{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1379", "Tsongas statement on FDA lifting the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men", "2014-12-23", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Niki Tsongas", "T000465", "tsongas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOWELL - Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) released the following statement regarding the announcement today from the FDA that they will lift the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men.\r\n\r\n\t\"This past month, I joined dozens of my colleagues in a letter sent to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services urging them to lift the longtime ban on blood donations by gay men. I have always felt that this archaic policy is not only out-of-touch with the years of medical and technological advancements that have made the policy obsolete, but it is contrary to the fight for LGBT equality. Today there was welcome news out of the FDA, as they announced they will lift the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men. This change is long overdue.\r\n\r\n\t\"But while I am encouraged about the lifting of the lifetime ban, the FDA kept in place a block on donations by men who have had sex with other men in the last 12 months. With that ban still in place, there remains a sizeable pool of donors that will continue to be prevented from donating blood. This is a sign of progress and a step in the right direction but is not a comprehensive solution.\r\n\r\n\t\"More than 30 years ago, my husband Paul began fighting to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I agreed with him then and I feel just as strongly about championing similar measures today.\u00a0 I am proud to continue the fight to further our shared goal of equality and civil rights.\"\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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"], "primary_key_values": ["https://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1379"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8439240045845509, "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"}