are struggling, and this agreement will help provide relief from unfair trade practices. I applaud Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for their work. I will work with them to ensure that this deal is enforced and that our sugar policy works in the best interests of American farmers.”
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Herrera Beutler and Derek Kilmer introduce ocean acidification bill
Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th)
June 16, 2017
Acidification is a result of increasing carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. When carbon dioxide — a chief “greenhouse gas” — is absorbed by the oceans, chemical reactions occur that change the pH level in the seawater, making it more acidic. As a result, the water eats away at oyster larvae shells and kills them, according to marine biologists and oyster growers.
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Rep. Kind Cosponsors Bill to Extend the Perkins Loan Program
Ron Kind (D-WI, 3rd)
June 16, 2017
US Rep. Ron Kind cosponsored the bipartisan bill, H.R. 2482 – the Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2017, which will extend the Perkins Loan Program for a period of 2 years so that students enrolled in the program can continue to receive financial aid. Currently, the Perkins Loan program is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2017. If the program is allowed to expire, around 500,000 students across the country will lose access to the program.
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Rep. Peter King Touts Bill to Protect Kids From Dying in Hot Cars
Pete King (R-NY, 2nd)
June 13, 2017
“The reality is that this can happen to anyone," he says. "People are in a rush -- they forget, they run into the store, they have to get something done in a hurry and what they don’t realize is that very quickly in summer heat the temperature inside a car can go to 120 degrees. And a young kid is three times more affected by it than an adult is."
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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Of The House Oversight Committee Calls For A Complete Review Of General Flynn’s International Dealings In Response To Explosive New Revelations
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL, 8th)
June 19, 2017
“In the wake of disturbing new reports on Michael Flynn’s business ties, I’m calling for a complete review of the former National Security Advisor’s international dealings. The last two days have brought a string of disturbing new revelations about Flynn’s suspicious business interests, including his involvement in a plan to build nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia and sell Russian military equipment to Arab states. Flynn also worked with a foreign cyberweapons company that helped repressive governments launch hacking efforts against human rights advocates and political dissidents.
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Jordan questions Justice Department official about Comey's Loretta Lynch comments
Jim Jordan (R-OH, 4th)
June 15, 2017
“The highest officials at the Department of Justice should be straight with the American people, and that did not happen. … And they were misled at the direction of the attorney general! Mr. Comey’s testimony was real clear, he even questioned – he said, ‘Do we really want to do that? Don’t we want to tell the American people the truth?’ And yet he followed, he carried out the order from the attorney general to mislead the American people and say it was a ‘matter,’ not an ‘investigation,’ and of course as I’ve said a couple times, he allowed the perception to continue that our current president of the United States was under investigation when in fact he was not.”
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The Unpopular Truth
Monday, June 19, 2017
IMF, UN, VA, Shooting, Anesthesiology, Disabled Children
IMF Decides not to Disburse Funds for Another Greek Bailout
Bill Hulzinga (R-MI, 2nd)
June 15, 2017
“While I am pleased the IMF will not be disbursing additional loans to Greece at this time, it is imperative the IMF bases its lending practices on principled and sound decision-making. A failure to do so will continue to leave the IMF open to future exploitation as a junior partner to the Eurozone’s bailout fund. The damage that European shareholders have inflicted on the IMF’s reputation is real, and this will inform the direction the U.S. takes in its governance of the Fund.”
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Human Rights Panel Urges U.S. Remain Engaged on UN Human Rights Council
Randy Hultgren (R-IL, 14th)
June 16, 2017
In the letter the Co-Chairs recognize the Council has been inconsistent in its promotion of human rights, but emphasize that the United States can best defend universal rights by working to strengthen the Council from within instead of disengaging. Engagement on the Council remains the best path forward to safeguarding human rights, peace, and security for both American citizens and those across the globe.
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House Sends VA Reform Bill To President’s Desk
Darrell Issa (R-CA, 49th)
June 13, 2017
The bipartisan bill will increase accountability at the VA by allowing the Secretary to dismiss poorly-performing employees and those who engage in misconduct while strengthening protections for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing.
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Jayapal Condemns Shooting at Congressional Baseball Practice
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th)
June 14, 2017
“There is no place for hate and violence in our communities. We can always disagree and fight for our core beliefs nonviolently – without demagoguery or demonization. Last week, I was joined by colleagues and human rights leaders in denouncing a national anti-Muslim campaign and the rise in violent hate crimes more broadly. Today, joined by colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I again condemn acts of hate and violence in any form and in the strongest possible terms.
