{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Democrat\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C99FE82B-1C71-4DE7-8B63-0920209FE4C3", "Feinstein on Embassy Attack in Iraq", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad:\r\nI am deeply concerned by the breach of our embassy in Baghdad. I have followed the situation closely; the American presence in Baghdad is based on the Iraqi government and security forces' ability and willingness to ensure the safety of our personnel there. This is a crucial test, and we will carefully evaluate the security situation in the coming days.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EAE0A8B1-6A3C-4F2E-908A-D66632AB226C", "Members Oppose Proposal to Increase Fees for Citizenship, Asylum Seekers", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonYesterday, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined several House and Senate colleagues in submitting comments to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opposing the agency's latest proposed fee rule that would dramatically hike fees for immigration benefits, including those for asylum seekers and DACA recipients, and eliminate nearly all fee waivers and exemptions.\r\nIn addition to Senator Feinstein, the comments were submitted by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), House Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.), House Homeland Security Appropriations Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and Senate Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL).\r\nAs noted by the members, the proposed fee increase is based on an incomplete and flawed cost analysis, undermining Congress' ability to conduct oversight. It would also prevent poor families and vulnerable individuals from obtaining immigration benefits, including naturalization, and would make no measurable improvement to USCIS's historically high case backlog.\r\nA full version of the comments can be found here.\r\nBackground:\r\nOn November 14, 2019, the Trump administration proposed to increase fees for immigration benefits by a weighted average of 21 percent and eliminate almost all fee waivers and exemptions. When viewed as a whole, this proposal appears to be a pretext to make the U.S. immigration system inaccessible to working class families. The administration seeks to impose a new fee for asylum applicants, making the United States one of only four countries, alongside Iran, Fiji, and Australia, to charge a fee for this important form of humanitarian protection.\r\nThe proposal would also raise the naturalization fee by 83 percent and eliminate reduced fee options for low income applicants. USCIS justifies the fee increase by projecting a $1.2 billion funding shortfall, but fails to explain over half of this shortfall and includes an unauthorized transfer of funds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.\r\nBefore DHS can implement the administration's proposal, DHS must provide the public with a complete and accurate assessment of its budget and a reasonable justification to increase fees.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-applauds-his-bipartisan-anti-robocall-bill-signed-into-law", "Senator Markey Applauds His Bipartisan Anti-Robocall Bill Signed into Law", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Edward Markey", "M000133", "www.markey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Markey Applauds His Bipartisan Anti-Robocall Bill Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 31, 2019\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nNew law will boost call authentication, call blocking, and penalties for robocall scammers\r\n\r\nBoston (December 31, 2019)  Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-author ofthe Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act(S.151) with Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), today praised the signing into law of his bipartisan legislation. On December 19, the Senate approved amodified versionof their bill by a simple voice vote. The Senatefirst passedS.151 by a vote of 97 to 1 on May 23, 2019, and the House of Representativespasseda modified version of the bill by a vote of 417 to 3 on December 4, 2019.\r\n\r\nIn 1991 Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the law that ensures that consumers should not be subject to intrusive and unsolicited calls from telemarketers. Senator Markey is the House author of the TCPA.\r\n\r\nAs Americans ring in the New Year, we now know that our phones will soon ring a lot less with annoying robocalls,said Senator Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.I'm pleased that the TRACED Act has been signed into law, and I appreciate Senator Thune's partnership on this important effort. It's time to close the book on the era of illegal robocall madness.\r\n\r\nTheTRACED Act, which the Washington Post editorial board recentlysaidis what good, old-fashioned legislating looks like, gives regulators more time to find scammers and levy fines for those who are caught, promotes call authentication and blocking adoption,and brings relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address impediments to criminal prosecution of robocallers who intentionally flout laws.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/ranking-member-menendez-statement-on-attack-on-us-embassy-compound-in-baghdad", "Ranking Member Menendez Statement on Attack on U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M000639", "www.menendez.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ranking Member Menendez Statement on Attack on U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad \n\t\t\t\n\t Ranking Member Menendez Statement on Attack on U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 31, 2019\n\t\n\t\r\nNEWARK  U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement following the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq:\r\n \r\nI condemn in the strongest and most forceful of terms these violent attacks against the American Embassy in Baghdad, and the Iranians who are backing this siege. The toppriorityfor the United States must remain ensuring that our American diplomats and personnel at Embassy Baghdad are protected and secure. The Iraqis are also obligated to protect the United States diplomats and our embassy. I call on all Iraqis, including the government and security forces, to continue our partnership with American security forces and diplomatic personnel to restore security and order.\r\nThese protests are also destabilizing Iraq. For weeks, the Iraqi people have taken to the streets demanding accountability from their government and rejecting Iranian influence. From Iraq to Lebanon to Syria, people are rising up against ongoing, unacceptable, malign Iranian activity responsible for violence and instability across the region. The United States should remain committed to working with our partners in Iraq in support ofa stable, independent country that is resilient to terrorism and nefarious interference. While the Trump Administration has touted its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, the results so far have been more threats against international commerce, emboldened and more violent proxy attacks across the Middle East, and now, the death of an American citizen in Iraq.\r\nI call on the Administration to immediately provide Congress a detailedexplanation of how this security failure happened anda plan of action for protecting our diplomats, including:\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nCurrent staffing levels at Embassy Baghdad and any other U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, including both diplomatic, security, and other personnel;\r\n\r\n\r\nCurrent security posture at Embassy Baghdad and elsewhere in the region;\r\n\r\n\r\nPlans for the safe and secure evacuation, if any, of embassy and other U.S. personnel;\r\n\r\n\r\nPlans for the safety and security of locally employed staff; and\r\n\r\n\r\nThreat indicators leading up to the attack, embassy and Department of State consideration of any threat indicators, and any changes to security posture in response to such indicators.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/sen-jeff-merkley-plans-three-town-halls-in-central-oregon", "Sen. Jeff Merkley plans three town halls in Central Oregon", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Jeff Merkley plans three town halls in Central Oregon \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTuesday, December 31, 2019\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Michael Kohn\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOregon Sen. Jeff Merkley will host 12 town halls to start the new year, including appearances in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties on Saturday.\r\nMerkley's first appearance in Central Oregon is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Ridgeview High School in Redmond. At noon he will speak at Madras Performing Arts Center . He will finish his visit to the area in Prineville with a 3 p.m. town hall at Barnes Butte Elementary School.\r\nMerkley, a Democrat, will update Oregonians on his work in Washington, D.C., respond to questions and invite suggestions from the public on how to handle state and national issues affecting their lives.\r\nHearing from Oregonians across the state is critical to doing my job, Merkley said in a statement. The ideas and priorities I hear about in town halls wind up as the solutions I fight to get into federal law. I look forward to these discussions about how we can strengthen our state and our nation.\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://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-statement-on-us-embassy-attack-in-iraq", "Reed Statement on U.S. Embassy Attack in Iraq", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Jack Reed", "R000122", "www.reed.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12/31/2019WASHINGTON, DC  Today, after an attack by Shiite militia on the United States Embassy compound in Iraq, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:\r\nPresident Trump's disjointed, chaotic, ad hoc approach to foreign policy and failure to closely coordinate with our allies comes at a real cost.\r\nI'm thankful that no Americans were harmed today at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Since the Bush Presidency, U.S. personnel are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi Government and Iraq must do more to ensure their safety.\r\nOur relationship with Iraq is at a critical moment. Iraqi political leadership is in a state of turmoil with the recent resignation of the Prime Minister, and Iran will seek to capitalize on the instability to further its own goals. U.S. air strikes earlier this week were roundly criticized by the Iraqi Government and seem to have reignited the strong nationalistic tendencies that have been directed at the U.S. in the past.\r\nThe Trump Administration appears to be losing political leverage in Iraq which could complicate our continued military presence there  presence which is key to our counterterrorism efforts in Iraq, Syria, and the broader region. Unfortunately, this is an entirely predictable byproduct of the President's decision to dismiss the advice of senior military and diplomatic professionals and unilaterally withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, thereby isolating the U.S. from our European allies and complicating our relationships with regional partners, including Iraq.\r\nNo recent U.S. President has exhibited such disdain for our career military, diplomatic, and intelligence professionals. The continued turmoil and lack of continuity within the Trump Administration is making America less safe.\r\n\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://doyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/doyle-welcomes-new-robocall-law", "Doyle Welcomes New Robocall Law", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Mike Doyle", "D000482", "doyle.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pittsburgh, PA  December 31, 2019  U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-18) welcomed the enactment of bipartisan legislation to cut down on spam robocalls (S. 151, the TRACED Act).\nIt's nice to end 2019 on a positive note, and the enactment of bipartisan legislation to make millions of Americans' lives a little bit better certainly fits that description, Congressman Doyle said.\nNearly every American has experienced the annoyance of repeated interruptions by unwanted robocalls, and many have been victimized by robocalls from scammers who spoofed their phones' Caller ID systems. If there was one thing that people in this politically polarized country agreed about, it was that something ought to be done to stop unwanted robocalls and phone scams that trick our Caller IDs  and I'm pleased to say we did it.\nAs Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I worked for much of this year with my colleagues in the House and Senate as well as outside stakeholders to find a realistic solution to this problem and move it through Congress, so I'm very pleased to see it signed into law, Congressman Doyle added. Once the FCC implements this new law, Americans should get fewer annoying robocalls  and they will know whether the phone number shown on their Caller ID is really the phone number of the person calling.\nS. 151, the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, now:\n Requires carriers to offer call-authentication technology to consumers and small businessesin rural and urban Americaat no additional charge;\n\tAllows phone carriers to opt consumers into robocall blocking services with no additional charge;\n\tGives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the ability to step up enforcement actions against unlawful robocalls with a longer statute of limitations and increased fines in certain cases;\n\tPushes the Department of Justice to bring more criminal prosecutions against criminal robocallers;\n\tRequires the FCC to work to stop one-ring scams;\n\tHelps the FCC and responsible carriers trace back and cut off suspect phone companies that are responsible for sending vast numbers of unlawful robocalls; and\n\tProtects patients, doctors, and hospitals from unlawful robocalls.\n The TRACED Act includes many provisions of H.R. 3375, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which Congressman Doyle, the Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, introduced with Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Latta (R-OH).\nClickHEREfor the text of the new law.\nClickHEREfor a section-by-section summary.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/lamb-issues-2019-year-end-progress-report", "LAMB ISSUES 2019 YEAR END PROGRESS REPORT", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Conor Lamb", "L000588", "lamb.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC)  Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) issued a report highlighting the work of his office in 2019 for the constituents of Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District.\nIn 2019, Lamb worked in a bipartisan manner to deliver results on local priorities, introducing 10 bills and co-leading nine bipartisan bills  six of which passed the House of Representatives. In addition to the legislative work in Washington, Lamb's office has successfully returned more than $1.297 million owed to constituents in 2019, putting money back in the pockets of families in western Pennsylvania.\nWhile we have made progress this year, there is much more to be done, said Lamb. In 2020, I remain committed to working with anyone in Washington to get things done for the 17th district.\nClick here to view the full report of Lamb's work for PA-17 in 2019.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1756", "Larsen Announces Winner of 2019 Congressional App Challenge", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", "larsen", "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "EVERETT, WA \u2013 Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced William Humarang, a student at Mariner High School in Everett, as the Second District winner of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge.\n\nHumarang was inspired to create his app, \u201cHacker Game: A Puzzle Game of 3 Stages,\u201d after revisiting previous efforts to design and develop apps. Humarang\u2019s winning entry features three interactive mini-games \u2013 a passcode game, a clicker game and a guessing game \u2013 that challenge the user to unlock a series of puzzles.\n\nHumarang encouraged students to explore how rewarding coding can be: \u201cCoding can seem daunting at first, but it makes you look at not only computers, but the whole world in another way.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Congressional App Challenge has again shown the creativity of students from across Northwest Washington. I congratulate all of the students who competed and our winner, William Humarang, who developed a fun, interactive \u201chacker\u201d game to engage students of all ages in coding,\u201d said Larsen.\n\nAs the Second District winner, Humarang will receive $250 in Amazon Web Services credits, and his app will be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the House of Representatives website.\n\nIn 2018, Burlington-Edison High School student Will Garrison won with an app designed to help users practice and learn math skills in a fun and engaging way.\n\nWashington state continues to be a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with more than 313,000 high school students and 165,000 two-year college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition that aims to help maintain U.S. competitiveness by inspiring youth to pursue crucial STEM skills.\n\nFor more information about the Congressional App Challenge, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-announces-winner-2019-congressional-app-challenge", "Larsen Announces Winner of 2019 Congressional App Challenge", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "EVERETT, WA  Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced William Humarang, a student at Mariner High School in Everett, as the Second District winner of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge.\nHumarang was inspired to create his app, Hacker Game: A Puzzle Game of 3 Stages, after revisiting previous efforts to design and develop apps. Humarang's winning entry features three interactive mini-games  a passcode game, a clicker game and a guessing game  that challenge the user to unlock a series of puzzles.\nHumarang encouraged students to explore how rewarding coding can be: Coding can seem daunting at first, but it makes you look at not only computers, but the whole world in another way.\nThe Congressional App Challenge has again shown the creativity of students from across Northwest Washington. I congratulate all of the students who competed and our winner, William Humarang, who developed a fun, interactive hacker game to engage students of all ages in coding, said Larsen.\nAs the Second District winner, Humarang will receive $250 in Amazon Web Services credits, and his app will be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the House of Representatives website.\nIn 2018, Burlington-Edison High School student Will Garrison won with an app designed to help users practice and learn math skills in a fun and engaging way.\nWashington state continues to be a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with more than 313,000 high school students and 165,000 two-year college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs.\nThe Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition that aims to help maintain U.S. competitiveness by inspiring youth to pursue crucial STEM skills.\nFor more information about the Congressional App Challenge, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/debbie-wasserman-schultz-congressional-caucus-black-jewish-relations", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations Condemn Hanukkah Attacks", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. House members from both sides of the aisle who lead the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, including a congresswoman from Florida, weighed in on the recent attacks made at a rabbi's home in Monsey, New York. The leadership of the caucusU.S. Reps. Will Hurd, R-NY, Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., John Lewis, D-Ga., Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., and Lee Zeldin, R-NYissued a joint statement on Sunday about the attacks. On Saturday, five people were stabbed at a Hanukkah event at Rottenberg's home. An hour later, police arrested Grafton Thomas in connection to the attacks.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lowey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lowey-ramapo-leaders-and-ajc-ceo-harris-honor-josef-gluck-hero-monsey", "Lowey, Ramapo Leaders, and AJC CEO Harris Honor Josef Gluck, Hero of Monsey Attack", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Nita Lowey", "L000480", "lowey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lowey honors Gluck for his bravery during anti-Semitic attack at rabbi's home in Monsey.\nRAMAPO, NY  Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, joined Michael Specht, Town of Ramapo Supervisor, and American Jewish Committee's (AJC) chief executive, David Harris, to honor Josef Gluck for his bravery and quick response during Saturday evening's attack in Monsey at the home of Rabbi Chaim Leibowitz Rottenberg.\nJosef Gluck was at the Hanukkah party when a man entered wielding a machete. After attempting to move people towards the back of the house away from the attacker, Gluck threw a coffee table to end the heinous stabbing. As the attacker left, Gluck followed him outside and took down his license plate. Gluck is likely the reason the suspect of Saturday night's attack was caught so quickly.\nThank you, Josef, said Congresswoman Lowey. Without you, we would have never caught him as quickly as we did. What New York is experiencing can only be called an epidemic. In the past year, anti-Semitic crimes in New York City have increased by 21 percent. The attack here in our backyard was the 13th anti-Semitic crime in the New York City area just last week. We must seek long-term solutions to this age-old problem.\nThe Town of Ramapo is honored to have Congresswoman Lowey join us in support of our community, to oppose anti-Semitism and to honor Joseph Gluck, our American hero, on his bravery, said Michael Specht, Town of Ramapo Supervisor.\nI'm honored to join Congresswoman Nita Lowey today in paying tribute to Josef Gluck, who exemplified such heroism in the face of the horrific antisemitic attack in Monsey on December 28, said American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris. In the face of a veritable epidemic of antisemitic assaults, all people of goodwill must stand together to affirm our shoulder-to-shoulder solidarity and shared common destiny.\nLowey is the co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism. The Task Force is made up of 176 members of Congress who come from across the country, from all religions, and from both sides of the aisle. Since 2015, the Task Force has worked to ensure that Congress plays an integral role in condemning and spearheading initiatives to combat anti-Semitism, both domestically and abroad.\nAdditionally, as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, Lowey led the Congress in increasing vital security funding. In 2018, she established a nonprofit security grant program for those outside of UASI regions, and in the most recent federal spending package, she successfully increased funding for that program by 300 percent from $10 million to $40 million. That federal spending agreement also included $10 million to reestablish the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grants program at DHS and an additional $7.5 million to fund the grants.\nI condemn in the strongest words the anti-Semitic attack at Rabbi Rottenberg's home, said Congresswoman Lowey. I continue to keep the victims of the attack and their families in my prayers.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/year-accomplishments-ways-and-means-committee", "A Year of Accomplishments from the Ways and Means Committee", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard Neal", "N000015", "neal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  After assuming the majority in the House of Representatives in January, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Richard E. Neal worked tirelessly with his colleagues to advance measures that support Americans' financial security, health, and wellbeing. A few of the Committee's notable achievements in 2019 include: LEGISLATION:\n  Lowering Drug Prices and Leveling the Playing Field  \n\t After years of congressional inaction on the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, the Ways and Means Committee passed H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which allows the HHS Secretary to negotiate lower prescription prices and caps Medicare beneficiaries' out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs at $2,000. The legislation also fills a significant gap in Medicare, adding hearing, dental, and vision coverage to the program. The House of Representatives passed the legislation on December 12.\n  Supporting U.S. Workers, Patients, and Families through a Transformative Trade Agreement  \n\t On December 19, the House of Representatives passed legislation to implement the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, a bill that was the culmination of months of House Democrats' work to transform the new NAFTA into a deal that respects the dignity of workers, contains meaningful enforcement provisions, and prioritizes environmental protection and remediation.  \n\t\nStrengthening Retirement Security  \n\t As part of the end-of-year spending package, the House and Senate passed the SECURE Act, bipartisan Ways and Means legislation that expands opportunities for Americans to increase their retirement savings.  \n\t\nProtecting Workers and Retirees  \n\t The Ways and Means Committee and the full House of Representatives passed the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, legislation commonly referred to as the Butch Lewis Act. More than a million Americans participate in multiemployer pension plans that are quickly running out of money. This bipartisan legislation addresses the worsening crisis that threatens the retirement savings of workers and retirees who  year after year  gave up wage increases in order to fund their pension plans.  \n\t\nInvesting in the U.S. Workforce, Families, and Economy  \n\t Ways and Means Democrats passed the most significant pro-work, poverty-reducing tax bill in at least a decade for residents of all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. The Economic Mobility Act provides an important economic boost for middle-class families who continue to struggle in this economy.  \n\t\nReforming the IRS for Taxpayers  \n\t President Trump signed into law bipartisan Ways and Means legislation to redesign the Internal Revenue Service for the first time in over two decades. The Taxpayer First Act included new protections for low-income taxpayers, practical enforcement reforms, and upgraded assistance for taxpayers and small businesses.  \n\t\nIncreasing Drug Pricing Transparency  \n\t In an effort to address the high cost of prescription drugs, the Ways and Means Committee passed the bipartisan Prescription Drug STAR Act, legislation that brings sunlight across the health care supply chain, from pharmaceutical manufacturers to pharmacy benefit managers, to help reduce costs for families.  \n\t\nPreparing Workers for Good Health Care Job Opportunities  \n\t The Ways and Means Committee passed H.R. 3398, the Pathways to Health Careers Act of 2019, which funds the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program. HPOGs are a proven approach to train workers for in-demand health jobs while providing key work supports like child care and transportation.  \n\t\nCombatting the Opioid Crisis  \n\t In an effort to address the opioid epidemic devastating communities across the country, the Committee passed H.R. 3414, a bill that increases the number of graduate medical education residency slots available to train addiction specialists  adding 1,000 new slots between now and 2026.  \n\t\nBringing Respect, Dignity, and Fairness to the Tax Code  \n\t Fifty years after the Stonewall riots, the House of Representatives passed Ways and Means legislation called the PRIDE Act which updates the tax code to clarify that all federal tax provisions respecting marriage will apply to legally married same-sex couples in the same manner as other married couples.  \n\t\nReducing Youth Vaping  \n\t The Ways and Means Committee passed bipartisan legislation to impose a nicotine excise tax, which would increase e-cigarette pricing in an effort to discourage youth and young adults from purchasing items like Juul pods.  \n\t\nKeeping More Families Together  \n\t As part of the end-of-year spending package, the House and Senate both passed the Family First Transition Act, legislation introduced in the House by a bipartisan group of Ways and Means Committee members that helps states transform their child welfare systems to keep more children safely at home, instead of placing them in foster care.  \n\t\nTackling Climate Change through the Tax Code  \n\t Ways and Means Democrats put forward draft legislation  the GREEN Act  that is a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change using the tax code to extend and expand renewable energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. HEARINGS:  \n\tWays and Means Committee Democrats led hearings on a variety of pressing issues that affect Americans' lives. Topics addressed included:\n  \n\t Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills  \n\t The Economic and Health Consequences of Climate Change  \n\t The Public Health Consequences and Costs of Gun Violence  \n\t Protecting and Improving Social Security  \n\t Paid Family and Medical Leave: Helping Workers and Employers Succeed   \n\t U.S.-China Trade  \n\t Our Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure and the Need for Immediate Action  \n\t Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions  \n\t Overcoming Racial Disparities and Social Determinants in the Maternal Mortality Crisis  \n\t Caring for Aging Americans\n  \n\tTo learn more about Ways and Means Committee Democrats' work, visit WaysandMeans.House.gov.\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-s-anti-robocalls-bill-signed-law", "Pallones Anti-Robocalls Bill Signed into Law", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Long Branch, NJ  Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.'s (NJ-06) bipartisan legislation to stop bad robocalls was signed into law by President Trump. The Pallone-Thune TRACED ACT wasannouncedas part of a bipartisan, bicameral agreement by the House and Senate last month. This month, the House of Representativespassedthe bill by a vote of 417-3. It later passed the Senate by voice vote.