{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"PA\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-releases-2014-year-end-report-constituents", "Rep. Kelly Releases 2014 Year-End Report for Constituents", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) released the following report 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 2014.\nDear Constituent:\nOver the past twelve months, I had the extraordinary privilege of continuing to represent you in our nation\u2019s capital during the second and final session of the 113th Congress.\nNext week, I will be sworn in for a third time as the Representative of Pennsylvania\u2019s Third Congressional District. As with my first two terms in office, all of my work in the House of Representatives will be guided by Western Pennsylvania values\u2014hard work, common sense, and straight talk. I see my service as bringing Western Pennsylvania\u2019s voice to Washington, and never the other way around.\nAs I prepare to enter the 114th Congress with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, please remember that your priorities are my priorities, and that every day I will continue to work as hard as possible to accomplish them for you.\nWith every new challenge that 2014 brought us, there also came many great opportunities. My staff and I worked diligently to meet all of them head-on with the best results for you and your neighbors. The following report is meant to provide you with an overview of the most important legislative business that we conducted on behalf of Western Pennsylvania from last January until now.\nMeeting the Needs of Our Constituents 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 2014. We\u2026\n Toured 30 local businesses and factories to meet with employers and employees about issues affecting their industries;\n  Helped 2,130 constituents with navigating the federal bureaucracy;\n  Answered more than 46,300 pieces of mail, e-mail, faxes, and calls;\n  Maintained 3 full-time constituent offices and 3 satellite offices;\n  Hosted 5 tele-town hall meetings to address a range of issues including health care concerns, help with filing tax returns, and Medicare\u2019s Open Enrollment Period; overall, the tele-town halls included 30,397 participants from the Third District; we left a total of 108,252 messages on constituents\u2019 answering machines to invite them to join us;\n  Attended/organized more than 200 constituent outreach meetings with different individuals, groups, schools, hospitals, etc. throughout the Third District;\n  Sent 1,544 American flags to constituents;\n  Assisted with 150 tours of the U.S. Capitol; 60 tours of the White House; 37 tours of the U.S. Supreme Court; 20 tours of the Library of Congress; and dozens of other tours to popular Washington destinations including the Kennedy Center, the FBI Education Center, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing;\n  Expanded my social media presence, ending the year with more than 11,650 fans and 4,940 followers on Facebook and Twitter respectively; and\n  Conducted hundreds of interviews with local, regional, and national newspapers, radio shows, and television programs.\n Strengthening Our Economy & Paving the Way for New, Family-Sustaining Jobs\nSince my very first day in office, my main priority has been to help foster 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 achieve this outcome, and opposed any obstacle to reaching it.\nOf course, having to deal with an obstructionist Senate has not been easy, since most of the jobs bills that we passed in the House \u2013 usually with bipartisan support \u2013 have ended up getting trapped on (soon-to-be-former) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid\u2019s desk. That said, my House colleagues and I still did not hesitate to pass as many pro-jobs initiatives over the past year as possible.\nOne of these was H.R. 4,\u00a0the Jobs for America Act, which included a package of 15 commonsense, bipartisan bills to rebuild our economy by removing government barriers to private-sector job creation. I was proud to be a co-sponsor of many of these bills, a full list of which can be viewed here.\nDefending Coal & Promoting American Energy\nWhen President Obama ramped up his war on coal by commanding the Environmental Protecting Agency (EPA) to roll-out a controversial new regulatory plan for coal-fired power plants, a call to action was sounded.\nIn addition to supporting more than 40,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, coal also provides 40 percent of America's electricity\u2014more than any other fuel. The Associated Press has rightly called coal \u201cthe workhorse of the U.S. power system\u201d that \u201chelps keep prices stable and power flowing even when demand spikes.\u201d When federal regulations force mines and power plants to shut down, as is already happening at a historic rate, manufacturing costs rise, employment plummets, and electricity bills skyrocket.\nIn response to the EPA\u2019s radical proposal, I joined with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to introduce H.R. 4808, the Coal Country Protection Act. The legislation would halt any new regulations by the EPA on America\u2019s power plants until the following four outcomes are guaranteed: 1.) No job losses; 2.) No loss in GDP/economic growth; 3.) No higher electric rates; 4). No interruption in energy delivery. This bill was just the beginning.\nIn addition to touting the need to defend coal multiple times on television, in a speech at the Heritage Foundation, in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, and at a public press conference with Sen. McConnell and dozens of other leaders from both parties, I formally extended an official invitation to President Obama to visit a Western Pennsylvania coal mine himself. Such a trip would allow him to meet and speak with the hardworking men and women whose livelihoods are most in jeopardy under his administration\u2019s anti-coal crusade. When the EPA held a public hearing on its proposal in Pittsburgh, I made sure coal had its day in court.\nEven though the Coal Country Protection Act was not able to pass Congress this year, and despite the fact that President Obama declined my personal invitation to don a hard hat, I pledge to you that the fight for coal\u2019s future will continue. After all, this battle is not just about coal country\u2014it\u2019s about our whole country.\nSpeaking of our whole country, I spent much of 2014 continually promoting the possibility of a 21st century American energy renaissance\u2014and the critical need to achieve it. In September, I was particularly thrilled to support H.R. 2, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act. This bipartisan legislation included 14 separate bills to expand domestic energy production, including a bill to finally approve the construction of the widely popular Keystone XL Pipeline. A full list of these commonsense measures can be viewed here.\nMaking the Tax Code Work for Western Pennsylvania\nAs a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am strongly committed to making our nation\u2019s outdated tax code fairer, simpler, and less costly for individuals and families of all sizes.\nPro-growth tax reform would simplify the tax code, lower tax rates, and make the United States the most attractive place to do business once again. This would no doubt strengthen our economy, which in turn would mean new jobs, higher pay, and more money in the pockets of American families and workers.\nWhile the momentum for major tax reform is still building, this past year I was able to introduce and/or co-sponsor the following individual bills to improve taxes especially for Western Pennsylvanians:\n The America Gives More Act (H.R. 4719), which was passed by a bipartisan vote of 277-130. The legislation includes a package of five bipartisan charity-related bills, including the text of H.R. 3134, the Charitable Giving Extension Act, which I originally introduced in September 2013. (According to Independent Sector, Pennsylvania is home to more than 68,500 non-profit organizations which employ 727,200 people, almost 13.3 percent of the state\u2019s workforce; generate $96.8 billion in annual revenues; and hold assets of $208 billion. Pennsylvania foundations give a total of $1.3 billion annually.)\n  The Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2013 (H.R. 2807). This bill was included in the passage of the America Gives More Act. (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, one of the largest land trusts in the country, has conserved more than 235,000 acres of farm and natural lands throughout Western Pennsylvania. H.R. 2807 would help the Conservancy continue preserving open spaces in the Third District and throughout Pennsylvania.)\n  The Child Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2014 (H.R. 4935), which was passed by a bipartisan vote of 237-173. The bill would modify the child tax credit in several meaningful ways to help hardworking Pennsylvania families keep more of their hard-earned money.\n  The Powering American Jobs Act of 2014 (H.R. 5775). This bipartisan legislation extends certain expiring tax incentives for the energy sector, including important propane and biodiesel provisions. Many of these extenders were included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2015 that was signed into law on December 16, 2014.\n  The Kelly-Kind Retirement Provision, which was included in the Omnibus budget, and which codifies the definition of \u201cnormal retirement age\u201d as either 30 years of service or the current tax code\u2019s definition of 62 years old. Because the IRS changed its retirement definition to include only the latter description, 10,000 rural electric coop beneficiaries throughout the nation would have otherwise lost their retirement benefits, including 16 in the Third District.\n Pushing Back Against the Imperial Presidency\nThis year saw President Obama take executive power to a frightening new level, from making unilateral changes to Obamacare, environmental policies, and immigration laws\u2014all without any involvement from Congress, where laws are meant to be decided.\nAt the beginning of the year, after President Obama pledged to use his \u201cpen and phone\u201d to \u201ctake executive actions and administrative actions,\u201d I sent a letter co-signed by 20 Members of Congress to Attorney General Eric Holder seeking Constitutional justification for the president\u2019s plans. In February, I discussed the letter with host Megyn Kelly on The Kelly File on Fox News.\nIn March, the House took legislative action to rein-in the imperial presidency in the form of H.R. 4138, the Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of (ENFORCE) the Law Act, and H.R. 3973, the Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014, both of which I was proud to co-sponsor.\nIn July, the House took another stand against President Obama\u2019s lawlessness by approving litigation against him. The system of checks and balances within our Constitution is far too precious and important to maintaining the freedom of our republic for any president to ever ignore or diminish. Speaker Boehner was left with no other option than to introduce H.\u00a0Res. 676, a resolution to sue President Obama for his breach of authority. You can read more about it\u00a0here.\nAfter President Obama announced his plan to grant amnesty to 5 million illegal immigrants in November, I publicly condemned it as outrageous and unconstitutional. I consider it a direct challenge to our system of government that must be opposed. That is why I voted to pass the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act (H.R. 5759) and co-sponsored an amendment to the Omnibus appropriations bill which would have banned any funding for the president's order. Because of the unlawful nature of the president's unilateral action, the House ultimately ensured that the budget only funds the Department of Homeland Security \u2013 which handles immigration \u2013 until the end of this coming February. By then, conservatives will fully control both houses of Congress and will have the stronger ground necessary to stop the president's illegal order without Harry Reid thwarting our actions.\nMost recently, I was proud to co-sign an amicus brief filed by the American Center for Law and Justice in support of the lawsuit brought by 24 states against President Obama's executive order earlier this month.\nFighting Ebola Before It\u2019s Too Late\nAs you know, the second half of this past year saw the deadly Ebola virus finally reach our shores and claim American life. From the onset, I argued that this was a Paul Revere moment for the American people, and that every citizen from coast to coast should be alert, informed, and totally engaged in our nation\u2019s fight to thwart this horrific disease.\nOn October 7th, I sent a letter to President Obama urgently requesting information regarding his administration\u2019s handling of the Ebola outbreak and details of a comprehensive strategy to stop the virus from affecting Americans. On October 9th, I sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Sylvia Burwell, and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tom Frieden, expressing my deep concern about the possibility of the Ebola virus spreading to Pennsylvania. (The letter was copied to Governor Tom Corbett.)\nOn October 20th, I called on President Obama to finalize a rule proposed under the Bush administration in 2005 to update and revise regulations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to \u201cprevent the introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the United States from one State or possession into another.\u201d According to the federal register, the code of federal regulations that deals with foreign arrivals has not been updated since 1985. According to USA Today, the Obama administration scrapped the proposal in 2010 after objections by the American Civil Liberties Union over \u201cpotential passenger privacy rights violations and the proposal's \u2018provisional quarantine\u2019 rule.\u201d\nOn October 21st, I had an in-depth phone conversation with Dr. Peter Piot \u2013 the doctor who first discovered the Ebola virus in 1976 in the Republic of Congo \u2013 about necessary action to stop the virus and protect Americans. As a result of our discussion, I joined with Senator Marco Rubio of Florida to introduce H.R. 5746, the Keeping America Safe from Ebola Act, on November 20th (the same day Sen. Rubio introduced his Senate companion). Simply put, the bill would prohibit any alien from a country with a widespread Ebola virus outbreak from obtaining a visa to enter the United States. An extended list of the bill\u2019s provisions can be viewed here.\nStanding Up for the Great Lakes\nAs co-chairman of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition, I am constantly involved in making sure the Great Lakes are properly cared for by the federal government. I consider the Great Lakes a gift from God\u2014one that is directly tied to 128,000 American jobs, more than $33.6 billion in annual revenue, and three percent of our nation\u2019s gross domestic product.\nIn May, my House colleagues and I passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014, by an astounding bipartisan vote of 412-4. Through WRRDA, Congress authorizes the key missions of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, including developing, maintaining, and supporting the nation\u2019s economically vital waterway infrastructure and supporting effective and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs.\nThis major package will guarantee that our port in Erie is dredged, which in turn will make sure that the workers at Donjon\u2019s shipyard in Erie can keep doing their job. It will ensure that Presque Isle\u2019s pristine beaches are protected, which will keep tourists coming and commerce flowing for generations to come. Overall, three of the Third District\u2019s most important industries \u2013 tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture \u2013 are directly improved by this incredibly important bill. That\u2019s why Ray Schreckengost, Executive Director of the Erie-Western PA Port Authority, referred to WRRDA as \u201cgroundbreaking legislation for the Great Lakes.\u201d\nOn July 10th \u2013 the same day President Obama signed WRRDA into law \u2013 I introduced an amendment to H.R. 4923, the Energy and Water Appropriations Act, 2015, to ensure that the bill complies with a provision in WRRDA that requires 10 percent of federal dollars allocated for harbor maintenance funding be prioritized for the Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS). The amendment, co-authored by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), was passed unanimously.\nEarlier this month, I was proud to co-sponsor H.R. 5764, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014, which was also passed by the House unanimously. This bipartisan legislation amends the Clean Water Act to authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for Fiscal Years 2015 \u2013 2019.\nThe GLRI was an inter-agency program launched by President Obama in 2009 to implement a regional collaboration strategy developed in 2005 through a process established by an executive order from then-President George W. Bush in 2004. The GLRI had not previously received congressional authorization. Without increasing federal spending, this bill would authorize the GLRI at $300 million (the amount already appropriated over the past four fiscal years) each year for the next five years.\nLast year, with the help of GLRI, Presque Isle Bay was removed from the EPA\u2019s list of Areas of Concern. Additionally, the GLRI has been instrumental in keeping Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes and threatening its world class fisheries.\u00a0\nKeeping the Internet Free, Our Sovereignty Secure, & Our Rights Protected\nMuch like last year, 2014 saw the First and Second Amendments of our Bill of Rights \u2013 along with the spirit of liberty they represent \u2013 come to the forefront of some very important legislative initiatives.\n* * * * *\nIn March, the Obama administration announced that it will not renew the National Telecommunications and Information Administration\u2019s (NTIA) contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), thereby turning over America\u2019s stewardship of the Internet\u2019s crucial functions to \u201cthe global multistakeholder community.\u201d\nAccording to media expert Gordon Crovitz, writing in The Wall Street Journal, \u201cRussia, China and other authoritarian governments have already been working to redesign the Internet more to their liking, and now they will no doubt leap to fill the power vacuum caused by America's unilateral retreat.\u201d\nIn June, I authored a guest op-ed for Red Alert Politics describing the stakes of surrendering American stewardship of the Internet to a multinational body or any other entity. In July, I hosted a policy briefing on Capitol Hill on the future of Internet governance in light of the Obama administration\u2019s announcement. The hearing was attended by dozens of Congressional staffers and featured professional analysis by three field experts.\nOn November 19th, I introduced H.R. 5737, the Defending Internet Freedom Act of 2014. The legislation would prevent the Obama administration, or that of any future president, from relinquishing the critical functions of the Internet to any other entity without enhanced congressional oversight and until explicit, freedom-protecting requirements are met. It is being co-sponsored by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), who also serves as chairman and co-founder of the Congressional High Tech Caucus.\nUnder our care and our values, the Internet has been able to safely expand to unthinkable horizons, enabling new ideas to spread and new markets to grow all over the world. Keeping the Internet free and safe from hostile powers overseas who by their very nature despise freedom is not just a moral responsibility\u2014it is a thoroughly American duty.\n* * * * *\nOver the summer, I joined with Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming to introduce H.R. 5285, the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2014, which would ensure that all faith-based institutions and individuals can continue to provide child welfare services to those who need them.\nFor decades, faith-based organizations have played a downright heroic role in caring for the most vulnerable among us, including infants, expectant mothers, children, teens, and needy families in Western Pennsylvania and across our country. Our bill would simply prevent these service providers from ever being denied federal assistance based on their sincerely held religious beliefs. Ultimately, it is about defending religious liberty as well as ensuring that everyone who wants to help provide foster or adoptive care to our nation\u2019s children is able to have a seat at the table\n* * * * *\nIn September, the House passed three new pieces of legislation to limit the power of the IRS in the wake of ongoing investigations into the agency\u2019s unlawful targeting of conservative organizations. As a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, I was very proud to be the sole original co-sponsor of each bill.\n* * * * *\nJust last week, the dangerous United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) went into effect on Christmas Eve, 90 days after it was ratified by 50 nations. Thanks to our opposition in Congress, the United States is not one of them (even though the Obama administration misguidedly signed the treaty in 2013).\nAs I have long argued, the ATT is an outrageous agreement that would force 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.\nMost recently, I was able to secure a provision in the final version of the FY 2015 Omnibus budget that bans any federal funding for the implementation of the treaty for one full year.\n* * * * *\nAs I\u2019ve said time and again, representing you and your neighbors in the House of Representatives has been the honor of my lifetime. Any time 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.\nI humbly thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and look forward to having your back in Congress in 2015.\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\nBy appointment on Wednesdays\n9:00 a.m. \u2013 4:00 p.m.\n908 Diamond Park\nMeadville, PA 16335\nPhone: (814) 454-8190\n\u00a0\nARMSTRONG COUNTY OFFICE\nBy appointment on Thursdays\n9:00 a.m. \u2013 4:00 p.m.\n300 South McKean Street\nKittanning, PA 16201\nPhone: (724) 282-2557\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", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-passing-of-kernie-anderson", "Casey Statement on Passing of Kernie Anderson", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the passing of Kernie Anderson.\r\n\u201cThis week my thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family as they mourn the loss of Kernie Anderson. Kernie is being rightly remembered as a giant of the radio industry who blazed a trail that many follow today. Kernie Anderson was an important voice for the African American community in Philadelphia and throughout the country. He fought vigorously to ensure that millions of Americans who quietly struggle had a voice. His role in helping to found Philadelphia\u2019s Unity Day will serve as an enduring legacy of the kind of community he worked to create.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-the-new-year-of-2015", "Barletta Statement on the New Year of 2015", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued the following statement regarding the New Year of 2015:\n\"The year that has just passed has presented the people of this country with many challenges \u2013 some unique to our current circumstances, and some with which we have continued to struggle.\u00a0 In the end, I have faith that we, the people of the greatest nation the world has ever known, will pull together and overcome whatever adversity we encounter.\n\"The new year presents us with a fresh start, and hopefully a chance to build on our successes.\u00a0 But we can also learn from our mistakes.\u00a0 Each victory is a mark in the win column, and each failure is a chance to do better.\u00a0 The great Babe Ruth once said, \u2018Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.\u2019\u00a0 The Babe was right to be optimistic about life.\u00a0\n\"On behalf of my wife, Mary Grace, our four daughters, and two beautiful grandchildren, I wish the people of Pennsylvania\u2019s 11th District a healthy and prosperous new year.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-lou-barletta-2014-year-in-review", "Rep. Lou Barletta: 2014 Year in Review", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today looked back on the year 2014 in the United States House of Representatives and highlighted some notable improvements and achievements.\u00a0 Among the important issues covered during the year were fighting illegal immigration, protecting volunteer firefighters from Obamacare, saving billions of taxpayer dollars on federal office space, reducing regulations, and promoting domestic energy.\u00a0 Most of those policy advancements encouraged private sector job growth.\u00a0 Barletta indicated that he would continue the fight on those and other important issues as the 114th Congress begins in January.\n\u201cWe made a lot of important advances in the last twelve months, all with the idea of improving the lives of everyday citizens,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cGovernment can sometimes solve problems, but in many cases, the best thing government can do is get out of the way.\u201d\nBattling Illegal Immigration\nThe United States has immigration laws for two primary reasons: to protect national security and to protect American jobs.\u00a0 For too long, the immigration laws that we currently have on the books have been ignored, and there remain too many holes in the system.\u00a0 Throughout 2014, Rep. Barletta fought to fix the system.\nBy his unlawful executive action on amnesty, the president is introducing five million more competitors into an already tight job market, at a time when 20 million Americans are either unemployed or underemployed.\u00a0 Barletta is looking forward to fixing the problems in the next Congress.\n\u201cI have been personally assured by Speaker Boehner that I will play an integral role in crafting new, strong national immigration policies beginning in January,\u201d Barletta said.\nBarletta proposed or supported a variety of pieces of legislation to strengthen immigration laws, and protect national security and American jobs:\nDefense of Legal Workers Act\nBarletta\u2019s legislation removes a $3,000 per job incentive created by President Obama for employers to hire amnesty recipients over legal American workers.\u00a0 Obamacare and the president\u2019s recently announced amnesty program for illegal immigrants combine to make it financially more attractive for businesses to choose illegal immigrants when making hiring decisions.\u00a0 Barletta\u2019s bill removes the incentive by clarifying that illegal immigrants granted amnesty by executive action cannot be issued work permits.\u00a0\nUnaccompanied Alien Minors\nIn response to the illegal immigrant surge at the southern border over the summer, Barletta introduced legislation to empower governors and local elected officials to control whether or not the federal government can place unaccompanied minors, who have illegally entered the country, into their communities.\u00a0 H.R. 5409, the \u201cUnaccompanied Alien Children Transparency Act\u201d would require the federal government to inform states and localities of relocation plans in advance, and would require the federal government to certify to the states that the minors will not pose a health or public safety risk to the community.\u00a0 It would also require the federal government to provide information such as the costs associated with the housing and education of these minors.\u00a0\nOver the summer, Rep. Barletta learned of a proposal by the non-profit U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to house unaccompanied minors in Hazleton.\u00a0 Once Barletta released this information to the public, the organization cancelled its plans following community opposition.\u00a0 Had Barletta not been informed of the situation by Hazleton officials, the plan would have proceeded without public notice.\nDACA\nBarletta was key in the House passage of legislation to stop President Obama\u2019s policy of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), under which the administration has refused to deport illegal immigrants up to the age of 30, if they claim they have been present in the country since the age of 16, among other factors.\u00a0 Obama\u2019s DACA policy is a key reason for the recent influx of illegal immigrants, who believe that if they arrive safely in the United States, they will be allowed to stay.\n\u201cFrom the first day I came to Congress, I have been asking that we do something about illegal immigration,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cFor a long time I got nowhere, but with the situation growing worse, and with the president acting unilaterally, more and more people now understand the scope of the problem.\u201d\nIn the 114th Congress, Barletta will continue to fight for these improvements, such as making it a criminal offense for someone to overstay a visa, and instituting a biometric entry and exit system.\nProtecting Volunteer Firefighters\nOne of the many side effects of Obamacare was the public safety impact it could have on thousands of communities because of its treatment of volunteer firefighters.\u00a0 After being alerted to a potential problem in 2013, Barletta investigated and discovered that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had been counting volunteer firefighters as employees for federal tax purposes, which could trigger the Employer Mandate Provision of Obamacare.\u00a0 Under pressure from Barletta, the IRS relented and issued a new set of regulations in February that included a section using the same definition of a \u201cbona fide volunteer\u201d as Barletta\u2019s bill.\u00a0 Unwilling to leave such an important public safety issue in the hands of unelected bureaucrats at the IRS, Barletta continued to pursue his legislation.\u00a0\u00a0In a rare unanimous vote, the House approved the bill 410-to-0 on March 11, 2014.\nDisappointingly, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) added controversial unemployment benefits language to the bill, effectively killing its chances for the full approval of Congress.\u00a0 Barletta, however, said he has not yet given up the fight and plans to reintroduce the measure in the 114th Congress.\n\u201cWhile we have won the short-term battle and shielded volunteer firefighters and the communities they protect, there is still work to be done,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a public safety issue that is too important to be left to the whims of a federal agency like the IRS.\u201d\nCombating Obamacare\nBarletta and the House of Representatives voted more than 50 times in the 113th Congress \u2013 not just in 2014 \u2013 to delay, defund, or dismantle all or parts of Obamacare, because it failed to live up to its name.\u00a0\nPresident Obama has signed ten pieces of legislation defunding or repealing parts of Obamacare into law. \u00a0\u00a0\nThe bipartisan spending bill passed by Congress continues Republican efforts to:\n Provide no new funding for Obamacare.\n\tRequire Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Treasury to report to Congress on improper payments of ObamaCare tax subsidies.\n\tReduce funding to the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).\n\tMaintain all existing pro-life policy and funding provisions.\n\tInclude three new pro-life provisions:\u00a0\n  Obamacare Transparency - requires Obamacare healthcare plans to inform customers if they provide abortion services.\n\tConscience Protection - requires HHS Office of Civil Rights to address complaints of violations.\n\tProvides $12 million in unused abstinence education funds.\n Reining in the EPA\nBarletta supported legislation that curbs proposed expansion of the federal definition of Waters of the United States, and defends the relationship between federal and state governments established by the Clean Water Act.\u00a0 He co-sponsored H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, which blocks the expansion proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.\u00a0\n\u201cFor four decades, the Clean Water Act has worked as a strong partnership between the federal government and the states,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, the new definition of federal waters is so vague that it\u2019s impossible to know what standards you need to prove.\u00a0 The result would be higher legal fees, increased costs to farmers and builders, and fewer jobs.\u00a0 Local farmers I have talked to said the legal fees alone would probably run them out of business.\u00a0 Simply put, sometimes a mud puddle is just a mud puddle.\u201d\nIn addition, the bipartisan spending bill adopted by Congress:\n Cuts EPA by $60 million, representing the 5th consecutive year of cuts \u2013 a total reduction of 21 percent since Fiscal Year 2010.\n\tReduces EPA staffing by 2,000 positions, which is equivalent to 1989 levels.\n\tProhibits regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches.\n\tProtects Second Amendment rights and prohibits EPA from regulating lead content in ammunition or fishing tackle.\n Restraining the IRS\nThe bipartisan spending bill adopted by Congress continues Republican efforts to:\n Cut IRS funding by $345.6 million ($1.5 billion below the president\u2019s request and below Fiscal Year 2008 levels).\n\tProhibit IRS targeting of organizations based on their ideological beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights.\n\tProhibit the White House from ordering review of tax-exempt status.\n\tProhibit use of IRS funds for inappropriate videos and conferences.\n \u201cNo federal agency strikes more fear into the hearts of citizens than the IRS,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cIt is time to stop the use of federal tax collectors as political enforcers.\u201d\u00a0\nSaving Billions on Federal Office Space\nRep. Barletta used his position on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to save taxpayers more than $2 billion by more efficiently using federal office space.\u00a0 Barletta is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.\u00a0 In some cases, the changes involved reconfiguration or alteration of existing federal sites.\u00a0 In others, it involved better leasing arrangements.\n\u201cThis can really be just the beginning,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cAs these decisions are made, we ought to be asking every time: can we do this better, and how can we save the taxpayers money?\u201d\nPromoting Domestic Energy\nBarletta supported measures designed to ease American dependence on foreign sources of oil and create private sector jobs:\n Barletta cosponsored legislation to authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a project which has been more than six years in the works through many studies, delays, and rejections from the Obama Administration.\u00a0 The pipeline, which would run from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska, would allow crude oil to flow all the way to the Gulf Coast.\u00a0 The completion of the pipeline is expected to create tens of thousands of construction jobs in the United States and establish a reliable supply of energy.\n\tConstruction of the Keystone XL pipeline will increase manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania.\n\tThe bipartisan spending bill passed by Congress requires the Department of Defense to use anthracite coal to heat the Army and Air Force Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany.\u00a0\n Improving Transportation\nHighway Bill\nCongress passed the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, which addressed a potential expiration of surface transportation authorization and the Highway Trust Fund shortfall predicted to occur.\u00a0 Barletta still supports a highway bill of at least five years to allow for contractors and employers to better plan for the future.\n\u201cThere are more than 5,000 bridges in Pennsylvania that are structurally deficient, and countless roadways that are in desperate need of repair,\u201d said Barletta, who is a subcommittee chairman in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.\u00a0 \u201cIf Congress had failed to act, the money to fund surface transportation projects would have run dry.\u00a0 That could have resulted in the stoppage of more than 7,000 projects and the loss of countless jobs across the country, including Pennsylvania.\u201d\nSafer Trucks and Buses\nBarletta introduced the Safer Trucks and Buses Act (H.R. 5532), which halts the publication of flawed safety scores for carriers and directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to revamp its scoring system.\u00a0 The legislation addresses a problem with the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) program, which was rushed into usage, and often does not reflect changes made by carriers to improve their approaches to safety.\n\u201cAs a father of four daughters, I worry every day about the safety of my girls, and I strongly believe that unsafe vehicles should not be on the road,\u201d Barletta said. \u201cUnfortunately, companies across the country and in Pennsylvania are being unfairly misrepresented by their safety scores, causing economically devastating impacts to these bus and truck companies, many of which are small businesses.\u201d\nKeeping Promises to Veterans\nBarletta supported legislation that overhauls the Veterans Administration and provides veterans with more responsive and accessible health care.\u00a0 The legislation follows revelations of long wait times at VA medical facilities, falsified records, and the resulting deaths of veterans.\u00a0\nThe legislation:\n Allows veterans to seek medical attention outside the VA system if an appointment is not available within 30 days, or if a veteran resides more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility.\n\tProvides funding to hire additional doctors, nurses, and medical staff.\n\tExtends several existing pilot programs, including those increasing access to care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and victims of sexual assault.\u00a0\n\tRequires an independent assessment of VA medical care and establishes a Congressional Commission on Care to evaluate access in the VA health system.\n\tPermits the VA Secretary to fire or demote employees in an expedited fashion based on performance or misconduct, while also including due processes rights.\n\tRequires public colleges to provide in-state tuition to veterans and eligible dependents in order for the school to remain eligible to receive G.I. Bill education payments.\n\tExpands the Sgt. Fry Scholarship Program to provide full post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after 9/11.\n \u201cThe problems discovered in the VA system needed to be addressed, and we are addressing them now,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cFrom the beginning, this was not a Republican or Democrat issue.\u00a0 This was an American issue.\u201d\nMaintaining Waterway Infrastructure\nBarletta backed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which promotes American competitiveness and economic growth by maintaining an effective waterway infrastructure, while also supporting strong flood protection.\u00a0 The legislation originated in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where Barletta is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.\u00a0 It passed the House by a vote of 412-to-4.\n\u201cThis strengthens Congressional oversight, restricts executive overreach, cuts red tape, and provides transparency in the selection of projects,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd critically for our part of Pennsylvania, WRRDA helps with flood risk management.\u201d\u00a0\nHelping the Disabled\nBarletta supported the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which amends the IRS code to establish tax-exempt accounts for individuals with disabilities to assist in paying for certain expenses, including higher education, primary residence, transportation, employment assistance, health and wellness, and other personal support expenses. