{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Democrat\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://carson.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/carson-statement-on-his-attendance-at-the-icna-chicago-convention", "Carson Statement on Attending the ICNA Chicago Convention", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "INDIANAPOLIS - Today, Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson released the following statement in response to his attendance at the ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America) Chicago convention last weekend.\nOn Saturday, December 27, I attended the ICNA Chicago convention to deliver a speech on the importance of civil engagement and developing leaders in the community. \u00a0\u00a0\nOn Sunday, December 28, I learned that ICNA had also scheduled me to sit on a Ferguson panel Saturday night \u2013 which I had not planned on participating in.\u00a0 At no point had I ever confirmed to attend any other events other than the dinner.\u00a0 Any reference to my participation or appearance on the Ferguson panel during the ICNA conference is not factual.\nAs a former law enforcement officer with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security in the anti-terrorism unit, it is critical that Americans know that I would never associate with any individual or organization trying to harm the United States of America or its citizens.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/happy-new-year", "Happy New Year!", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "David Cicilline", "C001084", "cicilline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.\n\tToday, Americans all across the country are making resolutions to improve their daily lives and the communities in which they live. We make these resolutions with a sense of hope and promise about the future and with a deep understanding of our ability to make a difference. And we make these pledges because we understand our responsibility to move forward in a positive and constructive way as we confront the challenges ahead.\n\tAs we welcome this New Year, we also welcome the start of a new Congress, and this month I will be meeting with Rhode Islanders across our state to hear from those I serve about their priorities and be sure I incorporate them in my legislative work plan for the 114th Congress. I do this with the hope and knowledge that by working together we can make this Congress more productive than the last. It\u2019s with this spirit of new beginnings, hope and determination that we can create a brighter future for all Rhode Islanders in 2015 and the years to follow.\n\tAgain, I hope you have a very happy New Year.\nWarm regards,\n\n\t  \n\tDavid Cicilline", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://defazio.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/top-democrats-demand-boehner-follow-rules-of-the-house-for-controversial", "Top Democrats Demand Boehner Follow Rules of the House for Controversial Keystone Vote", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Three leading House Democratic lawmakers called on Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) to use regular order for consideration of controversial legislation to approve construction of TransCanada\u2019s Keystone XL pipeline. In a letter sent yesterday, Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), ranking members-elect on the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources, respectively, urged Boehner not to bypass committee process to force a premature vote on an issue of such magnitude. The three committees have jurisdiction over Keystone XL pipeline legislation.\n\u201cIt is our understanding that you may schedule the House of Representatives to vote on a bill to approve TransCanada\u2019s Keystone XL pipeline during the first two weeks of the 114th Congress.\u00a0 Given the magnitude of this issue, we urge you not to bypass the committee process and regular order for consideration of this controversial legislation. This past November, 61 new Members of Congress were elected by the American people to represent their interests in the House.\u00a0 These new Members, and in fact all Members of the House, should have the opportunity to consider, debate, and propose their own ideas on this legislation through committee hearings and markups, before it is scheduled for House Floor consideration,\u201d the members write.\nAdditionally, the members highlight several key issues with the Keystone XL pipeline that should postpone any premature legislative action. The proposed route was declared null and void by the Nebraska District Court in February 2014. If Congress considers legislation in the next few weeks, Members of Congress would be asked to vote for approval without knowledge of the route.\u00a0\nThe members also highlight the need to evaluate potential economic impacts of the pipeline. The letter cites a December 2014 petroleum marketing report issued by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy, which found that crude oil prices in the U.S. are the lowest they have been since 2010.\u00a0 The significant decrease in the price of gasoline in the United States illustrates the changed circumstances. The letter requests that the House has an opportunity to learn more about these changed circumstances as they weigh the economic costs and benefits of the pipeline.\nIn addition, the letter asks that new and returning Members of Congress have the ability to debate the short- and long-term effects of approving a project that could reverse the carbon pollution reductions and environmental and safety improvements achieved in the United States.\nThe letter adds, \u201cMr. Speaker, a new Congress represents new beginnings.\u00a0 We urge you to use this opportunity to recommit to the value of thoughtful deliberation.\u00a0 We urge you not to bypass the committee process and regular order for consideration of this controversial legislation.\u201d\nA copy of the letter is below.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDecember 30, 2014\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable John A. Boehner\nSpeaker of the House\nH-232, The Capitol\nWashington, DC 20515\n\u00a0\nDear Mr. Speaker:\nIt is our understanding that you may schedule the House of Representatives to vote on a bill to approve TransCanada\u2019s Keystone XL pipeline during the first two weeks of the 114th Congress.\u00a0 Given the magnitude of this issue, we urge you not to bypass the committee process and regular order for consideration of this controversial legislation.\nThis past November, 61 new Members of Congress were elected by the American people to represent their interests in the House.\u00a0 These new Members, and in fact all Members of the House, should have the opportunity to consider, debate, and propose their own ideas on this legislation through committee hearings and markups, before it is scheduled for House Floor consideration.\u00a0 Moreover, the bill should be subject to a rule allowing for an open amendment process on the Floor.\u00a0 While past congresses have debated legislation to approve the pipeline, this new Congress has not had the opportunity to be a part of the process, a process that the Republican Leadership has vowed to uphold.\nJust five months ago, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy published an op-ed in the Washington Post promising, on the first day of his new job, to return to the committee process and regular order.\u00a0 He stated: \u201cIn Congress, committees act as idea factories for policies from both sides, and as majority leader I will commit to the committee process and regular order.\u201d\u00a0 He added a renewed commitment to work with Members on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation, stating \u201c\u2026a sense of mutual respect is necessary for constructive dialogue.\u201d\u00a0 We urge you to uphold this commitment.\nIn addition, we believe the committee process will provide Members with new information that has come to light since Congress previously considered Keystone XL legislation.\u00a0\nFirst, the proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline remains unclear in the state of Nebraska.\u00a0 In February 2014, the Nebraska District Court declared that the Nebraska Governor\u2019s Keystone XL pipeline siting decision violated the Nebraska Constitution and, as such, the proposed route was null and void.\u00a0 The Nebraska Supreme Court is considering this issue on appeal and is expected to issue its decision in the coming weeks.\u00a0 We hope that we can all agree that Members of Congress deserve to know the route of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline prior to casting a vote on whether to approve it.\nSecond, over the past five years, production of crude oil in the United States has skyrocketed.\u00a0 As a result of this increased production, together with tempered global demand, crude oil prices have fallen precipitously.\u00a0 According to a December 2014 petroleum marketing report issued by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy, crude oil prices in the U.S. are the lowest they have been since 2010.\u00a0 The significant decrease in the price of gasoline in the United States illustrates the changed circumstances.\u00a0 On December 22, AAA announced that gasoline prices declined for a record 88 days straight and 85 cents per gallon in the last year.\u00a0 Members of Congress should have an opportunity to learn more about these changed circumstances as they weigh the costs and benefits of TransCanada\u2019s proposed Keystone XL pipeline.\nThird, expansion of oil sands production in Canada, with or without the Keystone XL pipeline, is now uncertain.\u00a0 Alternative transportation methods have raised considerable challenges for producers, and a number of pipeline expansion projects have been halted due to significant opposition in the U.S. and Canada.\u00a0 While the Keystone XL pipeline continues to be the producers\u2019 preferred option for the delivery of oil sands, concerns regarding carbon pollution, impacts on natural resources and land use, and safety remain.\u00a0 New and returning Members of Congress should have the right to debate the short- and long-term effects of approving a project that could reverse the carbon pollution reductions and environmental and safety improvements that we have worked so hard to achieve in the United States.\nMr. Speaker, a new Congress represents new beginnings.\u00a0 We urge you to use this opportunity to recommit to the value of thoughtful deliberation.\u00a0 We urge you not to bypass the committee process and regular order for consideration of this controversial legislation.\nThank you for your consideration.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\nPETER A. DEFAZIO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FRANK PALLONE, JR.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RA\u00daL M. GRIJALVA\nRanking Member-Elect\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ranking Member-Elect\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ranking Member-Elect\nCommittee on Transportation \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Committee on Energy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Committee on\u00a0\nand Infrastructure\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and Commerce\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Natural Resources\n\u00a0\ncc: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer, Democratic Whip\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Bill Shuster, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Fred Upton, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Honorable Rob Bishop, Chairman-Elect, Committee on Natural Resources\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-indonesia-air-asia-flight-8501", "Pelosi Statement on Indonesia Air Asia Flight 8501", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco \u2014 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the crash of Indonesia Air Asia Flight 8501: \u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all those lost on Indonesia Air Asia Flight 8501. \u00a0In the midst of the holidays, as we gather together to celebrate with loved ones, we are acutely aware of the pain this tragedy represents. \"The American people stand with all those mourning the passengers and crew, and hope we can be of assistance in the investigation and recovery efforts.\u00a0 \u201cWe hope it is a comfort to the families of the victims that so many around the world share in their sadness at this terrible time.\u201d\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-welcomes-long-awaited-airline-rules-for-carry-on-instruments", "Reed Welcomes Long-Awaited Airline Rules for Carry-On Instruments", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Jack Reed", "R000122", "www.reed.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12/31/2014\u00a0\u2014\u00a0WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today welcomed a final rule from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regarding the treatment of musical instruments on commercial airlines.\u00a0 Reed urged Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to issue the rule earlier this year, when media reports documented an incident in which members of the Rhode Island band Deer Tick were barred from bringing their guitars as carry-on luggage.\r\nSection 403 of the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2012 states that air carriers \u201cshall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin,\u201d provided \u201cthe instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat\u201d and that \u201cthere is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.\u201d\u00a0 The law also makes similar allowances for the transport of larger instruments in the airplane cabin when a separate ticket is purchased for the instrument.\r\nThe law was enacted in February 2012 and included a requirement that USDOT adopt regulations to carry out this provision within two years.\u00a0 The law could not become effective until the final rule has was issued, leading Reed to call on Secretary Foxx in July to end the delay and clarify the rules of the road.\u00a0 There have been numerous reports of musicians experiencing travel disruptions when attempting to board flights with their instruments, as well as accounts of loss, theft, or damage to instruments when the artists have been required to place them in in the baggage hold.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that, after nearly three years, there is a final rule that makes the FAA Modernization and Reform Act fully implemented and effective.\u00a0 It will be up to the airline industry, working with musician organizations, to familiarize airline personnel and travelers of their rights and responsibilities.\u00a0 I\u2019m pleased that Secretary Foxx in developing this rule brought the airlines and musicians together, and that dialogue should continue.\u00a0 We\u2019ll also need to closely evaluate the airlines\u2019 performance in handling valuable and fragile musical instruments,\u201d said Reed.\r\nIn July, after news reports that members of the band Deer Tick were detained and subsequently delayed on their return flight from Nashville to Rhode Island after they were barred from bringing their guitars as carry-on luggage, Reed sought to ensure other air travelers do not face similar problems.\u00a0 The delayed final rule, issued Tuesday by USDOT, requires that US airlines accept musical instruments as carry-on or checked baggage on commercial passenger flights, provided that certain conditions are met.\u00a0\r\n\"We have a lot of great musicians based here in\u00a0Rhode Island, and many who travel here for our world renowned music festivals.\u00a0 When they fly, they should be able to learn ahead of time how an airline will store their instruments during the flight. \u00a0If an instrument passes through security and can be stowed safely, it should permitted in the airplane cabin.\u00a0 This final rule is an important step towards a more uniform policy for musicians traveling with their instruments,\u201d added Reed.\r\nThe rule is expected to become effective in March.\r\n-end-\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/carson-statement-attending-icna-chicago-convention", "Carson Statement on Attending the ICNA Chicago Convention", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "INDIANAPOLIS - Today, Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson released the following statement in response to his attendance at the ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America) Chicago convention last weekend.\n\nOn Saturday, December 27, I attended the ICNA Chicago convention to deliver a speech on the importance of civil engagement and developing leaders in the community.\n\nOn Sunday, December 28, I learned that ICNA had also scheduled me to sit on a Ferguson panel Saturday night \u2013 which I had not planned on participating in. At no point had I ever confirmed to attend any other events other than the dinner. Any reference to my participation or appearance on the Ferguson panel during the ICNA conference is not factual.\n\nAs a former law enforcement officer with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security in the anti-terrorism unit, it is critical that Americans know that I would never associate with any individual or organization trying to harm the United States of America or its citizens.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/end-of-year-update-808ba317f354", "End of year update", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "End of yearupdate December 29, 2014 I like to keep these updates as brief and to the point as I can. I know you get a lot of email, and you dont need more to read from me. However, since I conclude my first term in Congress this week and begin a new one in January, Id ask your indulgence as I provide a quick recap of our efforts in the 113th Congress and conclude with the last significant vote I took this year, a no vote on the spending bill. *** Weve done a lot during the 113th session of Congress: helped thousands of constituents in our El Paso office, voted on hundreds of important bills in the Capitol and held dozens of town hall meetings throughout the community. Theres no easy way to summarize and account for it all in this email, so I thought Id take you through three significant issues that are important both for El Paso and the country. The first is our obligation to our service members and their families. Soon after I took office we were forced to confront the consequences of the across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester. While the sequester hit every federal agency, one group that stood out to me was our service members. In particular, we learned that service members were to lose access to the Tuition Assistance program, which affords them up to $4,500 per year to attend UTEP, El Paso Community College or other schools of higher-learning. After hearing from family members of those stationed at Fort Bliss, we introduced a bill to restore 100 percent of the funding. We partnered with key Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee and ultimately were able to restore funding for the remainder of 2013. By listening to the families of our service members, working across the aisle and not accepting the status quo we helped solve the problem and kept faith with our service members across the country and especially the nearly 33,000 incredibly brave men and women at Fort Bliss. At the same time that we were addressing the impacts of the sequester, we realized that problems at the VA were worse than we first believed. While the VA insisted it was meeting access requirements for El Paso, I was hearing from hundreds of veterans at my town hall meetings and in our office about the difficulty of getting in to see a doctor or mental health provider. To resolve the discrepancy, I commissioned a survey of El Pasos veterans who confirmed what we had been hearing: one-third who attempted to get mental health care could not, and average wait times for primary care were over 80 days. We exposed a deep divide between the VAs message and the reality faced by many El Paso veterans. Due to this work, and our oversight efforts on the Veterans Affairs Committee, we were able to obtain a commitment from VA leadership to turn around El Pasos clinic. To date, that has translated into millions of dollars to hire additional providers, an improving customer-focused attitude, and new leadership. There is a long way to go, and we are far from satisfied, but we are making significant progress. Lastly, the border is an issue that defines us and provides our greatest opportunitieswhether we look at it economically, culturally or on its impact to our quality of life. For example, our international bridges carry $90 billion in U.S./Mexico trade every year. That trade is connected to 25% of the jobs in El Paso, nearly 500,000 in Texas and over six million throughout the U.S. We also are a perfect example of the positive impact that immigration has on border communities and the country beyond. In large part because (and not in spite) of the fact that we have such a large immigrant community, we are the safest city in America four years running. We have served as the Ellis Island for Mexico and Central America for decades and have contributed mightily to the growth and development of the America we know today. This should be a point of pride for El Paso, and another way for us to take our place as a leading American city. This unique position and perspective has led us to author a bi-partisan immigration bill and introduce bi-partisan legislation to improve conditions at our ports of entry. Its also compelled me to argue forcefully for a rational and humane approach to border issues in the national debate. ***  And now to bring us up to speed on the latest legislative developments from the Capitol.  One of the last votes I took this year was on the spending bill, H.R. 83, which would fund all major departments for the rest of the fiscal year with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded for three months.  Funding the government is one of the most important responsibilities I have as your representative, and it is one of the most important jobs that we have as a Congress. I began the process of reviewing the details of what became known as the CRomnibus (for Continuing Resolution and Omnibus) with the intent of finding a way to support the legislation. For example, the CRomnibus provides more than $130 million to continue construction of the new hospital on Fort Bliss, funding to tackle the VA claims backlog and provide mental health services to our veterans, and a continued emphasis on hiring more Customs and Border Protection officers to staff ports of entry in El Paso and throughout the country.  However, I voted against this bill because of two particularly troubling policy riders:  The first would allow banks to engage in custom swaps, which were prohibited after the 2008 financial meltdown that caused the Great Recession. Much of the bill language to neuter this provision of Dodd-Frank was apparently written by lobbyists for Citigroup.  The second would allow donors to spend vastly greater amounts to support the national political parties, from $32,400 per year to $324,000 per year and would bring the amount of money that wealthy donors can give to political parties, recount efforts and individual federal campaigns to nearly $5 million per couple per election cycle.  Both issues will have a significant impact on our economy and our democracy, yet they received no hearings or debate as part of the omnibus negotiations and were slipped in at the last minute in a must-pass spending bill. Ultimately, I decided that we cannot trade 10 months of spending certainty for two permanent provisions that have the potential to cause long-lasting negative effects on this country. ***  In spite of the disappointing provisions in the spending bill, its important to note that this was a much better process than last years, where political differences led to a government shutdown. Its easy enough to bemoan Congress and government in general; there is dysfunction enough to warrant it. But for me, and I hope for El Paso, next year holds much promise and opportunity.  Examples of where me might make progress include: immigration reform, tax reform, defining our role abroad and connecting our position on the border to the national interest. Improving the VA, strengthening Fort Bliss, and bringing greater balance to our countrys budget. Reforming Congress, making it more accountable and reflective our priorities. I am grateful for the chance to work on these and other issues on your behalf.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity and this responsibility. I am excited, energized and optimistic about what is to come.  Buenas noches 2014. Buenos das 2015. Sincerely, Beto ORourke  Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/end-of-year-update-808ba317f354?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "End of year update", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "End of yearupdate December 29, 2014 I like to keep these updates as brief and to the point as I can. I know you get a lot of email, and you dont need more to read from me. However, since I conclude my first term in Congress this week and begin a new one in January, Id ask your indulgence as I provide a quick recap of our efforts in the 113th Congress and conclude with the last significant vote I took this year, a no vote on the spending bill. *** Weve done a lot during the 113th session of Congress: helped thousands of constituents in our El Paso office, voted on hundreds of important bills in the Capitol and held dozens of town hall meetings throughout the community. Theres no easy way to summarize and account for it all in this email, so I thought Id take you through three significant issues that are important both for El Paso and the country. The first is our obligation to our service members and their families. Soon after I took office we were forced to confront the consequences of the across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester. While the sequester hit every federal agency, one group that stood out to me was our service members. In particular, we learned that service members were to lose access to the Tuition Assistance program, which affords them up to $4,500 per year to attend UTEP, El Paso Community College or other schools of higher-learning. After hearing from family members of those stationed at Fort Bliss, we introduced a bill to restore 100 percent of the funding. We partnered with key Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee and ultimately were able to restore funding for the remainder of 2013. By listening to the families of our service members, working across the aisle and not accepting the status quo we helped solve the problem and kept faith with our service members across the country and especially the nearly 33,000 incredibly brave men and women at Fort Bliss. At the same time that we were addressing the impacts of the sequester, we realized that problems at the VA were worse than we first believed. While the VA insisted it was meeting access requirements for El Paso, I was hearing from hundreds of veterans at my town hall meetings and in our office about the difficulty of getting in to see a doctor or mental health provider. To resolve the discrepancy, I commissioned a survey of El Pasos veterans who confirmed what we had been hearing: one-third who attempted to get mental health care could not, and average wait times for primary care were over 80 days. We exposed a deep divide between the VAs message and the reality faced by many El Paso veterans. Due to this work, and our oversight efforts on the Veterans Affairs Committee, we were able to obtain a commitment from VA leadership to turn around El Pasos clinic. To date, that has translated into millions of dollars to hire additional providers, an improving customer-focused attitude, and new leadership. There is a long way to go, and we are far from satisfied, but we are making significant progress. Lastly, the border is an issue that defines us and provides our greatest opportunitieswhether we look at it economically, culturally or on its impact to our quality of life. For example, our international bridges carry $90 billion in U.S./Mexico trade every year. That trade is connected to 25% of the jobs in El Paso, nearly 500,000 in Texas and over six million throughout the U.S. We also are a perfect example of the positive impact that immigration has on border communities and the country beyond. In large part because (and not in spite) of the fact that we have such a large immigrant community, we are the safest city in America four years running. We have served as the Ellis Island for Mexico and Central America for decades and have contributed mightily to the growth and development of the America we know today. This should be a point of pride for El Paso, and another way for us to take our place as a leading American city. This unique position and perspective has led us to author a bi-partisan immigration bill and introduce bi-partisan legislation to improve conditions at our ports of entry. Its also compelled me to argue forcefully for a rational and humane approach to border issues in the national debate. ***  And now to bring us up to speed on the latest legislative developments from the Capitol.  One of the last votes I took this year was on the spending bill, H.R. 83, which would fund all major departments for the rest of the fiscal year with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded for three months.  Funding the government is one of the most important responsibilities I have as your representative, and it is one of the most important jobs that we have as a Congress. I began the process of reviewing the details of what became known as the CRomnibus (for Continuing Resolution and Omnibus) with the intent of finding a way to support the legislation. For example, the CRomnibus provides more than $130 million to continue construction of the new hospital on Fort Bliss, funding to tackle the VA claims backlog and provide mental health services to our veterans, and a continued emphasis on hiring more Customs and Border Protection officers to staff ports of entry in El Paso and throughout the country.  However, I voted against this bill because of two particularly troubling policy riders:  The first would allow banks to engage in custom swaps, which were prohibited after the 2008 financial meltdown that caused the Great Recession. Much of the bill language to neuter this provision of Dodd-Frank was apparently written by lobbyists for Citigroup.  The second would allow donors to spend vastly greater amounts to support the national political parties, from $32,400 per year to $324,000 per year and would bring the amount of money that wealthy donors can give to political parties, recount efforts and individual federal campaigns to nearly $5 million per couple per election cycle.  Both issues will have a significant impact on our economy and our democracy, yet they received no hearings or debate as part of the omnibus negotiations and were slipped in at the last minute in a must-pass spending bill. Ultimately, I decided that we cannot trade 10 months of spending certainty for two permanent provisions that have the potential to cause long-lasting negative effects on this country. ***  In spite of the disappointing provisions in the spending bill, its important to note that this was a much better process than last years, where political differences led to a government shutdown. Its easy enough to bemoan Congress and government in general; there is dysfunction enough to warrant it. But for me, and I hope for El Paso, next year holds much promise and opportunity.  Examples of where me might make progress include: immigration reform, tax reform, defining our role abroad and connecting our position on the border to the national interest. Improving the VA, strengthening Fort Bliss, and bringing greater balance to our countrys budget. Reforming Congress, making it more accountable and reflective our priorities. I am grateful for the chance to work on these and other issues on your behalf.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity and this responsibility. I am excited, energized and optimistic about what is to come.  Buenas noches 2014. Buenos das 2015. Sincerely, Beto ORourke  Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-passing-of-kernie-anderson", "Casey Statement on Passing of Kernie Anderson", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the passing of Kernie Anderson.\r\n\u201cThis week my thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family as they mourn the loss of Kernie Anderson. Kernie is being rightly remembered as a giant of the radio industry who blazed a trail that many follow today. Kernie Anderson was an important voice for the African American community in Philadelphia and throughout the country. He fought vigorously to ensure that millions of Americans who quietly struggle had a voice. His role in helping to found Philadelphia\u2019s Unity Day will serve as an enduring legacy of the kind of community he worked to create.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/immigration-reform-and-the-importance-of-family", "Immigration reform and the importance of family", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Mazie Hirono", "H001042", "www.hirono.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Immigration reform and the importance of family\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Senator Mazie K. Hirono\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Wednesday, December 31, 2014\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            Family is central to the holiday season in America: spending days at home together, traveling to visit family, sharing meals, and exchanging gifts.\u00a0 Most of us take for granted that we\u2019ll be with family this holiday season\u2014and likely next holiday season as well.\u00a0 But, we must remember the millions of hardworking people living in the United States who are still waiting for Congress to act so that they, too, can be with their loved ones at this time of year.\r\nAs the United States Senate\u2019s only immigrant, the issue of immigration reform is personal to me.\u00a0 My mother brought me to America on the S.S. President Cleveland in steerage from Japan when I was almost eight years old.\u00a0 Like most immigrants, mom had a dream that she could provide a better life for our family in the United States.\u00a0 She was a single parent who escaped from an abusive marriage in Japan.\u00a0 We started with very little, but we had each other.\u00a0 And with our family support, we worked hard to pursue the American dream.\u00a0 My mother changed my life by bringing me to this country, a country which afforded opportunities for a poor immigrant family like ours to make a better life.\r\nUnder today\u2019s broken immigration system, many immigrants do not have the family support that is so critical to success\u2014and so fundamental to who we are as a country.\u00a0 There are Filipino World War II veterans still waiting to be reunited with their children; there are families separated by visa backlogs that last years and even decades; and there are mothers and fathers being torn from their children because they don\u2019t have the right paperwork.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 These families wouldn\u2019t have to endure another holiday season separated from their loved ones if we passed immigration reform.\u00a0 Despite receiving the Senate\u2019s bipartisan bill over a year ago, the House Republicans left Washington this month without even giving comprehensive immigration reform an up-or-down vote.\u00a0 However, there is still reason for hope.\u00a0 Just before Thanksgiving, President Obama used his executive authority to provide limited discretionary deportation relief to some undocumented mothers, fathers, and students living in our country.\u00a0 The President\u2019s executive action has given these families some peace of mind, albeit temporary, that they now won\u2019t be torn from their families and communities and be deported if certain conditions are met.\u00a0 As Nevada student and DREAMer Astrid Silva testified in a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the President\u2019s action that I chaired, at the very least she now knows that her dad will still be with her and her family this Christmas. Rather than stepping up to provide permanent solutions for immigration reform, my Republican friends are taking a page out of the Grinch\u2019s playbook.\u00a0 They\u2019re choosing to spend their energy working to undo the President\u2019s action at the expense of families like Astrid\u2019s, rather than constructively working with the rest of us to pass the commonsense, humane reform that Americans overwhelmingly support.\u00a0\u00a0 Immigration reform legislation should not only keep families together, it should be good for our economy.\u00a0 And it is.\u00a0 Even with temporary actions like President Obama\u2019s, allowing undocumented persons to come out of the shadows and work will generate billions in payroll taxes and is expected to lead to higher wages and increased worker protections for the entire workforce.\u00a0 The benefit to our economy and communities when all 11 million undocumented people can step out of the shadows, work legally, and pay their taxes will be additional billions to stimulate our economy. Immigration reform isn\u2019t just a Latino or border state issue.\u00a0 It matters to all communities, like Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and all states\u2014including my own state of Hawaii.\u00a0 Immigration reform should matter to all of us who understand the importance of family as we make it through life.\u00a0 I hope this holiday season, when we\u2019re enjoying dinner or opening gifts or sitting in the pew at church, that we can think about those in this country who are still waiting to one day share those moments with their families, too.\r\n\r\nSen. Hirono is the only immigrant in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/senator-murphys-year-in-review-2014", "Senator Murphy's Year in Review 2014", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Murphy's Year in Review 2014 \n            Despite the gridlock in Washington, we were able to achieve some big wins for the state of Connecticut this year. From job training to preschool funding, inf...\n            \n                \n                    \n                       \t\n        \t\t\t\t\n                        \n                            \n                                \n                                \n                                    \n                                    \n                                    \n                                \n                                \n        \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \n                        \n                        \n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\n                    \n                \n            \n        \t\n            \n            \n            \n                \n                \n                \n                \n                    \n                   \tSee Video on YouTube\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n                    \nCopy Link", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-ezell-ford-autopsy-and-lapd-shooting", "Statement on Ezell Ford Autopsy and LAPD Shooting", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOS ANGELES, CA\u2014Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) released the following statement after the release of the autopsy of Ezell Ford, an unarmed 25-year-old who was shot and killed by LAPD officers in August:\n\"I appreciate Mayor Garcetti\u2019s actions today in requesting Ezell Ford\u2019s autopsy be released to the public. I join with Mr. Ford\u2019s family in grieving his death as well as wanting to make sure that justice is served.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe information in the autopsy is one piece of evidence, but it does not tell the complete story. I echo calls for all witnesses to come forward to share their reports of what they saw last August.\u00a0This information is vital to ensuring we have the full story of what happened.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"Ezell Ford\u2019s family and the South Los Angeles community deserve a full and impartial investigation surrounding the tragic events from this summer. There are many facts to consider\u2014including the Mr. Ford\u2019s mental illness as well Mr. Ford being shot in the back.\u00a0 \"I will continue to closely monitor the Los Angeles Police Department\u2019s, the office of inspector general\u2019s and the district attorney's office\u2019s investigations.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bass.house.gov/press-release/statement-possible-ambush-police-officers-south-la", "Statement on Possible Ambush of Police Officers in South LA", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOS ANGELES, CA\u2014Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) released the following statement after two people fired on Los Angeles Police Officers\u00a0Sunday\u00a0night:\n\"I am deeply concerned about the shooting at two Los Angeles Police Officers\u00a0Sunday\u00a0night on 62nd and Hoover streets. This sort of gun violence has no place on our streets, and it only serves to make our communities less safe for all of our residents. At this point it is unclear whether the officers were the targets of the shooting, but I am relieved that no one was hurt in this incident.\n\"As community members we must strive to work together to rid our neighborhood of senseless violence.\n \"All lives matter.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennyheck.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/thurston-county-s-newly-elected-officials-sworn-in-during-ceremony", "Thurston Countys newly elected officials sworn in during ceremony", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Newly elected Thurston County Clerk Linda Enlow said she had waited for more than 20 years for Tuesday\u2019s swearing-in ceremony at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College.\n\u201cIt\u2019s very emotional,\u201d said Enlow, who served as the county\u2019s chief deputy clerk for 21 years, under retiring Clerk Betty Gould. \u201cI\u2019m very excited.\u201d\nShe was among 11 elected officials sworn into office Tuesday afternoon by county Auditor Mary Hall.\nU.S. Rep. Denny Heck delivered a keynote speech during the event, saying that public service is about neighbors, community and relationships.\nHe passed along some advice that he received during his freshman term in the House of Representatives from retiring Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. History.\n\u201cHe said this: \u201cYou have a very important job, and you\u2019re not a very important person,\u201d Heck recalled. \u201cFor those of you who are elected, I want you to remember those words.\u201d\nMeantime, Hall compared the swearing-in ceremony to a wedding, and added that the real work was still ahead. Like marriage, Hall said elected offices will take a lot of hard work, negotiation and collaboration.\nOther officials sworn in during the ceremony were County Commissioner Bud Blake; Coroner Gary Warnock; Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim; Sheriff John Snaza; Treasurer Shawn Myers; District Court Judges Kalo Wilcox, Sam Meyer and Brett Buckley; and Public Utility District Commissioners Russ Olsen and Chris Stearns.\nHall was sworn in on Dec. 22 so that she could do an early swearing in ceremony for Assessor Steven Drew who couldn\u2019t participate in Tuesday\u2019s event due to a scheduling conflict.\nJudge Meyer took his oath alongside wife, Jennifer, and their children Charlotte, 4, and Henry, 10.\n\u201cIt really was a family affair,\u201d Jennifer Meyer said after the ceremony. \u201cWe appreciate marking the day, and being able to participate in it.\u201d\n\n\n\tSTEVE\u00a0BLOOM\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Staff\u00a0photographer", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://maloney.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/maloney-urges-new-surgeon-general-to-address-gun-violence-and-skin", "Maloney urges new Surgeon General to address gun violence and skin cancer in 2015", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Carolyn Maloney", "M000087", "maloney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NEW YORK --\u00a0Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today urged Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy to take action on gun violence and other public health issues. In her letter, Maloney called for better efforts to understand gun violence and continued action in addressing skin cancer.\n\"Like many of my colleagues, and most Americans, I strongly support efforts to better understand the causes of gun violence and to develop constructive solutions,\" wrote Maloney. \"I also urge you to continue the work of your predecessors to decrease incidences of skin cancer through campaigns to reduce excessive exposure to harmful outdoor sun and indoor tanning devices. Your interest in preventative medicine will bring great focus to addressing widespread and longstanding public health needs.\"\nMaloney is the author of legislation that would authorize $10 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the causes and ways to prevent gun violence. Federal spending on research of gun violence is currently banned.\nMaloney is a founder of the bipartisan Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus and an author of the TAN Act, which recently resulted in warning labels being required for all tanning beds, which indicate that the products should not be used by those under the age of 18.\nThe text of Maloney\u2019s letter follows:\nDecember 30, 2014\nVivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A.  \n\tSurgeon General, Vice Admiral  \n\tDepartment of Health and Human Services  \n\t200 Independence Avenue S.W.  \n\tWashington, DC 20201\nDear Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy,\nI offer my strong congratulations on your recent confirmation as the next U.S. Surgeon General.\u00a0The position of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Doctor\u201d has gone without formal leadership for far too long.\nAs we begin a new year resolved to take steps to improve our own wellbeing we must also consider how to best keep our nation as a whole healthy and strong. The recent global Ebola outbreak is a reminder of how essential public health is to our nation\u2019s security. In addition, here in America, gun violence and its aftermath continue to plague our communities. Like many of my colleagues, and most Americans, I strongly support efforts to better understand the causes of gun violence and to develop constructive solutions. I also urge you to continue the work of your predecessors to decrease incidences of skin cancer through campaigns to reduce excessive exposure to harmful outdoor sun and indoor tanning devices. Your interest in preventative medicine will bring great focus to addressing widespread and longstanding public health needs.\nI again offer my commendations for your appointment as our 19th U.S. Surgeon General. Your remarkable qualifications will help to guide our country through these and other health concerns. I look forward to working with you.\nSincerely,\nCAROLYN B. MALONEY\u00a0  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://meeks.house.gov/press-release/us-rep-gregory-w-meeks-statement-police-officers-protest-during-funeral-officer-ramos", "U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on Police Officers' Protest During Funeral of Officer Ramos", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Gregory Meeks", "M001137", "meeks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on Police Officers' Protest During Funeral of Officer Ramos\nWashington, D. C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks\u00a0released\u00a0the following statement regarding the police officers who turned their backs on Mayor de Blasio during the funeral of Officer Rafael Ramos:\n\"The rhetoric and actions taken by the police unions and the police officers who staged the so-called \"wall of silence\" at Officer Ramos' funeral deepens that which divides the city.\u00a0 This antic was\u00a0disrespectful and betrayed the decorum and responsibility that is expected of public servants, especially at the funeral of a fallen officer.\u00a0 At this critical juncture, I believe Mayor de Blasio is working to heal as well as unite our city and I thank him for this continued effort. \u00a0\n\"Furthermore, I applaud the Mayor for holding a meeting with police union leaders, including Mr. Patrick Lynch, to discuss the underlying issues and work together to move the city forward.\u00a0 It is meetings and discussions such as these that strengthen the efforts of those seeking police reform and improvement of police-community relations.