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69,386 rows where chamber = "House" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending

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  • CA 4,580
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  • VA 2,088
  • MD 1,662
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  • …

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year 1

  • 2018 · 69,386 ✖

chamber 1

  • House · 69,386 ✖
url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399069 Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.31.18 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy The year 1619 does not loom as large in American memory as some others from our colonial experience. When thinking of those early times of English settlement in North America, 1607, the year Jamestown was founded, and 1620, when the Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts, are more likely to come to mind. Yet the events of 1619 had a profound impact. They are worth remembering as we enter 2019 and mark the passage of 400 years. One of them was a great stain: the beginning of slavery in English North America, with the first record of enslaved Africans arriving in Jamestown. While slavery ended with the Thirteenth Amendment passed by a Republican Congress in 1865 and subsequently ratified by the states, its effects still linger. Another event marked a major shift in the culture of Jamestown: the first large-scale recruitment of women to the colony. While some women had arrived earlier, the settlement retained the overall character of the soldiers and adventurers who had first established it. The Virginia Company's recruitment of about 90 women introduced families into the social fabric of the colony and gave it longer-term prospects. A third event was one of our Commonwealth's signal contributions to the American story. In a church in Jamestown on July 30, the Governor, four councilors, and 22 burgesses representing the colony's jurisdictions gathered. They reviewed the laws imposed by the Virginia Company and its charter, regulated commerce and settler conduct, and heard grievances from the colonists. That first session lasted less than a week, adjourning on August 4 due to the summer heat, but it was the beginning of what is today the House of Delegates, the oldest elected legislative body to have continuously met in the world. I say continuously met as, although the Parliament of the United Kingdom has older roots than our House of Delegates (the rules of that first Assembly were modeled on English parliamentary procedure), during the rule of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s Parliament was dissolved and … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/first-look-2019-elections A First Look at the 2019 Elections 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Ralph Abraham A000374 abraham.house.gov     legacy Louisiana: Can John Bel Edwards overcome his state's partisanship? Louisiana is arguably a step beyond Kentucky in its political evolution. It has a Democratic governor largely thanks to a Republican incumbent who screwed up even more egregiously than Matt Bevin: former wiz kid, congressman, and failed presidential candidate Bobby Jindal. Edwards, who was a Democratic leader in the state legislature, also benefited from a moderate-to-conservative ideological profile and a weakened opponent. That was U.S. Senator David Vitter, whoseadmitted patronage of a prostituteback in the day came up again and again as he struggled to beat other Republicans for a clear shot at Edwards in a runoff under the state's jungle primary system. Edwards's best reelection break was the decision by U.S. Senator John Kennedy todeclinea much-rumored race for governor. Northern LouisianacongressmanRalph Abrahamquicklyjumped into the ringalong with self-funding businessman Eddie Rispone, and state treasurer John Schroder is also mulling a candidacy. As of October, Morning Consult showed Edwards with a good-but-not-greatapproval ratioof 47/34. Like Bevin, Edwards is rated amodest favoritebyCook Political Report. But with Bobby Jindal gone and partisan polarization on the steady rise, it could be close. And you have to figure Donald Trump will intervene early and often in the state he carried by nearly 20 points in 2016. To read the full story, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/stephanie-grace-2019s-big-questions-including-some-are-already-answered Stephanie Grace: 2019's big questions, including some that are already answered 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Ralph Abraham A000374 abraham.house.gov     legacy In some ways, this year's New Year's prediction column is pretty painless to write, because 2018 ended with some big questions about the future already answered. No,U.S. Sen. John Kennedywill not challenge Gov. John Bel Edwards for reelection, and nor will any other Republican who can match the incumbent's high profile. So 2019's marquee election starts off with a genuine stature gap between the Democratic Edwards and his currently announced Republican challengers, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone (Edwards was just as unknown when he ran the first time, but there was no incumbent, which makes all the difference). To read the full story, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/new-york-magazine-trump-ended-2018-rewarding-putin-another-year-bad New York Magazine: Trump Ended 2018 by Rewarding Putin for Another Year of Bad Behavior 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov     legacy For most of 2018, it was conventional wisdom