{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"PA\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-releases-year-end-report-constituents", "Rep. Kelly Releases Year-End Report for Constituents", "2013-12-31", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) released the following letter today, to be e-mailed to his constituents throughout Pennsylvania\u2019s Third Congressional District, to serve as a year-end overview of his office\u2019s legislative achievements and constituent relations throughout 2013.\nDear Constituent:\nOver the past twelve months, I have had the enormous privilege of continuing to represent you in our nation\u2019s capital during the first session of the 113th Congress. As with my first term in office, all of my work in the House of Representatives is guided by your values, your voices, and your priorities.\nYour goals are my goals, and every day I work hard to accomplish them. The most important of these, of course, is creating an environment that strengthens our economy and generates more jobs with family-sustainable wages for our region and our country. I\u2019ve proudly supported every measure to secure this outcome, and opposed any obstacle to reaching it. You can learn more about every jobs bill passed in the House and follow their status here.\nWith every new challenge that 2013 brought us \u2013 and there were many \u2013 there also came many opportunities. My staff and I worked diligently to meet all of them head-on.\nFighting the IRS, Restoring Trust & Accountability in Washington\nWhen the news broke that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was targeting and harassing Americans based on their political leanings, I joined the nation in outrage. As member of the House Ways and Means Committee (and member of the Subcommittee on Oversight), I made it my personal responsibility to get answers about what went wrong and hold those responsible fully accountable for abusing the American people\u2019s trust in such an unthinkable manner. Watch my remarks at two memorable committee hearings here and here.\nAs a result of this scandal, during the summer I re-introduced the Government Employee Accountability Act. The legislation would give all federal agencies the power to effectively deal with delinquent Senior Executive Service employees (such as disgraced former IRS official Lois Lerner), including the ability to conduct \u201cinvestigative leave without pay\u201d and to carry out immediate termination. In other words, no more paid vacations for violating the taxpayers\u2019 rights. The House eventually passed the legislation by a bipartisan vote of 239-176.\nStopping Asian Carp, Protecting Jobs & Families in Western Pennsylvania \nBack home in the Third District, the threat of Asian carp are constantly on everyone\u2019s minds \u2014 and rightly so. This 70-pound invasive species threatens our regional economy, the fishing industry, and the wellbeing of all of us who rely on the water for work or recreation. This is a fish that is so aggressive and voracious that it can sometimes eat up to four times its own weight. When it emerges out of the water \u2013 flies, is more like it \u2013 it can inflict serious physical harm upon anyone it strikes, especially toddlers and young children.\nAs the co-chairman of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition, and as a grandfather to eight beautiful young grandchildren, I take this threat extremely seriously. This is not a Republican or a Democrat issue. This is an American issue, and the stakes are dangerously high.\nIf drastic action is not taken, this invasive species will utterly devastate the Great Lakes and Western Pennsylvania waterways and thereby cripple a $7 billion commercial and recreational fishing industry \u2014 along with all the jobs and livelihoods that go with it.\nThat is why this past fall I was proud to offer a bipartisan amendment to the Water Resources Reform & Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA) which will establish a multiagency effort to slow the spread of Asian carp in the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins and tributaries, including the assistance of\u00a0 the Army Corp of Engineers. In a stunning display of people before party, the House passed WRRDA \u2013 with my amendment attached \u2013 by an astounding bipartisan vote of 417-3.\nProtecting Americans from Obamacare, Standing up for a Patient-Centered Alternative\nEven before the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) became law, most Americans had a bad feeling about the federal government taking over one sixth of our economy. Now, after the first few months of its horrific implementation, and after hearing personal stories from countless constituents, there is no mistaking it: Obamacare is a national disaster.\nAs you know, since coming to Congress in 2011, I have seized every opportunity to repeal or at least reduce Obamacare so that fewer Americans are harmed by its mandates. I have also sought to shed light on areas surrounding the law that are uncertain, if not downright murky. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve sent the Obama administration two separate letters demanding to know why the construction process for Obamacare\u2019s official website was so poorly overseen and executed. American taxpayers, whose hard-earned money funded the website, deserve to know.\nAt the same time, I have long believed that effective health care reform is indeed a national imperative that, with the right guiding principles, can and should still be achieved. After all, the mantra \u201crepeal and replace\u201d only holds water if \u201creplace\u201d has a meaning. That is why I am co-sponsoring the American Health Care Reform Act, a patient-centered alternative to Obamacare that would make health insurance more accessible and affordable to the most vulnerable among us \u2014 and do so in a way that wouldn\u2019t damage the economy or disrupt anyone\u2019s existing plans. You can read more about this commonsense bill here.\nDefending the Second Amendment & National Sovereignty\nAll year long, I was proud to lead the congressional opposition to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), an outrageous agreement which forces the United States \u2013 the world\u2019s most important defender of peace and democracy \u2013 onto equal footing with the world\u2019s worst dictatorships and terror-sponsors. Ominously, the treaty excludes any specific protection for, or even mention of, the fundamental right of individuals to keep and bear arms, which only opens the door wider to future gun control impositions.\nEarlier this year, I introduced a concurrent resolution (existing in both houses of Congress) to oppose the ATT and helped it earn the co-sponsorship of more than a third of the House and the Senate. We later sent two letters to President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry explaining our opposition and vowing to block ATT with every tool at our disposal.\nIn anticipation of the treaty being signed by the Obama administration (which ultimately occurred), I introduced an amendment to prohibit any federal funding for the implementation of the ATT in the Defense Departments\u2019 annual appropriations bill. On December 26th, President Obama signed the bill, with my amendment, into law. Needless to say, this fight will continue in 2014.\nMeeting the Needs of the Third District All Year Round\nHere is a run-down of how my offices and staff were able to help me assist and communicate with my constituents in 2013. We\u2026\n Expanded my social media presence, earning more than 5,000 \u201cfriends\u201d and 4,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter respectively; and\nToured more than 25 local businesses and factories to talk with both employers and employees about issues affecting their industries;\nHelped more than 1,900 constituents with their challenges to navigate the federal bureaucracy;\nAnswered more than 68,000 pieces of mail, email, faxes and calls;\nMaintained 3 full time constituent offices and 3 satellite offices;\nHeld 5 Tele-Town Hall Meetings to address a range of issues including help with filing tax returns and Medicare\u2019s Open Enrollment Period;\nOrganized or attended dozens of outreach meetings with constituency groups;\nSent more than 1,500 American flags to constituents and assisted with 242 tours of the U.S. Capitol;\nConducted hundreds of interviews with local, regional, and national press.\n As I\u2019ve said time and again, representing you and your neighbors in the House of Representatives is the honor of my lifetime. Anytime my staff can help you with a federal matter in any specific way, please do not hesitate to contact me via the information and locations listed below. I humbly thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and look forward to having your back in Congress in 2014.\nHappy New Year!\nSincerely,\nMike Kelly\n\u00a0\nERIE DISTRICT OFFICE\n208 E. Bayfront Parkway\nSuite 102\nErie, PA 16507\nPhone: (814) 454-8190\nFax: (814) 454-8197\n\u00a0\nBUTLER DISTRICT OFFICE\n101 East Diamond St\nSuite 218\nButler, PA\u00a0 16001\nPhone: (724) 282-2557  \n\tFax: (724) 282-3682\n\u00a0\nSHARON DISTRICT OFFICE\n33 Chestnut Street\nSharon, PA\u00a0 16146\nPhone: (724) 342-7170\nFax: (724) 342-7242\n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, DC OFFICE\n1519 Longworth HOB\nWashington, DC 20515\nPhone: (202) 225-5406\nFax: (202) 225-3103\n\u00a0\nCRAWFORD COUNTY OFFICE\nEvery Wednesday\n9:00 a.m. \u2013 4:00 p.m.\n908 Diamond Park\nMeadville, PA 16335\n\u00a0\nARMSTRONG COUNTY OFFICE\nEvery Thursday\n9:00 a.m. \u2013 4:00 p.m.\n300 South McKean Street\nKittanning, PA 16201\n\u00a0\nLAWRENCE COUNTY\nEvery Friday\n9:00 a.m. \u2013 4: 00 p.m.\nLawrence County Courthouse\n430 Court Street\nNew Castle, PA\u00a0 16101\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-applauds-enactment-kelly-amendment-ban-funding-un-arms-trade-treaty", "Rep. Kelly Applauds Enactment of Kelly Amendment to Ban Funding for UN Arms Trade Treaty", "2013-12-27", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Amendment included in final NDAA bill signed by president\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today commending the signing of the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 which included his amendment to ban funding for the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The Kelly amendment requires a one year ban on the use of funds by the Department of Defense to implement the ATT unless the treaty receives the advice and consent of the Senate and is the subject of implementing legislation, as required, by the Congress. The NDAA agreement was passed by the House on December 12, 2013, by 350-69; passed by the Senate on December, 19, 2013, by 85-14; and signed by President Obama on December 26, 2013.\n\u201cAs I and many others have long stated, the ATT is a clear threat to our national sovereignty and the Constitutional rights of all Americans and should never have been signed. I am therefore glad to say that a major victory has been achieved in the fight to make sure this dangerous treaty never affects the United States in any capacity. Earlier this month, the House and Senate acted in a bipartisan manner to affirm my amendment\u2019s resistance to the treaty by including it in the NDAA\u2019s final passage. Now that the NDAA has been signed by President Obama, the White House has joined Congress in taking a belated stand for American strength and sovereignty by making this crucial amendment the law of the land.\u201d\nNOTE: Rep. Kelly is a national leader of the movement to stop the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). On March 15, 2013, he introduced H. Con. Res. 23, a bipartisan concurrent resolution expressing opposition to the treaty on behalf of members of Congress. The resolution currently has 149 co-sponsors in the House and 36 supporters in the Senate.\nOn May 30, 2013, Rep. Kelly submitted a bipartisan letter with 130 co-signers from Congress to both President Obama and Secretary Kerry urging them to reject the treaty. He sent a similar bipartisan letter to the president following Secretary Kerry\u2019s signing of the treaty on October 15, 2013, which was signed by 181 members of Congress, including multiple committee chairmen.\nOn June 14, 2013, Rep. Kelly introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 to prohibit federal funding for the implementation of the ATT for one year by the Department of Defense. The amendment was adopted unanimously by a voice vote and included in the final passage of the NDAA by the House of Representatives. The House-Senate compromise NDAA, which included an updated version of the Kelly amendment, was passed by the House on December 12, 2013; passed by the Senate on December, 19, 2013; and signed by President Obama on December 26, 2013.\nOn July 24, 2013, the House Appropriations Committee approved the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014 which imposes a one-year ban on the use of federal funds for the implementation of the ATT by the State Department. The ban is based on language from a bipartisan letter which Rep. Kelly authored and submitted to the State and Foreign Operations subcommittee on April 18, 2013.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-military-transition-telemedicine-amendment-signed-law", "Thompson Military Transition Telemedicine Amendment Signed into Law", "2013-12-27", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BELLEFONTE, Pa. \u2013 President Obama Thursday signed into law the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. The bipartisan measure, which recently passed the House by a vote of 350 to 69 and the Senate by a vote of 84 to 15, authorizes funding and sets policy for the U.S. Department of Defense.\u00a0 Thompson, who voted to support the bill, successfully included an amendment that will expand health care coverage through telemedicine for service members transitioning to civilian life.\n\t\u201cI am very pleased that members of the House and Senate were able to find common ground and pass this important bill that offers critical support to the military, our service members and their families,\u201d stated Rep. Thompson.\n\tUnder the previous policy, service members and their families could utilize 180 days of health care coverage during the transition from military to civilian life through what is known as the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP).\n\tThompson\u2019s amendment is designed to protect individuals coping with Post-Traumatic Stress, which may not present symptoms in some cases until 8-10 months after leaving the military (see: here and here).\u00a0 The amendment extends TAMP coverage by an additional 180 days for all services rendered through telemedicine.\n\t\u201cFor those who are burdened by physical and psychological injuries as a result of their service in uniform, we must take every action to help them rebuild,\u201d Thompson added. \u201cThis bill takes meaningful steps to improve the support we offer these brave men and women as they transition to civilian life, especially those coping with behavioral health injuries, while also making it easier to access care.\u201d\n\tThe amendment builds on Thompson\u2019s 2011 STEP Act, now Public Law 112-81, Section 713, which expanded service member health care services and the use of telemedicine at the Department of Defense.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=A5C4F809-604D-4C84-AF6E-F7890D13C378", "Dent Works to Protect Pennsylvania Children from the Presidents Health Care Law", "2013-12-26", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15th) spearheaded an effort to protect and preserve Pennsylvania\u2019s Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (PA CHIP) from the effect of President Obama\u2019s Health Care Law. Rep. Dent organized a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking her to accede to Governor Corbett\u2019s request that the Department work with him to help preserve the program. \r\n  \u201cThe practical impact of the Health Care law has been to compel thousands of families with income levels between 100% and 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to lose their PA CHIP coverage and be forced into a comparatively substandard Medicaid program,\u201d Rep. Dent stated. \r\n  \u201cCHIP in Pennsylvania is a clear success story,\u201d said the Congressman. \u201cIt is lauded as a national model by other states and consistently receives extremely high marks in customer satisfaction surveys,\u201d Dent noted. \u201cForcing people out of this program and into the comparatively substandard Medicaid program is yet another harmful impact of the President\u2019s Health Care law.\u201d \r\n  Rep. Dent was joined by ten fellow Pennsylvania Republicans on the letter. Some of them, including Rep. Dent, voted to establish the PA CHIP law in 1992. Rep. Dent also voted to strengthen and enhance the State Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) at the federal level. \r\n  \u201cPresident Obama heard the outcry of millions of Americans who lost their coverage as a result of the health care law and was forced to act and grant them the ability to maintain existing coverage. I, and my fellow Representatives, want the same opportunity for the thousands of Pennsylvania families that have received superior care through PA CHIP,\u201d Dent concluded. \r\n  Currently, PA CHIP covers over 188,000 children. \r\n Contact: \u00a0Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490 \r\n  \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140328084221/http://brady.house.gov/creativity-2013", "Creativity 2013", "2013-12-26", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Robert Brady", "B001227", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Creativity 2013                                           \n              Dec 26, 2013      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    [...]\nApril\nU.S. Rep. Robert Brady, who maintains an office at 1907-1909 S. Broad St., was on hand at Horace Furness High School, 1900 S. Third St., to dole out Congressional Award medals to area students for achievements in service. The Pennsport institution fostered many of the day\u2019s honorees and all of them participate in the Migrant Education Program that operates out of United Communities Southeast Philadelphia, 2029 S. Eighth St. The medals are given out based on a student\u2019s accumulated hours of service and horizon-broadening adventures: bronze medal winners are responsible for collecting 200 hours of service in three areas (voluntary community service, tending to personal development and physical fitness, and executing an expedition or exploratory adventure), with silver medal recipients doubling those totals, and gold medal winners tripling them. The Congressional Medal Act of 1979 has been celebrating 14- to 23-year-olds for decades, and over the last 34 years the Congressional Award Foundation has honored more than 50,000 youths.\n[...]\nDecember 26, 2013, Bill Chenevert, South Philly Review", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/after-request-from-casey-government-watchdog-agrees-to-investigate-rollout-of-healthcaregov", "After Request from Casey, Government Watchdog Agrees to Investigate Rollout of Healthcare.gov", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to his request to investigate the problems that occurred with the roll of healthcare.gov. Senator Casey, along with a bipartisan group of senators, urged the GAO to review the website\u2019s troubled launch and make recommendations about steps that can be taken in the future to ensure a problem like this does not reoccur. Casey, a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, has questioned top Administration officials on the website during oversight hearings.\r\n\"I\u2019m pleased that the GAO has agreed to analyze the issues that occurred in launching healthcare.gov,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI called for this report because Pennsylvanians deserve answers. It\u2019s imperative that we have an understanding of the problems with the website launch, as well as the steps the Administration can take moving forward. It\u2019s important that Pennsylvanians can access the benefits of this law.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s original letter can be seen below:\r\nGene L. Dodaro\r\nComptroller General\r\nGovernment Accountability Office\r\nDaniel R. Levinson\r\nInspector General\r\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services\r\nDear Comptroller General Dodaro and Inspector General Levinson:\r\nOn October 1, millions of Americans eagerly awaited the launch of healthcare.gov, a new marketplace where individuals and small businesses could easily compare quality health plans in their area and access tax credits, where eligible, to help make those plans affordable. Unfortunately, the site crashed early that morning after receiving just a thousand visitors. More than a month later, too many visitors still find the site unusable. At every step of the user experience, site errors have prevented people from effectively shopping and enrolling in plans. Users have encountered problems\u00a0creating an account, verifying the account, determining eligibility, protecting user privacy, calculating tax credits, and facilitating enrollment with private insurers\u00a0if they can even access the site at all. Many states still have not received the data necessary to enroll eligible individuals in their Medicaid programs, and the accuracy of the files used by insurers to enroll customers remains an open question. As a result, what should be a 21st century digital process\u00a0on the back-end\u00a0has become an antiquated, paper-and-pencil effort that is not sustainable or scalable as the problems\u00a0of the front-end\u00a0consumer experience\u00a0get resolved. In the words of Secretary Sebelius at a recent Congressional hearing, \u201cthe roll-out has been excruciatingly awful for too many people.\u201d\r\n\u00a0   These problems are\u00a0simply\u00a0unacceptable, and Americans deserve answers and swift solutions. Taxpayers are owed a full and transparent accounting of how the vendors contracted to build the site failed to launch it successfully.\u00a0 We strongly urge to you undertake a\u00a0complete,\u00a0thorough investigation to determine\u00a0the causes of the design and implementation failures of healthcare.gov\u00a0that includes an examination of the following issues:\r\n \r\nUltimately, 55 contractors were hired to build the site.\r\nWhat were the responsibilities of each contractor, the size of each contract, and what proportion of projects required under these contracts was completed satisfactorily and on-time?\r\nWhen projects were not completed satisfactorily or on time, were payments withheld?\r\nWhat was the initial expected cost of healthcare.gov, what is now the projected total cost of healthcare.gov, and which contractors will receive any expected increase in costs and for what work?\r\nAt what additional cost to the government are new or existing contractors being hired to fix healthcare.gov?\r\nWhat authority does the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have to recoup funding already expended on unfulfilled contracts, and when has that authority been exercised?\r\nWhat penalties for future government contract work may be levied against the contractors who failed to meet their obligations under contracts to build healthcare.gov?\r\n \r\n \r\nThe scope and responsibilities of the marketplaces and data hub needed to run it were clear when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Why was the primary contract for building the site not awarded until September 2011?\r\n \r\n \r\nWhen the contract for building the site was awarded in September 2011, it was only open to a limited number of contractors who had been original bidders of a 2007 contract for \u201cgeneral information technology services.\u201d In an era of rapid technological change, why was the pool of contractors for the most significant public sector technological initiative in recent history limited to an unrelated government contract from four years earlier?\r\n \r\n \r\nWhat reforms to the government procurement process do you recommend to avoid future instances of incomplete and/or malfunctioning information technology products provided to the government?\r\n \r\nThese questions that will help us understand how the launch of healthcare.gov went wrong, and how attempts to improve it and launch other government websites can be improved in the future.   \u00a0   In spite of these technical problems, the vision for healthcare.gov and its promise of quality, affordable health insurance for individuals and small businesses must be fulfilled. The website is undergoing serious and rapid repairs to make that promise a reality every day. When the site is functioning smoothly, we expect that millions of people, for the first time, will not have to worry whether they can see a doctor because of a pre-existing condition, and other important market reforms will protect the insured from the prospect of unaffordable medical bills. In the meantime, it is critical that we understand how and why the mechanism for reaching that goal \u2013 healthcare.gov \u2013 failed to launch as required on October 1, 2013.   \u00a0   Sincerely,\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-on-ftc-to-issue-alert-on-email-phishing-scams-to-protect-consumers-over-holidays", "Casey Calls on FTC to Issue Alert on Email 'Phishing' Scams to Protect Consumers Over Holidays", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- After a week in which millions of consumers saw their personal financial information compromised, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue an alert that will warn consumers to ever rising email phishing scams. An alert will educate the public on these scams which have already cost consumers over $250 million in the first half of this year and have hit seniors especially hard.\r\n\u201cThese scams have the potential to do serious damage to our economy and the personal financial security of millions of Americans,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cIn the last weeks we\u2019ve seen firsthand the damage that hackers and identity thieves can do. I\u2019m urging the FTC to issue a consumer alert to educate the public, especially vulnerable seniors, about these scams so they are protected during the holidays.\u201d\r\nAcross the country, phishing attacks cost Americans $254 million in the first half of this year alone, according to EMC, a global IT firm. Phishing scammers are particularly active during the winter holiday season. At a time when many Americans are shopping online, donating to their favorite charities and booking travel arrangements, would-be identity thieves see increased opportunities to conduct phishing attacks. During this holiday period, thousands of Americans will receive false shipping notifications, electronic holiday cards and online shopping advertisements designed to steal their financial information. With online shopping reaching $82 billion this holiday season alone, the risks of phishing scams are higher than ever.\r\nThree quarters of phishing attacks target bank and non-bank financial companies. Government agencies have also helped raise awareness of the threat. However, most phishing alerts are released after the scam has already targeted victims. As a result, many firms and consumers remain vulnerable to this type of fraud. Older Americans who already face complicated financial decisions are particularly at risk.\r\nTo sign up for phishing alerts, visit: www.consumer.ftc.gov.\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nThe Honorable Edith Ramirez   Chairwoman   Federal Trade Commission\r\nDear Chairwoman Ramirez:\r\nI write to express my concerns about scams that target consumers\u2019 financial information during the holidays, specifically phishing. As you know, phishing scams use emails that falsely represent legitimate enterprises in an attempt to steal personal information from consumers. Every year, hundreds of phishing campaigns target consumers in my home state of Pennsylvania. Across the country, phishing attacks cost Americans $254 million in the first half of this year alone, according to EMC Corporation, a global IT firm.\r\nPhishing scammers are particularly active during the winter holiday season. At a time when many Americans are shopping online, donating to their favorite charities and booking travel arrangements, would-be identity thieves see increased opportunities to conduct phishing attacks. During this holiday period, thousands of Americans will receive false shipping notifications, electronic holiday cards and online shopping advertisements designed to steal their financial information. With online shopping reaching $82 billion this holiday season alone, the risks of phishing scams are higher than ever.\r\nThree quarters of phishing attacks target bank and non-bank financial companies. Government agencies have also helped raise awareness of the threat. However, most phishing alerts are released after the scam has already targeted victims. As a result, many firms and consumers remain vulnerable to this type of fraud. Older Americans who already face complicated financial decisions are particularly at risk.\r\nAs the leading federal agency with oversight over consumer protection, the FTC has taken valuable steps to inform consumers about online scams and is well placed to alert consumers about the threat of holiday phishing attacks. I therefore request that FTC issue an official alert about holiday phishing schemes, informing consumers about available tools to protect themselves. I also ask that the FTC explore ways to further enhance coordination with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in tackling the threat of phishing. Given the Bureau\u2019s leading role in financial education, better coordination will help provide consumers with timely, effective and actionable information on fraud prevention. Because older Americans are at greater risk of this type of attack, I would ask that both agencies keep in mind vulnerable groups such as seniors as you continue to help consumers manage financial risks.\r\nPhishing scams are one of the most significant identity theft threats facing consumers. At a time when many Americans let their guard down to spend time among friends and family, it is essential that we do everything we can to prevent them from becoming victims of financial fraud.\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\u00a0 If you have any questions, please contact my office.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.  United States Senator\r\ncc: Richard Cordray, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-pushes-for-legislation-that-would-boost-food-banks-in-northeastern-pa-across-state", "Casey Pushes for Legislation that Would Boost Food Banks in Northeastern PA, Across State", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- As Pennsylvanians struggle with hunger around the holidays, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) pushed for passage of legislation, the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act (S.1395), which would boost food banks in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the state. Casey\u2019s bipartisan legislation would expand and make permanent tax incentives for businesses that donate to food banks. Senator Casey was joined by hunger advocates and businesses to make the case for action on policies that aid families and children struggling with hunger.\r\n\u201cThis is one, commonsense step we can take to help food banks in Northeastern Pennsylvania and around the country serve those in need,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cFood banks play a critical role in ensuring those facing food insecurity, especially children, can get a full meal. Further incentivizing businesses to donate to food banks will help these children and working families throughout the state.\r\nThe Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act would permanently extend the same tax incentives to donate food, that are now available to corporations, to all businesses including small businesses, farmers, ranchers and restaurant owners. Congress recently extended this tax incentive through the end of 2013. The Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act would make this provision permanent, and would extend the deduction to farmers who often have large amounts of fresh food to donate.\r\nFeeding America has said that following a 46 percent increase in demand during the recession, food banks are already struggling to meet need in their communities. Almost 15 percent of Pennsylvanians experience food insecurity and over 20 percent of children in Pennsylvania are food insecure (the household experienced a shortage of food). According to Feeding America, 35 percent of food insecure children are likely not eligible for SNAP or other income-based Federal nutrition programs. Despite the need for food assistance, as much as 40 percent of the food that is produced, grown and transported in the United States will never be used as some businesses find it too costly to donate the excess food, amounting to 70 billion pounds of wasted food each year.\r\nThe bipartisan bill is supported by many organizations including Feeding America, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufactures Association and the National Restaurant Association.\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-announces-nominees-us-military-academies", "Rep. Kelly Announces Nominees to U.S. Military Academies", "2013-12-21", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) announced the names of his nominees for the United States Military Academies, class of 2018, earlier today. The candidates met all application requirements with diligence, securing themselves an interview with Representative Kelly's independent Military Academy Advisory Board.\n\tStatement by Rep. Kelly:\n\u201cThis year we have proudly nominated seventeen remarkable candidates to the elite United States Military Academies. These young men and women have demonstrated that they are dedicated, poised, and highly capable of serving as leaders in our nation's military. These individuals were chosen to humbly represent the Third Congressional District of Pennsylvania and furthermore the United States of America, if offered an appointment.\u201d\nNominees:\u00a0\nMax Campoli, Schreiner University\nJason Clark, Sharon High School\nSebastian Coburn, Greenville High School\nDaniel Dukleth, Slippery Rock University\nBrett Foster, Seneca Valley High School\nMelodie Harnett, Jamestown High School\nDylan Hoffman, Seneca Valley High School\nTyler Huston, Cochranton High School\nCody Mahen, Lakeview High School\nAustin Malencia, Evangel Heights Christian Academy\nMercer Martin, Greenville High School\nThomas Pierre, Mars High School\nAlexander Pollaci, Seneca Valley High School\nDante Policicchio, Freeport High School\nBryan Sack, Butler High School\nGeorge Staudacher, Mars High School\nAlexandra Steighner, Seneca Valley High School\nIf you are interested in seeking a congressional nomination to one of the United States Military Academies for the class of 2019, applications will be accepted from May 1, 2014 until October 1, 2014. For more information please visit www.Kelly.house.gov or contact Stephanie Stevenson, Academy Coordinator, at Stephanie.Stevenson@mail.house.gov.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/marino-encourages-governor-corbett-state-legislature-act-rising-flood-insurance", "Marino encourages Governor Corbett, state legislature to act on rising flood insurance premiums", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Tom Marino (R-PA) heard firsthand from dozens of residents across Lycoming County over the past week about the negative effects of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act.\nToday, Marino sent a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and Pennsylvania General Assembly leadership members, encouraging them to take action.\n\u201cUnfortunately, Congress has neglected to delay, reform, or repeal Biggert-Waters prior to the end of year looming deadline,\u201d Marino said in the letter.\u00a0 \u201cConsequently, insurance premiums are set to dramatically increase in less than two weeks time \u2013 causing families and small businesses to decide between wiping out their bank accounts to purchase the federally mandated plans, or facing foreclosure proceedings.\u00a0 Although I supported the original intention of Biggert-Waters to make the flood insurance program once again solvent, it has clearly proven to have drastic unforeseen consequences with new skyrocketing insurance premiums.\u201d\nMarino went on to request that members of the General Assembly come together to mitigate the unintended effects this law is having on low- and middle-income families across Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Specifically, he referenced a Mississippi lawsuit that challenges the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s failure to complete an affordability study before increasing insurance rates, as required by Biggert-Waters.\n\u201cThese premiums threaten the vibrancy and very existence of these towns as property values plummet, the real estate market dries up, and strong local tax bases vanish.\u201d\nWhile thousands of homes, businesses and properties across the 10th Congressional District are facing dramatic increases in their flood insurance premiums, the effects of this legislation have been felt nation-wide.\n\u201cThe issue at hand was undoubtedly created at the federal level and should be fixed at the federal level as well,\u201d Marino added.\u00a0 \u201cAs I continue to put pressure on my leadership and colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to bring legislation to the House Floor, it is my sincere hope that innovative legal or legislative initiatives at the state level can also assist in mitigating the costs of flood insurance for Pennsylvanians.\"\nMarino sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and other members of House leadership earlier this week, urging that legislation related to the increases in flood insurance premiums be brought to the House floor for consideration as soon as possible.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/marino-urges-house-leadership-act-rising-flood-insurance-premiums", "Marino urges House leadership to act on rising flood insurance premiums", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013U.S. Representative Tom Marino (R-PA) urged House Speaker John Boehner in a letter to bring legislation related to the increases in flood insurance premiums to the House floor for consideration as soon as possible.\n\u201cMany of my constituents have contacted me in support of these legislative proposals,\u201d Marino said in the letter, citing what he has heard from residents across Pennsylvania\u2019s 10th Congressional District.\n\u201cOne individual who purchased a home valued under $150,000 last year is facing a premium increase of more than $8,000.\u00a0 An elderly man who purchased several properties as a retirement investment is considering abandoning the homes and walking away from the mortgage obligations, while another couple in Jersey Shore who similarly invested in several Main Street properties is facing a $40,000 flood insurance bill.\u201d\nMarino, along with several colleagues who also have large constituencies affected by the increases to flood insurance premiums, urged House leadership to bring legislation to the floor for debate before the House adjourned for the legislative session but were unsuccessful.\n\u201cAs a co-sponsor of several pieces of legislation related to the premium rate increases currently awaiting further action in the House Committee on Financial Service, I ask that Members have the opportunity to debate and vote on legislation that could assist our constituents as we continue efforts to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to make the program financially stable for taxpayers without becoming overly burdensome on homeowners and small businesses,\u201d Marino added.\nThe 113th Congress will convene on January 7, 2014 to start its second legislative session.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1232", "Ridiculous [press_release]", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stopping The EPA's Ridiculous Regulation Of Fire Hydrants \n\u00a0Senate Unanimously Approves My Bill To Restore Fire Safety\n\u00a0\nThis week, I teamed up with Sen. Bob Casey to pass bipartisan legislation to bolster fire safety and protect local governments from a ridiculous, expensive, and dangerous new government mandate. \nThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a policy that would have required local governments to replace malfunctioning fire hydrants with new independently certified lead-free fire hydrants. This EPA regulation essentially made it impossible for local governments to repair fire hydrants or replace them with existing inventory. It was also uncertain whether fire hydrants that meet the new criteria were even available for purchase.