{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399069", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.31.18", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The year 1619 does not loom as large in American memory as some others from our colonial experience. When thinking of those early times of English settlement in North America, 1607, the year Jamestown was founded, and 1620, when the Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts, are more likely to come to mind.\r\nYet the events of 1619 had a profound impact. They are worth remembering as we enter 2019 and mark the passage of 400 years.\r\nOne of them was a great stain: the beginning of slavery in English North America, with the first record of enslaved Africans arriving in Jamestown. While slavery ended with the Thirteenth Amendment passed by a Republican Congress in 1865 and subsequently ratified by the states, its effects still linger.\r\nAnother event marked a major shift in the culture of Jamestown: the first large-scale recruitment of women to the colony. While some women had arrived earlier, the settlement retained the overall character of the soldiers and adventurers who had first established it. The Virginia Company's recruitment of about 90 women introduced families into the social fabric of the colony and gave it longer-term prospects.\r\nA third event was one of our Commonwealth's signal contributions to the American story.\r\nIn a church in Jamestown on July 30, the Governor, four councilors, and 22 burgesses representing the colony's jurisdictions gathered. They reviewed the laws imposed by the Virginia Company and its charter, regulated commerce and settler conduct, and heard grievances from the colonists.\r\nThat first session lasted less than a week, adjourning on August 4 due to the summer heat, but it was the beginning of what is today the House of Delegates, the oldest elected legislative body to have continuously met in the world.\r\nI say continuously met as, although the Parliament of the United Kingdom has older roots than our House of Delegates (the rules of that first Assembly were modeled on English parliamentary procedure), during the rule of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s Parliament was dissolved and substituted with the appointed Barebones Parliament and the Protectorate Parliaments.\r\nOther legislative bodies had appointed members, but from the start, the House of Delegates was elected by at least a portion of its constituents. In the case of the first session, the male freeholders and tenants of the jurisdictions chose the burgesses.\r\nEven if you take out continuously-serving and elected, Virginia's House of Delegates, which was subsequently confirmed in a charter by King James I a couple of years later, is without dispute the oldest legislative body in the New World.\r\nThe establishment of representative government in Virginia charted a path for what would become the thirteen British colonies. It was followed by the Mayflower Compact of 1620, in which the Pilgrims organized themselves as a self-governing body. Colonies that followed set up their own institutions for representative government. Instead of the mother country, the colonists exercised control over their own affairs to a large extent.\r\nBecause Virginia had a lot of practice with representative government, our Commonwealth was ready to lead when the colonies sought independence. Virginia's governing documents and laws, including the Declaration of Rights and the Statute for Religious Freedom, would shape foundations of the new republic such as the Bill of Rights.\r\nAmong the Founders who served in the House of Burgesses or, as it became known after declaring independence from Britain, the House of Delegates were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Patrick Henry, George Mason, and James Monroe.\r\nAs we begin the new year, think about what was happening in Virginia 400 years ago. That span of time may be hard to fathom, but what happened that year still shapes us.\r\nSlavery's introduction reminds us that human beings are capable of great cruelty to each other. The birth of representative government in the New World was a great accomplishment of humanity. It started the process toward our current republic based on democratic principles. The legislative process ultimately abolished slavery through the Thirteenth Amendment and guaranteed the right to vote for women through the Nineteenth Amendment, showing that our nation is always capable of improving.\r\nThe events of 1619 resonate down to our own time.\r\nWhile 2019 is not as likely to have the historical significance of 1619, I hope it will be a happy and prosperous year for us all.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/first-look-2019-elections", "A First Look at the 2019 Elections", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Ralph Abraham", "A000374", "abraham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Louisiana: Can John Bel Edwards overcome his state's partisanship?\nLouisiana is arguably a step beyond Kentucky in its political evolution. It has a Democratic governor largely thanks to a Republican incumbent who screwed up even more egregiously than Matt Bevin: former wiz kid, congressman, and failed presidential candidate Bobby Jindal. Edwards, who was a Democratic leader in the state legislature, also benefited from a moderate-to-conservative ideological profile and a weakened opponent. That was U.S. Senator David Vitter, whoseadmitted patronage of a prostituteback in the day came up again and again as he struggled to beat other Republicans for a clear shot at Edwards in a runoff under the state's jungle primary system.\nEdwards's best reelection break was the decision by U.S. Senator John Kennedy todeclinea much-rumored race for governor. Northern LouisianacongressmanRalph Abrahamquicklyjumped into the ringalong with self-funding businessman Eddie Rispone, and state treasurer John Schroder is also mulling a candidacy. As of October, Morning Consult showed Edwards with a good-but-not-greatapproval ratioof 47/34. Like Bevin, Edwards is rated amodest favoritebyCook Political Report. But with Bobby Jindal gone and partisan polarization on the steady rise, it could be close. And you have to figure Donald Trump will intervene early and often in the state he carried by nearly 20 points in 2016.\nTo read the full story, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/stephanie-grace-2019s-big-questions-including-some-are-already-answered", "Stephanie Grace: 2019's big questions, including some that are already answered", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Ralph Abraham", "A000374", "abraham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In some ways, this year's New Year's prediction column is pretty painless to write, because 2018 ended with some big questions about the future already answered.\nNo,U.S. Sen. John Kennedywill not challenge Gov. John Bel Edwards for reelection, and nor will any other Republican who can match the incumbent's high profile. So 2019's marquee election starts off with a genuine stature gap between the Democratic Edwards and his currently announced Republican challengers, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone (Edwards was just as unknown when he ran the first time, but there was no incumbent, which makes all the difference).\nTo read the full story, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/new-york-magazine-trump-ended-2018-rewarding-putin-another-year-bad", "New York Magazine: Trump Ended 2018 by Rewarding Putin for Another Year of Bad Behavior", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For most of 2018, it was conventional wisdom among Russia experts to say, knowingly, that Moscow was disappointed and more than a bit perplexed by Donald Trump. Russia wants acceptance of its annexation of Crimea and recognition of its security primacy over Ukraine and Russia's western border region, but it hasn't gotten any of that. Russia would also like to see an end to economic sanctions imposed over Ukraine; however, thanks to the U.S. Congress, it's now subject to more sanctions. More broadly, Russia seeks recognition  in Syria, in Europe, and globally  of its status as a top-tier power alongside Washington and Beijing. Instead, Putin is endlessly linked to Trump's clownish behavior on the world stage and disdain for democracy, while China's President Xi gets to pose as the defender of norms and international cooperation.\nMoscow is likely still perplexed, but it got a whole Advent calendar worth of presents from Trump this month. The departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis is a huge boost to Moscow's unrelenting campaign to weaken and undermine NATO. For the last two years, Mattis has personified U.S. commitment to NATO  traveling where Trump wouldn't go, saying the things Trump wouldn't say, and, if we are honest, letting Americans and allies alike continue to believe in a commitment that Trump manifestly does not share.\nThat security blanket is gone now. And the confusion and anxiety we're seeing across Europe in response is exactly what Moscow hoped to produce with its meddling in the first place.\nThen there's the policy shift that led to Mattis's resignation: Trump's abrupt troop pullouts from Syria and (possibly) Afghanistan. For years, Moscow has wanted Washington to have less influence in Afghanistan, which has floated on the edge of Russia's security reach for centuries. And for even longer, Moscow has wanted to have a voice in the security affairs of the Middle East, and to be recognized as a first-tier player there. Its presence in Syria, and its military support for both the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad and the Iranian militias that support him, is expensive and risky. With Washington gone, those activities will be a little less treacherous. And it will become more apparent that the player who can help regional actors get what they want  and honor their long-term commitments  is Putin, and not an American president.\nWhether you thought U.S. engagement in Syria should have been bigger, or should never have happened, the way Trump proceeded with the withdrawal announcement was a catastrophe. Our European allies who also have troops on the ground  and more importantly the Kurdish and Arab forces who have lost tens of thousands of soldiers fighting ISIS alongside U.S. troops  got no warning of the decision. That means no time to make a new plan to defend their territories without the U.S. or make deals to safeguard civilian lives. Tens of thousands of families who had moved to areas under the protection of U.S. forces are now at risk. That is potentially a death sentence for them  and it's definitely destroyed the credibility of promises from U.S. leaders for years to come.\nMoscow got one more big win this month that you may have missed. The Treasury Department said it plans to to lift sanctions on the business empire of Oleg Deripaska, one of Moscow's biggest oligarchs  who happens to be closely linked to former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort. The announcement comes after intense lobbying by Europeans and volatility in commodity markets. Deripaska's aluminum company, Rusal, is among the world's largest non-Chinese suppliers. And Trump's tariff war with China, including a 10 percent surcharge on aluminum imports, has spooked markets. Under the deal, Deripaska will reduce his stake in several of his companies to under 50 percent, and he personally will remain on the sanctions list. But despite these efforts to prevent Deripaska from influencing the companies, he will still be the largest single shareholder, and some other shares will be controlled by his allies. Democratic congressman Lloyd Doggett, who has accused the Trump administration of going easy on Rusal in the past, said the move amounted to sliding another big gift under Vladimir Putin's Christmas tree.\nIt appears that much like our allies, Putin was surprised by all these gifts from the Trump administration. At his end-of-the-year news conference, Putin said he didn't know what the pullout from Syria means, but he couldn't resist tweaking Washington, noting the U.S. has been in Afghanistan 17 years and almost every year they say they are pulling out. Reporters said reactions in Russia ranged from ill-concealed gloating to suspicions that it's all a smokescreen for some secret U.S. moves.\nIn the long run, there's every reason to believe these withdrawals are going to prove as dubious a win for Moscow as the troop presences were for Washington. In Afghanistan in particular, Russia ought to be careful what it wishes for, lest extremist groups in Afghanistan find energy to target Russians or otherwise destabilize the nearby Central Asian states.\nFor much of the last two years, close observers of Trump foreign policy have bent over backwards not to attribute every move to puppet masters in Moscow, for three reasons: because we have a professional distaste for conspiracy theories, because we didn't think that is how Putin and his intelligence professionals would operate, and because we simply couldn't imagine someone being that obvious.\nFor the record, I still don't believe these helter-skelter policies are being devised and run from Russia. Nor do I believe that it's smart to have a Russia policy that is nothing but confrontation. But the fact is, we're ending the year with an arms control treaty that Moscow disliked on its way out and thousands of American troops set to leave places Moscow didn't want them to be. Meanwhile, ever-more Russian troops are on the Ukrainian border and Moscow still holds Ukrainian sailors it snatched in the Strait of Kerch last month. Institutions that sustain U.S. values are weaker, while Putin's claim to being a regional and global decider via his undemocratic methods is stronger.\nWe may never know the whole truth about Trump's relationship with Russia. But this all raises an interesting question: to paraphrase Ronald Reagan (who pursued nuclear disarmament even as he prosecuted the Cold War relentlessly), is Putin better off than he was two years ago?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-johnson-announces-44-million-in-federal-grants-for-martin", "Congresswoman Johnson Announces $4.4 Million in Federal Grants for Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic and UT Southwestern Medical Center", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dallas, TX  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today announced that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic and UT Southwestern Medical Center have been awarded more than $4.4 million in grant funding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The two medical facilities received $4,166,624 and $243,000, respectively.\nEvery American needs health care, and it is the most fundamental of human rights that the government must ensure, said Congresswoman Johnson. As a non-practicing registered nurse and a Member of Congress, I've witnessed the transformative impact better health care can have on a community. It's important to remember that in addition to quality administration of health care, health care research can bring long-term and wide-ranging benefit. That is why I am particularly delighted to announce these two grants to the MLK Family Clinic and UT Southwestern.\nThe award to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic will bolster the facility's health care delivery and administrative procedures. The clinic has been serving southern Dallas County since 1986 and offers preventative, pediatric and women's health care. UT Southwestern has garnered a well-deserved reputation as one of the most prominent medical research entities in the nation, and the grant will fund new research into arboviruses, such as West Nile, that are transmitted through mosquitos and tics.\nIn spite of the attention and focus of many committed professionals, Texas has the nation's highest number of uninsured Americans, said Congresswoman Johnson. It is my hope that this funding will help lower that number and ultimately bring better quality of life to the people of District 30.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://engel.house.gov/latest-news/engel-statement-on-bangladesh-election/", "Engel Statement on Bangladesh Election", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "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://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/end-old-congress-beginning-new-year", "COLUMN: End of Old Congress, Beginning of New Year", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As 2018 comes to a close, so does the 115th Congress. It is an honor to represent the diverse interests of the Fourth Congressional District, and I am especially proud of the accomplishments we achieved that will improve the quality of life in Central Washington.\nOne year after Congress passed historic tax relief for American taxpayers, we are seeing results in the form of higher paychecks, improved employee benefits, and growing small businesses. We are making it easier for Americans to save for their futures and encouraging innovation. I have heard stories from people across the Fourth District who are using their tax cuts and extra take-home pay to reinvest in our local communities. With the lowest unemployment rate in decades and hundreds of thousands of jobs being created each month, our country has a bright economic future.\nOne of the biggest economic drivers in our state is agriculture. As a farmer, I know first-hand the difficulties farmers and ranchers face in Central Washington, from scarce water resources and labor shortages to international trade and crop insurance. While there is still a lot of work left to be done, I have worked diligently with my colleagues and the Trump Administration to address each of these issues. I am pleased that Congress delivered on one of the most important pieces of agricultural legislation: the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is only reauthorized every five years, but I am proud to have demonstrated its importance to Washington's unique agriculture industry by bringing numerous influential policymakers to meet with Central Washington farmers, including U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, Agriculture Subcommittee on Research Chairman Rodney Davis, and U.S. Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Northey. This bill will give farmers and ranchers the certainty they deserve and provide a safety net for the men and women in Washington state and across the country who produce the food that feeds America and the world.\nEnsuring food security is one of the most important steps we can take to protect our communities, but Congress also took steps to alleviate the grief and pain caused by the growing opioid epidemic. I voted to support over 50 pieces of legislation that aim to prevent addiction and overdose, increase treatment options and alternative pain-management therapies, and give law enforcement agencies better tools to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets and out of our country. I was deeply moved to hear the personal stories from constituents affected by the opioid crisis at a symposium in Moses Lake, and I will continue to work on your behalf to stop these drugs from ravaging our communities.\nWhile these pieces of legislation will do great things for Americans across the country, my proudest accomplishment is ensuring that our local voices are heard and that local heroes are honored. This year, my staff and I responded to over 13,000 phone calls, letters, and e-mails and assisted almost 400 constituents who were having trouble with a federal agency. When I learned that Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman of Richland was tragically killed in a military plane crash, I worked with his family to rename a Post Office in his honor. Working on the Appropriations Committee, I included language to ensure adequate funding for the Hanford cleanup and agricultural research and to prevent the privatization of the Bonneville Power Administration.\nAs we enter the 116th Congress and the New Year, the work is far from over. I look forward to making more progress on Central Washington's priorities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-constituent-services-secures-more-250000-6th-district-constituents-2018", "Pallone Constituent Services Secures more than $250,000 for 6th District Constituents in 2018", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LONG BRANCH, NJ Today,Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06)announced that his office helped secure a total of $254,252 for his constituents seeking assistance through his district office in 2018. His work on behalf of constituents includes help with Veterans Affairs claims, tax return issues with the Internal Revenue Service, Sandyrelated FEMA grants and claims, SBA loans, Social Security payments, and more. Over the last year, Congressman Pallone's constituent outreach representatives have made it possible for constituents to cut through red tape in order to receive money that is rightfully owed to them.\nI want all of my constituents to know that we're here to help,said Congressman Pallone. Whether my constituents need assistance navigating the federal bureaucracy or are concerned about a federal policy, I encourage them to stay in touch and hope that they continue to use my office as a resource.\nConstituents who have questions about a federal agency, or need assistance with matters ranging from Social Security benefits, federal pensions, Medicare eligibility, to passport or immigration issues should contact the Congressman for assistance. Additionally, veterans can receive help with a range of programs such as military records and awards, GI Bill benefits and VA disability claims. Staff can also be helpful in locating low-income housing options, energy assistance and various other benefits or resources.\nFor help on any of these services or other issues, constituents should not hesitate to contact either of Congressman Pallone's district offices:\nNew Brunswick Office-67/69 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Phone:(732) 249-8892\nLong Branch Office-504 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, Phone:(732) 571-1140", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/one-week-and-counting", "One Week And Counting", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Frequently Asked Questions on the Trump Government Shutdown\n\t\t\t\tWill my mail still arrive during the shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tYes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars.Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks?\n\t\t\t\t\tYes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks.Will Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted?\n\t\t\t\t\tNo. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown.Can I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tIt will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS.While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed.IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline.Can I get a passport during the shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tPerhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down. Will I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown?The Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there arenoservices for visitors to National Park Service sites during the shutdown. Services such as restrooms, visitors' centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal, and interpretative programs areall closedduring the shutdown. The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Also, law enforcement staffing is sharply curtailed, so visitors' safety will be put at risk.Which federal departments are affected by the Trump Shutdown?\n\t\t\t\t\tThere are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies, including EPA, the Small Business Administration, and NASA, are affected. (The six federal departments that are already fully funded for FY 2019 and arenotaffected by the Trump Shutdown are: Defense, Veterans Affairs, HHS, Education, Labor, and Energy.)  How many federal employees have to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown?There are approximately 420,000 federal employees, deemed essential, including FBI agents, DEA agents, Secret Service agents, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who are being required to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown. None of them will receive a paycheck until the shutdown is over and the government re-opens. The longer the Trump Shutdown lasts, the longer they are working without a paycheck, increasing their families' financial difficulties.How many federal employees have been put on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown?There are also approximately 380,000 federal employees who have been placed on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown. They are also not receiving any pay during the Trump Shutdown.Will the 420,000 federal employees forced to work without pay during the shutdown receive the pay for their work when the shutdown is over?\n\t\t\t\t\tYes. Under federal law, those federal employees forced to work without pay in the shutdownare guaranteedthe pay they have earned when the government re-opens.Will the 380,000 federal employees who were placed on unpaid furlough during the shutdown receive back pay when the shutdown is over?\n\t\t\t\t\tThat will be up to the Congress and the White House. Legislation would have to be enacted. The precedent has been that furloughed employeesarelater paid, through legislation. Indeed, after every previous shutdown, Congress has passed legislation mandating that furloughed workers get paid.What is the impact of the Trump Shutdown on small businesses?\n\t\t\t\t\tA shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration stops approving applications for small businesses to obtain loans and guarantees, typically $1 billion per month. Indeed, on Dec. 22, SBA put a notice on Facebook simply stating, Due to the lapse in government funding, SBA will remain inactive until further notice.What is the impact on home mortgage applications?\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring the shutdown, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will see significant delays in loan processing and approvals, due to the furloughing of most employees. Thousands of people trying to buy a new home or refinance a FHA-insured mortgage will likely be put on standby.What is the impact on FDA's food safety activities?\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring the Trump Shutdown, the FDA will be unable to support a number of its food safety activities. FDA has furloughed 40 percent of its employees. As a result, it will have to reduce its routine inspections of domestic food facilities. For example, in the 16-day GOP shutdown in 2013, the FDA had to delay nearly 360 food safety inspections.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-announces-maddie-anderson-serve-communications-director", "Stefanik Announces Maddie Anderson to Serve as Communications Director", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Elise Stefanik", "S001196", "stefanik.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced that Maddie Anderson will serve as Communications Director and media contact for the 116th Congress beginning on January 3rd, 2019.\n\"I am excited to announce that Maddie Anderson will be joining my team as Communications Director, said Congresswoman Stefanik. Maddie's myriad of experience in the political arena will bring a unique perspective to our office. Her work ethic and expertise will be pivotal in communicating the results our office is delivering for the 21st District.\"\nMaddie Anderson is from Annapolis, Maryland. Most recently, she served as the Southeast and Midwest Regional Press Secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Prior to the NRCC, she served as Congressman Brian Mast's (FL-18) Communications Director for his 2016 campaign. Maddie Anderson also worked on Carlos Beruff's (R-FL) 2016 Senate race, and for Governor Bobby Jindal's (R-LA) presidential campaign in Iowa in 2015.\nI'm thrilled to be joining Congresswoman Stefanik's office in the New Year, said Ms. Maddie Anderson. Congresswoman Stefanik's work ethic is unmatched, and I look forward to helping her bring meaningful, bipartisan results to New York's 21st District. I am eager to get to work.\nMs. Anderson will be replacing Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director, Tom Flanagin, who has accepted a position in the private sector.\nI thank Tom for his four years of tireless work on behalf of our district, said Congresswoman Stefanik. Tom is a tremendous talent, and my office has greatly benefited from his creativity, drive and counsel. I know he will continue to do great things in his next position.\nMaddie Anderson begins on January 3rd, 2019. In the meantime, please include stefanik.press@mail.house.gov and tom.flanagin@mail.house.gov on any press inquiries.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-123118", "Washington Watch - 12/31/18", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "GA", "Rob Woodall", "W000810", "woodall.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PRESERVING OUR NATION'S FOOD STAMP PROGRAM FOR THOSE IN NEED\nUnder the direction of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working on regulations that would increase the solvency of one of our nation's most important social safety net programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also commonly referred to as food stamps. SNAP benefits, which are intended to be used by those who are struggling to support themselves, including poverty-stricken parents and their children, the elderly, and the disabled, are too often being used by those who would otherwise not qualify for open-ended support, namely able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who are age 18-49.\nCurrently, ABAWDs are required to work or receive workforce training for a minimum of 20 hours per week if they want to receive SNAP benefits beyond 3 months in a given three-year period. However, states are given the discretion to waive that requirement for certain areas within their jurisdictions, which incentivizes millions of ABAWDs to stay out of the workforce. In fact, by some estimates, nearly 2.8 million ABAWDs are receiving food stamps, but aren't working. This waiver does a disservice to both ABAWDs and the folks who desperately need the SNAP support, not to mention the fact that this also contributes to our nation's historically low productivity rate and record high job openings. That's why I'm so pleased that USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue is going to work hard within his agency to ensure that ABAWDs who could and should look for work, are encouraged to do so. The success in our food stamp program is not measured in the number of individuals we keep as beneficiaries, but the number of folks we have helped get back on their feet to support themselves.\n\nTRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO PROTECT 340B HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS\nIn addition to the many steps the Trump Administration has taken to advance America's agricultural backbone, President Trump, with the help of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Administrator Seema Verma and Department of Health and Human Services' Secretary Alex Azar, has had tremendous success on the regulatory front when it comes to delivering common-sense and long overdue solutions to better our nation's health care system. From proposals to drive down prescription drug prices, to allowing states to operate their insurance markets with more flexibility, to increasing choice and competition for consumers, I have repeatedly expressed my support for the Administration's use of the regulatory tools at its disposal to bring solutions to our friends and neighbors.\nThat said, I want to take this opportunity to share with you a more recent regulatory action taken by the Department of Health and Human Services that will surely work to ensure that drug makers are held accountable for overcharging hospitals that participate in the 340B drug pricing program. For those not familiar with the 340B program, it's a federal program that requires pharmaceutical companies to provide outpatient drugs to certain covered entities, most notably safety-net hospitals and care providers that serve a high percentage of low-income patients, like Grady Hospital for instance, at discounted prices. The 340B program enjoys bipartisan support in Congress and has been wildly successful in not only helping our most vulnerable hospitals keep up with rising prescription drug prices, but also allowing these entities to stretch already scarce federal resources so that they can provide more care to additional patients. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration estimated that covered entities saved $3.8 billion on outpatient drugs through the program in fiscal year 2013, and $4.5 billion in fiscal year 2014.\nHowever, as much as our safety net hospitals rely on this crucial program, the program's integrity has been susceptible to bad actors ever since its inception in 1992. As such, while there's still much work to be done on the legislative front to protect and bolster the 340B program's integrity, and I certainly hope that the 116th Congress will work across the aisle to deliver much needed clarity and protection, I am pleased that the Administration has moved forward with finalizing the date in which pharmaceutical companies can begin to be held accountable for intentional wrongdoing. I believe such bold action is a step in the right direction.\n\nHOUSE PASSES MORE BIPARTISAN BILLS DURING SPENDING NEGOTIATIONS \nAmid the speculation and concern over the partial government shutdown, we in the House of Representatives rolled up our sleeves and continued working to deliver good public policy as the President and congressional leaders continued negotiating over the handful of remaining spending bills. We passed legislation to further crack down on human trafficking, to ensure the most vulnerable young girls in our society have access to educational opportunities, and to allow a process for more stakeholders to review key documents in cold case investigations that the FBI hasn't been able to solve. All of these bills were crafted with input from both Republicans and Democrats and were passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities. A final bipartisan bill I want to highlight is the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act. Previously, we empaneled a cross section of experts to determine how Congress, in conjunction with executive agencies, could make better use of the reams of available data relating to federal programs designed to lift families out of poverty and into opportunity. Rather than measure success based on how many dollars are being spent, our goal is to measure success based on how many lives are changed for the better. Many of their recommendations were included in this new legislation, which will give Congress and the American people a whole new set of tools to examine these federal programs and discover where we can make improvements that further results rather than red tape.\n\nSECOND ROUND OF RELIEF FOR AMERICAN FARMERS\nEarlier this month, President Trump announced additional relief for farmers negatively affected by retaliatory tariffs as the Administration continues to iron out the details on new trade agreements with our neighbors abroad. This round of direct payments to farmers is intended to supplement the relief offered to farmers over the summer as a bridge during ongoing trade negotiations. Payments are being offered to almond, cotton, corn, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, sweet cherry, and wheat producers, many of whom are located right here in Georgia where agriculture is our number one industry.\nTalks looked promising after President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Argentina, after which President Trump announced a delay in planned tariffs on Chinese goods and a tentative deal for China to resume purchasing American goods. While the short-term effects of renegotiation may not be ideal, maintaining the status quo was no longer an option. I am optimistic that President Trump will deliver better and fairer trade deals for American farmers and businesses, and ones that our international partners will see as mutually beneficial.\n\nLOCAL PARENT STARTS NON-PROFIT ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IN GWINNETT SCHOOLS\nWe are doers here in the Seventh District of Georgia. It's easy to talk about making a difference, but it takes a special kind of person to take the action needed to make the difference. Here at home we have example after example of folks doing just that: identifying a need and going about creating a way to address that need. It's inspiring every time. One of those examples is Alessandra Ferrara-Miller, a Suwanee resident, who had a realization when visiting her daughter's school for lunch. She had heard stories of children whose parents struggled to pay for school lunches, consequently leaving the students in a spot no child should have to endure. She looked around the cafeteria and knew similar situations existed for those in that room and school. She then set about doing something about it. She created and established All for Lunch, a non-profit organization intended to pay the school lunch accounts of those in need, and recently had the opportunity to present her first checks to certain Gwinnett County Schools!\nI feel so much pride in who we are as a community and the example we set. In every way, we set a standard of care and excellence that warms the heart and changes lives. It's all a byproduct of who we are as individuals, families, communities, businesses, and more. Our values and the way we live out those values sets us apart. It's not something we do once a year or just during a certain season. Throughout the year, on a daily basis, remarkable things are happening and I am so thankful to all of those like Alessandra who simply won't accept anything less than improving the life of a neighbor. I can't think of a better message to take into the New Year!\n\nCHAPTER 1030 VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA IN CUMMING SELECTS VETERAN(S) OF THE YEAR\nSettling on the most exemplary of our veterans in any given category is a very difficult task, so I can't say I fault the folks over at Chapter 1030 Vietnam Veterans of America for selecting two Veterans of the Year! Our veterans are special people. Service is a part of their character, and so often they continue to give to their communities in not just one, but so many ways. These two gentlemen were recognized for the work they're doing with Chapter 1030 to assist the homeless veteran population in Atlanta and North Georgia, and I'm grateful for their commitment to their brothers and sisters who have worn the uniform. If you'd like to learn more about how Chapter 1030 is making a difference across the region, you can visit their website and find information on upcoming events as well as some of their history. Congratulations once again to Tom Kirby and Steve Masak, and most of all, thank you both for all you continue to do for our community!