\u00a0 It's pertinent to reiterate that the Mayor, and those who are seeking justice for Mr. Eric Garner and others nationwide, are not against the police but instead are pushing for fairness, accountability, and equality before the law. I encourage an atmosphere of mutual respect in the future as our communities continue to heal and strive for justice for all. \u201d \u00a0[End]", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://meng.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/meng-bill-seeking-to-make-queens-historic-sites-part-of-national-park", "Meng Bill Seeking to Make Queens Historic Sites Part of National Park Service Signed into Law by President Obama", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Grace Meng", "M001188", "meng.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) that seeks to make Queens historic sites part of the National Park Service has been signed into law by President Obama.\n\u00a0\nThe measure, which the President signed as part of a broader authorization bill, requires the Secretary of the Interior \u2013 whose agency administers federal parks \u2013 to study the viability of the National Park Service supporting spots associated with the Flushing Remonstrance, the document signed in 1657 that is recognized as the precursor of religious freedom in America. Properties that will be examined are the John Bowne House and the Old Quaker Meetinghouse, both of which are located in Flushing.\n\u00a0\n\u201cThe Flushing Remonstrance is a vital part of American history but few Americans \u2013 and few New Yorkers \u2013 know much about it,\u201d said Meng. \u201cIt\u2019s time for that to change, and this study could finally\u00a0allow Queens to claim its rightful place in U.S. history. I ask National Park Service officials to begin their study as soon as possible and I eagerly await the results.\u201d\n\u00a0\nAlthough the National Park Service has not yet set a timetable for the study, the agency plans to use internal standards to determine whether the Bowne and Quaker meetinghouse meet the criteria to be included in the nation\u2019s park system. The criteria will be based on the sites meeting national significance, suitability, and feasibility, as well as the need for National Park Service management. The study, which could lead to the two locations becoming a National Historic Park or a National Historic Site, will also consider other alternatives for preservation and protection. The study is estimated to cost $200,000 to $300,000.\n\u00a0\nMeng introduced the Flushing Remonstrance Study Act in September 2013, and the measure recently passed the House and Senate. During a Congressional hearing on the bill earlier this year, National Park Service Associate Director Victor Knox said that the Interior Department supports the study.\n\u00a0\nThe Flushing Remonstrance was signed by 30 citizens of Flushing on December 27, 1657 to protest the policy that banned Quakers from practicing their religion in the colony of New Netherland, a move that was vigorously opposed by the local government. After area resident John Bowne was jailed \u2013 and later banished to the Netherlands \u2013 for allowing Quakers to hold religious services in his house, he continued to fight the policy, and as a result, the Quakers were eventually allowed to practice freely.\n\u00a0\nThe John Bowne House, owned by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, includes the section built in 1661 that hosted the meetings held by the Quakers, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located at 37-01 Bowne Street.\n\u00a0\nThe Old Quaker Meetinghouse, owned by the Flushing Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, was built in 1694 by John Bowne and other Quakers, and is a National Historic Landmark for architecture and religion. It is located at 137-16 Northern Boulevard.\n\u00a0\nMeng expressed her appreciation to all who supported her legislation, in particular, Adam Sackowitz, a local history buff who first suggested the Remonstrance bill to her.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kare-11-minn-congressman-praises-cuba-policy-plans-trip", "KARE 11: Minn. congressman praises Cuba policy, plans trip", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota congressman who has long advocated for changes to the United States' Cuba policy says a decision to normalize relations with the island country is a \"monumental step\" in the right direction.\nDemocratic Rep. Rick Nolan praised Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. would re-establish diplomatic ties to Cuba. Nolan traveled to Cuba in 1977 during his first stint in Congress and was involved in a past deal to release U.S. prisoners held there.\nNolan says he hopes to travel to Cuba next year to meet with officials there.\nAnother Democratic member of the Minnesota delegation, Betty McCollum, described the announcement as \"a new beginning.\" She says she would continue working to end a U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. McCollum spent time in Cuba last summer.\nRepublican Rep. Michele Bachmann panned the move, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the U.S. shouldn't have changed its policy until Cuba changed its ways.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kbjr-us-house-and-senate-pass-bill-to-aid-grand-portage-chippewa-tribe", "KBJR: U.S. House and Senate pass bill to aid Grand Portage Chippewa tribe", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. (NNCNOW.com) --- Minnesota officials are one step closer to correcting an oversight for the Grand Portage Band of Cook County, Minn.\nU.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar along with the Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan have crafted a bill that is set to become law.\nThe bill, often referred to as a legislative fix, will correct the case that Grand Portage Band members were excluded from receiving the same benefits as the Bois Forte Band.\n\"This bill ensures that members of the Grand Portage Band will receive important benefits they are entitled to under the federal Treaty of 1854,\" Nolan said. \"It means a great deal to the Band and to our region, and I was pleased to work with Senators Klobuchar and Franken to get this done.\"\nThe bill passed the House back in November, and passed the Senate on Tuesday night. It is now heading to the President's desk.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/kdal-nolan-praises-renewed-diplomatic-relations-with-cuba", "KDAL: Nolan Praises Renewed Diplomatic Relations WIth Cuba", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C, (KDAL) - Minnesota U-S Representative Rick Nolan is lauding President Obama's decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba along with an announcement of the release of U-S contractor Alan Gross after three years in a Cuban prison.\u00a0 As a member of congress in 1977, Nolan traveled to Cuba to personally negotiate the release of five U-S prisoners, held since the Bay of Pigs invasion, in a meeting with then President Fidel Castro.\u00a0 Nolan is hoping to travel to Cuba sometime in the next year to meet with officials and discuss potential trade opportunities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/pioneer-press-rick-nolan-on-new-relations-with-cuba-monumental-step", "Pioneer Press: Rick Nolan on new relations with Cuba: 'monumental step'", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Minnesota congressman who has long advocated for changes to the United States' Cuba policy says a decision to normalize relations with the island country is a \"monumental step\" in the right direction.\nDemocratic Rep. Rick Nolan praised Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. would re-establish diplomatic ties to Cuba. Nolan traveled to Cuba in 1977 during his first stint in Congress and was involved in a past deal to release U.S. prisoners held there.\nNolan says he hopes to travel to Cuba next year to meet with officials there.\nAnother Democratic member of the Minnesota delegation, Betty McCollum, described the announcement as \"a new beginning.\" She says she would continue working to end a U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. McCollum spent time in Cuba last summer.\nRepublican Rep. Michele Bachmann panned the move, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the U.S. shouldn't have changed its policy until Cuba changed its ways.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-how-to-build-a-new-future-for-american-indian-schools", "Star Tribune: How to build a new future for American Indian schools", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Obama had the right reaction after meeting Indian students during his trip to a North Dakota Indian reservation in June. Saying he and the first lady were \u201cshaken\u201d by the kids\u2019 pessimism about their futures, Obama returned home and took action.\nHe ordered his administration to \u201cfind new avenues of opportunity\u201d for Indian youths. He instructed every member of his Cabinet to \u201csit down with Native young people and hear firsthand about their lives.\u2019\u2019 The result of his agenda-setting came earlier this month when Obama announced a series of tribal youth initiatives at the White House Tribal Nations conference.\nThe speech was greeted with cheers. It should have been met with hard questions. The new initiatives, while welcome, are small steps that do nothing to address a critical educational hurdle on reservations: the ragged conditions of school buildings.\nOnline leadership networks, a \u201cyouth listening tour\u201d and a \u201cWhite House Tribal Youth Gathering\u201d are poor substitutes for the safe, modern school buildings that the 183-school Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) system desperately needs. About a third of the schools in this federally funded K-12 system, which serves about 50,000 of the nation\u2019s poorest students, have decrepit facilities.\nAn effort to help Indian youths that does not include an overhaul of these 63 BIE schools cannot be taken seriously. At least $1.3 billion is required for rebuilding or renovation. What\u2019s needed is a swift commitment to secure funding, not lightweight initiatives.\nBeginning Nov. 23, a Star Tribune Editorial Board series called \u201cSeparate and Unequal\u201d documented the shameful state of BIE school buildings across the nation, as well as the growing gap between them and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) schools, the other federally funded K-12 system.\nNorthern Minnesota\u2019s Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School is housed in a deteriorating pole barn. In Arizona, two BIE schools have been on a \u201cpriority waitlist\u201d for a decade. In South Dakota, BIE schools are overcrowded and have sections of buildings that have been closed off or condemned.\nAt the same time, Department of Defense schools, which serve children of military families and civilian defense employees, are in the midst of a $5 billion, decadelong project to rebuild 134 schools and set a new national design standard for the future.\nAt the White House Tribal Nations conference, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell called the editorials \u201cpainful\u201d but \u201chelpful.\u201d\nJewell, whose Department of the Interior is the parent agency for BIE and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, deserves credit for recognizing the problems documented in the series. But now she needs to provide a concrete action plan to overhaul the schools \u2014 and a personal guarantee that she\u2019ll lobby Congress for the funding needed to launch a school construction surge like the DOD\u2019s. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also needs to lend his considerable clout.\nAbout a week ago, Congress signaled strongly that it\u2019s willing to hear the case for improved BIE school funding with the passage of the continuing resolution/omnibus spending bill. Tucked inside the bill, thanks to a timely push by Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, was $20 million for BIE school replacement in 2015, nearly $17 million more than Jewell\u2019s agency requested. The legislation also directed Interior to replace its decade-old \u201cpriority construction\u201d list of schools.\nBut much more work needs to be done.\nAt the federal level:\n\u2022\u2009Minnesota\u2019s congressional delegation must take on the BIE school cause. McCollum, as well as Rep. Rick Nolan and Sen.\u00a0Al Franken, all Democrats, have long been champions of BIE schools. Powerful Republican Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen also need to convince their caucus that this is a worthy investment. Kline, as chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, especially could make a difference.\n\u2022\u2009Interior Department officials should tap the expertise of DOD school construction experts. The DOD staff is setting a new standard for school design and has experience managing a large rebuilding effort.\nAt the state level:\n\u2022\u2009Minnesota lawmakers must take the lead on building a new Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig high school. BIE school construction is a federal obligation, but federal action remains years, perhaps a decade, away. One BIE ranking of school construction needs indicated that 31 schools are ahead of the Bug school. State. Sen. Terri Bonoff\u2019s idea to form a new partnership with federal officials to finance a new Bug school also merits support.\n\u2022\u2009Gov.\u00a0Mark Dayton\u00a0should enlist Minnesota\u2019s nonprofit community to help build a new Bug school. The CEO of the influential Blandin Foundation has said that the organization is interested in getting involved and that covering the school\u2019s $27 million price tag is doable with the right partnerships.\nThe conditions at BIE schools are a national disgrace, one requiring immediate attention. Obama, Jewell and Congress cannot let the nation\u2019s two federally funded K-12 systems become one of haves and have-nots on their watch.\nAnd Minnesota, which has a long history of helping communities with immediate needs that outstrip available resources, shouldn\u2019t wait for Washington to help the Bug school. Swift action is needed to ensure that another generation of American Indian kids will not have to attend high school in a broken-down building.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/star-tribune-minnesota-rep-nolan-who-was-vocal-on-cuba-issue-praises-us-0", "Star Tribune: Minnesota Rep. Nolan who was vocal on Cuba issue praises US policy change, plans trip there", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ST. PAUL, Minn. \u2014 A Minnesota congressman who has long advocated for changes to the United States' Cuba policy says a decision to normalize relations with the island country is a \"monumental step\" in the right direction.\nDemocratic Rep. Rick Nolan praised Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. would re-establish diplomatic ties to Cuba. Nolan traveled to Cuba in 1977 during his first stint in Congress and was involved in a past deal to release U.S. prisoners held there.\nNolan says he hopes to travel to Cuba next year to meet with officials there.\nAnother Democratic member of the Minnesota delegation, Betty McCollum, described the announcement as \"a new beginning.\" She says she would continue working to end a U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. McCollum spent time in Cuba last summer.\nRepublican Rep.\u00a0Michele Bachmann\u00a0panned the move, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the U.S. shouldn't have changed its policy until Cuba changed its ways.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/longstanding-norton-negotiated-agreement-means-costs-of-recent-dc", "Longstanding Norton-Negotiated Agreement Means Costs of Recent D.C.  Demonstrations Picked Up by Federal Government", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reports on the cost to the District of Columbia of providing public safety at marches and demonstrations here on racial profiling in law enforcement nationwide have not noted that Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), at least since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, \u00a0has secured annual federal payments for the costs to the city of emergency planning and security related to the presence of the nation\u2019s capital in D.C., where protests are often held, including $12.5 million for this fiscal year and any unexpended funds from prior fiscal years.\u00a0 Initially, the District had to seek federal reimbursement for such costs each year, but, beginning in the fiscal year of 2009, Norton convinced appropriators to allow what had been annual cost-reimbursement to be converted to an upfront annual payment so that D.C. no longer had to expend its local funds to cover costs related to federal protests and demonstrations in the nation\u2019s capital.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-secures-over-332000-6th-district-residents-2014", "Pallone Secures Over $332,000 for 6th District Residents in 2014", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LONG BRANCH, NJ \u2013 Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. announced that, in 2014, he has helped secure over $332,274 for constituents seeking assistance through his district offices.\u00a0 His work on behalf of constituents includes help with Sandy\u00a0related FEMA grants and claims, SBA loans, Social Security payments, and more.\u00a0 Over the past year, Congressman Pallone\u2019s constituent outreach representatives have made it possible for constituents to cut through red tape in order to receive money that is rightfully owed to them.\n\u201cWhether a constituent is concerned about a federal policy or needs help navigating the federal bureaucracy, I want them to know we\u2019re here to help,\u201d said Congressman Pallone.\u00a0 \u201cI am grateful that so many residents of the 6th\u00a0District have turned to us for assistance this year, especially as we continue to recover and rebuild from\u00a0Sandy\u00a0together. \u00a0I hope that they continue to use my office as a resource.\u201d\nThe funds secured by Congressman Pallone and his staff are part of a long list of constituent services that his district offices offer.\u00a0 For example, constituents who have issues with their Social Security benefits, federal pensions, Medicare eligibility, and U.S. citizenship are eligible for help.\u00a0 Additionally, Pallone and his staff frequently assist veterans obtain back pay, GI Bill benefits, VA disability claims, as well as assistance to widows who are eligible to receive pensions.\u00a0 Staff can also be helpful in locating low-income housing options, energy assistance and other benefits or resources that may be helpful to residents of the 6th District. \u00a0\n\u201cDirect constituent service is a top priority of mine,\u201d added Congressman Pallone.\u00a0 \u201cI always appreciate hearing from my constituents, and I encourage them to stay in touch, especially if we can be of any help.\u201d\nFor help on any of these services or other issues, please do not hesitate to contact either of Congressman Pallone\u2019s district offices:\nNew Brunswick Office:\n67/69 Church Street\nNew Brunswick, NJ 08901\nPhone: (732) 249-8892\nLong Branch Office:\n504 Broadway\nLong Branch, NJ 07740\nPhone: (732) 571-1140", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397795", "Rep. Roybal-Allard Issues Statement on Ezell Ford Autopsy Release", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lucille Roybal-Allard", "R000486", "roybal-allard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) issued the following statement about the release of the autopsy of Ezell Ford, who was shot and killed in August by LAPD officers in the South Los Angeles area of her Congressional District:\"It is critical that Ezell Ford's death be investigated thoroughly and impartially. \u00a0That is why I thank Mayor Garcetti for ordering the release of Mr. Ford's autopsy results. \u00a0This is an important step in making the fullest possible accounting of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ford's death. \u00a0I also urge any and all witnesses to his death to come forward without delay, so that we have a clear and accurate picture of this event. \u00a0I will continue to monitor the ongoing investigations into this tragedy. \"My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ford's family, as they are with the family of Omar Abrego, who also died after an encounter with police in my District in August. \u00a0I fully support the mission of our nation's law enforcement personnel to protect and serve the American people. \u00a0At the same time, their work must always be done in a manner that respects the law and the rights of the people they protect. \u00a0I also continue to support the right of the people to peacefully and legally express their First Amendment rights \u2013 including the right to assemble \u2013 in response to these deaths.\"  \r\n \u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/us-helsinki-commission-chair-welcomes-additions-to-magnitsky-list", "U.S. Helsinki Commission Chair Welcomes Additions to Magnitsky List", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 30, 2014\n\t\t\t U.S. Helsinki Commission Chair Welcomes Additions to Magnitsky List \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONFollowing Monday's addition of four Russian individuals to the Magnitsky List by the Obama Administration, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, issued the following statement:\r\n\r\nI welcome the announcement made by the Obama Administration that it has added four additional individuals to the visa ban and asset freeze lists mandated under the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. I applaud the work of the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury to continue to focus attention on Russian government officials implicated in the death of Sergei Magnitsky and to demonstrate America's willingness to penalize human right violators when their own country refuses to act.\r\n\r\n\"These sanctions are not sanctions against Russia, but against individuals who have committed serious human rights violations against Russians. The American people will continue to support Russians like Sergei Magnitsky who speak out about injustice and seek redress.\r\n\r\nWhile I am pleased that additional names have been added to the Magnitsky List, there remain a significant number of Russians  both government officials and private individuals  against whom evidence exists of their involvement in the conspiracy and cover-up of Magnitsky's death in 2009, but who have yet to be added to the visa ban and asset freeze lists. I strongly encourage the Administration to continue its examination of the information available with regard to these individuals and add them to the List. The Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act must continue to be used to demonstrate to the world that the voices of those who seek justice and who speak out about human rights violations are heard and valued by the United States of America.\r\n   ###\r\n\r\nThe Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 57 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.\r\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/governor-chafee-rhode-island-congressional-delegation-governor-elect-raimondo-make", "Governor Chafee, the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, Governor-Elect Raimondo Make an International Business Announcement", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "David Cicilline", "C001084", "cicilline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, joined by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen James Langevin and David Cicilline, Governor-Elect Gina M. Raimondo, and private and public partners, announced today that five international companies are looking to establish a presence in Rhode Island.\nThis announcement is the result of a relationship Governor Chafee built with international partners in Europe during the governor\u2019s trade mission to Italy and Ireland this past April.\n\u201cI am pleased that my proactive efforts beyond our borders have resulted in economic opportunities for Rhode Islanders,\u201d Governor Chafee said. \u201cI learned during the trade mission to Europe that companies are eager to expand their operations to our state. We need to continue our work to strengthen our role in global economic discussions and entice businesses from around the world to set up shop in our cities and towns.\u201d\n\u201cThis is another positive sign for the state\u2019s economy and a reminder that we must continue to make smart investments in job training for our workforce and infrastructure upgrades like T.F. Green Airport and Quonset Point. I will continue working at the federal level to help local companies grow and attract foreign investment to Rhode Island,\u201d said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.\n\u201cI\u2019m very pleased to welcome these companies to the Ocean State,\u201d said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. \u201cThey will find world-class research universities, a long tradition of manufacturing and industrial design, arts and culture, a beautiful landscape, and a high quality of life for employees. I congratulate the leadership of our international partners on this investment, and Governor Chafee, Marcel Valois, and the team at Commerce RI for all their hard work in forging bonds that will serve the state well.\u201d\n\u201cThis is an exciting opportunity to grow the Rhode Island economy, create jobs, and continue to improve our state\u2019s reputation as a world-class destination in which to work, live, and do business,\u201d said Congressman Jim Langevin. \u201cI extend my warmest welcome to these companies relocating to Rhode Island and offer my support to all businesses looking to open up shop or grow in the Ocean State. I am encouraged by this news and believe we can build upon this momentum to attract more international partners to Rhode Island.\u201d\n\u201cRhode Island\u2019s workers, ports, highways and other assets make it an attractive gateway for international businesses to enter the U.S. market, and I\u2019m excited to join with partners in both the public and private sectors to promote economic development opportunities that will boost Rhode Island\u2019s economy,\u201d said Congressman David Cicilline, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which oversees U.S. international economic and trade policy. \u201cThe Ocean State has great potential to capitalize on the expanding global economy, and I want to congratulate Governor Chafee for his efforts to build partnerships with companies outside the United States and look forward to working with Governor-Elect Raimondo to strengthen these relationships in the years to come.\u201d\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to welcome these new businesses to Rhode Island,\u201d said Governor-Elect Gina M. Raimondo. \u201cI appreciate the work of Governor Chafee and Commerce RI to make this day happen, and I look forward to showing many more international businesses why Rhode Island is the right place to establish themselves as they enter the U.S market.\u201d\n\u201cI am beyond pleased to learn that these companies will be opening offices in Rhode Island,\u201d said Commerce RI Executive Director Marcel A. Valois. \u201cThis is an indication of Rhode Island\u2019s assets to help businesses, both domestic and international, grow and succeed.\u201d\n\u201cGTECH is pleased to welcome these companies to the state where we were founded and have chosen to make our global headquarters for more than 30 years,\u201d said GTECH Chairman Donald Sweitzer. \u201cI accompanied Governor Chafee on his trade mission to describe to these and other companies the advantages of locating in Rhode Island.\u201d\nThree of the five companies are headquartered in Italy. Euranet, out of Milan, is a global supply chain specialist for compliance, quality and security, with high-end clients including Gucci and Ferrari. After a visit to Rhode Island in September, the company plans to set up an office here.\nBased in Venice, Galivm is a successful, popular and fast-growing Italian restaurant franchise with four restaurants over the past two years in the Veneto Region. Locations are opening across Europe, and the company intends to set up its first North American restaurant in Rhode Island. Governor Chafee dined at Galivm during his trade mission to Italy.\nREIOS is a design consulting firm for efficient lighting systems in Novara. The company has installed LED street lights in dozens of European cities and airports. REIOS has plans to set up an LED manufacturing facility in Rhode Island with manufacturing and sales jobs.\nHeadquartered in County Mayo, Ireland, Monaghan Brothers is a leading, high-quality furniture maker specializing in the hospitality, corporate and university markets. Monaghan aims to set up a showroom and marketing office with a small team of salespeople, eventually recreating its Irish production facility, in Rhode Island. Governor Chafee visited Monaghan during his trade mission in Ireland.\nSCORE, out of Cambridge, England, is an encryption technology company that secures transmission of data, making it impenetrable to hackers, while greatly accelerating download speeds for all networks and systems. SCORE is launching an Apple app this month and has been working with the U.S. Department of Defense this past year in a national lab. A Rhode Island office would be staffed with salespeople, programmers and executives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1784:delauro-applauds-over-11-million-in-additional-sandy-funds-for-3rd-congressional-districtcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21", "DeLauro Applauds Over $11 Million in Additional Sandy Funds for 3rd Congressional District", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Rosa DeLauro", "D000216", "delauro.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans\u2019 bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-releases-her-annual-end-of-year-report", "Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Releases Her Annual End-of-Year Report", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Elizabeth Esty", "E000293", "esty.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty\u2019s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-statement-on-end-of-us-combat-mission-in-afghanistan", "Kuster Statement on End of U.S. Combat Mission in Afghanistan", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement regarding the announced conclusion of the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan:\n\u201cFor more than 13 years, American men and women have served bravely in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and to help bring peace, security, and liberty to the Afghan people.\u00a0 Today, the time has come to responsibly bring Operation Enduring Freedom to a close.\u201d\n\u201cWe must always honor the service members, veterans, and military families who sacrificed so much to make the world a safer place for their fellow Americans, our Afghan allies, and people across the globe.\u00a0 And we must never forget the more than 2,000 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the cause of freedom.\u00a0 As men and women in uniform continue to come home, we must redouble our efforts to serve these returning heroes as they served us, and ensure they receive the benefits and respect they have earned as they transition to peaceful and productive civilian lives.\u201d\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/2015-predictions-2014-review-norton-is-prepared-to-talk-about-with-press", "2015 Predictions, 2014 Review Norton is Prepared to Talk About with Press", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has issued a release containing a set of predictions about the upcoming 114th Congress along with a discussion of what happened during the 113th, and is prepared to talk about any of them that might be of interest to you.\u00a0 For example, she is not as concerned about the Republican House and Senate as many residents are. Norton has spent all but 8 of her 25 years in the House with Republicans in charge and often a Republican president too, but has gotten major D.C. bills enacted (e.g., DCTAG, and the $5,000 homebuyer tax credit).\u00a0 However, she predicts rough times ahead and is wary of appropriation riders, as usual, but believes Republicans, especially Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), has urgent priorities of their own to get done before the 2016 election and are not looking for distractions with big fights over District matters--and fights they would get.\nBelow are some highlights:\n expects significant relaxation of sequester for domestic and defense funds\n\tchairmen of the two D.C. committees have already publicly come out for home rule, and she does not believe home rule is in danger.\u00a0 She hosted a good meeting in her office with Chairmen Chaffetz and Mayor-elect Bowser\n\thow she expects to keep statehood alive in a Republican Congress that opposes it after the Senate hearing on statehood\n\twhy D.C. marijuana reform is not dead, apart from the loophole\n\thow she was able to defeat an amendment to eliminate D.C.\u2019s gun laws, but guns are always a target\n\talmost got budget autonomy done, but she does expect to be able to keep budget autonomy referendum from being overturned in Congress\n\texpects to keep D.C. from being shut down, maybe even permanently\n\tsurface transportation bill is due out next year, and as top Democrat on subcommittee, she will play the lead role in one of the largest funding authorizations next year (funds Metro, roads, bridges, etc.)\n\tbelieves all her economic development projects are safe and will continue, including the Department of Homeland Security headquarters in Ward 8.\n View her full release on these and other 2013-14 issues here. Norton\u2019s new Communication Director will not begin until first of the year. Please direct all inquiries to her new chief of staff, Raven Reeder.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/norton-calls-on-house-republicans-for-delegate-vote-in-114th-congress", "Norton Calls on House Republicans for Delegate Vote in 114th Congress", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Before the 114th Congress convenes, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has begun the fight to restore an equal citizenship right District of Columbia residents once had, but was taken away by House Republicans on the first day of the 112th Congress.\u00a0 Norton will be joined by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Kerwin Miller, a D.C. veteran and former director of Veterans Affairs for the city, at a press conference on\u00a0Monday, January 5, at\u00a010:30 a.m., in\u00a0Cannon 421 to call on House Republicans to restore the District\u2019s vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole in the rules of the 114th Congress.\u00a0\nWHO: \n-Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n-D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser\n-Kerwin Miller, D.C. Veteran\n\u00a0\nWHEN: Monday, January 5, 2015, 10:30 a.m.\nWHERE: Cannon 421\nBACKGROUND:\nThe Committee of the Whole vote allows the Delegate representing the District to vote on amendments on the House floor.\u00a0 Although a revote would occur if such a vote were decisive, that almost never occurs.\nThe Congresswoman had first secured D.C. a vote in the Committee of the Whole during the 103rd Congress, when Democrats were in the majority.\u00a0 Norton, shortly after becoming a Member of the House, proposed the Committee of the Whole vote in a legal memorandum to House Democratic leaders, who, after vetting it with outside counsel, agreed that the vote was constitutional.\u00a0\u00a0 A federal district court and a federal appeals court upheld its constitutionality after Republicans challenged it in court.\u00a0 When House Republicans regained the majority in the 104th Congress, however, they eliminated D.C.\u2019s vote in the Committee of the Whole.\u00a0 In the 110th Congress, Democrats regained control of the House and restored the vote.\u00a0 On the first day as the new majority, House Republicans adopted rules for the 112th Congress that stripped D.C. residents of their vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole.\nEarlier this month, Norton sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) requesting that the House rules for the 114th Congress permit the District of Columbia delegate to vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.\u00a0\nIn September, Norton testified at a Senate committee hearing on her bill to make D.C. the 51st state, a bill which has a record number of House and Senate cosponsors.\u00a0 The hearing was the first congressional hearing on D.C. statehood in more than 20 years.\u00a0 Two days later, she testified at the House Rules Committee to try to retrieve the vote in the Committee of the Whole, a vote she won shortly after being elected to Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/norton-set-records-in-113th-congress-undaunted-by-new-republican-0", "Norton Set Records in 113th Congress, Undaunted by New Republican Congress, Makes Predictions for 2015", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Norton Defies Unproductive Congress with Bills Enacted, Statehood Breakthroughs; Checkmated Anti-Home-Rule Riders; Perfect Score on Judges Confirmed; More Economic Development Projects; and D.C. Funding Despite Budget Cuts\nIntroduction: Unafraid of the Coming Republican Congress\nNext year marks 25 years since Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) was elected to Congress.\u00a0 She has spent only eight of those years in a House controlled by Democrats.\u00a0 Yet during those years she has found ways to work closely not only with fellow Democrats, but with Republicans, such as former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), winning major legislation for the District with Republicans in charge and often in the White House as well.\u00a0 Among the most notable has been the D.C.\u00a0 Tuition Assistance Grant program (DCTAG), the $5,000 homebuyer tax credit and business tax incentives, and major economic development projects that are transforming the entire Southeast and Southwest Waterfront neighborhoods, NoMa, Ward 8 communities with the Department of Homeland Security headquarters, and Upper Northwest with the former Walter Reed site.\nThus, the Congresswoman is not fearful of the coming 114th Congress, where Republicans will control both chambers.\u00a0 She has seen worse.\u00a0 Norton does not underestimate the unprecedented far-right posture of today\u2019s Republicans.\u00a0 She is prepared for more attempts to undermine D.C. home rule, by bills and appropriations riders.\u00a0 However, by refusing to prejudge how Members will respond to D.C. matters, she has found allies who have helped her pass D.C. bills and on other D.C. matters, even as Norton has opposed them on national issues.\u00a0 The Congresswoman is particularly pleased that both incoming chairmen with D.C. jurisdiction \u2013 Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) \u2013 have already publically supported home rule, and Norton and Chaffetz have had a meeting with Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser.\nOur history of fighting back has not been in vain.\u00a0 Members of Congress have long been on notice that Norton and D.C. are prepared to fight to protect home rule not only on the House floor, in the Senate, and in the streets of Washington, but also in their districts and states.\u00a0 Norton has used various forms of communication to inform the constituents of Members who spend their time not working for them, but meddling in D.C.\u2019s local affairs.\nThe way for D.C. to begin the 114th Congress is to assume the best and be prepared to fight the worst.\u00a0 There is nothing to fear now.\u00a0 There is much work to do to\u00a0\u00a0 increase respect for the rights of D.C. residents as full and equal American citizens.\u00a0\n Getting Bills Enacted into Law Despite Historically Unproductive Congress \n   #1 for most bills enacted by House Democrats \nTied for #2 in most bills enacted by Democratic House and Senate Members\nTied for #3 in bills enacted by House Republicans and Democrats\nTied for #4 in most bills enacted in House and Senate\nMembers of the Congress rarely, if ever, have their own bills enacted into law.\u00a0 However, Norton was a leader in authored legislation for the 113th Congress and had three of her 67 bills enacted into law.\u00a0 In the 112th Congress, Norton was also a leader, with 54 bills introduced and two enacted.\u00a0\nBesides traditional bills affecting the nation, Norton particularly looked for opportunities to strengthen the District.\u00a0 Her legislation proved vital to the District.\u00a0 Her two Chief Financial Officer (CFO) bills were indispensable to preventing serious disruptions in District operations \u2013 allowing the District to appoint an interim CFO if the CFO resigns, as Natwar Gandhi did, dies, or is otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office, and allowing the District to increase the CFO\u2019s salary, necessary because of the difficulty the District had recruiting candidates with a salary many years out of date.\u00a0 Norton also got her bill enacted to reauthorize the U.S. Parole Commission (USPC) introduced by members of the House Judiciary Committee, the committee of jurisdiction, and negotiated its five-year reauthorization, the longest reauthorization period yet. The bill is a matter of great importance to the District because the USPC has jurisdiction over D.C. Code felons.\u00a0 Norton legislation enacted named the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters, in Ward 8, for the Coast Guard\u2019s only Medal of Honor recipient, as it opened in 2013, to house 3,700 Coast Guard civilian and military employees.\u00a0\nNorton Cosponsored 795 bills in the 113th Congress, the Second Most of Any Member of the House\nNorton also introduced promising national legislation.\u00a0 Among them were bills to collect data on sexual assaults on airplanes to assist law enforcement, which she expects to move next year; to strip the National Football League of its tax-exempt status as long as it promotes the Washington football team name (also introduced in the Senate); to require employers seeking federal contracts to demonstrate compliance with workplace protection laws (ROSIE Act); and to ensure due process for federal employees.\n\u00a0\u00a0\n Making History: Unprecedented Momentum for D.C. Statehood\n The Congresswoman\u2019s first bill in the 114th Congress will be the New Columbia Admission Act, to make D.C. the 51st State.\u00a0 Norton set important statehood records in the 113th Congress, setting the stage for the growth of a newly invigorated statehood movement.\u00a0 She got the first-ever Senate hearing on statehood and the first congressional hearing on statehood in more than 20 years, putting D.C. statehood squarely on the congressional agenda.\u00a0 She also set the record for House and Senate cosponsors of the bill, with 112 in the House and 21 in the Senate, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who rarely cosponsors bills, as well as the three other top Senate Democratic leaders.\u00a0 Norton also got President Obama to endorse D.C. statehood before the statehood hearing, and later Attorney General Eric Holder, as well.\u00a0 Norton also got D.C.\u2019s first-ever statue, depicting Frederick Douglass, moved into the Capitol, giving D.C. the same recognition as the states.\u00a0 At the statue unveiling, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would cosponsor Norton\u2019s D.C. statehood bill, even though Majority Leaders rarely cosponsor bills.\u00a0 A few weeks after the hearing, Norton gave keynote remarks at a D.C. Statehood Strategy Summit, the first statehood gathering since the hearing.\nShe will focus in the next Congress on using the statehood bill and hearing to help grow a stronger statehood presence in D.C. and help develop a nationwide strategy to take her statehood bill to the next\u00a0 in Congress.\nWhat did the press say about D.C. statehood? WaPo Editorial Board, 9/12/14: \u201cIn truth, law makers need look no further than the title of the hearing \u2013 \u201cEquality for the District of Columbia\u201d \u2013 to understand\u2026That 650,000 people who live in the nation\u2019s capital are denied their full rights as U.S. citizens\u2026a travesty that cannot be condoned and should not be continued.\u201d\nWaPo Editorial Board, 9/18/14: \u201cWe have not abandoned our support for change, nor our regard for how Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and other advocates have championed the cause unflaggingly.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n Norton Moves D.C. Closer to Free and Equal \n President and Senate Sign-On for Budget and Legislative Autonomy\nWhile the statehood hearing made statehood a live issue in Congress, Norton also got traction on key elements of statehood.\u00a0 At Norton\u2019s request, the President\u2019s FY 15 budget and the Senate\u2019s FY 15 D.C. Appropriations bill granted the District budget and legislative autonomy, the first-ever budget and appropriations bill to grant both.\u00a0 Norton also got budget and legislative autonomy introduced in the Senate as stand-alone bills; the first-ever Senate legislative autonomy bill.\nThis Congress, she found seemingly unlikely Republican allies for budget autonomy, including Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) Committee Chairman Darrel Issa (R-CA), who both first endorsed budget autonomy last Congress.\u00a0\nNorton predicts respect for home rule from the new chairs with D.C. jurisdiction, and they have said as much already. She has already spoken with the new House chair and written the Senate committee chair, who she expects to meet with early next year.\u00a0 (See introduction)\nExempting D.C. from Shutdowns \nFor the first time, Norton got D.C. exempted from shutdowns for an entire fiscal year (2015).\u00a0 Norton also got the FY15 Senate D.C. Appropriations bill to permanently exempt D.C. from shutdowns, but the final FY 2015 omnibus spending bill (Omnibus), signed by President Obama, exempts D.C. from shutdowns in FY16. \u00a0Having gotten an agreement on shutdowns in both chambers, she will seek permanent shutdown legislation in 2015.\nBudget Autonomy Referendum Saved\nNorton also kept D.C.\u2019s budget autonomy referendum from being overturned in Congress.\u00a0 She got House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to refrain from joining a House brief calling the referendum illegal in a lawsuit against the referendum. A federal district court struck down the referendum, but an appeal is pending, and Congress has taken no action.\u00a0\nWhat did the press say about D.C.\u2019s autonomy?  \n\tWaPo, Editorial Board, 4/16/14: \u201c[T]he District should have the ability enjoyed by every other local jurisdiction to spend its locally raised tax  \n\tdollars without approval or interference from Capitol Hill.\u201d\n  IV. Defeating Anti-Home-Rule Riders\nThe Future of Marijuana Reform\nHouse Republicans attached new D.C. riders -- marijuana and guns -- to their D.C. Appropriations bill, and President Obama\u2019s Statement of Administration Policy on the bill said the administration \u201cstrongly opposes\u201d the marijuana rider as a violation of the \u201cprinciple of States\u2019 rights and of District home rule.\u201d (The gun rider was added to the bill after the President\u2019s statement, and Norton kept the rider out of the Omnibus.) She was able to get bipartisan Members of the House to hold a press conference with her in support of D.C.\u2019s right to decriminalize or legalize marijuana, through Initiative 71 (Initiative), supported by 70 percent of the voters.\u00a0 Although a version marijuana rider was included in the Omnibus, which the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee said blocked legalization, Norton found a flaw in the rider\u2019s language.\u00a0 The House\u2019s original version had been changed from D.C. may not \u201cenact or carry out any law rule or regulation\u201d to legalize marijuana to D.C. cannot \u201cenact any law, rule, or regulation.\u201d in the Omnibus.\u00a0  However, the Initiative has already been enacted and requires no additional enactments to implement it.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s interpretation that the Omnibus does not prohibit D.C. from implementing the Initiative was later supported by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), and D.C. Subcommittee Ranking Member Jose Serrano (D-NY). \nNorton predicts that non-partisan authorities will confirm her interpretation.\u00a0 If Norton\u2019s interpretation is correct Republicans will be forced to try to block the Initiative on their watch and encounter states that have implemented some form of marijuana reform \u2013 23 states have legalized medical marijuana, 18 states have decriminalized marijuana and four states have marijuana legalizations laws.\nDefending D.C.\u2019s Gun Safety Laws\nNorton was successful in keeping the House-passed D.C. gun rider \u2013 the most dangerous of the two new House riders \u2013 out of the Omnibus.\u00a0 Representative Thomas Massie\u2019s (R-KY) gun rider would have made blocked D.C. from enforcing local gun laws, including its ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines.\u00a0\nFor the third-straight year, Norton also got Representative Phil Gingrey\u2019s (R-GA) House-passed anti-home-rule gun resolution removed from the final National Defense Authorization Act.\u00a0 The Gingrey amendment, passed as an amendment to the House version of the bill, expressed the sense of Congress that active duty military personnel in their private capacity should be exempt from the gun safety laws of the District of Columbia, but not elsewhere.\u00a0 Although a resolution does not have the force of law, Norton wanted to defeat all anti-home-rule gun bills while Democrats were in power to assist her.\nNorton is preparing for anti-home-rule gun bills that could come in the 114th Congress.\n  What did the press say about D.C.\u2019s marijuana laws? New York Times, Editorial Board, 10/6/14: \u201cDecades of arresting people for buying, selling, and using marijuana have hurt more than helped society, and minority communities have been disproportionately affected by the harsh criminal penalties of prohibition.\u201d\nWhat did the press say about House passage of anti-home-rule marijuana and gun laws?\nKentucky\u2019s Courier-Journal, Editorial Board, 7/24/14: \u201c\u2026Ms. Norton could only complain about the gun measure but not vote against it. That sounds like taxation without representation, something anyone who purports to love liberty ought to oppose.\u201d\nWaPo, Editorial Board, 7/20/14: \u201cHouse Republicans who profess an allegiance to local democracy outdid themselves in the hypocrisy department last week as they trampled on the District\u2019s right to home rule. Not content with measures that restrict the District from using its locally raised tax dollars for abortions for low-income women, the Republican-controlled House also voted to roll back the city\u2019s decriminalization of marijuana and gut city gun laws.\u201d\u00a0\nV. Building a Bustling D.C. Economy: Norton\u2019s Bills Generate Economic Growth\nNorton was elected ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, the most important Transportation and Infrastructure Committee subcommittee.\u00a0 It has the largest authorized funds among the subcommittees.\u00a0 This position puts her in good standing to increase D.C.\u2019s economic development and project funding.\nAgainst the Odds, DHS Constructions Keeps Growing\nDespite budget cuts that have slowed construction, Norton has kept getting funds to build the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters complex in Ward 8.\u00a0 For FY 2014, Norton got an additional $144 million for operations and for rehabilitation of the main Center Building, to house the office of the Secretary and his 700 top employees.\u00a0 Construction contractors were recently selected.\u00a0 Norton also got $188 million included in the omnibus for FY 15.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nNorton predicts that DHS will be completed by 2026.\nCoast Guard Headquarters\nThe U.S. Coast Guard headquarters, which was named by Norton\u2019s bill, marked the first federal building east of the Anacostia River.\u00a0 It opened in 2013.\nSouthwest Waterfront Construction Begins\nThe Southwest Waterfront redevelopment, known as \u201cThe Wharf,\u201d broke ground in 2014, after Norton got her bill through two House committees and worked with Republican leadership to get it enacted, in 2012.\u00a0\nIn 2015, D.C. will see the first elements of the project \u2013 a new pier extending 450 feet into the Washington Channel. \u00a0 The enormous two-phase Wharf project will create thousands of permanent jobs for D.C. residents, generate $47 million in tax revenue every year, and create new waterfront housing, shops, parks and docks, all revitalizing the city\u2019s Southwest quadrant.\u00a0 The developers have announced a public square, complete with picnic benches and green spaces, at the Wharf to be named \u201cEleanor Holmes Norton Plaza.\u201d\n\u00a0A New Hotel Takes Shapes from the Old Post Office Building\nNorton broke ground on the Old Post Office Building redevelopment, a result of her 2008 law.\u00a0 The redevelopment effort will turn the 114-year-old building into D.C.\u2019s first luxury hotel, bringing 700 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs.\u00a0 The project will yield $100 million in tax revenue over ten years for the city.\u00a0 Norton is working with the General Services Administration and the developer on a 2015 plan for hiring D.C. residents.\nThe Yards Becomes a New Neighborhood\nThe Southeast Waterfront redevelopment, known as \u201cThe Yards,\u201d continues at a rapid pace, due to a 2000 Norton law that authorized private redevelopment of federal land for the first time.\u00a0 When fully developed, the site, which was an eye sore of dilapidated Navy Yard structures, will generate billions in revenue for the city.\u00a0 Nineteen restaurants and 15 retail shops opened in 2013 and seven restaurants and seven retail shops opened in 2014, including a Harris Teeter grocery store.\u00a0 Six more developments are planned for 2015.\nFirst Segment of Walter Reed Transferred to D.C.\nThis year, Norton got the first federal property at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) transferred to the District.\u00a0 Building 18 will be the home of a new fire and emergency station Ward 4 has long needed to reduce response times for the northernmost section of the District, enhancing public safety.\u00a0 Once D.C. receives its entire portion of WRAMC, this historic property will transform upper Georgia Avenue with mixed-use development, including housing and the neighborhood\u2019s first extensive commercial amenities.\u00a0 Norton earlier got an increase in acres available for negotiation by the D.C. government and, this year, she ensured in the NDAA that 67 of the 110-acre site will be occupied by the District.\u00a0 Earlier this year, the State Department tried to get 13 acres of D.C. land in exchange for land Children\u2019s National Medical Center wanted because it contains a state-of-the-art laboratory.\u00a0 Norton saved the full portion of D.C.\u2019s land and ensured that an entity like Children\u2019s will get the 13-acre state-of-the-art laboratory.\nWorld War I Memorial\nNorton laid to rest any possible future nationalization of D.C.\u2019s War Memorial with compromise language she negotiated in the NDAA that formally re-designates Pershing Park, a federal park, as a national World War I Memorial, and preserves D.C.\u2019s War Memorial for D.C. veterans only.\u00a0\n  VI. Despite Sequestration and Partisan Gridlock, Norton Funds D.C.\u2019s Priorities\nConsidering that Democrats lost the Senate in the November elections, Norton fought especially hard to get as much funding as possible for D.C. in appropriations legislation.\u00a0\n\u00a0Helps Ensure D.C.\u2019s Transportation Funding \nAs ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, which writes the largest House transportation funding bill, Norton\u2019s leadership helped D.C. and the region get the full $150 million installment for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in the Omnibus.\u00a0 This is the sixth installment for WMATA\u2019s 10-year, $1.5 billion authorization for capital improvements included in the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act, which Norton helped champion as a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.\nNorton expects to increase D.C.\u2019s funding for roads, bridges, WMATA, and buses in the surface transportation reauthorization bill due in 2015.\nDCTAG Remains Funded\nWhen appropriators told Norton that DCTAG was at risk after the D.C. Council passed a college scholarship program, she moved to shore up DCTAG.\u00a0 She began by writing to President Obama and got a $10 million in increased funding in his FY 15 budget, bringing DCTAG to $40 million.\u00a0 She then urged appropriators to fully fund DCTAG and got $30 million in the Omnibus, \u2013 no decrease from the year before.\u00a0 However, Norton is already gearing up for another fight next year to ensure DCTAG is funded, given the new Republican majority in the Senate, where Democrats have been her best partners.\nAnacostia River Priority\nNorton\u2019s work on Anacostia River cleanup is dependent, in part, on funding for D.C. Water\u2019s Clean Rivers program to combat combined sewer overflow.\u00a0 She was the lead sponsor of the Anacostia Watershed Initiative, her bill that was enacted with four regional co-sponsors in 2007, authorizing the Army Corps to develop a comprehensive plan for cleaning up the Anacostia River.\u00a0 This year, she got $14 million for the Clean Rivers program in the Omnibus the same as in the prior year.\u00a0 She will press the federal government, the largest D.C. Water rate-payer, to increase its funding next year, in light of the recent water main break in a major D.C. sewer pipe that caused flooding and Metro closures and delays.\u00a0\nAll Norton\u2019s High-Quality D.C. Judges Confirmed\nIn a win for D.C.\u2019s federal judicial system, all ten of Norton\u2019s recommendations to President Obama for federal district court judges here have been confirmed by the Senate.\u00a0 President Obama, like President Clinton, granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for federal district court judges and other important federal law enforcement officials in the District.\n  VII. Serving Constituents and Keeping D.C. Informed of the Good and Bad from Congress\nNorton found new and expanded ways to reach neighborhoods across the city.\u00a0 This year, she hosted 20 Government-to-Go events at grocery stores, D.C. government locations, such as libraries, and at non-profit organizations, such as senior centers, which brought caseworkers and information on federal matters to residents who cannot come to her District Office.\u00a0 She held two town halls and six roundtables on national and local legislative issues.\u00a0 She participated in eight Norton in Your Neighborhood community events, in conjunction with ANCs and community groups, to discuss congressional issues.\nTours of House Floor, Top Norton Community Events\nNorton led the first six tours of the House floor for D.C. groups ranging from schools to community groups.\u00a0 Norton will offer the tour to local D.C. media and will triple the number of D.C. groups to tour the House floor.\u00a0 To schedule a special tour of the House floor, D.C.\u2019s first statue in Congress, and other significant congressional sites for your group, contact Norton\u2019s office at 202-225-8050 or visit www.Norton.House.Gov.\u00a0\nEvents for D.C.\u2019s Diverse Population \nNorton offered a rich variety of special events for D.C. residents drawn from important D.C. sectors, including a Tax Fair for tax preparation services; a Capitol Hill \u201cAsk Me About D.C. Event\u201d event for Members of the House and Senate and staff showcasing D.C.\u2019s tourist sites; a Job Fair; a Small Business Fair; a Congressional\u00a0 Art Competition for high school students; a Service Academy Night; a Seniors Legislative Day; a National Dance Day; and two Black Men and Boys Commission and Caucus Hearings.\nNorton\u2019s Town Halls, Roundtables, and NIYNs Produce Results  4 Town Halls:\n\u2022National Park Service Town Hall with NPS, National Mall officials, and Smithsonian officials  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-NPS agreed to consider food trucks on the National Mall \u2022Two CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project Community Events\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Got increased opportunities for community oversight, questions, and transparency. \u2022Capital Parks East Town Hall with NPS, Shepard Parkway Committee, and Washington Parks and People  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -U.S. Park Police cracked down on crime.\n6 Roundtables:\n\u2022WMATA Roundtable with Top WMATA Officials and Transportation Union Leaders  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-Roundtable showed most safety steps taken since 2009 crash; testimony helped Norton to get the $150 million WMATA authorization. \u2022DCTAG Roundtable with Residents  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-Got information that helped Norton get appropriators to give DCTAG $30 million in Omnibus. \u2022Postal Roundtable with D.C. Postmaster General, Postal Union Officials, and Residents  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Agreed on recommendations to improve local service: quarterly Postmaster meetings with ANCs; an automated phone system for residents who want only routine information, freeing up customer service representatives to handle substantive issues; create the position of D.C. Postal Ombudsman to solve recurring customer service problems; and get State Department assistance in processing passports using postal office personnel. \u2022Union Station Roundtable with NPS, Union Station Officials, and City Officials.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Union Station officials began work that is reducing traffic congestion. \u2022Immigration Roundtable/Hispanic Heritage Month with City and Federal Officials, Latino Community Leaders, and Educators  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Panel offered information for families of D.C. residents directly affected by the surge in unaccompanied children from Central America. \u2022Unemployment Insurance Roundtable  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Real stories soon to go online in continuing effort to get Congress to pass legislation\u00a0 extending long-term unemployment insurance.\n8 Norton in Your Neighborhood (NIYN):\n\u2022 Parkside Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Bates Area Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Pleasant Plains Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Brookland Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence  \n\t\u2022 Brightwood Park Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Renaissance Adult Day Health Care Center  \n\t\u2022 ANC4B Community Meeting\nD.C. community and civic organizations, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and other groups can sponsor a Norton in Your Neighborhood.\u00a0 Visit https://norton.house.gov or call Norton\u2019s district office at (202) 408-9041.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://visclosky.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/visclosky-announces-2015-town-forums", "Visclosky Announces 2015 Town Forums", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Peter Visclosky", "V000108", "visclosky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Visclosky Announces 2015 Town Forums\nLocal students to lead the Pledge of Allegiance\nMerrillville, IN- Congressman Visclosky announced today that he will hold 12 Town Forums throughout Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District during the month of January.\u00a0\nVisclosky hosts the Town Forums each year as an avenue to hear directly from constituents and to provide an update on issues facing the region and the country.\n\u201cI host these annual Town Forums so that I may share updates on the previous and forthcoming legislative sessions and, moreover, to hear from the public on the important issues of today,\u201d said Congressman Pete Visclosky.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nAs in previous years, local students will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and introduce Visclosky to their communities.\u00a0 Each student will give a brief introduction speech that will include information on the history and economy of the First Congressional District.\n\u201cSome of Northwest Indiana\u2019s best and brightest will join us during the 2015 Town Forums.\u00a0 I am excited to have their participation throughout the week, and I appreciate their willingness to take an active role in our democratic process.\u201d\nCongressman Visclosky\u2019s 2015 Town Forum Schedule:\nThursday January 15, 2015: \n10:00 a.m. CST-Michigan City: Michigan City-City Hall, 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, Indiana 46360\n12:00 p.m. CST-Chesterton: Westchester Public Library, Library Service Center, 100 West Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, Indiana 46304\n2:00 p.m. CST-Valparaiso: Porter County Government Center, County Commissioners\u2019 Chambers, 155 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383\n4:00 p.m. CST-Portage: Portage City Hall, 6070 Central Avenue, Portage, Indiana 46368\n6:00 p.m. CST-Hobart: Hobart Community Center, 111 East Old Ridge Road, Hobart, Indiana 46342\nFriday January 16, 2015:\n10:00 a.m. CST-Crown Point: Crown Point Library, 122 North Main Street, Crown Point, Indiana 46307\n12:00 p.m. CST-Highland: Wicker Park Social Center, 2215 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana 46322\n2:00 p.m. CST-Hammond: Purdue University Calumet, Student Union Library Building, Room With a View, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, Indiana 46323\n4:00 p.m. CST-East Chicago: East Chicago City Hall, Council Chambers, 4525 Indianapolis Boulevard, East Chicago, Indiana 46312\n6:00 p.m. CST-Gary: Gary YWCA, 150 West 15th Avenue, Gary, Indiana 46407\nSaturday January 17, 2015:\n12:00 p.m. CST-St. John: St. John Town Hall, 10955 West 93rd Avenue, St. John, Indiana 46373\n2:00 p.m. CST-Merrillville: Merrillville Town Hall, 7820 Broadway, Merrillville, Indiana 46410", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/leahy-senate-must-reauthorize-lifesaving-bulletproof-vest-grant-program-next-year", "Leahy: Senate Must Reauthorize Lifesaving Bulletproof Vest Grant Program Next Year", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.14\n\t\t\t Leahy: Senate Must Reauthorize Lifesaving Bulletproof Vest Grant Program Next Year \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t . . . More Than One Million Vests Provided Through The Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t MONDAY, December 29, 2014 \u2013 Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will reintroduce legislation next month to reauthorize the lifesaving Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, a federal grant program that helps state and local law enforcement agencies purchase bulletproof vests for officers working in the field.\u00a0\r\nLeahy, a former prosecutor, coauthored the original law establishing the matching grant program, which has issued more than one million lifesaving vests to state and local law enforcement officers throughout the country since 1999 \u2013 including more than 4000 vests for officers in Vermont. \u00a0Legislation to reauthorize the popular program was blocked in the last Congress, despite having broad bipartisan support. Leahy, the incoming ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, encouraged the incoming Republican majority to work with all Senate Democrats who support this critical, life-saving program.\r\n\u201cMembers of Congress often speak passionately about the need to support the officers who serve and protect the public on the front lines, but we need to match words with action,\u201d Leahy said. \u201cNo action to protect and support law enforcement officers is more tangible and effective than this partnership. It proves and renews its value each time an officer goes on the beat.\u201d\r\nLeahy continued: \u201cNo officer should have to serve without a protective vest.\u00a0I am disappointed that a single Republican blocked the Senate from passing the bill this year, but our work does not stop at the end of the year. I will introduce the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 as soon as the new legislative session begins so that we can work quickly next year to pass this important legislation.\u00a0I hope that Senators from both sides of the aisle will join me in this effort.\u201d\r\nThe Judiciary Committee approved bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the lifesaving Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program in August 2013. The bill had the support of every Senate Democrat, and Leahy sought to pass the legislation through the full Senate last May. Those efforts were blocked by Senate Republicans. Congress last reauthorized the program in 2008, and its authorization expired in 2012.\r\n# # # # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tPress Contact  David Carle: 202-224-3693\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-named-most-valuable-house-member-in-the-nations-2014-honor-roll", "Congresswoman Lee Named Most Valuable House Member in The Nation's 2014 Honor Roll", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Named Most Valuable House Member in The Nation's 2014 Honor Roll \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  The Nation has named Congresswoman Barbara Lee the Most Valuable House Member calling her a full-spectrum advocate for peace, civil rights, civil liberties and economic justice.\r\n\r\nIt is with a sense of humility that I thank The Nation for the tremendous honor of being named the Most Valuable House Member' in its 2014 Honor Roll, said Congresswoman Lee. From ensuring economic justice and fairness to securing global peace and security, progressives have a lot of work to do in the 114th Congress. I look forward to continuing to work with advocates and my colleagues to promote freedom, equality and fairness.\r\n\r\nThe Nation cites the Congresswoman as keeping her office door open to advocates and championship of causes that others neglect and waging the fights that others fear as key elements to the Congresswoman's ability to advance her progressive legislative agenda.\r\n\r\nOthers honored by The Nation's 2014 Honor Roll include Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Attorney General elect Maura Healey, National Nurses United and others. A full list of honorees can be found here.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov//news/press/release/gillibrand-statement-on-unilateral-palestinian-efforts-at-un", "Gillibrand Statement on Unilateral Palestinian Efforts at UN", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Kirsten Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 29, 2014\n\t\t\t Gillibrand Statement on Unilateral Palestinian Efforts at UN \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement todayafter Palestinian leadership presented its latest proposal in an attempt to achieve statehood through unilateral actions at the United Nations:\r\n\"I am disappointed that the Palestinian leadership continues to try to circumvent a negotiated agreement with Israel. A real and sustainable solution to this conflict can only be achieved through negotiations between the two parties, with the goal of Israel living side-by-side in peace with a future Palestinian state. One-sided attempts to dictate the terms, like this newly proposed UN resolution, will only undermine this effort.The United States has made clear that any agreement must be negotiated directly between the two parties, and the Administration was right to immediately reject this proposal.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=475616b6-e73b-4364-81ae-852d6a1137c2", "Heitkamp Statement Ahead of One-Year Anniversary of Train Derailment in Casselton", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of the derailment of a train carrying crude oil near Casselton, North Dakota on December 30, 2013.\r\nOver the past year, Heitkamp has worked with federal and local agencies to determine what happened at the derailment in Casselton, put in place policies that help prevent future derailments, and equip North Dakota first responders with the training and resources they need to respond such emergencies if they occur.\r\nIn the wake of the train derailment in Casselton, the question on everyones mind was what if? said Heitkamp. What if families had been hurt? What if homes had been damaged? Immediately, I started working with local fire chiefs and officials to get to the bottom of what happened. And I have been pressing our federal agencies for improved rail safety standards to help prevent future train derailments, and pushing on the railroads to make needed investments. We have seen progress on all fronts, but there is still much work to do.\r\nOur emergency responders are often our first line of defense  and they usually do it without pay. Its on all of us to make sure they have the training and resources they need to protect our families and communities. Thats why I fought to secure federal funding for state-of-the-art training for our responders, and its why I wrote my RESPONSE Act, which would see to it that emergency teams continue to get the best possible tools to keep us safe. The most recent derailment near Casselton just last month reignited public focus on ramping up these public safety measures  because even though weve been lucky that both the derailments didnt hurt anyone, we know we cant rely on luck alone. We have come a long way in the past year, but must keep pushing to get our safety standards up to pace, and to make sure our emergency response teams get the training they need. Because we cant let North Dakota families live in fear of what if? They need to know were working from all sides to keep them safe  and thats exactly what Ill continue doing every single day.\r\nSince the derailment in Casselton, Heitkamp has been unwavering in her commitment to understand what happened, to push on all sides to advance improvements for rail safety, and to secure top-notch training for emergency responders. She has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)  including hosting Secretary Anthony Foxx in North Dakota where they spoke about rail safety issues  the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, as well as other federal, state, and local officials, and industry.\r\nHeitkamp has long sought a holistic approach to improving safety on the rails by:\r\nWorking to prevent future train derailments. The National Transportation Safety Board released its Preliminary Report on the Casselton train derailment in January 2013 which showed that 18 of the 20 derailed tank cars were punctured during the derailment of a train in Casselton last December. Heitkamp has continued to stress the need to update standards for tank cars carrying crude oil, increased safety requirements for shipping routes and train speeds, and enhanced track inspection standards for the rail lines carrying crude oil. Earlier this year, Heitkamp called on the Federal Railroad Administration to increase track inspections of the rail lines around Casselton. She also pushed the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety (PHMSA) and industry to share information so the PHSMA could finalize its study on the quality and characteristics of crude, and offer a rule. And she has pressed the railroads to make needed improvements to the tracks. In July, the DOT released new rules specifically responding to issues she called on the agency to address, including updated standards to tank cars carrying crude oil, increased safety requirements for shipping routes, and improved inspection standards for rail lines carrying crude oil. Since then, Heitkamp has continued to press DOT to finalize its railroad tank car safety rule so that is efficient and workable, as quickly as possible.\r\nHeitkamp helped bring together Senators, federal government regulators, and energy and railroad industry leadersfor a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing in April to examine ways to improve rail transportation safety and encourage all sides to work together to make that possible. She also participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in April where she called for needed investments to keep our railways safe for passengers and communities.\r\nBetter preparing for incidents for when they do occur. Heitkamp has stressed that oil will move on the rails for the foreseeable future, and while we need to do everything possible to prevent incidents, we also need to better prepare in case they do occur. She has continued to bring all sides together to help foster better coordination between rail and oil industries, federal government, and local communities. She has continued to work with Burlington Northern Santa Fe and other railroads.\r\nGiving first responders the training and resources they need to prepare for new hazards. Heitkamp wants to make sure first responders in communities near railroad tracks get quality training and have access to the appropriate resources and effective communications to respond to potential incidents on the rails and make sure North Dakota families and their communities are safe. In June, Heitkamp introduced her RESPONSE Act to better prepare emergency personnel in North Dakota and across the country tasked with responding to potential incidents, such as derailments of trains carrying materials like crude oil. That same month, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $2 million in federal funding, which Heitkamp pushed for, to train first responders for incidents involving hazardous materials transported by rail. In March, Heitkamp brought Casselton Fire Chief Tim McLean to testify at a Senate Committee on Homeland Security hearing she chaired about how to better train our emergency responders for emerging threats and hazards. At the hearing she pressed a top FEMA official to release federal funding for a one-of-a-kind training facility that helps train first responders to handle derailments of trains carrying potentially hazardous materials, like crude oil. Less than a year later, Heitkamp announced $5 million in federal funds were finally provided. Heitkamp continued to fight for funds for rail safety and web-based emergency response training, which were included in this years appropriations bill that Congress passed.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=43c4314a-b654-4bb0-aa28-9bca4cf86743", "YEAR IN REVIEW: Despite Widespread Congressional Gridlock, Klobuchar Passes Eight Bipartisan Bills Into Law in 2014", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan bills include measures to expand support services for victims of military sexual assault in the National Guard and Reserves, address propane shortages, fight the spread of invasive carp, improve breast cancer awareness, cut red tape for families who adopt, and boost tourism in Minnesota and across the country \r\n \nKlobuchar: This bipartisan progress should serve as a model for how to tackle challenges in 2015\u00a0\n \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Despite widespread congressional gridlock over the past year, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that she passed eight bipartisan bills into law in 2014 and said this progress should serve as a model for how to work together and get things done in the new Congress. The bipartisan bills Klobuchar passed include measures to expand support services for victims of military sexual assault, address propane shortages, fight the spread of invasive carp, improve breast cancer awareness, cut red tape for families who adopt, and boost tourism in Minnesota and across the country.\r\n\u201cDespite the partisanship and gridlock, Democrats and Republicans have managed to come together and pass bills that make progress for Minnesota and the country,\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cHeading into the new Congress, we need to use these bipartisan successes as models for getting things done so that we can keep moving our country and economy forward.\u201d\r\nBelow is information on Klobuchar\u2019s bills that were signed into law in 2014:\r\nExpanding support services for victims of military sexual assault\r\nKlobuchar partnered with Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Rep. John Kline (R-MN) to pass bipartisan legislation to ensure the National Guard and Reserve\u2019s ability to assist victims of sexual assault. The Army has released a directive expanding important legal services to certain victims of military sexual assault, but the directive fails to cover Guard members who become victims of sexual assault outside of their drill weekend or military duty. The lawmakers\u2019 bipartisan bill ensures survivors of sexual assault receive support services if there is any connection between the crime and their service. The bill also requires the relevant service secretary to provide Special Victims Counsel to the member regardless of when the assault occurred.\r\nAddressing propane shortages\r\nKlobuchar\u2019s legislation with Senator John Thune (R-SD) to better address future propane and heating fuel shortages was signed into law this summer. The Senators\u2019 legislation allows governors greater autonomy when they declare emergencies, eliminating the need for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to declare that a disaster exists beyond the existing 30-day declarations that are available to governors. The legislation also requires the Energy Information Administration to provide early warnings to governors if the inventory of residential heating fuel (propane, natural gas, and home heating oil) falls below the most recent five-year average for more than three consecutive weeks.\r\nFighting the spread of invasive carp\r\nThis spring, Klobuchar\u2019s bipartisan provision to keep invasive carp out of Minnesota\u2019s waterways was signed into law as part of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). It will help fight the spread of invasive carp \u2013 also known as Asian carp \u2013 by closing the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock within one year. The bill was led by Senator Klobuchar in the Senate and Representative Keith Ellison in the House, and cosponsored by Senator Al Franken as well as Representatives Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz, and Rick Nolan.\r\nImproving breast cancer awareness\r\nKlobuchar\u2019s legislation with Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to increase breast cancer awareness among young women across the country passed this month. The bipartisan bill will extend the EARLY Act (Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act), which created an education and outreach campaign administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to highlight the breast cancer risks facing young women and empower young women with the tools they need to fight the disease.\r\nCutting red tape for families who adopt abroad\r\nKlobuchar passed bipartisan legislation she introduced with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) to help families who adopt abroad correct errors to birth certificates. Previously U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would not recognize state court orders to amend a child\u2019s birth date, forcing families to seek a correction from the adoptee\u2019s country of birth or have two official birth dates for their adopted child. The Accuracy for Adoptees Act authorizes USCIS to recognize state court orders and cut red tape for adoptive families.\r\nBoosting tourism to Minnesota and the U.S.\r\nKlobuchar worked with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) to pass bipartisan legislation they introduced to reauthorize Brand USA and help boost international tourism to the United States. The Senators\u2019 legislation reauthorizes Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism in Minnesota and across the country by promoting international travel to the United States. In 2013, Brand USA generated 1.1 million additional international visitors who spent an estimated $3.4 billion, strengthening local businesses and stimulating economic growth.\r\nImproving the lives of patients with muscular dystrophy\r\nKlobuchar introduced and passed bipartisan legislation with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) to help improve the lives of patients with muscular dystrophy. The Senators\u2019 legislation will update and improve current law, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research & Education (MD CARE) Act, which supports medical research and policies to improve treatments and quality of life for muscular dystrophy patients.\r\nGiving farmers a voice in EPA decisions\r\nThe 2014 Farm Bill included a provision Klobuchar pushed for to give farmers a greater say over regulations affecting agriculture. The provision is similar to legislation Klobuchar introduced to increase agriculture\u2019s presence on the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Science Advisory Board and creates a new Agriculture standing committee on the Science Advisory Board. The new standing committee will provide scientific advice on decisions that have a major impact on agriculture, as well as provide testimony to congressional committees when needed.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=6b596674-a00e-4085-a4b3-e53a308fbf6a", "Klobuchar, Franken Announce Judicial Selection Committee for Vacancy on Federal District Court", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators tap bipartisan group of distinguished Minnesota leaders to lead search\u00a0\n \r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken announced the formation of a judicial selection committee to assist them in making a recommendation to the President to fill a vacancy on Minnesota\u2019s federal district court that was created by Chief Judge Michael J. Davis\u2019s decision to assume senior status.\u00a0Today Judge Davis sent a letter to President Obama announcing he would retire from regular active service as a United States District Court Judge in August of 2015 and continue to serve as a senior judge.\r\nThe Committee is co-chaired by Thomas Heffelfinger, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota under Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and current partner at Best & Flanagan, and R. Ann Huntrods, a partner at Briggs and Morgan and former head of that firm\u2019s employment law practice group. Committee members include Edward Toussaint, former Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Distinguished Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs at William Mitchell College of Law; Lolita Ulloa, Managing Attorney, Victims Services Division in the Hennepin County Attorney\u2019s Office; Lisa Swenson, Managing Attorney, Third Judicial District Public Defender's Office; Mark Rubin, St. Louis County Attorney; and Yvonne Cheung Ho, former President and CEO of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA).\r\nIn announcing the judicial selection committee, Senator Klobuchar said:\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis distinguished group of Minnesota leaders will help identify a person who will continue Minnesota\u2019s long tradition of quality federal judges.\r\n\u201cFederal judges are appointed for life, which makes it all the more critical that they are fair-minded, conscientious and even-handed.\u00a0 The Committee will be looking for a person of integrity with a first-rate legal mind, a wide breath of professional experience, and a fair judicial temperament.\u00a0\r\n\u201cChief Judge Davis made history as the first African-American to serve as a federal judge in Minnesota and he has served our state well for over 20 years as a federal judge and 10 years before that as a state court judge. We are lucky that we will still have the benefit of his service when he takes senior status. I\u2019m confident that with this committee\u2019s counsel we will find an outstanding Minnesotan who will carry on the fine work that Judge Davis has done for many years.\u201d\r\nSenator Franken said:\r\n\"I\u2019m so pleased that such a credentialed and impressive group of Minnesotans has agreed to help select a\u00a0candidate\u00a0for this position. The job of federal judge is an exceptionally important position that requires someone with a diverse record of experience and an unwavering commitment to fair and just application of the law. I have no doubt that this committee will help us\u00a0choose a\u00a0well-qualified Minnesotan for the post, and I look forward to seeing their recommendations.\"\r\n\"I also need to recognize\u00a0Judge Michael Davis, whose decision to take senior status after some 30 years on the bench is creating this vacancy. Judge Davis deserves an enormous amount of gratitude for his decades of service to Minnesota and to the court. He will no doubt be hard to replace.\"\r\nThose wishing to be considered for the position of Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota should submit a letter of interest and resume by Friday, January 9, 2015 to:\u00a0Co-Chairs Thomas Heffelfinger and R. Ann Huntrods, Judicial Selection Committee, Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar, 1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55415.\u00a0Materials may also be e-mailed to the Committee at mndcommittee@gmail.com. References will be requested at a later date during the interview process.\u00a0\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senators-press-army-secretary-on-retirement-benefits", "Senators press Army secretary on retirement benefits", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators press Army secretary on retirement benefits \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Saturday, November 29, 2014\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Kristina Wong\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            A bipartisan group of senators is urging the Army to immediately reverse a policy that would force some officers to lose as much as $1,000 per month in retirement benefits.\r\nSen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), along with 13 other senators, urged Army Secretary John McHugh in a letter this week to reverse a policy where officers being asked to retire would do so at their highest enlisted rank if they spent fewer than eight years as an officer.\u00a0\r\nMurray and Isakson say the policy is unfair to those who have been selected for retirement under budget cuts, but are just short of the eight years.\u00a0\r\nThe senators say this would affect a \"significant number of captains and majors who are former non-commissioned officers.\"\r\nThis year, the Army required 19,000 captain and majors to go through early separation boards. Of those, the Army is scheduled to involuntarily cut 1,188 captain and 550 majors, according to the News Tribune.\r\n\r\nThe Army reached a post-9/11 peak of 570,000 troops in 2010, and is scheduled to go down to as few as 420,000 under defense budget cuts by 2019.\u00a0\r\nMurray and Isakson wrote that many of the soldiers who will be affected had answered the Army's call for more officers as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ramped up.\u00a0\r\n\"Many are being retired at enlisted ranks they have not held in years. This is particularly disturbing because had they ignored the Army\u2019s call for officers most would have been promoted at least once more and been eligible to retire at a higher enlisted rank,\" they said.\u00a0\r\n\u201cTo demote these soldiers in retirement is an injustice that devalues their service and will materially disadvantage them and their families for the rest of their lives,\" they added.\u00a0\r\nThe letter was also signed by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Bernard Sanders (D-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).\u00a0\r\n\"We strongly urge you to take the necessary steps to rectify this situation in order to allow these soldiers to retire at the rank they have earned and appropriately honor their service to our nation,\u201d Murray and Isakson wrote.\u00a0\r\nDefense officials have been urging members of Congress to reverse or relieve the defense cuts imposed by the 2011 Budget Control Act, which doubled planned defense cuts of $500 billion over 10 years.\u00a0\r\nThe cuts were proposed by the White House as way to force lawmakers to agree on tax and spending reform to, but they failed and the cuts kicked in last year.\u00a0\r\nHowever, Defense officials also say military benefits have become too expensive, and exceed those for civilian workers, and need to come down either way.\u00a0\r\nLawmakers have so far been unable to overturn the cuts, with members of both parties opposing lifting the cuts, replacing them with cuts elsewhere, or lifting cuts on other domestic spending too.\u00a0\r\nThe issue of military benefits is highly contentious, and has been holding up the Armed Services Committees' finalization of a 2015 defense bill. House lawmakers oppose an increase of military insurance co-pays and a reduction housing allowances, but senators favor them.\u00a0\r\nLawmakers expect to tackle the issue when a commission on military benefits finishes recommendations in February, and when the Pentagon submits its 2016 budget request in March.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-kicks-off-new-year-with-seven-town-halls", "Wyden Kicks Off New Year With Seven Town Halls", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Will Visit Deschutes, Clackamas, Multnomah, Marion, Washington, Benton and Lane counties\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, December 29, 2014\n            \n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tPortland, OR \u2013 Continuing his pledge since 1996 to hold a town hall each year in each of Oregon\u2019s counties, Senator Ron Wyden will begin the new year with town halls this week in seven counties.\r\nSenator Wyden starts his 20th year of holding annual town halls in each of Oregon\u2019s 36 counties with his 710th town hall in Deschutes County on Jan.\u00a0 2.\r\n\u00a0He will hold six more town halls through Jan. 5 before traveling to Washington DC later next week for the start of the 114th Congress.\r\n\u201cEven with all the great new ways of communicating with Oregonians on social media, I look forward every year to my traditional way of talking with people in all 36 counties--face-to-face in town halls,\u201d Senator Wyden said. \u201cThose conversations are essential every year and these seven town halls will allow me to talk with folks about my agenda for the year ahead and to hear what\u2019s on their minds.\u201d\r\n\u00a0Senator Wyden\u2019s town hall schedule for Jan. 2-5 is as follows:\r\n\r\n \r\nDESCHUTES COUNTY: Friday, Jan. 2, 10 am, Deschutes County Services Building, Barnes/Sawyer rooms, 1300 NW Wall, Bend\r\nCLACKAMAS COUNTY: Saturday, Jan. 3, 11 am, Camp Withycombe, 15300 SE Minuteman Way, Clackamas\r\nMULTNOMAH COUNTY: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2:30 pm, PCC Southeast Campus, Mt. Tabor Hall, 2305 SE 82nd and Division, Portland (Free parking available in the PCC lot off 82ndAve. No permit required.)\r\n \r\n \r\nMARION COUNTY: Sunday, Jan. 4, 1 pm, Marion County Courthouse, 555 Court St. NE, Salem\r\nWASHINGTON COUNTY: Sunday, Jan. 4, 4 pm, Beaverton City Library \u2013 Main Branch, Auditorium (basement), 12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton\r\nBENTON COUNTY: Monday, Jan. 5, 10 am, Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St, Philomath\r\nLANE COUNTY: Monday, Jan. 5, 2 pm, Sheldon High School, 2455 Willakenzie Rd., Eugene\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\n\t\t\t\t\tHank Stern, 503-326-7539", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/boys-girls-state-teaches-valuable-lessons", "Boys, Girls State teaches valuable lessons", "2014-12-28", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Boys, Girls State teaches valuable lessons \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Friday, November 28, 2014\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Bradee Williams\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            This year, nearly 2,000 boys and girls were chosen for Boys State and Girls State, a program for gifted students at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, including 11 students from Smith-Cotton High School.\r\nAlec Wilkin, Blake Allee-Lightfoot, Keelly Jones, Ethan Yazell, Steven Bradbury, Bradley Burton and Derek Patton were chosen to participate in Boys State, while Shelbi Davis, Kendall Ott, Rachel Dement and Sarah Hughes were picked for Girls State, which is hosted a week later. The students are chosen based on their leadership, academics and character. The program, which has been run by the American Legion for 75 years, gives students the opportunity to build and run their own government for a week in the hallways of the UCM campus. The goal at the end of week is to win Model City, honoring whichever city has been deemed the best.\r\nThe students choose classes to attend, select jobs and make laws for their respective cities, learning from first-hand experience how governments are run. They also get the chance to listen to speeches by important Missouri governmental figures, such as Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt. The students, selected by their high school counselors, vote for the leaders of their government chosen out of a pool of previous attendees. These include a governor, a vice chairman, a secretary of state and other members of an official board. The candidates belong to either the Federalist or the Nationalist parties, which are assigned to them before they arrive along with the cities they represent.\r\n\u201cI really understand the importance of everyone\u2019s vote. Every individual has something to say, and sometimes it comes down to what each person thinks,\u201d said senior Steven Bradbury, who was in charge of the state fair and was the athletic director for his city. The athletic director organizes the sports teams\u2019 competitions against the 15 other cities in Boys State. There are five sports to choose from, ranging from basketball to Frisbee, which everyone is required to participate in. Bradbury also acknowledged the hard work he put into making his city is something to be proud of.