\nLast week, Sen. Bob Casey and I introduced legislation (S. 1779) to exempt fire hydrants from the mandate. This week, the Senate unanimously passed House legislation identical to our bill. It was a rare outbreak of common sense on Capitol Hill. \nThe notion that people drink from fire hydrants often enough to warrant this kind of regulation is ridiculous and in no way justifies the cost of replacing hydrants in every city and town in the country. It is great news that the Senate and the House have both acknowledged this absurdity. \nThe implementation of this EPA rule would have forced local governments to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants idle until adequate funds and products are available. This poses an undeniable threat to public safety. The passage of our bipartisan bill is a great victory for common sense, and I look forward to President Obama signing it into law.\n\u00a0\nAddressing The Nation\n\u00a0 \nClick to watch my remarks in the Republican Weekly Address\nI was honored to be asked to deliver last week's Republican Address. In my remarks, I spoke about how the President's flawed health care law is causing millions of Americans to lose the insurance plans they like. \nI also shared the story of a Westmoreland County woman who has multiple sclerosis. She recently learned that, because of Obamacare, she is losing the insurance that had worked for her for many years. She has a choice of two plans now. One will allow her to keep her doctor; the other will pay for her medication. Neither plan will do both. These are the kinds of painful and unfair choices millions of people now face thanks to the President's health care law. \nI empathize with the families frustrated by the faulty website. It took my own family about a week to finally sign up for insurance through the health care exchange available to us.\nPlease take a few minutes to watch and hear about better ways we can still achieve expanded, affordable health coverage. Thanks.\n\u00a0Protecting Our First Responders\n\u00a0\nRead The Delaware County Daily Times article\nThis week, I visited Centre Square Fire Company in Blue Bell, Montgomery County. Rep. Pat Meehan and Senator John Rafferty joined me to share details on my plan to protect volunteer first responders from employee mandates in the President's health care law. \nThe law penalizes volunteer fire departments and jeopardizes funding for training by requiring volunteer firefighters to be counted as full-time equivalent employees. Read more here. \nThe Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that these expenses could \"cost $300,000 for companies with just 50 volunteers.\" This is unacceptable. I will continue to work to protect our first responders from the President's health care law.\n\u00a0\nStill Fighting For Fiscal Sanity\nThe Senate this week passed a budget agreement. I voted against it because any budget deal must be considered in comparison to preexisting law, which was signed by President Obama in 2011 and established specific spending limits. \nThose bipartisan spending caps were working. In 2012 and 2013, we reduced government spending two years in a row - the first time since just after the Korean War - and lowered our deficits substantially.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \nI have maintained that any budget deal alternative to preexisting law must preserve these taxpayer savings. The budget agreement does not accomplish this basic goal. Instead, this deal establishes new, higher budget caps to increase spending. The deal purports to offset those increases. But it does so, in some cases, with gimmicks, and, to a large degree, with higher revenues.\nIt is also unfortunate that this deal does not contain a provision that I have been calling for which would permanently end shutdowns and government by manufactured crisis. \nRegardless of one's position on this budget agreement, it is clear that Washington is still ignoring the unsustainable spending trajectory that remains a drag on our economy and future generations. I hope that Congress will get to work to put our fiscal house in order.\n\u00a0Strengthening Pennsylvania's Communities\n\u00a0\nMy regional manager for the Lehigh Valley, Marta Gabriel, attended the Hillside Healthcare ribbon cutting in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County last Friday. The center is the first residential drug and alcohol rehab center in Monroe County and the surrounding region including Pike and Carbon counties.\n\u00a0 Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!\n\u00a0\nThe Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1233", "Sen. Toomey?s Resolution Urging Release Of Religious Prisoners In Iran Passes Senate [press_release]", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) bipartisan resolution (S. Res. 75) urging the Islamic Republic of Iran to release those imprisoned solely because of their religion passed the Senate today. The resolution, cosponsored by Sen. Toomey and 34 colleagues, condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority as one of the regime's longstanding human rights violations.  It also urges President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to impose sanctions on Iranian government officials and other individuals directly responsible for serious human rights abuses, including those against the Baha'i community in Iran.\nThe Baha'i faith is a monotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind and was founded by Baha'u'llah in 19th-century Persia. There are an estimated five to six million Baha'is around the world in more than 200 countries and territories. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iranian Baha'is have regularly had their homes ransacked or have been banned from attending university or holding government jobs.\n\"Religious freedom is a natural right that belongs to everyone, everywhere. As a beacon of that freedom, it is appropriate that the U.S. Senate has shown solidarity with the beleaguered Iranian people, including the Baha'i minority,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"I urge President Obama to employ the strongest sanctions against Iran to help ensure that the regime honors the basic dignity of its own people.\"\nMembers of Philadelphia's Baha'i community thanked Sen. Toomey for his leadership on the resolution when he sponsored the bill in September.\n\"The Baha'i community is deeply appreciative of Senator Toomey championing the religious freedom of the Baha'is, and indeed of all religious minorities in Iran. Baha'is have long been subject to particularly severe religious freedom violations in Iran. They have been banned from universities, denied government jobs, and their marriages are not recognized by the state. Seven Baha'i leaders have currently been in prison for the past five years on baseless charges. They have been sentenced to 20 years each, the longest sentences ever given to any prisoner of conscience in Iran.\n\"We thank Senator Toomey for proudly standing with the Baha'i community in Pennsylvania and throughout the country to promote religious freedom and awareness of these egregious human rights violations carried out on the Baha'is in Iran,\" said Mark Jolly, Public Information Officer, the Baha'is of Philadelphia.\nThe full text of S. Res. 75 is below:\nS.RES.75\nCondemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights. (Introduced in Senate - IS)\nSRES 75 IS   113th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. RES. 75  Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES  March 12, 2013  Mr. KIRK (for himself and Mr. DURBIN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations   ________________________________________  RESOLUTION  Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.\nWhereas, in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013, Congress declared that it deplored the religious persecution by the Government of Iran of the Baha'i community and would hold the Government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all Iranian nationals, including members of the Baha'i Faith;\nWhereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2012 Report stated, `The Baha'i community has long been subject to particularly severe religious freedom violations in Iran. Baha'is, who number at least 300,000, are viewed as `heretics' by Iranian authorities and may face repression on the grounds of apostasy.';\nWhereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2012 Report stated, `Since 1979, Iranian government authorities have killed more than 200 Baha'i leaders in Iran and dismissed more than 10,000 from government and university jobs.';\nWhereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2012 Report stated, `Baha'is may not establish places of worship, schools, or any independent religious associations in Iran.';\nWhereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2012 Report stated, `Baha'is are barred from the military and denied government jobs and pensions as well as the right to inherit property. Their marriages and divorces also are not recognized, and they have difficulty obtaining death certificates. Baha'i cemeteries, holy places, and community properties are often seized or desecrated, and many important religious sites have been destroyed.';\nWhereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2012 Report stated, `The Baha'i community faces severe economic pressure, including denials of jobs in both the public and private sectors and of business licenses. Iranian authorities often pressure employers of Baha'is to dismiss them from employment in the private sector.';\nWhereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated, `The government prohibits Baha'is from teaching and practicing their faith and subjects them to many forms of discrimination that followers of other religions do not face.';\nWhereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated, `According to [Iranian] law, Baha'i blood is considered `mobah', meaning it can be spilled with impunity.';\nWhereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated that `members of religious minorities, with the exception of Baha'is, can serve in lower ranks of government employment', and `Baha'is are barred from all leadership positions in the government and military';\nWhereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated, `Baha'is suffered frequent government harassment and persecution, and their property rights generally were disregarded. The government raided Baha'i homes and businesses and confiscated large amounts of private and commercial property, as well as religious materials belonging to Baha'is.';\nWhereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated, `Baha'is also are required to register with the police.';   Whereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated that `[p]ublic and private universities continued to deny admittance to and expelled Baha'i students' and `[d]uring the year, at least 30 Baha'is were barred or expelled from universities on political or religious grounds';\nWhereas the Department of State 2011 International Religious Freedom Report stated, `Baha'is are regularly denied compensation for injury or criminal victimization.';\nWhereas, on March 6, 2012, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a report (A/HRC/19/66), which stated that `the Special Rapporteur continues to be alarmed by communications that demonstrate the systemic and systematic persecution of members of unrecognized religious communities, particularly the Baha'i community, in violation of international conventions' and expressed concern regarding `an intensive defamation campaign meant to incite discrimination and hate against Baha'is';\nWhereas, on May 23, 2012, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a report (A/HRC/19/82), which stated that `the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief . . . pointed out that the Islamic Republic of Iran had a policy of systematic persecution of persons belonging to the Baha'i faith, excluding them from the application of freedom of religion or belief by simply denying that their faith had the status of a religion';\nWhereas, on August 22, 2012, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a report (A/67/327), which stated, `The international community continues to express concerns about the very serious discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities in law and in practice, in particular the Baha'i community. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed alarm about the systemic and systematic persecution of members of the Baha'i community, including severe socioeconomic pressure and arrests and detention. He also deplored the Government's tolerance of an intensive defamation campaign aimed at inciting discrimination and hate against Baha'is.';\nWhereas, on September 13, 2012, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a report (A/67/369), which stated, `Reports and interviews submitted to the Special Rapporteur also continue to portray a disturbing trend with regard to religious freedom in the country. Members of both recognized and unrecognized religions have reported various levels of intimidation, arrest, detention and interrogation that focus on their religious beliefs.', and stated, `At the time of drafting the report, 105 members of the Baha'i community were reported to be in detention.';\nWhereas, on November 27, 2012, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a draft resolution (A/C.3/67/L.51), which noted, `[I]ncreased persecution and human rights violations against persons belonging to unrecognized religious minorities, particularly members of the Baha'i faith and their defenders, including escalating attacks, an increase in the number of arrests and detentions, the restriction of access to higher education on the basis of religion, the sentencing of twelve Baha'is associated with Baha'i educational institutions to lengthy prison terms, the continued denial of access to employment in the public sector, additional restrictions on participation in the private sector, and the de facto criminalization of membership in the Baha'i faith.';\nWhereas, on December 20, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/67/182), which called upon the government of Iran `[t]o eliminate discrimination against, and exclusion of . . . members of the Baha'i Faith, regarding access to higher education, and to eliminate the criminalization of efforts to provide higher education to Baha'i youth denied access to Iranian universities,' and `to accord all Baha'is, including those imprisoned because of their beliefs, the due process of law and the rights that they are constitutionally guaranteed';\nWhereas, on February 28, 2013, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a report (A/HRC/22/56), which stated, `110 Bahai's are currently detained in Iran for exercising their faith, including two women, Mrs. Zohreh Nikayin and Mrs. Taraneh Torabi, who are reportedly nursing infants in prison.';\nWhereas, in March and May of 2008, intelligence officials of the Government of Iran in Mashhad and Tehran arrested and imprisoned Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm, the seven members of the ad hoc leadership group for the Baha'i community in Iran;\nWhereas, in August 2010, the Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced the seven Baha'i leaders to 20-year prison terms on charges of `spying for Israel, insulting religious sanctities, propaganda against the regime and spreading corruption on earth';\nWhereas the lawyer for these seven leaders, Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Laureate, was denied meaningful or timely access to the prisoners and their files, and her successors as defense counsel were provided extremely limited access;\nWhereas these seven Baha'i leaders were targeted solely on the basis of their religion;\nWhereas, beginning in May 2011, Government of Iran officials in four cities conducted sweeping raids on the homes of dozens of individuals associated with the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) and arrested and detained several educators associated with BIHE;   Whereas, in October 2011, the Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced seven of these BIHE instructors and administrators, Mr. Vahid Mahmoudi, Mr. Kamran Mortezaie, Mr. Mahmoud Badavam, Ms. Nooshin Khadem, Mr. Farhad Sedghi, Mr. Riaz Sobhani, and Mr. Ramin Zibaie, to prison terms for the crime of `membership of the deviant sect of Baha'ism, with the goal of taking action against the security of the country, in order to further the aims of the deviant sect and those of organizations outside the country';\nWhereas six of these educators remain imprisoned, with Mr. Mortezaie serving a 5-year prison term and Mr. Badavam, Ms. Khadem, Mr. Sedghi, Mr. Sobhani, and Mr. Zibaie serving 4-year prison terms;\nWhereas, since October 2011, four other BIHE educators have been arrested and imprisoned, with Ms. Faran Hessami, Mr. Kamran Rahimian, and Mr. Shahin Negari serving 4-year prison terms, and Mr. Kayvan Rahimian serving a 5-year prison term;\nWhereas the efforts of the Government of Iran to collect information on individual Baha'is have recently intensified as evidenced by a letter, dated November 5, 2011, from the Director of the Department of Education in the county of Shahriar in the province of Tehran, instructing the directors of schools in his jurisdiction to `subtly and in a confidential manner' collect information on Baha'i students;\nWhereas the Baha'i community continues to undergo intense economic and social pressure, including an ongoing campaign in the town of Semnan, where the Government of Iran has harassed and detained Baha'is, closed 17 Baha'i owned businesses in the last three years, and imprisoned several members of the community, including three mothers along with their infants;\nWhereas ordinary Iranian citizens who belong to the Baha'i Faith are disproportionately targeted, interrogated, and detained under the pretext of national security;\nWhereas the Government of Iran is party to the International Covenants on Human Rights and is in violation of its obligations under the Covenants; and\nWhereas the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-195) authorizes the President and the Secretary of State to impose sanctions on individuals `responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights abuses against citizens of Iran or their family members on or after June 12, 2009': Now, therefore, be it\nResolved, That the Senate-\n(1) condemns the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights;\n(2) calls on the Government of Iran to immediately release the seven imprisoned leaders, the ten imprisoned educators, and all other prisoners held solely on account of their religion;\n(3) calls on the President and Secretary of State, in cooperation with responsible nations, to immediately condemn the Government of Iran's continued violation of human rights and demand the immediate release of prisoners held solely on account of their religion; and\n(4) urges the President and Secretary of State to utilize all available authorities, including the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, to impose sanctions on officials of the Government of Iran and other individuals directly responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against the Baha'i community of Iran.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=BFDC0DDA-C362-4025-B031-2E9AE1650CF6", "Congressman Dents Statement on President Obamas Decision to Exempt Individuals from the Health Care Law", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Once again, the President\u2019s administrative action further calls into question his credibility on the unfolding implementation disaster of the health care law.\r\nWhen the reality of the staggering flaws in the law began to sink in with the country, President Obama did an end-run around Congress and delayed the employer mandate.\r\nThe House then voted to delay both the employer and individual mandates. President Obama tried to turn us into villains for our necessary actions and said he\u2019d veto both bills.\r\nNow, the reality of millions of Americans losing their insurance as a result of this flawed law has caused President Obama to partially delay the individual mandate.\r\nThe Senate should immediately take-up the House passed bills on the delays to the individual and employer mandates and pass them. President Obama then needs to sign them.\r\nWe are not a country ruled by fiat from the White House. It\u2019s time that President Obama recognized the restraints that the constitution places on his power.\r\nContact:\u00a0 Shawn Millan\u00a0(610) 770-3490\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221025354/http://perry.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-remains-focused-on-job-creation", "U.S. House Remains Focused on Job Creation", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 For the first year of the 113th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives has consistently focused its efforts on helping to foster an environment for real job growth.\u00a0 The House has passed nearly 150 bills this year that the Senate has failed to act on.\u00a0 Many of these bills could help our economy and boost job creation. \u201cIn my discussions with constituents around the 4th Congressional District, the economy and jobs remain the top concern of most constituents, regardless of political ideology,\u201d said U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-4). \u201cThese solutions will help expand opportunity for everyone \u2013 and I hope the Senate will consider our proposals in 2014.\u201d The House passed a budget earlier this year that balances over the next 10 years and lays the groundwork for a fairer, simpler tax code. While the bipartisan budget agreement that was negotiated with the Senate and passed last week was much smaller in scope, it still reduces the deficit by $23 billion and guarantees that seniors won\u2019t lose access to their doctors. Many bills the House has passed would reform job training programs and expand education opportunities to give Americans the tools they need to find work in a tough economy. The House adopted the Skills Act (H.R. 803) which streamlines dozens of overlapping federal job training programs, and helps connect out-of-work Americans with the training programs they need. The House also passed bills to promote American energy independence, create jobs, address energy costs, and revitalize manufacturing. Such bills included the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act (H.R. 1900) which streamlines the permitting process for pipelines to increase the supply and reduce the cost of American-made natural gas and help create good paying jobs. On a positive note, two bills to help spur hydropower development, H.R. 267 and H.R. 678, passed the House and were signed into law this year. Hydropower is the largest source of clean, renewable energy in the U.S., creating thousands of jobs (including many in the 4th District) and providing power to millions of Americans at low cost. Bills to lower health care costs and bolster medical research also passed the House this year. The American Health Care Reform Act (H.R. 3121) sought to address higher premiums, canceled health plans, and burdens placed on small businesses as a result of the President\u2019s health care law.\u00a0 After the Obama Administration announced in July that it would no longer verify whether applicants actually qualify for subsidies under the health care law, the House passed the No Subsidies Without Verification Act (H.R. 2775), which required that only those eligible for taxpayer subsidies should receive them. Government regulations cost the average American family more than $15,000 each year. The House sought to confront excessive government regulations that act as barriers to stronger private sector growth and job creation. For example, the REINS Act (H.R. 367) requires an up-or-down vote in Congress on any major new regulation with an economic cost of $100 million or more. Finally, the House maintained efforts to eliminate government waste and promote a smaller and more accountable government. The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (H.R. 2061) sought to increase transparency by making federal spending data more open and accessible, facilitating efforts to cut spending and help create a better environment for job creation. \u201cDuring my first year in office I\u2019ve continually said we can't keep spending money we don't have and we must reduce barriers for real private sector job growth\u201d said Rep. Perry. \u201cThese bills are an example of the continuous effort the House has undertaken to rein in out-of-control government spending and get Americans back to work.\u201d #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140623003122/http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=682", "Meehan, Lawmakers Seek Answers on DOD Helicopter Buy - Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) and a bipartisan group of legislators", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Meehan, Lawmakers Seek Answers on DOD Helicopter Buy\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON, DC\u2013 Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) and a bipartisan group of legislators who represent workers at Boeing\u2019s manufacturing facility in Ridley Park, PA today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel seeking answers on the Defense Department\u2019s decision to purchase Russian-built helicopters to equip Afghan security forces.\n\n\tA recent Associated Press article indicates the Department made the decision to purchase Russian Mi-17 \u201cHip\u201d helicopters despite an internal report that concluded the CH-47 Chinook was \u201cthe most cost-effective\u201d helicopter for Afghan forces.\n\n\tMeehan was joined by Reps. John Carney (DE-AL), Robert Brady (PA-1), Jim Gerlach (PA-6), Chaka Fattah (PA-2) and Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) in sending the letter.\n\n\t\u201cAs lawmakers who represent the workers who make the CH-47 Chinook at the Boeing Facility located in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, we respectfully request clarification on the allegations that the Pentagon overruled a recommendation to buy an American-made aircraft,\u201d the letter said.\n\n\tA signed copy of the letter is available here.The full text of the letter is below:\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tDecember 19, 2013\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tThe Honorable Charles T. Hagel\n\n\tSecretary of Defense\n\n\t1000 Defense Pentagon\n\n\tWashington, D.C. 20301\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tDear Secretary Hagel,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\tWe are writing to you regarding a December 7 Associated Press article on the Department of Defense\u2019s purchase of Russian Mi-17 helicopters.\u00a0\n\n\tThe article, entitled \u201cDid the Pentagon mislead Congress over purchase of Russian Mi-17s for Afghanistan,\u201d cites senior Pentagon officials assuring Congress that the Russian-made helicopters were the \u201csuperior choice\u201d for outfitting the Afghan security forces. According to a 2010 Department of Defense internal study, however, the U.S. Army\u2019s Chinook was found to be \u201cthe most cost-effective single platform type fleet for the Afghan Air Force over a twenty year period.\u201d\u00a0 If this study is correct, why was the Chinook not chosen as the aircraft for the Afghan security forces? Furthermore, the article also indicates that the recommendation for the Chinook may have been overruled by high ranking Department of Defense officials.\u00a0\n\n\tAs lawmakers who represent the workers who make the CH-47 Chinook at the Boeing Facility located in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, we respectfully request clarification on the allegations that the Pentagon overruled a recommendation to buy an American-made aircraft.\n\n\tWe ask that you please provide a detailed response, as well as a briefing on Capitol Hill in January, on these important issues to our constituents.\n\n\tThank you for your consideration with regards to this request. We look forward to your response.\n\n\tSincerely,\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tPatrick Meehan\n\n\tChaka Fattah\n\n\tRobert Brady\n\n\tJohn Carney\n\n\tAllyson Schwartz\n\n\tJim Gerlach", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/after-request-from-casey-government-watchdog-agrees-to-investigate-rollout-of-healthcaregov-", "After Request from Casey, Government Watchdog Agrees to Investigate Rollout of Healthcare.gov", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Casey, Bipartisan Group of Senators Requested Review of Website\u2019s Troubled Launch\r\n\u00a0\r\nReview is Step Towards Holding Administration Accountable, Ensuring Errors Aren\u2019t Made Again \u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nWashington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to his request to investigate the problems that occurred with the roll of healthcare.gov. Senator Casey, along with a bipartisan group of senators, urged the GAO to review the website\u2019s troubled launch and make recommendations about steps that can be taken in the future to ensure a problem like this does not reoccur. Casey, a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, has questioned top Administration officials on the website during oversight hearings.\r\n\"I\u2019m pleased that the GAO has agreed to analyze the issues that occurred in launching healthcare.gov,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI called for this report because Pennsylvanians deserve answers. It\u2019s imperative that we have an understanding of the problems with the website launch, as well as the steps the Administration can take moving forward. It\u2019s important that Pennsylvanians can access the benefits of this law.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s original letter can be seen below:\r\nGene L. Dodaro\r\nComptroller General\r\nGovernment Accountability Office\r\n441 G Street, NW\r\nWashington, DC 20548\r\nDaniel R. Levinson\r\nInspector General\r\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services\r\nRoom 5541 Cohen Building\r\n330 Independence Avenue, SW\r\nWashington, DC 20201\r\nDear Comptroller General Dodaro and Inspector General Levinson:\r\nOn October 1, millions of Americans eagerly awaited the launch of healthcare.gov, a new marketplace where individuals and small businesses could easily compare quality health plans in their area and access tax credits, where eligible, to help make those plans affordable. Unfortunately, the site crashed early that morning after receiving just a thousand visitors. More than a month later, too many visitors still find the site unusable. At every step of the user experience, site errors have prevented people from effectively shopping and enrolling in plans. Users have encountered problems\u00a0creating an account, verifying the account, determining eligibility, protecting user privacy, calculating tax credits, and facilitating enrollment with private insurers\u00a0if they can even access the site at all. Many states still have not received the data necessary to enroll eligible individuals in their Medicaid programs, and the accuracy of the files used by insurers to enroll customers remains an open question. As a result, what should be a 21st century digital process\u00a0on the back-end\u00a0has become an antiquated, paper-and-pencil effort that is not sustainable or scalable as the problems\u00a0of the front-end\u00a0consumer experience\u00a0get resolved. In the words of Secretary Sebelius at a recent Congressional hearing, \u201cthe roll-out has been excruciatingly awful for too many people.\u201d\r\n\u00a0   These problems are\u00a0simply\u00a0unacceptable, and Americans deserve answers and swift solutions. Taxpayers are owed a full and transparent accounting of how the vendors contracted to build the site failed to launch it successfully.\u00a0 We strongly urge to you undertake a\u00a0complete,\u00a0thorough investigation to determine\u00a0the causes of the design and implementation failures of healthcare.gov\u00a0that includes an examination of the following issues:\r\n \r\nUltimately, 55 contractors were hired to build the site.\r\nWhat were the responsibilities of each contractor, the size of each contract, and what proportion of projects required under these contracts was completed satisfactorily and on-time?\r\nWhen projects were not completed satisfactorily or on time, were payments withheld?\r\nWhat was the initial expected cost of healthcare.gov, what is now the projected total cost of healthcare.gov, and which contractors will receive any expected increase in costs and for what work?\r\nAt what additional cost to the government are new or existing contractors being hired to fix healthcare.gov?\r\nWhat authority does the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have to recoup funding already expended on unfulfilled contracts, and when has that authority been exercised?\r\nWhat penalties for future government contract work may be levied against the contractors who failed to meet their obligations under contracts to build healthcare.gov?\r\n \r\n \r\nThe scope and responsibilities of the marketplaces and data hub needed to run it were clear when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Why was the primary contract for building the site not awarded until September 2011?\r\n \r\n \r\nWhen the contract for building the site was awarded in September 2011, it was only open to a limited number of contractors who had been original bidders of a 2007 contract for \u201cgeneral information technology services.\u201d In an era of rapid technological change, why was the pool of contractors for the most significant public sector technological initiative in recent history limited to an unrelated government contract from four years earlier?\r\n \r\n \r\nWhat reforms to the government procurement process do you recommend to avoid future instances of incomplete and/or malfunctioning information technology products provided to the government?\r\n \r\nThese questions that will help us understand how the launch of healthcare.gov went wrong, and how attempts to improve it and launch other government websites can be improved in the future.   \u00a0   In spite of these technical problems, the vision for healthcare.gov and its promise of quality, affordable health insurance for individuals and small businesses must be fulfilled. The website is undergoing serious and rapid repairs to make that promise a reality every day. When the site is functioning smoothly, we expect that millions of people, for the first time, will not have to worry whether they can see a doctor because of a pre-existing condition, and other important market reforms will protect the insured from the prospect of unaffordable medical bills. In the meantime, it is critical that we understand how and why the mechanism for reaching that goal \u2013 healthcare.gov \u2013 failed to launch as required on October 1, 2013.   \u00a0   Sincerely,\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202.228.6324\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Geo", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-coons-carper-push-for-investment-in-job-creating-delaware-deepening-project-in-upcoming-budget", "Casey, Coons, Carper Push for Investment in Job-Creating Delaware Deepening Project in Upcoming Budget", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) Chris Coons (D-DE) and Tom Carper (D-DE) announced that they have sent a letter to key Administration officials urging them to commit to investing in the Delaware Deepening project as they prepare their fiscal year 2015 budget (FY15). The letter, to Assistant Secretary for Civil Works at the Department of the Army and\u00a0 Office and Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell, makes the economic case for finishing this project which is well on its way to completion. This initiative will increase economic activity by $13 million per year and create and sustain thousands of jobs. Casey, Coons, and Carper have repeatedly pushed for, and have\u00a0been successful in delivering, funds to this project. Deepening the Delaware will have a significant impact on job creation and allow the region\u2019s ports to continue as national leaders.\r\nThe project has continued to progress and now needs funding for a complex portion, which includes rock removal. The Senators wrote, \u201cWithout sufficient funding in FY 2015, it is possible that the Corps would have to wait at least another year before starting the rock removal or to break the rock contract into a series of segments, which will significantly increase the time needed to complete the project and the attendant cost.\u201d\r\nThe full text of the Senators\u2019 letter can be seen below:\r\nThe Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy   Assistant Secretary for Civil Works   Department of the Army\r\nThe Honorable Sylvia Mathews Burwell   Director   Office of Management and Budget\r\nDear Secretary Darcy and Director Burwell:\r\nWe write in support of funding for the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project in the President\u2019s FY 2015 budget.\u00a0 Continuing the progress made to date is vitally important to the prosperity of the Delaware River regional economy.\u00a0 Inclusion of adequate funding in the budget will help ensure that the project is finished by its target completion date in 2017.\u00a0\r\nThe purpose of this project, which has received federal funding since 1999, is to deepen the existing Delaware River navigation channel from 40 to 45 feet from the mouth of Delaware Bay up to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey.\u00a0 The deeper channel will allow for increased cargo and petroleum and natural gas shipments to reach ports more efficiently, which the Corps estimates will result in more than $13 million in additional economic activity annually. Moreover, the expansion of the Panama Canal will bring significantly more traffic to ports along the East Coast.\u00a0 The Philadelphia region must be prepared to receive vessels with deeper drafts and increased exports from regional industries in order to remain competitive in the global economy.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nAt this point in the project, the schedule calls for underwater rock removal to occur in FY 2015 in Reach B.\u00a0 From technical, cost, environmental impact and safety perspectives, the rock removal by blasting is the most complex section of deepening the channel.\u00a0 The entire effort needs to be completed during a tight environmental window in a safe manner that would have minimal impacts to fisheries, vessel traffic and adjacent port facilities.\u00a0 Without sufficient funding in FY 2015, it is possible that the Corps would have to wait at least another year before starting the rock removal or to break the rock contract into a series of segments, which will significantly increase the time needed to complete the project and the attendant cost.\r\nWe appreciate the President\u2019s commitment to deepening the Delaware River as demonstrated by the inclusion of the project in both his FY 2013 and FY 2014 budgets.\u00a0 As the project moves closer to completion, we ask for your continued support and stand ready to assist you in this effort.\u00a0 Thank you for your attention to our views.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.   United States Senate\r\nChristopher A. Coons   United States Senate\r\nTom Carper   United States Senate\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo (Casey) 202-228-6367 Ian Koski (Coons) 202-224-5042 Rob Runyan (Carper) 202-224-2441", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-italian-consulate-will-remain-in-philadelphia", "Casey: Italian Consulate Will Remain in Philadelphia", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that Italy\u2019s Philadelphia consulate will remain open. Senator Casey recently sent letters to Italian officials, in particular President Napolitano and Foreign Minister Bonino, urging the country to keep its Philadelphia consulate open. Italy had announced that it was considering closing the consulate. In making the case, Senator Casey cited the critical role that the city\u2019s strong ties to Italy has played for the region\u2019s economy through job creation and trade. In 2010, the region accounted for approximately $300 million in exports to Italy. \u00a0Casey also cited Philadelphia\u2019s large Italian-American population and the city\u2019s role as an east coast hub of business, politics and culture in making the case. Senator Casey also \u00a0recently spoke with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, John Phillips, to emphasize the strong economic and cultural relationship. In addition to the region\u2019s exports to Italy, Italy also benefits from exporting a large number of products into Pennsylvania. Senator Casey also spoke with Italy\u2019s Foreign Minister Emma Bonino. \u00a0\r\n\u201cThis is great news for Philadelphia and the region\u2019s economy,\u201d Senator Casey \u201cThis decision ensures Philadelphia and Italy will continue to have a strong partnership that promotes trade and leads to job creation. I want to also thank Governor Corbett for his efforts to keep the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia. I appreciated the opportunity to work with him in a bipartisan fashion on an issue that is important to Philadelphia.