{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"PA\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-announces-nominees-to-us-service-academies", "Barletta Announces Nominees to U.S. Service Academies", "2016-12-28", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today announced the list of nominees from Pennsylvania\u2019s 11th Congressional District to attend the United States service academies. \u00a0Students who expressed interest in attending a service academy were interviewed by an independent review board of community leaders and representatives of the military community, which made final recommendations. \u00a0Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character, and motivation were taken into consideration and compared with other applicants. \u00a0\nThe academies include the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. \u00a0The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination.\u00a0\n\u201cThis group of bright, motivated young Americans represents the best of what our part of Pennsylvania has to offer, and they are to be commended for choosing to begin their adult lives in service to this nation,\u201d Barletta said. \u00a0\u201cWe should all be proud of what these young people have already achieved, and await eagerly to see their future successes. \u00a0I wish them well as they continue through the rigorous process of seeking admission to our prestigious and elite service academies.\u201d\nStudents may be nominated by their member of Congress, both U.S. Senators, or by applying to the Vice President of the United States. \u00a0Securing a Congressional nomination is a vital step in the process, but does not guarantee admission. \u00a0Each service academy will make final determination of which students ultimately are admitted.\nRep. Barletta\u2019s list of nominees includes (listing is alphabetical and does not indicate standing or preference):\nU.S. Naval Academy\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Lauren Anderson, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Sarah Elizabeth Ebert, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Elizabeth Kate Gergal, Central Dauphin High School, Harrisburg, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Samuel John Haseman, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Lexington N. McLellan, Currently with family stationed in Germany, originally from Wyoming County  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Riley Samantha Oremus, Dallas Senior High School, Dallas, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Mason Medford Roadcap, Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg, PA\u00a0  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Christian Roberts, Dallas High School, Dallas, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Rachel Lynn Wentz, Trinity High School, Camp Hill, PA\u00a0  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Bartholomew Paul Winn, II, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA\nU.S. Military Academy\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Anah Jule Bozentka, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Grace Marie Echevarria, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Nicholas Fricchione, Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Justin Edward Groschek, Berwick Area Senior High School, Berwick, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Samuel John Haseman, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Leandra Ellen Ramos, Greater Nanticoke Area High School, Nanticoke, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Jessica Rawls, Central Dauphin East High School, Harrisburg, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Alyse Rawls, Central Dauphin East High School, Harrisburg, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Jacob T. Rob. Boiling Springs High School, Boiling Springs, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0William Todd Webber, Boiling Springs High School, Boiling Springs, PA\nU.S. Air Force Academy\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Abel Shedwick Botterbusch, Middletown Area High School, Middletown, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Anthony Joseph Roger Diminick, West Shore Christian Academy, Shiremanstown, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Grace Marie Echevarria, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Mitchell Fowler, Tunkhannock High School, Tunkhannock, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Bartholomew Paul Winn, II, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA\nU.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Samuel John Haseman, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Kelly Bruce Holdren, Millville Area High School, Millville, PA  \n\t\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Bartholomew Paul Winn, II, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-statement-secretary-kerry-speech-regarding-israel", "COSTELLO STATEMENT ON SECRETARY KERRY SPEECH REGARDING ISRAEL", "2016-12-28", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) issued the following statement today on Secretary John Kerry's speech regarding Israel:\n\"The speech given by Secretary Kerry today builds on this administration's recent misguided policies towards one of our greatest allies. This type of action only hinders the path to peace and benefits Israel's enemies.\"\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398449", "Rep. Perry Statement on Anti-Israel UN Resolution", "2016-12-28", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perry Statement on Anti-Israel UN Resolution \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, 2016\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      York, PARepresentative Scott Perry (R-PA) issued the following statementafter FridaysUN Security Council vote on an anti-Israel resolution and todays explanation from Secretary of State John Kerry on the decision for the US to abstain from the vote:\r\nThe United States for years  regardless of what political party occupied the White House  rightly has opposed one-sided or anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations. Not only does President Obamas refusal to veto this resolution defy decades of bipartisan US policy, buthes allowing the UN to serve as an open forum to isolate and delegitimize Israel  our closest and only democratic Ally in one of the worlds most unstable regions, said Congressman Perry. Likewise, his decision to allow Secretary Kerry to lay out a framework for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, knowing that hes out of office in less than a month and no longer in a position to negotiate any long-term deals, is insulting and serves no purpose except exposing Israel to unnecessary international pressure. Its mind-boggling to me that a false equivalence is being perpetuated in the UN between terrorist acts funded by the Palestinian Authority and Israeli settlement building.\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://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0BB9863A-B926-45B6-9953-BB32C244EB86", "Congressman Dent Expresses Concerns Over Department of Transportation's Changes to Metropolitan Planning Organization Structure", "2016-12-27", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALLENTOWN, PA \u2013 Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) expressed concerns regarding a final rule issued by the Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations, entitled \u201cMetropolitan Planning Organization Coordination and Planning Area Reform,\u201d that would impact state and local transportation plans and future resource disbursements.\r\n\u201cI am disappointed by the final rule that has been issued by the Department of Transportation, and will be working in partnership with local organizations and my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that our communities continue to retain the lead in decisions about our local infrastructure projects. The Metropolitan Planning Organizations in Pennsylvania\u2019s 15th Congressional District currently serve their residents well by truly understanding and addressing the local needs of the community, providing residents with a voice in the decision-making process, and coordinating with each other to address regional issues that may cross jurisdictional boundaries,\u201d Dent said.\r\nThis rule would require Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) representing communities within a larger Metropolitan Area\u2014which could include entities in other states and cities with competing interests to those of Pennsylvania\u2019s drivers and residents\u2014to develop a single set of transportation plans and standards.\r\n\u201cI am concerned that these new requirements will create unnecessary competition among MPOs, make it harder for local concerns to receive the attention they deserve, and delay responsiveness,\u201d Dent added. \u201cThe MPOs in my district currently work with each other, and the state of Pennsylvania, to solve larger regional issues. While the stated goal of this rule is to improve planning within larger Metropolitan Areas, I believe that it has the potential to create new difficulties for MPOs that were already addressing such challenges. Such decisions and collaborative agreements should be handled at the community level and not compelled by a one-size-doesn\u2019t-fit-all approach imposed by a federal agency. I will work with the incoming Administration and through my work in Congress to allow local decisions to remain at the local level.\u201d\u00a0\r\nCongressman Dent had previously sent a letter to Secretary Anthony Foxx, the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation, regarding this issue, a copy of which has been attached.\r\n###\r\nFor more information, please visit:\u00a0https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/20/2016-30478/metropolitan-planning-organization-coordination-and-planning-area-reform\r\nCONTACT: Emily Rauch (202) 225-6411", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=C51641F6-0DF4-40D6-877C-96A619B6F352", "Dent Condemns Obama Administration's Abstention from Anti-Israel UN Resolution", "2016-12-27", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALLENTOWN, PA -- On Friday, the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution that Israel cease all settlements in the West Bank, as well as East Jerusalem. Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) released the following statement, condemning the actions of the Obama Administration:\u00a0\r\n\"Congress has repeatedly stated that only direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians must be the basis for security and lasting peace. Make no mistake, President Obama's abstention on the U.N. Resolution is a major setback for peace. Even worse, this abstention is an extension of this President's hostility toward Israel and more specifically his personal disdain for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,\" Dent said.\u00a0\r\n\"As bad as this all is, the President's action should surprise no one,\" he continued. \"His abdication from America's traditional global leadership and security role--coupled with a disturbing, dangerous global disengagement and detachment that has created political vacuums--has led to the ascendency and empowerment of Russia and Iran, while leaving longstanding American friends and allies bewildered and dismayed.\"\r\nRep. Dent concluded by adding, \"Tragically, President Obama leaves office with a lasting foreign policy legacy that will lead to greater global instability and will haunt America and its allies for years to come.\"\u00a0\r\n###\r\n\r\nCONTACT: Emily Rauch (202) 225-6411", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-obama-failure-to-veto-anti-israel-un-resolution", "Barletta Statement on Obama Failure to Veto Anti-Israel U.N. Resolution", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today issued a statement regarding the failure of the United States to veto an anti-Israel resolution before the United Nations Security Council. The resolution, which the United States abstained from voting on or vetoing, was approved by the Security Council..\u00a0 It has been the previous practice of the United States to stand allied with Israel at the United Nations.\n\u00a0\nBarletta issued the following statement:\n\u00a0\n\u201cThis is a particularly shameful move by President Obama \u2013 especially with only a month left in his administration \u2013 to turn his back on Israel. It is the long-standing practice of the United States to side with our only democratic ally in the Middle East, but Obama has broken with that tradition. The resolution he declined to veto serves only to isolate Israel from its neighbors, and the inaction by the Obama administration sends the clear message that America cannot be counted on as a faithful ally.\u00a0 Even worse, it is easy to perceive this as a parting shot at Israel by Obama, considering that the U.S. vetoed and voted against similar resolutions in 2011 and 2014. Today's inaction is a severe blow to the peace process.\u00a0 There is help on the way, however. I am confident that shortly, under President Trump, there will no longer be any confusion around the world, and the United States will once again firmly stand with our allies, the Israelis.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-statement-upcoming-un-security-council-vote", "COSTELLO STATEMENT ON UPCOMING U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL VOTE", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) issued the following statement today on the upcoming\u00a0U.N. Security Council vote:\n\"The resolution to be considered by the U.N. Security Council aims to undermine Israel, one of our greatest allies, and does nothing to advance the path to peace. The United States should veto this resolution.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-statement-anti-israel-un-resolution", "Rothfus Statement on Israel UN Resolution", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Supporting America\u2019s Innovators Act of 2017, which raises the limit on the number of individuals who can invest in certain venture capital funds before those funds must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as \u201cinvestment companies\u201d under the Inv", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-statement-president-obama-s-refusal-veto-anti-israel-un", "Rothfus Statement on President Obamas refusal to veto anti-Israel UN Resolution", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Barack Obama delivered a parting backhand to America's most steadfast ally and the only democracy in the Middle East today by brokering a one sided anti-Israel resolution before the UN Security Council.\u00a0 Obama's foreign policy has left the Middle East, indeed the world, in chaos and confusion.\u00a0 From Libya to Syria to Iraq, the Obama doctrine has left millions either dead or fighting for their very lives,\"\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus.\u00a0\n\t\"Today's actions will only embolden terrorists and result in more deaths. \u00a0As long as the Palestinians refuse to return to the negotiation table, there will be no peace.\u00a0 Lasting peace cannot be dictated by Barack Obama or the UN.\u00a0 Instead, any peaceful solution will only be attained by active and mutual participation by both the Palestinians and Israel,\"\u00a0Rothfus continued.\n\t\"I am confident that House Republicans and the Trump Administration will move quickly to do everything possible to restore and heal our relationship with Israel and our friends in the Middle East,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus.\n\t-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-releases-year-end-report-2016", "Rep. Kelly Releases Year-End Report for 2016", "2016-12-22", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cMaking a Difference Today, Preparing for Tomorrow\u201d \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) released the following report today, to be e-mailed to his constituents throughout the Third Congressional District of Pennsylvania, to serve as a year-end overview of his office\u2019s legislative achievements and constituent relations throughout 2016.\nDear Constituent:\nAs we embark on an exciting new year, I would first like to thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you in the U.S. House of Representatives, or as I prefer to call it, the People\u2019s House.\nMuch was decided about our country\u2019s future over the last few months. Since the start of this year, my House colleagues and I have been planning for the 115th Congress and the new windows of opportunity that will be opened by the incoming administration. Many policies and reforms that were, until recently, unachievable are now not only possible, but are sitting at the top of our agenda and very likely to be realized.\n\tJust last week, while Congress was out of session, my colleagues and I on the Ways and Means Committee went back to work in Washington to plan the first overhaul of our nation\u2019s tax code in three decades and the responsible repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Our goals for the new year are crystal clear: a fairer tax code, a stronger economy with new jobs, and long-awaited relief from Obamacare\u2019s higher costs and broken promises. With the right principles guiding our work, you and your family can look forward to a future with lower, simpler taxes and more affordable and accessible health care insurance that is choice-filled and patient-centered.\nThroughout every bit of planning for the future, I made sure to stay focused on my most important duties: representing Western Pennsylvania\u2019s best interests, bringing your voice to Washington, and making sure the federal government is properly delivering you the services you depend upon. Each day I stepped foot inside the U.S. Capitol, I was guided by our shared values of hard work, common sense, and straight talk. As I begin my fourth term in Congress, my commitment to you and your family will remain unwavering.\nWith every new challenge that 2016 brought us, there also came many great successes. Week after week, my staff and I worked diligently on every issue to produce the best results for you and your neighbors. The following report is meant to provide you with an overview of the most important legislative business that we conducted on your behalf over the course of this year.\nMeeting the Needs of Our Constituents All Year Round\nHere is a summary of how our four offices directly assisted and communicated with our constituents throughout 2016. We\u2026\n Attended/organized 83 constituent outreach meetings with different individuals, groups, schools, hospitals, etc. throughout the Third District;\n  Toured 15 local businesses and factories to meet with employers and employees about issues affecting their industries;\n  Helped 2,099 constituents with navigating the federal bureaucracy;\n  Corresponded with 14,918 constituents in response to 29,234 phone calls, pieces of mail, e-mail, and faxes;\n  Maintained 3 full-time constituent offices throughout the Third District;\n  Hosted a tele-town hall meeting to address concerns and answer questions about Medicare enrollment, which included 3,063 participants from the Third District;\n  Hosted a live seminar for prospective U.S. Military Academy cadets in the Third District to learn more about the congressional nomination and application process;\n  Sent 1,058 American flags to constituents;\n  Assisted hundreds of families with 201 official tours, including 122 tours of the U.S. Capitol; 42 tours of the White House; 8 tours of the U.S. Supreme Court; 12 tours of the Library of Congress; and 12 tours of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;\n  Expanded my social media presence, ending the year with 14,200 fans on Facebook (690 added since last year) and 7,000 followers on Twitter (1,385 added since last year); and\n  Conducted hundreds of interviews with local, regional, and national newspapers, radio shows, websites, and television programs.\n Turning Solutions Into Law\nThroughout this year, despite having a divided government, my congressional colleagues and I were able to successfully turn multiple good ideas into not just good bills, but good laws.\nIn July, the House passed major legislation to combat the ongoing nationwide opioid epidemic by an astounding bipartisan majority of 407-5. The bill \u2013 the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524) \u2013 tackles this crisis from every angle through specific, targeted solutions. It authorizes the Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to address addiction to heroin and prescription opioids, and make various other changes to federal law to combat opioid addiction and abuse. It was passed in the U.S. Senate by an overwhelming vote of 92-2 and then signed into law on July 22nd.\n\tThis legislation is strongly supported by such Pennsylvania-based organizations as the Bridge to Hope Family Support Group, the Center for Youth & Community Development, the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance, National Family Dialogue, and more than 200 other public health groups in communities nationwide. Its enactment is a victory for bipartisanship, for cooperation, for Western Pennsylvania, and for countless of our fellow citizens. I invite you to read more about this new law here, here, and here.\nLast month, the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 34) by a bipartisan vote of 392-26. The legislation is a medical innovation package to improve patient treatments by promoting advancements in technology, eliminating regulations that stifle competition, providing resources to combat the growing opioid epidemic, ensuring critical support for those struggling with mental health, and supporting cutting-edge research and the next generation of scientists. The package includes the Medicare Advantage Coverage Transparency Act of 2015 (H.R. 2505), which I introduced in May of last year and which was passed unanimously by the House last June. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide an annual report on the program's enrollment data to Congress.\nThe Cures Act is wide in its reach and dramatic in its impact yet squarely focused on a singular goal: helping American patients beat their diseases and become healthy again. Thanks to this historic package, the future of American health care and medical innovation is brighter than ever. Our moms and dads and sons and daughters who face illnesses, along with the family members who care for them, can take heart that their fight is receiving brand new life-changing and, we pray, life-saving support. President Obama signed this bill into law on December 13th.\nI was particularly proud that this powerful legislation included my bill to make Medicare Advantage coverage more transparent for the benefit of our nation\u2019s seniors. The bill will bring key Medicare enrollment details into public view and equip lawmakers with important information so that we may make better decisions on behalf of our elderly constituents. I was also very glad to see my friend Representative Tim Murphy (R-PA)\u2019s transformational mental health reforms included in this package and applaud him for his tireless work in helping carry it past the finish line.\nEarlier this month, the House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act (S. 612) by a bipartisan vote of 360-61. The legislation is a House-Senate compromise version of the previously passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. Like that bill, the WIIN Act authorizes the key missions of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and addresses the needs of American harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water infrastructure critical to the nation\u2019s economic competitiveness. It accomplishes these tasks in a fiscally responsible way by establishing sunset dates for new authorizations as well as de-authorizing $10 billion in unnecessary projects, which will fully offset the same amount in new authorizations contained in the legislation.\nThe WIIN Act is a win for American workers and a win for the Great Lakes. In fact, the WIIN Act represents one of the most important pieces of Great Lakes legislation in generations. Among its vast benefits, the bill will ensure the maintenance of waterway infrastructure essential to the construction of the upcoming ethane cracker facility in Western Pennsylvania and the 6,000 jobs it\u2019s expected to create. On December 15th, this bill became law.\nStanding Up for Religious Liberty\nAt the beginning of this year, I joined with Representative Diane Black (R-TN), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to submit a bipartisan amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, signed by 207 members of Congress, in support of each religious nonprofit and charity challenging Obamacare\u2019s HHS mandate, including the Little Sisters of the Poor. The challenge was heard in the case of Zubik vs. Burwell.\n\tThe Little Sisters and six other religious non-profit organizations finally took their fight against Obamacare's unjust contraceptive mandate to the highest court in the land and argued, in essence, for the exact same exemption that the Obama administration has already given to non-religious organizations like Exxon Mobil and Visa.\nFrankly, I found it disgraceful and unacceptable that the Little Sisters had to take time to come to their nation's capital to argue for their God-given constitutional rights against this administration. The contraceptive mandate was a hideous component of a disastrous law that puts government's power above people's rights. It puts this administration on the wrong side of our nation's long and cherished history of religious liberty and tolerance.\nThankfully, in May, the Supreme Court delivered good news to the Little Sisters.\nAccording to the American Center for Law and Justice, \u201cthe Supreme Court unanimously ordered lower courts to help the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious organizations work out a compromise with the Obama administration. ... The high Court also made clear that because the government was aware of the objections made by the religious organizations from the outset of the litigation, no taxes or penalties may be applied against the organizations. In other words, the abortion-pill mandate is delayed until the parties have sufficient time to resolve any issues at the lower courts.\u201d\nThe Court\u2019s announcement is a win for these nuns and all those whom they so nobly serve. In the words of Sister Loraine Marie Maguire, Mother Provincial for the Little Sisters of the Poor: \u201cAll we have ever wanted to do is serve the neediest among us as if they were Christ himself. We look forward to serving the elderly poor for another 175 years to come.\u201d\nProtecting Presque Isle\u2019s Beaches\nIn February, I joined Representative Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (R-PA) and Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) in sending a joint bipartisan letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (for Civil Works) to insist that Presque Isle State Park in Erie remains a high priority project in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 (USACE) budget for fiscal year 2016.\n\tPresque Isle State Park\u2019s beaches are a precious natural resource and a powerful economic driver for our entire region. Stretching along seven miles of Lake Erie\u2019s shoreline, they require proper care and nourishment every single year. I expect the USACE to always recognize the importance of maintaining this treasure and to provide the necessary replenishment that millions of families and tourists \u2013 and the jobs they support \u2013 depend upon.\nRestoring Fiscal Responsibility\n\tLast winter, I was very proud to co-sponsor the Debt Management and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3442), which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 267-151. This commonsense legislation establishes a new debt limit framework that enhances accountability, reduces disruptive risk, and ensures integrated debt reduction solutions. It requires the Secretary of the Treasury to appear before Congress prior to each potential debt limit increase and provide testimony and detailed reports on: the national debt and its key drivers; explicit short, medium, and long-term debt reduction proposals; and progress on debt reduction.\nFor me, this is not a political battle\u2014this is a fight for the future of our country. This is a fight for the sustainability of the greatest nation the world has ever known, and our ability to leave it in proper fiscal condition for our children and grandchildren.\nHelping Western Pennsylvania Hospitals\nLast month, I introduced the Fixing Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016 (H.R. 6399) with Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA). The legislation would create a Medicare wage index floor for hospitals in metropolitan areas with populations of two million or more, which would increase Medicare payments to hospitals in the Greater Pittsburgh area.\nThe current Medicare wage index is an unfair deal for Western Pennsylvania hospitals and their workers. Because the federal government currently assigns hospitals in our area a low wage index, employers throughout the region have to pick up the cost through increased insurance premiums for their employees. With this commonsense bill, a new wage index floor would be created, insurance premiums would decrease, hospital wages would increase, and Western Pennsylvania\u2019s economy would become stronger. Those who provide life-saving care to our neighbors, friends, and loved ones deserve nothing less.\nStopping the War on Coal\nThe Obama administration\u2019s regulatory war on coal has been a war on American jobs, families, and communities. In Pennsylvania alone, coal is responsible for 40,000 jobs and 40 percent of our electric power. The Associated Press rightly calls it \u201cthe workhorse of the U.S. power system.\u201d The EPA\u2019s so-called Clean Power Plan is a cruel attack on the needs of so many people \u2013 especially in Western Pennsylvania \u2013 who depend on coal's benefits every day. Whether it\u2019s lost livelihoods for families or higher energy bills for senior citizens, the pain of this President Obama\u2019s radical agenda will sadly be felt long after he leaves office.\nThis is why I joined 170 other members of the House and 34 U.S. Senators in February in submitting an amicus brief to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the plaintiffs in the case of State of West Virginia, et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. The brief supported petitions filed by 27 states seeking to overturn the EPA\u2019s controversial regulatory plan.\n\tThirty-nine lawsuits seeking review of the Clean Power Plan were consolidated in the D.C. Circuit Court. The Plan was stayed by the Supreme Court in February, and the D.C. Circuit Court heard oral arguments in the consolidated cases in June. In all likelihood, the Circuit Court won\u2019t decide this case until next year.\n\tDefending Americans\u2019 Retirement Security\nAs co-chairman of the House Retirement Security Caucus and a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, I was especially disturbed by the Department of Labor\u2019s long-anticipated rule on fiduciary standards.\n\tIt seems to me that Washington bureaucrats think they know what\u2019s best for American families when it comes to planning for retirement. I believe the Obama administration\u2019s misguided attempt to regulate Main Street financial advisers will backfire, leaving more hardworking families without access to quality, affordable retirement advice. With increased compliance costs and regulations, these smaller advisers will be unable to provide workers and seniors with a full range of options to help save for a secure retirement.\nIn anticipation of this rule, last November I joined Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) in introducing the Retirement Choice Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 3922), which would provide the rule with a workable \u201cbest interest\u201d standard, which will in turn ensure that families can continue to receive affordable investment guidance for a secure retirement while making it easier for small businesses to provide retirement benefits to their employees.\nProviding Relief for Working Families\nIn May, right before Mother\u2019s Day, I was very proud to work with Representative Linda S\u00e1nchez (D-CA) to introduce the Working Families Relief Act (H.R. 4867).\n\tThis legislation would increase the maximum amount that employees can set aside or employers can provide to the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), a flexible spending account which can be used to pay for childcare on a pre-tax basis. It would raise the cap from $5,000 to $10,500 and index it for inflation, and would also provide tax credits to employers who match the DCAP contributions in order to encourage them to offer this benefit.\nEarly education is critical for a child\u2019s healthy development and for giving him or her a fair opportunity to succeed in life. Unfortunately, working families often struggle to cover costs for quality childcare in today\u2019s economy, which can reach more than $10,000 a year. This bipartisan, bicameral bill will help parents overcome that difficulty by expanding and modernizing DCAP accounts, which currently help more than 1.3 million families pay for child and dependent care annually.