\r\n\u201cSometimes I would work so hard during the day that I would go to sleep at 2 a.m.,\u201d he said. \u201cThen I would get up early the next morning and start all over again. We all just really wanted to be the best.\u201d\r\nShelbi Davis, a senior at Smith-Cotton, was one of the girls chosen to participate in Girls State. She was assigned to be on highway patrol, securing the \u201chighways\u201d against traffic violators. She said, \u201cI learned to work with different types of people, and that\u2019s something that will benefit me in the future.\u201d Sarah Hughes was in the House of Representatives and had the opportunity to go to the capital in Jefferson City and discuss bills and legislation.\r\nBlake Allee-Lightfoot and Bradley Burton were other senior participants. At Boys State, Allee-Lightfoot ran his own business, Light-Horn Credit Inc., and was appointed county chairman.\r\n\u201cIt was a great experience,\u201d he said, \u201cI was glad to be part of such a great group of people.\u201d\r\nBurton was the capital police chief and the election judge. He said of the program, \u201cIt gives you an outlook on how the real world is and gives you the knowledge you need to succeed for the rest of your life.\u201d\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/2014/12/27/helsinki-commission-condemns-raid-on-radio-free-europe/radio-liberty-bureau-in-baku", "Helsinki Commission Condemns Raid On Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Bureau In Baku", "2014-12-27", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 27, 2014\n\t\t\t Helsinki Commission Condemns Raid On Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Bureau In Baku \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Disturbing Trend of Curtailing Free Media in Azerbaijan Continues\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONFollowing yesterday's raid by authorities in Azerbaijan on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Baku bureau, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, issued the following statement:  The free and independent press in Azerbaijan remains under attack by the very authorities who should be most committed to its protection. Yesterday's raid on RFE/RL's Baku bureau continues the recent and deeply disturbing trend of the government of Azerbaijan to silence dissenting voices within the country, and comes hard on the heels of the recent arrest and pre-trial detention of Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist and contributor to RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.  Once again, we call on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately end their harassment of journalists and to respect the commitments they have made in the past, as a participating State in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.\r\n   ###\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/helsinki-commission-condemns-raid-on-radio-free-europe/radio-liberty-bureau-in-baku", "Helsinki Commission Condemns Raid On Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Bureau In Baku", "2014-12-27", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 27, 2014\n\t\t\t Helsinki Commission Condemns Raid On Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Bureau In Baku \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Disturbing Trend of Curtailing Free Media in Azerbaijan Continues\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONFollowing yesterday's raid by authorities in Azerbaijan on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Baku bureau, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, issued the following statement:  The free and independent press in Azerbaijan remains under attack by the very authorities who should be most committed to its protection. Yesterday's raid on RFE/RL's Baku bureau continues the recent and deeply disturbing trend of the government of Azerbaijan to silence dissenting voices within the country, and comes hard on the heels of the recent arrest and pre-trial detention of Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist and contributor to RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.  Once again, we call on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately end their harassment of journalists and to respect the commitments they have made in the past, as a participating State in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.\r\n   ###\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/airport-bill-one-of-296-obama-signs", "Airport Bill One of 296 Obama Signs", "2014-12-27", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Airport Bill One of 296 Obama Signs \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Saturday, December 27, 2014\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Keith E. Domke\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            It\u2019s never happened before, and it may never happen again.\r\nAn actual act of Congress and the signature of the sitting president of the United States enacted a law centered on and only on St. Clair.\r\nAnd, when people look hard enough back on the 113th session of Congress, they will see that the Franklin County community forever is linked with golfer Jack Nicklaus and the passenger pigeon.\r\nPresident Barack Obama\u2019s signing of Senate Bill 2759 climaxed a December that featured both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives first approving the bill before it was forwarded to the leader of the free world.\r\nThe bill authorizes the closure of the St. Clair Regional Airport.\r\nIt states that it is \u201ca bill to release the city of St. Clair from all restrictions, conditions and limitations on the use, encumbrance, conveyance and closure of the St. Clair Regional Airport.\u201d\r\nAdditional language in the bill provides details regarding the closure process and the transfer of assets, revenues and equipment as well as the monetary value of the property and the worth of the unamortized federal grants turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration.\r\nThe legislation was a stand-alone bill, meaning nothing else was attached to it. It was sponsored by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and cosponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt, both of Missouri. U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer worked it through the House.\r\nA review of the 113th Congress provided by The Associated Press showed the airport closure bill was one of 296 signed into law by Obama before Christmas, the second-lowest total for any two-year Congress in records dating to the 1940s.\r\nThe session that President Harry S. Truman dubbed the \u201cdo-nothing Congress\u201d of 1947-48 enacted more than 900 laws.\r\nLeaving the Capitol before the holidays, outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said that lawmakers should have achieved more, \u201cbut that\u2019s what we got.\u201d\r\nDuring the session, each party accused the other of scuttling bills for political purposes ahead of November\u2019s elections, which gave Republicans firm control of the House and Senate in 2015.\r\nBut, the St. Clair airport bill wasn\u2019t one of those. In fact, it passed with no trouble in both chambers.\r\n\u201cIt may come as a surprise to many Missourians, but a municipality such as St. Clair cannot close an airport which it owns and operates without permission from the federal government,\u201d Luetkemeyer said in a press release when it was announced that the House passed the bill.\r\nThe Associated Press reported that though Obama signed scores of bills into law in the days leading up to Christmas as the session came to a close, they were mostly minor. One of the two mentioned was honoring golfer Jack Nicklaus with a Congressional Gold Medal for his \u201cexcellence and good sportsmanship.\u201d Another actually was recognizing the 100th anniversary of the extinction of passenger pigeons.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://norton.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/norton-set-records-in-113th-congress-undaunted-by-new-republican", "Norton Set Records in 113th Congress, Undaunted by New Republican Congress, Makes Predictions for 2015", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Norton Set Records in 113th Congress, Undaunted by New Republican Congress, Makes Predictions for 2015\nNorton Defies Unproductive Congress with Bills Enacted, Statehood Breakthroughs; Checkmated Anti-Home-Rule Riders; Perfect Score on Judges Confirmed; More Economic Development Projects; and D.C. Funding Despite Budget Cuts\nIntroduction: Unafraid of the Coming Republican Congress\nNext year marks 25 years since Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) was elected to Congress.\u00a0 She has spent only eight of those years in a House controlled by Democrats.\u00a0 Yet during those years she has found ways to work closely not only with fellow Democrats, but with Republicans, such as former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), winning major legislation for the District with Republicans in charge and often in the White House, as well.\u00a0 Among the most notable has been the D.C.\u00a0 Tuition Assistance Grant program (DCTAG), the $5,000 homebuyer tax credit and business tax incentives, and major economic development projects that are transforming the entire Southeast and Southwest Waterfront neighborhoods, NoMa, Ward 8 communities with the Department of Homeland Security headquarters, and Upper Northwest with the former Walter Reed site.\nThus, the Congresswoman is not fearful of the coming 114th Congress, where Republicans will control both chambers.\u00a0 She has seen worse.\u00a0 Norton does not underestimate the unprecedented far-right posture of today\u2019s Republicans.\u00a0 She is prepared for more attempts to undermine D.C. home rule, by bills and appropriations riders.\u00a0 However, by refusing to prejudge how Members will respond to D.C. matters, she has found allies who have helped her pass D.C. bills and on other D.C. matters, even as Norton has opposed them on national issues.\u00a0 The Congresswoman is particularly pleased that both incoming chairmen with D.C. jurisdiction \u2013 OGR Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) \u2013 have already publically supported home rule.\nOur history of fighting back has not been in vain.\u00a0 Members of Congress have long been on notice that Norton and D.C. are prepared to fight to protect home rule not only on the House floor, in the Senate, and in the streets of Washington, but also in their districts and states.\u00a0 Norton has used various forms of communication to inform the constituents of Members who spend their time not working for them, but meddling in D.C.\u2019s local affairs.\nThe way for D.C. to begin the 114th Congress is to assume the best and be prepared to fight the worst.\u00a0 There is nothing to fear now.\u00a0 There is much work to do to\u00a0\u00a0 increase respect for the rights of D.C. residents as full and equal American citizens.\u00a0\n Getting Bills Enacted into Law Despite Historically Unproductive Congress \n   #1 for most bills enacted by House Democrats \nTied for #2 in most bills enacted by Democratic House and Senate Members\nTied for #3 in bills enacted by House Republicans and Democrats\nTied for #4 in most bills enacted in House and Senate\nMembers of the Congress rarely, if ever, have their own bills enacted into law.\u00a0 However, Norton was a leader in authored legislation for the 113th Congress and had three of her 67 bills enacted into law.\u00a0 In the 112th Congress, Norton was also a leader, with 54 bills introduced and two enacted.\u00a0\nBesides traditional bills affecting the nation, Norton particularly looked for opportunities to strengthen the District.\u00a0 Her legislation proved vital to the District.\u00a0 Her two Chief Financial Officer (CFO) bills were indispensable to preventing serious disruptions in District operations \u2013 allowing the District to appoint an interim CFO if the CFO resigns, as Natwar Gandhi did, dies, or is otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office, and allowing the District to increase the CFO\u2019s salary, necessary because of the difficulty the District had recruiting candidates with a salary many years out of date.\u00a0 Norton also got her bill enacted to reauthorize the U.S. Parole Commission (USPC) introduced by members of the House Judiciary Committee, the committee of jurisdiction, and negotiated its five-year reauthorization, the longest reauthorization period yet. The bill is a matter of great importance to the District because the USPC has jurisdiction over D.C. Code felons.\u00a0 Norton legislation enacted named the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters, in Ward 8, for the Coast Guard\u2019s only Medal of Honor recipient, as it opened in 2013, to house 3,700 Coast Guard civilian and military employees.\u00a0\nNorton Cosponsored 795 bills in the 113th Congress, the Second Most of Any Member of the House\nNorton also introduced promising national legislation.\u00a0 Among them were bills to collect data on sexual assaults on airplanes to assist law enforcement, which she expects to move next year; to strip the National Football League of its tax-exempt status as long as it promotes the Washington football team name (also introduced in the Senate); to require employers seeking federal contracts to demonstrate compliance with workplace protection laws (ROSIE Act); and to ensure due process for federal employees.\n\u00a0\n Making History: Unprecedented Momentum for D.C. Statehood\n\t\t\u00a0\n The Congresswoman\u2019s first bill in the 114th Congress will be the New Columbia Admission Act, to make D.C. the 51st State.\u00a0 Norton set important statehood records in the 113th Congress, setting the stage for the growth of a newly invigorated statehood movement.\u00a0 She got the first-ever Senate hearing on statehood and the first congressional hearing on statehood in more than 20 years, putting D.C. statehood squarely on the congressional agenda.\u00a0 She also set the record for House and Senate cosponsors of the bill, with 112 in the House and 21 in the Senate, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who rarely cosponsors bills, as well as the three other top Senate Democratic leaders.\u00a0 Norton also got President Obama to endorse D.C. statehood before the statehood hearing, and later Attorney General Eric Holder, as well.\u00a0 Norton also got D.C.\u2019s first-ever statue, depicting Frederick Douglass, moved into the Capitol, giving D.C. the same recognition as the states.\u00a0 At the statue unveiling, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would cosponsor Norton\u2019s D.C. statehood bill, even though Majority Leaders rarely cosponsor bills.\u00a0 A few weeks after the hearing, Norton gave keynote remarks at a D.C. Statehood Strategy Summit, the first statehood gathering since the hearing.\nShe will focus in the next Congress on using the statehood bill and hearing to help grow a stronger statehood presence in D.C. and help develop a nationwide strategy to take her statehood bill to the next \u00a0level in Congress.  \n\t\u00a0\nWhat did the press say about D.C. statehood? WaPo Editorial Board, 9/12/14: \u201cIn truth, law makers need look no further than the title of the hearing \u2013 \u201cEquality for the District of Columbia\u201d \u2013 to understand\u2026That 650,000 people who live in the nation\u2019s capital are denied their full rights as U.S. citizens\u2026a travesty that cannot be condoned and should not be continued.\u201d\nWaPo Editorial Board, 9/18/14: \u201cWe have not abandoned our support for change, nor our regard for how Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and other advocates have championed the cause unflaggingly.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n Norton Moves D.C. Closer to Free and Equal\n\t\t\u00a0\n President and Senate Sign-On for Budget and Legislative Autonomy\nWhile the statehood hearing made statehood a live issue in Congress, Norton also got traction on key elements of statehood.\u00a0 At Norton\u2019s request, the President\u2019s FY 15 budget and the Senate\u2019s FY 15 D.C. Appropriations bill granted the District budget and legislative autonomy, the first-ever budget and appropriations bill to grant both.\u00a0 Norton also got budget and legislative autonomy introduced in the Senate as stand-alone bills; the first-ever Senate legislative autonomy bill.\nThis Congress, she found seemingly unlikely Republican allies for budget autonomy, including Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) Committee Chairman Darrel Issa (R-CA), who both first endorsed budget autonomy last Congress.\u00a0\nNorton predicts respect for home rule from the new chairs with D.C. jurisdiction, and they have said as much already. She has already spoken with the new House chair and written the Senate committee chair, who she expects to meet with early next year.\u00a0 (See introduction)\nExempting D.C. from Shutdowns \nFor the first time, Norton got D.C. exempted from shutdowns for an entire fiscal year (2015).\u00a0 Norton also got the FY15 Senate D.C. Appropriations bill to permanently exempt D.C. from shutdowns, but the final FY 2015 omnibus spending bill (Omnibus), signed by President Obama, exempts D.C. from shutdowns in FY16.\u00a0 Having gotten an agreement on shutdowns in both chambers, she will seek permanent shutdown legislation in 2015.\nBudget Autonomy Referendum Saved\nNorton also kept D.C.\u2019s budget autonomy referendum from being overturned in Congress.\u00a0 She got House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to refrain from joining a House brief calling the referendum illegal in a lawsuit against the referendum. A federal district court struck down the referendum, but an appeal is pending, and Congress has taken no action.\u00a0\nWhat did the press say about D.C.\u2019s autonomy?  \n\tWaPo, Editorial Board, 4/16/14: \u201c[T]he District should have the ability enjoyed by every other local jurisdiction to spend its locally raised tax  \n\tdollars without approval or interference from Capitol Hill.\u201d\n  IV. Defeating Anti-Home-Rule Riders\nThe Future of Marijuana Reform\nHouse Republicans attached new D.C. riders -- marijuana and guns -- to their D.C. Appropriations bill, and President Obama\u2019s Statement of Administration Policy on the bill said the administration \u201cstrongly opposes\u201d the marijuana rider as a violation of the \u201cprinciple of States\u2019 rights and of District home rule.\u201d (The gun rider was added to the bill after the President\u2019s statement, and Norton kept the rider out of the Omnibus.) She was able to get bipartisan Members of the House to hold a press conference with her in support of D.C.\u2019s right to decriminalize or legalize marijuana, through Initiative 71 (Initiative), supported by 70 percent of the voters.\u00a0 Although a version marijuana rider was included in the Omnibus, which the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee said blocked legalization, Norton found a flaw in the rider\u2019s language.\u00a0 The House\u2019s original version had been changed from D.C. may not \u201cenact or carry out any law rule or regulation\u201d to legalize marijuana to D.C. cannot \u201cenact any law, rule, or regulation.\u201d in the Omnibus.\u00a0 However, the Initiative has already been enacted and requires no additional enactments to implement it.\u00a0 Norton\u2019s interpretation that the Omnibus does not prohibit D.C. from implementing the Initiative was later supported by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), and D.C. Subcommittee Ranking Member Jose Serrano (D-NY). \nNorton predicts that non-partisan authorities will confirm her interpretation.\u00a0 If Norton\u2019s interpretation is correct Republicans will be forced to try to block the Initiative on their watch and encounter states that have implemented some form of marijuana reform \u2013 23 states have legalized medical marijuana, 18 states have decriminalized marijuana and four states have marijuana legalizations laws.\nDefending D.C.\u2019s Gun Safety Laws\nNorton was successful in keeping the House-passed D.C. gun rider \u2013 the most dangerous of the two new House riders \u2013 out of the Omnibus.\u00a0 Representative Thomas Massie\u2019s (R-KY) gun rider would have made blocked D.C. from enforcing local gun laws, including its ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines.\u00a0\nFor the third-straight year, Norton also got Representative Phil Gingrey\u2019s (R-GA) House-passed anti-home-rule gun resolution removed from the final National Defense Authorization Act.\u00a0 The Gingrey amendment, passed as an amendment to the House version of the bill, expressed the sense of Congress that active duty military personnel in their private capacity should be exempt from the gun safety laws of the District of Columbia, but not elsewhere.\u00a0 Although a resolution does not have the force of law, Norton wanted to defeat all anti-home-rule gun bills while Democrats were in power to assist her.\nNorton is preparing for anti-home-rule gun bills that could come in the 114th Congress.\nWhat did the press say about D.C.\u2019s marijuana laws? New York Times, Editorial Board, 10/6/14: \u201cDecades of arresting people for buying, selling, and using marijuana have hurt more than helped society, and minority communities have been disproportionately affected by the harsh criminal penalties of prohibition.\u201d\nWhat did the press say about House passage of anti-home-rule marijuana and gun laws?\nKentucky\u2019s Courier-Journal, Editorial Board, 7/24/14: \u201c\u2026Ms. Norton could only complain about the gun measure but not vote against it. That sounds like taxation without representation, something anyone who purports to love liberty ought to oppose.\u201d\nWaPo, Editorial Board, 7/20/14: \u201cHouse Republicans who profess an allegiance to local democracy outdid themselves in the hypocrisy department last week as they trampled on the District\u2019s right to home rule. Not content with measures that restrict the District from using its locally raised tax dollars for abortions for low-income women, the Republican-controlled House also voted to roll back the city\u2019s decriminalization of marijuana and gut city gun laws.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\nV. Building a Bustling D.C. Economy: Norton\u2019s Bills Generate Economic Growth\nNorton was elected ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, the most important Transportation and Infrastructure Committee subcommittee.\u00a0 It has the largest authorized funds among the subcommittees.\u00a0 This position puts her in good standing to increase D.C.\u2019s economic development and project funding.\nAgainst the Odds, DHS Constructions Keeps Growing\nDespite budget cuts that have slowed construction, Norton has kept getting funds to build the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters complex in Ward 8.\u00a0 For FY 2014, Norton got an additional $144 million for operations and for rehabilitation of the main Center Building, to house the office of the Secretary and his 700 top employees.\u00a0 Construction contractors were recently selected.\u00a0 Norton also got $188 million included in the omnibus for FY 15.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nNorton predicts that DHS will be completed by 2026.\nCoast Guard Headquarters\nThe U.S. Coast Guard headquarters, which was named by Norton\u2019s bill, marked the first federal building east of the Anacostia River.\u00a0 It opened in 2013.\nSouthwest Waterfront Construction Begins\nThe Southwest Waterfront redevelopment, known as \u201cThe Wharf,\u201d broke ground in 2014, after Norton got her bill through two House committees and worked with Republican leadership to get it enacted, in 2012.\u00a0\nIn 2015, D.C. will see the first elements of the project \u2013 a new pier extending 450 feet into the Washington Channel.\u00a0 The enormous two-phase Wharf project will create thousands of permanent jobs for D.C. residents, generate $47 million in tax revenue every year, and create new waterfront housing, shops, parks and docks, all revitalizing the city\u2019s Southwest quadrant.\u00a0 The developers have announced a public square, complete with picnic benches and green spaces, at the Wharf to be named \u201cEleanor Holmes Norton Plaza.\u201d\n\u00a0A New Hotel Takes Shapes from the Old Post Office Building\nNorton broke ground on the Old Post Office Building redevelopment, a result of her 2008 law.\u00a0 The redevelopment effort will turn the 114-year-old building into D.C.\u2019s first luxury hotel, bringing 700 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs.\u00a0 The project will yield $100 million in tax revenue over ten years for the city.\u00a0 Norton is working with the General Services Administration and the developer on a 2015 plan for hiring D.C. residents.\nThe Yards Becomes a New Neighborhood\nThe Southeast Waterfront redevelopment, known as \u201cThe Yards,\u201d continues at a rapid pace, due to a 2000 Norton law that authorized private redevelopment of federal land for the first time.\u00a0 When fully developed, the site, which was an eye sore of dilapidated Navy Yard structures, will generate billions in revenue for the city.\u00a0 Nineteen restaurants and 15 retail shops opened in 2013 and seven restaurants and seven retail shops opened in 2014, including a Harris Teeter grocery store.\u00a0 Six more developments are planned for 2015.\nFirst Segment of Walter Reed Transferred to D.C.\nThis year, Norton got the first federal property at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) transferred to the District.\u00a0 Building 18 will be the home of a new fire and emergency station Ward 4 has long needed to reduce response times for the northernmost section of the District, enhancing public safety.\u00a0 Once D.C. receives its entire portion of WRAMC, this historic property will transform upper Georgia Avenue with mixed-use development, including housing and the neighborhood\u2019s first extensive commercial amenities.\u00a0 Norton earlier got an increase in acres available for negotiation by the D.C. government and, this year, she ensured in the NDAA that 67 of the 110-acre site will be occupied by the District.\u00a0 Earlier this year, the State Department tried to get 13 acres of D.C. land in exchange for land Children\u2019s National Medical Center wanted because it contains a state-of-the-art laboratory.\u00a0 Norton saved the full portion of D.C.\u2019s land and ensured that an entity like Children\u2019s will get the 13-acre state-of-the-art laboratory.\n\u00a0World War I Memorial\nNorton laid to rest any possible future nationalization of D.C.\u2019s War Memorial with compromise language she negotiated in the NDAA that formally re-designates Pershing Park, a federal park, as a national World War I Memorial, and preserves D.C.\u2019s War Memorial for D.C. veterans only.\u00a0\n  VI. Despite Sequestration and Partisan Gridlock, Norton Funds D.C.\u2019s Priorities\nConsidering that Democrats lost the Senate in the November elections, Norton fought especially hard to get as much funding as possible for D.C. in appropriations legislation.\u00a0\n\u00a0Helps Ensure D.C.\u2019s Transportation Funding \nAs ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, which writes the largest House transportation funding bill, Norton\u2019s leadership helped D.C. and the region get the full $150 million installment for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in the Omnibus.\u00a0 This is the sixth installment for WMATA\u2019s 10-year, $1.5 billion authorization for capital improvements included in the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act, which Norton helped champion as a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.\nNorton expects to increase D.C.\u2019s funding for roads, bridges, WMATA, and buses in the surface transportation reauthorization bill due in 2015.\nDCTAG Remains Funded\nWhen appropriators told Norton that DCTAG was at risk after the D.C. Council passed a college scholarship program, she moved to shore up DCTAG.\u00a0 She began by writing to President Obama and got a $10 million in increased funding in his FY 15 budget, bringing DCTAG to $40 million.\u00a0 She then urged appropriators to fully fund DCTAG and got $30 million in the Omnibus, \u2013 no decrease from the year before.\u00a0 However, Norton is already gearing up for another fight next year to ensure DCTAG is funded, given the new Republican majority in the Senate, where Democrats have been her best partners.\nAnacostia River Priority\nNorton\u2019s work on Anacostia River cleanup is dependent, in part, on funding for D.C. Water\u2019s Clean Rivers program to combat combined sewer overflow.\u00a0 She was the lead sponsor of the Anacostia Watershed Initiative, her bill that was enacted with four regional co-sponsors in 2007, authorizing the Army Corps to develop a comprehensive plan for cleaning up the Anacostia River.\u00a0 This year, she got $14 million for the Clean Rivers program in the Omnibus the same as in the prior year.\u00a0 She will press the federal government, the largest D.C. Water rate-payer, to increase its funding next year, in light of the recent water main break in a major D.C. sewer pipe that caused flooding and Metro closures and delays.\u00a0\nAll Norton\u2019s High-Quality D.C. Judges Confirmed\nIn a win for D.C.\u2019s federal judicial system, all ten of Norton\u2019s recommendations to President Obama for federal district court judges here have been confirmed by the Senate.\u00a0 President Obama, like President Clinton, granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for federal district court judges and other important federal law enforcement officials in the District.\n  VII. Serving Constituents and Keeping D.C. Informed of the Good and Bad from Congress\nNorton found new and expanded ways to reach neighborhoods across the city.\u00a0 This year, she hosted 20 Government-to-Go events at grocery stores, D.C. government locations, such as libraries, and at non-profit organizations, such as senior centers, which brought caseworkers and information on federal matters to residents who cannot come to her District Office.\u00a0 She held two town halls and six roundtables on national and local legislative issues.\u00a0 She participated in eight Norton in Your Neighborhood community events, in conjunction with ANCs and community groups, to discuss congressional issues.\nTours of House Floor, Top Norton Community Events\nNorton led the first six tours of the House floor for D.C. groups ranging from schools to community groups.\u00a0 Norton will offer the tour to local D.C. media and will triple the number of D.C. groups to tour the House floor.\u00a0 To schedule a special tour of the House floor, D.C.\u2019s first statue in Congress, and other significant congressional sites for your group, contact Norton\u2019s office at 202-225-8050 or visit www.Norton.House.Gov.\u00a0\nEvents for D.C.\u2019s Diverse Population \nNorton offered a rich variety of special events for D.C. residents drawn from important D.C. sectors, including a Tax Fair for tax preparation services; a Capitol Hill \u201cAsk Me About D.C. Event\u201d event for Members of the House and Senate and staff showcasing D.C.\u2019s tourist sites; a Job Fair; a Small Business Fair; a Congressional\u00a0 Art Competition for high school students; a Service Academy Night; a Seniors Legislative Day; a National Dance Day; and two Black Men and Boys Commission and Caucus Hearings.\nNorton\u2019s Town Halls, Roundtables, and NIYNs Produce Results  4 Town Halls:\n\u2022National Park Service Town Hall with NPS, National Mall officials, and Smithsonian officials  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -NPS agreed to consider food trucks on the National Mall \u2022Two CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project Community Events\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Got increased opportunities for community oversight, questions, and transparency. \u2022Capital Parks East Town Hall with NPS, Shepard Parkway Committee, and Washington Parks and People  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -U.S. Park Police cracked down on crime.\n6 Roundtables:\n\u2022WMATA Roundtable with Top WMATA Officials and Transportation Union Leaders  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0-Roundtable showed most safety steps taken since 2009 crash; testimony helped Norton to get the $150 million WMATA authorization. \u2022DCTAG Roundtable with Residents  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Got information that helped Norton get appropriators to give DCTAG $30 million in Omnibus. \u2022Postal Roundtable with D.C. Postmaster General, Postal Union Officials, and Residents  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -Agreed on recommendations to improve local service: quarterly Postmaster meetings with ANCs; an automated phone system for residents who want only routine information, freeing up customer service representatives to handle substantive issues; create the position of D.C. Postal Ombudsman to solve recurring customer service problems; and get State Department assistance in processing passports using postal office personnel. \u2022Union Station Roundtable with NPS, Union Station Officials, and City Officials.  \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Union Station officials began work that is reducing traffic congestion. \u2022Immigration Roundtable/Hispanic Heritage Month with City and Federal Officials, Latino Community Leaders, and Educators  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Panel offered information for families of D.C. residents directly affected by the surge in unaccompanied children from Central America.\n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u2022Unemployment Insurance Roundtable  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0-Real stories soon to go online in continuing effort to get Congress to pass legislation\u00a0 extending long-term unemployment insurance.\n8 Norton in Your Neighborhood (NIYN):\n\u2022 Parkside Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Bates Area Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Pleasant Plains Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Brookland Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence  \n\t\u2022 Brightwood Park Civic Association  \n\t\u2022 Renaissance Adult Day Health Care Center  \n\t\u2022 ANC4B Community Meeting\nD.C. community and civic organizations, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and other groups can sponsor a Norton in Your Neighborhood.\u00a0 Visit https://norton.house.gov or call Norton\u2019s district office at (202) 408-9041.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/a-possible-ferguson-solution-cameras-on-cops", "A possible Ferguson solution: Cameras on cops", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A possible Ferguson solution: Cameras on cops \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Wednesday, November 26, 2014\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Michael Doyle\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014 The Ferguson fallout will include more police officers nationwide wearing cameras as part of their uniforms.\r\nLawmakers like Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., are talking about federal funding. Researchers are digging into data about costs and benefits. Cities that already have equipped police with cameras are fielding questions from those that are considering it.\r\n\u201cThe officers have welcomed them, and I think the community has, too,\u201d April R. Harris, treasurer of the Greensboro Police Foundation in North Carolina, said in an interview Wednesday, recalling that \u201cbefore we had the cameras, we had here in Greensboro a couple of police situations where it was, \u2018He said, she said.\u2019\u201d\r\nThe Greensboro Police Foundation raised more than $100,000 to purchase the cameras for the city\u2019s police department. While the fundraising drive was a success, the need for it also underscored one of the challenges ahead: the cameras can be costly.\r\nThe cameras\u2019 use, moreover, can open up unanticipated conflicts. Harris noted, for instance, that there are now questions about whether the video taken by a camera worn by an officer amounts to a personnel record that\u2019s exempt from public release.\r\nThere\u2019s no doubt, though, that the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson is prompting much more interest in the cameras that can capture an ambiguous encounter.\r\n\u201cSince Ferguson, the agencies will look more closely to see, \u2018How can we make this happen?\u2019 but also, \u2018How can we do it right?\u2019\u201d Lindsay Miller, senior research associate at the Police Executive Research Forum, said in an interview Wednesday.\r\nMiller, co-author of an extensive Justice Department-funded study of police cameras, noted that, even before Ferguson, the cameras often first deployed \u201cin smaller and mid-sized agencies\u201d have in the last year or two been adopted by larger agencies.\r\nCharles Katz, an Arizona State University criminology associate professor, agreed Wednesday that the Ferguson incident will accelerate the use of body-worn cameras.\r\nNo good public estimate exists for how many law enforcement agencies currently deploy officers with cameras. The agencies that do use them vary widely in size and sophistication. The two-officer police department in Miller\u2019s hometown in rural Missouri uses body-worn cameras, and so, as part of a test run, does the Los Angeles Police Department.\r\nThe Police Executive Research Forum study included a survey with responses from 254 law enforcement agencies, 63 of which reported using body-worn cameras.\r\nThe analysts identified tangible benefits that include better documentation of evidence, increased police accountability and a reduction in the use of force.\r\nA yearlong study of the Mesa Police Department in Arizona, for instance, found that camera-wearing officers had 40 percent fewer public complaints, and 75 percent fewer use-of-force complaints, than they had without wearing cameras. Camera-wearing police in Rialto, Calif., had an 88 percent reduction in citizen complaints.\r\nBut with the benefits come costs and questions.\r\nIndividual cameras can cost in the range of $800 to $1,200, although TASER International markets an \u201cultra-durable on-officer camera\u201d for $399. Thirty-nine percent of agencies responding to the Police Executive Research Forum survey identified price as a primary reason for not ordering the cameras.\r\nPrivate fundraising, akin to what happened in Greensboro, has been one solution. The Los Angeles Police Department raised nearly $1.3 million in private funds for officer cameras, which began as a pilot project last January. Another solution could be federal aid, of the sort being suggested by McCaskill.\r\n\u201cShe is specifically looking at options for prioritizing federal resources that go to local police departments, so that body cameras come first, before other equipment,\u201d McCaskill spokeswoman Sarah Feldman said in an interview Wednesday, stressing the idea is \u201cnot a mandate.\u201d\r\nOther questions, beyond funding, include:\r\n\u2013 How much discretion will individual officers have to turn off the cameras for certain particularly sensitive encounters, such as meetings with informants or during work at crime scenes?\r\n\u2013 How will the privacy interests of victims be protected, and how will those privacy interests be balanced against the public\u2019s?\r\n\u2013 How will the video recording of encounters change the behavior of citizens and officers alike?\r\nThe questions are prompting states and municipalities to come up with different answers, on policies ranging from how long video recordings are stored to who has a say in the video recording.\r\nPennsylvania legislators, for instance, passed earlier this year a law waiving the previous requirement that police obtain consent before video recording another person. In some other states, the old two-party consent rules still apply.\r\nPolice unions, too, weigh in, and sometimes voice resistance. In New York City last year, the Patrolmen\u2019s Benevolent Association pushed back against U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin\u2019s order that the city initiate a pilot program equipping officers with cameras in selected precincts.\r\nThe pilot program has begun, though union leaders maintain that mandated use of body cameras is a workplace condition that should be negotiated as part of an overall labor contract. Scheindlin insisted on trying the cameras as part of a ruling that struck down the city\u2019s controversial stop-and-frisk policy.\r\n\u201cThe recordings should also alleviate some of the mistrust that has developed between the police and the black and Hispanic communities,\u201d Scheindlin wrote, adding that \u201cvideo recordings will be equally helpful to members of the NYPD who are wrongly accused of inappropriate behavior.\u201d\r\nRead more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/11/26/248308_a-possible-ferguson-solution-cameras.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/national-status-for-liberty-memorial-is-expected-to-be-a-boon", "National status for Liberty Memorial is expected to be a boon", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "National status for Liberty Memorial is expected to be a boon \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Friday, December 26, 2014\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Matt Campbell\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            The long-sought designation of Kansas City\u2019s Liberty Memorial as official national memorial to the Great War was, ironically, tucked into a war-spending bill.\r\nThe must-pass bill approved this month finally capped a legislative effort that had been stalled for years.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re just grateful they were able to find an appropriate bill to hang it onto to get the thing passed,\u201d said Matt Naylor, president and CEO of the National World War I Museum. \u201cIt speaks to the ingenuity of the Congress people.\u201d\r\nThe rise in stature is expected to greatly enhance the museum\u2019s ability to court fundraisers, to expand a national advisory board and to attract visitors and traveling exhibits.\r\n\u201cThis enables us to have conversations with prospective funders on a national scale that might otherwise see us as a more parochial or regional museum,\u201d said Naylor. \u201cThis is potentially a very good thing for us.\u201d\r\nMemorial leaders had a successful fundraising event in New York recently and are planning future events.\r\nLiberty Memorial already had the designation of being the \u201cnational museum\u201d for World War I. Now it can add \u201cnational memorial\u201d to its title as well. The monument\u2019s board will explore whether to tweak the museum\u2019s logo or brand.\r\nThe designation was sponsored by local U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver, Sam Graves and Kevin Yoder and by Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt.\r\n\u201cThis designation honors the courage and sacrifice of all those who served in World War I,\u201d McCaskill said in a statement. \u201cIt\u2019s my hope that the Liberty Memorial\u2019s new, national status \u2014 which finally matches its national significance \u2014 shines a spotlight on the site\u2019s unique and extraordinary historical value.\u201d\r\nThe legislation was a compromise with backers of a separate memorial in Pershing Park in Washington, D.C. Both may now call themselves national memorials. But Kansas City\u2019s is far larger and has by far the most extensive collection of materials from World War I in the country.\r\nThe memorial also is home base for the national commission established to commemorate the centennial of the war. Attendance to the war museum here already is up about 30 percent over last year, and attendance at exhibits and programs is up about 500 percent.\r\nLiberty Memorial officials expect even more attention in coming years with the centennial of the United States\u2019 entry into the war.\r\nNext summer, the Australian War Memorial will send an exhibit of war art to Kansas City. It will be the first time the museum in Canberra has sent part of its collection overseas.\r\nThe national designation for Liberty Memorial will make more opportunities like that possible.\r\n\u201cThis will enable us to bring other exhibitions and programs to the museum and memorial that otherwise may not come to the United States, or certainly to the Midwest,\u201d Naylor said.\r\n  Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article5025201.html#storylink=cpy\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/merkley-to-lead-push-for-federal-lgbt-protection", "Merkley to lead push for federal LGBT protection", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley to lead push for federal LGBT protection \r\n\r\n     Plans to introduce anti-discrimination legislation in new Congress \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 26, 2014\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\u00a0\r\n    Andrew Clevenger\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Earlier this month, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced his intention to introduce sweeping anti-discrimination legislation that would provide federal protections for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals.\r\nThe bill, which Merkley plans to introduce sometime after the 114th Congress is sworn in Jan. 6, will be designed to protect members of the LGBT community from unequal treatment in such areas as employment, housing and access to public accommodations.\r\nAt an event at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C., Merkley said most Americans would be shocked to realize how much discrimination is still legal in various states across the country.\r\n\u201cIn dozens of states across the country, LGBT Americans lack the basic nondiscrimination protections that so many of us take for granted,\u201d said Merkley at the event. \u201cIn North Carolina today, a gay man could be fired from his job just for being gay. In Michigan, a young couple could be denied the chance to buy their first home just because they\u2019re both women. In Pennsylvania, a transgender woman could be denied service and kicked out of a restaurant just for being who she is. And all of this would be perfectly legal.\u201d\r\nMerkley supported legislation during the term of Congress that just ended that would have made it illegal to fire someone based on sexual orientation, but it was not enacted into law. The new legislation aims to put broader protections into place for LGBT individuals.\r\nJann Carson, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, said the ACLU strongly supports bringing a holistic approach to adding protections under the law for LGBT individuals.\r\n\u201cI think most Americans think it is wrong to discriminate against someone for who they are,\u201d she said.\r\nWhile prospects for Merkley\u2019s legislation may face an uphill climb in the next Congress when Republicans control both chambers, just the debate around it will keep the issue of equality under discussion, she said.\r\n\u201cThe need is there, so we shouldn\u2019t shy away from trying to advance civil rights for (LGBT) people just because it\u2019s a tougher climate, or because we might have to be more convincing,\u201d she said.\r\nWhile public opinion seems to have coalesced around acceptance of same-sex marriage, and the U.S. Supreme Court has hinted it will allow rulings in favor of same-sex marriage to stand, progress shouldn\u2019t end there, she said.\r\n\u201cWhat we\u2019re saying is: We want to reach the age where who you love doesn\u2019t become a lawful disqualifier for access to all of these other essentials in being able to live in America, to be able to get a job, to have housing,\u201d she said.\r\nPortland attorney Kevin Clonts, who serves as the co-chairman of OGALLA: The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon, said the organization supports extending the protections that already exist in Oregon to include the entire country.\r\nFederal law bans discrimination based on a person\u2019s gender, religion, national origin, race and ethnicity, he said.\r\n\u201cThose are national protections that have been around for many years, and it doesn\u2019t make any sense to exclude one minority,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t know why a line would be drawn to exclude national protections for LGBT people as is currently the case.\u201d\r\nEric Overby, the father of a transgender daughter, serves as the coordinator for the East County chapter of PFLAG Portland, a group built around the support of family and friends for the LGBT community. Merkley\u2019s proposed legislation is very necessary, he said.\r\nHe has seen firsthand how his daughter, who is still in transition changing her gender, has come home from interviews knowing she didn\u2019t get the job because she went dressed as a woman.