{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://maloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-maloney-joins-gov-cuomo-and-community-activists-for-inaugural-second", "Rep. Maloney Joins Gov. Cuomo and Community Activists for Inaugural Second Ave Subway Ride", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Carolyn Maloney", "M000087", "maloney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NEW YORK, NY \u2013 Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), longtime champion of the new Second Avenue Subway who led the charge to secure $1.3 billion in federal funding for the project, joined Governor Andrew Cuomo, elected officials, and other community activists for the inaugural ride of the new subway line today. Following the ride, the Congresswoman released the following statement:\n\u201cI can think of no better way to ring in the New Year than taking the inaugural ride on the new Second Avenue Subway. Politics at its best is about making the impossible happen, and for too long I was told this project was impossible. But now, we are here at last. I am so thrilled that Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway is finally complete \u2013 nearly 100 years in the making! This monumental accomplishment, which would not have been possible without the $1.3 billion in federal funds I was able to secure, marks a new beginning for Second Avenue, New Yorkers, businesses, and visitors to our great city. This new subway line will bring with it vastly improved transportation for the Upper East Side by alleviating the severe overcrowding of the Lexington Avenue line \u2013 one of the most congested subway lines in the nation. It will also be economic boon to Manhattan, particularly for businesses along Second Avenue that have had to cope with years of construction-related disruptions.\n\u201cI am thankful to Governor Cuomo for his strong support for the Second Avenue Subway and for being an ally of the people of New York City in Albany, the MTA for its tireless hard work, and most importantly to the community \u2013 residents and business owners \u2013 who dealt with the noise, dirt and congestion during construction, realizing that the final result was worth the wait.\n\u201cAs we celebrate the opening of phase one we should also renew our commitment to making sure this new line is eventually extended all the way from Wall Street to 125th Street. We got a fantastic Christmas present on December 23rd when the Federal Transit Administration gave its approval for second phase of this new subway line to enter Project Development under the New Starts Program \u2013 this is a two year process of environmental review and engineering at the end of which, the project will be eligible for significant federal funding, estimated to be roughly 1/3 of the initial cost.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/looking-back", "Looking Back", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen", "R000435", "ros-lehtinen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2016 is quickly coming to a close and it is time to reflect on the year that was. \u00a0Looking back, I am encouraged that 2016 was also a year of many bipartisan accomplishments. From the 21st Century Cures Act to facing the Zika threat, to the NICA Act, I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in Congress to help advance the interests of our South Florida community and our nation.\n\u00a0\nWith my support, the 21st Century Cures Act, finally passed through Congress and was signed into law by the President. \u00a0This important bipartisan law will help hasten the pace of development of treatments, cut bureaucratic barriers in the delivery of cures, and allow for more cooperation between researchers; all of which will help improve the lives of patients. \u00a0In South Florida, the 21st Century Cures Act will directly benefit cancer patients by shielding cancer hospitals like Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center from Medicare cuts. This bill also includes the Anna Westin Act, a measure I introduced which will help men and women with eating disorders, and which marks the first time the federal government directly addresses eating disorders and its resultant harms. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nThis year, our community was forced to face the grave threat posed by the Zika virus to local families, businesses, visitors and our economy. The work of emergency responders and the efforts of an informed public, successfully limited the spread and impact of this epidemic. In fact, earlier this month, Gov. Scott terminated the travel warning over South Beach, ending the last active local transmission zone for the mosquito-borne disease in Miami-Dade County. At the national level, I was proud to lead our South Florida Congressional delegation\u2019s relentless and months-long campaign to bring about federal aid and ensure that our community had all the needed resources to combat this threat. \u00a0I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that South Florida receives the federal support it requires to reimburse local governments for their Zika costs, support local small businesses impacted by travel warnings, and to further augment Zika detection and healthcare resources in Miami-Dade County.\n\u00a0\nImportant progress in the fight for the advancement of human rights and democracy worldwide was also achieved in 2016. \u00a0This year, the House unanimously approved my NICA Act, a bill which will hold Ortega and his regime accountable for violating human rights and manipulating the electoral process for his own political gain. \u00a0By passing this bill, the House has taken action to prevent Ortega from accessing international funds until reforms are implemented that promote democracy, strengthen the rule of law, and respect human rights in Nicaragua. \u00a0We have shown that we will continue to support the people of Nicaragua and assist civil society in democracy and governance programs, and will not allow Ortega to continue down this dangerous path without any serious repercussions. \u00a0I also worked to ensure the extension of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act. \u00a0This law helps the embattled people of Venezuela and addresses the lack of human rights and democracy in the country by penalizing human rights violators, while also demonstrating that the U.S. will continue to stand firm in solidarity with those who seek freedom and justice. \u00a0\n\u00a0\n2016 finally brought the end of the infamous life of Fidel Castro, whose half century of bloody rule destroyed the lives and prospects of generations of Cubans. \u00a0Although the island remains prisoner of the Castros, the message for the tyrant is now clearer than ever: No regime, regardless of its leader, will have any legitimacy if it has not been freely and democratically chosen by the people of Cuba. Now more than ever, I am committed to stand with and serve as a voice for those who yearn for freedom until the gulags are closed, elections are held, political prisoners are freed, and liberty is restored in Cuba. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nDespite the many challenges, in 2016 Republicans and Democrats were able to come together, find common ground, and provide much needed solutions to many pressing issues. \u00a0We were able to reform the way we develop and deliver treatments and cures to Americans, while also helping cancer patients in South Florida and addressing the needs of those suffering from eating disorders. \u00a0We were able to combat the Zika virus and stand for freedom and democracy around the world. \u00a0Next year, I am committed to work in Congress and with the new administration to help South Florida families and improve our economy. \u00a02016 was a testament that when people of good will come together, even if they have sharp political differences, they can still work for the good of all Americans. \u00a0I look forward to building on the successes and challenges of the year that was to make South Florida an even better place to live in 2017. My best wishes to all South Floridians in the coming year!seD", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://seanmaloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maloney-statement-on-judith-clark-sentence-commutation", "Maloney Statement on Judith Clark Sentence Commutation", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Sean Maloney", "M001185", "seanmaloney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Newburgh, NY \u2013 Representative Sean Patrick Maloney released the following statement in response to reports that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has commuted the sentence of Judith Clark, allowing her to seek parole in 2017:\n \n\t\u201cI want to commend Governor Cuomo for commuting the sentence of Judith Clark, a living example of the rehabilitative potential of our criminal justice system. Clark has served over 30 years in prison, repeatedly demonstrated remorse for her participation in the Brink\u2019s robbery, and endeavored to better herself by earning college degrees and leading educational and health initiatives to benefit her fellow inmates, prison staff and prison administration.\n \n \n\t\u201cOur prisons should focus on effective methods for rehabilitation and reentry, which includes permitting parole for low-risk, elderly offenders who have materially demonstrated their reformation. Judith Clark deserved to spend many years in prison for her role as an accessory to the terrible crime that resulted in the death of two police officers and a security guard, but after nearly 35 years she has been punished and no longer poses a threat to our communities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/oc-register-op-ed-look-back-114th-congress", "OC Register Op-Ed: A look back at the 114th Congress", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As 2016 comes to a close, so does the 114th Congress. Over the last two years, our country has faced great challenges, but we have also experienced tremendous success. I am honored to represent you this Congress and would like to share with you some of the landmark legislation we implemented to improve the lives of the American people.\nWe passed, and the president signed, legislation that will prevent the Pentagon from unfairly revoking bonuses paid to California National Guard servicemembers. This bill also provides our troops with a well-deserved 2.1 percent raise and ensures our brave men and women in uniform have the resources they need to fight terrorism and protect our national security.\nWe passed legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs and ensure that our veterans receive the care they have earned. Among the reforms signed into law is the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which will reduce veteran suicides by improving access to quality mental health care.\nThe Survivors\u2019 Bill of Rights, which I introduced, will ensure survivors of sexual assault have full access to justice. This bill, which was signed into law in October 2016, guarantees sexual assault survivors commonsense legal protections, such as the right to receive a medical forensic exam and to have the evidence preserved.\nWe also passed legislation to protect victims of human trafficking by providing law enforcement officers the tools they need to rescue survivors and prosecute traffickers.\nWe took major steps to get the federal government out of the classroom and increase local control in our schools by passing the Every Student Succeeds Act, which was signed into law last December.\nThe FAST Act, signed into law late last year, is the first long-term transportation bill in over a decade. This legislation reauthorizes and reforms federal highway, transit and safety programs. I secured language in the bill that requires the Department of Transportation to study the impact of driving under the influence of marijuana.\nWe also worked to fix our broken tax code by implementing the PATH Act, which permanently codifies family and business tax credits. It is one of many reforms we need to make our tax code simpler, fairer and flatter.\nEarlier this month, we passed, and the president signed, the 21st Century Cures Act. This innovative legislation accelerates the discovery, development and delivery of life-saving cures and treatments. It also includes important provisions to combat the nationwide opioid epidemic and provides landmark reforms to our mental health care system.\nAs we look ahead to the New Year, Congress has the opportunity to fulfill our duty to the American people by implementing even more solutions that will put our country back on the right path.\nI am excited to work as a unified Republican majority to implement our Better Way Agenda. This blueprint was carefully crafted after meeting with our constituents and hearing exactly what they need to make their American dream a reality. You can read our detailed policy proposals at better.gop.\nIt is a privilege to represent you, and I encourage you to continue to contact me to share your thoughts and views because your input is important. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at walters.house.gov or at 949-263-8703 whenever we may be of service to you.\nI wish you all the best for a happy and safe new year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/opinions-and-speeches?ContentRecord_id=1415E7F7-A65E-4281-B570-286F475E9FDB", "Working on priorities for the 115th Congress", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "GA", "Johnny Isakson", "I000055", "www.isakson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As published in the Newnan Times-Herald \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tIn November, the voters of Georgia and the nation made it clear that it is time for a change. Voters spoke out about the state of our health care system, our courts, our veterans and our national security, our tax system, and our economy \u2013 including the need for better jobs here in America.\r\nAddressing these priorities will be my first order of business in the 115th Congress.\r\nRepealing and replacing Obamacare with patient-focused, quality, affordable health care is a top priority for the incoming administration. Too many Georgians have been hurt by Obamacare\u2019s rising costs, lack of choices and broken promises. One of President-elect Trump\u2019s earliest decisions was to nominate Georgia\u2019s 6th District congressman, Dr. Tom Price, to the position of secretary of Health and Human Services. As a former practicing physician, Dr. Price not only understands why Obamacare has failed \u2013 he\u2019s also put years of thought and hard work into developing a plan that will actually make health care more affordable and accessible. With Tom Price at the helm, we can repeal Obamacare and begin implementing free-market principles that will increase choice and lower the cost of health care for families and businesses.\r\nFew positions will have the lasting impact of the person selected to fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court. I look forward to working with the new administration to ensure that the next Supreme Court appointee shares Justice Scalia\u2019s ironclad commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.\r\nAnother priority identified by this new administration is taking care of our nation\u2019s veterans.\r\nI am extremely thankful for my time in uniform, and I am thankful to have the opportunity to serve all veterans as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs. I\u2019m dedicated to ensuring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the tools it needs to deliver the best possible health care and services to our deserving veterans. I look forward to continuing to lead in the Senate to fix the problems that have plagued the VA for far too long. Working with the new administration, I look forward to reducing the amount of time reviewing appeals on veterans\u2019 benefit claims and to bringing real accountability and a culture of service to the VA.\r\nRestoring our economy not only means rolling back the government regulations that have stifled job creation under the Obama administration and repealing Obamacare, but also repealing and repairing our broken tax system. Simplifying the individual income tax will reduce the heavy burden of tax filing on American taxpayers and small businesses, and reforming the corporate income tax will help keep more jobs and investment here in America.\r\nI look forward to continuing to fight for Georgia\u2019s economic priorities, including the continued stewardship of the deepening of the Port of Savannah. Keeping this project on track has required a nonstop effort from countless leaders to ensure we are progressing, and I will see to it that this deepening is completed. Additionally, as Congress works with the new administration to strengthen our national security and defeat the Islamic State and other terrorist threats, I will keep advocating for Georgia\u2019s military bases to have the resources they need to carry out their critical missions.\r\nWhile there are many debates and decisions ahead, one thing is certain: I heard the message from voters loud and clear, and I look forward to representing them as we build a great future for our country.\r\n(U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., was recently elected to his third term in the U.S. Senate for Georgia.)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/murphy-blumenthal-call-for-further-probe-of-russia-after-sanctions", "Murphy, Blumenthal Call For Further Probe Of Russia After Sanctions", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Murphy, Blumenthal Call For Further Probe Of Russia After Sanctions\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n\r\n                \r\n                \r\n\r\n                    \r\n                    Stamford Daily Voice\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                \r\n            Saturday, December 31, 2016\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. \u2014\u00a0U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal (both D-Conn.) are praising the sanctions authorized by President Barack Obama in response to Russia's attempts to interfere with the U.S. presidential election.\r\n\"All Americans should be alarmed by Russia\u2019s actions,\"\u00a0Obama said in a statement. The\u00a0Russian government\u2019s aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election followed\u00a0\"repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior,\" he said.\r\nMurphy applauded the sanctions and also called for a bipartisan investigation into Russian interference.\r\nRussian President Vladimir \u201cPutin's aggression is a direct attack on our democracy and our institutions of government, and the sanctions and expulsions announced today send a strong, clear message that these actions have consequences,\u201d Murphy said.\r\nMurphy said his Republican colleagues in the Senate have long called out Obama\u00a0for being too weak on Russia.\r\n\u201cI encourage them to now work with Democrats to conduct a thorough, bipartisan public investigation into Russia\u2019s interference, and make it clear that the United States will not hesitate to impose additional consequences if their illegal, destabilizing actions continue,\u201d said Murphy.\r\nBlumenthal echoed Murphy's stance. \"These sanctions are a well-deserved and well-delivered step, long overdue and only the beginning of necessary action in response to Russian cyber attacks on our nation,\" Blumenthal said.\r\n\u201cA strong, immediate bipartisan Select Committee investigation is vital to buttress additional steps and reveal the full scope and scale of Russian aggression,\u201d he said.\r\nBlumenthal said the American people deserve a thorough, comprehensive inquiry to determine the full extent of hostile action by the Russian government \u2014 and to develop appropriate, ongoing enforcement actions and countermeasures.\r\nHe added that it will also be the responsibility of the Trump administration \u201cto rigorously enforce these sanctions \u2014 a responsibility I hope the President-elect takes with the seriousness it deserves.\"\u200e\r\nAs part of the sanctions,\u00a0Obama expelled 35 Russian intelligence operatives and sanctioned five Russian entities and four people: two Russian intelligence agencies, four officers of the intelligence agency GRU, and three companies that support GRU's operations.\r\nThis was in response to the alleged Russian cyberattacks\u00a0on Democratic political organizations during the 2016 presidential campaign.\r\nThe U.S. is also shutting down two Russian compounds, in Maryland and New York, used by Russia for intelligence-gathering purposes.\r\n\"Russia\u2019s cyber activities were intended to influence the election, erode faith in U.S. democratic institutions, sow doubt about the integrity of our electoral process, and undermine confidence in the institutions of the U.S. government,\" said a statement from the White House.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B63AC466-A576-474E-9DD1-3EA8D269654A", "Portman Statement on China's Decision to Ban Ivory Trade", "2016-12-31", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Rob Portman", "P000449", "www.portman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), co-chair of the Senate International Conservation Caucus, today released the following statement applauding China\u2019s decision to ban the ivory trade:\r\n\u201cI applaud China\u2019s decision to ban the processing and sale of ivory by the end of 2017. With the world\u2019s largest ivory market, China\u2019s ban will protect vulnerable elephant populations in Africa and will deal a blow to criminal and terror organizations that engage in poaching and trafficking of elephant ivory. As co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus, I will continue to work in Congress to raise awareness about the illicit ivory trade and I look forward to continuing our efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.\u201d\r\nPortman\u2019s 2014 op-ed \u201cElephants slaughtered for trinkets and terrorism\u201d details the illicit ivory trade and its links to international terrorism as well as his efforts to put an end to the trafficking of ivory.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/us-slaps-sanctions-on-russia-for-hackings-expels-35-diplomats", "US slaps sanctions on Russia for hackings, expels 35 diplomats", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Joyce Beatty", "B001281", "beatty.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The Obama administration struck back at Russia on Thursday for its efforts to influence the 2016 election, ejecting 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States and imposing sanctions on Russia\u2019s two leading intelligence services.\nThe administration also sanctioned four top officers of one of those services, the military intelligence unit known as the GRU, which the White House believes ordered the attacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political organizations.\nThe expulsion of the 35 diplomats was in response to the harassment of U.S. diplomats in Russia, officials said. None of those officials are believed to be connected to the hacking, they said. In addition, the State Department announced the closing of two \u201crecreational facilities\u201d \u2014 one in New York, another in Maryland \u2014 that it said were used for Russian intelligence activities, although officials would not say whether they were used in the election-related hacks.\nIn a sweeping set of announcements, the United States also released samples of malware and other indicators of Russian cyberactivity, including network addresses of computers commonly used by the Russians to launch attacks. Taken together, the actions amount to the strongest U.S. response ever taken against a state-sponsored cyberattack aimed at the United States.\nThe sanctions were in part intended to box in President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has consistently cast doubt that the Russian government had anything to do with the hacking of the DNC or other political institutions, saying U.S. intelligence agencies could not be trusted and suggesting that the hacking could have been the work of a \u201c400-pound guy\u201d sitting in his bed.\nTrump will now have to decide whether to lift the sanctions on the Russian intelligence agencies when he takes office next month, with Republicans in Congress among those calling for a public investigation into Russia\u2019s actions. Should Trump do so, it would require him to effectively reject the findings of his intelligence agencies.\nTrump said Thursday night that he\u2019ll meet next week with U.S. intelligence officials to discuss their findings that Russia hacked Democratic Party emails to meddle in the 2016 election, signaling a possible shift from his previous dismissals of Russian involvement.\nIn his first statement following Obama\u2019s action, Trump said \u201cIt\u2019s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.\u201d\nPresident Barack Obama, in a statement, put in a subtle dig at Trump\u2019s unwillingness to talk about Russia\u2019s role. \u201cAll Americans should be alarmed by Russia\u2019s actions,\u201d he said. He said he acted after \u201crepeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government\u201d and called the moves \u201ca necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior.\u201d\nIn Moscow, there was a sense that the Obama administration was trying to take unseemly last-minute revenge against Russia and President Vladimir Putin.\n\u201cWe regret that this decision was made by the U.S. administration and President Obama personally,\u201d Dmitri Peskov, spokesman for Putin, told reporters. \u201cAs we have said before, we believe such decisions and such sanctions are ungrounded and illegal from the point of view of international law.\u201d\nRussia is studying the details of what Washington did, he said, and some manner of reciprocal answer can be expected.\nKonstantin Kosachyov, the head of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament, told Interfax that \u201cthis is the agony not even of \u2018lame ducks,\u2019 but of \u2018political corpses.\u201d\u2019\nU.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said \u201cthere must be consequences for Russia\u2019s interference with our election. Today\u2019s action sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate threats to our democracy and we will protect the American people and our institutions from being undermined by the Russian government.\u201d\nCongressional Republicans also backed Obama\u2019s decision, even though they said the president should have acted sooner.\n\u201cOver and over again, Russia has made clear of its intention to wreak havoc around the world,\u201d said Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Township. \u201cNow the Obama administration is finally responding forcefully to this aggression.\u201d\n\u201cBut what took so long?\u201d Tiberi asked. \u201cGoing forward, we must continue to send the signal that we will not tolerate foreign hacking on our nation. I continue to support the appropriate bipartisan committee investigations into Russia\u2019s cyberattacks.\u201d\nRep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, said the \u201caction is positive but long overdue. In 2014, President Obama warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that \u2018there would be costs\u2019 if Russia invaded Ukraine. Shortly after that statement, Vladimir Putin thumbed his nose at President Obama and the world watched as the Russians invaded Ukraine.\u201d\nOther Democrats were quick to praise Obama. \u201cActions have consequences, and today\u2019s announcement by the Obama administration makes that abundantly clear to the Russian government,\u201d said Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Jefferson Township.\nDespite the fanfare and political repercussions surrounding the announcement, it is not clear how much real effect the sanctions may have, although they go well beyond the modest sanctions imposed against North Korea for its attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment two years ago.\nStarting in March 2014, the United States and its Western allies levied sanctions against broad sectors of the Russian economy and blacklisted dozens of people, some of them close friends of Putin, after the Russian annexation of Crimea and its activities to destabilize Ukraine. Trump suggested in an interview this year that he believed those sanctions were useless, and left open the possibility he might lift them.This article first appeared on The Columbus Dispatch's website on December 30, 2016.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-russia-sanctions", "Cicilline Statement on Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "David Cicilline", "C001084", "cicilline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PAWTUCKET \u2013 U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama announced a series of new sanctions and other punitive actions against Russia today:\n\u201cEvery American should be gravely concerned about Russia\u2019s interference in our elections and attempts to undermine American interests across the world. The actions taken by President Obama today are both necessary and appropriate in order to compel Vladimir Putin and the Russian government to reassess the aggressive posture they have taken in recent years.\u201d\n\u201cIn light of the FBI and Department of Homeland Security releasing a new Joint Analysis Report today that places the blame for this interference squarely on the doorstep of the Kremlin, it is critical that members of both parties in Congress accept the validity of these findings and begin working together to confront Russia\u2019s unprecedented aggression here in the United States.\u201d\n\u201cThat means starting with a thorough, independent review of Russia\u2019s efforts to hack our democratic institutions over the past year. It means setting aside our political differences and taking a united, bipartisan approach to any further attempts to interfere in our elections. And although President-elect Trump has so far failed to acknowledge Russian culpability for these hacks, it is critical that he start to play a constructive role in holding Russia accountable for their egregious conduct.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-coffman-statement-on-un-vote", "Congressman Coffman Statement on UN Vote", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Mike Coffman", "C001077", "coffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) released the following statement regarding the United Nations vote on Israeli settlements:\n\"The decision of the US to abstain from the UN vote last week in addition to the comments by Secretary Kerry today is one that directly contradicts the US-Israeli relationship of mutual trust and support. Mixed messages in foreign policy on behalf of this administration undermines US interests and jeopardizes our relationships around the globe.