\nThe companion piece to this pro-family, pro-common sense bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).\nRebuilding Our Nation\u2019s Schools & Infrastructure\nOver the summer, I had the opportunity to visit three different public schools in the City of Erie to evaluate the schools' ongoing infrastructure crisis. After the trip, I went back to Washington and introduced the Public Buildings Renewal Act (H.R. 5361, also known as \u201cthe Renewal Act\u201d) to help resolve the situation. The bill would permit state and local governments to access private activity bonds (PABs) for the financing of critical construction and infrastructure projects for qualified public buildings such as schools, hospitals, court houses, universities, police stations, and prisons.\n\tIt is a matter of fact that our county\u2019s public buildings are in a historic state of disrepair. This crisis cannot be solely addressed through traditional forms of public financing and project delivery options. Just like the qualified PABS authorized for transportation projects, private activity bond financing is needed for the nation\u2019s public buildings.\nIn the transportation sector, PABs are used to attract private investment for projects that have some public benefit. PABs leverage private financing to fund public projects through the creation of public private partnerships (P3s).\u00a0 In turn, P3s advance transportation and infrastructure projects in an efficient way that creates jobs and saves taxpayer money by streamlining project delivery, design, and construction.\n\tMy bill would expand eligibility beyond just transportation projects so that state and local governments can have access to more streams of potential financing for critical construction and infrastructure projects. Similar to today\u2019s P3s in the transportation sector, the Renewal Act would create $5 billion in PABs for eligible public buildings for states to access through the Treasury Department.\n\tI was very pleased to see this bill receive favorable attention from Jet 24 Action News, Erie News Now, the Erie Times-News, and POLITICO.\nPreserving Internet Freedom\nSince 2014, I have voiced serious objections to President Obama\u2019s reckless plan to transfer the Internet\u2019s critical functions to a multinational body like the United Nations. This year, after the administration began moving forward with its plan, I worked with my staff to take action.\nAmong my many concerns, I strongly believe that ensuring the sole, exclusive, and permanent American ownership of the .gov and .mil domains must be fully resolved before any transition in our stewardship over Internet functions can happen. By relying on a non-binding exchange of letters to keep existing policies in place, the Commerce Department is regrettably putting its trust in ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)\u2019s mere promise not to take any action adverse to our nation\u2019s interests, without a legally enforceable contract that gives our government the right to hold ICANN to its promises.\nAs a small businessman, I can say that I may exchange letters with my wife, but I write contracts with my business partners. This is why, in June, I introduced the Securing America's Internet Domains (SAID) Act (H.R. 5329) which requires our government to certify that it has secured .gov and .mil through a contract. The SAID Act is crucial for our long-term cybersecurity and for preserving Internet freedom.\nIn September, as the Obama administration\u2019s transfer of the Internet drew nearer, I introduced a resolution authorizing the Speaker of the House to sue the administration for unlawfully circumventing Congress with its plan, despite clear prohibitions against the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) using taxpayer funds to do so before 2017.\n\tAs the world\u2019s sole superpower, we have a duty to preserve Internet freedom for Americans and for the world. As a governing body, Congress has a duty to uphold our Constitution\u2019s separation of powers and to protect our own \u201cpower of the purse\u201d as intended by our founders, as well as our sole power to dispose of federal property. My resolution would help achieve all of these objectives, and help prevent the Internet from falling under the influence of bad actors abroad who despise the free flow of information.\nKeeping America Safe\nAs you know full well, the dangers to our homeland are growing, not shrinking, especially from radical terrorist organizations like the Islamic State (ISIS). Over the course of this year, I was proud to introduce, sponsor, and support many pieces of legislation to increase our national defense, strengthen our armed forces, and make sure our foreign policy is aimed at defeating our enemies and keeping Americans safe.\nIn June, my House colleagues and I unveiled a detailed plan to protect Americans that included more than 65 policy recommendations, including several specifically focused on defeating radical Islamists \u00a0at home and abroad. It discusses the importance of countering extremist ideology by amplifying countervailing views from former radicals and the need to push back against the surge of online radicalization.\nAlso in June, I joined Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL) in introducing the No Ex-Im Financing for Iran Act (H.R. 5608), which will prohibit American taxpayer money from being used by our government's Export-Import Bank to directly or indirectly support the Islamic Republic of Iran or any company it owns. According to a senior research fellow in regulatory policy at the Heritage Foundation, \u201cIn its [nuclear] deal with Iran, the Obama administration has dramatically increased the risk of death and destruction by the world\u2019s foremost state sponsor of terrorism. \u2026 Lawmakers must ensure that the Export-Import Bank doesn\u2019t help Boeing and other U.S. companies become tools of Tehran.\u201d\nIn September, the House passed the No More Cash Ransoms to Iran Act (H.R. 5931). Many of you called me about this important bill, and I'm glad to let you know that I strongly supported it.\nOn the day his flawed nuclear deal with Iran was implemented, President Obama announced that the United States and Iran had agreed to a prisoner exchange that would see Iran release several innocent American hostages in exchange for the United States granting clemency to and releasing seven Iranians serving sentences or awaiting trial for serious crimes, such as aiding Iran's illegal weapons programs.\nIn that same speech, the president announced that the United States would pay Iran $1.7 billion to settle a dispute over an aborted arms sale that had dragged on since the radicals that rule Iran seized power in 1979. The White House rejected concerns that this settlement amounted to a ransom for the release of the American hostages and refused to answer questions from Congress.\nWhen news broke that the United States secretly paid Iran the first part of this settlement \u2013 $400 million in cash \u2013 just as the hostages were released, it became clear that the president had rejected the advice of his own Justice Department and ignored a longstanding U.S. policy not to release prisoners or pay ransom in exchange for the return of Americans held hostage abroad. Not surprisingly, Iran has since taken several more Americans hostage and continues to fund terrorist groups that threaten U.S. interests and destabilize the Middle East.\n\tH.R. 5391 will officially affirm that the Obama administration violated longstanding U.S. policy by releasing prisoners and paying ransom; prohibit all cash payments to Iran; and require transparency on any future settlements with Iran in order to ensure they are not used to pay future ransoms.\n\tIn late September, history was made when both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly voted to override President Obama\u2019s veto of S. 2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which will allow the families of American victims of terrorist attacks to sue foreign states that aid and abet acts of terror that occur on U.S. soil.\n\tEarlier this month, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 (S. 2943), compromise legislation with the Senate which will fully fund our Armed Forces and ensure that American troops have the resources required to successfully defend the homeland and achieve their missions abroad. The bill included my annual amendment to prohibit funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) for the implementation of the dangerous U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).\nAdditionally, here is a list of bills passed by the People's House over the last 12 months aimed at strengthening our counter-terrorism tools to help prevent homegrown and overseas terrorism:\n H.R. 4239 \u2013 The Tracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4408 \u2013 The National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel Act \n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4402 \u2013 The Foreign Fighter Review Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4401 \u2013 The Amplifying Local Efforts to Root Out Terror (ALERT) Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4314 \u2013 The Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4403 \u2013 The Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4820 \u2013 The Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4240 \u2013 The No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act\n\t\t\u00a0\nH.R. 4407 \u2013 The Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act\n Serving Those Who Served Us\nIn January, I hosted a special ceremony at my district office in Sharon at which I had the immense honor of awarding multiple medals of distinction, including the Bronze Star, to Chester \u201cChet\u201d Burger of Hermitage for his military service in World War II. Mr. Burger is a U.S. Army veteran and a former prisoner of war.\nIn May, I introduced a bipartisan bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care center in Center Township in Butler County as the \u201cAbie Abraham VA Clinic.\u201d Mr. Abraham \u2013 who passed away in 2012 \u2013 was a man who exemplified extraordinary valor and lifelong service to the United States, both abroad and at home. He fought valiantly in World War II, during which he was captured, endured the Bataan Death March, and, as a prisoner of war for three and a half years, was beaten, stabbed, and shot, and then survived malaria and starvation until he was eventually rescued by the 6th Rangers. My legislation to name the VA clinic after him (H.R. 5317) was approved by the House unanimously.\nAlso in May, the House passed H.R. 4974, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, by a bipartisan vote of 295-129.\nIn October, I was privileged to help present the Ambassador of Peace Medal to 11 veterans of the Korean War in Meadville. The medal is a tribute from our allies in South Korea, given in endless appreciation for the heroic service of such great Americans in defense of freedom. The ceremony was co-hosted by the office of Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA).\nLast month, the House unanimously passed five pieces of legislation to support American military veterans and reform the VA. I was very proud to see Congress take such strong and united action for our nation\u2019s veterans. Each man and woman who serves our country in uniform deserves the fullest respect and appreciation from every single American. Lawmakers in particular have a sacred duty to defend those who defended us in the legislation we pass, whether it\u2019s to protect their benefits, improve their health care, or help them find work on the homefront. These commonsense bills meet all these objectives and make sure the VA is supporting veterans with the utmost care and accountability.\nRolling Back Job-Killing Regulations\nOver the past eight years, the Obama administration has issued more than 20,000 new regulations which have cost our economy more than $100 billion each year. This kind of radical red tape has indisputably harmed small businesses and killed jobs and wages for millions of hardworking American families.\n\tEven after the results of the historic presidential election, President Obama has made it clear that he is determined to push through more rules and regulations until the last minute of his presidency. These kinds of regulations are commonly known as \u201cMidnight Rules\u201d and, frankly, presidents in both parties have made a historic habit of issuing them.\n\tAccording to the House Judiciary Committee, Midnight Rules issued during this period are typically rushed through and not properly vetted by agencies. They impose high costs on taxpayers and ignore the will of voters who just elected a new Congress or president. As a small-businessman, I am personally familiar with how crippling these rules (issued when almost no one is paying attention) can be.\n\tLast month my House colleagues and I passed the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 (H.R. 5982) which will amend the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to allow Congress to disapprove (and therefore stop) entire sets of regulations submitted for review within 60 legislative days of the end of a presidential term. Under current law, Congress can only use the CRA to disapprove one regulation at a time. This commonsense bill can help prevent serious damage to our economy while also bringing an all-new level of transparency to the rule-making process.\n\tEarlier this month, I called on President-elect Donald Trump to use his executive authority, once in office, to cancel, rescind, and undo those of President Obama's executive orders which have negatively affected American energy, gun rights, health care, immigration, religious liberty, small businesses, and the right to life. The result will be a stronger economy, rescued livelihoods, and reaffirmed rights. I believe such decisive leadership would herald a long-awaited new era in Washington and, ultimately, a brighter future for our entire country.\n* * * * *\nAs I\u2019ve wholeheartedly said so many times, representing you and your neighbors in the People\u2019s House has been the honor of my lifetime. Any time my staff in Pennsylvania or Washington can be of service to you with a federal matter in any specific way, please do not hesitate to contact us via the information and locations listed below.\nI look forward to having your back in Congress in 2017 and working with President-elect Trump and his administration to make our country greater, stronger, and more prosperous for every American. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you.\nHave a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMike Kelly\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBUTLER DISTRICT OFFICE\n101 East Diamond St\nSuite 218\nButler, PA 16001\nPhone: (724) 282-2557\nFax: (724) 282-3682\n\u00a0\nERIE DISTRICT OFFICE\n208 E. Bayfront Parkway\nSuite 102\nErie, PA 16507\nPhone: (814) 454-8190\nFax: (814) 454-8197\n\u00a0\nSHARON DISTRICT OFFICE\n33 Chestnut Street\nSharon, PA\u00a016146\nPhone: (724) 342-7170\nFax: (724) 342-7242\n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, DC OFFICE\n1707 Longworth HOB\nWashington, DC 20515\nPhone: (202) 225-5406\nFax: (202) 225-3103\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-releases-annual-christmas-message-third-district-constituents-0", "Rep. Kelly Releases Annual Christmas Message  to Third District Constituents", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly Releases Annual Christmas Message  to Third District Constituents                                           \n              Dec 20, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) released the enclosed video today as his annual Christmas greeting to the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Pennsylvania.\nThe full video message can be viewed via YouTube here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398444", "Rep. Perry: Setting the Record Straight", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A recent letter writer (Why is Rep. Perry associating with hate groups?) falsely claimed that I associate with an \u201canti-Muslim hate group\u201d because of a recent meeting I had with Ms. Brigitte Gabriel, founder of Act for America. I always appreciate constituent feedback, but need to set the record straight about some of the assertions made in this letter.\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The writer cites the Southern Poverty Law Center as an arbiter for determining \u201chate groups.\u201d The clearly radical leftist SPLC has a history of recklessly labeling conservative organizations as \"hate groups.\" Where once SPLC\u2019s hate list was reserved for groups like the Aryan Nation and the KKK, in 2010 SPLC started citing Christian groups such as the Family Research Council as hate groups simply for opposing same-sex marriage. Is same-sex marriage a controversial topic \u2014 of course; but both sides have heartfelt beliefs that should be allowed the opportunity for debate.\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0Unfortunately, this type of intimidation through mischaracterization has become par for the course in our contemporary political climate. The extremist SPLC and other leftist groups in recent years have taken the radical approach of attempting to silence political opposition rather than debating in the arena of ideas. In the United States and other open societies, citizens are supposed to welcome full-throated debate in policy and political matters, and the most persuasive side wins. What does not comport with traditional ideas of fair play is an attempt to win the debate by stigmatizing one side as \u201chaters,\u201d questioning the legitimacy of their opinions and/or trying to force them into silence.  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Rep. Perry at 2016 Act for America National Conference with Mariam Ibrahim and her family. At eight months pregnant, Ibrahim was sentenced to death in Sudan for apostasy.\r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 As an active member of the House Homeland Security Committee, it\u2019s only reasonable that I would meet with ACT for America, the largest grassroots, national security advocacy, non-profit in the Nation, made up of over 400,000 Americans fighting for a safer America. Act for America rightly identified radical Islamist terror as a serious threat to our nation\u2019s security, for which they've been labeled as hateful, or \u201cIslamophobic.\u201d\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Reality suggests that these assertions are as empty as they are clich\u00e9. ACT for America consistently has allied with a variety of Muslim scholars to combat their true adversary \u2014 radical Islamist terrorism. In fact, at its most recent national conference, to which I was invited in Washington D.C, ACT for America hosted Muslim scholar Raheel Raza who, like so many other Muslims, is fighting against the violently radical interpretation of her faith. In the past, ACT for America honored Mariam Ibrahim and Ayan Hersi Ali for their outspoken activism regarding the intolerance of Islamic-inspired Sharia culture. No reasonable individual could believe that ACT for America, by forming alliances with moderate Muslims, and repeatedly stating their opposition to the specifically radical interpretation of Islam, accurately could be labeled a \u201chate group.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Rep. Perry at 2015 Act for America National Conference with Brigitte Gabriel (middle) and Ayaan Hirsi Ali (right). Ali, a Muslim scholar, has fought for years to protect and defend the rights of women from harmful traditional religious practices.\r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Our nation clearly is at war with an enemy \u2014 radical Islamist terror \u2014 that will stop at nothing to destroy every aspect of our civilization. We cannot afford to hinder ourselves by subscribing to absurd distractions such as those levied against truly patriotic groups like ACT for America. Hatred in any form has no place in American politics, nor do deceitful bullying tactics that serve no purpose other than to silence those with whom one disagrees but cannot refute based on facts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=815", "Lame Duck President Continues War on Coal", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration\u2019s release of its final Stream Protection Rule.\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\t\u201cThe Obama Administration\u2019s War on Coal has hit our region hard and this latest power grab will do what the other ones have done \u2013grow government and kill jobs,\u201d said Congressman Shuster. \u201cThis rule is misguided and wrong for this nation. \u00a0I will work with my House colleagues and the Trump Administration on turning back this rule and many others from the outgoing administration that stifle our coal and natural gas industry and hold back economic growth in our coal mining communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania and the entire country. These last eight years have been extremely difficult for our coal miners and their families, but things are about to change as we work with a new administration on reducing the size of government and utilizing the energy sources we have here at home.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThis rule from the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement would further increase the federal government\u2019s footprint in our domestic energy industry and would effectively eliminate thousands of good paying jobs.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-statement-final-stream-protection-rule", "Rothfus Statement on Final Stream Protection Rule", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 The\u00a0Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) today released its final Stream Protection Rule (SPR).\u00a0Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement on the rule:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThis rule means\u00a0\u2013\u00a0quite\u00a0simply\u00a0\u2013\u00a0that\u00a0the Obama Administration\u00a0is accelerating\u00a0its war on working families\u00a0in its final days. The President\u2019s agenda has already\u00a0killed\u00a0thousands\u00a0of\u00a0good-paying jobs for American workers,\u00a0and this rule threatens to enhance the pain that so many of our neighbors feel,\"\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \" President Obama\u2019s out of touch hostility toward the middle class in America's energy heartland has already destroyed over 40,000 jobs in the coal industry alone, jeopardizing the futures of coal country families and communities. I will continue to fight this rule so that families in\u00a0our community\u00a0can\u00a0continue to live fulfilling lives unimpeded by unfair Obama Administration overreach.\"\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCongressman Rothfus previously\u00a0backed\u00a0the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act (H.R. 1644), of which he was a co-sponsor. The bill delayed the implementation of the OSM's SPR and required\u00a0the agency\u00a0to study the effectiveness of existing rules before\u00a0imposing this policy.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-barletta-presents-overdue-medals-to-veterans", "Rep. Barletta Presents Overdue Medals to Veterans", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Barletta presents medals to veterans in a ceremony at his Hazleton office.\u00a0 From left to right: Jan Branger, Curtis A. Ashner, (son of Curtis Ashner), R. June Kissinger, (sister of Edwin Kishbaugh and Gold Star recipient),\u00a0 James Rosengrant, Charles Zunski, (brother of Edward Zunski).\nHAZLETON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today presented long overdue medals to five veterans of the United States military \u2013 and one Gold Star recipient \u2013 during a ceremony at his Hazleton district office.\u00a0 Recipients of the medals were Army veteran Curtis A. Ashner (deceased) of Lake Harmony, Army veteran Jan Branger of Drums, Army veteran Edwin R. Kishbaugh (deceased) of Stillwater, Navy veteran James Rosengrant of Tunkhannock, and Army veteran Edward Zunski (missing in action) of Hazle Township.\u00a0 In addition, R. June Kissinger, sister of Mr. Kishbaugh, received the Gold Star Lapel Button, signifying the loss of her brother\u2019s life during armed conflict.\nIn all cases, the medals were awarded for the first time, despite their having been earned during service.\u00a0 In Mr. Kishbaugh\u2019s case, the medals were issued for the first time under Permanent Orders 286-11, 286-12, 286-13, and 286-14, dated October 12, 2016.\u00a0\n\u201cWe ask the brave men and women of our armed forces to travel to foreign lands to fight for our freedoms,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cIt is the very least that we can do to honor their service, and to present them with the medals they have earned. The presentation of these medals represents the gratitude of a nation, in recognition of the selfless service these veterans performed.\u201d\nReceiving medals were:\nCurtis A. Ashner (deceased), U.S. Army, World War II: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and Army of Occupation Medal and Japan Clasp.\u00a0 The medals were presented to his son, Curtis A. Ashner.\nJan Branger, U.S. Army, April 1964 to April 1967: Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Expert Badge and Pistol Bar; and Marksman Badge and Rifle Bar.\nEdwin R. Kishbaugh (deceased), U.S. Army, World War II: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars; World War II Victory Medal; and Combat Infantryman Badge.\u00a0 Mr. Kishbach was killed on February 29, 1944 and was buried as an unknown in the American Military Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.\u00a0 Identified in November of 1944, his remains were disinterred and returned to the United States in July of 1948.\u00a0 He was reburied at the Elan Memorial Park Cemetery in Bloomsburg.\u00a0 The medals were presented to his sister, R. June Kissinger.\nJames Rosengrant, U.S. Navy, November 1961 to November 1963: National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba); Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuba); and Navy \u201cE\u2019 Ribbon (denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships that have won a battle efficiency competition).\u00a0 Mr. Rosengrant served aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, America\u2019s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, on its maiden voyage beginning in January of 1962.\u00a0 In February 1962, the Enterprise was a tracking and measuring station for John Glenn\u2019s first orbital flight aboard Friendship 7. \u00a0As part of the crew, Mr. Rosengrant served aboard the Enterprise as it was dispatched to address the Cuban Missile Crisis.\nEdward Zunski (Missing in Action), U.S. Army, World War II: Bronze Star Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award; and Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.\u00a0 Mr. Zunski was declared missing in action in Germany on April 8, 1945.\u00a0 His medals were presented to his brother, Charles Zunski.\nR. June Kissinger: Gold Star Lapel Button. Ms. Kissinger received the Gold Star Lapel Button in honor of her brother, Edwin R. Kishbaugh, who was killed in action in World War II.\u00a0 The Gold Star Lapel Button was authorized by an Act of Congress in 1966 as an official decoration for the public identification of family of fallen service members.\u00a0 The Gold Stars are issued to the direct next of kin of United States service members who lost their lives in armed hostilities\nRep. Barletta frequently presents medals which were lost or never awarded for a variety of reasons, including fire, lost records, or discovery of old records.\u00a0 Veterans and their families wishing to secure medals for themselves or loved ones can contact the Congressman\u2019s offices in Washington, DC (202-225-6511), Hazleton (570-751-0050), Harrisburg (717-525-7002), Carlisle (717-249-0190), or Sunbury (570-988-7801).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1863", "Sen. Toomey: President Obama Thwarting the Bipartisan Judgment of the U.S. Senate in Appointing Debo Adegbile to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Allentown, Pa. - Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement on President Obama's decision to appoint Debo Adegbile to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, despite the U.S. Senate's bipartisan rejection of Mr. Adegbile to serve in a civil rights post in 2014:\n\"In 2014, a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate agreed that Debo Adegbile was not fit to represent the people of the United States in enforcing Americans' civil rights-then, as head of the Justice Department's Civil Right Division. And with good reason. \n\"Mr. Adegbile did not simply defend a client. He supervised an effort to lionize unrepentant cop-killer Mumia Abu Jamal, who cold-bloodedly murdered Philadelphia police officer Danny Faulkner 35 years ago. Mr. Adegbile supervised the effort to spread misinformation about the trial and evidence, fabricate claims of racism, malign Philly police, and organize rallies across the globe that portrayed this brutal cop-killer as the victim. \n\"President Obama's decision to nevertheless appoint Mr. Adegbile to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is a slap in the face to every law enforcement officer in America.\n\"President Obama added insult to injury by lauding Mr. Adegbile, saying, \u2018He represents the best of the legal profession' and evinced an \u2018unwavering dedication to protecting every American's civil and constitutional rights under the law.' What about the rights of Danny Faulkner and his widow Maureen?\n\"A Democrat-led U.S. Senate evaluated the facts and agreed that Debo Adegbile is not fit to represent the American people as an enforcer of civil rights.  This judgment included the votes of seven Democrats.  I call on President Obama to adhere to the bipartisan judgment of the U.S. Senate and withdraw his appointment of Debo Adegbile to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-responds-president-obama%E2%80%99s-lame-duck-submission-un-arms-trade-treaty-senate", "Rep. Kelly Responds to President Obamas  Lame Duck Submission of UN Arms Trade Treaty  to Senate for Ratification", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kelly amendment has banned federal funding  \n for treaty\u2019s implementation since 2013 \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today in response to President Obama\u2019s recent submission of the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent. Although U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry signed the controversial treaty on October 15, 2013, the White House has not submitted it to the Senate for approval, as the Constitution requires, until this month. A consistent majority of senators oppose the treaty and have supported Rep. Kelly\u2019s annual amendment to prevent the Obama administration from circumventing Congress to implement it.\n\u201cPresident Obama knows full well that this dangerous treaty is dead on arrival in the Senate, which is why he waited this long to submit it for approval. By passing my amendment to block ATT funding every year, Congress has affirmed a lasting opposition to it. As one expert rightly stated, \u2018the treaty is fundamentally misconceived, and reflects a misbegotten mix of liberal illusions about the power and effectiveness of treaties and anti-firearms activism.\u2019 It would undermine our national sovereignty, harm our most vulnerable allies, and threaten the Second Amendment rights of the American people. If the Senate grants the treaty a vote, then I urge the entire body to reject it. I expect and encourage President-elect Trump\u2019s future administration to not only trash the treaty but also make clear to the U.N. that the U.S. will never be part of it.\u201d\nBACKGROUND\nRep. Kelly is a national leader of the movement to stop the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). On March 15, 2013, he introduced H. Con. Res. 23, a bipartisan concurrent resolution expressing opposition to the treaty on behalf of members of Congress. The resolution earned 149 co-sponsors in the House and 36 supporters in the Senate. On May 30, 2013, Rep. Kelly submitted a bipartisan letter with 130 co-signers from Congress to both President Obama and Secretary Kerry urging them to reject the treaty. He sent a similar bipartisan letter to the president following Secretary Kerry\u2019s signing of the treaty on October 15, 2013, which was signed by 181 members of Congress, including multiple committee chairmen. A follow-up letter was sent to the White House on April, 20, 2014.\nOn September 5, 2014, Rep. Kelly submitted a letter to President Obama voicing opposition to the planned First Conference of State Parties (CSP) to the ATT \u2013 a UN-backed gathering to shape the treaty\u2019s future \u2013 due to its exclusion of any organizations critical of the treaty.\nOn March 2, 2015, Rep. Kelly sent a letter to President Obama co-signed by 34 new members of Congress elected in 2014 to express unified opposition to the ATT and a firm commitment to deny any federal funding for the treaty\u2019s implementation.\nOn December 2, 2016, the House passed the House-Senate Conference Report of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, which once again included an amendment offered annually by Rep. Kelly to prohibit funding for the implementation of the ATT by the Department of Defense (DoD). This amendment has been enacted into law with every NDAA, and other appropriations legislation, each year since 2013.