\r\n\u201cShe wound up having to dress androgynously in order to get a second interview or even a job offer,\u201d said Overby, a former Navy recruiter.\r\nThe LGBT community shouldn\u2019t rest on its laurels after its victories in legalizing same-sex marriage in various states, he said.\r\n\u201cWe tend to think, especially on the national spectrum, that we are all protected, but in reality we\u2019re not. States have their own laws,\u201d he said. The issue of complete protections for LGBT individuals \u201cneeds to come to a larger stage, and I\u2019m proud that Senator Merkley is leading it in that direction.\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n           \r\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/monument-expansion-expected-to-increase-tourism-protect-resources", "Monument expansion expected to increase tourism, protect resources", "2014-12-26", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Monument expansion expected to increase tourism, protect resources \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 26, 2014\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\u00a0\r\n    Jeff Duewel\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYou won't see a different cave or a new chateau at the Oregon Caves National Monument.\u00a0But some are calling the expansion of the landmark, with legislation attached to a defense spending bill signed last week by President Obama, a monumental change.\r\nThe monument will be nearly 10 times its original 488-acre size, with 4,000 acres added. It will include the entire watershed above the caves, where scenic Bigelow Lakes lie below Mount Elijah \u2014 named after Elijah Davidson, who discovered the cave in 1874.\r\nRoger Brandt, historian and Illinois Valley tourism promoter, said the larger square on the map will bring more tourists.\r\n\"A lot of people completely miss this monument,\" Brandt said. \"You look at pink spots on the Oregon map that show where parks are, and you don't see it.\r\n\"There are bigger reasons for doing this than just getting a bigger spot on the map, but I think that's going to be what gets more attention.\"\r\nLee Webb, former biologist for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, used to lead evening trips in the shadow of Mount Elijah looking for long-eared owls. It pleases him to see that area part of the monument now.\r\n\"Bigelow Lakes is one of my favorite spots on the forest,\" Webb said. \"The National Park Service wanted to control the drainage, and that makes sense. Geographic boundaries make sense.\"\r\nCattle are no longer grazing in the drainage because a buyout of a grazing right was negotiated, which should enhance the hike.\r\n\"Bigelow Lakes is one of the best loop trails in the valley,\" added Brandt.\u00a0\r\n\"With a monument like this, you get this inferred guarantee for a high-quality experience. If you go around the world, just about every country has national parks now, and that's what people travel to see.\"\r\n\"I think we'll see increased visitation,\" said Vicki Snitzler, superintendent at Oregon Caves since 2008. \"There are a lot of folks out there interested whenever parks get new designations or expansions.\"\r\nSnitzler said now that the National Park Service has taken over management from the U.S. Forest Service of the land added to the monument, it has 14 to 16 more miles of trails and 25 more miles of roads to maintain.\r\n\"The legislation didn't come with any new money or any new employees, so we'll be using what we currently have in our budget to try to make it stretch,\" Snitzler said.\r\nOne of the first tasks is dealing with hazard trees at a former Forest Service campground, now part of the park, that has been closed for two years. Snitzler said inclusion of the creek that flows through the cave \u2014 known as the River Styx \u2014 as the first underground Wild and Scenic river is another honor bestowed on the monument, along with the 80-year-old Chateau being named to the prestigious Historic Hotels of America program in 2014. It was already a National Historic Landmark.\r\nGreg Walter, another Illinois Valley historian and businessman, was thankful to U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio for pushing the legislation through. It's also timely, with the centennial of the National Park Service coming in 2016.\r\nBrandt said the expansion is another tourist victory, joining the ever-growing visitor highlights in the valley, which include the Illinois Valley Smokejumper Base and Museum at the airport and the Forks State Park that is undergoing improvements.\r\n\"In my opinion, it's not all about just the Illinois Valley,\" he said. \"It's about Josephine County and southwest Oregon. This will increase the flow of traffic into the area.\"\r\nExpansion of the monument was previously proposed by the National Park Service in 1939, 1949 and 2000.\r\n\"It seemed like the planets aligned and it finally happened,\" Snitzler said.\r\n\r\n \r\n           \r\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://defazio.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/defazio-walden-fight-to-keep-rural-ambulance-service-intact", "DeFazio, Walden Fight to Keep Rural Ambulance Service Intact", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Oregon Reps. Peter DeFazio and Greg Walden have called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay a rule \u2013 scheduled to take effect next month - that could have a devastating impact on emergency medical services in rural communities across Oregon.\n  \n\tIn the letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, Reps. DeFazio and Walden brought attention to a possible technical error that reduces reimbursement rates to ambulance providers by reclassifying some rural areas as urban. Reducing these rates makes it very difficult for ambulance providers to serve rural communities without losing money.\nDeFazio and Walden have requested that CMS delay any reimbursement changes for one year so errors can be identified and ambulance providers have sufficient time to prepare for changes.\nThe letter from DeFazio and Walden states: \u201cThese payments allow ambulance services in rural areas to continue providing life-saving and life-sustaining services. We agree that as population demographics change over time, the designation of rural status should be updated. However, it is critically important that ambulance services, whose margins are on average negative without the add-ons, be given sufficient time to prepare for a change that could reduce their overall Medicare revenues by as much as 9 percent.\u201d\nThe full letter to CMS is below.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDecember 23, 2014\nMarilyn Tavenner\nAdministrator\nCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services\n200 Independence Avenue, SW\nWashington, DC\u00a0 20201\n\u00a0\nDear Administrator Tavenner,\n\u00a0\nWe are writing to express our concern about the Final Ambulance Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2015, and the devastating impact it will have on rural transports in our state and across the country. We are particularly concerned about the final changes to the designation of ambulance service from \u201crural\u201d to \u201curban.\u201d In the preamble to the proposed rule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated that only 122 ZIP codes (less than 0.3 percent) would change from rural to urban. Subsequently, in the final rule, issued in the Federal Register on November 13, the Agency indicated that the status of more than 3,000 ZIP codes would switch from rural to urban. This drastic change was alarming to our local ambulances due to the severe cut they would face come January 2015.\nFollowing inquiries from local stakeholders and concerned Members of Congress, the Agency found a technical error in its calculations and issued a revised list of ZIP codes that would change from rural to urban. As a result about 1,500 zip codes that would have changed to urban will remain rural. While we appreciate the effort the Agency put into making these updates, we are still concerned that rural ambulances in the remaining 1,600 ZIP codes still do not have adequate time to prepare for the change. In addition, we did not see any formal communication by CMS notifying ambulance service providers of the revised list.\u00a0 So while we are aware of it, a vast majority of ambulance services providers likely are not.\u00a0 It is crucial that ambulance service providers, especially those in the affected areas, be notified of such a significant change well prior to implementation.\nWe also believe that some of these ZIP codes may still be incorrectly designated as urban.\u00a0For example, in Josephine County, Oregon, there are five ZIP codes identified as urban even though the population did not change significantly in those ZIP codes and apparently changed only because neighboring Grants Pass was designated as a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).\u00a0Additionally, as Members of Congress representing Josephine County, our experiences with local economies and demographics lead us to question this urban designation. We do not know if this mistake is due to a technical error or an unfitting definition of \u201curban,\u201d but we do believe that the designation is incorrect and further time is needed to assess these changes.\nThe designation of rural status is extremely important to ambulance services.\u00a0 The GAO has recognized in two reports that the current Medicare rates without the add-ons reimburse ambulance services below the costs they incur to provide care.\u00a0 Congress has consistently recognized the need to increase the current payment rates, especially for rural ambulance services, through the extension of the ambulance add-ons.\u00a0 These payments allow ambulance services in rural areas to continue providing life-saving and life-sustaining services.\u00a0\nWe agree that as population demographics change over time, the designation of rural status should be updated.\u00a0 However, it is critically important that ambulance services, whose margins are on average negative without the add-ons, be given sufficient time to prepare for a change that could reduce their overall Medicare revenues by as much as 9 percent.\nCMS has simply not provided sufficient notice for the change to take effect in Calendar Year 2015.\u00a0 We appreciate that CMS believes that stakeholders would have had access to the data necessary to determine the impact of the proposed change and that the Agency revised the change for 1,500 ZIP codes.\u00a0 However, the preamble to the proposed rule was misleading at best.\u00a0 Any provider or supplier that took the Agency at its word would have seen no need to engage in further analysis of the proposal because the preamble clearly stated there would be no change in the status of rural providers or suppliers.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Therefore, we strongly urge you to delay implementation of the changes for those zip codes which would switch from rural to urban until Calendar Year 2016.\u00a0 This delay will allow CMS and other stakeholders to assess the changes and make sure that the changes are indeed appropriate. Additionally, it will provide a path for ambulance service providers and suppliers to adjust to the changes from rural and urban status if that change is found to be warranted.\nAccess to ambulances can be the difference between life and death in rural areas. It is crucial to protect beneficiary access to ambulance services, which are a critical component of our health care system.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We look forward to working with you on this issue and thank you for your consideration of our request.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t_________________________________\n\t\t\t\tPeter DeFazio\n\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t_________________________________\n\t\t\t\tGreg Walden\n\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov//news/pelosi-updates/a-year-of-progress", "A Year of Progress", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Please feel free to\u00a0forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates,\u00a0please visit my website. I am also on\u00a0Twitter at http://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.\u00a0Sincerely,Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/save/https:/visclosky.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/purdue-university-calumet-2014-year-in-review", "Purdue University Calumet 2014 Year in Review", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Peter Visclosky", "V000108", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Saving page now...\nhttps://visclosky.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/purdue-university-calumet-2014-year-in-review\nAs it appears live December 6, 2017 3:44:46 PM UTC\n  \n  \n    \n          \n      \n    \n      \n          \n        \n    \n  \n    \n                Purdue University Calumet 2014 Year in Review", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-receives-response-from-epa-following-letter-on-potential-keystone-landfill-expansion-in-dunmore", "Casey Receives Response from EPA Following Letter on Potential Keystone Landfill Expansion in Dunmore", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has received a response from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following his letter regarding the potential expansion of the Keystone Landfill in Dunmore. In his letter to the EPA, Casey asked the agency to address concerns raised by his constituents and conduct the appropriate oversight should the proposal fall within the federal government\u2019s jurisdiction.\r\n\u201cI will continue to monitor this issue closely and urge the EPA and state agencies to be responsive to concerns raised by residents,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that EPA continue to examine this issue and conduct any appropriate oversight of the landfill consistent with the agency\u2019s jurisdiction.\u201d\r\nThe full response to Senator Casey is attached. Please note: the names of constituents mentioned in the letter have been redacted in order to protect their privacy.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/article/bill-that-supports-troops-is-now-the-law", "Bill that Supports Troops is Now the Law", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Joe Donnelly", "D000607", "www.donnelly.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bill that Supports Troops is Now the Law\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Wednesday, December 24, 2014\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            It\u2019s popular for members of Congress to say that they \u201csupport the troops,\u201d but backing those words with thoughtful, meaningful action is what really matters.\r\nThe passage of the Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Act of 2014 promises real assistance to members of the military, putting the focus on helping them get mental health support and reducing military suicides. On Friday, President Obama signed the bill, which is part of the National Defense Authorization Act.\r\nThe bill is the second version of a measure introduced last year by Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly. Donnelly\u2019s commitment to preventing suicide among military members \u2014 and his hard work in support of those who serve in general \u2014 has been unwavering.\r\nNamed for a National Guardsman from Farmland, Ind., who shot himself to death while on leave in 2009, the bill requires annual, face-to-face mental health assessments for all active duty, reserve and National Guard service members. Currently, the military focuses mental health services on deploying and returning troops, even though research indicates that suicide is more common among soldiers who never deploy.\r\nThe need for such support is reflected in these sobering figures: Last year saw the combat deaths of 132 service members, while 475 members took their own lives.\r\nIn introducing the measure, Donnelly noted that \u201cthere is not one solution, no cure-all to prevent military suicide. But this problem is not too big to solve.\u201d\r\nAnd the passage of the Jacob Sexton Act Military Act of 2014 is a significant step in preventing such tragic losses. In a statement, Donnelly calls the legislation he fought for \u201ccommon sense change (that) will ensure we are focusing not only on our Armed Forces\u2019 physical readiness but also mental readiness.\u201d\r\nIt\u2019s no less than the men and women who protect this country deserve.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-fed-funds-to-create-comprehensive-economic-development-plans-in-s-tier-mohawk-valley-cny-finger-lakes-and-lake-champlain-area", "SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FED FUNDS TO CREATE COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN S. TIER, MOHAWK VALLEY, CNY, FINGER LAKES & LAKE CHAMPLAIN AREA", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Charles Schumer", "S000148", "www.schumer.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.24.14\n\t\t\t SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FED FUNDS TO CREATE COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN S. TIER, MOHAWK VALLEY, CNY, FINGER LAKES & LAKE CHAMPLAIN AREA \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n            \n            \n            \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t      \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \n              \n              \n              \n              \n              \n\t\t\t   \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n        \n\t\t\t\t Funding Will Help 6 Regional Planning and Development Boards Develop Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Plans Will Cover Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Tioga, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington Counties\r\n\r\nU.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $70,000 to six different regional planning and development boards around the state to develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation in the region. The six groups receiving funding, and the counties that will be included in the economic development strategy, are:\r\n\r\n \r\nMohawk Valley Economic Development District:Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie\r\nCentral New York Regional Planning and Development Board:Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego, and the city of Syracuse\r\nGenesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council:Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates\r\nSouthern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board:Allegany, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus\r\nSouthern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Commission:Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, and Tioga\r\nLake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning and Development Board:Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington\r\n \r\n\r\nHaving a clear, strategic vision for creating jobs and attracting private investment is key to strengthening regional economies around the state, said Schumer. This federal funding will help economic development experts in the Mohawk Valley, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Adirondacks develop the type of comprehensive strategy that can provide a real shot in the arm to the regional economy.\r\n\r\nAs the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov//media-center/amis-updates/email-update-end-of-year-report", "Email Update: End of year report", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I sent an email update on Tuesday with an end-of-year report on my first term serving you. Join my updates now so you don't miss any in the future!\n  \u00a0 With 2014 coming to a close soon, this is a natural time for reflection.\u00a0 For me, this new year will mark the end of my first two-year term serving you in Congress, and the start of a new term. I\u2019m so grateful for the privilege of continuing to represent you. Over the past two\u00a0years, we\u2019ve all unfortunately seen far too much partisan gridlock and finger pointing in Washington. While it's been difficult, we\u2019ve also made progress. My office has fought to create jobs, to lower our debt, to honor the promises we've made to our seniors, and to help local families fix problems they\u2019re having with the federal government. So as we come together to enjoy the holidays, here's an end-of-year report on some of the major ways I\u2019ve been fighting for you. Please scroll down below to learn more. Please also feel free to forward this report to anyone you know, so they can learn about how I\u2019m serving them too. Happy holidays! Fighting for you in Washington  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\nEven with the dysfunction in Washington, we've made progress in important areas like holding Congress accountable, caring for our veterans, keeping families safe from domestic violence and sexual assault, and more. Here are some examples:\n\u2022 Passing No Budget, No Pay:\u00a0If Members of Congress don\u2019t do their jobs and pass a responsible budget, then they shouldn't get paid. That\u2019s why I became a lead sponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act shortly after becoming your representative, and helped lead the effort to make it law for 2013.\u00a0I\u2019m now fighting to pass a stronger and more permanent version. \u2022 Passing the first bipartisan budget in years:\u00a0I was also proud to vote for the first bipartisan budget to pass Congress in several years.\u00a0This budget will help reduce our deficit by $23 billion.\n\t\t\u2022 Passing the Violence Against Women Act:\u00a0One of my first acts was to vote for the bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which is now law. This law provides medical professionals and police tools to prevent violence and keep families safe from domestic violence and sexual assault. \u2022 Passing the 21st Century Health Care for Heroes Act:\u00a0I was honored to co-author this bipartisan bill, which is now the law of the land and will help streamline electronic health records for veterans and service members. This will save money, make the transition to civilian life easier for vets, and help address the VA backlog. \u2022 Leading and growing the bipartisan Problem Solvers caucus:\u00a0The Problem Solvers is the only large-scale organized forum in Washington where both Republicans and Democrats work together to move our country forward. As a leader of the Problem Solvers,\u00a0I\u2019ve helped grow our new coalition from 40 to more than 90 Members of Congress in both parties.\n\t\t\u2022 Helped Reverse Medicare Advantage Cuts:\u00a0Earlier this year, the Administration proposed cuts to the Medicare Advantage program, and I worked in a bipartisan coalition to stop these cuts to protect seniors.\u00a0I\u2019m happy to report that our effort was successful.\n\t\t\u2022 Established the bipartisan California Public Higher Education Caucus:\u00a0Earlier this year,\u00a0Congressman Jeff Denham and I founded the bipartisan California Public Higher Education Caucus. Together, we\u2019re advocating for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) schools and their students in Congress to ensure the quality, affordability, and accessibility of California\u2019s universities. \u2022 Introduced Women's Preventive Health Awareness Campaign Act:\u00a0One of the first bills\u00a0I introduced was the Women\u2019s Preventive Health Campaign Awareness Act. My bill would launch a national public outreach campaign to ensure women have clear information about the preventive services they need to remain healthy. This will help save lives and lower health costs by finding and treating health problems early.\n\t\t\u2022 Introduced Doctors Helping Heroes Act:\u00a0I introduced the bipartisan Doctors Helping Heroes Act\u00a0to address a serious shortage of doctors at VA hospitals across the country. This will help address one of the primary reasons why some veterans have waited far too long for their health care. \u2022 Introduced Small Business and Family Relief Act:\u00a0I introduced this bipartisan bill to make health care more affordable for working families, small businesses, and seniors.\u00a0It helps roll back a new health insurance tax that is part of the Affordable Care Act, which is expected to cost the typical family an additional $660 this year and in 2015 alone.\u00a0 Delivering for Sacramento County\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\nDespite the dysfunction in Washington, I've managed to get some important work done for our local economy. More than 20,000 jobs have been created in Sacramento County since 2012, but our work is far from over. That\u2019s why I won\u2019t take a congressional pay raise until our County\u2019s unemployment rate is below 5 percent.\n\u2022 Secured funding to upgrade the Folsom Dam:\u00a0I voted for a bill to fund improvements at the Folsom Dam, which is now law. These upgrades, which are now underway, will help Folsom Lake store more water to help with our drought and provide better flood protection in wetter years. The first of several new large gates was installed earlier this year, and I was proud to help celebrate this critical milestone in the project\u2019s construction.\n\t\t\u2022 Advocated for a major Federal contract for Siemens: The Rail Systems Division of Siemens, which is located in Florin, recently won a major contract with the Department of Transportation to build dozens of new high-performance locomotives.\u00a0I was proud to help advocate for this project with the Transportation Department, which is a huge win for Sacramento County.\n\t\t\u2022 Helped Jobless Residents and Small Businesses:\u00a0Earlier this year,\u00a0my office hosted two job fairs\u00a0in conjunction with Assemblyman Ken Cooley that assisted several hundred local residents who were looking for work.\u00a0We\u2019ve also held several workshops for local small businesses\u00a0to connect them with resources they can use to grow and hire.\n\u2022 Secured Small Business Aid Funding:\u00a0I advocated for new federal funds that will help Sacramento County small businesses pursue federal government contracts. The federal government procures numerous contracts with private businesses every year for a wide range of goods and services \u2013 everything from food, to printer ink, to jet engines. This is a great example of how we can work together to make government work for small businesses.\n\t\t\u2022 Brought the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to Sacramento County:\u00a0Earlier this year,\u00a0I was pleased to welcome Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, to Sacramento County. It was a good opportunity to make sure that local small businesses in our area get the resources and services they need.\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\u2022 Voted to Keep Taxes low: Earlier this month,\u00a0I voted for the bipartisan Tax Increase Prevention Act\u00a0so families & businesses can rely on tax relief next year. This bill is now law, and will help grow our economy by supporting research and development, clean energy, homeowners, and more. \u2022 Strengthened the U.S. \u2013 India Trade Relationship:\u00a0The U.S. \u2013 India trade relationship is critical for growing the American economy here at home. That\u2019s why I've worked to strengthen our relationship and\u00a0helped facilitate an agreement\u00a0between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the U.C. Davis Postharvest Technology Center to collaborate on post-harvest technology to reduce food losses due to spoilage. Making Government Work for You\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n  \n\tOne of my most important jobs is making government work for you, and I've worked hard to do that these past two years. My local office helps Sacramento County families cut through red tape and fix problems they\u2019re having with the federal government - including backlogged veteran\u2019s benefits, Social Security and Medicare issues, stalled passports, and more. If you think you may need help, please call my office at (916) 635 0505 or visit\u00a0bera.house.gov/gethelp. \u2022 Helped Sacramento County families:\u00a0I\u2019m proud to report that since January 2013, my office has helped local families\u00a0recover $ 1,440,163\u00a0owed to them by the federal government.\u00a0We've also helped 2,917 individuals. \u2022 Help for Veterans:\u00a0We hired a Wounded Warrior Iraq War vet to assist local veterans, and together we\u2019ve helped area vets\u00a0recover more than $1 million\u00a0in backlogged benefits and services. For instance, we helped Corey a veteran who served our country in the army for 22 years. But because of a paperwork error, he wasn't receiving the benefits he had earned.\u00a0Click to play the below video to see how we helped him.  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n  \u2022 Help for Seniors:\u00a0My office helps local seniors with problems that they may be having with the federal government \u2013 including resolving issues with Social Security, Medicare, and other federal services and benefits they may be owed. Since 2013 my office has helped local residents\u00a0recover nearly $150,000\u00a0in Social Security and Medicare benefits. For instance, we helped Shelly from Elk Grove, who needed assistance getting her mom the Social Security benefits she was owed.\u00a0Play the video to see how my office was able to help.  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\n  \u2022 Making Government Work for Sacramento County:\u00a0Since 2013,\u00a0my staff and I have hosted or attended 1,066 events in Sacramento County. These events include dozens of workshops and dedicated office hours we've held with seniors, veterans, business owners, local officials, non-profit organizations, and others to connect our area with resources and assistance.\u00a0 \u2022 Listening to you:\u00a0Since 2013,\u00a0my office has answered 79,890 of your letters, phone calls, and emails. I regularly use social media platforms such as\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter\u00a0to provide daily updates on my work, as well as my email updates. In addition, my staff and I have held more than a dozen town halls and hundreds of constituent meetings so I can hear from you directly.\u00a0 As always, it is an incredible honor to serve you in Congress.\u00a0Please never hesitate to call or write at any time. My door is always open. Be well,  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAmi Bera, M.D.\u00a0  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://bera.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/bera-volunteers-at-christmas-in-cordova-holiday-toy-drive-for-local", "Bera volunteers at Christmas in Cordova holiday toy drive for local children, families", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. and his local staff joined hundreds of volunteers on Saturday, December 20th for the annual Christmas in Cordova event. The Folsom Cordova Community Partnership has been organizing this holiday toy drive for years to help support hundreds of local families and children in need.\n\u201cIt was heartwarming to see how many volunteers came out and donated to help make this year's Christmas in Cordova such an incredible success,\u201d said Bera. \"This event is a shining example of our community coming together and I hope it continues to grow in the years to come.\u00a0My staff and I had a great time getting to know the dedicated volunteers and helping the families who attended.\"\nThe partnership works with other local non-profits and churches throughout the year to collect food donations, monetary donations, and toys and gifts for children. The event serves families in the community who live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to make ends meet.\n\u201cThe families we serve often are faced with desperate decisions, such as buying food for their children, paying monthly rent and dealing with day-to-day challenges which often increase during the pressures of the holiday season,\u201d said Robert Sanger, Executive Director of the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership.\u00a0\u201cThis year, we were able to help bring cheer to more than 800 families, with more than 4,500 presents donated thanks to all of the support from our partners, the community, and our volunteers.\"\nThe event featured three different play-care children sections for various age groups so that kids could play while parents went to the \u2018toy shop\u2019 to pick out Christmas presents. The gymnasium of Mills Middle School was converted into a toy shop and gift wrap area filled with volunteers ready to wrap and decorate the presents. Parents could select up to three gifts for each child and had the option of getting them giftwrapped before taking them home. In addition to the play-care areas and toy shop, families were treated to a hot lunch and received a basket of food to take home from the Salvation Army.\nMore than 200 volunteers of all ages and experience helped out, many returning volunteers who help at this event every year.Volunteer duties ranged with helping to set up the toy store, greeting families as they arrived, helping parents pick out gifts for their children, wrapping presents, re-stocking and organizing toys, and watching children in play-care areas while parents shopped.\nTwin sisters and recent graduates of Cordova High School Monique and Monae Newton were among those volunteering. They participated with their friends from the Police Activities League and have taken part in Christmas in Cordova for the last four or five years.\n\"We like volunteering here because it\u2019s just a certain feeling you get of being part of the community and it\u2019s nice knowing that you\u2019re helping someone out,\u201d said Monae.\n\u201cYou can really see the joy when they grab a gift and you get to wrap it for them and really see how it makes their day. It is just that feeling that we enjoy being a part of,\u201d said Monique.\nFolsom High School junior and another Police Activities League member, Arya Sharma was also a volunteer at the event.\n\u201cI was impressed that people who can\u2019t afford presents can get them for their kids and that we are able to help them with something they otherwise couldn\u2019t do. If I help other people and make them happy it makes me happy too I said why not just try and come help today,\" said Sharma.\nIf you are interested in donating or volunteering next year, please contact the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership online at https://www.thefccp.org/ or by phone (916) 361-8684 or email at Info@theFCCP.org.\nCongressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He\u2019s fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country\u2019s debt in a responsible way. One of Bera\u2019s first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don\u2019t pass a budget, they don\u2019t get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, he\u2019s working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation\u2019s challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cardenas.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/c-rdenas-statement-on-iran-negotiations", "CRDENAS STATEMENT ON IRAN NEGOTIATIONS", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Tony C\u00e1rdenas", "C001097", "cardenas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "C\u00c1RDENAS STATEMENT ON IRAN NEGOTIATIONS\nI am disappointed that the negotiations have not produced an agreement to end Iran\u2019s nuclear program in the year since the adoption of the Joint Plan of Action in Geneva in 2013. However, I remain hopeful a diplomatic solution will ultimately be achieved with the announced extension and commitment to continue negotiating until the new deadline, June 30, 2015. Iran must recognize that negotiations cannot continue indefinitely. Congress and the American people cannot accept a deal that does not prevent an Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. There must be independent verifiable evidence that Iran is living up to its end of the bargain in any agreement that is reached.\nWe must also push for a strong agreement to ensure the security and integrity of our allies and partners in the region. An Iranian nuclear weapon threatens a delicate balance in the Middle East and could spark a dangerous arms race. I will continue to monitor the ongoing discussions and work with my colleagues in the 114th Congress on legislation to build new sanctions to encourage a timely settlement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cummings.house.gov/press-release/chaffetz-cummings-respond-dhs-secret-service-report", "Chaffetz, Cummings Respond to DHS Secret Service Report", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Elijah Cummings", "C000984", "cummings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.(Dec. 18, 2014) \u2013 Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman-elect Jason Chaffetz (R \u2013 UT), and current Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D \u2013 MD), released a statement in response to a review conducted by an independent panel appointed by the Department of Homeland Security on recent security breaches within the Secret Service.\nTo read the full statement, visit the the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform minority.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cummings.house.gov/press-release/cummings-requests-briefing-plans-enhance-white-house-fence", "Cummings Requests Briefing on Plans to Enhance White House Fence", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Elijah Cummings", "C000984", "cummings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. (Dec. 22, 2014)\u2014Today, Reps. Jason Chaffetz and Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman-Elect and top Democrat of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson requesting a briefing on the agency\u2019s plans to enhance the fence around the White House compound.\nTo read the full release and letter, visit the the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform minority.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cummings.house.gov/press-release/cummings-requests-information-sony-north-korean-cyber-attack", "Cummings Requests Information from Sony on North Korean Cyber Attack", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Elijah Cummings", "C000984", "cummings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. (Dec. 23, 2014)\u2014Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to the Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment requesting information about a devastating cyber attack in which hackers believed to be from North Korea stole soon-to-be-released films and the personal information of over 47,000 current and former employees, including their social security numbers and healthcare records. \u00a0 \u00a0\nTo read the full release and letter, visit the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform minority.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gwenmoore.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1208", "Gwen Moore Calls for Justice Department Review of Milwaukee Police Procedures", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By MCJStaff\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Young Democrats of America released the following statement after learning of President Nelson Mandela\u2019s death yesterday.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday, the Young Democrats of America pause to remember a leader whose message of freedom and equality transcends race, age or national borders,\u201d said Atima Omara, president of the Young Democrats of America. \u201cWe are greatly saddened by his passing but he lived a tremendous life to the benefit of others and to the great sacrifice of himself. But he continued to fight with the belief that a nation stands at its greatest height when it stands for equality, fairness, justice and opportunity for all.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tOmara is a first generation African immigrant and the first African American president of the Young Democrats of America.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMandela began his political activism as a young man and stands as an example for all that one person, regardless of age or status can do to change the arc of history,\u201d added Omara.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u2013\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tJames Lewis\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tIssue Advocacy Director\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Young Democrats of America\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tAs we mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela and celebrate his life, Race Forward President Rinku Sen writes: \u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s death constitutes the enormous loss of a great man who deserves his rest. We were lucky to have him on this earth at this time, and his lessons of struggle, confrontation and love will never leave us.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRinku is available for interview, and is publishing an article this afternoon for Colorlines which will be available for reprint. Colorlines coverage of Mandela\u2019s Legacy is available here: http://colorlines.com/mandelas-legacy/\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tJon Richards statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMILWAUKEE \u2013 Representative Jon Richards released the following statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s legacy lives on in all public servants who try to emulate his courage, leadership, and compassion. He inspired generations of people to work together to achieve solutions to problems people thought were unsolvable only a short time ago. I pray for him and offer my sincerest condolences to his family and those who had the privilege of knowing him.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tSTATEMENT FROM REV. AL SHARPTON ON THE PASSING OF NELSON MANDELA\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am honored to have encountered Nelson Mandela on several occasions. He changed human history and taught activists around the world that in order to legitimately further what is noble, you must actually be a noble person. Nelson Mandela personified someone that non-violently changed the course of world history with the democratization of South Africa. Everything humanly possible that could be done to someone other than killing them was done to him, yet he maintained his dignity and his determination. It is almost unthinkable what he endured and yet forgave. He taught us that you have to keep your eye on the prize, and that nothing you suffer is as important as the goals that you are fighting for. He showed us that you can change the course of human history without lowering yourself to human depravity.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cEducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.\u201d \u201cIt always seems impossible until it\u2019s done.\u201d Nelson Mandela\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) celebrates the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, a true warrior and freedom fighter for the liberation of African people. His commitment to change was unwavering.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tBAEO will strive to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela by fighting harder to enable our children to engage in the practice of freedom. As we think about Nelson Mandela\u2019s life, we reaffirm that we have no right NOT to fight harder every day for our children!\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tOn this day and forever more, we honor the unyielding and never compromising Nelson Mandela.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tAFT\u2019s Weingarten and Johnson on the Passing of Nelson Mandela\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON\u2014 Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten and Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson on the passing of Nelson Mandela.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe lesson of Nelson Mandela\u2019s life is that we do not have to accept the world as it is\u2014we can remake it as it should be. We stand in awe of his long walk to freedom and the liberation struggle he led even from the Robben Island cell where he spent 18 of the 27 years he was imprisoned. The grand change in the history of his nation and the world that came when he vanquished apartheid has benefited millions of his fellow South Africans and others around the globe. His insistence on reconciliation rather than recrimination stands as an enduring gift of grace and courage to us all. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s life and historic achievements continue to instruct us in today\u2019s struggles for equity, civil rights and opportunity for all. His moral compass still provides direction to those efforts and will guide us for as long as we honor his memory and celebrate his legacy.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe American Federation of Teachers has a long and special connection with South Africa and its path to freedom and democracy. These range from AFT President Albert Shanker\u2019s efforts to assist that nation\u2019s multiracial teachers\u2019 unions, to our HIV/AIDS programs in South African schools, to Share My Lesson\u2019s partnership with The Weinstein Company in promoting lessons associated with the film \u201cMandela: Long Walk to Freedom.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tConyers Honors the Life of Nelson Mandela, Champion of Peace & Equality\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t(WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, following news of the passing of former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) delivered the following message to his family:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWith the passing of Nelson Mandela, we have lost an individual who not only freed his home of South Africa from racial hatred, but inspired the world to peacefully resist injustice and intolerance. We will forever remember Nelson Mandela as the wonderful man and courageous leader who ended apartheid at home and changed the course of human history for all. Unbowed by racial animosity and decades behind bars, Nelson Mandela was a revolutionary force for nonviolence and justice,\u201d said Conyers.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI still remember the humble man that visited Detroit, just months following his release from prison, to organize for his political movement in South Africa and speak with Rosa Parks. And I will always treasure the memories I have, just four short years later, of the voyage I made with President Clinton and Harry Belafonte to attend Nelson Mandela\u2019s installation as President of South Africa.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhile we mourn his passage, we know that Madiba\u2019s legacy of fighting for freedom and independence will live on.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRep. Mandela Barnes\u2019 statement passing of Nelson Mandela\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMADISON\u2014Representative Barnes released the following statement today in recognition of the passing of Nelson Mandela:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday the world lost a hero, and a champion for equality and justice. His message of peace has not only forever changed South Africa, but enhanced world diplomacy, and been an inspiration for millions around the planet, including myself.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI want to extend my deepest condolences to Mandela\u2019s family, friends, and to the entire South African community. Though we\u2019ve known for some time that his health was fragile, nothing could have prepared us for the enormous loss the world has suffered today. The spirit of Nelson Mandela will live throughout the world for an eternity.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt wasn\u2019t until I was a young adult that I truly realized the significance of the namesake that my parents had given me. To this day, a particular quote of Mandela\u2019s continues gives me inspiration; \u2018It always seems impossible until it\u2019s done.\u2019\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tGwen Moore Mourns Nelson Mandela\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC (LINK) \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) released this statement after learning that Nelson Mandela had passed.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday we have lost a visionary leader and hero for human rights. Nelson Mandela broke the chains of oppression in South Africa and opened the hearts and minds of millions. His life\u2019s journey serves as an inspiration to all those who strive to create a more just world. He reaffirmed to all that hope and a steadfast dream of freedom will prevail over hatred and fear. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHis courage and strength freed a nation and reshaped our history. In 2005, I had the honor and blessing of meeting this remarkable man. It was a powerful moment that left an indelible mark.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThough no words can wholly console those who mourn, my thoughts and prayers go out to every person touched by his kind spirit and resolve. May his legacy live on today and always.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee on Nelson Mandela\u2019s Passing\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the passing of former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela:\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am deeply saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his friends, family, and the people of South Africa. His legacy will live on forever in how we live our lives and fight for freedom and justice in a multi-racial society. We must pause and remember Madiba in his greatness; he used his life not for himself, but for the good of his country and the good of the world, and his spirit will live on.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cEven throughout his 27 years of incarceration and brutal treatment, his spirit was never broken and this stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation. Not only is Nelson Mandela the father of the liberation movement in South Africa, but he also laid the framework for modern liberation movements throughout the world. With a dignified defiance, Nelson Mandela never compromised his political principles or the mission of the anti-apartheid movement, fighting the global AIDS pandemic, ending poverty and preserving human rights. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cDuring Mr. Mandela\u2019s trip to the United States in 1990, it was a great honor to be a member of the host committee that welcomed him to my district of Oakland, California. \u00a0One of my proudest moments as a member of Congress was when I led the effort to remove Mr. Mandela and the ANC from the U.S. Terrorist Watch list in time for his 90th birthday. \u00a0I served as an official election observer for the 1994 South African elections when President Mandela was first elected, and it was a magnificent reminder that perhaps one day my own country would elect an African American president.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMr. Mandela exuded a larger-than-life presence and a humble spirit that was remarkable; he is my hero and an inspiration to us all. While this earth will miss the physical presence of Nelson Mandela, his indomitable nature, his gentle spirit, and overwhelming smile will remain with us all. My heart is heavy as we mourn the loss and celebrate the life of this great warrior.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tNAACP Statement on Nelson Mandela\u2019s Passing\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t(Baltimore, MD) \u2013 The NAACP released the following statements following the death of Nelson Mandela:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRoslyn Brock, Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Honorable Nelson Mandela embodied the hopes, dreams, aspirations and values of all who seek justice against tremendous odds. He responded to unfathomable violence with peace and courage, and in doing so he forever changed the world.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDr. David Emmanuel Goatley, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the NAACP Board of Directors:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s legacy remains an inspiration for the work of the NAACP. In Mandela\u2019s name we must continue to bring attention to all aspects of global apartheid characterized by poverty, inequality, discrimination, and prejudice of all kind.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tBill Lucy, member of the NAACP National Board of Directors and labor leader:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe world has lost one of the great statesmen of our time \u2013 a man who spent 27 years in prison because he believed in the cause of equality. His loss should set an example for political leaders still here, that there is a need to lead and govern in a manner that is equitable to all people.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLorraine Miller, Interim NAACP President and CEO:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cPresident Mandela was humanity\u2019s greatest living hero. His unwavering sense of justice and peace transformed a nation and inspired the world.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLoss of Nelson Mandela felt in Milwaukee, worldwide\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tStatement of Alderman Joe Davis, Sr.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tDecember 5, 2013\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tAs Honorary Consul to the Republic of South Africa from the State of Wisconsin, I am deeply saddened to hear of President Nelson Mandela\u2019s passing today. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and I send my deepest regrets to the people of South Africa, who today lost their greatest leader.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tPresident Mandela was a man whose convictions were tested beyond the bounds of comprehension, and he emerged from his trials more resolute where lesser men\u2014many men\u2014would have given up hope. He was a shining example to us all, not only as an inspiring beacon of courage, but as a lesson in forgiveness as well. His like will not be seen again for some time, and he will be sorely missed.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0Rest in peace, Madiba.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tBy Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tToday, as we mourn the loss of of one of history\u2019s most transformational leaders, let us also pay tribute to his life and legacy. Let us dedicate ourselves to remembering his lessons and continue his efforts to spread Democracy, freedom and equality across the globe. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tNelson Mandela was a civil rights activist, teacher, freedom fighter, \u201cFather of the Nation,\u201d political prisoner, father, husband and an inspiration to the entire global community. He fought for Democracy, not only in his own home of South Africa, but across the world. He explained: \u201cTo be free is not merely to cast off one\u2019s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tYears after organizing against Apartheid in front of the South African Embassy in Washington, I first had the honor of meeting Mr. Mandela in 1993 when I escorted him to President Clinton\u2019s Inaugural event at the D.C. Armory. A year later, I went to South Africa to help train election workers and had the privilege of meeting him again. \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLike so many others fighting for progress, I have drawn inspiration from Nelson Mandela. He showed us that it was possible to create lasting change, peace and stability even in the most formidable circumstances. He was an advocate for the downtrodden and believed that, \u201cEducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tPresident Obama and the First Lady said it best, \u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s personal story is one of unbreakable will, unwavering integrity and abiding humility.\u201d He has, \u201cchanged the arc of history, transforming his country, continent and the world.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMadiba, today and forever, we will remember you \u2014 and your legacy will live on.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tHoyer Statement on the Passing of\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tFormer President Nelson Mandela\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa:\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThroughout his life, Nelson Rolihlahla \u00a0Mandela met the purveyors of injustice, intolerance, and racism with an unyielding determination to forge a better and fairer future for his beloved nation. \u00a0From joining the anti-apartheid movement, the African National Congress, and serving 27 years behind the bars of Robben Island as a political prisoner to his groundbreaking tenure in office and later advocacy on behalf of victims of HIV/AIDS, President Mandela stood ever firm for the principles of justice, democracy, equal rights, and peaceful co-existence. \u00a0Embracing a strategy of non-violent mass resistance, he helped ushered South Africa out from the shadows of apartheid into a new day of freedom, democracy, and hope.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHe will be missed not only by the people of South Africa, with whom I join in mourning their beloved Madiba, but by Americans of every color and faith, including the many who worked tirelessly from afar to call attention to the injustice and brutality of apartheid, to protest his unjust imprisonment, and to boycott the evil system he struggled to overturn. \u00a0President Mandela\u2019s legacy will be not only one of toppling apartheid but ensuring that it was replaced not by bitterness and division but by reconciliation and a shared commitment to the rights of all South Africans. \u00a0Our world will surely be a lesser one without President Mandela walking among us, but our future has been made ever greater by the legacy he leaves indelibly printed in our hearts.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tTo view this article online, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://higgins.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-presents-family-of-army-veteran-norman-blatner-with", "Congressman Higgins Presents Family of Army Veteran Norman Blatner With Bronze Star & Rare POW Medal", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Brian Higgins", "H001038", "higgins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "United States Army Corporal Norman Blatner was captured during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and held as a Prisoner of War during World War II but made it back to Western New York thanks to a brave escape and special encounter with a German prison guard.\u00a0 Today, Congressman Brian Higgins will be joined by North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt and others as he presents the Blatner family with the Bronze Star, Prisoner of War medal and other recognitions earned by Corporal Blatner for his service.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cCorporal Blatner\u2019s story is one of selfless service, unimaginable circumstances and an incredible Buffalo connection,\u201d said Congressman Higgins.\u00a0 \u201cIt is truly our honor to deliver these medals to the Blatner family on behalf of a grateful nation.\u201d\u00a0\n\u201cIt is great to see these medals delivered to the family of Corporal Norman Blatner for his service to our country,\u201d stated Mayor Ortt.\u00a0 \u201cWe should all be proud of all Western New York veterans.\u201d\u00a0\nNorman T. Blatner was born in 1915 and lived in Buffalo before entering active service in the United States Army on December 20, 1943.\u00a0 During WWII he served with Company D for the 112th Regiment, 28th Division and rose to the rank of Corporal.\nHis Company was involved in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.\u00a0 The terrain was difficult with steep hills and a dense mass of trees that limited visibility.\u00a0 Under intense fire, many were hit in their foxholes and it is believed over 130 men were captured in total, including Blatner.\u00a0\nBlatner was taken by his captors to Camp Stalag 2a in northern Germany and held as a prisoner of war for seven months from November 8, 1944 through June 8, 1945.\u00a0 The Camp, controlled by Nazi Germany, and outlying sub-camps held over 25,000 prisoners including 950 Americans.\u00a0 The conditions were very difficult, especially during those cold winter months.\u00a0 Food was hard to come by and prisoners were worked seven days a week.\u00a0\nBut an interesting connection between Private Blatner\u2019s family in Western New York and a German prison guard may have saved his life.\u00a0 The guard asked if he was related to the Blatners who owned Blatner\u2019s Delicatessen on Greenfield Street in Buffalo.\u00a0 Private Blatner confirmed the store was owned by his aunt and uncle.\u00a0 It just so happened that the guard and prisoner\u2019s family members were friends and the German guard\u2019s relatives recently visited Buffalo.\u00a0\nThe two never spoke again but after their encounter Private Blatner was transferred to a prison farm and provided with meager nourishment which got him through the next several months until his escape in June of 1945.\u00a0\nOn November 7 of 1945 Corporal Blatner was honorably discharged from the United States Army.\u00a0 When he returned home, Blatner married his wife of 71 years Theresa and they had three sons, William, Richard and Norman.\u00a0\nIn 1947 Blatner opened a Texaco service station at the corner of Michigan Ave and Best Street in Buffalo, which he operated for several years before he took on a new career in trucking.\u00a0 His son William later reopened Blatner\u2019s Auto, which is now located on Erie Street in North Tonawanda.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nCorporal Norman Blatner died on July 4, 2013, Independence Day, at the age of 97.\u00a0\nMr. Blatner\u2019s sons recently reached out to Congressman Higgins to request assistance with obtaining the military medals their father earned.\u00a0\n71 years and 3 days after Corporal Blatner began his active duty, Congressman Brian Higgins presented the Blatner family with a number of military commendations including:\n\u00a0\n The Bronze Star Medal,\n\tPOW Medal,\n\tGood Conduct Medal,\n\tAmerican Campaign Medal,\n\tEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars,\n\tWorld War II Victory Medal.\n\tCombat Infantryman Badge 1st Award,\n\tHonorable Service Lapel Button WWII, and\n\tMarksman Badge with Rifle Bar.\u00a0\n \u00a0\nThe Bronze Star Medal is awarded for meritorious service in a combat zone and the POW Medal is issued only to those who were taken prisoner and held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jacksonlee.house.gov//media-center/editorials/congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lees-2014-year-end-report", "Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's 2014 Year End Report", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sheila Jackson Lee", "J000032", "jacksonlee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends:\nAs the year 2014 comes to an end, I thought it might be helpful to provide you a brief summary of some of the many activities that I have been engaged in this year on behalf of the constituents of the 18th Congressional District of Texas. I am pleased to report that, working together, we have achieved a number of successes that have made, and are making, a positive difference in the lives of\u00a0 all persons residing in the congressional district in the following areas:\nProtecting Medicare and Social Security.\nDespite significant budgetary challenges and determined opposition, we were able to protect Social Security recipients from any cuts in their benefits. I also helped lead the effort in the Congress, working with the Administration, to provide needed funding to ensure that doctors are available to treat Medicare recipients. In addition, the Affordable Care Act, which I supported and fought to pass, closed the Medicare prescription drug \u201cdonut hole,\u201d and is saving seniors in the district on average $866 per person.\nExpanding Educational Opportunity.\nHigher education is a key that opens doors to opportunity. Congress has a duty to help make it accessible and affordable for more Americans. That is why I strongly supported and advocated successfully for the legislation signed into law by the President that lowers interest rates for nearly 11 million borrowers this year and saves them $25 billion in the next five years. I am also a co-sponsor of the \u201cBank on Students Emergency Refinancing Act,\u201d which would allow borrowers to refinance federal and private student loans to the lower rates that are currently available to new borrowers.\nProtecting the Right to Vote.\nThe right to vote, free from discrimination, is the most precious of all our rights. That is the reason why, as a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, I helped lead the successful fight in 2006 to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for an additional 25 years. But a year ago, the Supreme Court dealt a severe blow to the Voting Rights Act when it decided the case of Shelby County v. Holder, which invalidated a key section of the law and hampered the ability of the Justice Department to prevent violations of voting rights before they occur.\nIt is imperative that we remain vigilant and fight all efforts to abridge or suppress the voting rights of Americans. That is why I helped lead the effort to introduce and am one of 9 original co-sponsors of H.R. 3899, the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, legislation that repairs the damage done by the Supreme Court decision. Ensuring that this legislation is brought up for a vote and passed this year is one of my highest legislative priorities.\nHelping Children and Families. \nA child that is hungry is a child that struggles to learn or stay healthy. That is why I strongly opposed the reckless efforts of some in Congress last year to make deep cuts in child nutrition, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program. I am pleased to report that those efforts were abandoned this year and funding for these vital programs has received a significant increase.\nThe funding I supported and helped secure supports critical services like Houston\u2019s Summer Food Service Program, which served nutritious packed lunches from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and afternoon snacks from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. daily to youth aged 1-18 at 470 local sites from June 2 through August 15.\nCaring for Our Veterans.\nThe men and women of the Armed Forces who risked their lives to protect our freedoms deserve the thanks and appreciation of a grateful nation and that includes receiving the quality health care and benefits they have earned. They should not have to wait months for an appointment to see a doctor. That is why I strongly support H.R. 3230, the \u201cVeteran Access to Care Act of 2014,'' which will enable veterans facing long delays for doctor appointments at VA facilities go elsewhere and hold accountable those VA officials responsible for trying to conceal patient wait times. I also held a press conference after visiting the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Medical Center to meet with patients and medical staff and was gratified to learn that the veterans treated at the facility have not experienced the problems plaguing other VA facilities around the nation.\nIn addition to long wait times at VA facilities, many veterans face a number of other challenges, including homelessness, coping with PTSD, and finding suitable employment in the civilian job market. To address these problems, I was successful in passing legislation providing additional funding and resources targeted to helping homeless veterans secure housing and treating veterans suffering from PTSD in underserved urban and rural areas. I also introduced H.R. 4110, the \u201cTransitioning Heroes Act of 2014,\u201d which provides strong tax incentives for employers to hire, retain, and employ veterans in positions that take maximum advantage of their skills and experience.\nJackson Lee Bill Establishing George Thomas 'Mickey' Leland Post Office Building\" Signed Into Law by President Obama.\nAfter many years of effort, on September 8, 2014, I was able to secure passage of a bill (H.R. 78) designating the United States Postal Service facility located at 4110 Almeda Road in Houston, Texas, as the \"George Thomas 'Mickey' Leland Post Office Building.\" President Obama signed my legislation into law on December 16, 2014.\n\u201cMickey\u201d Leland was one of Houston\u2019s favorite sons and one of America's most effective advocates in combating hunger in the United States and throughout the world. During his six terms in the Congress, Mickey Leland focused much needed attention on issues of health and hunger and rallied support that resulted in both public and private action.\nMickey Leland's sensitivity to the immediate needs of poor and hungry people made him a spokesman for hungry people at home and abroad and prompted then-House Speaker Tip O'Neil to ask him to lead a bipartisan Congressional delegation to sub-Saharan Africa to assess famine conditions and relief requirements. When he returned, he assembled a broad-based coalition in support of the Africa Famine Relief and Recovery Act of 1985, which provided $800 million in food and humanitarian relief supplies.\u00a0\nMickey Leland also championed international human rights and was instrumental in securing passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, which imposed economic sanctions against South Africa and led to the abolition of apartheid.\nMickey died in an airplane crash while leading another humanitarian relief mission in 1989, to an isolated refugee camp, Fugnido, in Ethiopia, which sheltered thousands of unaccompanied children fleeing the civil conflict in neighboring Sudan. Mickey Leland.\nNaming this post office in honor of Mickey Leland -- a man who died as he had lived, on a mission seeking to help those most in need \u2013 is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary service rendered by an extraordinary public servant to the United States, the people of Texas, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District of Texas.\nReforming the Criminal Justice System.\nNo other country imprisons a larger percentage of its population, spends anywhere near the $6.5 billion that we spend annually on prison administration, or has sentencing policies that unfairly disadvantage African-American and Hispanic communities than the United States. Much of this overcrowding is the direct result of the unjust and discriminatory 100 to 1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine imposition of mandatory-minimum sentences in federal law. That is why I was pleased that my efforts to eliminate that disparity, beginning with the introduction of the \u201cDrug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007,\u201d led to the passage of the \u201cFair Sentencing Act of 2010\u201d\u00a0(P.L. 111-220), which finally ended the discriminatory 100:1 sentencing ratio.\nTo ensure that persons sentenced under the old unfair policies are treated fairly, I was successful in passing an amendment preserving the authority of President Obama and Attorney General Holder to grant petitions for executive clemency, or early release, for deserving inmates. To learn more about this program and its eligibility requirements, please contact my Houston office at (713) 655-0050 or visit my website at jacksonlee.house.gov/content/department-of-justices-announcement-on-clemency.\nIn recent months, the nation has been repeatedly shocked by the killings of unarmed African Americans, mainly young African American males, by persons claiming, despite substantial and credible evidence to the contrary, that the use of lethal force was justified.\nWe do not really know whether the recent deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of white police officers a new trend or merely a reflection of a long-standing status quo because the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports track justifiable police homicides but the statistics rely on voluntary reporting by local law-enforcement agencies and are incomplete. Circumstances of the deaths, and other information such as age and race, also are not required.\nThat is why I have authored the \u201cJustifiable Homicide Accuracy in Reporting Act\u201d or J-HAIR Act, which will enhance the collection and inclusion in the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) of data relating to law-enforcement involved justifiable homicides, including information relating to the facts and circumstances of each death, including the age, race, gender, religion, criminal history, if any, of the victim and demographic data relating to the officer involved in the homicide and other relevant information such as the number of prior officer involved shootings and uses of lethal force, number and disposition of citizen complaints (formal and informal) filed against the officer and the nature and description of any disciplinary actions taken against the officer.\nAdditionally, the events in Ferguson, Missouri has brought to light the troubling practice by many municipalities of using traffic fines and traffic court fees and costs as revenue generators. This practice has bred public cynicism and distrust of local law enforcement agencies in many areas and lessened public confidence that the laws are being enforced impartially and the criminal justice system is administered equally.\nLack of public confidence in the system, particularly by residents of minority communities, exacerbates already tense relations between law enforcement and community residents by incentivizing unnecessary traffic stops by police officers which too often result in the use of lethal force by them against unarmed and innocent persons and lead to public confrontations.\nTo address this problem, I recently introduced H.R. 5858, the \u201cBuild TRUST Act,\u201d which stands for \u201cBuilding Bridges and Transforming Resentment and Unfairness to Support and Trust for Municipal Law Enforcement.\u201d The Build TRUST Act aims to increase public confidence in local law enforcement by decreasing the excessive reliance by some local governments on traffic fines and court costs to generate revenue to fund government operations.\nMy Build TRUST Act addresses this problem by providing for a 75% reduction in the amount of DOJ grant funding that may be awarded to a unit of local government that funds an amount that is greater than 18 percent of its operating budget using revenue generated from collecting fines and other fees related to violations of traffic laws.\nAdditionally, the amount of the reduction would increase to 95 percent if, for the political subdivision involved, the variance in the racial composition of the local law enforcement agency and residents of the political subdivision exceeds 30 percent for any racial group.\nThe Build TRUST Act is not intended to punish or impose undue hardship on local governments but to discourage the adoption of practices that foster resentment and feed the perception that the law is being selectively enforced. For this reason, the Build Trust Act exempts any unit of local government serving a population of less than 15,000 persons and authorizes the Attorney General to grant requests for waivers to individual units of local government upon a showing of good cause.\nHelp for the Long-Term Unemployed.\nIt is immoral not to extend unemployment insurance for the 3.9 million unemployed jobhunters that rely upon these benefits to provide for their families. That is why I introduced legislation, H.R. 3773, \u201cUnemployed Jobhunters Protection and Assistance Act,\u201d which would have extended the program for an additional 12 months.\nProviding quality healthcare that is affordable, accessible to all Americans.\nBecause of the Affordable Care Act that I strongly supported and defended, there are in the 18th Congressional District:\n 121,000 individuals \u2013 including 23,000 children and 50,000 women \u2013 who now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible.\n\t46,000 children with preexisting health conditions who can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers.\n\t11,400 young adults who now have health insurance through their parents\u2019 plan.\n\t153,000 individuals who now have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.\n\t4,100 seniors have now received prescription drug discounts worth $5.4 million, an average discount of $600 per person in 2011, $650 in 2012, and $1,040 thus far in 2013.\n\t31,100 consumers have received rebates from insurance companies averaging $95 per family in 2012 and $187 per family in 2011.\n\tHealth centers have received more than $2 million to provide primary care, establish new sites, and renovate existing centers to expand access to quality health care.\n Breast Cancer Research.\nI believe it is critical that we increase our investment in research to treat and cure breast cancer, one of the major threats to women\u2019s health.\u00a0 That is why I am pleased to report that I was successful in adding an amendment to legislation passed by the House that increases funding for breast cancer research by $5 million.\nImmigration Reform.\nWhile much more must be done, progress is being made to reform our broken immigration system to make it more humane and efficient. Legislation I sponsored to secure our borders, H.R. 1417, the Border Security Results Act, has earned critical bipartisan support and has been joined as the anchor legislation to H.R. 15, a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill providing a path to earned citizenship. I remain committed to working to secure passage of comprehensive immigration reform during the next session of Congress. I have also introduced the \u201cJustice for Children Act,\u201d legislation that will authorize the immediate appointment of 70 new immigration judges to help reduce the immigration backlog,\nTransportation, Infrastructure, and Economic Development.\nI worked to secure $31.8 in federal funding for dredging of the Houston Shipping Channel, which will make the Port of Houston even more competitive and create jobs for our people. I also helped secure a $9,880,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the City of Houston for the George Bush International Airport to rehabilitate an apron which is needed in order to maintain structural integrity of the pavement surrounding the airport.\nI also introduced and passed through the House, on a vote of 400-0, H.R. 3202, the Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act (TWIC Act), which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program at enhancing security or reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels.\nFinally, I was successful in amending legislation to keep up the pressure in favor of providing funding for Houston METRO to plan and execute public transit projects that will solve transportation problems, create jobs, and spur economic growth and development.\nEmpowering Women\nI organized and hosted on March 18, 2014, an event in Houston, entitled \u201cWhen Women Succeed America Succeeds,\u201d which brought together House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and hundreds of women business, civic, educational, community, and governmental leaders to discuss the economic issues facing today's women, and a comprehensive strategy designed to meet the unique needs of women and their families.\nOn September 16, 2014, I convened a summit meeting in Washington D.C. with many of the First Ladies of the Houston area\u2019s prominent places of worship. The summit included important discussions on the subject of the Administration\u2019s \u201cMy Brothers\u2019 Keeper\u201d Initiative and human trafficking, issues that impact and imperil our Houston community and included a meeting in the White House with Valarie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama.\nPublic Safety and Protection of Children.\nThe need for sensible measures to reduce the incidence and severity of gun violence remains as great as ever. I have introduced the \u201cChild Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act,\u201d legislation requiring gun safety locks in any home where children are present. I have also introduced legislation (H.R. 2585) to help protect our children from bullying, whether in school on the playground, or on the internet. I also convened a Congressional District Commission on Youth Safety, which brought together civic, community, and faith leaders to develop local solutions and best practices to reduce violence and enhance the safety of our children.\nEnergy Independence and Jobs. \nAs the energy capital of America, a strong and vibrant energy industry is critical to the economy of Houston and our national security because and energy independent America is a safer America. And jobs in the energy sector pay well and support middle class families. For these reasons, I supported H.R. 4899, the \u201cLowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America that Works Act of 2014.\u201d \nTo ensure that economic benefits and opportunities in the energy sector are distributed fairly, I was able to amend this legislation to establish an Interior Department Office of Energy Employment and Training charged with working with minority-serving educational institutions and other to expand the numbers and diversity of persons from across the country with the skills and qualifications needed to take advantage of the exciting and rewarding opportunities the American energy industry has to offer and to keep America the world leader in emerging energy technologies.\nWhen fully implemented, the Jackson Lee Amendment will substantially increase the participation rates of veterans, women and minorities in the energy industry, particularly in the areas of senior management, contracting and procurement, and entrepreneurship.\nCombating Human Trafficking.\nHuman trafficking in humans, especially domestic child trafficking, has no place in a civilized society and those who commit this crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In March of this year, I arranged for the House Homeland Security Committee to hold a field hearing in Houston at which local and federal law enforcement, victim\u2019s rights advocates, and community leaders discussed solutions to reducing human trafficking crime. I also was successful in passing legislation providing additional funding to help law enforcement protect human trafficking victims and bring their captors to justice. In addition, I have introduced the Coordinated Assistance to \u201cCatch Human Traffickers Act\u201d (CATCH Act), legislation enabling local law enforcement agencies to share information and resources to catch more criminals.\nProtecting Your Right of Privacy.\nAmericans value their personal privacy, whether it is in the home or on the internet. That is why I was an original co-sponsor and helped lead the fight to pass the USA FREEDOM Act, which ensures the government cannot collect and retain records of Americans\u2019 telephone calls without authorization from a federal court. This law also includes my legislation, the Sunshine in the FISA Court Act, requiring the disclosure of any court decision affecting the right of privacy.\nGospel Heritage Month.\nSince 2008,\u00a0when legislation I introduced (H.Con. Res. 370) establishing Gospel Music Heritage Month, became law, each September has been devoted to the celebration of gospel music in the United States of America. The celebration has occurred at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and in Houston for the past 5 years. \u00a0\nAs you can see, the list of things that we have accomplished working together is quite long. But there is still much that remains to be done and I look forward to our continued partnership on issues of critical importance to the residents of the 18th Congressional District of Texas.\nIt is my honor to serve as your Congresswoman in Washington, D.C.\nVery truly yours,\nSheila Jackson Lee\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jacksonlee.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee-applauds-presidents-executive-order-0", "CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE APPLAUDS PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING WHITE HOUSE TASK FORCE ON 21ST CENTURY POLICING", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sheila Jackson Lee", "J000032", "jacksonlee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2014\n\u00a0\nWashington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior Member of the House Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland Security released the following statement today applauding the establishment of a White House Task Force on 21st Century Policing:\n\u201cI applaud the President for the executive order he issued today establishing a White House Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The recent tragedies in Ferguson, New York, and other cities has made clear the pressing need for innovative and thoughtful steps to enhance police training and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.\u00a0\n\u201cThe 11-member Task Force, co-chaired by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and George Mason University Professor and two-time former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Laurie Robinson includes law enforcement representatives, community leaders, academics, and youth leaders. The mandate of the Task Force is to examine, among other issues, how to strengthen public trust and foster strong relationships between local law enforcement and the communities that they protect.\n\u201cThis lack of public confidence in the system, particularly by residents of minority communities, has the potential for exacerbating already tense relations between law enforcement and community residents that could result in more public confrontations like those occurring recently in Ferguson, Missouri.\nOne area which the Task Force should examine is the efficacy of the growing trend of local units of government to use traffic fines and traffic court fees and costs as revenue generators. This practice is problematic because it breeds public cynicism and distrust of local law enforcement agencies, and lessens public confidence that the laws are being enforced impartially and the criminal justice system is administered equally.\n\u201cThat is why I have introduced and invite the Task Force to consider H.R. 5858, the\u00a0 \u201cBuilding Bridges and Transforming Resentment and Unfairness to Support and Trust for Municipal Law Enforcement\u201d or \u201cBuild TRUST Act,\u201d which addresses this problem by providing for a 75% reduction in the amount of DOJ grant funding that may be awarded to a unit of local government that funds an amount that is greater than 18 percent of its operating budget using revenue generated from collecting fines and other fees related to violations of traffic laws.\n\u201cAdditionally, the amount of the reduction would increase to 95 percent if, for the political subdivision involved, the variance in the racial composition of the local law enforcement agency and residents of the political subdivision exceeds 30 percent for any racial group.\n\u201cThe Build TRUST Act exempts any unit of local government serving a population of less than 15,000 persons and authorizes the Attorney General to grant requests for waivers to individual units of local government upon a showing of good cause. In short, the bill builds trust and mutual respect between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they protect by discouraging practices that undermine the strong public support law enforcement agencies need to fulfill their mission to serve and protect.\n\u201cI look forward to engaging with the members of the Task Force as it goes about its important work and to reviewing its interim and final reports to the President.\u201d\n###\nCongresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas\u2019s 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jacksonlee.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/shiloh-treatment-center-in-manvel-should-be-closed-by-hhs-for", "SHILOH TREATMENT CENTER IN MANVEL SHOULD BE CLOSED BY HHS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sheila Jackson Lee", "J000032", "jacksonlee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2014\n\u00a0\nWashington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Senior Member of the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees and Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Children\u2019s Caucus released the following statement today:\n\u201cI am appalled by record of abuse and mistreatment of children at the Shiloh Treatment Center in Manvel documented by the Houston Chronicle in an expose published December 19, 2014. The abuses documented in that report \u2013 ranging from physical violence, unreasonable and excessive use of physical restraints, administering emergency medications without notice to governmental authorities, and several deaths of minor children while in custody \u2013 is not reflective of the quality of care and support that should be provided to the at-risk children, including the dozens of unaccompanied immigrant children, committed to its care.\n\u201cBecause of these deficiencies I believe the time has come for the State of Texas to order the closure of the Shiloh Treatment Center. At a minimum, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should terminate immediately the contract awarded to Shiloh Treatment Center to provide shelter and treatment to unaccompanied children apprehended by the Border Patrol.\n\u201cOver many months, local government officials, non-profit organizations, and local charities that have a track record of serving vulnerable children have met and offered to make available to HHS facilities where unaccompanied children would be care for in a safe and supportive housing environment. I urge the State of Texas and HHS to explore this option as a viable alternative to continued reliance upon the Shiloh Treatment Center.\n\u201cAll vulnerable and at-risk children deserve housing and shelter that is safe and supportive. I thank my colleague Congressman Pete Olson for his oversight and commitment to the well-being of the children entrusted to Shiloh Treatment Center and look forward to working with him and others to ensure that the Office of Refugee Resettlement exercises proper oversight over the facilities sheltering unaccompanied children.\u201d\n###\nCongresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas\u2019s 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jacksonlee.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/statement-of-congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee-on-the-threats-of-violence", "Statement of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on the threats of violence and the killing of the two NYPD Officers", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sheila Jackson Lee", "J000032", "jacksonlee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 The threats against America\u2019s police forces should be taken seriously.\u00a0 We should be condemn any threats of violence and bring law enforcement, government officials and community leaders together to chart of a path forward. \u00a0\u00a0It is understandable that people are outraged with sadness over the execution of two NYPD officers by a crazed Ismaaiyl Brinsley.\u00a0 \u201cWe should all stand up against this violence and then further our discussions about the concerns of the protesters and establish a way to move forward. My sympathy goes out to the families of these officers and as a senior member of the House Committee on Judiciary, I look forward to working with law enforcement, government officials, and community leaders to make our communities safe for everyone.\u201d\nI applaud Suzan Johnson Cooke the former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom who appropriately indicated that these discussions should include religion and race. The Civil Rights Movement spoke about equal access and the right to vote.\u00a0 Now we must establish a movement that reaffirms our unity as Americans and the importance of a justice system based on truth and order\u00a0 and that ultimately puts an end to racial profiling and establish procedures that will enhance and affirm the important status of America\u2019s law enforcement.\u201d\n# # #\nCongresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas\u2019s 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://juliabrownley.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/brownley-statement-for-the-holidays", "BROWNLEY STATEMENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) issued the following statement for the holidays:\u00a0\n\u201cAs we gather with our families and friends to celebrate the holidays, let us thank the brave men and women in uniform for their valor and service. Our servicemembers are crucial to our community and are part of what makes Ventura County such a great place to live and work.\n\u201cAs the representative of the over 19,000 personnel who serve our country at Naval Base Ventura County \u2013 and a proud member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee \u2013 I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is serving in the armed forces for their selfless dedication to our country. They deserve our sincere gratitude for defending our country and our freedoms. Without their brave efforts, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy and often take for granted. Through their example, we remember that our nation is strongest when we work together to achieve common goals. And it is our solemn obligation to make sure that each servicemember and veteran receives all of the services and care they need when they return home.\n\u201cSo, from my family to yours, Happy Holidays and have a safe and healthy New Year.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kennedy.house.gov//media/in-the-news/boston-to-dc-flights-showcase-regions-power-players", "Boston-to-D.C. flights showcase region's power players", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Joseph Kennedy", "K000379", "kennedy.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "434 Cannon House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-helps-deliver-meals-on-wheels-to-seniors-during-visit-to-st", "Kuster Helps Deliver Meals on Wheels to Seniors during visit to St. Josephs Community Services", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Nashua, NH\u00a0\u2013 Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) visited St. Joseph\u2019s Community Services to help deliver meals to seniors in the area and learn more about their other programs. Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver meals to each senior\u2019s home, helping to ensure their safety and well-being. The visit also provided an opportunity for Congresswoman Kuster to hear about ways she can help support programs for seniors and hunger relief efforts at the federal level.\n\u201cIt is so inspiring to see the incredible work of the staff and volunteers at St. Joseph Community Services, as well as the positive impact it has for so many seniors in Nashua and the surrounding towns,\u201d said Congresswoman Kuster. \u201cFood insecurity can have devastating effects on our communities, and the Meals on Wheels program at St. Joseph\u2019s is crucial in ensuring our seniors stay healthy and happy. In Washington, I have worked to maintain federal funding for Meals on Wheels and will continue to advocate for hunger relief programs to protect the most vulnerable Granite Staters.\u201d\nKuster has been a strong supporter of federal efforts to support nutrition assistance and seniors programs, including the Meals on Wheels program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In October, she helped pass the Older Americans Act, which provides funding for Meals on Wheels, senior centers, caregiver support, and other services for the elderly. She also introduced the Wild Game Donation Act with Congressman Don Young (AK-AL), a bipartisan bill that would provide a tax credit to hunters who donate game to food charities. In 2013, Kuster successfully fought against dangerously high cuts to SNAP in the Farm Bill.\nSt. Joseph Community Services is a regional nonprofit that seeks to build independence for seniors through a range of programs, including nutrition assistance and support services. The organization was founded in 1977 and provides an average of 1,688 meals a day to local residents in Nashua and 30 other towns in southern New Hampshire.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://maloney.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/maloney-says-tria-should-be-first-order-of-business-for-114th-congress", "Maloney says TRIA should be first order of business for 114th Congress", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Carolyn Maloney", "M000087", "maloney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NEW YORK \u2013 Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today called on House leaders to make renewing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act the first order of business for the 114th Congress. The program promotes economic development by making terrorism insurance available and affordable, but Congress allowed the program to lapse by failing to pass a reauthorization bill before adjourning on December 16.\nIn her letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Maloney cited the economic risks to urban areas such as New York City, noting that the failure to extend the program will \u201ccause construction projects across the country to grind to a halt, putting thousands of jobs at risk.