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cramer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cramer-announces-mobile-office-hours-in-grafton-and-lakota-jan-9", "Cramer Announces Mobile Office Hours in Grafton and Lakota Jan. 9", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Kevin Cramer", "C001096", "cramer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Kevin Cramer has scheduled Mobile Office Hours in Grafton and Lakota on Monday, Jan. 9.\nMobile Office Hours allow constituents to receive assistance with casework from the Congressman\u2019s staff. \u201cMany issues are raised through various forms of contact with me and my offices. Having members of my staff in Grafton and Lakota will allow more time for those with concerns and questions to explore solutions with people in a position to help,\u201d said Cramer. \u201cI realize it's not always easy or even possible for people to get to my district offices. Mobile Office Hours brings these services closer to constituents.\u201d\nIndividuals from the Grafton and Lakota areas are encouraged to stop by the Mobile Office for help with veterans and Social Security benefits, Medicare billing problems, immigration issues, military records or medals, or for assistance with any other federal agency.\nMobile Office Hours \u2014 Monday, Jan. 9\nCarnegie Regional Library \u2014 10 to 11:30 a.m.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 630 Griggs Ave, Grafton, ND\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nLakota Library \u2014 1:30 to 3 p.m.\n116\u00a0B Avenue West, Lakota, ND\nContact Randy Richards, Cramer\u2019s field representative, with any questions.\u00a0 His email is randy.richards@mail.house.gov and his phone is 701-738-4880.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398539", "Ross Introduces Resolution to Condemn President Obama, U.N. for Anti-Israel Actions", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Dennis Ross", "R000593", "dennisross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 30, 2016 \u2013 U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip,\u00a0made the following statement after introducing a resolution today disapproving of President Obama and his administration\u2019s refusal to veto the anti-Israel resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on December 23, 2016:\r\n\"President Obama's constant disdain and hostility toward our closest ally is completely unacceptable. The administration's recent refusal to veto the U.N.'s anti-Israel resolution is utterly shameful and flies in the face of the United States' longstanding relationship with Israel.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe United States has historically opposed and vetoed U.N. resolutions that are one-sided and anti-Israel. However, when the U.N. Security Council adopted an anti-Israel resolution that threatens peace in the Middle East, the U.S. sat idly by and turned its back on Israel. Instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our closest ally and vetoing this dangerous resolution, the U.S., under the direction of President Obama, broke its strong and well-established commitment to Israel.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIsrael does not need another lecture and verbal assault from an administration that shows no evidence of comprehending the reality Israelis live in every day. I will continue to hold President Obama and the U.N. accountable for their anti-Israel actions. As Republicans and Democrats alike have expressed their contempt for this gross deviation from our foreign policy, I look forward to working with President-elect Trump in correcting President Obama\u2019s anti-Israel tactics, forming a stronger-than-ever friendship with Israel, and promoting peace overseas.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/weekly-capitol-report/draining-the-international-swamp", "Draining the International Swamp", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Jason Smith", "S001195", "jasonsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Talk tough to your allies and ignore your enemies. That has become the foreign policy doctrine which will define our current President. President Obama\u2019s decision to abstain from voting on an anti-Israel United Nations (UN) resolution this week is a clear betrayal of our strong alliance and our enduring commitment to support Israel. The nation of Israel serves as one of our most outspoken allies to combat radical Islamic terrorism and is our strongest voice in the Middle East. Nonetheless, President Obama and Secretary Kerry not only ignored our ally in a time of need \u2013 they even went one step further during a speech by Secretary Kerry in which they all but blamed Israel for the decades long conflict with Palestine.\nIn his closing days in office, President Obama is revealing his global convictions that will come to define his presidency \u2013 a belief that a weaker America, one that doesn\u2019t stand with its allies and one that doesn\u2019t follow through on lines drawn in the sand with our enemies, somehow increases the safety and security of American families. As the threat of terror grows and is carried out around the world and here in the United States, this is the exact wrong message to send. While these actions may have taken place thousands of miles away, the safety and threat of terror impacting those of us in southeast and south central Missouri, or any part of our country for that matter, is a major concern.\nThe result of this decision for Israel could potentially be devastating, but sadly this isn't the first time President Obama has turned his back on our allies. The legacy that President Obama will leave behind is a long list of foreign policy failures that have left the world and the United States less safe than it was 8 years ago. President Obama\u2019s habit of alienating America\u2019s allies while catering to our enemies has resulted in increased instability in the Middle East - like the genocide of over 400,000 people in Syria and a strengthening of ISIS, chaos in Libya that led to American casualties in Benghazi, and the disastrous Iran nuclear deal that has only strengthened the leading world sponsor of terrorism.\u00a0Meanwhile the President seems more concerned with making excuses and sanctioning Russia for Hillary Clinton\u2019s failed Presidential run than standing up to those who actually want to do physical harm to American soldiers and families.\nIf anything, the actions of the last week have further confirmed my belief that the time has come to end the use of American taxpayer dollars to fund the ineffective and scandal plagued United Nations. America should not be governed by an outside entity like the UN that treats our freedom like property and does not have our country's best interests at heart. In fact, US taxpayers fund nearly 22% of the UN\u2019s annual budget while at the same time they prioritize attempts to reduce our sovereignty and security instead of promoting peace and the principles of democracy. Simply put, the United States need not participate in an organization which diminishes our country\u2019s place and standing in the world.\nIn response this week President-elect Trump vowed to stop allowing Israel to \u2018be treated with such total disdain and disrespect\u2019 - a promising sign that we will restore our long-standing alliance with Israel. Of course, the response from the Obama Administration, was to chastise the President-elect for not abiding by \u2018protocol\u2019 and to refrain from \u2018meddling\u2019 in decisions until after the inauguration. That response could not have been more indicative of a tone deaf administration that not only fails to acknowledge their own mistakes, but shows a dangerous arrogance in their commitment to inflict liberal ideology that stands at odds with the American people. It also demonstrates how out-of-touch and unaware the Obama administration is for what is coming the next four years \u2013 a dismantling of its disastrous policies, real change to a broken system, and draining a swamp that now extends to an international level.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398829", "Blaine's Bulletin: Looking Ahead to 2017", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Blaine Luetkemeyer", "L000569", "luetkemeyer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2017 not only means the start of a new year but it also means the start of a new Congress. On January 3, the 115th Congress officially kicks off. I am ready to get to work with my colleagues and the Trump Administration to start passing an agenda that Americans want to see implemented and the next few months are going to be extremely busy doing just that. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      2017 not only means the start of a new year but it also means the start of a new Congress. On January 3, the 115th Congress officially kicks off. I am ready to get to work with my colleagues and the Trump Administration to start passing an agenda that Americans want to see implemented and the next few months are going to be extremely busy doing just that. \r\nHouse Republicans are already at work to repeal and replace Obamacare, which will help Americans across the country. Eight out of every 10 Americans want to change the law or repeal it altogether and the situation is only going to get more dire the longer that Obamacare is in place. The time to act is now.\r\nIn January, we will begin the transition to a patient-centered health system that puts American patients and doctors \u00a0back in control of their health-care choices. What does this mean? It means giving patients tools, like Health Savings Accounts, and breaking down barriers that are in place that prevent Americans from picking the plans that are best for them and their families. We must also empower small businesses so they are able to provide their employees with health coverage that doesn\u2019t bankrupt the company or limit job opportunities. These are just a few items of a long list and I am looking forward to starting the process of making health-care accessible for each and every American.\r\nAnother priority of the 115th Congress is to tackle our broken tax code and reform it once and for all. Our main goals are to have an IRS that is focused on customer service and works for its taxpayers, and we need a tax code that is simple, fair, and pro-growth for the American people. House Republicans have laid out a plan that would allow most Americans to be able to do their taxes on a form that is the same size as a postcard. To do this, all of the current brackets would be consolidated down to just three. To promote economic growth and job creation, we would cut taxes on small businesses, savings, and investments, and reform our corporate tax system so that American companies can be more competitive with the rest of the world..\r\nAnother issue that is on the forefront of our agenda is securing our nation\u2019s borders. I\u2019ve been a vocal proponent of securing our borders and an active member of the House Border Security Caucus. After all, securing our borders is part of our constitutional duty to provide for the common defense. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to fulfill this obligation.\r\nThis list just scratches the surface of the priorities of the new Congress. The three issues I have discussed this week are big-ticket items and reform is necessary in each of these key areas. While we are hard at work on these priorities, we will also be passing smaller, targeted bills to help Americans and reduce the regulatory burden.\r\nThe new year provides Congress with a great opportunity to build on policies to make our country a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Please know that I believe this is a cooperative effort between me and the 3rd District. I am your liaison to your government. My offices in Washington, D.C. and throughout the district are poised to listen to your concerns, suggestions, and are available to answer your questions. I will continue to keep you updated with what is happening in Washington through meetings in the district, social media, local television and radio appearances, and telephone townhalls. By working together we can achieve our common goal of making 2017 a year of progress, growth, and prosperity.\r\nOn behalf of myself, my family, and my staff, I wish you all a very Happy New Year!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DCDFC60D-8AAE-483A-BBB5-20F3981B6976", "Weekly Column: Small State, Big Impact", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tThe swearing-in ceremony on January 3 marks the official start of the 115th Congress, but our work to prepare for these next two years has been ongoing for months.\r\nLast summer, House Republicans introduced a once-in-a-generation blueprint for the reforms we feel are necessary to move this country forward.\u00a0 In late December after most of Congress had gone home for the holidays, I \u2013 along with just 23 other members of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 came back to Washington to hammer out two critical sections of this blueprint: tax reform and healthcare reform.\r\nOn tax reform, we worked on a framework for a simpler, flatter and fairer tax code. Coming from a state that has zero income tax, I wanted to share a real-world example of the economic benefits of a lower tax rate.\u00a0 As a busy mom, I wanted to speak to the importance of a simpler tax return \u2013 one that may even be simple enough to fit on a postcard. As an experienced small business owner, farmer and rancher, I wanted the tax code to incentivize growth in the American economy.\u00a0 And as a taxpayer, I wanted the loopholes to be closed and the IRS to be held accountable.\u00a0 Our work continues, but I\u2019m glad we were able to communicate this vision from the onset.\r\nOn healthcare reform, we plan to take immediate steps to repeal Obamacare.\u00a0 While we\u2019re still navigating the best legislative path from that point, we are committed to protecting the healthcare needs of all Americans. At our meeting in December, we worked through a number of ideas for creating a system that no longer relies on mandates, but instead ensures affordable access so families can choose what works best for them.\u00a0 This plan would deliver unprecedented freedom, empowering Americans to purchase the healthcare plan of their choice, manage how they spend their healthcare dollars, and access their electronic health records.\u00a0 Moreover, it would include tools that drive down the actual cost for delivering healthcare, an expense that is higher per person in the U.S. than almost any nation in the world. The only way health insurance is going to be affordable is if the delivery of healthcare becomes less expensive too.\r\nWith so much at stake, it was important to get a seat at the table for South Dakota during these debates.\u00a0 After all, there are challenges that come with having just one representative in the House.\u00a0 Places like Texas, for instance, have dozens of congressmen who can represent the state\u2019s interests on any given issue.\u00a0 A state like South Dakota, however, occupies just one of 435 seats, so making our perspective known requires a deliberate effort.\u00a0 Getting in on these types of conversations is one of the reasons I fought for a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee last Congress.\r\nOur state might be small, but we\u2019ve already had a major impact on what\u2019s expected to be an aggressive 2017 agenda.\u00a0 What\u2019s more, those contributions have helped establish the tone for the 115th Congress and set the legislative branch up to hit the ground running on Day 1.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://renacci.house.gov/index.cfm/weekly-column?ContentRecord_id=3A5F8F09-5A39-4A3E-9774-018FAAC3D18D", "Priorities for 2017", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Jim Renacci", "R000586", "renacci.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As this year draws to a close, I am already looking to the New Year. There is much to be done in Washington as the new Congress and new president are sworn in, and this is reflected in President-elect Trump's and the Republican leadership's ambitious agenda and busy calendar. We need to deliver what we have promised the American people for the last several years: lower taxes, a more fiscally responsible budget, and common sense solutions to affordable and quality health care.\r\nOne of the early priorities is tax reform. I am looking forward to pursuing thoughtful, pro-growth tax reform in the next Congress. Our complex and outdated tax code hasn't been overhauled in 30 years, which has held back our country's true economic potential and reduced opportunities for all Americans. On the individual side, we must lower rates across the board to spur job growth, as well as dramatically simplify tax filings. On the business side, reforms must ensure that the U.S. becomes the most competitive country in the world to do business.\r\nInextricable to tax issues are budgetary issues. The fiscal state of our nation is dire, and we have a $20 trillion national debt that will continue to grow -- unless we get serious about addressing our debts and deficits. To that end, I will be reintroducing my Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution, a bipartisan resolution to require both chambers of Congress to receive an annual presentation from the Comptroller General on the financial position and condition of the federal government. I also intend to reintroduce my Budget Enforcement Awareness Resolution to highlight the lack of fiscal responsibility in legislation and provide accountability for deviations from the budget.\r\nAnother priority of mine is health care. We spend more on health care than any other nation in the world yet rank 37th in health care outcomes. Under the Affordable Care Act, the quality of care has decreased, and premiums have skyrocketed. In 2017, we must act quickly to set up the parameters for a repeal of Obamacare and act diligently to replace it in such a way that provides the safety net families deserve. By increasing competition with market-based solutions, we will be able to deliver the accessible, affordable, and quality care Obamacare has failed to deliver.\r\nIn the first months of the next Congress, I intend to introduce the Hospital Quality Rating Transparency Act, which would improve transparency and accountability for both patients and providers. I also intend to introduce the Creating Access to Rehabilitation for Every Senior (CARES) Act to reduce costs and remove barriers to health care services for our nation's seniors by eliminating the three-day inpatient hospital stay requirement for Medicare beneficiaries who are in need of skilled nursing facility services.\r\nI also share the President-elect's ambition to rebuild our infrastructure. As of 2014, there were 61,365 structurally deficient bridges in the United States, nearly 6,000 of which are on our National Highway System. I will be reintroducing my Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act to create a bipartisan, bicameral commission within Congress to develop a long-term funding solution for the Highway Trust Fund. Last Congress, this legislation garnered the support of the Chamber of Commerce, AAA, AFL-CIO, the American Trucking Associations, and the mayors of numerous cities in Ohio.\r\nMy priority in the coming months is to push legislation that will make meaningful changes for our nation but especially for the people of Ohio. The 16th District showed its confidence in me in November, and I intend to get to work for you as quickly as possible in the next Congress. Have a wonderful New Year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/conyers-slaughter-nadler-cohen-new-republican-rule-modern-day-gag-rule", "CONYERS, SLAUGHTER, NADLER & COHEN: NEW REPUBLICAN RULE IS A MODERN DAY GAG RULE", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "TN", "Steve Cohen", "C001068", "cohen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), House Committee on Rules Ranking Member Louise Slaughter (D-NY), House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Subcommittee on Intellectual Property Ranking Member, and former chair of the Subcommittee on the Constitution Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) today released a joint statement on the proposed Republican Rules package,\u00a0 which, among other things, would delegate to the Sergeant-at-Arms the\u00a0 authority to impose fines of up to $2,500 per offense against any Member who uses an electronic device to photograph or record House floor proceedings.\u00a0 This is an apparent reaction to the Democratic sit-in on the House floor last June over the Republicans\u2019 failure to bring up common sense gun safety legislation in the wake of the Orlando night club shootings.\n\u201cHouse Republican Leadership, as one of its first priorities for the incoming Congress, seeks to impose a modern day and unconstitutional gag rule to restrict the First Amendment rights of Members to protest and engage in other forms of expression on the House floor as well as deny them due process.\u00a0 This unprecedented rule change, which appears to violate several fundamental constitutional protections, clearly is intended to undermine the rights of Members in the Minority to freely express their views on the House floor, which is a critical means by\u00a0which Members communicate to the American public.\u00a0 It is particularly egregious that such a controversial and potentially unlawful change is being implemented in the complete absence of hearings or input from legal experts, let alone the Minority.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cIn effect, this proposed rule change would empower a protocol official to unilaterally impose a fine against a Member who uses an electronic device to photograph or record House floor proceedings without affording the Member any due process.\u00a0 Even the threat of this fine would have a chilling effect on the right of Members to express their views on the House floor, which is one of the most fundamental protections under the Constitution\u2019s Speech or Debate Clause as well as the First Amendment.\u00a0 As the U.S. Supreme Court recognized more than 50 years ago in Mills v. Alabama, \u2018Whatever differences may exist about interpretations of the First Amendment, there is practically universal agreement that a major purpose of that Amendment was to protect the free discussion of governmental affairs.\u2019\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cIn addition, the proposed rule change fails to provide a Member any due process to contest the imposition of the fine before it is automatically deducted from the Member\u2019s salary, the diminution of which is protected by the 27th Amendment.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cRather than ensuring greater transparency and promoting full and fair debate, the House Republican Leadership has chosen to do the very opposite by authorizing \u2018speech police\u2019 to restrict the First Amendment right of the Minority to express their dissent on the House floor. Surely this could not happen on the floor of the U.S. House, given that we\u2019re sworn to uphold the Constitution.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gabbard.house.gov/news/in-the-news/star-advertiser-new-federal-law-protect-keiki-service-ohana", "Star Advertiser: New federal law to protect keiki in service ohana", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Tulsi Gabbard", "G000571", "gabbard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Originally published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser:\u00a0http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/12/30/hawaii-news/new-federal-law-to-protect-keiki-in-service-ohana/\n New federal law to protect keiki in service ohana \nSuspected cases of child abuse on military bases must now be reported to state child welfare officials under a new federal law that was championed by U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono.\nThe measure, known as Talia\u2019s Law, named for a young girl who was beaten to death by her father at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, was signed into law by President Barack Obama last week as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.\nTalia Williams was just 5 years old when her father punched her in the chest so hard that she fell backward, hitting her head on the concrete floor of the family\u2019s military quarters and dying. She had suffered months of abuse by her father and stepmother, who are imprisoned for her murder. Williams\u2019 father is serving a life sentence after escaping the death penalty.\nUntil now the military has dealt with cases of child abuse internally. Under Talia\u2019s Law physicians, social workers, teachers and other professionals who serve military personnel and their families are required to also report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect directly to state Child Protective Services or its equivalent agency within a state.\nSupporters of the measure hope that it will give an added layer of protection to children who are being abused on military bases.\n\u201cWe are absolutely thrilled that this horrible tragedy that befell this little girl is ultimately going to result in a fix that may save hundreds and hundreds of kids who are at risk of abuse within the military,\u201d said Honolulu attorney Mark Davis, who represented Talia Williams\u2019 biological mother, Tarshia Hampton, in a civil case against the U.S. government, winning a $2 million settlement.\n\u201cWhen the obligation is to report to the chain of command, the whole outlook is to treat the abuser as if it is a disciplinary problem that can be reported, whereas in the state system the whole emphasis is on protecting the child,\u201d he said.\nIn the Army alone, beatings, torture and starvation caused the death of 118 children between 2003 and 2012, according to an investigation by Military Times published in 2013. Overall, nearly 30,000 children had suffered from some type of abuse or neglect.\nThe rate of child abuse in the Army was 4.5 cases per 1,000 children for 2011, compared with a civilian rate of 27.4 cases per 1,000 children. However, the investigation found that Army cases had spiked 28 percent between 2008 and 2011.\nThe final punch that Naeem Williams delivered to his daughter left knuckle imprints in her chest, according to Davis. At trial the girl\u2019s stepmother testified that Talia Williams had been denied food for days at a time, duct-taped to a bed and whipped. Her father admitted that she had been abused daily, much of it over her problems with potty training.\nGabbard introduced Talia\u2019s Law, which was unanimously by passed the House of Representatives in February. In the Senate, Hirono included it as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.\n\u201cUntil now, the same gaps in the military\u2019s reporting requirements that failed to protect Talia and so many other military children remained,\u201d Gabbard said in a news release. \u201cEnactment of Talia\u2019s Law closes these gaps by requiring the same protections that exist for any other child to also protect children in military families.\u201d\nWhile Gabbard was a champion of Talia\u2019s Law, she voted against the National Defense Authorization Act, which easily made it through both the Senate and House. Gabbard opposed the act, in part, because she said it would worsen the war in Syria, which she opposes.\nHirono also said that the law would help close gaps in protections for children of military personnel.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=241", "Grothman Condemns American Inaction Regarding U.N. Israel Resolution", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Glenn Grothman", "G000576", "grothman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today released the following statement condemning American inaction regarding the U.N.'s Israel resolution.\r\nOnce again the U.N. has passed an anti-Israel resolution. This is not an isolated incident as the General Assembly passed six anti-Israel resolutions earlier this year.\r\nThese resolutions show a disproportionate obsession against Israel - particularly in a world filled with brutal dictators providing ample opportunities for endless resolutions.\r\nTo make matters worse, the U.S., who usually vetoes, decided to sit on the sidelines. The Obama administration's failure to veto the resolution, and Secretary Kerry's speech on the matter Wednesday, shows its real opinion regarding Israel.\r\nThe only bright spot is that we only have one month left until the Trump administration is installed, and America can once again become a reliable ally of Israel.\r\nHowever, this vote should be a wake-up call to Israel's friends in the U.S. The fact that the U.S. would so boldly allow such a resolution to pass shows how close we are to taking a European view of Israel. Work must be done to educate our citizens on facts involving Israel, or America's foreign policy will permanently move in a European direction.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-us-rep-john-katko-sanctions-against-russia", "STATEMENT FROM U.S. REP. JOHN KATKO ON SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "John Katko", "K000386", "katko.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SYRACUSE, NEW YORK \u2013 U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today released the below statement in response to the Obama administration\u2019s announcement of sanctions against Russia:  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cPresident Obama's approach towards Russia has failed to a large degree, and left us and the world vulnerable to its increasingly aggressive actions.\u00a0 While President Obama's response is important, much more should have been done to bolster our cyber defenses and prevent Russian aggression globally.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI look forward to reviewing the details of the Administration's action to sanction Russia.\u00a0 It is important that our response is effective and consistent.\u00a0 It is also critical that we ensure coordination between the Obama administration and the incoming President so U.S. policy is clear.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cWhen I return to Washington, my focus will be to improve our cyber defenses, combat global threats and develop a strategic and comprehensive policy to Russian relations.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0  \n\tCongressman John Katko serves on the House Homeland Security Committee where he chairs the Transportation Security Subcommittee.\u00a0 He represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga,Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County.