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s recent letter can be seen below:\r\nHis Excellency\r\nGiorgio Napolitano\r\nPresident of the Republic of Italy\r\nDear President Napolitano:\r\nIt has recently come to my attention that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering closure of its consulate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\u00a0 I am writing to respectfully urge you not to take this action. An active consulate in Philadelphia is vital to maintaining the strong, longstanding relationship between the people of Italy and the people of both my home state of Pennsylvania and the larger mid-Atlantic region.\u00a0\r\nPhiladelphia is a vibrant economic, political, and cultural hub for the East Coast. Curtailing Italy\u2019s official representation in Philadelphia would adversely affect the historically strong relationship that Pennsylvanians have enjoyed with Italy.\u00a0\r\nI understand that Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country.\u00a0 The United States and Italy enjoy a fruitful economic partnership, with billions of dollars in trade moving between the two countries each year. According to the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, in 2010, the Philadelphia Metropolitan area exported $302 million worth of goods to Italy, making it one of the top 10 metro area exporters to Italy in the U.S. Numerous Italian companies export hundreds of millions of dollars of goods to the Philadelphia region. A number of Italian companies also have large facilities and do extensive business in the Philadelphia region and throughout Pennsylvania. This strong relationship has created and supported jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI appreciate the enduring partnership between the United States and Italy, and I meet regularly with constituents who share this conviction. While I understand that your government is weighing competing priorities in a challenging financial environment, I urge you to keep the consulate in Philadelphia open. I believe that keeping the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia open is vital to the furtherance of our two nation\u2019s shared goals.\u00a0\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\u00a0 I strongly value the longstanding relationship between Italy the United States.\u00a0 I look forward to remaining in close touch as this matter proceeds.\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-senate-passage-of-national-defense-authorization-act", "Casey Statement on Senate Passage of National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\r\n\u201cI am pleased the Congress was able to get together in a bipartisan manner and pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0 This marks the 53rd year in a row that we have passed this bill which supports our servicemembers and authorizes critical national security programs.\u00a0 I am pleased that several of the provisions which I authored and strongly supported were included in this bill, such as security for Afghan women and girls, efforts to combat sexual assault in the military and reducing the VA backlog.\u201d\r\nDetails on several provisions Senator Casey\u2019s has supported are below:\r\n \r\nSecurity for Afghan Women and Girls: \u00a0After the success of Senator Casey\u2019s amendment to the FY13 NDAA on Afghan women and girls security, Senator Casey\u2019s continued leadership has kept the issue of Afghan women\u2019s rights and security at the forefront of U.S. policy in Afghanistan. The NDAA includes language from the amendment Senator Casey introduced to the FY14 NDAA to support the security of Afghan women. The bill provides for programs and activities to support the recruitment, integration, retention, training and treatment of women in the Afghan National Security Forces. Such programs include working to increase female security personnel ahead of the April 2014 elections; development and dissemination of gender and human rights education and training materials and programs within the Afghan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior; efforts to address harassment and violence against women within the ANSF; and improvements to infrastructure that address the requirements of women serving in the ANSF.\r\n \r\n \r\nGAO Review on Bradley Industrial Base Study:\u00a0 This provision requires GAO to conduct a review of the Army AT Kearney study on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle report.\u00a0 The report, initially required by Senators Casey and Toomey in FY13 NDAA has been repeatedly delayed by the Army.\u00a0 This review ensures that the study is conducted in an impartial and timely manner, and addresses other tactical Army vehicles.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nCombatting Sexual Assault:\u00a0 These provisions include reforms that will strip commanders of the authority to dismiss a finding by a court martial, the elimination of the \u201cgood character\u201d defense, the establishment of minimum sentencing guidelines, and the expansion of the rights of victims such as directing reforms to the Article 32 (pre-trial) process.\u00a0 Senator Casey remains committed to eradicating this issue from the ranks of the military, and though he recognizes that further work may be required in the future, he commends these important first steps for addressing this issue in depth.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nRejection of Administration BRAC request:\u00a0 The bill declines to authorize a new BRAC round in 2015 and requires Department of Defense to conduct a report analyzing the shortfalls of the 2005 BRAC round in order to protect military installations in Pennsylvania and around the country.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nIn addition to these provisions, Senator Casey also supports efforts to authorize military construction for Pennsylvania\u2019s National Guard, upgrades to the Abrams Tank, and efforts to further reduce the VA backlog.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-co-sponsors-bill-protect-military-retiree-benefits", "Rep. Kelly Co-Sponsors Bill to  Protect Military Retiree Benefits", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation would adjust Bipartisan Budget Act, fight fraud, save taxpayer dollars\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the introduction of legislation by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA)\u00a0 to repeal the adjustments to military retirement benefits included in the recently passed Bipartisan Budget Act and offset the cost with a measure aimed at stopping rampant tax credit fraud. The measure would institute a requirement that taxpayers must provide the Social Security Numbers of dependents whom they claim for the Child Tax Credit. Rep. Kelly is an original co-sponsor of this legislation.\n\u201cAs both a citizen and an elected representative, I revere and cherish every single American who heroically volunteers to serve our nation in uniform. I believe our veterans deserve every single penny they earned for serving our great country \u2014 and I will always have their back in every policy debate, every time. Even when crafting practical yet imperfect fiscal solutions such as the recent budget deal, our commitment to our military members must never waiver.\n\u201cAs I said at the time of its initial passage, the Bipartisan Budget Act is small first step to moving the federal government in a fiscally responsible direction. Many other steps, including greater adjustments and improvements to the law, will be necessary. Having heard the concerns and frustrations of my constituents over the law\u2019s provision regarding military retiree benefits, I am proud to co-sponsor legislation that locates savings which do not affect our fighting men and women in any capacity.\n\u201cCurbing federal tax fraud is an indispensable element of serious debt and deficit reduction. By enacting commonsense anti-fraud measures into the tax code, we are ensuring that the American people\u2019s money is spent as legitimately as possible, saving billions in taxpayer dollars, and keeping our sacred promises to those who defend us.\nNOTE: According to a report by the Joint Committee on Taxation, the bill\u2019s anti-fraud measure regarding the child tax credit would save American taxpayers $7 billion over a decade. The Treasury Department\u2019s Investigator General has already found $4.2 billion in fraudulent payments over the course of just one year.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/marino-meets-residents-small-businesses-discuss-increase-flood-insurance-premiums", "Marino meets with residents, small businesses to discuss increase in flood insurance premiums", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Williamsport, PA - Earlier\u00a0this week, U.S. Representative Tom Marino (R-PA) joined local officials in Muncy, Montoursville and Jersey Shore to meet with residents and small business owners who have been affected by the recent increases in flood insurance premiums.\nSince 1968, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been assisting families and businesses to rebuild after devastating floods.\u00a0 However, in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and Superstorm Sandy, the program is now $28 billion in debt.\n\u201cBecause of this debt, Congress took action and passed the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012,\u201d Marino said.\u00a0 \u201cWhile this legislation was the best option at the time, it led to the unintended consequence of drastically increased premiums for some of those with flood insurance.\u201d\u00a0\nMarino added, \u201cI have been hearing about these dramatic rate increases from my constituents for months now, and while I understand the need for homeowners to pay a premium that reflects the actual risk of their property flooding, Congress needs to find a solution that ensures flood insurance remains an affordable safety net for low and middle class families.\u201d\nRep. Marino was joined by local officials, including Lycoming County Commissioners Jeff Wheeland, Ernie Larson and Tony Mussare, Muncy Borough Manager William Ramsey, Montoursville Mayor John Dorin, representatives from the offices of State Senator Eugene Yaw and State Representative Garth Everett, and other community leaders, as he met with several residents and local business owners across Lycoming County who have seen their premium rates skyrocket.\n\u201cA homeowner that I met with in Muncy told me his flood insurance premiums are going from less than $1,000 a year to over $9,000,\u201d Marino said.\u00a0 \u201cAnother couple invested in properties along Main Street in Jersey Shore but is now facing a $40,000 bill every year for their insurance premium.\u201d\n\u201cI am doing everything I can to redress the negative effects of the Biggert-Waters Act and find a sensible solution,\u201d Marino added, \u201cI have co-sponsored several pieces of legislation that will delay these increases, require an accountability study to be conducted, and call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work with state and local entities to identify ways to reduce these rates.\u201d\nMarino is a co-sponsor of three pieces of legislation, the Flood Insurance Implementation Reform Act of 2013 introduced by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013 introduced by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) and the Flood Insurance Relief and Transparency Act of 2013, introduced by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).\u00a0 All three bills have bi-partisan support in the House of Representatives.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1230", "Toomey To Sebelius: Provide Data On Premium Rates Under Obamacare [press_release]", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has asked Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to provide detailed information about current and projected health insurance premium rates under Obamacare.\nDuring questioning at a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, Secretary Sebelius could not deny that health insurance premiums are rising. Sen. Toomey and Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee have sent a letter to the secretary requesting the average premium rates for individuals age 27, 40 and 64 years for the following categories:\no\tIn each of the bronze, silver, and gold plans offered on the health care exchanges.  o\tThe rates for these exchange-based plans before taxpayer-funded subsidies.  o\tA breakdown of these rates for the 27 states participating in the federally-facilitated exchange, the 7 partnership marketplaces, and the 17 state-based marketplaces.    o\tThe rates for individuals who continue to receive employer based health insurance.\nAn August 2013 Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that annual premiums for employer-based health insurance for families would increase from $13,375 in 2009 to $16,351 in 2013.  Further, a recent Manhattan Institute for Policy Research study found that premiums in the individual market will increase, on average, by about 41 percent from their pre-Obamacare levels.\nThe full text of the senators' letter is below:\nDecember 12, 2013\nThe Honorable Kathleen Sebelius  Secretary  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  200 Independence Avenue, SW  Washington, DC 20201\nDear Secretary Sebelius:\nWe write seeking detailed information about current and projected health insurance premium rates under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).\nThroughout the 2008 presidential campaign, then-Senator Barack Obama repeatedly promised that his health care plan would bring down premiums by as much as $2,500 for the typical family.  As president, he continued to make this claim, even after studies demonstrated premium costs were on the rise.  In a 2009 analysis, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) \"projected\" family premiums would reach $15,200 in 2016, as opposed to $13,100 without PPACA.  During recent testimony before the Senate Finance Committee members, you asserted that premium rates are 16 percent lower than the CBO projected rates for 2016.\nMore recent studies have consistently shown premiums for both individuals and families are skyrocketing.  Even more concerning is that current premium data does not fully reflect the law's mandates, some of which have yet to take effect.  An August 2013 Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that annual premiums for employer-based health insurance for families would increase from $13,375 in 2009 to $16,351 in 2013.  Further, a recent Manhattan Institute for Policy Research study found that individual premium rates will increase, on average, by about 41 percent from their pre-PPACA levels.\nFor Congress to conduct proper oversight of the implementation of PPACA, it is important that Congress and the public have detailed information about the monthly costs of health insurance premiums.  Therefore, we request your assistance in obtaining the actual rates after the October 1, 2013 enactment of PPACA.\nPlease provide the average premium rates for individuals age 27, 40 and 64 years for the following categories:\n\u2022\tIn each of the bronze, silver, and gold plans offered on the health care exchanges.  \u2022\tThe rates for these exchange-based plans before tax-payer funded subsidies.  \u2022\tA breakdown of these rates for the 27 states participating in the federally-facilitated exchange, the 7 partnership marketplaces, and the 17 state-based marketplaces.    \u2022\tThe rates for individuals who continue to receive employer based health insurance.\nThank you for your assistance in this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1234", "Sen. Toomey Will Vote Yes On Defense Authorization [press_release]", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -\u00a0 In a vote scheduled for later tonight, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) intends to vote for the defense authorization bill.  Below is his statement.\n\"The defense authorization bill outlines federal spending for the essential programs our armed services need to provide national security.\n\"This year's bill funds important defense programs in Pennsylvania at appropriate levels.\n\"The legislation also makes historic reforms to components of the military justice system relating to sexual assault, which I am proud to support.\n\"While not perfect, I believe the defense authorization bill will help provide our service members with the resources they need to defend our nation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131231190842/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov:80/press-release/fitzpatrick-introduces-bill-protect-military-benefits", "Fitzpatrick Introduces Bill to Protect Military Benefits", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) introduced legislation Thursday to remove the adjustments to military retirement benefits included in the recently passed budget agreement and offset the cost by closing loopholes at the IRS that allow for rampant tax credit fraud.\n\u201cThis nation desperately needs a return to fiscal normalcy and bipartisan cooperation. While the Bipartisan Budget Act is a step in that direction, it does so partly on the backs of our brave military veterans,\u201d said Fitzpatrick. \u201cWhat I\u2019ve done is introduce a bill to remove that burden from our military retirees and replace it with common sense reforms to the Child Tax Credit program.\u201d\nFitzpatrick\u2019s bipartisan bill [H.R. 3788]\u00a0would replace the $6 billion savings in the budget - accomplished by modifying the way military retiree Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are calculated - by closing loopholes within the tax code that allow people, some of whom are not in the United States legally, to improperly collect tax credits.\n\u201cThe non-partisan Joint Tax Commission reported last year that by closing the loophole for fraudulent payments, the taxpayer could save nearly $7 billion over 10 years. That\u2019s enough to remove the need to make any changes to military benefits,\u201d explained Fitzpatrick. (A copy of the report is attached)\nFitzpatrick also highlighted a 2011 Treasury Department Investigator General report which put the cost of fraudulent tax credit payments at over $4 billion in 2010 alone. In a letter, Fitzpatrick asked for further information about the report and details about what actions the agency had taken to rectify the problem. (A copy of the letter is attached)\n\"I fully support Congressman Fitzpatrick\u2019s bill to repeal the reduction in military retirement benefits in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 and to require the taxpayer Social Security Number to claim a refundable portion of the child tax credit,\" said Col. Daniel L. Rubini (Ret.). \"This is but one highly desirable step to take to keep the promise made to our soldiers. Get the fraud out of the system and put the money in the hands of our soldiers who have sacrificed so much. They have given to this country more than any other segment of our citizenry.\" \u00a0\n\u201cStopping fraud and abuse within the federal government is something we should all agree on - especially when using those dollars to help honor our pledges to our veterans,\u201d added Fitzpatrick. \u201cThis bill does that while still keeping a commitment to responsible budgeting.\u201d\nThe bill had 45 co-sponsors at the time of introduction.\n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222032611/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-demands-restoration-full-military-retirement-benefits", "Schwartz Demands Restoration of Full Military Retirement Benefits", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Allyson Schwartz", "S001162", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) today joined her colleagues in introducing the Military Retirement Restoration Act to protect military retirees from cuts to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) that were included in the recent bipartisan budget agreement.\nThe legislation replaces the $6 billion in total expected cuts to working-age military retirees\u2019 COLAs with an estimated $6.6 billion raised by eliminating a tax loophole for domestic corporations that use offshore tax havens.\u00a0\n\u201cThe bipartisan budget agreement is a positive step toward replacing the damaging sequester cuts that have cost Pennsylvania jobs and put our nation\u2019s economy at risk, but it is far from perfect. The agreement includes a provision that unfairly targets our nation\u2019s military families with cost-of-living adjustment cuts that could cause significant harm to many of our veterans,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cThis legislation is a fiscally responsible solution to the problem and it ensures our military retirees get the benefits they have earned and deserve.\u201d\nU.S. Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY) is the lead sponsor of the Military Retirement Restoration Act in the House. U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\nIf Congress leaves the military retirement cuts in place, veterans under age 62 would see their cost-of-living adjustments reduced beginning in December 2015.\nUnder current law, companies that are incorporated offshore but managed and controlled from the United States can claim foreign status, which helps them avoid paying U.S. taxes. The bill requires these companies to be treated as U.S. domestic corporations for tax purposes.\nSchwartz, the daughter of a Korean War veteran, has been a staunch advocate for veterans. Earlier this year, she introduced:\n The Student Veterans Priority Enrollment Act (H.R. 3456) to provide veterans, service members and their families priority when registering for college classes. The legislation ensures that veterans and students serving in the armed forces can take full advantage of the federal education benefits they have earned for themselves and their families.\nThe Veteran Employment Transition (VETS) Act (H.R. 2056) to help veterans find work and have greater economic security as they transition to civilian life. The bill provides a new, streamlined $2,400 tax credit to businesses hiring a recently discharged veteran.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222403/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/casey-schwartz-doyle-brady-fattah-and-cartwright-release-county-county-report", "Casey, Schwartz, Doyle, Brady, Fattah and Cartwright Release County by County Report Highlighting Need to Extend Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Allyson Schwartz", "S001162", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Extending Unemployment Insurance Would Benefit Over 73,000 Pennsylvanians Looking for Work Extending Unemployment Insurance Will Boost GDP, Employment in Coming Months \nWashington, DC\u00a0- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representatives Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Bob Brady (D-PA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) released a new county by county report that highlights the need to extend the unemployment insurance benefits that are set to expire at the end of this month. The report, which was produced by minority staff of the House Ways and Means Committee with data from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry shows that extending unemployment insurance would benefit over 73,000 Pennsylvanians. Further data shows that an extension of this program will boost GDP and job creation in the coming months.\n\u201cI\u2019m urging Congress to come together on a bipartisan basis to extend unemployment insurance soon,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cExtending unemployment insurance will help those actively seeking work and provide a jolt to GDP as we begin the new year.\u201d\n\u201cAt a time when our country is seeing strong signs of recovery, the last thing we need is another self-inflicted economic wound,\u201d said Congressman Fattah. \u201cUnemployment benefits were designed to help out of work individuals get back on their feet and return to the labor force as soon as possible, with minimal loss of skills. Failing to extend unemployment insurance will hurt job creation and our country\u2019s GDP. This is a safety net for tens of thousands across our state and these benefits should be extended.\u201d\n\u201cMillions of Americans are still out of work as a result of the recent recession,\u201d Congressman Doyle said. \u201cUnemployment has come down a lot, but at 7 percent, it\u2019s still hard for many Americans to find work. The same is true in southwestern Pennsylvania. This isn\u2019t the time to arbitrarily end federal emergency unemployment assistance to the long-term unemployed. Moreover, ending EUC now will slow economic growth and job creation. It makes no economic sense, and it\u2019s no way to treat our neighbors whose deepest desire is to get another job.\u201d\n Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz said, \u201cIt is unacceptable that Congress has failed to pass an extension of emergency unemployment benefits for Pennsylvanians who are struggling to find work. Right now, 73,000 Pennsylvanians face losing a critical economic lifeline on December 28th. And, economists from all perspectives have warned that failing to extend unemployment benefits hurts our economic recovery. Congress must act as quickly as possible to help Pennsylvanians who are looking for work, protect existing jobs and strengthen our economy.\u201d\n \nThe Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that extending unemployment insurance will increase GDP while helping Americans find work. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) recently released a report detailing the economic impact of failing to continue UI through 2014. The EPI analysis found that 310,000 jobs and $37.8 billion of economic activity would be lost if UI expires.\nThe federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program was first enacted in June 2008, when the national unemployment rate stood at 5.6 percent. The EUC program is scheduled to expire at the end of 2013, with the last payable week ending on December 28th. After changes made to the EUC program in early 2012, there is no longer any phase-out for the program, so that every individual now receiving these benefits will lose them during the same week.\nThe Department of Labor estimates that the expiration of the EUC program would cut off unemployment benefits to approximately 1.3 million jobless Americans on December 28th. The percentage of jobless Americans who have been unemployed for longer than 6 months remains close to historic levels. About 37 percent of the unemployed, or over 4 million people, are now long-term unemployed.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDepartment of Labor & Industry\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCenter for Workforce Information & Analysis\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n12/18/2013\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nEUC Recipients (all programs)\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2013\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nNumber of UC Recipients\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nPennsylvania\n73,330\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nAdams County\n370\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nAllegheny County\n6,390\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nArmstrong County\n370\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBeaver County\n930\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBedford County\n290\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBerks County\n2,320\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBlair County\n680\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBradford County\n260\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBucks County\n3,010\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nButler County\n860\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCambria County\n910\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCameron County\n40\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCarbon County\n440\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCentre County\n340\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nChester County\n1,630\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nClarion County\n190\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nClearfield County\n530\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nClinton County\n260\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nColumbia County\n340\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCrawford County\n430\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCumberland County\n940\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDauphin County\n1,550\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nDelaware County\n3,020\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nElk County\n150\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nErie County\n1,660\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFayette County\n810\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nForest County\n20\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFranklin County\n610\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFulton County\n70\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nGreene County\n150\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nHuntingdon County\n280\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nIndiana County\n550\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nJefferson County\n240\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nJuniata County\n130\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLackawanna County\n1,530\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLancaster County\n2,080\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLawrence County\n520\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLebanon County\n650\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLehigh County\n2,140\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLuzerne County\n2,580\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLycoming County\n840\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMcKean County\n210\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMercer County\n490\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMifflin County\n270\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMonroe County\n930\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMontgomery County\n3,650\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMontour County\n60\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nNorthampton County\n1,270\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nNorthumberland County\n690\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nPerry County\n190\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nPhiladelphia County\n11,910\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nPike County\n180\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nPotter County\n100\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSchuylkill County\n1,050\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSnyder County\n150\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSomerset County\n580\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSullivan County\n40\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSusquehanna County\n150\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nTioga County\n280\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nUnion County\n140\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nVenango County\n370\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWarren County\n170\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWashington County\n1,090\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWayne County\n220\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWestmoreland County\n1,970\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWyoming County\n160\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nYork County\n2,100\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nOther\n3,800\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSource:\u00a0 Unemployment\nCompensation System\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140309100622/http://rothfus.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=637", "Rothfus Working to Protect Military Retiree Benefits", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after co-sponsoring solutions to address the cut in cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for military retirees that were included in the Murray-Ryan budget agreement:\n\n\t\u201cThe Murray-Ryan budget agreement is nowhere near perfect,\u201d said Rothfus.\u00a0 \u201cAlthough I support replacing across the board sequester cuts with permanent reforms to mandatory spending, I am opposed to cuts to COLAs for military retirees and surviving spouses.\n\n\t\u201cAfter consulting with local military retirees in Western Pennsylvania and my colleagues in Congress about possible solutions, I co-sponsored two proposals to correct this situation.\u00a0 Congress should remedy this issue as soon as possible.\u201d\n\n\tCongressman Rothfus is working with Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick [PA-08] on H.R. 3788, legislation that would repeal the budget agreement\u2019s COLA changes entirely and offset the cost with common-sense reforms to the tax code.\u00a0 He is also working with House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller [FL-01] on H.R. 3789, legislation that would specifically exempt disabled military retirees and surviving spouses from these changes.\n\n\tCongressman Rothfus is an original co-sponsor on both of these proposals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-fattah-doyle-brady-schwartz-and-cartwright-release-county-by-county-report-highlighting-need-to-extend-unemployment-insurance", "Casey, Fattah, Doyle, Brady, Schwartz and Cartwright Release County by County Report Highlighting Need to Extend Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representatives Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Bob Brady (D-PA), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) released a new county by county report that highlights the need to extend\u00a0the unemployment insurance benefits that are set to expire at the end of this month. The report, which was produced by minority staff of the House Ways and Means Committee with data from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry shows that extending unemployment insurance would benefit over 73,000 Pennsylvanians. Further data shows that an extension of this program will boost GDP and job creation in the coming months.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m urging Congress to come together on a bipartisan basis to extend unemployment insurance soon,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cExtending unemployment insurance will help those actively seeking work and provide a jolt to GDP as we begin the new year.\u201d\r\n\u201cAt a time when our country is seeing strong signs of recovery, the last thing we need is another self-inflicted economic wound,\u201d said Congressman Fattah. \u201cUnemployment benefits were designed to help out of work individuals get back on their feet and return to the labor force as soon as possible, with minimal loss of skills. Failing to extend unemployment insurance will hurt job creation and our country\u2019s GDP.\u00a0 This is a safety net for tens of thousands across our state and these benefits should be extended.\u201d\r\n\u201cMillions of Americans are still out of work as a result of the recent recession,\u201d Congressman Doyle said. \u201cUnemployment has come down a lot, but at 7 percent, it\u2019s still hard for many Americans to find work. The same is true in southwestern Pennsylvania. This isn\u2019t the time to arbitrarily end federal emergency unemployment assistance to the long-term unemployed. Moreover, ending EUC now will slow economic growth and job creation. It makes no economic sense, and it\u2019s no way to treat our neighbors whose deepest desire is to get another job.\u201d\r\nCongressman Brady: \u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that Americans think that the 113th Congress is the worse in our history. It\u2019s a disgrace that the House\u2019s majority won\u2019t pass an extension for unemployed working class people when they\u2019re perfectly fine with continuing tax breaks for billionaires.\u201d\r\nRep. Allyson Y. Schwartz said, \u201cIt is unacceptable that Congress has failed to pass an extension of emergency unemployment benefits for Pennsylvanians who are struggling to find work. Right now, 73,000 Pennsylvanians face losing a critical economic lifeline on December 28th. And, economists from all perspectives have warned that failing to extend unemployment benefits hurts our economic recovery. Congress must act as quickly as possible to help Pennsylvanians who are looking for work, protect existing jobs and strengthen our economy.\u201d\r\nThe Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that extending unemployment insurance will increase GDP while helping Americans find work. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) recently released a report detailing the economic impact of failing to continue UI through 2014.\u00a0 The EPI analysis found that 310,000 jobs and $37.8 billion of economic activity would be lost if UI expires.\r\nThe federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program was first enacted in June 2008, when the national unemployment rate stood at 5.6 percent. The EUC program is scheduled to expire at the end of 2013, with the last payable week ending on December 28th. After changes made to the EUC program in early 2012, there is no longer any phase-out for the program, so that every individual now receiving these benefits will lose them during the same week.\r\nThe Department of Labor estimates that the expiration of the EUC program would cut off unemployment benefits to approximately 1.3 million jobless Americans on December 28th. The percentage of jobless Americans who have been unemployed for longer than 6 months remains close to historic levels. About 37 percent of the unemployed, or over 4 million people, are now long-term unemployed.