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-statement-ways-means-committee-meeting-plan-future-tax-reform-obamacare", "Rep. Kelly Statement on  Ways & Means Committee Meeting  to Plan Future of Tax Reform & Obamacare", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly Statement on  Ways & Means Committee Meeting  to Plan Future of Tax Reform & Obamacare                                           \n              Dec 15, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n     GOP committee members devise legislative agenda for 2017 \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 issued the following statement today regarding the conclusion of a two-day policy planning retreat hosted this week by the committee\u2019s Republican members at the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.\n\u201cThis week, while Congress was out of session, my Republican colleagues and I on the Ways and Means Committee went back to work in our nation\u2019s capital to plan the first overhaul of our nation\u2019s tax code in three decades and the responsible repeal and replacement of Obamacare. Our goals are crystal clear: a fairer tax code, a stronger economy, and long-awaited relief from Obamacare\u2019s higher costs and broken promises. With the right principles guiding our work, the American people can look forward to a future with lower, simpler taxes and more affordable and accessible health care insurance that is choice-filled and patient-centered. As we look ahead to the new year, we are committed to working with President-elect Trump to fulfill our promises and govern with the mandate given to us by the American people.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1862", "Toomey Issues Statement on Fourth Anniversary of Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting", "2016-12-14", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Allentown, Pa. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey has released the following statement in honor and remembrance of the 26 children and school employees who were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School four years ago today:\n\"Four years ago, twenty young children and six school employees were shot and killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was a terrible day for our country, and meeting some of the families of the victims was one of the most moving moments in my Senate career. These senseless killings also inspired me to work across the aisle on common sense gun safety legislation that upholds the Second Amendment while also making it harder for criminals and the dangerously mentally ill to purchase a firearm. I remain committed to this cause and look forward to working with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) again next Congress on our background check proposal.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398442", "Rep. Perry Statement on Alleged Russian Interference in the Presidential Election", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perry Statement on Alleged Russian Interference in the Presidential Election \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 12, 2016\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      YORK, PA \u2013 U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) issued the following statement regarding Russia\u2019s alleged attempts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election.\r\n\u201cWe must investigate fully and, if necessary, push back forcefully against any cyberattacks on our democratic process. Russia\u2019s alleged interference in our recent presidential election must be taken seriously. Any state-sponsored intrusion is unnerving, but intervention by Russia particularly is problematic because it would represent a stark escalation in Russian aggression against American interests. As a Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I\u2019ve fought to modernize our laws to reflect the rapidly growing economic and national security concerns associated with cyberattacks. I\u2019ll continue these efforts and work closely with the current and incoming administrations, along with Congressional leaders, to strengthen our Nation\u2019s cyber security and protect against future attacks.\u201d\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0###\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://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1858", "Toomey Bill Targeting Heinous Forms of Animal Abuse Clears Senate", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Last week, the Senate unanimously agreed to Sen. Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) bipartisan bill, the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. The PACT Act would outlaw a heinous form of animal abuse known as \"crushing,\" where deranged individuals maim and torture animals.\nDespite taking steps in 2010 to ban the sale of videos depicting animal crushing, Congress failed to make the underlying act of crushing a federal crime. This means that -- even when there is overwhelming evidence that torture is taking place -- federal law enforcement is unable to protect animals from abuse or even arrest known abusers. The PACT Act would ensure that individuals found guilty of torturing animals face felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison.\n\"There is absolutely no place for the crushing of animals in our society,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"It is blatantly inhumane and astonishingly cruel. I can't believe this isn't already the law. This abhorrent practice must end, and I am glad the Senate finally took the first step towards that goal. While it is disappointing that my colleagues across the aisle delayed passage of this measure until after the House of Representatives adjourned for the year, I remain hopeful that this bill will finally get enacted into law next Congress.\"\nOn two separate occasions, Senate Republicans attempted to pass the PACT Act by unanimous consent but were blocked by their Senate Democratic colleagues. Unfortunately, by the time the Senate finally passed this legislation, the House of Representatives had adjourned for the year and therefore the bill will need to be re-introduced next Congress.\nThe PACT Act is endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States, National Sheriffs' Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs' Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1861", "Toomey Supports Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill That Invests in Pennsylvania", "2016-12-10", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement about the Senate's passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016.\n\"Today, the Senate passed a major, bipartisan infrastructure bill that is a big win for Pennsylvania,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"It will make significant federal investments in our transportation, flood control, and drinking water systems that are critical to the commonwealth's economy and the safety of our residents.\n\"Specifically, this bill will rehabilitate essential transportation infrastructure on the Ohio River in Western Pennsylvania. This project will ensure that manufacturers and energy producers in the Pittsburgh region continue to have affordable access to the materials they need to stay competitive in the global marketplace and create jobs.\n\"I am pleased that the Senate took this important step to improve our nation's aging infrastructure. I hope the president will sign this measure as soon as possible.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/costello-cures-act-brings-hope-innovation-southeast-pa", "Costello: Cures Act brings hope, innovation to Southeast PA", "2016-12-10", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For families across Southeastern Pennsylvania, the fight to find a cure for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s, or rare diseases like Batten disease, is urgent and real. Whether fighting through debilitating treatments or simply trying to make ends meet, it\u2019s a fight against time and one that impacts us all.\nThis week, after a multi-year effort led by long-time champions, including my neighbor and colleague, Congressman Joe Pitts, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced the 21st Century Cures Act, landmark bipartisan legislation to spur research, fuel discovery, and offer hope to countless families across Southeastern Pennsylvania.\nThe Cures Act will serve as the catalyst for change and medical innovation that families have demanded for years. It will direct new resources to help in the fight to find new treatments and therapies \u2013 notably targeting resources to fight those diseases that do not yet have a cure and require an individual focus. It will improve medical research, put patients at the center of the review process, reform the delivery of mental healthcare, and fight the opioid epidemic.\nIn particular, this legislation would provide significant, targeted funding to the National Institutes for Health for research initiatives, to states to improve opioid abuse prevention and treatment by strengthening prescription drug monitoring programs, and to the Food and Drug Administration to streamline the drug and medical device approval process. Much needed mental health reforms are also part of the bill \u2013 empowering patients and caregivers through improved communications with providers, ensuring a skilled mental health workforce by encouraging students to choose careers in mental health, and by supporting best mental health practices that have proven to be effective \u2013 just to name a few.\nFor our region, Cures will also bring job certainty to job creators and help keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of medical innovation. Southeastern Pennsylvania has a strong life sciences industry, where Pennsylvanians are already making cutting edge discoveries at good-paying jobs.\nThe 21st Century Cures Act is an example of a constituent-driven solution. The bill has been in the works for years and there has been immense input from doctors, patients, researchers, and advocates. This legislation has garnered broad bipartisan support, as both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House, as well as the White House, have announced their backing of the Cures Act.\nCongress has a responsibility to ensure resources are available and innovation is harnessed to defeat yet-incurable diseases. Our families and communities will become healthier because of Cures - this is due in large measure to the leadership of my colleague and neighbor, Congressman Joe Pitts. As the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Health Subcommittee, Congressman Pitts gave a voice to the concerns of the Southeastern Pennsylvania families he represents. Joe Pitts\u2019 pioneering leadership on the Cures Act is one example of the extraordinary legacy of accomplishment and leadership he has provided Chester County and our country over the past two-plus decades.\nU.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6, of West Goshen", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1860", "Toomey Statement on Government Funding Bill", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement about his support of the temporary government spending bill, which the Senate passed tonight by a vote of 63-36.\n\"I voted in favor of the funding bill tonight in order to avoid a disruptive government shutdown. Rather than being mired in such an unnecessary distraction, we should be preparing for a tremendously productive start to the year where we will be tackling Obamacare, reforming our tax code, and overhauling our regulatory system.\n\"Also, I am pleased that this bill establishes a streamlined process to permit General Mattis to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense.\n\"Fully funding the Crime Victims Fund and ensuring that those non-taxpayer dollars are properly used has long been a priority of mine. This legislation achieves this worthwhile goal for the third consecutive year and directs hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funds to those harmed by child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other terrible crimes.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=D3042187-46F7-4D36-977B-7A42A0620E12", "Dent Lauds Inclusion of Moravian Bethlehem District to the U.S. World Heritage Tentative List", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALLENTOWN, PA \u2013 Today, the National Park Service announced the historic Moravian Community of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania will be added to its U.S. World Heritage Tentative List.\r\n\u201cThe addition of Moravian Bethlehem, already designated a National Historic Landmark District, to a list of culturally significant international landmarks is phenomenal,\u201d Dent said. \u201cThe Moravian District is a source of pride for the city of Bethlehem and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, as it has provided a unique, historically rich, and culturally significant way of life for over 300 years. The United States is filled with a number of important historical sites, so to even be considered is an honor.\u201d\u00a0\r\nOperated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Heritage Program promotes local and international cooperation for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage in an international setting. The preserved sites are nominated by a 21-nation World Heritage Committee. Although the United States is not a member of said committee, they are able to submit a list of tentative sites they would like to see designated as World Heritage Sites. In order to be considered, sites must meet one or more of the ten criteria UNESCO has listed. Currently, there are 1,052 designated World Heritage sites, of which 23 are located in the United States. If selected, Moravian Bethlehem would join Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the second historical site located in Pennsylvania. Other sites on the Tentative List include Civil Rights Movement sites in Alabama; Dayton Aviation sites in Ohio; Ellis Island; and Mount Vernon, amongst others.\r\n\u201cThis designation is an incredible commendation not just for the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, but the United States at large,\u201d Dent continued. \u201cThe City of Bethlehem, which is set to recognize its 275th anniversary this month, could not have asked for a better anniversary and Christmas gift.\u201d\u00a0\r\nPublic comments regarding these planned additions to the Tentative List will be accepted on or before December 27th.\r\n###\r\n*\u00a0Public comments may be directed to Jonathan Putnam, Office of International Affairs, National Park Service, 1201 Eye Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, or by e-mail (jonathan_putnam@nps.gov), by phone (202-354-1809) or fax (202-371-1146).\r\n\r\nCONTACT: Emily Rauch (202) 225-6411", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-marino-votes-protect-pennsylvania-industry", "Rep. Marino Votes to Protect Pennsylvania Industry", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. \u2013 Rep. Tom Marino released the following statement after voting against S. 612 the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act:\n\u201cThe Delaware River Basin Commission has continuously halted economic activity in northeastern Pennsylvania to the detriment of our workers, businesses and landowners. Unfortunately, last minute changes to the water resources bill expanded authorization for invasive policies that further harm industries across the region and ignore expansive efforts to preserve and responsibly utilize the woods, fields and streams in the area. In addition, the vagueness of this language builds a dangerous foundation for future exploitation and excessive regulatory burdens. \n\u201cWhile I actually support many of the provisions included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, it has sadly become yet another bill of goods put together by out-of-touch politicians unaware of the true struggles facing working-class America. Rather than funding big organizations with misguided interests, we should be supporting northeastern Pennsylvanians by giving local businesses the opportunity to directly address their concerns. For the sake of my constituents and the economic development in the region, I was forced to oppose the costly environmental oversteps added into this bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-water-bill-contains-coal-ash-protections", "Barletta Backs Water Bill, Contains Coal Ash Protections", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today voted for legislation which addresses the infrastructure needs of the U.S. waterway system and also allows states to develop their own enforcement programs for the recycling and disposal of coal ash. The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, S. 612, passed the House by a vote of 360-to-61 and now returns to the Senate for its consideration.\u00a0 Barletta supported the overall package and highlighted his long-standing support of addressing the disposal of coal ash.\u00a0 Coal ash is a byproduct of coal combustion and has consistently been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as non-hazardous material.\n\u201cOur region of Pennsylvania was built on the coal industry, and the resulting coal ash has always presented an environmental challenge and an opportunity for job creation,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cBy providing certainty in the regulation of coal ash, we are being both stewards of the environment and protectors of economic development.\u00a0 Pennsylvanians have been dealing with this issue for decades, and we know better how to manage it than federal government bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.\u201d\nIn 2015, Barletta cosponsored H.R. 1734, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015, which clarified uncertainties in EPA rules and made certain that coal ash can continue to be used in products like concrete and drywall.\u00a0 Manufacturers also use coal ash for products such as roofing materials, bricks, filler material, and fertilizer.\u00a0 There are an estimated 316,000 jobs nationally that are reliant on the use of coal ash.\u00a0 Clarifying the regulation of coal ash preserves those industries and includes the EPA in the process.\n\u201cAs a father and grandfather, I want to protect our natural surroundings as much as anyone,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cAs the representative of Pennsylvania\u2019s 11th District, I want to see jobs protected as well.\u201d\nThe WIIN Act is comprehensive legislation to address the needs of America\u2019s harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water resources infrastructure critical to the Nation\u2019s economic growth, health, and competitiveness. The WIIN Act is a measure that includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, which overwhelmingly passed the House in September, in addition to provisions to improve drinking water infrastructure around the country, address control of coal combustion residuals, improve water storage and delivery to help drought-stricken communities, address federal dam maintenance backlogs, and approve longstanding water settlement agreements for the benefit of taxpayers and Native Americans. The WIIN Act is the result of bicameral negotiations, improves critical infrastructure across America, and strengthens the economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-possible-appointment-to-trump-administration", "Barletta Statement on Possible Appointment to Trump Administration", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today issued a statement regarding his candidacy for a position within the incoming administration of President-Elect Donald J. Trump.\u00a0 Barletta had discussed positions, including the job of Secretary of Labor, in a meeting with the president-elect on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at Trump Tower in New York City.\u00a0\n\u201cIt was a great pleasure to meet with President-Elect Trump to discuss his transition to office and our mutual goal of moving America forward.\u00a0 We share many priorities for the future of the country, including protecting and growing American jobs, strengthening national security, enforcing our immigration laws, and rejuvenating our crumbling infrastructure system.\u00a0 I am proud to serve on his Transition Team Executive Committee.\n\u201cIt was a tremendous honor for President-elect Trump to ask me to consider taking a place in his administration.\u00a0 After much thought, prayer, and discussion with my family and close friends, I decided today to remain in Congress and I withdrew from consideration for Secretary of Labor.\u00a0 Because of my involvement in the president-elect\u2019s campaign and my relationship with the incoming administration, I will have an opportunity in the House of Representatives to accomplish more on a variety of issues that I have cared about for so long, including immigration policy, transportation infrastructure, and jobs.\u00a0 Having helped the campaign with the development of those policies, coupled with serving on key committees in Congress and having a direct pipeline to the White House, I will be better positioned than ever to serve the people of the 11th\u00a0District.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-supports-bipartisan-wiin-act-urges-swift-senate-passage", "Rep. Kelly Supports Bipartisan WIIN Act,  Urges Swift Senate Passage", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Water resources bill \u201ca win for workers & a win for the Great Lakes\u201d \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 co-chairman of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition and a member of the Great Lakes Taskforce \u2013 issued the following statement today in support of the House Amendment to S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives this afternoon by a bipartisan vote of 360-61. The legislation is a House-Senate reconciled version of the previously passed H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. Like WRDA, the WIIN Act authorizes the key missions of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and addresses the needs of American harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water infrastructure critical to the nation\u2019s economic competitiveness. It accomplishes these tasks in a fiscally responsible way by establishing sunset dates for new authorizations as well as de-authorizing $10 billion in unnecessary projects, which will fully offset the same amount in new authorizations contained in the legislation.\n\u201cThe WIIN Act is a win for American workers and a win for the Great Lakes. In fact, the WIIN Act represents one of the most important pieces of Great Lakes legislation in generations. Among its vast benefits, this bill will ensure the maintenance of waterway infrastructure essential to the construction of the upcoming ethane cracker facility in Western Pennsylvania and the 6,000 jobs it\u2019s expected to create. For the sake of our economy, workers, and waterways, the Senate must not delay in passing this powerful, bipartisan bill and sending it to the president\u2019s desk.\u201d\nSpecific Benefits in the WIIN Act for Pennsylvania\u2019s Third District:\u00a0\n Makes permanent a 10% set-aside of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) for the upkeep of small harbors such the port of Erie and many others on the Great Lakes that are essential to keeping industry and recreational boating on the Great Lakes Navigation System operational.\nAuthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for the next five years. It directs a coordinator to work with local state and federal entities to solve Lake Erie\u2019s toxic algal bloom problem. It will clean up environmental \u201careas of concern\u201d on the Great Lakes, which Presque Ilse Bay was once considered; with the help of GLRI, it was delisted. It will also continue to keep Asian Carp and other invasive species out of the Great Lakes.\nIs essential to keeping both recreational and commercial river traffic moving on the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers by maintaining locks and dams along these rivers. It authorizes the Upper Ohio Study which allows the Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery (EDM) lock project near Pittsburgh to advance, thus ending a 13-year wait on this project, which is essential to the region\u2019s economy and drinking water.\nWill expedite the completion of infrastructure projects crucial to the development of the Third District\u2019s manufacturing and burgeoning energy industries.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398437", "Rep. Perry Statement on Continuing Resolution", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u2014U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) today voted in favor of a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) (H.R. 2028) to continue funding for federal programs and services until April 28, 2017. The CR maintains the spending levels put into place under the Budget Control Act of 2011. The legislation maintains existing policy and funding provisions and doesn't include controversial riders or major changes in existing federal policy.\n\nH.R. 2028 passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 326-96. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration before continuing to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cDelaying major spending decisions until next April ensures that retiring or un-reelected Members of Congress no longer accountable to their constituents won\u2019t be making long-term funding and policy decisions,\u201d said Representative Perry. \u201cConsidering that Congress could've decided to pass a bloated omnibus bill to run through September 2017, this short-term spending proposal is the best possible outcome for fiscal conservatives.\n\n\u201cToday's action allows the Trump Administration a seat at the table to decide on how to fund the government for the last five months of the fiscal year. I\u2019d much rather negotiate federal funding with the Trump Administration than with the Obama Administration, which has increased the federal debt by $9 trillion, more than any other U.S. President.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: the bill isn\u2019t perfect. Making the perfect the enemy of the good may be satisfying in the short run, but gets us nowhere in the long run,\u201d said Representative Perry.\n\nAdditional information on the Continuing Resolution:\n\nLegislative Text\n\nSummary\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=814", "Water Infrastructure Bill is a Win for America", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today approved comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation that addresses the needs of America\u2019s harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water resources infrastructure.  The House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act by a bipartisan vote of 360-61, sending the bill to the Senate.  A key component of the WIIN Act is Title I of the legislation; Congressman Bill Shuster\u2019s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, which authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake port, waterway, and flood protection improvements across the country.\u00a0  \u201cWithout question, this infrastructure legislation is a win for America,\u201d said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA).\u00a0 \u201cI am proud that today, as one of the final acts of this Congress, the House voted to invest in Southwestern Pennsylvania and in our country.\u00a0 The improvements in the WIIN Act are critical regional priorities, like the long-overdue upgrades for the Upper Ohio River\u2019s Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery locks and dams, but they also provide significant national economic benefits.\u00a0 An efficient transportation network is what makes our economy run, and ensuring America\u2019s water infrastructure is brought into the 21st century will grow the economy, strengthen our competitiveness, and create jobs.\u201d  Click\u00a0here\u00a0for more information about the WIIN Act.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1856", "Toomey: Reform Dodd-Frank With Simple Majority, If Necessary", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today called on the Senate to use a fast-track legislative procedure -- known as reconciliation -- to enable the Senate to pass reforms to Dodd-Frank that would save taxpayers money and help grow our economy. Sen. Toomey's suggested tactic requires only a simple majority vote in the Senate, and it could include sweeping reforms at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and ending taxpayer bailouts of financial institutions.\nDuring his speech, Sen. Toomey said:\n\"It is my strongly held view that we need to reform Dodd-Frank. It's overdue, but it needs substantial reforms. Those reforms should include making sure that taxpayers never have to bail out another giant institution. It's just wrong. That should not be on the table. In fact, it should be precluded.\"\n\"I hope, first and foremost, that as we go through this process, that some of our Democratic colleagues will work with us, and will agree there are changes that need to be made, and that we can make them, hopefully with a very broad consensus. But if that's not possible, I would suggest there is an alternative. And the alternative is we use a budget resolution that would contain reconciliation instructions to the banking committee...because that will allow us to pass subsequent legislation -- in compliance with the reconciliation instructions -- that can pass the Senate with a simple majority vote.\"\n\"For too long now we've been putting up with a Dodd-Frank bill that is costing us a lot of economic growth and opportunity. I am hoping our Democratic colleagues will work with us so that we can begin to make the constructive changes that we need. But if not, I think we should use all tools available to get this job done.\"\nYou can watch Sen. Toomey's full remarks here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meehan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/meehan-seeks-answers-on-area-va-hospital-ratings", "Meehan Seeks Answers on Area VA Hospital Ratings", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Pat Meehan", "M001181", "meehan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressman Patrick Meehan (R/PA-7) today wrote the Department of Veterans Affairs seeking information on the department\u2019s ratings of VA medical centers (VAMCs) in the Philadelphia area. A report by USA Today published this week revealed the existence of a one- to five-star rating system for VA medical facilities that before now had not been made public.\n\u201cOur men and women in uniform deserve the very best care after serving our nation and the transparency to ensure that the medical centers they visit are held accountable for providing quality care,\u201d Meehan wrote. \u201cWhen it comes to ensuring high-quality care for our veterans at the hands of the VA, the answer is more information and more transparency \u2013 not less.\u201d\nThe USA Today report indicated that as of the end of 2015, the VA medical centers in Philadelphia and Wilmington received only three out of a possible five stars. The facility in Lebanon County, Pa. received only four stars.\nMore recent ratings data for these facilities was not made public by the USA Today report.\n\u201cAccording to the 2015 data provided in the USA Today report, the Philadelphia and Wilmington VAMCs only received a 3-star rating. The Lebanon VAMC only received a 4-star rating. What steps have been taken to improve the care and service these VAMCs provide for the veterans they serve?\u201d Meehan asked.\nThe full text of Meehan\u2019s letter is below.\n\u00a0\nDecember 8, 2016\n\u00a0\nDr. David Shulkin\nUndersecretary for Health\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\n810 Vermont Ave, NW\nWashington, DC 20420\n\u00a0\nDear Dr. Shulkin:\nI write to you today regarding a recent report by USA Today regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) one- to five-star ratings for VA medical centers (VAMCs). \u00a0On behalf of the region\u2019s veterans, I am requesting information regarding the ratings for the VAMCs serving my constituent veterans following the release of data on other VA medical facilities. Our men and women in uniform deserve the very best care after serving our nation and the transparency to ensure that the medical centers they visit are held accountable for providing quality care.\nI wish to inquire about the following:\n What data and methodology does the VA use to determine star ratings for VAMCs?\n\tWhat are the most recent star ratings for the Philadelphia, Lebanon, and Wilmington VAMCs? How have those ratings changed since the VA began rating VAMCs?\n\tAre any of the local VAMCs currently on the high-risk watch list, or have they been in the past?\n\tHow does the VA work with low-performing VAMCs to develop and oversee improvement plans?\u00a0\n\tAccording to the 2015 data provided in the USA Today report, the Philadelphia and Wilmington VAMCs only received a 3-star rating. The Lebanon VAMC only received a 4-star rating. What steps have been taken to improve the care and service these VAMCs provide for the veterans they serve?