\u00a0 For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/taxonomy/statements-for-the-record/mccollum-statement-honoring-career-doug-peterson", "McCollum Statement Honoring Career of Doug Peterson", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the career of Doug Peterson, who will retire from his position as President of the Minnesota Farmers Union on December 31, 2016.\nDoug has worked dutifully on behalf of the people of Minnesota for more than two decades, serving in the Minnesota State Legislature from 1990 to 2002 before leading the Minnesota Farmers Union from 2002 through 2016.\u00a0 It was my profound honor to serve with Doug in the Minnesota State Legislature for eight years.\nHaving had the opportunity to work closely with him on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and later on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee, I was able to see first-hand the level of expertise and commitment Doug brought to his work.\u00a0 From our time serving together in the Minnesota State Legislature, Doug became, and still remains a dear friend of mine.\nFew people have had more of a positive and lasting impact on Minnesota agriculture policy than Doug. A fierce advocate for Minnesota\u2019s family farmers, Doug has worked tirelessly to shape and promote policies that protect their financial interests. His ability to speak both for and to the farming community was most recently acknowledged when he was awarded with the 2016 Distinguished Friend of Extension by the University of Minnesota. His leadership as the head of the Minnesota Farmers Union and work with Extension has advanced family farming and helped ensure that farmers are provided with the tools they need on and off the farm to succeed.\nMr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the distinguished career of Doug Peterson and his tremendous work on behalf of the people of Minnesota.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-norcross-renews-demands-preserve-historic-south-jersey", "Congressman Norcross Renews Demands to Preserve Historic South Jersey Landmark", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellmawr, NJ-Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today demanded the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) immediately re-examine efforts to preserve an historically significant home in Bellmawr Borough.\n\u201cThe State of New Jersey has determined beyond doubt the historical significance of the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House. These new findings affirm the need to take urgent and meaningful action to save and preserve this great landmark,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01).\nIn a letter to the Camden County Historical Society dated December 27, 2016, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office confirms the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House meets criteria for listing in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office cites convincing evidence confirming the House\u2019s connection to William Harrison, Jr., a militia captain who played an historically significant role during critical years of the Revolutionary War. The letter also reaffirms previous findings about the House\u2019s historic architectural significance.\n\u201cQuite frankly, this confirms what we\u2019ve believed all along. These findings illustrate the critical historic value of this property and validates our efforts to save this significant piece of South Jersey & American history,\u201d added Congressman Norcross.\nThe House, located along West Browning Road adjacent to New Saint Mary Cemetery in Bellmawr, is threatened by a critical highway infrastructure project known as Direct Connection, designed to reconfigure the Route 42-Interstate 76-Interstate 295 interchange. Congressman Norcross stands in strong support for the ongoing infrastructure project, while calling for a solution to save the historic home.\n\u201cWe literally have thousands of people, near and far to South Jersey, who have invested time and effort to save this historic house. We are demanding that measurable action is taken now to ensure it stands as a symbol of our past for future generations,\u201d said Chris Perks, president of the Camden County Historical Society.\nBased on these new findings, the Camden County Historical Society is requesting NJDOT amend its application on the Direct Connection project to the FHWA, which would create funding opportunities to preserve the House.\n\u201cThe Captain William Harrison House is a very important structure to the residents of Camden County.\u00a0 It is the oldest structure in Bellmawr, the Borough\u2019s only visible connection to the American Revolution, and the only home of a Revolutionary War officer known to survive in Camden County,\u201d said historian Garry Wheeler Stone, who has studied the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House extensively.\nCongressman Norcross previously advocated on behalf the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House by appealing to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to explore all options to save and preserve the House.\n###\nCongressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.\n\u00a0http://norcross.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-cares-constituents", "Reed Cares for Constituents in Chautauqua County", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. \u201cWe care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That\u2019s why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them,\u201d said Reed.\nIn the greater Chautauqua County area, Reed cited a number of accomplishments including a $1.7 million grant for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, over $1.5 million impact aid, which provides tax relief for the communities of Silver Creek, Lake Shore and Gowanda, the passage of legislation that would green light studies aimed at evaluating and reducing the flooding risks around both Cattaraugus Creek and Silver Creek.\n\u201cThese projects are critical for our region. Be it public safety, jobs or keeping taxes in check, we are proud of the work we\u2019ve done in the area. We came together to work with our partners in local and state government from across the region and hope to see even more success in the near future,\u201d said Reed.\nReed also highlighted efforts to move forward on the repowering of the NRG power plant in Dunkirk. A lawsuit, which stopped the repowering, was filed against the parent company of the plant. The suit was later dropped in November, after efforts of Reed and local officials.\n\u201cRepowering the NRG plant will bring jobs to Dunkirk, protect local property tax payers, and provide electricity from natural gas,\u201d Reed said. This is great news for our community and we are glad to see the positive outcome on this project following our collective efforts with Senator Cathy Young, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan and Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas. We have worked tirelessly for the repowering of NRG, including personal meetings with Entergy officials, because we care about local jobs and taxpayers.\u00a0 It\u2019s only right that we remain committed to working with all the stakeholders on this initiative, including NRG, National Grid, the PSC and local and state officials to see this through to a successful victory.\u201d\nAdditionally, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. \u201cWe want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues.\u201d Since coming to office in 2010, Reed\u2019s office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\n\u201cWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we\u2019ll make in 2017,\u201d Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-cares-constituents-0", "Reed Cares for Constituents in Chemung, Steuben and Tioga Counties", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. \u201cWe care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That\u2019s why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them,\u201d said Reed.\nIn the Corning and Elmira area, Reed cited the advancement of the FedEx facility in Nichols. The project is slated for groundbreaking in early 2017, following Reed\u2019s efforts cut government red tape, which threatened to derail the project.\nIn early 2016, the project was on the verge of collapse after new bureaucratic regulations were issued from the Army Corp of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agencies. The regulations would have greatly expanded government control over previously unregulated waterways, like agricultural irrigation systems and puddles of rain water, costing FedEx an additional $400,000 for compliance. Added costs would have caused the project to relocate.\nWith Reed\u2019s assistance and cooperation from local government and economic development agencies, the project was able to move forward, saving a $12 million dollar investment in Tioga County and ensuring the creation of 75 jobs.\n\u201cThis project was a great success thanks to many hard-working officials including\u00a0 Lee Ann Tinney,\u00a0 Director of Economic Development and Planning in Tioga County, the late Ray Case, Tioga County Legislator, Martha Sauerbrey, Chairwoman of the Tioga County Legislature and my colleague, House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, who joined me in this effort.\" Reed continued. \u201cI am committed to this kind of team effort and know many more positive improvements will come to our region as a result.\" \u00a0\nAdditionally, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. \u201cWe want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues.\u201d Since coming to office in 2010, Reed\u2019s office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\n\u201cWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we\u2019ll make in 2017,\u201d Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-cares-constituents-1", "Reed Cares for Constituents in Hornell", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. \u201cWe care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That\u2019s why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them,\u201d said Reed.\nIn the Hornell area, Reed cited the completion of the Alstom-Amtrak contract, a $2.5 billion contract which is expected to bring roughly 400 jobs to the region. The deal was announced in August after multi-year efforts by Reed and state and local officials. The contract is part of the Acela Express services program which aims to modernize Amtrak\u2019s rail cars.\nAdditionally, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. \u201cWe want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues.\u201d Since coming to office in 2010, Reed\u2019s office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\n\u201cWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we\u2019ll make in 2017,\u201d Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-cares-constituents-finger-lakes", "Reed Cares for Constituents in the Finger Lakes", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. \u201cWe care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That\u2019s why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them,\u201d said Reed.\nThroughout the Finger Lakes region, Reed cited the accomplishments of bringing the Greenidge Power Plant in Dresden back online reducing the property tax burden for area residents and new funding for a study that looks for ways to reduce flooding in and around the Cayuga Inlet.\nReed attended the repowering celebration in Dresden in October. \u201cWe care about creating quality, family sustaining jobs in our region, meeting the energy needs of families and small businesses and keeping local taxes in check. Reactivating this plant achieves these goals,\u201d said Reed. \u201cWe came together with local, state and federal leaders to get this project off the ground because it was the right thing to do for the hard working men of women of our region.\u201d\nAdditionally, Congress passed a bill late this year which authorizes studies aimed at evaluating flooding in certain areas and looking for solutions to reduce this issue. The Cayuga Inlet was included in this proposal. The move is the first step in the federal process for flood control projects.\nLastly, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. \u201cWe want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues.\u201d Since coming to office in 2010, Reed\u2019s office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\n\u201cWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we\u2019ll make in 2017,\u201d Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-cares-constituents-olean-area", "Reed Cares for Constituents in the Olean Area", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. \u201cWe care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That\u2019s why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them,\u201d said Reed.\nIn the Olean area, Reed cited roughly $4.3 million in federal grants for impact aid, which helps keep property taxes low. The funds are the first part of over $12 million over the next three years,\nIn addition, Reed cited maintaining increased funding for the West Valley demonstration project, a nuclear clean-up facility in the region, which is often a target for federal budget cuts. Reed was able to increase the funding in previous years and has since prevented further reductions. The increased funding over time will allow for new clean up efforts at the site.\n\u201cThis is a great sign. The people in Washington who help set the funding levels for these critical projects are finally coming to understand just how needed this money is for our communities. We care about seeing this project through to completion, for the safety of the people that live near the site and the larger Great Lakes region,\u201d said Reed.\nReed also cited the passage of the long term highway funding bill which designates funding to states for large scale rural highway projects like Route 219. \u201cWe continue to work with our state and regional partners on this issue because Route 219 plays a critical role to the economy of our region, and to the state as a whole,\u201d said Reed.\nEarlier in the year, Reed sent a letter requesting that New York State use a portion of its federal highway funding from the $305 billon transportation funding bill, which was enacted late last year, for the completion of the highway. In addition to the $1.8 that will go to New York annually, the bill also sets aside $4.5 billion to fund projects with national or regional importance, with a quarter of that amount specifically designated for rural areas.\nLastly, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. \u201cWe want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues.\u201d Since coming to office in 2010, Reed\u2019s office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\n\u201cWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we\u2019ll make in 2017,\u201d Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=142", "Reed Cares for Constituents in Chautauqua County", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. We care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That's why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them, said Reed.\r\rIn the greater Chautauqua County area, Reed cited a number of accomplishments including a $1.7 million grant for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, over $1.5 million impact aid, which provides tax relief for the communities of Silver Creek, Lake Shore and Gowanda, the passage of legislation that would green light studies aimed at evaluating and reducing the flooding risks around both Cattaraugus Creek and Silver Creek.\r\rThese projects are critical for our region. Be it public safety, jobs or keeping taxes in check, we are proud of the work we've done in the area. We came together to work with our partners in local and state government from across the region and hope to see even more success in the near future, said Reed.\r\rReed also highlighted efforts to move forward on the repowering of the NRG power plant in Dunkirk. A lawsuit, which stopped the repowering, was filed against the parent company of the plant. The suit was later dropped in November, after efforts of Reed and local officials.\r\rRepowering the NRG plant will bring jobs to Dunkirk, protect local property tax payers, and provide electricity from natural gas, Reed said. This is great news for our community and we are glad to see the positive outcome on this project following our collective efforts with Senator Cathy Young, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan and Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas. We have worked tirelessly for the repowering of NRG, including personal meetings with Entergy officials, because we care about local jobs and taxpayers. It's only right that we remain committed to working with all the stakeholders on this initiative, including NRG, National Grid, the PSC and local and state officials to see this through to a successful victory.\r\rAdditionally, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. We want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues. Since coming to office in 2010, Reed's office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\r\rWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we'll make in 2017, Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=143", "Reed Cares for Constituents in the Olean Area", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. We care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That's why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them, said Reed.\r\rIn the Olean area, Reed cited roughly $4.3 million in federal grants for impact aid, which helps keep property taxes low. The funds are the first part of over $12 million over the next three years,\r\rIn addition, Reed cited maintaining increased funding for the West Valley demonstration project, a nuclear clean-up facility in the region, which is often a target for federal budget cuts. Reed was able to increase the funding in previous years and has since prevented further reductions. The increased funding over time will allow for new clean up efforts at the site.\r\rThis is a great sign. The people in Washington who help set the funding levels for these critical projects are finally coming to understand just how needed this money is for our communities. We care about seeing this project through to completion, for the safety of the people that live near the site and the larger Great Lakes region, said Reed.\r\rReed also cited the passage of the long term highway funding bill which designates funding to states for large scale rural highway projects like Route 219. We continue to work with our state and regional partners on this issue because Route 219 plays a critical role to the economy of our region, and to the state as a whole, said Reed.\r\rEarlier in the year, Reed sent a letter requesting that New York State use a portion of its federal highway funding from the $305 billon transportation funding bill, which was enacted late last year, for the completion of the highway. In addition to the $1.8 that will go to New York annually, the bill also sets aside $4.5 billion to fund projects with national or regional importance, with a quarter of that amount specifically designated for rural areas.\r\rLastly, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. We want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues. Since coming to office in 2010, Reed's office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\r\rWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we'll make in 2017, Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=144", "Reed Cares for Constituents in the Finger Lakes", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. We care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That's why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them, said Reed.\r\rThroughout the Finger Lakes region, Reed cited the accomplishments of bringing the Greenidge Power Plant in Dresden back online reducing the property tax burden for area residents and new funding for a study that looks for ways to reduce flooding in and around the Cayuga Inlet.\r\rReed attended the repowering celebration in Dresden in October. We care about creating quality, family sustaining jobs in our region, meeting the energy needs of families and small businesses and keeping local taxes in check. Reactivating this plant achieves these goals, said Reed. We came together with local, state and federal leaders to get this project off the ground because it was the right thing to do for the hard working men of women of our region.\r\rAdditionally, Congress passed a bill late this year which authorizes studies aimed at evaluating flooding in certain areas and looking for solutions to reduce this issue. The Cayuga Inlet was included in this proposal. The move is the first step in the federal process for flood control projects.\r\rLastly, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. We want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues. Since coming to office in 2010, Reed's office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\r\rWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we'll make in 2017, Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=145", "Reed Cares for Constituents in Chemung, Steuben and Tioga Counties", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. We care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That's why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them, said Reed.\r\rIn the Corning and Elmira area, Reed cited the advancement of the FedEx facility in Nichols. The project is slated for groundbreaking in early 2017, following Reed's efforts cut government red tape, which threatened to derail the project.\r\rIn early 2016, the project was on the verge of collapse after new bureaucratic regulations were issued from the Army Corp of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agencies. The regulations would have greatly expanded government control over previously unregulated waterways, like agricultural irrigation systems and puddles of rain water, costing FedEx an additional $400,000 for compliance. Added costs would have caused the project to relocate.\r\rWith Reed's assistance and cooperation from local government and economic development agencies, the project was able to move forward, saving a $12 million dollar investment in Tioga County and ensuring the creation of 75 jobs.\r\rThis project was a great success thanks to many hard-working officials including Lee Ann Tinney, Director of Economic Development and Planning in Tioga County, the late Ray Case, Tioga County Legislator, Martha Sauerbrey, Chairwoman of the Tioga County Legislature and my colleague, House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, who joined me in this effort.\" Reed continued. I am committed to this kind of team effort and know many more positive improvements will come to our region as a result.\" \r\rAdditionally, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. We want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues. Since coming to office in 2010, Reed's office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\r\rWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we'll make in 2017, Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=146", "Reed Cares for Constituents in Hornell", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Tom Reed", "R000585", "reed.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the year comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to reflect on the successes from across the region. We care about the hard working men and women that call our district home. That's why we are fighting so hard to achieve progress on the issues that matter most to them, said Reed.\r\rIn the Hornell area, Reed cited the completion of the Alstom-Amtrak contract, a $2.5 billion contract which is expected to bring roughly 400 jobs to the region. The deal was announced in August after multi-year efforts by Reed and state and local officials. The contract is part of the Acela Express services program which aims to modernize Amtrak's rail cars.\r\rAdditionally, Reed touted his offices commitment to accessibility as a major success. We want to make sure that if you have a concern, your voice is heard. We take those concerns to Washington and work every day to bring solutions to these issues. Since coming to office in 2010, Reed's office has completed over 10,000 constituent assistance cases, which help area residents resolve disputes or conflicts with the federal government. In addition, Reed has held over 200 town hall meetings since taking office in 2010.\r\rWe remain committed to standing with the people of our region and look forward to the progress we'll make in 2017, Reed concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1346", "Wasserman Schultz Statement on Obama Administration's Actions against Russia", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wasserman Schultz Statement on Obama Administration\u2019s Actions against Russia\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC \u2013 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced its response to Russian interference in the 2016 election:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRussia\u2019s unprecedented assault on our democratic process demanded a strong response, and the sanctions announced by the Obama Administration have sent a much-needed message to Moscow that we will punish anyone who meddles in our elections.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThat response was backed by a joint F.B.I. and Department of Homeland Security report that concluded Russian intelligence services were involved in 'an ongoing campaign of cyber-enabled operations directed at the U.S. government and its citizens.'\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNow Congress must take up its responsibility, and immediately launch a bipartisan, public investigation into these cyberattacks. Not only will it more fully uncover how the Kremlin hacked their way into our democratic process, but just as importantly it will show us how to stop this from ever happening again.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAmericans deserve to feel confident that a foreign power isn\u2019t interfering with how we elect our most powerful leaders. Only a bipartisan, public Congressional investigation into this historic cyberattack on our democracy can help restore that faith.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tContact:\r\n\r\n\tDavid Damron, David.Damron@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931\r\n\r\n\tGeoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=999", "Wasserman Schultz Statement on Obama Administration's Actions against Russia", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Debbie Wasserman Schultz", "W000797", "wassermanschultz.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Americans deserve to feel confident that a foreign power isn't interfering with how we elect our most powerful leaders. Only a bipartisan, public Congressional investigation into this historic cyberattack on our democracy can help restore that faith.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Wasserman Schultz Statement on Obama Administration's Actions against Russia U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced its response to Russian interference in the 2016 election: Russia's unprecedented assault on our democratic process demanded a strong response, and the sanctions announced by the Obama Administration have sent a much-needed message to Moscow that we will punish anyone who meddles in our elections. That response was backed by a joint F.B.I. and Department of Homeland Security report that concluded Russian intelligence services were involved in 'an ongoing campaign of cyber-enabled operations directed at the U.S. government and its citizens.' Now Congress must take up its responsibility, and immediately launch a bipartisan, public investigation into these cyberattacks. Not only will it more fully uncover how the Kremlin hacked their way into our democratic process, but just as importantly it will show us how to stop this from ever happening again. Americans deserve to feel confident that a foreign power isn't interfering with how we elect our most powerful leaders. Only a bipartisan, public Congressional investigation into this historic cyberattack on our democracy can help restore that faith. ### Contact: David Damron, David.Damron@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931 Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=7CCA8323-82E9-8B25-DEA4-65FDB9F22913", "Bennet Statement on National Monument Proclamation for Bears Ears", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO - Today Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement after the administration proclaims Bears Ears a national monument:  \"This monument designation reflects the wishes of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, the Southern Ute tribe, and other Coloradans that we protect and preserve the beauty and culture of Bears Ears for future generations. This action is an important step forward in restoring our nation's commitment to our tribes by protecting land they regard as sacred and giving them more of a voice in its future management.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=AA284152-64A5-40C7-4161-9496854CAB89", "Bennet calls on Future Presidential Nominees, President-Elect Trump to Release Tax Returns", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet co-sponsored a bill requiring current presidents and future presidential nominees to release their tax returns in an effort to increase transparency and give the American public insight into any foreign deals.\r\n\"The American people deserve to know about the financial dealings, both foreign and domestic, of the person who serves as our commander-in-chief,\" Bennet said. \"Our democracy depends on the foundation of transparency that makes America unique and great.\"\r\nThe Presidential Tax Transparency Act requires all sitting presidents to release their most recent three years of tax returns to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). It also requires that, within 15 days of becoming the nominee at the party convention, presidential nominees must release their most recent 3 years of tax returns to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Should the sitting president or future candidates refuse to comply, the Treasury Secretary will be required to provide the tax returns directly to the OGE or FEC respectively for public release.\r\nFor nearly 40 year, since Watergate, candidates from major political parties have voluntarily released tax returns during the campaign.\r\nOriginal cosponsors of the Presidential Tax Transparency Act include: Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Chris Murphy (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).