\nThis year, New Jerseyans have received an estimated 200 million robocalls in the 732 area code alone and over a billion statewide. In November, a whopping 5.6 billion robocalls were made nationwide, according to Robokiller.\nI'm delighted the President signed this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill into law. It will bring much-needed relief to New Jerseyans who have put up with these relentless and illegal calls for far too long, Congressman Pallone said. This legislation will put Americans back in control of their phones. These calls are not just annoying  they also are scams targeted at consumers.I thank my colleagues in Congress who helped get this important legislation signed into law.\nThePallone-Thune TRACED Act:\n Requires carriers to offer call-authentication technology to everyone at no additional charge;\n\tRequires opt-in or opt-out robocall blocking be offered at no additional charge to consumers;\n\tGives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the ability to step up enforcement actions against unlawful robocalls with a longer statute of limitations and increased fines in certain cases;\n\tPushes the Department of Justice to bring more criminal prosecutions against criminal robocallers;\n\tRequires the FCC to work to stop one-ring scams;\n\tHelps the FCC and responsible carriers traceback and cutoff suspect phone companies that are responsible for sending vast numbers of unlawful robocalls; and\n\tProtects patients, doctors and hospitals from unlawful robocalls.\n Pallone spoke on the House Floor this month in favor of the legislation. Video of his remarks are availablehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/in-2019-casey-produces-results-for-pa-constituents", "In 2019, Casey Produces Results for PA Constituents", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/123119", "Dear Colleague: Happy New Year!", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "www.speaker.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Colleague,\nWishing you a happy and healthy New Year full of peace, love and joy!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-statement-on-escalation-in-iraq", "Udall Statement on Escalation in Iraq", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 31, 2019\n\t\t\t Udall Statement on Escalation in Iraq \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after Iranian-backed protestors attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq following U.S. air strikes:\r\nThe predictable result of the Trump administration's reckless bluster, escalation and miscalculation in the Middle East is that we are now hurtling closer to an unauthorized war with Iran that the American people do not support. I am hoping and praying the dangerous situation at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad is resolved without serious injuries or loss of life, and I urge the administration to focus on dialogue and diplomacy going forward.\r\n\"At a volatile time, President Trump and his advisors are endangering U.S. citizens and pushing us closer to what would be another disastrous and deadly Middle East entanglement  and toward a war that Congress has not approved. Both the House and the Senate took major steps earlier this year with majority bipartisan votes to prevent an unauthorized war with Iran, but the Trump administration and Republican leaders thwarted the will of Congress and kept the measure out of the final national defense bill. This was a potentially tragic missed opportunity, but that is no excuse for inaction going forward. Both Houses of Congress need to step up before it is too late to halt this march to war.\r\nUdall is the author of a bipartisan amendment to prevent unauthorized war with Iran that passed the House and earned majority support in the Senate.\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 \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    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/warner-on-legislation-to-stop-annoying-robocalls-signed-into-law", "Warner on Legislation to Stop Annoying Robocalls Signed Into Law", "2019-12-31", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Mark Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the followingstatement after President Trump signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Warner to crack down on illegal robocall scams:\r\nThe truth is, folks in Virginia and across the nation are sick and tired of receiving unsolicited robocalls at all hours of the day, said Sen. Warner. These calls are intrusive and often set up by scammers looking to pray on vulnerable individuals. I'm proud to have sponsored this legislation and am very excited to see it signed into law so that it can start giving individuals some peace of mind. Personally, I know I won't miss these annoying robocalls, and I have a feeling other Virginians won't either.\r\nThe Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act gives regulators more time to find scammers, increases civil forfeiture penalties for those who are caught, requires service providers to adopt call authentication and blocking, and brings relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address impediments to criminal prosecution of robocallers who intentionally break laws. Sen. Warner sponsored the Senate version of the bill, which passed the Senate in 97-1 vote in May 2019. After the House passed an amended version of the bill earlier this month, the Senate unanimously voted to send the bill to the President's desk for signature on December 18.\r\nThe TRACED Act:\r\n \r\nBroadens the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to levy civil penalties of up to $10,000 per call on people who intentionally flout telemarketing restrictions.\r\nExtends the window for the FCC to catch and take civil enforcement action against intentional violations to four years after a robocall is placed. Under current law, the FCC has only one year to do so, and the FCC has told the committee that even a one-year longer statute of limitations for enforcement would improve enforcement against violators.\r\nBrings together the Department of Justice, FCC, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and other relevant federal agencies, as well as state attorneys general and other non-federal entities to identify and report to Congress on improving deterrence and criminal prosecution at the federal and state level of robocall scams.\r\nRequires voice service providers to adopt call authentication technologies, enabling a telephone carrier to verify that incoming calls are legitimate before they reach consumers' phones.\r\nDirects the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to help protect subscribers from receiving unwanted calls or texts from callers.\r\nDirects the FCC to initiate a rulemaking process to protect consumers from one-ring scams.\r\nRequires the FCC to establish a working group to issue best practices to prevent hospitals from receiving illegal robocalls.\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402283", "Hastings Statement on West Palm Beach VA Shared Congressional Space Closure", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Alcee L. Hastings made the following statement on the closing of the shared Congressional space at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC-WPB), effective December 31, 2019(Please find attached the letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs): I am truly honored and privileged to represent the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC-WPB) in my Congressional district.Thus, I find it most regrettable that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made an extremely short-sighted decision to terminate the shared-space agreement at the VAMC-WPB, effective December 31, 2019.This was the the first-of-its-kind agreement, which enabled the entire Palm Beach Congressional delegation to hold office hours at the VAMC-WPB, helping to improve constituent access to our Congressional offices.While appeals have been made to the VA to reconsider this decision, it is extremely unfortunate that veterans in our region will be hurt by this decision.I remain committed to serving our veterans and their families with the dignity and respect they rightly deserve, said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20).\r\nCongressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402284", "Hastings Condemns Violent Anti-Semitic Attack on Jewish Community in New York", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Alcee Hastings", "H000324", "alceehastings.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hastings Condemns Violent Anti-Semitic Attack on Jewish Community in New York  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Fort Lauderdale, FL,\r\n        December 30, 2019\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) issued the following statement on the attack in Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in Monsey, New York:\r\nI was heartbroken to learn of the heinous anti-Semitic attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Rabbi Rottenberg's home. I condemn in the strongest possible terms this horrific act of violence and the many recent anti-Semitic attacks in the New York metro area, during this holiday season.\r\nThere is no doubt that the forces of anti-Semitism are not only affecting our nation, but also are on the rise across the globe, and must be unequivocally denounced.People of all faiths deserve to feel safe in their place of worship.We must condemn all forms of hatred and strengthen our resolve to make it clear that bigotry and hate have no place in our society. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.  \r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=459E2585-C38E-426B-8AA9-827E0461759E", "Feinstein Condemns Anti-Semitic Attacks", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the series of anti-Semitic attacks in New York and New Jersey over the past week:\r\nSaturday's horrific attack at a rabbi's home in Monsey, N.Y., was the latest in a string of anti-Semitic attacks in New York and New Jersey that should shake all of us to our core.\r\nNo one in this country should be fearful of practicing their religion, yet that's exactly what we're witnessing. To enter a home and viciously stab five worshippers with a machete is an unthinkable act of terror, plain and simple.\r\nI agree with Senator Schumer and others that we need a comprehensive federal investigation into these attacks, including the motivations of the perpetrators and how we can prevent future attacks. We must stem the tide of these hate crimes.\r\nFreedom of religion is a foundation of our way of life, and more must be done to ensure that freedom is available to everyone.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-calls-on-massachusetts-offshore-wind-developers-to-ensure-offshore-wind-jobs-are-union-jobs", "Senator Markey Calls on Massachusetts Offshore Wind Developers to Ensure Offshore Wind Jobs Are Union Jobs", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Edward Markey", "M000133", "www.markey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Markey Calls on Massachusetts Offshore Wind Developers to Ensure Offshore Wind Jobs Are Union Jobs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 30, 2019\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nIn letters to two major offshore wind developers, Markey calls for all Massachusetts offshore wind projects to enter into Project Labor Agreements\r\n\r\nBoston (December 30, 2019)  Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-author of the Green New Deal resolution, sent letters today to offshore wind developers Vineyard Wind and rsted calling on them to enter into Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for all projects off the Massachusetts and the larger East Coast. A PLA would ensure that newly created jobs in the offshore wind industry are good-paying and safe, and that jobs would be filled with a highly skilled local union workforce. Massachusetts has set a goal of procuring 1600 MW of offshore wind under a 2016 renewable energy law, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources recently laid out a plan to solicit an additional 1,600 MW of offshore wind by 2024. The U.S. Energy Department found that the United States could install a total of 22,000 megawatts of offshore wind projects by 2030 and 86,000 MW by 2050, creating tens of thousands of jobs in coastal communities along the Atlantic Coast.\r\n\r\nThe introduction of offshore wind facilities off the coast of Massachusetts is poised to create tens of thousands of new jobs across the region,writes Senator Markey in his letters.All offshore wind projects off the coast of Massachusetts should enter into Project Labor Agreements to make sure that local, highly skilled workers can have good-paying and safe jobs in this important new industry. Massachusetts labor unions stand ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of projects like Vineyard Wind, and can train and develop the local workforce to meet the demands of the offshore wind industry.\r\n\r\nA copy of Senator Markey's letter to rsted can be foundHERE. A copy of his letter to Vineyard Wind can be foundHERE.\r\n\r\nIn June, Senators Markey, Tom Carper (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introducedlegislationto expand offshore wind educational and career training. The legislation would direct the Energy Department to work with stakeholders to identify the offshore wind industry's educational and career training needs before setting up a grant program to address those needs, including current worker training, training in conjunction with an apprenticeship, individual tuition assistance for a postsecondary credential, or other activities to address the workforce needs of the offshore wind industry. Labor unions and institutions of higher education would be eligible for these grants.\r\n\r\nIn June, Senators Markey and Whitehouse, and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) reintroduced legislation that would spur the growth of offshore wind energy in the United States by extending tax credits for the renewable energy industry. TheOffshore Wind Incentives for New Development (WIND) Actwould extend the 30 percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind through 2025.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-announce-16m-to-help-hackensack-meridian-health-treat-at-risk-nj-kids-and-their-families", "Menendez, Booker Announce $16M to Help Hackensack Meridian Health Treat at Risk NJ Kids and their Families", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M000639", "www.menendez.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Menendez, Booker Announce $16M to Help Hackensack Meridian Health Treat at Risk NJ Kids and their Families \n\t\t\t\n\t Menendez, Booker Announce $16M to Help Hackensack Meridian Health Treat at Risk NJ Kids and their Families \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, December 30, 2019\n\t\n\t\r\nNEWARK, N.J.  U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced that Hackensack Meridian Health has been awarded $15.8 million over seven years from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish the New Jersey Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model, which aims to address a combination of factors for high-risk pediatric patients, including medical, behavioral and social risks. The network was one of eight awarded nationally and the only in the in the state of New Jersey. To implement the program, Hackensack MeridianHealthwill partner with the VNA of Central Jersey, the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (Quality Institute) and the New Jersey State Medicaid office.\r\n \r\nThis incredible funding will allow Hackensack Meridian Healthto provide affordable, quality care to New Jersey's children,said Sen. Menendez.It's vital that we invest in programs like this so we can detect issues children are having early on and treat them appropriately. I appreciate Hackensack Meridian's efforts in identifying and treating vulnerable children and providing them with comprehensive care management and look forward to continue working with them to ensure New Jerseyans have access to great health care services.\r\nFar too many communities in New Jersey face great obstacles when seeking adequate healthcare,said Sen. Booker. This crucial federal funding will support Hackensack University Medical Center's child-centered behavioral health services that are geared towards children affected by the opioid crisis. It is this type of innovative care and support from the federal government that will help New Jersey put an end to this devastating epidemic and better prepare our young people to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.\r\nWe are so excited to have been selected as a recipient of this cooperative agreement on behalf of the state of New Jersey,says Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. This is a novel concept that, once proven, can be replicated throughout the state, and we are truly energized to begin implementation with these tremendous partners, who were integral to being awarded this cooperative agreement.\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/congressional-visit-sen-merkley-to-hold-curry-town-hall", "Congressional Visit: Sen. Merkley to hold Curry town hall", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressional Visit: Sen. Merkley to hold Curry town hall \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMonday, December 30, 2019\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOregon's U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley plans to kick off 2020 with 12 town halls across Southern and Central Oregon, including one in Curry County. The town halls will be Jan. 2 through 5, in Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, and Gilliam counties.\r\nAccording to a release from Merkley's office, he will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C., and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America.\r\nHearing from Oregonians across the state is critical to doing my job, Merkley said. From tackling Sudden Oak Death, to big investments in rural broadband, to making sure small ports get dredged, the ideas and priorities I hear about in town halls wind up as the solutions I fight to get into federal law. I look forward to these discussions about how we can strengthen our state and our nation.\r\nSince joining the Senate in 2009, Merkley has held a town hall in each of Oregon's 36 counties every year. In all, the New Year town halls will be his 408th as a U.S. Senator.\r\nThe following locations are Merkley's scheduled town halls.\r\nJan. 2\r\n10 a.m.\r\nDouglas County Town Hall\r\nSutherlin High School, gym\r\n500 E. Fourth Ave.\r\nSutherlin\r\n2 p.m.\r\nCoos County Town Hall\r\nCoquille Community Center, small auditorium\r\n115 N. Birch St.\r\nCoquille\r\n5:30 p.m.\r\nCurry County Town Hall\r\nPort Orford Community Hall\r\n419 Eleventh St.\r\nPort Orford\r\nJan. 3\r\n8:30 a.m. Josephine County Town Hall\r\nRogue Community College, gym\r\n3345 Redwood Highway\r\nGrants Pass\r\n12 p.m.\r\nJackson County Town Hall\r\nSouthern Oregon University, Rogue River Room\r\n1250 Siskiyou Blvd.\r\nAshland\r\n4 p.m.\r\nKlamath County Town Hall\r\nOregon Institute of Technology, College Union, Mazama-Scott Room\r\n3201 Campus Drive\r\nKlamath Falls\r\nJan 4\r\n9 a.m.\r\nDeschutes County Town Hall\r\nRidgeview High School, auditorium\r\n4555 SW Elkhorn Ave.\r\nRedmond\r\n12 p.m.\r\nJefferson County Town Hall\r\nMadras Performing Arts Center, auditorium\r\n412 SE Buff St.\r\n\r\nMadras\r\n3 p.m.\r\nCrook County Town Hall\r\nBarnes Butte Elementary School, gym\r\n1875 NE Ironhorse Drive\r\nPrineville\r\n6:30 p.m.\r\nWheeler County Town Hall\r\nMitchell School, cafeteria\r\n340 SE High St.\r\nMitchell\r\nJan. 5\r\n12:30 p.m.\r\nGrant County Town Hall\r\nMount Vernon Community Hall\r\n640 Ingle St.\r\nMt. Vernon\r\n5 p.m.\r\nGilliam County Town Hall\r\nVeterans Memorial Hall\r\n120 S. Main St.\r\nCondon\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://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-biohaven-pharmaceuticals-as-murphys-innovator-of-the-month", "MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BIOHAVEN PHARMACEUTICALS AS MURPHYS INNOVATOR OF THE MONTH", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BIOHAVEN PHARMACEUTICALS AS MURPHY'S INNOVATOR OF THE MONTH\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 30, 2019\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHARTFORDU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)announced on Monday that New Haven innovator Biohaven Pharmaceuticals has been named Innovator of the Month. Founded in 2013, Biohaven is arapidly growingcompany focused on neurological-innovation and developing products that address several of the most disabling and devastating neurological disorders, such as migraines, Alzheimer's disease, and anxiety. The company was created to fill what the founders saw as a void in neurology research in the pharmaceutical industry.\r\nThis is Connecticut innovation at its best. Migraines can be a nightmare and hamper people's ability to function, and Biohaven is leading the way in finding an innovative cure. I'm proud to highlight Biohaven as this month's innovator and encourage investment in treating neurological conditions. I look forward to watching this company continue to grow right here in Connecticut,said Murphy.\r\nVlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven said,Biohavenisgrateful to Senator Murphy for this recognition and for his strong commitment to supporting innovation toimprove lives andstimulate economic development.Biohavenhasthrivedin theentrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of community herein New Haven, Connecticut.Our goal atBiohavenwas to create an organization that is focused on unmetmedicalneedsand add value for our patients and shareholders while maintaining an efficient and high performing culture. New Haven has beenan ideal location forBiohavengiven its proximity to Yale and highly skilled pharmaceutical talent that sits in the geographic corridor between New York and Boston.\r\nBiohavencurrently is seekingFood and Drug Administrationapproval forits first medicine,rimegepant, acalcitoningene-relatedpeptide (CGRP) antagonist that targets the body's neurotransmitter that is the root cause of a migraine headache.Migraines are a leading cause of disability worldwide andBiohaven'sdata published in theNew England Journal of MedicineandThe Lancetshow thatrimegepantworksfor many patientswithin minutes,restores normal functioningandits effectcanlastfortwo days after a single dose.\r\nBiohaven'sportfolio also includes a widepipelineof innovative late-stage product candidates includingtroriluzole, a glutamate modulator being studied for the treatmentof mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease(AD), andverdiperstat, a myeloperoxidase inhibitor being studied for multiple neurodegenerative disorders. The company recently received encouraging news thatitsstudyoftroriluzolein ADpassed an interim futility analysis after the first 100 patients completed 6 months of treatment.     \r\nBiohavenstarted smallwith only a few employeesin the back office of a clinicandwas initially foundeduponintellectual property related to Dr.Coric'swork on glutamate modulating agents licensed from Yale University.Biohavenwent public in 2017 and their common sharesarelisted on the New York Stock Exchange traded under the tickersymbolBHVN.Biohavenhas grown to over 600 employees andhas raised over $1.1 billion to funditsresearch and developmentactivities.Biohavenhas established an impressive presence in New Haven byrenovating a building just off the Yale University campus in the heart of theNew Havenfinancial district.\r\nMurphy believes entrepreneurship and innovation are the building blocks for a strong economy. In the U.S. Senate, he has introduced two bipartisan pieces of legislation to incentivize angel investors to put more money into startup companies the Angel Tax Credit Actand theHelping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act.Startup companies create an average of 2 million jobs each year.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-secures-more-than-1-million-for-first-ever-navy-rotc-program-at-uh-manoa", "Schatz Secures More Than $1 Million For First-Ever Navy ROTC Program At UH Manoa", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Brian Schatz", "S001194", "www.schatz.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Schatz Secures More Than $1 Million For First-Ever Navy ROTC Program At UH Manoa \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, December 30, 2019\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t   HONOLULU  U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured $1.1 million for a first-ever Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa. The funding was included in the bipartisan spending deal signed into law by the president this month.\r\nThis new ROTC program at UH will give more Hawaii students a chance at earning scholarships and gaining an education, while helping the Navy strengthen its diversity to make sure its officers better reflect the American public and our values in Hawaii, said Senator Schatz, lead Democrat on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\n\r\nSchatz met with Navy Secretary Richard Spencer earlier this year and urged him to use additional congressional funding for the Navy's ROTC program to establish a unit at UH. Schatz reminded Spencer that senior Navy leaders in Hawaii have long spoken to the university's potential to commission a significant number of high-quality cadets with critical language and technical skills from among an ethnically and racially diverse student body that will help the Navy strengthen its diversity and representation of the state. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz worked with committee colleagues to secure the new funding for the UH program.\r\n\r\nThe new Navy ROTC program will train students to become commissioned officers and enable more Hawaii students to attend college and serve their country.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/december-2019-newsletter", "December 2019 Newsletter", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...  \n\tTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.  \n\tSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-statement-on-congressman-john-lewis-cancer-diagnosis", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS CANCER DIAGNOSIS", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford Bishop", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "If there is one thing I know about Congressman Lewis, it's that he is a fighter. Though I am deeply saddened by this news, it is his fighting spirit that gives me hope. My wife Vivian and I will keep him in our prayers as he undergoes cancer treatment and continues making good trouble.'", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-statement-john-lewis-cancer-diagnosis", "Congressman Cohen Statement on John Lewis Cancer Diagnosis", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "TN", "Steve Cohen", "C001068", "cohen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today released the following statement on learning that Congressman and Civil Rights hero John Lewis has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer:\nJohn Lewis has been a heroic voice of conscience in an era of lessening values. He is America's saint. I was proud to join him on the House floor in protesting the Republican failure to advance reasonable gun safety bills and in standing with him in resistance to the illegitimate presidency we are enduring. Congressman Lewis is loved by all in Congress and is the voice of the beloved community. I know he will fight this cancer and come back as soon as practicable. He is in our prayers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-angie-craig-votes-pass-historic-drug-pricing-bill-0", "Rep. Angie Craig Votes to Pass Historic Drug Pricing Bill", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Angie Craig voted to pass the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would save Minnesota families tens of thousands of dollars in prescription drug costs.\nWorking families cannot wait for action on the outrageous cost of prescription drugs, said Rep. Craig. I cosponsored this historic piece of legislation to put common-sense solutions in place to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors, invest in research for more effective treatments, and hold big drug companies accountable for profiting off the backs of Minnesota families. It is now the Senate's turn to take up this essential piece of legislation.\nThe Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act is estimated to save over $500 billion over ten years according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The bill would:\n Allow Medicare to negotiate prices for a minimum of 50 of the most expensive drugs and to extend the negotiated price to all health plans\n\tCreate a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors\n\tExpand Medicare benefits to include vision, dental, and hearing for the first time, which would benefit over 100,000 people in Minnesota's Second District alone\n\tInvest in research for new innovation, cures and treatments\n Rep. Craig has been leading the effort to lower the cost of health care and the price of prescription drugs since she was sworn in this past January. She has introduced or cosponsored 59 health care bills, including the State Healthcare Premium Reduction Act, which would lower insurance premiums in the individual market and the Emergency Access to Insulin Act, which would create emergency insulin supplies and hold big drug companies accountable for jacking up prices. Additionally, she has held six health care listening sessions across the district in Eagan, Burnsville, Northfield, Wabasha, Shakopee, and Red Wing to hear directly from constituents on their experiences with health care.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jason-crow-releases-2019-year-review", "Rep. Jason Crow Releases 2019 Year in Review", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jason Crow", "C001121", "crow.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Jason Crow Releases 2019 Year in Review\n                        \n  \n                \n    \n      \n  \n    \n  \n      \n  \n  \n    By the Numbers\n59,214 responses to constituent emails, letters, and calls\n\t250+ community events attended\n\t$25 million secured in federal grants\n\t17 bills, amendments, and resolutions introduced including 7 bills passing the House and 3 bills enacted into law\n\t15 town halls and Crow on Your Corners\n\t536 constituents helped\n\t$1.03 million returned to constituents through casework\nKey Legislative Wins\nPromoting Energy Efficiency: This month, Crow'sSAVE Energy Act was signed into law. The law follows Colorado's lead in making energy efficiency a priority by providing homeowners with a tax credit upwards of $500 for investing in energy-efficient improvements such as better windows, doors, roofing, insulation, and HVAC systems.