\n When it comes to ensuring high-quality care for our veterans at the hands of the VA, the answer is more information and more transparency \u2013 not less.\nThank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\nPatrick Meehan\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wiin-western-pennsylvania", "A WIIN for Western Pennsylvania", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, or the \u201cWIIN Act\u201d (S. 612). Among other things, this bill authorizes the long-delayed Upper Ohio Navigation project, which involves the construction of new locks at the Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery (EDM) locks and dams along the Ohio River. Congressman Rothfus has been\u00a0leading\u00a0the effort in Congress to support the project, stressing its significance for Western Pennsylvania\u2019s economy. Earlier this year, Congressman Rothfus led a\u00a0bipartisan letter\u00a0calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its feasibility study for the project, a prerequisite to the Chief\u2019s report\u00a0that was published\u00a0on September 12th recommending that Congress fund these necessary repairs.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cGetting this project authorized is a victory for Western Pennsylvanians. Reconstructing these aging Ohio River locks is essential to ensuring that our region remains an economic leader for generations to come,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cI am grateful for the bipartisan support I received from my colleagues in working to ensure this project gets done. I especially want to thank Chairman Bill Shuster, who worked tirelessly to support the Upper Ohio project.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe EDM locks and dams form part of the inland waterway system that serves as a vital commercial transportation link for millions of Americans. The Port of Pittsburgh alone handles over 35 million tons of cargo each year, including significant quantities of petroleum products, processed metal, grain, construction equipment, chemicals, and coal.\u00a0Aging and defective structures in the EDM locks and dams system cause frequent disruptions to river borne commerce and transportation.\u00a0The Chief\u2019s report indicates the cost-benefit ratio for this project is 3.7 to 1.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-steers-authorization-of-urban-search-rescue-to-passage", "Barletta Steers Authorization of Urban Search & Rescue to Passage", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click here or on image for video of Rep. Barletta leading floor debate on passage of authorization of Urban Search & Rescue teams.\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today managed floor debate as the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that authorizes the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) system, while protecting team members from liability and preserving their jobs while they are serving.\u00a0 The House approved S. 2971, authored by Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, by a vote of 405-to-7.\u00a0 The bill is nearly identical to language contained in Barletta\u2019s own legislation, H.R. 1471, the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act, which passed the House in February 2016 and remains in the hands of the Senate.\u00a0 With House passage of an amended S. 2971, the bill must return to the Senate for its approval.\n\u201cThe challenge has been that when these team members are federalized, they do not have clarity on who would be responsible if they were injured or even killed while performing their jobs,\u201d Barletta said while managing the House floor. \u201cIt is amazing that we ask these men and women to go into collapsed structures to search for trapped survivors, risking life and limb, without providing them with clarity when it comes to liability and injuries.\u00a0 The stories of the selfless heroism of these men and women are numerous and humbling.\u00a0 Their work is tireless, physically and emotionally demanding, and nerve-wracking.\u201d\nThere are 28 USAR teams across the United States, including Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Team members include firefighters, doctors, engineers, and first responders, who are cross-trained in areas such as search, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, and logistics.\u00a0 Trained and equipped with help from FEMA, they are called upon when needed to respond following a disaster.\u00a0 USAR teams have been deployed over the years to numerous disasters, including the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and many storms, floods, and tornadoes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-statement-75th-anniversary-attack-pearl-harbor", "Rep. Kelly Statement on 75th Anniversary  of Attack on Pearl Harbor", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today to mark the 75th anniversary of the surprise attack by Japan on U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor.\n\u201cSeventy five years and multiple generations later, America still remembers what happened on December 7th, 1941. On that bright Sunday morning, less than three weeks before Christmas, the combined forces of death, treachery, and evil transformed a season of happiness into a period of pain, shock, and sorrow. While our nation\u2019s knees were bent in mourning, a generation of heroes prepared to rise to its feet and answer history\u2019s call. While darkness engulfed our country and plunged us into a worldwide war, it was the blazing light of our Greatest Generation's selfless patriotism that shined through and ultimately led us to save civilization from tyranny. Just like after 9/11 six decades later, the United States showed the entire world that no matter what harm may be inflicted upon us, there is no threat, no force, and no tyrant anywhere that can keep us down for long or ever extinguish freedom's fire.\n\u201cOn this infamous anniversary, let us always remember the courage and heroism of those who perished at Pearl Harbor, and the cause for which they lived, died, and fought. We must never forget their sacrifice, their example, their love of country, and the enduring lesson that freedom must always be defended from evil.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398435", "Rep. Perry Statement on Resolution to Impeach IRS Commisioner", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u2014Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) issued the following statement after a series of procedural votes in support of H.Res. 828, a privileged resolution that calls for articles of impeachment to be brought against Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen. The resolution was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.\n\n\u201cAs has become clear from the many Pennsylvanians I talk with every day, there's a growing belief that America has two standards of justice - one for the well-connected and one for the rest of us. Commissioner Koskinen took control of the IRS in the wake of the Tea Party targeting scandal to reform the agency internally. Not only did he do nothing about that issue, but continued the trend of deception by deliberately keeping the American people in the dark. If the Department of Justice won\u2019t do its job, Congress simply must step in. The impeachment power is a political check that protects citizens against the abuse or violation of some public trust. We need to do our part to hold the IRS Commissioner accountable. \u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1854", "Toomey Releases Statement on Passage of 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act.\n\"As a supporter of medical research, I was pleased to vote for the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act today. This is an exciting time in medicine as scientists across Pennsylvania are researching cutting-edge treatments that could save millions of lives - such as using the body's own immune system to beat cancer as well as new ways to tackle Alzheimer's disease.\n\"I look forward to the President signing the CURES Act into law as it will provide additional resources for this critical research. The bill also will make significant reforms to our nation's broken mental health system, help communities across the commonwealth stop the scourge of opioid abuse, and accelerate the introduction of new, FDA-approved life-saving medicines.\"\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/us-rep-costello-visits-2-downingtown-schools-support-stem-programs", "U.S. Rep. Costello visits 2 Downingtown schools to support STEM programs", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DOWNINGTOWN >> U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello recently visited two Downingtown schools in support of STEM \u2013 science, technology, engineering and math \u2013 education.\nCostello, R-6, of West Goshen, visited the Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine Campus where students asked him to help support their STEM programs with H.R. 5168. Costello attended a ceremony honoring TCHS Brandywine local robotics team \u201cOut of the Box.\u201d At that time, the students presented him with a hard-copy of the bill to read. He signed it.\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t the official bill signing but I want to let you know that this is something I will plan on co-sponsoring once I get back to Washington,\u201d Costello said during his visit.\nHe made good on his promise and co-sponsored the bill.\nH.R. 5168 proposes to have the Department of the Treasury print a dollar silver coin in memory of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who was onboard the space shuttle Challenger when it exploded in 1986. A portion of the proceeds raised from the memorial coin would go toward FIRST, a nonprofit organization helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, engineering, technology and math.\nCostello said he is proud to co-sponsor the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act because it promotes and supports the importance of STEM education and extracurricular programs.\n\u201cThe Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act is a great example of how Congress can support and advance STEM education and careers,\u201d Costello said. \u201cProceeds created from this bill would go towards programs that encourage STEM, like the successful CCIU (Chester County Intermediate Unit) program that I was fortunate to spend time learning more about.\u201d\nAs a member of FIRST, Out of the Box members were thrilled to gain Costello\u2019s support for H.R. 5168.\n\u201cWe were so honored to have Rep. Costello take the time out of his busy schedule to come out and be a part of our recognizing TCHS Brandywine for their contributions towards helping out team,\u201d team mentor Jerry Beauchamp said in a statement. \u201cIt was especially great that he agreed to co-sponsor the bill which will continue to help young people pursuing STEM related careers.\u201d\nOut of the Box Robotics Team 7244 is made up of middle school and high school students from seven schools in Chester County. Since the team is not affiliated with a school, finding a place to practice and build their robots was a challenge during the past two years.\n\u201cAt one point we needed to go to McDonald\u2019s in order to use their Wi-Fi for our coding and programming components,\u201d said team mentor William Barker.\nBeauchamp asked TCHS Brandywine officials to help the team find a place to practice, which they did to continue supporting the school\u2019s STEM programs.\n\u201cTCHS Brandywine was extremely supportive and generous in allowing us to use this space,\u201d Beauchamp said. \u201cIt has had such a great impact on the team to have a consistent place to meet and have access to all the materials, tools and resources necessary to be competitive in robotics.\u201d\nAfter showing Costello a demonstration of the team\u2019s robot, the team members presented TCHS Brandywine Principal Frank McKnight with two certificates of appreciation. McKnight reaffirmed TCHS Brandywine\u2019s support.\n\u201cIt is our pleasure as part of the Chester County Intermediate Unit to support the team in any way that we can,\u201d McKnight said. \u201cIt\u2019s our goal here at TCHS Brandywine to support STEM activities in our area and we are glad to be of help.\u201d\nCostello toured TCHS Brandywine and the Downingtown STEM Academy. He talked with STEM freshman and sophomores, of the Downingtown Area School District, during an assembly. Rep. Costello noted he has been a strong supporter of STEM legislation in Congress that provides pathways for students to study and gain these skillsets.\n\u201cStudents ability to access STEM education or programs, where they will learn skills that are valuable to employers around the world and to institutions of higher education, is critically important,\u201d said Costello, a member of the STEM Caucus. \u201cI\u2019m proud to advocate for these initiatives that will help equip Pennsylvania students with 21st century tools.\u201d\nHe encourages students to participate in the annual Congressional App Challenge, which is a competition where students develop a software app.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/restoring-congressional-oversight-international-insurance-negotiations", "Restoring Congressional Oversight of International Insurance Negotiations", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Transparent Insurance Standards Act of 2016 (H.R. 5143). This legislation seeks to enhance Congressional oversight and provide increased transparency to ongoing negotiations on international insurance regulations. H.R. 5143 also reaffirms the importance of the state-based insurance regulatory system and prevents any internationally-negotiated rule from being implemented in the U.S. without input from Congress and the American people. Congressman Rothfus was an original co-sponsor of the legislation:\n\u201cIn America, the people are sovereign, not an international regulatory body, and that principle applies to our insurance markets. Rules that affect our economy should not be negotiated by an international body without the consent of the American people,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cThis bill ensures standards being negotiated internationally advance the best interests of the American people by giving Congress \u2013 not unaccountable foreign bureaucrats \u2013 more formalized oversight authority.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-barletta-s-offices-accepting-toys-for-tots-donations-0", "Rep. Barlettas Offices Accepting Toys for Tots Donations", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) is again participating in the Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps Reserves, which are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.\u00a0 Toys will be accepted in each of Congressman Barletta\u2019s offices \u2013 in Washington, DC and the four 11th District offices with a deadline of Friday, December 16, 2016.\u00a0 Donations should be geared toward children in an age range of infant to about 16 years old.\u00a0 Toys should be unwrapped, new, still in original packaging, and dropped off at office locations between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.\u00a0\n\u201cThis is a tremendous program that helps put smiles on the faces of children this holiday season,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cToys for Tots began with one single toy \u2013 a hand-made doll.\u00a0 Today, it makes tens of thousands of kids happy each year.\u201d\n Rep. Barletta Toys For Tots Donation Locations \nAll Drop-off Times: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekdays\n\t\t\t\tHazleton District Office\n\t\t\t\t1 South Church Street\n\t\t\t\tSuite 100\n\t\t\t\tHazleton, Pennsylvania 18201\n\t\t\t\tPhone: (570) 751-0050\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCarlisle District Office\n\t\t\t\t59 W. Louther Street\n\t\t\t\tCarlisle, Pennsylvania 17013\n\t\t\t\tPhone: (717) 249-0190\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tHarrisburg District Office\n\t\t\t\t4813 Jonestown Road\n\t\t\t\tSuite 101\n\t\t\t\tHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109\n\t\t\t\tPhone: (717) 525-7002\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tSunbury District Office\n\t\t\t\t106 Arch Street\n\t\t\t\tSunbury, Pennsylvania 17801\n\t\t\t\tPhone: (570) 988-7801\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWashington, DC Office\n\t\t\t\t2049 Rayburn House Office Building\n\t\t\t\tWashington, DC 20515\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\u00a0\nThe U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity, is the authorized fundraising and support organization for the Toys for Tots Program.\u00a0 The foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns.\u00a0 The foundation staff is headquartered in the Cooper Center located just outside the main gate of Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Washington, D.C.\u00a0 Local campaigns are conducted annually in about 500 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.\nFor more information, please visit www.ToysForTots.org.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=813", "Shuster's Legislation to Honor Fallen Veterans Passes House", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressman Bill Shuster\u2019s (R-Hollidaysburg) measure, the Dignified Interment of our Veterans Act, was included in H.R. 6416, the Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act on Tuesday. H.R. 6416 passed with Shuster\u2019s support.\u00a0A similar version of the legislation has been introduced by Senator Toomey (R-PA) in the Senate.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe should never forget our heroes that protect this nation, and it is tragic that the remains of thousands of our veterans are sitting on shelves collecting dust,\u201d said Congressman Shuster. \u201cMy measure will take the steps needed to begin addressing this issue by finding the full scope of the problem and laying the groundwork to develop a plan to ensure our veterans get the burials they all deserve.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhen our veterans pass away, they should be honored in a way that reflects the bravery and sacrifice they showed in defending our country,\u201d said Senator Toomey. \u201cI believe Congress needs to better understand the problems surrounding the VA\u2019s process of recovering veterans\u2019 cremated, unclaimed remains and develop a plan of action to help resolve this issue. Our veterans deserve it.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Shuster\u2019s Dignified Interment of our Veterans Act will help address the major problem of thousands of unclaimed veterans remains across the country by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study aimed at identifying the underlying causes that prevent the timely claiming and interring of veteran remains. The measure will also generate recommendations for improvement.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tAccording to the Missing in America Project (MIAP) there are an estimated 47,000 veterans remains stored throughout the United States that have yet to be claimed. This legislation is the first step in addressing this issue so no veteran is left without the proper burial they deserve.\r\n\r\n\tEarlier this session of Congress, Shuster\u2019s legislation passed the House as a standalone measure and Senator Toomey had a similar version pass in the Senate. The differences between the two were negotiated and the final version was included in today\u2019s veterans legislative package.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/taxonomy/term/42/dodd-frank-must-go-here-s-republican-plan-save-community-banks-spur-economic-growth", "Dodd-Frank Must Go. Heres the Republican Plan to Save Community Banks, Spur Economic Growth.", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With control of both the White House and Congress, Republicans finally have the opportunity to reignite the economy.American families and workers have been waiting for eight long years for a return to healthy economic growth and opportunity, and congressional Republicans are ready to deliver.Along with Obamacare and the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s regulatory excesses, the Democrat-backed Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform stands out as a leading cause of the Obama era\u2019s economic malaise.At the Financial Services Committee, we have been hard at work crafting a legislative solution that will end \u201ctoo big to fail\u201d and puts in place reforms that will allow our economy to grow again.It\u2019s called the Financial CHOICE Act.The Financial CHOICE Act is based on several key principles. First, we recognize that American families, as well as businesses large and small, need access to capital.  \n\tDodd-Frank\u2019s onerous rules have choked off the loans that so many Americans rely on to make their dreams a reality.Under Dodd-Frank, community banks are forced to spend so many resources and so much time complying with complex rules and regulations that they have less and less time and money to actually serve the people in their communities.Since Dodd-Frank became law, we have seen the\u00a0decline of more than 1,600 banks\u00a0either through consolidation or closure, destroying jobs and reducing choice for Americans seeking loans.Financial CHOICE implements a suite of regulatory reforms that will reduce pressure on community banks and other institutions that provide vital capital to millions of Americans.We also believe that every American, regardless of his or her circumstances, deserves a chance to achieve financial independence.Washington should rightly protect us from fraud and deceptive practices\u2014and there are ways that we can improve consumer and investor protection\u2014but bureaucrats in the nation\u2019s capital should not be in the business of micromanaging personal decisions about which financial products Americans choose.Financial CHOICE reforms the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau so it can fulfill its intended purpose of consumer protection, not political witch hunts that reduce choice.Of course, Dodd-Frank was cobbled together in response to a financial crisis characterized by systemic risk and bailouts. Eight years and thousands of pages of rules later, systemic risk has not been appropriately addressed and too-big-to-fail banks continue to operate with an expectation that the American taxpayer will save them in the event of a crisis.Through Financial CHOICE, we can finally bring an end to \u201ctoo big to fail\u201d and bank bailouts. At the very least, the American people should never be on the hook to cover bank losses.I understand why Democrats pushed Dodd-Frank and protect it so dearly. Dodd-Frank was built on the false premise that there were insufficient regulations leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.In fact, in the decade prior, there was a marked increase in financial regulation. The problem was not insufficient regulation; the problem was misguided regulation.After the financial crisis of 2008, Congress created the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the causes of the crisis. But astoundingly, Congress went forward and enacted Dodd-Frank before the commission had even issued its final report.Thus, instead of thoughtful reforms and measured regulations, we were given a 2,300-page bill full of provisions springing from the motto of President Barack Obama\u2019s then-chief of staff: \u201cNever let a good crisis go to waste.\u201dThis misguided law opened the door to heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all regulations that are crushing our economy. Republicans have a better way forward, and we plan on making it a reality in the 115th Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=E0A40C92-841D-4873-B4D3-53377C432DEE", "Congressman Dent Congratulates Incoming Appropriations Chair", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LEHIGH VALLEY, PA -\u00a0Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) offered his congratulations and praise for his colleague Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) who will take the gavel as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in the 115th Congress.\r\n\u201cIt has been a pleasure to work with my friend, Rodney, on numerous important legislative issues since we began serving together. He\u2019s a man of great integrity with an outstanding grasp of the Appropriations process. His elevation to the Chairmanship of the House Appropriations Committee is certainly well-deserved,\u201d Dent said.\u00a0\r\nRep. Dent, a strong proponent of the regular order budget process, is confident that Congressman Frelinghuysen will do his utmost to steer vital spending legislation through the Committee with the same alacrity and legislative mastery as the Appropriations Committee\u2019s most recent Chair, Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky.\r\n\u201cIt was an honor to serve as a subcommittee Chairman under Rep. Rogers,\u201d noted Dent. \u201cHe understood the great importance of moving bills through the Appropriations subcommittees with both necessary speed and deliberation. I am highly confident that Rep. Frelinghuysen will continue to place an emphasis on getting the various spending bills through the Committee on time and in good order. Rep. Frelinghuysen understands the stability doing so brings to the entire governing process,\u201d concluded Congressman Dent.\u00a0\r\nDent will continue to serve as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs in the 115th Congress.\r\n###\r\nCONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-national-defense-bill-wkelly-amendment-ban-funding-un-arms-trade-treaty", "House Passes National Defense Bill w/Kelly Amendment to Ban Funding for UN Arms Trade Treaty", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Compromise bill includes largest pay raise for troops in 6 years \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today regarding the Conference Report to Accompany S. 2943, also known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, compromise legislation with the U.S. Senate which will fully fund the United States Armed Forces and ensure that American troops have the resources required to successfully defend the homeland and achieve their missions abroad. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives earlier today by a bipartisan vote of 375-34. It includes an amendment offered annually by Rep. Kelly to prohibit funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) for the implementation of the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).\n\u201cThe People\u2019s House has once again fulfilled its sacred duty to provide our nation\u2019s defenders and warfighters with the resources they need to defeat our enemies and defend freedom around the world. Among other features, this NDAA includes the largest pay raise for our troops in six years. Additionally, I am very glad that my colleagues once again unanimously approved my commonsense amendment to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to undermine our sovereignty, harm our allies, or threaten our Second Amendment rights through the dangerous UN ATT. I look forward to the president signing this legislation to keep all Americans safe.\u201d\n\n\tBACKGROUND: Rep. Kelly is a national leader of the movement to stop the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). On March 15, 2013, he introduced H. Con. Res. 23, a bipartisan concurrent resolution expressing opposition to the treaty on behalf of members of Congress. The resolution earned 149 co-sponsors in the House and 36 supporters in the Senate. On May 30, 2013, Rep. Kelly submitted a bipartisan letter with 130 co-signers from Congress to both President Obama and Secretary Kerry urging them to reject the treaty. He sent a similar bipartisan letter to the president following Secretary Kerry\u2019s signing of the treaty on October 15, 2013, which was signed by 181 members of Congress, including multiple committee chairmen. A follow-up letter was sent to the White House on April, 20, 2014.\nOn September 5, 2014, Rep. Kelly submitted a letter to President Obama voicing opposition to the planned First Conference of State Parties (CSP) to the ATT \u2013 a UN-backed gathering to shape the treaty\u2019s future \u2013 due to its exclusion of any organizations critical of the treaty.\nOn March 2, 2015, Rep. Kelly sent a letter to President Obama co-signed by 34 new members of Congress elected in 2014 to express unified opposition to the ATT and a firm commitment to deny any federal funding for the treaty\u2019s implementation.\nOn May 19, 2016, the House passed H.R. 4909, the House-authored draft of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2017, which included Rep. Kelly\u2019s amendment to continue the annual ban on funding by DoD for the implementation of the ATT. The amendment was the strongest version to date, updating the language of Rep. Kelly\u2019s previous amendments that were enacted into law in previous NDAAs.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-rep-doyle-introduce-fixing-medicare-hospital-payments-act", "Rep. Kelly & Rep. Doyle Introduce  Fixing Medicare Hospital Payments Act", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan bill will increase wages for Western PA hospitals \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) issued the following statements today regarding H.R. 6399, the Fixing Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016, which they introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this week. The legislation would create a Medicare wage index floor for hospitals in metropolitan areas with populations of two million or more, which would increase Medicare payments to hospitals in the Greater Pittsburgh area.\nStatement by Rep. Kelly:\u00a0\n\u201cThe current Medicare wage index is an unfair deal for Western Pennsylvania hospitals and their workers. Because the federal government currently assigns hospitals in our area a low wage index, employers throughout the region have to pick up the cost through increased insurance premiums for their employees. With this commonsense bill, a new wage index floor would be created, insurance premiums would decrease, hospital wages would increase, and Western Pennsylvania\u2019s economy would become stronger. Those who provide life-saving care to our neighbors, friends, and loved ones deserve nothing less.\u201d\nStatement by Rep. Doyle:\u00a0\n\u201cThe current Medicare formula for calculating reimbursements unfairly penalizes hospitals in mid-sized cities like Pittsburgh, and it places unfair pressure on the wages that their hard-working employees receive. This bill would fix that formula to more accurately reflect the actual wages for health care personnel in mid-sized cities. It\u2019s my belief that such a change would make it easier for hospitals in places like Pittsburgh to pay their employees what they deserve.\u201d\nBACKGROUND: The Medicare Wage Index is part of the calculation used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine reimbursements for each hospital across the United States. Information on labor costs are submitted to CMS and used to determine a \u201cwage index\u201d for each of the nation\u2019s regions. The Pittsburgh core-based statistical area (CBSA) includes several Western Pennsylvania counties including Butler and Armstrong and consistently has one of the lowest wage indexes in America for major metropolitan areas.\nThe Medicare Wage Index for Pittsburgh has declined significantly since 1997 and continues to spiral downwards. Because the annual wages paid by hospitals are not as high as other parts of the nation, the Greater Pittsburgh area\u2019s wage index has continually decreased, thus causing hospitals in the region to receive reduced reimbursements from Medicare. This \u201ccircularity\u201d in the Pittsburgh CBSA has resulted in the loss of approximately $1 billion to hospitals around Pittsburgh and the region\u2019s economy.\nH.R. 6399 would create a metropolitan wage index floor of 0.94 for hospitals in metropolitan areas with a population of two million or more (Pittsburgh\u2019s current wage index is 0.85) and is budget neutral.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=812", "Defense Measure Negotiated by Shuster Passes House", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) had been helping negotiate with the Senate since July passed the House Friday morning. S.2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 authorizes $619 billion for the Department of Defense.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe live in a dangerous world, and the strength of our armed forces is the key to protecting our homeland and defeating our enemies, especially radical\u00a0Islamic terrorists,\u201d said Congressman Shuster. \u201cAs we crafted this legislation, I worked to help reverse the devastating toll the Obama Administration has taken on our armed forces - ensuring we do not compromise our warfighters when comes to providing the necessary funding they need to execute their mission.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThis legislation, which ensures that our military has the tools they need to protect and defend the United States, provides a 2.1% pay raise for our troops, increases ground and aviation training, strengthens healthcare for our men and women serving, and makes investments to continue modernizing and improving our nation\u2019s weapons systems.