Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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880 rows where chamber = "House", state = "PA" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-sanctions-on-russia-after-cyberattacks | Casey Statement on Sanctions on Russia After Cyberattacks | 2016-12-29 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the Obama Administration’s announcement of sanctions on Russia as a result of election hacking. "The measures announced by the Obama Administration today are one part of holding Russia fully accountable for its cyber-attacks on the U.S. during the 2016 election and for a pattern of unlawful provocations. These additional sanctions and other steps send a clear message that attacks on our democracy are unacceptable and will have severe consequences. It’s now time for Congress to demonstrate that the concern over these attacks is truly bipartisan and convene a special, select committee to investigate Russia’s attempts to interfere with our elections and recommend steps that can be taken to ensure this never happens again. It’s critical that President-elect Trump commit to fully enforcing these sanctions. Anything less will demonstrate weakness in the face of aggression and invite other hostile countries to conduct cyber-attacks against Americans.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today announced the list of nominees from Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District to attend the United States service academies. Students 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. Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character, and motivation were taken into consideration and compared with other applicants. The 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. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination. “This 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,” Barletta said. “We should all be proud of what these young people have already achieved, and await eagerly to see their future successes. I wish them well as they continue through the rigorous process of seeking admission to our prestigious and elite service academies.” Students may be nominated by their member of Congress, both U.S. Senators, or by applying to the Vice President of the United States. Securing a Congressional nomination is a vital step in the process, but does not guarantee admission. Each service academy will make final determination of which students ultimately are admitted. Rep. Barletta’s list of nominees includes (listing is alphabetical and does not indicate standing or preference): U.S. Naval Academy • Lauren Anderson, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, PA • Sarah Elizabeth Ebert, Carlisle High School, Carlisle, PA • Elizabeth Kate Gergal, Central Dauphin High School, Harrisbu… | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) issued the following statement today on Secretary John Kerry's speech regarding Israel: "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." ### | 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 | legacy | Rep. Perry Statement on Anti-Israel UN Resolution f t # e Washington, December 28, 2016 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: The 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. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/in-2016-casey-produces-results-on-national-security-and-measures-to-help-pas-middle-class-seniors-and-kids | In 2016, Casey Produces Results on National Security and Measures to Help PA’s Middle Class, Seniors and Kids | 2016-12-28 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – With 2016 coming to a close, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has once again produced results that have enhanced U.S. national security and aided Pennsylvania’s middle class, its seniors and kids. “Even amidst partisan gridlock, Senator Casey has once again delivered measureable progress for our nation and Pennsylvania families,” Jacklin Rhoads, Senator Casey’s press secretary said. “From passing into law measures to cut off terrorists’ finances to his work to combat the opioid crisis and make sure young children have a fair shot at breakthrough medical treatments, Senator Casey has continued work as a champion for all Pennsylvanians.” Snapshot Delivering resources to combat the opioid crisis – Throughout this Congress, Senator Casey has called for funding that would help communities treat those who are struggling with an opioid addiction. As part of a year-end bill, $1 billion in funding will be made available to Pennsylvania and all states. The funding is now law with the signing of the 21st Century Cures Act. Cracking down on terrorists’ finances in order to defeat ISIS – When it was revealed that the terrorist group ISIS was looting historical artifacts and other antiquities and selling them on the black market to finance their violence, Senator Casey brought Republicans and Democrats together to put a stop to it. Senator Casey passed into law the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act to blunt the black market sale of these lucrative antiquities. This bill was enacted into law as H.R. 1493, which became Public Law 114-151 on May 9, 2016. Providing care for children born with opioid dependency – Senator Casey passed into law the Plan of Safe Care Improvement Act. This legislation updates and strengthens requirements under federal child abuse prevention law (the Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act) designed to protect vulnerable infants affected by substance abuse. This bill was enacted into law as Sec. 503 of S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act, and … | 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 | legacy | ALLENTOWN, PA – Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) expressed concerns regarding a final rule issued by the Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations, entitled “Metropolitan Planning Organization Coordination and Planning Area Reform,” that would impact state and local transportation plans and future resource disbursements. “I 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’s 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,” Dent said. This rule would require Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) representing communities within a larger Metropolitan Area—which could include entities in other states and cities with competing interests to those of Pennsylvania’s drivers and residents—to develop a single set of transportation plans and standards. “I 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,” Dent added. “The 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’t-fit-all approach imposed by a federal age… | 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 | 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: "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. "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." Rep. 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." ### CONTACT: 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – 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.. It has been the previous practice of the United States to stand allied with Israel at the United Nations. Barletta issued the following statement: “This is a particularly shameful move by President Obama – especially with only a month left in his administration – 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. 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. 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.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cartwright-statement-on-un-security-council | Congressman Cartwright Statement on UN Security Council | 2016-12-23 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Matt Cartwright | C001090 | cartwright.house.gov | legacy | Scranton, PA – “I believe the UN should focus on promoting peace in the region, not promoting one-sided resolutions. Peace will come from bilateral negotiations between the two sides, and they must come to a place where both sides recognize and respect the other’s right to exist and live in peace. One-sidedness can drive an additional wedge between the two parties and will not hasten the time when true peace can be realized.” | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06) issued the following statement today on the upcoming U.N. Security Council vote: "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." ### | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Supporting America’s 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 “investment companies” 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 | 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. Obama's foreign policy has left the Middle East, indeed the world, in chaos and confusion. From Libya to Syria to Iraq, the Obama doctrine has left millions either dead or fighting for their very lives," said Congressman Rothfus. "Today's actions will only embolden terrorists and result in more deaths. As long as the Palestinians refuse to return to the negotiation table, there will be no peace. Lasting peace cannot be dictated by Barack Obama or the UN. Instead, any peaceful solution will only be attained by active and mutual participation by both the Palestinians and Israel," Rothfus continued. "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,” said Congressman Rothfus. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-administration-decision-to-abstain-from-resolution-targeting-israel-at-un-extremely-disappointing | Casey: Administration Decision to Abstain from Resolution Targeting Israel at UN “Extremely Disappointing” | 2016-12-23 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released a statement following the Administration’s decision to abstain from a UN resolution regarding Israel. "I am extremely disappointed in the Administration's decision to abstain from today's vote. This step reversed decades of a bipartisan commitment to using the voice and veto of the U.S. to prevent the UN from being used as a platform to advance positions that should be negotiated directly between the parties." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-un-resolution-regarding-israel | Casey Statement on UN Resolution Regarding Israel | 2016-12-23 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released a statement on the current debate at the United Nations regarding a resolution aimed at Israel. “I strongly urge Ambassador Power and the United States delegation to the United Nations to veto the resolution introduced by the Egyptian delegation before the UN Security Council this week if it comes to a vote, or any other one-sided resolution against Israel that may be offered in the coming days and weeks. Longstanding U.S. policy has been to stand with Israel against attempts to use the United Nations to internationalize the peace process, and that policy should be maintained. The best path to peace is direct talks between the parties, and resolutions like the one offered at the Security Council this week have the potential to move peace further from our reach. The international community, the Palestinians, and the Israelis all have a responsibility to avoid actions that make it harder to get to negotiations and potentially undermine the path to a sustainable two-state solution. I am concerned that some delegations to the United Nations continue to advance counterproductive resolutions such as the one introduced this week, while they turn a blind eye to international crises that should demand our immediate attention and action, including the conflict in Syria and Russian aggression in Ukraine.” ### | 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 | legacy | “Making a Difference Today, Preparing for Tomorrow” WASHINGTON — 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’s legislative achievements and constituent relations throughout 2016. Dear Constituent: As 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’s House. Much was decided about our country’s 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. Just 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’s 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’s 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. Throughout every bit of planning for the future, I made sure to stay focused on my most important duties: representing Western Pennsylvania’s 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 … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/about/highlight/visit-to-the-friends-of-the-poor | Visit to the Friends of the Poor | 2016-12-22 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Scranton, PA Prior to the holidays, Senator Bob Casey visited the Friends of the Poor for their Christmas Food Basket event where he assisted in distributing food for those who experience food insecurity. Friends of the Poor serve over 1,200 families each year at this event from the Lackawanna County and surrounding areas each year. Casey has been a longtime advocate in the fight against food insecurity and hunger in Pennsylvania and across the nation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-invest-full-broadband-funds-in-pennsylvania | Casey: Invest Full Broadband Funds in Pennsylvania | 2016-12-22 