among Russia experts to say, knowingly, that Moscow was disappointed and more than a bit perplexed by Donald Trump. Russia wants acceptance of its annexation of Crimea and recognition of its security primacy over Ukraine and Russia's western border region, but it hasn't gotten any of that. Russia would also like to see an end to economic sanctions imposed over Ukraine; however, thanks to the U.S. Congress, it's now subject to more sanctions. More broadly, Russia seeks recognition in Syria, in Europe, and globally of its status as a top-tier power alongside Washington and Beijing. Instead, Putin is endlessly linked to Trump's clownish behavior on the world stage and disdain for democracy, while China's President Xi gets to pose as the defender of norms and international cooperation. Moscow is likely still perplexed, but it got a whole Advent calendar worth of presents from Trump this month. The departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis is a huge boost to Moscow's unrelenting campaign to weaken and undermine NATO. For the last two years, Mattis has personified U.S. commitment to NATO traveling where Trump wouldn't go, saying the things Trump wouldn't say, and, if we are honest, letting Americans and allies alike continue to believe in a commitment that Trump manifestly does not share. That security blanket is gone now. And the confusion and anxiety we're seeing across Europe in response is exactly what Moscow hoped to produce with its meddling in the first place. Then there's the policy shift that led to Mattis's resignation: Trump's abrupt troop pullouts from Syria and (possibly) Afghanistan. For years, Moscow has wanted Washington to have less influence in Afghanistan, which has floated on the edge of Russia's security reach for centuries. And for even longer, Moscow has wanted to have a voice in the security affairs of the Middle East, and to be recognized as a first-tier player there. Its presence in Syria, and its military support for both the murderous regime … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-johnson-announces-44-million-in-federal-grants-for-martin Congresswoman Johnson Announces $4.4 Million in Federal Grants for Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic and UT Southwestern Medical Center 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Eddie Johnson J000126 ebjohnson.house.gov     legacy Dallas, TX Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today announced that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic and UT Southwestern Medical Center have been awarded more than $4.4 million in grant funding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The two medical facilities received $4,166,624 and $243,000, respectively. Every American needs health care, and it is the most fundamental of human rights that the government must ensure, said Congresswoman Johnson. As a non-practicing registered nurse and a Member of Congress, I've witnessed the transformative impact better health care can have on a community. It's important to remember that in addition to quality administration of health care, health care research can bring long-term and wide-ranging benefit. That is why I am particularly delighted to announce these two grants to the MLK Family Clinic and UT Southwestern. The award to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic will bolster the facility's health care delivery and administrative procedures. The clinic has been serving southern Dallas County since 1986 and offers preventative, pediatric and women's health care. UT Southwestern has garnered a well-deserved reputation as one of the most prominent medical research entities in the nation, and the grant will fund new research into arboviruses, such as West Nile, that are transmitted through mosquitos and tics. In spite of the attention and focus of many committed professionals, Texas has the nation's highest number of uninsured Americans, said Congresswoman Johnson. It is my hope that this funding will help lower that number and ultimately bring better quality of life to the people of District 30. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://engel.house.gov/latest-news/engel-statement-on-bangladesh-election/ Engel Statement on Bangladesh Election 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NY Eliot Engel E000179 engel.house.gov     legacy   0 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/end-old-congress-beginning-new-year COLUMN: End of Old Congress, Beginning of New Year 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House WA Dan Newhouse N000189 newhouse.house.gov     legacy As 2018 comes to a close, so does the 115th Congress. It is an honor to represent the diverse interests of the Fourth Congressional District, and I am especially proud of the accomplishments we achieved that will improve the quality of life in Central Washington. One year after Congress passed historic tax relief for American taxpayers, we are seeing results in the form of higher paychecks, improved employee benefits, and growing small businesses. We are making it easier for Americans to save for their futures and encouraging innovation. I have heard stories from people across the Fourth District who are using their tax cuts and extra take-home pay to reinvest in our local communities. With the lowest unemployment rate in decades and hundreds of thousands of jobs being created each month, our country has a bright economic future. One of the biggest economic drivers in our state is agriculture. As a farmer, I know first-hand the difficulties farmers and ranchers face in Central Washington, from scarce water resources and labor shortages to international trade and crop insurance. While there is still a lot of work left to be done, I have worked diligently with my colleagues and the Trump Administration to address each of these issues. I am pleased that Congress delivered on one of the most important pieces of agricultural legislation: the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is only reauthorized every five years, but I am proud to have demonstrated its importance to Washington's unique agriculture industry by bringing numerous influential policymakers to meet with Central Washington farmers, including U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, Agriculture Subcommittee on Research Chairman Rodney Davis, and U.S. Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Northey. This bill will give farmers and ranchers the certainty they deserve and provide a safety net for the men and women in Washington state and across the country who produce the food that feeds America and the world. Ensuring food secu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-constituent-services-secures-more-250000-6th-district-constituents-2018 Pallone Constituent Services Secures more than $250,000 for 6th District Constituents in 2018 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NJ Frank Pallone P000034 pallone.house.gov     legacy LONG BRANCH, NJ Today,Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06)announced that his office helped secure a total of $254,252 for his constituents seeking assistance through his district office in 2018. His work on behalf of constituents includes help with Veterans Affairs claims, tax return issues with the Internal Revenue Service, Sandyrelated FEMA grants and claims, SBA loans, Social Security payments, and more. Over the last year, Congressman Pallone's constituent outreach representatives have made it possible for constituents to cut through red tape in order to receive money that is rightfully owed to them. I want all of my constituents to know that we're here to help,said Congressman Pallone. Whether my constituents need assistance navigating the federal bureaucracy or are concerned about a federal policy, I encourage them to stay in touch and hope that they continue to use my office as a resource. Constituents who have questions about a federal agency, or need assistance with matters ranging from Social Security benefits, federal pensions, Medicare eligibility, to passport or immigration issues should contact the Congressman for assistance. Additionally, veterans can receive help with a range of programs such as military records and awards, GI Bill benefits and VA disability claims. Staff can also be helpful in locating low-income housing options, energy assistance and various other benefits or resources. For help on any of these services or other issues, constituents should not hesitate to contact either of Congressman Pallone's district offices: New Brunswick Office-67/69 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Phone:(732) 249-8892 Long Branch Office-504 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740, Phone:(732) 571-1140 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://pelosi.house.gov/news/pelosi-updates/one-week-and-counting One Week And Counting 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House CA Nancy Pelosi P000197 pelosi.house.gov     legacy Frequently Asked Questions on the Trump Government Shutdown Will my mail still arrive during the shutdown? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars.Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks? Yes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks.Will Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted? No. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown.Can I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown? It will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS.While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed.IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline.Can I get a passport during the shutdown? Perhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down. Will I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown?The Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there arenoservices for visitors to National Park Service sites during th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-announces-maddie-anderson-serve-communications-director Stefanik Announces Maddie Anderson to Serve as Communications Director 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House NY Elise Stefanik S001196 stefanik.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced that Maddie Anderson will serve as Communications Director and media contact for the 116th Congress beginning on January 3rd, 2019. "I am excited to announce that Maddie Anderson will be joining my team as Communications Director, said Congresswoman Stefanik. Maddie's myriad of experience in the political arena will bring a unique perspective to our office. Her work ethic and expertise will be pivotal in communicating the results our office is delivering for the 21st District." Maddie Anderson is from Annapolis, Maryland. Most recently, she served as the Southeast and Midwest Regional Press Secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Prior to the NRCC, she served as Congressman Brian Mast's (FL-18) Communications Director for his 2016 campaign. Maddie Anderson also worked on Carlos Beruff's (R-FL) 2016 Senate race, and for Governor Bobby Jindal's (R-LA) presidential campaign in Iowa in 2015. I'm thrilled to be joining Congresswoman Stefanik's office in the New Year, said Ms. Maddie Anderson. Congresswoman Stefanik's work ethic is unmatched, and I look forward to helping her bring meaningful, bipartisan results to New York's 21st District. I am eager to get to work. Ms. Anderson will be replacing Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director, Tom Flanagin, who has accepted a position in the private sector. I thank Tom for his four years of tireless work on behalf of our district, said Congresswoman Stefanik. Tom is a tremendous talent, and my office has greatly benefited from his creativity, drive and counsel. I know he will continue to do great things in his next position. Maddie Anderson begins on January 3rd, 2019. In the meantime, please include stefanik.press@mail.house.gov and tom.flanagin@mail.house.gov on any press inquiries. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-123118 Washington Watch - 12/31/18 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House GA Rob Woodall W000810 woodall.house.gov     legacy PRESERVING OUR NATION'S FOOD STAMP PROGRAM FOR THOSE IN NEED Under the direction of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working on regulations that would increase the solvency of one of our nation's most important social safety net programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also commonly referred to as food stamps. SNAP benefits, which are intended to be used by those who are struggling to support themselves, including poverty-stricken parents and their children, the elderly, and the disabled, are too often being used by those who would otherwise not qualify for open-ended support, namely able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who are age 18-49. Currently, ABAWDs are required to work or receive workforce training for a minimum of 20 hours per week if they want to receive SNAP benefits beyond 3 months in a given three-year period. However, states are given the discretion to waive that requirement for certain areas within their jurisdictions, which incentivizes millions of ABAWDs to stay out of the workforce. In fact, by some estimates, nearly 2.8 million ABAWDs are receiving food stamps, but aren't working. This waiver does a disservice to both ABAWDs and the folks who desperately need the SNAP support, not to mention the fact that this also contributes to our nation's historically low productivity rate and record high job openings. That's why I'm so pleased that USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue is going to work hard within his agency to ensure that ABAWDs who could and should look for work, are encouraged to do so. The success in our food stamp program is not measured in the number of individuals we keep as beneficiaries, but the number of folks we have helped get back on their feet to support themselves. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO PROTECT 340B HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS In addition to the many steps the Trump Administration has taken to advance America's agricultural backbone, President Trump, with the help of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servic… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/in-support-of-border-funding In Support of Border Funding 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy As a member of the Senate Border Security and Enforcement First Immigration Caucus I am actively fighting for funding to protect our borders. National security is the federal government's number one responsibility and we must allocate resources in support of border protection that accurately reflect this priority. I supported the president's budget request for border security funding in the Senate Committee on Appropriations Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security bill and I will continue to advocate for increased resources for manpower and infrastructure in order to reduce illegal border crossings. There is no doubt we have a border crisis that is escalating. Department of Homeland Security data shows that apprehensions along our southern border have nearly doubled in the past year. It is in our national interest to take necessary steps to provide the tools our Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on the frontlines need to control our porous border and protect our communities and themselves as they carry out this important mission. I've seen firsthand the challenges our interdiction agents face. In September, I visited the southwest border in California and Texas to see how we can improve policies to better control illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling. The need for more infrastructureincluding roads for access, electronic devices for surveillance and fencing for deterrencewas echoed at each stop. We heard how border security upgrades improved community safety. Increased federal investment is necessary to achieve this on a larger scale. Constructing a strong border security system coupled with enforcement of our immigration laws is a deterrent to those who seek to illegally enter our country. This is the first step to reforming our immigration system. We are a nation of immigrants and we can be proud of our history of welcoming and naturalizing those who follow the proper, legal process. We naturalize more new citizens annually than the rest of … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-navy-block-buy-decision Kaine Statement On Navy Block Buy Decision 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 31, 2018 Kaine Statement On Navy Block Buy Decision WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today after the Navy announced its intent to block buy two Ford-class aircraft