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDepartment of Labor & Industry\r\nCenter for Workforce Information & Analysis\r\n12/18/2013\r\nEUC Recipients (all programs)\r\nWEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNumber of UC Recipients\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPennsylvania\r\n\r\n\r\n73,330\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAdams County\r\n\r\n\r\n370\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAllegheny County\r\n\r\n\r\n6,390\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArmstrong County\r\n\r\n\r\n370\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeaver County\r\n\r\n\r\n930\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBedford County\r\n\r\n\r\n290\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBerks County\r\n\r\n\r\n2,320\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBlair County\r\n\r\n\r\n680\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBradford County\r\n\r\n\r\n260\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBucks County\r\n\r\n\r\n3,010\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nButler County\r\n\r\n\r\n860\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCambria County\r\n\r\n\r\n910\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCameron County\r\n\r\n\r\n40\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCarbon County\r\n\r\n\r\n440\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCentre County\r\n\r\n\r\n340\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nChester County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,630\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClarion County\r\n\r\n\r\n190\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClearfield County\r\n\r\n\r\n530\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClinton County\r\n\r\n\r\n260\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nColumbia County\r\n\r\n\r\n340\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCrawford County\r\n\r\n\r\n430\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCumberland County\r\n\r\n\r\n940\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDauphin County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,550\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDelaware County\r\n\r\n\r\n3,020\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nElk County\r\n\r\n\r\n150\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nErie County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,660\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFayette County\r\n\r\n\r\n810\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nForest County\r\n\r\n\r\n20\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFranklin County\r\n\r\n\r\n610\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFulton County\r\n\r\n\r\n70\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreene County\r\n\r\n\r\n150\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHuntingdon County\r\n\r\n\r\n280\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIndiana County\r\n\r\n\r\n550\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJefferson County\r\n\r\n\r\n240\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJuniata County\r\n\r\n\r\n130\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLackawanna County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,530\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLancaster County\r\n\r\n\r\n2,080\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLawrence County\r\n\r\n\r\n520\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLebanon County\r\n\r\n\r\n650\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLehigh County\r\n\r\n\r\n2,140\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLuzerne County\r\n\r\n\r\n2,580\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLycoming County\r\n\r\n\r\n840\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMcKean County\r\n\r\n\r\n210\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMercer County\r\n\r\n\r\n490\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMifflin County\r\n\r\n\r\n270\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMonroe County\r\n\r\n\r\n930\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMontgomery County\r\n\r\n\r\n3,650\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMontour County\r\n\r\n\r\n60\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorthampton County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,270\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorthumberland County\r\n\r\n\r\n690\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerry County\r\n\r\n\r\n190\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPhiladelphia County\r\n\r\n\r\n11,910\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPike County\r\n\r\n\r\n180\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPotter County\r\n\r\n\r\n100\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSchuylkill County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,050\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSnyder County\r\n\r\n\r\n150\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSomerset County\r\n\r\n\r\n580\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSullivan County\r\n\r\n\r\n40\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSusquehanna County\r\n\r\n\r\n150\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTioga County\r\n\r\n\r\n280\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUnion County\r\n\r\n\r\n140\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nVenango County\r\n\r\n\r\n370\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWarren County\r\n\r\n\r\n170\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWashington County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,090\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWayne County\r\n\r\n\r\n220\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestmoreland County\r\n\r\n\r\n1,970\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWyoming County\r\n\r\n\r\n160\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYork County\r\n\r\n\r\n2,100\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOther\r\n\r\n\r\n3,800\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource:\u00a0 Unemployment\r\n\r\n\r\nCompensation System\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo (Casey) 202-228-6367 Allyson Freeman(Fattah) 202-225-4001 Matt Dinkel (Doyle) 202-225-2135 Karen Warrington (Brady) 215-389-4627 Greg Vadala (Schwartz) 202-225-6111 Shane Seaver (Cartwright) 202-225-5546", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/support-for-able-act-continues-to-grow", "Support for ABLE Act Continues to Grow", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, support continued to grow for the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act \u2013 S. 313/H.R. 647), introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), bringing the total number of co-sponsors in the Senate to 60 members.\u00a0 Introduced in the 113th Congress in February, this bill would provide an improved quality of life for individuals with disabilities through tax-free savings accounts.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis is a significant step forward for the ABLE Act and for the families of children with disabilities,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cNow that this bill has 60 cosponsors, I\u2019m urging the Senate to take action on it in the new year. The fact that only 6 bills in all of Congress have this many cosponsors is a sign of the overwhelming support for this effort to make a major difference in the lives of these families.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe ABLE Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that allows families of disabled children to have the same access to tax preferred savings accounts as the parents of college-bound kids,\u201d Senator Burr said.\u00a0 \u201cI am very excited that we now have 60 Senators on board and can hopefully expect swift movement on the Senate floor to send this bill to the President.\u201d\r\nThe legislation would amend Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code to 1986 to allow use of tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The bill, first introduced in 2006, would ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, medical, and transportation. The bill would supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, the Medicaid program, the beneficiary\u2019s employment, and other sources.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tApril Mellody (Casey) (202) 224-6324Robert Reid (Burr) (202) 228-1616", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-announces-94-million-modification-of-existing-defense", "Cartwright Announces $9.4 Million Modification of Existing Defense Contract", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of the Army has modified an existing contract with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.\u00a0 The modification of the contract amounts to nearly $9.5 million for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.\u00a0 The estimated cumulative total of the contract is approximately $200 million.\nThe modification is a Sole Source award for an additional quantity of 27,803 M795 metal parts.\u00a0 The M795, a 155mm high fragmentation steel body projectile, is the Marine Corps\u2019 artillery round of choice.\u00a0 The M795 is only produced in Scranton, Pennsylvania and has an estimated completion date of June 30, 2014.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI am glad that the Department of the Army has requested additional components from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems,\u201d said Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cThis modification will result in more work for our region.\u00a0 As a proud supporter of our military, I am pleased that northeastern Pennsylvania can continue to contribute the resources necessary to support the warfighter and ensure our national security.\u201d\nGeneral Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is a business unit within the Combat Systems Group of General Dynamics, which was formed in 1952.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1228", "Senate Passes Toomey-Casey Measure To Stop EPA?s Dangerous Regulation Of Fire Hydrants [press_release]", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) successfully teamed up to pass bipartisan legislation to bolster fire safety and protect local governments from a dangerous and expensive new mandate.\nThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a policy that will require local governments to replace malfunctioning fire hydrants with new independently certified lead-free fire hydrants.  This EPA regulation essentially makes it impossible for local governments to repair fire hydrants or replace them with existing inventory.  Additionally, it is uncertain whether fire hydrants that meet the new criteria are actually available for purchase.\nLast week, the Senators introduced legislation (S. 1779) to exempt fire hydrants from the mandate.  The Senate unanimously passed House legislation identical to S. 1779 today.\n\"The notion that people drink from fire hydrants often enough to warrant this kind of regulation is ridiculous and in no way justifies the cost of replacing hydrants in every city and town in the country,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"It's great news that the Senate and the House have both acknowledged this absurdity.  The implementation of this EPA rule would have forced local governments to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants idle until adequate funds and products are available - which poses an undeniable threat to public safety.  The passage of our bipartisan bill is a great victory for common sense, and I look forward to President Obama signing it into law.\"\n\"I'm pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan fashion to pass this legislation which will allow our first responders to continue their lifesaving work without the fear of a new, burdensome regulation,\" Sen. Casey said. \"Passing this bill will help municipalities replace aging fire hydrants and prevent the EPA from moving forward with this unworkable regulation.\"\nAs a result of this rule, local governments across the country will be forced to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants out-of-service until sufficient numbers of new compliant fire hydrants can be purchased and installed.  The cost of purchasing new fire hydrants every time an existing fire hydrant malfunctions will place considerable financial strain on local governments, and place the safety of communities across the country at risk.\nSens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.),  Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) have also supported Sen. Toomey's bipartisan legislation to exempt fire hydrants from this EPA regulation.\nThe legislation has been sent to the President and is now awaiting his signature.\nSeveral of Pennsylvania's local government associations and municipalities support the efforts of Sens. Toomey and Casey on this issue: \n\"The Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML) applauds Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey for introducing the Community Fire Safety Act of 2013.  This legislation will save local governments across the nation millions of dollars by exempting fire hydrants from lead content standards for drinking water infrastructure.  Like most communities, Pennsylvania's municipalities are very budget conscious and cannot afford the substantial mandate the EPA's interpretation would impose.  PML supports S. 1779,\" said PML Executive Director Richard J. Schuettler. \n\"The PA State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) applauds Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey in addressing an unfunded mandate that will result in substantial cost to local governments and their residents with minimal benefits,\" said PSATS Executive Director David Sanko.\n\"An unfunded mandate of this magnitude could cost boroughs across Pennsylvania thousands of dollars in retrofits and inventory loss.  The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) thanks Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey for their support of this common-sense legislation,\" said PSAB Government Affairs Director Ed Troxell.\n\"Excluding fire hydrants from the No-Lead Rule is imperative to the continued efficient operations of the Erie Water Works.  Without the appropriate legislation, dozens of hydrants currently in inventory at the Water Works would be rendered useless, costing the Water Works tens of thousands of dollars in replacement costs.  Additionally, not having hydrants readily available in stock to replace broken or unusable fire hydrants would also lead to a degradation of public fire protection, as inoperable hydrants would remain \u2018out of service' until compliant hydrants were available,\" said Erie Water Works CEO/CFO Paul D. Vojtek.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1229", "Sen. Toomey Issues Statement Regarding Israel?s Decision To Maintain Presence In Philadelphia [press_release]", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement in response to the news that the Israeli consulate located in Philadelphia will remain open.\u00a0 Sen. Toomey sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November upon learning that the consulate may be closed.\n\"I applaud Israel's decision to keep its consulate in Philadelphia open and I thank Prime Minster Netanyahu for his consideration,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"Given Southeastern Pennsylvania's large population with personal and business ties to Israel, the consulate has long played an integral part in developing important business, artistic, and political connections between the United States and Israel.\u00a0 I am confident that Israel's renewed commitment to Philadelphia will sustain and grow these relationships.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222500/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-presses-irs-protect-volunteer-firefighters", "Schwartz Presses IRS to Protect Volunteer Firefighters", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Allyson Schwartz", "S001162", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) today called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to protect Pennsylvania\u2019s volunteer fire departments from an unnecessary and potentially harmful health insurance burden.\nIn her letter, Schwartz urged IRS Acting Commissioner Daniel I. Werfel to clarify the tax status of volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency workers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The IRS now treats many firefighters and emergency medical workers, whether they are volunteer or paid, as employees for federal tax purposes. Starting in 2015, the health care law will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance or pay penalties.\n \u201cI urge you to act swiftly to ensure that volunteer fire departments across the country have clarity regarding the application of the Affordable Care Act to volunteer firefighters,\u201d Schwartz wrote. \u201cCongress clearly intended ACA insurance requirements to apply to employees, not volunteers.\u00a0 Requiring communities to provide health care benefits to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians may simply be unaffordable for many communities.\u00a0 This could create a dangerous situation, whereby communities are forced to eliminate critical volunteer positions, endangering the safety and welfare of their residents.\u201d\n \nIn Pennsylvania, 97 percent of fire departments rely exclusively or mostly on volunteers, the fourth-highest level in the nation, according to the 2012 National Fire Department Census conducted by the U.S. Fire Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.\nThroughout her tenure in Congress, Schwartz has fought to ensure Pennsylvania\u2019s firefighters receive the care and treatment they have so bravely earned.\u00a0\nSchwartz is proud to serve as a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. As part of her continued efforts to support Pennsylvania's first responders, Schwartz has worked to increase funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. She has advocated on behalf of fire companies in the 13th District in their successful efforts to secure this critical grant funding.\nSince 2001, Assistance to Firefighters Grants have provided more than $6 billion in assistance to first-responder organizations to obtain emergency response equipment, protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.\nSchwartz supports the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act (H.R. 3685) and intends to cosponsor the legislation.\n\u00a0\nThe full text of Schwartz\u2019s letter follows:\nDecember 18, 2013\nThe Honorable Daniel I. Werfel\nActing Commissioner\nInternal Revenue Service\n1111 Constitution Avenue NW\nWashington, DC 20224\nDear Acting Commissioner Werfel:\nAs U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania\u2019s 13th Congressional District, I urge you to act swiftly to ensure that volunteer fire departments across the country have clarity regarding the application of the Affordable Care Act to volunteer firefighters.\nIn my district and throughout Pennsylvania, our communities rely on the thousands of individuals who generously serve their fellow citizens by volunteering as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.\u00a0 More than 90 percent of fire departments in Pennsylvania\u2014more than 1,600 departments\u2014are staffed entirely by volunteers.\u00a0 An additional seven percent of Pennsylvania\u2019s fire departments rely partially on volunteers to carry out their mission and serve their local communities.\nAlthough many volunteers are provided with nominal benefits, these individuals typically serve their communities without the expectation of being provided with significant compensation or health care coverage by the departments for which they volunteer.\u00a0 I have heard from my constituents that there is currently confusion as to whether these volunteers should be classified as \u201cemployees\u201d under the Shared Responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)\u2014a classification that would require these volunteers to be provided with health insurance benefits in exchange for their service.\nCongress clearly intended ACA insurance requirements to apply to employees, not volunteers.\u00a0 Requiring communities to provide health care benefits to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians may simply be unaffordable for many communities.\u00a0 This could create a dangerous situation, whereby communities are forced to eliminate critical volunteer positions, endangering the safety and welfare of their residents.\nI urge you to quickly issue clarifying guidance ensuring that the thousands of Pennsylvanians volunteering for their communities may continue to serve their fellow citizens.\u00a0 Thank you for your attention to this important matter.\u00a0\nSincerely,\nAllyson Y. Schwartz\nMember of Congress\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140413170307/http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=684", "Meehan, Gerlach Join Airlines, Labor for Rally to Protect American Air Carrier Jobs", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Meehan, Gerlach Join Airlines, Labor for Rally to Protect American Air Carrier Jobs\n\n\tLawmakers joined by ALPA President, Airlines 4 America CEO,\n\n\tAssn. of Flight Attendants-CWA International President\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tPHILADELPHIA, PA\u2013 Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-7) and Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6) joined senior leadership from aviation industry stakeholder groups across the county today to oppose the creation of a Customs Pre-Clearance Facility in Abu Dhabi that will give a competitive advantage to a foreign state-owned airline.\n\n\tNick Calio, President of Airlines for America, Capt. Lee Moak, President of Airline Pilots Association International, and Veda Shook, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, joined the lawmakers at Philadelphia International Airport to support H.R. 3488, legislation that prevents the opening of the Abu Dhabi customs facility.\n\n\t\u201cA pre-clearance facility in Abu Dhabi will give a foreign, state-owned airline a competitive edge over U.S. airlines as customers traveling to America from the Middle East and Asia route themselves through Abu Dhabi to avoid the lines at customs in the United States,\u201d said Congressman Meehan. \u201cThis policy steers travelers away from US carriers towards a foreign-owned airline, and we\u2019re using American tax dollars to do it.A pre-clearance facility in Abu Dhabi will threaten American jobs and is little more than a taxpayer-funded handout to a foreign airline owned by the United Arab Emirates,\u201d Meehan said.\n\n\t\"This is another example of the executive branch making unilateral decisions without considering how their actions affect jobs and the American families those jobs support,\" Rep. Gerlach said. \"I look forward to working with Congressman Meehan to stop this pre-clearance facility and protect American jobs.\"\n\n\t\u201cThe misguided Abu Dhabi deal is a prime example of our government providing foreign carriers with a competitive advantage over U.S. airlines in the marketplace,\u201d said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. \u201cWe applaud Rep. Meehan for his leadership to ensure our government is not tilting the competitive playing field against U.S. airlines and their passengers, in favor of our foreign competitors.\u201d\n\n\t\u201cA customs preclearance site at Abu Dhabi not only hands a state-owned Middle Eastern airline a US taxpayer-financed powerful economic advantage in competing against U.S. airlines in the global marketplace, it also drains money that would be better used to improve customs facilities at major US airports,\u201d said ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak. \u201cWhy are American taxpayer dollars being spent on a pre-clearance facility at a foreign airport to which no US air carriers fly?\u201d\n\n\t\"The Abu Dhabi pre-clearance facility would be the start of a slippery slope, creating a global system where only wealthy foreign airlines would be able to participate,\u201d said Veda Shook, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. \u201cIt would benefit few US citizens and \u00a0put U.S. airlines at an extreme competitive disadvantage. Pre-clearance should not be a vehicle to put U.S. air carriers and U.S. airline jobs at risk by exclusively advantaging a foreign competitor.\"\n\n\tH.R. 3488 was introduced by Meehan and co-sponsored by Rep. Gerlach. It has more than 125 co-sponsors from both parties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-on-treasury-secretary-to-protect-pas-volunteer-firefighters-during-aca-implementation", "Casey Calls on Treasury Secretary to Protect PA’s Volunteer Firefighters During ACA Implementation", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he, along with seven other senators, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew calling on the Administration to immediately address concerns raised by volunteer firefighters about coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Recently at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee Casey secured a\u00a0commitment from the likely next Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to quickly address these concerns upon confirmation.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s incumbent upon the Administration to quickly address the legitimate concerns that have been raised by volunteer firefighters across Pennsylvania,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI\u2019m pleased that the IRS\u2019s likely next Commissioner committed to address this issue. This fix is something that the Administration can take care of right away and they should.\u201d\r\nSome fire companies with over 50 volunteer firefighters have raised concerns about whether they are required to provide health insurance for\u00a0these volunteers under the ACA.\u00a0 With already tight budgets, many volunteer fire companies are worried about the uncertainty of additional costs.\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nThe Honorable Jacob Lew\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0   Secretary   Department of the Treasury\r\nDear Secretary Lew:\r\nWe write regarding the treatment of nominally compensated volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (P.L. 111-148). Many combination and volunteer fire departments are lacking the necessary guidance as to how they may be affected by the Employer Shared Responsibility Provision of the ACA. We believe that it is critical that volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel not be counted as employees as it relates to the ACA and any employer responsibilities to ensure the continuation of this important aspect of our public safety infrastructure.\r\nApproximately 780,000 volunteer firefighters serve in 20,000 all-volunteer and 7,000 combination career-volunteer fire departments throughout the United States. Many communities rely exclusively upon volunteer fire departments for fire protection and emergency medical services.\u00a0 In fact, ninety-two percent of the nation\u2019s fire departments utilize volunteer personnel, whose donated services are estimated to be worth approximately $140 billion annually.\r\nMany volunteer fire and emergency medical personnel receive nominal benefits, which boost recruitment and retention by demonstrating that their efforts are appreciated. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and section 457(e) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allow volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel to be nominally compensated for their service. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also tends to treat volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel as employees of the agencies that they serve for the purpose of taxing their nominal benefits. This however, leads to some confusion as to whether the classification of volunteer firefighters as \u201cemployees\u201d will also apply for the purposes of the Shared Responsibility Provision of the ACA.\r\nWe believe the allowances made in the FLSA and the IRC for individuals to receive nominal compensation in return for their service while still being classified as \u201cvolunteers\u201d are critically important in the public safety community. Nominally compensated volunteers often have other full-time jobs which offer health insurance and generally do not have any expectation of receiving health insurance in exchange for their volunteer service.\r\nWe believe that it would be fair to use existing standards in the IRC to ensure that \u201cbona fide volunteers performing fire fighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, or ambulance services\u201d are not defined as employees for purposes of calculating the shared responsibility provisions of the ACA. Properly distinguishing between full-time, paid emergency responders and volunteers is necessary if we want to protect essential emergency response agencies that keep our communities safe and protect over one-third of the U.S. population.\r\nIt is imperative that clarifying guidance be issued as soon as possible in order to provide clear guidance to combination and volunteer fire departments.\r\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\r\nCC: Thomas E. Perez, Secretary of Labor\r\nDaniel I. Werfel, Acting IRS Commissioner\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-highlights-alternative-obamacare-fox-news%E2%80%99-your-world", "Rep. Kelly Highlights Alternative to Obamacare on Fox News\u2019 'Your World'", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly: \u201cWe\u2019ve got a plan: it\u2019s the American Health Care Reform Act.\u201d \n\n\tCLICK TO WATCH\n\n\tWASHINGTON \u2014 Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, appeared live in-studio on Fox News Channel\u2019s Your World with guest host Stuart Varney on Monday, December 16, 2013, to discuss the patient-centered alternative to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that he is co-sponsoring known as the American Health Care Reform Act (H.R. 3121). More information about the plan can be found here.\n\tDuring the interview, Rep. Kelly directly addressed President Obama\u2019s false charge that opponents of Obamacare have not offered any alternatives. He explained his alternate plan, and shared a recent real-life story detailing Obamacare\u2019s harmful impact on his constituents.\n\tInterview highlights from Rep. Kelly:\n\t\u201cThe president\u2026 I think he thinks that if he says it often enough and long enough and loud enough, people will listen to him. But I do think now we realize the emperor has no clothes. And we\u2019re looking at this and we\u2019re saying, \u2018This just isn\u2019t working, Mr. President.\u2019 And we\u2019ve been going and talking to him, but he\u2019s a tough guy to talk to, because if you\u2019re not speaking his language, he doesn\u2019t hear you.\u201d\n\t\u201cYou know and I know this was never about health care for people \u2014 this is about insurance for people. There\u2019s a huge difference. We have the best health care in the world. Now [our country\u2019s most vulnerable] just have to have access to it and it has to be affordable. We\u2019ve done things that make commonsense approaches to making it easier for everyday Americans to be able to go to sleep at night, put your head on the pillow, and know you\u2019re covered. We\u2019ve got you covered. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re there for. That\u2019s our job. If we can\u2019t do that, we shouldn\u2019t be in Washington.\u201d\n\t\u201cWell we\u2019ve got a plan: it\u2019s the American Health Care Reform Act. You can go to Kelly.house.gov \u2014 now that\u2019s a website you can get on \u2013 and you can read the information. It\u2019s all there. It\u2019s been there for a long time. We\u2019ve tried to be driving this message. But again, this doesn\u2019t fit the president\u2019s narrative. This has nothing to do with the president or his personality; this has to do with his performance.\u201d\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s no \u2018one size fits all.\u2019 That\u2019s the beauty of our plan. We allow people to choose what\u2019s best for them.\u201d\n\t\u201cWhen I go home to Butler, there\u2019s a little restaurant that I eat at \u2014 Natili\u2019s. It\u2019s a fourth generation place, great Italian food. Cindy waits on me all the time. Now, the last time I was in with my wife, [Cindy] said, \u2018Mike, can I talk to you about something? I hate to interrupt your dinner, but you know what? I am really torn. My husband\u2019s company no longer is going to cover me. They\u2019re just going to cover him.\u2019 \u2026 Because of Obamacare. And she says, \u2018Now I have to go out and get my own insurance. I checked: it\u2019s going to cost me $780 dollars a month. I can\u2019t work enough hours, I can\u2019t generate enough tips, to pay for that.\u2019 \u2026 She says, essentially, \u2018I have no insurance.\u2019 And you know what? Cindy\u2019s right. And there are 250,000 Pennsylvanians that are finding out that they no longer have health care.\u201d\n\t\u201cI\u2019m an automobile dealer. Next year, I\u2019ve got to come back and come up with a plan that makes sense for the people that I\u2019ve worked with for the last sixty-some years. And my dad started our business. One of the things we had, a hallmark \u2014 we took care of our associates. This Obamacare makes it impossible for us to maintain the great relationship we had with the people that worked with us and tried to keep our customers happy. It\u2019s a terrible thing to do to the American people.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090824/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-seeking-spring-2014-interns", "Fitzpatrick Seeking Spring 2014 Interns", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "LANGHORNE, PA \u2013 Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) is seeking enthusiastic and hard-working interns for the 2014 Spring Semester in both his Washington, D.C. and Langhorne District offices.\nCongressional internships are great opportunity for any students interested in the legislative process, public service and learning more about the inner-workings of our federal government.\nThis internship provides the opportunity for college credits and professional experience to college students, graduate students and recent graduates. Bucks County, Montgomery County, or Pennsylvania ties are preferred. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering phone calls from constituents, organizing mail and faxes, leading constituents on tours of the Capitol Building, greeting visitors, and assisting the Congressman\u2019s overall legislative efforts.\nIf interested, please contact Congressman Fitzpatrick\u2019s DC Intern Coordinator, Anna Marie DiMascia at 202-225-4276/annamarie.dimascia@mail.house.gov or Congressman Fitzpatrick\u2019s Langhorne Intern Coordinator, Kelly McGinty at 215-579-8102/kelly.micginty@mail.house.gov\n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140328084314/http://brady.house.gov/meehan-brady-back-federal-budget-deal-now-headead-senate", "Meehan, Brady back federal budget deal now headed to the Senate", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Robert Brady", "B001227", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Pennsylvania\u2019s two U.S. senators have different views about the latest budget deal.\nSen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., is one of the Republicans who has said he will vote against it; Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., will vote in favor of it.\n\"I have maintained that any budget deal alternative to current law must preserve the taxpayer savings of existing law,\" Toomey said in a prepared statement. \"The budget agreement does not accomplish this basic goal.\n\"Instead, this deal establishes new, higher budget caps to increase spending. The deal purports to offset those increases. But it does so, in some cases, with gimmicks and to a large degree with higher revenues.\n\"It is also unfortunate that this deal does not contain a provision that I have been calling for which would permanently end shutdowns and government by manufactured crisis.\"\nCasey stated in an email sent by his spokesman John Rizzo, \"Republican and Democratic negotiators reached a deal on the budget that will prevent further damage to our economy from the indiscriminate cuts of the sequester and prevent another government shutdown. Neither side is happy with everything in the proposal but, in a year filled with far too much partisan fighting, this compromise is certainly a step in the right direction.\n\"Important programs that help create jobs, start and grow small businesses, strengthen early childhood education and bolster medical research will face fewer cuts under this deal. It will help grow the Pennsylvania economy and provide two years of budget certainty, reducing partisan fights that only lead to short-term agreements.\"\nThe House passed the budget bill in a 332-94 vote last Thursday. Delaware County\u2019s two congressmen \u2014 Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7, of Upper Darby, and Rep. Bob Brady, D-1, of Philadelphia \u2014 voted in favor of the pact.\n\"The bipartisan budget agreement passed by the House was not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction,\" Meehan stated in an email sent by his spokesman John Elizandro. \"It reduces our deficit, even beyond what sequestration called for, and it does so without tax increases. That\u2019s progress.\n\"Importantly, this budget replaces the stop-gap measures that have undermined our ability to scrutinize federal spending and cut waste. Now with a long-term budget, Congress can get to work exercising its power of the purse to make sure our government and the administration are held accountable to the taxpayers who pay for it.\"\nDecember 17, 2011, By Danielle Lynch, The Delaware County Daily Times", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/budget-deal-contains-casey-backed-plan-to-crackdown-on-identity-theft", "Budget Deal Contains Casey-Backed Plan to Crackdown on Identity Theft", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the recently announced budget agreement contains provisions to crackdown on identity theft. In 2012, Casey exposed lax federal rules that allowed identity thieves to obtain recently deceased Americans\u2019 Social Security numbers for as little as $10.\u00a0 Identity thieves could obtain the Social Security numbers through the so called \u2018Death Master List,\u2019 which listed the personal information of the recently deceased, allowing would-be identity thieves to assume the identities of recently deceased persons and wreak havoc on their families. The budget agreement will empower the Secretary of Commerce to restrict access to the Death Master file and better protect the identities of recently deceased persons.\r\n\u201cThe passing on of a loved one is a significant hardship for a family to deal with that shouldn\u2019t be compounded by the threat of identity theft,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis is a significant step forward that will protect the identities of the recently deceased and will work to ensure that their families are not preyed upon by criminals.\u201d \u00a0\r\nDeath Master File\r\nIn 1980, SSA entered into a consent agreement to release death information following a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.\u00a0 This information is available to purchase online through the Department of Commerce.\u00a0 The database contains much of the information needed to steal someone\u2019s identity; it includes the full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and date of death of deceased citizens and legal residents.\u00a0 The records of a single individual can be purchased for as little as $10, and the entire database is available for around $2,000.\u00a0 The information has important legitimate uses; the financial community, insurance companies, security firms, and state and local governments all use the death master file to match records and prevent identity theft.\u00a0 However it has also allowed criminals to file fraudulent tax returns.\r\nSection 203 of the budget would establish a program under which the Secretary of Commerce restricts access to the information contained on the Death Master File (DMF) for a three-year period beginning on the date of the individual\u2019s death, except to those who are certified under a program to be established by the Secretary of Commerce. Under the program, those who have a fraud prevention interest or other legitimate need for the information and agree to maintain the information under safeguards similar to those required of Federal agencies that receive return information, as described in section 6103(p)(4) of title 26 of the United States Code, may apply for certification. The Secretary of Commerce reviews the eligibility of applicants, examines safeguards for protecting the information and conducts audits of certified entities to assure compliance with safeguards.\r\nTax Fraud\r\nData from the death master file allows perpetrators to file fraudulent returns impersonating a deceased taxpayer.\u00a0 A recent audit of the 2011 tax year identified 19,000 fraudulent returns from recently deceased taxpayers.\u00a0 Many additional fraudulent returns from deceased taxpayers may go undetected since no legitimate taxpayer may ever attempt to file again with the decedent\u2019s Social Security Number.\r\nThese returns contribute to the growing problem of identity theft in tax fraud.\u00a0 Overall, the IRS reports that they identified over 1.2 million identity theft returns in 2012 and as of June had identified 1.6 million this year.\u00a0 However, these figures only represent the returns the IRS was able to identify, so the actual figure is likely much higher.\u00a0 In a September 2013 audit report, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration estimated that the IRS issued approximately $3.6 billion in fraudulent tax refunds resulting from identity theft in 2011 alone.\r\nUnder the budget provision, a penalty of $1,000 for each disclosure or misuse of the information is imposed on any persons who improperly disclose the DMF information. A certified person in receipt of DMF information is responsible for any subsequent disclosure of such information. Even if the initial disclosure to a third party is appropriate, if that third party subsequently improperly discloses the information, the certified person is deemed to have also improperly disclosed the information. Thus, in a case in which the improper disclosure is made by a third party who received the information from a certified person, both the certified person and the person who improperly disclosed the information are subject to the penalty. The penalty may not exceed $250,000 per person for any calendar year, except in the case of willful disclosure. In such cases, the penalty is not limited.\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s \u00a02012 letter to the Office of Management and Budget and the Social Security Administration can be seen below:\r\nJuly 19, 2012\r\nThe Honorable Michael J. Astrue\r\nCommissioner of Social Security\r\nThe Honorable Jeffrey D. Zients\r\nActing Director\r\nThe Office of Management and Budget\r\nDear Mr. Astrue and Mr. Zients:\r\nI am writing to urge you to move forward with proposed changes to the Social Security Administration\u2019s policy on the release of the so-called \u201cdeath master file,\u201d and provide regular updates on its implementation.\u00a0 This document contains the Social Security Numbers and other vital information of deceased citizens and legal residents.\u00a0 As you know, the public release of this information has contributed to the troubling problem of identity theft in tax returns.