\n\nHAPPY NEW YEAR; WELCOME TO THE 116TH CONGRESS\nWith 2018 coming to a close and the new year beginning soon, we all naturally take time to pause and reflect. This is a time to be thankful for friends and family, to reflect on our lives and all that transpired in 2018, and to set new goals for 2019. And in this time, we in Congress must do the same as we look back at all we have achieved and all that we still have left to do. While I am optimistic that when the 116th Congress begins on January 3rd that we will continue to make targeted efforts to address some of our nation's most pressing issues, including infrastructure reform, healthcare reform, and tackling our national debt, I can't pretend that addressing these challenges will be easy in a divided Congress. In fact, I know that it will be hard work. However, I know my colleagues and I are up to the task. As we have proven in these past two years, the most successful legislation has come from collaborative discussions from leaders and individuals back home and from all political persuasions, and I look forward to building on those efforts to better serve our state and our community in the years to come. With that said, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year!\nSincerely,    \n\tRob Woodall  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/in-support-of-border-funding", "In Support of Border Funding", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As a member of the Senate Border Security and Enforcement First Immigration Caucus I am actively fighting for funding to protect our borders. National security is the federal government's number one responsibility and we must allocate resources in support of border protection that accurately reflect this priority. I supported the president's budget request for border security funding in the Senate Committee on Appropriations Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security bill and I will continue to advocate for increased resources for manpower and infrastructure in order to reduce illegal border crossings.\r\nThere is no doubt we have a border crisis that is escalating. Department of Homeland Security data shows that apprehensions along our southern border have nearly doubled in the past year. It is in our national interest to take necessary steps to provide the tools our Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on the frontlines need to control our porous border and protect our communities and themselves as they carry out this important mission.\r\nI've seen firsthand the challenges our interdiction agents face. In September, I visited the southwest border in California and Texas to see how we can improve policies to better control illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling. The need for more infrastructureincluding roads for access, electronic devices for surveillance and fencing for deterrencewas echoed at each stop. We heard how border security upgrades improved community safety. Increased federal investment is necessary to achieve this on a larger scale.\r\nConstructing a strong border security system coupled with enforcement of our immigration laws is a deterrent to those who seek to illegally enter our country. This is the first step to reforming our immigration system. We are a nation of immigrants and we can be proud of our history of welcoming and naturalizing those who follow the proper, legal process. We naturalize more new citizens annually than the rest of the world combined. We can maintain this guiding principle and continue its success by ensuring that individuals and families who wish to immigrate to the United States do so by obeying our laws.\r\nEvery day CBP, ICE and Coast Guard personnel put their lives on the line to enforce our laws, protect our borders and prevent drug smugglers from entering our country. Increasing funding in order to improve border security is a reasonable request. I agree with the president's call for increased resources to defend our borders  a request that the House of Representatives recently supported. I am hopeful we can find a solution that expands investments in border security and funds the government.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-navy-block-buy-decision", "Kaine Statement On Navy Block Buy Decision", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 31, 2018\n\t\t\t Kaine Statement On Navy Block Buy Decision \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today after the Navy announced its intent to block buy two Ford-class aircraft carriers:\r\nI'm thrilled the Navy has decided to pursue a block buy for aircraft carriers, something I've been advocating to save billions in taxpayer dollars and offer more certainty to the Hampton Roads defense community. This smart move will save taxpayer dollars and help ensure the shipyards can maintain a skilled workforce to get the job done.Newport News buildsthe finest carriers in the world, and I know they are ready to handle this increase in work as we make progress toward the Navy's goal of a 355-ship fleet.\r\nKaine has long supported the block buying of aircraft carriers. He has championed language in annual defense and funding bills to allow for a block buy and frequently discussed the benefits with military leadership. \r\n###\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-urge-trump-to-reverse-course-raise-pay-for-federal-employees", "Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Course, Raise Pay for Federal Employees", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Tim Kaine", "K000384", "www.kaine.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 31, 2018\n\t\t\t Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Course, Raise Pay for Federal Employees \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t~Senate had approved 1.9 percent pay increase on a bipartisan basisbut on December 28,the President unilaterallyimposed a pay freeze for non-military federal workers~\r\nWASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him in the strongest possible terms toback off aplannedpay freeze forcivilian federal employees in 2019.\r\n\"We write to urge you in the strongest possible terms to reverse your decision to freeze pay rates for non-military federal workers in 2019. After months of indecisiveness and mixed signals, your decision further penalizes hard-working federal employees already straining under the impact of the unnecessary government shutdown that began on December 22nd,\"the Senators told Trump.\"Freezing pay for federal workers adds insult to injury for dedicated public servants already subject to political attacks and gamesmanship.\"\r\nWhile the White House's FY19 budget proposed an across-the-board pay freeze for non-military federal workers, in August, the Senate approved appropriations legislation providing for a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal workers. However, the House's failure to take up the bill allowed President Trump to sign an executive order on December 28 -- day six of thepartial government shutdown -- unilaterallyfreezing pay for civilian federal employees.\r\nIn today's letter, the Senators pushed Trump to change course, highlighting bipartisan support for the Senate-passed 1.9 percent pay raise. They also underscored how freezing pay hinders the federal government's hiring competitiveness with the private sector, and called out the President for not doing more to prioritize human capital investments. The Senators also committed to working towards a pay adjustmentfor FY19 if President Trump fails to reverse his decision.\r\n\"There should be a particular sense of urgency in bolstering, rather than undermining, the competitiveness of the federal workforce considering that the share of federal employees eligible for retirement is expected to jump to 30 percent in five years,\"the Senators wrote. \"As a businessman, we would expect you to understand the importance of human capital investments in recruiting and retaining talented employees. We are deeply troubled that you would abdicate your responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the federal workforceparticularly while so many federal employees are actively working without pay during a shutdown triggered by your own equivocation.?\"\r\nThe full text of today's letter is availablehereand below.\r\nDear Mr. President:\r\nWe write to urge you in the strongest possible terms to reverse your decision to freeze pay rates for non-military federal workers in 2019. After months of indecisiveness and mixed signals, your decision further penalizes hard-working federal employees already straining under the impact of the unnecessary government shutdown that began on December 22nd.\r\nFreezing pay for federal workers adds insult to injury for dedicated public servants already subject to political attacks and gamesmanship. In February 2018, your administration's budget proposed freezing federal civilian pay for 2019. In August 2018, the United States Senate included a 1.9 percent pay raise for civilian federal employees in the appropriations bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This action recognized the many contributions of federal workers and rebuked your unsubstantiated proposal to further hinder their economic security and our collective ability to compete with the private sector.There should be a particular sense of urgency in bolstering, rather than undermining, the competitiveness of the federal workforce considering that the share of federal employees eligible for retirement is expected to jump to 30 percent in five years.\r\nAs a businessman, we would expect you to understand the importance of human capital investments in recruiting and retaining talented employees. We are deeply troubled that you would abdicate your responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the federal workforceparticularly while so many federal employees are actively working without pay during a shutdown triggered by your own equivocation.\r\nWe strongly encourage youto take immediate action to reverse your ill-advised pay freeze and lift federal workers from this added layer of financial insecurity. Should you choose not to change course, we will continue working on a bipartisan basisto ensure federal workers receive a pay adjustment for Fiscal Year 2019.\r\n###???\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/123118bipartisandemlegstmt", "Statement Of Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy On House Democrats Introducing Legislation To Reopen the Government", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.31.18\n\t\t\t Statement Of Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy On House Democrats Introducing Legislation To Reopen the Government \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tThere is one reason and one reason only that much of our federal government is shut down through the holidays and countless Americans are living with uncertainty  and that reason is President Trump. For 10 days he has held the federal government hostage in an attempt to force us to pay for an ineffective and expensive wall on the southern border, a wall he promised that Mexico would pay for. It will not work. He does not have the votes.\r\nToday, House Democrats introduced a commonsense path forward to end the Trump Shutdown: six bipartisan appropriations bills and a continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security. Following this path, we can finish six of the seven appropriations bills this week and get the government back open and working for the American people.\r\nThe six bills are the product of bipartisan compromise and provide billions of dollars in new resources to address critical needs of the American people and to protect U.S. national security. They provide much-needed funding to help combat our nation's opioid epidemic, and critical investments in infrastructure to help rebuild our nation's crumbling roads, bridges, and highways. They provide resources to protect the environment and help ensure that the water we drink and the air we breathe is safe and clean for this generation and the next. And they support key allies and national security programs that enable the United States to be a global leader. For 10 days this funding has been held hostage by the President. Which of this funding would he have cut to pay for his wall? The reality is, while the President has spent days hiding away in the White House and demanding via tweets billions from U.S. taxpayers to build his misguided wall, he has completely cut off funding for the very Department tasked with securing our border, as well as eight other federal departments and dozens of agencies. It's time this stopped.\r\nThe path forward is now clear, and I strongly encourage Senate Republicans to support and pass this bipartisan compromise.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tDavid Carle: 202-224-3693\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/morris-county-listening-tour-council-grove", "Morris County Listening Tour, Council Grove", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tour Stops \n\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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKansas\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKansas Listening Tour\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTour Stops\n\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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMORRIS COUNTYMonday, December 31Main StreetCouncil Grove", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5B40E031-7D99-4928-A429-EA175ECD458A", "President Signs Into Law Portmans Bipartisan Bill to Protect Surviving Military Spouses", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Rob Portman", "P000449", "www.portman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation Will Allow Spouses of Deceased Servicemembers to Break Jointly Held Residential Leases Without Penalty\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) today announced that President Trump signed into law his bipartisan Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act. The legislation, which was originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL), would modify the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to allow a widow or widower of a servicemember who died while in military service (i.e., a Gold Star spouse) to terminate a jointly held residential lease, without penalty, within one year of the servicemember's death. This protection will also extend to the widow or widower of a member of the National Guard or Reserve whose death occurred while on active duty orders. \r\nI applaud the president for signing this measure into law to ensure that grieving military spouse dealing with the death of their loved one on active duty are able to end their lease without paying high termination fees, said Senator Portman. This law, with the support of numerous veterans groups and the Department of Defense, is a common-sense fix for Gold Star spouses.\r\nWhen a servicemember receives military orders, his or her spouse is often required to relocate and then sign a lease for a house, apartment, or other dwelling. But when the servicemember dies during military service, the surviving spouse may be forced to pay off the remainder of that residential lease even though the couple only entered into that contract to accommodate the servicemember's assignment. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active duty servicemembers may cancel agreements such as home or apartment rental contracts when they are deployed or relocated. However, these protections do not explicitly apply to Gold Star spouses who are in these agreements jointly with a servicemember who died while in military service.\r\nThe Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act is also supported by The American Legion, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the National Military Family Association (NMFA).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-statement-on-democratic-proposal-to-end-trump-shutdown", "Udall Statement on Democratic Proposal to End Trump Shutdown", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 31, 2018\n\t\t\t Udall Statement on Democratic Proposal to End Trump Shutdown \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, released the following statement after Democratic leaders announced a plan to end President Trump's government shutdown and reopen the federal government:\r\nDemocrats are offering a responsible path forward to end the Trump shutdown, reopen the government, and provide certainty for New Mexico workers, families, and our economy. New Mexicans never asked for a Trump shutdown, from a president who is holding government hostage to try and force taxpayers to pay for his ineffective, wasteful, and offensive border wall. It's time for Republican leaders to end this madness and support a common-sense, bipartisan way forward for the good of the country.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/sen-warner-on-the-president-signing-the-ashanti-alert-act-into-law", "Sen. Warner on the President Signing the Ashanti Alert Act Into Law", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Mark Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Ashanti Alert Act legislation that will create a new federal alert system for missing or endangered adults between the ages of 18-64into law:\r\n\"Despite the tragic loss of Ashanti Billie, with the love and support of Meltony and Brandy Billie along with the Hampton Roads community, the Ashanti Alert Act is now law of the land. In this New Year, it is my hope that this important law enforcement tool can help save countless lives.\"\r\nThe Ashanti Alert Act is named after Ashanti Billie, the 19-year-old who was abducted in Norfolk, Va. on September 18, 2017. Her body was discovered in North Carolina 11 days after she was first reported missing. At the time of Ashanti's abduction, she was too old for an Amber Alert and too young for a Silver Alert. The Ashanti Alert, like the other alert systems, would notify the public about missing or endangered adults, ages 18-64, through a national communications network to assist law enforcement in the search.\r\nIn June, Gov. Northam signed into law legislation introduced by Del. Jay Jones creating a statewide Ashanti Alert system in Virginia. In September, the House of Representatives unanimously passed its version of theAshanti Alert Act, which was introduced by outgoing Congressman Scott Taylor. After the House billin its original formwas blocked from passing in the Senate, Sen. Warner worked with his colleagues to make modifications to the bill to allow for its eventualpassage by unanimous consentin that chamber. In December, the House of Representatives passed the modified Ashanti Alert Act, sending it to the President's desk for signature.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/senators-urge-trump-to-reverse-course-raise-pay-for-federal-employees", "Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Course, Raise Pay for Federal Employees", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Mark Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him in the strongest possible terms toback off aplannedpay freeze forcivilian federal employees in 2019.\r\n\r\n\"We write to urge you in the strongest possible terms to reverse your decision to freeze pay rates for non-military federal workers in 2019. After months of indecisiveness and mixed signals, your decision further penalizes hard-working federal employees already straining under the impact of the unnecessary government shutdown that began on December 22nd,\"the Senators told Trump.\"Freezing pay for federal workers adds insult to injury for dedicated public servants already subject to political attacks and gamesmanship.\"\r\n While the White House's FY19 budget proposed an across-the-board pay freeze for non-military federal workers, in August, the Senate approved appropriations legislation providing for a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal workers. However, the House's failure to take up the bill allowed President Trump to sign an executive order on December 28 -- day six of thepartial government shutdown -- unilaterallyfreezing pay for civilian federal employees. \r\nIn today's letter, the Senators pushed Trump to change course, highlighting bipartisan support for the Senate-passed 1.9 percent pay raise. They also underscored how freezing pay hinders the federal government's hiring competitiveness with the private sector, and called out the President for not doing more to prioritize human capital investments. The Senators also committed to working towards a pay adjustmentfor FY19 if President Trump fails to reverse his decision.\r\n\"There should be a particular sense of urgency in bolstering, rather than undermining, the competitiveness of the federal workforce considering that the share of federal employees eligible for retirement is expected to jump to 30 percent in five years,\"the Senators wrote. \"As a businessman, we would expect you to understand the importance of human capital investments in recruiting and retaining talented employees. We are deeply troubled that you would abdicate your responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the federal workforceparticularly while so many federal employees are actively working without pay during a shutdown triggered by your own equivocation.?\"\r\n\r\nThe full text of today's letter is availablehereand below.\r\n\r\nDear Mr. President:\r\n\r\nWe write to urge you in the strongest possible terms to reverse your decision to freeze pay rates for non-military federal workers in 2019. After months of indecisiveness and mixed signals, your decision further penalizes hard-working federal employees already straining under the impact of the unnecessary government shutdown that began on December 22nd.\r\n\r\nFreezing pay for federal workers adds insult to injury for dedicated public servants already subject to political attacks and gamesmanship. In February 2018, your administration's budget proposed freezing federal civilian pay for 2019. In August 2018, the United States Senate included a 1.9 percent pay raise for civilian federal employees in the appropriations bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This action recognized the many contributions of federal workers and rebuked your unsubstantiated proposal to further hinder their economic security and our collective ability to compete with the private sector.There should be a particular sense of urgency in bolstering, rather than undermining, the competitiveness of the federal workforce considering that the share of federal employees eligible for retirement is expected to jump to 30 percent in five years.\r\n\r\nAs a businessman, we would expect you to understand the importance of human capital investments in recruiting and retaining talented employees. We are deeply troubled that you would abdicate your responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the federal workforceparticularly while so many federal employees are actively working without pay during a shutdown triggered by your own equivocation.\r\n\r\nWe strongly encourage youto take immediate action to reverse your ill-advised pay freeze and lift federal workers from this added layer of financial insecurity. Should you choose not to change course, we will continue working on a bipartisan basisto ensure federal workers receive a pay adjustment for Fiscal Year 2019.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/statement-sen-warner-on-navy-s-announcement-to-block-buy-two-ford-class-aircraft-carriers", "Sen. Warner on Navy's Announcement to Block Buy Two Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers", "2018-12-31", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Mark Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Navy announced they will block buy two Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers:\r\n\r\nI am pleased that the Navy has announced its plan to move forward in the procurement of two aircraft carriers, which will generate significant cost savings for taxpayers. This announcement is not only important for the men and women of the Newport News shipbuilding industry, it also makes a critical investment in our nation's defense by ensuring the Navy has the capabilities needed to combat any adversary.\r\n\r\nSen. Warner has continued to express support for the block buy of Ford-class aircraft carriers that would save taxpayer dollars and strengthen our national defense. In December 2017, Sen. Warner joined Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 15 Senators in a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis to support the Pentagon's pursuit in the block buy in FY2019.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401638", "On the Ruling in the Case of Igor Bitkov", "2018-12-30", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), chair of the House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, issued the following statement on the court order for the release of Igor Bitkov: \"I welcome the news that a court in Guatemala on Friday ordered Igor Bitkov released, sentencing him to time served.  I fully expect that the release of his wife and daughter, Irina and Anastasia, will likewise be forthcoming.\r\n\"That said, the original prosecution and jailing of the Bitkovs orchestrated by the Russian government in collusion with an out-of-control UN 'anti-corruption' entity, CICIG  was a farce.\r\n\"There needs to be accountability. While it is up to the Guatemalans to address the flaws in the Guatemalan justice system that this case laid bare  such as the extensive use of pretrial detention  there are individuals in our State Department who turned a blind eye to the abuses of CICIG, an entity which we fund. This is especially egregious given the role played by Russian government actors. I renew my call for the State Department's Inspector General, as well as independent investigative journalists, to examine this thoroughly.\r\n\"The role of the Putin government in the prosecution underscores the stakes for the Bitkov family, whose plight was the subject of a hearing I chaired in April. While Friday's decision is good news, they remain in peril.Under no circumstances can they be returned to Russia. Theymust be given asylum, if not in Guatemala, then in a third country.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/2018-year-in-review", "2018: Year in Review", "2018-12-30", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2018 was a landmark year in many ways for Alabama and the United States. From defense funding to town halls, agriculture to Red Snapper, there was much to celebrate this year and much to anticipate in the next. Join me as we take a look back at the past year.\nI kicked things off in January by celebrating my 100th Town Hall Meeting in Grove Hill. I always enjoy meeting the folks in our area and hearing about the issues that matter most to them. This year, I hosted 25 town hall meetings throughout Southwest Alabama.\nWe made realstrides in 2018 when it comes to our national defense, including passing much needed funding for Alabama's many defense priorities. I was proud to vote in favor of a funding bill that allows for the construction of three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and one Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), which are built by Austal USA in Mobile. This funding helps us move toward a 355-ship Navy.\nThis marked the first time in ten years that we were able to fully fund our military on time, and in a bipartisan way. We funded critical Alabama defense priorities like the Austal shipyard; additional UH-60M Black Hawk, Lakota, and Apache helicopters, which are critical to the Army aviation mission at Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass; $22.4 million went to the Stryker Upgrade program, which supports the work at the Anniston Army Depot; and we increased funding to address cyber threats to our missile defense systems, which is critical to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.\nThis year, we were able to celebrate great developments for our local fishermen and coastal communities. In April, a 47-day Red Snapper season for recreational fishermen was announced. And just this December, NOAA Fisheries published a new rule to increase the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the Red Snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. These latest numbers further drive us forward in the fight for greater state control over the Red Snapper fishery.\nThanks to bipartisan reforms to our career and technical education programs, we are better able to give students tangible skills that help them succeed in real-world careers. In July, the House passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which made reforms to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to ensure more Americans enter the workforce with the skills they need.\nIn 2018, we made real progress on infrastructure. We passed critical legislation to support our nation's water infrastructure, including the Port of Mobile. We are also closer than ever before to building the I-10 Bridge.\nAnd lastly, we were able to reach a bipartisan agreement on the 2018 Farm Bill to benefit our farmers and foresters in Alabama. The Farm Bill will allow for improved crop protections and loan options for farmers, incentivize rural development, support animal disease prevention and management, and will continue our nation's commitment to agriculture and farmers. I am especially pleased to see the substantial resources provided to improve rural broadband access to communities.\nThe many victories we were able to secure for the American people cannot be condensed into this brief article, but rest assured that this year, Alabama and the America are better off for the accomplishments made by the 115th Congress.\nThe next year will bring many changes with the Democrat majority in the House, but my New Year's Resolution is simple: I will continue to fight for the people of Alabama each and every day.\nFrom all of my staff, my family, and myself, we wish you a Happy New Year!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/with-hr-1-democrats-announce-a-new-program-for-electoral-reform", "With H.R. 1, Democrats Announce a New Program for Electoral Reform", "2018-12-30", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When the new Congress convenes in January, the very first item on its to-do list will be H.R. 1, a package of good-government and election reforms unveiled Friday by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a group of legislators led by John Sarbanes, of Maryland. Its contents haven't been fully composed yet, but Pelosi and Sarbanes previewed its three parts in a WashingtonPostop-ed earlier this week: a voting-rights plank that includes updates to the Voting Rights Act, measures to address gerrymandering, and automatic voter registration; an ethics plank that requires the President to disclose his or her tax returns and bans the use of taxpayer funds for congressional sexual-harassment settlements; and a campaign-finance plank that offers matching federal funds for small-dollar donations and requires superpacs to publicly disclose their donors. At a press conference on Friday, Sarbanes said, There's a lot of people out there in the country who feel right now that Washington doesn't listen to them, their democracy doesn't work for them, they're kind of left out and locked out.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://turner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/turner-on-federal-employee-pay-increase", "TURNER on Federal Employee Pay Increase", "2018-12-30", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Michael Turner", "T000463", "turner.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order cancelling the pay increase expected for civilian federal workers in 2019:\nAs I advocated in August, Congress must reject the President's imprudent decision to cancel the pay increase for our valuable federal civilian employees. Congress still has the ability to override this executive order as we work to end the partial government shutdown. I will continue to fight to retain the federal civilian employee pay increase that was promised to our government's dedicated public servants.\nThe Dayton region is home to over 15,000 federal civilian employees, including more than 12,000 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.\nWhen this executive order was first threatened, Congressman Turner strongly opposed it and advocated overriding it to Congressional leadership.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/op-eds/taxing-carbon-emissions", "Taxing Carbon Emissions", "2018-12-30", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Sheldon Whitehouse", "W000802", "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "To the Editor:\r\nI must respectfully disagree with my friendJohn Barrasso's Op-Ed article (Cut Carbon Through Innovation, Not Regulation, nytimes.com, Dec. 18).\r\nFirst, the referendum result in Washington State looked like more relentless campaigning by the fossil fuel industry against climate action; without that industry onslaught, the carbon tax referendum there would probably have passed.\r\nSecond, a carbon tax is notexpensive,except maybe for fossil fuel interests, as in our proposals all the money goes back to the public. In addition, taxing carbon moves energy markets toward cheaper renewables. On balance, people save money.\r\nOn top of that, the savings from avoiding climate catastrophes are immense. If you really want to innovate, there has to be a cost to carbon pollution. Without that, where is the incentive to innovate?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nToday, fossil fuel enjoys a$700 billion-a-year subsidy in the United States, according to the International Monetary Fund. That subsidy warps the economy; it discourages innovation.\r\nWe need to come together to solve this problem, not let the fossil fuel industry's talking points lead us away from a meaningful solution because leading us astray suits its interests.\r\nSheldon Whitehouse  Newport, R.I.  The writer, a Democrat, is a United States senator from Rhode Island.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2700", "Rep. Grijalva Statement on DHS Secretary's Visit to Yuma", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Ra\u00fal Grijalva", "G000551", "grijalva.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "TUCSON, AZToday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is visiting Yuma, Arizona as part of a two-day tour of the Southern Border. This comes at the heels of the deaths of two migrant children in U.S. custody in the past month. In response, Rep. Ral M. Grijalva issued the following statement:  As Secretary Nielsen embarks on her latest photo opportunity and media tour at the Southern Border, she arrives under the dark cloud of a Republican-induced government shutdown, the President's threats to close the border, and the tragic deaths of two children in DHS custody. I've been clear from the beginning. Secretary Nielsen has no business serving as DHS Secretary, and the latest accountability and transparency issues at DHS provide more evidence that she is unfit to lead. I reiterate my call for her to resign.  ###  Stay in touch with Rep. Grijalva:  NewsletterFacebookTwitterInstagramWebsite", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-passing-former-bishop-robert-mulvee", "Langevin Statement on the Passing of Former Bishop Robert Mulvee", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Jim Langevin", "L000559", "langevin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WARWICK, RI Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following statement on the passing of former Providence Bishop Robert Mulvee:\nBishop Mulvee was a kind and gentle soul who personified what it means to be a good shepherd in the Catholic church. He was a man who devoted his life to God and provided important spiritual guidance to many while always remaining compassionate and understanding.\nI had the honor to know Bishop Mulvee, and I considered him a true friend. His leadership and presence in the local Catholic church will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in eternal peace.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-confirms-fema-reverses-course-nfip-policies-will-be-written-effective", "Scalise Confirms that FEMA Reverses Course, NFIP Policies Will be Written Effective Immediately", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Steve Scalise", "S001176", "scalise.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after receiving FEMA's new guidance restoring the ability of the National Flood Insurance Program to write and renew flood insurance policies during the government shutdown:\nI'm glad after speaking with OMB and FEMA yesterday that they have decided to reverse course and allow flood insurance policies to continue as usual. While it's frustrating that they did not follow Congressional intent from the beginning, I'm glad they were willing to work with me on reversing their initial decision. Iwill work with the Administration on passing a long-term reauthorization of the flood insurance program.Millions of families in Louisiana and across the country rely on this program, and we need to give them the assurances and peace of mind they deserve.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://turner.house.gov/2018/12/turner-on-federal-employee-pay-increase", "TURNER on Federal Employee Pay Increase", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Michael R. Turner", "T000463", "turner.house.gov", "turner", "https://turner.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", null, 0, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z"], ["https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsarticles?ContentRecord_id=6393F1C3-85F1-4E2E-AE1F-9167144E2017", "Washington Post: Alexander seeks to stay the course of bipartisanship in his final Senate stretch", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Lamar Alexander", "A000360", "www.alexander.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In baseball, .400 puts you in the Hall of Fame. Alexander declined to single out any colleagues who stayed too long in the Senate, but it's clear that had an impact on his decision.\r\n \r\nThad Cochran (R-Miss.) won a seventh Senate term in 2014, at the age of 77, and earlier this year had to retire amid a physical and mental decline. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) won a seventh term in 2012, at 78, and decided to retire this year. Lately he has struggled to articulate some points, leading to staff statements more fully describing his thoughts.\r\n \r\nAlexander, in fine health, did not want to risk tainting his reputation. Another term was an eight-year commitment, he said  two years to run for reelection and six years to serve out the term. At that point, he would be 86.\r\n \r\nHe has known McConnell for decades, but he only hinted to the leader months ago that he would likely retire. The two men did not seek each other's advice about their own futures.\r\n \r\nIt's such a personal decision, Alexander said.\r\n \r\nAs of now, McConnell, 76, is running hard for a seventh term  which would end when he is 84.\r\n \r\nAlexander wasn't afraid of a challenge from a hard-line conservative in a GOP primary. I actually like defeating evil forces where I can find them in politics, Alexander said.