carriers: I'm thrilled the Navy has decided to pursue a block buy for aircraft carriers, something I've been advocating to save billions in taxpayer dollars and offer more certainty to the Hampton Roads defense community. This smart move will save taxpayer dollars and help ensure the shipyards can maintain a skilled workforce to get the job done.Newport News buildsthe finest carriers in the world, and I know they are ready to handle this increase in work as we make progress toward the Navy's goal of a 355-ship fleet. Kaine has long supported the block buying of aircraft carriers. He has championed language in annual defense and funding bills to allow for a block buy and frequently discussed the benefits with military leadership. ### Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-urge-trump-to-reverse-course-raise-pay-for-federal-employees Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Course, Raise Pay for Federal Employees 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 31, 2018 Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Course, Raise Pay for Federal Employees ~Senate had approved 1.9 percent pay increase on a bipartisan basisbut on December 28,the President unilaterallyimposed a pay freeze for non-military federal workers~ WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him in the strongest possible terms toback off aplannedpay freeze forcivilian federal employees in 2019. "We write to urge you in the strongest possible terms to reverse your decision to freeze pay rates for non-military federal workers in 2019. After months of indecisiveness and mixed signals, your decision further penalizes hard-working federal employees already straining under the impact of the unnecessary government shutdown that began on December 22nd,"the Senators told Trump."Freezing pay for federal workers adds insult to injury for dedicated public servants already subject to political attacks and gamesmanship." While the White House's FY19 budget proposed an across-the-board pay freeze for non-military federal workers, in August, the Senate approved appropriations legislation providing for a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal workers. However, the House's failure to take up the bill allowed President Trump to sign an executive order on December 28 -- day six of thepartial government shutdown -- unilaterallyfreezing pay for civilian federal employees. In today's letter, the Senators pushed Trump to change course, highlighting bipartisan support for the Senate-passed 1.9 percent pay raise. They also underscored how freezing pay hinders the federal government's hiring competitiveness with the private sector, and called out the President for not doing more to prioritize human capital investments. The Senators also committed to working towards a pay adjustmentfor FY19 if President Trump fails to reverse his decision. "There should be a … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/123118bipartisandemlegstmt Statement Of Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy On House Democrats Introducing Legislation To Reopen the Government 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VT Patrick Leahy L000174 www.leahy.senate.gov     legacy 12.31.18 Statement Of Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy On House Democrats Introducing Legislation To Reopen the Government There is one reason and one reason only that much of our federal government is shut down through the holidays and countless Americans are living with uncertainty and that reason is President Trump. For 10 days he has held the federal government hostage in an attempt to force us to pay for an ineffective and expensive wall on the southern border, a wall he promised that Mexico would pay for. It will not work. He does not have the votes. Today, House Democrats introduced a commonsense path forward to end the Trump Shutdown: six bipartisan appropriations bills and a continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security. Following this path, we can finish six of the seven appropriations bills this week and get the government back open and working for the American people. The six bills are the product of bipartisan compromise and provide billions of dollars in new resources to address critical needs of the American people and to protect U.S. national security. They provide much-needed funding to help combat our nation's opioid epidemic, and critical investments in infrastructure to help rebuild our nation's crumbling roads, bridges, and highways. They provide resources to protect the environment and help ensure that the water we drink and the air we breathe is safe and clean for this generation and the next. And they support key allies and national security programs that enable the United States to be a global leader. For 10 days this funding has been held hostage by the President. Which of this funding would he have cut to pay for his wall? The reality is, while the President has spent days hiding away in the White House and demanding via tweets billions from U.S. taxpayers to build his misguided wall, he has completely cut off funding for the very Department tasked with securing our border, as well as eight other federal departments and dozens of agenci… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/morris-county-listening-tour-council-grove Morris County Listening Tour, Council Grove 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House KS Jerry Moran M000934 www.moran.senate.gov     legacy Tour Stops Home Kansas Kansas Listening Tour Tour Stops MORRIS COUNTYMonday, December 31Main StreetCouncil Grove 