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cSo many times, families have been left in the difficult position of choosing between taking care of children\u2019s special needs and planning for their future,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThe ABLE Act helps families avoid that predicament and lets them plan ahead.\u201d\nServing the 11th District\nContained within the bipartisan spending bill passed by Congress are a number of items that directly benefit the 11th District of Pennsylvania:\n $900 million to address military funding shortfalls, including depot maintenance at facilities such as Tobyhanna Army Depot.\n\tRestored funding zeroed out under President Obama\u2019s budget request for State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which reimburses localities who house criminal illegal immigrants in local jails (increases funding from $180 million to $185 million rather than president\u2019s request of $0.)\n\t$200 million more than original budget request for Community Development Block Grants.\n\t$75 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).\n\tIncrease for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).\n\tIncrease funding for flood prevention under the Streamflow Information Program.\n Connecting to Main Street\nIn 2014, Congressman Barletta continued his Main Street Tours, during which he visited local businesses and heard the concerns and ideas of small employers and citizens.\u00a0 Barletta has conducted more than twenty Main Street Tours since 2013, including stops this year in Tunkhannock, Elizabethville, Plymouth, Carlisle, Danville, Kingston, Millersburg, Sunbury, Bloomsburg, Mechanicsburg, Linglestown, and Berwick.\u00a0\n\u201cAs a former mayor, I know without question that all wisdom does not reside in Washington, D.C.,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cMost of the best ideas come from the people who are dealing with real issues in their real lives every day.\u00a0 I will always continue to be accessible and listen to the people whose lives are affected by the laws we pass.\u201d\nWhile Barletta indicated that while he was pleased with the successes of 2014 and the 113th Congress, which has concluded, he will continue to fight for the 11th District of Pennsylvania.\n\u201cIf 2014 taught us anything, it\u2019s that it is much better to get half a loaf of bread than no loaf at all\u201d, Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWith the new Congress taking shape in January, I am optimistic about even more advancements in the coming months.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly%E2%80%99s-legislative-priorities-2015-featured-pittsburgh-tribune-review", "Rep. Kellys Legislative Priorities for 2015 Featured in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pro-growth tax reform, energy main focuses for congressman \nWASHINGTON \u2014 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published a story on December 28, 2014, following an exclusive interview with U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) regarding his legislative priorities for 2015 and the upcoming 114th Congress. The full article can read here.\nHighlights from the article:\nThe 114th Congress gets under way Jan. 3, and with Republicans set to control the House and Senate, it's time to show the American people that the federal government can govern, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly said.\n\u201cI'm excited about this next year,\u201d said Kelly, a Butler Republican. \u201cWe have not had a Senate we could work with in six years. I'm hoping that the results of (the general election) sent a message to both sides, that the American people want to see a body that can govern.\u201d\nDuring an interview with the Tribune-Review, Kelly outlined his priorities for the upcoming session. He will continue to serve on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which is the chief tax-writing committee of the House, and serve on the [select revenue], oversight and Social Security subcommittees.\n\u2026\nThe country needs tax reform, he said, including simplifying the tax code into \u201csomething much flatter and much fairer,\u201d while also offering corporate tax reform, saying that U.S. companies have \u201cthe highest corporate tax in the world,\u201d at about 39 percent, factoring in state taxes.\n\u2026\nKelly, who owns a Butler car dealership, was first elected to Congress in 2010. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio picked him to deliver the Republican weekly address Dec. 20 in response to President Obama's, an assignment of which Kelly said he was \u201csincerely honored.\u201d\n\u201cThere's no doubt his stature is growing in Congress. People are really starting to pay attention to the issues he espouses,\u201d said Jeff Brauer, a professor of political science at Keystone College in Lackawanna County. Brauer added that energy independence is Kelly's biggest issue.\n\u201cHe's really made a name for himself in that sphere,\u201d Brauer said. \u201cHe's giving great speeches, getting standing ovations. To have a spokesperson like that, the (Republican) leadership is appreciative of that and is rewarding him accordingly.\u201d\n\u2026\nKelly told the Trib he supports the Keystone XL Pipeline project, which he said could create upward of 50,000 construction jobs and many ancillary jobs. A pipeline would run between Canada and Nebraska, connecting with existing pipe. Delays may have hurt it, Kelly added.\n\u201cWe're running against the clock as the cost of energy goes down,\u201d he said.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-issues-statement-moshannon-valley-correctional-facility-contract-renewal", "Thompson Issues Statement on Moshannon Valley Correctional Facility Contract Renewal", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellefonte, PA \u2013 U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-5) issued the following statement upon news that the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has awarded Moshannon Valley Correctional Facility (MVCF), in Philipsburg, Clearfield County, as the BOP\u2019s preferred facility for the Northeastern United States. \u00a0\n\t\u201cThis announcement is tremendous news for our community and the Commonwealth,\u201d stated Rep. Glenn Thompson. \u201cThe Moshannon Valley Correctional Facility has been an economic engine for our region, providing jobs for area residents, new tax revenue to support local services, including investments in our schools, and a host of other opportunities that have benefited all area residents. I am proud of the work we have done, including efforts at all levels of government and within the community, to protect local jobs and ensure the Moshannon Valley facility remains in operation for years to come.\u201d\n\tOver the past year, Rep. Thompson has led efforts at the federal level to help secure the contract\u2019s renewal.\u00a0 In January of 2014, Thompson garnered the support of 12 Members of Congress from Pennsylvania and Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, in sending a letter to BOP, urging the bureau to renew the contract with MVCF.\n\tThe BOP\u2019s existing contract with MVCF, which is set to expire in 2016, has been renewed for a period of 5 years, with one year renewal options for the following five years, according to Rep. Thompson.\n\tBOP\u2019s Criminal Alien Removal Procurement Regulations, require one facility in the Northeastern U.S. and another facility to be located anywhere in the country.\u00a0 MVCF, which is operated by the GEO Group, Inc., has served as the region\u2019s preferred facility since 2006.\n\tThe MVCF currently employs approximately 260 area residents and provides approximately $600,000 each year in local property taxes, $445,000 of which directly benefits local schools.  \n\t\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/rep-marino-backs-amicus-brief-challenging-president%E2%80%99s-amnesty", "Rep. Marino Backs Amicus Brief Challenging the Presidents Amnesty", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.\u2014Congressman Tom Marino, PA-10, Lycoming County signed on to support the amicus brief filed by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) last week. The brief is supported by more than two dozen states and 68 Members of Congress in challenging President Obama\u2019s recent Presidential Memorandum -- Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century dubbed \u201cexecutive amnesty.\u201d ACLJ also created the Committee to Defend the Separation of Powers of which more than 60,000 citizens joined in an additional effort to halt Obama\u2019s unconstitutional move towards illegal immigrant legalization.\nThe case, State of Texas v. United States of America, argues the president\u2019s directive to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in contradiction with Congress\u2019 authority to create immigration policy. It states Congress has a standing classification system for aliens and DHS\u2019s new directive changes those laws and sets new policy without the authorization of Congress which has interrupted the balance of power among the three branches of government.\nIt further argues the executive branch has abdicated one its chief responsibilities to \u201cfaithfully execute the law\u201d and thereby \u201cexceeded the bounds of their prosecutorial discretion.\u201d\nCongressman Marino said the following of the brief:\n\u201cI have said it before and I will say it again; the best way to stop President Obama\u2019s executive overreach in our immigration policies, and even healthcare for that matter, is through the courts. I firmly believe through our legal system we will achieve the results Americans demand. We have the best legal system in the world. The public trusts decisions made in courts through rigorous analysis and interpretation. What they do not trust is the relentless political jockeying over serious issues that have detrimental impacts on our nation\u2019s future. I am grateful for the opportunity to register my support of ACLJ\u2019s efforts with the court as a result of my longstanding legal background and I am confident we can move this forward in conjunction with additional congressional actions coming soon in the 114th.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-receives-response-from-epa-following-letter-on-potential-keystone-landfill-expansion-in-dunmore", "Casey Receives Response from EPA Following Letter on Potential Keystone Landfill Expansion in Dunmore", "2014-12-24", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has received a response from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following his letter regarding the potential expansion of the Keystone Landfill in Dunmore. In his letter to the EPA, Casey asked the agency to address concerns raised by his constituents and conduct the appropriate oversight should the proposal fall within the federal government\u2019s jurisdiction.\r\n\u201cI will continue to monitor this issue closely and urge the EPA and state agencies to be responsive to concerns raised by residents,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that EPA continue to examine this issue and conduct any appropriate oversight of the landfill consistent with the agency\u2019s jurisdiction.\u201d\r\nThe full response to Senator Casey is attached. Please note: the names of constituents mentioned in the letter have been redacted in order to protect their privacy.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-sends-annual-christmas-message-constituents-third-district", "Rep. Kelly Sends Annual Christmas Message to Constituents in Third District", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly Sends Annual Christmas Message to Constituents in Third District                                           \n              Dec 23, 2014      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    \nWATCH HERE\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) released the enclosed video today as his annual Christmas greeting to his constituents in Pennsylvania\u2019s Third Congressional District.\u00a0\nRep. Kelly: \u201cI wanted to take a few moments just to wish you all a very merry Christmas. \u2026 I\u2019ll be thinking of you on Christmas morning. And again, I want to thank you for the honor and the privilege to serve you.\u201d\nThe full video message can be viewed here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-joins-bipartisan-effort-rescind-proposed-rule-electric-power-generation", "Thompson Joins Bipartisan Effort to Rescind Obama Admin. Proposed Rule on Electric Power Generation", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellefonte, PA \u2013 U.S. Representative Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (PA-5) has joined with nearly one hundred fellow Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Obama to express concerns regarding the proposed rule announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 2, 2014, entitled \u201cCarbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.\u201d\n\t\u201cThe EPA\u2019s new rule on electric power generation is yet another unworkable policy from the Obama Administration that will threaten America\u2019s access to affordable and reliable energy,\u201d stated Rep. Thompson.\u00a0 \u201cWhile protecting the environment is a shared goal, this must be attained realistically and not by burdening families with rate hikes and potential brownouts. It is my hope the Obama Administration will rescind this rule and work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to address the concerns that we\u2019ve outlined.\u201d\n\tIn the letter, the Members assert the rule would negatively impact the nation\u2019s ability to reliably generate and transmit electric power sources.\u00a0 \u201cDue to market factors and existing environmental requirements, significant power plant shutdowns are already underway across the country, and these closures raise concerns about the continued reliability of the grid and electricity rates in the absence of EPA\u2019s recently proposed rule. Under the proposed rule, EPA projects there would be additional power plant retirements and electricity rate increases,\u201d the letter states.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\tIf this were to occur, the Members stress, it would \"threaten electricity reliability and drive up energy costs for consumers, including the elderly, poor, and those on fixed incomes, at a time when over 50 million Americans are currently living in poverty.\u201d\n\tThe Members conclude the letter by recognizing that although some of their own views may vary on the statutory authority of the regulations they are \"all concerned that this rule is simply unworkable as proposed and, if finalized, would effectively give EPA control over a state\u2019s generation, supply, and consumption of power. Accordingly, we respectfully ask that you direct the EPA to withdraw its proposed rule.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-ends-2014-with-major-accomplishments-on-behalf-of-pennsylvanians", "Casey Ends 2014 with Major Accomplishments on Behalf of Pennsylvanians", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Amid partisan gridlock, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) ended 2014 with significant accomplishments on behalf of Pennsylvanians. Casey secured passage of a landmark law to help the families of children with disabilities save for their long term care through tax-advantaged, 529-style savings accounts. Casey successfully pushed into law measures that bolstered children\u2019s hospitals throughout the state, improved the emergency medical services that are provided to children and strengthened programs to support individuals living with traumatic brain injuries. Casey successfully urged the Obama Administration to invest in job creating projects throughout Pennsylvania. Casey pressed for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, for justice for coal miners being denied black lung claims and for improvements to the ways colleges are required to report instances of sexual violence on campus. \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0Casey\u2019s ABLE Act Now Law\r\n\u00a0Since 2009, Senator Casey has championed the ABLE Act, which creates tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. On December 16, 2014, the Senate passed the ABLE Act (76-16) into law, following action by the House of Representatives (404-17) earlier in the month. With its passage, millions of Americans will be able to save for their futures, creating peace of mind for individuals and families across the Nation.\r\nCasey\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital Graduate Medical Education Support Reauthorization Act Now Law \r\n\u00a0The Children\u2019s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program provides freestanding children\u2019s hospitals with federal graduate medical education (GME) support similar to the funding that other teaching hospitals receive through Medicare. Casey\u2019s bill reauthorized the program for five years at $300 million a year.\u00a0 The legislation also makes important changes to the program by giving the Secretary authority to include in the program a small number of freestanding children\u2019s hospitals who have been ineligible to participate in the past for technical reasons.\u00a0 The bill allows the Secretary to use a portion of the funds appropriated over $245 million for these children\u2019s hospitals that train pediatric providers and meet the same general qualifications as existing participants but currently do not qualify for Medicare GME or CHGME. The amount of this pool in a given year would be 25% of enacted CHGME funding over $245 million, up to a maximum of $7 million, and hospitals would have to undergo a normal application process. Three Pennsylvania hospitals receive funding through this program.\u00a0\r\nCasey\u2019s Emergency Medical Service for Children Act Now Law \r\nPediatric patients have important physical, developmental, and mental differences from adults.\u00a0 From smaller-sized medical equipment to different dosage requirements for medicine, the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program helps medical professionals meet the unique needs of pediatric patients and provide state of the art emergency medical care for ill and injured children and adolescents.\u00a0 Since the program was created in 1984, pediatric injury-related death rates have been reduced by more than 40 percent.\u00a0\r\nThere are approximately 26,000,000 child and adolescent visits to the Nation\u2019s emergency departments each year.\u00a0 Approximately 90 percent of children requiring emergency care are seen in general hospitals, not in free standing children\u2019s hospitals, with one-quarter to one-third of the patients being seen in hospitals with no separate pediatric ward.\r\nCasey Bill on Traumatic Brain Injuries Now Law\r\nThe Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014 (S. 2539) reauthorized the Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury program and the National Program for Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registries. The prevention program funds educational programs and materials for health departments, community-based organizations, parents, teachers and coaches; and research into effective prevention strategies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also conducts surveillance work to identify TBI rates of death and rates of hospitalization, and is working to develop pediatric mild TBI guidelines.\r\nS 2539 also reauthorizes the following two grant programs:\r\n \r\nThe State Implementation Partnership Grants fund the development and implementation of statewide systems that ensure access to comprehensive and coordinated TBI services. Since FY 1997, 48 States, 2 Territories and the District of Columbia have received funding under the TBI State Grant Program. There are 20 states currently funded under the TBI State Grant Program with an average grant of $250,000.\r\nThe Protection and Advocacy Grant Program for Individuals with TBI funds 57 states and territories with an average grant amount of $50,000 to prevent abuse and neglect and safeguard the well-being of individuals with TBI living in institutions, nursing homes, jails and prisons and community-based settings. All P&A agencies monitor, investigate, and attempt to remedy adverse conditions in public and private facilities.\r\nS. 2539 also required HHS to develop a Traumatic Brain Injury Coordination Plan, for federal activities with respect to TBI, which shall review existing interagency coordination and identify areas for improvement. Finally, the law requires CDC to conduct a review of the scientific evidence relating to brain injury management in children, identifying ongoing and potential further opportunities for research, and provide to Congress the results of this review within two years.\r\n \r\nInvesting in PA\r\nWestern Pennsylvania\u2019s job-creating waterways infrastructure will see upgrades that have been sought for decades thanks to measures Casey passed in two separate bills: The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and the end of year tax extenders bill. Additionally the effort to bolster job creation in Southeastern Pennsylvania through the deepening of the Delaware River received significant support following Casey efforts. \u00a0\r\nWater Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)\r\n \r\nThe final version of WRRDA that was signed into law contained four major pieces of Senator Casey\u2019s RIVER Act:\r\n \r\n \r\nOlmsted Federalization: Permanent Cost-Sharing for the remaining cost of the Olmsted project will be 85% General Fund, 15% Inland Waterways Trust Fund.\r\nDefinition of Major Rehabilitation: increased from current law level of $14 million to $20 million and adjusted annually for inflation.\r\nPrioritization of Projects: This will ensure projects are prioritized based upon risk of failure and economic benefit to the Nation\r\nProject Delivery: New reforms to achieve on-time and on-budget performance.\r\n \r\n \r\nWith the Olmsted cost-share adjustment, it is estimated over $124 million will be freed up for the Lower Mon and other priority projects.\r\nPennsylvania\u2019s locks and dams play a vital role in creating and sustaining jobs and supporting economic growth throughout the country. In Southwestern Pennsylvania alone, over 200,000 jobs rely on the proper functioning of the region\u2019s inland waterways system\r\n \r\nInland Waterways User Fee\r\n \r\nSenator Casey\u2019s bill to increase the inland waterways user fee from 20 cents to 29 cents per gallon was included in the Tax Extenders package which passed into law by a vote of 76 to 16.\r\nThis increase will be matched by general treasury funds and will add an additional estimated $60-80 million annually for lock and dam projects in western Pennsylvania and across the country.\r\nWith a more reliable funding stream the cost for these projects will also be lower, saving taxpayers money.\r\n \r\nDelaware Deepening Project\r\n \r\nSince he has come to the Senate, Senator Casey has helped to secure over $125 million for the project through appropriations. \u00a0\r\nSenator Casey advocated for inclusion of this project in the President\u2019s FY 2015 budget. It received $35 million in the omnibus which represented a significant increase from the $20 million level in FY 2014. The project is over 60% percent complete as of December 2014.\r\nVice President Biden came to visit the project and tour a dredge at Senator Casey\u2019s invitation. During the visit, the Vice President expressed support for completing the project as quickly as possible.\r\nOnce the channel is deepened to forty-five feet, there will be an increase of 2.5 million tons of cargo annually to the Port of Philadelphia, which will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in addition to providing short term jobs in the construction industry which has been hard hit in this economy.\r\n \r\nHelping PA Small Businesses and Fighting for His Constituents \r\nTax Relief for Small Businesses\r\n \r\nSenator Casey has led efforts on the Senate Finance Committee to provide small businesses with tax relief that will allow them to grow their businesses and create jobs.\r\nSenator Casey is the Senate champion for legislation making permanent 15-year depreciation schedule for restaurants and retail establishments, thereby allowing these businesses certainty that they can update their facilities on a reasonable timeline.\r\nSenator Casey also introduced the Small Business tax Certainty and Growth Act, which would permanently extend Section 179 expensing, extend 15-yr depreciation and bonus depreciation by one year, double the cash accounting threshold and increase the start-up deduction.\r\nLegislation extending Section 179, 15-year depreciation and bonus depreciation was passed by Congress in December 2014.\r\n \r\nPreventing Access to Social Security Benefits for War Criminals\r\n \r\nSenator Casey led efforts in the Senate to close a loophole that allowed Nazi war criminals to receive Social Security benefits.\r\nThe Senate passed legislation closing the loophole on December 4, 2014.\u00a0\r\n \r\nNational Guard Counterdrug Centers\r\n \r\nSenator Casey has been a longtime advocate for the National Guard\u2019s Counterdrug Training Centers.\u00a0 He visited the center in Ft. Indiantown Gap in October 2014 and led his colleagues in two bipartisan letters, one to Secretary Hagel and one to the Armed Services Committee leadership, arguing for continued funding of the Centers.\r\nIn July 2014, Senator Casey introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Defense Department to identify a sustainable funding solution for the Centers.\u00a0\r\nThe final NDAA report includes the following language that supports the National Guard counterdrug effort: \u201cWe note the role of the National Guard Counter-drug mission in ensuring the security of the U.S. Homeland. As part of that mission, the National Guard Counter-drug Schools continue to play an important role in training and educating local, state, and federal law enforcement and other entities on counter-drug-related matters. We recognize the benefits of maintaining and supporting the National Guard counterdrug strategy.\u201d\r\n \r\n\u00a0Combatting Hunger for Vulnerable Children \r\n \r\nSenator Casey\u2019s support for The Emergency Feeding Assistance Program (TEFAP), which assists food banks in providing food to people in need, garnered $250 million in additional funding for the program.\u00a0\r\nSenator Casey helped to authorize a Healthy Food Financing Initiative in the Farm Bill, which will help improve access to healthy foods year round, across the nation in underserved areas; and would revitalize communities by developing and renovating stores, generate local tax revenue, create and retain jobs, and bring development to low-income neighborhoods.\r\n \r\nFighting for Justice for PA Coal Miners \u00a0\r\n \r\nFollowing a groundbreaking investigation by leading news organizations into the processing of black lung claims, Casey chaired a hearing to explore the challenges that former coal miners have with this backlogged and broken system. Senator Casey also sent a letter to the Administration calling for additional resources to combat the claims backlog which has left some Pennsylvania residents waiting years for the benefits they desperately need and are owed.\r\nCasey introduced legislation proposing sweeping reforms to the federal program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease to give miners better access to the benefits they deserve.\r\n \r\nCombatting Sexual Violence on College Campuses \u00a0\r\n \r\nThis year the Obama Administration wrote regulations to strengthen reporting standards on college campuses so that instances of sexual violence are reported in a uniform manner and victims are provided with appropriate support. The Administration\u2019s efforts largely emanate from Casey\u2019s Campus SaVE Act which was passed into law as part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.\r\n \r\nForeign Policy\r\nPress Freedom Resolution\r\n \r\nSenator Casey introduced S.Res.447, a resolution on global press World Press Freedom Resolution, with Senator Rubio on May 15. It passed the Senate unanimously on July 8.\r\nThe resolution recognizes the dangers that reporters face and reaffirms freedom of the press as a priority for the U.S. government.\r\nIn 2014, Senator Casey wrote three letters to Secretary Kerry on various press freedom issues, including the ongoing detention of American journalist Jason Rezaian in Iran.\r\n \r\nAdvancing Women\u2019s Rights and Empowerment in Afghanistan \r\n \r\nSenator Casey was invited to deliver keynote remarks at the Oslo Symposium on Women\u2019s Rights and Empowerment in Afghanistan on November 23. He emphasized that the rights of Afghan women and girls must be non-negotiable during this critical transition period in Afghanistan.\u00a0\r\nAt the Symposium, Senator Casey met with Afghanistan\u2019s First Lady, Rula Ghani, and other Afghan women leaders to discuss the challenges they are facing.\r\nMuch of the language from Senator Casey\u2019s amendment to promote the safety, security, and rights of Afghanistan\u2019s women and children was included in the final NDAA, especially the section about how the FY14 $25 million carve-out in the Afghan Security Forces Fund should be used to promote the recruitment and retention of women in the ANSF.\r\nThe three key provisions in the NDAA include: prioritize the recruitment and retention of women in the Afghan National Security Forces; support police units that are specially trained to work with female or adolescent victims; ensure the adequate staffing of polling stations by female officers.\r\n \r\nFighting for PA Veterans\r\n21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act and Report\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe 21st Century Veterans Benefits Reform Act was introduced on March 6, 2014 along with the release of the report.\r\nThe report and bill includes three initiatives to make the necessary policy changes to reduce the backlog of veterans\u2019 disability claims. The three main provisions: improving the claims submission process, improve VA Regional Office Practices, requiring the federal government, across-the-board, to make Veteran benefits claims a priority.\r\n \r\nSenate Veterans Backlog Working Group\u00a0\r\n \r\nSenator Casey convened the Veterans Backlog Working Group with Senator Heller on September 9, 2014 to bring the issue of reducing the benefits claims backlog back to the forefront and stressing the importance of the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act.\r\nThe attendees included Senators Blumenthal, Walsh, and Toomey. The VA was represented by Beth McCoy, the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Field Operations for the Veterans Benefits Administration and Dave McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance. Most major accredited Veterans Service Organizations were also in attendance, including: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, and the American Federation of Government Employees.\r\n \r\nCasey-Heller Letter to Veterans Affairs Committee on the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act\r\n \r\nOn November 10, 2014, Senator Casey sent a letter with Senator Heller to the Veterans Affairs Committee urging the Committee to hold a hearing on the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act\r\n \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-pledges-continued-opposition-un-arms-trade-treaty", "Rep. Kelly Pledges Continued Opposition to UN Arms Trade Treaty", "2014-12-22", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Treaty will enter into force on Christmas Eve \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today regarding the imminent entry into force of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which will occur on December 24, 2014 \u2014 90 days, as required, after the 50th nation ratified the treaty. The United States signed the treaty on September 25, 2013, but has never ratified it.\n\u201cAs the ATT soon enters into force, the United States Congress continues to stand with the American people in total opposition to this dangerous treaty. I applaud my colleagues for continuing to prohibit federal funding for the treaty\u2019s implementation, and am glad to see the president once again sign legislation affirming this important ban. However, even with the ban in place, there are still plans being proposed for the US to pay up to 22 percent of UN \u2018activity\u2019 to manage the treaty \u2014 even though our Senate (rightly) refuses to ratify it! Going forward, vigilance is crucial. Congress must maintain its strong opposition while ensuring that the Obama administration is not tempted to act unilaterally in the treaty\u2019s favor. We must not stand by and allow the ATT to threaten our constitutional rights at home or our closest allies abroad, as the world\u2019s worst actors are surely counting on.\u201d\nBACKGROUND: \u00a0Rep. 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. A follow-up letter was sent to the White House on April, 20, 2014.\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. A version of this ban was integrated into H.R. 3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, which temporarily funded the government between October 1, 2013 and January 15, 2014.\nOn April 1, 2014, Rep. Kelly authored and submitted four separate letters to the bipartisan leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies requesting updated and strengthened language prohibiting federal funding of the ATT in each of the subcommittees\u2019 respective appropriation bills for fiscal year 2015, including an explicit ban on the use of funds to engage in domestic prosecutions on the basis of the ATT. Each letter was co-signed by more than 80 members of Congress.\nOn May 22, 2014, the House passed H.R. 4335, the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2015, which included Rep. Kelly\u2019s amendment to continue the Defense Department\u2019s ban on funding for the ATT.\nOn May 30, 2014, the House passed the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2015, which included language requested by Kelly to ban ATT funding by the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other related agencies.\nOn June 20, 2014, the House passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2015 by a bipartisan vote of 340-73, which included language requested by Rep. Kelly to prohibit any funding by the Department of Defense for the implementation of the ATT for one year. On June 24, 2014, the full Appropriations Committee approved language to ban ATT funds in the FY 2015 State and Foreign Ops bill following Rep. Kelly\u2019s letter to the subcommittee.\nOn September 5, 2014, Rep. Kelly submitted a letter to President Obama voicing opposition to the planned First Conference of State Parties (CSP) to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) \u2013 a UN-backed gathering to shape the future of the ATT \u2013 due to its exclusion of any organizations critical of the treaty.\nOn December 16, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2015, which includes a ban on federal funding for the ATT\u2019s implementation. The president signed the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2015 (H.R. 3979) on December 19, 2014, which included a similar ban.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/marino-condemns-attacks-nyc-police", "Marino Condemns Attacks on NYC Police", "2014-12-21", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cogan Station, PA\u2014Congressman Tom Marino, PA-10, Lycoming County issued the following statement in the wake of the assassination of two New York City Police Officers:\n\u201cAs I see photos of officers and citizens praying at a makeshift memorial, my heart sinks. I have had the honor and privilege to work with law enforcement throughout my entire career and I have the utmost respect for them.\nI ask myself what more can be done to quell this senseless violence and preserve life. Inevitably I pray togetherness among us will ensue before we must endure more division and needless loss of life.\nThese two officers died tragically in the line of duty while serving their communities. They were assassinated only because they wore a uniform and badge. Their death was retaliation for incidents which they had no part in. It is deeply troubling to me to understand officers everywhere go to work each day knowing the danger to them has never been greater.\nI call on every religious leader, every political leader, every public servant and every citizen to come together and speak out about this kind of behavior and sickening violence. We must be unified in our efforts to stop this from happening again because it has been our recent divisions which have allowed it happen in the first place.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-hails-victories-western-pa-113th-congress-concludes", "Rep. Kelly Hails Victories for Western PA as 113th Congress Concludes", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kelly-sponsored provision to secure retirement benefits\n\tincluded in final FY 2015 omnibus budget;\n\textension of pro-jobs energy tax incentives signed by president;\n\tKelly-sponsored ABLE Act now law \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 issued the following statement today highlighting three legislative victories for the Third District that were achieved in Washington over this past week.\nThe first is the inclusion of a bipartisan retirement provision introduced by Reps. Kelly, Jim Gerlach (R-PA), and Ron Kind (D-WI) in the final version of the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015, which was signed by President Obama on December 16, 2014. The provision codifies the definition of \u201cnormal retirement age\u201d as either 30 years of service or the current tax code\u2019s definition of 62 years old. Because the IRS changed its retirement definition to include only the latter description, 10,000 rural electric coop beneficiaries throughout the nation would have otherwise lost their retirement benefits, including 16 in the Third District.\nThe second is the passage by the U.S. Senate and signing into law of a package of extenders for multiple expiring tax incentives for propane and biodiesel which were included in Rep. Kelly\u2019s Powering American Jobs Act. The incentives were extended retroactively through the end of 2014, which will cover the 2014 tax filing season for this year\u2019s tax liabilities. This package was signed by President Obama this afternoon.\nThe third is the signing into law of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, also known as the ABLE Act, of which Rep. Kelly is a co-sponsor. The law aims to provide families of a severely disabled child with added peace of mind by allowing them to save for their child's long-term disability expenses in the same way that families of able-bodied children can currently save for college through popular 529 investment plans.\u00a0\nStatement by Rep. Kelly:\n\u201cI am thrilled that our bipartisan retirement provision is now federal law. By working together and putting our constituents\u2019 needs first, we have successfully stopped the IRS from eliminating retirement benefits for more than 10,000 rural electric co-op employees of more than 300 co-ops throughout the nation\u2014including 16 in the Third District.\n\u201cI am also very happy to see President Obama sign into law a major portion of the Powering American Jobs Act, which will help keep taxes from being raised and help create jobs in Western Pennsylvania.\n\u201cThe signing of the ABLE Act, along with its overwhelming popular and bipartisan passage in Congress, should serve as proof that with the right goals and principles leading the way, Washington can still get necessary work done for the American people.\u201d\nStatement by National Rural Electric Cooperative CEO Jo Ann Emerson:\n\"On behalf of our 10,000 members whose benefits were saved with the inclusion of the critical normal retirement age provision in the FY 2015 Omnibus, thank you Representative Mike Kelly for working so diligently on this major accomplishment. Our members are even further blessed this holiday season and have additional reminders to give thanks.