\u201d\nMaloney, a senior Democratic member of the House Financial Services Committee, was the lead Democratic cosponsor of the TRIA Reauthorization Act of 2013. The original TRIA program was created by Congress in 2002, extended for two additional years in 2005, and for seven additional years in 2007.\nTRIA has operated at no cost to taxpayers. RAND Corp. found that eliminating the program could increase federal spending by as much as $7 billion in the event of a major attack. Even in a worst-case scenario, the total exposure to taxpayers is predictable and limited, and any federal funds spent would ultimately be recouped.\nThe full text of Maloney\u2019s letter follows:\nDecember 22, 2014\nThe Honorable John Boehner \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Honorable Nancy Pelosi  \n\tSpeaker of the House of Representatives \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0House Democratic Leader  \n\tH-232, United States Capitol \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0H-204, United States Capitol  \n\tWashington, DC 20515 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Washington, DC 20515\nDear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi:\nI write to urge you to make the reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) the first order of business when the new Congress convenes on January 6, 2015.\nAs you know, the House and the Senate successfully negotiated a long-term reauthorization of TRIA that will ensure that terrorism risk insurance remains widely available and affordable, while also increasing taxpayer protections. Unfortunately, despite bipartisan, bicameral support for this compromise, a single Senator placed a hold on the bill due to concerns about provisions that were unrelated to TRIA, and Congress adjourned for the year without reauthorizing this vital program.\nAs a result, TRIA will expire on January 1, 2015. Because most insurers will not provide terrorism insurance without the government backstop that TRIA provides, many property owners will automatically lose their terrorism insurance on January 1st. This will cause construction projects across the country to grind to a halt, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Moreover, as banks typically require borrowers to maintain \u201call risk\u201d insurance policies when they finance a construction project, many property owners and other policyholders will thus default on their loans, causing untold \u2014 and completely unnecessary \u2014 damage to the credit markets.\nUnless Congress moves quickly to reauthorize TRIA, the damage to our economy will be severe and irreparable. In order to prevent this unnecessary economic damage, I urge you to bring the compromise legislation reauthorizing TRIA to the House floor immediately when the new Congress convenes in January.\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sincerely,\n\u00a0\n_______________________________  \n\tCarolyn B. Maloney  \n\tRanking Member  \n\tSubcommittee on Capital Markets and  \n\tGovernment Sponsored Enterprises", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikethompson.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/thompson-statement-on-irrigation-restriction-ruling-by-federal-appeals-court", "THOMPSON STATEMENT ON IRRIGATION RESTRICTION RULING BY FEDERAL APPEALS COURT", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) released the following statement after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court\u2019s 2011 ruling that said irrigation restrictions in California\u2019s Central Valley lacked sufficient scientific justification. In overturning the lower court\u2019s ruling, the circuit court upheld irrigation restrictions in the Central Valley that were created in 2009 after the National Marine Fisheries Service released a \u201cbiological opinion\u201d which found that Central Valley irrigation projects endangered steelhead and chinook salmon.\u00a0\n\u201cThe 9th Circuit\u2019s ruling in this case affirms that while Delta water is important for farmers in the Central Valley, it\u2019s also important for fish, wildlife and those who depend on the Delta for their drinking water and livelihoods. The Delta supports thousands of jobs in farming, fishing and tourism, and has an economic output of more than $4 billion a year. Neither the court, nor anyone else, should be in the business of picking winners and losers when it comes to our limited water supply. Instead, all decisions should be guided by the best available science \u2013 and the 9th Circuit let the best available science guide its decision making. I commend the ruling and look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, state leaders, and all stakeholders to find fair, science-based solutions to our water challenges.\u201d \n\u00a0\nCongressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. \u00a0He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/newsletters/happy-holidays", "Happy Holidays", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Sherrod Brown", "B000944", "www.brown.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tuesday, December 23, 2014\n\t\t\tConnie and I wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. As the year comes to a close and I reflect on my travels throughout Ohio, one common thread emerges: the compassion of Ohioans. Each week, I encounter Ohioans who volunteer to help others and improve their communities. Whether it\u2019s sending care packages to our brave service members and their families, or shoveling snow for an older neighbor, service helps to strengthen our communities and to spread cheer \u2013 during the holiday season and beyond. As 2014 comes to an end, I would like to thank you for the honor of representing you in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=bf28640c-b200-4c5f-a991-a0a5ebfded67", "Feinstein, Grassley Release Recommendations  for Combatting Afghan Drug Trade", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington\u2014U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today released a bipartisan report, \u201cFuture U.S. Counternarcotics Efforts in Afghanistan,\u201d which provides recommendations for Congress and the administration to counter illicit activities and corruption surrounding the Afghan drug trade.\r\n\r\nThe report\u2019s recommendations have also been endorsed by Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), James Risch (R-Idaho) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).\r\n\r\n\u201cThe Afghan drug trade funds the Taliban, fuels corruption and creates major public health challenges,\u201d said Senator Feinstein. \u201cAfghanistan could become a narco-state without an effective, comprehensive and coordinated counternarcotics strategy, coupled with unprecedented levels of international cooperation. If we don\u2019t act, Afghanistan\u2019s drug trade could undermine hard won gains and U.S. investments and threaten the safety of the citizens of Afghanistan and neighboring countries.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cOpium production in Afghanistan has rapidly increased as the U.S. military presence has been reduced,\u201d said Senator Grassley. \u201cOur report outlines the critical need for the Obama administration to put plans in place now to support continuing counternarcotics efforts without the current level of security provided by the United States. The administration should provide Congress with a comprehensive, multi-agency, workable strategy before any more gains made over the past 13 years are lost.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe report recommends that the United States:\r\n\r\n \r\nWork with the Afghan government to account for the inherent challenges that have previously stymied U.S. efforts to produce and implement a long-term, interagency counternarcotics strategy and develop goals and metrics to measure progress.\r\nEncourage additional countries to support counternarcotics programs in Afghanistan and provide resources to help better interdict narcotics leaving Afghanistan.\r\nStrengthen the rule of law in Afghanistan by developing an interagency anti-corruption strategy; providing training and support Afghan counternarcotics units vetted by the Drug Enforcement Agency; and expand the vetting process to include select members of the judicial sector.\r\nEnsure scarce resources are prioritized to support effective interdiction efforts over eradication and fund alternative livelihood programs that focus more intensely on non-farm income.\r\nContinue funding intelligence missions to disrupt drug-related criminal and insurgent activities, such the Afghan Threat Finance Cell.\r\nContinue implementing strategies and programs to prevent, reduce, and treat drug use in Afghanistan.\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-dan-kildee-suspension-amir-hekmati-s-hunger-strike-iran", "Statement by Congressman Dan Kildee on Suspension of Amir Hekmatis Hunger Strike in Iran", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) issued the following statement today after Amir Hekmati, his constituent who continues to be imprisoned in Iran on false charges, suspended his hunger strike:\nThe report that Iranian prison officials have agreed to further review Amir Hekmati's case and that he will suspend his hunger strike is a positive development. Many of Amir's Marine brethren, however, will continue the strike in an act of solidarity and support so that Amir does not have to. Amir has languished in Iran's Evin prison for over 1,000 days and it is time for him to be reunited with his family in Michigan. If Iran is serious about rejoining the global community, it can help create the trust necessary by releasing Amir. The American people, the service member and veterans' communities, and Congress are all watching Amir's case closely and looking forward to the day that Iran matches its words with action and returns Amir to his family.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gwenmoore.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2041", "Gwen Moore Calls for Justice Department Review of Milwaukee Police Procedures", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Gwen Moore", "M001160", "gwenmoore.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A thorough investigation of the Milwaukee Police Department would serve justice by ensuring that public faith is restored. I continue to speak to my constituents who are fearful and distrustful of the police and the criminal justice system following local, high profile cases, like the death of Derek Williams and the use of body cavity searches by Milwaukee police officers. Unfortunately, Milwaukee continues to see these incidents, which, along with national trends and incidents, are feeding the collective distrust between officers and citizens in Milwaukee. The implementation of policing best practices in Milwaukee would better protect both police and citizens.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n       Washington, DC  In response to concerns over Milwaukee Police procedures in the wake of the officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of Dontre Hamilton, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) sent the following letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division:  The Honorable James Santelle United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin U.S. Attorney's Office 530 Federal Building, 517 East Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202-4500  Re: U.S. Justice Department Review of Milwaukee Police Procedures  Dear Mr. Santelle,  I write to thank you for your decision to conduct an investigation of the officer-involved shooting death of Dontre Hamilton to determine if violations of federal civil rights law occurred. I would also urge the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division to simultaneously conduct a pattern and practice investigation of the Milwaukee Police Department.  A thorough investigation of the Milwaukee Police Department would serve justice by ensuring that public faith is restored. I continue to speak to my constituents who are fearful and distrustful of the police and the criminal justice system following local, high profile cases, like the death of Derek Williams and the use of body cavity searches by Milwaukee police officers. Unfortunately, Milwaukee continues to see these incidents, which, along with national trends and incidents, are feeding the collective distrust between officers and citizens in Milwaukee. The implementation of policing best practices in Milwaukee would better protect both police and citizens.  Police have a difficult responsibility, and I think that they deserve the best, most modern training. It is my hope that a review would help the process of community healing, so that citizens and police can build a constructive relationship going forward to address crime collectively. Thank you again for your assistance in this matter, and I look forward to working with you going forward.  Sincerely,  Gwen S. Moore (WI-4) MEMBER OF CONGRESS", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-statement-for-the-holidays/", "Brownley Statement for the Holidays", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Thousand Oaks, CA \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) issued the following statement for the holidays:\n\n\u201cAs we gather with our families and friends to celebrate the holidays, let us thank the brave men and women in uniform for their valor and service. Our servicemembers are crucial to our community and are part of what makes Ventura County such a great place to live and work.\n\n\u201cAs the representative of the over 19,000 personnel who serve our country at Naval Base Ventura County \u2013 and a proud member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee \u2013 I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is serving in the armed forces for their selfless dedication to our country. They deserve our sincere gratitude for defending our country and our freedoms. Without their brave efforts, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy and often take for granted. Through their example, we remember that our nation is strongest when we work together to achieve common goals. And it is our solemn obligation to make sure that each servicemember and veteran receives all of the services and care they need when they return home.\n\n\u201cSo, from my family to yours, Happy Holidays and have a safe and healthy New Year.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-lee-applauds-step-in-the-right-direction-but-remains-disappointed-by-msm-blood-donation-ban", "Congresswoman Lee Applauds Step in the Right Direction but Remains Disappointed by MSM Blood Donation Ban", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.14\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Lee Applauds Step in the Right Direction but Remains Disappointed by MSM Blood Donation Ban \n\t\t\tOakland, CA  Congresswoman Lee released this statement on news that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will recommend ending the lifetime blood donor deferral for MSM in favor of a one year deferral from last sexual contact:\r\n\r\nI am pleased to see the FDA take a step in the right direction by re-examining the outdated and discriminatory policy regarding blood donations from the MSM community.\r\n\r\nYet, I remain disappointed that their recommendation continues blood donation deferrals without scientific justification.\r\n\r\nBlood and blood products are critical to the treatment of many medical conditions and blood supplies are chronically low.\r\n\r\nOur policies towards blood donation should be based on science, not fear. Deferral policy should only be based on actual risk factors.\r\n\r\nI have called and will continue to call for a blood donation policy based on science, data and technical capacity.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee is a Vice Chair of the Equality Caucus, a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, and is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/welcoming-decision-lift-ban-blood-donation-gay-men", "Welcoming decision to lift ban on blood donation by gay men", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Chellie Pingree", "P000597", "pingree.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Chellie Pingree welcomed news today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will recommend an end to a decades-old ban on blood donation by gay and bisexual men. Pingree had asked the Obama Administration repeatedly, as recently as this month, to repeal the ban.\n\"This was a policy that should have been scrapped decades ago,\" Pingree said. \"It's an insult to gay and bisexual men, it has no public health value and has unnecessarily kept millions of potential blood donors from giving much-needed blood.\"\nThe FDA said today that it will recommend an end to the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood, but will recommend replacing it with a one-year ban after homosexual activity.\nIn a letter to a top Obama Administration official earlier this month, Pingree and Congressional colleagues argued for a risk-based assessment of blood donors, and not reject donors based solely on a sexual orientation label.\n\"A one-year deferral policy is a step forward,\" Pingree and her colleagues wrote. \"However, such a policy still prevents many low-risk individuals from donating blood. If we are serious about protecting and enhancing our nation's blood supply, we must embrace science and reject outdated stereotypes. As such, we urge you to implement a risk-based donation policy for men who have sex with men, rather than simply another arbitrary time-based deferral.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-on-fda-policy-change-to-blood-donor-deferral-policy", "Quigley Statement on FDA Policy Change to Blood Donor Deferral Policy for MSM", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CHICAGO  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) policy change of the blood donor deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) from lifetime ban to one-year deferral:  \n\t  \n\t\"Today's official policy change by the FDA on blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM) from a lifetime ban to one-year deferral is disappointing. A time-based deferral focusing solely on men who have sex with men is still discriminatory and fails to exclude donors based on actual risk factors. However, as the leader of the bipartisan, bicameral effort to reverse the FDA's discriminatory policy, I remain encouraged by this ongoing conversation to change the outdated policy. I will continue to fight for a deferral policy based on behavioral risks, commensurate with the rest of the population and based on sound science, bringing equality for the LGBT community while still protecting the U.S. blood supply.\"  \n\t  \n\tThe previous lifetime ban on MSM donating blood was put in place during the rise of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, but is no longer scientifically justified with current blood screening technology. In 2010, the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood & Tissue Safety & Availability (ACBTSA) found the ban to be suboptimal and asked for re-evaluation of this policy. In response to a letter from legislators in 2013, HHS indicated that the Department will finish deliberations on a policy change to the blood ban by the end of 2014.\nIn 2013, the American Medical Association (AMA) passed a resolution opposing the current lifetime ban as discriminatory and not based on sound science. Instead, the AMA supports new donation deferral policies that are based on an individual's level of risk. The blood banking community, including the American Red Cross and America's Blood Centers, has also long-supported a change in policy.\nMost recently, Rep. Quigley led a bipartisan, bicameral push, urging HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell to reevaluate the current discriminatory, inconsistent blood, organ and tissue donation policies for MSM. Previously, he worked with then-Senator John Kerry to urge HHS to examine alternative blood donor deferral criteria and has long believed the policy should match modern science and reflect risky behavior rather than sexual orientation. He is a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus and a tireless advocate for the LGBT community.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1379", "Tsongas statement on FDA lifting the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Niki Tsongas", "T000465", "tsongas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOWELL - Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) released the following statement regarding the announcement today from the FDA that they will lift the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men.\r\n\r\n\t\"This past month, I joined dozens of my colleagues in a letter sent to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services urging them to lift the longtime ban on blood donations by gay men. I have always felt that this archaic policy is not only out-of-touch with the years of medical and technological advancements that have made the policy obsolete, but it is contrary to the fight for LGBT equality. Today there was welcome news out of the FDA, as they announced they will lift the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men. This change is long overdue.\r\n\r\n\t\"But while I am encouraged about the lifting of the lifetime ban, the FDA kept in place a block on donations by men who have had sex with other men in the last 12 months. With that ban still in place, there remains a sizeable pool of donors that will continue to be prevented from donating blood. This is a sign of progress and a step in the right direction but is not a comprehensive solution.\r\n\r\n\t\"More than 30 years ago, my husband Paul began fighting to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I agreed with him then and I feel just as strongly about championing similar measures today.\u00a0 I am proud to continue the fight to further our shared goal of equality and civil rights.\"\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/blog/madeinwi-gift-guide", "#MadeInWI Gift Guide", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tuesday, December 23, 2014\n\t\t\t\t#MadeInWI Gift Guide\n\t\t\t\t\n                 \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t            \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t  \t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOur #MadeInWI economy is home to small businesses that are creating jobs, driving growth and making some great gifts for this holiday season.\r\nCheck out the highlights of some great #MadeInWI gift ideas to spread holiday cheer and drive our economy forward.\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\n                    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n                    \n                    \n                 \t\n                    \n                    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=C9BD5587-9EA0-C401-94A3-112A05207815", "Bennet, Hickenlooper Urge President to Take Action on Browns Canyon", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. - Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and Governor John Hickenlooper sent a letter to President Obama asking him to designate Brown's Canyon as a National Monument under the Antiquities Act to protect the invaluable economic and natural resource for Chaffee County and the State. They urged the President to protect current uses, including grazing rights, if he takes action. The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows the President to preserve valuable and historic sites as national monuments and has been used by 16 presidents.\nIn the letter to President Obama, Bennet and Hickenlooper wrote:\n \n\"We appreciate that the Administration recently sent several officials to Salida, Colorado, to gauge support for the proposal. Based on the sentiments expressed at the meeting, coupled with impressive attendance, it is clear that the local community and Coloradans across the state support an Antiquities Act designation.  We would like to add our voices to the community's sentiment, and hope we can work with the Administration and the state of Colorado as a cooperating agency, to construct a management plan for the area that protects the values of this incredible area while preserving existing uses within the Monument.\"\n \nBennet was a cosponsor of The Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Act of 2013, originally introduced by Colorado U.S. Senator Mark Udall, to designate 22,000 acres along the Arkansas River as a national monument to preserve the pristine wilderness area and ensure recreational access for years to come. The Arkansas River is particularly popular for whitewater rafters, representing almost 40 percent of all rafting in Colorado. According to a recent study by the Colorado River Outfitters Association, commercial rafting brought in roughly $141 million for the state in 2013, $55 million alone coming from rafting on the Arkansas River.\nThroughout his time in the Senate, Bennet has been a leader in preserving Colorado's open spaces.  His bill to protect more than 100,000 acres of Hermosa Creek Watershed in the San Juan National Forest was recently signed into law after years of community-driven efforts.  He also fought to secure the designation of Chimney Rock in southwestern Colorado as a national monument in 2012 and to preserve the Thompson Divide area on the Western Slope.\nFull Text of the Letter is Below:\nThe Honorable Barack Obama   President  The White House  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nWe write to request that you use your authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Colorado's Browns Canyon as a National Monument.  We appreciate that the Administration recently sent several officials to Salida, Colorado, to gauge support for the proposal.  Based on the sentiments expressed at the meeting, coupled with impressive attendance, it is clear that the local community and Coloradans across the state support an Antiquities Act designation.  We would like to add our voices to the community's sentiment, and hope we can work with the Administration and the state of Colorado as a cooperating agency, to construct a management plan for the area that protects the values of this incredible area while preserving existing uses within the Monument.  A Browns Canyon National Monument would ensure permanent protection and commemoration of a rare and ecologically valuable landscape.  The designation would serve to both highlight and protect this valuable resource.\nIn addition to recreation and tourism as key economic drivers in the Upper Arkansas Valley and the Browns Canyon area, the valley's rich agricultural heritage is equally essential to its unique character.  A management plan for the monument should ensure that these values - as identified and supported in the \"Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Act of 2013\" - are protected and maintained. We would like to ensure that the partnership between the state and federal government on managing recreation in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is maintained in any final management plan. Our conversations with local ranchers have also identified key management practices that would protect the community's agricultural tradition, such as providing for the transferability of existing permits to future generations and landowners; using the best available science to determine livestock allocations; continuing reasonable and historic motorized access for maintenance and improvements of permit areas, water rights and relevant structures; and promoting weed control to prevent the spread of invasive species within and surrounding the Monument.  We expect that such practices would be permitted within the Browns Canyon National Monument.\nWe support a Browns Canyon National Monument that boosts the local economy and protects the landscape while providing long-term certainty for existing uses.  We encourage you to move swiftly to designate such a Monument.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-ends-2014-with-major-accomplishments-on-behalf-of-pennsylvanians", "Casey Ends 2014 with Major Accomplishments on Behalf of Pennsylvanians", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Amid partisan gridlock, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) ended 2014 with significant accomplishments on behalf of Pennsylvanians. Casey secured passage of a landmark law to help the families of children with disabilities save for their long term care through tax-advantaged, 529-style savings accounts. Casey successfully pushed into law measures that bolstered children\u2019s hospitals throughout the state, improved the emergency medical services that are provided to children and strengthened programs to support individuals living with traumatic brain injuries. Casey successfully urged the Obama Administration to invest in job creating projects throughout Pennsylvania. Casey pressed for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, for justice for coal miners being denied black lung claims and for improvements to the ways colleges are required to report instances of sexual violence on campus. \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0Casey\u2019s ABLE Act Now Law\r\n\u00a0Since 2009, Senator Casey has championed the ABLE Act, which creates tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. On December 16, 2014, the Senate passed the ABLE Act (76-16) into law, following action by the House of Representatives (404-17) earlier in the month. With its passage, millions of Americans will be able to save for their futures, creating peace of mind for individuals and families across the Nation.\r\nCasey\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital Graduate Medical Education Support Reauthorization Act Now Law \r\n\u00a0The Children\u2019s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program provides freestanding children\u2019s hospitals with federal graduate medical education (GME) support similar to the funding that other teaching hospitals receive through Medicare. Casey\u2019s bill reauthorized the program for five years at $300 million a year.\u00a0 The legislation also makes important changes to the program by giving the Secretary authority to include in the program a small number of freestanding children\u2019s hospitals who have been ineligible to participate in the past for technical reasons.\u00a0 The bill allows the Secretary to use a portion of the funds appropriated over $245 million for these children\u2019s hospitals that train pediatric providers and meet the same general qualifications as existing participants but currently do not qualify for Medicare GME or CHGME. The amount of this pool in a given year would be 25% of enacted CHGME funding over $245 million, up to a maximum of $7 million, and hospitals would have to undergo a normal application process. Three Pennsylvania hospitals receive funding through this program.\u00a0\r\nCasey\u2019s Emergency Medical Service for Children Act Now Law \r\nPediatric patients have important physical, developmental, and mental differences from adults.\u00a0 From smaller-sized medical equipment to different dosage requirements for medicine, the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program helps medical professionals meet the unique needs of pediatric patients and provide state of the art emergency medical care for ill and injured children and adolescents.\u00a0 Since the program was created in 1984, pediatric injury-related death rates have been reduced by more than 40 percent.\u00a0\r\nThere are approximately 26,000,000 child and adolescent visits to the Nation\u2019s emergency departments each year.\u00a0 Approximately 90 percent of children requiring emergency care are seen in general hospitals, not in free standing children\u2019s hospitals, with one-quarter to one-third of the patients being seen in hospitals with no separate pediatric ward.\r\nCasey Bill on Traumatic Brain Injuries Now Law\r\nThe Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014 (S. 2539) reauthorized the Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury program and the National Program for Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registries. The prevention program funds educational programs and materials for health departments, community-based organizations, parents, teachers and coaches; and research into effective prevention strategies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also conducts surveillance work to identify TBI rates of death and rates of hospitalization, and is working to develop pediatric mild TBI guidelines.\r\nS 2539 also reauthorizes the following two grant programs:\r\n \r\nThe State Implementation Partnership Grants fund the development and implementation of statewide systems that ensure access to comprehensive and coordinated TBI services. Since FY 1997, 48 States, 2 Territories and the District of Columbia have received funding under the TBI State Grant Program. There are 20 states currently funded under the TBI State Grant Program with an average grant of $250,000.\r\nThe Protection and Advocacy Grant Program for Individuals with TBI funds 57 states and territories with an average grant amount of $50,000 to prevent abuse and neglect and safeguard the well-being of individuals with TBI living in institutions, nursing homes, jails and prisons and community-based settings. All P&A agencies monitor, investigate, and attempt to remedy adverse conditions in public and private facilities.\r\nS. 2539 also required HHS to develop a Traumatic Brain Injury Coordination Plan, for federal activities with respect to TBI, which shall review existing interagency coordination and identify areas for improvement. Finally, the law requires CDC to conduct a review of the scientific evidence relating to brain injury management in children, identifying ongoing and potential further opportunities for research, and provide to Congress the results of this review within two years.\r\n \r\nInvesting in PA\r\nWestern Pennsylvania\u2019s job-creating waterways infrastructure will see upgrades that have been sought for decades thanks to measures Casey passed in two separate bills: The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and the end of year tax extenders bill. Additionally the effort to bolster job creation in Southeastern Pennsylvania through the deepening of the Delaware River received significant support following Casey efforts. \u00a0\r\nWater Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)\r\n \r\nThe final version of WRRDA that was signed into law contained four major pieces of Senator Casey\u2019s RIVER Act:\r\n \r\n \r\nOlmsted Federalization: Permanent Cost-Sharing for the remaining cost of the Olmsted project will be 85% General Fund, 15% Inland Waterways Trust Fund.\r\nDefinition of Major Rehabilitation: increased from current law level of $14 million to $20 million and adjusted annually for inflation.\r\nPrioritization of Projects: This will ensure projects are prioritized based upon risk of failure and economic benefit to the Nation\r\nProject Delivery: New reforms to achieve on-time and on-budget performance.\r\n \r\n \r\nWith the Olmsted cost-share adjustment, it is estimated over $124 million will be freed up for the Lower Mon and other priority projects.\r\nPennsylvania\u2019s locks and dams play a vital role in creating and sustaining jobs and supporting economic growth throughout the country. In Southwestern Pennsylvania alone, over 200,000 jobs rely on the proper functioning of the region\u2019s inland waterways system\r\n \r\nInland Waterways User Fee\r\n \r\nSenator Casey\u2019s bill to increase the inland waterways user fee from 20 cents to 29 cents per gallon was included in the Tax Extenders package which passed into law by a vote of 76 to 16.\r\nThis increase will be matched by general treasury funds and will add an additional estimated $60-80 million annually for lock and dam projects in western Pennsylvania and across the country.\r\nWith a more reliable funding stream the cost for these projects will also be lower, saving taxpayers money.\r\n \r\nDelaware Deepening Project\r\n \r\nSince he has come to the Senate, Senator Casey has helped to secure over $125 million for the project through appropriations. \u00a0\r\nSenator Casey advocated for inclusion of this project in the President\u2019s FY 2015 budget. It received $35 million in the omnibus which represented a significant increase from the $20 million level in FY 2014. The project is over 60% percent complete as of December 2014.\r\nVice President Biden came to visit the project and tour a dredge at Senator Casey\u2019s invitation. During the visit, the Vice President expressed support for completing the project as quickly as possible.\r\nOnce the channel is deepened to forty-five feet, there will be an increase of 2.5 million tons of cargo annually to the Port of Philadelphia, which will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in addition to providing short term jobs in the construction industry which has been hard hit in this economy.\r\n \r\nHelping PA Small Businesses and Fighting for His Constituents \r\nTax Relief for Small Businesses\r\n \r\nSenator Casey has led efforts on the Senate Finance Committee to provide small businesses with tax relief that will allow them to grow their businesses and create jobs.\r\nSenator Casey is the Senate champion for legislation making permanent 15-year depreciation schedule for restaurants and retail establishments, thereby allowing these businesses certainty that they can update their facilities on a reasonable timeline.\r\nSenator Casey also introduced the Small Business tax Certainty and Growth Act, which would permanently extend Section 179 expensing, extend 15-yr depreciation and bonus depreciation by one year, double the cash accounting threshold and increase the start-up deduction.\r\nLegislation extending Section 179, 15-year depreciation and bonus depreciation was passed by Congress in December 2014.\r\n \r\nPreventing Access to Social Security Benefits for War Criminals\r\n \r\nSenator Casey led efforts in the Senate to close a loophole that allowed Nazi war criminals to receive Social Security benefits.\r\nThe Senate passed legislation closing the loophole on December 4, 2014.\u00a0\r\n \r\nNational Guard Counterdrug Centers\r\n \r\nSenator Casey has been a longtime advocate for the National Guard\u2019s Counterdrug Training Centers.\u00a0 He visited the center in Ft. Indiantown Gap in October 2014 and led his colleagues in two bipartisan letters, one to Secretary Hagel and one to the Armed Services Committee leadership, arguing for continued funding of the Centers.\r\nIn July 2014, Senator Casey introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Defense Department to identify a sustainable funding solution for the Centers.\u00a0\r\nThe final NDAA report includes the following language that supports the National Guard counterdrug effort: \u201cWe note the role of the National Guard Counter-drug mission in ensuring the security of the U.S. Homeland. As part of that mission, the National Guard Counter-drug Schools continue to play an important role in training and educating local, state, and federal law enforcement and other entities on counter-drug-related matters. We recognize the benefits of maintaining and supporting the National Guard counterdrug strategy.\u201d\r\n \r\n\u00a0Combatting Hunger for Vulnerable Children \r\n \r\nSenator Casey\u2019s support for The Emergency Feeding Assistance Program (TEFAP), which assists food banks in providing food to people in need, garnered $250 million in additional funding for the program.\u00a0\r\nSenator Casey helped to authorize a Healthy Food Financing Initiative in the Farm Bill, which will help improve access to healthy foods year round, across the nation in underserved areas; and would revitalize communities by developing and renovating stores, generate local tax revenue, create and retain jobs, and bring development to low-income neighborhoods.\r\n \r\nFighting for Justice for PA Coal Miners \u00a0\r\n \r\nFollowing a groundbreaking investigation by leading news organizations into the processing of black lung claims, Casey chaired a hearing to explore the challenges that former coal miners have with this backlogged and broken system. Senator Casey also sent a letter to the Administration calling for additional resources to combat the claims backlog which has left some Pennsylvania residents waiting years for the benefits they desperately need and are owed.\r\nCasey introduced legislation proposing sweeping reforms to the federal program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease to give miners better access to the benefits they deserve.\r\n \r\nCombatting Sexual Violence on College Campuses \u00a0\r\n \r\nThis year the Obama Administration wrote regulations to strengthen reporting standards on college campuses so that instances of sexual violence are reported in a uniform manner and victims are provided with appropriate support. The Administration\u2019s efforts largely emanate from Casey\u2019s Campus SaVE Act which was passed into law as part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.\r\n \r\nForeign Policy\r\nPress Freedom Resolution\r\n \r\nSenator Casey introduced S.Res.447, a resolution on global press World Press Freedom Resolution, with Senator Rubio on May 15. It passed the Senate unanimously on July 8.\r\nThe resolution recognizes the dangers that reporters face and reaffirms freedom of the press as a priority for the U.S. government.\r\nIn 2014, Senator Casey wrote three letters to Secretary Kerry on various press freedom issues, including the ongoing detention of American journalist Jason Rezaian in Iran.\r\n \r\nAdvancing Women\u2019s Rights and Empowerment in Afghanistan \r\n \r\nSenator Casey was invited to deliver keynote remarks at the Oslo Symposium on Women\u2019s Rights and Empowerment in Afghanistan on November 23. He emphasized that the rights of Afghan women and girls must be non-negotiable during this critical transition period in Afghanistan.\u00a0\r\nAt the Symposium, Senator Casey met with Afghanistan\u2019s First Lady, Rula Ghani, and other Afghan women leaders to discuss the challenges they are facing.\r\nMuch of the language from Senator Casey\u2019s amendment to promote the safety, security, and rights of Afghanistan\u2019s women and children was included in the final NDAA, especially the section about how the FY14 $25 million carve-out in the Afghan Security Forces Fund should be used to promote the recruitment and retention of women in the ANSF.\r\nThe three key provisions in the NDAA include: prioritize the recruitment and retention of women in the Afghan National Security Forces; support police units that are specially trained to work with female or adolescent victims; ensure the adequate staffing of polling stations by female officers.\r\n \r\nFighting for PA Veterans\r\n21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act and Report\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe 21st Century Veterans Benefits Reform Act was introduced on March 6, 2014 along with the release of the report.\r\nThe report and bill includes three initiatives to make the necessary policy changes to reduce the backlog of veterans\u2019 disability claims. The three main provisions: improving the claims submission process, improve VA Regional Office Practices, requiring the federal government, across-the-board, to make Veteran benefits claims a priority.\r\n \r\nSenate Veterans Backlog Working Group\u00a0\r\n \r\nSenator Casey convened the Veterans Backlog Working Group with Senator Heller on September 9, 2014 to bring the issue of reducing the benefits claims backlog back to the forefront and stressing the importance of the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act.\r\nThe attendees included Senators Blumenthal, Walsh, and Toomey. The VA was represented by Beth McCoy, the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Field Operations for the Veterans Benefits Administration and Dave McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance. Most major accredited Veterans Service Organizations were also in attendance, including: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, and the American Federation of Government Employees.\r\n \r\nCasey-Heller Letter to Veterans Affairs Committee on the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act\r\n \r\nOn November 10, 2014, Senator Casey sent a letter with Senator Heller to the Veterans Affairs Committee urging the Committee to hold a hearing on the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act\r\n \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2cf1fb09-39ef-457b-ad70-41206cd4b168", "Heitkamp Presses Air Force on Keeping Commitments to General Aviation & Businesses", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today pressed the U.S. Air Force to improve its plan for the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC) airspace so it better addresses the concerns of local communities and businesses.\r\nThese improvements will help the Air Force keep the commitments it has made to protect the commercial and safety interests of surrounding communities and local aviators.\r\nHeitkamp called on the Air Force to provide better and more information to general aviators, and to make sure aviators, as well as businesses which use the airspace and impacted medical facilities, have direct access to real-time information about Powder River activity.\r\nMaking sure our aviators, as well as local airports, businesses, and hospitals have a direct line to Air Force operations for Powder River is absolutely critical, said Heitkamp. While Im encouraged by the Air Forces commitment to heeding the economic concerns of surrounding communities, we must make sure aviators and businesses can easily access the information they need and get their questions answered. Thats why Im asking the Air Force to take additional steps to make sure it is proactively working with these groups, and remedying their concerns. If the Air Force falls short of its commitments, businesses and livelihoods could be threatened  and thats unacceptable. Ill continue working together with the Air Force, the Federal Aviation Administration, and our local towns and businesses to strike the right balance between strengthening our national security and allowing our regional businesses to flourish.\r\nHeitkamp is calling on the Air Force to make important improvements and provide additional details on its plans to heed the concerns of local pilots, airports, businesses and hospitals. Heitkamp is calling on the Air Force to:\r\n \r\nBetter communicate with general aviation, including pilots and businesses. The Air Force needs to proactively reach out to pilots and businesses so they have direct access up-to-the-minute information on Powder River activity, and can get their questions answered without having to go through unneeded bureaucracy.\r\n \r\n \r\nAddress airspace for non-emergency medical flights. The Air Force already has a plan in place to help emergency medical flights quickly exit the region, but it must also reach out to medical facilities throughout the four-state region and prioritize access for non-emergency medical flights that transport doctors to rural hospitals to make sure access to care is not negatively impacted.\r\n \r\n \r\nImprove flexibility for local businesses. Any Memos of Understanding with area businesses must contain sufficient flexibility to allow regional businesses using airspace to adapt to changing situations, such as weather. The Air Force must also proactively reach out to Bowman Airport officials to make sure its overall plan contains sufficient flexibility to allow for the expansion of the facility.\r\n \r\nClick here to read Heitkamps letter from December 23 to U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=52955af3-755b-4b8b-8c65-2e54a2a0db30", "Heitkamp Offers Christmas Message to North Dakotans", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BISMARCK, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today offered the following Christmas message to North Dakotans:\r\nAs families travel from far and wide to come together around this time of year, I hope you also take a moment to think about those who dont have a place to go, are struggling to make ends meet, or are dealing with the heartbreak of losing loved ones. As North Dakotans, we know that times can sometimes be tough. We have faced severe winters, crop losses, and economic stresses. But we also know the importance of resilience  because we always come out on top. But we cant do it alone. We need the support of our family, friends, neighbors, and others in our communities. We are a people that put aside our differences and help each other  in good times and bad. The holiday season is a particular reminder of that ethic and of why we are proud to be North Dakotans.\r\nThis season, and throughout the entire year, I encourage all North Dakotans to put this spirit into action. Whether its visiting folks at your local senior center, volunteering your time and energy at a food bank or homeless shelter, giving a gift for an Angel Tree, or donating some of the clothes you no longer wear, there are countless ways to give back to your community. I know many of us can be incredibly busy with our day-to-day lives. But we cant ever forget to press pause and lend a hand to our neighbors in need. Its the North Dakota way. God Bless and Merry Christmas.