\r\nA one-page summary of the legislative proposal can be found here. The bill text can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/editorials?ContentRecord_id=24827AF9-45F7-4B35-98C9-0AE8DF0F7546", "Looking ahead: What's in Store for 2017", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "by U.S. Sen. John Boozman \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tFor the first time since 2007, Republicans have control of Congress and the White House. We are excited about moving forward with an agenda that will improve the lives of citizens in Arkansas and across the country.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nCongress is set to start working on a plan to deliver on the promises made during this past election season. I\u2019ve received many questions about what our priorities will be and how we can accomplish them, so I wanted to take this opportunity to answer some of them.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nOne question that is frequently raised deals with the president-elect\u2019s nominees to lead Cabinet-level departments and agencies such as the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, Department of State and others. It\u2019s important to remember that certain nominees must be confirmed by the Senate as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, while some of the president\u2019s advisors, like the White House Chief of Staff, are not.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nI welcome the opportunity to weigh in on the nominees that President-elect Trump will put forward for Senate confirmation. I anticipate that the men and women he chooses to help lead his administration will be highly qualified individuals of character with proven records of expertise, but I am eager to evaluate each nominee on the basis of his or her own merits. I look forward to carefully considering each nominee in accordance with my constitutional duty.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nAnother priority for Congress will be to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a free-market, patient-centered approach that will expand coverage and lower costs. I\u2019ve heard from many Arkansans who have seen their deductibles rise and are now paying for what amounts to catastrophic coverage under Obamacare and they are wondering how we will solve these problems.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nRepublicans\u2019 answer will be to pursue policies that will lower costs, including allowing Americans to shop across state lines for their health insurance, allowing small businesses to pool together to purchase group insurance and introduce portability to the market to ensure that hardworking Americans don\u2019t have disruptions in their coverage when they change jobs. Congress may also consider an approach that would send hard-earned tax dollars back to the states in the form of block grants so state leaders can decide how best to offer affordable health insurance to as many citizens as possible.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nFinally, one of the most pressing items on the agenda will be to undo many of the regulations created under the Obama administration that are harming the economy and stifling job creation. When President Obama was unwilling or unable to work with Congress, he often resorted to empowering executive agencies to unilaterally create rules and regulations without input from stakeholders.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nNew rules from the Environmental Protection Agency have threatened farmers, ranchers, private land owners and energy producers while simultaneously raising costs without delivering on promises of cleaner air and water in addition to taking control away from states and creating uncertainty. The Department of Labor has also created rules that are harmful to small businesses and will negatively impact job creators.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nReversing these regulations is going to be a top priority in Congress because it is critical to getting our economy moving in the right direction.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\nThose are just a few of the many items Congress will be addressing in 2017. I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues and the new administration to solve the problems facing our country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/brown-statement-on-debarment-proceedings-against-restaurant-associates", "Brown Statement on Debarment Proceedings Against Restaurant Associates", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Sherrod Brown", "B000944", "www.brown.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, December 30, 2016\n            \n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown today applauded the Department of Labor\u2019s decision to initiate debarment proceedings against Restaurant Associates, which could result in the company being ineligible for government contract bids for three years. The proceedings follow a DOL investigation into Restaurant Associates which found the company and its subcontractor had misclassified hundreds of workers at the U.S. Capitol.\r\n\u201cEvery company should be accountable to labor laws and treat their workers with respect, especially when their profits come from American taxpayers\u201d said Brown. \u201cRestaurant Associates failed to meet the most basic standards and its potential debarment is a small price to pay for robbing the Senate's cafeteria workers of the money they earned. The Labor Department is right to take these violations seriously and I'm pleased DOL is pursing disciplinary action.\u201d\r\nBrown has called for the termination of the U.S. Senate\u2019s contract with Restaurant Associates. Brown led the entire Democratic caucus in a letter to DOL Secretary Tom Perez requesting an audit of Restaurant Associates\u2019 parent company, Compass Group, and its subsidiaries in the federal government. The letter built on his efforts to ensure fair treatment of workers in the Senate cafeteria and catering services.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F0B947D3-6C41-484D-A410-C23568EDF35E", "Carper Statement on Actions against Russia in Response to Cyber Attacks, Election Hacking", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after President Obama announced new sanctions and other actions\u200e\u00a0against Russia in response to the country's efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI applaud the responsible steps that President Obama has taken to hold Russia accountable and safeguard our democracy. The intelligence community has concluded that Russia's interference in our most recent election was unprecedented, and there must be real consequences for such outrageous actions. These sanctions make clear that any efforts to undermine our democratic processes will not be tolerated.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe hacking of our election systems is not a partisan issue. All Americans, regardless of party affiliation, should be alarmed that any foreign power would\u00a0interfere in and attempt to undermine the free and fair elections that are the hallmark of our democracy. I'm pleased that my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle have expressed their support for the sanctions and other actions\u00a0that have been announced. Congress must work together to\u00a0ensure that the extent of the Russian hacking is investigated in a comprehensive, transparent and nonpartisan way in order to ensure that this can never happen again.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-announces-nearly-200000-in-awards-for-rural-north-dakota-communities-to-attract-investment-create-jobs", "Hoeven Announces Nearly $200,000 in Awards for Rural North Dakota Communities to Attract Investment, Create Jobs", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "ND", "John Hoeven", "H001061", "www.hoeven.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.16\n\t\t\t Hoeven Announces Nearly $200,000 in Awards for Rural North Dakota Communities to Attract Investment, Create Jobs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded two grants totaling $198,000 to the Lake Agassiz Regional Council, North Central Planning Council and the Souris Basin Planning Council. The investment awards will support the councils' work to develop and implement a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to attract private capital investments and create job in the regions they serve.\r\n Lake Agassiz Regional Council  $66,000  The council serves Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele and Traill counties.   North Central Planning Council  $66,000  The council serves Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner counties as well as the Spirit Lake Nation and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.    Souris Basin Planning Council  $66,000  The council serves Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward counties.\r\nToday's investment awards will help rural areas in North Dakota create an economic development framework to help create jobs and attract investments to these communities, Hoeven said.\r\n-###-\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/leahy-reaction-on-russian-hacking-of-a-vermont-electric-utility", "Leahy Reaction On Russian Hacking Of A Vermont Electric Utility", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.16\n\t\t\t Leahy Reaction On Russian Hacking Of A Vermont Electric Utility \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tStatement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Russian Hacking\r\nFriday, December 30, 2016\r\nState-sponsored Russian hacking is a serious threat, and the attempts to penetrate the electric grid through a Vermont utility are the latest example. My staff and I were briefed by Vermont State Police Colonel Matthew Birmingham this evening. This is beyond hackers having electronic joy rides  this is now about trying to access utilities to potentially manipulate the grid and shut it down in the middle of winter. That is a direct threat to Vermont and we do not take it lightly.\r\n# # # # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tPress Contact  David Carle: 202-224-3693\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/video-menendez-russian-hacking-should-cause-great-concern-for-every-american", "*VIDEO* Menendez: Russian Hacking ‘Should Cause Great Concern for Every American’", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M000639", "www.menendez.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "*VIDEO* Menendez: Russian Hacking \u2018Should Cause Great Concern for Every American\u2019 \n\t\t\t\n\t *VIDEO* Menendez: Russian Hacking \u2018Should Cause Great Concern for Every American\u2019 \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\tFriday, December 30, 2016\n\t\n\t\n\t\u00a0  NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has been personally sanctioned by Russia, appeared today on MSNBC with Craig Melvin to discuss new White House sanctions against Russia in response to Russian cyberattacks and efforts to tamper with the American election.\r\nIn reaction to President-Elect Trump\u2019s tweets praising Russia\u2019s president, Sen. Menendez said, \u201c\u201cI think what the President-Elect will find, as we have found in the past, is that Putin only understands strength\u2026.When the world doesn\u2019t respond to Putin, he continues to act aggressively.\u201d\r\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPress Contact\n\t\t\tSteven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/-democrats-are-already-building-a-case-against-trumps-pick-to-lead-treasury-department", "Democrats are already building a case against Trump’s pick to lead Treasury Department", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democrats are already building a case against Trump\u2019s pick to lead Treasury Department \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 30, 2016\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\u00a0\r\n    Ylan Q. Mui \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPresident-elect Donald Trump\u2019s pick to lead the Treasury Department is likely to face a contentious confirmation battle centered on his purchase of a failed subprime mortgage lender that repeatedly has been accused of wrongful foreclosures.\r\nThe formal vetting process for Steven T. Mnuchin, who served as Trump\u2019s campaign finance chairman and worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs for nearly two decades, has not yet begun. A staffer at the Senate Finance Committee, which is handling the nomination, said it is waiting for his paperwork to be completed before starting the process. In the meantime, Democrats have already begun preparing a line of attack that accuses Mnuchin of preying on the middle-class workers that helped sweep Trump into the White House.\r\nAdam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said political action committee\u00a0plans to use paid advertisements and local organizing to pressure Republican lawmakers from states that suffered widespread foreclosures to oppose Mnuchin\u2019s confirmation. The AFL-CIO issued a\u00a0statementthis month slamming Mnuchin for profiting from the worst financial crisis in generations. And Senate Democrats \u2014 led by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren \u2014 set up a website calling him the \u201cForeclosure King\u201d and soliciting complaints from his bank\u2019s customers.\r\n\u00a0\u201cTrump\u2019s cabinet hearings are right around the corner in January and you better believe that by the time they're over, the American people will know that the Trump Administration is all about special interests and the super-rich at the expense of working people,\u201d Merkley posted on Facebook recently.\r\nMnuchin led a consortium of investors that purchased the troubled bank IndyMac from the federal government in 2009, acquiring a $13.9 billion portfolio of some of the nation\u2019s shoddiest loans for about $1.6 billion. Tara Bradshaw, a spokeswoman for Mnuchin, said about 178,000 loans were already in the foreclosure process when he took over the bank and renamed it OneWest. Bradshaw said he oversaw 101,000 mortgage modification offers, some of which forgave part of borrowers' principal balance.\u00a0Mnuchin sold OneWest to CIT Group in 2015 for more than double what he paid for it.\r\n\u201cSteven is proud of his record at OneWest. He was able to save three institutions that were in receivership, did tens of thousands of loan modifications, saving homes and jobs, and developed OneWest Bank into a regional banking franchise that in turn made loans to consumers and businesses that helped create jobs,\u201d Bradshaw said.\r\nTo avoid potential conflicts of interest, Mnuchin stepped down this month from his position on the board of directors of CIT as well as the board of Sears Holding. According to compensation research firm Equilar, Mnuchin owned about $100 million in CIT stock as of last month.\u00a0Bradshaw said he is also\u00a0working with attorneys to resolve\u00a0other outstanding conflicts. Government ethics experts said Mnuchin will likely have to divest at least some of his financial holdings.\r\nAfter Mnuchin visited Capitol Hill earlier this month, top Republicans on the finance committee praised his selection.\r\n\u201cThrough his private sector background, Steven will have to untangle the web of red tape found in our mammoth tax code and navigate a minefield of heavy-handed regulations that have stifled opportunity and growth,\u201d said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the finance committee.\r\nThe finance committee has received three years of Mnuchin\u2019s tax returns and responses to a questionnaire but are awaiting his final financial disclosures and ethics forms, which must be reviewed by the White House Office of Government Ethics before they are sent to the committee. A Senate aide said that Mnuchin\u2019s vast private holdings could take more than a week to review, pushing back the scheduling of a confirmation hearing. Beyond the purchase of IndyMac, Mnuchin was an active private equity investor with stakes in retail companies and Hollywood film studios.\r\nOnly 51 votes are required in the Senate to confirm Trump\u2019s Cabinet nominees, after new rules passed by Democrats three years ago eliminated the need for a filibuster-proof majority of 60 votes. But Republicans have little margin for error, holding a narrow edge of 52 seats. A handful of defections could sink Trump\u2019s picks.\r\n\u201cThis is not a united Republican party,\u201d said Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project, a liberal watchdog group that scrutinizes\u00a0executive-branch appointments.\r\nAmong the lawmakers Democrats hope to sway is Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, who is facing reelection in 2018 and has been mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate. Nevada was one of the hardest-hit states during the housing bust, and it still ranks third in the country in amount of foreclosures, according to RealtyTrac. Heller vocally opposed Trump during the election, even broaching the possibility that he would not vote for either major party candidate.\r\nMnuchin is not the only Cabinet nominee who could be in for a rocky confirmation hearing. Democrats have also sharply criticized\u00a0Trump\u2019s choice for secretary of state, ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, and his pick to lead the Commerce Department, billionaire industrialist Wilbur Ross, among others.\r\nBut Green said that Mnuchin\u2019s nomination deserves particular scrutiny because he would lead the agency responsible for carrying out the economic agenda that was central to Trump\u2019s victory.\r\n\u201cMnuchin is the poster child for Trump betraying his own voters by turning our economy over to Wall Street and giant corporations at the expense of American working families,\u201d he said.\r\n\r\n \r\n           \r\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=1B80D520-9A40-465A-9B53-51C60203F6F4", "Senators Murray, Cantwell Applaud Move to Protect Methow Valley from Mining for Next Two Years", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the Bureau of Land Management announced it will make 340,000 acres in Okanogan County temporarily off-limits to mining while it studies potential impact\r\nMurray and Cantwell will continue to pursue permanent protection of the U.S. Forest Service land near Mazama\r\nValley in Okanogan County attracts more than 1 million visitors annually, boosting local economy\r\nMap here\u00a0\r\n(WASHINGTON, D.C.) \u2013 Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for taking a critical step toward protecting the Methow Headwaters in North Central Washington by issuing a segregation notice to make 340,000 acres off-limits to mining for two years while it studies whether long-term protection is warranted. The senators have advocated for permanent protection of the land in order to safeguard the natural resources in the region, including water and salmon, as well as local recreation opportunities.\r\n\u201cThis action is a huge step forward in our fight to preserve and protect our state\u2019s incredible resources for future generations,\u201d Senator Murray said.\u00a0\u201cI am especially grateful to the local community members who have led the charge to protect investments in\u00a0salmon recovery, and\u00a0defend\u00a0tribal treaty rights\u00a0and the region\u2019s outdoor economy. In the coming months and years, I will continue to work with the community and my colleagues in Congress to make sure the Methow Valley is permanently protected from devastating mining operations.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Methow Valley is too significant to allow mining exploration that threatens our clean water. I'm glad to see the department continuing work on the withdrawal application, and I will stay focused on ensuring the process moves quickly to protect this pristine region,\u201d Senator Cantwell said.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWe enjoy a solid economy in the Methow Valley and its resilience is built on the value of clean air and water,\" said Sam Lucy, owner of Bluebird Grain Farms. \u201cThe administration\u2019s decision to move the withdrawal process forward is a vital step in keeping our valley special and the local economy strong.\u201d\r\n\u201cSupport for action to protect the Methow Headwaters, especially from the business community, is very strong,\u201d said Julie Muyllaert, co-owner of Methow Cycle and Sport in Winthrop. \u201cThe businesses in the valley recognize that our success depends on maintaining the area's spectacular lands, recreational resources, clean water and fresh air. For these important reasons we are committed to\u00a0achieving a mineral withdrawal for the Methow Headwaters.\"\r\n\u201cIt is the town\u2019s obligation to protect our water, the local economy and the well-being of our citizens,\u201d said Twisp Mayor Soo Ing-Moody. \u201cThat\u2019s why this summer the Twisp Town Council passed a resolution supporting the Methow Headwaters\u2019 mineral withdrawal. Today\u2019s announcement\u00a0about the withdrawal is good news that reinforces our efforts on behalf of Twisp residents\u00a0and future generations.\"\r\nIn May, Senator Murray introduced the Methow Headwaters Protection Act of 2016 with Senator Cantwell as an original cosponsor, in order to protect approximately 340,000 acres of the Methow River watershed in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest from potential development of a large-scale mine. The legislation, which was running concurrently with the administrative action announced today, would have withdrawn from mineral entry any deposits that could lead to an industrial-scale mine on the lands, and would protect the headwaters of the Methow River.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D41918DA-3670-4C90-950A-FD1DA8CC7D84", "Johnson Statement on Sanctions Against Russia", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Ron Johnson", "J000293", "www.ronjohnson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "OSHKOSH \u2014 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this following the Obama administration\u2019s announcement of measures against Russia:\r\n\u201cPost-Cold War Russia has taken a dark turn under Vladimir Putin. He is emboldened by weakness and inaction. The United States must begin to deal with Russia from a position of strength, which the outgoing administration has failed to do for the past eight years. While today\u2019s actions may be a step in the right direction, they cannot undo the harm caused by this administration\u2019s weakness and its feckless foreign policy.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/sanders-va-must-not-be-privatized", "Sanders: VA Must Not Be Privatized", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: VA Must Not Be Privatized\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 30, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 30 \u2013\u00a0Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, issued the following statement Friday in response to reports that President-elect Donald Trump is considering privatizing the Department of Veterans Affairs:\u00a0\r\n\u201cPrivatizing the VA would be an insult to the more than 22 million veterans who risked their lives to defend our country and it would significantly lower the quality of health care they receive. Our goal, shared by The American Legion and other major veterans\u2019 organizations, must be to improve the VA, not destroy it. When men and women put their lives on the line to defend us, the president must listen to them, not to the Koch brothers and their extreme right-wing, anti-government ideology. We will vigorously oppose any and all efforts to privatize the VA.\r\n\u201cThe president-elect should listen to American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones, who recently said the nation\u2019s largest veterans\u2019 organization \u2018would like the Trump administration to know that we value our Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 because \u2018dollar-for-dollar, there is no better care or value available anywhere in the United States \u2013 period.\u2019\r\n\u201cThe president-elect should listen to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. \u2018Politicians, pundits and politically-motivated organizations are using the national crisis in access to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs as justification to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system, with some even proposing that veterans be charged for their service-connected care. The VFW says no! Veterans must not stand idle as politicians who never served or use the VA health care system dictate when and where veterans can receive care.\u2019\r\n\u201cThe president-elect should listen to Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America who said, \u2018The worst case scenario within the vets community is a total dismantling of everything they worked generations to create. There is a growing fear it is all going to get burned down.\u2019\u201cThe veterans\u2019 organizations are right. We must protect the VA, not destroy it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-va", "Sanders Statement on VA", "2016-12-30", "2016", "2016-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on VA\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 30, 2016\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, Dec. 30 \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs, issued the following statement Friday in response to reports that President-elect Donald Trump is considering privatizing the Department of Veterans Affairs:\r\n\u201cPrivatizing the VA would be an insult to the more than 22 million veterans who risked their lives to defend our country and it would significantly lower the quality of health care they receive. Our goal, shared by The American Legion and other major veterans\u2019 organizations, must be to improve the VA, not destroy it. When men and women put their lives on the line to defend us, the president must listen to them, not to the Koch brothers and their extreme right-wing, anti-government ideology. We will vigorously oppose any and all efforts to privatize the VA.\u201cThe president-elect should listen to American Legion Executive Director Verna Jones, who recently said the nation\u2019s largest veterans\u2019 organization \u2018would like the Trump administration to know that we value our Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 because \u2018dollar-for-dollar, there is no better care or value available anywhere in the United States \u2013 period.\u2019\u201cThe president-elect should listen to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. \u2018Politicians, pundits and politically-motivated organizations are using the national crisis in access to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs as justification to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system, with some even proposing that veterans be charged for their service-connected care. The VFW says no! Veterans must not stand idle as politicians who never served or use the VA health care system dictate when and where veterans can receive care.\u2019\u201cThe president-elect should listen to Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America who said, \u2018The worst case scenario within the vets community is a total dismantling of everything they worked generations to create. There is a growing fear it is all going to get burned down.\u2019\u201cThe veterans\u2019 organizations are right. We must protect the VA, not destroy it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://billjohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399121", "Bill Johnson Statement on Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Bill Johnson", "J000292", "billjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration\u2019s announcement of new sanctions against Russia:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Representative Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration\u2019s announcement of new sanctions against Russia:\r\n\u201cThe Obama Administration has turned a blind-eye to Russia\u2019s global aggression over the last eight years, so I am left wondering why they only now decided to act. \u00a0Today's action is positive, but long overdue. \u00a0In 2014, President Obama warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that \u2018there would be costs\u2019 if Russia invaded Ukraine. \u00a0Shortly after that statement, Vladimir Putin thumbed his nose at President Obama and the world watched as the Russians invaded Ukraine. \u00a0America cannot afford to be a passive player to history. \u00a0I look forward to working with the Trump administration to once again see America lead from the front, not from behind.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://butterfield.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/butterfield-statement-on-president-s-sanctions-on-russia", "Butterfield Statement on President\u2019s Sanctions on Russia", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "G. Butterfield", "B001251", "butterfield.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement in response to the White House\u2019s new sanctions against Russian officials for its interference in the 2016 presidential election:\n\u201cI applaud President Obama\u2019s actions to address Russia\u2019s interference in this year\u2019s election.\u00a0 It is imperative that we protect our democracy and stop any and all attempts to obstruct the democratic process.\n\u201cIt is my hope that these sanctions on the Russian government will serve as a deterrent to foreign powers\u2019 attempts to meddle in our elections.\u00a0 There is a clear need for an independent, bipartisan commission to provide a full and transparent investigation into the depth of Russia\u2019s involvement.\u00a0 I look forward to the Administration\u2019s forthcoming report to Congress on Russia\u2019s interference in our election process.\u00a0 Americans expect swift action on this matter.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coffman-spends-christmas-with-troops-in-afghanistan", "Coffman Spends Christmas with Troops in Afghanistan", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Mike Coffman", "C001077", "coffman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Aurora, CO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) returned from Afghanistan where he spent Christmas visiting some of our deployed troops.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThis Christmas, I had the honor of visiting with our troops deployed in Afghanistan,\u201d said Coffman, a Marine Corps combat veteran. \u201cAny opportunity I have to thank our deployed service members for their work, especially around the holidays, is very important to me. I also want to thank the families of those deployed who don\u2019t have their loved one home for the holidays. I want them all to know that their service and sacrifice is appreciated.