\n\tCracking Down on Dark Money: Crow's first bill in Congress, the End Dark Money Act, which passed the House in early March, would close the loophole that allows mega-donors to hide their identities.\n\tProtecting Our Planet: Crow's bipartisan bill, theMilitary Installation Resilience Assuredness (MIRA) Act, ensures we understand the threat climate change poses to our national security and was successfully enacted into law. This fall, Crow launched the Sustainable Power Initiative, a series of roundtable discussions to bring together military leaders, policy experts, and industry innovators to discuss how to improve energy efficiency and resiliency at the Department of Defense.\n\tStanding up to the Gun Lobby: From Columbine to Aurora, Colorado 6th's district has been ripped apart by gun violence. As co-chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Crow worked hard to pass H.R. 8, the bipartisan background checks bill, and introduced the Colorado Loophole Act to make sure someone can't buy a gun if they aren't allowed to in their home state.The bill was a direct response following the Columbine anniversary scare on the front range.\n\tAddressing Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Costs: Crow helped introduce the Freedom from Price Gouging Act which would stop Big Pharma from overcharging for prescription drugs by requiring them to pay a heavy fine if they raise the cost over normal levels of inflation. The bill passed the House in late December as part of a series of robust reforms.\n\tFinding Common Sense Solutions: With partisan politics at an all-time high, Crow has worked to find common ground and introduced numerous bipartisan bills including the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Fund Act, the Syrian Partner Protection Act, and seven small business bills in tandem with a Republican co-lead.\nNew Programs in CO-06\nJob Fair: In August, Crow hosted one of the largest job fairs in the 6th District with over 1,000 job seekers and 60+ employers.\n\tWeekly Oversight ICE Visits: After disturbing reports and multiple disease outbreaks, Crow launched a first-in-the-nation program to provide oversight to private immigration detention centers with weekly visits to the Aurora ICE detention facility. You can find copies of past reports on his website:https://crow.house.gov/about/ice-accountability-report\n\tMobile Office Hours: To build a team that is accessible to Coloradans, Crow launched Mobile Office Hours and has team has hosted over 35 mobile office hour events.\n\tLead Locally: Lead Locally is a new initiative that brought Crow to every town and city in the district, from Foxfield (pop. 700) to Aurora (pop. 366,000), to listen and learn from community leaders. From Lead Locally, Crow's office identified an opportunity for federal funding and in November helped secure $25 million for infrastructure projects in the district.\n\tPublic Schedule: Crow is one of the first members of Congress to post his congressional meeting schedule on his website:https://crow.house.gov/about/public-schedule", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-announces-1-million-federal-grant-peoples-community-health-clinic", "Finkenauer Announces $1 Million Federal Grant for Peoples Community Health Clinic", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "IA", "Abby Finkenauer", "F000467", "finkenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced Peoples Community Health Clinic will receive a $1,039,051 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.\nWe must continue to move toward the goal of providing Iowans with access to high-quality, affordable health care, Congresswoman Finkenauer said, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand how Peoples Community Health Clinic is part of the solution, and I am happy to see them receive this meaningful grant that will help Iowans.\nPeoples Community Health Clinic, Inc.is a nonprofit health care clinic that provides care to patients regardless of financial situation and insurance status. Peoples Community Health Clinic has locations in Waterloo and Clarksville.\nFinkenauervisited the Waterloo locationon August 7th.\nFinkenauer also invited Peoples Community Health Clinic toparticipate in her Waterloo health fairon November 18th.\nFinkenauer also helped secure an extension for federal funding for community health centers, and sent a letter to House and Senate leadership in August urging a long-term bipartisan and bicameral funding solution.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gabbard.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-tulsi-gabbard-announces-kal-heo-high-student-winner-congressional-app", "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Announces Kalheo High Student as Winner of Congressional App Challenge", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Tulsi Gabbard", "G000571", "gabbard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCRep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today announced Jasmine Cadotte, a sophomore at Kalheo High School in Kailua, Oahu, as the winner of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge for Hawaii's second congressional district. Cadotte developed an app called Fake News Detector, which uses artificial intelligence to sift through news stories on social media and analyzes the credibility of its sources.\nI was inspired to create this app because as a user of technology in our modern society, I am constantly surrounded by fake news that is disguised all over the internet. It can be very difficult to determine whether or not a source is reliable, Cadotte said. This tool saves people the time and effort of sorting through news to find out if it is reliable information.\"\nSecond place went to Morgan Dean, a senior at Hawaii Preparatory in Waimea, Hawaii Island, whose app Media Manager helps wrangle duplicate files and unorganized folders.\nThird place went to the team of Hunter Shields and Conner Kong, juniors at Maui High in Kahului, Maui. Their app Maui XC Maps provides easy access to maps of cross country running routes on Maui.\nHonorable mention went to the Maui High team of freshmen Josh Patrick Lachica and Jordan Shim. Their app ProgressTracker graphs scores in air riflery to track friendly competition.\nRep. Tulsi Gabbard said: Hawaii's youth are incredibly talented, and they bring fresh perspectives to our society's challenges. The Congressional App Challenge is one way for us to recognize the creativity, innovation, and coding abilities of our students. Congratulations to Jasmine, Morgan, Hunter, Conner, Josh and Jordan, and mahalo nui loa to all of the students who submitted an app, the judges, teachers, and parents who support our students, and our community for prioritizing STEM skills that set our future leaders up for success.\nThis year's panel of local Congressional App Challenge judges included Cheyenne Ehrlich, Founder and CEO of SaferKid; Peter Liu, Founder of 47scapes; and Steve Sue, Chairman of Bizgenics.\n\nBackground: The Congressional App Challenge inspires, includes, and innovates efforts around STEM, coding, and computer science education among middle and high school students in Hawaii and across the country. The winners of the Congressional App Challenge will be invited to Washington, DC in the Spring of 2020 to showcase their apps at the #HouseofCode event in the U.S. Capitol.\n\nAbout Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is serving her fourth term in the United States House representing Hawaii's Second District, and serves on the House Armed Services and Financial Services Committees. She previously served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Homeland Security Committee. She was elected to the Honolulu City Council in 2010, and prior to that at age 21, was elected to the Hawaii State Legislature in 2002, becoming the youngest person ever elected in the state. Tulsi Gabbard has served in the Hawaii Army National Guard for 16 years, is a veteran of two Middle East deployments, and continues to serve as a Major. Learn more about Rep. Tulsi Gabbard...\n\nFollow Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on social media:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1557", "Larsen Statement on Resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", "larsen", "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "\u2013 Today, House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement on news of the resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg:\n\n\u201cNothing is more important than the safety of the traveling public. As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I remain committed to the thorough oversight of the 737 MAX certification process and ensuring the aircraft\u2019s safe return to service.\n\n\u201cThe Committee\u2019s oversight investigation will continue into 2020. I will continue to keep the 346 victims of the two tragic 737 MAX crashes and their families at the forefront, as well as the dedicated women and men of Boeing who design, assemble and build the aircraft.\n\n\u201cFinally, the 737 MAX should not return to service until the FAA determines it is safe to do so. The Committee will continue to work with FAA Administrator Dickson and his team on safety while it also explores changes to the certification process for the future.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-resignation-boeing-ceo-dennis-muilenburg", "Larsen Statement on Resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement on news of the resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg:\nNothing is more important than the safety of the traveling public. As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I remain committed to the thorough oversight of the 737 MAX certification process and ensuring the aircraft's safe return to service.\nThe Committee's oversight investigation will continue into 2020. I will continue to keep the 346 victims of the two tragic 737 MAX crashes and their families at the forefront, as well as the dedicated women and men of Boeing who design, assemble and build the aircraft.\nFinally, the 737 MAX should not return to service until the FAA determines it is safe to do so. The Committee will continue to work with FAA Administrator Dickson and his team on safety while it also explores changes to the certification process for the future.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-rep-john-lewis", "Larson Statement on Rep. John Lewis", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "John Larson", "L000557", "larson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hartford, CT  Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the news that Rep. John Lewis (GA-05) has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer:\nJohn Lewis continues to be an inspiration. Even in the midst of his diagnosis, his focus continues to be on the beloved community he represents and in this season, helping those with the least amongst us. He's been through many fights throughout his life and neither Bull Connor nor the Ku Klux Klan could stop him. Knowing his drive and determination, neither will cancer. We all stand united with the conscious of the United States Congress and the soul of America.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/lawmakers-condemn-anti-semitic-attacks-new-york-bipartisan-support-victims", "Lawmakers Condemn Anti-Semitic Attacks in New York: Bipartisan Support for Victims", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Republicans and Democrats condemned the recent spate of anti-Semitic attacks in New York, denouncing all violence against Jews. Many Senators and House members released statements emphatically supporting the victims of the most recent attack in the Jewish community of Monsey. The lawmakers voiced their outrage about what appears to be a trend of anti-Semitic violence in the United States. Since Dec. 8, there have been 13 anti-Semitic acts of violence, including the Dec. 28 attack, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said. The attack happened on Saturday at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg. His home is next to a synagogue. The Leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, made up of Co-chairs Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Will Hurd (R-Texas), John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), issued this group statement following the attack on Rottenberg's home in Monsey.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/leading-black-jewish-legislators-us-congress-unite-condemnation-antisemitic", "Leading Black, Jewish Legislators in US Congress Unite in Condemnation of Antisemitic Attack in Monsey", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Three leading African American congressional representatives joined with their Jewish colleagues on Sunday to condemn the stabbing attack at a Hanukkah party in Monsey that left five of the guests wounded. The Leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations declared in a statement that the incident on Saturday night had to be seen in the context of rising antisemitism in the US and internationally. The statement was signed by veteran civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)  who announced on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer  along with Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY). Every individual in this country deserves to feel safe and worship without fear, the statement continued. It is this commitment to diversity that has made the United States a beacon of hope and a place of sanctuary for people around the world. The Caucus will continue to stand united in fighting for liberty and justice for all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/most-powerful-feminist-moments-2019", "The most powerful feminist moments of 2019", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Who run the world? From Serena Williams and Johanna Konta, to Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 2019 has seen countless women stand up and speak their truth in the name of feminism. We've smashed taboos, united to end violence against women, made history (again!), refused to conform, and called out misogyny wherever and whenever possible. 3) Democrats wear white in solidarity with suffragettes. In February, the women of the Democrats dressed in white for President Donald Trump's State of the Union to remind him, and his administration, that women will not relinquish their rights their ancestors fought for. Today, we stand together wearing white in solidarity with the women of the suffrage movement who refused to take no for an answer, said Rep. Brenda Lawrence. Women had to march, make demands and fight for right for the voice and have the right to vote. The women's movement was full of fighters who refused to be treated as second class citizens, but still today, 100 years after women received the right to vote, the battle continues. Our very existence, it seems, is resistance in light of the times we find ourselves in. She continued: This White House administration has tried to close its doors on women, but we will not be locked out. The administration that has closed its eyes to women, we will be seen. To an administration that refuse to listen to us, we will be heard", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://maxrose.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2438", "Rose Announces Congressional Hearing on Anti-Semitic Domestic Terrorism and Governments Response", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Max Rose", "R000613", "maxrose.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Max Rose, Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, announced today that he will hold a Congressional hearing Wednesday, January 15th on the rise of anti-Semitic domestic terrorism attacks, the federal government's response, and additional steps that can and should be taken to properly address the threats and ensure safety and security for Jewish communities. The Subcommittee will announce additional hearing details and witnesses in the coming weeks.\r\nThe unfortunate reality is that Jews are living in fear over the rise in anti-Semitism and domestic terrorist attacks. That's a reality I refuse to accept, said Rose, the first Jewish Member of Congress from Staten Island. We must address this crisis head-on, which is why my first Subcommittee hearing of the new year will be focused directly on anti-Semitic domestic terrorism, how the government is responding, and what more can be done. All levels of government need to rise to the challenge, ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community, and do everything in our power to combat the disgusting hate and pervasive anti-Semitism.\r\nRose has been consistent in keeping his focus on addressing the threats of international and domestic terrorism. Rose was successful in his bipartisan effort to nearly double funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program from $50 million to $90 million, which provides critical support and protection for nonprofit and religious institutions like synagogues, churches, mosques, and community centers which have increasingly been targets of terrorism. Earlier this year, Rose hosted a grant workshop for nonprofit and religious institutions with government officials to assist religious and nonprofit institutions on security grant programs.\r\nIncluded in the annual defense bill, which was recently signed into law, is an amended version of the Domestic and International Terrorism DATA Act, of which Rose was an original co-sponsor, that will require the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to produce an annual report on domestic terror incidents and how the government is responding.\r\nAt a recent hearing, Rose pressed the Director of the FBI on whether or not law enforcement has the necessary tools and authority to properly address the threats of white supremacist terrorism. Earlier this month, Rose led aletter with 40 Members of Congress to the Secretary of Statedemanding answers as to why foreign white supremacist extremist groups are not included on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.\r\nAdditionally, Rose chaired a joint hearingrecentlyon the challenge of white nationalist terrorism at home and abroad titled Meeting the Challenge of White Nationalist Terrorism at Home and Abroad. The hearing was a joint effort with the Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism and shed new light on the growing threat of domestic terrorists inspire by white supremacist groups abroad.\r\nRose, a combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan, helped lead an effort to coordinate U.S. strategy against anti-Semitism overseas and condemned the rise in anti-Semitism at home, including when a Staten Island Synagogue was vandalized with hate speech.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/neal-statement-latest-anti-semitic-attacks", "Neal Statement on the Latest Anti-Semitic Attacks", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard Neal", "N000015", "neal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Neal Statement on the Latest Anti-Semitic Attacks \n      \n    \n  \n      \n          \n        \n        \n  \n    \n                 Neal Statement on the Latest Anti-Semitic Attacks \n                        \n  \n                \n    \n      \n  \n    \n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    \nSpringfield, MA  Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement condemning the recent anti-Semitic attacks across our country.\nThe violent attack of innocent worshipers at a Hanukkah celebration in New York on Saturday was deeply disturbing and should be condemned. Every American should be outraged about the steady rise of anti-Semitism and hate crimes against Jews not only in New York, but across the country. These senseless acts of violence, fueled by intolerance and bigotry, are contrary to our nation's core values. During this holiday season, I urge people of all faiths to stand in solidarity and agree that prejudice and anti-Semitism in our society will not be tolerated, said Congressman Richard E. Neal. \n\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-neguse-breaks-records-in-his-first-year-in-office", "Congressman Neguse Breaks Records In His First Year in Office", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Joe Neguse", "N000191", "neguse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Introduces Most Bills of Any Freshman Lawmaker, Launches Service Town Hall Initiative, Hosts Senior Congressional Officials in the 2nd District\r\nWashington, D.C. In his first 12 months in Congress, Congressman Joe Neguse has taken Washington by storm, introducing a record 30 pieces of legislationmore than any other freshman lawmakerholding 24 town halls, launching a first-of-its-kind service town hall initiative, and passing major Colorado wilderness legislation out of the U.S. House of Representatives. Before even being sworn in, Neguse was selected by his freshman colleagues to serve as a Co-Representative for the class at the Leadership table, where he joins other members of leadership in making decisions for the Democratic caucus. He also serves a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law.\r\nIn his first year, Congressman Neguse has introduced 30 pieces of legislation, four of which have been signed into law by the President,including legislation to fund rural schools in Colorado's mountain communities, legislation to protect wildlife in the Platte River Basin, a provision to ensure water access for the town of Minturn at the Bolts Ditch Headgate in Eagle County and a provision that incorporates approximately 124 acres adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park into Arapaho National Forest.\r\nAdditionally, Neguse has introduced bipartisan legislation to invest in regenerative agriculture research, cut red tape to expand affordable housing opportunities, ensure helicopter safety, make the transfer process easier for college students and build the first-ever outdoor monument to honor the women's suffrage movement in Washington D.C. He's worked alongside county commissioners, city leaders, local housing authorities, higher education institutions and constituents across the district for each bill he's introduced to help meet tangible needs for communities in the district. See a full list of bills introduced here, including measures to invest in small-scale solar installations, create a pathway to modernize federal lab facilities, including those in the 2nd district, end climate censorship, transition the U.S. Capitol Complex to 100% renewable electricity, end surprise billing for air medical vehicles, ban fracking under National Priority Superfund sites and allow pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds.\r\nIn October, Neguse passed the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act out of the House of Representatives, the first major statewide wilderness legislation to pass the House in over a decade. The legislation was crafted by Coloradans over the last decade and would preserve 400,000 acres of public lands across the state and designate the first-ever National Historic Landscape at Camp Hale.\r\nIn the district, he has built out a robust community engagement operation, launching a service town hall initiative and partnering with local organizations, such as the Larimer Humane Society, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, Bridgehouse and Broomfield FISH for service projects. His staff in the district hosted two community health fairs in Boulder and Fort Collins, a veterans resources fair, Congressional App Challenge, Congressional Art Competition and he has launched two original service awards to recognize community members. Neguse was successful in helping to secure over $12,450,000 in federal grant money for the district, including a large grant for Grand County's Lift system. Additionally, his staff returned $419,639 to constituents through casework.\r\nIn August, Neguse hosted the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for the Committee's first and only field hearing in Boulder, Colorado where they heard from state and local leaders on Colorado's leadership in renewable energy and toured federal labs across Colorado. Neguse also hosted Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in Broomfield for a discussion on affordable health care innovation and in November joined the Speaker for a high-level congressional delegation to Madrid Spain for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP25 Conference.\r\nNeguse also played an integral role in passing the American Dream and Promise Act on the House floor in May, where he gave the final rebuttal arguments in support of the legislation ahead of final passage.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ohalleran-offers-words-support-congressman-john-lewis-following-cancer", "O'Halleran Offers Words of Support to Congressman John Lewis Following Cancer Diagnosis", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VILLAGE OF OAK CREEKFollowing Congressman John Lewis' announcement that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) released the following statement:\nJohn Lewis has long been a fighter for human rights, for racial equality, and for the people of Georgia. Now, he faces his next fight.\nSickness and disease can knock us down and make us feel hopeless, but they can also renew in us the desire and the will to push on, to resist. I know that John will meet this next challenge with the same strength and courage with which he has fought many times beforesit-ins at segregated lunch counters, the Freedom Rides, Bloody Sunday.\nJohn, my family and I, the entire Congress, and the American people are behind you as you fight this fight. We support you, and we are thinking of you as this next battle begins.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/media-center/pelosi-updates/fighting-for-the-people", "Fighting For The People", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Over 400 Bills And Counting  \n\tOur Democratic Majority in the House of Representatives has been hard at work this past year to deliver on our For The People agenda: lowering health care costs by reducing the price of prescription drugs, increasing paychecks by building the green and resilient infrastructure of the future, and cleaning up corruption in government.\n  \n\tSo far, we have passed and sent to the Senate more than 400 bills, of which 275 are bipartisan. Here is a look back at just some of the incredible legislation that we passed in the House in 2019:\n H.R. 1  For The People Act,to restore confidence in our democracy;\n\tH.R. 3  Lower Drug Costs Now Act,sweeping legislation to dramatically reduce drug prices by giving Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies; making lower drug prices negotiated by Medicare available to Americans with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries; and stopping drug companies from ripping off Americans while charging other countries less for the same drugs;\n\tH.R. 4  Voting Rights Advancement Act,to finally restore the full strength of the Voting Rights Act after the disastrous 2013 Shelby v. Holder Supreme Court decision;\n\tH.R. 5  Equality Act,to finally and fully end discrimination against LGBTQ Americans;\n\tH.R. 6  American Dream and Promise Act,to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence (and eventual citizenship) to those who have lived most of their lives in this country, including Dreamers and TPS and DED holders;\n\tH.R. 7  Paycheck Fairness Act,to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work;\n\tH.R. 8  Bipartisan Background Checks Act,a commonsense measure to require background checks for all gun sales, closing the gun show and online loopholes; and alsoH.R. 1112  Enhanced Background Checks Act,to close the Charleston loophole;\n\tH.R. 9  Climate Action Now Act,to ensure that the U.S. honors our commitments on climate action detailed in the Paris Agreement;\n\tH.R. 582  Raise the Wage Act,to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, raising the wages of up to 33 million hard-working Americans;\n\tH.R. 987  Protecting People With Pre-Existing Conditions/Lowering Drug Costs,to strengthen protections for pre-existing conditions, end ACA sabotage, and bring down drug costs;\n\tH.R. 1585  Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act,a strong improvement and long-term reauthorization of VAWA;\n\tH.R. 1644  Save the Internet Act,to protect the free and open internet for all;\n\tH.R. 2722  Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act,to ensure the security and safety of our elections by upgrading our outdated and vulnerable election infrastructure;\n\tH.R. 4617  Stopping Harmful Interference In Elections For A Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act,which focuses on preventing foreign interference in our elections, including requiring campaigns to notify the FBI if a foreign power seeks to provide campaign assistance.\n\tH.R. 5068  Farm Workforce Modernization Act,to honor workers' dignity and support the farm economy; and\n\tH.R. 5430  United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act,which, thanks to Democrats' changes, now has the strongest enforcement mechanisms of any U.S. trade agreement, as well as critical victories for workers, lower prescription drug costs and environmental protections.\n We continue to call on Senator McConnell, the Grim Reaper, to take up our legislation For The People, so that we can deliver results for families and seniors across America!\n\n\nHappy Holidays  \n\tThe holiday season offers a special opportunity to reflect on the miraculous blessings of family, community and Country. As we celebrate in the company of our loved ones, I want to express my continued and profound gratitude for the honor of representing you in the Congress. Please accept my best wishes for a happy holiday and Happy New Year to you and your family.\nWith so many reasons to celebrate this year, it is important to remember to be safe. Please refer to these helpful links below to make sure you are ready.\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMy office assisted a constituent experiencing issues with her mail delivery through the United States Postal Service (USPS). She contacted our office because her local mail carrier had been holding onto her mail and she was unable to reach USPS to resolve the issue. Our office contacted USPS on her behalf and conveyed the details of her situation. As a result, USPS contacted her to explain their concerns and worked with the constituent to resolve her mail delivery issues.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCaseworkers in my San Francisco office work to address any problems or concerns you may have with a federal government agency. To submit a Casework Authorization Form, pleasevisitmy website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/year-review-2019-legislative-accomplishments", "Year in Review: 2019 Legislative Accomplishments", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nIn 2019, my colleagues and I in the House Democratic Majority passed more than 400 bills  275 of them with bipartisan support  to address issues that Marylanders and Americans care most about.