\r\n \r\nThat's about as intemperate as Alexander will ever sound, which makes him an outlier in this political era of shouting into the winds of cable news and social media. But that style has made him indispensable inside the Senate, where some things have not changed.\r\n \r\nIt's still based on relationships, he said.\r\n \r\nAlexander, a former Tennessee governor who twice ran for president, built strong enough relationships early in his Senate career to climb to the No. 3 post in leadership.\r\n \r\nBut he voluntarily jumped off the leadership ladder in 2012 so that he could refashion himself as an across-the-aisle dealmaker. He worked with Schumer on easing the cumbersome process for confirming presidential nominees and then spent the past four years chairing the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.\r\nThere, he racked up a series of big legislative wins with a Democratic partner, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. The duo rewrote elementary and high school education laws, won approval for a major medical research bill, and crafted a massive package to fight opioid abuse.\r\nAlexander remains optimistic because of these accomplishments. He had his staff print Split Screen TV cards: One side has a picture of Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and the timeline of his bitter confirmation process, the other a list of bipartisan bills that won approval over those five weeks. The list includes a bill protecting songwriters' rights that is near and dear to the classic and country pianist's heart.\r\nThis is where you find me, Alexander said, pointing to the side with accomplishments. That's why I'm not in the news all the time. I'm not over here, I'm over here.\r\nBut the Kavanaugh confirmation consumed American politics and drowned out public recognition of Alexander's bipartisan work.\r\nJust as those hearings started in September, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) returned as an interim replacement for the late senator John McCain.\r\nIt's like I'm parachuting into a war zone, Kyl, who had served three terms in the Senate and then retired at the end of 2012, said in a recent interview.\r\nHe said the Senate is very different than it was just six years ago. Experiences like the Kavanaugh confirmation and now the partial government shutdown make it harder for people like Alexander to do their work.\r\nEach time that it happens, it's a little harder to bounce back, Kyl said.\r\nAlexander has two years to prove Kyl wrong.\r\nWhile overcoming a tough primary challenge in 2014, Alexander told the story of two famous Tennesseans who went to Texas to fight for independence: Davy Crockett and Sam Houston.\r\nCrockett is celebrated for his bravery at the Alamo, but Mexican troops slaughtered those Texans. Houston retreated to higher ground and later defeated Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna's army and won independence for Texas.\r\nAlexander has Houston's walking stick hanging in his office. He wants Republicans to think more like the first governor of Texas and less like Crockett.\r\nHe's just not sure which side will win in the long run.\r\nCrockett and Houston were both brave. Houston was more judicious, he said, pausing to consider the metaphor. Although, Crockett's more celebrated really among popular culture.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-coons-statement-on-tomorrows-elections-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo", "Sen. Coons\u2019 statement on tomorrow\u2019s elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.18\n\t\t\t Sen. Coons' statement on tomorrow's elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWILMINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement ahead of tomorrow's long-delayed elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.\r\nI call on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo ensure that long delayed elections take place as scheduledtomorrow, December 30and that the Congolese people are able to participate freely. Security forces, candidates, and their supporters must refrain from violence and commit to the rule of law and transparent, accountable governance. The people of the DRC, a country the size of Western Europe, have suffered enough in recent years due to pervasive corruption, attacks by armed groups, and a lack of basic services. The current and recent outbreak of Ebola in the east compounds these challenges. Congo's 81 million people have never known the leaders they deserve. The election tomorrow represents an opportunity to turn over a new page in the country's history. But the conduct of the pre-election environment has not been encouraging. This election should have been held at the end of 2016 under DRC's constitution. The Saint Sylvestre political agreement of December 2016 provided a one-year extension, which authorities again failed to respect. Most recently, a mysterious fire that destroyed some eight thousand voting machines, which were apparently to be used in the capital of Kinshasa (an opposition stronghold), caused an additional one-week delay. Finally, the electoral commission decided unilaterally this week that some 1.2 million people in Beni, Butembo, and Yumbi (also known for supporting opposition candidates) will not be able to vote on Sunday, due to the Ebola outbreak as well as recent violence. These delays are concerning.\r\nI am also disappointed by the electoral commission's refusal to accept independent election observers from the European Union or the U.S.-based Carter Center. DRC authorities have also disrupted and forcibly prevented opposition rallies and campaign events, repressing the rights of free assembly and expression in violation of the government's commitments under Saint Sylvestre agreement.\r\nI condemn successive election delays and enduring political restrictions. These attempts to repress the will of the people of the DRC must stop.\r\nAs the people of DRC head to the polls tomorrow, I call upon the security forces of the DRC to protect the vote and act with restraint. Simply put, the government's security forces must back off and let the people exercise their democratic rights. Regional organizations such as the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, as well as the UN peacekeeping force MONUSCO, must help ensure that people can cast their votes in peace. If we again see the security forces attack civilians peacefully exercising their rights, there will be consequences. I am determined to work with the Trump Administration to impose targeted sanctions against high-level officials responsible for further violence or repression. The people of the DRC have waited years for this moment. They deserve a peaceful, credible election, followed by necessary anti-corruption measures and governance reforms.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tSean Coit at 202-224-5042 orSean_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    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-trumps-rollback-of-clean-air-rules-will-harm-childrens-health", "Duckworth: Trump\u2019s Rollback of Clean Air Rules Will Harm Children\u2019s Health", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Tammy Duckworth", "D000622", "www.duckworth.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 29, 2018\n\t\t\t Duckworth: Trump's Rollback of Clean Air Rules Will Harm Children's Health \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled back the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Duckworth serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee.\r\nThe Trump Administration is choosing to continue its attack on the public health of our children and our communities. The evidence is clear: mercury is a toxin that causes learning disabilities, loss of IQ, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature deaths. By rolling back the lifesaving standards responsible for the dramatic reduction of mercury and other toxins in our air, the Trump Administration has once again abandoned its duty to protect the public health of our babies and our children. I'll keep working to protect the right of every child and every American to breathe clean, healthy air.\r\n-30-\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.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-statement-on-the-passing-of-bishop-mulvee", "Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Bishop Mulvee", "2018-12-29", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Sheldon Whitehouse", "W000802", "www.whitehouse.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.18\n\t\t\t Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Bishop Mulvee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tProvidence, RI  U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement on the passing of former Providence Bishop Robert Mulvee:\r\nBishop Mulvee was quite involved in community policing issues during my years in law enforcement, and we came to know and trust each other. He was always a wise, patient and kindly voice, and in all our personal dealings he was warm, honorable and sincere. I am saddened by his passing.\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    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=398897", "Burgess Releases 2018 Year End Report", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael Burgess", "B001248", "burgess.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after publishing his 2018 Year End Report detailing key accomplishments and services for the 26th District.   \r\n            \r\n            I began the 115th Congress with high expectations for what we could accomplish for North Texans. As this term concludes, it is clear we have achieved important legislative victories and made significant strides in areas where work remains. From committee hearings to town halls, case work to media interviews, I am committed to serving the 26th District to the best of my ability. As a Member of Congress, I have always made communicating with constituents one of my top priorities, and this annual report is one way I share my work on behalf of the 26th District of Texas. I hope North Texans review it and let me know how I can best serve them and their families as we look ahead to 2019. \r\n            \r\n            During 2018, Dr. Burgess: \r\n             Authored and introduced 18 bills \r\n             Hosted or attended more than 430 meetings \r\n             Gave 80+ interviews \r\n             Resolved 434 cases with federal agencies on behalf of constituents\r\n             Received and responded to more than 50,000 pieces of correspondence \r\n             Honored 19 student constituents entering the U.S. Service Academies\r\n             Traveled more than 6,000 miles in North Texas\r\n            For more, please read the complete 2018 Year End Report. \r\n            \r\n            ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398852", "U.S. Rep. Castor's statement on her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Castor's statement on her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisi \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 28, 2018\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis by Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis by Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi:\r\n\"I am humbled by Speaker-designate Pelosi's confidence in me to leadthe Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. She is correct to reinstitute the Select Committee and urge action to address this dire crisis that impacts my neighbors in Florida, all Americans and future generations.\r\nWe must act with urgency to reduce carbon pollution and we can do so by unleashing American ingenuity and creating clean energy jobs to power our future. We cannot delay. The costs of the changing climate and extreme weather events pose greater risks every day to American families, businesses and our way of life.The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the new generation of leaders in Congress -- who understand the scientific imperative -- will tackle the crisis head on. Failure is not an option.\r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401633", "<span class=\"kicker\">Washington Post op-ed by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith</span>'The World Must Stand Against China's War on Religion'", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chris Smith, a Republican, represents New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nMihrigul Tursunsaid she pleaded with God to end her life as her Chinese jailers increased the electrical currents coursing through her body. Tursun, aMuslim Uighurwhose escape led her to the United States in September, broke down weeping at a Nov. 28congressional hearing as sherecounted her experiencein one of China's infamouspoliticalre-educationcenters.  \r\n\r\nIt is an appalling story but one that is all too familiar as existential threats to religious freedom rise in President Xi Jinping's China. The world can't ignore what's happening there. We must all stand up and oppose these human rights violations.  \r\n\r\nThe ruling Chinese Communist Party has undertaken the most comprehensive attempt to manipulate and control  or destroy  religious communities since Chairman Mao Zedong made the eradication of religion a goal of his disastrousCultural Revolutionhalf a century ago. Now Xi, apparently fearing the power of independent religious belief as a challenge to the Communist Party's legitimacy, is trying to radically transform religion into the party's servant, employing a draconian policy known assinicization.\r\nUnder sinicization, all religions and believers must comport with and aggressively promote communist ideology  or else.  \r\n\r\nTo drive home the point, religious believers of every persuasion areharassed, arrested, jailed or tortured. Only the compliant are left relatively unscathed.\r\nBibles are burned,churches destroyed,crosses set ablaze atop church steeplesand now, under Xi, religious leaders are required to installfacial-recognition camerasin their places of worship. New regulations expand restrictions on religious expressiononlineandprohibit those under age 18 from attending services.  \r\n\r\nGovernment officials are also reportedlyrewritingreligious texts  including the Bible  that remove content unwanted by the atheist Communist Party, and have launched afive-year sinicization planfor Chinese Protestant Christians.\r\nThese efforts have taken a staggering human toll. In recent months, more than 1 million Uighurs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region have been detained, tortured and forced to renounce their faith. The U.S. government is investigating recentreportsthat ethnic minorities in internment camps are being forced to produce goods bound for the United States.  \r\n\r\nYet, despite this anti-religion campaign, the Vatican has shown a disturbing lack of alarm concerning these threats and, instead, appears to be seeking a form of accommodation. In September, Vatican officials signed a provisional agreement that essentially ceded to the Chinese government the power to choose  subject to papal review  every candidate for bishop in China, which has an estimated 10 million to 12 million Catholics.  \r\n\r\nCardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, a retired bishop of Hong Kong, in Septembercalled the deala complete surrender by the Vatican and an incredible betrayal of the faith.  \r\n\r\nAt a congressional hearing I chaired in September, Tom Farr, president of the Religious Freedom Institute,testifiedthat the government-controlled body charged with carrying out the policy, the Catholic Patriotic Association, had drafted an implementation document containing the following passage: The Church will regard promotion and education on core values of socialism as a basic requirement for adhering to the Sinicization of Catholicism. It will guide clerics and Catholics to foster and maintain correct views on history and the nation.  \r\n\r\nOne can hope that Beijing has made concessions to the church that have yet to be revealed.Initial reports are less than promising. Since the agreement was reached, underground priests have been detained,Marian shrines destroyed, pilgrimage sites closed, youth programs shuttered, and priests required to attend reeducation sessions in at least one province.  \r\n\r\nThe Vatican should reconsider its arrangement with the Chinese government. But what can be done more generally in response to Xi's war on religion? The United States and several European countries have condemned it, but any nation that values freedom of religion should unite in denouncing China's treatment of Muslim Uighurs, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong practitioners. In particular, Muslim-majority countries, strangely muted regarding the persecution of Muslim Uighurs, must protest these abuses even at the risk of endangering the benefits from China's Belt and Roadinfrastructure projects.  \r\n\r\nSen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and I have urged the Trump administration to use Global Magnitsky Act sanctions to target Chinese officials responsible for egregious human rights abuses. We have sought expanded export controls for police surveillance products and sanctions against businesses profiting from the forced labor or detention of Uighurs. We have also introduced the bipartisanUyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2018to provide the administration with new tools to comprehensively address the abuse.  \r\n\r\nThe United States must lead the way in letting the Chinese Communist Party know that taking a hammer and sickle to the cross and enslaving more than 1 million Uighurs in an effort to erase their religion and culture are destructive, shameful acts that will not be tolerated by the community of nations.  \r\n\r\nThis op-ed was originally published in the Washington Post in print on December 28, 2018 and online on December 27, 2018, and can be found online here:  \r\nhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-world-must-stand-against-chinas-war-on-religion/2018/12/27/115685aa-0a0f-11e9-85b6-41c0fe0c5b8f_story.html?utm_term=.1db8061bbc3c", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/letters-garret-graves-leads-saltwater-anglers-victory", "Letters: Garret Graves leads saltwater anglers to victory", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Ralph Abraham", "A000374", "abraham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As saltwater anglers in Sportsman's Paradise, we are blessed with abundant fisheries resources off our coast. Today, we are grateful to our members of Congress who understand the value of America's fisheries and the public's access to those resources.\nOn Dec. 19, Congress passed legislation known as the Modern Fish Act (S. 1520) to improve the way recreational fisheries are managed in federal waters nine to 200 nautical miles off Louisiana's coast. The Modern Fish Act, championed by its lead sponsors, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves R-Baton Rouge, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature.\nAs we head into the new year, anglers from coast to coast to coast can be proud of what the Modern Fish Act means for the future of recreational fishing. We are now on a path to better, more modern management and improved data collection on angler effort and harvest. Ultimately, these updates should help avoid the abrupt closures and inconsistent fishing regulations that have been plaguing many federally-managed recreational fisheries in the last several years.\nI would like to thank Graves and his colleagues from Louisiana's congressional delegation in particular, Modern Fish Act co-sponsors U.S. Sens Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Clay Higgins,Ralph Abrahamand Mike Johnson who stood up for Louisiana's 400,000 saltwater anglers on Capitol Hill and demanded that we have a seat at the table of fisheries management.\nTo read the full story, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://adriansmith.house.gov/newsroom/columns/looking-back-2018", "Looking Back at 2018", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Adrian Smith", "S001172", "adriansmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2018 has been a productive year. The economic benefits of tax reform are on display throughout the country with businesses expanding and jobs being created all around us. While there is much left to be done, I'd like to discuss a few of our proudest accomplishments from the past year.\nDuring the week before Christmas, the Senate passed my bill to help our agricultural producers in the Northport Irrigation District. Once signed into law, this bill will allow individual land owners to repay their portion of federal irrigation infrastructure loans instead of paying only the interest as they have for decades. I was pleased to see the House pass it earlier this year and I thank Senator Fischer for her diligent efforts to shepherd it through the Senate.\nEarlier in December, President Trump issued a new rule to supplant President Obama's vastly overreaching WOTUS rule which threatened the productivity of our farmers and ranchers. When President Obama's EPA first issued the rule, I introduced a joint resolution to repeal it under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) which easily passed both the House and Senate and forced a veto by President Obama. I appreciate President Trump's efforts to shield our agricultural producers from overregulation and I look forward to putting this problem behind us for good.\nPresident Trump also recently notified Congress of his intent to negotiate a trade agreement to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between the United States and Japan. I have long called for such negotiations, including through a House resolution I introduced last year, and I look forward to the 116th Congress when I will take over as co-Chair of the U.S. Japan Congressional Caucus. Through this position, I hope to strengthen our ties with Japanese leaders and build support a mutually beneficial agreement between our two nations.\nAmong our other accomplishments was an amendment to the FAA's reauthorization bill which will allow several of Nebraska's airports to continue receiving safety improvement funding. Many of our airports were hurt by pilot shortages likely brought on by increased pilot regulations which caused them to fall below the traffic threshold required for federal safety funding. Enplanements have already begun to increase under new carriers, and my initiative will help to bridge the gap as Nebraska airports rebounds from this setback.\nLast year's tax reform package was a great accomplishment and I was able to address a number of Nebraska concerns in it, such as maintaining full property tax deductions for agricultural land. This year we were able to ensure the equitable treatment of cooperatives and private grain elevators and buyers under the new tax code by eliminating the Grain Glitch. Nebraska's farmers and ranchers deserve to see the same benefits as other businesses under tax reform.\nOverall, it was a very productive year, but there is still much to be done to resolve our current trade disputes and level the playing field for our agricultural producers as well as the Nebraska business sector as a whole. I appreciate President Trump's leadership on many of these issues and look forward to the many things we can accomplish moving forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bacon.house.gov/media/press-releases/bacon-voices-support-district-court-judge-nominee-buescher", "Bacon Voices Support for District Court Judge Nominee Buescher", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Don Bacon", "B001298", "bacon.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "OMAHA, NE- Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) today expressed support for Brian Buescher of Omaha, who has been nominated by the President to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge in Nebraska. He also expressed disappointment in two U.S. Senators for their religious discrimination shown in their questioning:\nBrian Buescher is a distinguished civic leader and accomplished attorney here in Omaha and has the outstanding judicial temperament needed to serve on the court. Recent questioning from two Democratic Senators on his affiliations with the Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus are out of line and against the spirit of the founding of this nation. We should never have a religious test as a qualification or disqualification to become a judge. Further, our First Amendment right to exercise our faith freely is core to the character of our country. Brian Buescher should be confirmed, and we should rebuke Senators Mazie Hurino of Hawaii and Kamala Harris of California for their disturbing questioning that smells and looks like anti-religious bigotry.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-statement-appointment-cheryl-johnson-next-house-clerk", "Rep. Bass Statement on Appointment of Cheryl Johnson as Next House Clerk", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Karen Bass", "B001270", "bass.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Los Angeles, CA Office  \n\t\t4929 Wilshire Blvd  \n\t\tSuite 650  Los Angeles,CA 90010  \n\t\tPhone: (323) 965-1422  \n\t\tFax: (323) 965-1113\n\tWashington, DC Office  \n\t\t2059 Rayburn HOB  Washington, DC 20515  \n\t\tPhone: (202) 225-7084  \n\t\tFax: (202) 225-2422", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/10tv-congresswoman-beattys-ceremonial-community-swearing-in", "10TV: Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Joyce Beatty", "B001281", "beatty.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Friday, December 28, 2018, 10TV was on hand to cover all the action surronding Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in event at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.\nAn archived recordinng can be viewed on Beatty's official YouTube page.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/nbc4-congresswoman-beattys-ceremonial-community-swearing-in", "NBC4: Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Joyce Beatty", "B001281", "beatty.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "471 East Broad Street, Suite 1100\nColumbus, Ohio 43215\nPhone: 614-220-0003\nFax: 614-220-5640\nHours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-bill-renaming-post-office-in-honor-of-staff-sergeant-alexandria", "Collins Bill Renaming Post Office In Honor Of Staff Sergeant Alexandria Gleason-Morrow Becomes Law", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Chris Collins", "C001092", "chriscollins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC Today legislation sponsored by Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) to rename the U.S. Post Office in Dansville, New York after Staff Sergeant Alexandria Gleason-Morrow officially became law. SSgt Gleason-Morrow was a Dansville native who was killed in the line of duty March 22, 2017 while serving in Jordan.\n\nI am honored that President Trump signed this piece of legislation honoring Staff Sergeant Gleason-Morrow,said Congressman Collins.Staff Sergeant Gleason-Morrow was a true American hero that represented the very best of the Dansville community. Renaming this post office after her stands as a lasting tribute to her bravery, heroism and sacrifice for our country.\n\nSSgt. Gleason-Morrow enlisted into the United States Air Force after graduating from Dansville Senior High School. She attended the Air Force's Aircraft Armament Technical School after basic training, and was assigned to the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. SSgt. Gleason-Morrow was deployed to Jordan during the Operation Inherent Resolve, and died from non-combat related injuries while performing maintenance duties on a fighter aircraft.\n\nAlexandria Mae Gleason-Morrow was a great American that loved her country and put her life on the line to defend us all,said StephanieGleason, mother of SSgt Gleason-Morrow.She was a top notch airwoman that gave her all, and never accepted anything but perfection. She taught those around her to become the best person they could possibly be. Alex was the best daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, wife and friend to us all.\n\nGleason added:To say I feel a little overwhelmed is an understatement. To know that so many people still remember Alex and care about our family is heartwarming. All I can say is thank you  this honor has truly made our Christmas and New Year brighter.\nSSgt Gleason was posthumously honored by her comrades when she was named the first Senior Airman team chief for the 389th Thunderbolts Aircraft Unit, a subdivision of the 366th Squadron.\n\nSSgt Gleason-Morrow is survived by her mother, Stephanie Gleason, four siblings, two beautiful daughters, and her husband.\n\nThe Collins legislation renames the U.S. postal facility located at116 Main Street in Dansville, the Staff Sergeant Alexandria Gleason-Morrow Post Office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cohen.house.gov/taxonomy/story-type/enewsletters/criticizing-trumps-government-shutdown", "Criticizing Trump's Government Shutdown", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TN", "Steve Cohen", "C001068", "cohen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThis week, the federal government remained partially shutdown by an unnecessary demand by the President for funding for a border wall. In addition to pushing back against the Trump shutdown, I met with constituents and went on CNN to emphasize the need for overdue oversight of the Trump administration, announced a grant for Early Head Start programs at Porter-Leath, expressed concern at the death of a second child migrant in U.S. custody this month, and offered a holiday health tip about getting enough sleep. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me onTwitterandFacebookto see more updates as they happen.\n\t\t\t\tCriticizing Trump's Government Shutdown  Talking Future Oversight of Trump Administration on CNNAnnouncing $2.3 million Early Head Start Grant to Porter-LeathExpressingConcernat a Second Death of a Child Migrant in U.S. CustodyAppearing on MSNBC on SundayOffering U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars  Signing Up for Congress On Your Corner and this e-Newsletter  Weekly Health Tip  Quote of the Week\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  Criticizing Trump's Government Shutdown\n\t\t\t\tThis week, for the third time in Trump's presidency, portions of the federal government shut down. This time it was because of Trump's 11thhour demand for a border wallthat the President said Mexico would pay for, not taxpayers.As he boasted how proud he was to shut down the government,I spoke out against it. The public deserves and expects the programs and services it pays for to stay open and work. I will continue to work to reopen the government, and get federal employees back to work for the American people.\n\t\t\t\tTalking Future Oversight of Trump Administration on CNN\n\t\t\t\tOn Wednesday, I went on CNN with Dana Bash who asked me about oversight of the Trump administrationafterDemocrats take the Majority in the House on January 3. I told her oversight is a basic duty of Congress that has been neglected during the past two years and that that will change in the year ahead. See theinterview here.\n\t\t\t\tAnnouncing $2.3 million Early Head Start Grant to Porter-Leath\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOn Thursday, I announced that Porter-Leathwill be receiving a $2,330,982 Early Head Start grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Office. Early Head Start helps at-risk children under three years old develop the skills they need to give them and their families a shot at the American Dream. I was pleased to announce this important grant funding is heading to Memphis.I appreciate the outstanding work Mike Warr and his staff do at Porter-Leath.\n\t\t\t\tExpressingConcernat a Second in-Custody Death of a Child Migrant\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOn Christmas Eve,an8-year-old Guatemalan boy, Felipe Gomez Alonzo, died while in U.S. custody. This follows the death ofa7-year-old Guatemalan girl,Jakelin Caal Maquin,earlier this month. While I understand the necessity of border patrol stations,I am concerned that these overcrowded stations are unhealthy to the point of death. AfterJakelin'sdeath, I wrote to Secretary of Homeland SecurityKirstjenNielsen urging her to take immediate steps to end the policy of deterring migrants from applying for asylum at ports of entry which has led these desperate asylum seekers to attempt crossings at dangerous areas. Asylum is a human right and people seeking it must be protected. I will continue to support oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and seek answers about how these unfortunate deaths occurred.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAppearing on MSNBC on Sunday\n\t\t\t\tOn Sunday, I'll join MSNBC's Frances Rivera in the noon hour in Memphisto talk about theongoing government shutdown, the border wall and the new Congress that convenes January 3.\n\t\t\t\tOffering U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMy office has a limited number of 2019 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, pleasecomplete this formon my website. Due to the rules of the House, I can mail calendars only to residents of Tennessee's 9thCongressional District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the 9thDistrict who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my e-Newsletter.\n\t\t\t\tSigning Up for Congress On Your Corner and this e-Newsletter\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tI enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my Congress on Your Corner events, you can sign uphereto receive notification as soon as the next event is scheduled.\n\t\t\t\tFor those who haven't participated in a telephone town hall, it's easy to sign up for them by usingthis form.\n\t\t\t\tIf you would like to receive this weekly e-Newsletter, or share it with others, you can do that withthis form.\n\t\t\t\tWeekly Health Tip\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),getting enough sleep is not a luxury; it's a necessity for maintaining good health and avoiding mistakes and injuries.See the CDC's sleep guidelines and recommendationshere.\n\t\t\t\tQuote of the Week\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tI've been in politics over 50 years in a number of positions and working under nine presidents. I've never seen a situation like this, in which almost every important area that is key to this country is confronting crisis.  Former Defense Secretary, CIA Director, Budget Director and Member of Congress Leon Panetta on Fox News Sunday.\n\t\t\t\tAs 2018 draws to an end, I wish all my constituents and friends a very happy 2019. The new year looks to be full of promise.\n\t\t\t\tAs always, I remain  \n\t\t\t\t\tMost sincerely,\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSteve Cohen  \n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cole-appointed-ranking-member-house-rules-committee", "Cole Appointed Ranking Member of House Rules Committee", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Norman, OK  Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he was appointed by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to serve as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee in the 116th Congress. Ranking Member is the top Republican leadership position on this important panel. Before consideration on the House floor, every piece of legislation must first pass through the Rules Committee.\nGoing into the new Congress, I am honored to serve as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, said Cole. I am grateful to Leader McCarthy for appointing me to serve in this key role on behalf of House Republicans and entrusting me to lead. While divided government is challenging, the American people are still counting on Congress to govern. Without question, the Rules Committee is an essential piece in the process of fulfilling that duty effectively. In my new role, I look forward to continuing to serve on the Rules panel and working with my colleagues to ensure Republicans remain heard and influential.\nPrior to this appointment, Cole has served numerous stints on the House Rules Committee. He first served as a member from 2004 to 2006; he was then reappointed in 2013 in the 113th Congress and has remained on the panel during each consecutive Congress. Since 2017, he has served as Vice Chairman of the committee.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/questions-and-answers-about-the-impact-of-a-partial-government-shutdown", "Questions and Answers about the Impact of a Partial Government Shutdown", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Will my mail still arrive during the shutdown?  \n\tYes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars.\n\nWill I continue to receive my Social Security checks?  \n\tYes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks.\n\nWill Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted?  \n\tNo. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown.\n\nCan I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown?  \n\tIt will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS. While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed. IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline.\n\nCan I get a passport during the shutdown?  \n\tPerhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down.\n\nWill I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown?  \n\tThe Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there are no services for visitors to National Park Service sites during the shutdown. Services such as restrooms, visitors' centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal, and interpretative programs are all closed during the shutdown. The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Also, law enforcement staffing is sharply curtailed, so visitors' safety will be put at risk\n\nWill the Smithsonian Museums continue to be open during the shutdown?  \n\tThe Smithsonian has announced that it has prior-year funds that allow its museums to remain open through Tuesday, January 1. However, it appears that if the shutdown lasts beyond January 1, the museums will have to close.\n\nWill I be able to obtain a new flood insurance policy or renew my existing flood insurance policy during the shutdown?  \n\tNo. On Dec. 27, the Trump Administration's FEMA ruled to not renew the National Flood Insurance Program during the shutdown. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has stated that this decision by FEMA jeopardizes tens of thousands of home sales across America, as NAR estimates up to 40,000 closings are disrupted each month that the NFIP cannot issue flood insurance policies.\n\nWhich federal departments are affected by the Trump Shutdown?  \n\tThere are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies, including EPA, the Small Business Administration, and NASA, are affected. (The six federal departments that are already fully funded for FY 2019 and are not affected by the Trump Shutdown are: Defense, Veterans Affairs, HHS, Education, Labor, and Energy.) \n\nHow many federal employees have to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown?   