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tCoffman led a bi-partisan Congressional delegation to Afghanistan to meet with deployed U.S. service members and their leadership. Congressman Coffman met with Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., who is in charge of Operation Resolution support in Afghanistan and also with the 1st Calvary Division commander, Major General John c. Thomson III. Site visits included the Al-Udeid Air Force Base, Bagram Airfield and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tCoffman has a combined 21 years of military service and serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Veteran\u2019s Affairs Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. He is the only member of Congress to have served in both Iraq Wars.\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://crowley.house.gov/press-release/vice-chair-crowley-welcomes-nypd-decision-allow-observant-sikh-americans-serve", "Vice Chair Crowley Welcomes NYPD Decision to Allow Observant Sikh Americans to Serve", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Joseph Crowley", "C001038", "crowley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Queens, N.Y.) \u2013 Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and a leader on Sikh-American issues, welcomed the announcement that the New York Police Department will allow observant Sikhs to serve in the force while maintaining their articles of faith. Crowley sent a letter in 2014 advocating for this change, and has had numerous discussions with city officials on the effort over the past four years.\n\u201cThis is good news. Allowing observant Sikhs to serve in the NYPD is not only the right thing to do, it will foster stronger relationships in our communities and strengthen the security of our city,\u201d said Crowley. \u201cAt a time when Sikhs have been targeted for hate crimes including in New York, it also sends a powerful signal that Sikhs are part of this great city and every bit as accepted as anyone else.\u201d\nA recognized leader in Congress on issues related to the Sikh-American community, Crowley spearheaded a multi-year, successful effort to convince the FBI to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans, an important issue brought to nationwide attention by the massacre of Sikh worshippers in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in 2012. He has also helped lead a major bipartisan coalition urging the Department of Defense to allow Sikh-Americans to serve in the U.S. military while abiding by their articles of faith, such as wearing a turban or beard.\nCongressman Crowley is the nine-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1522", "Denham Announces January 2017 Mobile District Office Hours", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today announced Mobile District Office Hours for the month of January 2017. Mobile District Office Hours are an opportunity for 10th district residents to meet with the congressman and staff to hear more about his work in Washington, D.C. and the Central Valley, have their questions answered or get help with specific casework.\n\nMDOs are hosted by staff and when possible by Rep. Denham. Staff members are available to assist 10th district residents with casework on matters including Medicare, Veteran\u2019s Affairs, Social Security, the Internal Revenue Service and other federal legislation.\n\nAdditional information is available through Rep. Denham\u2019s website and the schedule for the month is provided below. Regular office hours are open to the public and no appointment is necessary. Schedule is subject to change throughout the year; any alterations will be posted online. For more information, please contact Rep. Denham\u2019s Modesto district office at (209) 579-5458.\n\nWednesday, Jan. 4 and 18 \u2013 Tracy\n\n1-2 p.m.\n\nTracy City Hall\n\n333 Civic Center Plaza, Rm 216, Tracy, CA 95376\n\nFriday, Jan. 6 and 20 \u2013 Manteca\n\n10-11 a.m.\n\nManteca Chamber of Commerce\n\n183 W. North Street #6, Manteca, CA 95336\n\nFriday, Jan. 6 \u2013 Waterford\n\n2-3 p.m.\n\nCity of Waterford\n\n101 E Street, Waterford, CA 95386\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill\u2019s office.\n\nFriday, Jan. 6 \u2013 Oakdale\n\n3:30-4:30 p.m.\n\nState Senator Tom Berryhill's Office\n\n102 Grove Avenue, Suite B, Oakdale, CA 95361\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill\u2019s office.\n\nTuesday, Jan. 10 \u2013 Escalon\n\n10-11 a.m.\n\nEscalon City Hall\n\n2060 McHenry Avenue, Escalon, CA 95320\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Cathleen Galgiani\u2019s office.\n\nThursday, Jan. 12 \u2013 Hughson\n\n11 a.m.-12 p.m.\n\nCity of Hughson\n\n7018 Pine Street, Hughson, CA 95326\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill\u2019s office.\n\nThursday, Jan. 12 \u2013 Modesto\n\n2-3 p.m.\n\nHousing Authority of Stanislaus County\n\n1701 Robertson Road, Modesto, CA 95351\n\nFriday, Jan. 13 \u2013 Newman\n\n9-10 a.m.\n\nCity of Newman\n\n938 Fresno Street, Newman, CA 95360\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella and Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.\n\nFriday, Jan. 13 \u2013 Patterson\n\n10:30-11:30 a.m.\n\nCity of Patterson\n\n1 Plaza, Patterson, CA 95363\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella and Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.\n\nThursday, Jan. 19 \u2013 Riverbank\n\n4-5 p.m.\n\nRiverbank City Hall\n\n6707 3rd Street, Riverbank, CA 95367\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Cathleen Galgiani\u2019s office.\n\nFriday, Jan. 20 \u2013 Ceres\n\n1-2 p.m.\n\nState Senator Anthony Cannella's Office\n\n2561 Third Street, Suite A, Ceres, CA 95307\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Anthony Cannella and Assemblyman Adam Gray\u2019s offices.\n\nTuesday, Jan. 24 \u2013 Ripon\n\n1-2 p.m.\n\nRipon Chamber of Commerce\n\n929 W Main Street, Ripon, CA\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Cathleen Galgiani\u2019s office.\n\nWednesday, Jan. 25 \u2013 Turlock\n\n11 a.m.-12 p.m.\n\nTurlock Chamber of Commerce Conference Room\n\n115 South Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill\u2019s office.\n\nThursday, Jan. 26 \u2013 Denair\n\n10:30-11:30 a.m.\n\nDenair Community Services District\n\n3850 North Gratton Road, Denair, CA 95316\n\n*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill\u2019s office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lance.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lance-statement-on-russia-sanctions", "Lance Statement on Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Leonard Lance", "L000567", "lance.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FLEMINGTON, N.J. --- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) released the following statement on sanctions imposed against Russia:\n\"For too long the Obama Administration has let Russia dictate international politics. \u00a0Today's action brings consequences for Russian hacking of our political parties - which I have long called unacceptable. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"This country is in serious need of a reevaluation of our standing on the world stage. \u00a0A delayed response to Russian hacking and betraying our ally Israel before the United Nations this week have affirmed the impression of a weakened United States. We must again act from a position of strength before we further embolden the world's bad actors.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-un-resolution-end-israeli-settlements", "Langevin Statement on UN Resolution to End Israeli Settlements", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Jim Langevin", "L000559", "langevin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Langevin Statement on UN Resolution to End Israeli Settlements           \t\t  \n          \t\t  \n           \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t \t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDec 29, 2016\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n\t\t  \n               \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement in response to the United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements:\n\u201cDecades of turmoil, lives lost, and families destroyed remind us that there is no easy solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but peace in the Middle East will only be achieved through direct, good-faith negotiations between the two parties. Unilateral action by the United States or the United Nations will resolve nothing; rather, this UN resolution will only heighten tensions and push us further away from a peaceful solution.\n\u201cThe United States and Israel share a unique bond, and despite these challenging times, that relationship cannot and will not be broken. Our efforts to foster peace must continue, and so must our commitment to Israel as our friends look to build a safe and democratic Jewish state.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-white-house-response-russian-election-interference", "Langevin Statement on White House Response to Russian Election Interference", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Jim Langevin", "L000559", "langevin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and a senior member of the House Committees on Armed Services and Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Obama\u2019s response to Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 election:\n\u201cInterference in our electoral processes cannot be tolerated, and I am encouraged that President Obama is taking steps to respond to Russian attempts to undermine faith in and influence the 2016 federal elections. In particular, I commend the President for using a full range of response options, including economic, diplomatic, and cybersecurity actions. As nations increasingly use hacking and other cyber operations to advance their objectives, it is imperative that the United States respond firmly to attacks targeting our interests.\n\u201cThe President\u2019s actions are also notable because they have a deterrent effect beyond the punishment of Russians directly involved with or supporting the information warfare operation. By releasing formerly classified threat indicators, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI have exposed Russian hacking infrastructure and made it much easier for individuals and businesses around the world to protect themselves from Russian aggression. I strongly encourage network administrators to read the Joint Analysis Report hosted by the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team and take action to protect their systems.\n\u201cIt is imperative that the community of nations understand that transgressions against the United States in cyberspace will be met with an appropriate response. Building strong cybersecurity norms \u2013 the rules of the road in cyberspace \u2013 depends on it. Russian interference with our elections was an unprecedented attack on our interests, and the actions taken by the Administration today represent a needed first step in response. However, we must continue to investigate ways to improve our resiliency and protect ourselves from future such operations, which is why I again call on Speaker Ryan to empower a Select Committee on Cybersecurity to look into the attacks. I also hope that the President-elect will use this moment to stop his utterly unfounded innuendo that that there is any uncertainty regarding Russian involvement in the hacks.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-statement-on-keetac-reopening", "Nolan Statement on Keetac Reopening", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today released the following statement regarding Keetac\u2019s reopening:\n\"Keetac's reopening is wonderful news for the Iron Range\u200b. In my conversations with U.S. Steel executives, it appears that this will bring back in the neighborhood of 200 good-paying jobs to our region\u200b at its commencement\u200b. This accomplishment is the result of a team effort with the mining companies, steelworkers, the Obama Administration and those of us in Washington who have championed the cause of securing high tariffs and taxes on subpar, low-quality steel subsidized by foreign governments and dumped into our market by trade-cheater nations. These high tariffs and taxes have already shown great results for our American mining industry, and they will continue to improve market conditions over the next 5 years. After countless hours testifying before the International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce, working with the Administration, and bringing White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to the Iron Range to see the devastating impact of steel dumping during what many have called 'the day that changed everything,' I am thrilled to see this enormous, positive step.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/nolan-statement-on-keetac-reopening-0", "Nolan Statement on Keetac Reopening", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Rick Nolan", "N000127", "nolan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today released the following statement regarding Keetac\u2019s reopening:\n\"Keetac's reopening is wonderful news for the Iron Range\u200b. In my conversations with U.S. Steel executives, it appears that this will bring back in the neighborhood of 200 good-paying jobs to our region\u200b at its commencement\u200b. This accomplishment is the result of a team effort with the mining companies, steelworkers, the Obama Administration and those of us in Washington who have championed the cause of securing high tariffs and taxes on subpar, low-quality steel subsidized by foreign governments and dumped into our market by trade-cheater nations. These high tariffs and taxes have already shown great results for our American mining industry, and they will continue to improve market conditions over the next 5 years. After countless hours testifying before the International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce, working with the Administration, and bringing White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to the Iron Range to see the devastating impact of steel dumping during what many have called 'the day that changed everything,' I am thrilled to see this enormous, positive step.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-following-remarks-by-secretary-kerry-on-middle-east-peace", "Pelosi Statement Following Remarks by Secretary Kerry on Middle East Peace", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco \u2013 House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement following Secretary of State John Kerry\u2019s remarks on Middle East peace today in Washington:\n\u201cMiddle East peace can only be achieved by real negotiations directly between Israel and the Palestinians, not through efforts dictated by the United Nations, which I have opposed.\u00a0\n\u201cToday\u2019s remarks by Secretary Kerry were a reaffirmation of America's commitment to a secure, Jewish and democratic Israel, and a state for the Palestinians. \u00a0\n\u201cPresident Obama has been a staunch and steadfast supporter of Israel.\u00a0 The United States\u2019 commitment to Israel\u2019s security is and will remain unbreakable.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-new-us-sanctions-for-russias-cyber-assault-on-elections", "Pelosi Statement on New U.S. Sanctions For Russia's Cyber Assault on Elections", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616\nSan Francisco \u2013 Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after the White House announced new actions in response to Russia's cyber assault on American democracy:\n\"Russia's brazen assault on our elections demands the strongest response from the Administration and the Congress.\u00a0 President Obama has taken action to punish Russia for its outrageous conduct, now Congress must meet its responsibility to respond to this threat.\u00a0\n\"The American people deserve to know their leaders will not tolerate Russia's meddling in our democracy.\u00a0 Congress must move immediately to launch a bipartisan, independent investigation to understand how Russia hacked into our democratic institutions, and to ensure it never happens again.\"\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://visclosky.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/visclosky-announces-2017-town-forum-schedule", "Visclosky Announces 2017 Town Forum Schedule", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Peter Visclosky", "V000108", "visclosky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013\u00a0Today, Congressman Pete Visclosky announced the following 2017 schedule for Town Forums that will be held throughout Indiana\u2019s First Congressional District.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSaturday \u2013 January 7, 2017\n\u00a0\n10:00 a.m.\nLake Station City Hall\n1969 Central Avenue\nLake Station, Indiana 46405\n\u00a0\n12:00 p.m.\nPortage Public Library\n2665 Irving Street\nPortage, Indiana 46368\n\u00a0\n2:00 p.m.\nValparaiso Public Library\n103 Jefferson Street\nValparaiso, Indiana 46383\n\u00a0\n4:00 p.m.\nChesterton Town Hall\n726 Broadway\nChesterton, Indiana 46304\n\u00a0\n6:00 p.m.\nMichigan City \u2013 City Hall \u2013 Council Chambers\n100 East Michigan Boulevard\nMichigan City, Indiana 46360\n\u00a0\nSunday \u2013 January 8, 2017\n\u00a0\n12:00 p.m.\nWicker Park Social Center\n2215 Ridge Road\nHighland, Indiana 46322\n\u00a0\n2:00 p.m.\nPurdue University Northwest \u2013 Student Union Library Building \u2013 Room with a View\n2200 169th Street\nHammond, Indiana 46323\n\u00a0\n4:00 p.m.\nSt. John Township Community Center\n1515 West Lincoln Highway\nSchererville, Indiana 46375\n\u00a0\n6:00 p.m.\nCrown Point Civic Center\n101 South East Street\nCrown Point, Indiana 46307\n\u00a0\nMonday \u2013 January 9, 2017\n\u00a0\n10:00 a.m.\nEast Chicago City Hall \u2013 Council Chambers\n4525 Indianapolis Boulevard\nEast Chicago, Indiana 46312\n\u00a0\n12:00 p.m.\nGary YWCA\n150 West 15th Avenue\nGary, Indiana 46407\n\u00a0\n2:00 p.m.\nLake County Public Library\n1919 West 81st Avenue\nMerrillville, Indiana 46410\n\u00a0\nPlease note that all times listed are Central Standard Time.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.speaker.gov/press-release/statement-russia-sanctions", "Statement on Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "www.speaker.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Russia does not share America\u2019s interests. In fact, it has consistently sought to undermine them, sowing dangerous instability around the world.\u00a0While\u00a0today\u2019s action by the administration\u00a0is overdue, it is an appropriate way to end eight years of failed policy with Russia. And it serves as a prime example of this administration's ineffective foreign\u00a0policy that has left America weaker in the eyes of the world.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.speaker.gov/video/these-things-are-making-difference", "These Things Are Making a Difference", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "WI", "Paul Ryan", "R000570", "www.speaker.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Good news tends to travel slow,\u00a0especially when it is coming out of Washington. But in\u00a0this new video, we\u2019ve looked back at\u00a0things you may not have heard about\u00a0this year. And\u2014more good news\u2014it\u2019ll take\u00a0less than two minutes\u00a0of your time.\n\tHere is how some of the work of the 114th Congress is already making a difference in people's lives.\n \nThanks to the\u00a0Clay Hunt SAV Act, there are now\u00a0more outreach services\u00a0available for veterans at risk of suicide.\u00a0\nAfter an overhaul of our education system,\u00a0states are now taking the lead\u00a0on plans to improve schools and close achievement gaps.\nFollowing an end to the 40-year ban on exporting crude oil,\u00a0\u201crecord U.S. shipments are heading overseas.\u201d\nA historic bill of rights for the survivors of sexual assault is now law.\u00a0Amanda Nguyen, a 24-year old rape survivor who advocated for the bill, says, \u201cThis [bill] becoming law means so much, not just for the 25 million estimated rape survivors across America, but to me personally.\u201d\n9/11 first responders are signing up for health benefits after the Zadroga Act was extended. The wife of a former FDNY first responder says, \u201cIt\u2019s a life-changer for me and our three children.\u201d\nA new law to help fight the opioid epidemic and support recovery is taking effect. A\u00a0father who lost his son to an overdose says,\u00a0\u201cI believe that will save lives, and it\u2019s critically important to me as a parent, because my son faced a number of obstacles in gaining access to good treatment.\u201d\nPatients across the country are celebrating a new law that will accelerate cures for rare and chronic illnesses. A paralegal in Denver suffering from lupus says, \u201cThis is exactly what we need to move forwards.\u00a0My dream is that we\u2019re the last generation who has to deal with this.\u201d\nExperts are calling it \u201ca new day for mental health\u201d after the recent passage of reforms that will put the focus on early intervention and treatment.\nAnd, just in time for the holidays, the president signed a new defense law \u201cgiving troops their largest pay raise since 2010.\u201d\n \nOf course,\u00a0there is much more to do\u00a0to\u00a0get our country back on the right track. In 2017, a unified Republican government will press ahead on a bold agenda to deliver results and relief for the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/welcome-assistance-sb-terror-victims", "Welcome assistance for SB terror victims", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Editorial Board of the Southern California News Group authored an editorial on the need for additional assistance for survivors and victims' families of the Inland Regional Center terror attack. The editorial highlights the importance of obtaining federal funds and notes Rep. Aguilar's efforts that helped secure $4 million from the Department of Justice. The editorial can be read in full here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-new-russian-sanctions", "Castro Statement on New Russian Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaqu\u00edn Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Antonio, TX \u2013 Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration\u2019s new sanctions on Russia for its interference in the United States\u2019 2016 election:  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI support the Administration\u2019s actions against Russia\u2019s interference in the U.S. election and will work in Congress to ensure these sanctions remain in place. We must defend our democracy and deter any actor who would attempt to obstruct our democratic processes. I look forward to the Administration providing a report to Congress in the coming days with further details on this matter.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/austin-american-statesman-county-gets-old-federal-courthouse-probate-court", "Austin American Statesman: County Gets Old Federal Courthouse for Probate Court Expansion", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Taylor Goldstein\u00a0\n\n\tAfter a failed bond referendum and months of uncertainty, at least some of Travis County\u2019s court space woes may soon be behind it.\n\n\n\tOfficials announced Thursday morning that the federal government approved the\u00a0county\u2019s application\u00a0to take the old U.S. courthouse at 200 W. Eighth St. for its probate court and clerks offices.\n\n\n\t\u201cThanks, Uncle Sam, for a wonderful Christmas present,\u201d County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said with a big grin Thursday as General Services Administration Regional Administrator Sylvia Hernandez handed her the for-show deed.\n\n\n\tThe 81-year-old building that has sat vacant for four years had been declared surplus by the federal government and will therefore be free of cost to the county.\n\n\n\tTravis County officials have been searching for a way to free up space in the overcrowded, aging Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse several blocks away ever since about a year ago\u00a0voters rejected a $287-million bond\u00a0that would have paid for a new civil courthouse.\n\n\n\t\u201cAlthough this gift from our federal partners does not solve all our overall court capacity issues long-term, it is a great reliever of our current overcrowding,\u201d Eckhardt said, before thanking many federal, state and local supporters.\n\n\n\tCounty officials initially estimate it will cost $28 million to renovate the old building for modern use and to bring it up to code. They expect it will take until 2020 for it to open and that it will last the county until 2035.\n\n\n\tThe county will have to preserve the building\u2019s historic elements, as it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building, constructed in 1936, has many Depression-era modern architectural details as seen in its central massing, rectangular form, vertical flow of window bays, decorative metal rails and geometric details, Hernandez said.\n\t\n\t\tU.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said the transfer of the building to Travis County represents an investment in not just the preservation of the building but in the system of justice.\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\u201cWhat we have today really is an old home of justice, a very old home of justice through many decades, now once again acheiving its purpose as a place for justice for the future here in Travis County,\u201d Doggett said.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tThe county is still looking for sites for a new civil and family courthouse. The community advisory committee leading the search will bring its top three choices to the Commissioners Court likely in February.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/travis-county-catches-judicial-break", "Travis County Catches a Judicial Break", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Michael King\n\u00a0\n\u201cAnybody need a courthouse?\u201d was not exactly the question posed by the\u00a0U.S. General Services Administration, but the U.S. government's (technically, the National Park Service) disused 1936 courthouse just happened to match the pressing needs of the\u00a0Travis County\u00a0justice system. This morning, the transfer was completed.\n\u201cI am thrilled by the opportunity to partner with the federal government on the preservation of this historic public building by maintaining it as a courthouse,\u201d said Travis County Judge\u00a0Sarah Eckhardt. \u201cAlthough this gift from our federal partners does not solve our overall court capacity issues in the long-term, it is a great reliever of our current overcrowding at the nearby\u00a0Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse, another historic public building. The reuse plan for the historic federal courthouse enables Travis County to meet current and future Travis County Probate Court needs through 2035.\u201d\nThe morning press conference, on the courthouse steps at 200 West 8th Street, featured officials from the federal judiciary, Travis County, and U.S. Rep.\u00a0Lloyd Doggett, whom federal Judge\u00a0Lee Yeakel\u00a0and Eckhardt each credited for his \u201cdogged\u201d work to get the transaction done. After the\u00a0November 2014 defeat\u00a0of a bond to underwrite a new civil courthouse, Travis County had been left without a certain alternative to its overcrowded and increasingly dilapidated\u00a0Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse, and Commissioners Court had been searching for other solutions. Said Eckhardt, \u201cAlthough this gift from our federal partners does not solve our overall court capacity issues in the long-term, it is a great reliever of our current overcrowding at the nearby Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse, another historic public building. The reuse plan for the historic federal courthouse enables Travis County to meet current and future Travis County Probate Court needs through 2035.\u201d\nDoggett was credited with monitoring and wrangling the various agencies with interest in the exchange \u2013 the\u00a0General Services Administration, the\u00a0National Park Service, the federal judiciary, and Travis County \u2013 and said with a smile, \u201cFrom good words, today we proceed to good deeds\u201d (obliquely referring to the literal transfer of the courthouse deed). \u201cThis success was the result of several levels of federal and county government working together,\u201d Doggett said, \u201cto ensure the building would remain a place where justice, and its historic architecture, are preserved.\u201d\nThe courthouse, built in 1935 and notable for its Art Deco and Art Moderne\u00a0architectural details, has been vacant since the 2012 opening of the new federal courthouse on West Fifth St., and will need major renovations. Eckhardt said that Commissioners Court has budgeted $28 million from reserves and certificates of obligation to complete the renovations \u2013 to restore the interior and bring it up to current building codes will cost about $20 million, she said, with $8 million necessary specifically to adapt the structure for use by the County\u2019s probate courts. That move will also relieve some of the overcrowding at the Heman Sweatt venue, Eckhardt said, adding, \u201cTravis County will ensure that the historic federal courthouse continues to bear witness to our civic history. The County will undertake design, construction, and contingencies to prepare the building to meet code requirements and County occupancy by 2020.\u201d\nDoggett particularly thanked Judge Eckhardt, Judge Yeakel, and GSA Administrator Sylvia Hernandez for their work to make the transfer possible, and concluded: \u201cThis deed ensures that the historic features of this landmark, inside and out, are preserved, and that it continues in the role originally envisioned as a home for justice\u2014an old home for justice is now becoming a new home of justice. This building is more than its cream-colored limestone; it is built on more than its Texas gray granite base. It embodies the fundamental American belief that we are a nation of laws. Through the cooperation of many, today we ensure that the important work of justice continues here.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://engel.house.gov/latest-news/engel-statement-on-administration-response-to-russias-illegal-election-interference/", "Engel Statement on Administration Response to Russia's Illegal Election Interference", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Eliot Engel", "E000179", "engel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://engel.house.gov/latest-news/engel-statement-on-secretary-kerrys-middle-east-speech/", "Engel Statement on Secretary Kerry's Middle East Speech", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Eliot Engel", "E000179", "engel.