\nThis includes legislation to clean up corruption in Washington, lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, raise wages, act on climate, protect DREAMers, reduce gun violence, support our nation's veterans, strengthen anti-discrimination protections and advance civil rights across the country, crack down on robocall scams and help fund important Maryland priorities, along with many other key issues.\nAs our first order of business, we passedH.R. 1, the For the People Act, ahistoric and transformational billthat I was privileged to author in my role as Chair of theDemocracy ReformTask Force. H.R. 1 will clean up corruption in Washington, expose secret foreign money in our politics, crack down on lobbyists, strengthen election security, protect the right to vote and return power back to the American people with clean, citizen-owned elections. By leading with H.R. 1, House Democrats made a clear commitment to put the public's interests ahead of special interests and to restore trust, transparency and integrity in Washington.\nBuilding on H.R.1, House Democrats have passed a series of bills that show we're fighting to make progress on key issues that matter to everyday Americans:\n Reducing the cost of prescription drugs and helping protect patients with pre-existing conditions. Americans are still too burdened by the cost of health care. That's why the House passed H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which empowers Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies on high-priced drugs. H.R. 3 will also set a new $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for seniors and will expand Medicare benefits to cover dental, hearing and vision for the first time in the program's history. We also passed H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, to guard against predatory junk insurance plans that do not offer comprehensive health care coverage, including coverage for pre-existing conditions.\n\t\t\n\tIncreasing paychecks for hardworking American families. With H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, we moved to close loopholes in existing law to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. With H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, we sought to boost paychecks for more than 33 million Americans by increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025.\n\t\t\n\tAddressing the climate crisis and protecting our environment. It is critical that the United States remain in the Paris Climate Agreement. That's why we passed H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, to direct the Trump Administration to maintain this key commitment to combatting climate change. We also moved to permanently block new offshore drilling projects that would threaten the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, including Maryland's coastline, with H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act.\n\t\t\n\tTackling the epidemic of gun violence in America. For too long, we have been powerless in the face of gun violence. The House changed that by passing two bills  H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act,and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act that would significantly strengthen background checks for gun sales and transfers.\n\t\t\n\tSupporting our veterans and their families. The House packaged and passed a suite of ten bills that will improve health care, education and job opportunities for America's veterans and their families.\n\t\t\n\tProtecting our elections and defending our democracy. In addition to the landmark H.R. 1, we've taken other steps to meet the coming threat to our elections. H.R. 2722, the SAFE Act, would increase ballot box security, while H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act, curbs foreign money, influence and interference in our elections with a host of measures, including a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign nations or governments. We must also protect against threats to our democracy that originate here at home. That's why the House adopted H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act,which restores and protects voting rights across the country with a new pre-clearance formula to combat voter suppression efforts, and with new measures to increase public information about changes to voting times and polling locations.\n\t\t\n\tFighting against discrimination and for opportunity. We can never take our rights for granted. That's why it was so important for the House to pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which ensures that all Americans  including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans  will be protected from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs and jury service. On the opportunity front, we stood in solidarity with our nation's DREAMers by passingH.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act,which provides a path to lawful permanent resident status, and eventual citizenship, for DREAMers and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).\n\t\t\n\tPreserving a free and open internet. If we let down our guard, the internet could get hijacked by special interests. That's why we passed H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, which restores net neutrality protections and ensures that the internet remains free and open for all Americans.\n\t\t\n Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has not brought any of these important priorities  which are supported by a majority of Americans  to the Senate floor for an up or down vote.\nIn 2020, House Democrats will continue building on the progress we've made and keep fighting to advance legislation that makes life better for all Americans. As we look ahead to continuing our important work for the people, I'd like to extend warm wishes to you and your family for a happy holiday season and a healthy new year.\n  \n\tSincerely,\n  Congressman John Sarbanes\n\tMaryland's Third Congressional District", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://suozzi.house.gov/media/press-releases/undeterred-political-turmoil-dc-suozzi-continues-deliver-long-island-and-new", "Undeterred by Political Turmoil in DC, Suozzi Continues to Deliver for Long Island and New York", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Thomas Suozzi", "S001201", "suozzi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Before the holidays, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D  Long Island, Queens), delivered on several priorities important to his constituents, Long Island, and New York State.\n\nIn the last week before the holidays, Congressman Suozzi:\n Successfully advanced his legislation to restore the SALT deduction through the United States House of Representatives;\n Helped secure funding and several legislative items important to New York and Long Island through the end-of-year budget legislation; and\n Voted to pass the United States Mexico Trade Agreement (USMCA) which will create jobs and support nearly 800,000 workers in New York. \n\nStaying laser-focused on the needs of my constituents, no matter the political climate, has been a priority of mine since my days as mayor of Glen Cove. Last week, not only did the House support my efforts to restore tax fairness, but I was able to secure funding for programs that are critical to my district. Programs that protect the Long Island Sound, care for a population that is deaf and blind, combat gun violence, create jobs, take care of our veterans, and much more, said Suozzi. I am proud of the hard work it has taken to pass all of this legislation, which will demonstrably improve the lives of my constituents. \n\nIn addition to leading the fight to restore tax fairness, Suozzi helped secure several funding items in the end-of-year budget deal that was signed into law last week, including:\n\n $21 million to protect and preserve the Long Island Sound, this is a $17 million increase since Suozzi joined the Congress in 2017;\n $2.8 billion for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and $175 million for Registered Apprenticeships. Suozzi testified before House Appropriates in June in support of this funding;\n $16 million for the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults, an increase of $2.5 million from last year. This organization is headquartered in Sands Point and serves a population that is both deaf and blind;\n $25 million for gun violence research (this has not happened for decades);\n $55 million for Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program;\n $40 million for HUD/VA Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans;\n   $21.4 million in federal funding which will go towards children and families who are at risk of entering the New York State Foster care system;\n The SECURE Act, legislation which will help make retirement security a reality for millions of Americans; and\n Repeal of the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT), created as a result of the 2017 GOP tax bill, it placed an additional tax burden on houses of worship and other non-profits.\n\nSuozzi also voted in support of the USMCA in Ways and Means and again on the House floor. New provisions in the deal secured by Democrats will bolster the U.S. economy, support workers, protect the environment, and improve access to affordable prescription drugs. At a Ways and Means mark-up of the trade deal, Suozzi made it clear that while the deal could be improved, it is a win for the United States and working-class families across the country.\n\nIn 2020, Suozzi remains committed to working with anyone, regardless of party, to get things done for his constituents, protect our environment, reform our immigration system, combat gun violence, and much more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-waters-statement-monsey-ny-attack-jewish-community-rise-extremist", "Rep. Waters Statement on the Attack on the Jewish Community in Monsey, NY & the Rise in Extremist Violence", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued a statement on the violent attack on the Jewish community in Monsey, New York on the seventh day of Hanukkah, and the disturbing rise in extremist violence across the country:\n\n\"I'm saddened and pained by the anti-Semitic attack on the Jewish community in Monsey, New York on the seventh day of Hanukkah, a sacred period of rededication, joy, and light. The recent violent attacks in New York and New Jersey, and the escalating extremist violence targeting places of worship and religious communities across the country must be stopped. I extend my sincere condolences to the victims and their families. Our resolve as a country must be to stand together in unity and tolerance during such a difficult time.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-continued-detention-of-philippine-senator-leila-de-lima", "Durbin Statement On Continued Detention Of Philippine Senator Leila De Lima", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.19\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement On Continued Detention Of Philippine Senator Leila De Lima \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCHICAGOU.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the continued detention of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima by the government of the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte:\r\nPhilippines human rights champion Senator Leila de Lima has been jailed for more than 1,000 days on highly questionable charges. Her release, which has been championed by groups such as Amnesty International  and now the U.S. Congress  is unfortunately symbolic of the larger price one increasingly pays for peaceful dissent and honest journalism under President Duterte in the Philippines. These voices, like de Lima's and Rappler journalist Maria Ressa's, face harassment and imprisonment for fostering honest coverage regarding the country's sweeping extra-judicial killings, which is an affront to the cherished democratic norms we share with our long standing Filipino allies.\r\nIllinois is proudly home to a vibrant, hardworking Filipino community. The Duterte regime should stop threatening the travel of these Filipino Americans and so many others who travel between our nations, and instead release Senator de Lima or assure a quick and credible trial. This strong-arm tactic is an insult to the Filipino American community and the country's democracy.\r\n-30-\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 \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\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"], ["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov//news/press/release/standing-with-religious-leaders-community-members-and-elected-officials-gillibrand-speaks-out-against-anti-semitism-following-horrific-attack", "Standing With Religious Leaders, Community Members, And Elected Officials, Gillibrand Speaks Out Against Anti-Semitism Following Horrific Attack", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Kirsten Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 30, 2019\n\t\t\t Standing With Religious Leaders, Community Members, And Elected Officials, Gillibrand Speaks Out Against Anti-Semitism Following Horrific Attack \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\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 Gillibrand Hosted a Roundtable at Ramapo Town Hall Near Monsey and Called for More Federal Funding to Protect Nonprofits and Educate the Public on the Holocaust\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Airmont, NYU.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today hosted a roundtable at Ramapo Town Hall in Rockland County to speak out against anti-Semitism following the horrific attack in Monsey. She heard directly from religious and community leaders, elected officials, and advocates on Saturday's attack in Monsey, as well as other recent attacks on the Jewish community. She discussed ways to stop anti-Semitism and protect the Jewish community, calling for more funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and support for the Never Again Education Bill, which provides funding for Holocaust education.\r\n\r\nBelow are Senator Gillibrand's remarks as prepared for delivery:\r\n\r\nThank you to everyone for joining me.\r\n\r\nWe are gathered today in the wake of the horrific attack on the Jewish community here in Monsey.\r\n\r\nThere are few things more heinous than attacking worshippers as they celebrate their traditions, culture, and values.\r\n\r\nIt is antithetical to our values as New Yorkers.\r\n\r\nWe can attribute our state's strength and vibrancy to its many diverse communities.\r\n\r\nThe ability of any New Yorker, and any American, to worship freely and without fear of violence is an unshakeable tenet of our state and our country.\r\n\r\nBut over the last few years, we have witnessed far too many attacks on Jewish communities in our state, across our country, and around the world.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, there were nearly 2000 anti-Semitic attacks in the United States.\r\n\r\nThat is the third-highest number of attacks since 1970 and twice as many attacks as in 2015.\r\n\r\nAnd in New York City, anti-Semitic crimes have jumped by 21 percent in the last year.\r\n\r\nThese numbers are deeply disturbing and entirely unacceptable.\r\n\r\nToday, I was honored to sit with community leaders in Monsey and Rockland County to hear from them about solutions that would help protect and support their families and communities.\r\n\r\nI am dedicated to working with our Jewish communities to combat and prevent anti-Semitic violence across our state.\r\n\r\nOne of the ways we must do that is by continuing to fight for funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, or NSGP.\r\n\r\nThis program provides funding to improve security for nonprofits like synagogues, churches, and mosques that are at high risk for terror attacks.\r\n\r\nI have fought for increases in this funding for years, and just a couple of weeks ago, I worked to secure $90 million in funding for the NSGP for 2020.\r\n\r\nImportantly, this funding will be accessible to non-urban communities here in Rockland for only the third year ever.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, I fought to secure expansion of the NSGP program so that nonprofits in non-urban areas are able to apply for these important grants.\r\n\r\nCongress just approved $40 million of funding for these non-urban communities for 2020.\r\n\r\nI will continue to make this funding a priority going forward, so that our communities can be more safe.\r\n\r\nAnd my office will work with our neighbors to ensure they know how to apply and secure this vital tool.\r\n\r\nBut the fact of the matter is, we need to do more to protect our Jewish communities and combat anti-Semitism at its root.\r\n\r\nThat is why I have been a champion of the Never Again Education Bill which would provide funding for Holocaust education.\r\n\r\nWe must fight to pass this bill because knowledge is the key to combatting hate and violence.\r\n\r\nHowever, too many communities are suffering.\r\n\r\nThat is why I am here today talking to my constituents, to community leaders, to the Jewish community  to try to find new and more comprehensive ways we can fight for safer and more inclusive communities for all New Yorkers.\r\n\r\nI have always been proud to stand with the Jewish Community and have been blessed to be included in their joyous celebrations in the past.\r\n\r\nAnd I will forever stand with the community through those joyous times and will share in their grief through these devastating ones.\r\n\r\nI won't stop fighting until all New Yorkers can worship and live without prejudice and violence and with inclusion and acceptance.\r\n\r\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.harris.senate.gov/news/press-releases/harris-leads-colleagues-in-letter-opposing-drastic-increases-to-immigration-related-fees", "Harris Leads Colleagues in Letter Opposing Drastic Increases to Immigration-Related Fees", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Kamala Harris", "H001075", "www.harris.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 30, 2019\n\t\t\t Harris Leads Colleagues in Letter Opposing Drastic Increases to Immigration-Related Fees \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) led a group of her colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official Samantha Deshommes expressing their strong opposition to a rule change that would drastically increase immigration fees and directly harm vulnerable immigrant populations.\r\nUnder the proposed rule change, the filing fee for individuals seeking naturalization would increase 83%, from $640 to $1,170. The renewal fee for DACA recipients would increase by 55%, from $495 to $765. The new rule would also establish a new fee for asylum seekers and increase fees for those seeking Temporary Protected Status. Finally, the rule would limit the availability of fee waivers across the board.\r\nUSCIS's efforts to limit the availability of fee waivers while increasing fees to, among other things, naturalize, seek asylum, or remain in the only country they know to be home, are a clear and concerted effort to harm low-income individuals, vulnerable populations, and communities of color,wrote the senators.Immigration is essential to American society and the American economy.The proposed changes are contrary to what we stand for as a nation.\r\nThe senators continued,We are a nation of immigrants.For centuries, immigrants have enriched our communities, strengthened our economy, and made our country a better place.We are deeply concerned by the myriad ways in which the proposed rulemaking subverts congressional intent to pursue the administration's unabashed and poorly-disguised anti-immigrant agenda.\r\nIn addition to Harris, the letter was signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).\r\nThe full text of the letter is availablehereor below:\r\nDecember 26, 2019\r\nSamantha Deshommes, Chief\r\nRegulatory Coordination Division\r\nOffice of Policy and Strategy\r\nU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services\r\nDepartment of Homeland Security\r\n20 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Mailstop #2140\r\nWashington, D.C. 20529-2140\r\nRE: Comment Letter for USCIS Proposed Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements: DHS Docket USCIS-2019-0010; RIN 1615-AC18\r\nDear Ms. Deshommes:\r\nWe write to express serious concerns regarding the proposed rulemaking published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on November 14, 2019. Several of its provisions increasing fees and making related regulatory changes would have a significant, adverse impact on vulnerable immigrant populations. Alarmingly, the rulemaking seeks to circumvent clear and established congressional intent and long-established principles underlying the U.S. immigration system. As members of the Senate committee of jurisdiction over immigration policy, we strongly object to several key provisions contained in the proposed rulemaking.\r\nI.USCIS is Seeking to Overstep Congressional Authority.\r\nThe rulemaking proposes to transfer funds to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an apparent effort to go beyond USCIS's statutory authority and circumvent Congress's fundamental power of the purse.Congress, through the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), established the Immigration Examinations Fee Account (IEFA) for expenses in providing immigration adjudication and naturalization services. The INA clearly specifies that IEFA funds are for expenses in providing immigration adjudication andnaturalizationservices and the collection, safeguarding and accounting for fees deposited in and funds reimbursed from the Immigration Examinations Fee Account.' Critically, USCIS is not authorized to conduct immigration enforcement and border security activities, which are handled by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) respectively.USCIS is charged with exclusively focusing on the administration of benefit applications. Accordingly, and as set forth in the relevant statutory language, IEFA funds are intended to support USCIS's mission to adjudicate immigration benefit requests.\r\nDespite the statutory language specifying that IEFA is for providingimmigration adjudication and naturalization services, (emphasis added)USCIS seeks to transfer over $112 million to ICE.In a threadbare attempt to shoehorn the proposed transfer into the requisite statutory language, USCIS states that such costs are authorized to the extent that such positions and costs support immigration adjudication and naturalization services. Nonetheless, USCIS confesses within the same section that the money is intended to support efforts that go beyond the moment of adjudication and then details a series of ICE activities, including investigations and removal efforts that fall squarely within the ambit of enforcement, not adjudication. Indeed, the initial rulemaking underscores that the true purpose of the transferred funds is for enforcement, not adjudication, by citing to the President's Fiscal Year 2019 and 2020 budget requests for a transfer from IEFA to ICEto support immigrationinvestigation and enforcementand immigration investigation andenforcement consistent with the Administration's Executive Orders (emphases added). The stated purpose for the proposed transfer of funds is a far cry from providingimmigration adjudication and naturalizations (emphasis added). In light of the foregoing, USCIS's justification that these funds will support immigration adjudication and naturalization services simply strains credulity.\r\nUSCIS's attemptto accept payments from applicants for adjudication of their immigration benefits and redirect those funds for immigration enforcement is improper and contravenes congressional intent. First, it subverts the statutorily specified purpose of the IEFA.Second,it is contrary to the mission and role USCIS was established to serve.\r\nII. USCIS's Proposed Revisions Will Disadvantage Vulnerable Communities.\r\nWe are also deeply concerned that USCIS's proposed changes to the fee schedule appear designed to disadvantage vulnerable communities. USCIS's proposed efforts to severely limit the availability of fee waivers and impose additional fees that have not previously been charged will undoubtedly impact the ability of countless immigrant families to participate in the communities they consider to be their homes. Conditioning such critical benefits on the ability to pay increased fees is contrary to the principle of equal access that is a central tenet of American democracy.\r\nFirst, therule proposes to limitfee waivers to immigration benefitrequests for which USCIS is required by law to consider a fee waiver or wherethe USCIS Director exercises favorable discretion as provided in the proposedregulation, among other proposed limitations. Fee waivers help applicants improve their stability, financially support themselves and their families, fully integrate into their communities, and eventually acquire citizenship. As such, fee waivers have the power to lift up and transform families, communities, and the country as a whole. As set forth in House Report accompanying the 2019 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, USCIS is expected to continue the use of fee waivers for applicants who can demonstrate an inability to pay the naturalization fee. USCIS's proposed limitation of fee waivers will cause considerable harm to families that contribute to their communities every day. Moreover, this proposal could make essential benefits such as naturalization, adjustment of status, and employment authorization functionally inaccessible for low-income immigrants.\r\nSecond, the proposed rulemaking includes a dramatic 83 percent increase to the filing fee for individuals seeking naturalizationfrom$640 to $1,170.Such a substantial increase will make naturalization unavailable to low-income individuals. In turn, without the opportunity to naturalize, such individuals will be unable to access significant benefits of citizenship that permit them to participate in their communities, thereby adversely impacting their U.S. citizen family members. The deleterious effect of this fee increase is compounded by USCIS's proposed elimination of the fee waiver for naturalization applications. USCIS must keep the pathway to citizenship affordable and accessible to ensure that individuals who contribute to their communities every day and are American in every way may access the benefits for which they qualify under our laws.\r\nThird, the proposed rulemaking establishesa new fee for asylum seekersindividuals fleeing persecution to seek refuge here in the United States. In doing so, USCIS seeks to join only three other countries in the world that charge a fee before considering the protection of asylum seekers:Iran, Fiji, and Australia.In addition, the proposed rulemaking would increase the fee for asylum seekers to apply for employment authorization at the same time that USCIS has separately proposed to extend the waiting period before asylum applicants can even request employment authorization.The proposal would also impose fee increases for applicants for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who were admitted to the United States after natural disasters or civil wars in countries such as Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador.The world is facing the most significant displacement and refugee crisis in modern history.Asylum seekers represent some of the world's most vulnerable individuals. Many of them flee with little more than the clothes on their backs and pennies to their names seeking the most basic notions of safety and security for themselves and their families. Closing our doors to these individualsbased on theirinability to pay flies in the face of the basic intent of U.S. refugee law and policy and the United States' historic role as the world's humanitarian leader.\r\nFourth, the proposed rulemaking includes an increased fee for renewal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) from $495 to $765a 55 percent increase.DACA recipients, whose status has already been placed in jeopardy by the Trump administration's cruel decision to terminate their protections, are students, teachers in our communities, military service members, doctors, and other individuals who enrich our society and contribute to our economy.Imposing a higher fee on these young people hampers their abilities to fully participate in the only communities they know to be their homes.\r\nAt bottom, USCIS's efforts to limit the availability of fee waivers while increasing fees to, among other things, naturalize, seek asylum, or remain in the only country they know to be home, are a clear and concerted effort to harm low-income individuals, vulnerable populations, and communities of color. Immigration is essential to American society and the American economy. The proposed changes are contrary to what we stand for as a nation.\r\nIII. USCIS Has Severely Limited Opportunity for Public Comment.\r\nGiven the vast and predictably adverse consequences of the proposed rulemaking, USCIS's decision to break with the standard 60-day public comment period was deeply troubling. Executive Order 12866, which governs the regulatory planning and review process, states that agencies should allow not less than 60 days for public comment in most cases to afford the public a meaningfulopportunity to comment on any proposed regulation. The decision to provide less than 60 days is all the more alarming in light of the greater length of the proposed rulemaking as compared to the most recent preceding USCIS fee rules, its complexity, the significant public attention it has received, and multiple requests for extensions that have been submitted to OIRA and USCISincluding from members of Congress. To date, DHS has provided a singleextension to December 30, 2019. This is simply insufficient to furnish an opportunity for thorough review and public comment.\r\n***\r\nUSCIS's mission statement once averred, USCIS secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants. . . . This administration removed that statement and the proposed rulemaking supplies the latest evidence as to why. This administration's policies have systematically targeted immigrants and communities of color by cruelly separating children from their families, restricting access to immigration benefits, banning immigrants from the United Sates because of their Muslim faith, and closing our doors to vulnerable individuals seeking safety in the United States.The proposed rulemaking disproportionately increases fees and eliminates fee waivers for the benefit categories most commonly used by low-income immigrants and makes critical benefits to vulnerable individuals essentially inaccessible.\r\nWe are a nation of immigrants. For centuries, immigrants have enriched our communities, strengthened our economy, and made our country a better place.We are deeply concerned by the myriad ways in which the proposed rulemaking subverts congressional intent to pursue the administration's unabashed and poorly-disguised anti-immigrant agenda.