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-mike-kelly-deliver-weekly-gop-address", "Rep. Mike Kelly Delivers the Weekly National GOP Address", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) was selected by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to deliver the weekly Republican address to the nation on Saturday, December 20, 2014. Rep. Kelly represents Pennsylvania\u2019s Third Congressional District, and his holiday-themed message focused on the importance of developing all forms of American energy for the sake of spurring new job creation and robust economic growth.\n\u201cI am sincerely honored to be selected by Speaker Boehner to deliver this week\u2019s national address on behalf of our colleagues,\u201d said Rep. Kelly. \u201cMy message will echo the American people\u2019s strong support for unleashing our nation\u2019s vast energy potential in order to usher in new jobs, lower energy costs, and a much stronger economy. Especially as Americans gather with loved ones during this season of hope, it\u2019s crucial that we chart an optimistic course for the future that seizes all of the abundant, affordable, and accessible energy resources that we\u2019ve been blessed with. From coal production to the Keystone Pipeline construction, it\u2019s time for President Obama to work Republicans to give the American people the energy future they want and deserve.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\nThe Weekly Republican Address is also available at Speaker.gov and GOP.gov.\nTEXT OF REP. KELLY'S ADDRESS:\nGood morning, I\u2019m Mike Kelly, and I have the tremendous privilege of representing Pennsylvania\u2019s Third Congressional District.\n\tToday I\u2019m offering President Obama a lump of coal for Christmas.\n\tNot because he\u2019s been bad this year \u2013 though I\u2019ll get to that.  \n\t\u00a0  No, I\u2019m offering the president a lump of coal because this product right here holds the potential for a 21st-century economic revival.\u00a0\n\tYou see, coal is our most abundant and valuable resource.\u00a0 It lights our homes, keeps our electric bills low, and puts food on the table for countless families.\u00a0 More than 40,000 jobs in my state alone are tied to coal.\n\tBut this isn\u2019t just about coal country \u2013 no, it\u2019s about our whole country.\u00a0\n\tBecause no other nation in the world has been blessed with such abundant, affordable, and accessible resources.\u00a0\n\tAnd with all that God has given us, we shouldn\u2019t be just trying to keep up with the pack.\u00a0 My goodness, we should be leading the world.\n\tNow if only we had a president willing to seize this opportunity.\n\tHe tells us he\u2019s for \u2018all of the above\u2019 but then he leaves out everything that\u2019s below.\n\tThe president said he would bankrupt the coal industry and he\u2019s spent his presidency trying to do just that.\u00a0 Federal regulations have already forced two coal-fired power plants in my district to close over the past two years.\u00a0 Hundreds more are set to shut down around the country.\u00a0\n\tHe\u2019s put up so many roadblocks to American energy that all our production is coming from state and private lands.\n\tNow even when the president\u2019s own party stopped him from imposing his cap-and-trade tax, he said it was \u2018just one way of skinning the cat\u2019 and then he directed the EPA to do his bidding for him.\n\tInstead of forcing our workers to live with less, the president should let us use our God-given resources and talents to help Americans get back to work and make our nation the energy superpower it can be \u2013 and quite frankly, that it needs to be.\u00a0\n\tSo whether it\u2019s stopping these regulations, expediting infrastructure, or expanding production, there\u2019s so much we can do to encourage the development of all forms of American energy.\u00a0\n\tThese aren\u2019t just Republican solutions \u2013 these are common-sense American ideas that have support in both parties.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to see them again in the new Congress, starting with a vote to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.\n\tBecause manufacturing things, making things \u2013 and doing it better than anyone else in the world \u2013 that\u2019s what America\u2019s always been about.\u00a0 That\u2019s how we\u2019ve built such a robust and dynamic economy.\u00a0 If we all pull together, we can make 2015 the year we restore our nation of builders. \u00a0\n\tBut that\u2019s next year. \u00a0Right now, we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas.\u00a0 And as we do, I hope you\u2019ll set aside a moment to remember all those who gave their lives this year for the cause of freedom, and pray for those spending this holiday season away from their families and loved ones.\n\tMerry Christmas everyone, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/us-army-reverses-policy-involuntary-separation-following-thompson-led-effort", "US Army Reverses Policy on Involuntary Separation Following Thompson-led Effort", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellefonte, PA \u2013 Secretary of the Army John McHugh has announced that prior-enlisted officers selected for involuntary separation from the service will be allowed to remain on active duty or retire at their current commissioned rank with full benefits. The policy reversal follows efforts by Members of Congress to prevent commissioned officers from being forced to retire at their highest previous enlisted rank, including legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-PA) and Tim Walz (D-MN), H.R. 5832, the Proudly Restoring Officers of Prior Enlistment Retirement (PROPER) Act.\n\t\"Under the criteria for officer separations, these soldiers should not have been considered,\" Secretary McHugh stated yesterday afternoon, following the announcement. \"This is an issue of fundamental fairness, and today we have taken appropriate action. These soldiers have served their country honorably both as enlisted soldiers and, now, as officers.\u00a0 We owe them nothing less. We appreciate that this oversight was brought to our attention, and are glad we were able to take corrective action in the best interests of these soldiers.\"\n\tUnder the Obama Administration\u2019s force restructuring and end strength reduction plan, many prior-enlisted commissioned officers were being involuntarily retired at their highest enlisted rank, despite years of service in commissioned status.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tUnder current law soldiers must serve a minimum of 20 years to become eligible for retirement. In order to retire with officer rank, at least 8 of those years must come after receiving a commission. Some soldiers who have served over 20 years total, but less than 8 years as commissioned officers, were being involuntarily retired at their highest enlisted rank, which equated to forced demotions and large reductions in retirement benefits.\n\tThe PROPER Act, which is supported by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the American Military Retirees Association, and the National Guard Association (NGAUS), would have enabled soldiers to keep their commissioned rank in retirement by lowering the eligibility threshold from 8 to 4 years.\n\tThe Army Secretary\u2019s decision effectively waives the eight year requirement for this small group of experienced and dedicated officers.\n\t\u201cSecretary McHugh made the right decision and we stand by that action,\u201d stated Rep. Thompson. \u201cFrom the start this was a flawed policy that devalued the service and sacrifice of soldiers who stepped up to lead as commissioned officers at a time when the Armed Forces needed them most. I thank Secretary McHugh for acting quickly to correct this injustice, taking lead from the PROPER Act, to assure these servicemembers are able to retire with the rank and benefits they have earned.\u201d\n\t\u201cThis is a welcome move and will no doubt benefit our enlisted men looking to become officers get the benefits they have earned,\u201d Rep. Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked with Rep. Thompson and our veteran service organizations to bring this issue to light and help right a wrong.\u201d\n\t\u201cMOAA applauds the actions of Secretary McHugh and the Army to rectify this inequity for prior enlisted \u201cmustang\u201d officers. As a former Chief of Naval Personnel, I\u2019d particularly like to thank Reps. Thompson and Walz for their quick response to protect these servicemembers who repeatedly answered the call of duty to our nation,\u201d stated MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, USN (Ret). \u201cTogether, these actions right a wrong and provide these officers with the respect and compensation they deserve for their decades of selfless service and sacrifice.\u201d\n\t\"The American Military Retirees Association is very pleased with the decision that Secretary McHugh has made and is proud to have partnered with the National Military Veterans Alliance and to have supported Congressman Thompson's legislation in our combined efforts to influence the Secretary to modify the current policy affecting these officers,\u201d stated Ted Painter, National Legislative Director, American Military Retirees Association. \u201cThis decision will relieve these officers and their families of a substantial emotional and financial burden and it will restore their faith and trust in the Army that they have dedicated much of their lives to serving.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1462", "President Signs Two Toomey Veterans Bills Into Law", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - The President signed into law two bills introduced by U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to honor a Philly hero and veterans of past wars. First, the Woodland Avenue Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been renamed after Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, Philadelphia's only Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.    At the beginning of this Congress, Sen. Toomey introduced a bipartisan bill to change the name of the Woodland Avenue center.  The bill, which was cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), cleared the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee last July and passed both houses of Congress in December.   Corporal Crescenz's full Medal of Honor citation is here. \"I am delighted that the President has signed this bipartisan legislation to ensure the name of Philly's own \u2018Michael Crescenz' will be above the door at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center,\" said Sen. Toomey.  \"I realize this is a small gesture on our part given the nature of his great actions. We do this with profound respect and deepest gratitude for his sacrifice.\"\nSecond, President Obama signed another bipartisan bill into law which was introduced bySen. Toomey to make it easier for veterans to travel and visit the national war memorials dedicated in their honor.\nThe new law directs the Transportation Security Administration to provide expedited and dignified passenger screening services for veterans traveling via the Honor Flight Network.\nHonor Flight is a national organization that arranges all-expense paid flights for veterans to Washington. Funded by donations, it began in 2005 when retired Air Force captain Earl Morse and five other pilots brought 12 World War II veterans to see the National World War II Memorial in D.C. Since then, the organization has helped approximately 100,000 veterans travel to the national memorial.\n\"Honor Flight helps ensure that our vets are given the accolades they deserve while visiting the National World War II Memorial and other D.C. landmarks,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"Fortunately, it will now be easier for them to make the trip. Streamlined screening services at the airport will facilitate their travel and show our World War II veterans respect and appreciation.\"\nHonor Flight now has 127 hubs in 41 states. Pennsylvania is fortunate to have two such hubs in Montgomery County and York.\nBackground:  JT Hand, the director of the York chapter of Honor Flight (jth@yorkwater.com), and David Polk, the President of the York Rotary Club that sponsors the local Honor Flight chapter (Davidtpolk@comcast.net), are available to discuss the importance of these measures to Pennsylvania veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=newsletter&id=1461", "A Prayer For Our Troops", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Johnstown    Richland Square III, Suite 302   1397 Eisenhower Blvd   Johnstown, PA 15904   Phone: (814) 266-5970   Fax: (814) 266-5973  Map: Get Directions\nPlease call for an appointment before visiting our Johnstown office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/11-senators-urge-congress-to-preserve-strong-net-neutrality-protections", "11 Senators Urge Congress to Preserve Strong Net Neutrality Protections", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In a letter today, 11 Senators led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged leaders of the 114th Congress to preserve net neutrality principles when considering reforms to the nation\u2019s communications law.\r\n\u201cTo the extent that any Communications Act reforms are considered in the next Congress, those reforms must be fully consistent with and protective of net neutrality principles,\u201d the Senators wrote in the letter to incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator John Thune, (R-SD), who will take over as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. \u201cThe FCC can and should take strong action to protect consumers as soon as possible. We would forcefully oppose any reforms that would undermine the FCC\u2019s authority to act to adopt meaningful net neutrality rules to protect consumers.\u201d\r\nThe 11 Senators who signed the letter were: Reid, Cantwell, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Al Franken (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).\r\nThe Senators laid out four essential elements to net neutrality rules:\r\n \r\nProhibiting fast lanes;\r\nPreventing discrimination against and blocking of lawful content;\r\nProhibiting throttling; and;\r\nIncreasing transparency.\r\n \r\n\u201cA two-tiered Internet that allows Fortune 500 companies to pay for special Internet access imperils the innovation that drives the Internet economy, while leaving slow lanes for the rest of us,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cWe stand with the American people in their desire to keep the Internet open and free. And we stand ready to work with you in ensuring that any reform of our communications laws is consistent with strong net neutrality protections.\u201d\r\nBelow is the full text of the letter.\r\nDear Leader McConnell and Senator Thune,\r\nWe wholeheartedly agree with Senator Thune\u2019s assertion that any action Congress takes to reform our nation\u2019s communications laws must make sense \u201cfor today\u2019s converged, competitive, and Internet-powered world.\u201d Keeping the Internet free and open is essential to this goal. To the extent that any Communications Act reforms are considered in the next Congress, those reforms must be fully consistent with and protective of net neutrality principles. The FCC can and should take strong action to protect consumers as soon as possible. We would forcefully oppose any reforms that would undermine the FCC\u2019s authority to act to adopt meaningful net neutrality rules to protect consumers.\r\nTo be effective, net neutrality rules must provide maximum protection to consumers and maximum flexibility to promote the Internet economy. Such net neutrality rules contain at least four essential elements: they must prohibit fast lanes, prevent discrimination against and blocking of lawful content, prohibit throttling, and increase transparency. We hope the FCC will adopt such rules without delay.\r\nThe Internet has created a $684 billion economic force, accounting for nearly 5 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. For example, between 2007 and 2012, the development and use of applications for smartphones and tablets, created 466,000 high-tech jobs and generated more than $20 billion in annual revenue. We cannot allow Internet service providers to implement practices that threaten this economic force.\r\nA two-tiered Internet that allows Fortune 500 companies to pay for special Internet access imperils the innovation that drives the Internet economy, while leaving slow lanes for the rest of us. This is unacceptable. All consumers and all innovators deserve equal access to an open Internet.\r\nAmericans understand this. When the FCC first sought comments on its net neutrality rules, four million Americans registered their views with the FCC, the highest number on any issue in FCC history. These comments deliver one message overwhelmingly\u2014most are in favor of the strongest net neutrality protections.\r\nWe stand with the American people in their desire to keep the Internet open and free. And we stand ready to work with you in ensuring that any reform of our communications laws is consistent with strong net neutrality protections.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-carper-collins-begich-mccaul-release-gao-report-laying-out-gaps-in-us-emergency-preparedness-opportunities-to-close-capability-gaps-", "Casey, Carper, Collins, Begich, McCaul Release GAO Report Laying Out Gaps In U.S. Emergency Preparedness, Opportunities to Close Capability Gaps", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Co-Chair of the National Security Working Group; Tom Carper (D-DE), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Susan Collins (R-ME), former Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee; Mark Begich (D-AK); and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report laying out gaps in the nation\u2019s emergency preparedness and identifying opportunities to close capability gaps. The GAO analyzed the federal government\u2019s preparedness for so called \u2018no-notice\u2019 catastrophic disasters which pose one of the greatest challenges to national emergency preparedness. The report finds that steps need to be taken to increase coordination among federal agencies so that federal officials are more consistently carrying out emergency preparedness activities. The Department of Homeland Security said that it will implement GAO\u2019s recommendations, in coordination with other agencies.\r\n\u201cThis report shows that additional steps and better coordination are needed at the federal level to make sure our agencies are prepared to respond to emergencies,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI\u2019m hopeful that the Administration will use this report to improve current policies and ensure that federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction are working with one another to enhance our nation\u2019s preparedness.\u201d \u00a0\r\n\u201cDisasters can strike at any time and at any place. Whether a disaster is natural or man-made, large or small, our federal government needs to be prepared,\u201d said Chairman Carper. \u201cThis report makes it clear that federal agencies need to do a better job of coordinating and sharing information with each other and providing that information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Responding to a disaster is a shared responsibility by a number of agencies. While FEMA plays a central role in this effort, it\u2019s crucial that other agencies are prepared and coordinate their response. I will continue to monitor agencies\u2019 progress in implementing the Government Accountability Office\u2019s (GAO) recommendations to improve overall coordination and collaboration. I will also continue to work with our partners at GAO as the agency conducts follow-up work to this report.\u201d\r\n\u201cI am concerned that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has not been tracking the efforts by agencies to address their capability gaps in responding to \"no-notice\u00a0emergencies,\" Senator Collins said. \u201cAs the name implies, these emergencies come with no advance warning and no time to prepare. \u00a0It is vitally important that DHS address the findings of this report to ensure that we are as prepared as we possibly can be for any disaster. \u00a0After observing the poor response at all levels of government to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, especially by FEMA, I led the effort to reshape and improve FEMA's response to emergencies with limited notice.\u00a0 I hope this report will act as a catalyst for similar improvements in the \u2018no-notice\u2019 area.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Secretary of Homeland Security is the principal federal official responsible for domestic incident management. Yet, according to GAO, cross-government coordination on preparedness efforts between DHS and other federal agencies are insufficient,\u201d said Chairman McCaul. \u201cAs such, there is no way to know just how prepared the whole of our federal government is to respond to a terrorist attack or natural disaster. More than thirteen years after the terrorist attack on 9/11, this is unacceptable. I look forward to working with the Secretary and FEMA Administrator to address GAO's recommendations, including through my committee's efforts to authorize the Department of Homeland Security next year.\"\r\nGAO\u2019s report can be found here: LINK\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo (Casey) 202-228-6367 Jennie Westbrook (HSGAC) 202-224-2627 Kevin Kelley (Collins) 202-224-2523 Lauren Claffey (McCaul) 202-226-8477", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-urges-state-department-to-redouble-efforts-to-secure-release-of-journalist-jason-rezaian", "Casey Urges State Department to Redouble Efforts to Secure Release of Journalist Jason Rezaian", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and former Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, urged the State Department to redouble its efforts to secure the release of jailed journalist Jason Rezaian. Rezaian was arrested by Iranian authorities in July and has remained detained for over 137 days. Casey, in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, called Rezaian\u2019s detention an affront to due process and urged the Administration to work to secure his release. \u00a0This year Senator Casey helped lead a Senate effort to pass a resolution to highlight the importance of press freedom and has previously weighed in with the State Department to urge the Administration to work to secure Rezaian\u2019s release.\r\nCasey wrote, \u201cI respectfully request that you redouble your efforts to secure Rezaian\u2019s release and prioritize his case in your discussions with Iranian officials.\u00a0 Iran\u2019s treatment of Rezaian is not only an affront to due process, but to journalists around the world working in difficult environments. \u201c\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nThe Honorable John Kerry\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of State\r\n2201 C Street NW\r\nWashington, DC 20520\r\nDear Secretary Kerry:\r\nI wrote to you over the summer regarding Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American journalist who was arrested in Tehran with his wife and two others in July.\u00a0 I write to you again with deep concern that the Iranian regime continues to detain Rezaian.\r\nAccording to his family, Rezaian has now been detained for more than 137 days, which I understand is the longest period of time that Iran has held a foreign journalist.\u00a0 Human Rights Watch (HRW) found that Iranian prosecutors \u201chave not allowed the lawyer hired by Rezaian\u2019s family to defend him, to speak with him, or to review his case file.\u201d He is reportedly being held in solitary confinement within the notorious Evin prison, in a section patrolled by Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards. We know that the terrible conditions in Evin can take a significant toll on detainees\u2019 health and well-being.\r\nI welcomed your recent statement, in which you expressed the United States\u2019 disappointment and concern regarding Rezaian\u2019s mistreatment at the hands of the Iranian regime.\u00a0 I am particularly concerned that the Iranians are refusing to permit the Swiss, which represent U.S. interests in Tehran, to gain consular access to Rezaian to ensure that he has legal representation and proper medical care.\u00a0 As you stated, Rezaian does not in any way pose a threat to Tehran, which makes the regime\u2019s refusal to grant him bail that much more offensive.\r\nI respectfully request that you redouble your efforts to secure Rezaian\u2019s release and prioritize his case in your discussions with Iranian officials.\u00a0 Iran\u2019s treatment of Rezaian is not only an affront to due process, but to journalists around the world working in difficult environments.\u00a0 As noted in my resolution on global press freedom, S. Res. 447, which passed the U.S. Senate this summer, Iran is one of the most prolific jailers of journalists globally.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nRezaian\u2019s reporting for the Washington Post has been helpful to many in shedding light on one of the most repressive governments in the world.\u00a0 I ask you to unequivocally reject any efforts by the Iranian regime to use him as a pawn in other negotiations and insist that the Iranian regime does not continue to unjustly punish him for his reporting.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\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/caseys-able-act-becomes-law-with-president-obamas-signature", "Casey’s ABLE Act Becomes Law with President Obama’s Signature", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that his Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was signed into law this afternoon by President Obama. The bill will allow families who have a child with a disability to save for their long-term care through 529-style savings accounts. The ABLE Act passed the Senate on Tuesday with a final vote of 76-16, and it passed the House last week with a final vote of 404-17. This legislation has been called \u201c\u2026the broadest legislation to help [people with disabilities] in nearly a quarter-century.\u201d\r\nBelow is a statement from Senator Casey:\r\n\u201cEight years ago, a group of parents came to Congress, asking for help with a pressing issue\u2014adequately saving for their children\u2019s future.\u00a0 These parents, including a gentleman named Steve Beck, knew firsthand the challenges many families face when a loved one has a disability.\u00a0 Faced with a lifetime of extraordinary expenses, parents are told not to save or put assets in their child\u2019s name.\u00a0 Thanks to Steve and countless other concerned parents, we stand ready to forever change this dynamic.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe ABLE Act has been a collaborative effort. The bill was first introduced by Senators Hatch and Dodd in 2008, under the name of the Disabilities Savings Act.\u00a0 In each session since, Senator Burr and I have introduced the bill under the name of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act.\u00a0\u00a0 Today, we are proud to say that we will pass the ABLE Act with the support of over 480 members of Congress.\u00a0\r\nBeyond this lengthy legislative history, the story of the ABLE Act is also the story of individuals like Sara Wolff, a fellow Pennsylvanian who has been one of the bill\u2019s most vocal advocates.\r\nSeveral years ago, Sara was an intern in my Scranton office. Today, Sarah is 31 years old and has two jobs \u2013 she works at Keystone Resources in the Office of Advocacy and is also a Law Clerk at a firm in my hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She also serves on the board of several organizations including the National Down Syndrome Society.\r\nSara happens to have Down syndrome. She a productive member of society and has goals and ambitions just like any other hard-working American. But a set of unfair rules has held Sara back by making it difficult for her to save money. In order to avoid being cut off from critical benefits, Sara has had to carefully avoid amassing more than two thousand dollars in assets and has made arrangements with her employers to keep her monthly pay below seven hundred dollars a month.\u00a0\r\nFor years, this disincentive to save has stood in the way of Sara\u2019s efforts to plan for future costs, her desire to live a fuller and more productive life, and her wish to pursue her own dreams and aspirations.\r\nStories like Sara\u2019s are common across the country. Millions of Americans are currently living with disabilities, and many of them have also had to endure significant uncertainty about their ability to cover basic expenses in the future. They have struggled to keep up with the rising cost of housing, transportation and medical assistance. A growing number of Americans with disabilities are outliving their parents, and are forced to rely on government assistance when family support disappears. This is partly because Americans with disabilities have not had the same incentives to save that other Americans enjoy.\r\nThe ABLE Act changes this unfair situation by creating tax-advantaged plans for disability-related incentives, and by allowing Americans with disabilities to save without losing eligibility for government programs.\r\nSara has told me that the ABLE Act will change her life for the better. With an ABLE account, she will be able to save for future expenses including transportation, housing, healthcare and community-based support, without worrying that her hard work will make her ineligible to receive government benefits. The immediate impact of the ABLE Act will be to give Sara financial peace of mind. In the long run, this savings vehicle will also make it easier for Sara to live independently, and pursue her goals.\r\nThat is why since 2009, Sara has been a leading champion of the ABLE Act. She has traveled all over the country advocating for this legislation, and has visited Washington countless times. Earlier this year, she authored a change.org petition calling on Congress to pass the ABLE Act.\u00a0 This petition earned the support of over 268,000 individuals from across the country. In July, she testified before the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, stressing the importance of the ABLE Act to her and millions of other Americans with disabilities.\r\nIt is thanks to the commitment of disability advocates like Sara that we stand ready to pass this important piece of legislation. I am particularly grateful for the leadership of the National Down Syndrome Society, Autism Speaks, the Arc of Pennsylvania, and numerous others who have put the full resources of their organizations behind this effort.\u00a0\r\nI am also grateful for the leadership of Senator Burr, who has been a tireless advocate for the ABLE Act.\u00a0 I remember earlier this year, my friend remarking that ABLE is \u2018one train you don\u2019t want to get in front of.\u2019\u00a0 His determination and that of his staffer Natasha Hickman were instrumental to the ABLE effort.\u00a0\r\nWe could not have passed the ABLE Act without the support of Finance Committee leadership and staff.\u00a0 I would like to give special recognition to Chairman Wyden and numerous members of his staff who have worked on this bill, including Tiffany Smith on the Chairman\u2019s tax team who worked for years on the ABLE Act.\u00a0 Senator Hatch, an early supporter of this idea deserves a lot of credit as well.\u00a0 Thank you to your entire team for their hours of work on ABLE.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI also want to extend my gratitude to our bipartisan team in the House of Representatives, led by Representatives Crenshaw and Van Hollen and with incredible support from Representatives McMorris Rogers and Sessions.\u00a0 Watching the big, bipartisan vote a couple of weeks ago in the House of Representatives is a testament to your efforts.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nI want to thank the Senate Leaders, Senators Reid and McConnell, for their support.\u00a0 Your determination and the assistance of your staffers Cathy Koch and Brendan Dunn have been key to the success of this effort.\u00a0\r\nI am grateful to everyone on my staff who worked on this bill, especially to my legislative director, Dick Spiegelman and our lead policy advisor, Jennifer McCloskey. Jennifer shepherded this bill through countless hours of meetings and negotiations in the House and Senate, and she worked tirelessly with many advocates to ensure that their voices were heard in the crafting of this legislation. I thank her for her determination and hard work to get the ABLE Act across the finish line.\r\nFinally, I want to thank one of those concerned dads who brought the idea for ABLE to Congress\u2014Steve Beck.\u00a0 Steve worked for years on this issue.\u00a0 When the House passed ABLE, I understand issued the loudest cheer came from Steve.\u00a0 Steve passed away last week but his legacy lives on through the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act.\u00a0 Thank you to Steve and his family for your efforts to provide millions with a better future.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398019", "Perry Amendment to Secure Chemical Facilities Expected to be Signed into Law", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Senate amendment H.R. 4007, the Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act - bipartisan legislation to reinforce the protection and security of chemical facilities from terrorist attacks. During the Homeland Security Committee markup of H.R. 4007 earlier this year, Congressman Perry offered an amendment that was accepted into the final bill. The amendment would allow the audit and inspection of chemical facilities to be carried out by non-Department or nongovernment entities, as approved by the Secretary. The addition of this amendment would allow DHS to complete its inspection of chemical facilities in a timely fashion so we can ensure that the products stored in these facilities are not used for terrorist purposes. \nWith the growing strength of terror groups like ISIS it is critically important that we guard our chemical facilities from a terrorist attack, said Rep. Scott Perry. The ability to audit and inspect chemical facilities by government or approved nongovernment entities is vital to ensure that all facilities are as secure as possible.\nH.R. 4007 is the second recent legislative measure sponsored by Rep. Perry that is expected to be signed into law. His legislation to preserve the Lincoln Train Station, where President Abraham Lincoln arrived prior to delivering the Gettysburg Address, was adopted by the U.S. Senate last week. Rep. Perry has also sponsored several measures that passed the U.S. House during his first term, including a bi-partisan amendment to reform State Department bureaucracy to better protect the lives of American diplomats serving overseas, and amendments condemning Russian violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and limiting government surveillance of citizens and reducing wasteful federal spending.\nResidents of the 4th District are welcome to contact Congressman Perry and his staff at any of the 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"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-obama-cuba-announcement", "Barletta Statement on Obama Cuba Announcement", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued a statement regarding President Obama\u2019s announcement that the United States will begin normalizing relations with Cuba following the negotiated release of American Alan Gross and an unnamed U.S. intelligence asset in exchange for three Cubans convicted of spying in 2001.\nThe statement is as follows:\n\u201cI join all Americans in celebrating the release of Alan Gross after years of unjust imprisonment. \u00a0It is in keeping with our tradition of leaving no one behind. \u201cThat said, the negotiated release should have come about without normalizing relations with the same nation which has oppressed its own people for decades. \u00a0These are enormous concessions extended to a country that does not allow its citizens simple, basic freedoms that we, as Americans, too often take for granted. \u00a0Instead, I fear this will only embolden the dictatorship, and teach others the lesson that all oppressive regimes need do is wait until the United States tires of standing firm for freedom. \u00a0Further, I am concerned that the Obama Administration will use this move as the pretext for closing our facility at Guantanamo Bay, which would cause either the release of known terrorists, or the housing of them within our own borders.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/doyle-statement-mass-arrest-journalists-turkey", "Doyle Statement on the Mass Arrest of Journalists in Turkey", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Mike Doyle", "D000482", "doyle.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pittsburgh, PA \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) issued the following statement today about human rights violations by the Turkish government:\n\u00a0\nOn Sunday, December 14, Turkish police arrested nearly 30 journalists whose only offenses appear to be their association with an opposition movement and their allegations of corruption in the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The arrests included the general editor of the largest daily newspaper in the country.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe senior expert on Turkey at Human Rights Watch concluded that \u201cThe timing and the limited evidence made public suggests these arrests are politically motivated, not based on reasonable suspicion of a criminal offense.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThese arrests appear to be just the latest actions in a long series of attempts to maintain the ruling AKP party\u2019s hold on power in the face of corruption allegations and mass protests. Turkey will cease to be a democracy and a partner with the free countries in NATO if it continues to jail journalists and opposition politicians and shuts down its free press.\n\u00a0\nI deplore the suppression of free speech in Turkey. I condemn the politicization of the judiciary and the subversion of the legal system by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the AKP. The United States must insist that President Erdogan release the journalists and others his government has arrested for political reasons.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nI have sent a letter to Secretary of State Kerry expressing my great concern about these human rights abuses in Turkey and urging the U.S. State Department to take immediate action to convince the Erdogan regime to release its political prisoners and respect human rights, freedom of the press, and the other essential foundations of democracy.\n\u00a0\nClick here to read a copy of the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-announces-annual-nominees-us-military-academies", "Rep. Kelly Announces Annual Nominees to U.S. Military Academies", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) today announced the names of his nominees to the United States Military Academies for the class of 2019. These candidates met all application requirements and were interviewed by Rep. Kelly\u2019s independent Military Academy Advisory Board, comprised of local academy alumni and veterans.\nStatement by Rep. Kelly:\n\u201cAfter an extensive application process, we have awarded congressional nominations to 21 distinguished candidates who will now move forward in seeking an appointment to one of the United States Military Academies. It is an absolute privilege to nominate individuals from Pennsylvania\u2019s Third District to these elite academies, and I am confident that these nominees possess the abilities and dedication necessary to become proud American leaders. I sincerely congratulate these fine young men and women and applaud their eagerness to serve our great nation.