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1799", "Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge Statement on U.S. Abstention from U.N. Resolution Vote on Israel", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Marcia Fudge", "F000455", "fudge.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH - On December 23rd, the United States abstained from voting against an anti-Israeli resolution at the United Nations Security Council. Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement regarding this action:\r\n\r\n\t\"I am disappointed at the Administration\u2019s decision to abstain from the anti-Israeli resolution at the United Nations Security Council last week. After years of international partnership, our actions sent the wrong message to the world. Israel is indeed our truest ally in a very dangerous region. Our actions, and that of the UN Security Council, do nothing to promote peace in the Middle East.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gabbard.house.gov/news/in-the-news/la-times-child-abuse-military-failing-those-most-need", "LA Times: Child abuse in the military: Failing those most in need", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Tulsi Gabbard", "G000571", "gabbard.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Originally published in the LA Times:\u00a0http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-child-abuse-military-20161229-htmlstory.html\n Child abuse in the military: Failing those most in need \nIn \u00a0September 2011, Army Sgt. 1st Class Crispen Hanson\u2019s commander at Ft.\u00a0Bliss ordered him into a military treatment program for child abusers.\nTexas child welfare authorities had formally\u00a0reported a\u00a0\u201creason to believe\u201d the 20-year Army veteran had severely beaten his 6-month-old son, Malachi, leaving him with a broken leg.\nFor the next four months, Hanson met weekly with a therapist from the Family Advocacy Program, a $200-million-a-year Pentagon program known as FAP that seeks to prevent child abuse in the ranks.\nWhen Hanson completed the therapy, FAP officials closed the case and a state judge allowed him to see his infant son.\nBut three months later, on April 9, 2012, El Paso paramedics called to Hanson\u2019s house found Malachi dead. An autopsy found \u201cblunt force injuries\u201d and \u201cinnumerable contusions of the head, torso\u00a0and extremities.\u201d\nThe county medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.\nLast year, Hanson pleaded guilty to two counts of injuring a child after prosecutors agreed to drop murder charges.\u00a0A state judge sentenced him to probation. The Army gave him an honorable discharge and a full pension of about $28,000 a year.\nArmy officials said the decision to close the FAP case before the infant\u2019s death was appropriate.\u00a0\u201cNo program has a 100% guarantee of success when dealing with individuals,\u201d said William Costlow, an Army spokesman.\u00a0\nThe Pentagon has struggled to deal with a little-noticed cascade of child abuse and neglect cases in military families in the years since America went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Times investigation has found.\nPreviously unreleased reports by the Army, Navy and Air Force reveal numerous cases where military officials knew or suspected that child abuse or neglect was occurring \u2014 but failed to intervene or to alert the Family Advocacy Program or state child welfare agencies, The Times found.\nIn many cases, the reports blamed military personnel for failing to report cases of abuse and neglect to FAP officials.\u00a0\nFAP \u201cis not accessing those most in need due to \u2026 failure on the part of others to report\u00a0concerns or maltreatment incidents,\u201d warned an\u00a0 internal 2014 report on 27 deaths in Army families.\n\u201cIn several cases, command was aware of ongoing abuse but failed to report it,\u201d it added.\nA 2014 report on 50 deaths in Air Force families over five years reached a similar conclusion.\n\u201cIn numerous cases \u2026 Air Force employees and other individuals were aware of suspected child maltreatment or domestic abuse and did not report it to FAP or any other authority,\u201d it said.\nCiting privacy restrictions,\u00a0Pentagon officials redacted parts of each report, which were\u00a0released in response to\u00a0Freedom of Information Act\u00a0requests. The Times was able to identify many victims and their abusers by comparing the reports with\u00a0court records and other legal documents.\nEven senior FAP officials concede they are able to help only a fraction of the children who suffer abuse.\n\u201cWe get about 25% of the incidents,\u201d said Rene Robichaux,\u00a0who oversees an Army-wide\u00a0clinical\u00a0child abuse treatment program from the Army Medical Command in San Antonio. \u201cThe rest occur behind closed doors.\u201d\nAmerica\u2019s longest wars already have been associated with poor\u00a0mental health in military families, behavioral problems in children, a higher risk of divorce, and higher rates of suicide, studies show.\nExperts now add child abuse to that tragic list.\n\u201cWe have a relatively high rate of child maltreatment,\u201d said Dr. Sharon Cooper, a pediatrician and retired Army colonel\u00a0who treats child abuse\u00a0victims at Ft.\u00a0Bragg in North Carolina.\u00a0\u201cAnd we know that child abuse and neglect is highly influenced by deployment.\u201d\nChild fatalities have soared even as the armed forces have shrunk by 10% in recent years.\nFatalities more than doubled from 14 in 2003 to 38 in 2012. They\u00a0remained above 30 a year through 2014 before dropping to 23 in 2015, the last year that Pentagon records are available. Overall,\u00a0FAP\u00a0counted 5,378 child abuse and neglect victims in military families in 2015.\nThe Pentagon long has claimed that child abuse is less severe in the military than in the\u00a0civilian population. The military weeds out alcohol and drug users with random tests\u00a0and annual fitness reports, and the mental strain of unemployment isn\u2019t a problem.\nMoreover, base commanders are supposed to monitor their troops\u2019 daily lives and the welfare of their families. They can order FAP to counsel parents and even temporarily bar service members from contact with their families in abuse cases.\u00a0\nMilitary bases also are required to cooperate closely with state child welfare agencies, which share responsibility for protecting children in military families living on and off U.S. installations.\nBut in the last five years, the rate of child abuse and neglect in the military has gone up sharply \u2014 from 4.8\u00a0incidents per 1,000 children\u00a0to 7.2 incidents, according to Pentagon records. Civilian rates vary depending on how they\u2019re counted, but generally are higher.\nThe failure of base commanders to intervene has sparked special concern among child welfare advocates.\nExperts say those failures may occur because a criminal charge of child abuse\u00a0can lead to a soldier\u2019s discharge \u2014 costing the family its livelihood \u2014 and also can be seen as a blot on a commander\u2019s record.\n\u201cThere's a real reluctance to address child abuse fatalities in the military because it's a career-ender for soldiers,\u201d said Theresa Covington, head of the National Center for the Review and Prevention of Child Deaths, a nonprofit group in Washington that works closely with the Pentagon.\nUnderlying the problems is the belief at senior levels of the Pentagon that the military can handle family violence by ordering an accused abuser into FAP counseling, experts say.\n\u201cUltimately an allegation\u00a0of abuse is plopped down on the desk of some commander, who is supposed to take action, as if ... you can discipline somebody who is abusing their children and make them stop, which is absurd,\u201d said Mark Davis, an attorney involved in a decadelong lawsuit against the Army over the abuse death of 5-year-old girl on a military base in Hawaii.\nCreated after the Vietnam War, FAP now has more than 2,000 case workers and administrators. They offer help to 1.2 million active-duty couples\u00a0and 1.1 million children\u00a0at almost every U.S. military base, including in Germany, Japan and other overseas posts where families are allowed.\nIn the most violent cases, FAP officials can seek a protective order from the military that bars an abusive parent from contact with a child, or ask a civilian court to place a battered child in foster care.\nFAP and Pentagon officials say the program provides valuable counseling, parenting classes, home visits and other help to thousands of military families, many of them young parents living on their own for the first time.\n\u201cThe welfare of our service members and their family members warrants the highest priority in the Department of Defense,\u201d said a Pentagon spokesman, Maj. Benjamin E. Sakrisson.\u00a0\u201cThe department is actively committed to keeping children safe and healthy.\u201d\nThe Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines\u00a0all have boosted training and staffing at their FAP operations over the last decade, officials say.\nFAP staffing at Army bases, for instance, has grown from 136 to 390, with many new hires assigned to visit homes of new parents to teach parenting techniques.\nBut some FAP offices are overwhelmed, especially after units deployed overseas return home.\nAt Ft. Bragg, the nation\u2019s largest Army base, soldiers often wait weeks to see a FAP therapist for routine counseling, said Anne Malena, a civilian social worker in private practice who mostly works with Ft. Bragg families.\n\u201cThey\u2019re extremely overworked, and they\u2019re working on crisis situations most of the time,\u201d she said.\nFAP officials contend it is unfair to blame their staff for failing to foresee which military parents will abuse their children when warning signs often are fragmentary or ambiguous.\n\u201cPredicting these kinds of events is an extremely difficult thing to do,\u201d said Dr. Terri Rau, a psychiatrist and senior policy analyst for the Navy\u2019s\u00a0Fleet and Family Support Programs in Norfolk, Va., which oversees\u00a0FAP.\nYet in some cases, there were clear warning signs.\nIn August 2012, for example, Tamryn Klapheke starved to death in her crib at her parents\u2019 house on Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. She was 22 months old.\nState prosecutors said her mother, Tiffany Klapheke, had left the infant without food or water for four days while her husband, an Air Force enlisted man, was overseas. Her two other children were also badly malnourished.\nBoth the base FAP office and Texas\u2019\u00a0Child Protective Services, the state agency responsible for investigating child abuse, had been repeatedly warned of neglect at the house.\nAir Force doctors had notified both offices in 2010 and 2011 that the older children were underweight and had missed medical appointments.\n\u201cThe consequences of not feeding the child could be fatal,\u201d Edward Wilcock, the FAP social worker assigned to Tamryn\u2019s case, wrote in her file in September 2011.\nBut FAP closed its case three months later when Klapheke completed her assigned doctor visits and Tamryn had gained a little weight, records show.\nChild Protective Services in Taylor County, where Dyess is located, closed its own investigation a week before Tamryn starved to death. Its last face-to-face contact with the family was 10 months earlier, courts records show.\nKlapheke, 23, was convicted of injury to a child and sentenced in state court to 30 years in prison. Four employees from Child Protective Services resigned over misconduct in the case. The two older children were placed with a foster family.\nWilcock, who remains employed by FAP at Dyess,\u00a0declined to comment for this story.\nCapt. Nicole Ferrara, a base spokeswoman, said the Air Force investigated whether \u201cvarious personnel met their required duty obligations,\u201d and said \u201cappropriate action was taken to address the findings.\u201d She declined to disclose the findings\u00a0or the action taken.\nFAP\u00a0also failed Kylee Houston, who lived her entire brief life inside the secure gates of Naval Air Station New Orleans.\nJust 14 weeks old, the malnourished infant died in a soiled crib at her home on March 15, 2015. An autopsy blamed accidental suffocation.\nKylee\u2019s twin sister and four siblings, all under age 5, also suffered from extreme neglect, police found.\nState prosecutors put them all in foster care and arrested the parents on charges of cruelty to juveniles and second-degree murder.\nThe father, Navy Seaman Xavier Houston, pleaded guilty in January to cruelty to juveniles and is serving a 10-year prison sentence. His wife, Calendria, is awaiting trial.\nFAP was well aware of the danger.\nOn July 1, 2014, neighbors called the military police when they heard the parents fighting, a frequent occurrence. The police report noted that one child was filthy and the house reeked of dirty diapers.\nThe police shared the report with the base Fleet and Family Support Center, which oversees the FAP\u00a0office. But the\u00a0office\u00a0didn\u2019t inform Louisiana\u2019s child welfare agency, as an agreement between the base and the state required.\nA month later, on Aug. 5, Calendria Houston complained to\u00a0base authorities that her husband had \u201cleft their four children, ranging in age from 3 years old to 5 months old, unattended at their residence,\u201d according to a Navy investigation.\u00a0\nAt his commander\u2019s urging, Xavier Houston had met a FAP counselor \u201ca handful of times\u201d to discuss his strained marriage, but not the welfare of his children, according to Houston\u2019s attorney, Clarke Beljean.\nThat failure angers Charles J. Ballay, the district attorney in Louisiana\u2019s Plaquemines Parish who is prosecuting the parents.\nThe military was \u201caware or should have been aware\u201d that the Houstons were neglecting their children, Ballay said. \u201cSomebody should have taken action to save the life of this young child.\u201d\nThe Navy appears to agree.\nMike Andrews, a Navy spokesman, said \u201cseveral\u201d contractors involved in the Houston case resigned after Kylee\u2019s death. He declined to identify them or say if they quit in response to pending disciplinary action.\nMilitary police on the base were instructed for the first time to notify Louisiana\u2019s child protection agency in cases \u201cinvolving child welfare of any kind,\u201d Andrews said.\nFAP\u00a0has come under fire before.\u00a0\nIn the early 1980s, about a decade after the Army, Navy and Air Force each developed programs for treating domestic violence on military installations, an investigation by federal auditors found the efforts were poorly funded, understaffed and often inadequate.\nCongress provided additional money in response and ordered the Pentagon to keep better track of personnel accused of abuse. After cases continued to increase, Congress in 2001 created an independent task force to evaluate the military\u2019s efforts.\nThe panel issued 193 recommendations, including\u00a0a call for the Pentagon to hire hundreds of \u201cvictim advocates\u201d on military bases to help abused children and spouses, whom panel members felt often received short shrift from FAP.\nThe task force delivered its report to Congress on the same day in March 2003 that U.S. forces invaded Iraq. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, distracted lawmakers ducked into side rooms to watch the invasion on TV. The Pentagon ultimately adopted many of the changes the panel proposed.\nIn 2011, Jessica Wright, then undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, ordered another \u201ctop-level rapid review\u201d of FAP. It produced 84 \u201cpreliminary ideas\u201d for improvements.\nIt also led to creation of an Integrated Project Team\u00a0to recommend ways to \u201chelp families in need and at risk as early as possible,\u201d said Sakrisson, the Pentagon spokesman.\nRep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a major in the\u00a0Army National Guard, is one of the few lawmakers to focus on the issue.\nCongress this month passed a national defense authorization bill that includes a provision Gabbard introduced that requires military personnel to immediately report suspected cases of child abuse to FAP and to state child protection agencies.\nYet even when the military and civilian agencies cooperate, victims go undetected.\nIn November 2011, for example, Laquita Lewis told police that her boyfriend, Jerrell Edwards, had punched and nearly strangled her after she complained he was driving too fast. Both sailors were stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.\nSince her son Jaiden, who was 2 1/2, was in the vehicle and she was pregnant with Edwards\u2019 child, the FAP office opened an investigation into \u201cchild neglect and domestic physical abuse,\u201d records show.\nNavy commanders ordered the couple to break off contact for a month.\nBut the base \u201cincident determination committee\u201d\u00a0\u2014 a panel that includes senior officers, FAP officials, military police, hospital personnel and others who see abuse cases \u2014 voted to close the case three months later, ruling that Edwards\u2019 behavior \u201cdid not meet criteria for abuse,\u201d records show.\nVirginia Child Protective Services, which had opened a separate investigation, closed its case after social workers made a single visit to Lewis\u2019 apartment.\nEdwards, who broke up with Lewis, was discharged from the Navy for using marijuana. But she let him move in after their baby was born.\nIn April 2012, Lewis found Edwards trying to revive Jaiden at the apartment. The toddler was unconscious and bleeding from the mouth, according to Navy documents.\nJaiden died at the hospital hours later, and an autopsy revealed a \u201cruptured stomach, lacerated liver and bruising to his colon,\u201d as well as an apparent cigarette burn on his foot,\u00a0the records show.\nThe incident determination committee\u00a0reexamined the evidence. This time they concluded that Edwards had repeatedly subjected Jaiden to \u201csevere physical abuse,\u201d case records show.\nEdwards was convicted in May 2014 in state court of murder and child abuse\u00a0and sentenced to 30 years in prison.\u00a0\n\u201cI thought I was doing the right thing by letting him spend time with his new child,\u201d Lewis said in a telephone interview. \u201cIt\u2019s a decision I live with every day. But I can\u2019t help feel that the Navy failed me and Jaiden in some way.\u201d\nNo case better highlighted the military\u2019s failure to protect children than the brutal death of 5-year-old Talia Williams. The tragedy inspired Gabbard, the Hawaii lawmaker hoping to reform FAP, to call her legislation \u201cTalia\u2019s Law.\u201d\n\u201cThis young girl was abused for months and not removed from the abuse, even though she was living in military housing and the military has mandatory reporting,\u201d said Gabbard, a major in the Army National Guard. The procedures \u201cfailed Talia and they have failed many, many other children in military families.\u201d\nTalia was killed in July 2005 after months of near-daily beatings by her stepmother, Delilah Williams, and her father, Spc. Naeem Williams, a soldier at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii.\nAt one point, military police took Talia to a base medical clinic after her day-care center reported bruises on her arms and back.\nTalia told the staff that her father hit her with \u201cMr. Paddle\u201d when he got angry, according to court testimony. But she was returned to her parents.\nOne of her stepmother\u2019s co-workers later went directly to FAP to report her concerns that Talia was being abused. She recounted overhearing Williams say it was \u201cOK to whip a child, just don\u2019t leave any marks,\u201d according to court records.\nHilda Borja, the FAP\u00a0official who received the complaint, took no action, according to Army and court records.\nAn Army investigation later found Borja was \u201cnegligent in her duty to report suspected child abuse.\u201d The report cited \u201ca series of missed opportunities\u201d by authorities that could have prevented Talia\u2019s death.\nBorja resigned before the Army finished its disciplinary proceedings, officials said. In a brief phone interview, she said \u201cthe truth is I had nothing to do with that family.\u201d\nSpc. Williams was sentenced last year to life in federal prison for murder. His wife was sentenced to 20 years in prison after she testified against him.\nBut the case had an unusual postscript.\nIn 2008, Tarshia Williams, Talia\u2019s biological mother, sued the Army in federal court for negligence and wrongful death.\nJustice Department\u00a0lawyers argued that the Army could not be held liable for child abuse on military bases.\u00a0Protecting battered children, even on a base, was the job of Hawaii\u2019s Department of Human Services, not the Army, the government lawyers argued.\n\u201cThe Army has no legal framework for taking custody or otherwise acting formally to protect abused children, and therefore explicitly relies on\u201d state child protection agencies, the Justice Department claimed\u00a0in court documents.\nU.S. District Judge Alan C. Kay rejected the government\u2019s\u00a0motion to dismiss the case. The Justice Department settled with Talia\u2019s mother last year for $2 million.\nPolice responding to gunfire at a mobile home near Ft. Bragg one night found a soldier in full military gear, waving an AR-15 assault rifle and trying to get a child to snort a powerful prescription tranquilizer.\nSpc. Devin Havis and Samantha Bryant, his girlfriend, were abusing Klonopin and urging Bryant\u2019s 13-year-old daughter, Brittany, \u201cto engage in this drug use,\u201d according to a police report from the October 2015 incident.\nOfficers found the girl hiding in a closet with her 17-month-old half-brother Rylan.\nPolice charged Havis and Bryant with child abuse and \u201cfighting with firearms in the presence of minors.\u201d Bryant was committed to a local hospital\u2019s mental health ward for three days. The two children were placed in foster care at Ft. Bragg for their protection while military and civilian agencies investigated.But America\u2019s largest Army base \u2014 \u00a0a heavily guarded enclave that is home to 238,000 soldiers and civilians \u2014 proved no refuge.\u00a0\nOn April 14, four months after a state judge returned the two children to their mother, Rylan drowned in a pond near the mobile home.\nBryant was charged with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect and is in Moore County jail awaiting trial. Havis \u2014 who was not prosecuted on the earlier charges \u2014 was kicked out of the Army with a general discharge, one level below an honorable discharge.\u00a0\nRylan\u2019s death was one of at least five child fatalities or severe abuse and neglect cases at Ft. Bragg over the last 14 months.\nFt. Bragg officials declined to discuss the five cases, citing legal proceedings. But it\u2019s clear, from court records and interviews, that the system failed toddler Rylan Ott.\nHis father, Spc. Corey Ott, had married Samantha Bryant in 2014, and their relationship was volatile.\n\u201cShe liked to drink and party, and so did I, but when she drank, she got crazy,\u201d Ott said in an interview.\nThey lived in a cramped apartment on Ft. Bragg after Rylan was born, and then moved to an on-base house. Bryant\u2019s daughter, Brittany, came from Texas to live with them.\nBut after Ott began an eight-month deployment to the United Arab Emirates, Bryant moved to a mobile home off base with the two children. She also began seeing Havis, a military policeman.\n\u201cShe got my boy and my truck and just took off,\u201d Ott said. \u201cI felt like I was losing my family.\u201d\u00a0\nWhen Ott returned in September 2015, Bryant refused to rejoin him. She showed him a new AR-15 rifle with a high-powered sight, saying she had bought it herself. Ott didn\u2019t believe her, convinced that the weapon was proof she was seeing another soldier.\nBryant and Havis were arrested three weeks later for firing the AR-15 and sniffing Klonopin, an anti-seizure medication that is often abused, around her children.\u00a0\nSgt. Shane Mills and his wife, Amanda, whose daughters attended school with Brittany, agreed to act as foster parents while the Moore County child protective services agency investigated the case.\nRylan was \u201creal quiet\u201d and very thin when he arrived on Nov. 2, Amanda Mills recalled. After a month, he had become a \u00a0\u201csweet, smiling, laughing\u201d little boy, she said.\nThe toddler\u2019s mother was allowed to visit three times a week. But Bryant was so disruptive that the Mills asked authorities to halt the visits. After that, social workers drove the children to offices 25 miles away so Bryant could see them in supervised visits.\u00a0\nOn Dec. 17, 2015, after a daylong hearing, North Carolina District Judge Scott C. Etheridge ordered Rylan and Brittany returned to their mother. He cited a state law that calls for courts to seek family reunification whenever possible.\nThe Moore County social services department backed the ruling, noting that Bryant had finished a class on parenting.\nThe judge rebuffed pleas from the foster parents and from Pamela Reed, a court-appointed social worker who had urged him not to send the children back to their mother.\nThe judge also rejected Ott\u2019s request for custody, ruling he hadn\u2019t spent enough time with the boy \u2014 mostly due to his long overseas deployment \u2014 to be a good father.\n\u201cI left that courthouse in tears,\u201d recalled Ott, who quit the Army the next day.\nWhen child protection workers arrived to take Rylan and Brittany to their mother, Shane and Amanda Mills also broke into tears, fearing for the children\u2019s safety, they said.\n\u201cWhen this thing goes south \u2014 not if, but when \u2014 you call me, day or night,\u201d Shane Mills said he told the social workers. \u201cI will be there to pick up these children.\u201d\nThe Mills never got a call. They learned Rylan had drowned when Brittany posted a photo on Instagram last April of the smiling toddler in her lap.\n\u201cRIP. This little boy is my little brother and he was really a blessing,\u201d she wrote. \u201cI love you Rylan Ott \u2026 but [you\u2019re] with God now.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hunter.house.gov/its-new-year", "IT'S A NEW YEAR", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Duncan Hunter", "H001048", "hunter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your family\u2026\u00a0\n2017 is almost here.\u00a0\nAnd the New Year will bring with it a new President and a new Administration, along with a reshaped Congress that is ready to act on behalf of American workers and taxpayers.\u00a0\u00a0\nIn the House of Representatives, there\u2019s a full agenda already and Americans have good cause to be optimistic.\u00a0\u00a0\nThere\u2019s high excitement for the commitments of the President-elect and his incoming Administration to prioritize tax reform, border enforcement, national defense and job creation.\u00a0 Internationally, the President-elect is expected to act quickly to restore tattered relationships and strategic alliances\u2014including America\u2019s relationship with Israel.\u00a0\u00a0\nNo less important, the fight against Islamic terrorism and the threat it presents to the U.S. homeland, as well as our global partners, will receive renewed focus.\u00a0 With the right leadership and strategic vision, it\u2019s a fight that America can and will win.\nAt the Department of Defense, the President-elect tapped former General James Mattis\u2014a revered Marine Corps officer regarded as among the best of his generation.\u00a0 At the Department of Homeland Security, the President-elect selected retired Marine General John Kelly, also considered to be among our military's finest.\u00a0\u00a0\nI\u2019ve had the great honor to serve with both John Kelly and James Mattis during my time in the Marine Corps.\u00a0 I\u2019ve observed both individuals operate and command forces during combat,\u00a0and there\u2019s no question that their experiences and insights will translate into meaningful and strong leadership at a time when America needs it most.\u00a0 \u201cMarines get stuff done,\u201d as I told USA Today.\u00a0\u00a0\nAnd an interesting note: I was first introduced to James Mattis during my first tour in Iraq after I and other Marines were ambushed.\u00a0 From that point on, I\u2019ve admired and respected him as a military officer and an individual.\u00a0\u00a0\nThe Department of Defense will be good in hands.\u00a0 Trust me.\u00a0 So too will the Department of Homeland Security.\u00a0 The same goes for the other departments\u2014including the Departments of Justice, Interior and Education.\nI\u2019m encouraged.\u00a0\nAnd I\u2019m especially eager to contribute to the aggressive agenda set for the weeks, months and year ahead.\nAs always, I hope to hear from you throughout the course of the year as Congress does its legislative work, in addition to providing effective oversight.\u00a0\nHAPPY NEW YEAR!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hurd.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hurd-statement-administration-s-response-russian-hacking", "Hurd Statement on Administrations Response to Russian Hacking", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Will Hurd", "H001073", "hurd.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Antonio, TX \u2013 Texas Congressman Will Hurd issued the following statement regarding the new sanctions against Russia announced by the Obama administration:\n\u201cMonths ago I called for this administration to\u00a0respond to Russia's malicious cyber-attacks on American organizations by showing their\u00a0ambassador to the door. While these sanctions took too long to be put into place, they are an important step in showing Russia and other adversaries that we will not allow these kinds of attacks to go unanswered. There is more we can do to keep American organizations and agencies safe from these cyber-attacks and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and the new administration to ensure that our cyber domain is fortified.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-statement-us-response-russian-interference-2016-election", "REP. LIEU STATEMENT ON U.S. RESPONSE TO RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 ELECTION", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on the Obama administration\u2019s response to Russian Interference in the 2016 Election:\n\"The actions President Obama took today in response to the massive hacking of Americans by Russians are steps in the right direction.