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-weighs-in-on-national-strategy-to-prevent-opioid-abuse", "Kaine Weighs In On National Strategy To Prevent Opioid Abuse", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kaine Weighs In On National Strategy To Prevent Opioid Abuse\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 23, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined 20 of his colleagues to write a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Mathews Burwell on the national strategy to address opioid abuse being developed by HHS. In the letter, Kaine and his colleagues urged HHS to focus on overdose education, access to substance abuse treatment services, and the distribution of naloxone, an antidote that stops the effects of an opioid overdose for a short period of time. Specifically, they encouraged HHS to expand surveillance and data collection around opioid abuse and include innovative ways to integrate naloxone into the health care delivery system. \u00a0\r\n\u201cGiven our shared concern about the growing rate of overdose deaths associated with heroin and prescription painkillers, we urge HHS to ensure that overdose prevention, specifically through the use of naloxone and other similarly effective drugs, figures prominently in the 2015 National Drug Control Strategy, as well as the Administration\u2019s Fiscal Year 2016 budget proposal,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cDespite the life-saving capabilities of naloxone, its use in overdose prevention is not widespread.\u00a0 A comprehensive plan for reducing overdose deaths should include adequate financial assistance for state and local governments, as well as community organizations, to purchase and distribute naloxone to first responders, law enforcement officials, medical facilities, and members of at-risk individuals\u2019 communities.\u201d \u00a0\r\nThis summer, Kaine participated in a Project REVIVE training session\u00a0in Lebanon, where he and other participants learned how to administer naloxone. He also recently visited Richmond-based pharmaceutical company Kal\u00e9o, which received FDA approval for its new naloxone auto-injector delivery system\u00a0 EVZIO\u2122.\u00a0 Kaine co-sponsored the\u00a0Opioid Overdose Reduction Act bipartisan \u201cGood Samaritan\u201d legislation that would protect individuals from civil liability who prescribe naloxone.\r\nIn June, Kaine joined 11 members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation to\u00a0call on Governor McAuliffe\u00a0to establish a statewide task force to address the growing heroin epidemic in Virginia. Governor McAuliffe answered their call by forming a task force in September. Kaine has also raised concerns over drug abuse in Virginia\u00a0with White House Drug Policy Acting Director Michael Botticelli\u00a0and\u00a0in a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, which focused on the recent FDA approval of Zohydro ER and how it could potentially heighten the public health risk of opioid abuse in Virginia.\r\n\u00a0\r\nFull text of the letter can be found below:\r\nThe Honorable Sylvia Mathews Burwell\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services\r\n200 Independence Avenue, SW\r\nWashington, DC 20201\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Burwell:\r\nWe commend the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its commitment to develop a multi-pronged national strategy aimed at preventing opioid abuse.\u00a0 Given our shared concern about the growing rate of overdose deaths associated with heroin and prescription painkillers, we urge HHS to ensure that overdose prevention, specifically through the use of naloxone and other similarly effective drugs, figures prominently in the 2015 National Drug Control Strategy, as well as the Administration\u2019s Fiscal Year 2016 budget proposal.\u00a0 We look forward to a strong focus on overdose education, naloxone distribution, and access to substance abuse treatment services and other follow-up care.\r\nDespite the life-saving capabilities of naloxone, its use in overdose prevention is not widespread.\u00a0 A comprehensive plan for reducing overdose deaths should include adequate financial assistance for state and local governments, as well as community organizations, to purchase and distribute naloxone to first responders, law enforcement officials, medical facilities, and members of at-risk individuals\u2019 communities.\u00a0\u00a0 We know that expanding naloxone access to a broader population can reverse drug overdoses and save lives, particularly when accompanied by education and training in overdose prevention and naloxone use. \u00a0\u00a0\r\nIn addition, we encourage HHS to expand surveillance and data collection around opioid abuse and best practices in the field.\u00a0 Most programs at the federal level focus on prescription drug misuse, abuse, and diversion.\u00a0\u00a0 The national strategy HHS is developing should shift that focus to better understand how local efforts \u2013 and federal programs and policies \u2013 can prevent these unnecessary opioid overdose deaths and it is our hope that the FY2016 budget will support those efforts. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe plan should also include innovative ways to integrate naloxone into the health care delivery system.\u00a0 For example, HHS could establish best practices for co-prescribing naloxone with opioids for high-risk populations and ensure Medicaid coverage for all forms of naloxone.\u00a0 Another component of the plan should address recent price increases for commonly used formulations of naloxone by seeking to secure stable and affordable supplies of the drug.\r\nMoreover, HHS should implement measures that connect overdose survivors and others in need of treatment with broader systems of care.\u00a0 While demand for services has grown dramatically, provider shortages, coverage barriers, and affordability prevent many from getting treatment.\u00a0 Initial reforms could include removing government restrictions that prevent drug treatment centers with more than 16 beds from billing Medicaid for services provided to beneficiaries and issuing guidance to payers regarding policies for lengths of stay and treatment intensity at substance abuse treatment facilities and addressing policies that limit healthcare professionals from treating patients in need of medication assisted therapies for addiction.\u00a0 While the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ensures higher levels of coverage for these services, the law does not provide details on duration or intensity of treatment, resulting in variable and insufficient treatment policies across payers.\r\nToo many Americans have been lost to opioid overdose. We look forward to your leadership in developing a strategy that provides resources to improve overdose education, naloxone distribution, and substance abuse treatment services.\u00a0 We appreciate your consideration of these proposals and look forward to your response.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\r\nSenator Tim Kaine\r\nSenator Richard J. Durbin\r\nSenator Jack Reed\r\nSenator Patrick Leahy\r\nSenator Dianne Feinstein\r\nSenator Sherrod Brown\r\nSenator Barbara Boxer\r\nSenator Robert Casey\r\nSenator Ben Cardin\r\nSenator Amy Klobuchar\r\nSenator Bernard Sanders\r\nSenator Sheldon Whitehouse\r\nSenator Kirsten Gillibrand\r\nSenator Al Franken\r\nSenator Mark Udall\r\nSenator Mark Warner\r\nSenator Richard Blumenthal\r\nSenator Cory Booker\r\nSenator Edward Markey\r\nSenator Elizabeth Warren\r\nSenator Mazie Hirono\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/news-releases?ID=59e0ccfb-375f-40d6-ac70-19ad81004df5", "Klobuchar Joins Iron Range Workers to Receive Award for Protecting Minnesotas Steel Industry from Unfair Trade Practices", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Alliance for American Manufacturing presented Klobuchar with the award to recognize her support in the Oil Country Tubular Goods trade case\u00a0\n \r\n \nAfter a major push from Klobuchar this summer, the International Trade Commission voted to impose penalties on Korean companies dumping steel products into the U.S.\u00a0\n \r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined Iron Range steelworkers to receive an award from the Alliance for American manufacturing recognizing her support in the Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) trade case. After a major push from Klobuchar this summer, the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to impose penalties on Korean companies for dumping steel products into the United States.\r\n\u201cIt was an honor today to stand with Iron Range steel workers and receive this award.\u201d Klobuchar said. \u201cMinnesota\u2019s workers are among the best in the world, but they need a fair shot at a level playing field. I will continue to work to fight unfair trade practices and protect Minnesota steelworker jobs.\u201d\r\nIn July, Klobuchar testified before the ITC to urge the agency to impose penalties on Korean firms to offset any gains they have achieved through illegal practices. The ITC\u2019s ruling will impose antidumping duties on steel Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) from South Korea, as well as India, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.\r\nKlobuchar also previously joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker urging the agency to thoroughly investigate allegations of Korean companies dumping steel in the United States and to take action against any unfair foreign competition. The letter came after the Department of Commerce initially determined that no dumping was occurring. \u00a0Following Klobuchar\u2019s action, the Department of Commerce determined that Korean companies are dumping steel Oil Country Tubular Goods into the United States and recommended that the ITC impose significant antidumping duties to help ensure the domestic industry can compete on a level playing field.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/comment-of-senator-patrick-leahy-d-vt-senate-president-pro-tempore-and-dean-of-the-senate-chairman-of-state-department-and-foreign-operations-for-the-appropriations-committee-on-adriana-perez", "Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Senate President Pro Tempore and Dean of the Senate, chairman of State Department and Foreign Operations for the Appropriations Committee), On Adriana Perez", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.14\n\t\t\t Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Senate President Pro Tempore and Dean of the Senate, chairman of State Department and Foreign Operations for the Appropriations Committee), On Adriana Perez \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tComment Of Senator Patrick Leahy   (D-Vt., Senate President Pro Tempore and Dean of the Senate,   chairman of State Department and Foreign Operations for the Appropriations Committee),   On Adriana Perez\r\nTuesday, Dec. 23, 2014\r\n\"In February 2013, during one of our trips to Cuba my wife Marcelle and I agreed to meet with Adriana Perez. She made a personal appeal to Marcelle. She was 43 years old and afraid that she would never have the chance to have a child as she did not expect her husband to ever be released from prison. As parents and grandparents we both wanted to try to help her. And as a Registered Nurse, Marcelle had particular knowledge of the medical realities she was facing. It was the humane thing to do. The Cuban Government paid for everything. It was also at a time when we were urging the Cubans to improve their treatment of Alan Gross, and to allow American doctors to travel to Cuba to examine him, which they ultimately did.\"\r\n# # # # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tPress Contact  David Carle: 202-224-3693\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/is-53-years-long-enough-to-conclude-that-our-cuba-policy-has-failed", "Is 53 Years Long Enough To Conclude That Our Cuba Policy Has Failed?", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.14\n\t\t\t Is 53 Years Long Enough To Conclude That Our Cuba Policy Has Failed? \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIs 53 Years Long Enough To Conclude That Our Cuba Policy Has Failed?\r\nBy Patrick Leahy\r\nOn December 17th, President Obama and President Raul Castro made history. After 53 years of animosity rooted in the Cold War, they finally put our two countries on a new path.\r\nI worked for two years to help obtain Alan Gross' release from a Cuban prison, and flying to Cuba to bring him home was a joyous experience I will cherish always. Mr. Gross' case was the catalyst that finally brought to an end a policy that failed to achieve any of its objectives and isolated the United States. With the strong support of Pope Francis, the President has wisely charted a course that will promote reconciliation between the people of our two countries, advance our national interests in the hemisphere, and provide hope for democratic change in Cuba.\r\nThe response to the President's announcement here and abroad has been overwhelmingly positive, from the U.S. business and agriculture communities to our allies around the world, and on the streets of Havana. Common sense dictates that it is beneath the United States to continue treating a tiny neighbor that poses no threat and whose people have much in common with us as an enemy.\r\nNot surprisingly a handful of members of Congress continue to defend a policy they fully acknowledge has failed  through eight U.S. presidencies  and they reflexively have condemned the President's actions. Their arguments boil down to this: Cuba remains a one party state whose government severely punishes dissent and is a sponsor of terrorism.\r\nOn the first point they are right. Cuba's government is very repressive. Political opponents and human rights advocates are harassed and jailed. The solution of the President's critics, however, is more of the same, even though it hasn't worked for five decades, did nothing to help Alan Gross or the Cuban people, and has provided the Castro government with an excuse to blame the United States for Cuba's repressive policies and the daily hardships Cubans suffer under a broken economic system.\r\nThe President's critics also apply a flagrant double standard. On the one hand they rightly say that Cuba should free political prisoners; hold free elections; provide unrestricted access to the Internet; permit Cubans to travel abroad; allow independent journalists to practice freely; and give the International Red Cross access to Cuban jails. Like most who have opposed the U.S. embargo, I agree with all of this.\r\nBut on the other hand they ignore that many U.S. friends and allies, with whom we not only have diplomatic relations but to whom we provide taxpayer aid and military aid, do not come close to meeting this standard. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Uzbekistan are but three examples. The critics apparently believe that engagement through diplomatic relations and trade everywhere except Cuba is in our national interest, despite the repressive and corrupt policies of other governments.\r\nIt is also ironic that while they rightly call on Cuba's government to permit its citizens to travel freely  ignoring that Cubans, including dissidents, are traveling far more freely today than two years ago  they defend a U.S. policy that restricts Americans from visiting Cuba. There is no other country in the world that American tourists are prevented from traveling to by their own government, yet the President's critics defend this absurd double standard.\r\nThe critics' other argument is that Cuba is a sponsor of terrorism. It is true that it was once, and there are members of a Basque separatist group that renounced violence in 2011 and poses no threat to the United States, living out their remaining years there. But what the critics don't say is that the primary basis for their argument evaporated two years ago, when Cuba began hosting negotiations between the Colombian Government and the FARC rebels to end a 40 year civil war. Colombia's President Santos, a close U.S. ally, has praised Cuba's role.\r\nFinally, the President's critics vehemently accuse anyone who doesn't share their infatuation with the ineffective, unilateral sanctions as an apologist for the Castro brothers' repressive policies and guilty of appeasement. This would, by implication, also apply to every other country, including our closest allies, who long ago established diplomatic relations with Cuba.\r\nAs the author of much of the U.S. human rights legislation enacted into law in the past 20 years, I know that such smears are both inaccurate and offensive. Normalization with Cuba will be a process, and its pace and scope will depend in part on the actions of the Cuban government to permit dissent. A good start would be to join international conventions that protect human rights. As in other countries with repressive governments, our embassy in Havana will strongly defend the rights of Americans and Cubans to freedom of expression and religion. And it will support U.S. commercial interests, U.S. citizens visiting Cuba, private Cuban entrepreneurs and exchanges with the Cuban people, the majority of whom were born after the 1959 revolution. They are Cuba's future, and rather than continuing to isolate them and add to their hardships we should do what we can to help them prepare for what lies ahead.\r\n# # # # #\r\n[U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy  D-Vt., and president pro tempore of the Senate  has long worked to reform U.S. policies on Cuba. He chairs the Appropriations Committee's State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee.]\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tPress Contact  David Carle: 202-224-3693", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9b3a240c-2135-4c1d-98dd-bb5fdf9b63e8", "Manchin Family Wishes All West Virginians a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2014\n\t\t\t Manchin Family Wishes All West Virginians a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement wishing all West Virginians a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.\r\n\u201cOn behalf of my wife Gayle and the entire Manchin family, I would like to wish all West Virginians and Americans a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.\r\n\u201cThere is no time like the holidays to celebrate our countless blessings \u2013 especially the love of our families and friends. I have always said that \u2018If you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings.\u2019 During this blessed time, I hope all of us will share our blessings by sharing generously with those less fortunate.\r\n\u201cAs you gather together with your loved ones, remember that we wouldn\u2019t be able to enjoy our blessings without the brave men and women who are overseas this holiday season, keeping this great country safe by giving up their own family gatherings for the rest of us. Let us keep them and their families in our hearts and prayers, not just during the holidays, but every day of the year.\r\n\u201cAnd for the New Year, let us all resolve to build a future of peace, freedom and prosperity for ourselves, our families, our communities and our country. My wish is that the joyful spirit that surrounds you this holiday season stays with you throughout the New Year.\r\n\u201cAgain, Gayle and I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and we pray that each of you enjoy the holidays filled with perpetual joy, hope and peace. May God bless us all and may God continue to bless America, and the great state of West Virginia.\u201d\r\nTo view a brief video of Senator Manchin\u2019s Christmas greeting for broadcast purposes, please click on the FTP links below:\r\nHD Version \u2013 https://s3.amazonaws.com/sdmc-media.senate.gov/Manchin/121114_MANCHIN_1_WEB_HD.mp4  SD Version \u2013 https://s3.amazonaws.com/sdmc-media.senate.gov/Manchin/121114_MANCHIN_1_WEB_SD.mp4\r\nTo view a YouTube video of Senator Manchin\u2019s Christmas greeting, please click on the link below:\r\nYouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frf-GhctS20&feature=em-upload_owner\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senators-query-rideshare-services-lyft-uber-on-privacy", "Senators query rideshare services Lyft, Uber on privacy", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators query rideshare services Lyft, Uber on privacy \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Tuesday, December 23, 2014\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\u00a0\r\n                    Mike Snider\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Ridesharing services Lyft and Uber are picking up more attention from the U.S. Senate.\r\nSenators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) sent letters to both companies raising concern about their privacy and data security policies.\r\nTheir letters, released today but dated Dec. 19, raised the same issues that Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) raised with Uber in the wake of reports that Uber executive Josh Mohrer tracked a reporter's Uber rides without her permission.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSenator blasts Uber for weak response to spy scandal\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnother press report that the senators' letter references includes a Uber job applicant having access to the company's database of customer records.\r\n\"Such allegations, if true, appear contrary to Uber's claim that it has a 'strict policy prohibiting all employees at every level from accessing a rider of driver's data' with exceptions for a 'limited set of legitimate business purposes,' and the allegations raise questions about Uber's enforcement of its own policies,\"\u00a0their letter says.\r\nAlso noted by the senators: media reports that Uber's \"God View,\" which tracks consumers' real-time locations, is easily accessible to employees and, regarding Lyft, that a company spokeswoman had access to customers' travel logs.\r\nBoth companies were asked to have a top official brief the Commerce Committee on data security practices and privacy. McCaskill chairs the consumer protection subcommittee, while Nelson chairs the science and space subcommittee.\r\nThe senators also asked for information on the companies' public and internal policies pertaining to their practices on privacy policies, third party data sharing, consumer data retention and notification and data breach protections.\r\nUber did not immediately return a request for comment on the senators' requests. But Lyft provided the following statement: \"We share Senator McCaskill and Senator Nelson's commitment to consumer privacy and look forward to responding to their letter to discuss this important issue. The respect and rights of our users are at our core as a company, and we have continued to upgrade our existing privacy safeguards to enhance user protection.\"\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/fight-against-isis-gets-independent-watchdog-as-mccaskills-wartime-contracting-reforms-kick-in", "Fight Against ISIS Gets Independent Watchdog as McCaskill’s Wartime Contracting Reforms Kick-in", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fight Against ISIS Gets Independent Watchdog as McCaskill\u2019s Wartime Contracting Reforms Kick-in \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator\u2019s landmark legislation that overhauled wartime contracting practices requires  designation of Inspector General to guard against waste, fraud, abuse of taxpayer dollars overseas \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 23, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON \u2013 Nearly two years to the day after Congress passed into law Senator Claire McCaskill\u2019s sweeping overhaul of wartime contracting practices, military action against the so-called \u201cIslamic State,\u201d or ISIS, is triggering those reforms to ensure accountability and oversight of the effort.\u00a0\r\nMcCaskill\u2019s wartime contracting reforms, the most substantial overhaul of how the federal government contracts during wartime since World War II, gained final approval in December 2012 after a sustained six-year effort. That effort made good on a campaign pledge McCaskill issued in 2006.\r\nOne provision of the Comprehensive Contingency Contracting Reform Act requires the designation of a lead Inspector General to guard against waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars in overseas military contingencies\u2014and requires that Inspector General to make regular reports to Congress.\r\nThe Defense Department announced this week that Jon T. Rymer, the Pentagon\u2019s Inspector General, will serve as the lead inspector general for Operation Inherent Resolve, and that Rymer will submit biannual reports to Congress, with the first to be delivered in April.\r\n\u201cThis is exactly the kind of accountability and oversight that\u2019s needed to protect taxpayer dollars when America takes military action\u2014especially after the stunning waste we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan,\u201d said McCaskill, a former prosecutor and Missouri State Auditor. \u201cAs the critical mission against ISIS is executed, these reforms should help strengthen Americans\u2019 confidence that our resources are being used effectively and efficiently.\u201d\r\nMcCaskill\u2019s legislation has improved contracting practices and accountability across the federal government by:\r\n \r\nElevating oversight responsibility, improving management structures, expanding planning requirements, and reforming contracting practices during overseas contingency operations;\r\nRequiring departments and agencies to assess contracting risk in overseas contingency operations and reduce unnecessary reliance in areas including private security contracting;\r\nEstablishing responsibilities for Inspectors General to oversee all aspects of overseas contingency operations;\r\nImproving the contracting process through greater transparency, competition, and professional education; and\r\nInstituting additional provisions for accountability by contractors and the federal government, including limits that require proof that development projects are sustainable, prior to providing funding for such projects in overseas contingencies.\r\n \r\nMcCaskill\u2019s wartime contracting provisions build upon recommendations issued in 2011 by the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, created through legislation passed in 2007 by McCaskill and former Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, and modeled after President Harry Truman\u2019s crusade to combat the wasteful war profiteering that occurred during World War II. In its final report to Congress, issued after three years of investigation, the Commission found that the U.S. had squandered up to $60 billion through waste and fraud on contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan.\r\nVisit mccaskill.senate.gov/wartimecontracting to learn more about McCaskill's work to reform wartime contracting practices.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-nelson-raise-concerns-over-uber-and-lyft-privacy-policies", "McCaskill, Nelson Raise Concerns Over Uber & Lyft Privacy Policies", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill, Nelson Raise Concerns Over Uber & Lyft Privacy Policies \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senators demand answers from ride-sharing companies on privacy protection, data securities practices \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 23, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Bill Nelson have sent letters to the CEOs of ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft, raising concerns about the companies\u2019 privacy policies and demanding answers on current privacy and data security practices.\r\n\u201cSome media reports have suggested that Uber lacks responsible data-security practices and potentially disregards the protections articulated in its privacy policy,\u201d the Senators, both senior members of the Commerce Committee, wrote in their letter to Uber. \u201cFor example, the press has reported that the general manager of Uber\u2019s New York operations tracked and accessed a reporter\u2019s travel logs on multiple occasions, though the reporter never consented to being tracked or having her data accessed. According to another press report, an individual interviewing for a job at Uber reportedly had access to the company\u2019s database of customer records, including actual travel records of Uber riders. Such allegations, if true, appear contrary to Uber\u2019s claim that it has a \u2018strict policy prohibiting all employees at every level from accessing a rider of driver\u2019s data\u2019 with exceptions for a \u2018limited set of legitimate business purposes,\u2019 and the allegations raise questions about Uber\u2019s enforcement of its own policies.\u201d\r\nThe Senators also expressed concern with media reports that Uber\u2019s \u201cGod View\u201d of customer\u2019s geolocation and other data is easily accessible to staff across the company, as well as media reports that a Lyft spokeswoman had access to customers\u2019 travel logs.\r\nMcCaskill, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, and Nelson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Science and Space, requested Uber and Lyft provide companies of all public and internal polices pertaining to their practices on privacy policies, third party data sharing, consumer data retention and notification, data breach protections, and other policies.\r\nThe Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the Federal Trade Commission, which since 2002 has brought more than 50 enforcement actions against companies that have put consumers\u2019 data at risk or failed to honor the terms of their privacy policies.\r\nThe Senators\u2019 letters to Uber and Lyft can be found HERE and HERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=493939ed-e1ac-461b-a856-6da68f6fdb4a", "Senator Murrays Statement on HHS Announcement on Blood Donation Policy for Gay Men", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), incoming Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Food and Drug Administration announced a change to the blood donation policy regarding men who have sex with men: \r\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement is a welcome step in the right direction, however, I am disappointed that low-risk gay men are still being discriminated against with this outdated policy. Healthy Americans who don\u2019t engage in risky behavior, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the opportunity to donate blood and help in the effort to save lives. I look forward to working with Secretary Burwell to build on the step taken today by removing this discriminatory ban while keeping our blood supply safe.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nSenator Murray has previously called for a reexamination of the outdated policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/ri-health-care-leaders-send-reform-recommendations-to-raimondo-and-general-assembly-leaders", "RI Health Care Leaders Send Reform Recommendations to Raimondo and General Assembly Leaders", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Sheldon Whitehouse", "W000802", "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.14\n\t\t\t RI Health Care Leaders Send Reform Recommendations to Raimondo and General Assembly Leaders \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Broad Coalition Convened by Sen. Whitehouse and Rhode Island Foundation Agrees to List of Payment Reform Goals\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Providence, RI \u2013 A broad coalition of Rhode Island health care leaders \u2013 from providers to insurers to academia \u2013 have developed recommendations on how the state can improve care and lower costs.\u00a0 The group, which was convened by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Rhode Island Foundation President Neil Steinberg, today sent a letter to Governor-elect Gina Raimondo, House Speaker Nick Mattiello, and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed laying out specific recommendations on payment reform, tracking metrics, and more.\r\nThe letter is notable for both the scope of the recommendations and of the individuals and organizations who signed it.\u00a0 The co-signers of the letter include Lt. Governor and incoming Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Elizabeth Roberts, Lifespan President and CEO Timothy J. Babineau, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI President and CEO Peter Andruszkiewicz, Care New England Health System President and CEO Dennis Keefe, United Healthcare CEO Stephen Farrell, Rhode Island Business Group Health Executive Director Al Charbonneau, and Peter Marino of Neighborhood Health Plan.\r\n\u201cBetter quality of care for Rhode Islanders at a lower cost is a vital and achievable goal for our state,\u201d said Whitehouse, who founded the Rhode Island Quality Institute during his time as Attorney General and is a leading voice in Washington for health care delivery system reform.\u00a0 \u201cThe reform goals we agreed to champion will help us move toward a system that rewards better care of patients and eliminates unnecessary and duplicative care.\u00a0 These are goals that are best achieved when we all pull together, so it is important and striking that this agreement is so widespread.\u201d\r\n\u201cThese recommendations are both practical and significant. While everyone recognizes that payment reform is crucial to ensuring we have a healthcare system that can deliver quality care over the long-term for all Rhode Islanders, consensus on how to get there is rare. One of Rhode Island\u2019s strengths is our ability to get decision-makers together face-to-face to find common ground,\u201c said the Foundation\u2019s Steinberg.\r\n\u201cI believe Rhode Island is perfectly poised to bring the health care leaders together in order to agree to implement health care delivery improvements and provider payment reforms that will benefit Rhode Islanders,\u201d said Speaker Mattiello.\r\n\u201cThe Senate both supports and commends the leadership of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Neil Steinberg in confronting one of the greatest challenges facing our health care system,\u201d said President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed.\u00a0 \u201cThe recommended reforms build upon and are consistent with the findings of the 2011 hospital study commission led by Senator Joshua Miller and subsequent Senate legislative initiatives. We support the commitment of the stakeholders to work together to implement the payment reform goals while continuing to provide high quality health care.\u201d\r\nThe letter\u2019s recommendations fall into the following categories:\r\n \r\nStatewide Payment Reform Goals\r\nStatewide Progress Targets\r\nStatewide Tracking Metrics\r\nAction Steps for State Health Care Leaders and Policymakers\r\n \r\n\u201cRhode Island is one of the states that is moving assertively to make Federal healthcare reform a reality,\u201d said Lt. Governor Roberts.\u00a0 \u201cThe payment reform and delivery system changes envisioned by our health care leaders and set forth in this Compact provide a critical roadmap to a stronger Rhode Island economy and healthier Rhode Islanders.\u201d\r\n\u201cNothing is more important to Rhode Island\u2019s economy and its residents than finding a way to lower healthcare costs and maintain quality.\u00a0 But this is an endeavor that cannot be conducted in isolation and requires sustained effort by all the players involved in healthcare delivery.\u00a0 The compact is a critical step in continuing the important efforts already underway to assure the future of affordable healthcare in Rhode Island,\u201d said BCBSRI\u2019s Andrusckeiwiz.\r\n\u201cI am very pleased that Lifespan participated in and contributed to this very important compact.\u00a0 The consensus and collaboration I witnessed was encouraging.\u00a0 I believe this concise document will provide a useful framework to help guide our elected officials as we all work to create new models of care and new models of payment to better serve our citizens of the region,\u201d said Lifespan\u2019s Babineau.\r\n\u201cWe were honored to be part of this highly collaborative process,\u201d said Care New England\u2019s Keefe, \u201cwhich closely aligns with our strategic vision and the national agenda to improve quality, the patient experience, and reducing the overall cost of care.\u201d\r\nOther signatories on the letter are Al Kurose, President & CEO of Coastal Medical; Dr. Kathleen Hittner, Health Insurance Commissioner; Peter Karczmar, President of RI Medical Society; Christina Paxson, President of Brown University; Laura Adams, President & CEO of the Rhode Island Quality Institute; Michael Fine, MD, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health; Dr. Al Puerini, RI Primary Care Physicians Corp.; Jack Elias, Dean of Medicine at Brown University; Lou Giancola, President & CEO of South County Hospital; Secretary of Health and Human Services Steven Constantino; Lou Rice, President of University Medicine Foundation; Leonard Schindel, CharterCare; Jane Hayward, RI Health Center Association; Mike Souza, Hospital Association of RI; John Keimig, Healthcentric Advisors; and Thomas Reardon, Prospect East Holdings.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below.\r\n------------------------------------------------------\r\nDecember 23, 2014\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Governor-elect Raimondo, Speaker Mattiello, and Senate President Paiva Weed: \r\nOver the past few months, believing this is a unique and critical time for the state of health care in Rhode Island,\u00a0 a group of key health care stakeholders, convened by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Rhode Island Foundation President & CEO Neil Steinberg, came together to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing our health care delivery system.\r\nThe discussions were frank and covered many aspects of Rhode Island\u2019s current health care climate. There were areas of agreement and we acknowledged our differences. Most importantly, a consensus developed centered on a belief that for fundamental change to occur, we must work to alter the way we pay for health care. As Rhode Island currently spends nearly $9 billion yearly on health care expenditures, we all believe that our current trajectory of health care spending is unsustainable in the long term. To tackle this issue effectively, it will take cooperation and commitment from the health care industry, businesses, consumers and state government.\u00a0\r\nWe would like to serve as a resource for you as the state continues to encourage and stimulate this major paradigm shift in our current health care delivery system. We acknowledge that this will not be an easy task and will require thoughtful planning, implementation and execution. Our discussions around the need for health care payment reform have led to this compact of shared goals and commitment. We are aligned in our desire to work together and with you to establish statewide payment reform goals and progress targets. Below are some recommendations that have arisen from our discussions:\u00a0\r\nEstablish Statewide Payment Reform Goals in 2015:\r\nTo achieve payment reform in the next five years, we request that\u00a0State leaders\u00a0support our commitment to work together to implement payment reform and support the following statewide payment reform goals:\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe expansion and development of alternative reimbursement models that reward value and patient-centric care delivery.\u00a0\r\nExpansion of incentives for systems of care that encourage collaboration and sharing of claims data and the sharing of health care information through CurrentCare, the statewide health information exchange, and other electronic health record systems.\r\nElimination of waste in our health care system by reducing administrative overhead and encouraging the use of best practices to improve clinical outcomes while reducing costs.\u00a0\r\n \r\nEstablish Statewide Progress Targets in 2015:\r\nAs we transition to new payment models, it is important to set specific and bold targets for the State to meet. Establishing statewide targets sends the message that Rhode Island is committed to changing the traditional payment reform structure. Recommendations for progress targets include:\r\n \r\nReduction in Fee for Service:\u00a0State and health care sector leaders should set an aggressive target and timeline to reduce traditional fee for service in Rhode Island.\r\nCost Control:\u00a0The State and health care leaders should immediately collect the necessary data to establish a strategy to control costs and examine various options, such as linking health care inflation to Gross State Product.\r\nReduce Waste and Redundancy: \u00a0Some estimates suggest that up to 30% of health care spending could be eliminated without impacting the quality of health care.\u00a0 Specific targets should be established for the increased utilization of electronic medical records and reduced administrative costs. This effort will also require increased levels of consumer engagement and cooperation from patients. \u00a0\u00a0\r\n \r\nStatewide Tracking Metrics:\r\nThere are several key benchmarks that can be tracked at both the national and state level to ensure that we are improving care as we transform the delivery system. There are various datasets available that can help track quality performance. HealthCentric Advisors, the state\u2019s Quality Improvement Organization, currently works with the State and stakeholders to generate quality reports. We will work with HealthCentric Advisors to identify six or seven important measures that can be tracked to ensure that care is being improved. Potential quality measures should include:\r\n \r\nHealthcare Acquired Infections\r\n30 Day Readmission Rates by Hospital\r\nStatewide Emergency Department Visits\r\nHealth Information Technology (HIT) Utilization\r\n \r\nRecommended Action Steps for State Health Care Leaders and Policymakers:\r\nVarious state agencies and entities are independently working on this issue, but a coordinated statewide payment reform plan is needed now. Today we propose a public-private partnership to advise on the transformation of the delivery and payment system for health care in Rhode Island with the support of health care leaders, the business community, consumers, the Governor and the legislature. This partnership should:\r\n \r\nImmediately establish a stakeholder group (providers, payers, employers and consumers) to work collaboratively with the Administration to transform Rhode Island\u2019s heath care payment system.\u00a0\r\nTo the extent there are gaps, rapidly define and collect data to create a profile of health care in RI (includes quality metrics and spending statistics).\r\nEstablish statewide baselines and goals for health care spending and quality for the next five years and report progress annually.\r\nUse existing health care spending programs to accelerate coordinated, risk based care.\r\nEncourage consumer engagement to increase the selection of high value care based on cost and quality data.\r\nReview and reform state healthcare regulations to promote efficiency.\r\nPromote better population health and personal responsibility in health care.\r\n \r\nBuilding on a Track Record of Innovation\r\nOver the last few years, Rhode Island has demonstrated a willingness to disrupt the system and develop new collaborations and partnerships. There are a number of exciting initiatives underway that are focused on reducing unnecessary care and improving the health of Rhode Islanders. Over the long term, these efforts will lower health care costs and spending. With this in mind, we need to continue, and further encourage, payment reforms we have begun to witness from many groups and organizations in our state.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nHere are a few examples:\r\n \r\nThe Rhode Island Chronic Care Sustainability Initiative, a nationally recognized patient-centered medical program, has observed an overall decrease in hospital admissions and emergency visits by their patients.\u00a0\r\nCare New England, Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation have established a three-year accountable care payment contract agreement.\r\nCoastal Medical, a participant in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, recently announced first year\u2019s savings of $7.2 million.\u00a0\r\nSeveral hospitals, including Rhode Island, Miriam, Newport and Kent, are participating in bundle payment demonstrations with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.\r\nInstitutions and providers are making significant investments in health information technology, including the Rhode Island Quality Institute and the implementation of Epic at Care New England and Lifespan.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe Rhode Island Business Group on Health has initiated discussions about \u201cChoosing Wisely,\u201d an initiative to help patients, physicians and other health care providers address the overuse of health care resources in the United States.\r\nThe State has secured $20 million from a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service to develop new models of care, including new payment initiatives.\r\n \r\nWhenever possible, we should sustain, scale and build upon these models and efforts. Rhode Island has all of the necessary ingredients \u2013 a strong commitment from hospitals, payers, providers to improve patient outcomes, an engaged business community, a thriving research base, a robust statewide health information exchange and a strong medical school.\u00a0\r\nAs leaders of key institutions, organizations and constituencies, we are committed to bringing our institutional resources to bear on the goals outlined above, and we would value the partnership of state leaders going forward. If we do not affirm a strong commitment to payment reform, we jeopardize the many achievements that have been made. Similar to the Rhode Island banking industry, our health care industry faces\u00a0the risk of losing local leadership and control as more efficient regional and national health care organizations develop formulas to deliver better care at lower costs.\r\nAs a new administration and General Assembly session begins, we strongly encourage you to continue to support the effort we have started to make health care payment reform a reality in Rhode Island.\r\n\r\nRespectfully submitted,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398353", "Hastings Commends U.S. Supreme Courts Refusal to Block Same-Sex Marriage in Florida", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u200bToday, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement applauding the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s decision to deny the extension of a stay on Florida\u2019s same-sex marriage ban, found unconstitutional by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida:\r\n\u201cI am pleased and heartened by the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s denial of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi\u2019s request that Justice Clarence Thomas, who oversees emergency appeals from Florida, extend a stay preventing the state from recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples.\u00a0 Beginning January 6, 2015, Florida may issue same-sex marriage licenses and must recognize all same-sex marriages performed out of state.\u00a0 This is truly an exciting and long awaited day for all Americans.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cFlorida Attorney General Pam Bondi\u2019s failed appeals to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to extend the January 5, 2015 stay on U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle\u2019s August ruling serve as evidence that her view is not shared by a majority of Americans and represents an affront to equality for all of our nation\u2019s citizens.\r\n\u201cThe Court\u2019s refusal to keep the stay in place is a historic victory for gay and lesbian Americans who have endured discrimination and have, along with their families, been denied critical rights and benefits under the law for far too long.\u00a0\u00a0 We have a responsibility to ensure that that our laws recognize the equal rights of all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. I celebrate the Court\u2019s decision and hope that our nation as a whole will continue to recognize the equal rights of all Americans and reflect this in our laws at the federal, state, and local levels.  \r\n\u00a0  \r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 28164, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"party\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "Democrat", "p2": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 28164, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 28164, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&party=Democrat&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 3802, "toggle_url": 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