\u201d\nNominees:\nCollin Adamson, West Shamokin High School  \n\tThomas Anderton, Conneaut Area High School  \n\tRichard Arlington, Northwestern PA Collegiate Academy  \n\tJonathan Asseff, Seneca Valley High School  \n\tLauren Barber, Wilmington Area High School  \n\tMax Campoli, University of Texas  \n\tWilliam Drambel, Seneca Valley High School  \n\tKarita Ford, McDowell High School  \n\tDerek Gengler, Butler Senior High School  \n\tBenjamin Learn, Meadville Area Senior High School  \n\tAlex Madonna, Vincentian Academy  \n\tOscar Manjerovic, Mars Area High School  \n\tReed McDonough, Mars Area High School  \n\tSonya McLaughlin, Shady Side Academy  \n\tMichael Palaski, Seneca Valley High School  \n\tNorman Stark, Cathedral Preparatory School  \n\tGeorge Staudacher, Northwestern Preparatory School  \n\tMichael Tappe, Aquinas Academy  \n\tJohn Timon, Fairview High School  \n\tAnthony Valenza, Grove City Area High School  \n\tMary Wadding, West Shamokin High School\nNOTE: Rep. Kelly will honor all nominees during a ceremony in the spring of 2015. Any constituent interested in seeking a congressional nomination in the future (or more information regarding the application process) is encouraged to visit Rep. Kelly\u2019s website or contact Stephanie Stevenson, Academy Coordinator, at Stephanie.Stevenson@mail.house.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1460", "More of Crime Victims Fund to Go to Crime Victims", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Congressmen Ted Poe (R TX-2nd) and Jim Costa (D CA-16th) issued the following statement regarding enactment of a provision to increase disbursals from the Crime Victims Fund:\n\"We are pleased that Tuesday night the president signed into law a requirement that a larger share of already-available dollars go to crime victims.  The Crime Victims Fund receives no taxpayer dollars; it is funded by criminal fines and penalties assessed in federal court. For over a decade, Congress has unfortunately capped the total amount of dollars that can be allocated to assist victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes.  \"This bipartisan measure represents a step in the right direction. Next Congress, we will continue to fight for crime victims by introducing a bipartisan, permanent fix that will increase the amount of money allocated to serve crime victims each year.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/article/congress-must-act-to-ensure-safety-of-children", "Congress must act to ensure safety of children", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By:\u00a0\r\n                    Bob Casey\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Wednesday, December 17, 2014\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n              \r\n                \r\n                  \r\n                \r\n              \r\n            \r\n            Philadelphia, PA \u2013 Two years ago this week, at Sandy Hook Elementary School, 20 children and six adults were killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in our nation's history. I will never forget the horror of how those children died - shot at close range with a high-powered rifle, with each child hit as many as 11 times, as a shooter fired more than 150 rounds of ammunition within five minutes. The tragedy was magnified by the realization of what could have happened if the killer had more time - given the time and capacity, he would have killed hundreds of children.\r\nThis week we recognize the loss of the children killed at Sandy Hook and the grief of their families and community. But this week also provides an opportunity to take stock of the past two years and the work we have ahead of us.\r\nSince Sandy Hook, there have been more than 95 school shootings in the United States. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety, there were 1,453 gun deaths in Pennsylvania in 2012. The numbers are staggering, and the refusal of some in Congress to take action is inexcusable.\r\nWe should be taking any steps within our power to ensure that our children are safe in their schools and parents can feel at peace knowing that their children are protected. In pursuit of that goal, in April 2013, the Senate took up a bipartisan set of proposals that would have expanded background checks for firearms sold at gun shows and on the Internet, improved the ability of law enforcement to tackle the problem of illegally transferred guns, and limited possession of certain high-capacity ammunition magazines and military-grade weapons.\r\nI support the Second Amendment. Pennsylvania has a rich tradition of hunting, and I believe that people should be able to have guns for protection, sporting, and collection. But I also believe we need commonsense proposals to help keep powerful weapons out of the hands of wrongdoers without infringing on the fundamental Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners.\r\nLike many of my colleagues and millions of Americans, I am deeply disappointed that these measures did not pass, particularly in light of the overwhelming public support they enjoyed. I understand that some of my colleagues believe that these votes were conclusive - that there simply wasn't sufficient support among elected officials, and that the Senate functioned as it was intended. But I cannot in good conscience believe that Congress has satisfied our duty to ensure safety for our nation's children.\r\nI truly believe that all of my colleagues are invested in protecting America's children from violence. We have an abiding obligation to come together in this shared commitment, to find common ground among the many proposals that have been introduced to address this crisis. We have before us a wide range of possibilities to address firearm violence: from renewed examination of the critical importance of background checks to laws that facilitate enforcement of existing restrictions; from bans on certain weapons to increased safety hardware on firearms; and from funding for research on gun violence to resources for mental health.\r\nWhile no one piece of legislation could stop every tragedy, each may contribute to a safer society. Congress owes it to those who have been affected by firearm violence to consider each proposal fully. I refuse to believe that nothing more can be done.\r\nLike so many Americans, I cannot forget or ignore the memory of Newtown. We can never recover the lives lost at Newtown, or the reported 30,000 lives that have been lost to firearms across our country since. But we cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to revisit this issue - every day that passes is an opportunity. Congress should take this opportunity, and act with the urgency our children deserve.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/congress-agrees-to-widen-federal-help-for-disabled", "Congress Agrees to Widen Federal Help for Disabled", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wednesday, December 17, 2014\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n              \r\n                \r\n                  \r\n                \r\n              \r\n            \r\n            Washington, DC- Congress gave final approval Tuesday to the most sweeping legislation to help the disabled in a quarter century, allowing Americans with disabilities to open tax-free bank accounts to pay for needs such as education, housing and health care.\r\nThe move paves the way for creation of the accounts beginning next year for as many as 54 million disabled people and their families.\r\n\"This is a monumental, landmark bill,\" said Sara Hart Weir, interim president of the National Down Syndrome Society. \"This bill will change the way that families can save for all their children and adults with Down syndrome and will ease the unnecessary burdens that are placed on families all while allowing people with Down syndrome to work and save for the future.\"\r\nThe Democratic-led Senate passed the measure on a 76-16 vote after it was attached to a bill extending dozens of tax breaks for individuals and businesses until the end of the year. Earlier this month, the GOP-controlled House overwhelmingly approved the measure, having garnered 85 percent of Congress as co-sponsors.\r\nThe bill, called the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.\r\nModeled after tax-free college savings accounts, the ABLE bill would amend the federal tax code to allow states to establish the program.\r\nTo qualify, a person would have to be diagnosed by age 26 with a disability that results in \"marked and severe functional limitations\"; those who are already receiving Social Security disability benefits would also qualify. Families would be able to set up tax-free accounts at financial institutions, depositing up to $14,000 annually to pay for long-term needs such as education, transportation and health care.\r\nThe contributions would be in after-tax dollars but earnings would grow tax-free.\r\nThe ABLE accounts would be able to accrue up to $100,000 in savings without the person losing eligibility for government aid such as Social Security; currently, the asset limit is $2,000. Medicaid coverage would continue no matter how much money is deposited in the accounts.\r\nIt would be the first major legislation for the disabled since the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act.\r\nThe measure was sponsored by Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Richard Burr, R-N.C.\r\nMany lawmakers had insisted on cuts or revenue increases to offset the measure's $2 billion price tag over 10 years; the bill's sponsors found the savings in part by increasing the amount of levies on property for tax-delinquent Medicare providers and suppliers; cutting Medicare funding for \"vacuum erection systems\"; and making technical adjustments to cap worker's compensation.\r\nThe conservative Heritage Foundation criticized the bill as potentially promoting fraud and abuse, especially when it came to hard-to-diagnose mental disabilities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-the-protest-resignation-of-michael-garcia-from-fifa-ethics-committee", "Casey Statement on the Protest Resignation of Michael Garcia from FIFA Ethics Committee", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement in response to Michael Garcia's decision to resign from the FIFA ethics committee in protest over the handling of his findings.\r\n\"Michael Garcia was a strong voice for accountability and transparency in an organization famously lacking either,\" said Senator Casey.\u00a0 \"His resignation is understandable following repeated obstruction from FIFA to stifle his report on the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.\u00a0 FIFA should release the entire report to answer the many questions raised about the process that saw the U.S. lose its bid for the 2022 World Cup.\"\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-regarding-ruling-on-obama-executive-amnesty", "Barletta Statement Regarding Ruling on Obama Executive Amnesty", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued a statement regarding a federal judge\u2019s ruling that parts of President Obama\u2019s executive action on amnesty for illegal immigrants are unconstitutional. \u00a0Pennsylvania U.S. District Court Judge Arthur Schwab wrote in an opinion related to a deportation case that the president\u2019s actions amounted to legislating from the Executive Branch and goes \u201cbeyond prosecutorial discretion\u201d in refusing to deport illegal immigrants.\u00a0 Barletta has maintained that the president\u2019s actions are a violation of the constitutional separation of powers and trespass on Congressional authority to make laws.\nBarletta\u2019s statement is as follows:\n\u201cThough this is the first of presumably many court rulings on the president\u2019s unilateral executive amnesty, it is encouraging to see a federal court agree with what I have been saying all along.\u00a0 It is clear that the president has overstepped his authority by creating new laws and granting sweeping amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the administration is already defending its unlawful actions by telling federal courts that they don\u2019t have the authority to block the amnesty plan because of the constitutional separation of powers.\u00a0 The irony could not be richer.\n\u201cI still support a federal lawsuit against the administration for their own violation of the separation of powers.\u00a0 I also will be working closely with House leadership on defunding the president\u2019s executive amnesty program once the new Congress, with the new Senate majority, is sworn in.\n\u201cWe have immigration laws in this country for two basic reasons: to protect national security and to preserve American jobs.\u00a0 The president\u2019s plan to grant amnesty and work permits to millions of illegal immigrants violates both of those principles.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/marino-applauds-passage-anti-drug-trafficking-bill", "Marino Applauds Passage of Anti-Drug Trafficking Bill", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.\u2014Congressman Tom Marino, PA-10, Lycoming County applauded the passage of a bill to combat transnational drug trafficking. The bill, which passed the Senate yesterday, Transnational Drug Trafficking Act (S. 706) is the counterpart to Representative Marino\u2019s bill H.R. 2114, the Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2013.\nCongressman Marino said the following of the bill:\n\u201cThere is a long list of priorities in the 114th Congress and this bill will be one of them. I am glad the Senate chose to pass their version of my bill and we have got to get moving on this as soon as possible because it is part of our overall strategy to secure the border and protect Americans. The federal law enforcement officials who keep us safe need every procedural latitude and tool available in order to make sure drug trafficking is combatted at every turn.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-report-uncovers-lack-independence-and-accountability-endangered-species-act", "Thompson: Report Uncovers Lack of Independence and Accountability with Endangered Species Act Designations", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellefonte, PA \u2013 The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee has released a report that questions the impartiality and accountability of the peer review process in recent Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing decisions issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), which is the primary agency with authority over ESA designations.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\tThe Committee report, released Monday afternoon, analyzes 13 different ESA listing decisions made since July 2013, including related Federal Register notices, peer reviewer comments, and other publicly available materials, and found numerous examples of potential bias and conflicts of interests with regard to the agency\u2019s peer review process.\n\tThe ESA peer review process is designed for federal agencies to make formal solicitations of expert opinions and analyses on one or more specific questions or assumptions being used to justify a listing designation.\u00a0 The Committee report found that frequent FWS recruits for peer review roles are the same scientists that supplied the research at hand, rather than independent experts without any obvious connection to the species under review.\n\t\u201cThis report reinforces existing concerns over the lack of transparency and questionable processes used by the federal government to develop listing designations under the Endangered Species Act,\u201d stated Rep. Thompson, a member of the Natural Resources Committee. \u201cA case in point, is the northern long-eared bat, where the agency has moved forward with the listing proposal despite broad disagreement over the science and peer review protocols used to support the designation.\u201d\n\tIn October 2013, the FWS proposed to list the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) as an endangered species throughout its range, citing the effects of White-Nose Syndrome as the lone basis for the designation. Although the disease is impacting the species in areas of 38-states, the FWS has admitted that \u201ceven if all habitat-related stressors were eliminated\u201d through an endangered listing \u201cthe significant effects of the White-Nose Syndrome on the northern long-eared bat would still be present.\u201d\n\tIn May 2014, Rep. Thompson, joined by eight members of the Pennsylvania delegation, sent a letter to the FWS urging the agency to rescind the NLEB proposal, citing insufficient scientific data to support this decision.\u00a0 Since that time, the FWS has extended the public comment period due to substantial disagreement over the scientific data used to support the listing.\n\tThe final decision over whether or not to list the NLEB as endangered, which would have adverse economic impacts on a range of economic sectors in subjected states, is due in April 2015. \u00a0\n\t\u201cIt is my hope the Fish and Wildlife Service addresses these failures before moving forward with an ill-considered endangered listing that will have dramatic consequences for Pennsylvania\u2019s economy without addressing the underlying disease impacting the northern long eared bat,\u201d Rep. Thompson added.\n\tThe report also found, among other concerns, that FWS does not consistently disclose to the American public information about who serves as peer reviewers for ESA listing decisions, the instructions they are given, the substance of their comments, or how their comments are addressed by the agency.\n\tClick here to view the full report.\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1458", "Toomey, Casey Honor Centennial Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.  A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey was unanimously adopted by the Senate last week.\n\"Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania is a terrific organization that provides invaluable support and mentoring to some of the Delaware Valley's most vulnerable residents-- at-risk children,\" said Sen. Toomey.  \"I applaud all of the selfless work the group's volunteers and staffers have performed for the past century to benefit and protect children.  My hat is off to James Fitzpatrick and Imani Johnson of my Philadelphia staff who volunteers as Bigs.\"\n\"I'm pleased the Senate has recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania for their tremendous work with youth of all ages for the past century,\" said Sen.  Casey. \"The mentors who dedicate their time to work with at-risk youth are making their community more vibrant and the future of these young people brighter every day.\"\nBig Brothers Big Sisters is a national non-profit organization that provides at-risk children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships.  Pennsylvania is home to 23 Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters.\nIn 1915, the Philadelphia Big Brother Association was established.  Today, nearly 100 years later, the Philadelphia association has grown into a four-county agency serving both boys and girls and has adopted the name Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.\nThis incredible organization supports nearly 3,100 mentoring matches annually using proven methods shown to help participants perform better in school and develop better relationships with their families and peers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-burr-able-act-passes-senate-heads-to-the-presidents-desk-to-become-law", "Casey-Burr ABLE Act Passes Senate, Heads to the President’s Desk to Become Law", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) announced that the Senate has passed their Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The bill will allow families who have a child with a disability to save for their long-term care through 529-style savings accounts. The ABLE Act passed the House last week with a final vote of 404-17. This legislation has been called \u201c\u2026the broadest legislation to help the disabled in nearly a quarter-century.\u201d\r\n\u201cI could not be more proud of the support the ABLE Act has received from members of both parties in the House and Senate, and from all of the families who worked with us to achieve this historic goal,\u201d said Senator Casey. \u201cFrom the beginning, the power of these families who want to save for their loved ones\u2019 long term care has propelled the ABLE Act forward. We believe that individuals across this country with disabilities have a lot of ability. I look forward to President Obama quickly signing this bill into law so that countless families and individuals can have the tools they need to live a full life and have a bright future.\u201d\r\n\u201cSome have called the ABLE Act the most significant piece of legislation affecting the disabled since passage of the American Disabilities Act nearly 25 years ago.\u00a0 I got involved in this effort nearly 8 years ago with Senator Casey.\u00a0 Families of severely disabled children came to us expressing the critical need for an easy way to save for their child\u2019s future expenses, especially since many Americans with Down Syndrome and autism are now outliving their parents,\u201d said Senator Burr. \u201cMost middle-class families don\u2019t have the money to spend on lawyers and financial planners to set up sophisticated trusts to make sure that their disabled child will be OK long after they are gone.\u00a0 What\u2019s worse current federal law actually discourages parents from putting any assets in the name of their disabled child in fear of disqualifying them from federal programs down the road. It\u2019s utterly unacceptable that our current laws doom a child born with a disability to a lifetime of poverty and dependence.\u00a0 This is especially unfortunate when a parent or other family member has the resources and the desire to save and plan for that child\u2019s future expenses but are advised by lawyers and planners not to.\u00a0 The ABLE Act will take the first critical step in ending this injustice.\u201d\r\nThe ABLE Act would amend Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code 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\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) 202-228-6367 Rachel Hicks (Burr) 202-228-1616", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-confirmation-of-deputy-secretary-of-state-tony-blinken", "Casey Statement on Confirmation of Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the confirmation of Tony Blinken as Deputy Secretary of State:\r\n\u201cI am pleased that my Senate colleagues voted today to confirm Tony Blinken to the post of Deputy Secretary of State. This is an important post at a critical time in our nation\u2019s history.\u00a0 Tony is well qualified for the job. His extensive work in national security for both the Clinton and Obama Administrations brings a seasoned capability to his new position in the State Department.\u00a0 I believe his experience as a Senate staffer and his understanding of how Congress works will be valuable assets to the Administration as they work to addresses the many challenges we face a nation.\u201d\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-pakistan-school-attack", "Casey Statement on Pakistan School Attack", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the bombing of a Pakistani school:\r\n\u201cMy thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of today\u2019s horrific attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, Pakistan.\u00a0 We are deeply saddened by this loss of so many young lives and condemn the terrorists\u2019 actions in the strongest terms.\u00a0 The Government of Pakistan has undertaken important efforts to combat terrorism and to work with the United States to promote peace and stability in the region.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-the-first-night-of-hanukkah", "Casey Statement on the First Night of Hanukkah", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement in advance of Hanukkah:\r\n\u201cHanukkah is a time when families in Pennsylvania and across America come together to celebrate freedom, faith and miracles.\u00a0As the holiday begins this evening, I want to wish everyone celebrating Hanukkah this year a joyful holiday filled with light, health and happiness.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/following-casey-effort-tax-extenders-bill-that-is-set-to-become-law-renews-tax-incentive-that-boosts-pa-short-line-railroads", "Following Casey Effort, Tax Extenders Bill that Is Set to Become Law Renews Tax Incentive that Boosts PA Short Line Railroads", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that following his efforts, Congress\u2019 tax extenders bill that is set to become law following Senate passage contains a tax incentive that will boost Pennsylvania\u2019s short line railroads. The bipartisan bill would impact Short Line railroads in places like Luzerne, Lycoming, Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties among others. It would allow these Short Line railroads to deduct up to 50% of investments made in track repair.\r\n\u201cShort Line railroads help businesses across Pennsylvania move their goods,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cRenewing this tax credit will allow railroad companies to upgrade their infrastructure so that rail continues to have a role in boosting the Commonwealth\u2019s economy.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\r\nShort line railroads are branches of lines of larger railroads that were spun off to be the on and off ramps to the railroad network. A tax credit will be given for every 50 cents of every dollar that a customer or supplier spends on rail improvements, allowing small railroad companies to deduct up to 50% of investments made in track repair and other qualifying investments. There are 10 Short Line Railroad carriers operating in Pennsylvania that save the government millions of dollars in highway costs. The tax credit act originated with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, expired in January 2008, but was retroactively applied to extend through January 2012.\u00a0\r\nThis bill will retroactively extend the Section 45G Short Line Railroad tax credit that is expired in December 31, 2013.\r\nPennsylvania Short Line Railroads\r\nAllegheny Valley Railroad\r\n \r\nBrandywine Valley Railroad\r\nChestnut Ridge Railway Company\r\nConemaugh & Black Lick Railroad\r\nEast Erie Commercial RailroadKnox & Kane Railroad\r\nLuzerne & Susquehanna Railroad\r\nLycoming Valley Railroad\r\n \r\nMiddletown & Hummelstown Railroad\r\n \r\nNew Castle Industrial Railroad\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nNew Hope & Ivyland Railroad\r\n\u00a0\r\nOil Creek & Titusville Lines\r\n\u00a0\r\nNorth Shore Railroad System\r\n \r\nPhiladelphia, Bethlehem & New England Railroad\r\nPittsburgh, Allegheny & McKees Rocks Railroad\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nReading & Northern Railroad\r\n\u00a0\r\nSouthwestern Pennsylvania Railroad\r\n \r\nSteelton & Highspire Railroad\r\nTurtle Creek Industrial Railroad\r\nTyburn Railroad\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nUnion Railroad\r\n \r\nUpper Merion & Plymouth Railroad \r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/following-major-casey-effort-tax-bill-set-to-become-law-contains-measure-to-dramatically-increase-investment-in-western-pas-locks-and-dams", "Following Major Casey Effort, Tax Bill Set to Become Law Contains Measure to Dramatically Increase Investment in Western PA’s Locks and Dams", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that Congress\u2019 tax extenders bill, which is set to become law following Senate passage, contains Casey-authored provision to dramatically increase investment in Western Pennsylvania\u2019s locks and dams. The years long effort to adequately fund Western Pennsylvania\u2019s job creating waterways infrastructure received a significant boost in 2012 when Senator Casey introduced the RIVER Act. Casey\u2019s bill, which through the tax extender bill and the previously passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), is now law. \u00a0The legislation changes the way waterways projects are managed and revises the Inland Waterways User Fee to 29 cents per gallon beginning - a change that industry strongly supports. Prior to Senator Casey\u2019s efforts Western PA\u2019s locks and dams were only were allocated $1.96 million in Fiscal Year 2014. \u00a0After Senator Casey\u2019s efforts in WRRDA and tax extenders there will be approximately $140 million available annually for locks and dams in western Pennsylvania and across the country.\r\n\u201cThis is a breakthrough moment for the region\u2019s waterways. Our region\u2019s locks and dams play a vital role in the moving of commerce, creating and sustaining jobs, and supporting economic growth throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis legislation is about increasing investments in our waterways and reforming the current process to reduce waste and limit cost overruns.\u201d\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/toomey-casey-honor-centennial-anniversary-of-big-brothers-big-sisters-southeastern-pennsylvania", "Toomey, Casey Honor Centennial Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.\u00a0 A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sen. Toomey and Sen. Casey was unanimously adopted by the Senate last week.\u00a0\r\n\u201cBig Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania is a terrific organization that provides invaluable support and mentoring to some of the Delaware Valley\u2019s most vulnerable residents-- at-risk children,\u201d said Sen. Toomey.\u00a0 \u201cI applaud all of the selfless work the group\u2019s volunteers and staffers have performed for the past century to benefit and protect children.\u00a0 My hat is off to James Fitzpatrick and Imani Johnson of my Philadelphia staff who volunteers as Bigs.\u201d\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased the Senate has recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania for their tremendous work with youth of all ages for the past century,\u201d said Sen.\u00a0 Casey. \u201cThe mentors who dedicate their time to work with at-risk youth are making their community more vibrant and the future of these young people brighter every day.\u201d\r\nBig Brothers Big Sisters is a national non-profit organization that provides at-risk children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships.\u00a0 Pennsylvania is home to 23 Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters.\u00a0\r\nIn 1915, the Philadelphia Big Brother Association was established.\u00a0 Today, nearly 100 years later, the Philadelphia association has grown into a four-county agency serving both boys and girls and has adopted the name Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.\r\nThis incredible organization supports nearly 3,100 mentoring matches annually using proven methods shown to help participants perform better in school and develop better relationships with their families and peers.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-discusses-future-congresss-fight-stop-executive-amnesty-fox-friends", "Rep. Kelly Discusses Future of Congress's Fight to Stop Executive Amnesty on Fox & Friends", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly: \u201cJanuary 6th starts an altogether new day for America\u201d \nWATCH HERE\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend on Fox News Channel yesterday morning to discuss the recently passed Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015 and the future efforts of the upcoming 114th Congress to halt President Obama\u2019s recent executive action on illegal immigration amnesty.\nRep. Kelly on the importance of the upcoming Congress:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cMoving forward, we have to get into the next session when we have a majority in the Senate that we can actually work with on a more open basis. \u2026 When we get into the next session, we have a much different group to work with. \u2026 This is not over. This is not Republicans walking away from a very critical issue. However, we know where we are positioned right now, we\u2019re still a minority. We won\u2019t be that way after the [114th Congress is sworn in]. January 6th starts an altogether new day for America. We\u2019re going to have to govern though, and Speaker Boehner has been very clear about this. These are not Republicans issues, these are not Democrat issues \u2014 these are American issues. And if we\u2019re going to govern, we\u2019re going to have to govern as Americans first, and we\u2019re doing what\u2019s right for the American people.\u201d\n\u201cAfter the [new Congress is sworn in], we\u2019ll be able to lay out a plan for America that makes sense, gets our economy up and rising again, gets our people to have faith in this form of government that we have, and [Americans will know] that they\u2019re going to govern in Washington right now; they\u2019re not going to be bumping heads all the time.\u201d\nNOTE: In addition to preventing a partial government shutdown, the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015 \u2013 which has now been passed by both the House and the Senate \u2013 will achieve the following items through a long list of conservative policy provisions included within the budget (a more extensive list can be viewed here):\n Reduces federal discretionary spending to pre-President Obama, pre-Speaker Pelosi levels. (With this budget, Rep. Kelly and his colleagues have cut discretionary spending by $165 billion since 2010.)\nContinues the ban on federal funding for the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, which Rep. Kelly has personally fought to include\nProtects the unborn by banning the funding of abortion in the District of Columbia, within the federal employee health benefits program, and for federal prisoners\nForces all Obamacare plans to inform Americans if they provide any abortion services\nPrevents the taxpayer bailout of the Obamacare Risk Corridor program\nMassively cuts funding for the EPA and forces the agency to reduce its staff size to its lowest level since 1989\nProhibits the EPA from regulating lead content in ammunition or fishing tackle\nStops the Export-Import Bank from blocking any new or existing coal projects\nProhibits the Department of Energy from forcing manufactures to stop making certain lightbulbs\nBans federal funds from being used to transfer terrorists at Guantanamo Bay to our homeland\nSlashes the IRS by more than $345 million, bringing its funding to pre-Obama levels ($1.5 billion below the president\u2019s request)\nProhibits funding for the IRS to target any organization for regulatory scrutiny \u2013 even when ordered by the White House \u2013 based on its ideological beliefs or for exercising its First Amendment rights\n \u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1455", "Senator Toomey Supports Fiscally Conservative Government Funding Bill That Starts To Limit Administration Overreach", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that keeps the government funded within current budget limits and includes several legislative initiatives he has championed over the years.\nWhile essentially freezing total spending, this bill expands federal investment in Alzheimer's research, supports important veterans' programs, prohibits the taxation of internet access, protects farmers and others businesses from certain job-killing regulations, and starts chipping away at Obamacare by exempting some health plans from the law's onerous mandates.\n\"While far from perfect, I support this bipartisan legislation because it is fiscally conservative - essentially freezing government spending -- and includes a number of policies for which I have advocated and that are good for Pennsylvania,\" said Sen. Toomey.\n\"In addition to stopping a number of job-killing regulations and taxes, this funding measure will help our veterans and troops, victims of child abuse and domestic violence, and researchers who are leading the fight against Alzheimer's. I also am pleased that this bill exempts about 400,000 people from Obamacare. This is a significant step toward dismantling this terrible law altogether.\n\"It is disappointing that Congress is forced to vote on such a massive proposal at the eleventh hour because Senator Harry Reid refused to allow the normal budget process.  With new leadership in the Senate next Congress, it is imperative that we restore the normal budget process and pass individual, responsible appropriations bills.\"\n\"As for the point of order regarding the bill's constitutionality, I voted to waive it because this legislation does not violate the Constitution. Like many Americans, I believe that President Obama's executive amnesty represents a dangerous executive overreach. But there is a difference between a bill to fund the government, and a president violating the law. Funding the government is constitutional. In fact, today, every Senator supported legislation to fund the entire government for five days.\"\nSenator Toomey's priorities in the funding bill include:\n\u2022\tEssentially freezes government spending with outlays declining about $12 billion;  \u2022\tPrevents the incandescent light bulb ban;  \u2022\tForbids taxes on internet access;  \u2022\tIncreases investment in Alzheimer's research and requires NIH to submit a yearly budget on how much funding is needed to prevent and treat the disease by 2025;  \u2022\tSpares farmers from burdensome EPA regulations on land use;  \u2022\tEnsures already-available funds in the Crime Victims Fund go to crime victims versus budget gimmicks;  \u2022\tExempts around 400,000 people from Obamacare and ends the law's taxpayer bailouts of health insurance companies for 2015;  \u2022\t Establishes appropriate funding levels to maintain Veterans Employment and Training Service at the Department of Labor;  \u2022\tProhibits transfer of GTMO detainees to America;  \u2022\tCuts the IRS budget by $345 million and prohibits the agency from engaging in discriminatory ideological targeting;  \u2022\tBars the transfers of Apache helicopters from Army National Guard to active Army;   \u2022\tContinues vital defense projects based in Pennsylvania: V-22, Chinook, armored vehicles;  \u2022\tHonors our commitment to supporting Israeli security.\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1456", "Sen. Toomey Honors Prisoners of War and Those Missing in Action", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) is honoring the sacrifices of the members and former members of the Armed Forces who have ever been prisoners of war or missing in action. Sen. Toomey introduced the bipartisan bill, the Perpetual POW/MIA Stamp Act of 2014, which directs the Postmaster General to issue a forever stamp to honor these brave men and women.\n\"Our service members and veterans who have ever been prisoners of war or missing in action are always in our hearts,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"Each deserves our unwavering support and appreciation for the sacrifices they have made. This stamp is a small but important way we can ensure their valiant actions are never forgotten.\"\nThe VFW Department of Pennsylvania State Headquarters and American Veterans PA both support Sen. Toomey's efforts to honor these service members.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1457", "From Lehighton, Pennsylvania to 1600 Pennsylvania", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The holiday season is a time for family, friends...and Christmas trees!\nAnd here in Pennsylvania, we are home to more than 1,000 Christmas tree farms.  While the peak demand period for these trees is no mystery, the dedicated families who grow them and ensure that Christmas trees are readily available in December work tirelessly year round.\nIt is because of their dedication that Pennsylvania is among the top six Christmas tree producing states in the country. In fact, Indiana County is the \"Christmas Tree Capital of the World.\"\nPennsylvania has many reasons to be proud of this homegrown industry. Each year, the National Christmas Tree Association holds a competition. Growers, industry experts, and consumers vote to decide which farm will supply the official White House Christmas Tree.