There are approximately 420,000 federal employees, deemed essential, including FBI agents, DEA agents, Secret Service agents, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who are being required to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown. None of them will receive a paycheck until the shutdown is over and the government re-opens. The longer the Trump Shutdown lasts, the longer they are working without a paycheck, increasing their families' financial difficulties.\n\nHow many federal employees have been put on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown?  There are also approximately 380,000 federal employees who have been placed on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown. They are also not receiving any pay during the Trump Shutdown.\n\nWill the 420,000 federal employees forced to work without pay during the shutdown receive the pay for their work when the shutdown is over?  \n\tYes. Under federal law, those federal employees forced to work without pay in the shutdown are guaranteed the pay they have earned when the government re-opens.\n\nWill the 380,000 federal employees who were placed on unpaid furlough during the shutdown receive back pay when the shutdown is over?  \n\tThat will be up to the Congress and the White House. Legislation would have to be enacted. The precedent has been that furloughed employees are later paid, through legislation. Indeed, after every previous shutdown, Congress has passed legislation mandating that furloughed workers get paid.\n\nWhat is the impact of the Trump Shutdown on small businesses?  \n\tA shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration stops approving applications for small businesses to obtain loans and guarantees, typically $1 billion per month. Indeed, on Dec. 22, SBA put a notice on Facebook simply stating, Due to the lapse in government funding, SBA will remain inactive until further notice.\n\nWhat is the impact on home mortgage applications?  \n\tDuring the shutdown, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will see significant delays in loan processing and approvals, due to the furloughing of most employees. Thousands of people trying to buy a new home or refinance a FHA-insured mortgage will likely be put on standby.\n\nWhat is the impact on FDA's food safety activities?  \n\tDuring the Trump Shutdown, the FDA will be unable to support a number of its food safety activities. FDA has furloughed 40 percent of its employees. As a result, it will have to reduce its routine inspections of domestic food facilities. For example, in the 16-day GOP shutdown in 2013, the FDA had to delay nearly 360 food safety inspections.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/service-spirit-and-longevity-remembering-richard-overton", "Service, Spirit, and Longevity: Remembering Richard Overton", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "***Press Release*** \n\t\t\t\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\t\t\t\tDecember 28, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Kate Stotesbery \n\t\t\t\t202-225-4865\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n Service, Spirit, and Longevity: Remembering Richard Overton  \nWashington, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in remembrance of Austin veteran Richard Overton:\nSaluting Richard Overton for his service, spirit, and longevity. One of the last of our World War II vets has passed away at 112. Pleased that he could share so many honors late in life including, here, getting the Healing Garden at our Veterans Clinic named in his honor. Joined by Mayor Adler, we shared a celebration of his life that he very much enjoyed.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:https://www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett | Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett| Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/service-spirit-and-longevity-remembering-richard-overton", "Service, Spirit, and Longevity: Remembering Richard Overton", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in remembrance of Austin veteran Richard Overton:\n\n\"Saluting Richard Overton for his service, spirit, and longevity. One of the last of our World War II vets has passed away at 112. Pleased that he could share so many honors late in life including, here, getting the Healing Garden at our Veterans Clinic named in his honor. Joined by Mayor Adler, we shared a celebration of his life that he very much enjoyed.\"\n\nFollow Lloyd Doggett", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://engel.house.gov/latest-news/engel-to-pompeo-push-to-secure-justice-for-victims-of-the-kosovo-war/", "Engel to Pompeo: Push to Secure Justice for Victims of the Kosovo War", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "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://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-the-passing-of-tom-weisner", "Foster Statement on the Passing of Tom Weisner", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", "foster", "https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Aurora, IL - \"I am deeply saddened to learn that Mayor Tom Weisner passed away. Mayor Weisner led the city through a period of great change and growth, leaving it a more vibrant place to live, work, and play. We are forever indebted to him for his years of public service and leadership as mayor of Aurora. I am grateful to have been able to call him a friend, and I am even more grateful for the counsel he offered me for more than a decade. Tom never forgot the real reason we enter into public service - to improve the lives of the people we represent. Aurora is a better place because of Tom's work, and his legacy will continue to live on in the community he worked to make a better place for the people who call it home. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://garretgraves.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/letters-garret-graves-leads-saltwater-anglers-victory", "Letters: Garret Graves leads saltwater anglers to victory", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Garret Graves", "G000577", "garretgraves.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As saltwater anglers in Sportsman's Paradise, we are blessed with abundant fisheries resources off our coast. Today, we are grateful to our members of Congress who understand the value of America's fisheries and the public's access to those resources.\nOn Dec. 19, Congress passed legislation known as the Modern Fish Act (S. 1520) to improve the way recreational fisheries are managed in federal waters nine to 200 nautical miles off Louisiana's coast. The Modern Fish Act, championed by its lead sponsors, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves R-Baton Rouge, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature.\nThis historic, bipartisan vote on the Modern Fish Act marks the first time a sport-fishing-focused bill has ever passed out of Congress and takes important steps toward updating the way recreational fisheries are managed at the federal level. America's federal fisheries have for decades been managed by policies designed to manage commercial fishing. Therefore, one of America's favorite pastimes often fell victim to regulations never suited to the nature of our sport.\nAs we head into the new year, anglers from coast to coast to coast can be proud of what the Modern Fish Act means for the future of recreational fishing. We are now on a path to better, more modern management and improved data collection on angler effort and harvest. Ultimately, these updates should help avoid the abrupt closures and inconsistent fishing regulations that have been plaguing many federally-managed recreational fisheries in the last several years.\nI would like to thank Graves and his colleagues from Louisiana's congressional delegation in particular, Modern Fish Act co-sponsors U.S. Sens Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Clay Higgins, Ralph Abraham and Mike Johnson who stood up for Louisiana's 400,000 saltwater anglers on Capitol Hill and demanded that we have a seat at the table of fisheries management.\nJeff Angers\npresident, Center for Sportfishing Policy\nBaton Rouge", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-reacts-president-trump-s-threat-shut-down-southwest-border", "Congressman Gonzalez Reacts to President Trumps Threat to Shut Down Southwest Border", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump'scomments that a full shutdown of the U.S. Southwest Border may be necessary to obtain funding for a border wall.\nIt is increasingly worrisome that the president is not kept accountable for his rhetoric - be it online or on any platform. No, Mr. President, you cannot shut down the Southwest Border as a bargaining chip for your useless border wall proposal. The American people need to understand that this action would have vast, terrible implications for American consumers and businesses. If I recall correctly, the biggest threats faced at the U.S.-Mexico Border this year have been the inhumane policies enacted by the Administration. We must be diplomatic and strategic in securing our borders. We must be diligent in protecting trade relations with our neighbors. And the president must exercise the decorum expected from the White House - even from his Twitter account.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1169", "Gottheimer Claws Back More Than $6.5 Million for Hackettstown Train Project", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Gottheimer Claws Back More Than $6.5 Million for Hackettstown Train Project \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Grant for Positive Train Control on Hackettstown Line to Trenton and New York Penn Station Will Increase Rail Safety \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Newton,\r\n        December 28, 2018\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Friday, December 27, 2018, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced a federal grant from the Department of Transportation for $6,542,353 for positive train control on a NJ Transit line that travels from New York Penn Station and Trenton to Hackettstown. The grant comes as part of the FY18 Positive Train Control Grants under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.This grant will go a long way to improving commuter and rail safety in Warren County and across northern New Jersey, said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). The new positive train control system will help keep our trains moving on time and work to prevent the type of rail accidents in New Jersey that we've seen in our state and around the country in recent years. I am proud to claw back our federal tax dollars to make long overdue improvements to our infrastructure in North Jersey. Since I took office, we've clawed back 16% more federal dollars back into the Fifth District compared to previous years -- an increase of $290 per household to help cut our property taxes and fight back against Moochers States, like Mississippi and Alabama. In April, Josh's bipartisan FRA Safety Data Improvement Act, HR 4925, passed the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support. The legislation, which was cosponsored by Republican Congressman Paul Mitchell (MI-10), passed by a unanimous vote. The FRA Safety Data Improvement Act codifies safety accountability requirements to prevent shifting in standards from one Administration to the next. It requires a plan and the implementation of recommendations found in a report from the Department of Transportation's Inspector General. The bipartisan legislation improves and standardizes reporting and training around railway accidents on railroads like Amtrak and NJ Transit. To ensure compliance, the Act also requires the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to update the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee annually on its progress. Positive train control is a technological system that is meant to prevent train crashes and accidents before they happen by automatically keeping the trains a safe distance away from each other and at a safe speed.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-calls-fiscally-responsible-wall-funding-plan", "JONES CALLS FOR FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WALL FUNDING PLAN", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GREENVILLE, NC  As portions of the federal government remain shuttered over a standoff between the president and Congress regarding funding for the wall, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) reminded all parties that increases in federal spending, including expenditures for the wall, should not be paid for by raising the debt.\nWhatever compromise is reached, it should be paid for without adding to the deficit or the debt, said Congressman Jones. America's national debt is nearly $22 trillion. Next year our annual deficit is projected to top $1 trillion. We can't afford to keep financing the provision of government services by borrowing more and more money. It's morally irresponsible and it's got to stop.\nImproving security on the southern border is essential, and we need a fiscally responsible plan to pay for it, Jones continued. If Mexico isn't going to be made to pay for a wall, that means funds must be found internally. Options could include cutting other wasteful federal spending. Foreign aid and the war in Afghanistan would be good places to start. As a wealthy man, the president might consider pledging some of his own funds as well. Whatever it takes, just so long as we don't add to the debt that is bankrupting our great country.\nCongressman Jones is a leader in the fight to cut wasteful spending and balance the budget. He has consistently voted against increasing the debt limit, and over the past 14 years, he is the only member of Congress to vote against every bloated federal budget. \nFor additional information, please contact Congressman Walter Jones' office at (202) 225-3415.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3754", "Lipinski Lends Support to Innovative National Security Program", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON--Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are requesting the Department of Defense to include funding for the Hacking for Defense (H4D) program in its FY 2020 budget request. H4D combines the problem-solving techniques learned by members of the military in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan with Silicon Valley lean business startup methods to teach students how to solve national security challenges.  Earlier this month, Lipinski wrote a letter to Michael Griffin, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, requesting that he support the MD5 National Security Technology Accelerator, which through its university partnerships and collaboration with the H4D program, has helped create a pipeline of new technology and engineering talent focused on national security issues. Fifteen senators and representatives joined Lipinski in requesting funding for the program, which has created more than 900 new applications, concepts, or solutions provided to end-users throughout DOD.  H4D delivers solutions directly to the warfighter, supports the rebuilding of U.S. military readiness, and advances the mission of innovation in national security, Lipinski said. We're requesting that the DOD make MD5 a program of record and include funding for it in order to increase innovation in the department's acquisition process and improve U.S. military readiness.  H4D is modeled after the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, which has been teaching scientists and engineers the skills they need to turn their discoveries into commercial products since 2011. As the top Democrat on the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Lipinski was an early supporter of the I-Corps program and was responsible for helping it proliferate through the federal government. It has changed how federally funded research is commercialized.  Congress has recognized the importance of MD5 by adding more than $50 million for the program since its inception, including $15 million in the FY2019 defense appropriations bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lujan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/udall-heinrich-harris-gillibrand-lujn-demand-investigation-into-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez", "Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Ben Luj\u00e1n", "L000570", "lujan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/frequently-asked-questions-trump-government-shutdown", "Frequently Asked Questions on the Trump Government Shutdown", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Betty McCollum", "M001143", "mccollum.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Frequently Asked Questions from Constituents on the Trump\n\tGovernment Shutdown\nWill my mail still arrive during the shutdown?  \n\tYes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars.  \n\t\nWill I continue to receive my Social Security checks?  \n\tYes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks.  \n\t\nWill Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted?  \n\tNo. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown.  \n\t\nCan I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown?  \n\tIt will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS.While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed.IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline.  \n\t\nCan I get a passport during the shutdown?  \n\tPerhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down.  \n\t\nWill I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown?  \n\tThe Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there arenoservices for visitors to National Park Service sites during the shutdown. Services such as restrooms, visitors' centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal, and interpretative programs areall closedduring the shutdown. The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Also, law enforcement staffing is sharply curtailed, so visitors' safety will be put at risk.  \n\t\nWill the Smithsonian Museums continue to be open during the shutdown?  \n\tThe Smithsonian has announced that it has prior-year funds that allow its museums to remain open through Tuesday, January 1. However, it appears that if the shutdown lasts beyond January 1, the museums will have to close.  \n\t\nWill I be able to obtain a new flood insurance policy or renew my existing flood insurance policy during the shutdown?  \n\tNo. Just today, Dec. 27, the Trump Administration's FEMA ruled tonotrenew the National Flood Insurance Program during the shutdown. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has stated that today's decision by FEMA jeopardizes tens of thousands of home sales across America, as NAR estimates up to 40,000 closings are disrupted each month that the NFIP cannot issue flood insurance policies.  \n\t\nWhich federal departments are affected by the Trump Shutdown?  \n\tThere are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies, including EPA, the Small Business Administration, and NASA, are affected. (The six federal departments that are already fully funded for FY 2019 and arenotaffected by the Trump Shutdown are: Defense, Veterans Affairs, HHS, Education, Labor, and Energy.)  \n\t \nHow many federal employees have to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown?  There are approximately 420,000 federal employees, deemed essential, including FBI agents, DEA agents, Secret Service agents, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who are being required to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown. None of them will receive a paycheck until the shutdown is over and the government re-opens. The longer the Trump Shutdown lasts, the longer they are working without a paycheck, increasing their families' financial difficulties.  \n\t\nHow many federal employees have been put on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown?  There are also approximately 380,000 federal employees who have been placed on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown. They are also not receiving any pay during the Trump Shutdown.  \n\t\nWill the 420,000 federal employees forced to work without pay during the shutdown receive the pay for their work when the shutdown is over?  \n\tYes. Under federal law, those federal employees forced to work without pay in the shutdownare guaranteedthe pay they have earned when the government re-opens.  \n\t\nWill the 380,000 federal employees who were placed on unpaid furlough during the shutdown receive back pay when the shutdown is over?  \n\tThat will be up to the Congress and the White House. Legislation would have to be enacted. The precedent has been that furloughed employeesarelater paid, through legislation. Indeed, after every previous shutdown, Congress has passed legislation mandating that furloughed workers get paid.  \n\t\nWhat is the impact of the Trump Shutdown on small businesses?  \n\tA shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration stops approving applications for small businesses to obtain loans and guarantees, typically $1 billion per month. Indeed, on Dec. 22, SBA put a notice on Facebook simply stating, Due to the lapse in government funding, SBA will remain inactive until further notice.  \n\t\nWhat is the impact on home mortgage applications?  \n\tDuring the shutdown, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will see significant delays in loan processing and approvals, due to the furloughing of most employees. Thousands of people trying to buy a new home or refinance a FHA-insured mortgage will likely be put on standby.  \n\t\nWhat is the impact on FDA's food safety activities?  \n\tDuring the Trump Shutdown, the FDA will be unable to support a number of its food safety activities.FDA has furloughed 40 percent of its employees. As a result, it will have to reduce its routine inspections of domestic food facilities. For example, in the 16-day GOP shutdown in 2013, the FDA had to delay nearly 360 food safety inspections.  \n\t\nAttachment: Frequently Asked Questions from Constituents on the Trump Government Shutdown", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://nadler.house.gov/press-release/top-house-democrats-call-preservation-records-related-child-deaths-cbp-custody-and", "Top House Democrats Call for Preservation of Records Related to Child Deaths in CBP Custody and Announce Plans for Oversight Hearings in 116th Congress", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Jerrold Nadler", "N000002", "nadler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following joint statement calling for the preservation of all evidence related to the two child deaths in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody, as well as announcing they will conduct hearings and oversight in the new Congress into those deaths and conditions in those facilities generally:\nWe are devastated by the news that yet another child has died in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). After the new Congress begins next week, our Committees in the House of Representatives will hold hearings and conduct oversight of the two deaths that occurred earlier this month, as well as the conditions under which thousands of children are being held in DHS custody. We take seriously our responsibility to conduct meaningful and fair oversight, and to ensure accountability where required.\"\n\t\t\t\t\tAs a result, we are calling on DHS to preserve any and all evidence related to these horrible incidents. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, medical records, logs of health and welfare checks, and surveillance videos at all relevant Customs and Border Protection holding facilities, forward operating bases, and processing centers. We as a country can and must do better. We look forward to working with DHS to improve the health and safety of those in its custody and to ensure that this never happens again.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-king-time-for-us-to-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan", "Congressman King: Time for U.S. to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NY", "Peter King", "K000210", "peteking.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Pete King Statement:\n\"To reaffirm our commitment to Israel and opposition to Iran expansion &amp; aggression, it is time for the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights. Essential to Israeli security, regional stability and U.S. national interest.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-eyes-education-subcommittee-chairmanship", "Kilili eyes education subcommittee chairmanship", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Marianas Variety- U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan wants to chair the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.\nA senior member of the full committee and the current ranking member of its Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, Kilili caucuses with the U.S. Democrats who have won control of the incoming 116th U.S. House of representatives.\nIn a press conference at his Saipan office on Thursday, Kilili, who won a sixth term in November, said he will be in a position that will make him very effective for the people of the CNMI.\nKilili is interested in chairing the early childhood, elementary and secondary education subcommittee which, he added, has a broad oversight on many issues involving elementary and secondary education, Head Start, career and technical training, among others.\nSince he was elected as the CNMI's first delegate to the U.S. Congress in 2008, Kilili said he has successfully obtained federal funding for the Public School System. This, he added, includes $5.3 million through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which will benefit all individuals in the CNMI, 3 to 21 years, with disabilities, as well as the islands' early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families.\nIn the Every Student Succeeds Act, Kilili said he came up with a formula change for insular areas that increased Title I-A funding for elementary and high schools in the CNMI by more than $4 million for a total of $11 million, with further increases through 2020.\nMy focus has been to get myself ready for what will come in the 116th Congress, he said. I would like to get more money for our schools, our teachers, our students  maybe money to build new schools, money to pay teachers higher salaries. Education is my top priority.\nKilili said he will also continue to work hard on disaster recovery.\nRecently, he said he was able to include the CNMI in a disaster supplemental bill, H.R. 695, which would provide the Commonwealth $100 million if it becomes law.\nKilili said he is thankful to incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi, incoming Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey, current Appropriations Committee Chair Rodney Frelinghuysen and incoming House Subcommittee on Nutrition Chairman Sanford Bishop for their assistance in the disaster supplemental appropriations bill.\nKilili said there is also plan to turn the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resource-Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs into a separate full committee. If that happens, he said he will seek its vice chairmanship.\nWhen you are in the minority it is so hard to explain or lay out your vision because you don't control the gavel. Now that we are in the majority and now that I'm going to be taking over leadership positions, it gives me a chance to influence legislation, to work on bills that benefit us, he added.\nAsked for comment, Education Commissioner Glenn Muna said it would be great news for the CNMI if Kilili becomes chairman of the education subcommittee.\nOur office has always worked with our congressional delegate, he added. We want to make sure that we continue that partnership so we can continue to see how else the federal government can help our school district and provide services to our students.\nMuna said one of the things he brought up during his recent meeting with Kilili was the need for federal assistance to build a new middle or high school.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-commutation-mayor-langford-s-sentence", "Rep. Sewell Statement on Commutation of Mayor Langfords Sentence", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Friday, December 28, Judge L. Scott Coogler of the Northern District of Alabama issued a ruling reducing the sentence of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford to time served. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) has been in communication with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and the White House, urging officials to permit Mayor Langford's release after she was informed by his attorneys of the Mayor's most recent hospitalization.\nAs I have said before, justice should be fair, but merciful. I am deeply grateful to all those who heeded our renewed call for the immediate compassionate release of Mayor Larry Langford, said Rep. Terri Sewell. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Jay Town, Senator Doug Jones, our federal partners, and all those who worked side-by-side with our office despite the government shutdown to secure Mayor Langford's release. The holiday season is a reminder of the importance of family, and the commutation of Mayor Langford's sentence means that our former Mayor can spend his final days at home in Alabama with loved ones. My prayers are with the whole Langford family as they reunite and provide comfort to Mayor Langford in the days and weeks ahead.\nRep. Sewell previously advocated for the compassionate release of Mayor Langford in 2015 and 2016 during the Obama Administration. Mayor Langford has suffered from worsening chronic health conditions for years and meets all of the legal criteria for a reduction in sentence.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/speeches/larry-langford-order", "Larry Langford Order", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "908 Alabama Avenue\nFederal Building, Suite 112", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=2320", "Toomey in Today's Morning Call: Even with Divided Congress, Opportunities Exist for Bipartisan Legislation", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Allentown, Pa. - In an op-ed published in today's Morning Call, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) details his legislative priorities for the coming legislative session and what he believes can be accomplished under divided government.\nTopics include, but are not limited to, making permanent the expiring provisions of tax reform, strengthening firearm background checks, expanding opportunities for international trade, and a federal infrastructure improvement measure.\nSenator Toomey's op-ed is provided below and available here.\nYour View: Even with divided Congress, opportunities exist for bipartisan legislationMorning Call  By Senator Pat Toomey   December 28, 2018\nIn January, Americans will send a divided government to Washington. As we consider our legislative agenda for the next Congress, our first rule should be: Do no harm.\nThe American economy is the strongest we've seen in decades. Economic growth has accelerated, unemployment is at 3.7 percent, middle-class wages are finally rising, and for the first time there are more job openings than there are people looking for a job.\nThis is largely due to historic tax reform and regulatory relief that has been enacted over the past two years. We should make the expiring provisions of tax reform permanent and continue the regulatory reforms that helped get us here.\nAnother important opportunity is meaningful entitlement reform. Our structural deficits and accumulating debt will, at some point, undermine economic growth and our standard of living if uncorrected. The three big entitlement programs - Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - are the root cause of our fiscal problems.\nSuccessful reforms in the past were achieved when members of both parties were willing to take political risks together. I have no illusions that this will be easy - or likely. But Congress owes the American people a government that is fiscally stable.\nAreas where we have better odds of making real progress include keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill; expanding opportunities for international trade; lowering the cost of health care; fighting opioid abuse; and modernizing the nation's aging infrastructure.\nLaw-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to own and use firearms. I'm a gun owner and take my son shooting. A brief background check to prevent the purchase of a gun by someone who has forfeited their right to own a gun, such as a convicted felon or dangerously mentally ill person, does not violate anyone's Second Amendment rights.\nA silver lining of Democratic control of the House is that they may pass background check legislation. This could boost momentum for Senate passage of my bill, which I wrote with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), to extend background checks to cover all commercial sales, including those made at gun shows and online. Congress should finally come together and enact our bill.\nOn trade, the president's policies have been mixed. He's been mistaken to propose restricting trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada - our largest trading partners - but right to point out the egregious theft of intellectual property by China.\nOn balance, international trade is very good for Pennsylvania. The livelihoods of 1.6 million Pennsylvanians depend on trade, and workers in export-based manufacturing jobs are paid, on average, 18 percent more than other workers. Congress should correct the president's misguided actions, and affirm his constructive trade policy.\nHealth care may seem like an unlikely area for cooperation with divided government, but the high cost of care for American families provides powerful motivation. We need legislation to improve cost and quality transparency for consumers, enhance choices, and lower prices across the entire sector.\nCongress should also be able to build on the recent bipartisan efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. For starters, we can do more to reduce the flow of lethal fentanyl into the United States from other countries and encourage further reductions in opioid prescriptions.\nLastly, there is bipartisan agreement that our infrastructure needs improvement. Updating our infrastructure is about more than fixing congested roads and aging bridges. It's also about our airports, locks, dams, dredging, access to broadband, and transporting the vast natural gas reserves that are transforming Pennsylvania into a leading energy producer and exporter. If crafted responsibly, an infrastructure bill can facilitate more, and sustained, economic growth.\nThe biggest political dynamic at play in 2019 is how willing the newly elected Democratic House majority and President Trump are to work together. The Senate will continue confirming the president's executive branch and judicial nominees.\nI stand ready to work with my House and Senate colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, to make progress on these and other important priorities for our commonwealth and nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://vela.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/vela-gonzalez-push-back-border-tweets", "Vela, Gonzalez push back at border tweets", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Filemon Vela", "V000132", "vela.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Amid the partial federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump tweeted an ultimatum Friday morning directed at Congress: Fund his promised border wall or the United States-Mexico border will close.\nEither we build (finish) the Wall or we close the Border  one of Trump's four tweets about the border said in part.\nThe president's series of tweets about the border riled up Rio Grande Valley congressmen, who quickly fired back, both on the president's preferred social media platform and ina prepared statement.\n\nThe shutdown is a crisis of the president's own making, U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, said in a tweet. To suggest that the appropriate response to his own crisis to shut down operations at our nation's border and cut off humanitarian aid to Central America is grossly foolish.\nIf he doesn't secure enough votes to fund the wall, one of his major 2016 campaign promises, Trump also threatened to cut off aid to countries fled by asylum seekers, tweeting, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money.\nIn 2017, the U.S. spent about $257.3 million in Guatemala alone, with $30 million directed toward a counter-drug program headed by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, according to the United States Agency for International Development. That year, the U.S. directed $181 million to Honduras and $118.2 million to El Salvador.\nU.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, responded to the president's tweets via a prepared statement and did not address the threat to cut off aid to Central American countries. He instead pushed back on threats directed at the border.\nNo, Mr. President, you cannot shut down the Southwest Border as a bargaining chip for your useless border wall proposal, the statement read. The American people need to understand that this action would have vast, terrible implications for American consumers and businesses.\nLast month, surveyors were spotted near the National Butterfly Center in Mission, weeks after the federal government awarded contracts to companies scheduled to build portions of the wall beginning in February, The Monitor previously reported.\nDemocrats, who Trump called obstructionist in one of Friday's tweets, take control of the House beginning Thursday and have signaled they are unwilling to fund more wall. Since assuming office in January 2017, the president has had a Republican-controlled congress.\nWe can secure our border in a sensible, cost-effective manner, that does not include an antiquated border wall, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, a member of the House appropriations committee, said in an emailed statement last week.\nThe House on Dec. 21 approved a spending bill that included $5.7 billion for border wall construction. A spending bill passed by the Senate two days prior, however, did not include funding for the president's wall, leading to a deadlock and the partial government shutdown.\nThough Trump omitted details about what his version of shutting down the border would look like and whether he would be willing to go as far as closing ports of entry, such as international bridges in Progreso, Pharr, Hidalgo, Mission and Donna, a Washington Post analysis of a border closure found there's very little he can do to shut down the border that would stand up legally.\nTrump, in a tweet, suggested the country go back to pre-NAFTA, before so many of our companies and jobs were so foolishly sent to Mexico.\nNAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, effective since New Year's Day in 1994, was designed to increase trade among the U.S., Canada and Mexico. NAFTA, which was negotiated this year, is set to be replaced in 2019 by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.\nWe must be diplomatic and strategic in securing our borders. We must be diligent in protecting trade relations with our neighbors, Gonzalez said in the statement. And the president must exercise the decorum expected from the White House  even from his Twitter account.