\u00a0\r\nThe accessibility of the death master file appears to be inadvertently facilitating tax fraud.\u00a0 While the information released in this file has important legitimate uses, it has also been used to file fraudulent tax returns under the names of deceased taxpayers.\u00a0 For $10, an individual can purchase the full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and date of death of a deceased citizen or legal resident\u2014the information needed to steal an identity and defraud the government or private businesses.\u00a0 This theft of deceased taxpayers\u2019 identities has grown into a serious problem.\u00a0 This year, as of March 2012, the IRS has identified 66,000 tax returns of recently deceased taxpayers that are likely fraudulent.\u00a0 This fraud not only takes revenue from the government, but it also forces families that have just lost a loved one to confront the ordeal of resolving this identity theft.\u00a0 These families often have no idea that their loved ones\u2019 personal information had been put on sale by the federal government.\r\nThe use of identity theft to file fraudulent returns has grown substantially.\u00a0 According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), last year over 1.3 million identity theft returns were detected and stopped from processing.\u00a0 The most recent data from March 2012 indicates that this year the IRS had already identified more than 720,000 identity theft returns.\u00a0 These numbers only represent returns that were detected by the IRS during processing.\u00a0 The number of overall identity theft returns is much greater because in many cases, the identity theft is not discovered until the legitimate taxpayer attempts to file.\u00a0 For taxpayers who do not have a filing requirement, the identity theft and corresponding revenue loss may not be discovered at all. Identity theft of deceased taxpayers is a significant part of this problem and has been exacerbated by the release of the death master file.\u00a0\r\nOver the past few years, the IRS has taken significant steps to address fraudulent returns.\u00a0 It has improved its processing system for tax returns, using filters to detect fraud before a refund is issued.\u00a0 The IRS has also stepped up its criminal prosecutions and established a program to use information received from other law enforcement agencies to flag taxpayers whose identities are known to have been stolen.\u00a0 Nevertheless, identity theft continues to cost taxpayers billions of dollars every year.\u00a0\r\nIt is our understanding that the Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing a proposal by the Social Security Administration to restrict the release of the death master file to entities that have both a legitimate need for these data and the capabilities to secure the information.\u00a0 I request that you provide the status of this proposal, a list of any impediments to moving forward with the proposal and a timeline for implementation.\r\nIdentity theft creates a significant hardship for many American families, and robs our Nation of taxpayer dollars at a time when we face serious fiscal challenges.\u00a0 Addressing this issue will require a significant, coordinated effort.\u00a0 Preventing the widespread publication of deceased citizens\u2019 vital records is an important first step with broad support.\u00a0 I urge you to limit access to the death master file as soon as possible.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-636", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-following-cloture-vote-on-bipartisan-budget-agreement", "Casey Statement following Cloture Vote on Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), released the following statement on the Senate cloture vote on the budget agreement:\r\n\u201cFor the first time in four years, we are in a position to pass a budget agreement with strong bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. The bill is not perfect and neither side is happy with everything in the agreement.\u00a0 However, in a year filled with far too much partisan fighting, this compromise is an important step forward.\u00a0 Programs that help create jobs in Pennsylvania such as Community Development Block Grants and NIH medical research will likely face fewer cuts under this deal. In addition, overall deficit reduction will be approximately $20 billion higher under this agreement than without it. Moreover, the bill will allow us avoid another damaging government shutdown. \u00a0I am hopeful that the measure will pass the Senate and that the spirit of bipartisanship will continue into next year.\u201d\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-urges-italy-to-keep-philadelphias-italian-consulate-open", "Casey Urges Italy to Keep Philadelphia’s Italian Consulate Open", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent letters to Italian officials, especially President Napolitano and Foreign Minister Bonino, urging the country to keep its Philadelphia consulate open. Recently, Italy announced that it was considering closing the consulate. In his letter, Senator Casey cited the critical role that the city\u2019s strong ties to Italy has played for the region\u2019s economy through job creation and trade. In 2010, the region accounted for approximately $300 million in exports to Italy. \u00a0Casey also cited Philadelphia\u2019s large Italian-American population and the city\u2019s role as an east coast hub of business, politics and culture in making the case. Senator Casey also spoke with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, John Phillips, to emphasize the strong economic and cultural relationship. In addition to the region\u2019s exports to Italy, Italy also benefits from exporting a large number of products into Pennsylvania. Recently, Israel considered closing its Philadelphia consulate but reversed course following a letter from Senator Casey.\r\n\u201cFrom the first days of our nation\u2019s founding through today, Philadelphia has remained one of our country\u2019s preeminent cities,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cHaving a consulate in Philadelphia has strengthened our historic ties to Italy and resulted in significant job creation and economic growth through trade. I\u2019m urging Italy to reconsider closing its Philadelphia consulate so it can better maintain its robust economic relationship with Pennsylvania and the region.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nHis Excellency\r\nGiorgio Napolitano\r\nPresident of the Republic of Italy\r\nDear President Napolitano:\r\nIt has recently come to my attention that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering closure of its consulate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\u00a0 I am writing to respectfully urge you not to take this action. An active consulate in Philadelphia is vital to maintaining the strong, longstanding relationship between the people of Italy and the people of both my home state of Pennsylvania and the larger mid-Atlantic region.\u00a0\r\nPhiladelphia is a vibrant economic, political, and cultural hub for the East Coast. Curtailing Italy\u2019s official representation in Philadelphia would adversely affect the historically strong relationship that Pennsylvanians have enjoyed with Italy.\u00a0\r\nI understand that Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country.\u00a0 The United States and Italy enjoy a fruitful economic partnership, with billions of dollars in trade moving between the two countries each year. According to the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, in 2010, the Philadelphia Metropolitan area exported $302 million worth of goods to Italy, making it one of the top 10 metro area exporters to Italy in the U.S. Numerous Italian companies export hundreds of millions of dollars of goods to the Philadelphia region. A number of Italian companies also have large facilities and do extensive business in the Philadelphia region and throughout Pennsylvania. This strong relationship has created and supported jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI appreciate the enduring partnership between the United States and Italy, and I meet regularly with constituents who share this conviction. While I understand that your government is weighing competing priorities in a challenging financial environment, I urge you to keep the consulate in Philadelphia open. I believe that keeping the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia open is vital to the furtherance of our two nation\u2019s shared goals.\u00a0\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\u00a0 I strongly value the longstanding relationship between Italy the United States.\u00a0 I look forward to remaining in close touch as this matter proceeds.\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/senate-passes-casey-toomey-measure-to-stop-epas-dangerous-regulation-of-fire-hydrants", "Senate Passes Casey-Toomey Measure to Stop EPA's Dangerous Regulation of Fire Hydrants", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) successfully teamed up to pass bipartisan legislation to bolster fire safety and protect local governments from a dangerous and expensive new mandate.\u00a0\r\nThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a policy that will require local governments to replace malfunctioning fire hydrants with new independently certified lead-free fire hydrants.\u00a0 This EPA regulation essentially makes it impossible for local governments to repair fire hydrants or replace them with existing inventory.\u00a0 Additionally, it is uncertain whether fire hydrants that meet the new criteria are actually available for purchase.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nLast week, the Senators introduced legislation (S. 1779) to exempt fire hydrants from the mandate.\u00a0 The Senate unanimously passed House legislation identical to S. 1779 today.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe notion that people drink from fire hydrants often enough to warrant this kind of regulation is ridiculous and in no way justifies the cost of replacing hydrants in every city and town in the country,\u201d said Sen. Toomey.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s great news that the Senate and the House have both acknowledged this absurdity.\u00a0 The implementation of this EPA rule would have forced local governments to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants idle until adequate funds and products are available \u2013 which poses an undeniable threat to public safety.\u00a0 The passage of our bipartisan bill is a great victory for common sense, and I look forward to President Obama signing it into law.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan fashion to pass this legislation which will allow our first responders to continue their lifesaving work without the fear of a new, burdensome regulation,\u201d Sen. Casey said. \u201cPassing this bill will help municipalities replace aging fire hydrants and prevent the EPA from moving forward with this unworkable regulation.\u201d\r\nAs a result of this rule, local governments across the country will be forced to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants out-of-service until sufficient numbers of new compliant fire hydrants can be purchased and installed.\u00a0 The cost of purchasing new fire hydrants every time an existing fire hydrant malfunctions will place considerable financial strain on local governments, and place the safety of communities across the country at risk.\u00a0\r\nSens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.),\u00a0 Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) have also supported Sen. Toomey\u2019s bipartisan legislation to exempt fire hydrants from this EPA regulation.\u00a0\r\nThe legislation has been sent to the President and is now awaiting his signature.\r\nSeveral of Pennsylvania\u2019s local government associations and municipalities support the efforts of Sens. Toomey and Casey on this issue: \r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML) applauds Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey for introducing the Community Fire Safety Act of 2013.\u00a0 This legislation will save local governments across the nation millions of dollars by exempting fire hydrants from lead content standards for drinking water infrastructure.\u00a0 Like most communities, Pennsylvania\u2019s municipalities are very budget conscious and cannot afford the substantial mandate the EPA\u2019s interpretation would impose.\u00a0 PML supports S. 1779,\u201d said PML Executive Director Richard J. Schuettler.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe PA State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) applauds Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey in addressing an unfunded mandate that will result in substantial cost to local governments and their residents with minimal benefits,\u201d said PSATS Executive Director David Sanko.\r\n\u201cAn unfunded mandate of this magnitude could cost boroughs across Pennsylvania thousands of dollars in retrofits and inventory loss.\u00a0 The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) thanks Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey for their support of this common-sense legislation,\u201d said PSAB Government Affairs Director Ed Troxell.\r\n\u201cExcluding fire hydrants from the No-Lead Rule is imperative to the continued efficient operations of the Erie Water Works.\u00a0 Without the appropriate legislation, dozens of hydrants currently in inventory at the Water Works would be rendered useless, costing the Water Works tens of thousands of dollars in replacement costs.\u00a0 Additionally, not having hydrants readily available in stock to replace broken or unusable fire hydrants would also lead to a degradation of public fire protection, as inoperable hydrants would remain \u2018out of service\u2019 until compliant hydrants were available,\u201d said Erie Water Works CEO/CFO Paul D. Vojtek.\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo (Casey) 202-228-6367Steve Kelly (Toomey) 717-782-3951", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sherman-hills-task-force-announces-new-developments-and-next-steps", "Sherman Hills Task Force Announces New Developments and Next Steps", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Scranton, PA \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright and the Sherman Hills Task Force held its first meeting at the Luzerne County Courthouse.\u00a0 Members of the task force participated in a briefing with Jane Vincent, Regional Director of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD).\u00a0 The briefing provided the task force with better insight into HUD processes and past experiences, as well as the road ahead concerning Sherman Hills.\nAfter the briefing task members discussed recent communications with Park Management, Inc. and next steps.\u00a0 In letters from Joel Gluck with Park Management the company announced that representatives from the company and their security consultants will be presenting their remediation plan to the Wilkes-Barre City Council at Tuesday\u2019s Council workshop and at Thursday\u2019s Council meeting.\nAmong the details in the remediation plan, Park Management will propose making Sherman Hills a gated community, providing stronger fencing, installing a stronger surveillance system and providing armed guards.\nTask force members also announced two upcoming meetings.\u00a0 The first, set to happen during the week of January 20th, will be a private meeting with residents of the Sherman Hills Complex.\u00a0 The task force hopes that this private setting will allow residents to share their insight into the problems facing the troubled complex.\u00a0 The task force also announced a public hearing to take place the week of February 17th\u00a0which will include a set of witnesses that both defines problems and suggests solutions.\nThe task force hopes to receive Park Management\u2019s remediation plan from HUD at the beginning of the New Year.\nThe task force was formed in response to a recent report by HUD, which has paid Sherman Hills $1.7 million this year to provide low-income housing at the 344-unit complex.\u00a0\nMembers of the Task Force are Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17); Tom Leighton, Mayor, Wilkes-Barre; John Yudichak, State Senator (PA-14); Eddie Pashinski, State Representative (PA-121); Bill Barrett, Chairperson, Wilkes-Barre City Council; Maureen Lavelle, Councilwoman, Wilkes-Barre City Council; George Brown, Councilman, Wilkes-Barre City Council; Tim McGinley, Chair, Luzerne County Council; Harry Haas, Councilman, Luzerne County Council; Edd Brominski, Councilman, Luzerne County Council; Eileen Sorokas, Councilwoman-Elect, Luzerne County; Ron Felton, President, Wilkes-Barre NAACP; Rev. Shawn Walker, Pastor, First Baptist Church; Angel Jirau, Executive Director, Spanish American Leaders Serving All.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/the-affordable-care-act-is-making-sure-premium-dollars-work-for", "The Affordable Care Act Is Making Sure Premium Dollars Work for Consumers, Not Just Insurance Companies", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Scranton, PA \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright highlighted the tough new rules under the Affordable Care Act that ensure that Americans receive value for their premium dollars. \u00a0If insurance companies don\u2019t live up to the new standards established by the ACA, insurers have to send consumers a rebate. In 2013, approximately 123,600 consumers in Pennsylvania received an average rebate of approximately $77 per family.\n\u201cHelping middle class families take advantage of the benefits of the health care law like making sure Pennsylvanians\u2019 premium dollars work for them and not just insurance companies should be a top priority for lawmakers in Washington,\u201d said Cartwright\nBecause of the health care law, insurance companies must spend at least 80% (85% in the large group market) of premiums on medical care and efforts to improve the quality of care, instead of things like overhead and profits. If they don\u2019t, insurers have to send consumers a rebate to meet this threshold. In 2012, nearly 80 million consumers saved $3.4 billion upfront on their premiums because of this rule and other Affordable Care Act programs. And because of this rule, insurers sent 8.5 million consumers an average rebate of approximately $100 per family this year.\nAdditionally, while insurance companies still set premium rates today, the health care law requires insurance companies to publicly post and justify any proposed rate increase of 10 percent or more. \u00a0Across the country, insurers are withdrawing or decreasing proposed rate hikes, benefitting\u00a0families as well the economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-congressmen-matt-cartwright-and-blake-farenthold-introduce-bipartisan", "U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright and Blake Farenthold Introduce Bipartisan Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2013", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013\u00a0Last week, U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) and Blake Farenthold (R-TX-27) introduced H.R. 3714, the bipartisan\u00a0Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act, which aims to decrease accidental drug overdoses among servicemembers and veterans by implementing prescription drug take-back programs. \u00a0Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). \u00a0\nAccording to the\u00a0Wall Street Journal, the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) prescription rate for opioids has risen by 287 percent between 1999 and 2012.\u00a0 Consequently, VA-enrolled veterans have a drug overdose rate double that of the civilian population.\u00a0 There is substantial evidence that prescription drug abuse is a major contributing factor in the deaths of numerous servicemembers and veterans.\nDrug take-back programs have been found to substantially decrease accidental overdose. \u00a0At present, only the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can authorize entities to collect and properly dispose of prescription drugs from ultimate users.\u00a0 Neither the DoD nor VA is permitted to conduct prescription drug take-back programs at their pharmacies.\u00a0 Thus, a service member or veteran is unable to return unused medications to the DoD or VA facility that prescribed the medications in the first place.\u00a0 This legislation would permit the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to implement prescription drug take-back programs for servicemembers, veterans, and their families at DoD and VA pharmacies.\u00a0\nAccording to VA, there were nearly 1 million veterans living in Pennsylvania as of September 2012.\u00a0 There are also 10 VA medical centers in the commonwealth including the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center.\u00a0 Furthermore, approximately 36 percent of Tobyhanna employees are veterans.\n\u201cI am proud to work with Rep. Farenthold on this important legislation.\u00a0 The suicide rate amongst our nation\u2019s veterans is alarming and completely unacceptable.\u00a0 We have a responsibility to ensure that our military, veterans, and their families are safe from prescription drug abuse,\u201d\u00a0said Representative Cartwright. \u201cBy providing servicemembers and veterans with access to drug take-back programs, we can protect them and save lives.\u201d\n\u201cOur veterans and military personnel currently have no means to properly dispose of unused prescription medications,\u201d\u00a0said Representative Farenthold.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a contributing factor to the rise in accidental overdoses, and it must be dealt with to save lives.\u00a0 Drug take-back programs have shown to be an effective solution to this problem, and our legislation simply extends the reach of those programs to the DoD and VA.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221033223/http://perry.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/perry-legislation-demands-answers-regarding-nsa-domestic-surveillance", "Perry Legislation Demands Answers Regarding NSA Domestic Surveillance Programs", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Scott Perry recently introduced legislation, the NSA Transparency Act (H.R. 3756), to require this and future Administrations to respond to unanswered questions from lawmakers about the domestic surveillance programs that have collected a myriad of communications data on American citizens. The bill also would make public decisions by the FISA Court that approve data collection under the National Surveillance Act (NSA) programs. In the wake of numerous leaked NSA privacy violations, we must restore public trust and ensure accountability from the NSA for these programs.\n\u201cOne of my primary responsibilities is to ensure that the privacy and civil liberties of every American guaranteed in the Constitution remain protected\u201d, said Rep. Perry.\u00a0 \u201cThis bill improves the process by ensuring that Congress has the proper information necessary to carry out its oversight role. We must ensure that law-abiding Americans are not needlessly harmed by over- intrusive government surveillance programs. Our number one priority must be to ensure that Americans are safe, but not at the cost of violating the founding principles that make this country great. The NSA Transparency Act will help safeguard the proper balance between protecting our civil liberties while maintaining our national security.\u201d\nRep. Perry previously supported other bi-partisan legislation to increase oversight of domestic surveillance programs. The NSA Transparency Act is based upon Democrat sponsored legislation in the Senate to increase oversight and accountability over domestic surveillance programs.\u00a0 Specifically, the NSA Transparency Act requires the present and future Administrations to publicly disclose:\n \u00a0if the FISA Court issues a decision determining that U.S. government activities have violated the Constitution;\n\twhen the NSA began bulk collection of communication records of a large number of American citizens;\n\twhether the NSA ever collected location data on innocent Americans using cellular phone technology; and\n\twhether and how many warrantless searches of communications data took place in order to target a particular American citizen.\n Residents of the 4th District are welcome to contact Congressman Perry and his staff at any of his offices or via Perry.House.Gov, where they can sign up for e-mail updates and for his Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090917/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-judge%E2%80%99s-ruling-address%E2%80%99-nsa%E2%80%99s-constitutional-concerns", "Fitzpatrick: Judge\u2019s Ruling Address\u2019 NSA\u2019s Constitutional Concerns", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "LANGHORNE, PA \u2013 Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released the following statement Monday regarding a federal judge\u2019s ruling that the National Security Agency\u2019s (NSA) phone surveillance program is \u201clikely unconstitutional\u201d under the Fourth Amendment:\n Today\u2019s ruling addressing the concerns I\u2019ve expressed about the constitutionality of the NSA\u2019s program in tracking and spying on law abiding Americans since the revelations this summer, and before.\nThe Fourth Amendment to the Constitution ensures citizens the right to be \u2018secure in their persons, houses papers and effects\u2026\u2019 \u2013 a right that is obviously being infringed on by the agency\u2019s dragnet data collection. This ruling is a step in the right direction when it comes to addressing these concerns. I will monitor this situation closely.\nAmericans deserve common sense reforms to the agency and its practices that empower law enforcement while still protecting the Constitutional rights of all people. Now, more than ever, we need a vote on the bipartisan, bicameral \u2018USA Freedom Act\u2019.\n \nFitzpatrick is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan USA Freedom Act [H.R. 3361] and has introduced legislation to defund the parts of the agency that overstep their legal and Constitutional boundaries.\nRead more about today\u2019s ruling HERE\n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-for-extension-of-unemployment-insurance", "Casey Calls for Extension of Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Philadelphia PA- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called for an extension of unemployment insurance. Senator Casey was joined by Philadelphians who are set to see their benefits expire at the end of this month to push for the extension. The Senate is set to take a vote in early January yet the House of Representatives still hasn\u2019t scheduled a vote. Casey called on both Houses to vote on and pass an extension of unemployment benefits that will boost the economy and aid those looking for work.\r\n\u201cExtending unemployment insurance will help those looking for work and produce growth in the economy,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThe pace of job growth has increased in the last few months but there are still far too many Pennsylvanians looking for work. Extending unemployment insurance will help those actively seeking work and provide a jolt to GDP as we move into the new year. I\u2019m pleased the Senate is set to vote on this issue soon and I\u2019m calling on both Houses of Congress to take up and pass this legislation.\u201d\r\nThe Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that extending unemployment insurance will increase GDP while helping Americans find work. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) recently released a report detailing the economic impact of failing to continue UI through 2014.\u00a0 The EPI analysis found that 310,000 jobs and $37.8 billion of economic activity would be lost if UI expires.\r\nThe federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program was first enacted in June 2008, when the national unemployment rate stood at 5.6 percent. The EUC program is scheduled to expire at the end of 2013, with the last payable week ending on December 28th. After changes made to the EUC program in early 2012, there is no longer any phase-out for the program, so that every individual now receiving these benefits will lose them during the same week.\r\nThe Department of Labor estimates that the expiration of the EUC program would cut off unemployment benefits to approximately 1.3 million jobless Americans on December 28th. The percentage of jobless Americans who have been unemployed for longer than 6 months remains close to historic levels. About 37 percent of the unemployed, or over 4 million people, are now long-term unemployed.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-statement-bipartisan-budget-act", "Rep. Kelly Statement on Bipartisan Budget Act", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement yesterday evening in support of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Further details about the agreement can be found here. The House of Representatives passed the legislation by 332-94.\n\t\u201cDuring my short time serving in Congress, I am glad to have witnessed our fiscal focus shift from how much to spend to how much to cut. While today\u2019s bill did not include everything I want, it does move the debate in the right direction. This agreement reduces the deficit by $23 billion, it includes concrete cost-saving measures such as pension reform, and it does so without raising any taxes on anyone. Most importantly, this agreement takes the power of the purse out of the hands of President Obama \u2013 which is where every continuing resolution has put it \u2013 and back into the hands of the House where it belongs. These are important accomplishments that cannot be overlooked. With this agreement in place, I look forward to carrying on the fight for serious debt and deficit reduction in the new year and making sure the fiscal debate in Washington keeps moving in the proper direction.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-amendment-included-national-defense-policy-act-measure-headed-senate", "Thompson Amendment Included in National Defense Policy Act; Measure Headed for Senate Consideration Next Week", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the U.S. House passed a series of bills with bipartisan support, including H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014, by a vote of 350-69, and H. J. Res. 59, a House-Senate budget agreement that sets overall spending for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, by a vote of 332-94.\u00a0 U.S. Representative Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (PA-5) voted to support both measures.\n\tStatement on H.R. 3304: \u201cThe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 is long overdue, despite the House passing its version during the Summer. This bill affords the military some certainty about policy moving forward and offers the brave men and women of our military the resources to safely fulfill their missions and the support they deserve upon return from service.\u201d\n\tBackground: H.R. 3304 includes a Thompson-sponsored amendment dealing with the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) which offers 180 days of health insurance coverage for service members transitioning into civilian life. The amendment extends TAMP by an additional 180 days for all services rendered through telemedicine, to ensure that coverage is available especially for those with Post Traumatic Stress, symptoms of which often do not appear until 8 to 10 months following deployment.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\n The amendment builds on Thompson\u2019s 2011 STEP Act, now Public Law 112-81, Section 713, which expanded service member health care services and the use of telemedicine at the Department of Defense (DoD).\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\n Statement on H. J. Res. 59:\u00a0 \u201cWe were able to prevent the Senate\u2019s push for new taxes and spending increases and continue my commitment to deficit reduction. While far from perfect, this bill replaces the most economically harmful cuts imposed by the sequester with smarter spending reforms that will produce greater deficit reduction over the long-term. The bill will avoid harmful cuts to our military and protects our fragile economy.\u201d\n\tBackground: H.J.Res.59 constitutes a budget agreement reached between the House and Senate for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the measure would reduce the deficit by $85 billion. After factoring in targeted replacement of sequester reductions of $62 billion, the savings put towards deficit reduction will amount to $23 billion.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1225", "Sen. Pat Toomey's E-Update [press_release]", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Protecting Children From Sexual Predators \n\u00a0 \nWatch WBRE's coverage of my visit to Scranton's Children's Advocacy Center\nI have introduced bipartisan legislation to protect America's children from sexual and violent predators in the classroom. My bill requires schools to perform background checks on all new and existing employees, and bans schools from helping a predator find a new teaching job. It also ends the practice of schools quietly passing predators on to other jobs and other innocent children. Learn more about my bill to protect children from sexual and violent predators.\nAs a father of three young children, I cannot imagine the suffering of a parent whose child is sexually assaulted. No family should endure such a tragedy. I am proud that we have come together - across party lines and across the nation - to protect our kids. I would particularly like to thank Democratic State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams and Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership on this issue. \nState Senator Anthony Hardy Williams is the prime sponsor of a similar bill, which passed the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously. As Sen. Williams says, \"Sen. Toomey and I may disagree on approaches and even political philosophy on some issues, but some things are beyond partisan divides. The safety and welfare of our children, all of our children, is a universal value on which we can and do agree.\"\nI am grateful for his support, and I am hopeful that we can diminish dramatically instances of this awful crime in our state and around the country. Read the Scranton Times-Tribune story. \n\u00a0\nKeeping The EPA Off The Backs Of Our Firefighters \n\u00a0 \nThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking excessive government regulation to new levels. \nA recent agency rule will force local governments across the country to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants out-of-service until new, lead-free fire hydrants can be purchased and installed. This regulation essentially makes it impossible for local governments to repair these hydrants or replace them with existing inventory. It is also uncertain whether fire hydrants that meet the new criteria are even available for purchase.\n\u00a0 \nRead the Erie Times-News story on the EPA's fire hydrant rule.\nSen. Bob Casey agrees with me that this is an undeniable threat to public safety. Together, we are working to strengthen fire safety and protect our local governments from this dangerous and expensive new mandate. I am also glad to have the support of Pennsylvania's local government associations and municipalities in this fight. \n\u00a0\nProtecting First Responders From Obamacare\n\u00a0 \nRead the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story.\nNew, disturbing consequences of Obamacare have come to light: the law penalizes volunteer fire departments and jeopardizes funding for training by imposing unreasonable burdens on many of our volunteer emergency response agencies. \nI have introduced bipartisan legislation to amend Obamacare to ensure volunteer emergency service workers are not required to be counted as full-time equivalent employees for purposes of healthcare coverage. I am very glad that Congressman Lou Barletta (Pa.-11) has introduced a similar bill in the House.\nI am pleased to report that our bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, and Congressional Fire Services Institute.\nFrom small cities to rural communities, Pennsylvania has the largest number of volunteer fire departments in the country. These dedicated men and women play a crucial role in protecting our families every day. We owe them protection from Obamacare's most devastating consequences. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFighting Prescription Drug Abuse\n\u00a0With Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.\nLast week, Delaware County officials and I discussed solutions for prescription drug abuse, a growing, tragic crisis in our state and around the country. This week, I worked to turn those ideas into law.\nWith Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), I have introduced a bipartisan amendment that will begin to curb this serious problem. Our proposal would establish a beneficiary protection program for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans to prevent fraudulent diversion of controlled substances. It would also enable sharing of anti-waste and fraud data between health plans and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Representatives from Pennsylvania's law enforcement community and advocates of substance abuse prevention are endorsing my efforts.\n\u00a0 \nWatch video of my remarks on this issue in the Senate Finance Committee.\n\u00a0\nFighting for Lower Food And Gasoline Costs\n\u00a0 \nI continue my efforts to bring down the cost of food and gasoline. This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the corn ethanol mandate in the government's renewable fuel standard (RFS). Refiners are forced to meet this standard when manufacturing gasoline.\nSince 2005, fuel suppliers like those in Trainer and Philadelphia have been forced to blend millions of gallons of biofuels - notably corn ethanol - into the nation's gasoline supplies. This flawed central planning harms the viability of good paying jobs, drives up gas prices, increases food costs, and harms the environment. \nThis is the government using corporate welfare to shower money on a favored industry and send the bill to the general public. Labor and business leaders, as well as environmental groups, have pushed back against this harmful regulatory regime. It's time to repeal the requirement that directs more corn in our gas tanks at the expense of the hardworking men and women of Pennsylvania. \nI am glad to have Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) join me on this common-sense proposal. More than 30 different national consumer advocacy groups and associations support our effort.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1226", "Sen. Toomey: No On Budget Deal [press_release]", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement about the budget agreement that passed the House last night.\n\"The budget deal must be considered in comparison to existing law which was signed by President Obama in 2011 and established specific spending limits. These bipartisan spending caps are working. In 2012 and 2013, we reduced government spending two years in a row - for the first time since just after the Korean War - and lowered our deficits substantially. \"I have maintained that any budget deal alternative to current law must preserve the taxpayer savings of existing law. The budget agreement does not accomplish this basic goal.\n\"Instead, this deal establishes new, higher budget caps to increase spending. The deal purports to offset those increases. But it does so, in some cases, with gimmicks and to a large degree with higher revenues.\n\"It is also unfortunate that this deal does not contain a provision that I have been calling for which would permanently end shutdowns and government by manufactured crisis.\n\"Regardless of one's position on this budget agreement, it is clear that Washington is still ignoring the unsustainable spending trajectory that remains a drag on our economy and future generations.  I hope that Congress will get to work to put our fiscal house in order.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221091008/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-budget-deal-step-right-direction", "Fitzpatrick: Budget Deal is a Step in the Right Direction", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dec 12, 2013                        \n                            \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released the following statement Thursday night regarding the passage (332-94) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 [H.J.Res. 59]:\n The \u2018Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013\u2019 worked out by the Democratic Senate Budget Chair and the Republican House Budget Chair is a step in the right direction toward fiscal normalcy and regular order. By putting an end to governance by crisis when it comes to budgeting, we can begin to work together to find real, common sense reforms to the problems that all Americans face.