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JOHNSON STATEMENT ON SHOOTING AT CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL PRACTICE
Rep. Hollingsworth's Statement About Shooting at Congressional Baseball Practice
HUDSON STATEMENT ON SHOOTING IN ALEXANDRIA, VA
REPS. JENKINS AND CLEAVER INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO RURAL ANESTHESIOLOGY CARE
Lynn Jenkins (R-KS, 2nd)
June 13, 2017
“For many years, rural hospitals and clinics have suffered from a shortage of anesthesiologists to care for their patients. Attracting physicians to live and work in a rural setting is a unique challenge these critical access hospitals face,” said Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. “The Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act remedies this problem by allowing certain rural hospitals to use Medicare Part A funds on a ‘pass-through’ basis. This legislation will make it easier for critical access hospitals to attract and retain physician anesthesiologists to serve their rural communities. I look forward to working with Rep. Cleaver on this bipartisan legislation to better serve our rural hospitals and rural communities.”
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Reps. Huffman, McKinley, Walz, Reichert, Schrader, & Katko Introduce Bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act
Jared Huffman (D-CA, 2nd)
June 15, 2017
In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), with the goal of guaranteeing that every child with disabilities would have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. At that time, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. Unfortunately, that pledge has never been met: current federal funding makes up just 15.7 percent. The bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular increases in IDEA spending to finally meet the federal commitment to America’s children and schools, relieve the burden on states and local school districts, and ensure educational opportunities for all students with disabilities.
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Bill Hulzinga (R-MI, 2nd)
June 15, 2017
“While I am pleased the IMF will not be disbursing additional loans to Greece at this time, it is imperative the IMF bases its lending practices on principled and sound decision-making. A failure to do so will continue to leave the IMF open to future exploitation as a junior partner to the Eurozone’s bailout fund. The damage that European shareholders have inflicted on the IMF’s reputation is real, and this will inform the direction the U.S. takes in its governance of the Fund.”
Read more...
Human Rights Panel Urges U.S. Remain Engaged on UN Human Rights Council
Randy Hultgren (R-IL, 14th)
June 16, 2017
In the letter the Co-Chairs recognize the Council has been inconsistent in its promotion of human rights, but emphasize that the United States can best defend universal rights by working to strengthen the Council from within instead of disengaging. Engagement on the Council remains the best path forward to safeguarding human rights, peace, and security for both American citizens and those across the globe.
Read more...
House Sends VA Reform Bill To President’s Desk
Darrell Issa (R-CA, 49th)
June 13, 2017
The bipartisan bill will increase accountability at the VA by allowing the Secretary to dismiss poorly-performing employees and those who engage in misconduct while strengthening protections for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing.
Read more...
Jayapal Condemns Shooting at Congressional Baseball Practice
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th)
June 14, 2017
“There is no place for hate and violence in our communities. We can always disagree and fight for our core beliefs nonviolently – without demagoguery or demonization. Last week, I was joined by colleagues and human rights leaders in denouncing a national anti-Muslim campaign and the rise in violent hate crimes more broadly. Today, joined by colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I again condemn acts of hate and violence in any form and in the strongest possible terms.
Read more...
JOHNSON STATEMENT ON SHOOTING AT CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL PRACTICE
Rep. Hollingsworth's Statement About Shooting at Congressional Baseball Practice
HUDSON STATEMENT ON SHOOTING IN ALEXANDRIA, VA
REPS. JENKINS AND CLEAVER INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO RURAL ANESTHESIOLOGY CARE
Lynn Jenkins (R-KS, 2nd)
June 13, 2017
“For many years, rural hospitals and clinics have suffered from a shortage of anesthesiologists to care for their patients. Attracting physicians to live and work in a rural setting is a unique challenge these critical access hospitals face,” said Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. “The Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act remedies this problem by allowing certain rural hospitals to use Medicare Part A funds on a ‘pass-through’ basis. This legislation will make it easier for critical access hospitals to attract and retain physician anesthesiologists to serve their rural communities. I look forward to working with Rep. Cleaver on this bipartisan legislation to better serve our rural hospitals and rural communities.”
Read more...
Reps. Huffman, McKinley, Walz, Reichert, Schrader, & Katko Introduce Bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act
Jared Huffman (D-CA, 2nd)
June 15, 2017
In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), with the goal of guaranteeing that every child with disabilities would have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. At that time, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. Unfortunately, that pledge has never been met: current federal funding makes up just 15.7 percent. The bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular increases in IDEA spending to finally meet the federal commitment to America’s children and schools, relieve the burden on states and local school districts, and ensure educational opportunities for all students with disabilities.
Read more...