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A7D3A133-078D-4BAC-B9AA-278F4DBC74B9", "Alexander: Mercury Rule Has Kept Tennessees Air Clean", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Lamar Alexander", "A000360", "www.alexander.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MARYVILLE, Tenn.,December 28,2018 United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the Mercury Rule is important to help keep Tennessee's air clean.\r\nThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a proposed rule to revise regulations related to the Mercury Rule.\r\nEver since being elected to the Senate, I have worked to clean up our aircleaner air means better jobs as well as better health for Tennesseans,Alexander said.The Mercury Rule, which was finalized in 2012, required utilities to install pollution control equipment to reduce emissions of mercury and hazardous air pollutants in order to keep our air, waters and streams cleanwhich has been good for our state and its economy. I will review the Trump Administration's proposed rule in the coming weeks to determine its potential impact on Tennessee.\r\nThe Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (the Mercury Rule) was finalized in February 2012 to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from power plants. In June 2012, Alexandervoted to supportthe Mercury Rule on the Senate floor.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=3B240EDA-52E9-4B16-A047-CCF0F7961316", "Bennet Office Holds Listening Sessions in Every Colorado County in 2018", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Michael Bennet", "B001267", "www.bennet.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Denver, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invited constituents to meet in person with members of his Colorado staff in all 64 counties this year.\r\nConstituents in Colorado, and across the country, sometimes need assistance when dealing with the IRS, Social Security Administration, VA, or other federal agencies. In 2018, Bennet's Colorado staff scheduled individual appointments to listen to constituent concerns, respond to questions, and help Coloradans navigate through government red tape.\r\nStanding up for Coloradans is at the heart of our commitment to the public, saidSenator Bennet. No matter what, constituents should always reach out to our office with any questions, concerns, opinions, and requests.\r\nBennet's office held 80+ community office hours in 2018. During his second term, Bennet fielded questions during 20+ official town hall meetings across the state, in addition to accepting invitations from constituents to discuss topics of interest, including immigration, veteran issues, and agriculture.\r\nConstituent service will remain a top priority for Bennet and his team in 2019. Submit requestsonlineor call any of Bennet'sstatewide offices. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are recommended, but not required.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/tb-p-sen-boozman-says-work-being-done-to-protect-election-integrity", "TB&P: Provision in new Farm Bill could help Arkansas farmers sell crops in Cuba", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In the News \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tThe newly minted Farm Bill contains a provision that will allow U.S. agricultural producers to use federal market promotion dollars for exports to Cuba.\r\nFull story:https://talkbusiness.net/2018/12/provision-in-new-farm-bill-could-help-arkansas-farmers-sell-crops-in-cuba/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-looks-back-at-2018", "VIDEO: Capito Looks Back at 2018", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Shelley Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.28.18\n\t\t\t VIDEO: Capito Looks Back at 2018 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCHARLESTON, W.Va.  U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today released a video highlighting various events from 2018 and her work for West Virginians during the past year.\r\n\r\nClick here or the image above to watch the video.\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/carper-to-epa-dismantling-mercury-emissions-rule-puts-americans-health-at-risk", "Carper to EPA: Dismantling Mercury Emissions Rule Puts Americans Health at Risk", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is rolling back critical protections by asserting that it is no longer appropriate and necessary to regulate mercury and toxic air pollution from coal and oil fired plants under the Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS).\r\nOnce again, the Trump Administration is acting in a way that will adversely affect the health and safety of those living from coast to coast.The Trump EPA has decided  despite the recommendations of scientists, public health experts and elected officials on both sides of the aisle  that it is no longer appropriate and necessary' to protect the development ofinfants' brains from the serious threats posed by mercury power plant pollution.\r\nBy releasing this proposal today, Acting Administrator Wheeler can only be attempting to rush an egregious policy before EPA staff are furloughed that is not only wildly unpopular, but also rolls back years of critical protections that keep toxic emissions out of the air we all breathe. With this action, EPA is also setting a dangerous precedent that a federal agency  charged with protecting the environment and public health  will no longer factor in all the clear health, environmental, and economics benefits of clean air polices, such as reducing cancer and birth defects.Since the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule was issued in 2012, both electric prices and mercury pollution have gone down. With this proposal, EPA has decided to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, and all Americans will suffer as a result.\r\nBackground on Senator Carper's fight to limit mercury emissions:\r\n \r\nSenator Carper in December sent aletterto the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) expressing grave concerns that in making this decision, EPA is ignoring or dismissing many of the MATS rule's public health benefits and actual costs.\r\nSenator Carper in AugustintroducedtheComprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Actwith Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a bipartisan bill that would establish a national mercury monitoring network.\r\nSenator Carper in August sent aletterwith Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to EPA requesting that EPA keep the MATS rule in place.\r\nSenator Carper early last yearquestionedthen-Attorney General Scott Pruitt last year about EPA's commitment to regulate mercury. Pruitt replied that Mercury under the Section 112 is something that EPA should deal with and regulate.\r\nSenator Carper early last year discussed Pruitt's antagonism towards regulating mercury while he led theovernight floor debateon the confirmation vote for Scott Pruitt to lead EPA.\r\nSenator Carper in NovemberhighlightedAssistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum's opposition to regulating mercury from power plants.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-announces-fema-will-correct-error-resume-sales-of-new-flood-insurance-policies", "Cassidy Announces FEMA Will Correct Error, Resume Sales of New Flood Insurance Policies", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Bill Cassidy", "C001075", "www.cassidy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.28.18\n\t\t\t Cassidy Announces FEMA Will Correct Error, Resume Sales of New Flood Insurance Policies \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), released the following statement announcing that in response to his letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long, the agency will reverse its decision to suspend sales of new flood insurance (NFIP) policies during the partial government shutdown.\r\nFEMA's initial NFIP guidance made no sense, and I'm happy to announce they are heeding my direction and will start selling new flood insurance policies again. It's unfortunate so many people were inconvenienced due to FEMA's error, but I'm glad they are correcting it so home sales in limbo can proceed, said Dr. Cassidy. Now if only Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and other Washington Democrats will also listen to common sense, we can pass a bill to secure the border and end this partial government shutdown.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-members-coast-guard-affected-partial-government-shutdown", "Senator Collins Statement on Members of Coast Guard Affected by Partial Government Shutdown", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "ME", "Susan Collins", "C001035", "www.collins.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Newsroom \n                \n    \n    \n      \n      \n  \n        \n                         Senator Collins' Statement on Members of Coast Guard Affected by Partial Government Shutdown \n                   \n      \n                              \n  \n    \n        \n      Posted Fri, 12/28/2018 - 16:49    \n    \n    \n    \n  Washington, D.C.U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued this statement today regarding a separate payroll system that will prevent active-duty members of the Coast Guard from receiving pay for pre-shutdown work unless action is taken:\n\nMost federal employees will receive their scheduled paychecks today, but that is not the case for 42,000 Coast Guard members, who will not be paid for pre-shutdown work because they are under a different pay system.This is not fair. I called the White House to urge an immediate fix.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=DBFE6666-2B3C-4EFD-A346-21293A6E0C8C", "Corker Announces Portman Will Lead Congressional Efforts to End Modern Slavery Worldwide", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Bob Corker", "C001071", "www.corker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  As his time in Congress comes to a close, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced that Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will take the helm of congressional efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide.\r\nFor years, Senator Portman has been a champion in Congress in the fight against human trafficking here at home, and I can think of no one better to take up the mantle in the global fight against this scourge on humanity as I depart the Senate, said Corker. With passage of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act and launch of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, we have made great progress in this fight, but much more work remains. While I plan to continue to play a role in this fight as a private citizen, I am incredibly grateful that Rob has agreed to take the helm in Congress to ensure this important work continues as we strive to end modern slavery once and for all.\r\nI am honored that Senator Corker has entrusted me with this role and I want to thank him for his tireless and courageous efforts to combat this horrific crime around the globe, said Portman. Over the past decade we have made progress but there is much more to do both in the U.S. and in other countries to help end this scourge once and for all.\r\nBACKGROUND:\r\nMore than 27 million people are enslaved around the world, more than at any time in history. While U.S. government agencies and non-profit organizations have taken significant steps to end this scourge on humanity, much more work remains. Recognizing the United States could not meet this challenge alone, three years ago, Senator Corker proposed a bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide.\r\nNot unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS across the globe, the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act was designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to focus resources responsibly where the crime is most prevalent. With broad support from countless individuals, organizations, and faith-based institutions, authorizing legislation for the End Modern Slavery Initiative was included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA), which overwhelmingly passed the Senate on December 8, 2016 and was signed into law by the president soon after.\r\nPassage led to the creation of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS), a non-profit, grant-making foundation in the District of Columbia that is funding programs and projects outside of the United States that will:\r\n \r\nContribute to the freeing and sustainable recovery of victims of modern slavery, prevent individuals from being enslaved, and enforce laws to punish individual and corporate perpetrators of modern slavery;\r\nSet clear, defined goals and outcomes that can be empirically measured; and\r\nSeek to achieve a measurable 50 percent reduction of modern slavery in the areas the foundation operates.\r\n \r\nThe foundation seeks to raise $1.5 billion over the next decade, more than 80 percent of which will come through matching funds from the private sector and foreign governments. To date, more than $105 million has been contributed to the fund, including:\r\n \r\n$46 million from the U.S. State Department (September 14, 2017)\r\n$25 million from the United Kingdom (September 19, 2017)\r\n$25 million from a private donor\r\n$11.6 million from Norway (December 18, 2018)\r\n \r\nProgress of the fund's success will be tracked against baseline data with a goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction in modern slavery in the areas where the fund is working. Projects that fail to meet goals will be suspended or terminated. The foundation is required to comply with the Government Accountability Office's mandate to conduct financial audits and program evaluations.\r\nDuring his time in the Senate, Portman has authored six federal anti-trafficking laws designed to better serve victims and help law enforcement end this crime  including most recently the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA). The law, which President Trump signed on April 11, 2018, is helping to curb the explosion of online sex trafficking and give victims the tools they need to hold accountable websites that knowingly facilitate the trafficking of women and children online.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A562073E-498D-44A3-A299-81676BFF6B58", "Feinstein: Trump Attacks on Northern Triangle Nations Cover for Bad Border Wall Idea", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dianne Feinstein", "F000062", "www.feinstein.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today responded to President Trump's call to end funding for Northern Triangle nations:\r\nPresident Trump this morning once again attacked Mexico and Central America, raising the specter of another so-called caravan to stoke fears of his political base and justify his ill-conceived border wall. His actions continue to be incredibly irresponsible and threaten to further destabilize the region.\r\nThe only person who doesn't understand why people are leaving El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is President Trump. The violence and intense poverty in those countries are forcing families to flee for their lives. A humanitarian crisis deserves a humanitarian response, not a heartless attack.\r\nWe'll never help improve living conditions in those countries if we further isolate them, a fact that President Trump refuses to acknowledge. Even members of Trump's own administration say economic development in Central America is key to solving this crisis, but still the president refuses to listen.\r\nIt's clear that President Trump is prolonging his government shutdown for political reasons. I'm hopeful that congressional leaders can come together and end this wasteful stalemate without squandering billions of taxpayer dollars on the president's absurd border wall.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-115th-congress", "Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments of the 115th Congress", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "www.grassley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in the 115th Congress. Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and it's an honor that I take seriously, Grassley said. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans.  Grassley holds at least one question-and-answer session in each of Iowa's 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject fromIowans. In 2018, Grassleycompletedhisannual county meetings for the 38th year in a row. Grassley holdsmeetings in a variety of settingsto ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, includingbusinesses, schools,townmeetings andfactory floors. Although the setting may differ from county to county, the format is the same: Iowans set the agenda.  In addition to his annual meetings, Grassley attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including:  In 2018, Grassley created a social media series called #CornWatch that gave followers an insider look at farming operations and tracked the progression of the corn crop grown on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa from planting through harvest.  When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings everyMondaythroughThursdayto meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. During the 115th Congress, Grassley metwith more than 2,000 groups of Iowans visiting the nation's capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as trade, tax reform and health care. Grassley also joined 26 Iowa schoolsfor Q&amp;As via video conferencing and, as an avid fan of Iowa universities, attended dozens of sporting events.  Highlights of Grassley's legislative and oversight work follow here:  Agriculture:  As the senior senator of one of the top agricultural states in the country, Grassley has been an outspoken advocate for farmers and Rural America. He has consistently called for a new Farm Bill that would include commonsense reforms to ensure federal assistance only goes to farmers who truly need it instead of millionaire non-farmers gaming the system.  Grassley, along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, raised concerns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency over potentially wasteful payouts made to the estates of deceases farmers.  Grassley was also a leading supporter for the confirmation of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to be Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Grassley introduced Northey at his nomination hearing, praised his qualifications and congratulated him at his long-overdue confirmation.  Grassley joined fellow Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst in introducing the Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) Act of 2018, which was largely enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill. It refocuses conservation spending on marginal cropland to benefit soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. It also protects rural economies and ensures greater farmland access for beginning and young farmers.  Grassley and Ernst, along with other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, urged the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review the proposed purchase of National Beef Packing Co. by a Brazilian meat company.  During the fall of 2017, Grassley reintroduced theFamily Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017to reverse a Supreme Court ruling (Hall v. United States) that made it harder for family farmers to reorganize their finances after declaring bankruptcy. The bill was included as part of the supplemental appropriations package and was signed into law by President Trump.  Also in 2017, the USDA withdrew two rules related to thePackers and Stockyards Act, commonly referred to as the GIPSA rules. As the only two farmers currently serving in the U.S. Senate, Grassley, along with Sen. Jon Tester of Montana,wrote a letterto USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to express their disagreement over the agency's decision to withdraw these rules. Grassley also offered legislation toamend thePackers and Stockyards Actto make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed or control livestock intended for slaughter.  Grassley introduced theFood Security is National Security Act of 2017, which would give top U.S. agriculture and food officials permanent representation on CFIUS. It would also include new agriculture and food-related criteria for CFIUS to consider when reviewing transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign company, ensuring the U.S. has the tools and people it needs to safeguard the nation's food security, food safety, biosecurity and bring security to Iowa farmers and the U.S. farm sector as a whole.  As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Grassleywrote a letterto the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an update of its 2013 report on farm program eligibility in advance of the Farm Bill. In 2014, Grassley led an effort to fix loopholes that allowed farmers to exploit the system by using non-farming family members to receive additional subsidies from the government. Both chambers of Congress passed his bipartisan amendment that included reforms to farm program eligibility, but the amendment was significantly watered down during conference and ultimatelybecame lawas part of the 2014 Farm Bill. In 2018, Grassley introduced the same payment limit loophole amendment, but again it was left out of the final text of the Farm Bill.  Antitrust:  In his capacity as Senate Judiciary chairman, Grassley, along with House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, requested input from the Justice Department's (DOJ) antitrust division on a proposal to hold the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members accountable for antitrust violations. In aletterto Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim, the lawmakers touted the bicameral, bipartisan support for theNo Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act, or NOPEC, which Grassley introduced.  Grassley and Goodlatte also sent a letter to President Trump regarding the impact of foreign antitrust enforcement on American citizens and businesses abroad. In the letter, they requested the President establish a White House Working Group on International Competition to coordinate international competition and trade policy with the United States. They also requested the development of a comprehensive and consistent strategy to address misuse of foreign competition law by foreign governments.  In a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joseph Simons, Grassley requested the FTC conduct an assessment of recent and ongoing consolidation in the pharmaceutical supply chain and its potential impact on prescription drug prices for American consumers. Grassley also called on the DOJ's antitrust divisionto conduct a vigorous review of the proposed mergers of Cigna Corp. with Express Scripts Holding Co., and CVS Health Corp. with Aetna Inc. due to the potential influence the mergers could have on the price of prescription drugs.  Grassley also sent a letter to Chairman Simons requesting the FTC conduct an assessment of potentially anticompetitive contracting practices between insurers and hospital systems in the United States deliberately designed to prevent consumers' access to quality, lower cost care.  The Senate passed Grassley'sCriminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act, which would extend whistleblower protections for employees who provide information to the DOJ related to criminal antitrust violations. This is part of Grassley's decades-long effort to protect and empower whistleblowers. The legislation passed the Senate the past two congresses, but has not been taken up by the House of Representatives.  Grassley and Goodlatte called on the DOJ and FTC to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to make strong competition provisions a central part of upcoming trade negotiations.In their 2017letter, Grassley and Goodlatte encouraged the federal antitrust agencies to include a competition chapter in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to establish a high standard for competition chapters in future trade negotiations.  Criminal Justice Reform:  As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley, along with Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Mike Lee of Utah, Corey Booker of New Jersey, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, introduced the bipartisan First Step Act. The legislation  the most significant criminal justice reform effort in a generation  passed the House and the Senate and was signed into law by President Trump, will reduce recidivism, promote public safety and improve fairness in sentencing of federal crimes.  Grassley, along with a bipartisan group of senators, reintroducedthe landmarkSentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017, which would recalibrate prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, target violent and career criminals and save taxpayer dollars.The bill would allow increased judicial discretion at sentencing for offenders with minimal criminal histories and help inmates successfully re-enter society. It would also tighten penalties for violent criminals and preserve key prosecutorial tools for law enforcement. The legislation advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in early 2018 with broad support.  Defense Oversight:  Grassley's extensive oversight work throughout his career has included a dogged pursuit for answers from the Pentagon over decades of wasteful spending and its inability to produce a clean financial audit.  Grassley has repeatedly pressed Secretary of Defense James Mattis to follow through on his commitment to end waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of Defense (DOD). Along with Sens. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Ron Wyden of Oregon, Grassley requested the GAO conduct an independent review of the reasons behind DOD's failure to acquire modern financial information technology systems capable of generating reliable information and supporting credible financial statements.  In the fall of 2018, the Pentagon released the results of a full financial audit, showing it failed to produce a clean audit. Grassley commented on those results, saying that they were disappointing but not surprising.  The results of the audit follow multiple calls from Grassley for the DOD to make the changes necessary to pass a full financial audit. In early 2018, Grassley received the results of an audit he requested in 2016 along with then-Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, from the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). The results were alarming, showing poor recordkeeping, lack of mission, poor planning and incomplete projects, among other dissatisfactory conclusions. One example of note is the $43 million DOD spent on a gas station in Afghanistan.  Throughout 2018, Grassley engaged repeatedly with DOD leaders, including Principal Deputy Inspector General Glenn A. Fine and Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Heather Wilson, seeking answers as to why the department was wasting $14,000 of taxpayer dollars on individual toilet seat covers and $1,280 on individual water-heating cups  an expense that totaled nearly $326,785 over three years. After Grassley's inquiry, the Air Force stopped purchasing the exorbitantly-priced cups. It still has not provided a complete response for its purchasing of $14,000 individual toilet seat covers.  Grassley raised questions about a DOD Inspector General (IG) audit report on TRICARE overpayments. The report cited improper payments of up to $81.2 million made by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to TRICARE providers in 2015 and 2016. Despite providing a number of pointed questions aimed at getting to the bottom of these overpayments, Fine side-stepped providing detailed and specific answers in his responseletterto Grassley. In fact, the letter did not include a timetable requested for recovering the TRICARE overpayments, it did not acknowledge accountability for the overpayments and did not recommend solutions to ensure accountability moving forward. DOD currently estimates that it would cost $182 million of taxpayer money to recover the improper payments.  Grassley also pressed Mattis to review which employees were responsible for wasting at least $64.8 million on a plane intended for counter-narcotics work in Afghanistan that never flew a single such mission and was later put up for auction.  DOJ/ FBI:  As a watchdog of the federal bureaucracy, Grassley continues staunch oversight of the Justice Department the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in 2017. He also built upon longstanding efforts to protect whistleblowers bypressingthe FBI to explain why it has failed to update its whistleblower policies, employee trainings and internal communications to comply with theFederal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act(FBI WPEA).  Grassley introduced the new protections last congress to bring FBI whistleblower policies in line with those at other federal agencies. The bipartisan bill was signed into law on December 16, 2016. Grassley alsopressedthe DOJ regarding the FBI's implementation of whistleblower protections. In a letter to DOJ, Grassley outlined a series of concerns about whistleblower protections that have gone unaddressed despite government reports drawing attention to these problems and recommending changes.  Grassleycalled onthe FBI to explain its advance knowledge and any plan to thwart a 2015 terrorist attack in Garland, Texas, andpressedfor answers on how an FBI translator wasreportedlyable to travel to Syria and marry the ISIS operative whom she was supposed to be investigating.  With Whitehouse and Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and John Cornyn of Texas, Grassley introduced theCombating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017. The legislation would modernize and strengthen criminal laws againstmoney laundering, update criminal money laundering and counterfeiting statutes and promote transparency in the U.S. financial system.  Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStrengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017.The legislation wouldauthorize for the first time the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), which provides law enforcement with techniques and best practices for handling digital forensics evidence.  Grassley introduced theLawsuit Abuse Reduction Act,legislation that would put in place stricter rules todeter harmful, abusive and frivolous litigation.  Drug Prices:  Grassley continued to be a leader in the fight to decrease prescription drug costs during the 115th Congress. Along with Durbin, Grassley introduced an amendment, which passed the Senate, to bolster efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to require pharmaceutical companies todisclose prescription list drug pricesin television ads.  Grassley introduced the Right Rebate Act of 2018 with Wyden. The legislation will close a loophole in Medicaid that has allowed pharmaceutical manufacturers to misclassify their drugs and overcharge taxpayers by billions of dollars and provide HHS with additional authorities to ensure drugs are properly classified. Grassley first became aware of the issue during the Obama administration when Iowans regularly contacted him regarding the exorbitantly high cost of the anti-allergy EpiPen device.  Grassley applauded the approval of the first generic version of the EpiPen, an emergency auto-injector of epinephrine used to treat severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. Grassley has been a critic of EpiPen's high cost. After conducting years-long oversight of the issue, Grassley learned that Mylan, EpiPen's distributor, classified its popular anti-allergy medicine as a generic instead of as a brand name product in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). That incorrect classification allowed Mylan to pay smaller rebates to States and government programs, such as the MDRP.Grassley's investigation also found that the HHS and the HHS Inspector General (IG) did not have adequate authorities to properly oversee the MDRP and ensure drugs were properly classified. The costly practices were confirmed by the HHS IG when it found, at Grassley's request that taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as $1.27 billion over 10 years. The IG also found that additional drugs could be misclassified.The costly practices were confirmed by the government's internal watchdog when it found that taxpayers may have overpaid for the EpiPen by as much as$1.27 billionover 10 years.  Grassley continuallypressedfor the accurate classification of prescription drugs under the MDRP. Hesought answersfrom the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on whether it sought to recoup tax dollars overpaid for EpiPens from Mylan. He sent a follow-upletterafter receiving no response from CMS, reiterating his initial request for information. Grassley continued pressing for answers when news broke that EpiPen maker Mylan was in discussions with the DOJ to settle a case and repay the taxpayers for over-charging for EpiPen. Grassley sent a letter to then-President-elect Trump urging appropriate classification under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. That letter is availablehere.Grassley also sent a letter to the outgoing Administration on the issue, which is availablehere. His Oct. 3, 2016 letter to the prior administration on the EpiPen misclassification is availablehere. When the DOJ and EpiPen maker Mylan settled its case over the drug's misclassification, Grassley issued astatement of disappointment, saying it shortchanged taxpayers.  On behalf of Iowans, Grassley alsowroteto Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller seeking clarification regarding his office's ability to determine the value of reimbursement to the state necessary to make Iowa whole from EpiPen's apparent misclassification. A few months later, Grassley followed up with anotherletterseeking additional details and accompanying documentation regarding the state's receiving $1.5 million as part of a DOJ settlement with Mylan.  In his capacity as Senate Judiciary chairman, Grassley shepherded the bipartisan Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act through the committee. The legislation, cosponsored by Grassley, would combat anticompetitive practices used by some brand-name pharmaceutical and biologic companies to block lower-cost generic drugs from entering the market.  Grassley introduced the Ensuring the Value of the 340B Program Act to increase transparency in a targeted way into the 340B program, which was created by Congress in theVeterans Health Care Act of 1992and allows hospitals and other health care entities to receive discounted prices on prescription drugs and biologics from drug manufacturers. By law, these drug manufacturers must offer 340B discounts to covered entities in order to participate in the Medicaid program. The statute does not require hospitals to track or report savings or how they are used, however. It also doesn't require hospitals to report the level of charity care they provide to patients. The lack of reporting requirements have resulted in a lack of transparency in this program. This legislation addresses the problem by requiring participating hospitals to report the total acquisition costs for drugs collected through the 340B program, as well as revenues received from all third party payers for those same drugs.  With Ernst and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Grassley introduced the bipartisan Access to Increased Drug Disposal (AIDD) Act of 2018. The legislation is designed to increase participation in the federal prescription drug take-back programs to help combat prescription drug abuse and the growing opioid epidemic.  Grassley pushed back on prescription drug price discrepancies between the United States and other countries, saying there's no reason that Americans should pay more than anyone else for exactly the same medications.  An advocate for the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, Grassley, along with the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesotaurgedthen-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price to use his statutory authority to fast track the importation of prescription drugs from Canada under certain circumstances as a remedy to recent drastic drug price increases in the United States. Earlier this year, HHS announced it would create a task force to explore prescription drug importation as a way to reduce drug prices in the United States.  At the start of the Congress, Grassley cosponsored the bipartisanPreserve Access to Affordable GenericsAct, which would crack down on anti-competitive agreements between branded and generic companies to postpone entry of generic drugs in the marketplace. These pay-off settlements delay consumer access to generic drugs, which can be as much as 90 percent cheaper than brand-name drugs. The legislation would stop these anti-competitive pay-off agreements to keep more affordable generic equivalents off the market and make sure consumers have access to the cost saving generics they need.  In April, 2017, Grassleyaskedhealth insurer CareFirst to explain an apparent practice of charging customers more for receiving a brand name prescription drug than a generic drug when the insurer's own doctors explicitly prescribed the brand name drug for medical reasons. Grassley also noted due process concerns about this potential practice if the insurer was not complying with its own policies. He also wrote aletterto Kalo Pharmaceuticals, the maker of epinephrine injector Auvi-Q, to explain its pricing, including which entities in the health care system will pay the cited price of $4,500 for a two-pack when consumers without insurance will pay $360 for the product. Grassley said the pricing of Auvi-Q appears to draw parallels with concern about EpiPen's pricing structure.  Education:  As part of his extensive oversight work, Grassley sought answers from then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on whether the DOJ has made efforts to look into Confucius Institutes. These institutes are controlled by the government of China and exist within colleges and universities under the guise of teaching Chinese language, culture in history, but too often their activities are political in nature and intended to influence American policy and public opinion.  Grassley sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis S. Collins seeking information about the vetting processes in place at NIH regarding foreign researchers and public grants and the steps NIH has taken to ensure the integrity of taxpayer funded research. Grassley cited a case from 2013 in which foreign researchers were charged with conspiring to steal research funded by a multi-million dollar NIH grant for the benefit of a Chinese governmental entity and a direct competitor of the American university where the research was conducted.  Grassley sent a letter to then-DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen asking for information on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program that allows private institutions to manage visas for foreign students seeking enrollment in a U.S.