\r\n\r\n\tA continued top priority for Congressman Shuster is also rejecting the Obama Administration, and House and Senate Democrats call for a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. Congressman Shuster\u2019s language to prohibit a BRAC from taking place was successfully included in the final version of the NDAA that passed on Friday.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis legislation also provides critical resources here in Pennsylvania to support the mission of Letterkenny Army\u00a0Depot, and keep the installation off the chopping block and safe to continue its key mission of\u00a0supporting Army operations,\u201d continued Shuster. \u201cFurther,\u00a0the NDAA contains the legislative measures needed to allow the military to continue its efforts with our allies to find and kill enemies like ISIS and protect against new and emerging threats across the globe.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=2058611C-4A6E-4161-8E2A-317F29581F40", "Dent Votes for Key Military Funding Bill", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0 The NDAA authorizes annual funding levels and establishes new Department of Defense (DOD) policies and guidance.\u00a0 Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) expressed his support for the bill\u2019s passage with the following remarks:\r\n\u201cThe NDAA is a critical bill that provides for our troops and their families by authorizing the funding and resources that they rely on to carry out their missions safely and successfully.\u00a0 I applaud the bipartisan spirit of this legislation that will solidify our military readiness, make the Department of Defense more efficient, reassure our allies, and improve the health and livelihoods of our service members.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis bill will also provide greater security for those troops in our community who train at Fort Indiantown Gap by authorizing the construction of a $20 million security perimeter at the base that was funded earlier this year as a result of my work as Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.\u201d\r\nKey provisions in the FY 2017 NDAA include:\u00a0\r\n \r\na funding boost of $9 billion over and above the Obama\u2019s Administration\u2019s request ($619 billion total);\r\na significant pay increase of 2.1% for our troops \u2013 the largest in six years;\r\nbarriers that prohibit transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil;\r\nan end to the force drawdown and an increase in overall force strength;\r\nadditional health choices for servicemembers through TRICARE;\r\nreforms to address and combat instances of sexual assault;\r\nkey provisions to revamp the DOD acquisition process to assure quality and avert cost overruns\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u201cOur national security and the NDAA have maintained a longstanding tradition of bipartisan support, and I am proud to see that continue this year through the passage of this bill.\u00a0 The needs of our troops and their loved ones should always stand above partisan politics, and this legislation will go a long way to ensure that we remain vigilant and prepared to counter any threat or adversary,\u201d Representative Dent concluded.\r\nThe bill passed by a vote of 375 to 34.\r\n###\r\nCONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=86AD858B-2EC4-47BE-BF6C-E4A2BDC173FF", "Rep. Dent Applauds Mattis for Secretary of Defense Announcement", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C. -\u00a0\u00a0Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) released the following statement today applauding the news that President-Elect Donald Trump has named retired United States Marine Corps General James N. Mattis as his choice to serve as Secretary of Defense.\r\n\u201cI commend President-Elect Donald Trump for naming retired United States Marine Corp General James Mattis as his choice for Secretary of Defense. I believe that General Mattis will serve our country and the men and women of our Armed Forces with the same distinction and integrity as he did for four decades wearing the uniform of the United States Marines.\u00a0 As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that is tasked with meeting our nation\u2019s military construction needs, I look forward to working with General Mattis and his team.\u201d\r\n###\r\nCONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-statement-house-passage-defense-funding-bill", "Rothfus Statement on House Passage of Defense Funding Bill", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S. 2943):\n\u201cWe live in an age of unprecedented threats to our homeland as well as to our allies, especially Israel,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cOur military must be ready and capable of dealing with threats from China, North Korea, Iran, and other hostile regimes as well as non-state actors. In these uncertain and dangerous times, we must be prepared to face nuclear threats, cyber attacks, terrorism, or any type of military challenge. This legislation ensures that our military can begin to rebuild its strength and will have the resources necessary to support ongoing operations around the globe.\u201d\nHe continued, \u201cThis legislation also provides for continued funding for Israel\u2019s missile defense requirements. Israel is undoubtedly a crucial ally in the Middle East and their security is essential to stability in that region.\u201d\nThe NDAA supports $619 billion for national defense. In addition to matching the President\u2019s original budget request of $610 billion, the NDAA also authorizes the $5.8 billion supplemental request for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe and a further $3.2 billion for Readiness Stabilization Funding, to stop the drawdown of the military, which is fueling the readiness crisis.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=811", "Opioid Funding, Mental Health Reform, and Lyme Disease Research Legislation Sails Through House", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Bill Shuster", "S001154", "shuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) helped pass the 21st Century Cures Act on Wednesday. This landmark legislation reforms the way the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new drugs and devices, while increasing funding for medical research at the National Institute of Health (NIH)\r\n\r\n\tThe Cures Act also includes immensely needed mental health reforms, $1 billion in funding for the continued efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, and language requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a strategic plan to Congress for improving diagnostic treatment and prevention of Lyme disease.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis legislation is going to save lives and change the way we cure diseases, and it\u2019s a prime example of what can be accomplished in Congress when we work together,\u201d said Congressman Shuster.\u00a0 \u201cOur region has lost wonderful people to the opioid epidemic, and I\u2019m going to continue to do everything I can to ensure we are providing our communities with the tools needed to combat this growing crisis. Another issue we can\u2019t forget at home is the devastating effects Lyme disease is having on thousands in Central and Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Cures Act will not stop these problems for good, but it is another major step in stopping them in the future.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tFor the 10,000 known diseases there are only 500 treatments. The Cures Act will make investments to the National Institute of Health (NIH) along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These investments will go to streamlining the approval process for drugs and devices to assist them in getting to the market faster. The current system is broken, as it takes nearly 14 years and billions of dollars to develop new drugs to fight rare diseases. In order to reduce costs and speed up approval times the Cures Act will make it easier for the NIH, FDA, and other research arms of the government to partner on studies and share data as they work together to finding cures to diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s.\r\n\r\n\tAnother key provision in the legislation was the inclusion of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was an overhaul of our flawed mental health system that passed the House earlier this year. The mental health reforms in the legislation will make certain that grant funds are allocated to projects that are scientifically and medically sound so that 100 percent of the funds are toward fixing the broken system. The legislation also requires the federal government better coordinate the different mental health treatment programs with one another.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur mental health system has failed far too many Americans, and these reforms are necessary to increase treatment options for those battling illnesses while also making it easier for families to help their loved ones get the help they need,\u201d continued Shuster. \u201cMy colleague Congressman Murphy has worked hard to fix our mental health system, and I was happy to work closely with him to get this legislation across the finish line.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tHighlights of 21st Century Cures Act\r\n\r\n\t-$1 billion in funding over two years to expanded opioid treatment programs-NIH Innovation Account receives $4.8 billion, FDA Innovation Account receives $500 million. Also authorizes increased NIH funding for 2018-2020-Includes Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act\r\n\r\n\t-Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a strategic plan to Congress for improving diagnostic treatment and prevention of Lyme disease", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1849", "U.S. Senate Honors “The King,” Arnold Palmer", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - The United States Senate passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to honor the life and legacy of Latrobe, Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer.\n\"Arnold Palmer was a legendary golfer who also dedicated his life to Western Pennsylvania,\" said Sen. Casey. \"He'll always be remembered as \u2018The King' on the golf course, but just as importantly our nation will remember him for his charitable endeavors, like his work to invest in cancer research. As we express condolences to his family, this resolution will honor his life and his work.\"\n\"Arnold Palmer represents the best of Pennsylvania. While \u2018The King' is famous for his golf career, he is renowned for his generosity, kindness, and commitment to his community,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"His roots in Western Pennsylvania run deep, calling Latrobe home his entire life. Arnold once said \u2018your hometown is not where you're from - it's who you are.' He lived by that motto every day.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1850", "Toomey's Take: A Loving Home for Every Child", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Every child needs and deserves a safe, stable, and loving home life. My wife, Kris, and I have been blessed with three wonderful, healthy children. We cherish them and place our obligations to them above all other responsibilities. But for hundreds of thousands of children, circumstances have robbed them of the love and support of a family.\nFortunately, there are \"angels\" -- people who selflessly choose to open their hearts and their homes to children in need. These inspiring Americans reside all over the country and many are here in Pennsylvania.\nOne such \"angel organization\" is Diakon Adoption & Foster Care located throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania. As an organization that has been serving children and families since 1868, Diakon was one of the first agencies in the country to focus extensively on the placement of children with special needs-and one of the first in this state to offer foster-to-adopt services.Serving eastern and central Pennsylvania from multiple locations, Daikon works to ensure that adopted children in the commonwealth have the opportunity to safely grow up as a member of a loving family. The organization employs a range of cutting-edge approaches, particularly in serving older kids in danger of aging out of foster care without the permanence of a family and in preparing everyone involved in foster care or adoption for the challenges they may face.\nDiakon has been a lifeline to thousands of children and families in Pennsylvania. Each year, Diakon serves more than 70,000 people across the state, cultivates relationships with dependable and loving families, navigates innumerable legal hurdles and places hundreds of children in the loving arms of their new and joy-filled parents.\nAs the holidays approach, it is important to remember why organizations like Diakon are critical for so many families. We can all lose sight of what is important during the holiday season because of what it brings - the house to decorate, cookies to be made, presents to be bought, cards to be sent-and that's just the tip of the iceberg. But organizations like Diakon spend countless hours to ensure that foster children across the state have a loving home and family with which to spend their holiday.\nEach year, Members of Congress recognize community leaders who have truly made a difference for children by nominating an individual or organization to be an \"Angel in Adoption.\"\nThe \"Angels in Adoption\" program was established in 1999 by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Since then, the program has honored more than 1,800 individuals, families, and organizations. I was pleased this year to nominate Diakon Adoption & Foster Care as Pennsylvania's \"Angel in Adoption.\"\nOur commonwealth is full of such unsung heroes whose work and community service are directed to finding ways to improve the circumstances of others and the condition of our communities.\nThank you, Diakon Adoption & Foster Care, for your commitment to the children of Pennsylvania.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=video&id=1851", "It's Past Time for Action on Dangerous Sanctuary Cities", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Johnstown    Richland Square III, Suite 302   1397 Eisenhower Blvd   Johnstown, PA 15904   Phone: (814) 266-5970   Fax: (814) 266-5973  Map: Get Directions\nPlease call for an appointment before visiting our Johnstown office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/crucial-rothfus-provision-increasing-medicare-flexibility-seniors-passes", "Crucial Rothfus Provision Increasing Medicare Flexibility for Seniors Passes House", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 34), which included his provision that would restore the open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, who until 2011, had the ability to change Medicare Advantage plans one time during the first three months of the year.\u00a0\n\u201cMy provision is critical for seniors who discover that their Medicare plan doesn\u2019t meet their needs. It gives them flexibility and restores the 90-day window to find a plan that works best for them,\u201d\u00a0saidCongressman Rothfus. \u201cI applaud the inclusion of my provision in the 21st Century Cures Act as well as all the hard work that went into the bill to ensure that America remains a leader in medical innovation.\u201d\nWatch Congressman Rothfus\u2019 remarks on 21st Century Cures on the House Floor earlier today.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-bill-ensure-house-select-investigative-panel-infant-lives", "House Passes Bill to Ensure House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives Completes Its Work", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Mr. Speaker,\n\t\t\t\t\tI rise today in support of this resolution.\u00a0 The Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives has been investigating potential violations of the federal law that makes it illegal to sell fetal tissue \u2013 that\u2019s body parts \u2013 for profit. The evidence reviewed reveals appalling practices. For example, on video, we saw one Planned Parenthood doctor talking about doing \u201cless crunchy\u201d methods of abortion without the consent of the woman. This was to make sure they had intact body parts to sell.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe gruesome practices the Panel discovered shock the conscience.\u00a0 Where does this end?\n\t\t\t\t\tIt was startling to learn that the taxpayer-funded University of New Mexico had a summer program for high school students in which students dissected the brains of unborn children.\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\tThink about that. We are talking about high school students \u2013 16-year-olds \u2013 dissecting the brains of someone within the age group of their own siblings. What barbarity are we teaching our children?\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Select Panel must move forward with its investigation into these alarming violations of law and assaults on human dignity and conscience.\u00a0 It is incumbent upon us as elected leaders, and more simply, as human beings with well-formed consciences, to complete this investigation and bring about justice in these cases.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\tThank you.\n\t\t\t\t\t-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-backed-bill-improve-sifi-designation-process-passes-house", "Rothfus-Backed Bill to Improve SIFI Designation Process Passes House", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act (H.R. 6392), which offers a common-sense approach to the process of designating systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs). Dodd-Frank sets an arbitrary $50 billion threshold for identifying SIFIs and deciding which firms pose a risk to the stability of the financial system. Congressman Rothfus was a sponsor of the original legislation on which this bill was based.\n\u201cSIFI designation impacts a firm\u2019s lending ability, and therefore, a firm\u2019s customers and their customers\u2019 ability to thrive. Arbitrary and heavy-handed Dodd-Frank rules and regulations, including SIFI designations, have directly hurt small businesses making it harder for them to create jobs and making it harder for average households to get credit. This decision is not trivial,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cIf we really care about protecting financial stability and having a healthy financial system, we have a responsibility to pursue a fairer, more transparent, and more accurate process. The approach set forth under H.R. 6392 represents a more rational process for evaluating financial institutions, as opposed to the Washington tradition of a one-size-fits-all bludgeon.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-praises-house-passage-veterans-bills", "Rep. Kelly Praises House Passage of Veterans Bills", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today in support of five pieces of legislation to support American military veterans and reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Each bill was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives yesterday evening, except for H.R. 5047, which is expected to pass today.\n\u201cI am very proud to see the People\u2019s House take such strong and united action for our nation\u2019s veterans. Each man and woman who serves our country in uniform deserves the fullest respect and appreciation from every single American. Lawmakers in particular have a sacred duty to defend those who defended us in the legislation we pass, whether it\u2019s to protect their benefits, improve their health care, or help them find work on the homefront. These commonsense bills help us meet all these objectives and make sure the VA is supporting veterans with the utmost care and accountability.\u201d\nNOTE: The individual bills passed unanimously by the House (or soon to pass) include:\n H.R. 5166 \u2013 The WINGMAN (Working to Integrate Networks\u00a0 Guaranteeing\u00a0 Member\u00a0 Access\u00a0 Now) Act, as amended. This bill enables congressional staff, which would include staff sometimes referred to as \u201ccaseworkers\u201d, to have \u201cread only\u201d access to veterans\u2019 records in the databases of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), if the veteran provides permission to the Congressional office to allow his or her records to be accessed. (Sponsored by Rep. Ted Yoho/Veterans Affairs Committee)\n  H.R. 3286 \u2013 The HIRE Vets Act, as amended. This bill requires the Department of Labor (DOL) to establish the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, within one year of enactment, to annually recognize businesses for their efforts to employ veterans. (Sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook/Veterans Affairs Committee)\n  H.R. 5600 \u2013 The No Hero Left Untreated Act, as amended. This bill requires the VA to carry out a one-year pilot program to use magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy to treat a limited number of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic pain, or opiate addiction, or who have experienced military sexual trauma. This therapy has shown promising results in addressing symptoms of PTSD and TBI among certain veteran patients. (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Knight/Veterans Affairs Committee)\n  H.R. 5458 \u2013 The Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016. This bill allows certain individuals who are automatically eligible for TRICARE (the health benefits program of the Department of Defense) to elect to be temporarily ineligible for that benefit, which would allow those individuals to contribute to health savings accounts (HSAs), which are tax-advantaged accounts used to pay health expenses. (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Stewart /Ways and Means Committee)\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-supports-21st-century-cures-ac", "Rep. Kelly Supports 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House passes patient-centered bill to boost health care innovation \n Includes Kelly legislation to improve Medicare transparency \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 issued the following statement today in support of the House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives this evening by a bipartisan vote of 392-26. The legislation, sponsored by House Energy & Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-WI), is a medical innovation package to improve patient treatments by promoting advancements in technology, eliminating regulations that stifle competition, providing resources to combat the growing opioid epidemic, ensuring critical support for those struggling with mental health, and supporting cutting-edge research and the next generation of scientists. The package includes H.R. 2505, the Medicare Advantage Coverage Transparency Act of 2015, which Rep. Kelly introduced on May 21, 2015, and which was passed unanimously by the House on June 17, 2015. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide an annual report on the program's enrollment data to Congress, and is co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).\n\u201cThe Cures Act is wide in its reach and dramatic in its impact yet squarely focused on a singular goal: helping American patients beat their diseases and become healthy again. Thanks to this historic package, the future of American health care and medical innovation is brighter than ever. Our moms and dads and sons and daughters who face illnesses, along with the family members who care for them, can take heart that their fight just received brand new life-changing and, we pray, life-saving support.\n\u201cI am particularly proud that this powerful legislation includes my House-passed bill to make Medicare Advantage coverage more transparent for the benefit of our nation\u2019s seniors. This bill will bring key Medicare enrollment details into public view and equip lawmakers with important information so that we may make better decisions on behalf of our elderly constituents. I am also very glad to see my friend Rep. Murphy\u2019s transformational mental health reforms included in this package and applaud him for his tireless work in helping carry it past the finish line.\u201d\nNOTE: The 21st Century Cures Act achieves the following:\nCatalyzes cutting-edge research and personalized drug development.\n Authorizes innovation prize competitions to advance biomedical science for diseases that are serious and represent a significant burden. (Section 2002)\nEstablishes the Precision Medicine Initiative to help researchers develop medicines tailored to individuals, rather than one-size-fits-all treatments. (Section 2011)\nProvides opportunities for new researchers and promotes earlier research independence. (Section 2021)\nSupports high-risk, high-reward research that has the potential to transform the scientific field. (Section 2036)\u00a0\nExpedites the development and review of drugs for subgroups of rare disease patients by authorizing FDA to rely on data submitted in previously approved applications involving similar gene targeting technology. (Section 3012)\nReauthorizes the pediatric priority review voucher program incentivizing the development of drugs for rare pediatric diseases. (Section 3013)\n Modernizes clinical treats and evidence development.\n Directs FDA to provide clarity to drug developers about incorporating novel clinical trial designs into drug development. (Section 3021)\nSupports the utilization of real-world evidence in regulatory decision-making. (Section 3022)\nHarmonizes various regulations protecting patients in clinical trials to avoid duplication and unnecessary delays that researchers face on a daily basis. (Section 3023)\nAuthorizes FDA to rely upon qualified data summaries to support the approval of supplemental applications. (Section 3031)\nEstablishes an alternative approval pathway for sorely needed antimicrobial drugs intended for limited patient populations. (Section 3042)\n Brings the FDA into the 21st century.\n Removes the silos at FDA by transitioning the agency towards a disease-centric approach. (Section 3073)\n966Codifies a structured framework at FDA for the submission, review, and qualification of biomarkers that can be used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a product earlier in the process. (Section 3011)\nFosters development and utilization of incredibly promising approaches to regenerative medicine. (Sections 3033 - 3036)\nReforms the flawed combination product review process to provide certainty to manufacturers developing these complex therapies and technologies. (Section 3038)\nProvides long-overdue clarification regarding how medical product manufacturers can discuss the value of therapies and technologies with insurers and formulary committees. (Section 3037)\n Improves the medical device review process and reduces unnecessary regulation.\n Empowers FDA to apply efficient and flexible approaches to expedite the development and review of new medical technologies like the breakthrough path for drugs that Congress made law four years ago. (Section 3051)\nStreamlines medical device and diagnostic regulations and ensures FDA uses the least burdensome approaches necessary. (Sections 3052-3059)\nExempts certain software and personal health apps from FDA regulation. (Section 3060)\n Empowers patients to participate in research and development activities.\n Ensures that patients can voluntarily provide hospitals and research institutions authorization to use their personal health data for future research purposes. (Section 2063)\nPuts patients at the center of the drug development and FDA review process, requiring the FDA to routinely incorporate patient input and experiences into their regulatory decision-making. (Sections 3001-3004)\n Incentivizes the development of medical countermeasures and vaccines.\n Establishes a priority review voucher program that encourages the development of drugs and vaccines to protect Americans against agents that present a national security threat, like a bioterror attack. (Section 3086)\nProvides current and potential vaccine manufacturers with more predictable CDC timeframes. (Section 3091-3093)\n Fosters interoperable health records.\n Expedites the interoperability of electronic health record systems to help make good on the $30 billion taxpayer investment and benefit patients, providers, and researchers. (Sections 4003-4006)\n The mental health reforms included in the revised 21st Century Cures Act are based largely on H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, authored by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), which passed the House in July by a vote of 422-2. This legislative effort represents the most significant reforms to the mental health system in more than a decade.\nThese landmark reforms will:\n Create a new Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to replace the Administrator at SAMHSA and coordinate mental health programs across the federal government.\nEstablish the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Lab to drive evidence-based grant making within SAMHSA.\nDirect the Secretary of HHS to undertake guidance to clarify when communication can take place under HIPAA to help ensure communication among providers, families, and patients to improve mental health treatment.\nImprove mental health care for children with serious emotional disturbance, or adults with serious mental illness, through targeted authorizations and reauthorizations, including expansion of Assisted Outpatient Treatment.\nStrengthen the nation\u2019s mental health workforce.\nReduce government spending by $5 million according to a preliminary analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.\n \u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398429", "Rep. Perry Applauds Passage of Medical Innovation Bill", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) today voted in favor of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 34), a once-in-a-generation, transformational bill to change the way the United States treats both physical and mental diseases. The medical innovation package will bring hope for patients and accelerate cutting-edge treatments for rare diseases. It will also include the most significant reforms to our mental health system in more than a decade. Among other things, these reforms will modernize our mental health programs, improve mental health services for children, and strengthen our Nation\u2019s mental health reform workforce.\n\nThe 21st Century Cures Act takes an innovative approach by establishing a temporary Innovation Fund that maintains Congress\u2019s \u201cpower of the purse,\u201d rather than handing over spending authority to the executive branch or by using \u201cauto-pilot\u201d mandatory spending that is driving our $20 trillion debt. Importantly, this legislation is fully offset, meaning no net increases in federal spending and no additional burdens on the American taxpayer.\n\nThe 21st Century Cures Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 392 - 26. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration before continuing to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cThis bill will save and improve lives at no additional cost to the American taxpayer. It also saves money by developing cures rather than continuing to pass on the heavy cost of chronic illness to consumers through health insurance premiums,\u201d said Representative Perry.\n\n\u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act is a groundbreaking approach to health reform that seeks better, faster, safer and more innovative approaches to treating diseases and medical conditions like Alzheimer\u2019s, mental health disorders, diabetes and opioid addiction that currently lack effective therapies,\u201d said Representative Perry. \u201cBy encouraging American innovation to find faster cures, we give hope to patients and improve the quality of life for millions.\u201d\n\nAdditional information on the 21st Century Cures Act:\n\nLegislative Text\n\nTwo-Page Fact Sheet\n\nSection-by-Section Summary\n\nResidents are encouraged to contact Congressman Perry and his staff at any of his offices, or via Perry.House.Gov, where they can sign up for e-mail updates and for his Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1852", "Toomey: Past Time for Action on Dangerous Sanctuary Cities", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today continued his fight to protect our communities from violent criminals who are in the U.S. illegally by calling for action on his bill, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act.\nSen. Toomey has introduced legislation that would withhold certain federal funds from \"sanctuary cities\" - jurisdictions that forbid their law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials. Sen. Toomey also outlined a way President-elect Trump could help keep violent criminals off our streets by issuing an Executive Order.\nDuring his speech today on the Senate floor, Sen. Toomey said:\n\"It is the legal policy of the City of Philadelphia to forbid local law enforcement from even cooperating - even sharing information with federal immigration officials when the person in question came here illegally. So we confer this special legal privilege on, in many cases, dangerous, violent criminals because they came here illegally. It's just unbelievable.