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=936D81BB-C358-4F59-891A-7F19B3BC5D11", "Klobuchar Statement on Thye-Blatnik Decision on Federal Payments to St. Louis, Lake, Cook Counties", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After efforts by Klobuchar, the U.S. Forest Service will redo the appraisal for federal payments to St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties under the Thye-Blatnik Act that support crucial services including law enforcement, firefighting, and infrastructure improvements \r\n  \r\nWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued the following statement after the U.S. Forest Service announced that they will re-do the appraisal of federal land in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties and that the counties will continue to receive annual payments at 2008 levels under the Thye-Blatnik Act. Klobuchar has been a consistent advocate for the annual federal compensation payments to St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties under the Thye-Blatnik Act. In June and December of this year, Klobuchar called on officials at the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture to consider the concerns of these counties in northern Minnesota. \r\n\r\nA consistent and fair system of appraising Thye-Blatnik federal land payments is critical to ensuring that Minnesota counties can fully support crucial services like law enforcement, firefighting, and infrastructure improvements. I requested that the Department of Agriculture take action in response to the concerns raised by St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties about the appraisal, and this announcement is welcome news for these communities.\r\n\r\nKlobuchar, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has consistently advocated for annual federal compensation payments to St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties under the Thye-Blatnik Act.\r\n\r\nKlobuchar sent a letter to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Vicki Christiansen on June 10, 2019 and followed up on December 11, 2019 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to call on the U.S. Forest Service to take into account the concerns of the counties over the previous appraisal showing a significant difference in valuation of the lands.\r\n\r\nThe counties, in northern Minnesota, have received federal payments for over 70 years to help offset lost property tax revenue as a result of nontaxable federal lands in these counties. The Thye-Blatnik Act payments support crucial services in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties, including law enforcement, firefighting, and infrastructure improvements.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/comment-on-congressman-john-lewis", "Comments on Congressman John Lewis", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.19\n\t\t\t Comments on Congressman John Lewis \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAs are Americans everywhere, Marcelle and I are heartsick about the new challenge facing our dear friend John Lewis.\r\nJohn Lewis has been called our apostle of quiet strength, and the best of humanity. I have called him a hero for our time, of our time. Of the thousands of leaders I have served with, his contributions of conscience have been living examples to us all. He has certainly nourished mine. He spent an eventful day with us in Vermont late this year, forging memories and sowing insights that will always be with us. Most recently we stood together as several of us reintroduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which itself is a reflection of John Lewis's personal history, as well as of his conscience.\r\nWe know that he is strong, and he knows that he has our prayers and our fervent hopes as he takes on this new battle. \r\n# # # # #\r\n[NOTE: Senator Leahy today posted several photos about John Lewis on his Instagram page.]\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tDavid 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    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/123019", "Dear Colleague on Democrats\u2019 Health Care Progress For The People", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "www.speaker.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Democratic Colleague,\nThis holiday season, as we wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year, Democrats can take great pride in the progress that we have made to advance the good health of the American people.\nGood health is nothing to be taken for granted, and this was driven home to us this weekend when the news of John Lewis's sad diagnosis descended upon us. John is an angel among us, and now the whole world is praying for him. He always reminds us of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and most inhumane.\nThat is why our Democratic House proudly took transformative action to lower prescription drug prices for America's seniors and families by passing H.R. 3: the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. We applaud our Chairs, Frank Pallone, Richie Neal and Bobby Scott, our outstanding Freshman Class and all Members for their leadership on this legislation, which delivers on our For The People promise to lower health care costs by lowering the crushing burden of prescription drug prices that impacts almost every family in America.\nAmericans should not have to pay more for our medicines than what Big Pharma charges for the same drugs overseas  and that is why we are proud that H.R. 3 finally gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices and makes those lower prices available to millions of Americans with private insurance. H.R. 3 represents the most expansive improvement to Medicare since its creation, as we reinvest more than half-a-trillion dollars in historic new vision, dental and hearing benefits for Medicare.\nOur historic H.R. 3 legislation stands among the many acts of Congress that we have sent over to the Senate to lower health care costs, strengthen access to health care and protect people with pre-existing conditions.\nOur challenge is a great one, because at every turn, President Trump and his Republican allies in the Congress have worked to sabotage the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and dismantle the pre-existing condition benefit for 130 million Americans. The Trump Administration continues to firmly support the recent ruling in the 5th Circuit, which they hope will move them one step closer to obliterating every protection and benefit of the Affordable Care Act.\nThe grave threat from this GOP lawsuit is why, on Day One of this Congress, under the leadership of Congressman Colin Allred, we voted to throw the full legal weight of the House of Representatives into the fight to protect people with pre-existing conditions. We will continue our fight in the courts and in the Congress to defend and strengthen affordable health care for all Americans.\nWhen we return to Washington, our priority will be to continue a drumbeat across America to press the President and the GOP Senate to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act into law. And we also look forward to ending the financial unfairness of surprise billing, which has bipartisan support in the Congress and among the American people.\nBest wishes to you and your loved ones for a glorious Holiday Season and a Healthy and Happy New Year.\nThank you for your leadership and friendship.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=1045", "Booker Statement on Anti-Semitic Stabbing in Monsey", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Cory Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 29, 2019\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the below statement following the horrific attack in Monsey, NY:\n\nAs Jews around the world gather to celebrate the festival of lights, five innocent victimswere attacked during a Hanukkah celebrationinanother instance of anti-Semitic cruelty. This hatred is terrifying for not only the Jewish community but also our country. We must do everything we can to stamp this darkness out of our society.My heart and thoughts are with the families of the victims, Monsey, and the entire Jewish community.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/how-oregon-gains-from-13-trillion-in-new-federal-spending", "How Oregon gains from $1.3 trillion in new federal spending", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "How Oregon gains from $1.3 trillion in new federal spending \r\n\r\n     Oregon Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley tout benefits for rural, coastal, native and urban communities \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSunday, December 29, 2019\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Zane Sparling\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSetting a budget for 2020? It's just a bit different on Capitol Hill.\r\nWith the passageinto lawof two massive spending bills earlier this month, the feds have nailed down more than $1.3 trillion in outlays for the 2020 fiscal year, whichendsin September. And both sides of the aisle have plenty to crow about.\r\nMajor appropriations touted by the Republicans include a $22 billion boost to U.S. military spending, a 3.1% pay bump for service members and $1.375 billion for border security, according toNPR.\r\nDemocrats are equally excited to pay out $7.6 billion for the 2020 Census, $425 million for election security grants and $25 million for CDC and National Institutes of Health research into gun violence.\r\nThe bills also raise the nationwide age for buying tobacco to 21, a rule that already wentinto effectOregon in 2018.\r\nOregon Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley say the new spending bills include cash for Oregonians' top priorities, including homelessness, housing, transit, renewable energy, and investments in coastal, rural and native communities.\r\n\"At my annual town halls and community meetings in each of our state's 36 counties, I hear a consistent message of working to support job creation  which is just what this legislation accomplishes for Oregonians,\" Wyden said.\r\nAdded Merkley: \"One of the most gratifying parts of serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee is that I get to work with communities across the state to fund their needs, and then see the funding in action.\"\r\nBut where else does Oregon specifically stand to benefit? Here's the most noteworthy line items:\r\nScoggins Dam:Situated on Henry Hagg Lake in rural Washington County, the Scoggins Dam has been deemed a risk to life and property in the event of a major earthquake. The feds have approved $2 million for upgrades ahead of reconstruction.\r\nShakeAlert: When tremors begin, a new warning system could send a text straight to your phone. ShakeAlert is already being tested in California, but Oregon's system isn't ready yet. Now another $19 million has been set aside to fund this U.S. Geological Survey program.\r\nScorched Gorge: $2 million has been set aside to fund rural business development grants in National Scenic Areas burned by wildfires, such as the Columbia River Gorge.\r\nBonneville not for sale: It's now illegal to sell power marketing agencies like Bonneville Power Administration or transfer their assets to private control.\r\nAquatic invaders: $1 million has been dedicated to the monitoring and control of an aquatic invasive plant known as flowering rush in the Columbia River.\r\nSalmon recovery: Though President Trump suggested putting it on the chopping block, the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund will get $65 million to support declining fish populations here and in California, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.\r\nBasin restoration: The Environmental Protection Agency will receive $1.2 million to continue implementing the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, which was created by Sen. Merkley to provide grants to business owners, farmers, ranchers and local governments to reduce toxins in this natural area.\r\nLegal hemp:Commercial hemp is poised to bring $1 billion in economic output to Oregon this year, and lawmakers say the new bills will direct the Drug Enforcement Administration to update their drug schedules, now that hemp is no longer part of the Controlled Substances Act.\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://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-statement-recent-acts-anti-semitism", "Rep. Bass Statement On Recent Acts Of Anti-Semitism", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Yesterday's shocking attack inside a rabbi's home on the seventh night of Hanukkah is heartbreaking and enraging.\n\"This follows a week of anti-Semitic acts and attacks on the Jewish community in New York, which have included physical intimidation, physical abuse and public harassment.\n\"Those that perpetrate these acts of hatred must be found, confronted and brought to immediate justice. Those who devise, promote and spread these ideologies must be stopped as well. This is not just a task for New York law enforcement or the New York community. This is a task for all of us. These attacks are on the rise throughout the country.\n\"My thoughts are with the Jewish community during this difficult time, as we come together as one to rebuke this hatred, completely and fully.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/boyle-statement-regarding-congressman-john-lewis", "Boyle Statement Regarding Congressman John Lewis", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Brendan F. Boyle", "B001296", "boyle.house.gov", "boyle", "https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) released the following statement after Congressman John Lewis announced he is battling pancreatic cancer:\n\n\"Terribly sad news from my most esteemed colleague Rep John Lewis. But if there is ever a person who knows how to fight the good fight and win, it is John Lewis. My prayers are with you, my friend.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-john-lewis-cancer-diagnosis", "Statement on Rep. John Lewis' Cancer Diagnosis", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Danny K. Davis", "D000096", "davis.house.gov", "davis", "https://davis.house.gov/media", "scraper", "Congressman Lewis continues to face every aspect of life, every challenge, with equanimity, optimism and without fear. He has my love, my profound respect and every ounce of spiritual support I can summon.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://johnlewis.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-caucus-black-jewish-relations-condemns-attack-rabbis-home", "Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations Condemns Attack on Rabbi's Home", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "John Lewis", "L000287", "johnlewis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  The Leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, made up of Co-chairs Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Will Hurd (R-TX), John Lewis (D-GA), and Lee Zeldin (R-NY), issued this group statement following the attack on Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in Monsey, New York:\nWe condemn in the strongest possible terms the anti-Semitic attack in Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in Monsey, New York, during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.\nThis surge in anti-Semitic attacks is a disturbing trend both here in the United States and abroad. We cannot tolerate these discriminatory, hateful, and cowardly acts. We stand with the victims in Monsey, their families, and the entire Jewish communitywho have been victims of violent attacks during Hanukkah, a holiday that celebrates religious freedom.\nEvery individual in this country deserves to feel safe and worship without fear. It is this commitment to diversity that has made the United States a beacon of hope and a place of sanctuary for people around the world.\nThe Caucus will continue to stand united in fighting for liberty and justice for all.\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://johnlewis.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-john-lewis-undergoing-cancer-treatment", "Rep. John Lewis Undergoing Cancer Treatment", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "John Lewis", "L000287", "johnlewis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. John Lewis recently learned from doctors that he must undergo treatment for pancreatic cancer. He released this statement today regarding his prognosis and his plans to continue to serve the people of the 5th Congressional District of Georgia:\nI have been in some kind of fight for freedom, equality, basic human rights  for nearly my entire life.I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now.\nThis month in a routine medical visit, and subsequent tests, doctors discovered Stage IV pancreatic cancer. This diagnosis has been reconfirmed.\nWhile I am clear-eyed about the prognosis, doctors have told me thatrecent medical advances have made this type of cancer treatable in many cases, that treatment options are no longer as debilitating as they once were, and that I have a fighting chance.\nSo I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done: I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community.We still have many bridges to cross.\nTo my constituents: being your representative in Congress is the honor of a lifetime. I will return to Washington in coming days to continue our work and begin my treatment plan, which will occur over the next several weeks. I may miss a few votes during this period, but with God's grace I will be back on the front lines soon.\nPlease keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-caucus-black-jewish-relations-condemns-attack-rabbi-s-home", "CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON BLACK-JEWISH RELATIONS  CONDEMNS ATTACK ON RABBIS HOME", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  The Leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, made up of Co-chairs Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Will Hurd (R-TX), John Lewis (D-GA) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY), issued this group statement following the attack on Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in Monsey, New York:\n\nWe condemn in the strongest possible terms the anti-Semitic attack in Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg's home in Monsey, New York, during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.\n\nThis surge in anti-Semitic attacks is a disturbing trend both here in the United States and abroad. We cannot tolerate these discriminatory, hateful, and cowardly acts. We stand with the victims in Monsey, their families, and the entire Jewish community- who have been victims of violent attacks during Hanukkah, a holiday that celebrates religious freedom.\n\nEvery individual in this country deserves to feel safe and worship without fear. It is this commitment to diversity that has made the United States a beacon of hope and a place of sanctuary for people around the world.\n\nThe Caucus will continue to stand united in fighting for liberty and justice for all.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lowey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-task-force-condemns-anti-semitic-attack-monsey-ny", "Bipartisan Task Force Condemns Anti-Semitic Attack in Monsey, NY", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Nita Lowey", "L000480", "lowey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Kay Granger (R-TX), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the Co-Chairs of the House of Representatives Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, condemn last night's stabbing in Monsey, NY, during a Hanukkah celebration: \n \n\tThe House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism strongly condemns last night's anti-Semitic attack in a rabbi's home in Monsey, NY. This comes on the heels of numerous attacks against Jews in Brooklyn and Manhattan and the shooting at a kosher deli in Jersey City earlier this month. We are keeping the victims of last night's attack and their families in our prayers. As the Jewish community concludes the holiday of Hanukkah this week, it is more important than ever that all Jews are able to safely celebrate their faith.\n\tThe trend of increasing Anti-Semitic violence and incidents in recent years cannot continue. In the coming weeks, the Task Force will reach out to law enforcement officials, community organizations, and experts in combating hate crimes to seek answers for the best ways to fight this scourge. The Task Force stands united with the Jewish community and is committed to ending these hateful crimes once and for all.\n\t\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lowey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lowey-condemns-last-night-s-anti-semitic-attack-monsey-ny", "Lowey Condemns Last Night\u2019s Anti-Semitic Attack in Monsey, NY", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Nita Lowey", "L000480", "lowey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MONSEY, NY Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the tragic stabbing at the home of Rabbi Chaim Leibowitz Rottenberg:\n \n\tI'm horrified by last night's stabbing in Monsey during a Hanukkah celebration at the home of Rabbi Chaim Leibowitz Rottenberg. We must continue to pray for those injured in last night's attack and their families.\n\tAs we wait for more information, I stand united with the Jewish community in New York, which has endured an unacceptable string of anti-Semitic violence in recent days. We must not rest until all individuals of all faiths are safe to walk the streets and worship without fear.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/neal-statement-regarding-congressman-john-lewis", "Neal Statement Regarding Congressman John Lewis", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard Neal", "N000015", "neal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Neal Statement Regarding Congressman John Lewis \n      \n    \n  \n      \n          \n        \n        \n  \n    \n                 Neal Statement Regarding Congressman John Lewis \n                        \n  \n                \n    \n      \n  \n    \n  \n      \n  \n  \n      \n  \n  \n\n  \n      \n  \n  \n    SPRINGFIELD, MA Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on news regarding the health of Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA):\nMy heart breaks at the diagnosis my dear friend and colleague John Lewis shared today. His moral leadership has been a guiding light for the Ways and Means Committee, the Congress, and our nation for much of the modern era. With an unfaltering love for others and resolute commitment to do what is right, he has changed our world for the better using humility and grace. I have no doubt that John will fight this terrible disease with the tenacity that's characterized his lifelong service and pursuit of justice. My prayers are with him, his family, and all his loved ones at this difficult time.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ohalleran.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/o-halleran-responds-hate-crime-home-new-york-rabbi", "OHalleran Responds to Hate Crime at Home of New York Rabbi", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Tom O'Halleran", "O000171", "ohalleran.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VILLAGE OF OAK CREEKToday, following reports that five people were stabbed at the home of an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi in Monsey, New York during a Hanukkah celebration last night, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) released the following statement:\nI am outraged to see yet another heinous act of violence committed against our Jewish brothers and sisters in the name of hate.\nTonight is the eighth night of Hanukkah, when countless American families will gather together to light their menorahs and remember the Macabees, Jewish fighters in the second century B.C.E who stood bravely in defense their faith.\nThe story of the Macabees is not dissimilar to pilgrims who came to North America in search of their own religious freedoms. If we hope to preserve our nation as a place within which hardworking families of all backgrounds can practice the faith they choose without fear, we cannot allow these crimes to go unpunished.\nThis year, our American Jewish community has endured far too many acts of violence, terror, hate, and ignorance. I stand today with my Jewish friends and colleagues and demand that enough is enough. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our country.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://price.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-price-statement-congressman-john-lewis-cancer-diagnosis", "Congressman Price Statement on Congressman John Lewis' Cancer Diagnosis", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "David Price", "P000523", "price.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "RALEIGH, NC(December 29, 2019)  Today, Sunday, December 29, 2019,Congressman David Price (D-NC), issued the following statement after Congressman John Lewis (GA-5) announced he is battling pancreatic cancer:\n\"Lisa and I are saddened to hear this news from John Lewis.We came to the House at the same time and have valued his friendship and colleagueship ever since. As he reminds us,he is a fighter. All of us who have admired and benefitted from his fights for social justice and a better world are wishing him strength and good spirits as he takes on this personal challenge.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://seanmaloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maloney-statement-on-stabbing-at-synagogue-in-rockland-county", "Maloney Statement on Stabbing at Synagogue in Rockland County", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Sean Maloney", "M001185", "seanmaloney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maloney Statement on Stabbing at Synagogue in Rockland County\nCold Spring, NY-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney(NY-18) released the following statement after reports of a stabbing at the home of a rabbi in Rockland County. The attack came as the community was gathering to celebrate Hanukkah.\nRandy and I join the Hudson Valley as we pray for those hurt in last night's horrific stabbing attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey.\nI will continue to monitor this situation, and work with state and local law enforcement and leaders to address the rise of hate crimes against the Jewish community in New York. We cannot tolerate anti-Semitism in any form.\nHate has no home in the Hudson Valley.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov//news/press/release/senator-gillibrand-statement-on-monsey-attack-horrific-and-evil", "Senator Gillibrand Statement On Monsey Attack: \u2018Horrific And Evil\u2019", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Kirsten Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 29, 2019\n\t\t\t Senator Gillibrand Statement On Monsey Attack: Horrific And Evil' \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAddressing the attack against the Jewish community in Monsey, New York, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:\r\nThe attack last night on the Jewish community in Monsey is horrific and evil. Nothing could be more heinous than attacking worshippers gathered to celebrate their traditions, culture, and values. My heart breaks for the victims, and I am praying for them and their families in this terrible time.\r\nDisturbingly, this is not an isolated incident. In the past few weeks, New York's Jewish community has faced a surge in violence, and across the country, anti-Semitism is on the rise. We cannot, and will not, let this continue. We must all condemn these incidents, and work to ensure that every community is fighting against this rise in anti-Semitism. My office is monitoring this situation closely, and is working with local, state, and federal officials to combat this crisis. I will always stand with the Jewish community, and fight against hatred and prejudice in all its forms.\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    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rosen.senate.gov/rosen-lankford-statement-anti-semitic-attack-monsey-new-york", "Rosen, Lankford Statement on Anti-Semitic Attack in Monsey, New York", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NV", "Jacky Rosen", "R000608", "www.rosen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement regarding last night's mass-stabbing attack at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, New York.  \n  \nLast night, at a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, the scourge of anti-Semitism reared its ugly head, bringing darkness with it. We are deeply saddened by this horrific act of anti-Semitic violence that left multiple people injured, said the Senators. This vicious attack represents a disturbing trend of violence against the Jewish community in the United States, and globally, and we must work to put a stop to this epidemic. No one should be made to feel unsafe for celebrating their faith, let alone subject to this kind of horrendous assault. In the wake of this evil attack and nearly a dozen others against the local Jewish community over the past several days and weeks, including a massacre at a kosher grocery store in New Jersey, we must come together to condemn these acts of hate, to take action to support and protect one another, and to empower our communities to combat anti-Semitism. We cannot stand silent while targeted acts of anti-Semitism continue to occur.  \n  \nBACKGROUND: Earlier this year, Senators Rosen and Lankford launched the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism. The collaboration is the first of its kind in the United States Senate, serving as a corollary to the House of Representative's Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-briefed-by-fbi-on-monsey-attack-demands-thorough-fed-investigation-of-this-specific-attack-and-other-anti-semitic-attacks-in-recent-days", "Schumer Briefed By FBI On Monsey Attack; Demands Thorough Fed Investigation Of This Specific Attack & Other Anti-Semitic Attacks In Recent Days", "2019-12-29", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Charles Schumer", "S000148", "www.schumer.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.19\n\t\t\t Schumer Briefed By FBI On Monsey Attack; Demands Thorough Fed Investigation Of This Specific Attack & Other Anti-Semitic Attacks In Recent Days \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, after a phone briefing by the FBI, released the following statement regarding the horrific attack against the Jewish community in Monsey, New York. Senator Schumer also spoke to New Square Mayor Izzy Spitzer and Rabbi Rottenberg, offering prayers and full support.\r\nLast night's cowardly and callous attack on the Jewish community in Monsey was one of pure evil. This attack, and other anti-Semitic attacks that have occurred in recent days, demand a top-to-bottom federal investigation. I've asked the FBI to investigate any possible linksdirect or indirectbetween this attack and the ones of the past several days. I've also asked for an assessment of what is currently being done by federal law enforcement officials to prevent these attacks and what more can be done.