-based school with limited oversight. The program creates a perverse incentive for the foreign students, the schools that recruit them and the employers that hire them, all of whom benefit from the program at the expense of American workers and taxpayers. There is no cap for the number of foreign students who can enroll in the program.  Grassley also introduced a series of bills aimed at providing students and their families a better idea of the true costs of higher education and giving them the tools needed to make informed decisions based on tuition costs, financial aid and loan and repayment options.  TheNet Price Calculator Improvement Actwould improve the effectiveness and access to net price calculators, tools that provide students with early, individualized estimates of higher education costs and financial aid figures before they decide where to apply.  TheUnderstanding the True Cost of College Actwould create a universal financial aid award letter so that students could easily compare financial aid packages between schools. It would clarify what financial aid families would receive from a school and create standard terms for the aid offered so that students could accurately compare offers from different schools.  TheKnow Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Actwould increase the amount of information students receive about federal student loans, including their potential ability to repay, before rather than after signing up for tens of thousands of dollars in debt to Uncle Sam.  Grassley cosponsored the Teachers Are Leaders Act, which would create partnerships between colleges and high-need schools to develop and support innovative teacher leader roles, which would support efforts already underway in Iowa.  Additionally, Grassley and fellow legislators have worked with federal agencies to clarify that nonprofit lenders, including state-run or state-chartered organizations, can use tax-exempt bonds for student loan refinancing, which will expand the number of options for those seeking to refinance federal student loans. Along with 14 fellow senators, Grassleyurgedthe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department to make technical clarifications to rules on refinancing options for student debt.  Grassley also offered a resolution designating March 3, 2017 as\"National Speech and Debate Education Day,\" which passed the Senate by unanimous consent.  Grassley also offered a resolution designating the week beginning October 15, 2017, as \"National Character Counts Week,\" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent.  Energy:  As a champion of renewable fuels and an all-of-the-above American energy policy, Grassley continued his extensive work to enact responsible energy policies during the 115th Congress.  Grassley has been a leader in the effort to allow the sale of year-round E15. After regular correspondence with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meetings at the White House, President Trump announced in October 2018 that he has instructed the EPA to begin the process of allowing year-round use of E15.  Grassley has also led the fight to maintain a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). He led efforts to put pressure on the EPA to stop issuing hardship waivers to obligated refiners as well as make the waiver process more transparent and highlight the importance of the RFS to President Trump.  In November 2018, the EPA announced its 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the RFS. Grassley applauded the increases projections and noted them as a bright spot in the agricultural economy and for farmers after regularly underwhelming and often disappointing news from then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.  Prior to the Administration taking action on E15, Grassley, along with Sens. Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent, increasing market opportunities for higher blends of ethanol. It would also allow retailers to sell E15 and other higher-ethanol/gasoline fuel blends year-round.  Much of Grassley's energy agenda focused on the RFS. Grassley worked extensively with Senate colleagues, President Trump and the EPA to find ways forward on renewable energies and fulfill congressional intent on the RFS.  Under new proposed rules, America's commitment to biofuels would have been decreased,resulting in less renewable fuels being blended. In aletter, Grassley and a bipartisan group of 23 senators urged President Trumpto maintain the point of obligation under the RFS and reject changes that would upend the current successful system. In November 2017, EPA announced it would maintain the point of obligation.  Grassley also sent aletterto Pruitt asking him to supporta strong RFS as the agency worked toward finalizing its rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2018 under the RFS. The letter urged the continued implementation of the RFS as intended by Congress and the release of a strong final rule that would give consumers more choices at the pump, strengthen the economy and make the country more secure.  Grassley continued to put pressure on the EPA by joining Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Patty Murray of Washington and a bipartisan group of 29 senators in aletterurging the agency to increase its proposed 2019 RVOs for biodiesel. The move would encourage growth in the industry and diversity in the nation's energy supply.  Grassleyraised concernstoEnergy Secretary Rick Perry regarding a study he directed that appeared geared toward undermining the wind energy industry. The study was meant to explore issues central to protecting the long-term reliability of the electricity grid, including an investigation of market-distorting federal policies that create acute and chronic problems for maintaining adequate baseload generation and have impacted reliable generators of all types. Grassley asked a series of questions about the study, including which organizations that analyze grid reliability and security would be involved, whether a contractor would conduct it, the cost to taxpayers and whether stakeholders would be able to comment on a draft.  Grassley and other Midwestern senatorsreceived several assurancesin a letterfrom Pruitt ensuring that the EPA would not follow through on a proposal that would have undermined the integrity of the RFS. The letter from Pruitt can be foundhere.This came after Grassley led several letters and meetings on the issue.   Grassley led a bipartisan group of senatorsurgingU.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to work with the Brazilian government to end a recently reinstated 20 percent tariff on ethanol imports in excess of 600 million liters (158 million gallons) annually. The United States is the primary exporter of ethanol into Brazil. U.S. producers called Brazil's tariff plan a trade barrier that threatens over $750 million in U.S. exports and American jobs.  Grassley was presented with the 2018 Fueling Growth award by Growth Energy for his strong support and consistent work on behalf of ethanol.  Grassley was presented with the 2018 American Wind Energy Association's U.S. Wind Champion award by the American Wind Energy Association for his support for wind energy technologies.  Grassley was presented with the 2018 Innovator in Biotechnology award by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, recognizing his contributions to the biotechnology industries.  Federal Judiciary:  Grassley presided over a historic number of federal judicial confirmations during the 115th Congress, including the confirmation of two Supreme Court justices. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley rigorously vetted and reviewed judicial nominations to ensure our federal judges will interpret and apply the law as written, not legislate from the bench based on policy preferences. President Trump has endeavored to nominate constitutionalist and textualist judges who understand the role of the judiciary in our constitutional system. Under Grassley's leadership, the committee oversaw the confirmation of a record 30 circuit court judges, which is the most circuit court confirmations in the first two years of any presidency in history. These confirmations will have an important impact on our country not just for this Congress or presidency, but for decades to come.  Foster youth, adoption, missing children, families and elder care:  Throughout his career, Grassley has been a staunch advocate for children and families. He continued his work on these issues in the 115th Congress by introducing a number of bills aimed at protecting special needs children, preventing elder abuse, encouraging elder independence and funding programs to improve family health.  Grassley and Klobuchar introduced Kevin and Avonte's Law, named in honor of two boys with autism who perished after wandering from safety. This bipartisan bill unanimously passed the Senate and later was enacted as part of an omnibus spending measure. The legislation will help families locate missing loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, Autism and related conditions. It would also support training for caregivers to prevent and respond to instances of wandering.  Grassley, along with Feinstein, Klobuchar and Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Rob Portman of Ohio, introduced the bipartisan Missing Children's Assistance Act of 2018, which would make resources available for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to continue its fight against child abduction and exploitation. The bill became law in October of 2018.  Grassley and Feinstein pressed Sessions to enforce the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act and ensure all American children are returned to the United States after international parental child abduction. Grassley and Feinstein, along with Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Bob Menendez of New Jersey, introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the month of April as International Parental Child Abduction Month, which passed the Senate.  Grassley, along with Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, led a bipartisan group of senators in sending a letter to Assistant Secretary for Family Support Lynn Johnson, urging her to implement recommendations from a recent HHS IG report that would help foster children who appear to be overprescribed psychotropic medications.  Along with Stabenow and Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Todd Young of Indiana, Grassley sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking him to ensure that the implementation of theFamily First Prevention Services Act(FFPSA) will help older youth avoid foster care entry or re-entry, and successfully transition out of care.  Grassley, along with Menendez, introduced the bipartisanBuilding Capacity for Family Focused Residential Treatment Act, a grant program to help child welfare agencies, treatment centers or non-profit organizations establish evidence-based, family-focused residential treatment programs. This legislation was signed into law as part of a package of bills to help alleviate the opioid crisis.  Grassley continued his aggressive oversight of elder care in nursing homes. After the death of an elderly woman in Buffalo Center, Iowa, reportedly due to neglect by nursing home staff, Grassley repeatedly sought answers from CMS Administrator Seema Verma about the agency's oversight efforts of nursing homes.  Grassley introduced theStrong Families Act of 2017,legislation which would re-authorize the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, a program that provides grants to states, territories and tribal entities to develop and implement evidence-based, voluntary programs to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and promote child development and school readiness.  A strong advocate for fostering and adoption programs, Grassley introduced theFoster Youth Independence Act of 2017,which allows states to provide assistance and services under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to young adults who have aged out of foster care until the age of 23. This bill was signed into law as part of the Family First Prevention Services Act.   Grassley also introduced theFostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2017,legislation which would grantpriority preference for federal housing assistance to foster youth who are aging out of care and allow youth in foster care to apply for housing assistance at the age of 16, prior to aging out.  Focusing on the health and well-being of America's senior citizens, Grassley introduced theCommunity-based Independence for Seniors Act, legislation that would allow older Americans to receive individualized care that would help them continue to stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes.  Grassley also introduced theElder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which became law. The law enhances enforcement against perpetrators of crimes targeting senior citizens. Specifically, it increases training for federal investigators and prosecutors and calls for the designation of at least one prosecutor in each federal judicial district who will be tasked with handling cases of elder abuse.It also ensures that the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection and the DOJ will both have an elder justice coordinator and increases penalties for perpetrators.  Grassleysought informationfrom a Florida assisted living facility about criminal charges filed against an employee who allegedly violated the privacy of two residents using Snapchat. The case is one of the latest examples of exploitive videos or photos involving elder care facilities on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.  Along with Ernst, Grassley sent aletterto the DOJ asking for an explanation regarding penalties against an Iowa nursing home that was ordered closed and to pay $100,000 to federal taxpayers over grossly substandard care that was essentially without value. Grassley and Ernst said the Abbey of Le Mars was on a federal watch list for two years during the Obama administration because of concerns about care.  Grassley also offered a resolutionrecognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster-care system, and encourage Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster-care system. It passed the Senate with unanimous consent.  Good Government and Transparency:  Grassley introduced theAmerican Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give the Government Accountability Office complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes. The bill also responds to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a GAO review of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review.  In his continuing effort to drain the swamp, Grassley excoriated the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)in its attempt to insulate unelected government bureaucrats from questions by the people's elected representatives in Congress and called on President Trump to rescind the OLC opinion. In hisletter, Grassley laid out the constitutional case for every member of Congress to exercise their powers of inquiry and oversight of the executive bureaucracy, regardless of committee membership or chairmanship. He emphasized the importance of oversight and inquiry regardless of partisan affiliation. In response to his inquiry, the White House has committed to voluntarily answer all congressional inquiries, not just those from committee chairmen.  GrassleyurgedtheOffice of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney to ensure that any executive branch ethics pledge waivers granted by the Trump administration are immediately provided to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and made publicly available. Grassley made asimilar requestof the Obama administration in 2009.Those waivers were ultimately published on OGE's website following Grassley's request.  Grassley also sent letters to HHS, Mattis and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding issues relating to wasteful government spending by bureaucrats and government efficiency and accountability.  Grassley introduced theSunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017,legislation which would end the practice of creating new federal red tape outside of the public rulemaking process, shine a light on sue-and-settle litigation and restore the transparency, public scrutiny and judicial review protections of the rulemaking process.  Grassley also introduced the bipartisanCameras in the Courtroom Act of 2017, whichwould require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court. The legislation allows the Court to restrict cameras only if it decides, by a majority vote that televised proceedings would constitute a violation of the due process rights of one or more of the parties before the Court.  Grassley offered two resolutions pertaining to classified documents about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which were being held by the National Archives and Records Administration. The first urged the National Archives and Records Administration to publicly release records detailing the assassination, the second commending the National Archives and Records Administration and its staff for working to comply with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 and release all records related to the assassination.  Gun Violence:  As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley has worked to find solutions to prevent gun violence at schools. Grassley is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, but has continued to be a leader in the effort to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous people. Grassley held a hearing entitled See Something, Say Something in the aftermath of the Parkland Shooting to discuss legislative steps to improve school safety.  In addition, in the aftermath of the Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs shootings, Grassley held a hearing entitled Firearm Accessory Regulation and Enforcing Federal and State Reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Grassley also supported the Administration's regulatory effort to restrict the sale of bump stock devises such as those used in the Las Vegas shooting.  With Hatch and a group of bipartisan senators, Grassley introduced the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018. The legislation funds school security improvements and invests in early intervention and prevention programs to stop school violence before it happens. Grassley successfully negotiated with appropriators and the White House to make sure that this program received the funding it deserved and fought for its inclusion in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, which the President signed into law in March of 2018.  Along with Cruz, Grassley reintroduced the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2018. The legislation improves school safety and prevents guns from falling into the wrong hands by ensuring that relevant agencies and institutions accurately submit records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Grassley also cosponsored Cornyn's bill, the Fix NICS Act of 2017, which gives incentives for state and federal government agencies to improve their reporting into the NICS system. The legislation was signed into law in March of 2018.  Grassley joined Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and a group of senators in introducing the School Safety &amp; Mental Health Services Improvement Act. The legislation would allow 100,000 public schools to improve school safety by using federal dollars for school counselors, alarm systems, security cameras and crisis intervention training.   Grassley introduced the EAGLES Act, along with Hatch and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, to expand the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center to help communities proactively mitigate threats of violence at schools by establishing a national program on targeted school violence prevention and providing additional resources to expand research and training on a national scale. The bill also requires Secret Service to develop an expansion plan and to provide periodic progress reports to Congress.  Grassley pressed the FBI, Facebook and Google Inc., which owns YouTube, to explain why warnings about threats by the man who later carried out the Parkland shooting did not result in preventative action.  Health care   Grassley signed on to the bipartisan Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental Health and Encouraging Rural Solutions For Immediate Response to Stressful Times (FARMERS FIRST) Act, legislation introduced Ernst and Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin that would provide the nation's agricultural community with critical mental health support and resources.  Grassley introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Access to Kids Care Act with Bennet. The legislation, would provide an optional service for families of children with complex medical needs that would improve the coordination of their care across multiple health care providers. Grassley and Bennet, along with Portman, Blunt, Murray, Brown and Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Bill Nelson of Florida and Cory Gardner of Colorado, also reintroduced the Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act. The legislation will improve health care delivery for children with complex medical needs by streamlining the credentialing process, in Medicaid, for certain pediatric health care providers, across state lines.  Grassley joined Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina in introducing theEnsuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, legislation that would guarantee Americans have health care coverage, regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions.  After the outbreak of a mysterious, polio-like illness, Grassley joined Ernst, Klobuchar and Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota in sending a letter to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) urging them to investigate and respond to recent cases.  Along with Hatch, Grassley requested specific information from the IRS regarding their oversight activities of nonprofit hospitals after media reports brought forward questions about whether some nonprofit hospitals were meeting the criteria for tax-exempt status, serving their communities appropriately and serving individuals in need regardless of ability to pay.  Grassley joined Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and a bipartisan group of senators of the bipartisan Senate health care price transparency working group, in releasing draft legislation called the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act, which aims to protect patients from surprise medical bills. The draft bill is intended to jumpstart discussions in Congress about how to best stop the use of balanced billing to charge patients for emergency treatment or treatment provided by an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility.  With Warren, Grassley introduced theOver-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which became law as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan measure requires the FDA to write regulations ensuring that the new category of over-the-counter hearing aids meets the same high standards for safety, consumer labeling and manufacturing protections as all medical devices, providing consumers the option of an FDA-regulated device at lower cost.  Along with Brown and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Grassley reintroduced thePharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation which would encourage pharmacists to serve older Americans in communities lacking easy access to doctors or where pharmacists are more convenient to visit for certain services than doctors.  Grassley also reintroduced theProvider Payment Sunshine Act, legislation that would require drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose their payments to nurse practitioners and physician assistants for promotional talks, consulting and other interactions. The disclosures already apply to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists under thePhysician Payment Sunshine Act, co-authored by Grassley and enacted in 2010.  Along with Klobuchar, Grassley introduced theReducing Drug Waste Act of 2017,bipartisan legislation which wouldrequire the FDA to coordinate with CMS to develop a joint action plan to reduce waste generated by single use drug vials and better manage costs with respect to drug vial sizes and other drug delivery systems, such as eye-drops.  In his continued support for rural health care, Grassley introduced theRural Hospital Access Act of 2017,which would permanently extend key Medicare rural hospital programs critical to five Iowa hospitals and many others around the country. He also reintroduced theRural Emergency Acute Care Hospital (REACH) Act, which would help rural hospitals stay open while meeting the needs of rural residents for emergency room care and outpatient services.  Grassley, along with Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, reintroduced theMedicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would apply accreditation and other standards for orthotics and prosthetics, such as prosthetic limbs, under Medicare, helping to guarantee access to quality products for beneficiaries.  Housing:  Grassleycontinued hisoversightof TARP's Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a $9.6 billion program that began in 2010 to help homeowners who suffered during the housing crisis.Wasteful spending of these funds by state agencies persisted unchecked for many years of the Obama administration, and the need for accountability remains. In a continuation of Grassley's request to audit state agency expenses, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) isreviewingstate agency spending on travel, conferences and other administrative spending. Grassley alsopressedthe Treasury Department on why it has recovered only one percent $113,592 of $11 million  wasted on restaurant meals, employee gifts and a $500-per-month company Mercedes from the HHF.  Grassleyaskedthe Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and newly-confirmed Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson to explain potentially excessive travel and conference expenses by the housing authority, including that the executive director reportedly has spent 158 days over four years attending conferences.Grassley alsocalled onthe HUD OIG to complete its investigation into the mismanagement at the Alexander County Housing Authority (ACHA) in Cairo, Illinois, and make its findings public.  Grassley met with Carson prior to his confirmation, at which time he raised concerns about millions of dollars of wasteful spending at HUD. In an effort to assist public housing authorities (PHAs), the federal government allows PHAs to establish nonprofit affiliates through which development activities are conducted. However, PHAs throughout the country often use taxpayer dollars to fund personal priorities and feather their own nests rather than to provide safe, affordable housing for those in need.  Grassleywroteto Carson concerning the agency's two failed projects to update its financial management system. HUD spent 14 years and more than $131 million only to pull the plug on both projects prior to completion.  Illegal and illicit drugs:  Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which included seven separate bills approved earlier this year by the Senate Judiciary Committee under Chairman Grassley's leadership, including:  The Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act of 2018, which will encourage increased participation of authorized collectors in drug take back programs by awarding grants to states. It will focus particular attention on states within the lowest quartile of participation in take back programs.  The Opioid Quota Reform Act, which will empower the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to consider additional factors when setting annual quotas for opioid drug production in the United States. Currently, DEA can only consider past sales and estimated demand. This bill allows the agency to take into account diversion, abuse, overdose deaths and public health impacts when setting quotas.  The Substance Abuse Prevention Act, which will reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), keeping the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) and High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) programs within that office. It will also boost public awareness of opioid and heroin addiction as authorized under theComprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act(CARA), provide resources for families to stay together when one is battling substance abuse and require the attorney general and HHS to complete a plan for educating and training health care providers in best practices for prescribing controlled substances.  The Synthetic Abuse and Labeling of Toxic Substances Act of 2017, which will close a legal loophole that inhibits the prosecution of opioid analogue traffickers by clarifying when a controlled substance analogue is or is not intended for human consumption.  The Using Data to Prevent Opioid Diversion Act of 2018, which will require DEA to use anonymized data to track and prevent the diversion of prescription opioids into illegal sales. The data will be available to registrants, and will include the total number of distributors serving a single pharmacy or practitioner and the total number of opioid pills distributed to a single pharmacy or practitioner.  The Preventing Drug Diversion Act of 2018, which will amend the Controlled Substances Act to define suspicious order and will require registrants to design a system to identify suspicious orders, and notify DEA of those orders.  The Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018, which will prohibit sober home and substance abuse treatment centers, as well as their employees, from receiving or providing kickbacks for patient referrals. While this bill was referred to but not voted on in committee, Grassley worked closely with its lead sponsor Rubio, during its formulation and helped shepherd it into the final package passed by the Senate.  Grassley introduced the bipartisan Addiction Treatment Quality Improvement Act with Warner and Nelson. The legislation would require CMS to work with a coalition of health care providers to identify quality measures to be used to assess the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment programs.  Along with Brown and Blumenthal, Grassley introduced the bipartisan Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Sunshine Act, which would increase transparency in the prescription drug payment process by requiring drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose the same payments made to nurse practitioners and physician assistants for promotional talks, consulting, and other interactions.  Grassley continued to raise awareness about the flow of fentanyl into the United States from China as part of Congress's larger effort to curb the opioid epidemic. Grassley also applauded President Trump's 2018 agreement with Chinese President Xi to have the Chinese government crack-down on this issue and help stem the flow of the deadly drug into the United States.  Along with Feinstein, Grassley re-introduced theProtecting Kids from Candy-Flavored Drugs Act, legislation that would increase the criminal penalties for marketing candy-flavored drugs to appeal to children.It would provide an enhanced penalty when a person manufactures, creates, distributes, dispenses or possesses with intent to distribute a controlled substance combined with a beverage or candy product, marketed or packaged to appear similar to a beverage or candy product, or modified by flavoring or coloring to appear similar to a candy or beverage product.  Grassley and Feinstein also introduced theStop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues (SITSA) Act of 2017,which would allow substances that are substantially similar to controlled drugs to be rapidly regulated without additional time-consuming testing and analysis. Grassley also led a group of senators in a call for the Trump administration to prioritize the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Thelettercited the previous success of the office in preventing use of illicit drugs in American communities. This important effort has only increased in light of the ongoing opioid epidemic across the country.  As part of that ongoing effort to fight opioid abuse, Grassley joined a bipartisan group of legislators in aletterto Sessions asking him to provide Congress with information detailing how the DOJ is supporting and prioritizing forensic science service providers across the nation as part of a broader approach to combat the opioid epidemic.  Along with Ernst, Grassleyurgedthe Office of National Drug Control Policy to include an evaluation of drug take back programs in the final report of the President's Commission on Combatting Opioid Abuse, correcting a shortcoming in the interim report. At Grassley and Ernst's request, the GAO is studying the DEA's implementation of the law allowing local pharmacies to accept unused controlled substances for public convenience, amid concerns that regulations present barriers to participation.  Infrastructure:  Grassley has been a vocal advocate for disaster relief funding on behalf of Cedar Rapids since the floods in 2008. Grassley, along with Ernst and Congressman Rod Blum,pressedthe Army Corps of Engineers for answers on funding for the project after regular delays by the Army Corps of Engineers. In June of 2018, the Army Corps of Engineers announced its plans to move forward with disaster recovery efforts in Cedar Rapids. A history of Grassley's efforts on this issue is available here.  Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and lifelong family farmer, joined Blunt and Baldwin in sending a letter to Mulvaney urging the Administration to include sufficient funding in its fiscal year 2019 budget request to continue preconstruction engineering and design for the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP). Grassley worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to get the NESP Program, a multi-purpose program aimed at upgrading critical Upper Mississippi River System navigation lock and dam infrastructure and providing an integrated approach to addressing Mississippi River ecosystem restoration, authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.Grassley has advocated for funding to improve Iowa's aging waterways for more than a decade.Grassley also joined Durbin in sending a bipartisan letter to James of the Army Corps of Engineers urging it to provide sufficient funding for NESP for fiscal year 2019 while ensuring the timely completion of the project's economic update funded by the fiscal year 2018 work plan.  Immigration and Visas:  Grassley called on the Trump administration to seek an agreement with Mexico to assist in accommodating a steady stream of migrants traveling through Mexico seeking asylum. The senators noted acknowledgements by Obama administration officials that potential security threats are exploiting immigration vulnerabilities to enter the United States. An agreement was announced in December 2018. Grassley also called for briefings from the Departments of State and Homeland Security on potential national security threats relating to the migrant caravan.  Grassley and a group of senators introduced the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act, which would require that children and their parents remain together during immigration or asylum legal proceedings. Grassley advocated for the repealing of the Flores v. Reno settlement in order to stop family separations at the border and hosted a Judiciary member briefing on family reunification. Along with Feinstein, Grassley also sought an investigation into allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and HHS detention facilities charged with holding unauthorized immigrants.  Grassley, along with Ernst, Cornyn, Tillis, Cotton and Sens. David Perdue of Georgia and James Lankford of Oklahoma, introduced the Secure and Succeed Act, which would appropriate $25 billion for real border security such as physical and virtual fencing, radar and other technologies. It would provide for additional personnel for border control and ends key loopholes in current law that allow dangerous criminals to enter our country.It would also prospectively limit family-based immigration to the nuclear family and reallocates the Diversity Visa lottery, while grandfathering in all pending family-based visa applications in order to reward those who chose to follow the law and immigrate legally.  Grassley sought information on a number of cases in which illegal activity was conducted by someone in the United States illegally. Grassley wrote to Nielsen seeking details on a man and 13 year-old girl who were apprehended by Customs and Border Patrol after illegally crossing the southern border. After the man fraudulently claimed the young girl as his daughter, both were released under conditions that they maintain contact with federal officials as an alternative to detention (ATD). The girl was later found to have been sexually abused.  In a letter to then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, Grassley asked how a man illegally in the country with a long, violent criminal record and multiple encounters with immigration officials could be allowed not only to remain in the country, but also be granted a work permit. The man, Armando Rodrigo Garcia-Ramirez, waschargedin the murder of his 15-year-old stepdaughter, who was nine months pregnant with their second child. Grassley also requested the records of two teens who entered the country illegally and were charged with brutal raping a high school classmate, as well as information about the criminal and immigration history of an unauthorized immigrant who nearly killed a 6-year-old child while drunk driving.  Grassley and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire requested the reauthorization of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans who have supported U.S. military or diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan, asking leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee to include language in a forthcoming appropriations package that would allow for an additional 4,000 visas.  Grassley reintroduced theTaking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act, legislation that would require federal immigration authorities to take action against undocumented immigrants arrested for driving under the influence. Grassley first introduced the bill followingseveral tragediesinvolving immigrants who were arrested for drunk driving, including one incident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root.  In 2017, Grassley introduced theSecurity, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act, legislation which would protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The bill contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Durbin's bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which would protect DACA recipients from deportation.  