\" \n\"I think it's very clear we have to act. How important is the rule of law to all of us? How important is the safety and security of the American people? And how important are the childhoods of the victims that we are hearing about repeatedly as recently as just this week? To me, the answer is clear. These are very important priorities. And we need to act.\" \nThe Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act received bipartisan support on the Senate floor in July. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) joined Republicans in voting to move forward this commonsense measure to help keep our communities safe.\nYou can watch Sen. Toomey's full remarks here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=D6709D5E-98C6-4BD1-B8AA-E50739343D33", "Congressman Dent Cheers Passage of 21st Century Cures Legislation", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) cheered the passage of key health and science legislation in the House today.\r\n\u201cThe 21st Century Cures legislation represents a giant step forward to providing true medical hope to the American people for cures to some of the worst diseases we face,\u201d said Representative Dent. \u201cIt\u2019s aptly named because it brings 21st Century technology and methodology coupled with commonsense regulations to bear on killers like cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d he noted.  \r\nThe 21st Century Cures Legislation includes:\r\n $4.8 billion in new funding for the National Institute of Health \u2013  \r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- makes a $1.5 billion investment in the Precision Medicine Initiative\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- bolsters the \u201cCancer Moonshot\u201d initiative by $1.8  billion;\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- provides additional investments in the BRAIN initiative  to increase our understanding of neurological diseases.\r\n The legislation focuses on a sensible regulatory model that will bring cures to patients in safer, faster fashion by: \r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- modernizing clinical trials with an emphasis placed on improving the means by which safety and efficacy information is collected, analyzed and shared;\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- putting patients and their needs to the forefront in the regulatory review process;\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- encouraging a working relationship between the regulators and medical innovators to help them in bringing 21st Century Cures to patients;\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0-- incentivizing the development of drugs to help cure and treat pediatric diseases.\r\nDent also praised the inclusion of comprehensive mental health reforms passed in July as part of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Reform bill authored by Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18).\u00a0\r\n\u201cOne of the most common requests I hear from families and caregivers who are doing their utmost to help a child or family member with a mental health condition is the need for them to have a greater say in the care of their child or loved one. This bill will finally help parents by allowing them greater access to work with doctors and mental health professionals in the treatment of their loved ones,\u201d said Dent.\r\nActions relating to mental health in the legislation include creating a new Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use along with providing for increased communication, unbarred by HIPPA, to allow mental health patients, their families, and care providers to communicate more freely in the effort to increase positive outcomes for all involved.\r\n\u201cAs a whole, the 21st Century Cures Act is the shot in the arm that our medical innovators and regulators need so they can focus on the most important individuals in our health system \u2013 the patients,\u201d concluded Congressman Dent.\r\n______________________________________________________________________\r\nCONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-meets-with-president-elect-trump", "Barletta Meets with President-Elect Trump", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NEW YORK CITY \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today met with President-Elect Donald J. Trump at Trump Tower to discuss the presidential transition.\u00a0 Barletta is a member of the Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee.\nFollowing the meeting, Barletta met with reporters.\u00a0 The following are excerpts of his conversation with the press:\nBarletta: It was great.\u00a0 We had a good conversation.\u00a0 We talked about many issues concerning the country and talked about the President-Elect\u2019s ideas moving forward.\nReporter: Are you considering roles in the administration?\nBarletta: We talked about Secretary of Labor and it\u2019s something I\u2019m going to consider.\n***\nReporter: What was your pitch to him?\nBarletta: We talked.\u00a0 I\u2019ve worked with the President-Elect throughout the campaign.\u00a0 He knows my background and, as a member of the Executive Transition Team, we talked about the importance of his ideas and moving them forward in Congress and making sure that the transition goes well, as a member of that team.\u00a0 We talked about that, as I said, and some other things.\nReporter: What were the top policy initiatives the President-Elect talked to you about?\nBarletta: His infrastructure plan is obviously very important to him.\u00a0 And again, making sure there\u2019s a smooth transition and the role that I could play either in Congress or as a part of his cabinet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-nomination-congressman-tom-price-be-secretary-health-and-human", "Statement on the Nomination of Congressman Tom Price to Be Secretary of Health and Human Services", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald J. Trump nominating Congressman Tom Price [GA-06] to be Secretary of Health and Human Services:\n\u201cDr. Price led the fight to repeal and replace the disastrous Obamacare legislation. \u00a0This \u00a0law did not deliver on many of President Obama's promises and has resulted in skyrocketing premium and out-of-pocket increases that are crushing working families. \u00a0As chairman of both the House Budget Committee\u00a0and the RSC, he has proven himself to be a fair but strong leader in the crucial fight to pass affordable, patient-centered health care for all Americans,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cDr. Price\u2019s nomination to serve as Health and Human Services secretary is not only well-deserved, but it inspires confidence that the American people will finally be on the road to the kind of health care system that works for them, not Washington bureaucrats.\u00a0 Working with a new President Trump and Republicans in Congress, Dr. Price will help usher in an era of lower costs, higher quality care, and consumer choice in health care for American families.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-ryan-costello-meets-pottsgrove-high-school-students", "Rep. Ryan Costello meets with Pottsgrove High School students", "2016-11-28", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6th Dist., visited Pottsgrove High School recently to meet with students, teachers, and administrators as part of the National Association of Secondary School Principals\u2019 Principal for a Day program and in recognition of National Principals Month.\nCostello visited the Social Studies and Civics classes at Pottsgrove High School to share with students his experience as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a township supervisor, and a county commissioner.\nHe urged students to get involved in their local government and also suggested they seek information that challenges their worldview.\nRep. Costello ended his school day on \u201cbus duty\u201d with Pottsgrove High School Principal William Ziegler, who was named Pennsylvania Principal of the Year and visited Rep. Costello in his Washington, D.C., office earlier this year.\n\u201cThe teachers and principals in our community are hardworking and committed to our children\u2019s success,\u201d said Costello. \u201cI really enjoyed meeting with so many knowledgeable students and learning about the impressive projects they are working on.\u201d\nThis article first appeared as a post in\u00a0The Digital Notebook blog.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-barletta-statement-on-thanksgiving-2016", "Rep. Barletta Statement on Thanksgiving 2016", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today issued the following statement regarding Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2016:\n\u201cThanksgiving Day is more than just a big meal and perhaps a football game or two.\u00a0 It is a time to be grateful for our many blessings, and to remember that there are many who do not enjoy the same good fortune as others.\u00a0 As President Ronald Reagan once said, \u2018Americans have always understood that, truly, one must give in order to receive. This should be a day of giving as well as a day of thanks.\u2019\n\u201cWe have much to be thankful for in this country.\u00a0 Life is not perfect, but as Americans we each have the opportunity to succeed and to help others along the way.\u00a0 And following a somewhat rancorous political season, let us all resolve to focus on what unites us, rather than what divides us.\u00a0 At this beginning of the 2016 holiday season, I wish all Pennsylvanians, and all Americans, a healthy and happy Thanksgiving.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398427", "Rep. Perry Statement on Federal Judge Blocking Obama Administration's Overtime Pay Rule", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perry Statement on Federal Judge Blocking Obama Administration's Overtime Pay Rule \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        November 23, 2016\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      York, PA\u2014U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) issued the following statement after a federal judge blocked an Obama Administration rule to mandate overtime pay to more than 4 million salaried workers:\r\n\u201cLocal governments, non-profit organizations and small retailers throughout Pennsylvania are breathing a collective sigh of relief today. Since the announcement of this rule, I\u2019ve heard strong concerns from local organizations throughout the 4th District on the crushing impact of this misguided and unnecessary proposal,\u201d Representative Perry said. \r\n\u201cThis unlawful rule was just another example of bureaucrats of the \"Administrative State\" - in this case the Department of Labor - throwing obstacles in the way of our economy to justify its existence.\u00a0 This top-down regulation will hurt the very people it alleges to help. Our small businesses and non-profits certainly want to pay better wages, but that must be based on economic factors, not federal mandates that could force these organizations to eliminate jobs just to keep their doors open.\u00a0 Instead of punishing those who can least afford it through regulation, let\u2019s focus our efforts on making our economy more healthy and creating opportunities. Regardless of the outcome of this legal challenge, Congress will continue to fight this misguided proposal.\"\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://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-host-live-tele-town-hall-constituents-medicare-open-enrollment-0", "Rep. Kelly to Host Live Tele-Town Hall for Constituents on Medicare Open Enrollment", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly to Host Live Tele-Town Hall for Constituents on Medicare Open Enrollment                                           \n              Nov 22, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) announced today that he will host a toll-free telephone town hall meeting next Monday for constituents of the Third District to ask questions and receive answers about the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP). The call will feature expert input from special guests at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).\nWHAT: A free tele-town hall hosted by Rep. Kelly to discuss Medicare enrollment issues\nWHO: Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03)\nWith special guests:\n Sharon Graham \u2013 Congressional Liaison, CMS\nJohn Johnston \u2013 Public Affairs Specialist, SSA\nSubject Matter Experts from CMS and SSA\n WHEN: Monday, November 28, 2016\nTIME: 11:00 AM \u2013 12:00 PM\nCALL-IN INFORMATION: To participate, dial 877-228-2184 and enter event ID 19013 at the time of the event.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1847", "Toomey: Senator Sessions Will Make a Great Attorney General", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement regarding President-elect Trump's plan to nominate Senator Jeff Sessions for United States Attorney General:\"Senator Jeff Sessions will make a great Attorney General. The Attorney General has the responsibility to act as an independent public servant who will uphold the law and keep our communities safe. Jeff will do just that.\"I look forward to the Senate confirmation process for this outstanding nominee. My friend and colleague Jeff Sessions has my full support to be the next U.S. Attorney General.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-calls-president-elect-trump-overturn-obama-executive-orders-day-one", "Rep. Kelly Calls on President-elect Trump to Overturn Obama Executive Orders on Day One", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cAn agenda that lived by the pen can & should die by the pen\u201d \nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 issued the following statement today calling on President-elect Donald Trump to use his executive authority, once in office, to cancel, rescind, and undo all of President Obama\u2019s executive orders, particularly those which have negatively affected American energy, gun rights, health care, immigration, religious liberty, small businesses, and the right to life.\n\u201cPresident-elect Trump has a clear mandate to implement colossal change within the federal government. As he formulates his domestic agenda over the next two months, I encourage him to begin his administration with a powerful, principled, and productive achievement: on the first day of his presidency, Mr. Trump should use his executive authority to end every harmful and unconstitutional executive order previously carried out by President Obama.\n\u201cBy choosing to circumvent the legislative branch with most of his agenda, President Obama built his far-left legacy upon a hollow foundation. Rather than moderate his policies and work with lawmakers in Congress after the 2010 and 2014 midterm elections, the president boasted of his \u2018pen and phone\u2019 and declared he would \u2018use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions \u2026 that move the ball forward.\u2019 Now, after a historic campaign fueled by a nationwide rejection of President Obama\u2019s failed philosophy and polices, a new president will wield that same pen to move the ball forward in a much more hopeful and prosperous direction for all Americans. The majority of America\u2019s Congress will support Mr. Trump in this endeavor.\n\u201cA disastrous and divisive agenda that lived by the pen can and should die by the pen. The result will be a stronger economy, rescued livelihoods, and reaffirmed rights. Such decisive leadership would herald a long-awaited new era in Washington and, ultimately, a brighter future for our entire country.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-announces-information-58th-presidential-inauguration", "COSTELLO ANNOUNCES INFORMATION FOR 58TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The 58th Presidential Inauguration will take place on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.\nRep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) announced that residents of Pennsylvania\u2019s Sixth Congressional District may submit a request for tickets from the Inauguration Requests page on his website by 5PM EST on January 3rd. Residents are reminded that submitting a ticket request does not guarantee they will receive a ticket. Those who will receive a ticket will be notified in early January.\n\u201cThe Presidential Inauguration is always an exciting time for the American people,\u201d said Rep. Ryan Costello. \u201cI\u2019m happy to announce my office will offer a lottery for tickets for residents of Pennsylvania\u2019s Sixth Congressional District to attend the ceremony.\u201d\nKey Information:\n Only two tickets will be made available per request.\n\tRequests must be made by January 3rd at 5:00 PM EST.\n\tDue to high demand, Rep. Costello can only give tickets to residents of Pennsylvania\u2019s Sixth Congressional District for the ceremony.\n\tProof of residency will be required.\n\tTicketholders will pick up their tickets directly from Rep. Costello\u2019s West Chester, Wyomissing, or Washington, D.C. offices no later than Thursday, January 19. Tickets will not be mailed since they cannot be replaced.\n\tRep. Costello\u2019s office is unable to provide tickets to any other inaugural activity.\n To stay updated on information about the Inauguration, please visit http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/ and check back frequently since the page will be updated as more information becomes available.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398423", "2017 Presidential Inauguration Information", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2017 Presidential Inauguration Information \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        November 17, 2016\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      The 58th Presidential Inauguration Swearing-in Ceremony will be held at the Capitol on Friday, January 20, 2017. Each Congressional office receives a limited number of tickets for the Ceremony, for which I'm pleased to take requests from residents of Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District. \r\nClick HERE to be directed to the request form.\u00a0\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://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-supports-bill-prohibit-export-us-aircraft-iran", "Rothfus Supports Bill to Prohibit Export of U.S. Aircraft to Iran", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] supported legislation to prohibit the export of U.S. aircraft to Iran, the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terror, and released the following statement:\n\u201cDespite the President\u2019s assurances, Iran remains a menace to the stability of the Middle East and a threat to America, Israel, and all of our allies,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cAll of us \u2013 both Republicans and Democrats \u2013 need to take action to reduce the harm that this rogue state and its accomplices can do.\u201d\nHe added, \u201cBy prohibiting the Secretary of the Treasury from green-lighting U.S. financing for the export of commercial aircraft to Iran, we are making it more difficult for Iranian airlines to acquire planes that we know are used to ferry soldiers and weapons. By blocking Ex-Im assistance to the government of Iran, we are preventing the U.S. taxpayer from subsidizing efforts by the world\u2019s foremost state sponsor of terrorism to acquire aircraft to support its deadly activities around the world.\u201d\nWatch the Congressman\u2019s floor remarks here.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-votes-increase-accountability-congress", "Rothfus Votes to Increase Accountability in Congress", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Midnight Rules Relief Act (H.R. 5982):\n\u201cThis bill gives members of Congress a critical new tool to help ensure outgoing Administrations cannot burden the American people and American businesses with a slew of costly new regulations in the eleventh hour,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cHistory shows how frequently Administrations of both parties have skirted accountability to the American people, as well as congressional review, because of inadequate mechanisms to stop them from doing so.\u00a0 With this bill, Congress will have a more robust means of overseeing these regulations.\u201d\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-harrisburg-courthouse-moves-to-1-on-priority-list", "Barletta: Harrisburg Courthouse Moves to #1 on Priority List", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today confirmed that the long-awaited federal courthouse in Harrisburg has been installed formally as the top priority for the judiciary.\u00a0 The judiciary\u2019s Committee on Space and Facilities has ranked the project as the number one item on the construction list \u2013 a decision which has been approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States, the governing body of the judiciary chaired by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.\u00a0 The ascension of Harrisburg to the top slot is further indication that the courthouse project will become a reality.\u00a0\nBarletta has pushed for the project as Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.\u00a0 He has worked closely with Judge D. Brooks Smith, Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, who had been Chairman of the Committee on Space and Facilities until October 1, 2016.\u00a0 Barletta has also been in close contact with Judge Christopher Conner, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Congress formally appropriates the money for courthouse construction and renovation, but traditionally defers to the judiciary to set the priority order.\n\u201cEach bit of good news brings us closer to the day when we can cut the ribbon and open the new courthouse,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThe new courthouse will be an important new facility for Harrisburg, as it will serve as a hub of activity and drive new economic development for the area.\u00a0 I am proud to have been working on this project for a number of years, and I commend Judge Smith, Judge Conner, all of the members of the judiciary, and everyone in Harrisburg who has worked so hard to make the courthouse possible.\u201d\n\u201cThe rigorous analysis that the judiciary applies to ranking courthouse projects that most merit Congressional funding has resulted in Harrisburg as the top priority for Fiscal Year 2018,\u201d said Judge Smith.\u00a0 \u201cAs the former chair of the Judicial Conference's Space and Facilities Committee, I am grateful for the generous support Congress has demonstrated for our courthouse needs; and as the Chief Judge of the Third Circuit, I am pleased that the Harrisburg community can look forward to having a modern and secure courthouse to serve its needs.\u201d\n\u201cWe are thrilled,\u201d said Judge Conner. \u201cWe thank Congressman Barletta for his unwavering support of this important project, and we look forward to the construction of a courthouse that will represent the very best of our federal courthouse facilities.\u201d\nIn September 2016, Barletta had announced that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee had authorized a total of $194,444,000 for the Harrisburg Courthouse.\u00a0 The final step will be the actual appropriation of the funds, a process which will not begin until at least the new year.\u00a0 The amount includes $29.5 million appropriated in Fiscal Year 2016 for partial funding of feasibility studies and preparation work in addition to earlier funding in 2004 of $26 million.\nThe Harrisburg project includes the design and construction of a courthouse of approximately 243,000 square feet and an estimated 43 parking spaces.\u00a0 The building will contain as many as eight courtrooms, including three for District Judges, two for Senior District Judges, two for Magistrate Judges, and one for Bankruptcy Judges.\u00a0 There had been initial discussions of constructing only an annex to the existing courthouse, but that idea has been shelved in favor of an entirely new courthouse.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-costello-and-grijalva-introduce-legislation-protect-wild-and-exotic", "REPS. COSTELLO AND GRIJALVA INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WILD AND EXOTIC ANIMALS", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) and Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-03) introduced today the Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act, a bill to protect wild and exotic animals from unhealthy lifestyles.\nTraveling circuses have recently raised concerns about the treatment and well-being of wild and exotic animals: Are these animals experiencing enough socialization, are they moving freely or are they facing long-term confinement? Public safety concerns also exist as animals face unnatural living conditions.\n\u201cTraveling circuses have raised concerns about the treatment and well-being of wild and exotic animals, such as their ability to move and socialize. The Traveling Exotic Animal & Public Safety Protection Act will protect these animals from activities that are detrimental to their health,\u201d said Rep. Ryan Costello. \u201cThe residents of Pennsylvania\u2019s Sixth Congressional District are strong supporters of animal welfare and I\u2019m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. Grijalva.\u201d\n\u201cThe captivity of exotic animals has proven over the years to be torturous to some of the most majestic creatures on Earth, and downright dangerous for the people who come to see them,\u201d Rep. Grijalva said. \u201cA growing public understanding of the detrimental impacts on animals and the risks posed to attendees has already changed the face of circuses in America. It is imperative that we meet the call to end this practice once and for all.\u201d\nReps. Costello and Grijalva are members of the Animal Protection Caucus and the Wildlife Refuge Caucus.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ojr-honors-veterans-11th-annual-ceremony", "OJR honors veterans with 11th annual ceremony", "2016-11-14", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SOUTH COVENTRY >> As businesses, organizations and individuals celebrated veterans across the country Friday, local schools were no exception.\nThe 11th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony began at 11:45 a.m. with opening remarks from Owen J. Roberts history teacher David Schwenk and Superintendant of Schools Michael Christian.\nAs Naval ROTC students lined the walls of the Owen J. Roberts High School auditorium, veterans and students sat attentively while guest speakers addressed the importance of the day and reminded the audience about the sacrifices that have made our freedoms possible.\n\u201cI think we can safely say that regardless of your political affiliation and all the news that took place this week, we can agree that our veterans have pledged their allegiance and their dedication to our country time and time again through their service,\u201d said Christian.\nVeterans and students were also addressed by government officials, including state Sen. John Rafferty, R-44, of Collegeville; U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6, of West Goshen; state Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-26, of North Coventry; and a representative for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.\n\u201cThis day is a teachable moment for our young adults because it\u2019s our opportunity to go back in time and look at how and why we are the country that we are and how special it is to be an American because of the victories we\u2019ve had in times of war and the sacrifices that have been made during peace time to preserve those freedoms,\u201d said Costello.\nFollowing an address by each guest, the Owen J. Roberts choir performed patriotic pieces such as \u201cGod Bless America\u201d and a video demonstration depicted the importance of a soldier\u2019s sacrifice in preserving freedom as a reading of A. Laurence Vaincourt\u2019s poem, \u201cJust a Common Soldier\u201d accompanied the images.\nVeterans were later directed to the school\u2019s instruction room for a catered lunch following a performance of taps that left some attendees with tears in their eyes.\n\u201cThese successive wave of veterans made America better and stronger. Their service to our nation didn\u2019t end when their military service ended. Our veterans carried that pride and their love of country forward and we\u2019ve been rewarded with the greatest country in the history of mankind,\u201d said Rafferty Friday. \u201cThe nation our veterans have built for us, defended for us and protected for us is the envy of people around the world and tomorrow\u2019s America will be even better.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-being-named-to-trump-transition-team", "Barletta Statement on Being Named to Trump Transition Team", "2016-11-11", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today issued the following statement regarding being asked by President-Elect Donald J. Trump to serve on the Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee:\n\u201cIt is a great honor to be asked by the next President of the United States to be part of the team that will help put together the new administration to take office in just two months.\u00a0 As I said many times during the campaign, I have seen the \u2018Board Room Donald Trump\u2019 when I sat in meetings with him.\u00a0 In those sessions, he always sought the input of those around him and listened to their opinions and ideas.\u00a0 I anticipate that he will expect similar counsel from his transition team.\u00a0 It is an exciting time, as we will be assembling the people who will be tackling the problems facing the country and making America great again.\u00a0 I appreciate the confidence President-Elect Trump has shown in me and I take on the responsibility with humility and the resolve to perform to the best of my abilities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-barletta-statement-regarding-veterans-day-2016", "Rep. Barletta Statement Regarding Veterans Day 2016", "2016-11-10", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today issued the following statement regarding Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2016:\n\u201cVeterans Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who have kept us safe during peacetime and dangerous times of conflict over the course of the history of this country.\u00a0 They \u2013 and their families \u2013 have made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of their fellow citizens.\u00a0 We observe the holiday on November 11th every year to signify the end of World War I \u2013 recalling the armistice at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.\u00a0 Today, we honor all veterans for their service.\u00a0\n\u201cThe heroes that began America\u2019s story at Lexington and Concord in 1775 have been followed through the decades and centuries by men and women who have fought \u2013 and still fight to this day \u2013 so that we can remain the greatest and most freedom-loving nation the world has ever known.\u00a0 For those who have served, and those who still wear the uniform today, a grateful nation salutes you.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1845", "Toomey Applauds Lehigh Valley Efforts to Assist Haiti", "2016-11-07", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Allentown, Pa. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) applauded the efforts of two Lehigh Valley companies working to help the people of Haiti recover from hurricane Matthew. The island of Haiti still had not recovered from the 2010 earthquake that killed 200,000 people when hurricane Matthew struck.  The devastation increased the need for food, water, and resources to address a serious humanitarian crisis. To aid in relief efforts, Jaindl Farms, the Orefield-based turkey farm, is donating 40,000 pounds of premium turkey products.  B. Braun, the medical device company, coordinated the transportation to the island. \"Helping the people of Haiti highlights the very best of the people of Pennsylvania,\" said Sen. Toomey.  \"It's great to see two Pennsylvania companies from two different industries team up to make a real difference.  The employees at Jaindl Farms and B. Braun should be proud of their efforts to assist the Haitians as they struggle to recover from not one, but two, natural disasters.\" \"My family, management, and staff at Jaindl Farms are happy and proud to help those in need,\" said David Jaindl, president of Jaindl Farms.  \"We would like to recognize B. Braun, led by Caroll Neubauer, chairman and chief executive officer, for meeting the transportation needs getting the product to Haiti.  Sen. Pat Toomey was instrumental in bringing this need to our attention and strongly advocated that this effort become a reality.\" In coordinating these efforts, the companies worked with Lehigh Valley resident Dr. Sara Viessman, who has long been affiliated with Haitian relief.  Israna and Gerald Germain, who work with Dr. Viessman and Lehigh University's Sustainable Development Program, will deliver the generous food donations by Jaindl Farms once in Haiti.  The combined efforts of Lehigh Valley businesses and residents will provide both nutrition and hope to thousands of Haitians rebuilding their nation after destruction.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=D1C70287-C45B-43C7-96D8-DC2B245E8AED", "Dent Welcomes New Staffers to Allentown, D.C. Offices", "2016-11-04", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALLENTOWN, PA \u2013 Today, Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) announced the addition of three staffers: Johnathan Hershey and Sarah Zimskind to his Washington office, and Emily Olearczyk to his Allentown office, with both Zimskind and Olearczyk being natives of the Lehigh Valley.