\r\nThe FBI continues to work with state and local law enforcement, including the NYPD. The FBI, state, and local law enforcement continue to assess whether there were any additional motives in the Monsey attack, as well. I will remain in constant contact with the FBI, along with community leaders, and believe it's of paramount importance to shine a critical light on howor where--individuals are being motivated or specifically inspired to commit these heinous acts of violence that terrorize communities and incite hate.\r\nWe must not, and cannot, tolerate these senseless attacks, and we must get to the bottom of why they are occurring in order to prevent them in the first place. No Americanand no New Yorkershould be subjected to the kind of terror and pain the people of Monsey and the New York Jewish community now bears.\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"], ["https://cisneros.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cisneros-visits-troops-middle-east-during-christmas", "Rep. Cisneros Visits Troops in Middle East During Christmas", "2019-12-28", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Gilbert Cisneros", "C001123", "cisneros.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FULLERTON, CA - This past week, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) visited and spent Christmas with U.S. troops in the Middle East and Italy as part of a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL). The CODEL departed the U.S. on Sunday, December 22 and returned today, December 27. The CODEL visited U.S. Army Installation Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, United State Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. Rep. Cisneros spent time with servicemembers from California's 39th District and across the country, and met with military and diplomatic leaders to discuss U.S. operations and dynamics in the region.\nWhen I was in the Navy over 20 years ago, I was forward deployed and spent the holidays away from family and friends, said Rep. Cisneros. I remember what that time was like for me, and it's why I chose to spend this Christmas visiting our courageous troops in the Middle East. While I know our servicemembers would have liked to have spent Christmas with loved ones, at a minimum, I hoped a visit from members of Congress would let them know that people are thinking about them back home.\nOn my trip, I met with servicemembers from the 39th District and across the country, as well as military and diplomatic leaders. I was grateful to meet several constituents, some friends and some who I met for the first time, and all were in good spirits despite being away from home. Whether it was their first or seventh time deployed, all of them understood the importance of their mission and duty. It was my honor to visit our men and women in uniform overseas, serve and share meals with them, and thank them for their unwavering service and sacrifice. Our servicemembers never stop fighting for our country, and our country should never stop fighting for them.\nThe other Representatives on the CODEL with Rep. Cisneros included:\n Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI-01), House Committee on Foreign Affairs\n\tRep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY-01), House Committee on Foreign Affairs\n\tRep. Max Rose (D-NY-11), House Committee on Homeland Security\n\tRep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), House Committee on Foreign Affairs\n\tRep. Susan Wild (D-PA-07), House Committee on Foreign Affairs\n\tRep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), House Committee on Foreign Affairs\n\tRep. Aumua Amata Radewagon (R-AS), House Committee on Veterans' Affairs\n Rep. Cisneros is a Navy veteran and a member of the House Committee on Armed Services and House Veterans Affairs Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/cnn-rep-doggett-discusses-impeachment-trial-senate", "CNN: Rep. Doggett discusses impeachment trial in the Senate", "2019-12-28", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "300 East 8th St, 7th Floor", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=C50869A3-1DA4-4FA0-8E95-851B2D5BAEA4", "Klobuchar Statement on Bombing in Somalia", "2019-12-28", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar released the following statement today on the bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia:\r\nI am deeply saddened by the bombing in Mogadishu, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community in the country, and we mourn with those who lost loved ones today  including many university and other students returning to class. We stand steadfast with our allies, and we must find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/comment-on-the-detention-of-senator-de-lima-by-the-government-of-the-philippines", "Comment On The Detention Of Senator De Lima By The Government Of The Philippines", "2019-12-28", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.28.19\n\t\t\t Comment On The Detention Of Senator De Lima By The Government Of The Philippines \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\"The imprisonment of Senator De Lima, and the threats against renowned journalist Maria Ressa, have been criticized around the world, including by the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations. Rather than responding by irrationally threatening to deny visas to American citizens, the Duterte government should either release Senator De Lima immediately or provide her the fair, public trial she is entitled to. And rather than try to silence a journalist who has bravely dared to expose official corruption and abuse, it should recognize Maria Ressa as a courageous Filipino exercising her right of free expression.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tDavid 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    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/oregon-ground-fishing-fleet-could-get-loan-interest-relief", "Oregon ground fishing fleet could get loan-interest relief", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon ground fishing fleet could get loan-interest relief \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 27, 2019\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Nicholas Johnson\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Bipartisan language was added to the 2020 spending bill Dec. 16 that will forgive more than $10 million in accrued loan interest that was forced on the Pacific Coast groundfishing fleet.\r\nThe language included in the 2020 spending bill was presented by Oregon's Democratic Reps. Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader and Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.\r\nThe language effectively cancels a massive loan interest burden owed by the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery to the federal government  interest that, through no fault of the industry, was added to their vessel buyback loan debt due to bureaucratic incompetence, said DeFazio.\r\nFor years, Oregon's groundfish vessels have been subject to a heavy financial loan burden, caused solely by government ineptitude, DeFazio said. Groundfish fisheries are a vital part of Oregon's coastal economy that need support, not red tape, from Washington. I'm proud to have helped right this ridiculous wrong and ease the financial burden on our region's fishermen. I will be vigilant to ensure the National Marine Fisheries Service follows through with Congress's decision and does not short-change Oregonians.\r\nMerkley, a a member of the Senate committee that negotiated the spending bills, said, Today's news is a huge victory for our coastal communities in Oregon and up and down the West Coast. It was outrageous that the federal government forced family fishermen to foot the bill because of bureaucratic incompetence. This win will lift a huge burden off our trawlers' backs, helping them keep their small businesses afloat and keep our coastal economies humming.\r\nWyden also issued a statement: Oregonians working on trawlers along the coast can now enter the new year without this senseless burden on the bottom line of their fishing operations. the senator said. Fishing on the Oregon Coast for a living is a key piece of our state's economy that never should have been a victim of this bureaucratic bungling, and I am glad to have teamed up with fishermen and my congressional colleagues to get this problem fixed.\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://aguilar.house.gov/2019/12/27/aguilar-issues-end-year-report-constituents-1/", "Aguilar Issues End of Year Report to Constituents", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", "aguilar", "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "scraper", "Press Releases\n\nAguilar Issues End of Year Report to Constituents\n\nRep. Aguilar issued a report to residents of California\u2019s 31st Congressional District to review his work on behalf of Inland Empire families in 2019. Reflecting on the past year, Aguilar commented:\n\n\u201cThis year marked the beginning of the 116th Congress, the most diverse in our nation\u2019s history. Since then, I\u2019ve joined my colleagues in working to create a fairer economy, fighting to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs, standing up for our veterans and seniors, and rooting out corruption in Washington. I\u2019m proud of the work I\u2019ve done to introduce thoughtful legislation that addresses the priorities of Inland Empire families, and even more proud of the work my team and I have done to provide resources to people in our community. I look forward to another year of serving the Inland Empire, the community my family has called home for four generations.\u201d\n\nIn 2019, Rep. Aguilar has:\n\nResolved 355 cases constituents had with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\nHelped return nearly $600,000 that the federal government owed to residents of the 31st Congressional District.\n\nAnnounced over $71 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including over $1 million in terrorism preparedness funding and over $1 million for local fire departments.\n\nHosted a Job Fair to connect high school students with good-paying technical career opportunities in the Inland Empire after graduation.\n\nHosted a Citizenship and Naturalization Fair to help immigrant families in our community become naturalized citizens.\n\nHosted a Veterans Resource Fair to connect Inland Empire veterans with local resources on health care, housing, employment and assistance with VA claims.\n\nHosted a Senior Fair to provide Inland Empire seniors with free health screenings and help them obtain information on local food programs, health services, and Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits.\n\nHosted two events to provide Inland Empire students with information about the US Military Service Academy nomination process.\n\nHosted 18 events and meetings to help connect local agencies with federal grant opportunities.\n\nParticipated in 140 meetings, tours and events with CA-31 residents.\n\nWorked five different jobs throughout the Inland Empire as part of his \u201cJob for a Day\u201d tour of the Inland Empire.\n\nHeld three events to connect Inland Empire residents with jobs through the 2020 Census and to promote the importance of the census.\n\nSecured $10 million for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program, which benefits students at California State University San Bernardino, through an appropriations bill signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019.\n\nPassed legislation that would increase home ownership rates in San Bernardino County by adjusting Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits through an appropriations bill signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019.\n\nPassed legislation to provide opportunities for DACA recipients by protecting them from deportation and making them eligible for federal employment.\n\nPassed the Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, a bill to conserve habitat for endangered species and spur over $47 million of investments into the San Bernardino County economy, which was signed into law by President Trump on March 12, 2019.\n\nIntroduced three bills which are pending before the House:\n\nThe REPORT Act, a bill to require the federal government to report on the causes of domestic terrorist attacks to help prevent future attacks.\n\nThe PREVENT Act, a bill to provide local law enforcement with additional resources to identify and respond to extremist threats.\n\nThe JOBS Act, a bill to connect Inland Empire Job seekers with local employment resources.\n\nAuthored seven amendments which were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which has been passed by both the House and the Senate and will be signed into law by President Trump.\n\nAn amendment to expand the types of education military spouses can pursue using the tuition benefits offered under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account to include Associate\u2019s and Bachelor\u2019s degrees as well as technical and vocational training.\n\nAn amendment to ensure military service members are debriefed on how to file claims and where to send the necessary documents to receive veterans\u2019 benefits as they transition to civilian life.\n\nAn amendment to prohibit the Department of Defense from participating in the deportation of service members or honorably discharged veterans with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).\n\nAn amendment that directs the Department of Defense to provide guidance on how to apply for citizenship to immigrants who serve in the US Military and are transitioning to civilian life.\n\nAn amendment to allow students attending one or two-year certificate programs to qualify for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.\n\nAn amendment to require a feasibility study on the use of FBI databases for the Department of Defense to screen for extremists who seek to enlist in the US military.\n\nAn amendment calling for budget experts to be present at Nuclear Weapons Council meetings to ensure costs are considered when decisions are made regarding the United States\u2019 nuclear weapons programs.\n\nServed on the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee that negotiated the 2019 Homeland Security funding deal to end the longest government shutdown in US History.\n\nIn addition to the legislation he\u2019s introduced and authored, Rep. Aguilar has helped the House pass more than 275 bipartisan bills. These include bills to end unfair taxes on military families, raise wages for working Americans, drastically lower the prices of prescription drugs and health care, implement background checks on all firearm purchases, and stand up for the rights of Dreamers and the LGBTQ community.\n\nRep. Aguilar has represented California\u2019s 31st Congressional District since 2015. In the 116th Congress he sits on the House Appropriations Committee, where he serves as Vice Chair, and on the Committee on House Administration. Rep. Aguilar was selected by his colleagues to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House Democratic Caucus, as a Member of the Steering & Policy Committee, and as Whip of the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-issues-end-year-report-constituents-1", "Aguilar Issues End of Year Report to Constituents", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Aguilar issued a report to residents of California's 31st Congressional District to review his work on behalf of Inland Empire families in 2019. Reflecting on the past year, Aguilar commented:\nThis year marked the beginning of the 116th Congress, the most diverse in our nation's history. Since then, I've joined my colleagues in working to create a fairer economy, fighting to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs, standing up for our veterans and seniors, and rooting out corruption in Washington. I'm proud of the work I've done to introduce thoughtful legislation that addresses the priorities of Inland Empire families, and even more proud of the work my team and I have done to provide resources to people in our community. I look forward to another year of serving the Inland Empire, the community my family has called home for four generations.\nIn 2019, Rep. Aguilar has:\n Resolved 355cases constituents had with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\tHelped return nearly $600,000 that the federal government owed to residents of the 31st Congressional District.\n\tAnnounced over $71 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including over $1 million in terrorism preparedness funding and over $1 million for local fire departments. \n\tHosted a Job Fair to connect high school students with good-paying technical career opportunities in the Inland Empire after graduation.\n\tHosted a Citizenship and Naturalization Fair to help immigrant families in our community become naturalized citizens.\n\tHosted a Veterans Resource Fair to connect Inland Empire veterans with local resources on health care, housing, employment and assistance with VA claims.\n\tHosted a Senior Fair to provide Inland Empire seniors with free health screenings and help them obtain information on local food programs, health services, and Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits.\n\tHosted two events to provide Inland Empire students with information about the US Military Service Academy nomination process.\n\tHosted 18 events and meetings to help connect local agencies with federal grant opportunities.\n\tParticipated in 140 meetings, tours and events with CA-31 residents.\n\tWorked five different jobs throughout the Inland Empire as part of his Job for a Day tour of the Inland Empire.\n\tHeld three events to connect Inland Empire residents with jobs through the 2020 Census and to promote the importance of the census.\n\tSecured $10 million for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program, which benefits students at California State University San Bernardino, through an appropriations bill signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019.\n\tPassed legislation that would increase home ownership rates in San Bernardino County by adjusting Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits through an appropriations bill signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019.\n\tPassed legislation to provide opportunities for DACA recipients by protecting them from deportation and making them eligible for federal employment.\n\tPassed the Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, a bill to conserve habitat for endangered species and spur over $47 million of investments into the San Bernardino County economy, which was signed into law by President Trump on March 12, 2019.\n\tIntroduced three bills which are pending before the House:\n\t\tThe REPORT Act, a bill to require the federal government to report on the causes of domestic terrorist attacks to help prevent future attacks.\n\t\t\tThe PREVENT Act, a bill to provide local law enforcement with additional resources to identify and respond to extremist threats.\n\t\t\tThe JOBS Act, a bill to connect Inland Empire Job seekers with local employment resources.\n\t\t\n\tAuthored seven amendments which were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which has been passed by both the House and the Senate and will be signed into law by President Trump.\n\t\tAn amendment to expand the types of education military spouses can pursue using the tuition benefits offered under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account to include Associate's and Bachelor's degrees as well as technical and vocational training.\n\t\t\tAn amendment to ensure military service members are debriefed on how to file claims and where to send the necessary documents to receive veterans' benefits as they transition to civilian life.\n\t\t\tAn amendment to prohibit the Department of Defense from participating in the deportation of service members or honorably discharged veterans with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).\n\t\t\tAn amendment that directs the Department of Defense to provide guidance on how to apply for citizenship to immigrants who serve in the US Military and are transitioning to civilian life.\n\t\t\tAn amendment to allow students attending one or two-year certificate programs to qualify for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.\n\t\t\tAn amendment to require a feasibility study on the use of FBI databases for the Department of Defense to screen for extremists who seek to enlist in the US military.\n\t\t\tAn amendment calling for budget experts to be present at Nuclear Weapons Council meetings to ensure costs are considered when decisions are made regarding the United States' nuclear weapons programs.\n\t\t\n\tServed on the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee that negotiated the 2019 Homeland Security funding deal to end the longest government shutdown in US History.\n In addition to the legislation he's introduced and authored, Rep. Aguilar has helped the House pass more than 275 bipartisan bills. These include bills to end unfair taxes on military families, raise wages for working Americans, drastically lower the prices of prescription drugs and health care, implement background checks on all firearm purchases, and stand up for the rights of Dreamers and the LGBTQ community.\nRep. Aguilar has represented California's 31st Congressional District since 2015. In the 116th Congress he sits on the House Appropriations Committee, where he serves as Vice Chair, and on the Committee on House Administration. Rep. Aguilar was selected by his colleagues to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House Democratic Caucus, as a Member of the Steering & Policy Committee, and as Whip of the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cartwright-announces-over-1-million-in-hhs-funds-to-rural-health", "Rep. Cartwright Announces Over $1 Million in HHS Funds to Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern PA", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wilkes-Barre, PA  Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $1,034,770 to the Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (RHC), which is headquartered in Wilkes-Barre. The funds will be used to maintain RHC's current scope of health care services in its seven locations throughout the region.\nRHC provides comprehensive primary and preventive medical and dental services to residents of all ages and income levels within their service area. They accept many insurance options, including most commercial insurances, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare and Medical Assistance.\nNo one should have to avoid going to the doctor because they can't afford the visit, said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. The Rural Health Corporation works to ensure people of all income levels have access to care, which is vital to fostering healthier and happier communities here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I applaud their work and celebrate the continued funding of their much-needed services. I will continue advocating in Congress to support community health centers and improve health care equity in the Eighth District.\nThe U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is a federal government agency that works to enhance and protect the health and well being of all Americans. They fulfill that mission by providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health and social services.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/democratic-letter-continuing-disability-reviews", "Democratic Letter on Continuing Disability Reviews", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Danny K. Davis", "D000096", "davis.house.gov", "davis", "https://davis.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013Top Democrats overseeing Social Security policy in the House and Senate recently called on the Social Security Administration to extend the comment period on a rule that would increase the frequency of so-called continuing disability reviews (CDR), a process that can be difficult for Americans with disabilities to navigate and may threaten their access to earned benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).\n\n\u201cWe urge SSA to extend by an additional 45 days the comment period for the notice of Proposed Rulemaking, \u2018Rules Regarding the Frequency and Notice of Continuing Disability Reviews,\u2019\u201d the members wrote. \u201cUnder the proposed rule, SSA will increase the number and frequency of reviews of people who have previously been approved for SSDI and SSI, to see if the person\u2019s medical impairment has improved. This process, known as a continuing disability review (CDR), can be extremely complex for beneficiaries to navigate. We are concerned that under the proposed rule, some individuals subject to review will be simply unable to navigate the process and, as a result, lose their benefits even though there is no medical improvement.\u201d\n\nThe letter was signed by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT), House Ways and Means Worker & Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Finance Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Senate Aging Committee Ranking Member Bob Casey (D-PA).\n\nThe full letter can be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Andrew Saul\n\nCommissioner\n\nSocial Security Administration\n\n6401 Security Boulevard\n\nBaltimore, MD 21235\n\nDear Commissioner Saul:\n\nWe write to request that the Social Security Administration (SSA) extend by an additional 45 days the comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, \u201cRules Regarding the Frequency and Notice of Continuing Disability Reviews\u201d (84 Fed. Reg. 63588, November 18, 2019), from January 31, 2020 to March 16, 2020.\n\nThe Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs provide income for people who, because of a severe and long-lasting medical impairment, are unable to work at a substantial level. The eligibility criteria are extremely strict. Fewer than 4 out of every 10 individuals who apply are found eligible, after all levels of appeal.\n\nUnder the proposed rule, SSA will increase the number and frequency of reviews of people who have previously been approved for SSDI and SSI, to see if the person\u2019s medical impairment has improved. This process, known as a continuing disability review (CDR), can be extremely complex for beneficiaries to navigate. We are concerned that under the proposed rule, some individuals subject to review will be simply unable to navigate the process and, as a result, lose their benefits even though there is no medical improvement. In addition, the process can create severe and unnecessary stress as beneficiaries fear they will lose their main source of income even though they are still unable to support themselves through work due to their medical impairment.\n\nOver the years, Congress and SSA have sought to balance the need for CDRs to ensure that only eligible individuals receive payments with equitable and humane treatment of disabled workers, who typically see their impairments worsen over time and are at higher risk of death than their peers. Not surprisingly, only a small fraction of beneficiaries who undergo a CDR have their benefits terminated.\n\nThere are four compelling reasons to extend the comment period by an additional 45 days, to March 16, 2020.\n\nFirst, SSA\u2019s proposed rule is incredibly complex and would make sweeping changes to SSA\u2019s continuing disability review process, including: creating a new CDR category, increasing the frequency of CDRs, and changing the criteria that SSA follows to determine when each individual will be reviewed. The rule\u2019s proposed changes would interact in complicated ways with each other and with SSA\u2019s existing procedures. In addition, the proposed changes are based on unsupported assertions in the NPRM about changes in medical treatment and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Thorough evaluation of how the proposed rule would affect SSDI and SSI beneficiaries, and SSA\u2019s service delivery, is a complex undertaking that merits more time.\n\nSecond, SSA\u2019s proposed rule would have a very significant and potentially harmful impact on Social Security and SSI disability beneficiaries, who typically rely on benefits for most or all of their income. SSA estimates that the proposed rule would lead to a total of $2.6 billion in benefit cessations.\n\nThird, the rule is a significant economic regulatory action (under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f)(1), as supplemented by Executive Order 12563). The rule would result in significant administrative expenditures by SSA totaling $1.8 billion over 10 years.\n\nFourth, Social Security\u2019s continuing disability reviews are a sensitive topic with a long and troubled history. In the early 1980s, the Reagan Administration implemented multiple initiatives to reduce the number of people receiving Social Security and SSI disability benefits \u2013 including aggressive use of CDRs. The harsh, harmful effects of SSA\u2019s CDR actions led to widespread concerns from the public, the states, Federal Courts, and the Congress. In order to reverse the harm SSA inflicted, Congress enacted bipartisan legislation in 1982 and 1984 to set SSA\u2019s CDRs on a stable and appropriate course. Since then, SSA has updated its CDR policies to reflect legislative changes, such as the bipartisan Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, which exempted from CDRs certain beneficiaries who are attempting to work. However, SSA has not considered sweeping changes to its CDR process since the early 1980s. SSA should proceed cautiously, should only act if it can demonstrate a solid evidence base, and should provide the greatest opportunity possible for the public to weigh in.\n\nIn closing, we urge SSA to extend by an additional 45 days the comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, \u201cRules Regarding the Frequency and Notice of Continuing Disability Reviews\u201d (84 Fed. Reg. 63588, November 18, 2019), from January 31, 2020 to March 16, 2020, so that Congress and the public have sufficient time to analyze and comment on this complex proposed rule.