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5B40E031-7D99-4928-A429-EA175ECD458A President Signs Into Law Portmans Bipartisan Bill to Protect Surviving Military Spouses 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House OH Rob Portman P000449 www.portman.senate.gov     legacy Legislation Will Allow Spouses of Deceased Servicemembers to Break Jointly Held Residential Leases Without Penalty WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) today announced that President Trump signed into law his bipartisan Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act. The legislation, which was originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL), would modify the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to allow a widow or widower of a servicemember who died while in military service (i.e., a Gold Star spouse) to terminate a jointly held residential lease, without penalty, within one year of the servicemember's death. This protection will also extend to the widow or widower of a member of the National Guard or Reserve whose death occurred while on active duty orders. I applaud the president for signing this measure into law to ensure that grieving military spouse dealing with the death of their loved one on active duty are able to end their lease without paying high termination fees, said Senator Portman. This law, with the support of numerous veterans groups and the Department of Defense, is a common-sense fix for Gold Star spouses. When a servicemember receives military orders, his or her spouse is often required to relocate and then sign a lease for a house, apartment, or other dwelling. But when the servicemember dies during military service, the surviving spouse may be forced to pay off the remainder of that residential lease even though the couple only entered into that contract to accommodate the servicemember's assignment. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active duty servicemembers may cancel agreements such as home or apartment rental contracts when they are deployed or relocated. However, these protections do not explicitly apply to Gold Star spouses who are in these agreements jointly with a servicemember who died while in military service. The Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act is also supported by The American Legion, Tra… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-statement-on-democratic-proposal-to-end-trump-shutdown Udall Statement on Democratic Proposal to End Trump Shutdown 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NM Tom Udall U000039 www.tomudall.senate.gov     legacy December 31, 2018 Udall Statement on Democratic Proposal to End Trump Shutdown WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, released the following statement after Democratic leaders announced a plan to end President Trump's government shutdown and reopen the federal government: Democrats are offering a responsible path forward to end the Trump shutdown, reopen the government, and provide certainty for New Mexico workers, families, and our economy. New Mexicans never asked for a Trump shutdown, from a president who is holding government hostage to try and force taxpayers to pay for his ineffective, wasteful, and offensive border wall. It's time for Republican leaders to end this madness and support a common-sense, bipartisan way forward for the good of the country. Print Email Tweet Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/sen-warner-on-the-president-signing-the-ashanti-alert-act-into-law Sen. Warner on the President Signing the Ashanti Alert Act Into Law 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Ashanti Alert Act legislation that will create a new federal alert system for missing or endangered adults between the ages of 18-64into law: "Despite the tragic loss of Ashanti Billie, with the love and support of Meltony and Brandy Billie along with the Hampton Roads community, the Ashanti Alert Act is now law of the land. In this New Year, it is my hope that this important law enforcement tool can help save countless lives." The Ashanti Alert Act is named after Ashanti Billie, the 19-year-old who was abducted in Norfolk, Va. on September 18, 2017. Her body was discovered in North Carolina 11 days after she was first reported missing. At the time of Ashanti's abduction, she was too old for an Amber Alert and too young for a Silver Alert. The Ashanti Alert, like the other alert systems, would notify the public about missing or endangered adults, ages 18-64, through a national communications network to assist law enforcement in the search. In June, Gov. Northam signed into law legislation introduced by Del. Jay Jones creating a statewide Ashanti Alert system in Virginia. In September, the House of Representatives unanimously passed its version of theAshanti Alert Act, which was introduced by outgoing Congressman Scott Taylor. After the House billin its original formwas blocked from passing in the Senate, Sen. Warner worked with his colleagues to make modifications to the bill to allow for its eventualpassage by unanimous consentin that chamber. In December, the House of Representatives passed the modified Ashanti Alert Act, sending it to the President's desk for signature. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/senators-urge-trump-to-reverse-course-raise-pay-for-federal-employees Senators Urge Trump to Reverse Course, Raise Pay for Federal Employees 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him in the strongest possible terms toback off aplannedpay freeze forcivilian federal employees in 2019. "We write to urge you in the strongest possible terms to reverse your decision to freeze pay rates for non-military federal workers in 2019. After months of indecisiveness and mixed signals, your decision further penalizes hard-working federal employees already straining under the impact of the unnecessary government shutdown that began on December 22nd,"the Senators told Trump."Freezing pay for federal workers adds insult to injury for dedicated public servants already subject to political attacks and gamesmanship." While the White House's FY19 budget proposed an across-the-board pay freeze for non-military federal workers, in August, the Senate approved appropriations legislation providing for a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal workers. However, the House's failure to take up the bill allowed President Trump to sign an executive order on December 28 -- day six of thepartial government shutdown -- unilaterallyfreezing pay for civilian federal employees. In today's letter, the Senators pushed Trump to change course, highlighting bipartisan support for the Senate-passed 1.9 percent pay raise. They also underscored how freezing pay hinders the federal government's hiring competitiveness with the private sector, and called out the President for not doing more to prioritize human capital investments. The Senators also committed to working towards a pay adjustmentfor FY19 if President Trump fails to reverse his decision. "There should be a particular sense of urgency in bolstering, rather than undermining, the competitiveness of the federal workforce considering that the share of federal employees eligible for retirement is expected to jump to 30 percent in five years,"the Senators wrote. "As a busin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/statement-sen-warner-on-navy-s-announcement-to-block-buy-two-ford-class-aircraft-carriers Sen. Warner on Navy's Announcement to Block Buy Two Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Navy announced they will block buy two Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers: I am pleased that the Navy has announced its plan to move forward in the procurement of two aircraft carriers, which will generate significant cost savings for taxpayers. This announcement is not only important for the men and women of the Newport News shipbuilding industry, it also makes a critical investment in our nation's defense by ensuring the Navy has the capabilities needed to combat any adversary. Sen. Warner has continued to express support for the block buy of Ford-class aircraft carriers that would save taxpayer dollars and strengthen our national defense. In December 2017, Sen. Warner joined Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 15 Senators in a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis to support the Pentagon's pursuit in the block buy in FY2019. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401638 On the Ruling in the Case of Igor Bitkov 2018-12-30 2018 2018-12 Republican House NJ Christopher Smith S000522 chrissmith.house.gov     legacy Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), chair of the House Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, issued the following statement on the court order for the release of Igor Bitkov: "I welcome the news that a court in Guatemala on Friday ordered Igor Bitkov released, sentencing him to time served. I fully expect that the release of his wife and daughter, Irina and Anastasia, will likewise be forthcoming. "That said, the original prosecution and jailing of the Bitkovs orchestrated by the Russian government in collusion with an out-of-control UN 'anti-corruption' entity, CICIG was a farce. "There needs to be accountability. While it is up to the Guatemalans to address the flaws in the Guatemalan justice system that this case laid bare such as the extensive use of pretrial detention there are individuals in our State Department who turned a blind eye to the abuses of CICIG, an entity which we fund. This is especially egregious given the role played by Russian government actors. I renew my call for the State Department's Inspector General, as well as independent investigative journalists, to examine this thoroughly. "The role of the Putin government in the prosecution underscores the stakes for the Bitkov family, whose plight was the subject of a hearing I chaired in April. While Friday's decision is good news, they remain in peril.Under no circumstances can they be returned to Russia. Theymust be given asylum, if not in Guatemala, then in a third country." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/2018-year-in-review 2018: Year in Review 2018-12-30 2018 2018-12 Republican House AL Bradley Byrne B001289 byrne.house.gov     legacy 2018 was a landmark year in many ways for Alabama and the United States. From defense funding to town halls, agriculture to Red Snapper, there was much to celebrate this year and much to anticipate in the next. Join me as we take a look back at the past year. I kicked things off in January by celebrating my 100th Town Hall Meeting in Grove Hill. I always enjoy meeting the folks in our area and hearing about the issues that matter most to them. This year, I hosted 25 town hall meetings throughout Southwest Alabama. We made realstrides in 2018 when it comes to our national defense, including passing much needed funding for Alabama's many defense priorities. I was proud to vote in favor of a funding bill that allows for the construction of three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and one Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), which are built by Austal USA in Mobile. This funding helps us move toward a 355-ship Navy. This marked the