\u00a0 America became the punching bag for Russian, Chinese and North Korean hackers due to our previous weak responses and lack of strong cyber security defenses.\u00a0 We still need to increases our cyber security defenses by an order of magnitude.\u00a0 \nWake\u00a0up America, we no longer live in the 1930s.\u00a0 As Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz said, 'we're not in Kansas anymore.'\u00a0 We live in a brave new world where we need to stand strong against hackers.\u00a0 As a computer science major and Air Force veteran, I am well aware of the immense damage that hacking can cause to American national security and to the American people. \u00a0If Trump thinks that ignoring Russian hacking is going to make it go away, that's just dumb.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-statement-on-obama-administration-russia-sanctions", "McCaul Statement on Obama Administration Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael McCaul", "M001157", "mccaul.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) issued the following statement regarding the Obama Administration's response to Russia's cyber interference and harassment:\nChairman McCaul: I am pleased to see the Obama Administration is finally responding to Russian meddling, including by sanctioning key operatives and expelling Russian spies from the United States. But these actions are long overdue. For many months I have urged the Administration to respond to the election-related hacks, and for years I have pressed them to stand up to Russia and other cyber intruders. Instead, President Obama's look-the-other-way' foreign policy has emboldened Moscow time and again and opened us up to attack. I look forward to working with the incoming Trump Administration to make sure thatin the futureour response to such aggression is timely, decisive, and forceful enough to convince our adversaries not to do it again.\nSee Chairman McCaul's recent op-ed on the issue, here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-designation-bears-ears-and-gold-butte-national-monuments", "McCollum Statement on Designation of Bears Ears and Gold Butte National Monuments", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after President Barack Obama used his power under the Antiquities Act to create the Bears Ears and Gold Butte National Monuments:\n\"With the designation of the Bears Ears National Monument, President Obama has taken a bold and decisive step to protect one of our nation\u2019s greatest ancient cultural and natural areas. The more than 1.3 million acres that make up Bears Ears National Monument include places of both unparalleled natural beauty and strong spiritual significance for many Native Americans. After eight decades of effort, these sacred sites, archaeological gems, and spectacular vistas will finally have the protection that they deserve.\n\"This action would not have been possible without the dedicated advocacy of a historic coalition of sovereign Native American tribes, including the Hopi Nation, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah Ouray, and Zuni Tribe. I applaud their tireless work and am very pleased that they will be included in a newly-formed Bears Ears Commission with input over the management of these sacred sites and treasured spaces.\u00a0 The protection of Bears Ears, and the additional designation of the Gold Butte National Monument, exemplifies the Obama Administration\u2019s extraordinary commitment to the preservation of our national treasures and unprecedented collaboration with tribal nations.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-sanctions-against-russia-over-election-attacks", "McCollum Statement on White House Actions Responding to Russia's Election Attacks", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement after the White House announced sanctions against Russian officials and government entities for cyber attacks interfering with the 2016 presidential election:\u00a0\n\"Russian hacking during the 2016 presidential election was an attack on American democracy. Earlier this month, I urged President Obama to respond proportionally, forcefully, and unequivocally, including by applying sanctions and expelling Russian officials.\n\"Today, President Obama did just that: imposing new sanctions on Russia, ejecting Russian operatives from the United States, and preparing to make public the evidence our government has collected that implicates the highest levels of Russia's government in this attack.\u00a0I strongly support these decisive steps.\n\"Instead of playing partisan games and vilifying our intelligence professionals, President-elect Donald Trump should join us, demand a fully transparent Congressional investigation into this hacking, and maintain strong pressure on Russia's government.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=396947", "McGovern Backs Obama Action to Sanction Russia for Election Interference", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Jim McGovern", "M000312", "mcgovern.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), a senior House Democrat and leading voice in Congress on U.S.-Russia relations  author of a bipartisan bill recently passed by Congress to sanction Russia for corruption and human rights abuses  released the following statement in support of the Obama Administration's latest round of sanctions against Russia:\r\rI strongly support President Obama's actions today to respond to Russia's interference in our election. American democracy was attacked in 2016. This was a very serious act by a foreign government and deserves a very serious response. These sanctions are a strong step to hold accountable those individuals identified by U.S. intelligence agencies as responsible for meddling in our presidential election. But more action is needed.\r\rWe need an independent and bipartisan commission to fully investigate the actions by all who played a role in interfering in this year's election. Protecting our elections from foreign interference is vital to our national security and must be our first priority. Both Republicans and Democrats alike must put country first and work together to support a complete and thorough investigation to give the American people the answers they deserve and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.\r\rPresident-elect Trump's continued praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin during the campaign and in the face of overwhelming evidence that Russia interfered in our election should alarm all Americans. The incoming Trump administration must work with both parties in Congress to build on these new sanctions and ensure this attack on American democracy is answered strongly and swiftly. We must be united in standing up to Russia and protecting the integrity of our elections against all foreign influence.\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sanctions-imposed-russia-appropriate-response-election-hacking", "Sanctions imposed on Russia for an appropriate response for election hacking", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Chellie Pingree", "P000597", "pingree.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement President Obama\u2019s decision to impose sanctions on Russia for election-related hacking.\n\"It has been confirmed by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security as well as leading intelligence experts that Russia acted deliberately to influence the Presidential election. Given the stakes and what this means for the integrity of our democracy, action needs to be taken and I support President Obama's decision to pursue meaningful sanctions against those responsible.\n\u201cWe must respond accordingly to any foreign government's attempts to influence or corrupt our democratic process. These sanctions are an appropriate response. I hope that the incoming administration will follow President Obama's lead and stand firm\u2014our democracy demands it.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://price.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=1876", "PRICE STATEMENT ON SECRETARY KERRY ISRAEL REMARKS", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "David Price", "P000523", "price.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington -- Congressman David E. Price (NC-04) released the following statement responding to Secretary of State John Kerry's remarks regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\r\n\r\n\t\"Secretary of State John Kerry\u2019s address both reaffirmed our nation\u2019s historical commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reflected just how endangered this possibility has become.\r\n\r\n\t\"The vision of two states for the Israeli and Palestinian people, living side-by-side in peace and security, has been the foundation of a bipartisan consensus that has guided U.S. policy toward the Middle East for generations.\u00a0 The tenets of this consensus, upheld by broad majorities of Congress and by presidents of both parties, have included support for Israel\u2019s qualitative military advantage, advocacy on Israel\u2019s behalf against biased attacks in international organizations, and support for moderate and effective Palestinian institutions.\u00a0 They have also included the condemnation of actions by either side that diminish the prospects for peace\u2014especially the incitement of violence by Palestinians and illegal settlement activity by Israelis.\r\n\r\n\t\"Yet today the vision of a two-state solution faces an existential threat.\u00a0 This is not an ideological statement but a factual one:\u00a0 with continued settlement construction on the West Bank, the day will soon come when it will be impossible to divide the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River into two viable states, and Israel will be forced to choose between its Jewish identity and its democratic character.\u00a0 Leaders of Israel\u2019s political right, joined by some in the United States who claim to be Israel\u2019s most ardent defenders, appear to have given up on the two-state solution already.\u00a0 But majorities of Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans have not, and nor should our nation\u2019s leaders.\r\n\r\n\t\"In this context, Secretary Kerry\u2019s speech offered a powerful defense of the bipartisan consensus that has guided U.S. policy for decades.\u00a0 Of course the final terms of a peace agreement must be negotiated directly by Israelis and Palestinians\u2014but that does not preclude the United States, as Israel\u2019s closest friend and ally, from articulating non-binding parameters for what such an agreement could look like.\u00a0 In doing so, the Obama Administration demonstrated the type of international leadership called for in the resolution I coauthored with Rep. John Yarmuth and 62 other colleagues (H. Res. 686), earlier this year.\r\n\r\n\t\"As Secretary Kerry emphasized, true friendships require mutual respect and, occasionally, hard truths.\u00a0 His remarks should be a call to action for all who support the vision laid out by Israel\u2019s founders of a democratic state in the homeland of the Jewish people.\"\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://price.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/price-statement-secretary-kerry-israel-remarks", "PRICE STATEMENT ON SECRETARY KERRY ISRAEL REMARKS", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "David Price", "P000523", "price.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington -- Congressman David E. Price (NC-04) released the following statement responding to Secretary of State John Kerry's remarks regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. \"Secretary of State John Kerry's address both reaffirmed our nation's historical commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reflected just how endangered this possibility has become. \"The vision of two states for the Israeli and Palestinian people, living side-by-side in peace and security, has been the foundation of a bipartisan consensus that has guided U.S. policy toward the Middle East for generations. The tenets of this consensus, upheld by broad majorities of Congress and by presidents of both parties, have included support for Israel's qualitative military advantage, advocacy on Israel's behalf against biased attacks in international organizations, and support for moderate and effective Palestinian institutions. They have also included the condemnation of actions by either side that diminish the prospects for peaceespecially the incitement of violence by Palestinians and illegal settlement activity by Israelis. \"Yet today the vision of a two-state solution faces an existential threat. This is not an ideological statement but a factual one: with continued settlement construction on the West Bank, the day will soon come when it will be impossible to divide the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River into two viable states, and Israel will be forced to choose between its Jewish identity and its democratic character. Leaders of Israel's political right, joined by some in the United States who claim to be Israel's most ardent defenders, appear to have given up on the two-state solution already. But majorities of Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans have not, and nor should our nation's leaders. \"In this context, Secretary Kerry's speech offered a powerful defense of the bipartisan consensus that has guided U.S. policy for decades. Of course the final terms of a peace agreement must be negotiated directly by Israelis and Palestiniansbut that does not preclude the United States, as Israel's closest friend and ally, from articulating non-binding parameters for what such an agreement could look like. In doing so, the Obama Administration demonstrated the type of international leadership called for in the resolution I coauthored with Rep. John Yarmuth and 62 other colleagues (H. Res. 686), earlier this year. \"As Secretary Kerry emphasized, true friendships require mutual respect and, occasionally, hard truths. His remarks should be a call to action for all who support the vision laid out by Israel's founders of a democratic state in the homeland of the Jewish people.\" ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/swalwell-statement-white-house-sanctions-against-russian-officials", "Swalwell Statement on White House Sanctions Against Russian Officials in Response to Electoral Interference", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Eric Swalwell", "S001193", "swalwell.house.gov", "swalwell", "https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Ranking Member of the CIA Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement Thursday after the White House announced sanctions against Russian officials due to their interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election:\n\n\"I support President Obama's actions to impose sanctions on Russian officials whom our intelligence agencies said were involved in interfering with our presidential election. Any foreign power that attempts to meddle in our elections \u2013 no matter to whose benefit \u2013 must suffer the consequences. We must never allow our democracy to be manipulated for others' ends.\n\n\"Today's firm action underscores the need for an independent, bipartisan commission to fully investigate all that has happened, and to inform the public of the full depth and breadth of Russian involvement. I and Congressman Elijah Cummings introduced H.R. 6447, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, earlier this month to create just such a commission of non-political experts, which also would develop recommendations for ensuring something like this never happens again.\n\n\"With a Russia-friendly President-elect taking office on Jan. 20, it's imperative that we make sure our citizens are well-informed and our defenses are strong. Rep. Cummings and I will re-introduce our bill as soon as the 115th Congress convenes next month, and Americans expect swift action. This is not a partisan issue \u2013 this is an American issue.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:09:43Z"], ["https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-russian-hacking-sanctions", "Blumenthal Statement on Russian Hacking Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Richard Blumenthal", "B001277", "www.blumenthal.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Blumenthal Statement on Russian Hacking Sanctions\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Tweet\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 29, 2016\n\t\t\t(Hartford, CT) \u2013 U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today regarding the announcement of enforcement sanctions against Russian officials and entities involved in election-related cyberattacks: \r\n\u00a0\r\n\"These sanctions are a well-deserved and well-delivered step, long overdue and only the beginning of necessary action in response to Russian cyberattacks on our nation. A strong, immediate bipartisan Select Committee investigation is vital to buttress additional steps and reveal the full scope and scale of Russian aggression. The American people deserve a thorough, comprehensive inquiry to determine the full extent of hostile action by the Russian government - and to develop appropriate, ongoing enforcement actions and countermeasures. It will also be the responsibility of the Trump Administration to rigorously enforce these sanctions - a responsibility I hope the President-elect takes with the seriousness it deserves.\"\u200e\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-statement-on-white-house-announcement-of-russia-sanctions-following-us-cyber-attacks", "Cardin Statement on White House Announcement of Russia Sanctions Following U.S. Cyber Attacks", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 29, 2016\n\t\t\t Cardin Statement on White House Announcement of Russia Sanctions Following U.S. Cyber Attacks \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator continues to ready two pieces of legislation, says \u201cNow is not the \u2018time to get on with our lives,\u2019 but to take an appropriate response in line with the ongoing threat that Russia poses to our democracy and global security interests.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after the White House announced an extension of Executive Order 13964 to include Russian individuals and entities, following a new FBI/DHS report and the Intelligence Community\u2019s assessment in October that senior Russian government officials authorized cyberattacks in the United States related to the 2016 election and our democratic institutions:\r\n\u201cThe Russian attack on our democratic institutions is a wake-up call, a political Pearl Harbor as others have noted.\u00a0 I encourage my colleagues in the Senate, the incoming administration and the American people to view it as such. Now is not the \u201ctime to get on with our lives,\u201d but to take an appropriate response in line with the ongoing threat that Russia poses to our democracy and global security interests.\u00a0 I welcome and support the new sanctions announced by the administration today \u2013 it is a good start.\u00a0 Sanctions have been and will remain an important tool in the United States\u2019 diplomatic arsenal to respond to attacks on our country and our allies and national security interests around the world.\r\n\u201cIt is not, however, sufficient.\u00a0 The executive branch has acted, but it is imperative the legislative branch now pick up the ball and move it forward.\u00a0 Congressional sanctions can complement and strengthen these new executive sanctions.\r\nTherefore because of Russia\u2019s attack on us, their destabilizing and murderous role in Syria, and their illegal annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine, I continue to believe the United States must go further and that is why I am introducing two bills next month \u2013 the first which would establish an independent, nonpartisan commission to further examine the attack and Russian\u2019s efforts to interfere in our election. The second bill will frame our policy on Russia to include comprehensive enhanced sanctions in response to Russia\u2019s interference in our election and its ongoing aggression in Ukraine and Syria. The bill will also increase assistance to bolster democratic institutions across Europe.\r\n\u201cI look forward to reading the full details from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security as soon as possible, and following up on any recommendations the agencies make for Congressional action. I also look forward to the Intelligence Communities broader assessment of the Russian attack, due before the Obama Administration leaves office.\u201d\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-sanctions-on-russia-after-cyberattacks", "Casey Statement on Sanctions on Russia After Cyberattacks", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the Obama Administration\u2019s announcement of sanctions on Russia as a result of election hacking.\r\n\"The measures announced by the Obama Administration today are one part of holding Russia fully accountable for its cyber-attacks on the U.S. during the 2016 election and for a pattern of unlawful provocations.\u00a0 These additional sanctions and other steps send a clear message that attacks on our democracy are unacceptable and will have severe consequences. It\u2019s now time for Congress to demonstrate that the concern over these attacks is truly bipartisan and convene a special, select committee to investigate Russia\u2019s attempts to interfere with our elections and recommend steps that can be taken to ensure this never happens again. It\u2019s critical that President-elect Trump commit to fully enforcing these sanctions. Anything less will demonstrate weakness in the face of aggression and invite other hostile countries to conduct cyber-attacks against Americans.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-passing-md-harmon", "Senator Collins Statement on Passing of M.D. Harmon", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "ME", "Susan Collins", "C001035", "www.collins.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Newsroom \n                \n    \n    \n      \n      \n  \n        \n                         Senator Collins\u2019 Statement on Passing of M.D. Harmon \n                   \n      \n                              \n  \n    \n        \n      Posted Thu, 12/29/2016 - 17:25    \n    \n    \n    \n  Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement regarding the passing of M.D. Harmon:\n\"I was so saddened to learn of M.D. Harmon's tragic death. For four decades, M.D. Harmon was a dedicated editor and columnist. His passing is a loss to his family and friends, his colleagues, and to generations of readers across our state.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-us-sanctions-against-russia", "Senator Coons’ statement on U.S. Sanctions against Russia", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.16\n\t\t\t Senator Coons\u2019 statement on U.S. Sanctions against Russia \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWILMINGTON, Del. \u2013 U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement after the White House announced sanctions against Russian officials,\u00a0intelligence agencies, and institutions:\u00a0\r\n\u201cI support today's actions by President Obama to hold Russia accountable for its cyberattacks that were designed to undermine and influence our 2016 presidential election. \u00a0An attack on our democracy is an attack on all Americans, so I am glad to hear many of my Republican and Democratic colleagues call for hearings, legislation and continued action to ensure a strong, united response.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tSean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=567", "Cotton Statement on President Obama's Response to Russian Attempts to Influence United States Political Process", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the sanctioning of Russian entities and the expulsion of Russian personnel from the United States: \"The actions taken today by the Obama administration are just more of the same failed foreign policy of the last eight years: a series of too little too late, half measures designed to be appear tough, with minimal practical impact. Sanctioning Russian entities associated with the intrusion of the DNC sounds bold, but it's unclear what the practical impact will be on organizations that likely don't have holdings in the United States.  \"While I applaud the expulsion of 35 Russian officials and the closure of two of their facilities, these steps should have taken place immediately after one of our diplomats was viciously assaulted by a Russian security guard on our Embassy soil in Moscow. The delay was undoubtedly another one of the many signs of weakness that led Putin to believe he could continue to target and harass the United States and that there would be no meaningful response from the Obama administration. If President Obama was serious about getting tough on Russia, he wouldn't have fought against-and threatened to veto legislation-designed to expose and thwart Russian intelligence operations, to include attempts to manipulate democratic processes.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-announces-renewal-of-skywest-airlines-for-west-yellowstone", "Daines Announces Renewal of SkyWest Airlines for West Yellowstone", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.16\n\t\t\t Daines Announces Renewal of SkyWest Airlines for West Yellowstone \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBOZEMAN, Mont.U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that SkyWest Airlines has been re-approved as the Essential Air Service (EAS) provider for West Yellowstone for the four-month summer seasons of 2017 and 2018.\r\nSkyWest Airlines provides a critical transportation service for the Greater Yellowstone Region and community,Daines stated.By maintaining their service and working with the West Yellowstone community, SkyWest has made it easier for folks to get to and from the region. I'm pleased that their contract has been renewed and that no disruptions will be made to their service.\r\nSkyWest will continue its service with 12 weekly nonstop round trips to Salt Lake City, as Delta Connection for the summer seasons, from June 1 through September 30, 2017 and 2018, utilizing 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ-200 LR) aircraft. The annual subsidy rate will be $580,957 for the next two summer seasons.\r\nDaines has been integral in renewing the contact. He serves on both the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, both the appropriating and authorizing committees. Daines also secured $150 for Fiscal Year 2017 to maintain the current level of service and execute current contracts.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press/donnelly-welcomes-new-sanctions-against-russia-reiterates-call-for-bipartisan-senate-select-committee-to-investigate-russian-hacking-and-interference-in-us-elections", "Donnelly Welcomes New Sanctions Against Russia, Reiterates Call for Bipartisan Senate Select Committee to Investigate Russian Hacking and Interference in U.S. Elections", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Joe Donnelly", "D000607", "www.donnelly.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Donnelly Welcomes New Sanctions Against Russia, Reiterates Call for Bipartisan Senate Select Committee to Investigate Russian Hacking and Interference in U.S. Elections\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tGranger, Ind. \u2014 U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly today welcomed the Obama Administration\u2019s announcement that it is imposing expanded sanctions against Russian entities and individuals and he again called on the Senate to establish a Senate select committee to undertake a thorough, bipartisan investigation into Russia\u2019s hacking and interference in U.S. elections.\u00a0Donnelly previously called for a bipartisan investigation earlier this month.\r\nDonnelly said, \u201cThe sanctions being imposed against Russia are a welcome first step in responding to Russia\u2019s unacceptable interference in our elections. I still believe we should establish a bipartisan Senate select committee to investigate Russia\u2019s actions and determine how to prevent similar attempts in the future. Until that happens, I will work with Senator McCain, Senator Reed, and my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee to get the American people the answers they deserve.\u201d \u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-statement-on-russia-sanctions", "Gardner Statement on Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Cory Gardner", "G000562", "www.gardner.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the below statement after the Obama Administration announced sanctions against Russia for its cyber activities and treatment of U.S. diplomats in Moscow:\r\n\"I welcome President Obama's eleventh hour effort to address Russia's growing aggression over the past eight years, however, the sanctions should have been announced and enforced sooner than the final days of his presidency. From Russia's dismemberment and occupation of Ukraine to its fecklessness in Syria that's led to horrific atrocities and indescribable suffering, Russia has a long history of provocative actions that have been met with years of failed U.S. policy instead of expedient strength. It has appeared as if the Administration turned a blind eye to Russian belligerence, including the mistreatment of U.S. diplomats in Moscow and Russia's attempt to influence our elections, until now.\"\r\nGardner immediately called for sweeping sanctions against Russia after the Administration publicly accused Russia of authorizing cyber attacks against the U.S. In July, Gardner joined his colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution that calls on Russia to cease provocative military maneuvers that endanger U.S. Forces and urges its European allies and the international community to continue to apply pressure on Moscow. Later that month, Gardner sent a letter to the Obama Administration questioning its silence on reports of Russia's harassment and violence toward U.S. diplomats.\r\nGardner added, \"Following the enforcement of the newly announced sanctions against Russia, the best path forward is the establishment of a permanent select committee on cybersecurity to not only investigate cyber issues, but also lead the charge on federal policy to keep pace with the evolving threat. It's important that Congress has the most effective structure in place to provide oversight of the Administration's cyber activities and strategy to deter and mitigate the cyber threat.\"\r\nGardner recently renewed his call for the creation of a permanent Select Committee on Cybersecurity, and stated he intends to introduce legislation to establish the committee early in the 115th Congress. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/senate-judiciary-committee-progress-report-114th-congress", "Senate Judiciary Committee Progress Report for the 114th Congress", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released the final progress report on the committee\u2019s actions during the 114th Congress.\u00a0 Upon becoming Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the start of this Congress, Grassley pledged that he would strive to be fair while restoring the committee\u2019s role as a \u201ctrue check on the massive and powerful federal bureaucracy.\u201d In the following two years, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been working in a largely bipartisan fashion to meet these goals.\u00a0 The committee, under Grassley\u2019s leadership, has far surpassed its legislative productivity in the previous Congress. \u00a0The committee reported to the Senate 30 bills, all with bipartisan support, and 24 of the 30 bills reported out of committee have been passed by the full Senate with 17 of those bills becoming law.\u00a0 Grassley\u2019s longstanding focus on oversight has renewed the committee\u2019s focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in government as mandated by the Constitution.\u00a0The full report can be found here.\u00a0 -30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=CF5891F0-FC05-4C40-B2D9-78424E776967", "Year in Review: Klobuchar Worked Across the Aisle to Find Common Ground and Pass More Than 30 Bipartisan Bills Into Law During This Congress", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Amy Klobuchar", "K000367", "www.klobuchar.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last month, a Medill News Service analysis of legislative data from the independent congressional tracking website GovTrack ranked Klobuchar first on a list of all 100 senators for bills signed into law during this Congress \r\n\u00a0\r\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has passed more than 30 bipartisan bills into law during this Congress. The bipartisan bills Klobuchar passed included measures to treat and prevent opioid abuse, improve job opportunities and access to medical care for veterans, fight human trafficking, support fish and wildlife restoration in the Great Lakes, and develop a strong science and engineering workforce for a 21st\u00a0century economy. Klobuchar also led the push to crack down on steel dumping and strengthen the Renewable Fuel Standard, among other efforts. Last month, a Medill News Service analysis of legislative data from the independent congressional tracking website GovTrack ranked Klobuchar first on a list of all 100 senators with bills signed into law during this Congress.\r\n\u201cWhen we put partisanship aside and put people first, we get results. This year, we passed legislation that will really make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans,\u201d\u00a0Klobuchar said.\u00a0\u201cAs we head into the new Congress, I\u2019m committed to finding common ground and working on solutions to our toughest challenges\u2014from reducing prescription drug costs and improving infrastructure to bolstering rural America and reforming campaign finance laws.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nBelow are some highlights of legislation passed and efforts that Klobuchar led in 2016:\r\nTreating and preventing opioid abuse\r\nKlobuchar was one of four senators, along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH),\u00a0to lead the\u00a0Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act\u00a0(CARA).\u00a0This bipartisan bill, which was signed into law this summer, encourages states and local communities to pursue a full array of proven strategies in the fight against opioid addiction. At the end of this year, $1 billion was made available by Congress to fund the national effort.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIncreasing job opportunities and improving access to medical care for veterans\r\nKlobuchar\u2019s legislation with Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), the\u00a0Veterans to Paramedics Act, makes it easier for veterans to secure jobs as paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and nurses and helps reduce the shortage of much-needed emergency medical personnel in rural communities across the country. The\u00a0Faster Care for Veterans Act\u00a0with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) cuts red tape and wait times for veterans by establishing a patient self-scheduling appointment system at Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities. She also led the\u00a0No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act\u00a0with Senator John Thune (R-SD) to improve the Veteran Suicide Crisis Line (VCL) to ensure that each call to the VCL is answered by a qualified person in a timely fashion. All bills were signed into law.\r\n\u00a0\r\nFighting human trafficking\r\nBuilding on her\u00a0Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act,\u00a0Klobuchar led legislation to ensure funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which was passed and signed into law in December.\u00a0Klobuchar also introduced the\u00a0Stop Trafficking on Planes (STOP) Act\u00a0with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to require training for certain airline industry employees to recognize and report human trafficking. A provision based on the\u00a0STOP Act\u00a0was signed into law as part of theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nRecovering missing and exploited children\r\nKlobuchar was one of the lead sponsors, along with Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mike Enzi (R-WY), of the\u00a0Recovering Missing Children Act, which was signed into law in June and allows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to disclose tax records to state and local law enforcement agencies while maintaining privacy protections to assist in the investigation of missing or exploited children. In an examination of 1,700 Social Security numbers for missing children and their alleged abductors, an Inspector General study found that the IRS had new addresses on file in more than a third of the cases. Representative Erik Paulsen (R-MN) led the bill in the House.\r\n\u00a0\r\nCombating eating disorders\r\nKlobuchar led the\u00a0Anna Westin\u00a0Act, the first legislation specifically designed to help the millions of Americans who are affected by eating disorders, along with Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Her bill builds on Paul Wellstone\u2019s mental health bill by increasing training and education on eating disorders and ensures parity for insurance coverage of residential treatment of eating disorders. It was signed into law earlier this month as part of the bipartisan\u00a021st\u00a0Century CURES Act.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSupporting fish and wildlife restoration in the Great Lakes\r\nThe recently passed\u00a0Water Infrastructure Improvement Act\u00a0included Klobuchar\u2019sGreat Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, which provides critical resources and funding to conserve and restore fish and wildlife populations in the Great Lakes. The bipartisan bill reauthorized efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to partner with other federal agencies, states, and tribes to develop and implement proposals for the restoration and management of Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources. It also plays an important role in implementing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and would encourage continued cooperative efforts to address impacts associated with invasive species throughout the Great Lakes Basin.\r\n\u00a0\r\nImproving national security and trade across the U.S.-Canada border   Klobuchar was the lead Democrat on the\u00a0Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2015\u00a0with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). The bill, which President Obama signed into law in December, encourages public-private partnerships to strengthen border commerce and make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry. The legislation applies to both the Canadian and Mexico borders and expands the authority of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the General Services Administration to enter into innovative partnerships with local governments and private sector entities.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDeveloping a strong science and engineering workforce for a 21st\u00a0century economy\r\nSeveral of Klobuchar\u2019s key bipartisan provisions were included in the recently passed\u00a0American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which reauthorizes the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act. Klobuchar\u2019s provisions cut red tape to allow researchers to spend less time on paperwork for procurement solicitations, require the Director of the National Science Foundation to consider recommendations from organizations representing underrepresented groups for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education Advisory Panel, and allow for research to better understand factors relevant to the retention of STEM teachers from underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.\r\n\u00a0\r\nCurbing steel dumping and to protect iron ore miners and steelworkers Klobuchar invited White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to the Iron Range last December and urged him to bring the concerns of Iron Rangers and all those affected by steel dumping directly to the president. She then invited Dan Hill, a laid-off steelworker from Eveleth who attended the meeting, to be her guest at President Obama\u2019s State of the Union Address. In February, after efforts from Klobuchar, Senator Al Franken, and Representative Rick Nolan, the Administration announced new actions to combat steel dumping. The actions included new Customs and Border Patrol personnel to enforce our trade laws, stepped up inspections of steel imports at our ports of entry, and increased personnel at the Commerce Department to help ensure tariffs are enforced against those who dump steel in the United States. President Obama also signed legislation that provides additional tools to more aggressively enforce anti-dumping provisions under existing federal law. Workers are back on the job, but we will not have success until every worker has their job back.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nPromoting competition that benefits consumers\r\nAs the Ranking Member on the Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, Klobuchar has scrutinized mergers in major markets \u2013 such as the cable and agricultural industries \u2013 to ensure that the nation\u2019s competition laws are being enforced for the benefit of consumers. She has also called for aggressive enforcement of antitrust laws to stop anticompetitive practices that increase prescription drug costs. Following her efforts, the Federal Trade Commission challenged two branded-generic agreements, alleging that companies delayed low-cost competition and harmed consumers. Combined, the two products had sales of over a billion dollars.\r\n\u00a0\r\nKlobuchar was among the first senators earlier this year to respond to Mylan Pharmaceutical\u2019s excessive price increases for the EpiPen Auto-Injector. Klobuchar called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to consider investigating whether Mylan Pharmaceuticals violated the law when it apparently misclassified its EpiPen product in order to pay a lower rebate to states and reap huge profits at the expense of taxpayers. In October, Mylan announced it reached an agreement with the DOJ to pay $465 million agreement for the misclassification. Mylan has also issued a cheaper, generic version of the EpiPen, increased the value of its discount coupon, and expanded eligibility for a program to aid under- and uninsured EpiPen users. \u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nAdvocating for the expansion of renewable fuels\r\nFollowing efforts from Klobuchar, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2017 and biomass diesel volume for 2018. Klobuchar worked with Secretary Vilsack and pushed EPA officials to release a strong RFS that will support U.S. jobs and the economy, reduce the environmental impact of our transportation and energy sectors, and decrease dependence on foreign oil.\r\n\u00a0\r\nProtecting consumers and improving product safety\r\nKlobuchar led efforts to push for a recall of the IKEA Malm dresser to prevent tip-over injuries and death. As a result, IKEA recalled 29 million dressers, the largest furniture recall in U.S. history. Klobuchar also pushed for consumer advocates and the industry to start the process of updating the voluntary standard for window coverings to address the strangulation risk for small children posed by accessible cords. Klobuchar\u2019s calls for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to fully investigate and provide more information to consumers on the threats from hoverboard fires led to a recall of 500,000 hoverboards in July 2016.\r\n\u00a0\r\nFollowing revelations of emissions violations from Volkswagen, Klobuchar called on DOJ to take strong action against Volkswagen and for the company to address the consumer, environmental, and public health issues caused by this deception to prevent any further loss of life. In June, DOJ reached a $14.7 billion settlement with Volkswagen for the emissions violations.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAfter reports of defective Takata Corp. airbags, Klobuchar repeatedly called on Takata to immediately issue a nationwide recall and to ensure all vehicles with defective components were removed from the road. After her calls for action, Takata expanded regional recalls of Takata passenger-side inflators to nationwide recalls involving 16 million vehicles. It also expanded the nationwide recall of driver-side inflators to more than 17 million vehicles. In May, Takata announced that it would further expand its recall efforts to include another 35 million air bag inflators, adding to the current nationwide recall of nearly 30 million inflators.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3C05BA48-BA87-44CF-8EC1-B82502787760", "Graham on the Passing of Chrissy Adams, 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement today on the passing of Chrissy Adams, 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Chrissy Adams. She was a great friend, loving wife, and devoted mother. Professionally she did an outstanding job for the people of the 10th Judicial Circuit. She was a tough-minded prosecutor who worked hard for victims and stood by law enforcement. She was a role model for all young women and will be missed by her family and many friends.\u201d\r\n\r\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B7637882-14A5-49F9-AEB8-99CFD87262C1", "Graham and McCain on New Sanctions Against Russia", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and John McCain (R-Arizona) released the following statement today on the Obama Administration\u2019s announcement of new sanctions against Russia for its cyberattacks on the 2016 election:\r\n\r\n\u201cThe retaliatory measures announced by the Obama Administration today are long overdue. But ultimately, they are a small price for Russia to pay for its brazen attack on American democracy. We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DFAE6FFD-976A-468C-B53B-15D548E46BD7", "McCAIN & GRAHAM ON NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "John McCain", "M000303", "www.mccain.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released the following statement today on the Obama Administration\u2019s announcement of new sanctions against Russia for its cyberattacks on the 2016 election:\r\n\u201cThe retaliatory measures announced by the Obama Administration today are long overdue. But ultimately, they are a small price for Russia to pay for its brazen attack on American democracy. We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-reacts-to-monument-designations-in-two-western-states", "Murkowski Reacts to Monument Designations in Two Western States", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Lisa Murkowski", "M001153", "www.murkowski.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.16\n\t\t\t Murkowski Reacts to Monument Designations in Two Western States \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after President Obama created new National Monuments in Nevada and Utah despite significant local opposition.\r\nI am extremely disappointed that President Obama has chosen to lock up nearly two million acres of land in Nevada and Utah through these controversial designations, Murkowski said. This summer, our committee held a field hearing in Utah to examine this issue, and well over 1,000 local farmers, ranchers, and tribal members showed up to voice their opposition to the creation of the Bears Ears National Monument. As has been the case with his repeatedly harmful actions in Alaska, however, President Obama has again ignored local concerns and oppositionand given Congress even more reason to put an end to the abuses occurring under the Antiquities Act.\r\n\r\nOne of many anti-monument signs brought by the overwhelmingly anti-monument crowd at the Energy and Natural Resources Committee's field hearing in Blanding, Utah, on July 27, 2016.\r\nMurkowski is chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In the 114th Congress, she sponsored S. 437, the Improving National Monuments Designation Process Act, which would require approval from Congress and relevant state legislatures before a National Monument or Marine National Monument is designated. Audio and background from the committee's hearing in Blanding, Utah, is availablehere.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t Related Issues:\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t         \n\t\t\t\t\t     \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tEnergy\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sen-murphy-calls-aca-repeal-plan-cruel-and-inhumane", "Sen. Murphy Calls ACA Repeal Plan \"Cruel and Inhumane\"", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Murphy Calls ACA Repeal Plan \"Cruel and Inhumane\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n\r\n                \r\n                \r\n\r\n                    \r\n                    WNPR\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                \r\n            Thursday, December 29, 2016\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            Connecticut's U.S. Senator Chris Murphy is sounding the alarm about the future of healthcare under the new Republican congress and the Trump administration.\r\n\"Right now it looks as if in early January, Republicans are going to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and replace it with absolutely nothing,\" he told a Wednesday press conference. \"For the 250,000 people here in Connecticut who rely on it, the result will be chaos.\"\r\nHe said even if a repeal is passed but suspended for a year, the market could collapse as insurers pull out of exchanges, and raise premiums even on private policies.\r\n\"We are trying to rally support all around the country to make the case to Republicans to take a breath, step back and wait, before doing something as cruel and as inhumane as ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans and throwing the entire healthcare marketplace into chaos,\" he said.\r\nMurphy highlighted the stories of several Connecticut residents who have benefited from the Affordable Care Act.\r\nIsabelle Endicott\u2019s second son was born with a congenital heart condition that required a quarter of a million dollars worth of treatment within his first few weeks of life. Before the Affordable Care Act he could have been denied insurance once he reached a lifetime cap on coverage.\r\n\"I worry that lifetime caps will be reintroduced,\" said Endicott. \"For families with a medically complex child, this terrifies us. Our children could meet these caps very early in their lives, and then how will we manage?\"\r\nJosh Scussell was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's\u00a0lymphoma at the age of 23. He underwent two stem cell transplants, over years of treatment. Because of the Affordable Care Act, he was able to be treated under his mother's health insurance policy.\r\n\"I stand here today alive, and almost essentially cured, because of many facets of the Affordable Care Act,\" he said. \"For anyone else that is in my position, or will find themselves in my position, it truly is a matter of life and death.\"\r\nMurphy is urging congressional Republicans to wait to consider all of the implications before enacting a repeal.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sen-murphy-to-help-the-homeless-in-winter-weather", "Sen. Murphy to help the homeless in winter weather", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Murphy to help the homeless in winter weather\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n\r\n                \r\n                \r\n\r\n                    \r\n                    WTNH News 8\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                \r\n            Thursday, December 29, 2016\r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            U.S. Senator Chris Murphy will head to Waterbury on Thursday in an effort to help the homeless escape from the cold.\r\nAs the cold weather begins to settle in Connecticut, Senator Chris Murphy is reaching out to the homeless.\r\nHe will be at the CHD Hospitality Center in Waterbury to speak with homeless individuals first hand.\r\nThe hospitality center welcomes those looking to escape from the harshness of living on the street and get some of their basic needs fulfilled. They can take a shower, use a phone or computer, collect mail, and get information to help them transition out of homelessness.\r\nSenator Murphy will shadow CHD workers to learn how the federal government can better support service providers.\r\nHe will also have the opportunity to participate in group activities and ask individuals who are homeless about the struggles they face as they try to transition out of their situation.\r\nThe event will start at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at the CHD Hospitality Center, which is located on 693 East Main Street in Waterbury.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-us-sanctions-against-russia", "MURPHY STATEMENT ON U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Christopher Murphy", "M001169", "www.murphy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MURPHY STATEMENT ON U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 29, 2016\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHARTFORD \u2014 U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, applauded the Obama administration on Thursday for announcing sanctions against Russian officials,\u00a0intelligence agencies, and institutions for cyber attacks during the 2016 presidential election. Murphy also called for a bipartisan investigation into Russian interference and for further action, as necessary, to prevent future cyber attacks against the United States.\r\n\u201cI fully support the Obama administration\u2019s decision today to impose sanctions against Russia. Putin's aggression is a direct attack on our democracy and our institutions of government, and the sanctions and expulsions announced today send a strong, clear message that these actions have consequences.\r\n\u201cFor years, I\u2019ve listened to my Republican colleagues in the Senate eviscerate President Obama for being too weak on Russia. I encourage them to now work with Democrats to conduct a thorough, bipartisan public investigation into Russia\u2019s interference, and make it clear that the United States will not hesitate to impose additional consequences if their illegal, destabilizing actions continue.\u201d\r\n\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/mcconnell-statement-on-sanctions-against-russia", "McConnell Statement on Sanctions Against Russia", "2016-12-29", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.republicanleader.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.16\n\t\t\t McConnell Statement on Sanctions Against Russia \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The Russians are not our friends. And clearly the Obama administration has not yet dissuaded them from attempting to breach our cybersecurity systems, or harass our diplomats in Moscow.'\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t LOUISVILLE, KY  U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the announcement of sanctions against Russia:\r\nFor eight years the foreign policy of the Obama administration has rested upon an effort to drawdown America's conventional military capabilities, commitments and forward presence, and increased reliance upon international organizations and rhetoric. The inevitable consequence of this withdrawal from the globe has been an effort by dissatisfied powers such as Russia, Iran and China to expand their respectivespheres of influence.  Countries unfriendly to the United States have employed cyberattacks, coercion, relied on proxy forces and have harassed American ships and aircraft.\r\nThe Obama administration for eight years attempted to reset relations with Russia and sat passively while Russia expanded its sphere of influence, intervened in Crimea, eastern Ukraine, Syria and attempted to bully the Baltic countries. Aggressive behavior short of a military attack upon our country will only stop when it is deterred.\r\nThe Russians are not our friends. And clearly the Obama administration has not yet dissuaded them from attempting to breach our cybersecurity systems, or harass our diplomats in Moscow.\r\nSanctions against the Russian intelligence services are a good initial step, however late in coming. As the next Congress reviews Russian actions against networks associated with the U.S. election, we must also work to ensure that any attack against the United States is met with an overwhelming response.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n     \n\t\n \n\t\n    \n    \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 42506, "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 \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 21191, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 20808, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 507, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&party=Independent", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 42506, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 3337, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=CA", "selected": false}, {"value": "NY", "label": "NY", "count": 2799, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=NY", "selected": false}, {"value": "TX", "label": "TX", "count": 2516, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=TX", "selected": false}, {"value": "OH", "label": "OH", "count": 1856, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=OH", "selected": false}, {"value": "FL", "label": "FL", "count": 1663, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=FL", "selected": false}, {"value": "CT", "label": "CT", "count": 1406, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=CT", "selected": false}, {"value": "MI", "label": "MI", "count": 1307, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=MI", "selected": false}, {"value": "NJ", "label": "NJ", "count": 1258, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=NJ", "selected": false}, {"value": "IL", "label": "IL", "count": 1234, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=IL", "selected": false}, {"value": "MO", "label": "MO", "count": 1082, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=MO", "selected": false}, {"value": "CO", "label": "CO", "count": 1050, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=CO", "selected": false}, {"value": "GA", "label": "GA", "count": 1036, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=GA", "selected": false}, {"value": "WA", "label": "WA", "count": 959, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=WA", "selected": false}, {"value": "ND", "label": "ND", "count": 958, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=ND", "selected": false}, {"value": "NC", "label": "NC", "count": 933, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=NC", "selected": false}, {"value": "VA", "label": "VA", "count": 903, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=VA", "selected": false}, {"value": "PA", "label": "PA", "count": 880, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=PA", "selected": false}, {"value": "AR", "label": "AR", "count": 878, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=AR", "selected": false}, {"value": "AZ", "label": "AZ", "count": 854, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=AZ", "selected": false}, {"value": "ME", "label": "ME", "count": 851, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=ME", "selected": false}, {"value": "MA", "label": "MA", "count": 818, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=MA", "selected": false}, {"value": "NM", "label": "NM", "count": 787, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=NM", "selected": false}, {"value": "MD", "label": "MD", "count": 741, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=MD", "selected": false}, {"value": "OR", "label": "OR", "count": 731, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=OR", "selected": false}, {"value": "TN", "label": "TN", "count": 715, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=TN", "selected": false}, {"value": "VT", "label": "VT", "count": 688, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=VT", "selected": false}, {"value": "MN", "label": "MN", "count": 687, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=MN", "selected": false}, {"value": "WV", "label": "WV", "count": 676, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=WV", "selected": false}, {"value": "IN", "label": "IN", "count": 668, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=IN", "selected": false}, {"value": "IA", "label": "IA", "count": 667, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&state=IA", "selected": false}], "truncated": true}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 42506, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-12-29,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Erepublicanleader~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fmcconnell-statement-on-sanctions-against-russia", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2016&_next=2016-12-29%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Erepublicanleader~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fmcconnell-statement-on-sanctions-against-russia&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1108.5120178759098, "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"}