\n\nRichard E. Neal\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on Ways and Means\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nRon Wyden\n\nRanking Member\n\nCommittee on Finance\n\nU.S. Senate\n\nJohn B. Larson\n\nChairman\n\nSubcommittee on Social Security\n\nCommittee on Ways and Means\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nSherrod Brown\n\nRanking Member\n\nSubcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy\n\nCommittee on Finance\n\nU.S. Senate\n\nDanny K. Davis\n\nChairman\n\nSubcommittee on Worker and Family Support\n\nCommittee on Ways and Means\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\n\nRanking Member\n\nSpecial Committee on Aging\n\nU.S. Senate", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-and-colleagues-honor-75-years-smokey-bear", "McCollum and Colleagues Honor 75 Years of Smokey Bear", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", "mccollum", "https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), released the following statement today after introducing H.Res.775, a resolution honoring the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear:\n\n\"After carrying the torch on wildfire prevention for 75 years, I'm pleased to honor Smokey Bear and all he has done to educate Americans about the dangers of unwanted human-caused wildfires. As the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history, Smokey has been hugely successful at igniting interest and awareness of how everyday Americans can prevent wildfires and protect forest health, all while becoming one of the most recognizable characters in the world. But after 75 years, the flame of Smokey's famous \u2018Only You Can Prevent Wildfires' catchphrase has started to flicker \u2013 overlooking that we now know some natural and prescribed fires can be beneficial for the environment. By encouraging the Smokey Bear campaign to explore ways his message can be modernized, we can ensure Smokey will continue to spark the attention of future scientists in classrooms across the country, and stay true to his original message of preventing unwanted wildfires.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nThe full text of H.Res.775 can be found here.\n\nThank you to original co-sponsors: Rep. David Joyce (OH-14); Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02); Rep. Don Young (AK-AL); Rep. Deb Haaland (NM-01); Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03); and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01).\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/neals-actions-saves-jobs-rail-car-plant", "Neals actions saves jobs at rail car plant", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard Neal", "N000015", "neal.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SPRINGFIELD  The chair of the House's Ways & Means Committee brought back to his district quite the holiday present for the workers at CRRC-MA: continued employment.\nMayor Domenic Sarno called the results from Richard Neal's advocacy a Herculean effort that involved two key words: respect and clout.\nSarno made the comments at a press conference on the floor of the factory.\nRichard Neal negotiated a revision to the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that reversed a provision that would have prohibited local transit agencies from contracting with CRRC-MA.\nRight now the nearly 200 union employees at the Page Boulevard facility are working on fulfilling orders for rolling stock from the MBTA (Boston), SEPTA (Philadelphia) and LACMTA (Los Angeles).\nAccording to information supplied by Neal's office, the negotiations yielded a grandfather provision that permits parties who have previously contracted to contract again. This means that CRRC is free to compete for future contracts with Boston, Philadelphia and Los Angeles at any time in the future.\nThe change creates a two year grace period during which CRRC can bid for any transit contract other than with WAMATA (Washington DC transist system). Contracts awarded between new parties during the grace period can be renewed or extended, however no new contracts can be awarded after the two year grace period  unless covered by the grandfather provision.\nNeal said, This is a victory for good policy and common sense.\nNeal said he learned weeks ago from John Scavotto, business manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 that a provision in the legislation could have effectively closed the plant.\nWhat the congressman was able to accomplish was amazing, Scavotto said.\nNeal said the facility is not only important to the region but to the entire country. Sixty percent of the components used in the manufacture of the rail cars are made in this country, he noted.\nNeal said there is no domestic competitor for what CRRC does.\nThe congressman added that for taxpayers of Western and central Massachusetts tax money has been used to keep the MBTA afloat.\nHe said, The Boston capitol region needs a first rate transportation system. Much of the quality work that is taking place in these cars will help to ensure that.\nNeal said he made it clear to his legislative colleagues that the act was not going to pass unless the revisions were made. He called the negotiations pretty assertive.\nThis story was caught up into international trade tension, he added.\nNeal believes the grace period may be eliminated or extended through future legislation.\nPresident of CRRC-MA Jia Bo said of Neal, You are our champion.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pingree.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3206", "Pingree Announces $125k Drug-Free Communities Grant to Westbrook Schools", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Chellie Pingree", "P000597", "pingree.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pingree Announces $125k Drug-Free Communities Grant to Westbrook Schools \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 27, 2019\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n        \r\n           \r\n      \r\n          \r\n      \r\n           \r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced the Westbrook School Department is the recipient of a$125,000Drug-Free Communities grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policyin cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).\r\nThis federal funding will help Westbrook community partners to educate kids and parents about substance use preventionkeeping our kids healthier and safer for their future, said Pingree.With the rise of substance use disorder in Maine, it's critical that we support communities which are proactively working topreventing substance misuse through support.\r\nThe Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program supports communities as they mobilize individuals and local organizations to prevent youth substance abuse. The Westbrook School Department received one of 42 new grants to coalitions throughout the country. DFC has awarded nearly $90 million in grants to community organizations throughout the country.\r\nDetails of the grant is as follows:\r\n \r\n    Coalition Name:Westbrook Partners for Prevention\r\n    Grant Recipient Organization:Westbrook School Department\r\n    \r\n        Project Description:\r\n        \r\n            The Westbrook School Department was awarded a FY 2019 Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant in the amount of $125,000 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The coalition serves Westbrook, Maine, a community of 18,400. The goal of the coalition is to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse. The coalition will achieve its goal by implementing these strategies: \r\n            \r\n                Address the use of substances by targeting root causes including social and retail access, community norms, laws and enforcement and parental and peer attitudes toward misuse.\r\n                \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n \r\n  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stevens.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-stevens-building-blocks-stem-act-signed-law", "Rep. Stevens\u2019 Building Blocks of STEM Act Signed Into Law", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Haley M. Stevens", "S001215", "stevens.house.gov", "stevens", "https://stevens.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, President Trump signed into law the Building Blocks of STEM Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) to strengthen STEM education for young learners and address the gender gap in STEM fields.\n\nThe Building Blocks of STEM Act was the first piece of legislation introduced by Congresswoman Stevens. As Chair of the House Science Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Congresswoman Stevens has been a strong advocate for women and girls in STEM.\n\nThe bill instructs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to more equitably allocate funding for research with a focus on early childhood. The bill also directs NSF to support research on the factors that discourage or encourage girls to engage in STEM activities, including computer science. U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led the bipartisan Senate version of the bill.\n\nClick HERE to see the full text of the Building Blocks of STEM Act.\n\n\u201cI am thrilled that the Building Blocks of STEM Act has been signed into law,\u201d said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. \u201cThis legislation will help ensure that our children are prepared to thrive in the 21st century economy by directing public resources to study opportunities for early childhood STEM education and strategies to encourage girls to engage in STEM & computer science. Women and girls everywhere need to know that they can succeed in the STEM fields, and that our country and our economy won\u2019t succeed without them. Let\u2019s keep advocating, encouraging, and mentoring the diverse next generation of STEM leaders.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a school superintendent, I understand the importance of introducing STEM education to students at an early age. The earlier students have an opportunity to engage with STEM concepts, the more likely they are to develop an academic interest in these topics. I applaud Congresswoman Stevens for helping promote early childhood STEM education,\u201d said Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson, Superintendent of the Oakland Schools Intermediate School District.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, we must work to break down barriers so that all girls have access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science,\u201d said Kimberly Churches, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). \u201cThe bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act will strengthen early childhood STEM education and lead to more effective policies and practices to increase the number of women in our STEM workforce. AAUW thanks Representative Stevens for her attention to this important issue and looks forward to working with her and the rest of the Members of House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on this important bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cIncreasing girls\u2019 exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is critical to maintaining America\u2019s competitive advantage in the global economy,\u201d said Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. \u201cBy increasing federal support for research and programming that engages girls in STEM, the Building Blocks of STEM Act brings us closer to realizing the benefits of a more diverse and representative STEM workforce that can advance our country\u2019s technological, economic, and security interests. As the single largest girl-serving, girl-led leadership program in the country, Girl Scouts' is proud to support Congresswoman Stevens\u2019 and we applaud passage of this legislation.\u201d\n\nBackground on Congresswoman Stevens\u2019 Advocacy for Women and Girls in STEM:\n\nIn June, Congresswoman Stevens voted to advance the STEM Opportunities Act and the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act through the Science Committee.\n\nIn May, Congresswoman Stevens was named to Putman Media\u2019s 2019 Class of Influential Women in Manufacturing along with 27 other manufacturing leaders from around the country.\n\nIn April, Congresswoman Stevens delivered a passionate floor speech in support of the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act, a bill that would awards the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress\u2019s highest civilian honor, to Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, Christine Darden, and all the women computers, mathematicians, and engineers at NASA.\n\nIn March, Congresswoman Stevens\u2019 sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to express her concern with gender disparities in research grant awards and request a response detailing the actions that the NIH is taking to address this gap.\n\nIn February, Congresswoman Stevens invited recently retired science teacher Jean Bueller to be her guest at the 2019 State of the Union address.\n\nBefore serving in Congress, Congresswoman Stevens launched a STEM education program that introduced 200 middle school and high school students to digital manufacturing concepts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-secures-funding-local-priorities", "Underwood Secures Funding for Local Priorities", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Lauren Underwood", "U000040", "underwood.house.gov", "underwood", "https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 27, 2019\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014 Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) released the following statement on the bipartisan, bicameral appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2020, signed by the President. The legislation includes legislation championed by Underwood to lower insulin costs, establish an electronic health record system for the Department of Homeland Security, research gun violence, and invest in Fermilab.\n\n\"Our community is strongest when we are armed with the resources needed to build successful businesses, raise families, and live fulfilling lives. From day one, I have fought to bring the voices of the 14th District to Congress and have worked hard to make sure our priorities are reflected in federal funding bills. I'm pleased to see that so many of the investments I fought for were supported and will go into effect in the upcoming year,\" said Underwood.\n\nUnderwood's key victories include:\n\nHealth Care\n\nRaising the tobacco and e-cigarette purchase age to 21 nationwide, to combat the teen vaping epidemic.\n\nSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: The bill provides $5.9 billion, a $140 million increase above FY 2019. for local communities or agencies fund important opioid and suicide prevention work with SAMHSA grants.\n\nNational Institutes of Health: The bill provides $41.7 billion, a $2.6 billion increase above FY 2019. These critical investments will allow the United States to continue to innovate and find cures for rare cancers, chronic diseases and develop new pharmaceutical treatments.\n\nHRSA Nursing Workforce Development: The bill provides $260 million, a $10.5 million increase above FY 2019.\n\nVA Disability Claims Processing Backlog: The bill provides $125 million above the budget request for the Veterans Benefits Administration for hiring additional claims and appellate staff, and overtime pay in order to continue reducing the disability claims backlog.\n\nDefense Health Programs: The bill provides $34 billion in defense health programs to include $492.5 million for cancer research and $165 million for peer-reviewed psychological health and traumatic brain injury research programs.\n\nJobs and Education\n\nCreating Jobs: Reauthorization of the jobs-creating Export-Import Bank. Within IL-14 the Export-Import bank has supported local firms including Tru-Spec Metals of Waukegan and Miner Enterprises of Geneva.\n\nIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): The bill provides $13.9 billion IDEA programs, a $417 million increase above FY 2019. West Aurora, Sycamore and Waukegan received recent awards to serve students with individualized education programs from age 3-21.\n\nStrengthening Community College Training Grants: The bill provides $40 million in community colleges and eligible four-year partners. This new program will help meet local and regional labor market demand for a skilled workforce by providing training to workers in in-demand industries.\n\nKeeping Our Communities Safe\n\nFEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program: The bill provides $90 million in total, with $50 million for the Urban Areas Security Initiative Program and $40 million to NSGP-State. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for security-related and physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations, with funding allocations appropriated for nonprofit organizations located inside and outside designated urban areas. These funds help communities and organizations in the Chicago area and northern Illinois who are at high risk for a terror attack.\n\nElection Assistance Commission (EAC): The bill provides $425 million for a new round of election security grants to improve the security and integrity of elections for Federal office. Ahead of the 2020 elections, these funds will help communities upgrade vulnerable election systems and improve Cybersecurity.\n\nGun Violence Prevention: The bill delivers $12.5 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and $12.5 million to the National Institute of Health for firearm injury and mortality prevention research.\n\nLocal Priorities for the 14th District\n\nFermilab: The bill provides $1.045 billion for the Department of Energy's High Energy Physics programs and allocations for the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE) at Fermilab.\n\nBiodiesel Tax: The bill extends the biodiesel tax credit, an important program that helps our rural economy continue to grow.\n\nFlood Insurance: The bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program, which serves communities across the 14th district.\n\nTransportation and Infrastructure: The bill increases TIGER and BUILD grants by $100 million, for a total of $1 billion. These grants support transportation and infrastructure projects directly serving northern Illinois, and this bill ensures rural and urban areas have parity in awarded funds.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-encouraging-ohioans-to-apply-for-local-2020-census-jobs", "Brown Encouraging Ohioans To Apply For Local 2020 Census Jobs", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Sherrod Brown", "B000944", "www.brown.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Previously Urged Passage of Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize Critical Role of Census, Importance of Fair and Accurate Count\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 27, 2019\n            \n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is encouraging Ohioans to apply for open positions with the 2020 Census, that are available in their local communities. The Census Bureau is offering flexible hours and competitive wages, for Ohioans across the state to help with the 2020 Census count. Ohioans interested in applying for a position with the Census Bureau, can apply at 2020census.gov/jobs\r\nThe 2020 Census is a constitutionally mandated undertaking and the data collected is used to properly allocate seats for the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures. It also directs more than $800 billion annually in federal funding to state and local communities.\r\nAs we enter the next decade, it is critical that all Ohioans are accounted for in the 2020 Census, said Brown. Our government relies on the Census to evaluate needs and allocate resources. I encourage Ohioans to apply for this unique opportunity to ensure their communities are accounted for and receive the assistance they need.\r\nLast week, Brown joined his colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution highlighting the importance of the 2020 Census. The resolution encourages individuals, families, and households across the United States to take part in the Census so that all communities can be counted. The resolution also recognizes the importance and significance of the 2020 Census and encourages all people to participate. It concludes that it is the civic duty of every person to ensure that the 2020 Census is as accurate as possible. The resolution passed the Senate on December 18, 2019.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=8D9BA75A-C95F-466F-94A0-F35F1EECAB76", "Klobuchar Urges Consumer Product Safety Commission to Protect Children from the Dangers of Small Rare-Earth Magnets", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today's letter follows a Washington Post report that the number of children ingesting rare-earth magnets has skyrocketed in the three years since courts blocked federal efforts to regulate the industry \r\nWASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) expressing her serious concerns about the alarming increase in injuries to children who have ingested small rare-earth magnets and requesting that the agency investigate this matter and take steps to ensure that children are kept safe from these dangerous products. Rare-earth magnets are strong, tiny balls that are popular desk toys, but are up to 10 times more powerful than ordinary magnets and can attract each other inside the intestine when swallowed by children, causing life-threatening injuries to the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes resulting in death. The letterfollows a recentWashington Post reportthat the number of children ingesting rare-earth magnets has skyrocketed in the three years since a court blocked the CPSC's initial efforts to regulate the industry.\r\nThe CPSC plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of our children, including investigating hazardous children's products and banning certain dangerous products from the market altogether. Given the seriousness of this issue, I urge the CPSC to revisit this issue and take action to protect children from the dangers of small rare-earth magnets, Klobuchar wrote.\r\nAs a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Klobuchar has been a leader in protecting consumer safety. Earlier this month, Klobuchar led a letter to CPSC urging the agency to open an investigation into contaminated toys following reports that a child from Minnesota was found to have toxic blood levels of lead after playing with an off-brand spin toy that was purchased online. She was also a chief author of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which gave CPSC the additional authority, resources, and staff to enforce consumer protection laws.\r\nThe full text of today's letter to Robert S. Adler, Acting CPSC Chairman, can be found below:\r\nDear Acting Chairman Adler:\r\nI write to express my serious concerns regarding recent reports documenting an alarming increase in injuries to children who have ingested small rare-earth magnets and to request that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) investigate this matter and take steps to ensure that children are kept safe from these dangerous products.\r\nAccording to the National Poison Data System, there have been more than 1,500 accidental ingestions of this type of magnet in 2019 alone. Due to their small size and strengthup to 10 times more powerful than ordinary magnetsthese magnets can attract each other inside the intestine when swallowed by children, causing life-threatening injuries to the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes resulting in death.\r\nDespite the clear hazard these magnets pose to children's health, there are currently no safety standards or regulations governing their sale or use. While ASTM International is currently developing voluntary safety standards, early reports suggest that the standard being developed will fail to place any limits on the size and strength of the magnets available for sale to the public. Although the CPSC issued safety standards restricting the size and strength of nonindustrial magnets sold to the public in 2014, those standards were invalidated in a legal challenge in 2016, and the CPSC has declined to issue new regulationsdespite the urging of pediatricians and consumer groups.\r\nThe CPSC plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of our children, including investigating hazardous children's products and banning certain dangerous products from the market altogether. Given the seriousness of this issue, I urge the CPSC to revisit this issue and take action to protect children from the dangers of small rare-earth magnets. In addition, I respectfully request responses to the following questions:\r\n \r\nWhat is the CPSC doing to investigate the incidence of injuries caused to children by the ingestion of small rare-earth magnets?\r\n \n \r\nDoes the CPSC need additional resources to investigate this issue and take appropriate measures to protect children from these products?\r\n \n \r\nDoes the CPSC believe that voluntary standards that fail to limit the size and strength of these magnets will adequately protect children from the safety risk presented by these dangerous products?\r\n \r\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/122719", "Congressman Jimmy Gomez Delivers Weekly Democratic Address", "2019-12-27", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "www.speaker.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Jimmy Gomez of California delivered the Weekly Democratic Address. In this week's address, the Congressman discussed the historic progress made by House Democrats For The People, including vital improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which passed through the House of Representatives on a bipartisan 385  41 vote. Video and audio of the Weekly Democratic Address can be downloaded here.\nBelow is a full transcript of the address:\nHi, I'm Congressman Jimmy Gomez.\nI'm proud to represent California's 34th Congressional District, in the heart of Los Angeles.\nAs we approach 2020, it's important to take a look back at this past year with the Democratic Majority.\nWe stood up for our Constitution and held President Trump accountable for abusing the power of his office and obstructing Congress to cover it up.\nWe also passed nearly 300 bipartisan bills, including: the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act  our transformational legislation to negotiate lower drug prices so millions of Americans can afford the life-saving medicine they need.\nThe Equality Act: legislation to extend civil rights protections to our LGBTQ family, friends and neighbors.\nThe Paycheck Fairness Act: legislation reaffirming the basic idea, equal pay for equal work.\nThe Climate Action Now Act: an urgently-needed bill, which aims to keep the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement.\nAnd the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA for short: a historic trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.\nThis last legislative victory was not easy, and it was far from guaranteed. In late spring, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed nine Democratic Members  including myself  to negotiate with the U.S. Trade Representative to make significant changes to the Administration's version of USMCA, a version many people referred to as NAFTA-lite.\nAs a former labor organizer, I knew we had the opportunity to finally begin to right the wrongs of NAFTA.\nAfter six months of negotiations, meetings, phone calls, proposals and counter-proposals, the USMCA Working Group  under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi  brokered a new agreement that not only recognized the value of America's workers, but also secured measurable and profound progress in the areas of enforcement, prescription drugs and environmental protection.\nThis unprecedented trade agreement was made possible through the fortitude and resolve of the trade working group and the House Democratic Caucus.\nWe refused to compromise our values. And ultimately, we turned President Donald Trump's original trade deal  considered weak in almost every measure  into a real agreement with teeth.\nThat's why the AFL-CIO  a federation of labor unions representing over 12.5 million workers  for the first time in almost 20 years, endorsed a trade agreement.\nThat's why the USMCA passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support: 385 to 41.\nThis new and improved USMCA is a victory for the American people.\nAnd, as an advocate for working families, I am encouraged that this new deal sets the floor  not the ceiling  for future trade agreements.\nThe new consensus on trade was only made possible because of the new Democratic House Majority.\nAs we enter 2020, House Democrats will continue to deliver results For The People.\nAnd, with that, I would like to thank you and wish you and your family and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/sen-jeff-merkley-to-hold-town-hall-meet-in-sutherlin-jan-2", "Sen. Jeff Merkley to hold town hall meet in Sutherlin Jan. 2", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Jeff Merkley to hold town hall meet in Sutherlin Jan. 2 \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThursday, December 26, 2019\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nU.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley will hold a town hall at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 in the Sutherlin High School gym, 500 E. Fourth Ave.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe town hall is one of 12 across Southern and Central Oregon that Merkley will hold to kick off 2020.\r\n\r\n\r\nMerkley will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C.., answer questions and invite suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Hearing from Oregonians across the state is critical to doing my job,\" Merkley said in a press release. \"From tackling Sudden Oak Death, to big investments in rural broadband, to making sure small ports get dredged, the ideas and priorities I hear about in town halls wind up as the solutions I fight to get into federal law. I look forward to these discussions about how we can strengthen our state and our nation.\"\r\n\r\n\r\nSince joining the Senate in 2009, Mekrley has held a town hall in each of Oregon's 36th counties every year. The Sutherlin town hall will be his 397th.\r\n\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://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/aguilar-s-key-defense-provisions-are-heading-president-s-desk", "Aguilars key defense provisions are heading to the presidents desk", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate passed has approved Senate Bill 1790, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020 after the bill was passed with bipartisan support in the House on Dec. 11.\nIn addition to authorizing military and defense spending for the upcoming fiscal year, this year's NDAA establishes a 12-week paid family leave policy for federal employees and provides a much-needed pay raise for military personnel.\nThe bill also includes seven key provisions authored by U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar.\n\nThe amendments to the NDAA were adopted in July 2019 when the House originally passed the bill.\n\nThe NDAA also includes a provision to protect jobs from downsizing at March Air Reserve Base as a result of an amendment cosponsored by Rep. Aguilar.\nOf the seven amendments he offered, all were approved by the Senate and included in the final version of the bill, which will soon be signed into law by the president. The bill will:\n Expand the types of education military spouses can pursue using the tuition benefits offered under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account to include associate and bachelor's degrees as well as technical and vocational training.