Grassley reintroduced the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, which would permanently authorize and require employers to use the E-Verify program, an Internet-based system that assists employers in determining the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.   Grassley wrote oversight letters to Lighthizer, Kelly, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,acting director of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a wide range of issues related to visas and immigration. Several letters focused on obtaining information regarding theDiversity Visa program,the process by which DHS reviews theTemporary Protected Status(TPS) designation, and theO visa program. Grassley also raised questions about theForeign Agents Registration Act(FARA) andH-2Bforeign worker andEB-5investor visa programs.  Juvenile Justice:  Grassley introduced the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2017 to improve protections for minors who come into contact with the justice system and led the bicameral negotiations that resulted in the final version of the legislation. The final version, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018, is now headed President Trump to be signed into law after passing both chambers unanimously earlier this month. Its passage represents the first time in 16 years that Congress has reauthorized this federal grant program.  Law enforcement:  In honor of the service and sacrifice made by the men and women in law enforcement, Grassley introduced a resolution designating the week of May 15 through May 21, 2017, as \"National Police Week,\" which passed the Senate with unanimous consent.  ThePublic Safety Officers' Benefits Improvement Act, which became law in June 2017, helps families of fallen first responders receive the survivor benefits they'd been promised. Congress established the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who die in the line of duty. Grassley's oversight revealed, however, that many of these survivors were waiting years to receive their benefits. His legislation will reduce this wait time and provide greater accountability in the process.  Thousands of U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) officers tasked with h", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/udall-heinrich-harris-gillibrand-lujn-demand-investigation-into-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez", "Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Luj\u00e1n Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t8-year-old is second young child to die in CBP custody this month; Lawmakers seek answers to alarming questions about the timeline and actions surrounding Felipe's death\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 28, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujn (D-N.M.) wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into yet another tragic death of a child in U.S. custody, eight-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, near the U.S.-Mexico border  this time in Alamogordo, N.M. Felipe is the second child to die in CBP custody in December, following the tragic death of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin earlier this month.\r\nFull text of the letter is available HERE.\r\n[Felipe's] death is unacceptable, the lawmakers wrote. We seek immediate answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP about how they will ensure the health and safety of children at our borders, adequately train CBP agents and officers and allocate resources, and prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. We remain deeply concerned about the Administration's anti-immigrant policies for enforcement operations against individuals who pose no threat to our nation, as well as the policies and practices that may be causing asylum seekers to attempt a dangerous journey of crossing between ports of entry.\r\nIn their letter, the lawmakers said that there are alarming questions about the timeline surrounding Felipe's death, about the conditions under which the child was held prior to his death, and about DHS's apparent lack of adherence to its own standards regarding the care of those in its custody, particularly children, due to the administration's immigration policies.\r\nUdall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, and Lujn requested complete responses to a series of specific oversight questions and requests by January 15, 2019.\r\nFull text of the letter is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/concordia-blade-empire", "Concordia Blade-Empire: Moran offers support for Concordia's IAP grant application", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Moran offers support for Concordia's IAP grant applicationConcordia Blade-Empire  Friday, December 28\r\nOffering his support for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Grant application submitted by the city of Concordia, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran visited Blosser Municipal Airport on Thursday to gather information on the proposed project.  The city, in October 2018, submitted the grant application to the FAA seeking funds to construct a new runway east of the existing runway and an estimated cost of $6.5 million. There is no local match necessary for the grant. The United State Congress authorized an additional $1 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (IAP). Pleasing to me is that it is a priority program for rural communities. That doesn't happen very often in Washington D.C. Moran (R-Kansas) said.  About $200 million has been awarded for 37 projects, and there is a total of $11 billion in applications. There are currently eight applications in Kansas pending, and Moran is expecting the decision to be made on the Concordia application in the first half of 2020. I want to be in position to be helpful to this community as this grant application makes its way across the desks of the people at the FAA, Moran said. Steve Richard, who serves on the Airport Advisory Board, said that the current runway, which is 3,600 feet long, was constructed in 1984. Richard said that the Airport Master Plan was updated in 2013. An environmental impact study for a longer runway was done and land was acquired. The Master Plan, which included a 4,800 foot runway, was signed off on by the FAA. When this program came down for the billion dollars we all had a smile on our faces, and said we have a shovel ready project, lets do it, Richard said. When approached on the project, the FAA determined a longer runway wasn't need. Moran asked Brad Waller, branch manager for Bensch in Manhattan, why if the longer runway was in the Master Plan, the FAA now says it is not needed. Really its a change over in personnel, Waller said, It was approved in 2018 as a 4,800-foot runway. Waller said that one of the drivers for the longer runway in 2013 was the proposed construction of a new hospital located near the airport. That hospital was going to have direct runway access and direct taxiing access for Life Flight, for physicians to come in and out of the hospital on a weekly, monthly basis, Waller said. A bond election to fund the construction of the new hospital did not pass. When that didn't pass then we went back to the drawing board and kind of let that go, because it was the catalyst for the funding, Waller said.  Moran asked if the FAA in Kansas City supports the plan for the new runway, but just not lengthened. They support it as an airport reconstruction project, Waller said, The question is going to be, hopefully if it gets funded, what is that ultimate length is going to be. Waller also said that the width of the runway is also a consideration. The current runway is 60-feet wide, and the new runway would be 75-feet wide. The length will be what the length is. We are going to fight for as long as we can, but we really want to get that 75-foot width, Waller said.  JP Metzler of RMA Engineering, Inc., which has an office located on the airport, said that his company has three planes and would like to go to (Beechcraft) King Air. The problem is we can't go to those King Airs until we get a longer strip, for safety issues, Metzler said.  CloudCorp executive director Ashley Hutchinson told Moran that there were letters signed by people who said they would land bigger aircraft at the airport if they had the opportunity to. Since RMA has come in we have had a few businesses interested in expanding out here. So that is the next step for us to really grow, Hutchinson said. Waller said that by constructing the new runway to the east of the existing one, it opens up room for development. Right now there is not really room for development or expansion of a business, or hangers or what have you. Once you move that, and you get your safety zones cleared up, it is going to open up a lot of space for businesses and development, Waller said. Moran said that what was being highlighted to him was the necessity for a longer runway, or a wider runway. If you could load me up on the information you have about if you build it what will come, I am happy to make that case to folks in Kansas City, Moran said. Moran said that there has to be some way that the FAA understand that you can't just look at what it is today. Why are we expanding an airport? Because of growth that will occur, Moran said, That is common sense. There can't be a policy that says it just has to be here before you can decide if we can expand your airport. Click here to read more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E70E4FEC-11D1-420A-AB6A-D3EBA9E5C201", "Corker Announces Portman Will Lead Congressional Efforts to End Modern Slavery Worldwide", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Rob Portman", "P000449", "www.portman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  As his time in Congress comes to a close, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced that Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will take the helm of congressional efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide.\r\nFor years, Senator Portman has been a champion in Congress in the fight against human trafficking here at home, and I can think of no one better to take up the mantle in the global fight against this scourge on humanity as I depart the Senate, said Corker. With passage of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act and launch of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, we have made great progress in this fight, but much more work remains. While I plan to continue to play a role in this fight as a private citizen, I am incredibly grateful that Rob has agreed to take the helm in Congress to ensure this important work continues as we strive to end modern slavery once and for all.\r\nI am honored that Senator Corker has entrusted me with this role and I want to thank him for his tireless and courageous efforts to combat this horrific crime around the globe, said Portman. Over the past decade we have made progress but there is much more to do both in the U.S. and in other countries to help end this scourge once and for all.\r\nBACKGROUND:\r\n\r\nMore than 27 million people are enslaved around the world, more than at any time in history. While U.S. government agencies and non-profit organizations have taken significant steps to end this scourge on humanity, much more work remains. Recognizing the United States could not meet this challenge alone, three years ago, Senator Corker proposed a bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide.\r\n\r\nNot unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS across the globe, the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act was designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to focus resources responsibly where the crime is most prevalent. With broad support from countless individuals, organizations, and faith-based institutions, authorizing legislation for the End Modern Slavery Initiative was included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA), which overwhelmingly passed the Senate on December 8, 2016 and was signed into law by the president soon after.\r\nPassage led to the creation of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS), a non-profit, grant-making foundation in the District of Columbia that is funding programs and projects outside of the United States that will\r\n \r\nContribute to the freeing and sustainable recovery of victims of modern slavery, prevent individuals from being enslaved, and enforce laws to punish individual and corporate perpetrators of modern slavery;\r\nSet clear, defined goals and outcomes that can be empirically measured; and\r\nSeek to achieve a measurable 50 percent reduction of modern slavery in the areas the foundation operates.\r\n \r\n\r\nThe foundation seeks to raise $1.5 billion over the next decade, more than 80 percent of which will come through matching funds from the private sector and foreign governments. To date, more than $105 million has been contributed to the fund, including:\r\n \r\n$46 million from the U.S. State Department (September 14, 2017)\r\n$25 million from the United Kingdom (September 19, 2017)\r\n$25 million from a private donor\r\n$11.6 million from Norway (December 18, 2018)\r\n \r\n\r\nProgress of the fund's success will be tracked against baseline data with a goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction in modern slavery in the areas where the fund is working. Projects that fail to meet goals will be suspended or terminated. The foundation is required to comply with the Government Accountability Office's mandate to conduct financial audits and program evaluations.\r\nDuring his time in the Senate, Portman has authored six federal anti-trafficking laws designed to better serve victims and help law enforcement end this crime  including most recently the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA). The law, which President Trump signed on April 11, 2018, is helping to curb the explosion of online sex trafficking and give victims the tools they need to hold accountable websites that knowingly facilitate the trafficking of women and children online.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2109DD93-364B-4502-AA5E-5393E3C20EEC", "Rubio Applauds Administration Decision To Reverse DHS Guidance On The NFIP During Government Shutdown", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL  Today,U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement applauding the decision by the administration to reverse new guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that prevents the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from writing or renewing National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies during the current government shutdown. Yesterday, Rubio urged the Office of Budget Management (OMB) to reverse this decision.I am glad to see commonsense prevail in Washington. When Congress passed legislation last week to keep the NFIP operating until June 2019, our intent was clear. I thank the administration for reversing DHS actions and ensuring Floridians can continue to obtain and maintain flood insurance. I look forward to working with my colleagues to secure a long-term reauthorization of the program and much-needed reforms.Timeline of Rubio's Efforts on the National Flood Insurance Program\r\n\r\nDecember 27, 2018  Rubio Urges OMB To Reverse DHS Guidance On The NFIP During Government Shutdown\r\nDecember 21, 2018  Rubio Welcomes Passage of Bill To Extend National Flood Insurance Program\r\nNovember 28, 2018Rubio Comments on NFIP Reauthorization\r\nNovember 15, 2018 Rubio Introduces Bill to Reauthorize National Flood Insurance Program for Six Months\r\nJuly 31, 2018 Rubio Comments on Senate Reauthorization of National Flood Insurance Program\r\nJuly 25, 2018 Rubio on National Flood Insurance Program: We Should Not Hold Floridians Hostage\r\nJuly 18, 2018 Rubio Video Statement: We need to extend NFIP now or it will be a disaster for Florida\r\nJuly 18, 2018 Rubio in Tampa Bay Times: Congress Needs Long-Term Solution for Flood Insurance Program\r\nJune 21, 2018 Rubio Secures Funding for FEMA Pre-disaster Mitigation and Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Programs in Appropriations Bill\r\nJune 13, 2017 Rubio, Menendez, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan Flood Insurance Reform Bill\r\nJune 13, 2017 Rubio in Wall Street Journal: A bipartisan plan for Flood Insurance\r\nFebruary 28, 2017 Rubio Meets with Florida Legislative Leaders to Discuss Federal-State Issues, Including The National Flood Insurance Program", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=808C44EE-A98D-4A86-AEE7-4EDA81F930B6", "Rubio to Release Report, Hold Press Conference on 2018 Accomplishments", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Marco Rubio", "R000595", "www.rubio.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \n\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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNewsroom\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\n\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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMiami, FL Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will release a report called Fighting for Florida detailing his legislative accomplishments during the 115th Congress. Rubio's remarks at Florida International University are open to the press and will be live streamed here at 10:00 am EST.The 15-page report, accompanied by a four and a half minute video, highlights Rubio's legislative accomplishments and provides a look at his behind the scenes efforts to influence policy in Washington. Last year, a non-partisan analysis ranked Rubio 4th out of 100 Senators for the number of bills he wrote that became law. That same analysis ranked Rubio 5th overall in Senate leadership and 6th in bipartisan support for his bills. Overall, more than two dozen bills Rubio introduced or served as the lead Republican sponsor became law over the past two years.One of my highest priorities continues to be ensuring that my staff and I are available to help Floridians with whatever federal assistance they may need,Rubio said. We have also accomplished some incredible policy victories over the last two years for Florida and for our nation.Landmark Laws: A few of the dozens of new laws are truly landmark accomplishments for Florida and the nation. In 2017, Rubio's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Actbecame law. That same year, he successfully expanded the size of the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child, and for the first time made the first $1,400 refundable against an individual's payroll taxes. This year, Rubio secured congressional authorization and funding to construct the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir to reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal communities.Leading during Crisis: From harmful algal blooms and devastating hurricanes to drug overdoses and unthinkable shootings, Florida experienced significant challenges over the past two years. In the aftermath of the 2018 Valentine's Day massacre of 17 people in Parkland, Florida, Rubio helped push through theStudent, Teachers and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Actand theFix NICS Act. He also introduced the bipartisanExtreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Actto encourage other states to adopt red flags similar to Florida's new law. Rubio has also secured funding to research and correct the harmful algal blooms that disrupt Florida. He has also fought for Americans in Florida and Puerto Rico in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma, Marie and Michael.Putting Florida First: Rubio's visit to sober homes neighborhoods in Broward County, Florida and meetings with local officials led to the introduction of theEliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act and Sober Home Fraud Detection Actas part of the landmark opioid bill signed into law this year. He passed theSpurring Business in Communities Actand theSeniors Tax Simplification Act, secured funding for military construction and fought for residents in public housing.Safe and Strong America: Leveraging his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and his role as chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), Rubio highlighted human rights abuses around the world, including in China, Nicaragua and Venezuela. HisDefending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines(DETER) Actprovided the framework for the administration's executive order on foreign election interference. Similarly, Rubio'sCuban Military Transparency Actwas basis for executive orders to prevent financial compensation to the Cuban military and entities associated with the regime's military.DownloadsFighting for Florida: Legislative Accomplishments Report, 2017  2018", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-heinrich-harris-gillibrand-lujn-demand-investigation-into-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez", "Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Tom Udall", "U000039", "www.tomudall.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 28, 2018\n\t\t\t Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t 8-year-old is second young child to die in CBP custody this month\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLawmakers seek answers to alarming questions about the timeline and actions surrounding Felipe's death\r\n WASHINGTON Today,U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.),Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)andKirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)andU.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujn (D-N.M.)wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into yet another tragic death of a child in U.S. custody, eight-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, near the U.S.-Mexico border  this time in Alamogordo, N.M. Felipe is the second child to die in CBP custody in December, following the tragic death of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin earlier this month.\r\nFull text of the letter is availableHERE.\r\n[Felipe's] death is unacceptable,the lawmakers wrote. We seek immediate answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP about how they will ensure the health and safety of children at our borders, adequately train CBP agents and officers and allocate resources, and prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. We remain deeply concerned about the Administration's anti-immigrant policies for enforcement operations against individuals who pose no threat to our nation, as well as the policies and practices that may be causing asylum seekers to attempt a dangerous journey of crossing between ports of entry.\r\nIn their letter, the lawmakers said that there are alarming questions about the timeline surrounding Felipe's death, about the conditions under which the child was held prior to his death, and about DHS's apparent lack of adherence to its own standards regarding the care of those in its custody, particularly children, due to the administration's immigration policies.\r\nUdall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, and Lujn requested complete responses to a series of specific oversight questions and requests by January 15, 2019.\r\nFull text of the letter is availableHERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/op-ed", "Op-Ed: Stop treating federal employees like bargaining chips, Mr. President", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Mark Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Roughly 2 million civilian employees work for the federal government. They are men and women of every racial background and from every state in the country. Yet there is one thing they all have in common: They made a choice to serve, even knowing, in many cases, that they could be making more money in the private sector.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, it appears that we have a president who, rather than leading the nation's public workforce, consistently chooses to belittle it. The latest example came when the president took to Twitter on Thursday morning, day six of an unnecessary government shutdown instigated by congressional Republicans at President Trump's behest. In what has become a familiar pattern of politicizing the largely nonpartisan, nuts-and-bolts work of the federal government, Trump tried to exert political pressure on congressional Democrats to fund his ineffective border wall by asking: Do the Dems realize that most of the people not getting paid are Democrats?\r\n\r\nWhat the president fails to understand is that federal employees don't go to work wearing red or blue jerseys. What they do wear are the badges of law enforcement and the hats of park rangers and the uniforms of first responders, and they make up the backbone of our government. They bring their skills and expertise to strengthen our nation and make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens, regardless of political affiliation.\r\n\r\nAs the senior senator from Virginia, I represent hundreds of thousands of federal employees and service members. I have no idea how many of them are Democrats, but I know this: They include voters and nonvoters alike; they are independents and Republicans and Democrats and libertarians and vegetarians. Those who are hurt by this shutdown include Forest Service firefighters and National Weather Service forecasters in red states, and U.S. marshals and Drug Enforcement Administration agents in blue states. What distinguishes them isn't their partisan affiliation  it's their commitment to serving our country.\r\n\r\nLike all Americans, federal employees have a right to hold personal political beliefs. But what separates your average public servant from the president is an ability and, indeed, a legal obligation to leave their political views at home and do their jobs without regard for partisan politics.\r\n\r\nThe president who declared that he would be proud to shut down the government is holding one-quarter of the federal government's agencies hostage in an effort to get $5.7 billion for a wall that experts say would fail to improve border security  in the process treating 800,000 federal workers like poker chips from one of his failed casinos. Sadly, this is only the latest salvo by a president determined to attack and undermine our country's public servants.\r\n\r\nIt started with the hiring freezes that threw a wrench into the day-to-day operations of nearly every federal agency  with no apparent benefit to the taxpayers. It continued with executive orders undermining workplace protections for federal workers and their ability to organize as part of a union. The targeting was compounded by the administration's plan to cut retirement benefits for 2.6 million federal retirees and survivors, and recently led to an attempt by the president to arbitrarily freeze the pay of the entire federal workforce. Thankfully, the Senate saw the shortsightedness of that endeavor and voted to override the administration's freeze. The House can and should follow suit.\r\n\r\nInstead of receiving thanks for their service, right now thousands of federal workers are simply wondering whether their next paycheck is going to come, and how they are going to pay their bills. About 380,000 federal workers have been furloughed  forced to take unpaid time off  while another 420,000 are being expected to work without pay for the duration of the shutdown.\r\n\r\nDuring one of the busiest travel times of the year, thousands of air-traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents worked without pay so Americans could get home to spend the holidays with their families. Meanwhile, some of them didn't know how they were going to pay for Christmas presents for their own kids.\r\n\r\nWhile the Senate moved before Christmas to guarantee back pay for any federal worker hurt by the shutdown, the House left town without voting on the bill. This is to say nothing of the thousands of federal contractors also affected by this shutdown, most of whom are unlikely to ever receive retroactive pay.\r\n\r\nThese are real people with real families who are struggling. They aren't bargaining chips, Mr. President. Please stop holding hard-working federal employees hostage. It's time to work with Congress to reopen the government and end this pointless, painful government shutdown.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=CC7140F4-12EB-4D1B-B0FB-F86F31DDFED3", "Wicker Hopeful About Reforms in FIRST STEP Act", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Roger Wicker", "W000437", "www.wicker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A few weeks ago, I joined President Trump in Gulfport for a roundtable discussion on prison reform. Then, on December 18, I voted for the federal legislation discussed at that meeting, the FIRST STEP Act. This important bill does as its name implies, taking a constructive step to fix our criminal justice system while strengthening law and order over the long term.\r\nIt was encouraging to see Democrats and Republicans rally around the legislation, which earned the support of the Trump Administration and a wide range of outside groups. One of the bill's primary objectives is to reverse the problem of recidivism  when offenders are rearrested after their release. Studies have shown that rearrests happen for nearly half of federal prisoners.\r\nPreventing Future Crime\r\nThe FIRST STEP Act seeks to break this cycle of incarceration by encouraging prisoners to participate in programs that have been shown to reduce recidivism. These programs are potentially life-changing for participants. They also offer benefits to society as a whole, preventing future crime and prison overcrowding  not to mention the associated financial burdens that crime and incarceration put on taxpayers. The programs can also provide educational opportunities and vocational training, readying inmates to find a job when they leave prison.\r\nThe job environment that prisoners face after their release matters to their successful transition back into society. Today's thriving economy has created more jobs and an attractive market for job seekers. Job programs in prison could help lower the high unemployment that currently exists among working-age men with a criminal history. In the end, employers would have more skilled applicants to fill available positions and our economy's productivity would remain strong.\r\nSensible Adjustments to Sentencing Rules\r\nAnother important reform in the bill is the slight modifications it makes to current sentencing rules for nonviolent prisoners. Moreover, it empowers judges to decide appropriate sentences rather than forcing them to apply mandatory ones. As the son of a circuit judge, I appreciate the bill's attention to the critical role that judges play in determining a fair punishment. Another provision provides inmates the opportunity to participate in programs to demonstrate good behavior and potentially earn earlier release.\r\nIn addition, the FIRST STEP Act addresses the controversial three strike rule that was implemented during the Clinton Administration. Although intended to deter crime, it often left those with only minor drug-related offenses facing lifetime prison sentences. Minority communities, in particular, have been disproportionately affected. The FIRST STEP Act reduces these life sentences for nonviolent drug offenders to 25 years.\r\nA federal law to reform the criminal justice system will not transform every prison in the United States, since many more prisoners are incarcerated in our state prisons than in our federal ones. However, the FIRST STEP Act is a starting point for constructive dialogue across party lines that recognizes the power of redemption and policies that can help encourage it. Above all else, these discussions should prioritize the safety and well-being of our communities and our nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=398894", "Burgess Urges Senate to Fund Border Security, End Shutdown", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael Burgess", "B001248", "burgess.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on the current government shutdown. \r\n\r\nThe defense of our nation must be Congress' first priority. Period. I urge the Senate to join the House and pass H.R. 695, the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, which includes President Trump's requested funding to build an effective wall on our southern border and protect the American people. Any vote against this funding is not only a vote for this unnecessary government shutdown, but also a direct vote against secure borders and national security. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401632", "Protecting Taxpayers and Encouraging Charitable Giving: the Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Amid fresh reports that charitable giving could drop precipitously for 2018 because of the changes to the tax law, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is calling attention to a bipartisan remedy he proposed this year and will reintroduce at the beginning of the 116th Congress. \r\nSmith's Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act would allow taxpayers to write off charitable donations to organizations that volunteer and assist those in need, whether or not they choose to itemize on their taxes.  \r\n\r\nCharitable organizationsincluding homeless shelters, soup kitchens, after-school programs, churches and synagoguesdepend upon the generosity of many American taxpayers to continue serving those most in need. Yet with last year's changes to the tax law many charities are facing the unintended consequences of the new policywhat could be a steep drop in donations. Just yesterday, USA Today reported concerns of organizations that say charitable giving in this year alone could decline by as much as $20 billion, Smith said.  \r\n\r\nMy legislation would help remedy this problem, allowing all those who wish to donate to charity to do so whether or not they itemize, thus protecting taxpayers while encouraging continued support for groups assisting the vulnerable among us, Smith said. I plan to reintroduce this legislation in the coming Congress and look forward to its bipartisan support and swift passage.  \r\n\r\nStudies including the American Enterprise Institute's Charitable Giving and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act report predicted that charitable giving would significantly decline in 2018, due to an increase in the standard deduction in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which would result in many taxpayers no longer choosing to itemize on their taxes, which would include being able to write off charitable donations.  \r\n\r\nIn May of 2018, Rep. Smith introduced HR 5771, the bipartisan Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Actwhich he plans to reintroduce in the 116th Congress. The legislation would make charitable tax deductions universal and above-the-line, providing maximum relief for those looking to donate to tax-exempt charitable organizations. The amount of charitable contributions would not be capped under the legislation.  \r\n\r\nSmith's 2018 bill has cosponsors from both parties as well as support from a consortium of charitable and faith-based organizations and philanthropic networks.  \r\n\r\nThe AEI report estimated that provisions like those in Smith's bill, HR 5771which allowed taxpayers who took the standard deduction to also be able to deduct their charitable contributionscould boost charitable giving by $21.5 billion, offsetting the estimated charitable giving shortfall by several billion dollars.  \r\n\r\nCharitable organizations that supported Smith's legislation included Agudath Israel of America, the Orthodox Union, the New Jersey Catholic Conference, United Way Worldwide, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Council on Foundations, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, the Faith &amp; Giving Coalition, the American Littoral Society, the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, the Alliance for Charitable Reform, Independent Sector, and the Humane Society Legislative Fund.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/lanny-keller-beware-conventional-wisdom-louisiana-governors-race", "Rep. Ralph Abraham holds fundraiser for gubernatorial campaign tonight to beef up his war chest", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Ralph Abraham", "A000374", "abraham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham holds a fundraiser in Monroe tonight to beef up his campaign war chest, as he attempts to catch up to the at least five million dollars in campaign funds reported by the Edwards re-election campaign earlier this year.\nULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says he'll need a lot of cash on hand, because this race will be remarkably expensive.\nFormer U.S Senator Vitter raised about 11-million in an unsuccessful campaign against Governor Edwards, so he's going to need at least ten million dollars.\nBaton Rouge businessman and fellow Republican Eddie Rispone has also pledge five million of his own dollars for his own campaign.\nAbraham has served for four years in Congress, likely making quite a few deep pocketed contacts. Stockley says there's a few industries that tend to come in handy for Louisiana Republicans looking to raise campaign funds.\nTo read the full story, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-announces-3074309-department-of-health-and-human-services-hhs", "Cartwright Announces $3,074,309 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant to Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern PA", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Matt Cartwright", "C001090", "cartwright.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wilkes Barre, PA  Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency (HHS) has awarded a $3,074,309 grant to Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern PA in Wilkes-Barre.\nThis funding will continue to provide families and individuals with the preventive care and treatment they need to live healthy lives, said Rep. Cartwright a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Community health centers remain a crucial part of our system to provide everyone with access to affordable, quality care.\nThe Health Center Cluster Grants Program is awarded on a competitive basis to grantees that have demonstrated quality care to their communities and is overseen by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration agency.\nCongressman Cartwright continues to be an advocate for community health centers and health equity in Northeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the country. He recognizes the important role local health centers play in providing care to underserved communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-announces-23-million-early-head-start-grant-porter", "Congressman Cohen Announces $2.3 Million Early Head Start Grant for Porter-Leath", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TN", "Steve Cohen", "C001068", "cohen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Porter-Leath will be receiving a $2,330,982 Early Head Start grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Office, and made the following statement:\nEarly Head Start helps at-risk children under three years old develop the necessary skills to give them a shot at the American Dream. I'm pleased to announce this continuing grant funding for Porter-Leath which has helped meet the needs of Memphis' children and their families since 1850.