\n \nThe budget compromise reduces the federal deficit by $23 billion more than under the sequester without raising taxes while providing $63 billion in sequester relief over the next two years.\nMore details about the budget can be found HERE \n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140309084959/http://rothfus.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=632", "Policy Member Spotlight: Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) – H.R. 2453, The Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Policy Member Spotlight:\u00a0Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) \u2013\u00a0H.R. 2453, The Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act\n\n\tH.R. 2453, the Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act, introduced by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA), restores the 90-day Medicare Advantage open enrollment period from January 1 to March 31.\u00a0 The bill currently has 13 cosponsors.\n\n\tWhat is Medicare Advantage?\n\n\tMedicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage (MA), provides private plan options to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. Approximately 14.8 million individuals, 28 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries, are enrolled in MA plans, which include health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, private-fee-for-service plans, and special needs plans.[1]\u00a0 In the MA program, payments are made to private plans on behalf of beneficiaries from both the Health Insurance Trust Fund (HI) and the Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) fund.[2]\u00a0 In 2012, approximately $136 billion from both the HI and SMI funds was directed toward MA plans.[3]\u00a0 Enrollment in MA plans has grown over the years from 1.3 million in 1985 to 14.8 million in 2013.[4]\u00a0 Studies have identified the MA program as more effective than the traditional fee for service,[5] particularly among those individuals with chronic conditions and those individuals who reside in rural areas.[6]\n\n\tWhat is the Problem?\n\n\tPrior to 2011, in addition to the general enrollment period for all Medicare plans from October 15 until December 7, Medicare beneficiaries were able to switch between MA plans during a 90-day open enrollment period from January 1 through March 31.[7]\u00a0 In 2011, CMS, through regulations, replaced the second enrollment with an annual 45-day disenrollment period.[9]\u00a0 During this period, seniors are not permitted to switch MA plans; instead they are required either to stay in their current plan or switch back to traditional Medicare plans (Part A and Part B).\u00a0 MA beneficiaries may switch between MA plans during the October 15th-December 7th Annual Open Enrollment Period.\u00a0\n\n\tIn November, the Wall Street Journal reported that UnitedHealth Group Inc., \u201cthe nation\u2019s largest provider of privately managed MA plans,\u201d had dropped thousands of doctors from its networks, citing \u201csignificant changes and pressures in the health-care environment.\u201d[9]\u00a0 These notices allow doctors to appeal within 30 days.\u00a0 However, the length of the appeal process means that patients will not know who is in their network until after the December 7th enrollment deadline passes.\u00a0 This development has left thousands of seniors uncertain about whether they need to change MA plans in order to see their current doctor and unable to make necessary changes to their health care coverage.\n\n\tWhat is the Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act?\n\n\tH.R. 2453, the Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act, restores the 90-day MA open enrollment period at the beginning of the year, while preserving the option for seniors to change their MA plan during the October open enrollment period.\u00a0 This would allow seniors to once again change their MA plans one time during the first quarter of the year, if they determine that their current plan does not meet their health needs.\u00a0 This bill gives seniors the same flexibility and freedom to change their plans that was afforded to them prior to 2011.\u00a0 The bill is supported by America\u2019s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the 60 Plus Association, and the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC).\n\n\tAdditional Resources:\n\n\tIf you are interested in cosponsoring H.R. 2453, please contact Rep. Keith Rothfus\u2019 office at (202) 225-2065.\n\n\tDownloadable PDF\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tCitations\n\n\t[1]\u00a0See\u00a0CRS Medicare Financing: September 19, 2013, p24.\n\n\t[2]\u00a0See\u00a0id.\n\n\t[3]\u00a0See\u00a0id., p8.\n\n\t[4]\u00a0See CRS Medicare Financing: September 19, 2013, p24.\n\n\t[5]\u00a0See\u00a0What You Need to Know, Medicare Advantage: Providing High Quality, Cost Efficient Care for Medicare Beneficiaries.\n\n\t[6]\u00a0http://kff.org/medicare/fact-sheet/medicare-advantage-fact-sheet/.\n\n\t[7]\u00a0http://www.medicare.com/advantage-plans/enrollment-and-disenrollment-periods-for-medicare-advantage-plans.html\n\n\t[8]\u00a0See\u00a0id.\n\n\t[9]\u00a0Melinda Beck, \u201cUnitedHealth Culls Doctors From Medicare Advantage Plans,\u201d\u00a0Wall Street Journal(November 16, 2013).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140328084449/http://brady.house.gov/report-shows-animal-care-severely-lacking-smithsonian-national-zoo", "Report shows animal care 'severely lacking' at Smithsonian National Zoo", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Robert Brady", "B001227", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington (CNN) \u2013 A blistering internal report released this week is revealing big problems at the National Zoo and prompting a Congressional review.\nOn Wednesday, an endangered horse rammed into a fence inside its barn. A gazelle and an antelope-like animal broke their necks the same way. And a hog died from possible malnutrition.\n\tLast month a zebra severely injured an animal keeper. Earlier this year Rusty the red panda got out, and a vulture escaped its enclosure. Both were recaptured.\n\"You don't hear this happening at zoos across the country. It certainly shouldn't be happening here at our National Zoo,\" Cathy Liss, president of the Animal Welfare Institute, said.\nA safety inspector with the zoo said human error was the cause of the zebra attack, according to CNN affiliate WJLA. Gates were not properly closed between the zebra's stall and the yard where the keeper was working, leading the two to be in the same enclosure. A nearby gazelle was apparently spooked by the attack and ran into a fence, breaking its neck.\nAn internal investigation of the Cheetah Conservation Station, which houses cheetahs and other African savanna animals, found \"animal care and overall organization, accountability, follow-up and communication are severely lacking.\"\nBut Pamela Baker-Masson, a spokesperson for the National Zoo, told CNN, \"We never compromise safety and well-being of animals.\"\nOfficials point out that the zoo was again accredited in September by the Association for Zoos and Aquariums \"after an extensive and rigorous review.\"\nAs for the deaths or escapes of the animals, officials say they've taken steps to prevent repeat episodes. The budget may also be partly to blame. The zoo does not charge admission, and Congress has cut $2 million over the past few years.\n\"This is where we look at ourselves very carefully, and we have to review what resources are available,\" Baker-Masson said.\nA spokesperson for Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee Robert Brady said the Congressman has scheduled a briefing with Smithsonian officials to assess the problems.\n\"[Brady] wants to hear specifically how budget cuts could have led to this situation, and will offer additional comment after those discussions,\" the spokesperson said.\nSome animal welfare advocates point out there've been no problems with the Zoo's star attractions, like the giant pandas.\nThe panda cubs get naming ceremonies, and the newest tigers receive around-the-clock attention.\n\"The lesser-known species, the less charismatic species aren't getting the attention that they clearly need,\" Liss said.\nAnd they're giving the National Zoo attention it clearly doesn't want.\nDecember 13, 2013, Ashley Killough, Chris Lawrence, and Mary Grace Lucas, CNN", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/blog/the-377th-birthday-of-the-national-guard", "The 377th Birthday of the National Guard", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, December 13, 2013\n\t\t\t\t The 377th Birthday of the National Guard \n\t\t\t\t\n                        by Bob Casey \n                        \n                 \n\t\n\t            \n\t                \n\t                    \n\t                        \n\t                    \n\t                \n\t            \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t  \t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe National Guard celebrates its 377th birthday today. The National Guard traces its history back to a direct declaration of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on December 13, 1636.\u00a0 This declaration formed a group of Citizen-Soldiers, requiring all physically able men between 16 and 60 to serve in the militia whenever they were needed.\r\nOther colonies would follow in establishing their own defense forces.\u00a0 Though Pennsylvania\u2019s Citizen-Soldier defense force would not form for over another hundred years, its history is no less special.\u00a0 In 1747, Benjamin Franklin would lead others Philadelphians in the creation of the \u201cAssociators.\u201d\u00a0 The idea caught on in neighboring areas within Pennsylvania and was soon replicated throughout the Commonwealth.\u00a0 From its founding in 1747, through the Revolution, to today\u2019s commitment in Afghanistan, the Pennsylvania National Guard has upheld its motto, \u201cCivilian in peace.\u00a0 Soldier in war.\u201d\r\nToday, Pennsylvania has the third largest National Guard in the nation. While the wars have changed, the commitment of these Citizen-Soldiers to answer the call of duty, in their own community, or on the other side of the world, has remained constant.\u00a0 Join me today in wishing the National Guard a \u201chappy birthday!\u201d\u00a0 I am truly honored to represent a state with such a rich tradition and dedication to its own community and to national service.\n\t\t\t\t\n                    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n                    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags:\n                            \n                                \n                                National Guard", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/due-to-the-affordable-care-act-up-to-17-million-children-can-no-longer", "Due to the Affordable Care Act, Up to 17 Million Children Can No Longer Be Denied Health Coverage for Having A Pre-Existing Condition", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released figures highlighting the number of children in Pennsylvania with pre-existing conditions who, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, are being protected from discrimination based on their health.\nBecause of the health care law, since 2010, insurance companies have been prohibited from denying health coverage for the up to 17 million children \u2013 including up to 657,000 in Pennsylvania \u2013 with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, asthma, or diabetes. \u00a0And beginning in January 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, this protection will extend to adults as well.\n\u201cPrior to the Affordable Care Act, in the vast majority of states, insurance companies in the individual and small group markets could deny coverage, charge higher premiums, and/or limit benefits to individuals based on pre-existing conditions,\u201d said Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cThis is great news and beginning in January 2014, this protection will extend to adults, too.\u201d\nHelping middle class families take advantage of the benefits of the health care law like the security of affordable health care coverage for children with pre-existing conditions should be a top priority for lawmakers in Washington.\u00a0 Yet instead of working to fix the law, House Republicans have voted to repeal the health care law more than 40 times, even shutting down the government to prevent new benefits like assured coverage for children with pre-existing conditions, taking away peace of mind for these millions of\u00a0 children and their parents \u2013 including 657,000 in Pennsylvania.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/doyle-votes-bipartisan-budget-compromise", "Doyle Votes for Bipartisan Budget Compromise", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Mike Doyle", "D000482", "doyle.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Doyle released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved a federal budget for Fiscal Year 2014 by a vote of 332 to 94.\n\u201cI voted in favor of this compromise budget because I believe it is a small but important step in the right direction. As someone who never supported the sequester, I was pleased that this budget provides a significant reduction in sequestration levels for 2014 and 2015.\n\u201cMuch work remains to be done. I believe the nation would be best served by eliminating the sequester completely, for example, and I strongly believe that Congress should enact an extension of federal emergency unemployment insurance program as soon as possible in order to help the millions of Americans who are still unemployed.\n\u201cI look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to replace the sequester, get this economy moving, and create more family-supporting jobs.\u201d\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=528", "Shuster Slashes Government Waste and Supports our Soldiers with Vote to Pass National Defense Authorization Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013 Today, with Congressman Bill Shuster\u2019s support, the House overwhelmingly passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funds for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2014, by a vote of 350-69. This comprehensive bill maintains a strong national defense while simultaneously cutting government waste and eliminating unnecessary programs. \u201cThis is an important piece of legislation not only because it provides crucial support for American soldiers, but because it wastes less of the taxpayers\u2019 money on programs we don\u2019t need,\u201d says Shuster. \u201cIn a time when we face numerous emerging threats and the continued danger of international terrorism, this bill is gives our brave men and women in uniform the resources they need to continue protecting our nation. This is a defense bill for the 21st Century, and provides the tools needed to continue keeping America safe.\u201d In June, the House passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, drafted by the House Armed Services Committee. Today\u2019s bill is the product of an agreement reached with the Senate Armed Services Committee to incorporate their version of the bill, and showcases the deep level of bipartisan support for this legislation to support our military. The National Defense Authorization Act improves the ability of the armed forces to counter both traditional and non-traditional threats alike by restoring military readiness in a fiscally responsible way. The bill authorizes $552.1 billion in spending for national defense as well as an additional $80.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. This is in full compliance with the overall sequester cap of $967 billion for discretionary funding, and saves $7.8 billion on war spending alone. Additionally, FY14 NDAA ensures that we continue to honor those who have already served their country: our veterans. It includes provisions for education and civilian certification, protects the GI Bill, and addresses the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims backlog by requiring that the VA provide a detailed report to Congress on how the backlog will be solved no later than 60 days after the president signs the bill into law. \u201cWe have a duty to stand by our soldiers and give them the best tools and support possible to serve their country. The FY14 National Defense Authorization Act does just that,\u201d says Shuster. \u201cThese funds provide for Troop and Combat Pay, TRICARE benefits, and other vital programs that specifically support the war fighter and their families. It also includes measures to combat sexual assault in the military, expand religious freedom provisions, and strengthens congressional oversight of Department of Defense spending. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and someone that believes we need to eliminate waste at all levels of government, I am pleased to see the House pass this vital bill.\u201d # # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1220", "Toomey Working To Exempt Volunteer First Responders From Obamacare [press_release]", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Angus King (I-Maine) are spearheading a bipartisan effort to ensure volunteer firefighters and first responders can continue protecting communities that rely on them.  The Protect Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act amends the President's health care law to make it clear that these volunteers are not required to be counted as full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), which would trigger the onerous  employer mandate.\nIn most cases, volunteer first responders maintain other full-time employment and choose to volunteer.   Not surprisingly, emergency response agencies which rely almost entirely on volunteer assistance do not have the resources to provide pay for benefits.  Additionally, volunteer first responders do not expect to receive compensation or health coverage as a result of their volunteer public service.\n\"From small cities to rural communities - Pennsylvania has the largest number of volunteer fire departments in the country,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"These departments play a crucial role in protecting Pennsylvanians each and every day.  This bipartisan legislation will protect these fire departments from one of the devastating consequences of Obamacare.  Pennsylvania is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers willing to risk their lives for their fellow citizens and the least we can do is help them keep their doors open.\"\nApproximately 750,000 volunteer firefighters serve in 20,000 all-volunteer and 5,000 combination career-volunteer fire departments throughout the United States.  Pennsylvania is home to over 2,000 fire departments that rely mostly or entirely on volunteers.\nState Sen. Lisa Baker and State Rep. Steve Barrar, who serve as the chairmen of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, offered their full support:\n\"We must ensure that our volunteer firefighters and first responders are able to protect our communities in the most efficient and complete manner possible,\" said Sen. Baker. \"I applaud Sen. Toomey's bipartisan efforts to guarantee that the President's health care law does not impact the individuals who risk their lives every day protecting our health and safety.\"\n\"Volunteer firefighters and first responders risk their lives every day protecting our communities,\" said Rep. Barrar. \"Exposing these brave men and women to the costly mandates established under Obamacare will only serve to punish volunteer-based responder stations, inhibit their ability to provide the critical services needed to protect life and property, and dissuade future civic involvement.\"\nThe legislation is supported by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1221", "Sens. Toomey, Carper, Coburn, Brown Lead Bipartisan Effort To Curb Prescription Drug Abuse [press_release]", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two Delaware Valley Senators are working curb Medicare fraud and the abuse of prescription drugs.  U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) are teaming with long-time leaders on the issue Tom Coburn, MD (R-Okla.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to introduce an amendment in the Senate Finance Committee. Their bipartisan amendment requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take steps to curb the abuse of prescription drugs.\nSen. Toomey, who recently heard from residents in Delaware County, Pa. about prescription drug abuse said, \"Unfortunately, abuse or misuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem.  Young or old, some patients begin to take medicines in ways other than what their doctor prescribed.  This can lead to not only addiction but to other medical problems.  Our legislation would make it easier to educate patients on these dangers and to detect and prevent waste and fraud of the taxpayer dollars that undergird Medicare.\"\n\"Curbing prescription drug fraud and abuse will require a team effort involving Medicare officials, law enforcement, the Medicare prescription drug plans, pharmacies and doctors, and the beneficiaries themselves.  I am proud to join Senators Toomey and Brown in this amendment and am grateful to Dr. Coburn for his work with us on this important issue.  This amendment would take important next steps in preventing waste and fraud in the Medicare prescription drug program,\" said Sen. Carper. \"Every dollar wasted through Medicare prescription drug abuse or fraud is one dollar less for our seniors and the disabled who depend on these life-saving programs. These safeguards are important not only to protect taxpayer money, but to avoid the diversion of drugs that harm our communities.\"\n\"I support Senator Toomey and my colleague's amendment that will give the Medicare program a new tool to help curb prescription drug abuse and diversion,\" said Dr. Coburn. \"Their amendment would allow Medicare plans to adopt practices already used in Medicaid plans and commercial insurance plans in which doctors, pharmacists and other specialists intervene to help beneficiaries who are addicts or abusers.\"\n\"Abuse of prescription drugs-especially painkillers-can devastate Ohio communities and Ohio families,\" Sen. Brown said. \"Our bipartisan amendment would ensure better tracking of prescription drugs and prevent fraudulent diversion of prescription drugs through the Medicare program.\"\nUnder the Senators' bipartisan proposal, the HHS Secretary would be required to take steps to curb fraudulent diversion and cases where Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage Drug Plans are using prescriptions for non-medical purposes.\nThe legislation clarifies that data sharing between prescription plans and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is permitted by law to allow effective reviews and prevent further abuse.   HHS would also implement appropriate education and controls, and ensure necessary beneficiary access to medication.\nRepresentatives of Pennsylvania's law enforcement community and advocates of substance abuse prevention are endorsing the efforts of Sen. Toomey and his colleagues.\n\"I applaud this effort to curb prescription drug abuse. On the front lines, we are seeing both the effect of addiction on users and the fraud being perpetrated at the taxpayers' expense,\" said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. \"The legislation will help us identify and hold accountable those that are profiting off of addiction.\"\nSaid Beth Mingey,  Director,  Prevention /Education, Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, Media Pa. \"The rapid increase of prescription drug misuse in Delaware County and across the nation has been devastating for youth and families. I'm happy Congress is taking this issue seriously which will surely save lives and am grateful our own Senator is leading the charge.\"\n\"Sen. Toomey continues to be a leader on the epidemic of prescription drug abuse that plagues Delaware County and our state. His bipartisan plan is common sense and will combat doctor shopping which leads to the illegal diversion of pills to our streets,\" said Jack Whelan, Delaware County District Attorney.\n\"Police officers in Philadelphia are disturbed by the epidemic of prescription drug abuse that afflicts our city,\" said John McNesby, President, Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police. \"I applaud Senator Toomey for working across the aisle to help stem the illegal flow of these drugs to our kids.\"\n\"As a mental health care provider, the uptick in overdoses and instances of prescription drug abuse are frightening.  I am constantly confronted with families coping with the loss of a loved one or struggling to get them clean. It affects families of all socioeconomic backgrounds and needs. This is a sensible way of helping to prevent these pills from ever getting to our children,\" said Theresa Agostinelli, LCSW, Glen Mills Counseling Center, Delaware County.\nSaid Chester County Commissioner Terrence Farrell, \"We have seen the alarming rise of prescription drug abuse in Chester County over the past few years. This measure is a step forward in addressing this problem by protecting taxpayers and stopping fraud.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1222", "Sen. Toomey?s Legislation Would Bring Down Cost Of Food, Gas [press_release]", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) is working to bring down the cost of food and gasoline.  In his latest step to protect consumers and employers from wasteful mandates, Sen. Toomey is introducing bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the corn ethanol mandate from the renewable fuel standard (RFS) that refiners must meet when manufacturing gasoline. In the past, corn ethanol has comprised nearly 75 percent of the total RFS mandate.\nCorn ethanol poses a whole host of problems for the environment and consumers. Multiple studies, including ones conducted by Stanford University and the National Academy of Sciences, have found that increased ethanol use is detrimental to air quality.  AAA warns that it has the potential to damage car engines and even the EPA has labeled the fuel as \"corrosive\".\n\"Since 2005, fuel suppliers like those in Trainer and Philadelphia have been forced to blend millions of gallons of biofuels -- notably corn ethanol -- into the nation's gasoline supplies,\" said Senator Toomey. \"This flawed central planning harms the viability of good paying jobs, drives up gas prices, increases food costs, and harms the environment. This is the government using corporate welfare to shower money on a favored industry and send the bill to the general public. Labor leaders, business, and environmental groups have pushed back against this harmful regulatory regime.  It's time to repeal the requirement that directs more corn in our gas tank at the expense of the hardworking men and women of Pennsylvania.\"\nSen. Toomey's legislation is also sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).\n\"We applaud Sen. Toomey's leadership in addressing the impacts of this misguided mandate on consumers and the environment,\" said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group.\" \nThe legislation has been endorsed by the following groups: \nActionAid USA  American Bakers Association  American Frozen Food Institute  American Meat Institute  American Sportfishing Association  BoatUS  California Dairy Campaign  Clean Air Task Force  Competitive Enterprise Institute  Dairy Producers of New Mexico  Dairy Producers of Utah  Environmental Working Group  Freedom Action  Georgia Poultry Federation  Grocery Manufacturers Association  Idaho Dairymen's Association  Marine Retailers Assoc. of the Americas  Milk Producers Council  National Chicken Council  National Council of Chain Restaurants  National Marine Manufacturers Association  National Restaurant Association  National Taxpayers Union  National Turkey Federation  Nevada State Dairy Commission  North American Meat Association  Northwest Dairy Association  Oregon Diary Farmers Association  Oxfam America  Southeast Milk Inc.  Specialty Equipment Market Association  Taxpayers for Common Sense  Washington State Dairy Federation", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0B8579B1-A6AB-441B-BC45-C96AFFBD4A1F", "Dent Votes for Commonsense Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15th) joined a large bipartisan group of House members to pass the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 this evening.\u00a0 169 Republicans joined 163 Democrats in supporting the bill that passed 332 to 94.\r\nThe budget sets discretionary spending at $1.012 trillion for this fiscal year. The agreement provides $63 billion in sequester relief between defense and non-defense programs.\r\n\r\nAt the same time, it reduces the debt by an additional $23 billion beyond the levels set in the Sequester.\r\n\u201cThursday night the House of Representatives responded to the demands of the American people. We rallied behind a reasonable agreement in a bipartisan manner and have shown a willingness to constructively govern the country,\u201d said Congressman Dent.\r\nDent expressed satisfaction that the budget agreement largely eliminates the potential threat of another looming government shutdown \u2013not only this year \u2013 but next year as well.\r\n\u201cPeople are tired of Congress staggering from one blatantly manufactured crisis to the next. They want their elected representatives to act like grown-ups and do the job they were elected to do, which is to keep the government functioning,\u201d Dent observed.\u00a0 \u201cThis is important because certainty, predictability and stability are essential elements to foster an environment conducive to economic growth and job creation,\u201d he added.\r\nCongressman Dent also noted that the budget bill contains a three month \u201cDoc Fix,\u201d ensuring that Medicare patients will continue to be able to see their physicians.\u00a0 The measure prevents a 20.1% cut in Medicare reimbursements to physicians and replaces it with a half percent increase.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis is not a grand bargain, but it is an important agreement,\u201d Dent said. \u201cI hope the bill\u2019s passage signals that leaders in Washington have recognized the need to value practicality, commonsense and a respect for our duty to govern.\u201d\r\n###\r\n Press Contact: \u00a0Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221033251/http://perry.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-on-budget-agreement", "Statement on Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cThe budget before the U.S. House today isn\u2019t the agreement I would\u2019ve drafted. Washington, once again, is avoiding the tough decisions necessary to reduce our unsustainable $17 trillion debt and strengthen the economy for all Americans.\nBut in a divided government, you don\u2019t get everything you want. Americans expect their elected officials to work together and find compromise, and I\u2019ve never pretended to have a monopoly on good ideas. \u00a0We have a chance to take a small step forward on this critical issue \u2014 and, simply, we must take it.\nThis bill will reduce the deficit by $23 billion and guarantees that seniors won\u2019t lose access to their doctors. It controls spending in a smarter way than the sequester by eliminating waste - like paying Medicaid bills that dead-beat parents should be paying and sending unemployment checks to criminals.\u00a0 It also cuts corporate welfare and, however small, begins to reform mandatory spending. It continues the progress made by House Republicans in changing the conversation to how Washington must live within its means, not how families should pay more.\nI agree with Fiscal Commission co-chairs Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles when they say, \u201cthe small reforms in this agreement do not address the real long-term drivers of our debt, including the growth of health care entitlement programs and Social Security's funding shortfall.\u201d Although we\u2019re glad to show that Congress can, indeed, work together, the fundamental issues remain unchanged:\u00a0 we\u2019re nearly $17 trillion in debt and in the process of bankrupting programs like Social Security and Medicare. My first bill in Congress was a balanced budget amendment, I voted for the FY2014 budget that balances in 10 years and I supported other common-sense solutions to reform and sustain such vital programs.\nWe can't keep spending money we don't have. Democrats and Republicans finally must end the process of kicking these difficult issues down the road for someone else to deal with. I\u2019ll continue to work with my colleagues to do so and encourage all citizens to remain engaged in this process.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221091045/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-house-vote-ensure-kids-first-research", "Fitzpatrick, House Vote to Ensure Kids First Research", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) joined with a bipartisan majority in the House Wednesday to pass (295-103) the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act [H.R. 2019]. The bill \u2013 of which Fitzpatrick is a co-sponsor - prioritizes taxpayer funding for scientific research of pediatric diseases and disorders such as cancer and autism by eliminating taxpayer funding for the Republican and Democratic national conventions.\n\u201cAsk any parent \u2013 our kids always come first. So it only makes sense that Washington put the children of our nation ahead of partisan politics when it comes to utilizing taxpayer dollars,\u201d said Fitzpatrick following the bill\u2019s passage. \u201cThis bill simply puts the critical need of increasing research funding for pediatric diseases ahead of election politics.\u201d\nThe Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act is named after Gabriella Miller \u2013 a 10-year old diagnosed with brain cancer last fall and who passed away in October before she could see the bill passed.\n\u201cAs a member of the Autism Caucus, the chance to prioritize federal dollars for critical research for Autism and those families living with it was a great opportunity,\u201d continued Fitzpatrick. \u201cEnsuring the best for our children \u2013 especially those with pediatric disorders \u2013 is vital for the continued success of our nation. I\u2019m heartened that this Congress could come together and working on their behalf.\u201d\n\u201cSchool aged children are being diagnosed as having autism at a rate of 1 in 50 according to recent statistics released by the CDC.\u00a0 This unparalleled epidemic requires national and global attention as an Autism Tsunami is already upon us,\u201d said Linda Kuepper, Co-Founder and CEO of the Autism Cares Foundation in Richboro, Bucks County. \u201cAutism Cares Foundation supports Congressman Fitzpatrick\u2019s efforts to direct additional funding toward Autism Research through the Kids First Research Act.\u00a0 This act will direct additional funding to research which we hope will find its way to the very best research professionals as we need to determine the root causes of autism and hopefully a cure.\u00a0 Additionally, we need to develop a sustainable means of continuing support as today\u2019s children grow into adults, many of whom will require continuous lifelong support.\u201d\nThe bill has the support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Autism Speaks, the Children\u2019s Hospital Association, the Coalition of Pediatric Medical Research, the National Down Syndrome Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, among others.\u00a0\nFitzpatrick is also a member of the Rare Diseases Caucus as well as the Childhood Cancer Caucus and has been a leading advocate of medical research and innovation during his time in Congress.\u00a0 He supports robust funding for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to continue their innovative research and creation of new treatments.\u00a0Furthermore, Fitzpatrick is also a proud and active participant in many community events supporting disease\u00a0 research and awareness, including: Relay for Life, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations 5K, the AOH Autism Walk and others.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221211938/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-statement-ways-and-means-committees-bipartisan-sgr-repeal-bill", "Schwartz Statement on Ways and Means Committee's Bipartisan SGR Repeal Bill", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Allyson Schwartz", "S001162", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) today voted in support of bipartisan legislation to replace Medicare\u2019s broken physician payment system and ensure patient access to doctors while promoting efficiency, quality and value in health care delivery. The Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved the Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act of 2013 (H.R. 2810) by a vote of 39-0.\nIn February, Congresswoman Schwartz introduced the bipartisan Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act (H.R. 574) with Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) to repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and set out a clear path toward comprehensive reforms of Medicare payment and delivery systems. The Ways and Means bill incorporates the overarching framework of Schwartz's legislation, including several specific provisions.\n \u201cToday\u2019s vote marks a significant leap forward in the effort to permanently repeal the broken Medicare physician payment system that has threatened seniors\u2019 access to health care for more than a decade. For several years I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a long-term solution to this broken policy that has failed Medicare beneficiaries, taxpayers and those on the frontlines of patient care. We have engaged doctors, hospitals and other health care providers, as well as Medicare beneficiaries, to develop a framework for payment reforms that will transform the way we pay for health care in this country. Schwartz said.\n \n\u201cI strongly support our committee\u2019s effort to end the costly cycle of short-term fixes that has caused instability and uncertainty for seniors, Medicare providers and the federal budget. Working together, we have created a clear pathway to new reimbursement models that reward value instead of volume, improve patient outcomes, reduce Medicare costs and treat providers fairly.\n\u201cWe owe it to seniors across the country to both end the perennial threat to Medicare beneficiaries\u2019 access to medical services and reform the physician payment mechanisms to improve quality, outcomes, efficiency and value in health care. Now is the time to act. I strongly encourage the House to bring our SGR reform bill to the floor and push it over the finish line.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222025146/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-statement-budget-agreeement", "Schwartz Statement on Budget Agreeement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Allyson Schwartz", "S001162", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13), the number two Democrat on the House Budget Committee, released the following statement today after voting for House passage of the bipartisan budget agreement (H. J. Res. 59).\n\u201cThe bipartisan budget agreement is far from perfect but it is an improvement over current law and a step toward fully replacing the damaging sequester cuts that have cost Pennsylvania jobs and put our nation\u2019s economy at risk. This agreement restores resources that are critical for Pennsylvania\u2019s health and economic growth, including investments in early childhood education, public safety and scientific research at the National Institutes of Health. It also ensures that seniors continue to have access to their Medicare doctors while giving Congress more time to reach a long-term, bipartisan solution to repeal the broken Medicare physician payment system.\u00a0\n\u201cIt is unfortunate that House Republican leaders refused to allow a vote to include an extension of expiring long-term unemployment benefits in the budget agreement. If Congress fails to act, more than 86,000 Pennsylvanians who rely on emergency unemployment benefits to pay their mortgage, heat their homes and feed their families will lose their assistance three days after Christmas. Congress should not adjourn for the year until we pass an extension of long-term unemployment benefits that will otherwise expire December 28th.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140302043804/http://rothfus.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=626", "Rothfus Invites Constituents to \"Coffee with Keith\" in Apollo", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Ross Township, PA\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] today invited constituents to join him for \u201cCoffee with Keith\u201d in Apollo.\n\n\t\u201cOn Wednesday, I will be hosting \u2018Coffee with Keith\u2019 at Creekside Diner in Apollo,\u201d said Rothfus. \u201cConstituents are encouraged to stop by to share their thoughts on legislation, to get help with federal agencies, or just to chat.