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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