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), Tom Wheeler, calling on the agency to adopt the recommendation of the PA Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) to keep Connect America Phase II funds, initially allotted to Pennsylvania but declined by a carrier in the state, within state lines to expand rural broadband for Pennsylvanians who need it most. The FCC is currently weighing whether to put the $23 million in declined funds up for competitive auction, which could lead to some of or all of the money going elsewhere. Casey wrote, “Access to broadband and advanced telecommunication technology are essential to full participation in economic and social life for every American. Pennsylvania has demonstrated a long-term commitment to achieving the goal of universal service so a family farmer in Susquehanna County has the same opportunity to compete and succeed as a graphic designer in Philadelphia…..Pennsylvania’s rural residents need this funding. According to the FCC’s 2016 Broadband Progress Report, 20 percent of Pennsylvanians living in rural areas do not have access to high-speed internet, with that number rising as high as 69 percent in some counties. We need to do everything possible to expand access to this critical resource, and I support the PA PUC’s recommendation that states like Pennsylvania receive their full allocation of CAF II support, including declined funds, for use within the state. I urge the FCC to adopt a response to the New York petition and the PA PUC comments that achieves this critical goal.” The full text of Casey’s letter can be seen below. Dear Chairman Wheeler: As the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) considers how to allocate declined Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) money, I write in support of the recommendation included in the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PA PUC) comments to the FCC, submitted on October 24, 2016, in response to a petition for expedited waiver of the FCC’s CAF… | 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 | legacy | Rep. Kelly Releases Annual Christmas Message to Third District Constituents Dec 20, 2016 WASHINGTON — 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. The full video message can be viewed via YouTube here. ### | 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 | legacy | A recent letter writer (Why is Rep. Perry associating with hate groups?) falsely claimed that I associate with an “anti-Muslim hate group” 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. The writer cites the Southern Poverty Law Center as an arbiter for determining “hate groups.” The clearly radical leftist SPLC has a history of recklessly labeling conservative organizations as "hate groups." Where once SPLC’s 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 — of course; but both sides have heartfelt beliefs that should be allowed the opportunity for debate. Unfortunately, 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 “haters,” questioning the legitimacy of their opinions and/or trying to force them into silence. 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. As an active member of the House Homeland Security Committee, it’s only reasonable that I would meet wit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/about/highlight/visit-to-the-network-of-hope-food-pantry | Visit to the Network of Hope Food Pantry | 2016-12-20 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Pittspurgh, PA Prior to the holidays, Senator Casey visited the Network of Hope Food Pantry at Allison Park Church, a partner of the Pittsburgh Food Bank to assist in distributing food for those who experience food insecurity. Allison Park Church is both a Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and United Way partner and provides meals for 2,500 Pittsburgh area families throughout the year. Casey has been a longtime advocate in the fight against food insecurity and hunger in Pennsylvania and across the nation. | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s release of its final Stream Protection Rule. “The Obama Administration’s War on Coal has hit our region hard and this latest power grab will do what the other ones have done –grow government and kill jobs,” said Congressman Shuster. “This rule is misguided and wrong for this nation. I 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.” This rule from the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement would further increase the federal government’s footprint in our domestic energy industry and would effectively eliminate thousands of good paying jobs. ### | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) today released its final Stream Protection Rule (SPR). Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement on the rule: “This rule means – quite simply – that the Obama Administration is accelerating its war on working families in its final days. The President’s agenda has already killed thousands of good-paying jobs for American workers, and this rule threatens to enhance the pain that so many of our neighbors feel," said Congressman Rothfus. " President Obama’s 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 our community can continue to live fulfilling lives unimpeded by unfair Obama Administration overreach." Congressman Rothfus previously backed the 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 the agency to study the effectiveness of existing rules before imposing this policy. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-for-the-record-on-the-jcpoa-with-iran | Casey Statement for the Record on the JCPOA with Iran | 2016-12-19 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement for the record on on the JCPOA with Iran: Mr. President, this week we are marking the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This week, one year ago, my colleagues and I began the enormous task of reading, analyzing, and making a decision about whether or not we would support the deal. For me, that task took six weeks of careful study, several classified briefings, countless meetings with experts and conversations with constituents. As I wrote, on September 1 last year, “This agreement will substantially constrain the Iranian nuclear program for its duration, and compared with all realistic alternatives, it is the best option available to us at this time.” We were under no delusions that the JCPOA would be a panacea for all of our problems with Iran. Rather, it was envisioned and designed to meaningfully address one major issue: Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. In my decision, I wrote, “We need not, and indeed should not, trust the Iranian regime.” On the one year anniversary of the deal, that statement remains true. One of the strengths of the JCPOA is a robust, arguably unprecedented, monitoring and verification mechanism. We need to fully fund the International Atomic Energy Agency in support of its efforts to monitor Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA; that’s why I supported an increase to the U.S. voluntary contribution to the IAEA in this year’s budget. We also need to see greater transparency from the IAEA. On July 6, Ambassador Dennis Ross wrote, “Recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency indicate that Iran is in compliance with the JCPOA, but the level of information they provide is dramatically less than that found in previous IAEA reports on Iran's nuclear program.” Specifically, Ambassador Ross identified several key elements of the deal that were not included in the IAEA’s most recent report: the amount of low enriched uranium currently stoc… | 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 | legacy | Rep. Barletta presents medals to veterans in a ceremony at his Hazleton office. From left to right: Jan Branger, Curtis A. Ashner, (son of Curtis Ashner), R. June Kissinger, (sister of Edwin Kishbaugh and Gold Star recipient), James Rosengrant, Charles Zunski, (brother of Edward Zunski). HAZLETON – Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today presented long overdue medals to five veterans of the United States military – and one Gold Star recipient – during a ceremony at his Hazleton district office. 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. In addition, R. June Kissinger, sister of Mr. Kishbaugh, received the Gold Star Lapel Button, signifying the loss of her brother’s life during armed conflict. In all cases, the medals were awarded for the first time, despite their having been earned during service. In Mr. Kishbaugh’s 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. “We ask the brave men and women of our armed forces to travel to foreign lands to fight for our freedoms,” Barletta said. “It 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.” Receiving medals were: Curtis 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. The medals were presented to his son, Curtis A. Ashner. Jan 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. Edwin R. Kishbaugh (deceased), U.S. Army, World Wa… | 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 | 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: "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. "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. "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. "President Obama added insult to injury by lauding Mr. Adegbile, saying, ‘He represents the best of the legal profession' and evinced an ‘unwavering dedication to protecting every American's civil and constitutional rights under the law.' What about the rights of Danny Faulkner and his widow Maureen? "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." ### | 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 | legacy | Kelly amendment has banned federal funding for treaty’s implementation since 2013 WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today in response to President Obama’s 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’s annual amendment to prevent the Obama administration from circumventing Congress to implement it. “President 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, ‘the treaty is fundamentally misconceived, and reflects a misbegotten mix of liberal illusions about the power and effectiveness of treaties and anti-firearms activism.’ 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’s 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.” BACKGROUND 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 urgin… | 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 | legacy | Rep. Kelly Statement on Ways & Means Committee Meeting to Plan Future of Tax Reform & Obamacare Dec 15, 2016 GOP committee members devise legislative agenda for 2017 WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee – issued the following statement today regarding the conclusion of a two-day policy planning retreat hosted this week by the committee’s Republican members at the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. “This 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’s capital to plan the first overhaul of our nation’s 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’s 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.” ### | 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 | 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: "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." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-calls-for-special-intelligence-report-on-russian-intervention-in-2016-election-seeks-doj-probe | Casey Calls for Special Intelligence Report on Russian Intervention in 2016 Election; Seeks DOJ Probe | 2016-12-13 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) together with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Al Franken (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Ed Markey (D-MA) today called for a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) to determine the extent of Russian intervention in the 2016 United States presidential election, accompanied by an unclassified summary of its key judgments by January 20th, 2017. An NIE is the formal, authoritative assessment of the Director of National Intelligence related to a particular national security issue, which reflects the collective judgment of the nation’s sixteen intelligence agencies. The senators also called on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to publicly confirm that nonpartisan career Justice Department officials are conducting a criminal investigation into the matter, and if not, to open one immediately. On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the election to assist Donald Trump. “Direct and deliberate interference in our election is an unprecedented breach and threat to U.S. democracy and national security—it is absolutely critical that information about these matters be disclosed to the public and to Congress,” the Senators said. “We strongly support calls for bipartisan investigations by Congress—this issue requires the full attention of the executive and legislative branches alike, and a conclusive, public national intelligence estimate will lay out the facts for the American people. The public also needs transparency and reassurance that federal law enforcement is actively investigating these matters and that, if the investigation finds evidence that Russian officials perpetrated or directed such acts, appropriate criminal charges will be announced. Full text of the senators’ letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper: Dear Director Clapper: We request an immediate National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) regarding Russia… | 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 | legacy | Rep. Perry Statement on Alleged Russian Interference in the Presidential Election f t # e Washington, December 12, 2016 YORK, PA – U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) issued the following statement regarding Russia’s alleged attempts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. “We must investigate fully and, if necessary, push back forcefully against any cyberattacks on our democratic process. Russia’s 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’ve fought to modernize our laws to reflect the rapidly growing economic and national security concerns associated with cyberattacks. I’ll continue these efforts and work closely with the current and incoming administrations, along with Congressional leaders, to strengthen our Nation’s cyber security and protect against future attacks.” ### f t # 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 | 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. Despite 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. "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." On 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. The 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. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-tillerson-nomination-to-lead-state-department-would-raise-serious-questions | Casey: Tillerson Nomination to Lead State Department Would Raise Serious Questions | 2016-12-11 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released a statement following reports that President-elect Donald Trump will nominate the Chief Executive of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, as Secretary of State. “The reports that President-elect Trump will nominate Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, coupled with the recent revelation by the Washington Post that the CIA believes that the Russian government interfered in our election to aid Mr. Trump raise serious questions about whether the incoming Administration will adequately stand up to Russia’s aggression. Mr. Tillerson, the Chief Executive of ExxonMobil, has been described as having “close ties” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Tillerson signed an energy agreement worth $500 billion with Russia in 2011 and was awarded one of Russia’s highest honors in 2012, the Order of Friendship decoration. After Russia illegally invaded a sovereign country, Ukraine, in 2014 and annexed Crimea, Mr. Tillerson argued against the international sanctions that held Russia accountable. Additionally, according to reports, Mr. Tillerson has extensive investments throughout the world and will need to explain how, as Secretary of State, he would divest himself from these investments in order to remove conflicts of interest. President-elect Trump’s fascination with Mr. Putin, Mr. Tillerson’s unusual relationship with Mr. Putin and the revelations about Russia’s attempt to influence the election in favor of President-elect Trump raise unprecedented and profound questions that must be addressed immediately. The Russian Federation, under President Putin’s leadership, has violated the sovereignty of Ukraine and Georgia in addition to committing war crimes in Syria. President-elect Trump must stand up to Vladimir Putin and nominating Mr. Tillerson as Secretary of State raises serious doubts about whether President-e… | 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 | 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. "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. "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. "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." ### | 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 | legacy | For families across Southeastern Pennsylvania, the fight to find a cure for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, or rare diseases like Batten disease, is urgent and real. Whether fighting through debilitating treatments or simply trying to make ends meet, it’s a fight against time and one that impacts us all. This 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. The 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 – 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. In 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 – 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 – just to name a few. For 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 alrea… | 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 | 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. "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. "Also, I am pleased that this bill establishes a streamlined process to permit General Mattis to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense. "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." ### | 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 | legacy | ALLENTOWN, PA – Today, the National Park Service announced the historic Moravian Community of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania will be added to its U.S. World Heritage Tentative List. “The addition of Moravian Bethlehem, already designated a National Historic Landmark District, to a list of culturally significant international landmarks is phenomenal,” Dent said. “The 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.” Operated 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. “This designation is an incredible commendation not just for the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, but the United States at large,” Dent continued. “The City of Bethlehem, which is set to recognize its 275th anniversary this month, could not have asked for a better anniversary and Christmas gift.” Public comments regarding these planned additions to the Tentative… | 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 | legacy | Washington D.C. – Rep. Tom Marino released the following statement after voting against S. 612 the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act: “The 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. “While 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.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/media/view/casey-calls-on-congress-to-stand-up-for-miners | Casey Calls on Congress to Stand Up for Miners | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Casey Calls on Congress to Stand Up for Miners U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) held a press conference calling on Congress to do what is right and pass a reasonable solution for retired miners’ healthcare and pensions. The Senators were joined by retired UMWA miners who will be affected if Congress leaves without a long-term fix. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-hatch-cassidy-introduce-legislation-to-ease-college-transition-for-students-with-disabilities | Casey, Hatch, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Ease College Transition for Students with Disabilities | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the RISE Act in a push to ease the burden of transitioning to college life for students with disabilities. The act, which amends the Higher Education Act (HEA), would clarify that documentation used in K-12 education and other settings to receive special education or accommodations would be acceptable as proof of a disability for students in higher education. “The RISE Act clears the path for students with disabilities to get the support they need to thrive and succeed in college,” Casey said. “No student with a documented disability should have to incur additional costs to prove it when they get to college and I commend the disability community and higher education for working together with me on solving this critical issue.” “I’ve always sought to champion the rights of those with disabilities. An important part of these efforts was the Americans with Disabilities Act, a bill I authored that fundamentally changed the way we treat disability accommodations,” Hatch said. The RISE Act carries on this legacy by removing obstacles for students with disabilities and ensuring they have every chance to succeed in pursuing educational opportunities.” “Obtaining resources that should already be available to you should not be a struggle," said Dr. Cassidy. "Making sure students with disabilities have easy access to the services that will help them succeed should be a priority." The RISE Act addresses several existing issues within the Higher Education Act that serve as unnecessary barriers for students with disabilities and their families. Currently, students who have already been diagnosed with a disability in their K-12 years or in other settings must go through new testing to re-qualify for disability services during their post-secondary educations. Instead of forcing these students to expend the time and energy to go through new diagnostic testing, the RISE Act would allow previous documentation to be … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-house-and-senate-republicans-have-betrayed-pa-coal-miners-and-their-families | Casey: House and Senate Republicans Have Betrayed PA Coal Miners and their Families | 2016-12-09 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement on the Senate’s vote on the Continuing Resolution, which did not include an adequate fix for the health care and pensions of Pennsylvania coal miners and their families: “By failing to pass into law an adequate solution for coal miners and their families who stand to lose their health care and pensions in the new year, Congressional Republican leadership has turned its back on coal miners and their families in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. For well over a year, I have worked in a bipartisan way to build substantial support for the Miners Protection Act, which ensures that the federal government keeps the promise of pensions and health care that it made to coal miners and their families in 1947. The legislation cleared the Senate Finance Committee 18-8 and is fully paid for, yet Congressional Republican leaders have put rigid ideology ahead of health care and pensions for 89,000 beneficiaries throughout the nation and 12,951 in Pennsylvania. The four month “fix” dropped into Congress’ year-end bill is an insult to every coal miner and every family member whose loved ones descended into the depths and darkness of our nation’s coal mines. It is so short a time that recipients would be notified almost simultaneously that they are both eligible for benefits and that their benefits will terminate. These are people who have risked their lives over and over again for our nation- from working in the mines to serving abroad in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Our government told them that if they did their job then we would do ours and ensure the promise of pensions and health care was kept for them and their families. Coal miners kept their promises to their families, their country and their employers. It is time for Washington to keep its promise to miners and their families. The people in Pennsylvania whose lives actually depend on this bill are in many cases living lives of struggle and sacrifice. Some of them wrote to me about what this bi… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – 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. Barletta supported the overall package and highlighted his long-standing support of addressing the disposal of coal ash. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal combustion and has consistently been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as non-hazardous material. “Our 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,” Barletta said. “By providing certainty in the regulation of coal ash, we are being both stewards of the environment and protectors of economic development. 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.” In 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. Manufacturers also use coal ash for products such as roofing materials, bricks, filler material, and fertilizer. There are an estimated 316,000 jobs nationally that are reliant on the use of coal ash. Clarifying the regulation of coal ash preserves those industries and includes the EPA in the process. “As a father and grandfather, I want to protect our natural surroundings as much as anyone,” Barletta said. “As the representative of Pennsylvania’s 11th District, I want to see jobs protected as well.” The WIIN Act is comprehensive legislation to address the needs of America’s harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and othe… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – 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. 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. “It was a great pleasure to meet with President-Elect Trump to discuss his transition to office and our mutual goal of moving America forward. 