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-time-has-come-reopen-government", "Dingell: Time has come to reopen the government", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following comment on the continued government shutdown:\nAs this unnecessary shutdown continues, the President needs to show leadership by reopening the government. Every single Democrat agrees keeping our nation secure is our number one priority. Let's debate in Congress, on the floor and in committee, the best ways to keep our borders secure. Using hundreds of thousands of federal workers  including members of the Coast Guard working on the Great Lakes and TSA agents keeping airports safe  as pawns are no way to run the government. It's disrespectful to the service and time federal employees devote to our country. Time has come for us reopen the government and leave debate for border security to regular order.\nDingell and her office remain open for residents of the Twelfth Congressional District who need assistance with federal agencies, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and others. If you are in need of assistance please call her Dearborn Office at 313-278-2936, her Ypsilanti Office at 734-481-1100, or visit DebbieDingell.House.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-time-has-come-reopen-government-0", "Dingell: Time has come to reopen the government", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following comment on the continued government shutdown:\nAs this unnecessary shutdown continues, the President needs to show leadership by reopening the government. Every single Democrat agrees keeping our nation secure is our number one priority. Let's debate in Congress, on the floor and in committee, the best ways to keep our borders secure. Using hundreds of thousands of federal workers  including members of the Coast Guard working on the Great Lakes and TSA agents keeping airports safe  as pawns is no way to run the government. It's disrespectful to the service and time federal employees devote to our country. Time has come for us reopen the government and leave debate for border security to regular order.\nDingell and her office remain open for residents of the Twelfth Congressional District who need assistance with federal agencies, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and others. If you are in need of assistance please call her Dearborn Office at 313-278-2936, her Ypsilanti Office at 734-481-1100, or visit DebbieDingell.House.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/its-about-time-editorial", "It's about time (Editorial)", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With the Chinese American WWII Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act now being signed into law, let freedom ring for all.\nThis is a wonderful holiday gift to the Chinese American community. The president's signature on this bill on Dec. 20 reaffirms this administration's recognition of the contributions that people of color make in protecting our nation. They put their lives on the line, pledging loyalty to our country, and proving that we are all patriots. The passing and signing into law of this act honorably recognizes the Chinese Americans who bravely served our country.\nFew people know that more than 18,000 Chinese and Chinese Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII. They served in every capacity within the armed forces, even though the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was still in force for much of the war. Many earned citations for their heroism and honorable duty to our nation.\nUp until now, they were the only U.S. minority group that had not been recognized for their service.\nWe have lost many of these patriots in the years since the end of WWII. With precious few still alive, it's about time that those still with us are getting honored and recognized for their selflessness and sacrifice.\nTed Lieu (D-CA) introduced the bill, along with Ed Royce (R-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced it in the Senate.\nHere are the Washington senators and congressmen who cosponsored the bill:  \n\tSen. Maria Cantwell  \n\tSen. Patty Murray  \n\tRep. Suzan DelBene  Rep. Denny Heck  \n\tRep. Jaime Herrera Beutler  \n\tRep. Pramila Jayapal  \n\tRep. Derek Kilmer  \n\tRep. Rick Larsen  \n\tRep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers  \n\tRep. Dan Newhouse  \n\tRep. Dave Reichert  \n\tRep. Adam Smith", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ksat-condolences-pour-after-sudden-death-county-commissioner-paul-elizondo", "KSAT: Condolences pour in after sudden death of County Commissioner Paul Elizondo", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SAN ANTONIO - Condolences are pouring in for longtime county commissioner Paul Elizondo, who passed away suddenly Thursday morning.\nElizondo served on the Bexar County Commissioners Court for 32 years.\n\nPaul was my dearest friend. Over 17 years, we forged a strong partnership on the commissioners court. His life's work will leave a lasting impact on our community. I will miss him terribly.\n- Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff\n\"For over a generation, Paul Elizondo was an icon of the West Side and a force in Bexar County government and politics. His influence will be felt for decades to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.\"\n- Mayor Ron Nirenberg\nCommissioner Elizondo's passing is saddening to hear. He has been a friend and a mentor to many. His institutional wealth of knowledge of the county will be sorely missed, along with his antidote of humor and wittiness, that I will miss the most.\n- Commissioner Sergio Chico Rodriguez\nA life lived in the service of others is a life well lived. Nobody personified that more than Commissioner Paul Elizondo. His career in the military, as an educator, and as an elected official spanned decades and placed service to his community before all else.\n- Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar\nCommissioner Paul Elizondo was a champion for our veterans, his constituents, and Bexar County. He was also a mentor and friend, and I will miss him very much.\n- Commissioner Kevin Wolff\nI want to ask everyone to please say a prayer for Commissioner Elizondo's, family, friends, staff and community. As the dean of Commissioners Court his passing is a huge loss with over 60 years of public service from the time he was a Marine to today. His institutional knowledge is legendary and will be missed. I am comforted to know our last conversation was jovial as he told me about his days in the Texas Legislature. My sincerest condolences to the family and to his constituents who he so proudly served.\n- Commissioner Tommy Calvert\nOn behalf of our 1,400 members and the leadership of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, Precinct 2.\nWe at the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, while at a loss for words, are proud of Commissioner Elizondo's legacy of service, not just in Precinct 2, but in Bexar County and beyond as a leader and champion for education, healthcare, environment and natural resources, veterans, and business growth and retention.\nHe was a fighter for what he believed in, such as equity in service and providing the opportunities for community betterment.\nSemper Fi, Commissioner. We salute you.\n- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Statement\nCommissioner Paul Elizondo was my mentor and friend. His wealth of knowledge about the County and the inner workings of government were invaluable to me. I will miss his passion, dedication, and most of all, his friendship.\n- County Manager David Smith\nWith a long life of commitment to Bexar County families, Paul earned having his name inscribed on the Justice Center Tower. He combined the feisty toughness of a Marine vet, the insights of a teacher, and the good humor and joy of a sax player in his legendary orchestra. As a personal friend since our work together decades ago in the Texas Legislature, I am saddened by his sudden passing. Let's remember Paul by renewing our own commitment to continue building a community that advances opportunity for all.\n- U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-35th District)\nI am deeply saddened at the passing of County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, he was a pillar of San Antonio's Westside community and a steadfast advocate for our City and our County.\nHe was a personal friend, an icon of San Antonio politics and a guiding presence during our City and County's recent economic surge.\nHis passing is untimely, as he and I were actively working on several District 5 initiatives such as the West Commerce Street Gateway and opioid crises intervention.\nThere are many people in our community who will fondly remember him and his orchestra playing at their wedding receptions or daughter's quinceanera.\nOur most heartfelt condolences go out to the Elizondo family. We will all do well to remember and emulate his true and dedicated service to our community.\nI will miss him greatly.\n- District 5 City Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales\nMy thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and constituents of Paul Elizondo during this difficult time. Today, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County has lost a true leader.\nHe leaves behind a legacy of music, military service and will be always remembered as an exemplary public servant throughout his 32 years of service as Bexar County Commissioner.\n- District 3 City Councilwoman Rebecca J. Viagran\nMy deepest condolences go out to the Elizondo family during this time. San Antonio has lost a deeply caring and thoughtful individual in County Commissioner Paul Elizondo.\nI am grateful to Commissioner Elizondo for his help on many issues; his extensive military and public service record; but above all, I am grateful for his friendship.\nCommissioner Elizondo's legacy will live on, and continue to have a positive impact on the residents of San Antonio for generations to come.\n- District 1 City Councilman Roberto Trevino\nMy deepest condolonces go out to the family of Commissioner Paul Elizondo during this difficult time. Commissioner Elizondo has been a force in Bexar County government and our community for decades and his impact and knowledge will be sorely missed. His legacy will live on for generations through his family and his countless accomplishments across Bexar County. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues as they celebrate his life and his legacy.\n- District 6 City Councilman Greg Brockhouse\nToday our community lost an icon with the passing of Commissioner Paul Elizondo. He was a true public servant who embodied a passion for the continued prosperity of our community. Thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.\nThe San Antonio Public Library has a longstanding relationship with Bexar County through an Interlocal agreement to provide library services to all county residents.\n- San Antonio Library Board of Trustees Chair Paul Stah", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ktsa-bexar-co-commissioner-paul-elizondo-dies-83", "KTSA: Bexar Co. commissioner Paul Elizondo dies at 83", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News)  Bexar County commissioner Paul Elizondo died Thursday.\nNo word on the cause of his death, though he died at his home.\nFor over a generation, Paul Elizondo was an icon of the West Side and a force in Bexar County government and politics, San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement Thursday. His influence will be felt for decades to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.\nMy deepest condolences go out to the Elizondo family during this time. San Antonio has lost a deeply caring and thoughtful individual in County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, councilman Roberto Trevino. I am grateful to Commissioner Elizondo for his help on many issues; his extensive military and public service record; but above all, I am grateful for his friendship. Commissioner Elizondo's legacy will live on, and continue to have a positive impact on the residents of San Antonio for generations to come.\nA life lived in the service of others is a life well lived, Bexar County sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement. Nobody personified that more than Commissioner Paul Elizondo. His career in the military, as an educator, and as an elected official spanned decades and placed service to his community before all else.\nThe San Antonio business community is saddened by the news of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo's passing. Over his 36 years of dedicated public service, Commissioner Elizondo has been a champion of the underserved in our county and city, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Richard Perez said. Improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare for the most needy, addressing the most endemic flooding issue throughout the county, and preserving our rich heritage were but a few of the many vital projects Commissioner Elizondo shepherded through to completion. The University Health System expansion, the Alameda Theater renovation, and countless flood-control projects are a reality as a result of his commitment to the citizens of Bexar County. The business community will, in particular, miss his budgeting knowledge and focus on fiscal discipline. His impact on our community is deep, and we will miss his good work, his support, and his friendship.\nWith a long life of commitment to Bexar County families, Paul earned having his name inscribed on the Justice Center Tower, Rep. Lloyd Doggett said in a statement. He combined the feisty toughness of a Marine vet, the insights of a teacher, and the good humor and joy of a sax player in his legendary orchestra. As a personal friend since our work together decades ago in the Texas Legislature, I am saddened by his sudden passing. Let's remember Paul by renewing our own commitment to continue building a community that advances opportunity for all.\nElizondo was 83.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/kxan-reactions-passing-richard-overton-recall-texas-legend", "KXAN: Reactions to the passing of Richard Overton recall a 'Texas legend'", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "AUSTIN (KXAN)  Shortly after the news of World War II veteran Richard Overton's death, condolences and memories came pouring in from around Texas and the nation.\nOverton's cousin, Volma Overton Jr., said the family will miss the funny 112-year-old and that his memory will keep them going.\n\"We are truly blessed for everyone who has shown support and prayers, everyone who was encouraging to him and our family,\" Volma Overton Jr. said. \"We are so thankful.\"\nPeople gathered at a mural on 12th and Chicon Streets that depicts Overton. They sang songs in his honor and did two his favorite things: drank whiskey and smoked cigars.\nGov. Greg Abbott called Richard Overton an \"American icon and a Texas legend,\" in a statement.\n\"With his quick wit and kind spirit he touched the lives of so many, and I am deeply honored to have known him,\" Abbott wrote. \"Richard Overton made us proud to be Texans and proud to be Americans. We can never repay Richard Overton for his service to our nation and for his lasting impact on the Lone Star State.\"\nPeople, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett, shared photos of the veteran and remembered his \"service, spirit and longevity.\nSen. John Cornyn simply said \"A life well lived.\"\nRep. Roger Williams said he had the honor of knowing Overton well and will miss him dearly.\n\"Sitting on his porch and listening to him tell stories are memories I will never forget,\" Williams wrote. \"I am thankful for his service to our country, and I am eternally grateful to have had him in my life as a friend and role model.\"\nRep. Will Hurd shared a quote of Overton's that said \"You don't know when you get here. You don't know when you go. It's in God's hands. Hurd added that \"Our words will never be enough to fully show our gratitude for your selfless service. Fair winds and following seas, my friend.\"\nA Twitter account called EverythingTX shared a picture of the born-and-raised Texan smoking his signature cigar that he claimed helped him live a long life.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-passing-bexar-county-commissioner-paul-elizondo", "Statement on the Passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "***Press Release*** \n\t\t\t\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\t\t\t\tDecember 27, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Kate Stotesbery \n\t\t\t\t202-225-4865\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n Statement on the Passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo \nWashington, D.C.  Congressman Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in reaction to the sudden passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo today:\nWith a long life of commitment to Bexar County families, Paul earned having his name inscribed on the Justice Center Tower. He combined the feisty toughness of a Marine vet, the insights of a teacher, and the good humor and joy of a sax player in his legendary orchestra. As a personal friend since our work together decades ago in the Texas Legislature, I am saddened by his sudden passing. Let's remember Paul by renewing our own commitment to continue building a community that advances opportunity for all.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:https://www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett | Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett| Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-passing-bexar-county-commissioner-paul-elizondo", "Statement on the Passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in reaction to the sudden passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo today:\n\n\"With a long life of commitment to Bexar County families, Paul earned having his name inscribed on the Justice Center Tower. He combined the feisty toughness of a Marine vet, the insights of a teacher, and the good humor and joy of a sax player in his legendary orchestra. As a personal friend since our work together decades ago in the Texas Legislature, I am saddened by his sudden passing. Let's remember Paul by renewing our own commitment to continue building a community that advances opportunity for all.\"\n\nFollow Lloyd Doggett", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1168", "Gottheimer Cuts Through Red Tape for Bergen County Family", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Above: Gottheimer poses for a picture with BenSaturday, December 22, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) met with a Bergen County family that he helped fight bureaucratic roadblocks after adopting a baby boy. Earlier this year, Karen, Keith, and their son, Will, welcomed Ben into their family. In the summer, the family still had not received Ben's birth certificate and needed that to obtain Ben's U.S. Passport. After the family contacted Gottheimer's office, they received Ben's birth certificate and an expedited passport just two weeks later. I was lucky to spend time with Karen, Keith, Will, and Ben and see first-hand how adoption brings families together. The last thing Karen and Keith needed was red tape for their first family trip. I'm happy that we were able to help and that I could spend some time with this wonderful family last week, said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). I want anyone in the Fifth District who is experiencing trouble with a federal agency -- whether it be adoption, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the VA, anything -- to contact me and my team. Since taking office, Congressman Gottheimer has worked extensively to cut red tape for families and businesses in the Fifth District. If anyone in the Fifth District is in need of help with a federal agency, they are encouraged to contact Josh in his Glen Rock office at 201-389-1100 or in Newton at (973) 940-1117. Video of the visit can be found HERE. Below: Gottheimer talks with the Bergen County family his office helped acquire a birth certificate and a passport", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://joyce.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=377", "Joyce Issues Statement on Partial Government Shutdown", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Dave Joyce", "J000295", "joyce.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "How to use: Insert &lt;span class=\"EXACT_VALUE_LABEL_AS_ENTERED_BELOW\"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt; where you'd like the value to be populated.  Non-breaking space within span tags - &amp;nbsp; - is required for WYSIWYG.     Label (no spaces or special characters)   Value   Comments (optional)    repName  John Smith      helpWithFedAgencyAddress  Haverhill District Office 1234 S. Courthouse Haverhill, CA 35602      district  21st District of California      academyUSCitizenDate  July 1, 2012      academyAgeDate  July 1, 2012      academyApplicationDueDate  October 20, 2012      repStateABBR  AZ      repDistrict  1      repState  Arizona      repDistrictText  1st      repPhoto        SponsoredBills  Sponsored Bills      CoSponsoredBills  Co-Sponsored Bills", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pascrell-pallone-urge-fema-to-issue-flood-insurance-policies-during", "Pascrell & Pallone Urge FEMA to Issue Flood Insurance Policies during Trump Shutdown", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bill Pascrell", "P000096", "pascrell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) sent a letter to FEMA administrator Brock Long urging the agency to resume the activities of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the Trump shutdown. While many departments and agencies remain without funding, Congress passed an extension of NFIP's authorization last Friday so the program could continue to issue flood insurance policies. \nDespite this extension, FEMA issued guidance Wednesday, December 26 claiming NFIP insurers may not collect premiums for the issuance, renewal, or monetary endorsements of NFIP policies because doing so would cause the government to incur obligations without an appropriation. However, the sale of new policies is funded by the National Flood Insurance Fund, not discretionary appropriations.\nThe NFIP successfully helps individuals and communities secure flood insurance, Reps. Pallone and Pascrell write. Suspending the program because of Trump's decision to close the government will cause additional needless suffering for our constituents and the long-term health of the NFIP.\nLast week, Pallone and Pascrell helped defeat a last-minute GOP effort to add a controversial giveaway to insurance companies as part of an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at the expense of policyholders and taxpayers. The Congressmen have also been leaders in demanding transparency and needed reforms for the program and are supporters of H.R. 3285, the Sustainable, Affordable, Fair, and Efficient (SAFE) National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide long term reauthorization for NFIP.\nText of the letter can be found below:\nDecember 27, 2018\n\nThe Honorable Brock Long\nAdministrator\nFederal Emergency Management Agency\n500 C Street SW\nWashington, D.C. 20472\n\nDear Administrator Long:\n\nWe write to inquire about the decision to prevent all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurers from issuing or renewing policies because of Donald Trump's government shutdown. Additionally, we write you to question the administration's preparedness for the shutdown. Since Congress passed an authorization for the NFIP on the eve of the shutdown, we believe this decision runs counter to congressional intent to keep the NFIP operational through May 2019. On behalf of our constituents who rely on the NFIP, we urge you to resume the activities of the program.\nTo alleviate any confusion about the status of the NFIP during a shutdown, Congress passed, and the President signed, legislation specifically extending authorization for the program. The NFIP is critical for our constituents and millions of homeowners across the country who rely on the financial protection the program provides from the risks of flooding. Shuttering the NFIP prevents borrowers in flood-prone areas who are required to obtain flood insurance when acquiring a mortgage for a new home from doing so. Thus, we believe Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) decision to prevent new policies from being issued will create problems for the real estate market across the country.\nIn its Wednesday, December 26 guidance, FEMA claimed NFIP insurers may not collect premiums for the issuance, renewal, or monetary endorsements of NFIP policies because doing so would cause the government to incur obligations without an appropriation. However, the sale of new policies is funded by the National Flood Insurance Fund, not discretionary appropriations. It is contemptible that it took over 110 hours into the shutdown for FEMA to issue guidance on the NFIP for insurers. Being unprepared for a shutdown caused confusion for agents and homeowners about renewing a policy on or after 12:00am Saturday, December 22, 2018. Now, FEMA claims these individuals must wait until the government reopens to know if their home will or will not be insured. This delay and uncertainty for insurance policies sold since Saturday is unacceptable.\nThe NFIP successfully helps individuals and communities secure flood insurance. Suspending the program because of Trump's decision to close the government will cause additional needless suffering for our constituents and the long-term health of the NFIP. If the damage from the recent hurricane season makes anything clear, it is that NFIP is nationally significant to ensuring our nation can manage the cost of catastrophic flooding. To clarify the confusion, we believe you have the authority to resume the functions of the NFIP under the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1342) to spare further negative impacts to property and our economy. We request you provide our staff details on the number of policies attempted to be sold by NFIP insurers since the start of the shutdown. Additionally, we urge you to clarify the status of these policies for homeowners.\nWe look forward to your prompt response.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-2018-year-review", "THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - 2018: The Year in Review", "2018-12-27", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2018: The Year in Review\n\nJanuary\nSablan, Murkowski intro CW bill\nSenator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and I introduced theNorthern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act.The bill gives the Marianas access to foreign labor for another 10 years and allows for 13,000 CW workers. The bill also creates a new category to give long-time foreign workers more certainty. (See box above for more details.) I have been working with Senator Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, since July 2017 on this long-term solution. She formed a working group to draft the new policy with myself and key Republicans and Democrats from the Senate and the House to help ensure the success of the legislation. I am very grateful to the Chairman and all the members of the working group. We put in many hours of discussion to reach today's agreement. There will be more fine-tuning in the days ahead, but we now have a solid foundation for a long-term labor policy for the Northern Marianas.See our news release for a more complete discussion of the bill.\nFebruary\nConfronting the opioid crisis.As Ranking Member of HELP  the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee  I opened our joint hearing with the Workforce Protection Subcommittee this week on the nationwide opioid epidemic. Billions are lost and the human toll is incalculable from the injuries, absenteeism, and lost productivity stemming from opioid abuse. We need safer workplaces, stronger consumer protections in health law, and greater access to treatment through Medicaid and other forms of health insurance to combat this problem.\nMarch\n\nStudents lead to stop gun violence.Along with Washington, D.C.-area students, I walked out on National Walkout Day. Sensible gun control policy is what these young adults seek. And I could not agree more. With at least 65 school shootings in the United States since the 2013 slaughter at Sandy Hook Elementary, we have to act. Students like thesesmart, articulate, politically engagedshould give us all hope both for our country's future and its present. Their fearlessness can lead us all to take action on gun control.\n$1.3 trillion spending bill passes\nCongress enacted a $1.3 trillion omnibus appropriations law that funded the federal government through September 30, 2018. We kept funding steady or even increased for many federal programs President Trump wanted to cut back or eliminate. Many are important to the Marianas and on my priorities list submitted to the Appropriations Committee, including the preserved 1.5 percent set-aside in water and sewer grants for the Marianas and other insular areas that we began in 2010, and adds another $600 million for the programs nationwide.\nSee the text of the 2,232 page bill and explanatory reports and documents here.\nCODEL Murkowski.Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) led a congressional delegation, including Congresswoman Amata Aumua Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) and myself, through the Pacific. Here, at Fiesta Resort, we gathered some of the island's female leaders to meet Rep. Radewagen and Sen. Murkowski and celebrate Women's Month in the Marianas. That time spent building consensus has made it possible to keep the bill moving quickly forward since we introduced it in January.\nApril\nVeterans Resource Fair a success. More than 300 veterans, service members, military family members, providers, and members of the public turned out for the 2018 Northern Marianas Veterans Resource Fairs, held on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan nearly double last year's turnout. Improving access to services for Marianas veterans and their families is one of my top priorities as a member of House Veterans Affairs Committee. And better access begins with raising awareness about the services that exist. Thanks to all who made this year's resource fairs such a success. For those who couldn't make it, theNMI Veterans Resource Directoryis available online.\nApp Challenge winners impress in DC.Daniel Villarmero and Chenoa Bunts-Anderson, Marianas winners of the Congressional App Challenge, showcased their work at the#HouseOfCodeDemo Day in Washington. Above, Rep. Steny Hoyer, the second highest ranking Democrat in the House, gets a rundown from Chenoa on the app,the Student Companion. Congratulations, Daniel and Chenoa!\nMay\nNew funds bring iPads to PSS. PSS is putting 3,000 new iPads in students' hands this year thanks to a funding formula I added to the Elementary Student Suceeds Act,U.S. Public Law 114-95, in 2015 bringing in $4.1 million this year. Dandan Elementary Tottots (above) showed off their new iPads when I came to visit. Kagman High School students are using iPads and robots to learn about coding, math, and problem-solving.\nRenovated troop store. The newly-renovated Saipan Army Reserve Center was unveiled and dedicated to the memory of Army SSG Wilgene Lieto and SPC Derence Jack of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry. The two soldiers gave their lives during service in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. The $8 million project includes solar panels and a solar heater, water efficient fixtures, an expanded gym, a motor room, improved storage facilities, and central air conditioning. At the same time the Army and Air Force Exchange Service troop store had its grand opening. A study I included in the2011 National Defense Authorization Actdetermined the project to be viable and led to the 5,000-foot expansion of the store at a cost of $2.8 million. The facility serves 4,000 active and reserve service members, retirees, and their families.\nJune\nVeterans Clinic Signed Into Law\nMarianas veterans, who are not registered for VA health benefits, need to do so now. On Wednesday, President Trump signed theVA MISSION Act, which requires a feasibility study for a veterans' health clinic in the Marianas. I putSection 213into the legislation to advance the goal of getting our own Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. We are the only Pacific jurisdiction without a C-BOC. But, for the study to prove a need, we need every veteran to be counted. The more vets we have signed up with the VA, the more likely the study will justify the cost of building a clinic and hiring full-time VA medical staff to provide services. The VA now has 180 days to complete the study. Once doneand assuming we get the result we wantthen funding will be at the top of my to-do list, when the next Congress begins in January 2019. Getting a favorable feasibility study is the same strategy we used successfully to expand the AAFES troop store on Saipan.\nU.S. Workforce Act passes Congress. It's done! The U.S. Senate passed theNorthern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Actat 7:35 p.m. on June 28. Now the Act goes to the President for signature into law. It was a photo finish in the Senate. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office e-mailed at 7 p.m. it won't clear tonight. But we scrambled to identify which senator had a problem and resolved it in time to get unanimous consent for passage 35 minutes later. President Trump signed the bill into law on July 24.\nJuly\nCODIFY CNMI is up and running. Last year, Codify CNMI organizers Blane Wilson and Darren Demapan, both Stanford University graduates and passionate advocates for STEM education, asked me to introduce them to the CNMI Public School System's leadership to collaborate on a summer program to teach coding to middle and high school students. I put them in touch and got to see the results: a workshop in full swing at Dandan Middle School, with over a dozen students learning how to code. They are under the tutelage of Jailene Miranda-Enriquez, a computer science and education student at Stanford.Amazing work, students!. Thanks to Stanford, PSS, and Codify CNMI for making this wonderful opportunity available.\nAugust\nNDAA is law, $51m to Tinian divert\nPresident Trump signed theJohn S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019authorizing $50.7 million forAir Force divert airfield projects on Tinian. $46 million will go towards construction of a cargo pad with taxiway extension and $4.7 million for a maintenance support facility north of the Tinian airport.Section 2863bars any expenditure by the Defense Department for public infrastructure in the Marianas until an Economic Adjustment Committee reports to Congress on what civilian projects are needed to support proposed military activities. The report is due in May 2019. Only then would Congress decide whether to fund civilian infrastructure on Tinian or elsewhere. In all, the 2019 NDAA authorizes $717 billion for defense spending for fiscal 2019. It raises military pay by 2.6 percent and increases troop levels across the Armed Forces by about 16,000.\n\nSeptember\nMaking sure Rota is cared for.The people of Rota bore the brunt of Typhoon Mangkhut, so I was there the next day visiting families and making sure that federal agencies are doing everything to help Rota and the Commonwealth government respond. My job is to make sure that federal agencies are fully and quickly responsive to the needs of the families affected and are working well with the Commonwealth government and private organizations, like the Red Cross.\n\nOctober\nMore CIP for water possible\nThe Marianas could see twice as much funding for water projects thanks to theAmerica's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, signed into law by President Trump. The new law doubles the authorization for the Safe Drinking Water Act from the current $1 billion to $1.95 billion in 2021. This money is why CUC can now report all households on Saipan have 24-hour water. When I came into office, the Marianas only received $286,000 from the Safe Drinking Water Act. But in 2010I began increasing the insular area set-aside from 0.33 to 1.5 percent. The result, an average of $3.5 million annually or $34 million in total. A similar change in the set-aside formula for the Clean Water Act has meant another $37 million. The two programs work together. One brings water into the home. The other helps make sure that disposal is environmentally sound. The new law also cancels a proposed deauthorization of$20 million for Saipan water infrastructure, from the 2007 Water Resources Act. The Army Corps sought the deauthorization for this and hundreds of other projects nationwide, but Congress pushed back. Keeping the $20 million authorization means we can keep working for that funding in the next Congress. We need the money: theEnvironmental Protection Agency estimates $198.4 million is needed in the Marianasto provide potable water to all households and protect our environment.\n\nNovember\nHearing probes disaster response. As a guest of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I questioned FEMA Administrator Brock Long on his agency's delivery of services in the Marianas after Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu. The hearing was focused on recurring problems with disaster response nationwide, many of which we have seen in the Marianas. Watch a clip of my exchange with Mr. Long byclicking here.\nDecember\n$100M+ for Marianas recovery\nThere is at least $100 million for the Marianas inlegislation passed by the Houseon Thursday nightthe first time ever for our islands to be included in special disaster relief above and beyond what FEMA provides. The bill's fate in the Senate is undecided, as we go to press, because it includes a controversial $5 billion President Trump has demanded for a border wall. Incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gave meher pledge of supportfor Marianas recovery a few days after Yutu struck, as did the incoming Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Nita Lowey, whenshe called on November 10. Since then, I have worked with appropriators on both sides of the aisle to ensure that any help for U.S. areas hit by natural disasters this year includes the Marianas.\nMourning President Bush. Former President George H.W. Bush lay in state in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol the week of his funeral. With other Members of Congress and thousands of the public, I paid my respects there to our 41st President, who is remembered as an unassuming man of the highest integrity and deepest patriotism. As Vice President, Bush visited Saipan in 1985, making him the highest-ranking U.S. government official ever to set foot in the Northern Marianas. He was laid to rest at the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&amp;M University.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 69386, "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": "2018"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": 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