\nThis year, Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, owned and operated by the Botek family for over 50 years, won the honor of providing a tree for the White House. The Botek's Douglas-Fir tree is decorated and showcased in the Blue Room of the White House. But that's not all. A Crystal Spring Christmas tree also graced the White House in 2006, 2010, and 2013. No other Christmas tree farm has provided the White House Christmas tree on four separate occasions. This is no easy task. The Boteks first needed to impress the judges at the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association competition to even be considered on the national level.\nArriving at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on a horse-drawn carriage, the 23-year-old Douglas-Fir tree immediately won the approval of the First Lady and her daughters. It was decorated to honor our service men and women.\nEven if you don't have room for an 18-foot-tall tree in your home, a Pennsylvania-grown tree has many pluses. \"The advantages of selecting a real Christmas tree reaches far beyond its fragrant appeal,\" said Denise Calabrese, executive director of the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, which represents nearly 200 growers in the Commonwealth. \"Families should use the opportunity to choose their live Christmas tree as a chance to do a fun activity together each year. Building family traditions by not only choosing the tree, but decorating it and making it part of the family home during the Christmas season can be an exciting and participatory activity for the youngest to the oldest of family members!\"\n\"Best of all, purchasing a fresh-cut Christmas tree supports a local tree farmer,\" adds Calabrese.\nPicking a Christmas tree brings families together. Again this year the Toomey clan selected our tree with some help from Arland Schantz at Evergreen Farm on Limeport Pike in Zionsville. The tree is a beauty and we put it up right away.   Every year, Kris, our three children, and I reminisce over family ornaments while decorating our tree.  It's a yearly tradition for millions of Americans, but here in Pennsylvania we can be truly proud of the recognition our Christmas tree growers have received and the contributions they have made.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-presses-schott-on-future-plans-for-duryea-plant-in-wake-of-layoffs", "Casey Presses Schott on Future Plans for Duryea Plant in Wake of Layoffs", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to Schott\u2019s North American President and CEO, Mr. Wolters, pressing the company on its future plans for its Duryea plant following 80 layoffs. In his letter, Casey asked the company to commit to keeping the plant\u2019s remaining jobs and maintaining a presence in Northeastern Pennsylvania.\r\n\u201cNortheastern Pennsylvania\u2019s highly skilled workforce has been an asset to Schott for years and I\u2019m urging the company to commit to the region and its workers in the future,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cIn the wake of these layoffs it\u2019s important that Schott lays out its long term vision for the current workforce and for its presence in Northeastern Pennsylvania.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nDear Mr. Wolters:\r\nAs a senator for Pennsylvania and a resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania, I know the many advantages the area has to offer including a strong workforce.\u00a0 Given Schott\u2019s presence in Pennsylvania over many decades, I am sure you would agree with this sentiment.\u00a0\r\nThat is why I was disappointed to learn about the layoffs announced last month in the Duryea optics division.\u00a0 It is my understanding that the work performed by these employees will be consolidated at your facility in Mainz, Germany.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThese layoffs represent a third of the workforce at the Duryea facility.\r\nWhat is your long-term vision for the Duryea facility and the other facilities in Pennsylvania?\u00a0 Do you anticipate additional consolidation that would negatively impact the Pennsylvania workforce or do you see growth with new product lines?\r\nGiven the long history and productive history of Schott in Pennsylvania, I hope that this partnership will continue with a robust workforce in Duryea and at your other Pennsylvania facilities.\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-the-confirmation-of-surgeon-general-dr-vivek-murthy", "Casey Statement on the Confirmation of Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General:\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the Senate voted in favor of Dr. Vivek Murthy\u2019s nomination as Surgeon General. Dr. Murthy is well qualified and has the necessary skills to succeed in this critical public health position. Last week, I sent a letter to all Senators encouraging a vote in favor of his nomination. Dr. Murthy is ready to go to work and do an excellent job on behalf of the American people.\u201d\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-army-corps-to-prioritize-schuylkill-dredging-project", "Casey Urges Army Corps to Prioritize Schuylkill Dredging Project", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize funding and work on the Schuylkill River dredging project. The Army Corps of Engineers has previously received congressional authorization to address these issues through dredging operations that would restore the river to a depth of six feet.\u00a0 However, the project has not received sufficient funding raising safety concerns.\u00a0 In a letter, Senator Casey urged the administration to dedicate sufficient resources to this project that will enhance safety, increase recreational opportunities, create jobs and spur the region\u2019s economy.\r\n\u201cDredging the Schuylkill will have a tremendous positive impact on everyone who enjoys one of Pennsylvania\u2019s most popular natural recreation areas,\u201d said Senator Casey. \u201cAs the Army Corps develops its plans and priorities for the next fiscal year, I am calling on them to prioritize providing funding for this important project that helps generate economic growth in the Philadelphia region.\u201d\r\nThe text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter is below:\r\nDear Assistant Secretary Darcy:\r\nI am writing to request that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prioritize the Schuylkill River dredging project in its FY 2015 Work Plan for Operations and Maintenance. This project is necessary to keep the Schuylkill River safe and accessible for Pennsylvanians, and I urge you to ensure that the project receives the funds it needs to be dredged to the authorized level of six feet.\r\nI have been advised that significant shoaling of the Schuylkill River has been taking place in the Philadelphia region for the last several years. I have been informed that the shoaling starts at the basin behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, extending from the Fairmount Dam and up to the Falls Bridge, and is most acute adjacent to Boathouse Row and on the rowing race course between the Columbia Railroad Bridge and the Strawberry Mansion Bridge.\u00a0 This activity not only raises significant safety concerns, but also interferes with recreational opportunities on the river.\r\nThe Army Corps of Engineers has previously received congressional authorization to address these issues through dredging operations that would restore the river to a depth of six feet.\u00a0 However, the project has not received sufficient funding resulting in safety issues. As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers develops its plans and priorities for the next fiscal year, I urge you to prioritize providing funding for this important project that helps generate economic growth in the Philadelphia region.\u00a0\r\nThank you in advance for your consideration of my views. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me or my staff.\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\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/blog/the-378th-birthday-of-the-national-guard", "The 378th Birthday of the National Guard", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saturday, December 13, 2014\n\t\t\t\t The 378th 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\tToday, we celebrate the 378th birthday of the National Guard and the long tradition of citizen service in the United States.\u00a0 Today, the National Guard continues its dual service role to the states, territories and the District of Columbia as well as to the defense of the United States and its interests across the globe.\r\nPennsylvanians share in this rich tradition of service in the United States Armed Forces.\u00a0 In 1747, Benjamin Franklin led Philadelphia in the creation of the \u201cAssociators,\u201d marking the beginning of what is now the Pennsylvania National Guard.\u00a0 For 267 years, citizens of the Commonwealth have been inspired by the Pennsylvania National Guard motto, \u201cCivilian in peace. Soldier in war.\u201d\u00a0 Ever vigilant, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard stand ready to set aside the comforts of home to support their communities and nation in times of war, natural disaster or civil emergency.\u00a0\r\nPennsylvania has one of the largest National Guard forces in the United States.\u00a0 Our citizen-soldiers have fought in every major American conflict from their inception to present day.\u00a0 I am deeply grateful for their continued service to our communities and the nation.\u00a0 I wish the National Guard a \u201chappy birthday.\u201d\u00a0\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"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-continuing-resolution-omnibus-passage", "Casey Statement on Continuing Resolution Omnibus Passage", "2014-12-13", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the continuing resolution omnibus passage:\r\n\u201cThis bill is not perfect but it contains a number of important provisions that I fought to include to create and protect jobs in our Commonwealth. While I don\u2019t like the way it came together, strongly disagree with parts of it, and believe we have to do better \u2013 I also have an obligation to look at the package as a whole. Taken in totality, this bill will help create and protect jobs in Pennsylvania and will prevent another government shutdown.\u201d\r\nCasey urged congressional appropriators to invest in priorities critical to Pennsylvania and the nation, including these below:\r\n \r\nInvestments in child nutrition programs will increase by $2.1 billion above FY 2014 enacted.\r\n \r\n \r\nDelaware Deepening Project: $35 million, which is what Casey requested for FY 2015.\r\n \r\n \r\nWater Resources Operation and Maintenance: The bill provides $2.9 billion for operation and maintenance of water resources projects. That is $48 million more than the fiscal year 2014 enacted amount and $309 million more than the fiscal year 2015 request. Over $50 million of this funding would go to locks and dams in Pennsylvania.\r\n \r\n \r\nNational Institutes of Health: $30.3 billion, an increase of $150 million\r\n \r\n \r\nCommunity Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Received $180 million\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nHead Start: $8.6 billion, a $1 billion increase from FY 2013.\r\n \r\n \r\nPeer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP): $247,500,000 included for the PRMRP. Also included in the final bill:\r\n\r\namyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - 7.5 million;\r\nautism \u2013 6 million\r\nprostate cancer \u2013 80 million\r\novarian cancer research \u2013 20 million\r\nbreast cancer research \u2013 120 million\r\nmultiple sclerosis \u2013 5 million\r\ngulf war illness \u2013 20 million\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nNew Initiative to Improve the Safety of Crude Oil Shipments: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\nFunds to hire 15 new rail and hazardous materials inspectors and retain 45 rail safety positions created in 2014\r\n$3 million to expand the use of automated track inspections to ensure proper track maintenance on crude oil routes\r\nSupport for the establishment of a Short Line Safety Institute to preform safety compliance assessments and safety training for short line railroads that transport crude oil.\r\nProper classification ensures that emergency responders understand the hazards of the products being shipped and the correct way to respond in the case of an accident.\r\nRequires PHMSA to finalize the tank car rule no later than January 15, 2015\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nCommunity Development Block Grants: Received $3 billion for the CDBG program which is level with last year. CDBG allow forty-seven communities across Pennsylvania to obtain direct funding to address local needs. Countless other communities across Pennsylvania have received Community Development Block Grant funds made available to the Commonwealth. Last year Pennsylvania communities received over $171 million in CDBG funding last year and will continue to under this bill.\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://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-details-highlights-of-cromnibus-spending-bill", "Barletta Details Highlights of Cromnibus Spending Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today detailed highlights of the so-called \u201cCromnibus\u201d spending bill, which is a combination of a Continuing Resolution funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 27, 2015 and an omnibus spending package funding the rest of the federal government through September 30, 2015.\u00a0 Most importantly, Barletta said he will now assume a prominent role as the House of Representatives moves forward with efforts to block President Obama\u2019s amnesty plan for illegal immigrants.\u00a0\n\u201cA huge majority of voters in my district and across America are opposed to the president\u2019s amnesty plan, which we will now be able to combat when the new House and Senate majority arrive in January,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaker Boehner personally promised that I will be at the table when our new policies are set, so for all citizens who are rightly concerned about amnesty, I will be serving as their eyes, ears, and voices.\u201d\nGiven the current makeup of the Senate, Barletta said the House was limited on its options of what to include in the spending package.\u00a0 Key in the legislation was the fact that DHS only received short-term funding, meaning Congress will be able to revisit the issue early in the new year to defund the president\u2019s amnesty program.\n\u201cThere is no immigration language of which I would approve that would stand a chance of passing the Senate while Harry Reid is still in charge,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWe had to get the best bill that we could at this very moment, and then come back to the battle when our reinforcements have arrived with the new Congress in January.\u201d\nThe bill adheres to existing spending caps, but includes a number of important policy improvements, including the protections for national security and members of the military.\u00a0 It also improves public safety and gang prevention, and increases funding for Community Development Block Grants.\u00a0 The package also curtails overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency, political targeting by the Internal Revenue Service, and includes no new money for Obamacare.\nNational Security & Military\n Includes $521 billion in defense spending.\n\tIncludes a 1% pay increase for military personnel and cost-of-living adjustment.\n\tIncludes additional $900 million to address military funding shortfalls, including depot maintenance at facilities such as Tobyhanna Army Depot.\n\tProhibits the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S.\n\tIncreases funding for VA programs by $1.8 billion.\n\tProvides $2.5 billion for processing VA disability claims to end the backlog.\n\tRescinds $41 million in performance bonuses at the VA.\n Public Safety\n Restores funding zeroed out under President Obama\u2019s budget request for State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which reimburses localities who house criminal illegal immigrants in local jails (increases funding from $180 million to $185 million rather than president\u2019s request of $0.)\n\tIncreases funding for gang prevention efforts, while providing resources to address drug trafficking (particularly methamphetamine and heroin), human trafficking, and an update of the National Gang Survey.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\tThrough COPS and JAG funding, increases gang prevention and methamphetamine prevention efforts.\n\tProvides $20 million to combat prescription drug abuse.\n Communities\n Funds Community Development Block Grants at $200 million more than original budget request.\n\tIncreases funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) by $75 million.\n\tIncreases funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).\n\tIncreases funding for flood prevention under the Streamflow Information Program.\n Coal\n Requires the Department of Defense to use anthracite coal to heat the Army and Air Force Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany.\u00a0\n Health\n Provides $5.4 billion to Fight Ebola in the US and abroad.\n\tIncreases funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by $43 million.\n\tIncreases funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $150 million \u2013 specifically increases for Alzheimer\u2019s, cancer, brain research, and the Gabriella Miller Kids First Act pediatric research initiative.\n Transportation\n Provides almost $41 billion in obligation limitation funding for the Federal Highway program (the same level authorized in the MAP-21 transportation authorization legislation).\n\tProtects small business from over regulation related to commercial trucking, driver hours, and hazmat permitting.\n Obamacare\n Provides no new funding for Obamacare.\n\tRequires Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Treasury to report to Congress on improper payments of ObamaCare tax subsidies.\n\tReduces funding to the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).\n\tMaintains all existing pro-life policy and funding provisions.\n\tThree new pro-life provisions: \u00a0\n\t\tObamacare Transparency - requires Obamacare healthcare plans to inform customers if they provide abortion services.\n\t\t\tConscience Protection - requires HHS Office of Civil Rights to address complaints of violations.\n\t\t\tProvides $12 million in unused abstinence education funds.\n\t\t\n Internal Revenue Service (IRS)\n Cuts IRS funding by $345.6 million ($1.5 billion below the president\u2019s request and below Fiscal Year 2008 levels).\n\tProhibits IRS targeting of organizations based on their ideological beliefs or for exercising their First Amendment rights.\n\tProhibits the White House from ordering review of tax-exempt status.\n\tProhibits use of IRS funds for inappropriate videos and conferences.\n Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\n Cuts EPA by $60 million, representing the 5th consecutive year of cuts \u2013 a total reduction of 21 percent since Fiscal Year 2010.\n\tReduces EPA staffing by 2,000 positions, which is equivalent to 1989 levels.\n\tProhibits regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches.\n\tProtects Second Amendment rights and prohibits EPA from regulating lead content in ammunition or fishing tackle.\n \u201cAs with any spending bill, the end result is not perfect, but this makes important strides in many key areas,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cI look forward to working with our new partners in the Senate in the new Congress, when we can finally work to stop the president\u2019s amnesty plan.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://marino.house.gov/press-release/marino-votes-fund-government-holds-line-114th-congress", "Marino Votes to Fund Government, Holds the Line for 114th Congress", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.\u2014Congressman Tom Marino, PA-10, Lycoming County voted with 12 out of 13 of his fellow Pennsylvania Republican congressional delegation members to fund the government in anticipation of the new Republican majority coming in the 114th Congress citing a greater ability to stop Obama\u2019s push for executive amnesty.\nRepresentative Marino, along with his colleagues, expressed serious reservations about supporting the so-called \u201ccromnibus\u201d bill which prompted two separate group meetings with the delegation and Speaker of the House, John Boehner signaling the delegation\u2019s significant influence.\nMarino\u2019s main contention was the continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 27, 2015 which could allow the department to use taxpayer dollars for the implementation of President Obama\u2019s Presidential Memorandum -- Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century dubbed \u201cexecutive amnesty.\u201d\nMarino submitted an amendment to the Rules Committee which would have defunded DHS\u2019s ability to fulfill Obama\u2019s amnesty. Several of his colleagues did the same and there are assurances those amendments will be considered in order to halt Obama\u2019s executive amnesty when Republicans have full control of Congress next month.\nAttached to the continuing resolution was an omnibus bill containing a package of appropriations bills. The omnibus package contained 11 of 12 appropriations bills. The appropriations bills contained several significant provisions for trimming spending. Some of the most important of those were deep cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), $345.6 million dollars, and ends the administration\u2019s targeting of conservative groups and individuals.\nIt also scales back of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It cuts approximately $60 million from the EPA while preventing the Army Corps from regulating farm ponds and irrigation ditches via the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.\nCongressman Marino issued the following statement about the bills:\n\u201cHarry Reid and Obama have little interest in serious fixes to our ailing economy and skyrocketing debt. Instead they promised to shutdown the government, put TSA agents on leave during the peak holiday travel season and strip every provision to reign in government spending from bills originating in the House. That is totally unacceptable.\nThe American people gave Republicans control of the House and Senate so we could reign in this President and get things done. We have a mandate to do exactly that.\nI disagree with virtually every step in the process that brought this bill to the floor of the House, but I voted in favor of the bill to extend federal money for the remainder of the fiscal year while limiting funding for DHS and giving Republican majorities another real chance to stop Obama\u2019s amnesty.\nI made this vote with the assurance that my amendment to defund the DHS\u2019s plans to implement Obama\u2019s executive order will move forward before he has a chance to implement the mechanisms of amnesty. When the next Congress begins, the Republicans will have control of the Senate and this is when we will systematically dismantle the President\u2019s destructive policies.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/house-acts-government-funding-bill", "House Acts on Government Funding Bill", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-5) today voted to support H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015, which passed the House by a margin of 219-206.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\tH.R. 83 includes funding through the end of the Fiscal Year, September 30, 2015, for 11 of the 12 annual spending bills. Funding for the primary agencies that are responsible for carrying out the president's executive actions on immigration will expire on February 27, 2015.\n\t\"This package is important to keep the government open, while also instituting thoughtful spending reductions and reining in bureaucratic and regulatory overreach,\" stated Rep. Thompson. \u201cThe legislation provides short-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security that would expire before the President's executive actions on immigration take effect, giving Congress the ability to address this important matter without the threat of a broader government shutdown.\u201d\n\tH.R. 83 also forces the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 (USACE) to withdraw the interpretive rule (IR) that was issued in conjunction with the EPA\u2019s proposed \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d (WOTUS) rule, which would dramatically expand federal authority over water and land uses.\n\t\u201cProvisions forcing the withdrawal of the Interpretive Rule are a positive start, but the House and Senate must keep pressure on the EPA and Army Corps to address the blatant flaws with the underlying WOTUS proposal. I believe these ends will be achieved in the coming year,\u201d Rep. Thompson added.\n\tH.R 83 also strikes an unprecedented bipartisan compromise on reforming multi-employer pension agreements that will ensure the longevity of severely distressed pension plans that have been at risk of bankrupting the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and placing the retirements of 10 million workers at risk.\n\t\u201cKeeping retirement plans stable into the future will prevent workers from losing everything. This bipartisan agreement includes reforms that will protect taxpayers and provide trustees with flexibility and the appropriate tools to save troubled plans. Doing nothing, which I\u2019m thankful we avoided, would simply lead to systemic collapse,\u201d said Rep. Thompson, a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which brokered the agreement.\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=newsletter&id=1454", "A Tribute", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Johnstown    Richland Square III, Suite 302   1397 Eisenhower Blvd   Johnstown, PA 15904   Phone: (814) 266-5970   Fax: (814) 266-5973  Map: Get Directions\nPlease call for an appointment before visiting our Johnstown office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-defense-bill-protects-national-heritage-areas-in-pa-likely-to-pass-this-week-and-become-law", "Casey: Defense Bill Protects National Heritage Areas in PA Likely to Pass this Week and Become Law", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has already passed the House and is likely to pass the Senate this week, contains language that would protect four Pennsylvania National Heritage Areas (NHAs) for the next decade. The bill would protect the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Lackawanna Heritage Valley National Heritage Area, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area for the next decade. Casey pushed for the measures to be included in the bill.\r\n\u201cPreserving these historic areas will protect Pennsylvania\u2019s history and boost our economy by attracting visitors from throughout the country,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cPassing this legislation will give these communities more certainty by protecting these precious areas for another decade.\u201d \u00a0\r\nNational Heritage Areas (NHAs) are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. Through their resources, NHAs tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation's diverse heritage. NHAs are lived-in landscapes. Consequently, NHA entities collaborate with communities to determine how to make heritage relevant to local interests and needs.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-regarding-his-vote-on-cromnibus-funding-bill", "Barletta Statement Regarding His Vote on Cromnibus Funding Bill", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued a statement regarding his vote in favor of the so-called \u201cCromnibus\u201d funding bill, which is a combination of a Continuing Resolution funding the Department of Homeland Security through February 27, 2015 and an omnibus spending package funding the rest of the federal government through September 30, 2015.\nBarletta\u2019s statement is as follows:\n\u201cWhile the overall discussion of the Cromnibus spending bill deals with the operation of the entire federal budget, for me the most important factor is illegal immigration and the question of stopping President Obama\u2019s executive amnesty.\u00a0\u00a0 We have immigration laws in this country for two reasons: to protect national security and preserve American jobs.\u00a0 The president\u2019s actions violate both of those principles.\u00a0 He is introducing five million more competitors into an already tight job market, at a time when 20 million Americans are either unemployed or underemployed.\u00a0 It is time that someone stood up for legal American workers.\u00a0 Therefore, the most important question I must answer for myself is: how best to stop the president\u2019s unlawful executive action?\n\u201cAfter careful consideration, I have determined that it is a much better strategy to have the fight over funding the amnesty program once our reinforcements have arrived in the form of the new Senate to be sworn in early next year.\u00a0 I did not come to this decision lightly, but it is obvious to me that there is no language that I would support regarding illegal immigration that would stand a chance of passing the Senate while Harry Reid is still in charge.\u00a0 Understanding that truth, I cast my vote in favor of the Cromnibus with the full knowledge that we will attack the issue again early in 2015.\n\u201cThere can be no one who questions my position on illegal immigration.\u00a0 During lengthy discussions and negotiations leading up to the vote, I was personally assured by Speaker Boehner that I will play an integral role in crafting new, strong national immigration policies beginning in January.\u00a0 I came to Congress to strengthen our enforcement of immigration laws, and now I will have the ability to influence the direction and impact of our immigration policies as we work to block the president\u2019s amnesty.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-to-protect-consumers-from-faulty", "Cartwright Introduces Legislation to Protect Consumers from Faulty Automobiles and Equipment", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Early Warning Reporting System Improvement Act of 2014.\u00a0 U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.\nThe legislation would require automobile and equipment manufacturers to automatically submit the accident report or other documents that first alerted them to a fatality involving their vehicle or equipment to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration\u2019s Early Warning Reporting database.\n\u201cWhile the NHTSA is responsible for overseeing the safety of our roadways, they do not always have the information they need to protect the public, and have at times failed to actively investigate car defects,\u201d said Rep. Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cThe recent GM Cobalt and Saturn Ion recalls related to an ignition switch defect the company knew about for at least ten years highlights the need for companies to provide more information about accidents involving fatalities to the NHTSA.\u201d\nThe issue hits home for northeastern Pennsylvania; in January 2010, Kelly Ruddy of Scranton was only 21 years old when she lost her life in a deadly crash on Interstate 81.\u00a0 Kelly was driving north near the Bear Creek exit when she lost control of her 2005 Chevy Cobalt.\nRuddy\u2019s parents, fought the vehicle manufacturer, General Motors, for four years and finally GM settled with them for their daughter`s death.\u00a0 General Motors is now admitting that a faulty ignition switch is responsible for numerous crashes and deaths across the nation, and the company recalled 2.6 million vehicles, including 2005 Cobalts, earlier this year.\nThe CDC estimates that in 2011, more than 2.6 million drivers and passengers were treated in emergency rooms as a result of being injured in motor vehicle crashed.\u00a0 In 2010, motor vehicle related injuries cost the states and our nation an estimated $99 billion in lifetime medical care and lost productivity.\u00a0 Tragically, close to 34,000 people died in motor vehicle traffic incidents in 2012.\nTo address this critical issue, the Early Warning Reporting System Improvement Act of 2014 would:\n Require automobile and equipment manufacturers to automatically submit the accident report or other documents that first alerted them to a fatality involving their vehicle or equipment to NHTSA\u2019s Early Warning Reporting database.\u00a0 NHTSA is then required to automatically make those documents public unless they are exempted from public disclosure under FOIA.\n\tRequire NHTSA to consider Early Warning Reporting information when it is investigating potential safety defects and when it is evaluating citizen petitions for automobile safety standards or enforcement actions.\n\tRequire NHTSA to upgrade its online database to improve searchability, integrate its different databases so they can all be searched at once, and ensure that all documents obtained or created by NHTSA related to a safety incident are both made publicly available and keyword searchable in its databases.\n\tRequire NHTSA to provide public, searchable notices of all inspection and investigation activities it undertakes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=647", "Blueprint Set for Conservative Agenda in Upcoming Year", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) voted in favor of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015\u00a0on Thursday\u00a0evening. This bill funds 11 of the 12 appropriations bills for one year and funds the Department of Homeland Security until\u00a0February 27, 2015. House Republicans have now cut discretionary spending by $165 billion since taking the majority in 2010 and as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), non-defense domestic discretionary spending will soon be at the lowest levels since 1962.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday\u2019s legislation is not regular order, nor the way Congress is supposed to be run. Due to the Senate refusing to act on a single appropriations bill, the House of Representatives is once again forced to bail the Senate out,\u201d said Congressman Bill Shuster. \u201cThe House has taken a principled approach to ensure the government is not shut down, while saving the taxpayers over $2 trillion over the next 10 years. It is these kinds of conservative solutions and significant cuts to wasteful federal programs like the IRS and the EPA that keep the American taxpayers\u2019\u00a0best interest in mind.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tIn response to the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s wave of regulatory overreach, the budget for the agency is reduced by $60 million in this legislation. With this cut, Congress has now reduced the EPA\u2019s funding by $2.2 billion since FY10, which brings it to its lowest staffing level since the 1980\u2019s. Also contained in the bill are cuts to the IRS, the agency that targeted conservative political groups for additional scrutiny and delay. The IRS budget is $345 million lower than last year and has now been cut $1.2 billion since FY10. Additionally, this bill stops any taxpayer bailouts to insurance companies under Obamacare.\r\n\r\n\tIn order to reject attempts by the president to unilaterally give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, this bill only funds the Department of Homeland Security \u2013 the agency responsible for implementing the executive actions \u2013 to\u00a0February 27, 2015. Once the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s funding expires, Republican majorities in the House and Senate will then be able to more effectively work to stop President Obama\u2019s executive actions regarding amnesty.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am opposed to any and all attempts by the president to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants,\u201d continued Shuster. \u201cThis bill ensures that a Republican-led Congress will be able to fight against Obama\u2019s liberal immigration agenda without Harry Reid standing in the way of blocking common sense measures that secure our borders and enforce the law.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tAdditional Conservative measures included in the legislation:\r\n\r\n\t-All existing pro-life policy and funding provisions are maintained\r\n\r\n\t-One percent pay raise for our troops\r\n\r\n\t-Maintains second amendment protections including a prohibition on implementing the Arms Trade Treaty that is supported by the National Rifle Association\r\n\r\n\t-Stops future funding from being used for any \u201cFast & Furious\u201d type activity\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/reps-thompson-walz-introduce-%E2%80%9Cproudly-restoring-officers-prior-enlistment-retirement", "Reps. Thompson, Walz Introduce Proudly Restoring Officers of Prior Enlistment Retirement (PROPER) Act", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-PA) and Tim Walz (D-MN) have introduced H.R. 5832, the Proudly Restoring Officers of Prior Enlistment Retirement (PROPER) Act, legislation preventing commissioned officers from being forced to retire at their highest previous enlisted rank as a result of the military\u2019s current force reduction policy. \u00a0\n\tDuring the \u201cGrow the Army\u201d effort beginning in 2007, the Army dramatically increased in size, expanding to 570,000 soldiers by 2010.\u00a0 A large number of non-commissioned officers stepped up to lead and received commissions as Army officers.\n\tThe Army is currently undergoing a significant downsizing, as combat forces draw down from Iraq and Afghanistan and the Obama Administration executes a broader force restructuring and end strength reduction plan, which includes plans to involuntarily retire up to 30% of commissioned officers and shrink the Army to 450,000 soldiers.\n\tUnder current law soldiers must serve a minimum of 20 years to become eligible for retirement. In order to retire at the rank of an officer, at least 8 of those years must come after receiving a commission. Some soldiers who have served over 20 years total, but less than 8 years as commissioned officers, are now being involuntarily retired at their highest enlisted rank, which has led to a large cut in their retirement. While the existing policy impacts all military branches, the Army is the most directly affected.\n\tThe PROPER Act, which is supported by the Military Officers Association of America, the American Military Retirees Association, and the National Guard Association, enables soldiers to keep their commissioned rank during retirement by lowering the eligibility threshold from 8 to 4 years.\n\t\u201cBrave men and women answered the call to military service as our nation expanded its ranks during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Despite having served for years in commissioned status and rising through the officer ranks, these experienced and dedicated warfighters are now being forced to retire at their previous enlisted rank,\u201d stated Rep. Thompson. \u201cSoldiers deserve to retire with the rank they have earned and corresponding benefits they\u2019ve been promised, and anything less devalues the sacrifices they have made for our country. With the introduction of the Proudly Restoring Officers of Prior Enlistment Retirement Act, we plan to fix this injustice.\u201d\n\t\u201cThis measure gives military retirees the benefits they have earned,\u201d said Rep. Walz. \u201cI am proud to introduce this measure with Rep. Thompson and look forward to working together with him in the next congress to make this provision law.\u201d \u00a0\n\tCosponsors of the PROPER Act include Representatives Charles Rangel (D-NY), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bobby Rush, (D-IL), Tom Marino (R-PA), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Scott Perry (R-PA), Richard Nugent (R-FL), and Randy Weber (R-TX).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1452", "Sen. Toomey Backs Legislation Supporting Our Troops and Essential Defense Programs", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) intends to vote for the bipartisan defense authorization bill.  Below is his statement.\n\"Some of the most important responsibilities of Congress are national security and supporting the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect the American people.