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. I am proud to serve on his Transition Team Executive Committee. “It was a tremendous honor for President-elect Trump to ask me to consider taking a place in his administration. 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. Because of my involvement in the president-elect’s 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. 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 District.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-to-improve-quality-of-health-care-for | Cartwright Introduces Legislation to Improve Quality of Health Care for Older Americans | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Matt Cartwright | C001090 | cartwright.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17) re-introduced legislation to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care for older Americans. The Improving Care for Vulnerable Older Citizens through Workforce Advancement Act of 2016 (H.R. 6485) would establish demonstration projects to test models of care that use direct-care workers (DCWs) in advanced roles. DCWs include nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides and usually work in the client’s home or in residential settings such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These workers are often responsible for treating the six in ten Americans 65 years old and over who suffer from multiple chronic conditions or are at risk of re-hospitalization. “I am proud to introduce a bill that addresses the growing need for improved training and efficient use of direct-care workers,” said Cartwright. “In Pennsylvania alone, older citizens comprise more than 15 percent of the population, and direct-care workers are among the fastest growing occupations in the state. This legislation would help improve the care offered by direct-care workers and lower care costs for both older Americans and the health care industry.” The Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), a leading authority on direct care workers, has endorsed the bill. According to Jodi M. Sturgeon, President of PHI, “This bill recognizes the untapped potential of the direct- care workforce to improve care and lower costs within new care coordination models. With adequate training, compensation, and support, a newly created ‘advanced aide’ position could support health promotion, better chronic care management, and care transitions, resulting in less institutionalization and fewer re-hospitalizations.” DCWs provide an estimated 70-80 percent of the long-term care and personal assistance received by older adults in the U.S. However, DCWs are not often recognized as essential contributors to care teams. Moreover, few programs exist to train DCWs for the advanc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/republicans-reject-doyle-%E2%80%9Cbuy-america%E2%80%9D-amendment-water-infrastructure-bill | Republicans Reject Doyle Buy America Amendment to Water Infrastructure Bill | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Mike Doyle | D000482 | doyle.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – December 7, 2016 – This afternoon, U.S. Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) and Walter B Jones (R-NC-3) called on the House Rules Committee to allow their “Buy America” amendment to be considered by the full House when it takes up S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIINA). Moments ago, House Rules Committee Republicans voted unanimously against allowing consideration of the Doyle-Jones amendment. “Our country depends on good manufacturing jobs to support their families, and this amendment would give those families peace of mind,” Congressman Doyle said in his testimony before the Rules Committee. “Our tax dollars should support American manufacturers and help preserve these communities across the nation that are struggling.” “This amendment is very simple,” Doyle added. “All this is going to do is to codify the Buy America provisions for the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, making them permanent. This isn’t something new. This merely just brings them into line with other federal infrastructure programs. Other clean water programs like the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program have permanent Buy America provisions. Other major taxpayer-financed programs like the Department of Transportation’s funding for transit, highways and rail have permanent Buy America provisions.” “I believe that taxpayer dollars should solely support American-made infrastructure. Unfortunately, current provisions in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund are weak and Buy America text is only written for FY 2017,” Congressman Jones said. “My colleagues and I introduced legislation to ensure Congress never puts a limit on supporting this country’s economy. I hope to see this amendment permanently included in WIINA.” The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which would authorize the construction of locks and dams, flood control projects, and other water-related infrastructure across the country,… | 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 | legacy | Water resources bill “a win for workers & a win for the Great Lakes” WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – co-chairman of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition and a member of the Great Lakes Taskforce – 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’s 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. “The 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’s 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’s desk.” Specific Benefits in the WIIN Act for Pennsylvania’s Third District: 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 operation… | 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 | legacy | Washington, DC—U.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. H.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’s desk to be signed into law. “Delaying major spending decisions until next April ensures that retiring or un-reelected Members of Congress no longer accountable to their constituents won’t be making long-term funding and policy decisions,” said Representative Perry. “Considering 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. “Today'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’d 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. “Let’s be clear: the bill isn’t perfect. Making the perfect the enemy of the good may be satisfying in the short run, but gets us nowhere in the long run,” said Representative Perry. Additional information on the Continuing Resolution: Legislative Text Summary ### | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today approved comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation that addresses the needs of America’s 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’s 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. “Without question, this infrastructure legislation is a win for America,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). “I 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. The improvements in the WIIN Act are critical regional priorities, like the long-overdue upgrades for the Upper Ohio River’s Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery locks and dams, but they also provide significant national economic benefits. An efficient transportation network is what makes our economy run, and ensuring America’s water infrastructure is brought into the 21st century will grow the economy, strengthen our competitiveness, and create jobs.” Click here for 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 | 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. During his speech, Sen. Toomey said: "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." "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." "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." You can watch Sen. Toomey's full remarks here. ### | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Patrick Meehan (R/PA-7) today wrote the Department of Veterans Affairs seeking information on the department’s 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. “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,” Meehan wrote. “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 – not less.” The 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. More recent ratings data for these facilities was not made public by the USA Today report. “According 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?” Meehan asked. The full text of Meehan’s letter is below. December 8, 2016 Dr. David Shulkin Undersecretary for Health U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave, NW Washington, DC 20420 Dear Dr. Shulkin: I write to you today regarding a recent report by USA Today regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) one- to five-star ratings for VA medical centers (VAMCs). On behalf of the region’s 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 medic… | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, or the “WIIN Act” (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 leading the effort in Congress to support the project, stressing its significance for Western Pennsylvania’s economy. Earlier this year, Congressman Rothfus led a bipartisan letter calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its feasibility study for the project, a prerequisite to the Chief’s report that was published on September 12th recommending that Congress fund these necessary repairs. “Getting 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,” said Congressman Rothfus. “I 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.” The 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. Aging and defective structures in the EDM locks and dams system cause frequent disruptions to river borne commerce and transportation. The Chief’s report indicates the cost-benefit ratio for this project is 3.7 to 1. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/10-days-later-trump-refuses-to-lift-a-finger-to-save-pensions-health-care-for-coal-miners | 10 Days Later: Trump Refuses to Lift a Finger to Save Pensions, Health Care for Coal Miners | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Nearly ten days after writing to President-Elect Donald Trump with no response, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are renewing their call to Republicans to keep their promise to save coal miner’s pensions. Days ago, the Senators sent a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump, urging him to uphold his promise of helping coal miners across the country and call on Republican leadership in the House and Senate to pass the Miners Protection Act of 2016. Despite bipartisan support of the legislation that would allow coal miners to permanently retain their promised healthcare and pensions, Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan refuse to bring this legislation to the floor. Instead, Republican leadership included a proposal that does nothing to protect pensions, and will extend health coverage for so short a time that recipients would be notified almost simultaneously that they are both eligible for benefits and that their benefits will terminate. Unless action is taken in the last two weeks of the Congressional session then thousands of additional retired coal miners and their families will soon lose their health benefits and see their pensions endangered. “During your campaign for the presidency, you vowed to restore and improve the livelihoods of coal miners across the country,” Senators wrote to the President-Elect. “Without immediate action on the Miners Protection Act of 2016 (S. 3470), our miners and their families will be left without the essential healthcare benefits they earned through a lifetime of hard work and will have their pensions imperiled.” Retired miners are facing uncertainty because the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) 1974 Pension Plan is severely underfunded. Unlike other public and private pension plans, the 1974 Pension Plan was well-managed and funded prior to the 2008 financial crisis, which hit at a time when this Plan had its highest payment obligations. This – coupled with the fact that 60% of the beneficiaries are… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-crash-of-pakistan-international-airlines-flight-661 | Casey statement on Crash of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 661 | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the crash of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 661: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 661. The U.S. should offer any assistance or support necessary to determine the cause of the crash and ensure the victims' families get the answers they deserve. We stand with the people of Pakistan in mourning those killed in this horrific incident." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-pruitt-nomination | Casey Statement on Pruitt Nomination | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on President-elect Trump’s nomination of Scott Pruitt as the next head of the EPA: “President-elect Trump’s nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency are very troubling. Attorney General Pruitt’s views on environmental protection are unambiguous- he’s against it. A 2014 investigative report from the New York Times detailed how, under Scott Pruitt, the Attorney General’s office in Oklahoma did the bidding of major companies that would pollute the air our children breathe and the water they drink. The job of the Administrator of the EPA is to fulfill the agency’s mission to “protect human health and the environment,” not to do the bidding of major polluters. Attorney General Pruitt is also leading the effort to overturn the Clean Power Plan, which is vital to getting control of our energy future and creating clean energy jobs. Pennsylvania has a long history of respect for the environment. Article 1, Section 27 of our state constitution says: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” I do not have confidence, based upon Attorney General Pruitt’s record, that the EPA under his leadership would be willing to enforce our environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.” | 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 | legacy | Click here or on image for video of Rep. Barletta leading floor debate on passage of authorization of Urban Search & Rescue teams. WASHINGTON – 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. The House approved S. 2971, authored by Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, by a vote of 405-to-7. The bill is nearly identical to language contained in Barletta’s 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. With House passage of an amended S. 2971, the bill must return to the Senate for its approval. “The 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,” Barletta said while managing the House floor. “It 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. The stories of the selfless heroism of these men and women are numerous and humbling. Their work is tireless, physically and emotionally demanding, and nerve-wracking.” There are 28 USAR teams across the United States, including Pennsylvania. Team members include firefighters, doctors, engineers, and first responders, who are cross-trained in areas such as search, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, and logistics. Trained and equipped with help from FEMA, they are called upon when needed to respond following a disaster. 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON — 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. “Seventy 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’s knees were bent in mourning, a generation of heroes prepared to rise to its feet and answer history’s 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. “On 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.” ### | 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 | legacy | Washington, DC—Representative 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. “As 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’t 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. ” | 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 | 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. "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. "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." # # # | 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 | legacy | DOWNINGTOWN >> U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello recently visited two Downingtown schools in support of STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – education. Costello, 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 “Out of the Box.” At that time, the students presented him with a hard-copy of the bill to read. He signed it. “This isn’t 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,” Costello said during his visit. He made good on his promise and co-sponsored the bill. H.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. Costello 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. “The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act is a great example of how Congress can support and advance STEM education and careers,” Costello said. “Proceeds 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.” As a member of FIRST, Out of the Box members were thrilled to gain Costello’s support for H.R. 5168. “We 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,” team mentor Jerry Beauchamp said in a statement. “It was esp… | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman 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: “In 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,” said Congressman Rothfus. “This bill ensures standards being negotiated internationally advance the best interests of the American people by giving Congress – not unaccountable foreign bureaucrats – more formalized oversight authority.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/media/view/end-of-year-bill-is-profound-betrayal-of-pa-coal-miners | End of Year Bill is Profound Betrayal of PA Coal Miners | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | End of Year Bill is Profound Betrayal of PA Coal Miners For several months, we have joined thousands of our states’ retired coal miners and their families to call for a vote on this bipartisan, paid-for bill. And for several months those calls have gone unanswered. These miners cannot wait another day and it’s up to us to protect what they’ve earned for a lifetime of dangerous, backbreaking work. We are confident this bill would pass on the floor and we demand action to provide long-term certainty for these miners. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/after-casey-pushes-heroin-epidemic-gets-needed-funding-to-address-americas-problem | After Casey Pushes, Heroin Epidemic Gets Needed Funding To Address America’s Problem | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – As the Senate passed sweeping health reform legislation today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced several major wins in the 21st Century Cures Act he advocated for on behalf of Pennsylvanians, including $1 billion to help states respond to the opioid abuse epidemic. Casey has long been an outspoken advocate in addressing the heroin crisis, leading several key pieces of legislation to passage to provide more funding and training in handling heroin abuse. He has also spent the last two years traveling across Pennsylvania to meet with health providers, law enforcement officials, and families impacted by the epidemic. “This critically important legislation includes several key provisions that will help to improve the health and overall lives of Pennsylvanians, including funding to address the ongoing opioid abuse epidemic,” Senator Casey said. “The crisis of opioid addiction gripping our nation knows no bounds; it impacts families everywhere, from cities to suburban communities to rural areas and everywhere in between. While this legislation will help states to further respond to this epidemic, we still have more work to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to continue to address this crisis.” The legislation includes increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the next ten years and incentives for medical countermeasure development, priorities Casey has consistently championed. Casey also took the lead in ensuring further extension of the pediatric priority review voucher program, established by his Creating Hope Act, and then extended by the Advancing Hope Act. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-congress-end-of-year-bill-is-profound-betrayal-of-pa-coal-miners-their-families | Casey: Congress’ End of Year Bill is Profound Betrayal of PA Coal Miners, Their Families | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the release of Congress’ year-end Continuing Resolution, which keeps the government funded. The legislation does not prevent coal miners in Pennsylvania and across the nation from losing their pensions and health care; the bill only includes a four month extension of health care benefits without any pension relief, so short a time that recipients would be notified almost simultaneously that they are both eligible for benefits and that their benefits will terminate. “This so-called ‘fix’ designed in secret by Congressional Republican leadership is nothing more than a profound betrayal of coal miners and their families in Pennsylvania and across the nation. The Miners Protection Act ensures that the federal government will keep the promise of pensions and health care to coal miners and their families. This proposal does nothing to protect pensions, and will extend health coverage for so short a time that recipients would be notified almost simultaneously that they are both eligible for benefits and that their benefits will terminate. For over a year, I’ve worked in a bipartisan fashion to move this legislation forward, yet the Republicans’ congressional leaders, Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell, have refused to work in good faith to schedule a vote. Last week I wrote to President-elect Trump asking him to use his influence with Congressional Republicans to include the Miners Protection Act in an end of the year bill. The provisions relating to coal miners included in the Congress’ end of the year bill is a shameful slap in the face to men and women who have given so much for our nation. We have a bipartisan bill that is fully paid for, there is no reason for delay.” Retired miners are facing uncertainty because the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) 1974 Pension Plan is severely underfunded. Unlike other public and private pension plans, the 1974 Pension Plan was well-managed and funded prior to the 2008 financial crisis, … | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – 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. Toys will be accepted in each of Congressman Barletta’s offices – in Washington, DC and the four 11th District offices with a deadline of Friday, December 16, 2016. Donations should be geared toward children in an age range of infant to about 16 years old. 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. “This is a tremendous program that helps put smiles on the faces of children this holiday season,” Barletta said. “Toys for Tots began with one single toy – a hand-made doll. Today, it makes tens of thousands of kids happy each year.” Rep. Barletta Toys For Tots Donation Locations All Drop-off Times: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekdays Hazleton District Office 1 South Church Street Suite 100 Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 Phone: (570) 751-0050 Carlisle District Office 59 W. Louther Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Phone: (717) 249-0190 Harrisburg District Office 4813 Jonestown Road Suite 101 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109 Phone: (717) 525-7002 Sunbury District Office 106 Arch Street Sunbury, Pennsylvania 17801 Phone: (570) 988-7801 Washington, DC Office 2049 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The 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. The foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. 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 o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-named-to-important-steering-and-policy-committee | Cartwright Named to Influential Steering and Policy Committee | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Matt Cartwright | C001090 | cartwright.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that he has been appointed to serve on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee by the House Democratic Leadership. The committee—which includes other members of Leadership, appointed members, and regionally elected members—advises the House Democratic Leadership on policy and appoints other Democratic Members of Congress to House committees. “I am honored to accept this appointment to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Listening to the needs of working Americans and figuring out how to connect with them on our policy agenda is critical work for the Democrats, and I intend to engage in that endeavor at every opportunity,” said Rep. Cartwright. “During the 115th Congress, I plan on looking for ways to help guide our Caucus towards the right policies coupled with effective messaging.” Both parties on Capitol Hill are currently gearing up for major policy battles in 2017. “The 17th Congressional District is a working class district with challenges similar to those of many other areas of the Northeast and Midwest,” continued Cartwright. “I’m looking forward to bringing our northeastern Pennsylvania perspectives and values to this important committee.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-cartwright-school-energy-efficiency-legislation | House Passes Cartwright School Energy Efficiency Legislation | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Matt Cartwright | C001090 | cartwright.