\n Ensure military service members are debriefed on how to file claims and where to send the necessary documents to receive veterans' benefits as they transition to civilian life.\n Prohibit the Department of Defense from participating in the deportation of service members or honorably discharged veterans with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).\n Directs the Department of Defense to provide guidance on how to apply for citizenship to immigrants who serve in the U.S. military and are transitioning to civilian life.\n Allow students attending one or two-year certificate programs to qualify for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.\n Require a feasibility study on the use of FBI databases for the Department of Defense to screen for extremists who seek to enlist in the U.S. military.\n Call for budget experts to be present at Nuclear Weapons Council meetings to ensure costs are considered when decisions are made regarding the United States' nuclear weapons programs.\n\n\t\n\t\tThis year's NDAA ensures our national security while reflecting our nation's values, Aguilar said. By making sure military families have access to the resources they need to succeed, helping our veterans transition into civilian life, protecting immigrants who risk their lives to serve our country, and providing a well-deserved pay raise to our troops, this bill will improve quality of life for our brave service members and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-statement-recent-attacks-burkina-faso", "Rep. Bass Statement On Recent Attacks In Burkina Faso", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -  Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement in response to the recent jihadist attack in Burkina Faso that killed 35 civilians, most of them women. Seven members of security forces were also killed in this assault.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline%E2%80%99s-christmas-troops-delegation-makes-final-stop-qatar", "Cicillines Christmas with the Troops Delegation Makes Final Stop in Qatar", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "David Cicilline", "C001084", "cicilline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cicilline's Christmas with the Troops Delegation Makes Final Stop in Qatar\nRhode Island Congressman concludes three-country trip to thank American servicemembers, set to return to United States\nDOHA  U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline's (RI-01) bipartisan delegation to the Middle East concluded earlier today after the Rhode Island Congressman and his colleagues spent Christmas Day meeting with servicemembers on deployment in Qatar. The Congressional delegation thanked the troops and served them Christmas breakfast and dinner.\n\nI'm thankful that we had the opportunity to spend the Christmas holiday with the troops, said Cicilline. This visit was an opportunity to thank these brave men and women for all they've given our country. I'm very grateful that so many members of both parties joined me in this effort. \n\nWhile in Qatar, Cicilline and his colleagues visited Al Udeid Air Base where they met with constituents on active duty, including Henry Camacho of Woonsocket [PHOTO ATTACHED].\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://phillips.house.gov/media/press-releases/phillips-spends-holidays-us-troops-middle-east", "Phillips Spends Holidays with U.S. Troops in the Middle East", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Dean Phillips", "P000616", "phillips.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MIDDLE EAST  Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) returned today from spending his holiday week visiting U.S. troops serving in the CENTCOM Area of Operations in the Middle East. From December 22  26, Phillips traveled with a bipartisan Congressional delegation and discussed the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq, Iranian aggression, and trade in a series of high-level diplomatic and military visits in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Phillips also served holiday meals, delivered gifts, and passed out holiday cards from preschoolers at St. David's Center in Minnetonka and several New Horizon Academy locations in Minnesota's Third District to troops in at every stop.\nAs a Gold Star Son, my gratitude to our outstanding men and women in uniform is immeasurable, said Phillips. It was my honor to spend the holidays with these brave Americans, whose service and sacrifice keep us all safe. As we spend time with our loved ones this holiday season, may we all reflect on their extraordinary sacrifice and honor them with our own acts of service in our own community.\nPhillips traveled with seven other members of Congress - Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) - who serve on the House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Veterans Affairs Committees. The group visited the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, and spent Christmas Day passing out gifts and serving a pancake breakfast at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.\nCLICK HERE to see more photos from Rep. Phillips's trip. \nCLICK HERE to see photos of preschool art Phillips delivered to U.S. troops. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shalala.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2226", "Congresswoman Donna E. Shalala Announces Congressional App Challenge Winners", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Donna Shalala", "S001206", "shalala.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Miami, FL Today, Rep. Donna Shalala (FL-27) released the following statement to announce the winners of her district's 2019 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge is a yearly competition for middle and high school students encouraging them to learn to code and pursue careers in computer science and STEM fields:\r\nThis year we had an overwhelming amount of submissions from across South Florida. As a lifelong educator, the ingenuity and hard work of our students is truly inspiring. This year's winner is AED Locator, an application by Kamal Kay-Ramos, Joshua Delgado, Jake Charron and Jordan Schmidt of Gulliver Schools. This application assists those who are near a victim of cardiac arrest to find the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) device available.\r\nTied for second place are Volunteerio and Shleep Helper. Volunteerio, an app by Mike Hickey and Paloma Hickey of Miami Beach Senior High School, seeks to streamline the volunteering process by allowing students and teachers to log and verify volunteer hours within the same application. Meanwhile, Shleep Helper, by Anthony Pena of Miami Senior High School, seeks to help those who have difficulty falling asleep through music and interactive games.\r\nThe talent of our South Florida students is truly remarkable. Their creativity and dedication is clear in the many submissions that our office received. I would like to thank our judges, Professor Geoff Sutcliffe of the University of Miami and Sarah Jacob, Senior Director of Product Management at CareCloud for their time and effort to reviewing each individual application.\r\nThank you to all the dedicated students who entered this year's competition. I look forward to seeing what great ideas our students have in the years to come.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://titus.house.gov/in-the-news/washington-examiner-federal-spending-bill-includes-historic-effort-to-curb-government", "Washington Examiner: Federal spending bill includes historic effort to curb government animal tests", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NV", "Dina Titus", "T000468", "titus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Appropriations legislation expected to be signed into law by President Trump by the end of the week includes historic language directing several federal agencies to curb their use of animal research.\nThe bipartisan spending deal announced by lawmakers on Monday consists of 2,300 pages of bill text outlining $1.37 trillion in federal funding for 2020. The House passed the bills Tuesday in two packages, which will likely be followed by Senate passage on Thursday and a signature from the president before federal funding runs out on Friday.\nThe legislation instructs the National Institutes of Health, housed under the Department of Health and Human Services, to work toward reducing and replacing its taxpayer-funded experiments on primates with equivalent alternative methods. The agency, which has come under fire for repeatedly violating spending transparency law, spends more tax dollars experimenting on primates than any other government agency.\nSpending legislation also repeats language that was included in the final full-year spending bills for 2018 and 2019, which directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to extend restrictions on its controversial canine testing. The department will continue to have to gain explicit approval from the VA secretary to conduct dog experiments and will now also have to do the same for research involving cats and primates. In a historic move, Congress is also requesting a plan by Dec. 31, 2020, for the VA to eliminate or reduce the department's cat, dog, and primate use within five years.\nAlso included in the final spending package is language approved by the House Appropriations Committee over the summer calling for the Food and Drug Administration to provide a plan for the reduction of its primate testing and the retirement of monkeys.\n\"As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I'm proud that measures I supported to hold federal agencies accountable for reducing harmful experiments on dogs and primates have been included in the final spending deal for fiscal year 2020,\" California Republican Rep. Ken Calvert told the Washington Examiner in an email. \"For the sake of animal welfare and public health, we need to ensure that the government's efforts to curb wasteful animal tests aren't just lip service.\"\n\"This bill puts us one step closer to ending dog testing at the VA once and for all, Nevada Democrat Rep. Dina Titus said in an email. This accomplishment is worth celebrating, but we must keep fighting to eliminate these barbaric practices that inflict severe pain on animals without producing any discernible medical advances.\nRepublican Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, who has led efforts to reduce canine testing at the VA alongside Titus, echoed that sentiment.\n\"It's unacceptable for the Department of Veterans Affairs to use taxpayer dollars to fund cruel, unnecessary experiments on animals at the VA,\" the Army combat veteran said in an email. \"These painfuloften deadlytests have gone on long enough, and it's about time we worked together to end them for good. Protecting cats and dogs is common sense, and I'm glad we were able to come together to get this done.\"\nThe appropriations legislation comes as several federal agencies have been criticized lately for conducting costly animal research opposed by most taxpayers on their dime. Many of the experiments involve painful tests that have been denounced as unnecessary by some experts on the matter. Opponents to animal testing applauded Congress's latest move.\n\"Medical research has saved the lives of veterans and others for decades. Over those decades, technology has improved how that research is conducted, including alternatives to doing painful experiments on the same animals we keep as pets and rely on as service dogs,\" said Sherman Gillums Jr., retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and chief advocacy officer at American Veterans.\n\"AMVETS appreciates the lawmakers in the House and Senate who are demanding greater accountability in how taxpayers dollars are spent in order to modernize and improve VA research,\" he told the Washington Examiner in an email.\nTaxpayer watchdog White Coat Waste Project also commended lawmakers, with Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy Justin Goodman pointing out that \"a growing majority of Americansincluding our 2 million taxpayer advocatesdon't want the government squandering billions of their tax dollars to give puppies heart attacks, cripple kittens or addict monkeys to street drugs in wasteful experiments.\"\n\"The historic, hard-won measures we worked with Congress to include in the 2020 spending package will ensure that the NIH, VA and FDA are actively working to eliminate this government-funded animal abuse, and that lawmakers and taxpayers can hold them accountable,\" he wrote in an email.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rosen.senate.gov/rosens-bipartisan-building-blocks-stem-act-signed-law", "Rosen\u2019s Bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act Signed Into Law", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NV", "Jacky Rosen", "R000608", "www.rosen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, announced that her bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act has been signed into law by the President. Rosen introduced the bill with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) earlier this year.  \n  \nI couldn't be prouder that this bipartisan piece of legislation that I've introduced is now law said Senator Rosen. This marks a massive leap forward for the opportunities that young girls will have in science, technology, engineering, and math. As a former computer programmer, I introduced this bipartisan bill to help break down the gender barriers that I faced as a woman in STEM for current and future generations. I will continue working in Congress on forward-thinking legislation that equips our students with the tools they need to succeed in their scientific and technological pursuits.  \n  \nFor young women across the country, this bipartisan bill represents increased opportunities to explore STEM fields, said Senator Capito. As more tech companies invest in West Virginia, I want to make sure our workforce is ready to meet the challenges of this industry. I was proud to join my friend and colleague Senator Rosen in introducing this bill, and I'm proud to see President Trump sign it into law.  \n  \nEnsuring that the lifelong benefits of early and consistent exposure to STEM fields reaches girls is critical to America's long term technological, economic, and security interests, said Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. \"As single largest girl-serving, girl-led leadership program in the country, Girl Scouts' STEM programs reach more girls in more places than any other organization. We are proud to support Senator Rosen and her cosponsors' Building Blocks of STEM Act to make funds available for research and programming to increase girls' engagement in STEM.\"  \n  \nDespite significant strides women are making in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science fields, barriers to gender equity still exist. This is particularly true for girls, especially girls of color, said Kimberly Churches, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act takes important steps toward identifying systematic barriers and biases affecting young girls in STEM and computer science. AAUW commends Senator Rosen for her leadership on this critical issue and looks forward to continue working together to ensure equity in STEM education for all women and girls.  \n  \nThank you Senators Rosen and Capito for introducing the Building Blocks of STEM Act,\" said Craig Albright, Vice President of Legislative Strategy of BSA The Software Alliance. \"Making STEM education more widely available and encouraging the inclusion of underrepresented groups means more children will develop an interest in STEM and will help ensure the jobs of the future are available to the entire population.  \n  \nBACKGROUND: Studies have found that children who engage in scientific activities from an early age develop positive attitudes toward science and are more likely to pursue STEM expertise and careers later on.  \n  \nIn March, Rosen introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Building Blocks of STEM Act, S. 737, alongside Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Deb Fischer (R-NE). The bill would create and expand upon STEM education initiatives at the National Science Foundation (NSF) for young children, including new research grants to increase the participation of girls in computer science.  \n  \nLast Congress, Rosen introduced similar legislation to focus National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM education programming on young children and to award grants to encourage young girls to pursue computer science learning. The bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act (H.R. 3397), introduced in the 115th Congress by then-Representative Jacky Rosen and Representative Steve Knight (R-CA), would direct NSF to more equitably distribute funding for early childhood education in its Discovery Research PreK-12 program, which seeks to enhance the learning and teaching of STEM and address the immediate challenges that are facing PreK-12 STEM education. Currently, the Discovery Research PreK-12 program focuses the majority of its research on students in middle school and older. This year's Senate bill also includes Rosen's bipartisan Code Like a Girl Act (H.R. 3316) from the 115th Congress, which would direct NSF to award research grants to increase understanding of the factors that contribute to the participation of young girls in STEM activities and to develop interventions in pre-K and elementary school classrooms to increase the participation of young girls in computer science. Last Congress, Rosen's combined package of STEM education bills unanimously passed the House but failed to receive a vote in the Senate.  \n  \nThe Building Blocks of STEM Act is endorsed by Girl Scouts of the USA, Save the Children Action Network, American Association of University Women (AAUW), National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), National Organization for Women, Stop Sexual Assault in Schools (SSAIS), Girls, Inc., BSA The Software Alliance, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Code.org, BlackRidge Technology, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Third Way, Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), CompTIA, TechNet, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Common Sense Kids Action, ISACA, Girls Who Code, and Microsoft.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sinema.senate.gov/memo-action-arizona-kyrsten-sinemas-year-getting-things-done-arizona", "MEMO: Action for Arizona - Kyrsten Sinema\u2019s Year Getting Things Done for Arizona", "2019-12-26", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "www.sinema.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Thursday, December 26, 2019\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON  During Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema's first year in the U.S. Senate she demonstrated a clear ability to work across the aisle, avoid partisan politics, and deliver results for everyday Arizona families.  \n  \nI will work with anyone to get things done for Arizona families, said Sinema.  \n  \nHow Kyrsten works:\n \n\tRanked the most effective Senate freshman\n\tRanked among the most bipartisan members of Congress by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy\n\tHonored with her sixth-consecutive Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise award, highlighting her support for pro-growth policies that encourage job creation across Arizona\n\tReceived the Partnership for Chronic Diseases Award from The Brain Injury Alliance, Epilepsy Foundation, Arizona Myeloma Network, and Lupus Foundation for her work keeping seniors healthy\n \nHow she's delivering for Arizona's veterans:\n \n\tPassed her bipartisan LEGION Act into law, expanding American Legion membership to veterans across the country\n\tPassed her bipartisan Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act into law, safeguarding veterans from predatory loan practices and helping them more easily access their earned homeowner benefits\n\tContinued her work to curb suicide among veterans, working with the Somers family to introduce and pass into law the Network of Support for active duty military and advancing her bipartisan proposal for veterans\n\tLaunched a VA Services Survey to improve veterans care and services with feedback collected directly from Arizona veterans\n \nHow she's keeping Arizona safe and secure:\n \n\tChampioned the importance of military resources at Fort Huachuca and urged Congress to protect military funds\n\tSecured over $90 million in the NDAA for the renovation of MCAS Yuma's Hangar 95 so the Air Station's equipment remains safe\n\tSecured over $90 million in the NDAA for the critical replacement of junior servicemembers' barracks at MCAS Yuma to ensure servicemembers have the resources they need to do their jobs and return home safely\n\tHelped secure $5.364 billion in the NDAA for 60 F-35 aircraft, an increase of over $1.090 billion above the President's request\n\tHelped secure $132 million in the NDAA for the A-10 based at Davis Monthan Air Force Base\n\tHelped shape the bipartisan border bill that passed Congress in July, securing $55 million to hire 30 additional Immigration Judge Teams and secure courtroom space and equipment to improve judicial adjudication at the border; $30 million for grants to nonprofits that provide critical food, shelter, social services, and other assistance to migrants who are released from CBP custody\n\tPassed through a key committee bipartisan legislation providing financial certainty for Arizona universities, hospitals, stadiums, casinos, and other large businesses by ensuring that they have access to terrorism insurance.\n \nHow she's creating opportunity for everyday families:\n \n\tLed introduction of first bipartisan, bicameral paid parental leave legislation\n\tSuccessfully convinced Verizon Wireless to build a new cell tower in Sunscape, an RV Resort in Pinal County where residents lacked reliable cell service until Kyrsten drew attention to their concerns in a Senate hearing\n\tPassed through a key committee her bipartisan Space Frontier Act, legislation to boost Arizona's aerospace industry and America's leadership in space exploration\n\tHelped pass the bipartisan Drought Contingency Plan, to better secure Arizona's water future\n\tHelped pass a bipartisan Public Lands bill into law, including proposals she led transferring land from the Bureau of Land Management to the La Paz County, swapping 83 acres of Forest Service land to Yavapai County in exchange for 369 acres of county-owned inholding in Coconino National Forest, and allowing Bullhead City to acquire up to 345 acres of federal land on or near the Colorado River\n \nHow she's making health care more affordable and protecting access for Arizonans:\n \n\tChampioned protections for Arizonans with pre-existing conditions, spoke on the Senate floor about the need to ban junk insurance plans and voted against junk insurance plans\n\tLed the successful effort to repeal the Health Insurance Tax\n\tLed the successful effort to repeal the Medical Device Tax\n\tHelped repeal the Cadillac Tax, a 40% tax on some employer-provided health insurance plans\n\tProtected seniors' access to critical medicines, leading a bipartisan letter with Sen. Rubio, successfully defeating proposed changes to the Medicare Part D protected classes policies\n \n\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/bonamici-johnson-honored-friends-nurseries", "Bonamici, Johnson honored as 'Friends of Nurseries'", "2019-12-25", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Oregon Association of Nurseries announced Wednesday, Nov. 19, that Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici are among the nine legislators recognized by the trade group as \"Friends of Nurseries.\" \nThe Friends of Nurseries award serves to acknowledge state and federal officials who listen to concerns and help protect the interests of Oregon's nursery and greenhouse industry, which is the state's top agricultural sector with nearly $1 billion in annual sales, according to the Wednesday press release from OAN. \nBonamici \"has been a consistent voice in support of industry priorities,\" the release indicated, adding that she has \"been willing to cross party lines to support nursery priorities.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-delegation-spends-christmas-eve-servicemembers-bahrain", "Cicilline Delegation Spends Christmas Eve with Servicemembers in Bahrain", "2019-12-25", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "David Cicilline", "C001084", "cicilline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cicilline Delegation Spends Christmas Eve with Servicemembers in Bahrain\n\nMANAMA  U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) left Bahrain earlier today after meeting with U.S. military personnel and State Department officials on deployment in the Middle East. The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Headquarters (NAVCENT) in Manama, Bahrain was the second stop for the bipartisan Congressional delegation that Cicilline is leading to spend Christmas with the troops. Members also spent part of the day serving Christmas lunch to servicemembers stationed at NAVCENT.\n\nThis holiday season, all of us should give thanks for the thousands of American troops that are spending the holidays halfway around the world from their own families, said Cicilline. It was a privilege to meet with some of these great men and women today. I am honored to serve on their behalf and especially for the chance to spend Christmas Eve with them. \n\nThe members of Congress, all of whom serve on committees responsible for national security or veterans affairs, met with officials from the Department of State for extensive briefings on the American military presence in Bahrain. The delegation was also joined by the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain for a meeting with Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa. They also received briefings from American military leadership before dining with troops who have been deployed to Bahrain's capital city.\n\nCicilline met with servicemembers from across America during the visit and thanked them for serving overseas during the holiday season. The other members of the delegation also met with constituents from the states they serve. The delegation departed early this morning for location that is being withheld for security purposes.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://titus.house.gov/in-the-news/nevada-current-us-house-votes-to-ban-mining-near-grand-canyon", "Nevada Current: U.S. House votes to ban mining near Grand Canyon", "2019-12-25", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NV", "Dina Titus", "T000468", "titus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved legislation Wednesday to permanently ban uranium and other hardrock mining near the Grand Canyon.\nThe bill from Arizona Rep. Ral Grijalva, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, passed by a vote of 236-185.\nThe legislation would permanently withdraw about 1 million acres of public lands north and south of Grand Canyon National Park from mineral extraction. The Obama administration announced a 20-year moratorium on new mining claims in those areas, but backers of the bill warn that the Trump administration could reverse course without a permanent ban in place.\nThis House needs to act on this proposal because these critical protections are under threat from the Trump administration, Grijalva said Wednesday.\nNevada Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford also lauded the bill for ensuring that uranium mining will not irreversibly contaminate the sensitive habitats and clean water of the Colorado River watershed, which provides drinking water to nearly 30 million Americans, including some of my constituents in Nevada.\nUranium and other hardrock mining can help foster economic activity, Horsford said, but it can also threaten communities' health. In my district, I have seen the impacts that uranium contamination can have on local communities.\nHe pointed to the town of Yerington, Nev., where for decades, uranium contamination has persisted  endangering the health of my constituents and forcing families to stop drinking from their taps, literally having to rely on bottled water.\nHorsford's Nevada Democratic colleagues Susie Lee and Dina Titus voted for the bill, which passed on a mostly party line vote. Nine House Republicans voted for the bill. Nevada's Mark Amodei was not one of them.\nThe White House threatened to veto the bill if it makes it to the president's desk, saying the administration opposes such a large, permanent withdrawal, which would prohibit environmentally responsible development of uranium and other mineral resources.\nGrijalva accused the administration of pushing for the lands to be opened to exploitation on behalf of a few wealthy mining interests under the guise of energy dominance and fabricated arguments about national security.\nHe added, The idea that we need to mine around the Grand Canyon  mind you, the Grand Canyon  to meet our energy needs is patently false.\nCongressional Republicans, meanwhile, portrayed the legislation as overreaching and warned that it could hamper economic development and even threaten national security.\nIt's an anti-mining attack on northern Arizona and my district, said Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). This legislation imposes a massive land grab of more than one million acres, permanently banning mining and other multiple use activities in an area nearly the size of Delaware.\nThe legislation would impact part of Gosar's congressional district and part of O'Halleran's district.\nGosar and others have also warned that it's important to be able to mine uranium domestically, rather than relying on other nations for imports. Supporters of the bill, meanwhile, point to uranium deposits elsewhere in the United States and in countries like Canada and Australia, which are U.S. allies.\nThe Grand Canyon should be left alone, Grijalva said. It is, after all, the Grand Canyon.\nProspects for passage in the Senate are far from certain.\nGrijalva said he expects Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) will introduce companion legislation in the Senate, although it's unclear whether it will get any GOP support.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=1044", "Booker Statement on Death of New Jersey Soldier", "2019-12-24", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Cory Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 24, 2019\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the below statement following the death of Sgt. 1stClass Michael Goble, of Washington Township, New Jersey:\n\nMy deepest condolences to the family of Sgt. 1st Class Michael J Goble. Goble served valiantly, with honor and distinction. New Jersey  and our country  owe him and his family a debt we can never repay. Our military families bear the heaviest of burdens for ensuring our security and defense. A grateful nation is mourning today, and remembering a fine young soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice. 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