\n\"While the legislation is not perfect, I support passage of the bipartisan defense authorization bill because it is essential for outlining federal spending for our armed forces and supporting our troops.  This year's bill authorizes funding for important defense programs in Pennsylvania at appropriate levels.  It also includes a number of provisions that I have championed including language to protect an historic landmark in Gettysburg and a provision enabling state and county veterans affairs officials to more effectively assist service members transitioning back to civilian life.\"\nThe defense authorization bill includes provisions Sen. Toomey has supported including:\n\u2022\tProhibiting the transfer or release of detainees held at the prison at Guantanamo;  \u2022\tMaintaining armored vehicle programs in York;  \u2022\tContinuing the multi-year Ridley Park (Delaware County) programs for the V-22 Osprey and the CH-47 helicopter;  \u2022\tEnsuring vitally important Abrams tank production;  \u2022\tBarring the transfer of Apache helicopters from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to the active Army;  \u2022\tMandating a National Commission on the Future of the Army;  \u2022\tSupporting important Army depots such as Letterkenny and Tobyhanna.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141228102156/http://www.toomey.senate.gov:80/?p=news&id=1453", "Senators Ask FCC for Timely Consideration of Comcast Merger", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission asking for timely consideration of the proposed merger between Comcast Corporation and Time Warner Cable.\nThe text of the letter is below:\n  December 11, 2014\nChairman Tom Wheeler  Federal Communications Commission  445 12th Street SW  Washington, D.C. 20554\nDear Chairman Wheeler:\nIn early October, the Federal Communications Commission once again paused consideration of the proposed merger between Comcast Corporation and Time Warner Cable. We were pleased to see the Commission recently resumed consideration of the merger. While we appreciate your commitment to a full, thorough review, we urge the Commission to act as quickly as possible. We believe the merger between Comcast and Time Warner will produce extensive benefits to the public in terms of jobs and services for low-income households. Also, Comcast has informed us that the merger will provide improved Internet access with no corresponding decrease in competition. The public should not have to wait for these benefits. Accordingly, we urge you to approve the merger as soon as possible.\nComcast currently employs approximately 136,000 people nationwide, including nearly 12,000 people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The proposed merger is expected to create new jobs throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. This will be a welcome benefit in today's economy.\nConsumers will also benefit greatly from the merger. Currently, Time Warner offers Internet speeds that are often half as fast as those provided by Comcast and in some cases even slower. Comcast has pledged to spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year to improve Time Warner's networks, resulting in far faster Internet speeds for millions of subscribers.\nWe have seen firsthand Comcast's record as an outstanding corporate citizen. Comcast assists 1,200 non-profits through its foundation, serves hundreds of thousands of young people through the Boys and Girls Club of America, and has invested $57 million in training for workers to keep them competitive in today's economy. Additionally, through its Internet Essentials program, Comcast has brought broadband Internet to 300,000 low-income families (or 1.2 million people). Comcast has announced that it will extend this program throughout Time Warner's markets and maintain this program indefinitely.\nComcast has informed us that the proposed merger will produce substantial benefits for the public, and that the company has acted proactively to prevent anti-competitive effects. There is no geographic overlap between Comcast and Time Warner, so no consumer will lose a choice among providers. Also, Comcast has agreed to divest itself of 3 million subscribers so the merged entity will serve less than 30 percent of the cable market-a standard the FCC has adopted in the past. That number falls to just 20% when one considers the full market for television programming, which includes cable, satellite, and telecommunications companies.\nIn sum, the proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner will lead to substantial public benefits: to workers through additional jobs, to millions of consumers through faster Internet speeds, and to the public at large through extension of Comcast's Internet Essentials program and other community service efforts, all with assurances that the merger will be carried out so as to avoid harm to competition or consumer choice. Accordingly, we urge the FCC to approve the merger as quickly as possible.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-urges-senate-to-back-confirmation-of-dr-vivek-murthy-for-surgeon-general", "Casey Urges Senate to Back Confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a \u2018dear colleague\u2019 letter to all U.S. Senators urging support for Surgeon General nominee Vivek Murthy. Casey urged Senators to vote in favor of Murthy in order to address urgent public health challenges that the country faces.\r\n\u201cI voted for Vivek Murthy\u2019s nomination as a member of the HELP Committee and believe he will play an important role in the work our nation needs to do to address our current public health challenges,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI\u2019m encouraging all Senators to support Dr. Murthy\u2019s nomination to the position of Surgeon General. He\u2019s ready to go to work and do an excellent job on behalf of the American people.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nDear Colleague:\r\nI write today to urge your support of Dr. Vivek Murthy, the nominee to serve as the next Surgeon General of the United States.\u00a0 Dr. Murthy\u2019s nomination was approved by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in February, but has yet to be taken up by the full Senate.\r\nI am concerned that his nomination stalled over policy matters that are outside the scope of the position.\u00a0 As Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy he has personally assured me, and stated publicly, that his focus as Surgeon General would be on chronic disease and obesity, two of the most serious threats facing the health of the American people.\u00a0 We should not let his confirmation stall over public policy debates unrelated to the position in which he would serve.\r\nIn the months since Dr. Murthy was nominated, our Nation has faced a new public health threat, in the form of the first multi-nation Ebola epidemic.\u00a0 At a time when the American public is worried and unsure of what might happen, the role of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Doctor\u201d remains unfilled.\u00a0 Having a Surgeon General in place during public health emergencies or emerging situations provides an additional trusted voice that can communicate with the public and help address their concerns.\r\nFurthermore, leaving the role of Surgeon General unfilled also means that the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps has been operating under interim leadership for over a year now.\u00a0 The dedicated medical professionals in the Commissioned Corps deserve to have appropriate leadership.\r\nDr. Murthy\u2019s nomination is supported by a broad coalition of public health advocates, state and local public health officials, and professional groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Hospital Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Public Health Association.\u00a0 It is past time to confirm a new Surgeon General, and I hope you will join me in supporting Dr. Murthy\u2019s confirmation before the end of the year.\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"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-regarding-house-passage-of-able-act", "Barletta Statement Regarding House Passage of ABLE Act", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued a statement regarding the House of Representatives passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act by a vote of 404-to-17.\u00a0 The ABLE act amends the Internal Revenue Service code to establish tax-exempt accounts for individuals with disabilities to assist in paying for certain expenses, including higher education, primary residence, transportation, employment assistance, health and wellness, and other personal support expenses.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBarletta\u2019s statement is as follows:\n\u00a0\n\u201cThe passage of the ABLE Act is a huge step forward for people with disabilities and their families.\u00a0 So many times, families have been left in the difficult position of choosing between taking care of children\u2019s special needs and planning for their future.\u00a0 The ABLE Act helps families avoid that predicament and lets them plan ahead.\n\u00a0\n\u201cAs it stands now, people living with disabilities are unable to accumulate more than $2,000 in assets without endangering their Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid benefits.\u00a0 This bill allows them to live independently and make decisions on their own, outside the artificial limits placed on them by the federal government.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-testifies-in-support-of-unaccompanied-alien-children", "Barletta Testifies in Support of Unaccompanied Alien Children Transparency Act", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click here or on image to watch Rep. Barletta's testimony\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today testified in a House Judiciary Committee subcommittee in support of his legislation, the Unaccompanied Alien Children Transparency Act (H.R. 5409).\u00a0 Barletta introduced the bill in September in response to the flood of illegal immigrants who streamed across the United States border with Mexico earlier this year.\u00a0 Barletta told members of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security that the legislation empowers governors and local elected officials to control whether or not the federal government can place unaccompanied minors, who have illegally entered the country, into their communities.\u00a0\n\u201cIt is critical that state and local governments are not left in the dark,\u201d Barletta said. \u201cLawmakers must know who is coming to their communities, how much it will cost, and how it will impact their health and educational systems, which is why my bill gives local communities veto power if this information is not provided to their satisfaction.\u00a0 I wish we didn\u2019t need legislation like mine, but unfortunately, my bill is needed due to the total lack of transparency by the administration following the surge of crossings over the southern border.\u201d\nThe legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide state and local elected officials with a 30-day notice and comment period to determine for themselves whether they are prepared and able to receive unaccompanied alien minors.\u00a0 In particular, HHS would be responsible for assessing and informing communities of the cost and impact of receiving them.\u00a0 The department must also certify that the unaccompanied alien minors have undergone health screenings, including vaccinations, as well as criminal background checks, and pose no public health or safety threat.\u00a0\n\u201cSuch steps are vital to ensuring the welfare of our communities,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cI have already been informed of several instances of unaccompanied alien minors seeking to enter schools in my district who have not been properly screened or vaccinated.\u00a0 They have absolutely no formal education and cannot speak English.\u00a0 What grade should the school system put them in?\u00a0 How can the school district be prepared when students like this just show up at their doorstep?\u201d\nBarletta first became aware of the need for the legislation when local officials from his hometown of Hazleton alerted him that a non-profit organization had been investigating opening a facility to house some of the unaccompanied minors who had crossed the border this past summer.\u00a0\n\u201cThat\u2019s how I found out \u2013 because an organization had called the city,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThe federal government didn\u2019t tell anyone about the plan: not the Governor, not the Department of Public Welfare, not Luzerne County. \u00a0When I made the information public, residents of Hazleton expressed their concerns, and the plan was dropped.\u00a0 Had I not been informed of the situation by local officials, the plan would have proceeded without public notice.\u201d\nBarletta said the legislation is more necessary than in years past because of the recent surge, which he attributed to a failure of the federal government to enforce immigration laws.\u00a0 He highlighted the Obama policy of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), in particular.\n\u201cIn 2011, President Obama\u2019s head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released a series of memoranda announcing his agency would not be enforcing immigration laws against certain segments of the illegal immigrant population, effectively telling illegal immigrants that being in the country unlawfully was not reason enough to deport them,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThen, in 2012, the President announced his DACA program, which grants deferred action to certain illegal immigrants who claim to have arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16, and requires them to apply for a work permit.\u201d\nBarletta said that the president\u2019s recent expansion of executive amnesty will only contribute to the problem.\n\u201cHe\u2019s telling people that so long as they make it into this country, they won\u2019t be asked to leave and will be rewarded with a work permit, Social Security, and Medicare,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cI fear it will not be long before we see another massive surge of illegal immigration along our southern border.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-aimed-at-tackling-nation-s-retirement", "Cartwright Introduces Legislation Aimed at Tackling Nations Retirement Crisis", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright (PA-17) and Keith Ellison (MN-05) introduced the USA Retirement Funds Act.\u00a0 The bill is based on similar legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).\nWith only one in five people having a defined-benefit pension plan and half of workers having no plan at all, the U.S. continues to face a growing retirement crisis.\u00a0 Additionally, as half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings and 85 percent of Americans report that they worry about their prospects for retirement, the need for reform to the nation\u2019s retirement system has never been greater.\n\u201cThere is strong public support for reforming the retirement system,\u201d said Rep. Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cA recent study by the National Institute for Retirement Security found a majority of Americans agree there is a need for a strong, universal pension system, and 90 percent favor a plan that is available to all Americans, is portable, and provides a monthly check throughout retirement.\u201d\n\u201cI congratulate Mr. Cartwright on introducing the Universal Coverage Retirement Funds Act,\u201d said Rep. Ellison. \u201cHis bill would enable millions more Americans to attain retirement security by increasing their access to better retirement plans at work.\u201d\nThe bill tackles the retirement crisis head-on by ensuring that people currently without access to a workplace retirement plan would finally have the opportunity to earn a safe and secure pension benefit for life.\u00a0 The key features of USA Retirement Funds include:\n Universal Coverage: USA Retirement Funds would be available to everyone, including the more than 62 million people without access to a workplace retirement plan and the 14.5 million people who are self-employed.\n\tAutomatic Enrollment: Employees would be automatically enrolled at a rate of 6 percent per year, but could choose to raise, lower, or stop their contributions.\n\tSecure Lifetime Income: Benefits would be paid monthly for life, and participants would be shielded from market volatility and other risks.\n\tLower Costs: Pooled, professional management and risk sharing will reduce the cost of retirement by up to 50 percent.\n\tPortability: People would be able to take their benefit with them as they change employers.\n\tSimple and Easy for Businesses: Small businesses can easily participate and would not have to take on risk or administrative burden.\n \u201cUSA Retirement Funds would represent a big step forward in addressing our retirement income crisis. \u00a0The proposal combines some of the best elements of a traditional pension\u2014including regular lifetime payments in retirement, professional management, and pooled investing\u2014with elements of a 401(k), such as predictable costs for employers and portability for workers,\u201d said David Madland, the Center for American Progress\u2019 Managing Director of Economic Policy.\u00a0 \u201cOur research finds that plans like USA Retirement Funds cost about half as much to provide an adequate retirement benefit as a typical 401(k), while exposing participants to much lower levels of risk.\u00a0\u00a0 USA Retirement Funds would provide workers with a secure lifetime income without requiring employers to take on long-term liabilities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1451", "Fellow Republicans Agree With Senator Toomey's Ban on Wasteful Spending", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - In his ongoing battle to protect taxpayers from wasteful government spending, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today led the Senate Republican Conference to extend its ban on earmarks, which was scheduled to expire at the end of this Congress. Toomey applauded his colleagues' vote to extend the current earmark moratorium for another Congress.\n\"The American people are tired of wasteful government spending and special interest handouts,\" Sen. Toomey said.  \"Taxpayers don't want to pay for bridges to nowhere, studies on maple syrup, or the Cowboy poetry festival.  My Conference rule, which was adopted today, says that the Republicans will not request earmarks.  I am pleased that even before the new Congress begins, the Republican majority is working to protect taxpayers and make government more effective and efficient. This is an improvement but we have to keep working toward a permanent ban.\"\nPast experience shows that the prevalence of earmarks can grow exponentially when left unchecked. According to the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste, in 1998 Congress approved about 2,100 earmark projects at a total cost of $13.2 billion.  By 2006 -- the height of the earmark binge -- these numbers ballooned to nearly 10,000 earmarks that cost taxpayers about $29 billion.  Over the years, earmarks were used to fund such dubious projects as the infamous \"Bridge to Nowhere\" in Alaska, an indoor rainforest, and a teapot museum.\nThe language of Sen. Toomey's Conference rule is below:\n\"Resolved, that it is the policy of the Republican Conference that no Member shall request a congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit, as such items are used in Rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate for the 114th Congress.\"\nEarlier this Congress, Sen. Toomey introduced the bipartisan Earmark Elimination Act with Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.). Their legislation would expand the temporary moratorium on earmarks to permanently ban earmarks from the legislative process.\nThe Toomey/McCaskill legislation would:\n\u2022 Permanently ban all earmarks.  \u2022 Define earmarks as any congressionally directed spending item, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit.  \u2022 Create a point of order against any legislation containing an earmark. The point of order would only apply to the actual earmark, rather than to the entire bill.  \u2022 Require a two-thirds vote to waive the point of order.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1459", "Casey, Toomey, Perry Announce Expansion of Gettysburg National Military Park in Defense Bill, Likely to Pass Senate and Become Law This Week", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Provisions Would Expand Historic Site by 45 Acres, Add Lincoln Train Station \n\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington, DC- Today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has already passed the House and is likely to pass the Senate this week, contains language that would expand Gettysburg National Military Park by 45 acres and add the Lincoln Train Station.\n\"This legislation will preserve an area of great national historical and cultural importance,\" Senator Casey said. \"Expanding this historical area will also contribute to the region's economy as it continues to attract visitors from around the world who want to experience this significant time in American history.\"\n\"The upcoming vote in the Senate to allow Gettysburg National Military Park to expand to include the historic train station and Plum Run should mark the culmination of a long bipartisan effort, said Senator Toomey.  \"Gettysburg National Military Park is an important part of our nation's history and encourages tourism and growth in the area.  My thanks to Senator Casey and Congressman Perry for working with me on this important effort.\"\n\"The Battle of Gettysburg marks a turning point in American history,\" said Representative Perry. \"By preserving the Lincoln Train Station, I hope to inspire my fellow citizens to learn and appreciate the significance of the Gettysburg Campaign, the Gettysburg Address, the Civil War and the bravery of the soldiers who, in President Lincoln's words, \"gave the last full measure of devotion.\" If the Senate and President Obama approve this as expected, I'll be privileged that my first piece of legislation signed into law will be to help protect the Gettysburg Battlefield.\"\nThe language in the bill expands the boundary of Gettysburg National Military Park to include 45 acres of land at the southern end of the battlefield where cavalry skirmishes occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. The land has environmental significance as home to wetlands and wildlife habitat related to the Plum Run stream that traverses the park. This 45-acre property is adjacent to current park land and was donated to the Gettysburg Foundation in April of 2009. The Foundation plans to donate the parcel to the park once it's added to the park's boundaries; therefore, no federal land acquisition funding is necessary to obtain this property.\nThe Lincoln Train Station, located in downtown Gettysburg, was built in 1858 and is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The station served as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg and was the departure point for thousands of soldiers who were wounded or killed in battle. The Lincoln Train Station is also the site at which President Abraham Lincoln arrived on November 18, 1863, one day before he delivered the Gettysburg Address at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/blog/the-need-to-act-on-climate-change", "The Need to Act on Climate Change", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wednesday, December 10, 2014\n\t\t\t\t The Need to Act on Climate Change \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\tIn November, I wrote to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to support EPA\u2019s comprehensive Clean Power Plan to lower carbon pollution while urging EPA to adopt a structure that would be fairer to the Commonwealth.\u00a0Pennsylvania powers states throughout the region and has made great strides as a leader in the development of clean energy sources.\r\n   We must be serious about the threat of climate change for the sake of public health, national security and children\u2019s health. I support the need for a comprehensive climate change plan. We must rise to the challenge of climate change and revitalize our economy by increasing our efforts in the areas of energy efficiency; developing and adopting cleaner ways of producing electricity; and creating jobs.\r\nThe key points of my letter:\r\n \r\nWe must take action on climate change because it poses a serious threat to public health, the environment and national security.\r\nThe transition to cleaner energy must include a pathway for multiple forms of electricity generation including clean coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, wind, solar, biomass and other renewables, as well as energy efficiency measures.\r\nEPA\u2019s comprehensive four-building-block plan is a necessary and effective approach to reducing carbon pollution.\r\nPennsylvania is a net-energy-producing state (generating more power than it consumes) whose economy is built on affordable electricity for manufacturing and other energy-intensive industries.\r\nEPA\u2019s renewable energy target for Pennsylvania imposes an unequal burden on the Commonwealth relative to other states with much greater renewable energy potential, and it wouldn\u2019t be possible to get greater carbon pollution reductions from the other three building blocks in Pennsylvania.\r\nEPA must give greater recognition to zero-carbon sources such as nuclear power and hydropower to provide an incentive for these sources to remain in operation, as they make up a large portion of Pennsylvania\u2019s electricity sources that would lower its carbon pollution rate.\r\n \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                                Clean Power Plan,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                Climate Change,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                Energy,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                Environment,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                Environmental Protection Agency,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                EPA", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-presses-administration-to-provide-funds-for-presque-isle-in-upcoming-budget", "Casey Presses Administration to Provide Funds for Presque Isle in Upcoming Budget", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) pressed the Administration to provide funds for the sand replenishment project at Presque Isle in its upcoming budget that is due to be released in the coming weeks. In a letter to Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Casey highlighted the $77 million that visitors annually spend at Presque Isle and the 1,000 jobs it supports throughout the Erie region. Casey has consistently pressed the Administration and Congress to provide adequate funding to Presque Isle.\r\n\u201cPresque Isle is a major driver of the region\u2019s economy and its critical that the Administration provides adequate funding to this project in its upcoming budget,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cPresque Isle is one of our state\u2019s treasures. Putting appropriate funding into this project will maintain one of our state\u2019s most visited state parks and bolster Northwestern Pennsylvania\u2019s economy.\u201d\r\nThe full text of Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nDear Director Donovan:\r\nAs the Administration prepares the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget, I would like to request your support for the sand replenishment project at Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania.\u00a0\r\nPresque Isle State Park, located on Lake Erie, draws over four million visitors annually for a variety of recreational activities and is the top attraction for the regional tourism economy. The Presque Isle State Park is also one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Visitors spend nearly $77 million annually at Presque Isle and help to create over 1,000 jobs in the Erie region.\u00a0 This project is crucial to the economy in northwestern Pennsylvania.\u00a0 In this tough economic climate, we need to make targeted investments in projects that will help our economy grow, and investment in the Presque Isle project will help maintain this important economic boost to the region.\r\nThe beaches at Presque Isle continually battle storm erosion and require annual sand replenishment to address this problem.\u00a0 Without sufficient funding for annual sand nourishment the beach will be subject to continued erosion which could breach the Peninsula and damage the park\u2019s infrastructure.\u00a0 In the past, erosion has caused significant damage to beaches and hiking trails as well as ecosystems that support endangered species that reside in the park.\u00a0 If unaddressed, the damage that erosion causes will threaten the region\u2019s economy.\u00a0\r\nFor these reasons, I respectfully request that you include Presque Isle in the Budget for Fiscal Year 2016.\u00a0 In the past, this project has annually appeared in the President\u2019s Budget.\u00a0 Unfortunately, that has not been the case for the past few years.\u00a0 I respectfully urge you to support by restoring funding for this important project for Fiscal 2016. In closing, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your consideration of this project.\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-toomey-perry-announce-expansion-of-gettysburg-national-military-park-in-defense-bill-likely-to-pass-senate-and-become-law-this-week", "Casey, Toomey, Perry Announce Expansion of Gettysburg National Military Park in Defense Bill, Likely to Pass Senate and Become Law This Week", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has already passed the House and is likely to pass the Senate this week, contains language that would expand Gettysburg National Military Park by 45 acres and add the Lincoln Train Station.\r\n\u201cThis legislation will preserve an area of great national historical and cultural importance,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cExpanding this historical area will also contribute to the region\u2019s economy as it continues to attract visitors from around the world who want to experience this significant time in American history.\u201d\r\n\"The upcoming vote in the Senate to allow Gettysburg National Military Park to expand to include the historic train station and Plum Run should mark the culmination of a long bipartisan effort, said Senator Toomey.\u00a0 \u201cGettysburg National Military Park is an important part of our nation's history and encourages tourism and growth in the area.\u00a0 My thanks to Senator Casey and Congressman Perry for working with me on this important effort.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Battle of Gettysburg marks a turning point in American history,\u201d said Representative Perry. \u201cBy preserving the Lincoln Train Station, I hope to inspire my fellow citizens to learn and appreciate the significance of the Gettysburg Campaign, the Gettysburg Address, the Civil War and the bravery of the soldiers who, in President Lincoln's words, \"gave the last full measure of devotion.\u201d If the Senate and President Obama approve this as expected, I\u2019ll be privileged that my first piece of legislation signed into law will be to help protect the Gettysburg Battlefield.\u201d\r\nThe language in the bill expands the boundary of Gettysburg National Military Park to include 45 acres of land at the southern end of the battlefield where cavalry skirmishes occurred during the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863.\u00a0The land has environmental significance as home to wetlands and wildlife habitat related to the Plum Run stream that traverses the park.\u00a0This 45-acre property is adjacent to current park land and was donated to the Gettysburg Foundation in April of 2009. The Foundation plans to donate the parcel to the park once it\u2019s added to the park\u2019s boundaries; therefore, no federal land acquisition funding is necessary to obtain this property.\r\nThe Lincoln Train Station, located in downtown Gettysburg, was built in 1858 and is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places.\u00a0The station served as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg and was the departure point for thousands of soldiers who were wounded or killed in battle.\u00a0The Lincoln Train Station is also the site at which President Abraham Lincoln arrived on November 18, 1863, one day before he delivered the Gettysburg Address at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.\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 Steve Kelly (Toomey) 717-782-3951 Bob Reilly (Perry) 717- 600-1919", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/following-casey-effort-likely-to-pass-defense-and-appropriations-bills-delay-plan-that-would-have-moved-key-assets-like-apache-helicopters-away-from-pa-national-guard", "Following Casey Effort: Likely to Pass Defense and Appropriations Bills Delay Plan that Would Have Moved Key Assets like Apache Helicopters Away from PA National Guard", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has already passed the House and is likely to pass the Senate this week, contains language that would protect military assets, like Apache helicopters, from being moved away from Pennsylvania National Guard Units. The omnibus appropriations act also prevents funds from being used to divest these important assets in 2015. At facilities like Ft. Indiantown Gap and the 104th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion in Johnstown, PA Guard members play a crucial role in maintaining these assets and preparing them for use in the field. Moving these assets away from PA units could erode the role that the National Guard plays in the nation\u2019s defense and endanger the future of these facilities. \u00a0Casey wrote a letter to Secretary Hagel on the issue and weighed in with key officials at the Defense Department. He also visited Ft. Indiantown Gap in October to speak with the Guard members who fly and maintain these helicopters.\r\n\u201cThe women and men of Pennsylvania\u2019s National Guard have made incredible sacrifices on behalf of our nation and contributed to keeping our country safe,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cAs we draw down in Afghanistan and consider the future shape of our Armed Forces, it\u2019s important that the National Guard continue to play a significant role in our national defense. The Guard has proven over and over again that it is efficient and effective. More work remains to be done to preserve the PA National Guard\u2019s air capabilities in the long run, and I\u2019ll continue to press the Administration to maintain a robust role for the National Guard in our national defense and in responding to disasters here at home.\u201d\r\nThe full text of the letter can be seen below:\r\nDear Secretary Hagel:\r\nWe write to express our deep concern with the Department of the Army\u2019s proposal to cut Army National Guard combat aviation assets and force structure.\u00a0 While we are aware that the Army\u2019s budget request for fiscal year 2015 is pre-decisional, every indication including public statements and briefings from Army leadership on Capitol Hill suggests the decision was made without meaningful consultation with the Army National Guard.\u00a0 This shortsighted approach creates unnecessary risk to our national security at the expense of incredibly capable attack aviation assets in the Army National Guard.\r\nIt has also come to our attention that the Guard has attempted to work with the Army on ways to implement necessary budget cuts by proposing alternatives that satisfy the Army National Guard\u2019s proportional share of reductions required by the Budget Control Act.\u00a0 Their proposal sustains Army National Guard aviation force structure and garners savings from other areas while assuming minimal readiness risk and sustaining much needed capacity for national defense and unforeseen contingencies.\u00a0\r\nAs you know, the country has invested so much in the men and women of our National Guard to ensure that they are an augmentable, operational force.\u00a0 We need to continue to organize, train, equip, and manage them in a manner commensurate with their invaluable role in national security.\u00a0 To squander these investments would be an incredibly shortsighted mistake.\r\nTherefore, we strongly recommend that you work with the Army and the National Guard on a solution that fully takes into account national security needs as well as state domestic response obligations.\u00a0 We are confident that a resolution can be reached.\u00a0 However, in the absence of a reasonable solution, Congress will look for ways to ensure that the Total Army is balanced in ways that meet our nation's security interests, now and in the future, that take into account Total Army requirements, capabilities and costs.\u00a0 In addition, because the Army\u2019s current proposal to cut Guard attack aviation assets creates unnecessary and irreversible impact to our combat aviation force, we would also look to prevent all Army National Guard aviation force structure transfers and retirements until further review.\r\nOur country deserves the best Army we can afford to meet the nation\u2019s most urgent threats \u2013 one that is smaller, expandable, interchangeable and experienced.\u00a0 We believe the National Guard can be part of a cost effective security solution that retains affordable security for peacetime as well as the ability to respond to unforeseen, future contingencies.\r\nThank you for your consideration of this request.\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/in-meeting-with-key-administration-official-casey-presses-for-funding-for-delaware-deepening-project", "In Meeting with Key Administration Official, Casey Presses for Funding for Delaware Deepening Project", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has urged the Obama Administration to include adequate funding for the Delaware Deepening project in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2016 (FY2016) budget. During a meeting with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, Casey discussed the role the deepening the Delaware will play in job creation and economic growth in Southeastern Pennsylvania.\r\n\u201cDeepening the Delaware will have a significant economic impact for the Port of Philadelphia and all of Southeastern Pennsylvania,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI had a productive conversation with Assistant Secretary Darcy and will continue to urge the Administration to adequately fund the Delaware Deepening project. Finishing this project will support 38,000 jobs and has the potential to create more. It will also make our city\u2019s port and businesses competitive other ports throughout the country.\u201d\u00a0\r\nThe project will deepen the Delaware River channel from forty feet to forty-five feet in order to accommodate larger vessels. This will reduce shipping costs, make maritime transportation more efficient and make the channel safer and more reliable. Once the channel is deepened, there will be an estimated increase of 2.5 million tons of cargo to the Port of Philadelphia, having the potential to create more jobs. In addition, this project will provide the potential to create thousands of short-term jobs that aid an industry that has suffered significantly in this economic climate. According to an economic impact study by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority the Delaware River currently supports over 38,000 jobs.\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/cartwright-davis-introduce-legislation-to-boost-stem-cut-red-tape", "Cartwright, Davis Introduce Legislation to Boost STEM, Cut Red Tape", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright (PA-17) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) introduced the bipartisan Innovate America Act.\u00a0\nAs innovation continues to be a catalyzing force in the American economy, the need for a workforce that is able to adjust is greater.