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Matt Cartwright’s Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2015 (H.R. 756) unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. First introduced in February 2014, the bill also unanimously passed the House during the 113th Congress. The bipartisan legislation, re-introduced by Cartwright in January 2015, would encourage school administrators to make cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades by establishing a clearinghouse for energy efficiency resources through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The clearinghouse will publish information on federal programs and financing tools that may be used to perform energy generation, energy efficiency, and energy retrofitting projects on schools. “I am pleased that the House is prioritizing energy efficiency by once again passing this bill, and I’m working with my colleagues in the Senate and encouraging them to act quickly on passage,” said U.S. Rep. Cartwright. “This bill will ensure that schools can more easily take advantage of energy-efficiency programs, encouraging strategic and cost-saving investments to relieve the fiscal pressure felt by schools across the country--all while bringing us closer to energy security.” According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the nation’s 17,450 K-12 school districts spend more than $6 billion annually on energy, more than is spent on computers and textbooks combined. Currently, there are numerous federal initiatives available to schools to help them become more energy efficient. However, these programs are spread across the federal government, making it challenging for schools to know where to look and how to take full advantage. An estimated 14 million American children attend deteriorating public schools. Many of these schools’ problems involve the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems. According to a Department of Education survey, 43 percent of schools indicated that the poor condition of their facilities interferes with the delivery of instructio… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster’s (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’s support. A similar version of the legislation has been introduced by Senator Toomey (R-PA) in the Senate. “We 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,” said Congressman Shuster. “My 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.” “When our veterans pass away, they should be honored in a way that reflects the bravery and sacrifice they showed in defending our country,” said Senator Toomey. “I believe Congress needs to better understand the problems surrounding the VA’s process of recovering veterans’ cremated, unclaimed remains and develop a plan of action to help resolve this issue. Our veterans deserve it.” Congressman Shuster’s 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. According 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. Earlier this session of Congress, Shuster’s 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… | 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 | 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’s regulatory excesses, the Democrat-backed Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform stands out as a leading cause of the Obama era’s economic malaise.At the Financial Services Committee, we have been hard at work crafting a legislative solution that will end “too big to fail” and puts in place reforms that will allow our economy to grow again.It’s 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. Dodd-Frank’s 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 decline of more than 1,600 banks either 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—and there are ways that we can improve consumer and investor protection—but bureaucrats in the nation’s capital should not be in the business of micromanaging personal decisions about which financial products Americans choose.Financial C… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/following-efforts-by-casey-wyden-and-cummings-gao-releases-results-of-cms-nursing-home-rating-system | Following Efforts by Casey, Wyden, and Cummings, GAO Releases Results of CMS Nursing Home Rating System | 2016-12-06 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - Following a push by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Representative Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) today published their report of the federal government’s nursing home rating system the members called for last year. The members made the request to determine whether the Five-Star Quality Rating System provided seniors, people with disabilities, and their families with reliable and accurate information that they could use to make informed decisions on what nursing home to select for a love one. Questions were raised in 2014 about the quality and transparency of the rating system after there were reports revealing deficiencies in the system. “My home state of Pennsylvania has the fifth largest population of older citizens in the country, with 2.15 million older citizens, and we have an abiding obligation to ensure that each one of those older citizens receive the care and services they deserve,” Casey said. “This report makes important recommendations on how to improve this rating system. I call on CMS to move swiftly to implement these changes. “Selecting a nursing home is a consequential and challenging decision for seniors and their families, and they need the best information possible,” Wyden said. “Today’s report from GAO shines a light on how the Five-Star Rating System could be improved to make information on nursing home quality more transparent and easily accessible. All Americans expect Medicare to live up to its promise of high-quality, affordable health care, and working to increase transparency and choice is an important step to making that a reality.” “American families rely on CMS to publish meaningful ratings that will help guide them through difficult decisions they face when they seek nursing care for their family members,” Cummings said. “I encourage CMS to carefully consider these recommendations t… | 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 | legacy | LEHIGH VALLEY, PA - Congressman 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. “It has been a pleasure to work with my friend, Rodney, on numerous important legislative issues since we began serving together. He’s 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,” Dent said. Rep. 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’s most recent Chair, Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky. “It was an honor to serve as a subcommittee Chairman under Rep. Rogers,” noted Dent. “He 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,” concluded Congressman Dent. Dent will continue to serve as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs in the 115th Congress. ### CONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-senators-no-special-consideration-for-other-bills-until-we-save-coal-miners-health-care-retirement | Casey, Senators: No Special Consideration for Other Bills Until We Save Coal Miners’ Health Care, Retirement | 2016-12-05 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a coalition of Senators fighting to protect the health and pensions of more than 120,000 retired coal miners nationwide announced their intent to use any means necessary to make sure that these workers and their families are protected. With 16,300 retired coal miners set to lose health care by Dec. 31, 2016 without Congressional action, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) announced that they will block all attempts to pass legislation by unanimous consent in the Senate until the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) healthcare and pension shortfall is adequately addressed to give miners long-term certainty. By blocking other bills from sailing through with special privileges, the Senators hope to force House and Senate leadership to include the bipartisan mineworkers fix in the year-end spending package or allow an independent vote on the bill. The Senators released the following joint statement: “For several months, we have joined thousands of our states’ retired coal miners and their families to call for a vote on this bipartisan, paid-for bill. And for several months those calls have gone unanswered. These miners cannot wait another day and it’s up to us to protect what they’ve earned for a lifetime of dangerous, backbreaking work. We are confident this bill would pass on the floor and we demand action to provide long-term certainty for these miners.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-trumps-pick-for-hhs-secretary-is-architect-of-agenda-to-undermine-programs-for-pa-seniors | Casey: Trump’s Pick for HHS Secretary is Architect of Agenda to Undermine Programs for PA Seniors | 2016-12-05 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement on the nomination of Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services: “I have substantial concerns about the nomination of Congressman Tom Price to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Congressman Price has led efforts to end the guaranteed benefit of Medicare; Congressman Price has also supported efforts to turn Medicaid into a block grant program, which would adversely impact nursing home care for 250,000 seniors in Pennsylvania and 6.4 million seniors nationally. Turning Medicaid into a block grant program would also jeopardize support for millions of babies because Medicaid finances approximately half of all the nation’s births. Congressman Price has also championed the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which would deprive 20 million Americans of health care coverage and raise the cost of prescription drugs for seniors by reopening the “donut hole,” which is the gap that has to be filled by a senior to pay for prescription drugs. This gap was closed by the Affordable Care Act and would be reopened with repeal of the law. The question I have for President-elect Trump and his Administration is how nominating the architect of schemes to destroy Medicare and Medicaid is consistent with his promises to protect these programs? As a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees I will closely examine his record and pose questions regarding these and other vital issues in order to protect seniors and families in Pennsylvania.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-aimed-at-saving-consumers-money | Cartwright Introduces Legislation Aimed at Saving Consumers Money, Conserving Water | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Matt Cartwright | C001090 | cartwright.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Plumbing Research Act of 2016 (H.R. 6424), legislation that would invest in research to bring the data for U.S. plumbing standards into the 21st century, making our plumbing systems safer, more reliable, and more water-efficient. The bill accomplishes this by directing the NIST to conduct research on plumbing systems. “American consumers today reap the benefits of state-of-the-art water fixtures and appliances, such as water-saving shower heads and efficient washing machines,” said Rep. Cartwright. “However, the plumbing that carries water to these fixtures and appliances has not kept pace. In fact, the research and data which are the basis for U.S. plumbing structure, design, and construction standards have barely changed since they were developed in the early 20th century. As a result, even newly built plumbing systems are often inefficient and inappropriate for current plumbing fixtures and appliances.” This mismatch of technologies can cause problems. For example, an outdated algorithm for estimating water demand leads builders to use unnecessarily large pipes, supplying more water than needed to buildings. This wastes water that is critical to the wellbeing of our communities and our environment. Excess water lingering in pipes can be a health hazard, potentially harboring pathogens such as Legionella bacteria, which is responsible for Legionnaires' disease. In addition, water flow through these improperly sized pipes can be too weak to move solids, resulting in sewage backups and costly repairs for consumers. “The NIST Plumbing Research Act of 2016 is a win on multiple fronts. It will spark innovation in the plumbing industry,” Rep. Cartwright said. “Consumers will save money thanks to fewer plumbing repairs, and will be exposed to fewer health risks. And better plumbing means more water conservation and better use of our fresh water resources.” | 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 | legacy | Compromise bill includes largest pay raise for troops in 6 years WASHINGTON — 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). “The People’s House has once again fulfilled its sacred duty to provide our nation’s 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.” BACKGROUND: 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’s signing of th… | 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 | legacy | Bipartisan bill will increase wages for Western PA hospitals WASHINGTON — 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. Statement by Rep. Kelly: “The 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’s economy would become stronger. Those who provide life-saving care to our neighbors, friends, and loved ones deserve nothing less.” Statement by Rep. Doyle: “The 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’s my belief that such a change would make it easier for hospitals in places like Pittsburgh to pay their employees what they deserve.” BACKGROUND: 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 “wage index” for each of the nation’s regions. The Pittsburgh core-based statistical area (CBSA) includes several … | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC –The 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. “We 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 Islamic terrorists,” said Congressman Shuster. “As 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.” This 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’s weapons systems. A 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’s language to prohibit a BRAC from taking place was successfully included in the final version of the NDAA that passed on Friday. “This legislation also provides critical resources here in Pennsylvania to support the mission of Letterkenny Army Depot, and keep the installation off the chopping block and safe to continue its key mission of supporting Army operations,” continued Shuster. “Further, the 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.” ### | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes annual funding levels and establishes new Department of Defense (DOD) policies and guidance. Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) expressed his support for the bill’s passage with the following remarks: “The 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. 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.” “This 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.” Key provisions in the FY 2017 NDAA include: a funding boost of $9 billion over and above the Obama’s Administration’s request ($619 billion total); a significant pay increase of 2.1% for our troops – the largest in six years; barriers that prohibit transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil; an end to the force drawdown and an increase in overall force strength; additional health choices for servicemembers through TRICARE; reforms to address and combat instances of sexual assault; key provisions to revamp the DOD acquisition process to assure quality and avert cost overruns “Our 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. 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 t… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON D.C. - Representative 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. “I 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. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that is tasked with meeting our nation’s military construction needs, I look forward to working with General Mattis and his team.” ### CONTACT: 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith [PA-12] released the following statement after the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S. 2943): “We live in an age of unprecedented threats to our homeland as well as to our allies, especially Israel,” said Congressman Rothfus. “Our 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.” He continued, “This legislation also provides for continued funding for Israel’s missile defense requirements. Israel is undoubtedly a crucial ally in the Middle East and their security is essential to stability in that region.” The NDAA supports $619 billion for national defense. In addition to matching the President’s 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. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/about/highlight/camp-out-for-hunger | Camp Out for Hunger | 2016-12-02 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Senator Robert P. Casey About Issues Get Help Make a Request … | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – 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) The 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. “This legislation is going to save lives and change the way we cure diseases, and it’s a prime example of what can be accomplished in Congress when we work together,” said Congressman Shuster. “Our region has lost wonderful people to the opioid epidemic, and I’m 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’t 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.” For 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’s and Parkinson’s. Another key provision … | 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 | 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. "Arnold Palmer was a legendary golfer who also dedicated his life to Western Pennsylvania," said Sen. Casey. "He'll always be remembered as ‘The 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." "Arnold Palmer represents the best of Pennsylvania. While ‘The 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 ‘your hometown is not where you're from - it's who you are.' He lived by that motto every day." ### | 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 | 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. Fortunately, 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. One 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. Diakon 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. As 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… | 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 | legacy | Johnstown Richland Square III, Suite 302 1397 Eisenhower Blvd Johnstown, PA 15904 Phone: (814) 266-5970 Fax: (814) 266-5973 Map: Get Directions Please call for an appointment before visiting our Johnstown office. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/boyle-and-veasey-form-blue-collar-caucus-congress | Boyle and Veasey form Blue Collar Caucus in Congress | 2016-12-01 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Brendan Boyle | B001296 | boyle.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC– Today, Congressmen Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-13) and Marc Veasey (D-TX-33) announced the formation of the Blue Collar Caucus to focus Congressional efforts on alleviating the economic anxiety felt by working class Americans that was so pronounced in the 2016 election, and re-engage Democratic efforts to reach these voters. Discussing the aims of the caucus, Congressman Boyle said, “Too many Americans think the best days for their families are behind them. And they’ve lost faith in their elected leaders to stand up for their best interests, protect their rights, and promote their prosperity. We can and must do better.” Boyle continued, “The America I grew up in – and the one I still see today – is a forward-looking nation built by blue collar workers of all colors, crafts, and creeds. These workers literally built our nation. Now it is our duty in Washington to rebuild their trust in government by working for them.” Congressman Veasey said, “Every hardworking American should have the economic security to provide for their families. Congress has the responsibility to enact policies that ensure an equal opportunity for all American workers to climb the ladder of success.” Veasey reflected, “Through my monthly ‘Marc Means Business’ initiative where I work alongside constituents in both large and small businesses, I’ve learned that Americans want real action to create jobs, raise wages, and ensure that they can improve the quality of life for their families and for future generations. Our caucus will focus on exactly that.” The Blue Collar Caucus will foster member discussion and legislative ideas focused on addressing wage stagnation, job insecurity, trade, offshoring, and dwindling career opportunities for those in the manufacturing and building trades. The caucus will focus on bringing together a diverse array of Democratic members of the House of Representatives to generate solutions that will protect American workers from globalized competition, maintain the viability of domestic manufact… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://evans.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-brady-and-evans-ask-house-appropriations-leadership-help | Congressmen Brady and Evans ask House Appropriations leadership to help find funding to alleviate major poverty issues impacting the Districts’ children | 2016-12-01 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | PA | Dwight Evans | E000296 | evans.house.gov | evans | https://evans.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | PHILADELPHIA --- In a joint letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Roger (R., KY-5) and Ranking Member Nita Lowery (D., NY-17), Congressmen Bob Brady (D., PA-1) and Dwight Evans (D., PA-2) outlined major poverty issues in their Districts that have a direct impact on children. They stressed, “We hope that in this drastically different new political climate with several competing priorities, that we can still ascertain ways to both alleviate and find permanent solutions to the problems plaguing our Districts the most.” The issues highlighted are: Aging Home and Lead Paint Requesting restoration of Federal funding for lead abatement. Philadelphia has had to cut over 60% of positions used to monitor and enforce lead paint laws and restrictions. Nearly 2,700 children in Philadelphia tested positive for harmful lead levels in 2015. Child Nutrition Need to maintain or increase federally subsidized school meals. H.R. 5003, the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016, would severely limit the number of children receiving free and reduced lunches. Education Need for increased funding. The Philadelphia School District ranks lowest in terms of funding per student and has the highest enrollment of low income students. In closing, Brady and Evans stressed bipartisanship. “Though it remains to be seen what direction many of President-elect Trump’s policies will take, we are hopeful that we will be able to find common ground with his Administration on some of the above issues and restore robust funding so the children in Philadelphia and our Districts have a brighter future. We look forward to the coming Congress and finding bipartisan solutions.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T21:09:43Z |
| 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – 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. “My provision is critical for seniors who discover that their Medicare plan doesn’t meet their needs. It gives them flexibility and restores the 90-day window to find a plan that works best for them,” saidCongressman Rothfus. “I 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.” Watch Congressman Rothfus’ remarks on 21st Century Cures on the House Floor earlier today. -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 | legacy | Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. The Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives has been investigating potential violations of the federal law that makes it illegal to sell fetal tissue – that’s body parts – for profit. The evidence reviewed reveals appalling practices. For example, on video, we saw one Planned Parenthood doctor talking about doing “less crunchy” methods of abortion without the consent of the woman. This was to make sure they had intact body parts to sell. The gruesome practices the Panel discovered shock the conscience. Where does this end? It 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. Think about that. We are talking about high school students – 16-year-olds – dissecting the brains of someone within the age group of their own siblings. What barbarity are we teaching our children? The Select Panel must move forward with its investigation into these alarming violations of law and assaults on human dignity and conscience. 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. Thank you. -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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – 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. “SIFI designation impacts a firm’s lending ability, and therefore, a firm’s customers and their customers’ 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,” said Congressman Rothfus. “If 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.