\u201d\n\n\tRothfus also encouraged constituents to suggest locations for future coffees on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/KeithRothfus) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/KeithRothfus).\n\n\t\u201cWhat is your favorite local coffee shop?\u201d asked Rothfus. \u201cLet me know on Facebook and Twitter.\u00a0 You can tweet @KeithRothfus and be sure to include #CoffeeWithKeith.\u00a0 Stay tuned\u2026 \u2018Coffee with Keith\u2019 could be coming to a community and coffee shop near you!\u201d\n\n\t\u201cCoffee with Keith\u201d in Apollo\n\n\tWhere:  \n\tCreekside Diner  \n\t4907 Route 66  \n\tApollo, PA 15613\n\n\tWhen:  \n\tWednesday, December 18, 2013  \n\t10:00 \u2013 11:30AM\n\n\tThese events are open to the public and press.\u00a0 Please contact Edward Yap if you would like to schedule an interview with Congressman Rothfus.\u00a0 For directions or more information, please call the Ross Township office at (412) 837-1361.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140309092241/http://rothfus.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=629", "Rothfus Votes to Support Strong Defense, Servicemembers, Military Families", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after voting for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\t\u201cProviding for a strong defense and supporting our servicemembers and military families are some of Congress\u2019s most important responsibilities,\u201d said Rothfus.\u00a0 \u201cThis bipartisan legislation ensures that the military is ready to respond to challenges around the world and provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to complete their missions.\u00a0 The NDAA also provides funding to continue to modernize our National Guard and Reserve Components.\n\n\t\u201cMore than 171,000 military retirees and family members lost their Tricare Prime coverage on October 1, 2013.\u00a0 To address this, I co-sponsored legislation (H.R. 1971) to direct the Secretary of Defense to provide beneficiaries with the opportunity to retain coverage.\u00a0 As part of the NDAA, these military retirees and family members will have the opportunity to remain on Tricare Prime.\u00a0 In addition, the NDAA rejects the Administration\u2019s proposals to increase or establish new Tricare fees.\n\n\t\u201cImportantly, the bill better protects servicemembers from sexual assault, prosecute offenders, and provide support services to victims.\u201d\n\n\tInformation on Efforts to Combat Sexual Assault in the Military from House Armed Services Committee:\n\n\tThe legislation includes over 30 provisions or reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice related to combatting sexual assault in the military. These reforms would strip commanders of their authority to dismiss a finding by a court martial- a power they have held since the earliest days of our military. It would also prohibit commanders from reducing guilty findings to guilty of a lesser offence. Where servicemembers are found guilty of sexual assault related offenses the NDAA establishes minimum sentencing guidelines. Currently, such guidelines only exist in the military for the crimes of murder and espionage. Personnel records will now include information on sex-related offenses. Recognizing that victim support is as vital as prosecution, the NDAA would allow victims of sexual assault to apply for a permanent change of station or unit transfer, while authorizing the Secretary of Defense to inform commanders of their authority to remove or temporarily reassign servicemembers who are the alleged perpetrators of sexual assault. The NDAA requires the provision of victims\u2019 counsels, qualified and specially trained lawyers in each of the services, to be made available to provide legal assistance to the victims of sex-related offenses. The NDAA adds rape, sexual assault, or other sexual misconduct to the protected communications of servicemembers, with a Member of Congress or an Inspector General- and expands those protections for sexual assault crimes. The NDAA eliminates the 5 year statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault. To better protect victims\u2019 rights, the NDAA reforms the Article 32 process to avoid destructive fishing expeditions and properly focus on probable cause. A number of victim\u2019s rights policies are enshrined in statute. Finally, to ensure that the military is better positioned to deal with the crisis of sexual assault within its ranks, the NDAA requires the Secretary of Defense to assess the current role and authorities of commanders in the administration of military justice and the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.\n\n\tThe National Defense Authorization Act passed the House in a bipartisan 350-69 vote.\u00a0 Click here for more information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140330094117/http://rothfus.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=627", "Rothfus Questions Treasury Secretary Lew, Defends Western PA Priorities", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] questioned U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.\u00a0 Congressman Rothfus questioned Secretary Lew on the impact of Administration regulations on coal plants and jobs, credit unions and community banks, and low-to-moderate income mortgage borrowers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140427132252/http://rothfus.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=628", "House Passes Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after voting for H.J.Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act:\n\n\t\u201cThis agreement is nowhere near perfect.\u00a0 Nobody got all they wanted with this budget,\u201d said Rothfus.\u00a0 \u201cThat is the result of a functioning divided government designed with checks and balances.\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cThe agreement swaps modest but permanent reforms to mandatory spending for temporary and partial relief from the arbitrary sequester cuts.\u00a0 In so doing it will reduce the deficit without raising taxes, and provide for a stronger national defense.\u00a0 It also includes several provisions to tackle fraud and waste.\n\n\t\u201cThis bill also protects seniors\u2019 ability to see their doctors by blocking a dramatic reduction in the Medicare reimbursement rate scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2014.\u201d\n\n\t\u201cMuch more needs to be done to rein in big government and address our fiscal challenges in ways that reduce spending, ensure that critical social service programs are solvent for those who need them, and increase job opportunities, wages, and salaries for workers.\u201d\n\n\tThe Bipartisan Budget Agreement passed in the House of Representatives by a bipartisan 332-94 vote.\u00a0\n\n\tAdditional Resources:\n\tSpending Cuts Included\n\tFAQ About the Bipartisan Budget Agreement\n\tSummary from the House Budget Committee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140623100336/http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=680", "Meehan: Israeli Consulate in Philadelphia to Remain Open", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today U.S. Representative Patrick Meehan (PA-07) welcomed the news that the Israeli Consulate in Philadelphia will remain open. Meehan sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month upon learning of a possible closure.\n\n\t\u201cI\u2019m very pleased that the Consulate will continue to operate in Philadelphia, and thank the Israeli government for its continued commitment to the region,\u201d said Meehan. \u201cIts location in Philadelphia serves the national security and economic interests of both the United States and Israel. The relationship between our region and Israel, as well as the advancement of our mutual interests, are best served by the continued official presence of the Consulate.\u201d\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/after-casey-effort-israeli-consulate-to-remain-in-philadelphia", "After Casey Effort, Israeli Consulate to Remain in Philadelphia", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) praised news that the Israeli government has decided to keep its Philadelphia-based consulate open. \u00a0Senator Casey, a member of the National Security Working Group and co-chair of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Caucus, wrote Israel\u2019s Prime Minister urging him to keep the consulate open.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that Israel\u2019s government has decided to keep its Consulate General in Philadelphia open,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cIsrael, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania have a strong history of economic, cultural and political partnerships and its good news that the Consulate will continue to play a role in that relationship throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nHis Excellency\r\nBenjamin Netanyahu\r\nPrime Minister of Israel\r\nDear Prime Minister Netanyahu:\u00a0\r\nIt has recently come to my attention that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel is considering closure of its consulate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\u00a0 I am writing to respectfully urge you not to shutter this consulate, which is important for maintaining the strong, longstanding relationship between the people of Israel and the people of my home state of Pennsylvania.\u00a0\r\nAs you will remember from your time living in our beautiful region, Philadelphia is a vibrant economic, political, and cultural hub for the East Coast.\u00a0 Curtailing Israel\u2019s official representation in Philadelphia would adversely impact the historically strong ties that Pennsylvanians have enjoyed with Israel.\u00a0\r\nI understand from the Pennsylvania \u2013 Israel Chamber of Commerce that approximately $5 billion of U.S. exports to Israel pass through the greater Philadelphia region every year.\u00a0 Further, they report that the greater Philadelphia region boasts the second largest Jewish population on the East Coast and the fifth largest in the nation. The area is home to some of the top educational, medical, and research institutions in the United States, many of which have enjoyed fruitful partnerships with counterparts in Israel.\r\nI appreciate the longstanding, special partnership between the United States and Israel, and I meet regularly with constituents who share this conviction. During my time in the Senate, I have given particular focus to issues important to both our countries\u2019 national security and economic growth.\u00a0 While I understand you are weighing competing priorities in a challenging financial environment, I believe that keeping the Israeli Consulate in Philadelphia open is vital to the furtherance of our two nation\u2019s shared goals.\u00a0\r\nThank you for your consideration of my request, and I look forward to continuing to work with you and your government on issues of mutual concern.\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/as-winter-sets-in-casey-introduces-legislation-to-help-prevent-deaths-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning", "As Winter Sets In, Casey Introduces Legislation to Help Prevent Deaths from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 As winter sets in, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation to help prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. The Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide support for public safety education and to encourage installment of safe and reliable carbon monoxide detectors.\r\n\u201cPennsylvania has seen far too many accidental deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis is a commonsense step that will help protect Pennsylvania families through increased awareness and the increased availability of monitors.\u201d\r\n   According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over 400 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits as a result of CO poisoning each year and the highest percentage of CO exposures occurs during the winter months of December, January, and February.\u00a0\r\nBill Summary\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nAcknowledges the value of CO alarm and detection devices by promoting their purchase and installation in residential homes and dwellings nationwide.\r\nEncourages states to require residential CO detection devices and establishes a federal grant program in the amount of $10M total over a period of five years to provide assistance to these states to carry out a CO education program. The grants would help pay for the development of training materials and for buying and installing alarms in schools and the homes of low-income and elderly people.\r\nPlaces importance on effective devices that meet rigorous safety standards. Consumers should have the confidence that their properly installed and maintained CO alarm will function appropriately in the presence of dangerous CO levels, while avoiding unwanted nuisance alarming that may otherwise cause them to doubt the accuracy of the alarm.\r\nDefines approved devices for the purposes of this bill as those compliant with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 and UL 2075.\u00a0 These voluntary performance standards are recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).\r\n \r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/health-centers-to-help-uninsured-americans-gain-affordable-health", "Health centers to help uninsured Americans gain affordable health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) has released $2,193,970 in grant awards to 38 Pennsylvania health centers currently working to enroll uninsured Americans in new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act.\u00a0 With these funds, health centers can expand their enrollment assistance efforts as more Americans enroll in affordable health insurance coverage. Across the nation, 1,157 health centers will receive $58 million in grant awards.\n\u201cWith these awards, health centers will be able to meet immediate needs, including expanding the hours of existing outreach and enrollment assistance workers, and hiring new or temporary outreach and enrollment assistance workers,\u201d said Cartwright.\nLocal grant recipients include the Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania base in Wilkes-Barre and the Scranton Primary Health Care Center, Inc. based in Scranton.\u00a0 The two centers were awarded $127,926 and $83,288, respectively.\n\u201cToday\u2019s awards build upon the efforts of health centers in Pennsylvania to help uninsured Americans gain health insurance coverage,\u201d Secretary Sebelius said.\u00a0 \u201cThis investment means that Pennsylvania health centers can provide expanded assistance for individuals looking for resources to help them understand their insurance options and enroll in affordable coverage.\u201d\n\u201cHaving more opportunities in Pennsylvania for face-to-face enrollment assistance from trusted resources at local health centers means that more individuals will get the help they need to sign up by the end of the open enrollment period on March 31, 2014,\u201d said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D, R.N.\nThese awards, issued by HRSA, complement and align with other federal efforts to help Americans get access to affordable health insurance coverage. Today\u2019s awards also build upon earlier health center program investments of $150 million nationwide to support outreach and enrollment activities. \u00a0\nTo see a list of grantees in Pennsylvania, visit:https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/outreachandenrollment/pa.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=526", "Shuster to Introduce Bill to Ban In-Flight Cell Phone Calls", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) plans to introduce a bill today prohibiting in-flight cell phone voice communications on commercial aviation flights.  \r\n\t\u00a0  \r\n\tShuster\u2019s legislation, the \u201cProhibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act of 2013,\u201d comes in the wake of the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) announced plans to review the current ban on the use of cell phones for calls in the aircraft cabin during flights.  \r\n\t\u00a0  \r\n\t\u201cLet\u2019s face it, airplane cabins are by nature noisy, crowded, and confined,\u201d Shuster said.\u00a0 \u201cFor the most part, passengers are looking for ways to make their flights go by as quickly and quietly as possible.\u00a0 Pilots and flight attendants are focused on ensuring a safe and comfortable flight for everyone onboard.  \r\n\t\u00a0  \r\n\t\u201cFor passengers, being able to use their phones and tablets to get online or send text messages is a useful in-flight option.\u00a0 But if passengers are going to be forced to listen to the gossip in the aisle seat, it\u2019s going to make for a very long flight,\u201d Shuster said.\u00a0 \u201cFor those few hours in the air with 150 other people, it\u2019s just common sense that we all keep our personal lives to ourselves and stay off the phone.\u201d  \r\n\t\u00a0  \r\n\tThe legislation simply prohibits use of mobile devices for voice communications during the in-flight portion of any scheduled domestic commercial flight, exempting any on-duty members of the flight crew and flight attendants, or federal law enforcement personnel acting in an official capacity.  \r\n\t\u00a0  \r\n\tClick here to read the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=527", "Shuster Fights to Protect Volunteer Firefighters from Obamacare", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington \u2013 Congressman Bill Shuster announced today that he is an original cosponsor of H.R. 3685, the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act. This bill would protect volunteer firefighters from the Obamacare mandate that forces volunteer companies with 50 or more members to pay for their members\u2019 health insurance, a move that would cripple our volunteer firefighting force. \u201cOver 90% of Pennsylvania\u2019s firefighters are volunteers who bravely protect both families and homes across the state. It is unconscionable to force these heroes out of their positions by making it impossible for volunteer fire stations to remain open. Those helping their community should not be punished with this type of reckless mandate.\u201d Because it classifies volunteers as employees, Obamacare forces fire companies with more than 50 volunteers to provide health insurance for those that work more than 30 hours a week, a fact that Shuster highlights as a common occurrence among volunteer firefighters. The Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act ensures that volunteers are actually classified as volunteers, not as employees, to allow volunteer departments to continue operating. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are 1,800 registered fire departments in Pennsylvania, and 97% of the firefighters in the state are volunteers or mostly volunteers. \u201cThis is just another one of the countless examples of how Obamacare is hurting everyday people across Pennsylvania. From over 250,000 people losing their preferred health insurance, to increased premiums, website problems, and now penalizing our volunteer firefighters, it is clear that Obamacare is only hurting Pennsylvanians,\u201d said Shuster. \u201cThese citizens make the decision to volunteer not because they want insurance or a paycheck, but because they want to help in their towns and communities. They are the everyday heroes who help make America great, and it\u2019s absurd to think that the President\u2019s law is going to force them to stop serving. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 3685, to ensure that does not happen.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-advances-fight-against-health-care-law%E2%80%99s-mandates-volunteer-firefighting-and", "Thompson Advances Fight Against Health Care Law\u2019s Mandates on Volunteer Firefighting and Emergency Organizations", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-5) today joined fellow Members of Congress in holding a press conference to discuss the introduction of the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act (H.R. 3685), which will ensure that emergency services volunteers are not counted as full-time employees under the employer mandate in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). \u00a0\n\t\u201cUnder the President\u2019s health care law, volunteer firefighting organizations could potentially be defined as employers, meaning they would be forced to provide health insurance to their volunteers or be subject to penalties. If not corrected or clarified this provision has the potential to close volunteer fire houses across the commonwealth,\u201d stated Rep. Thompson, a 30-year volunteer firefighter, EMT, and state-certified Rescue Technician. \u201cThis bill is about providing certainty to our local volunteer organizations and standing up for those who put their lives on the line protecting our communities.\u201d\n\n\tUnder the ACA\u2019s employer mandate, volunteer organizations with 50 or more employees could be forced to provide health insurance or pay penalties. H.R. 3685 would ensure that volunteer firefighters and EMTs are not counted as employees under the law.\n\tIn September, Representative Lou Barletta (PA-11), the bill\u2019s sponsor, sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel seeking clarification for volunteer fire companies. The IRS has not responded to the letter.\n\tOver 97% of Pennsylvania\u2019s fire departments \u2013 and 90% nationwide - are served by community volunteers.\u00a0 Fire companies could exceed the 50 employee threshold in several different ways: by themselves based on their size, by being part of a larger combined force under several different chiefs, or by being part of a municipality that has 50 or more public employees in total. \u00a0\n\tH.R. 3685 is supported by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1218", "Sen. Toomey?s Statement On Final Volker Rule [press_release]", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement about the Volker Rule being finalized.\n\"One of the problems with this more than 1,000-page regulation is that it undermines banks' essential role as a market-maker for essential securities.  The Volker Rule will increase the cost of capital for Pennsylvania companies and hurt economic growth.  In fact, the underlying legislation and the regulators tacitly admit this rule's harmful impact on the cost of capital by their decision to exempt certain borrowers from it - namely, the federal government and foreign governments.  But then why should a government overseas be exempt from this harmful rule while an employer in Pennsylvania is not?\n\"Rather than layering on more complicated red tape that picks winners and losers and hurts job creation, I believe we should be supporting capital formation and finally doing away with current policies that propagate \u2018too big to fail' and expose taxpayers to more bailouts down the road.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1219", "Sens. Toomey & Casey Working To Stop EPA?s Dangerous Regulation Of Fire Hydrants [press_release]", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa) are working together to bolster fire safety and protect local governments from a dangerous and expensive new mandate.  Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) have also supported Sen. Toomey's bipartisan legislation which prohibits Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversight of fire hydrants.\nThe need for this bill stems from a recent EPA policy that will require local governments to replace malfunctioning fire hydrants with new independently certified lead-free fire hydrants.  This EPA regulation essentially makes it impossible for local governments to repair fire hydrants or replace them with existing inventory.  Additionally, it is uncertain whether fire hydrants that meet the new criteria are actually available for purchase.\n\"It is absurd that the EPA has handed down this costly mandate, which will fall directly on the backs of local governments,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"The implementation of this EPA rule will force local governments to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants idle until adequate funds and products are available-- which poses an undeniable threat to public safety.\"\n\"The regulation issued by EPA will prove too costly and too burdensome for Pennsylvania's fire departments and could threaten public safety,\" Sen. Casey said. \"Passing this bipartisan legislation will allow our first responders to continue their lifesaving work while aiding municipalities looking to replace aging fire hydrants.\"\nAs a result of this rule, local governments across the country will be forced to leave malfunctioning fire hydrants out-of-service until sufficient numbers of new compliant fire hydrants can be purchased and installed.  The cost of purchasing new fire hydrants every time an existing fire hydrant malfunctions will place considerable financial strain on local governments, and place the safety of communities across the country at-risk.\nCompanion legislation was unanimously adopted by the House on December 2nd.\nSeveral of Pennsylvania's local government associations and municipalities support the efforts of Sens. Toomey and Casey on this issue: \n\"The Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML) applauds Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey for introducing the Community Fire Safety Act of 2013.  This legislation will save local governments across the nation millions of dollars by exempting fire hydrants from lead content standards for drinking water infrastructure.  Like most communities, Pennsylvania's municipalities are very budget conscious and cannot afford the substantial mandate the EPA's interpretation would impose.  PML supports S. 1779,\" said PML Executive Director- Richard J. Schuettler. \nThe PA State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) applauds Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey in addressing an unfunded mandate that will result in substantial cost to local governments and their residents with minimal benefits,\" said PSATS Executive Director- David Sanko.\n\"An unfunded mandate of this magnitude could cost boroughs across Pennsylvania thousands of dollars in retrofits and inventory loss.  The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) thanks Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey for their support of this common-sense legislation,\" said PSAB Government Affairs Director- Ed Troxell.\n\"Excluding fire hydrants from the No-Lead Rule is imperative to the continued efficient operations of the Erie Water Works.  Without the appropriate legislation, dozens of hydrants currently in inventory at the Water Works would be rendered useless, costing the Water Works tens of thousands of dollars in replacement costs.  Additionally, not having hydrants readily available in stock to replace broken or unusable fire hydrants would also lead to a degradation of public fire protection, as inoperable hydrants would remain \"out of service\" until compliant hydrants were available,\" said Erie Water Works CEO/CFO- Paul D. Vojtek.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=D9C16E60-1B61-4153-B371-43400CE77A1F", "Dent Sees Budget Deal as Important Step Forward", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cThis solid, modest budget agreement represents significant progress in demonstrating to the American people that Congress has the capacity to govern.\u00a0 The agreement means that the potential threat of another looming government shutdown is largely eliminated \u2013not only this year \u2013 but next year as well. This is important because certainty, predictability and stability are a foundation upon which economic growth can be built.\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Agreement advances efforts to reduce the deficit and the debt, but it does so in a more responsible and balanced way than the indiscriminate Sequester cuts. In fact, total deficit reduction derived from this agreement is actually $23 billion more than would be achieved under the Sequester alone.\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0It\u2019s time that Congress returned to the \u201cregular order\u201d approach to accomplishing the business of the American people. Is this an earth-shattering grand bargain? No, but it does represent an important bipartisan understanding that in a divided government, where no one party controls both the legislative and the executive branches, progress must be incremental and compromise is necessary to keep the nation functioning. In that regard, this is an important agreement.\u201d\r\n\u00a0###\r\nContact: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131214040936/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov:80/press-release/fitzpatrick-volunteer-fire-depts-shouldn%E2%80%99t-get-burned-aca", "Fitzpatrick: Volunteer Fire Depts. Shouldn\u2019t get Burned by ACA", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) is following up on a letter sent to the Internal Revenue Service in early October asking for clarification about the potential impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on local volunteer fire departments. After not hearing from the IRS for over two months, Fitzpatrick joined other lawmakers in introducing the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act [H.R. 3685] which would clarify the ruling about the status of volunteer fire companies under the ACA and exempt volunteer fire fighters from the ACA\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds employer mandate.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdAs it stands right now, volunteer fire departments are potentially considered employers, and their firefighters as paid employees \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd meaning, they\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdre subject to the same mandates and penalties found in the president\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds healthcare law for businesses,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd said Fitzpatrick. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThis interpretation would be devastating to volunteer fire companies and our safety throughout Bucks and Montgomery County.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThis is a concern I\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdve been hearing from volunteer firefighters around the district for months, which is why I wrote a letter to IRS Acting Commissioner Werfel asking for a clarification,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd continued Fitzpatrick. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdAs we approach the deadline I think they need clarity\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd this bill does that by ensuring the IRS cannot misinterpret Obamacare.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\nFitzpatrick\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds letter highlighted concerns that currently the IRS treats all firefighters - volunteer or paid - as employees for federal tax purposes.\ufffd\ufffd However, this status under the ACA could fall under the law\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds \ufffd\ufffd?Shared Responsibility Provision\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd and result fines for fire companies who don\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdt provide health insurance.\nOver 97% of Pennsylvania\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds fire departments \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd and 90% nationwide - are served by community volunteers.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThe administration has admitted there are flaws in the bill. Unfortunately, just because this may have been an oversight in a massive piece of legislation doesn\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdt mean it\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds not the law,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd continued Fitzpatrick. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThe reality is that many non-profit emergency service organizations don\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdt have the means to resources to comply with this ill-advised requirement as it currently stands. We need to be supporting our first responders, not handcuffing them with red tape.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWe are an all-volunteer fire company that is being penalized for our ability to attract and retain members to protect the community,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd said Charles Rumble, President of the Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThere is no way that we - or our community that supports us - can bear that cost of offering insurance. We would be forced to shut down and our community forced to seek substantially more costly and diminished fire protection alternatives.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\n\"Local governments and volunteer fire/EMS agencies highlight everything that's right about our great nation - community members committed to the protection and well-being of their families, friends and neighbors. I applaud Congressman Fitzpatrick for working to ensure that these selfless volunteers - aren't unfairly penalized by the overreaching bureaucracy of groups within the federal government,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd said David M. Sanko, Execitive Director of the PA State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS). \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThe IRS must provide clear guidance on exemptions for volunteers from this potentially costly unintended consequence of the ACA. This legislation from Congressman Fitzpatrick and others in the House does that in a commonsense, no-frills way.\"\nThe Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act is supported by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.\ufffd\ufffd Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate Tuesday by Senators Warner, Manchin, Collins, King and Toomey.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdLocal volunteer fire departments don\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdt want to be in the middle of a political squabble, they just want to know the law and make sure they\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdre not hurt by it. We as lawmakers owe them that,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Fitzpatrick added.\n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140804134125/http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=679", "Meehan-Backed Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act Passes House", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Meehan-Backed Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act Passes House\n\n\tLegislation increases funding for pediatric research, cuts spending on political conventions\n\n\tWASHINGTON, DC \u2013The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2019, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, by a vote of 295-103. Co-sponsored by Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-07), the Kids First Research Act increases funding for research on pediatric diseases or disorders such as autism by cutting federal spending on partisan presidential nominating conventions.\n\n\t\u201cThis legislation is a fine example of Congress making prudent choices about how it spends the taxpayers\u2019 dollars,\u201d said Rep. Meehan. \u201cWe\u2019re reducing unnecessary spending on partisan political events and directing it to spending priorities \u2013 in this case, research to fight pediatric conditions like autism.\u201d\n\n\t\u201cThis means more lifesaving research that will bring us closer to understanding these conditions, and it means better outcomes for children that live with them. I applaud Leader Cantor for his effort on behalf of American children and I urge the Senate to act to follow suit.\u201d\n\n\tMeehan has long been an advocate for families with children coping with pediatric conditions like autism, helping to lead one of the first Congressional hearings on autism in more than a decade. Earlier this year, he invited an autism early-intervention teacher from Delaware County as his guest for the President\u2019s State of the Union address to highlight the work done by the countless parents, educators and caregivers that support children with autism.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/at-hearing-casey-secures-commitment-from-irs-nominee-to-quickly-address-aca-volunteer-firefighters-issue-", "At Hearing Casey Secures Commitment from IRS Nominee to Quickly Address ACA, Volunteer Firefighters Issue", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. \u00a0Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has secured a commitment from John Andrew Koskinen, nominee to be the next Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, that concerns raised by volunteer firefighters about Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements will be quickly addressed.\r\n\u201cPennsylvania has a long and proud tradition of volunteer firefighters and I\u2019m pleased that the likely next head of the IRS has committed to addressing this issue,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cOur volunteer firefighters make tremendous sacrifices on our behalf and I believe it\u2019s critical that IRS quickly clear up this confusion over the Affordable Care Act.\u201d\r\nSome fire companies with over 50 volunteer firefighters have raised concerns about whether they are required to provide health insurance for\u00a0these volunteers under the ACA.\u00a0 With already tight budgets, many volunteer fire companies were worried about the uncertainty of additional costs.\r\nAs a member of the Finance Committee, Senator Casey has oversight over the IRS and the Committee is charged with confirming its next Commissioner. During today\u2019s confirmation hearing Casey secured a commitment from the nominee to address this issue on behalf of Pennsylvania\u2019s volunteer firefighters. The nominees said it would be one of the first issues he addresses.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-pushes-for-passage-of-bill-to-prevent-flood-insurance-hikes-on-thousands-of-pennsylvanians-before-years-end", "Casey Pushes for Passage of Bill to Prevent Flood Insurance Hikes on Thousands of Pennsylvanians Before Year’s End", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- With over 30,000 Pennsylvania policyholders potentially impacted, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), today, called for passage of legislation that will forestall flood insurance hikes. This bipartisan legislation has support in both houses of Congress and would protect Pennsylvanians, some of whom are beginning to feel the first impacts of these hikes. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Casey pushed for the Senate to quickly act on this legislation before steeper rate hikes take effect. Pennsylvania\u00a0would be the 7th most impacted state in the country without passing this legislation.\r\n\u201cI have called on the Senate to take up this legislation soon to give certainty to homeowners across Pennsylvania,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal that could prevent drastic rate hikes for over 30,000 policyholders across the state.\u201d\r\nThe potential increase in flood insurance rates is coming as a result of the Biggert-Waters Reform Act of 2012. Because of the way the legislation calculates flood risks, up to 30,000 policies in Pennsylvania could eventually see increases. \u00a0\r\nThe Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act would:\r\n \r\nDelay rate increases for:\r\n \r\n \r\nAll homes and businesses that are currently \u201cgrandfathered.\u201d\u00a0 These are properties that were built to code and later remapped into a higher risk area.\u00a0 Prior to Biggert-Waters, these policyholders were not penalized for relying on inaccurate FEMA flood maps.\r\nAll properties that purchased a new policy after July 6, 2012, before they were legally required to purchase insurance.\r\nAll properties sold after July 6, 2012.\u00a0 New homeowners and business owners will continue to receive the same treatment as the previous owner unless they trigger another provision in Biggert-Waters such as Severe Repetitive Loss, non-primary residence, substantial damage, etc.\r\n \r\n \r\nSeek assurances of FEMA\u2019s ability to accurately determine flood risk.\r\nEstablish a Flood Insurance Advocate within FEMA.\r\nAllow FEMA to use the National Flood Insurance Fund to reimburse policyholders who successfully appeal a map determination\r\n \r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nThe Honorable Harry Reid\r\nMajority Leader, United States Senate\r\nS-221 Capitol Building\r\nWashington, DC 20510\r\nDear Majority Leader Reid:\r\nI am writing to encourage action on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. This bipartisan legislation would prevent unaffordable flood insurance rate hikes affecting homeowners across the country, including thousands in my home state of Pennsylvania.