\u00a0 This bill would help secure America\u2019s standing in the global economy by boosting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, thus laying the groundwork for future innovation.\u00a0\n\u201cThe United States has fallen behind in its efforts to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy,\u201d said Rep. Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cThis legislation not only devotes more resources into STEM fields, but also works to eliminate burdensome regulations, and provide our nation\u2019s businesses with the workforce it needs to compete in today\u2019s global economy.\u201d\n\"The 13th District is home to several colleges and universities with quality STEM-focused programs that spur innovation and job creation,\" said Rep. Davis. \"The\u00a0Innovate America Act\u00a0builds upon these successful programs and extends STEM opportunities to high school students.\u00a0 Additionally, this legislation comes full circle by cutting government impediments to small manufacturers so more jobs will be available to graduates.\"\nSpecifically, the Innovate America Act would: Improve STEM education by doubling the number of STEM-focused high schools; Promote computer science training and expanding research opportunities for undergraduates in STEM majors; Study the impact of STEM field retention programs for students; Establish a website for technology commercialization ideas; Establish a manufacturing assistance program aimed at assisting small and medium-sized businesses; Identify and call for removal of regulatory barriers for small and medium-sized manufacturers; Identify the regulatory barriers for top 20 exporting industries for the purpose of improving global competitiveness.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-cartwright-applauds-passage-of-new-measure-to-prevent-veteran", "Rep. Cartwright Applauds Passage of New Measure to Prevent Veteran Suicides", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright applauded the unanimous House passage of bipartisan legislation to address the epidemic of suicide among our nation\u2019s veterans.\u00a0\n\u201cOne veteran lost to suicide is one veteran too many,\u201d said Rep. Cartwright. \u00a0\u201cThis bipartisan legislation provides our heroes the care and support they have earned and deserve to overcome mental health challenges, traumatic brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder.\u00a0 I was proud to support this legislation to ensure our nation stands behind our brave veterans with compassion and dedication every day.\u201d\nTwenty-two veterans commit suicide every day \u2013 more than 8,000 every year.\u00a0 Of the more than 2 million Americans who have served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is estimated that one-third, roughly 600,000 women and men, have traumatic brain injury, PTSD or depression.\u00a0 Named in honor of an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran and noted suicide prevention advocate who took his own life on March 31, 2011, The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (H.R. 5059) is another step toward ensuring our nation\u2019s veterans have the support they need by expanding access to and improving the effectiveness of mental health care for our veterans.\nThe Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act will establish a peer support and community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning servicemembers with accessing VA mental health care services.\u00a0 To ease access to services, the bill will require the VA to create a one-stop, interactive website to serve as a centralized source of information regarding all mental health services for veterans.\u00a0 A student loan repayment pilot program aimed at recruiting and retaining psychiatrists included in the legislation will help address the shortage of mental health care professionals.\u00a0 To improve care, the legislation will require an annual, third-party evaluation of all mental health care and suicide prevention practices and programs at the VA to find out what\u2019s working and what\u2019s not.\u00a0\nThe bill was introduced by Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress and co-authored by Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a Purple Heart recipient, Iraq War veteran, and member of the Army National Guard.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-champions-great-lakes-restoration-initiative-act-house-floor", "Rep. Kelly Champions Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act on House Floor", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WATCH HERE\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) \u2013 co-chairman of the Northeast-Midwest (NEMW) Congressional Coalition \u2013 delivered remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives today in support of H.R. 5764, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014, of which he is a co-sponsor. The bipartisan legislation was passed unanimously by the House this afternoon.\nHighlights of Rep. Kelly\u2019s floor speech:\n\u201cWe all understand what it is that makes the Great Lakes great, and I think that\u2019s the whole point of what we\u2019re talking about: this is a gift from God.\u201d\n\u201cIf you could just close your eyes for one minute and visualize in your mind\u2019s eye the continental United States, the landmass, the volume of freshwater contained in our Great Lakes would cover that landmass by 9 \u00bd to 10 feet! It is an incredible amount of water. But more importantly, it is an incredible gift from God. We have to protect this area. Why would we not? The statistics that we talk about are overwhelming.\u201d\n\u201cWe thank a lot of people for being involved with this, but you know who I want to thank more than anybody else? It\u2019s the hardworking American taxpayers. By our Constitution, we are granted the authority to tax them, but we are also given the responsibility to spend their money the right way.\u201d\n\u201cOne-fifth of the world\u2019s freshwater \u2013 not one-fifth of Pennsylvania\u2019s, not one-fifth of the United States\u2019, not\u00a0one-fifth of North America\u2019s \u2013 but one-fifth of the world\u2019s freshwater resides in the Great Lakes.\u201d\n\u201cWe have an opportunity to do something that just makes sense to each and every one of us. We can get this done. And if I may, just for a minute, to paraphrase Luke 12:48: \u2018To whom much is given, much is required.\u2019 Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that this is not an option. This is a moral obligation, on behalf of the people of this great country, to look at one of the assets that we have, a gift from God, and make sure that we preserve it for future generations.\u201d\nNOTE: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014 (H.R. 5764) amends the Clean Water Act to authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for Fiscal Years 2015 \u2013 2019.\u00a0The GLRI was an inter-agency program launched by President Obama in 2009 to implement a regional collaboration strategy developed in 2005 through a process established by an executive order from then-President George W. Bush in 2004. The GLRI had not previously received congressional authorization. Without increasing federal spending, this bill would authorize the GLRI at $300 million (the amount already appropriated over the past four fiscal years) each year for the next five years.\nWith the help of GLRI, Presque Isle Bay in Erie, Pennsylvania was removed from the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s list of Areas of Concern in 2013. Additionally, the GLRI has been instrumental in keeping Asian Carp from invading the Great Lakes and threatening its world class fisheries. \u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=28E55357-F663-408B-A5F0-BB6393BAA76F", "Dent Disappointed by Release of CIA Interrogation Techniques Report", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) made the following statement in response to the release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence\u2019s report on the Central Intelligence Agency\u2019s (CIA) interrogation techniques by Chairman Dianne Feinstein (CA) earlier today.\r\n\u201cReleasing this report at this time is not in America\u2019s best interests,\u201d Dent said. \u201cThis report is incendiary and its release will put American lives overseas at risk. Currently, U.S.-led forces are engaging ISIS forces. The release of the report could provide ISIS and other extremists groups an additional pretext to increase their gruesome practices that have included beheadings,\u201d concluded Dent.\r\n\r\nPreviously, Dent sent a letter to Chairman Feinstein asking her to withhold releasing the report.\r\nCONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/blog/renaming-the-philadelphia-va", "Renaming the Philadelphia VA", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tuesday, December 9, 2014\n\t\t\t\t Renaming the Philadelphia VA \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\tI am pleased to see that both the Senate and House have approved legislation to rename the Philadelphia VA Medical Center after Corporal Michael J. Crescenz.\u00a0 As an original co-sponsor of this legislation in the Senate, I am proud to see that Corporal Crescenz courageous actions are being appropriately honored as Philadelphia\u2019s only Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War.\r\nRe-naming of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center is a tribute to the heroism of Corporal Michael Crescenz, as well as servicemembers across the country and throughout our history who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep American's safe. As this dedication now moves to the President\u2019s desk for his signature, it will serve as a reminder of the debt of gratitude we all owe to these brave men and women.\r\nHis full Medal of Honor citation is available here.\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                                Crescenz,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                Philadelphia VA Medical Center,\u00a0\n                            \n                                \n                                Veterans", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/following-casey-effort-defense-bill-contains-language-emphasizing-importance-of-counterdrug-centers", "Following Casey Effort, Defense Bill Contains Language Emphasizing Importance of Counterdrug Centers", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Following a major effort by Senator Casey, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has already passed the House and is likely to pass the Senate this week, contains report language that emphasizes the importance of National Counterdrug Centers. Casey has led the Senate efforts to protect counterdrug centers. The Northeast Counterdrug Center in Fort Indiantown Gap has played a critical role in helping law enforcement across the state in combatting drug trafficking.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the defense bill contains language that will recognize the important role counterdrug centers play in protecting communities from drug trafficking and aiding law enforcement,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cEarlier this year I visited the Northeast Counterdrug Center in Fort Indiantown Gap and saw firsthand the critical need for these resources. More work needs to be done to ensure the Defense Department identifies a stable funding solution for these Centers that maximizes their ability to train military and law enforcement officers.\u201d \u00a0\r\nThe bill states, \u201cWe note the role of the National Guard Counter-drug mission in ensuring the security of the U.S. Homeland. As part of that mission, the National Guard Counter-drug Schools continue to play an important role in training and educating local, state, and federal law enforcement and other entities on counter-drug-related matters. We recognize the benefits of maintaining and supporting the National Guard counterdrug strategy.\u201d\r\nThe full text of both of Casey\u2019s letters on counterdrug centers is below:\r\nDear Colleague:\r\nWe invite you to sign on to the following letter regarding the National Guard\u2019s Counterdrug Training Centers.\u00a0 The five centers, located across the country, train both military personnel and local law enforcement, and improve interagency cooperation in the fight against narco-trafficking.\u00a0 Strong Congressional support is critical to ensuring that these Centers remain appropriately funded so that they can continue to provide essential training and support.\u00a0\r\nFor the past several years, the President\u2019s Budget has consistently reduced funding for these centers.\u00a0 Each year, through the NDAA and appropriations processes, Congress has emphasized its support for the National Guard\u2019s Counterdrug program and the Centers.\u00a0 A relatively modest investment in the Centers pays dividends for bolstering law enforcement capacity to detect, interdict, disrupt, and curtail the flow of illicit drugs in the United States.\r\nFor additional information about this issue or to sign onto the letter, please contact our office.\r\nSincerely,\r\nSenator Robert P. Casey, Jr.   Senator Charles E. Grassley   Senator Tom Harkin\r\nDear Secretary Hagel:\r\nWe write today as strong supporters of the five Counterdrug Training Centers located throughout the United States that are funded through the National Guard Bureau\u2019s (NGB) Counterdrug Program. Authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1991, Counterdrug Training Centers provide counter-narcotics training to local law enforcement officials that have subsequently helped combat the flow of narcotics into and throughout the United States.\r\nTo date, the National Guard Training Centers have provided counterdrug training to over 680,923 law enforcement officials. Without these training centers, law enforcement officers would be unable to obtain this valuable training, drastically reducing the United States Northern Command\u2019s (USNORTHCOM) ability to combat narco-terrorism, and diminish the support they provide to other combatant commanders.\r\nTo help facilitate the specialized course requirements, the training centers rely on military and civilian subject matter experts to instruct the courses formulated by DOD and NGB. Courses such as Advanced Undercover Operations, Advanced High Risk Warrant Planning and Execution, and Advanced Narcotics Investigations would not be possible, or worse, a waste of time without these subject matter experts.\r\nWe were disheartened to learn that there are some within OSD who do not view the training of local law enforcement officers as a core mission to homeland defense, and that the use of subject matter experts from the law enforcement community should be discontinued. We were also alarmed to learn that for the first time since the early 90\u2019s, funding for these centers was not requested in the President\u2019s FY15 budget. Congress has continually expressed its support, verbally and through report language, for DOD to continue this mission.\r\nWe respectfully request that the Department of Defense reinforce its view that training law enforcement officials is a core tenet of homeland defense, and reverse the call to phase-out the hiring of subject matter experts to teach counterdrug courses. We also request that DOD make available the funding that was provided in the FY14 Omnibus Appropriations Act for the Counterdrug Training Centers in a timely manner.\r\nThank you for your service and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance to you.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.   United States Senator\r\nChuck Grassley   United States Senator\r\nTom Harkin   United 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"], ["http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/house-votes-name-pittsburgh-federal-courthouse-after-judge-joseph-f-weis-jr", "House Votes to Name Pittsburgh Federal Courthouse After Judge Joseph F. Weis", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Mike Doyle", "D000482", "doyle.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) announced that this afternoon the House of Representatives passed legislation he introduced to name the federal courthouse in Pittsburgh after Judge Joseph F. Weis Jr., who passed away in March.\n\u00a0\n\u201cThroughout his 91 years of life, Joseph F. Weis Jr served our country with humility, integrity, and an unfailing sense of duty,\u201d Congressman Doyle said this afternoon on the House Floor prior to the vote.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cHe enlisted in the Army shortly after Pearl Harbor,\u201d Congressman Doyle noted in recognizing Weis\u2019s exemplary military service. \u201cHe was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster after sustaining multiple injuries in combat over the course of his service.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cAfter becoming a respected trial lawyer, he was elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in 1968,\u201d Congressman Doyle observed. \u201cAs a judge, he quickly developed a reputation for patience and hard work. He always strove to improve our judicial system, advocating for innovative courtroom technologies and enforcement of judicial ethics. Two years later, Judge Weis was appointed to the federal bench, and in 1973, he was appointed to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, one step below the Supreme Court. He served on the Court for the next 40 years, retiring just last year when he was 90. He was recognized for his outstanding service on the bench with the Devitt Award, the highest honor given to federal judges.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cJoseph F. Weis, Jr.\u2019s life is a model all public servants should aspire to emulate,\u201d Representative Doyle concluded. \u201cNaming this federal court house in his honor is a fitting way to recognize his long, faithful and extremely capable service to our country, to inspire trust in the federal justice system - which he served for so long with great integrity - and provide future generations with an outstanding example of a great public servant.\u201d\n\u00a0\nThis legislation, H.R. 5146, was approved by the House by voice vote. It must now be considered by the Senate.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly%E2%80%99s-message-economic-opportunity-featured-comcast-newsmakers", "Rep. Kellys Message of Economic Opportunity Featured by Comcast Newsmakers", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly: \u201cThe opportunities for Americans now have never been greater, but we need to have a fix on the future\u201d \nWATCH HERE\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 was recently featured as a \u201cNational Newsmaker\u201d by Comcast Newsmakers, a national news program produced by NBC Universal and distributed via Comcast\u2019s XFINITY On Demand service, as well as its social media and online platforms. The interview was conducted on December 3, 2014, and was based on Rep. Kelly\u2019s unique assessment of the United States as \u201cthe world\u2019s next great emerging economy.\u201d\nRep. Kelly explains his optimism regarding America\u2019s economic future:\n\u201cI know what the popular narrative is, but I also know what the truth is. And when you look at who we are and the gifts that we have been given \u2014 we are awash in so many natural resources that the rest of world covets.\u201d\n\u201cOne fifth of the world\u2019s fresh water, potable water, is right here in the United States \u2014 not just Pennsylvania\u2019s [fresh water], but one fifth of the world\u2019s fresh water.\u00a0 We have potable water, we have tillable soil; we produce more [food] per acre than anybody else in the world.\u201d\n\"We talk about energy opportunities \u2026 we have an abundance of oil, of coal, of natural gas, and we can extract these very safely, bring them to the surface where they really help us drive an economy that is limitless right now.\u201d\nRep. Kelly on how America can realize its economic potential:\n\u201cWe do need pro-growth tax reform. There is no one else out there that thinks what we are doing right now [regarding our tax code] makes sense. \u2026 I would just suggest to you that we reform taxes and we make it a pro-growth tax reform.\u201d\n\u201cWhen we look at regulations right now \u2014 well-intended when they came out, [they] now have become almost to the point of being overbearing and are not allowing us to become who we need to become.\u201d\n\u201cWe have people here that are the most productive people the world has ever seen. We have the opportunity to educate people for the jobs that are available. People from all over the world come to America. Why do they come to America? They come to our educational institutions because we offer the best product. A lot of them want to stay and they want to help. We need to look at how we address that; we\u2019ve got to grow from the inside out. We\u2019ve got to make our people stronger, and our people need to believe again of who we are and what we are.\u201d\nRep. Kelly on the future of political partisanship and participation:\n\u201cI came out of the private sector; I\u2019ve only been here [in Washington] four years. \u2026 I\u2019m an automobile dealer, who grew up being able to reach out across the desk and make agreements with people on a transportation need they had.\u201d\n\u201cI want you to think about this: every single person that serves in this country \u2013 I don\u2019t care if it is your local school board, your towns, your states, whatever \u2013 they are all elected people.\u00a0What we need to do is to look at the tremendous amount of potential we have locally; ask those people to step forward and serve. They\u2019re all elected; they just don\u2019t go in and sit down.\u201d\n\u201cThe opportunities for Americans now have never been greater, but we need to have a fix on the future and say, \u2018This is where we can go.\u2019\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-kicks-off-hour-of-code-at-easton-area-high-school-pushes-for-passage-of-computer-science-jobs-act", "Casey Kicks Off ‘Hour of Code’ at Easton Area High School, Pushes for Passage of Computer Science Jobs Act", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Easton PA- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) kicked off an \u2018hour of code\u2019 at Easton Area High School and pushed for passage of his bipartisan Computer Science Jobs and Education Act. Students learned how to code and Casey, joined by the school\u2019s educators, discussed the need to put a greater emphasis on computer science education in schools so Pennsylvania students can compete for future jobs.\r\n\u201cPutting more emphasis on computer science in the classrooms will help students compete for the next generation of jobs.\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cI\u2019m hopeful that in the coming year Congress will move forward on this bipartisan legislation so that learning how to code isn\u2019t a once a year event but a consistent part of what students do throughout the year.\u201d\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nComputer Science Jobs and Education Act\r\nThe Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in the year 2020, there will be 9.2 million jobs in the STEM fields.\u00a0 Of those jobs, half will be in computing and information technology.\u00a0 That\u2019s 4.6 million jobs\u2014lucrative, important and exciting jobs\u2014waiting for those who choose to study computer science. Despite the economy\u2019s reliance on computer science and the associated need to teach it, only 14 states count it toward a student\u2019s high school graduation requirements. In 2012, just fewer than 3,000 of the country\u2019s 40,000 high schools offered the AP Computer Science exam. Teacher certification processes for computer science teachers are broken or nonexistent, making it difficult to establish and nurture computer science preparation programs or attract computer science talent to a profession that seemingly doesn\u2019t value computer science expertise.\r\nWithout creating any new programs or requiring any new spending, the Computer Science Education Act would clarify that existing and currently funded federal programs should support the teaching and learning of a discipline that offers limitless opportunities to those who study it and support local and state educators who want to put computer science curriculum and teachers in more of the country\u2019s schools.\r\nThe legislation would:\r\n \r\nAmend the definition of \u201ccore academic subjects\u201d in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to add computer science, and define computer science.\r\nExpand the Advanced Placement Incentive Program to include the Advanced Placement computer science class and test.\r\nAmend state plan provisions so that states consider computer science when developing their Title I state improvement plans.\r\nClarify that computer science educators are covered by ESEA\u2019s Math Science Partnerships.\r\nSupport stronger computer science teacher preparation programs.\r\nModify the Noyce Teacher Fellowship program to explicitly include computer science teachers.\r\n \r\nThe bill is endorsed by code.org and Computing in the Core, whose members include: Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Computing Machinery, College Board, Computer Science Teachers Association, Computing Research Association, Google, IEEE Computer Society, Microsoft, National Center for Women and Information Technology, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers Association, Oracle and SAS.\r\nCasey first introduced the bill with Senator Rubio (R-FL) in July 2013. It currently has 5 additional cosponsors including Senators Booker, Feinstein, Murray, Schumer, and Warner.\r\nMore information on the \u2018hour of code\u2019 can be found here: http://hourofcode.com/us#\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://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1448", "Senators Casey, Toomey Announce Confirmation of Joseph Leeson to PA Eastern District Court", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) praised the Senate's confirmation of Joseph Leeson as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Leeson was nominated by President Obama in June.\n\"I am pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan fashion to confirm Joseph Leeson to the federal bench,\" said Senator Casey. \"Jay Leeson is an outstanding lawyer with extensive experience and an excellent record. In addition to having a highly respected career in the practice of law, he has also demonstrated an abiding commitment to public service. I'm confident he will serve the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with distinction.\"\n\"I am thrilled that Jay Leeson will soon join Judge James Knoll Gardner in Allentown as a district court judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,\" said Senator Toomey. \"For the first time, the Allentown courthouse will have two sitting federal district court judges. This is a great day for the city, and I am confident that Mr. Leeson will excel on the federal bench. I will continue working with Senator Casey to recommend well-qualified judges to serve the people of Pennsylvania.\"\nIn the last three and a half years, Senators Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to recommend to the President accomplished jurists of high ability and integrity to preside in the federal courts of Pennsylvania.  With Mr. Leeson, they have now confirmed 14 Pennsylvania district court judges to the federal bench.\nJoseph Leeson\nJoseph Leeson has been a partner at Leeson & Leeson in Bethlehem since 1980.  He was the Bethlehem City Solicitor from 1998 to 2004 and he served as a member of the Bethlehem City Council from 2004 to 2010.  Born in Allentown, Mr. Leeson received his undergraduate degree from DeSales University and his law degree from Catholic University School of Law.\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/article/the-woes-of-working-women", "The Woes of Working Women", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By:\u00a0\r\n                    Gail Collins\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Friday, December 5, 2014\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n              \r\n                \r\n                  \r\n                \r\n              \r\n            \r\n            Today, let\u2019s take a look at the Little Bill That Couldn\u2019t.\r\nSay hello to the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act. It\u2019s sort of shy, but if you look over there behind the ottoman, you may see it peeking out.\r\nThe bill would require employers to make \u201creasonable accommodations\u201d for workers who become pregnant. You may be stunned to hear that this does not always happen now in the American workplace. Consider Heather Myers, a floor worker in the infant department at a Walmart in Kansas whose obstetrician told her to drink liquids. She was then fired for bringing a water bottle to work.\r\nThis week, the Supreme Court heard the case of Peggy Young, a United Parcel Service driver who was put on an unpaid disability leave after her doctor told her she should avoid lifting bundles that weighed more than 20 pounds. That was not much of a problem, since Peggy mainly spent her days delivering envelopes. And we know that UPS had the capacity to make reasonable accommodations because it has changed its policy and now makes ... reasonable accommodations.\r\nYoung\u2019s case is getting support from both sides of the great, gaping abortion divide. On the day of her hearing, everybody was united behind working women who wanted to have children.\r\n\u201cI think we\u2019re always looking for common ground, and when we can agree \u2014 it\u2019s magic,\u201d said Marjorie Dannenfelser of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List.\r\n(Hear that, little bill? Come on out. Everybody\u2019s on your side. We\u2019ll take a selfie!)\r\nThis high-minded rapprochement, alas, has not made its way into the halls of Congress. Thirty-three senators have signed onto the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act, and 142 members of the House. They\u2019re all Democrats.\r\n\u201cThis bill has a lot of support, but it\u2019s not yet bipartisan. That\u2019s the problem,\u201d said Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, the lead sponsor in the Senate.\r\nFor sure, given that the next session of Congress is going to be entirely run by Republicans.\r\nThe lead House sponsor, Jerrold Nadler of New York, says he\u2019s hoping some of the anti-abortion groups who have signed onto Peggy Young\u2019s case will start pressing their congressional allies to come around on a bill that would solve the Peggy Young problem. But, so far, there doesn\u2019t seem to be much progress.\r\nThe Susan B. Anthony List hasn\u2019t taken a position on the matter. \u201cWe have one bill and that\u2019s our priority and that\u2019s kind of the way it works,\u201d said Dannenfelser. This would be the ban on abortions beyond the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy.\r\nNadler, listing what progress there has been, mentioned getting the bill included as \u201cpart of the Democratic women\u2019s agenda \u2014 although it wasn\u2019t mentioned all the time. To my annoyance.\u201d\r\nO.K., not looking good for the Pregnant Workers. Damned bill\u2019s crawled under the couch.\r\nEmily Martin, vice president of the National Women\u2019s Law Center, has been lobbying for the bill, and she says she\u2019s had meetings with Republican lawmakers that were \u201cvery positive,\u201d in a no-action kind of way. \u201cIt\u2019s been hard to get somebody to take the leap to be the first Republican,\u201d she said.\r\nThis is the way politics goes. Nobody\u2019s making you do it, so you don\u2019t. Anyway, businesses probably wouldn\u2019t like it. (The U.S. Women\u2019s Chamber of Commerce is listed as a supporter. This is not to be confused with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which hasn\u2019t taken a position. \u201cYou\u2019ll find that on the majority of issues, we\u2019re on the opposite side of the table,\u201d said Margot Dorfman, who leads the women\u2019s group.)\r\nWhat we have here is a bill that\u2019s been kicking around for more than a year, during which time a multitude of Democrats have signed on without making any superhuman efforts to win over their Republican colleagues. The Republicans, who have been complaining mightily about being branded anti-women during the election season, have been making quiet murmurs of agreement but don\u2019t want to go out of their way to promote something the Democrats started.\r\nAnd here we are, in a country where more than two-thirds of mothers work, most of them full time. We have interesting debates about whether young mothers should opt out of the workplace, ignoring that most of them have no option whatsoever on the opting question.\r\nOur institutions cheerfully refuse to restructure themselves to reflect the fact that most families do not contain a non-working parent. Congress has been debating early education programs for more than 40 years and it has hardly made a dent. A great many of our employers don\u2019t bother to make jobs more family-friendly; they don\u2019t even bother to make modest arrangements to accommodate their pregnant workers. Everybody thinks this is extremely unfortunate, but almost nobody does anything about it because there is not a lot of political or financial reward for siding with working mothers.\r\nO.K., rant is over. Sorry, I think I scared the little bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-pushes-for-passage-of-able-act-next-week-so-families-who-have-a-child-with-a-disability-can-better-pay-for-their-long-term-care", "Casey Pushes for Passage of ABLE Act Next Week So Families Who Have a Child with a Disability Can Better Pay for Their Long Term Care", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Philadelphia, PA \u2013 Following a bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Senate to take up and pass the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act that will allow families who have a child with a disability to save for their long-term care through 529-style savings accounts. Casey was joined by Philly-area advocates and one of the nation\u2019s leading advocates for the ABLE Act \u2013 Scranton native Sara Wolff. Casey has led the Senate effort on the bill that now has 77 Senate cosponsors and stands on the brink of passage. The bill, which has been called \u201cthe broadest legislation to help the disabled in nearly a quarter-century,\u201d could be taken up by the Senate in the coming days.\r\n\u201cThe House\u2019s overwhelming vote in favor of the ABLE Act was a major step forward that I believe will propel the bill to pass the Senate this week,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis legislation will help countless families save for the long term care of their loved ones with disabilities.\u201d\r\nThe legislation would amend Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code 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\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-the-nomination-of-dr-ashton-carter-as-secretary-of-defense", "Casey Statement on the Nomination of Dr. Ashton Carter as Secretary of Defense", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working group and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement on President Obama\u2019s nomination of Dr. Ashton Carter as Secretary of Defense.\r\n\u201cI welcome the President's nomination of Dr. Ash Carter, a Philadelphia area native, as the next Secretary of Defense. Having served in the Department of Defense in multiple administrations, he knows firsthand the challenges facing our nation and the Department. I particularly appreciate his strong commitment to our men and women in uniform, and their families.\u00a0 He is well qualified for this role.\r\nThis is a critical time for our national security: the threat of ISIS in the Middle East, Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability, the brutality of the Assad regime in Syria, Russian aggression in its neighborhood, the transition in Afghanistan.\u00a0 I look forward to talking with Dr. Carter during his confirmation process and hearing his plans for tackling these challenges while ensuring our servicemembers have the resources they need to complete their missions and return home safely. I also plan to ask Dr. Carter about how we can better support servicemembers transitioning out of combat roles and into civilian life.\u201d\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/press-release/congressman-marino-appointed-key-chairmanship-house-judiciary-subcommittee", "Congressman Marino Appointed to Key Chairmanship of House Judiciary Subcommittee", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.\u2014Congressman Tom Marino, PA-10, Lycoming County was named Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law by Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-06) to fill the leadership position vacated by retiring Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-AL-06). Marino\u2019s service to the subcommittee will begin at the commencement of the 114th Congress in January 2015.\nThe Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law consists of 10 members, representing both parties, and has jurisdiction over, \u201cbankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, state taxation affecting interstate commerce, interstate compacts, antitrust matters, other appropriate matters as referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight.\u201d\nRepresentative Marino issued the following statement regarding his appointment to this important leadership position:\n\u201cI am deeply appreciative of Chairman Goodlatte and honored to serve the Judiciary Committee in this capacity. Under his leadership I have grown to better appreciate just how important this committee is in addressing some of the most pressing issues our nation is facing right now. We have excellent membership on the committee with some of the most dedicated and talented representatives in Congress. I am very excited to continue to work with them in the 114th.\nThe Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law is a vital component of the Judiciary Committee\u2019s legislative agenda. The legislation coming out of this committee has broad implications for the entire nation and especially within my District. This is where my RAPID Act legislation, which passed the House, came from and while it unfortunately remains on Harry Reid\u2019s desk with no action, we will get it moving again because excess and abuse of federal regulation has stifled our economy for too long.\nFarmers, small business owners, energy producers, community banks and emerging technology industries all suffer from duplicative or onerous regulation. Reforms are needed. In the coming year my colleagues and I will work diligently and maintain our determination to ensure the legislation coming out of our subcommittee will benefit every American and streamline an overly invasive regulatory structure.\u201d\nJudiciary Chairman Goodlatte said the following of Marino\u2019s appointment:\n\u201cI am extremely pleased that Tom has agreed to serve as the Chairman of the Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law subcommittee. This important subcommittee has broad jurisdiction over legal and regulatory reform and competition and anti-trust laws.\nAs the lead sponsor of the RAPID Act, which opens opportunities for Americans to find work while building our nation\u2019s infrastructure for the future, Tom has proven himself as a leader who will play an important role in helping to advance the Judiciary Committee\u2019s pro-growth agenda.\"\n###\nBackground:\n On January 14th, 2015, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Bob Goodlatte, released his priorities and agenda for the Committee during the 114th Congress. This agenda includes many priorities which will originate in Marino's Subcommittee. Read more here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=646", "Shuster Continues Fight to Protect Letterkenny Army Depot", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u00a0\u2013 The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 earlier today. Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) served as a conferee in the House and Senate negotiations and is a senior member on House Armed Services, the committee responsible for the annual legislation that authorizes funding for the Department of Defense.\r\n\r\n\tDuring the May NDAA markup in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Congressman Shuster fought hard to ensure that no Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) language was included in the bill, protecting military instillations like Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD) in Franklin County from draconian cuts to services for our military. Shuster, who is a senior member of HASC continued his fight to keep BRAC out of NDAA throughout the year, and worked with local entities such as Team Letterkenny, Letterkenny leadership, and union leadership, to ensure the final legislation passed today would be good for Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and all of America.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cProtecting Letterkenny will always be a top priority of mine every year when negotiating this legislation,\u201d said Congressman Shuster. \u201cThis is another step forward in preventing cuts to the depot, but I am continuing to work closely with Franklin County community leaders, Letterkenny employees and leadership to develop a strategy if BRAC were to move forward in the future.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe National Defense Authorization Act for FY 15 is the fifty-third consecutive NDAA. An earlier version was passed in the House in May, but a conference committee was required to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions and produce a final version to be moved through both chambers. As one of the lead negotiators in the House, Congressman Shuster was a key negotiator in the process of crafting this legislation. The FY15 NDAA authorizes $521.3 billion in spending dedicated to national defense, with an additional $63.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations. Congressman Shuster has been committed to making fiscally responsible changes to our military to make it a more cost effective fighting force. In part due to Congressman Shuster\u2019s leadership, the FY 15 NDAA authorizes $48 billion less than last year\u2019s version.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe men and women that make up our armed forces are the best in the world, and it is imperative that they have the necessary equipment and resources to protect our nation,\u201d continued Shuster. \u201cRecent events such as ISIL\u2019s barbaric actions in the Middle East make clear that now is not the time to reduce our military\u2019s role on a world stage. This fiscally responsible defense authorization makes certain that we continue to stand ready to face all threats from enemies to the United States.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-votes-oppose-pay-and-benefit-cuts-active-duty-servicemembers", "Thompson Votes to Oppose Pay and Benefit Cuts to Active Duty Servicemembers", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "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 voted to oppose H.R. 5759, the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation passed the House by a vote of 300-119.\n\t\"Reducing pay and benefits for our active duty soldiers and their families, without instituting broader reforms to reduce waste, fraud and abuse is not something I can support.\u00a0 Men and women in the armed forces put their lives on the line for this country and should not be used as an offset for Washington\u2019s budgetary shortfalls,\u201d said Rep. Thompson.\u00a0 \u00a0\n\tH.R. 5759 reduces pay and benefits for servicemembers and their families, including reductions in pay for Active Duty soldiers, reductions in the basic allowance for housing (BAH), and increased pharmacy fees and copays.\n\t\"On top of reductions in pay and benefit cuts, critical mental health provisions that previously passed the House with bipartisan support were not included in the final legislation. Congress missed an opportunity to fix the way the military identifies and addresses behavioral health conditions among incoming recruits and our soldiers; this is unacceptable,\u201d Thompson stated.\n\tThe Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers (MEPS) Act, which passed in May 2014 as part of the House's version of the 2015 NDAA and has been endorsed by over 40 military, veteran, and mental health advocacy groups, would institute a preliminary mental health assessment for all incoming military recruits.\n\tThe MEPS Act provisions were removed from the final House-Senate NDAA agreement (H.R. 5759).\n\t\u201cThese provisions would have offered our military another tool to improve suicide prevention, and perhaps even prevent future mass shootings, such as the one that took place at the Washington Navy Yard in September 2013,\u201d Thompson added. \u00a0\n\t\u201cThe Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is disappointed to hear the MEPS Act will be removed once again from the NDAA,\u201d stated Mr. Raymond Kelley, VFW\u2019s National Legislative Director, a supporting organization of the MEPS Act. \u201cWe will continue to work with Congressman Thompson to pass this much needed provision.\u201d\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1445", "Toomey's Bill to Rename Philly VA Medical Center for Medal of Honor Recipient Clears Senate", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Woodland Avenue Veterans Affairs Medical Center is one step closer to being renamed after Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, Philadelphia's only Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War era.\nAt the beginning of this Congress, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) introduced a bipartisan bill to change the name of the Woodland Avenue center.  The bill cleared the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee last July and passed the Senate unanimously tonight.\nCorporal Crescenz was awarded the nation's highest military honor for his actions on Nov. 20, 1968, in Vietnam's Hiep Duc Valley. His Medal of Honor citation states that Corporal Crescenz gave his life when he, \"left the relative safety of his own position, seized a nearby machine gun and, with complete disregard for his safety, charged 100 meters up a slope toward the enemy's bunkers which he effectively silenced . . . As a direct result of his heroic actions, his company was able to maneuver freely with minimal danger and to complete its mission, defeating the enemy.\"\nHis full Medal of Honor citation is available here.\n\"The name of Philly's own 'Michael Crescenz' deserves to be above the door at the Woodlawn Avenue Medical Center,\" said Sen. Toomey.  \"It is great news that the Senate agrees with me that Corporal Crescenz should be remembered in this way.  I realize this is a small gesture on our part, given the nature of his great actions. We do this with profound respect and deepest gratitude for his sacrifice. May the renaming of this building serve as an ever-present reminder of the sacrifices of all of Pennsylvania's Vietnam veterans.\"\nCorporal Crescenz's brothers in arms and other veterans advocates praised the effort.\n\"I was with Michael when he gave his life for his comrades, for me and for his country. I am grateful that he will not be forgotten. Michael will always have a place in my mind and my heart. God bless America,\" said Bill Stafford, USA. Ret.\n\"In December of 2010, while placing wreaths on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery, I asked Michael's younger brother, Joe Crescenz, if I could have his family's permission to pursue having the VAMC Philadelphia renamed in honor of Michael. All people will know of Philadelphia's  American hero, Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz and his Medal of Honor. Let us all say to Mike, 'Welcome home, brother,\" said Francis Tacey, Vietnam Class of 1967 - 1968, and DAV Lifetime Member.\n\"After over 40 years, it is high time Philadelphia honors this intrepid American hero who gave his life for his country. Corporal Michael Crescenz deserves at least a hospital named after him to honor that sacrifice and the extraordinary gallantry that went with it,\" said David Kamioner: Director of Communications and Development, The Veterans Group, US Army 1980-1990.\n\"I think it is only appropriate and fitting that Philadelphia's Veterans Affairs facility is re-named in honor of Corporal Michael Crescenz, a Philadelphia native and Medal of Honor recipient. It will be a permanent reminder of, and well-deserved memorial to, a true American hero and dedicated soldier who unselfishly made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live.\" said Joe Eastman: United States Navy (Retired) and Member, City of Philadelphia Veterans Advisory Commission.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1447", "Senator Toomey Works to Help Returning Vets Transition to Civilian Life", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "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 enable state and county veterans affairs officials to more effectively reach out to and assist separating service members who will reside in their states and counties. The legislation was first suggested by Berks County Veterans Service Officer Dale Derr.\nSen. Toomey succeeded in adding an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House of Representatives today.  The measure would require the Defense Department to provide the contact information for separating service members to state veterans affairs departments so they, and county veterans service offices, can reach out to separating and newly discharged service members as early as possible during their transition to civilian life. The amendment contains the text of Senator Toomey's Service Members Transition Improvement Act of 2014.\n\"We must make sure that veterans returning to civilian life will get the assistance they need to access the benefits they have earned,\" said Sen. Toomey.\n\"Too often our new and old military veterans comment that they didn't know there were services available to them at county and state government agencies. Senator Toomey's bill would help to establish a more positive veteran-to-government contact early for the new veterans, which will have a lasting effect on the health and care for each veteran. His proposed improved link up with county and state services during transition from the military is an outstanding response to the public's request for better and more appropriate ways to honor the military service of our citizens,\" said Dale Derr, Director of the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs.\n\"Sen. Toomey's legislation will provide us with the latest information on the separating and transitioning veterans. Currently, we receive the information on the Department of Defense Form 214. This information may be outdated. To provide the fastest and most effective service we need the present contact information. I thank Sen. Toomey for introducing this legislation as it will immensely help the new veterans and their families,\" said Dr. Tom Splitgerber, former President of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=90C440EA-15F2-4A64-914D-89936490A021", "Dents Votes to Prevent President Obamas Executive Overreach on Immigration", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) voted in favor of H.R. 5759, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act.\u00a0 This language specifically prohibits President Obama from shielding those people who are in the United States illegally from removal proceedings. It is retroactive to November 20th, the date that President Obama issued his Executive Order.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cPresident Obama's decision to take unilateral action on the issue of immigration is unnecessarily provocative and inflammatory,\u201d Dent said.\u00a0 \u201cThe President\u2019s Executive Order flies in the face of the notion of the separation of powers and disregards the will of the American people on the vital issue of immigration reform,\u201d added Dent.\r\nH.R. 5759 passed the House by a vote of 219 to 197.  \u00a0\r\n\u201cOur immigration system is broken,\u201d said Dent. \u201cHowever, the necessary corrections need to be arrived at democratically, not by one individual\u2019s fiat.\u00a0 The mere fact that it is taking time to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement shows how contentious this issue is and how important it is to arrive at the right answer. The amount of time involved, or the fact that the Senate passed a bill and the House has not, does not excuse the President\u2019s overreach,\u201d Dent concluded.\r\nCONTACT: \u00a0Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/senators-casey-toomey-announce-confirmation-of-joseph-leeson-to-pa-eastern-district-court", "Senators Casey, Toomey Announce Confirmation of Joseph Leeson to PA Eastern District Court", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) praised the Senate's confirmation of Joseph Leeson as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Mr. Leeson was nominated by President Obama in June.\r\n\u201cI am pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan fashion to confirm Joseph Leeson to the federal bench,\u201d said Senator Casey. \u201cJay Leeson is an outstanding lawyer with extensive experience and an excellent record. In addition to having a highly respected career in the practice of law, he has also demonstrated an abiding commitment to public service. I\u2019m confident he will serve the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with distinction.\u201d\r\n\"I am thrilled that Jay Leeson will soon join Judge James Knoll Gardner in Allentown as a district court judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,\" said Senator Toomey. \"For the first time, the Allentown courthouse will have two sitting federal district court judges. This is a great day for the city, and I am confident that Mr. Leeson will excel on the federal bench. I will continue working with Senator Casey to recommend well-qualified judges to serve the people of Pennsylvania.\"\r\nIn the last three and a half years, Senators Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to recommend to the President accomplished jurists\u00a0of high ability and integrity to preside in the federal courts of Pennsylvania.\u00a0 With Mr. Leeson, they have now confirmed 14 Pennsylvania district court judges to the federal bench.\u00a0\r\nJoseph Leeson\r\nJoseph Leeson has been a partner at Leeson & Leeson in Bethlehem since 1980.\u00a0 He was the Bethlehem City Solicitor from 1998 to 2004 and he served as a member of the Bethlehem City Council from 2004 to 2010.\u00a0 Born in Allentown, Mr. Leeson received his undergraduate degree from DeSales University and his law degree from Catholic University School of Law.\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) 202-228-6367 Steve Kelly (Toomey) 717-782-3951", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/barletta-bill-removes-incentive-to-hire-amnesty-recipients-protects-us", "Barletta Bill Removes Incentive to Hire Amnesty Recipients, Protects U.S. Jobs", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today highlighted his own legislation as a mechanism to remove a $3,000 per job incentive created by President Obama for employers to hire amnesty recipients over legal American workers.\u00a0 The Affordable Care Act and Obama\u2019s recently announced amnesty program for illegal immigrants combine to make it financially more attractive for businesses to choose illegal immigrants when making hiring decisions.\u00a0 Barletta\u2019s bill, the Defense of Legal Workers Act (H.R. 5761), removes the incentive by clarifying that illegal immigrants granted amnesty by executive action cannot be issued work permits.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cWhen it comes to illegal immigration, the conversation is always focused on how to help the illegal immigrants, who have broken our laws,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cNo one ever wants to talk about how granting them amnesty will affect legal American workers.\u00a0 It\u2019s about time someone stood up for the millions of people who are looking for work, but who will now find millions of new competitors for jobs that are already scarce.\u201d\n\u00a0\nObamacare, Amnesty Threaten American Jobs\n\u00a0\nBarletta introduced the Defense of Legal Workers Act in advance of the president\u2019s announcement of his amnesty program, which includes handing out work permits to as many as five million illegal immigrants.\u00a0 Under Obamacare, businesses with fifty or more employees must provide health insurance or pay a $3,000 for each worker not insured.\u00a0 However, under President Obama\u2019s recent executive action on illegal immigration, those receiving amnesty will not be eligible for Obamacare.\u00a0 The result is a strong, $3,000 per job incentive to hire amnesty recipients rather than workers who were already legally present in the United States.\u00a0 Barletta\u2019s legislation would remove that enticement by preventing work permits from being issued to amnesty recipients.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cNearly twenty million Americans woke up this morning either unemployed or underemployed,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now we find out that the toxic combination of amnesty and Obamacare will actually drive businesses away from hiring Americans.\u00a0 What\u2019s worse is that employers will now have financial incentive to replace existing workers with illegal immigrants who have received amnesty.\u00a0 What I can\u2019t figure out is if that\u2019s an unintended consequence or a planned feature of the president\u2019s policies.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nClick here or on images for video of Barletta Q&A with Sec. Johnson\n\u00a0\nIn a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee Tuesday, Barletta asked Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about the $3,000 per job incentive to hire amnesty recipients.\u00a0 Johnson\u2019s answer was brief and unsatisfactory:\n\u00a0\nRep. Barletta: Mr. Secretary, is it true that the illegal immigrants who are granted amnesty will not need to comply with the Affordable Care Act?\n\u00a0\nSecretary Johnson: Those who are candidates for and are accepted into the Deferred Action program will not be eligible for comprehensive health care.\n\u00a0\nRep. Barletta: So, therefore an employer may have a decision to make: do I keep the American worker and provide health insurance or pay a $3,000 fine, or do I get rid of the American worker and hire someone who I do not have to provide health insurance and I won\u2019t get fined?\u00a0 Is that a possibility?\n\u00a0\nSecretary Johnson: I don\u2019t see it that way.\n\u00a0\nRep. Barletta: You don\u2019t think any employers will see it that way?\n\u00a0\nSecretary Johnson: I don\u2019t think I see it that way, no.\u00a0 No, sir.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nFollowing the hearing, Barletta expressed his frustration about the unsatisfactory answers from the Obama Administration regarding the president\u2019s policies and their effects on American workers.\n\u00a0\n\u201cI keep hearing people say that illegal immigrants are doing the jobs that Americans don\u2019t want to do,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, now the illegal immigrants won\u2019t do those jobs anymore either, because the president just cleared the way for them to take all of the other jobs away from Americans as well.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cartwright.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/cartwright-ribble-introduce-legislation-to-promote-college-savings", "Cartwright, Ribble Introduce Legislation to Promote College Savings", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright (PA-17) and Reid Ribble (WI-08) introduced the bipartisan Children\u2019s Savings Accounts Offer Parents Plenty of Reasons to Understand aNd Invest in Tuition Yearly (CSA OPPORTUNITY) Act with the support of six House colleagues.\nOne well known type of Children\u2019s Savings Account (CSA) is the 529 plan.\u00a0 Created in 1996, 529 Plans allow parents to save money for college while offering both federal and state tax benefits.\u00a0 Unfortunately, money set aside in a 529 Plan counts against the asset limitations set forth in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Low Income High Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).\nThis in turn forces families to choose between putting aside money for college and keeping essential benefits.\n\u201cCollege savings accounts alter the aspirations of children by sending a message that they should expect more from their own futures.\u00a0 Yet, when we force parents to choose between saving for college and keeping the lights on, we essentially punish financial responsibly,\u201d Rep. Cartwright said.\u00a0 \u201cWe should end this difficult decision for families and provide the opportunity for all families to save for their children\u2019s education.\u201d\n\u201cWhen government makes it difficult for families to save money, they tend not to save money, and the cycle of poverty continues. This legislation would help remove barriers that prevent parents from providing opportunities for their children\u2019s future.\u00a0 We need to help break the cycle of poverty that passes from one generation to the next and by removing this arbitrary cap on savings we can help in that transition. Every parent wants to provide a better future for their children, government policy shouldn't work against that,\u201d Rep. Ribble stated.\nAndrea Levere, President of the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), endorsed the legislation. \u201cParents shouldn\u2019t have to choose between affording basic necessities and saving for their children\u2019s education. Rep. Cartwright and Rep. Ribble have demonstrated exemplary leadership in coming together to introduce a bipartisan bill that will expand opportunity for families throughout the country.\u201d\nThe CSA OPPORTUNITY Act would exempt 529 Plans from TANF, SSI, and LIHEAP asset limitations.\u00a0 The bill would also exempt non-529 CSAs from TANF, SSI, LIHEAP, and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) asset limitations.\nOver 1.3 million American children born each year \u2013 and more than half of minority children \u2013 are born into families with negligible savings to invest in their futures. \u00a0Yet research and practice have shown that even a small amount of savings increases the likelihood that a child will attend college.\u00a0 One study showed that children from low or moderate income families who saved between $1 and $500 were three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate than those without savings.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-introduces-powering-american-jobs-act", "Rep. Kelly Introduces the Powering American Jobs Act", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 issued the following statement today regarding his introduction of H.R. 5775, the Powering American Jobs Act of 2014, in the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation would extend certain expiring tax incentives for the energy sector, including propane and biodiesel provisions, for at least two years. It is being co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI). A copy of the bill can be viewed here.\nStatement by Rep. Kelly:\n\u201cThe most important issue to Western Pennsylvanians is job creation, and that remains my number one focus in Washington. This bipartisan piece of legislation will grant much-needed tax certainty and fairness to energy providers important to our District and help them create more jobs while bringing heating costs down. While the temporary provisions within this bill are necessary, Congress must continue to work toward long-term tax reform that makes these extensions permanent. To this day, the United States remains the only nation in the world that allows important parts of its tax code to expire on a regular basis. Going forward, we must pave the way for a better course. When it comes to encouraging economic growth, American businesses both large and small should have the long-term certainty they need to plan, invest, expand, and hire more hardworking Americans.\u201d\nStatement by Rep. Kind:\n\u201cThis commonsense, bipartisan legislation helps create jobs and makes smart investments in alternative fuels to help us become more energy independent. To bolster economic growth, we need to keep looking for ways to provide employers with stability and predictability so they can hire new workers in Wisconsin and around the nation.\u201d\nStatement by Dan Gilligan, President, Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA):\n\u201cI would like to thank Reps. Kelly and Kind for their efforts to retroactively extend the $1-per-gallon biodiesel blender's tax credit while bringing fairness to all fuel appliance credits under 25(c) of the tax code. The Kelly-Kind bill makes important technical corrections to 25(c) so oilheat consumers can upgrade to the most efficient appliances available in today\u2019s market that will conserve energy and reduce their monthly heating oil bills.\u201d\nNOTE: The Powering American Jobs Act of 2014 includes the following tax extension provisions:\nExtension and Modification of Credit for Nonbusiness Energy Property.\u00a0 The bill extends for two years, through 2015, the credit for nonbusiness energy property with certain modifications.\u00a0 This provision allows a credit of 10 percent of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy improvements, up to $500.\u00a0 A two-year extension of this provision.\nExtension of Tax Incentives for Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Mixtures (including liquefied hydrogen).\u00a0 The bill extends through 2015 the $0.50 per gallon alternative fuel tax credit and alternative fuel mixture tax credit. This credit can be claimed as a nonrefundable excise tax credit or a refundable income tax credit for the blending and sale of alternative fuel mixtures including compressed or liquefied natural gas, ethanol, biofuels, and liquefied hydrogen.\u00a0 A two-year extension of this provision.\nExtension of Credit for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property (including hydrogen property).\u00a0 The bill extends for two years, through 2015, the 30% investment tax credit for alternative vehicle refueling property, up to $30,000.\u00a0 Eligible refueling property includes fuel pumps for ethanol, biodiesel, liquefied hydrogen, and compressed or liquefied natural gas.\u00a0 A two-year extension of this provision.\nExtension of Tax Incentives for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel.\u00a0 The bill extends for two years, through 2015, the $1.00 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel, as well as the small agri-biodiesel producer credit of 10 cents per gallon. The bill also extends through 2015 the $1.00 per gallon tax credit for diesel fuel created from biomass.\u00a0 A two-year extension of this provision.\nEqualization of Excise Tax of Liquefied Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas.\u00a0 The bill would amend propane\u2019s excise tax provisions in I.R.C. Sections 4041 and 4081 in order to provide Federal excise tax equivalence to gasoline.\u00a0 A permanent provision.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=644", "House Passes U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to support the men and women of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), help ensure USCG mission effectiveness, enhance oversight and accountability, and reduce regulatory barriers experienced by our veterans and small business.\r\n\r\n\tThe Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (H.R. 5769) was introduced in the House by Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), along with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Transportation Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV), and Coast Guard Subcommittee Ranking Member John Garamendi (D-CA).\u00a0 The measure, which passed today by a vote of 413 to 3, represents a bipartisan, bicameral agreement between House and Senate committee leaders, and the Senate is expected to take up the legislation before the end of the year.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis bill helps provide the men and women of the Coast Guard with the resources they need to do their jobs and make our waterways safe,\u201d said Congressman Bill Shuster.\u00a0 \u201cThis legislation also strengthens U.S. maritime transportation by reducing regulatory burdens, encouraging economic growth, and removing barriers to employment for our veterans.\u00a0 I commend Chairman Hunter for his leadership in introducing this legislation, and thank our colleague and Coastguardsman Howard Coble for his service to our Nation.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis legislation upholds the commitment to the men and women who provide for the safety and protection of our waterways, and gives an added boost to our own maritime interests,\u201d said Congressman Duncan Hunter. \u00a0\u201cChairman Shuster's leadership was essential to making this bill possible, and it's no less important to recognize Howard Coble for his tireless commitment to the Coast Guard and U.S. maritime transportation. \u00a0Dedicating this bill to Howard is the very least we can do to show our appreciation for so many years of faithful service.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 5769 is named in honor of retiring Congressman and Committee Member Howard Coble of North Carolina, the only current Member of Congress to have served in the Coast Guard and a long-time champion of the Service in Congress.\r\n\r\n\tFor more details about the H.R. 5769, click here.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=645", "Shuster Rejects Wind Subsidy Package", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) released the following statement in regards to his No vote for H.R. 5771:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI could not support this wind subsidy tax package and the billions of taxpayer dollars it would continue to waste in an effort to prop up the failing wind industry. This policy was allowed to expire because American taxpayers are fed up with Obama Administration\u2019s climate change plans. \u00a0Today I stand with Pennsylvania taxpayers who are tired of handing over their hard earned money in the form of corporate welfare to the wind industry.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAmericans have asked for serious reforms to our arcane tax code, and that is a shared goal I am committed to seeing through. But a $9 billion government-subsidized handout to the wind industry is not the way to accomplish these long overdue goals, which I why I voted \u201cNo\u201d for H.R. 5771.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1444", "Senate Confirms Pair of PA Eastern District Judicial Nominees", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today praised the Senate's confirmation of Mark Kearney and Jerry Pappert as federal judges for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Kearney and Mr. Pappert were nominated by President Obama in June.\n\"I am pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan fashion to confirm Mark Kearney and Jerry Pappert to the federal bench,\" said Sen. Casey. \"Both of these newly confirmed judges are outstanding lawyers with extensive experience and excellent records. Mark Kearney has had a highly successful career as a trial attorney and as a managing shareholder of his law firm. Jerry Pappert's legal career as a federal litigator and as a former Attorney General of Pennsylvania has made him an excellent choice for the federal bench. I'm confident both will serve the Eastern District of Pennsylvania well.\"\n\"I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed Mark Kearney and Jerry Pappert as U.S. District Court judges for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"Both have enjoyed distinguished legal careers and have demonstrated strong commitments to serving their communities.  I am confident that both Mr. Kearney and Mr. Pappert have the legal experience, acumen, and commitment to upholding the law that will make them excellent additions to the federal bench.\"\nIn the last three and a half years, Senators Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to recommend to the President accomplished jurists of high ability and integrity to preside in the federal courts of Pennsylvania.  With Mr. Kearney and Mr. Pappert's successful confirmation coupled with Wendy Beetlestone's confirmation last month, they have now confirmed 13 Pennsylvania district court judges to the federal bench.\nMark Kearney\nMark Kearney is a managing shareholder at Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, P.C. in Blue Bell.  Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Kearney received both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from Villanova University.\nMr. Kearney currently serves as the President of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.  He is also on the Board of Consultors to Villanova Law School and is on the board of directors of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania.\nGerald Pappert\nGerald \"Jerry\" Pappert is a partner at the Cozen O'Connor law firm in Philadelphia.  He is a former Attorney General of Pennsylvania.  He received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.\nMr. Pappert is also the chairman of the Pennsylvania Banking & Securities Commission.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-and-burrs-able-act-passes-house", "Casey and Burr’s ABLE Act Passes House", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DC- U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) released statements following the House\u2019s bipartisan vote in favor of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The bill will allow families who have a child with a disability to save for their long-term care through 529-style savings accounts.\r\nSenator Casey: \u201cThe ABLE Act has never been closer to getting to the President\u2019s desk and I\u2019m increasingly hopeful we\u2019ll get it there during this session. From the beginning the power of these families who want to save for their loved ones\u2019 long term care has propelled the ABLE Act forward. It\u2019s now time for the Senate to take this legislation up and provide families who have a child with a disability the added security they need.\u201d\r\nSenator Burr: \u201cI am incredibly pleased that the House passed the ABLE Act this evening.\u00a0 Families of individuals with disabilities often face overwhelming financial burdens associated with the expensive costs of healthcare, education, housing and transportation,\u201d Burr said.\u00a0 \u201cThe ABLE Act will make it easier for parents of disabled individuals to invest in their child\u2019s future, thereby opening the door to a world of opportunities. I am confident the Senate will swiftly pass the ABLE Act\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo (Casey) 202-228-6367 Rachel Hicks (Burr) 202-228-1616", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-announces-initiative-to-promote-safety-security-and-rights-of-afghan-women-and-children-included-in-ndaa", "Casey Announces Initiative to Promote Safety, Security and Rights of Afghan Women and Children Included in NDAA", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that language from his amendment to promote the safety, security, and rights of Afghanistan\u2019s women and children has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). During a critical period of transition in Afghanistan, the bill urges the Administration to work with the Government of Afghanistan on a host of protections for women and children. \u00a0\r\nThe provision seeks to increase the number of women serving in the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police; ensure accountability mechanisms for ANA and ANP personnel relating to the treatment of women and girls; calls on the Department of Defense to assist in the development of a plan to bolster and train the Afghan National Police\u2019s Family Response Units who are specifically trained to combat domestic violence; and to ensure women can vote in the 2015 Parliamentary elections. In 2014, women in Afghanistan turned out in historic numbers, despite serious security concerns.\r\n\u201cAlthough significant progress has been made in women\u2019s rights and security, there are still far too many horrific incidences of violence against women and children,\u201d said Senator Casey. \u201cOur servicemembers made tremendous sacrifices to bring Afghanistan to where it is today. During my recent trip to the Oslo Symposium on Women\u2019s Rights and Empowerment in Afghanistan, I emphasized that the rights of Afghan women and girls are not negotiable. Sustaining and solidifying these gains is consistent with both American values and national security interests.\u201d\r\nThis provision urges the Department of Defense to continue working with the Afghan National Security Forces to promote the security of Afghan women and girls during the transition process. Specifically, it would:\r\n \r\nPrioritize the recruitment and retention of women in the Afghan National Security Forces. Calls on the Secretary of Defense to support and encourage the Government of Afghanistan in their development and implementation of a strategy in cooperation with the Afghan Ministries of Defense and Interior to increase the number of female members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) and to ensure their equal treatment. It also urges the Department of Defense to assist in the development of accountability mechanisms for ANA and ANP personnel relating to the treatment of women and girls. This would include the provision of appropriate equipment for female security and police forces; modification of facilities to allow for female participation; and training to include literacy training for women recruits and gender awareness training for male counterparts.\r\n \r\n \r\nSupport police units that are specially trained to work with female or adolescent victims. This includes assistance in the development of plan to increase the number of female security officers specifically trained to address cases of gender-based violence, including ensuring the Afghan National Police\u2019s Family Response Units (FRUs) have the necessary resources and are available to women across Afghanistan.\r\n \r\n \r\nEnsure the adequate staffing of polling stations by female officers. This provision emphasizes the need to maintain the female searcher capabilities that were established for the April 2014 presidential elections for the 2015 parliamentary elections.\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"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1761, "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": "2014"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1128, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 633, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1761, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=PA&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "PA", "label": "PA", "count": 1761, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2014", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014", "results": [{"value": "2014", "label": "2014", "count": 1761, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2014-12-03,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecasey~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Freleases~2Fcasey-announces-initiative-to-promote-safety-security-and-rights-of-afghan-women-and-children-included-in-ndaa", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=PA&year=2014&_next=2014-12-03%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecasey~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Freleases~2Fcasey-announces-initiative-to-promote-safety-security-and-rights-of-afghan-women-and-children-included-in-ndaa&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 280.6725800037384, "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"}