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://brady.house.gov/press-release/congressmen-brady-and-evans-ask-house-appropriations-leadership-help-find-funding | Congressmen Brady and Evans ask House Appropriations leadership to help find funding to alleviate major poverty issues impacting the Districts children | 2016-11-30 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | PA | Robert Brady | B001227 | brady.house.gov | legacy | PHILADELPHIA --- In a joint letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Roger (R., KY-5) and Ranking Member Nita Lowery (D., NY-17), Congressmen Bob Brady (D., PA-1) and Dwight Evans (D., PA-2) outlined major poverty issues in their Districts that have a direct impact on children. They stressed, “We hope that in this drastically different new political climate with several competing priorities, that we can still ascertain ways to both alleviate and find permanent solutions to the problems plaguing our Districts the most.” The issues highlighted are: Aging Home and Lead Paint Requesting restoration of Federal funding for lead abatement. Philadelphia has had to cut over 60% of positions used to monitor and enforce lead paint laws and restrictions. Nearly 2,700 children in Philadelphia tested positive for harmful lead levels in 2015. Child Nutrition Need to maintain or increase federally subsidized school meals. H.R. 5003, the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016, would severely limit the number of children receiving free and reduced lunches. Education Need for increased funding. The Philadelphia School District ranks lowest in terms of funding per student and has the highest enrollment of low income students. In closing, Brady and Evans stressed bipartisanship. “Though it remains to be seen what direction many of President-elect Trump’s policies will take, we are hopeful that we will be able to find common ground with his Administration on some of the above issues and restore robust funding so the children in Philadelphia and our Districts have a brighter future. We look forward to the coming Congress and finding bipartisan solutions.” | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON — 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. “I am very proud to see the People’s House take such strong and united action for our nation’s 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’s 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.” NOTE: The individual bills passed unanimously by the House (or soon to pass) include: H.R. 5166 – The WINGMAN (Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now) Act, as amended. This bill enables congressional staff, which would include staff sometimes referred to as “caseworkers”, to have “read only” access to veterans’ 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) H.R. 3286 – 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) H.R. 5600 – 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-trauma… | 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 | legacy | House passes patient-centered bill to boost health care innovation Includes Kelly legislation to improve Medicare transparency WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee – 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). “The 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. “I 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’s seniors. This bill will bring key Medicare enrollment detai… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON – 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’s mental health reform workforce. The 21st Century Cures Act takes an innovative approach by establishing a temporary Innovation Fund that maintains Congress’s “power of the purse,” rather than handing over spending authority to the executive branch or by using “auto-pilot” 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. The 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’s desk to be signed into law. “This 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,” said Representative Perry. “The 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’s, mental health disorders, diabetes and opioid addiction that currently lack effective therapies,” said Representative Perry. “By encouraging American innovation to find faster cures, we give hope to patients and improve the quality of life for millions.” Additional information on the 21st C… | 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 | 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. Sen. 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. During his speech today on the Senate floor, Sen. Toomey said: "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." "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." The 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. You can watch Sen. Toomey's full remarks here. ### | 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 | legacy | (Washington, D.C.) Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) cheered the passage of key health and science legislation in the House today. “The 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,” said Representative Dent. “It’s aptly named because it brings 21st Century technology and methodology coupled with commonsense regulations to bear on killers like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s,” he noted. The 21st Century Cures Legislation includes: $4.8 billion in new funding for the National Institute of Health – -- makes a $1.5 billion investment in the Precision Medicine Initiative -- bolsters the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative by $1.8 billion; -- provides additional investments in the BRAIN initiative to increase our understanding of neurological diseases. The legislation focuses on a sensible regulatory model that will bring cures to patients in safer, faster fashion by: -- modernizing clinical trials with an emphasis placed on improving the means by which safety and efficacy information is collected, analyzed and shared; -- putting patients and their needs to the forefront in the regulatory review process; -- encouraging a working relationship between the regulators and medical innovators to help them in bringing 21st Century Cures to patients; -- incentivizing the development of drugs to help cure and treat pediatric diseases. Dent 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). “One 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 … | 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 | legacy | NEW YORK CITY – Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today met with President-Elect Donald J. Trump at Trump Tower to discuss the presidential transition. Barletta is a member of the Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee. Following the meeting, Barletta met with reporters. The following are excerpts of his conversation with the press: Barletta: It was great. We had a good conversation. We talked about many issues concerning the country and talked about the President-Elect’s ideas moving forward. Reporter: Are you considering roles in the administration? Barletta: We talked about Secretary of Labor and it’s something I’m going to consider. *** Reporter: What was your pitch to him? Barletta: We talked. I’ve worked with the President-Elect throughout the campaign. 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. We talked about that, as I said, and some other things. Reporter: What were the top policy initiatives the President-Elect talked to you about? Barletta: His infrastructure plan is obviously very important to him. And again, making sure there’s 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 | ||
| http://brady.house.gov/press-release/congressman-brady-join-day-action | Congressman Brady to join Day of Action | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | PA | Robert Brady | B001227 | brady.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Brady to join Day of Action Nov 29, 2016 Philadelphia --- Congressman Bob Brady (D., PA) announced that he stands in full support of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Fight for $15 Day of Action that is being held today. “I have and will continue to support family sustaining wages and union rights for hard working Americans. As a nation we cannot afford to have working people still not able to feed their families.” The Congressman, who will be in DC today, said he will tweet his support throughout the Day of Action. “I want to help get the message out that we cannot turn our backs on working families.” | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – 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: “Dr. Price led the fight to repeal and replace the disastrous Obamacare legislation. This law 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. As chairman of both the House Budget Committee and 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,” said Congressman Rothfus. “Dr. Price’s 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. 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.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-to-trump-no-deal-with-putin-and-assad-on-syria | Casey to Trump: No Deal with Putin and Assad on Syria | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) realeased the following statement: Over the last five and half years, the Syrian people have endured one horror after the next. The Russian Federation has blocked international efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and has enabled the murderous Assad regime to continue its slaughter of Syrian citizens. According to the United Nations, nearly one million Syrians are living under siege from their government. That is equivalent to more than the entire populations of Pennsylvania and Delaware suffering without access to food and medicine while hiding from daily bombardments. This is not just a civil war. This is the Russian Federation -- a major country and member of the UN Security Council – and its client state dictator Bashar al-Assad slaughtering the Syrian people unchecked. It has direct impact on our national security and that of our partners in the Middle East and Europe. We cannot allow Syria to remain a safe haven for terrorism, and I welcome the progress that has already been made to roll back ISIS’s control of territory in Iraq and Syria, yet as I have said before, the Assad’s regime’s actions have created the space and conditions for ISIS to thrive within its borders. Absent additional action from the United States and our partners to change the situation on the ground, I believe the conditions will continue to worsen. I urge President Obama’s Administration to take immediate steps to help alleviate the suffering on the ground in Syria. As long as Assad thinks he is winning – and he is – the onslaught will continue and diplomatic efforts will fail. The incoming Administration must see the Syria conflict as the national security threat that it is and take action accordingly. The fight against ISIS must be our priority, but the roots of ISIS’s rise cannot and should not be ignored- that means holding the Assad regime and the Russian Federation fully accountable for their crimes in Syria. Throughout his campaign President-elect Trump ha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/with-attacks-on-the-rise-sens-casey-and-scott-introduce-bipartisan-anti-semitism-awareness-act | With Attacks On The Rise, Sens. Casey and Scott Introduce Bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act | 2016-11-29 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | PA | Bob Casey | C001070 | www.casey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC– Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act in an effort to combat increasing incidents of anti-Semitism on college campuses nationwide. The Senators joined together to ensure the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has the necessary statutory tools at their disposal to investigate anti-Jewish incidents. A recent FBI crime report notes that 58.2 percent of religiously-motivated hate crimes were due to the offender’s anti-Jewish leanings, and the Anti-Defamation League found that the number of anti-Semitic attacks at colleges and universities doubled in 2015. Currently, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights has stated they will not tolerate incidents such as these, but has not issued firm guidance on what constitutes anti-Semitism. The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act would codify the definition as one adopted by the U.S. State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. “It is incredibly important that we work together to stamp out anti-Semitism and other forms of religious discrimination across our country,” Senator Scott said. “I want to thank Senator Casey for joining me to introduce the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, which is urgently needed as anti-Jewish attacks rise on campuses across the nation. By clarifying exactly what anti-Semitism is, we will leave no question as to what constitutes an anti-Semitic incident.” “The rise of religiously-motivated hate crimes and religious discrimination across our country is unacceptable. In Pennsylvania, we have seen several terrible incidents of anti-Semitism in just the last several weeks,” Senator Casey said. “This legislation will help the Department of Education investigate incidents of discrimination motivated by anti-Semitism in our schools, which should be safe environments for students from all backgrounds. I’m proud to work with Senator Scott on this bill, which aims to combat anti-Semitism while preserving freedom of speech.” The State Department’s definition, sh… | 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 | 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’ Principal for a Day program and in recognition of National Principals Month. Costello 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. He urged students to get involved in their local government and also suggested they seek information that challenges their worldview. Rep. Costello ended his school day on “bus duty” 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. “The teachers and principals in our community are hardworking and committed to our children’s success,” said Costello. “I really enjoyed meeting with so many knowledgeable students and learning about the impressive projects they are working on.” This article first appeared as a post in The Digital Notebook blog. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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