\r\nTimely consideration by the Senate is essential. Under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, FEMA is implementing changes that will result in dramatic rate increases for a wide range of homeowners, from senior citizens who have been remapped into flood risk areas to prospective home sellers whose property values are being driven down by rate increases. The rate hikes, which in many cases are as high as 25 percent annually, impose a burden that many homeowners cannot afford.\r\nIt is essential that we strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program, but we should also make sure that homeowners get the protection they need at affordable rates. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act strikes the right balance by delaying certain rate increases until FEMA completes an affordability study already mandated by the Biggert-Waters reform bill. It also establishes an effective framework for maintaining affordability in the future by creating a Flood Insurance Advocate within FEMA and allowing policyholders to receive compensation from the National Flood Insurance Fund. This bill will ensure that we strengthen flood insurance in a way that is fair and sensible for the thousands of Americans who count on it.\r\nAs rate hikes continue to impact a growing number of homeowners, it is imperative that we provide relief and set a foundation for a sustainable, affordable flood insurance program.\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221091326/http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/press-release/fitzpatrick-recognizes-%E2%80%98made-america-month%E2%80%99-pushes-bipartisan-%E2%80%98made-america-act%E2%80%99", "Fitzpatrick Recognizes \u2018Made in America Month\u2019, Pushes Bipartisan \u2018Made in America Act\u2019", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Michael Fitzpatrick", "F000451", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released the following statement Tuesday in recognition of \u2018Made in America Month\u2019 in which he continued advocating for consideration of his bipartisan Made in America Act [H.R. 2664]:\n It\u2019s no surprise that December is one of the biggest retail month of the year for American businesses and manufacturers. Between the holidays and the onset of the winter weather, consumers are ready to buy \u2013 and studies show they\u2019re ready to buy American.\nIn 1985, President Reagan proclaimed December as \u2018Made in America Month\u2019 \u2013 a time to \u2018recognize and celebrate the excellence of American products.\u2019 This year, we mark \u2018Made in America Month\u2019 with the same goals: to highlight the strength and importance of American business and the American worker through supporting producers right here in our communities.\nI believe every month is \u2018Made in America Month.\u2019 That\u2019s why I\u2019ve joined with Congressman John Carney (D-DE) in introducing the bipartisan \u2018Made in America Act\u2019 \u2013 simple legislation that connects American businesses and American consumers like never before. By streamlining the process, this bill allows consumers to easily identify real, American-made products while incentivizing American manufacturers to make and sell locally.\nThis \u2018Made in America Month\u2019, I\u2019m joining the millions of other Americans in supporting the American-made economy and pushing for a Washington that empowers Americans businesses.\n \nFitzpatrick introduced the Made in America Act in July, announcing it at a press event at K\u2019nex in Hatfield, Montgomery County. More information about the event and legislation is available HERE\n###\nCongressman Mike Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th district which includes all of Bucks County as well as a portion of Montgomery County. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221225331/http://brady.house.gov/press-release/congressman-brady-presents-check-harambee-charter-school-support-school%E2%80%99s-basketball", "Congressman Brady presents check to Harambee Charter School in support of the schools basketball program", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Robert Brady", "B001227", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\tCONTACT: Karen Warrington  \n\t(215)389-4627  \n\tKaren.warrington@mail.house.gov\n\n\tPhiladelphia --- In spite of today\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds harsh weather Congressman Bob Brady (D., PA) showed up at the Harambee Charter School to hand over a check for $2,100 to support the school\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds boys and girls basketball teams.\nThe check from the Greater Philadelphia Traditions fund will pay for league fees and team uniforms. Presenting the check to Harambee Athletic Director Anthony Medlock, Brady said, \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThis school is in the First Congressional District and in the heart of neighborhood I grew up in. And, I wanted to make sure that these students would be able to continue their basketball program.\ufffd\ufffd?\n\tMedlock said, \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdCongressman Brady is a man of his word. I talked to him at a community event and asked for his help and he promised he would see to it that these students would be able to play this season. And, here he is today, in spite of the weather.\ufffd\ufffd?\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222540/http://schwartz.house.gov/press-release/schwartz-urges-passage-bill-strengthen-social-security", "Schwartz Urges Passage of Bill to Strengthen Social Security", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Allyson Schwartz", "S001162", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) today called on the House to pass the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 (H.R. 3118) to boost existing benefits while ensuring that Social Security is stronger for future generations.\n \u201cFar too many Pennsylvanians are concerned about whether they will have enough money to live comfortably when they retire. We have an obligation to ensure that American seniors who have spent a lifetime working hard, saving for their retirement and paying into Social Security have the dignity and financial independence they deserve,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cThis bill ensures that Social Security continues to provide the bedrock of retirement security for millions of Americans today and in the decades to come.\u201d\n \nIn Pennsylvania alone, Social Security provides more than 1.7 million seniors with the foundation for a dignified retirement. Social Security also provides benefits to more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians with disabilities and more than 192,000 children. \u00a0\nSchwartz is a cosponsor of the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013, which Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38) introduced in September. The bill increases benefits and extends the solvency of the Social Security trust fund an additional 17 years, through 2049. The legislation:\n Changes the benefit calculation formula the Social Security Administration uses, which would boost benefits for Social Security beneficiaries by approximately $65 per month.\nEnsures that benefits adequately reflect cost increases facing seniors by changing the way the Social Security Administration calculates Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). Under the bill, future COLAs will be based on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). \u00a0\nExtends the Social Security Trust Fund\u2019s solvency by gradually phasing out the current taxable cap of $113,700.\n As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Social Security and as a member of the Seniors Task Force, Schwartz has long been a champion for preserving Social Security and has fought tirelessly to protect and strengthen it. Throughout her tenure in Congress, she has opposed efforts to privatize these guaranteed retirement benefits that have helped millions of Americans for more than 75 years.\nSens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are leading the effort in the Senate to expand Social Security. The Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 is the House companion to legislation (S. 567) Harkin introduced in March. The House version has been referred to the House Education and the Workforce Committee, as well as the House Committee on Ways and Means, on which Schwartz serves.\nThe legislation is supported by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, Campaign for Community Change, the National Organization for Women (NOW), Strengthen Social Security Coalition, Social Security Works, the United Automobile Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), and United Steelworkers.\u00a0\nSTATEMENTS OF SUPPORT\nMax Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare: \u00a0\u201cOn behalf of the millions of members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I am writing to express appreciation for your continued strong leadership on behalf of America\u2019s seniors and most recently your co-sponsorship of H.R. 3118, the \u201cStrengthen Social Security Act of 2013,\u201d Richtman wrote in a letter to Schwartz. \u201cThe National Committee appreciates your efforts to preserve Social Security for the long term, and your recognition of the importance of this issue to Americans of all ages. \u00a0Pennsylvania\u2019s 90,000 National Committee members and supporters know that as a member of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee you are helping to lead the ongoing fight against Social Security privatization and that they can always count on you!\u201d\nNancy Altman and Eric Kingson, Co-chairs, Strengthen Social Security Coalition: \u201cRep. Allyson Schwartz's support for expanding Social Security shows that she stands with the vast majority of Americans who believe that our country is a place where hard work and playing by the rules are rewarded with the ability to retire with dignity. She joins a growing number of national leaders who recognize that the time has come to expand Social Security. \u00a0We thank Rep. Schwartz for her leadership on strengthening Social Security by expanding it.\u201d\nCampaign for Community Change Managing Director Mary Lassen: \u201cThe Campaign for Community Change has worked with seniors and others throughout the country who depend on Social Security and are fighting to defend our Social Security system against the cuts proposed in Congress. \u00a0A grassroots movement for retirement security has been successful thus far in warding off such cuts, and through the Strengthening Social Security Act the debate is now about how to expand this vital anti-poverty system. \u00a0We applaud Rep. Schwartz for being an initial co-sponsor for HR-3118 and look forward to continuing the push together for a Social Security System that allows all Americans to retire with dignity.\u201d\nSen. Tom Harkin: \u201cAmericans from all walks of life are facing a retirement crisis and are deeply worried that they will not have enough money to live on when they stop working. \u00a0We need to do more to ensure that after a lifetime of hard work seniors are able to retire with dignity. I am pleased to have Rep. Schwartz as a supporter of legislation to strengthen Social Security by expanding benefits, extending the life of the Trust Fund, and ensuring that everyone pays into Social Security equally. I look forward to working with her and others to fight to protect and expand Social Security in the months ahead.\u201d\u00a0\nUAW President Bob King: \u201cI am proud to thank Rep. Allyson Schwartz for her long and storied history of standing up for America\u2019s seniors. I strongly encourage other Members of Congress to join her in cosponsoring the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013. \u00a0Growing income inequality weakens our middle class and threatens our democracy. Congress must act to reverse this troubling trend by enacting policies that help working families retire in dignity. This legislation is long overdue and would go a long way in ensuring the retirement security of millions of Americas. At a time when income security for seniors is less and less certain, we need to find ways as a nation to strengthen Social Security\u2014not weaken it. The Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013 does just that by increasing benefits and extending the solvency of the Social Security trust fund an additional 17 years, through 2049. This bill brings more fairness to people who have lived by the rules, worked hard, & contributed so much to our country.\u201d\nDiane Menio, Executive Director of the Philadelphia-based Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE): \u00a0\u201cWe are grateful that Congresswoman Schwartz has fought so hard to protect Social Security over the years and we are pleased that she is pushing to get this legislation passed. As one of Congresswoman Schwartz's constituents, I know how devoted she is to protecting seniors and making sure that Social Security is strong for seniors today and in the decades ahead.\u201d\nAFL-CIO Government Affairs Director Bill Samuel: \u201cThe decline in traditional pensions, coupled with stock market losses in retirement savings plans and diminished home equity, means that Social Security is all the more critical to Americans\u2019 retirement security. \u00a0Allyson Schwartz wisely recognizes that Social Security is an obvious solution to our nation\u2019s retirement income deficit. \u00a0As our nation\u2019s most successful, cost-efficient, and popular government program, Social Security should not just be strengthened, it should be expanded.\u201d\nRaechel Hammer, Vice President of the Raymond and Miriam Klein JCC in Philadelphia: \u201cCongresswoman Allyson Schwartz has been a long-standing advocate for seniors. Her history of support for legislation that benefits our senior community such as Social Security, Medicare, Civic Engagement and many others is well known and recognized both locally and nationally. We applaud her continued efforts to support our eldest community members and protect those who are vulnerable and at-risk in our society.\u201d \u00a0\nRobin Burstein, Executive Director of Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services: \u201cWith the costs of living consistently increasing and so much uncertainty in the future, more older adults are dependent on the Social Security system than ever before. \u00a0Social Security benefits must be raised to meet the increasing costs of living and it must be preserved well into the future to ensure it meets the increased demand from the growing number of older adults reaching retirement age. That is why I appreciate and support Congresswoman Schwartz\u2019s consistent effort to strengthen Social Security and ensure our seniors receive the benefits they contributed towards and depend upon to live with dignity in their older age.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140504210616/http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=677", "Bipartisan Defense Bill Includes Meehan/Speier Protections for Assault Victims", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Defense Bill Includes Meehan/Speier Protections for Assault Victims\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0Bipartisan compromise legislation announced today by House and Senate negotiators includes provisions sponsored by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R/PA-7) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D/CA-14) that protect the victims of sexual assault in the military.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tAccording to a fact sheet\u00a0distributed by the House Armed Services Committee, the compromise agreement includes a number of reforms that address the issue of sexual assault in the military. The deal strips commanders of their authority to dismiss a finding by a court martial. It would also prohibit commanders from reducing guilty findings to guilty of a lesser offence. Earlier this year, Meehan and Speier introduced\u00a0legislation that removes this authority.\u00a0This issue earned national attention when a sexual assault conviction was\u00a0overturned by a commander in Italy.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cThe men and women who serve our nation in uniform should have confidence that victims of sexual assault will be treated fairly and that the perpetrators will face justice,\u201d Meehan said. \u201cThese measures are prudent, responsible reforms that protect the victims of sexual assault in our military.\u201d\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cI commend Chairman McKeon, Chairman Levin and their colleagues for including these vital protections in their legislation and I urge both the House and the Senate to pass it promptly,\u201d Meehan said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140801085035/http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=678", "Meehan Continues Fight Against ObamaCare Mandates on Fire Companies", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Meehan Continues Fight Against ObamaCare Mandates on Fire Companies\n\n\tCo-Sponsors Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act\n\n\tWASHINGTON, DC \u2013Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today joined his colleagues in the House to co-sponsor the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act, which will ensure that emergency services volunteers are not counted as full-time employees under the employer mandate in ObamaCare.\n\n\tMeehan co-sponsored the legislation after sending a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel in September seeking answers for volunteer fire companies. The IRS has not responded to this letter. Meehan joined the National Volunteer Fire Council and the\u00a0International Association of Fire Chiefs who also sent letters to Commissioner Werfel about this issue.\n\n\t\u201cRequiring volunteer fire companies to comply with the \u2018Shared Responsibility\u2019 mandates and consider their volunteers as full-time employees would not extend health insurance to the uninsured,\u201d Meehan wrote. \u201cIt would cost communities volunteers and risk shuttering firehouses. I urge the IRS to immediately clarify its treatment of volunteer firefighters regarding the employer mandate, providing certainty to small communities and volunteers who serve them.\u201d\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/31-us-senators-urge-reauthorization-of-key-unemployment-insurance-program", "31 U.S. Senators Urge Reauthorization of Key Unemployment Insurance Program", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 In an effort to prevent more than 1.3 million long-term unemployed workers from losing their unemployment insurance at the end of December -- and millions more from having no benefits after their initial 26 weeks of unemployment insurance (UI) are exhausted during the course of 2014 \u2013 a group of 31 U.S. Senators, led by Jack Reed (D-RI), today sent a letter urging Congress to preserve federal unemployment insurance for another year.\r\nWith just 23 days before federal UI benefits are set to expire, the Senators wrote: \u201cWe are writing to urge the continuation of federal support for unemployment insurance, a critical component of our ongoing recovery and a lifeline to millions of Americans as they search for work in this challenging economy.\u00a0 As it stands now, a few days after the holiday season ends, unemployment insurance will abruptly terminate, cutting off support for 1.3 million Americans.\u201d\r\nThe unemployment insurance system is a partnership between the federal government and state governments that provides a temporary weekly benefit to qualified workers who lose their job and are seeking work. The amount of that benefit is based in part on a worker\u2019s past earnings.\u00a0 In Rhode Island, the average weekly UI benefit amount is $354 and the Ocean State is among 43 states that offer 26 weeks of UI coverage, while 7 states offer fewer weeks.\r\nThe extended federal UI program was signed into law in June 2008 by President George W. Bush, when the national unemployment rate was 5.6% and the average duration of jobless insurance was 17.1 weeks.\u00a0 It has been reauthorized by Congress a number of times since as America seeks to emerge from the greatest economic recession since the Great Depression.\u00a0 Today, the national unemployment rate is 7% and the average duration of UI benefits is 36.1 weeks, which is much longer than the 26 weeks of unemployment coverage that most states provide.\u00a0\r\nAccording to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the long-term unemployment rate is falling, but it's still at 2.6%, which is twice as high as in any prior month when extended UI benefits were allowed to expire.\u00a0 CBPP economists note that in each of the previous three recessions, federal unemployment assistance didn't end until the long-term unemployment rate had dropped to around 1.3%.\r\n\u201cEven as the nation\u2019s economy continues to recover, Congress must do more to help create new jobs and sustain economic revitalization,\u201d said Reed, who recently introduced the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Extension Act of 2013 to stabilize the economy and provide relief for both states and struggling families by extending federal UI benefits through 2014. \u00a0\u201cUnemployment insurance is a critical lifeline for vulnerable families and our economy.\u00a0 Preserving this program will help bolster consumer demand and provide some much needed economic certainty for businesses and families in need.\u00a0 We need to make sure that reauthorizing the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program is part of any budget or end of the year legislation that comes before the Senate.\u201d\r\nA new study by the Council of Economic Advisers and the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the failure to renew UI\u00a0 could cost our economy 240,000 jobs in 2014, including 1,284 in Rhode Island.\r\nOver the years, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that preserving UI benefits during periods of historically high unemployment is among the most cost-effective programs for reducing joblessness and stimulating the economy.\u00a0 Earlier this week CBO reported: \u201cExtending emergency unemployment benefits would raise gross domestic product (GDP) and employment in 2014 relative to what would occur under current law. \u00a0Recipients of the additional benefits would increase their spending on consumer goods and services. That increase in aggregate demand would encourage businesses to boost production and hire more workers than they otherwise would, particularly given the expected slack in the capital and labor markets.\u201d\r\nText of the letter follows:\r\nDear Majority Leader Reid, Republican Leader McConnell, Chairman Baucus, and Ranking Member Hatch:\r\nWe are writing to urge the continuation of federal support for unemployment insurance, a critical component of our ongoing recovery and a lifeline to millions of Americans as they search for work in this challenging economy.\u00a0 As it stands now, a few days after the holiday season ends, unemployment insurance will abruptly terminate, cutting off support for 1.3 million Americans.\r\nDespite the tremendous uncertainty caused by the brinksmanship over funding the government and near-default, the economy has had 45 straight months of private sector job growth and created a total of 8.1 million jobs over that period.\u00a0 However, we are still far from regaining the ground lost during the Great Recession.\u00a0 The national unemployment rate has hovered around and over 7 percent and 10.9 million Americans are out of work and looking for a job.\u00a0 Unemployed workers continue to face a daunting labor market, where for every one job opening, there are approximately 3 unemployed workers.\u00a0 That\u2019s why it\u2019s imperative that we pass legislation that will get Americans back to work and that we don\u2019t let unemployment insurance terminate at the end of the year.\u00a0\r\nFederal support for unemployment insurance has been a major boon to millions of Americans that have been laid off through no fault of their own.\u00a0 Since July 2008 unemployment insurance has provided over $255 billion in direct support.\u00a0 Over that period of time, we have made significant reforms, like those that avert layoffs and help people find work faster.\u00a0 Our constituents and the economy still need the support; the Economic Policy Institute estimates that the expiration of unemployment insurance will cost the economy 310,000 jobs and slow growth by 0.2 percent over the course of next year.\r\nContinuation of unemployment insurance has traditionally passed on a bipartisan basis because of the tremendous support it provides to the unemployed, their families, and the economy.\u00a0 We urge you to ensure that unemployment insurance is continued before its expiration at the end of the year.\r\nSincerely,\r\nJack Reed (D-RI)\r\nTom Harkin (D-IA)\r\nTim Kaine (D-VA)\r\nEd Markey (D-MA)\r\nKirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)\r\nJeanne Shaheen (D-NH)\r\nSheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)\r\nRobert Menendez (D-NJ)\r\nCarl Levin (D-MI)\r\nBarbara Boxer (D-CA)\r\nChris Coons (D-DE)\r\nMazie Hirono (D-HI)\r\nElizabeth Warren (D-MA)\r\nJeff Merkley (D-OR)\r\nBob Casey (D-PA)\r\nAl Franken (D-MN)\r\nSherrod Brown (D-OH)\r\nRon Wyden (D-OR)\r\nJay Rockefeller (D-WV)\r\nBrian Schatz (D-HI)\r\nPatty Murray (D-WA)\r\nDebbie Stabenow (D-MI)\r\nBernie Sanders (I-VT)\r\nDick Durbin (D-IL)\r\nRichard Blumenthal (D-CT)\r\nAmy Klobuchar (D-MN)\r\nPatrick Leahy (D-VT)\r\nDianne Feinstein (D-CA)\r\nChristopher Murphy (D-CT)\r\nTom Udall (D-NM)\r\nBill Nelson (D-FL)\r\n-end-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-backs-bill-that-would-help-small-businesses-recover-from-disasters", "Casey Backs Bill That Would Help Small Businesses Recover from Disasters", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- As winter storms hit Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he is backing a bipartisan piece of legislation to help small businesses recover from the impacts of extreme weather. The bill, the bipartisan Small Business Disaster Reform Act of 2013, would ease burdens for businesses applying for smaller loans in the wake of disasters and would help out of state small business development centers coordinate with Pennsylvania businesses during an emergency when in-state small business development centers may not be operating due to the weather emergency.\r\n\u201cThis week\u2019s winter storm is a reminder of the unique challenges that our state faces from extreme weather,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis commonsense legislation will ensure that small businesses can get the help they need after a storm without unnecessary risks or burdens.\u201d\r\nThe purpose of this bill is to 1) require the SBA to use all other types of collateral on small business disaster loans other than a business owner\u2019s primary residence; and 2) to authorize Small Business Development Centers to assist other geographical areas when needed.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nSection 1 of the bill clarifies that, for SBA disaster business loans less than $200,000 that SBA is required to utilize assets other than the primary residence if those assets are available to use as collateral towards the loan.\u00a0 This provision will ensure that SBA is responsive to the needs of small businesses seeking smaller amounts of disaster assistance.\u00a0 Businesses seeking smaller loans are often experience the biggest burdens in way of liens on their primary personal residential homes when they could conceivably provide sufficient business assets as collateral for the loan.\u00a0 The SBA has at its disposal multiple ways to secure loans. This bill makes that SBA\u2019s policy \u2013 that for smaller business loans, personal homes should be collateral of last resort.\u00a0 This removes a major psychological hurdle for business owners and helps SBA in marketing these loans for future disasters.\u00a0\r\nSection 2 of the bill authorizes the SBA to allow out-of-state small business development centers (SBDCs) to provide assistance in Presidentially-declared disaster areas.\u00a0 This is currently prohibited.\u00a0 As it stands presently, SBDCs are unable to provide assistance outside their geographical area, which severely slows economic recovery after major disasters.\u00a0 This provision would allow Pennsylvania SBDCs to assist other areas in times of large catastrophic disasters, or vice versa.\u00a0 The SBA will reimburse out of state SBDCs for appropriate expenses incurred.\u00a0\u00a0 It also includes language allowing SBDC counselors into disaster recovery centers, which is the current practice.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/event/foreign-affairs-committee-hearing-29", "Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Foreign Affairs Full Committee\nHearing: The Iran Nuclear Deal: Does It Further U.S. National Security?\nWitnesses:\n \nThe Honorable John F. Kerry; Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/event/foreign-affairs-committee-hearing-30", "Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Foreign Affairs Full Committee\nHearing: Afghanistan 2014: Year of Transition\nWitnesses:\n \nThe Honorable James F. Dobbins; Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Department of State\n\tMr. Donald L. Sampler; Assistant to the Administrator, Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, U.S. Agency for International Development\n\tMr. Michael J. Dumont; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Afghanistan, Pakistan, & Central Asia, U.S. Department of Defense", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/event/foreign-affairs-joint-subcommittee-hearing-3", "Foreign Affairs Joint Subcommittee Hearing", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Glocal Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa\nHearing: Human Rights Abuses in Egypt\n Zuhdi Jasser, M.D.; Vice Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom\n\tHis Grace Bishop Angaelos; General Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom\n\tMr. Samuel Tadros; Research Fellow, Center for Religious Freedom, Hudson Institute\n\tMorad Abou-Sabe, Ph.D.; Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University (Former President of Misr University for Science & Technology)\n\tMr. Tad Stahnke; Director of Policy and Programs, Human Rights First", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/event/foreign-affairs-joint-subcommittee-hearing-4", "Foreign Affairs Joint Subcommittee Hearing", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa\nHearing: Iran's Persecution of American Pastor Abedini Worsens\nWitnesses:\n Katrina Lantos Swett, Ph.D.; Vice Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom\n\tMs. Naghmeh Abedini; Wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini\n\tMr. Jordan Sekulow; Executive Director, American Center for Law and Justice", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/event/homeland-security-committee-hearing-10", "Homeland Security Committee Hearing", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Homeland Security Full Committee\nHearing: Help Wanted at DHS: Implications of Leadership Vacancies on the Mission and Morale\nWitnsses:\n \nThe Honorable Tom Ridge, first Secretary of Homeland Security\n\tMr. Max Stier; President and CEO, Partnership for Public Service\n\tMr. David Maurer; Director, Government Accountability Office", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221033324/http://perry.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-perry-legislation-would-increase-health-care-choices", "Rep. Perry Legislation Would Increase Health Care Choices", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 As Congress approaches its self-imposed December 13th deadline to reach an agreement on a federal budget plan, U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-4) joined Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX) to introduce common-sense legislation, H.R. 3498, to help reduce federal spending and give seniors more freedom to make their own healthcare decisions.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 3498 will allow seniors to voluntarily opt-out of Medicare coverage and empower them to provide for their own healthcare services if they choose.\u00a0 H.R. 3498 could reduce federal spending by an estimated $11 billion over the next decade. Congress must work together to make the tough and reasonable decisions to address America\u2019s $17 trillion debt crisis and Congressman Perry hopes the enactment of H.R. 3498 will help spur other efforts to control our spending and lay the groundwork for a healthy economy.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Today, you can choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B or Part D, but not for Part A - unless you give up your Social Security benefits as well.\u00a0 This legislation ensures your Social Security benefits remain intact. Along with allowing individuals to voluntarily opt-out of Medicare Part A when they become eligible for the benefit, this legislation also makes seniors eligible to invest funds in tax-free Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAmericans should have the right to choose a healthcare plan that fits their needs, rather than be tied to a government-run system that doesn\u2019t meet their unique medical requirements,\u201d said Rep. Perry. \u201cAmerican seniors should have the choice to decide what plan works best for their family.\u00a0 Medicare also desperately needs to be reformed in order to ensure this program is viable for current and future generations.\u00a0 This bill takes off some of the budgetary pressure from Medicare to help ensure its long-term sustainability for all seniors.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs folks continue to see their healthcare options diminished by ObamaCare, it\u2019s critical to find ways that allow a return to choice and freedom in health care.\u00a0 This common-sense bill does just that, it truly tells seniors, \u2018if you like your current coverage, you can keep it\u2019 without risk of losing other important benefits like Social Security.\u00a0 If folks like Warren Buffett or Ross Perot want to opt-out of Medicare Part A because they don\u2019t want or need a government entitlement paying for their health care, we should\u00a0 let them!\u00a0 Seniors should have the freedom to say \u2018thanks, but no thanks\u2019 if they want to keep their current coverage,\u201d said Rep. Johnson.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Those who want to keep their current Medicare coverage will not be affected.\u00a0 Additionally, H.R. 3498 will allow seniors with an HSA and qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to continue contributing to their HSA with pre-tax dollars after they turn 65.\u00a0 Under current law, seniors who have an HSA and turn 65 are no longer eligible to contribute pre-tax dollars to their HSA.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll continue to work with anyone, regardless of party affiliation or ideology, to solve these critical issues,\u201d said Rep. Perry. \u201cAmerica\u2019s problems are not going away, and we can\u2019t just wait for another Congress or another generation to deal with them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-for-passage-of-new-plan-to-provide-background-checks-for-childcare-workers", "Casey Calls for Passage of New Plan to Provide Background Checks for Childcare Workers", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Philadelphia PA- After a spate of incidents in Southeastern Pennsylvania underscoring the importance of quality childcare, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called for passage of a new plan that would provide federal standards for background checks on childcare workers. In a letter to Senate leaders, Senator Casey urged Congress to reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).\u00a0 The bipartisan Senate bill to reauthorize CCDBG contains provisions to strengthen background checks for childcare workers. Casey was joined by advocates from across the region who discussed the need to pass these reforms to better protect children.\r\n\u201cParents leaving their children in child care should have the peace of mind that their children are being cared for by trustworthy individuals without a criminal record,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cEstablishing a strong national standard for background checks will ensure that all children in child care, no matter what state they live in, will receive equal protection.\u201d\r\nThe Child Care and Development Block Grant provides subsidies to assist low-income families in obtaining child care so that parents can work or participate in education or training activities. Discretionary funding for this program is authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, which has not been reauthorized since 1996. CCDBG funds, along with a mandatory child care funding stream authorized separately, are known as the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The CCDF is the primary source of federal funding dedicated solely to child care subsidies for low-income working and welfare families.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe CCDF provides block grants to states, according to a formula, which are used to subsidize the child care expenses of working families with children under age 13. In addition to providing funding for child care services, funds are also used for activities intended to improve the overall quality and supply of child care for families in general.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn FY 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, Pennsylvania served an average of 59,800 families per month in CCDBG, totaling an average number of 101,100 children.\r\nPennsylvania currently requires certain background checks, but the approach Casey discussed is a more comprehensive federal standard.\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nDear Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell:\r\nI write to request that you work together to ensure that the Senate is able to take up and pass S. 1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2013, at the earliest opportunity.\r\nThe Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) has not been reauthorized since 1996.\u00a0 In the nearly two decades since, our understanding of early childhood development, and the importance of high-quality child care and early learning, has expanded dramatically.\r\nInvesting in high-quality early learning opportunities such as child care and pre-K sets children on the path to success.\u00a0 We must update federal standards to ensure that the federal government is supporting high-quality child care for low-income children.\u00a0 S. 1086 sets a new standard for child care in America, making sure that federal dollars are going to providers who are committed to providing child care that meets certain criteria, such as health and safety standards.\r\nOne of the important components of S. 1086 is Section 7, which would implement federal standards for criminal background checks for child care providers.\u00a0 While every state requires some form of background check, the records searched and the stringency of the search (e.g. whether the Sex Offender Registry is searched, and whether fingerprints are included as well as the name of the individual when a state criminal background check is run) vary widely.\u00a0 Establishing a standard set of background checks for all states will ensure that children being cared for outside their home are protected from individuals with known criminal records.\r\nI urge you to consider S. 1086 as a priority for passage.\u00a0 This legislation has been carefully developed with significant input from Senators and the wider community, and represents a sensible path forward to improving the Child Care and Development Block Grant.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1293, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "PA", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 815, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 478, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1293, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=PA&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "PA", "label": "PA", "count": 1293, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 1293, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-12-09,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecasey~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Freleases~2Fcasey-calls-for-passage-of-new-plan-to-provide-background-checks-for-childcare-workers", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2013&_next=2013-12-09%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecasey~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Freleases~2Fcasey-calls-for-passage-of-new-plan-to-provide-background-checks-for-childcare-workers&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 351.97110613808036, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}