\r\n\u201cI am pleased that John, Sarah, and Emily have joined my office,\u201d Dent commented. \u201cIt is especially exciting to not only have all three from Pennsylvania, but both Sarah and Emily are from the 15th Congressional District. The knowledge and experience they have from our community will only enhance the services we provide to the people of the 15th Congressional District. I have every confidence that all three will do an outstanding job in fulfilling their roles and providing the highest level of service,\u201d Dent concluded.\r\nSarah, from Orefield, will serve as staff assistant for the Washington office. Her duties will include greeting visitors, answering constituent calls, and setting up White House and Capitol tours. She is a graduate of Parkland High School and earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in international affairs from the University of Georgia. She also has a Master\u2019s degree in security and diplomacy from Tel Aviv University in Israel.\r\nEmily, a resident of Allentown and a graduate of Central Catholic High School, will serve as staff assistant for the Allentown office. Her role will focus on constituent services, where she will have the opportunity to help residents of the district with issues pertaining to federal agencies. Emily earned her bachelor\u2019s degree from the Pennsylvania State University in international politics, with a concentration in national security.\u00a0\r\nJohnathan, a Juniata County native, will serve as legislative correspondent for the office. His duties will include researching legislative issues and managing the high volume of incoming and outgoing mail from the office. Johnathan graduated with a bachelor\u2019s degree in economics and politics from Messiah College. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, he worked for Hiinga, a non-profit dedicated to eliminating hunger and poverty in the lives of farmers in East Africa.\r\n###\r\nPhoto Attachments: Emily Olearczyk, Allentown; Sarah Zimskind, Washington; Johnathan Hershey, Washington\r\nCONTACT: Emily Rauch (202) 225-6411", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-lawmakers-seek-assurances-potentially-harmful-epa-wastewater-rule", "Thompson, Lawmakers Seek Assurances on Potentially Harmful EPA Wastewater Rule", "2016-11-03", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellefonte, PA \u2013U.S. Reps. Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (PA-5), Mike Kelly (PA-3) and Keith Rothfus (PA-12) today wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, regarding the \u201cZero Discharge\u201d rule. This regulation, which went into effect in August, creates new federal standards for the discharge of wastewater derived from \u201cunconventional oil and gas\u201d at publically-owned treatment works (POTWs). \u00a0The letter asks EPA to ensure that conventional oil and gas production, which has occurred in Pennsylvania for generations, will not be subject to the new rules. \u00a0Thompson and Kelly had previously written to the EPA to express concern that the regulation, as written, would affect the treatment of wastewater from traditional conventional oil and gas wells.\nIn both letters, the lawmakers expressed concern over the definition of an \u201cunconventional\u201d oil and gas well, which are typically associated with the Marcellus and Utica Shale gas drilling industry.\u00a0 The rule also lists a number of Appalachian basins subject to unconventional drilling, including the Devonian, Clinton-Medina and Tuscarora formations, which have also been produced through conventional oil and gas extraction means over the past several decades.\n\u201cIf the EPA does not clarify that this new regulation will not apply to water from conventional oil and gas wells, it could result in revenue losses for small towns and municipalities throughout Pennsylvania\u2019s 5th Congressional District,\u201d said Thompson.\u00a0 \u201cLosing hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue generated from wastewater treatment would be catastrophic to those publicly-owned facilities,\u201d Thompson added.\n\u201cThe loss of revenue from treating conventional oil and gas wastewater is equal to one half of our borough\u2019s general fund budget,\u201d said Ridgway Borough Manager Paul McCurdy.\u00a0 \u201cThe three-year implementation schedule for this rule is a step in the right direction and we will continue to work to address the other inconsistencies in this rule to make sure traditional oil and gas wastewater is not affected.\u201d\nThe lawmakers added that clarity on the issue of conventional gas well wastewater is essential, especially in light of the EPA\u2019s statement that it \u201cdoes not project the proposed rule will impose any costs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=E857E003-7A3C-4E97-B01B-7E71A25230C1", "Dent Responds to Shootings in Iowa", "2016-11-02", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Charlie Dent", "D000604", "dent.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ALLENTOWN, PA \u2013 In response to the murders of Officer Justin Martin and Sergeant Anthony Beminio in Des Moines, Iowa, Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) offered the following statement:\r\n\u201cThe news out of Iowa this morning is horrific, and my deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the families of Officer Martin and Sergeant Beminio. Very little can be said to heal the overwhelming anguish Iowa and our law enforcement community are suffering today, but I stand in solidarity with the Urbandale Police Department and the city of Des Moines as they grieve in the wake of this despicable attack. Law enforcement officers play a crucial role in upholding peace and stability within our communities from coast to coast. Tragically, targeted violence against law enforcement has become a recurring theme this year. In response, we must fully support and stand up for law enforcement officers in our communities and continue to advocate for civil order over violence and instability.\u201d\r\n###\r\nCONTACT: Emily Rauch (202) 225-6411", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-marino-congratulates-georgia-free-fair-democratic-election", "Rep. Marino Congratulates Georgia on Free, Fair Democratic Election", "2016-11-01", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. \u2013 Rep. Tom Marino released the following statement after Georgia carried out a free, fair and competitive election. This is the third such election since 2012 and demonstrates the democratic progress made in Georgia:\n\u201cThrough the continued use of fair, democratic elections, Georgia has respected both the development of its government and the views of its people. I want to offer my congratulations to Georgia on the success of this election and on their democratic leadership in the region. This accomplishment is a hopeful sign for the future and I look forward to strengthening ties between our two nations.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-barletta-reflects-on-successes-in-114th-congress", "Rep. Barletta Reflects on Successes in 114th Congress", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today looked back on the 114th Congress and highlighted his record of achievement in a variety of areas, including saving taxpayers more than $3 billion, combating the opioid epidemic, negotiating a new Highway Bill, protecting the steel industry, and strengthening after school programs for children.\u00a0 The 114th Congress opened in January 2015 and already has concluded much of its business leading into its final session days in November and December of this year.\u00a0 The 114th Congress has constituted Barletta\u2019s third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\u201cWe made progress on a lot of fronts in the 114th Congress and addressed some problems facing Pennsylvania and the nation,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThere is still much work to be done, but the work we did over the past two years represents large steps in the right direction.\u201d\n Saving Taxpayers More Than $3 Billion \nBarletta\u2019s efforts as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management have already saved taxpayers more than $3 billion by reforming the way the federal government manages its real estate portfolio. \u00a0To build on that, Barletta introduced\u00a0H.R. 4487, the Public Buildings Reform and Savings Act of 2016, which would end up saving taxpayers at least $500 million each year.\u00a0\u00a0The legislation increases accountability and oversight of the agency responsible for securing and protecting thousands of federal buildings.\u00a0\u00a0The bill also includes language that will give the General Services Administration (GSA) a better ability, where appropriate, to use Public-Private Partnerships to meet space needs, leveraging private dollars to offset costs.\u00a0 The bill passed the House and is now under consideration by the Senate.\u00a0\nAdditionally, in his role as subcommittee chairman, Barletta has held numerous hearings in Washington, DC and different regions of the country, providing oversight and holding federal bureaucrats at the GSA accountable for their use of office space and taxpayer resources.\u00a0\n\u201cWithin five years, half of all federal leases will expire,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cTo give some perspective on how much space that represents \u2013 that\u2019s 100 million square feet of space or 32 new World Trade Centers in New York.\u00a0 And, more than half of the total real estate inventory is in commercial leased space, costing the taxpayers more than $5.5 billion each year.\u00a0 How we replace these leases has a huge impact on the costs to the taxpayer.\u201d\n Combating the Opioid Epidemic & Saving Addicted Babies \nBarletta was part of the conference committee made of House and Senate members who crafted sweeping legislation to fight the growing opioid epidemic.\u00a0 The package contained Barletta\u2019s own bill that specifically protected addicted newborns and their caregivers.\u00a0 The bill, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524), combined educational and prevention programs, enhanced treatment, and increased law enforcement efforts to provide a comprehensive approach to the expanding problem of opioid abuse.\u00a0\u00a0 As a conferee on the legislation, Barletta was able to secure the inclusion of provisions of his own\u00a0Infant Plan of Safe Care Improvement Act\u00a0(H.R. 4843), which had already passed the House on its own by a unanimous vote of 421-to-0.\u00a0 The overall package has been signed into law by the president.\n\u201cAll you have to do is read the newspapers or watch television news to know that substance abuse is a problem that afflicts millions of Americans,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThe opioid epidemic is something that I consistently hear about when I am home in Pennsylvania.\u00a0 I am pleased to have been a leader on this legislation that will attack the problem, and help bring so many lives back from the brink of disaster.\u201d\n Battling Illegal Immigration \nBarletta was a signatory to an amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court in the case of U.S. v. Texas, which had the effect of blocking President Obama\u2019s executive amnesty for illegal immigrants.\u00a0 At issue were Obama\u2019s blanket executive actions in November of 2014, which violated the separation of powers as laid out in the Constitution.\u00a0 A 4-to-4 deadlocked court left in place a lower court ruling that halted the president\u2019s unlawful plans.\u00a0\n\u201cThe president said it himself at least 22 times: he does not have the legal authority to do what he eventually did, which was to grant amnesty to people who have willfully broken our immigration laws to be present in this country,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWe have immigration laws in this country for two main reasons: to protect national security and to preserve American jobs.\u00a0 The president\u2019s actions violated both of those principles and were unconstitutional on top of it all.\u201d\nIn January of 2015, Barletta led the fight to defund the president\u2019s illegal executive amnesty plans through the passage of an appropriations bill that would have cut funding, largely through an amendment Barletta co-authored, had the bill been signed into law.\u00a0 The House approved the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with the key amendment known as the\u00a0Aderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta Amendment.\u00a0 The House also adopted additional amendments Barletta supported, including one which stops the president\u2019s DACA program, which has abused the practice of prosecutorial discretion on immigration enforcement.\u00a0\nAderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta Amendment\nThe lead amendment to the DHS appropriations bill was the one authored by Rep. Barletta, Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4), and Rep. Mick Mulvaney (SC-5).\u00a0 It was the Aderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta amendment which would have specifically defunded President Obama\u2019s executive amnesty.\u00a0\nThe Aderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta amendment addressed the Obama executive amnesty by:\n Preventing any funds from any source from being used to carry out the executive actions the president announced on November 20, 2014.\n\tPreventing any funds from any source from being used to carry out the so-called \u201cMorton Memos,\u201d which directed immigration officers to ignore broad categories of illegal immigrants.\n\tDeclaring that no funds may be used to carry out any policies that are substantially similar to the ones being defunded.\n\tDeclaring that the policies being defunded have no basis in federal law or the Constitution and therefore have no legal effect.\n\tPreventing any funds from being used to provide federal benefits to illegal immigrants intended to be impacted by the president\u2019s executive amnesty.\n  Making a Mark on the Highway Bill \nBarletta was appointed to the conference committee which negotiated the particulars of the newly-passed Highway Bill, which included many of Barletta\u2019s highest priorities for the U.S. transportation system and its infrastructure.\u00a0 The package totaled about $305 billion over five years and included a number of measures Barletta pushed for, including blocking a weight-limit increase for heavy trucks.\u00a0 Barletta was also able to fight off Senate attempts to cut the Highway Safety Improvement Program and fixed the problem of\u00a0farmers getting traffic tickets for not \u201ctarping their load\u201d when driving short distances down the road from field to field, or field to processing center.\u00a0 The Highway Bill has been signed into law by the president.\n\u201cThis is a five-year bill, one that is robustly funded, and it will provide long-term certainty in our highway plans, so that Congress is not forever slapping short-term Band-Aids on our transportation problems,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cI grew up in a family road construction business, and as a former mayor, I know that states, localities, and contractors need this certainty so they can make decisions about projects, hiring, and purchasing equipment.\u00a0 The five-year duration of this bill is a good first step, but ultimately we will have to find a more innovative approach or we will find ourselves with an even bigger problem just half a decade from now.\u201d\u00a0\n Protecting the Steel Industry & American Jobs \nBarletta was successful in including provisions to protect steel in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (H.R. 644), otherwise known as the Customs Bill.\u00a0 Barletta insisted on inclusion of provisions of the ENFORCE Act, which prevent countries from circumventing trade laws by shipping a product through another country and switching the label.\u00a0\u00a0\nThe measures Barletta insisted upon are intended to protect the steel industry and related jobs in Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the United States.\u00a0 For example, when China dumps steel into America, American steel companies spend time and money building a case against the Chinese dumping.\u00a0\u00a0 If they win that case, the steel companies deserve to have the Chinese penalized for the dumping.\u00a0 The ENFORCE Act makes sure that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actually investigates the American companies\u2019 case. \u00a0The ENFORCE Act gives CBP a strict deadline to review the case.\u00a0 American companies can pursue a case in U.S. Trade Court if the company believes CBP is rubberstamping the decisions without fairly reviewing the details.\u00a0 The Customs Bill has been signed into law by the president.\n\u201cEvery foreign company wants to sell their goods on American store shelves to American consumers,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWe must make sure we have the tools we need at the border to prevent foreign trade cheaters from sneaking their goods onto our shelves without paying the appropriate duties.\u00a0 The bill also contains critical protections against misguided attempts to use trade agreements to rewrite our domestic immigration laws and environmental regulations.\u201d\n Strengthening After School Programs \nBarletta was instrumental in preventing the elimination of $1 billion in funding for afterschool programs like SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) that has proven successful in Schuylkill, Carbon, and now Luzerne Counties.\u00a0 Barletta and Pennsylvania State Senator John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) have championed SHINE together and helped expand it to Luzerne County.\u00a0\nBarletta saved the important SHINE funding source, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, which was slated to be cut out by the Student Success Act (S. 1177).\u00a0 Beginning in February 2015, he began painstakingly working to restore the 21st CCLC funding, which had been slated for elimination.\u00a0 Barletta, however, negotiated 14 changes to the base text of the bill in support of afterschool programs, and specifically the SHINE model, in the House Education and the Workforce Committee.\u00a0 He also engaged in a colloquy with committee Chairman John Kline (MN-2) to establish a record of support for such programs.\u00a0 On the floor of the House, Barletta spoke in support of his own successful amendment that requires school districts to report to state agencies on the use of Title I money for afterschool activities to further demonstrate the importance of such programs.\u00a0 Finally, when the legislation reached the conference committee, Barletta sent a letter to lead House and Senate negotiators imploring them to preserve the 21st CCLC program.\u00a0 As a result, the conference report authorized $1 billion in funding for the 21st CCLC program and was signed by the president.\nBarletta also negotiated a change in the language of a bill about youth opportunity to enable afterschool programs like SHINE to compete for federal grants to keep students steered on the right path.\u00a0 During consideration of the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act (H.R. 5963) in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Barletta succeeded in inserting afterschool programs into the list of eligible recipients of funds.\u00a0 The change means that states will be eligible to compete for five-year grants to help local leaders meet specific needs in keeping students headed in the right direction through programs such as SHINE.\u00a0 The bill passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate.\n\u201cSHINE has already shown its value in the number of young lives it is positively impacting,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you awaken the minds of young children with hope and possibility of what their future can be, there\u2019s no stopping them.\u00a0 That\u2019s what SHINE does, and I am proud to help clear the way for more kids to be successful.\u201d\nFor his efforts, Barletta was named the National Parent Teacher Association\u2019s 2016 Legislator of the Year \u2013 the only House member to receive the award.\u00a0 He was also named an\u00a0\u201cAfterschool Hero\u201d by the Afterschool Alliance.\n Fighting for Firefighters \nFor the third time, Barletta shepherded his bill to protect volunteer firefighters from the ravages of Obamacare to unanimous passage in the House of Representatives.\u00a0 Barletta\u2019s bill, the\u00a0Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act, ensures that emergency services volunteers are not counted as full-time employees by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Employer Mandate of Obamacare.\u00a0 If volunteer fire companies were subject to the mandates of Obamacare, they could be liable for crippling new health care costs, causing many to have to close their doors.\u00a0 Under pressure from Barletta in 2014, the IRS changed its previous position of treating volunteer firefighters as employees, but the legislation remains necessary so that the IRS policy is not reversed once more.\nThe House of Representatives by has passed Barletta\u2019s bill by unanimous votes three times \u2013 first by 410-to-0 in March of 2014, then by 401-to-0 in January 2015, and finally by 415-to-0 in March of 2015.\u00a0 Each time House passed the bill, it failed because of actions by the Senate.\u00a0 In 2014, the Senate used it to attach unrelated language about emergency unemployment insurance, thereby killing the bill.\u00a0 In January of 2015, the Senate stripped all language from the bill and turned it into a one-week funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security.\u00a0 Finally, in March of 2015, the Senate converted it into legislation requiring Congressional approval of any agreements regarding Iran\u2019s nuclear capabilities.\n\u201cFirehouses and municipalities across the country need assurance that they wouldn\u2019t have to pay costly fines or shut down. This bill provides them with that certainty,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cPublic safety is too important a concern to leave to the whims of an unelected government bureaucracy like the IRS.\u00a0 Just as importantly, it is time that we stop playing political games with such a vital public safety issue.\u201d\n Defending Coal \nBarletta successfully amended the Defense Appropriations bill to prevent U.S. military installations, regardless of their locations, from purchasing energy from Russia.\u00a0 Barletta\u2019s amendment benefits coal workers in Pennsylvania, since some U.S. military bases, such as one in Kaiserslautern, Germany, use anthracite coal for fuel.\u00a0\u00a0The version containing Barletta\u2019s coal language passed the House, which is currently negotiating with the Senate on an end-of-the-year funding bill.\n\u201cTime and again, we have seen Vladimir Putin use Russian energy to assert his political will over the rest of the world,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cBy ensuring our military does not rely on the Russian Federation to supply the heating and energy needs of our military bases, we can provide certainty and security for the brave individuals protecting our freedom.\u00a0 And this has the added benefit of helping Pennsylvania coal workers.\u201d\n Improving Disaster Response \nBarletta authored a bill to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address the rising costs of disasters in the United States, reduce the toll of future losses, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster assistance capabilities and programs.\u00a0 The FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 1471)\u00a0authorizes programs that help reduce the loss of life and property and speed recovery for those impacted by disasters.\u00a0 The bill also requires an assessment of trends in disaster losses and recommendations that will result in the reduction of losses and increased cost savings.\u00a0 The bill passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.\n\u201cWhile we are making FEMA more responsive, we\u2019ll also be examining why the cost associated with recovering and rebuilding following disasters continues to increase,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cI have travelled to different areas of the country, hearing from local people about their experiences in disaster relief, and I believe our study of rising costs will be critical to the efficient use taxpayer resources in responding to catastrophes.\u00a0 If we can get a handle on rising costs, we will be better able to meet the needs of victims of future disasters.\u201d\n Promoting Pipeline Safety \nBarletta successfully inserted language into a pipeline safety bill that protects the ability of states like Pennsylvania to use their own pipeline inspectors when dealing with federal agencies.\u00a0 The Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act (S.2276) reauthorizes the pipeline safety program administered by the Department of Transportation\u2019s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The president has signed the bill into law.\u00a0\nThe Barletta language involves the use of interstate agent agreements between states and PHMSA, which regulates the safety of pipelines at the federal level.\u00a0 The agency is responsible for ensuring safety in the design, construction, testing, operation, and maintenance of pipelines.\u00a0 It is more beneficial for states to be able to use their own networks of pipeline inspectors, since PHMSA has only five regional offices to serve the entire country.\u00a0 Many states, including Pennsylvania, want to be able to use their own resources to protect pipeline safety, which requires interstate agent agreements with PHMSA.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cIn Pennsylvania, our Public Utility Commission has been trying to arrange an agreement under which we could use our own pipeline inspectors, instead of relying on regional federal inspectors who are not as available or accessible,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThis legislation allows Pennsylvania and other states better flexibility in keeping pipelines safe.\u201d\n Improving Communication in Terror Response \nThe U.S. House of Representatives passed Barletta\u2019s legislation to clarify and enhance the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the national network of fusion centers.\u00a0 A fusion center is a collaborative effort of two or more agencies, including federal, state, and local entities, which share resources and information to improve their ability to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist or criminal activity.\u00a0 The bill, H.R. 3598, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act, passed the House by a voice vote and awaits action by the Senate.\u00a0\u00a0\nAs a Member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former mayor, Barletta has heard from law enforcement officials that there is currently a lack of information-sharing and coordination.\n\u201cI have seen this problem firsthand, and know that more can be done to help our local law enforcement get the support they need from the federal government,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThis bill is one small step to make the fusion centers a better resource for the people who know our communities the best \u2013 our local law enforcement officers.\u201d\n Pushing for the Harrisburg Courthouse \nBarletta has gotten the proposed Harrisburg federal courthouse closer to reality than ever before, succeeding in winning authorization for $194,444,000 in funding for the design and construction of the facility.\u00a0 As chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Barletta pushed for the project, including holding hearings in his subcommittee to discuss the proposal.\u00a0 The Harrisburg structure is part of the long-awaited federal courthouse construction plan, developed by the federal judiciary and the General Services Administration.\u00a0 The authorization is the final step before an actual appropriations bill sends the money out the door.\n\u201cAuthorization of funds is a huge step toward making the courthouse a reality, as the last hurdle remaining is the actual appropriation,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cThis has been a long time coming, with various baby steps along the way, but the hard work of our subcommittee, the judiciary, and the people of Harrisburg is paying off.\u201d\n Honoring Veterans with the Medals They Earned \nDuring the two years of the 114th Congress, Barletta presented long-overdue medals to 29 area veterans or their families.\u00a0 Barletta frequently presents medals which were lost or never awarded for a variety of reasons, including fire, lost records, or discovery of old records.\u00a0 Medals awarded this Congress included Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts, Prisoner of War Medals, and various unit and individual citations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-statement-fbi-reopening-investigation-hillary-clinton", "Rep. Kelly Statement on FBI Reopening Investigation of Hillary Clinton", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kelly Statement on FBI Reopening Investigation of Hillary Clinton                                           \n              Oct 28, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today in response to news that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has resumed its investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for criminal wrongdoing regarding her e-mail server.\n\u201cI applaud the FBI for carrying out its duty and refusing to let illegal activity go unchecked. Hillary Clinton \u200eis not above the law\u2014period. \u200eCrime is crime, no matter the title or ambition of the person committing it.\n\u201cIt is already outrageous that our Secretary of State was \u2018extremely careless\u2019 with classified information during her service and recklessly put our national security at risk. It is equally shameful and dangerous that this individual is now seeking to occupy the world's most powerful office, the American presidency. As the FBI\u2019s criminal investigation goes forward, I encourage Director Comey and his team to focus on the task at hand and not permit any outside forces to influence his findings, whatever they might be.\n\u201cUntil this case is closed, I fully support Speaker Ryan\u2019s call for the Director of National Intelligence to suspend all classified briefings for Mrs. Clinton.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-reminds-students-congressional-app-challenge-submission", "Costello Reminds Students of Congressional App Challenge Submission Deadline", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06), a member of the Congressional STEM Caucus and Co-Chair of the 21st Century Skills Caucus, reminded students of the approaching November 2, 2016 deadline for submissions for the 2016 Congressional App Challenge.\nIn August, Rep. Costello announced his office was participating in the challenge.\nLast year\u2019s winners, a team of seniors from Wyomissing Area High School, will be participating in this year\u2019s challenge as judges. Team Watt met with Rep. Costello earlier this year to show him their app, Watt, which encourages users to reduce energy consumption and increase environmental awareness.\nFull details of the Challenge are listed below:\nStudents who want to participate will need to develop a software app no later than November 2, 2016, to be judged by a panel of computer science professionals and congressional representatives.\u00a0 In addition to being recognized by Rep. Costello, the winning app will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol building.\nEntry Requirements and Deadlines:\n The Competition Submission Period opened on July 18, 2016 and will close on November 2, 2016\n\tStudents must be in high school or below and must reside in the district of the participating Member of Congress\n\tStudents may compete on their own or in teams of up to 4 \u2013 teams must have 2 members from the district\n\tA student may only submit one app in one Congressional District\n For the full list of rules, requirements, and deadlines, please\u00a0click here\u00a0or call my\u00a0Washington, D.C. office at\u00a0(202) 225-4315.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-marino-responds-fbi-re-opening-investigation-clinton-email-server", "Rep. Marino Responds to FBI Re-Opening Investigation into Clinton Email Server", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Tom Marino", "M001179", "marino.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. \u2013 Rep. Tom Marino released the following statement on the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) Friday announcement that it has reopened its investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server to send and receive classified information:\n\u201cMy colleagues and I on the House Judiciary Committee have continued to look into Hillary Clinton's use of an illegal, private email server. The further we delved into this matter, the more wrongdoing we found. With waves of new information and evidence coming to light over the past several months, it is only appropriate that the FBI has re-opened the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails.\u201d\nRep. Marino questioned FBI Director James Comey in September before the House Judiciary Committee on his reasoning to offer immunity to Clinton Aides rather than impaneling a grand jury, obtaining a subpoena or simply seizing evidence pertinent to the case.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://perry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398413", "Rep. Perry Statement on FBI Investigation of Hillary Clinton", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Scott Perry", "P000605", "perry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Perry Statement on FBI Investigation of Hillary Clinton \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        October 28, 2016\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      York, PA\u2014Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) issued the following statement on the FBI's decision to reopen its investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s email arrangement:\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s a growing belief that America has two standards of justice: one for the well-connected and one for the rest of us. As a result, many Americans have lost faith in institutions like the FBI. The only way to change that perception is restore a pillar of American justice: no one is above the law. Given the waves of new information emerging in recent months, it\u2019s certainly appropriate that the FBI re-open the investigation into Secretary Clinton's emails. We should fight the temptation, however, to prejudge the results; the FBI must follow the facts and be fair in their findings, regardless of political implications/ramifications.\"\u00a0\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://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-fema-offers-power-outage-scenario-simulation", "Barletta: FEMA Offers Power Outage Scenario Simulation", "2016-10-26", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Lou Barletta", "B001269", "barletta.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today alerted local governments and community-based first responders to upcoming simulated power outage scenarios designed to assess the viability of plans and policies in place to react to such emergencies.\u00a0 The Emergency Management Institute within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will offer the four-hour simulations on November 29 and 30 and December 1, 2016.\u00a0 The content will be the same in each session, so participants need only take part in one of them.\n\u201cAs we have learned from cyber-attacks here at home and around the world, our infrastructure can be vulnerable to outside assault,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWith the possibility of our power grid failing in the face of a cyber-attack or another cause, a little preparation can go a long way.\u00a0 I encourage all localities and first responders to take this opportunity to assess the plans they have in place, or craft new ones to fit evolving possibilities.\u201d\nThe FEMA program is a \u201cVirtual Tabletop Exercise\u201d designed to help communities examine their responses to long-term power outages.\u00a0 The sessions will run from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.\u00a0 Interested organizations should send an email to Doug Kahn of FEMA at douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-7645.\u00a0 It is also requested to send a courtesy copy email to the Integrated Emergency Management Branch at fema-emi-iemb@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-1381. The application deadline is October 31, 2016. Additional information is available at https://training.fema.gov/programs/emivttx.aspx.\nAs Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Barletta held a hearing earlier this year to examine how well prepared the United States is for a cyber-attack on the electrical grid.\u00a0 The testimony from utilities and emergency management personnel indicated that states and localities should be prepared to face weeks, rather than days, of power outages following such an assault.\u00a0\n\u201cState and local governments, who are on the ground, will be the first ones charged with the protection of people and property,\u201d Barletta said.\u00a0 \u201cWhether it is a category 5 hurricane hitting Miami or an 8.0 earthquake in Los Angeles, the federal government has realistic estimates or scenarios for states to plan.\u00a0 The federal government does not have this basic planning scenario for a cyber-threat to the power system and there is a huge disparity in what different groups think is a potential scenario for which states and local governments should prepare.\u00a0 These exercises from FEMA will be an excellent learning tool.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1842", "Toomey Demands Accountability From VA", "2016-10-26", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - As part of his effort to increase accountability and improve services at the VA, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has asked the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to detail how many agency executives and supervisors have been fired or disciplined for manipulating wait times for veterans seeking medical care.\nIn a letter to VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald, Toomey joined some of his Senate colleagues to ask how many executives and managers were permitted to retire or ease into other jobs without consequences for their roles in the unlawful waitlists.   Last month, President Obama said that the VA had \"fired a whole bunch of people who are in charge of these facilities.\"  The facts say otherwise.  The Washington Post fact checked this statement and rated it \"Four Pinocchios.\"\u00a0\n\"The men and women who served in uniform should be first in line for the best quality medical care in the world,\" said Sen. Toomey.\u00a0\"Many Pennsylvanians were outraged to learn of rampant mismanagement at the VA that included excessive wait times; substandard care; dishonest reporting; and cutting corners that probably cost veterans' lives.\n\"I supported bipartisan legislation to hold VA employees accountable but it appears that neither the spirit nor the intent of that law has been implemented.  Very few of the people who directed the outrageous waitlist scheme have been held accountable, and the VA has not put the correct systems and protections in place to prevent this type of fraudulent activity from happening again.\n\"I hope Secretary McDonald will clarify the actions he has taken and I look forward to working with him if he needs additional authority from Congress to successfully turn things around at the VA.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-costello-statement-national-guard-bonuses", "REP. COSTELLO STATEMENT ON NATIONAL GUARD BONUSES", "2016-10-26", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Ryan Costello, a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding reports the Department of Defense was reclaiming reenlistment bonuses paid to National Guard soldiers:\n\u201cWhile I am encouraged by the Pentagon\u2019s recent decision to halt the recovery of these bonuses, I am appalled this attempt to take these bonuses from the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country ever occurred in the first place.\nPennsylvania\u2019s National Guard is the third largest National Guard unit in the country. Their commitment to keeping our country safe and freedoms secure is unyielding. Efforts to recover benefits promised to members of the National Guard do not reflect the gratitude I, and all Pennsylvanians, have for the work and the sacrifices made by the National Guard in Pennsylvania and across our country.\nI have joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in requesting clarification from the Department of Defense about what Congressional action might be necessary to allow the Department to provide a permanent solution. It is my privilege to stand up for our current and former servicemembers, and I stand ready to take whatever Congressional action is necessary to ensure this never happens again.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/tribune-democrat-overtime-pay-rules-may-have-unintended-consequences", "Tribune-Democrat: Overtime pay rules may have unintended consequences", "2016-10-26", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "An imminent change in federal overtime regulations could have \u201cunintended consequences\u201d for employees and business, U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, said Tuesday.\n\t\t\t\t\tRothfus attended a roundtable discussion about the upcoming update to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act on Tuesday afternoon at the Somerset Trust building in Johnstown.\n\t\t\t\t\tAt the discussion, Patti Hudson and Joel Valentine, shareholders at Johnstown-based accounting firm Wessel & Co., presented an overview of the upcoming rule changes to representatives of several local businesses and nonprofits.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Fair Labor Standards Act mandates that workers who earn an hourly wage must be paid overtime \u2013 1.5 times their usual wage \u2013 for any hours over 40 they work in a workweek.\n\t\t\t\t\tHowever, workers who earn a salary instead of an hourly wage and who perform some managerial or administrative duties are exempt from that requirement, assuming they earn at least $455 per week, i.e., $23,660 per year.\n\t\t\t\t\tAssuming the new rules go into effect, that pay threshold will increase on Dec. 1 to $913 per week \u2013 $47,476 per year. Also, any worker whose job does not involve executive, administrative or professional duties will be subject to the new rules.\n\t\t\t\t\tIn effect, workers who currently earn a salary between $23,660 and $47,476 per year or whose job does not include executive, administrative or professional duties will soon earn an hourly wage and become eligible for overtime pay.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Department of Labor estimates that the change will affect 4.2 million American workers.\n\t\t\t\t\tThere are only a few exceptions to the new rules. Teachers, physicians and attorneys are exempt, and businesses with annual revenues of less than $500,000 are not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and thus won\u2019t be affected, Hudson said \u2013 although individuals may still be subject to the act if their job duties involve travel across state lines, in which case their employers must comply with the rule change.\n\t\t\t\t\tAdvocates for the change say that the new rules will ensure workers receive pay for all the hours they work.\n\t\t\t\t\tBut local opponents say the change will pile onerous regulations on businesses, hurting employees in the process.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cIt\u2019s really stifling our local businesses from growing and expanding, creating new jobs,\u201d Debi Balog, director of workforce development at JARI, said Tuesday.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cIt\u2019s really hitting us hard.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cIt\u2019s going to force employers to employ people less than 40 hours,\u201d Frank Janakovic, mayor of Johnstown and CEO of the Alternative Community Resource Program, said.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe change could thus force employees who currently work full time to find a second job, Janakovic added.\n\t\t\t\t\tRothfus said the rule change was an example of an unsuitable \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach from Washington bureaucrats.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe increased threshold might help workers in large cities with high costs of living, but it doesn\u2019t capture the law\u2019s intent in places like Johnstown, he said.\n\t\t\t\t\tACRP\u2019s Kristy Baker pointed out that currently salaried employees whose duties include responding to calls or emails after business hours would not be able to continue such duties if they earned an hourly wage.\n\t\t\t\t\tAlthough there\u2019s little time left before the rules go into effect on Dec. 1, Rothfus said he and several congressional colleagues are working to delay the rule change for six months to allow for further study of its impacts.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe House of Representatives has passed legislation to that effect by a 246-177 vote, but the Senate has not passed a corresponding bill.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cIt\u2019s going to take a concerted effort to get that delay\u201d given that President Barack Obama has promised to veto any legislation that would delay the rule change, Rothfus staffer David Goldfarb said Tuesday.\n\t\t\t\t\tRothfus encouraged opponents of the changes to contact their senators and encourage them to vote in favor of the six-month postponement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/tribune-democrat-rothfus-hosts-session-drugs-poverty-other-local-issues", "Tribune-Democrat: Rothfus hosts session on drugs, poverty, other local issues", "2016-10-26", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lack of educational opportunities, limited access to public transportation, drug addiction issues and day-to-day financial struggles all can negatively affect a person\u2019s ability to achieve upward mobility.\n\t\t\t\t\tMany local organizations are trying to help address those issues.\n\t\t\t\t\tOn Tuesday, representatives from some of them, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People\u2019s Johnstown branch and PA CareerLink, came together for a round table discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, at Greater Johnstown High School.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe congressman received input from community leaders about ways groups are working together to improve the lives of citizens.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cYou look what our country was founded on \u2013 the principles on which our country was founded on \u2013 you\u2019re supposed to be able to pursue your dreams here,\u201d Rothfus said.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cAnd yet we find many people unable to pursue their dreams for whatever circumstance. And you see people become marginalized and sidelined, and you see what a tremendous loss that is to our society.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\tRothfus talked about the role society plays in the development of individuals.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe culture is the background of respect and dignity and worth,\u201d he said.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThere is a transcendent \u2013 or there should be a transcendent \u2013 element to culture because we all have to give an accounting for our time.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\tHe discussed upward mobility in context of House Republicans\u2019 Better Way agenda that has steps designed to address poverty, national security, bailouts, executive branch power, tax codes and the Affordable Care Act.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe upward mobility plank deals with evaluating programs and seeing how they can be \u201crefashioned or retooled to really address the issue of poverty in our country,\u201d according to the 12th district\u2019s representative.\n\t\t\t\t\tParticipants provided information about a variety of subjects from Greater Johnstown School District\u2019s dual enrollment program to Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley\u2019s new Helms Academy for adult students, along with the spirit of cooperation between different organizations in the region.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe future looks bright,\u201d said Michael Vuckovich, the school district\u2019s director of education.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cI really believe that. Everyone is pulling together.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\tEven with those positives, the specter of the area\u2019s opioid epidemic haunted part of the conversation.\n\t\t\t\t\tCambria County ranked third in two recent reports on overdose deaths per capita among Pennsylvania counties. Local law enforcement agencies find themselves battling violent crime \u2013 from robbery to murder \u2013 associated with drugs. About half of local job applicants cannot pass a drug or criminal background check, according to Johnstown Area Regional Industries.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cYou can build beautiful schools,\u201d said Ronna Yablonski, executive director of the new Cambria County Drug Coalition. \u201cYou can build beautiful buildings. You can have the greatest hospital facilities. You can have the latest technology. You can have all these training opportunities.\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cBut if they can\u2019t pass a drug screening, it doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-responds-obamacare-premium-news-calls-president-apologize", "Rep. Kelly Responds to Obamacare Premium News, Calls on President to Apologize", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cThis is not a partisan issue \u2014 this is an emergency\u201d \nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) \u2013 a member of the House Ways and Means Committee \u2013 issued the following statement today in response to news that health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. \u201cObamacare\u201d) will increase by 25 percent next year (compared to 7.2 percent this year and 2 percent in 2015) and that more than 20 percent of consumers will be left with only one choice of insurance provider.\n\u201cNo further proof is needed that Obamacare is an unworkable and unaffordable disaster that should never have been inflicted upon the American people. This is not another partisan issue; this is an emergency. Even Democrats like former President Clinton have admitted that the program is a \u2018crazy system\u2019 that \u2018doesn\u2019t work\u2019 and \u2018doesn\u2019t make sense.\u2019 More than ever, both candidates to replace President Obama have a duty to disavow Obamacare and fully commit to saving Americans from imminent, unfair consequences they don\u2019t deserve. This isn\u2019t a political issue; it\u2019s a moral issue.\n\u201cLike most federal lawmakers, my heart constantly aches for the thousands of my constituents who come to me with worse and worse news about lost coverage and unthinkably higher bills through absolutely no fault of their own. The fault for this national catastrophe lies squarely with President Obama and all those who, like him, outrageously ignore the pain this law is causing and insist on preserving it, no matter the cost to innocent Americans. There is simply no honest way to defend the indefensible.\n\u201cThe history of Obamacare has been stained from the start. It was passed against popular will, thanks only to arrogant deception and outright lies, and then put into effect only after its author was safely re-elected. President Obama said whatever he needed to say, no matter how untrue, in order to give himself a false achievement. Much like the unpopular Iran deal, it was more about securing a wing in his presidential library than securing a better future for Americans. No doubt, Obamacare will forever be part of his legacy, but not the way he intended. At this point, the president should take responsibility for the damage he\u2019s caused and apologize to the nation.\n\u201cUnder the leadership of Speaker Ryan, the House has already crafted a better way forward for American health care. Our plan finally repeals Obamacare and replaces it with a patient-centered alternative that lowers costs and gives families and workers more choices. It helps the most vulnerable among us without relying on a one-size-fits-all system where government grows, the economy shrinks, and medical innovation suffers. The healing can begin on Day One of the next administration and, as yesterday\u2019s news confirms, it can\u2019t come soon enough.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-receives-champion-small-business-investing-award", "Rothfus Receives Champion of Small Business Investing Award", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cAs a member of the Financial Services Committee, I am working to ensure small businesses can access the capital they need to create jobs, innovate, and grow the economy in Western Pennsylvania,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cI am honored to have been given this award and will continue to fight for policies that reduce regulatory burdens on both small business investors and the small businesses they help to grow.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cCongressman Rothfus is a true friend of small business investors in Pennsylvania and very passionate about making sure Congress is prioritizing small business capital formation issues as a key member of the House Financial Services Committee,\u201d said Brett Palmer, President of SBIA.\u00a0 \u201cSBIA is grateful for Congressman Rothfus\u2019 support of our Capital Formation Agenda, including his co-sponsorship of key legislation intended to reduce regulations on small business investors.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cCongressman Rothfus is a strong advocate for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) as a key Member of the House Financial Services Committee,\u201d said Steve Gurgovits, Managing Partner of Tecum Capital in Pittsburgh. \u201cWe are grateful for his tiresome efforts to reduce duplicative burdens on SBICs.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPresenting the Champion of Small Business Investing Award to Congressman Rothfus was Stephen Gurgovits, Tyson Smith, and Joel Pokorney of Tecum Capital, an SBIC based in Pittsburgh, PA.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSBICs have invested over $950 billion in Pennsylvania small business over the past five years. There are 15 SBICs based in the State of Pennsylvania, including Tecum Capital in the Pittsburgh area.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1841", "Toomey Recognized for Protecting Pennsylvania Taxpayers", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Patrick Toomey", "T000461", "toomey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has been recognized by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) for working to lower taxes, limit the size of government, and promote economic freedom. Sen. Toomey is one of a few members of Congress whose voting record is worthy of the \"Taxpayers' Friend Award\" for 2015.\nEvery roll call vote affecting fiscal policy is analyzed by NTU and the \"Taxpayer Score\" is based on how each Member of Congress has stood up for controlling federal spending, taxes, debt and regulations. In 2015,141 Senate and 267 House votes were included in NTU's scorecard. Only 14 Senate and 43 House Members won the award.\n\"I made a promise to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania that I would fight for them by tackling Washington overspending while championing lower taxes and less government red tape. To help boost our economy and job growth, I will continue my efforts to lessen the tax burden families and employers shoulder,\" said Sen. Toomey. \"I thank the NTU for recognizing and supporting my efforts on behalf of Pennsylvania taxpayers.\"\nPete Sepp, President of NTU commented, \"Winning the Taxpayers' Friend Award is no easy feat. It takes a daily commitment to cast principled votes that put the Americans who pay government's bills first. Sen. Toomey has proven he has what it takes to help make Washington work for taxpayers again.\n\"Sen. Toomey's pro- taxpayer score of 84 percent was one of the best on all of Capitol Hill. Through his consistent voting record, Sen. Toomey showed his colleagues the way to lower deficits, less burdensome taxes, and a stronger economy. If every Member of Congress had voted as conscientiously as Sen. Toomey did last year, taxpayers could have looked forward to a much more prosperous future,\" Sepp concluded.\nThe NTU annual rating has been referred to as the gold standard for fiscal scorecards, since it encompasses all votes that affect taxpayers. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have praised the consistent standard and integrity that the \"Taxpayers' Friend Award\" represents - and the rating continues to serve as a benchmark for fiscal accountability.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/utilizing-technology-improve-healthcare", "Utilizing technology to improve healthcare", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Ryan Costello", "C001106", "costello.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tablets, laptops, cell phones, and watches. Integrated technology is a central part of our lives. In addition to watching our local news, we now receive health alerts on our phones. We fill prescriptions with the click of a mouse. We even keep tabs on critical wellness statistics, such as the number of steps we walk. In the age of Fitbit and Health Apps, we find ourselves not just with an abundance of data and ways to access information instantly, but also an opportunity to upgrade our healthcare system.\nAs a Member of Congress, I believe we should seize this opportunity and advance policies that integrate everyday technology to improve health outcomes. The more we are able to effectively utilize this data, the better our healthcare system will deliver efficient and accessible care. Congress can help by enabling collaboration between the technology and healthcare sectors. Such collaboration will ensure more precise care for patients, immediate access for patients outside of a healthcare setting, and greater protections for your personal medical information.\nHarnessing technological breakthroughs to deliver better, more personalized care for patients and access to quality treatments should be common practice \u2013 and Congress can do its part to rollback burdensome regulations and allow for these opportunities to come to fruition. Healthcare and technology leaders are utilizing cutting-edge technologies, and Congress can encourage the use of existing methods that have proven to be successful for patients in the private sector. We must update policies of the past to allow for these important partnerships to develop in the first place. That is why I cosponsored and voted in favor of legislation called the 21st Century Cures Act. In addition to its primary goal of expediting the discovery, development, and delivery of new treatments for diseases with no known cure, this groundbreaking initiative encourages greater stakeholder collaboration and removes the regulatory walls that have thwarted constructive interaction and data sharing among patients, researchers, providers, and innovators.\nInnovation in healthcare is also improving the administrative side of care, which directly affects patients. Some hospitals are using programs that alert nurses when a room is available for a new patient, or when a patient needs to be seen by a doctor. In this way, technology is streamlining care within hospitals, but there are also ways technology is positively influencing patients who are not at the hospital. I recently visited WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, Pennsylvania to learn firsthand how telehealth tools allow doctors to make important decisions and treat stroke patients faster. With these tools, patients have an increased chance of recovering quickly and, as a result, can leave the hospital earlier with a cheaper bill.\nThe ability to access patients immediately is another way technology can improve the delivery of healthcare. In Congress, I support two bills that would use \u201ctelehealth\u201d technology to enable remote medical access in the Medicare program. The Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine (FAST) Act would, as the name suggests, increase patient access to stroke telehealth technology services. The Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act would more broadly allow for the use of telehealth and remote patient services. Both the FAST Act and CONNECT for Health Act aim to increase a patient\u2019s access to treatment when time is of the essence and will be especially helpful to seniors and Medicare beneficiaries.\nFinally, technology has provided for advances in creating ways to ensure your personal information is secure. With nearly 55 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, the Medicare Common Access Card Act would help protect seniors\u2019 from identity theft by using modern \u201csmart card\u201d fraud-resistant technology on Medicare ID cards. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers nearly $60 billion each year, and it is estimated that the use of smart cards could have helped prevent fraud schemes in more than 1 in 5 cases. A simple, technological update can transform Medicare\u2019s payment system to enhance the delivery of these essential services.\nTechnology has proven to be an effective partner with healthcare, yet continues to advance at a rapid pace. Congress should take advantage of this partnership and promote policies that allow innovation in this intersection to provide better, more efficient, and quality healthcare to all Americans.\nU.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6, of West Goshen", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/media-advisory-thompson-recognize-medal-honor-recipient-army-specialist-ross-mcginnis", "MEDIA ADVISORY:  Thompson to Recognize Medal of Honor Recipient Army Specialist Ross McGinnis", "2016-10-21", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bellefonte, PA \u2013 On Monday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., the Post Office in Knox, Clarion County, will be formally designated as the Specialist Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Post Office, U.S. Rep. Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (PA-5) said today.\u00a0 Thompson will be joined at the event by members of the McGinnis family, along with representatives from American Legion Post 720 and the Servicemen\u2019s Club of Knox.\nMcGinnis, who was a native of Knox, lost his life in the line of duty on Dec. 4, 2004, while his U.S. Army platoon was on mounted patrol in Adhamiyah, Iraq.\u00a0 During the course of the patrol, an insurgent on a nearby rooftop threw a grenade into a Humvee carrying McGinnis and other troops.\u00a0 Without hesitation or regard for his own life, McGinnis threw his body on top of the grenade, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.\u00a0 He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush in 2008.\nIn response to the bravery shown by Spec. McGinnis, Thompson and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) sponsored House and Senate bills to designate the Post Office in Knox in memorial of McGinnis. The bill was signed into law by President Obama in June of 2016.\nWHO:\nU.S. Rep. Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson;\nMembers of Spec. Ross A. McGinnis\u2019 family;\nMembers of American Legion Post 720 and the Servicemen\u2019s Club of Knox;\nand the Pennsylvania Patriot Guard Riders.\n\u00a0\nWHEN:\nMonday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m.\n\u00a0\nWHERE:\nKnox Post Office, 523 East Railroad Street, Knox.\nCONTACT:\nMedia planning to attend, please contact Nick Ruffner at nick.ruffner@mail.house.gov or (202) 680-0006.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-statement-death-army-civilian-michael-g-sauro", "Rothfus Statement on the death of Army Civilian Michael G. Sauro", "2016-10-21", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Keith Rothfus", "R000598", "rothfus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ross Township, PA\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement following the death of Army Civilian Michael G. Sauro. According to initial reports, Mr. Sauro died on October 19, 2016 in Kabul Province, Afghanistan due to injuries sustained from small arms fire.\nMr. Sauro worked with the Defense Ammunition Center and was scheduled to return home in March 2017. He previously deployed in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and from October 2012 to January 2013 during Operation Enduring Freedom. His parents currently reside in Vandergrift, PA.\n\u201cWith heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Mr. Michael G. Sauro who gave his all in the service of our country,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Rothfus. \u201cMr. Sauro\u2019s family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 640, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "PA", "p2": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 640, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=PA&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 640, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "PA", "label": "PA", "count": 640, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 640, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-10-21,https~3A~2F~2Frothfus~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frothfus-statement-death-army-civilian-michael-g-sauro", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=PA&year=2016&_next=2016-10-21%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Frothfus~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frothfus-statement-death-army-civilian-michael-g-sauro&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 267.65287294983864, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}