first time in ten years that we were able to fully fund our military on time, and in a bipartisan way. We funded critical Alabama defense priorities like the Austal shipyard; additional UH-60M Black Hawk, Lakota, and Apache helicopters, which are critical to the Army aviation mission at Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass; $22.4 million went to the Stryker Upgrade program, which supports the work at the Anniston Army Depot; and we increased funding to address cyber threats to our missile defense systems, which is critical to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. This year, we were able to celebrate great developments for our local fishermen and coastal communities. In April, a 47-day Red Snapper season for recreational fishermen was announced. And just this December, NOAA Fisheries published a new rule to increase the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the Red Snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. These latest numbers further drive us forward in the fight for greater state control over the Red Snapper fishery. Thanks to bipartisan reforms to our career and technical education programs, we are bet… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/with-hr-1-democrats-announce-a-new-program-for-electoral-reform With H.R. 1, Democrats Announce a New Program for Electoral Reform 2018-12-30 2018 2018-12 Democrat House MD John Sarbanes S001168 sarbanes.house.gov     legacy When the new Congress convenes in January, the very first item on its to-do list will be H.R. 1, a package of good-government and election reforms unveiled Friday by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a group of legislators led by John Sarbanes, of Maryland. Its contents haven't been fully composed yet, but Pelosi and Sarbanes previewed its three parts in a WashingtonPostop-ed earlier this week: a voting-rights plank that includes updates to the Voting Rights Act, measures to address gerrymandering, and automatic voter registration; an ethics plank that requires the President to disclose his or her tax returns and bans the use of taxpayer funds for congressional sexual-harassment settlements; and a campaign-finance plank that offers matching federal funds for small-dollar donations and requires superpacs to publicly disclose their donors. At a press conference on Friday, Sarbanes said, There's a lot of people out there in the country who feel right now that Washington doesn't listen to them, their democracy doesn't work for them, they're kind of left out and locked out. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://turner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/turner-on-federal-employee-pay-increase TURNER on Federal Employee Pay Increase 2018-12-30 2018 2018-12 Republican House OH Michael Turner T000463 turner.house.gov     legacy Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order cancelling the pay increase expected for civilian federal workers in 2019: As I advocated in August, Congress must reject the President's imprudent decision to cancel the pay increase for our valuable federal civilian employees. Congress still has the ability to override this executive order as we work to end the partial government shutdown. I will continue to fight to retain the federal civilian employee pay increase that was promised to our government's dedicated public servants. The Dayton region is home to over 15,000 federal civilian employees, including more than 12,000 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. When this executive order was first threatened, Congressman Turner strongly opposed it and advocated overriding it to Congressional leadership. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/op-eds/taxing-carbon-emissions Taxing Carbon Emissions 2018-12-30 2018 2018-12 Democrat House RI Sheldon Whitehouse W000802 www.whitehouse.senate.gov     legacy To the Editor: I must respectfully disagree with my friendJohn Barrasso's Op-Ed article (Cut Carbon Through Innovation, Not Regulation, nytimes.com, Dec. 18). First, the referendum result in Washington State looked like more relentless campaigning by the fossil fuel industry against climate action; without that industry onslaught, the carbon tax referendum there would probably have passed. Second, a carbon tax is notexpensive,except maybe for fossil fuel interests, as in our proposals all the money goes back to the public. In addition, taxing carbon moves energy markets toward cheaper renewables. On balance, people save money. On top of that, the savings from avoiding climate catastrophes are immense. If you really want to innovate, there has to be a cost to carbon pollution. Without that, where is the incentive to innovate? Today, fossil fuel enjoys a$700 billion-a-year subsidy in the United States, according to the International Monetary Fund. That subsidy warps the economy; it discourages innovation. We need to come together to solve this problem, not let the fossil fuel industry's talking points lead us away from a meaningful solution because leading us astray suits its interests. Sheldon Whitehouse Newport, R.I. The writer, a Democrat, is a United States senator from Rhode Island. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=13&itemid=2700 Rep. Grijalva Statement on DHS Secretary's Visit to Yuma 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Democrat House AZ Raúl Grijalva G000551 grijalva.house.gov     legacy TUCSON, AZToday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is visiting Yuma, Arizona as part of a two-day tour of the Southern Border. This comes at the heels of the deaths of two migrant children in U.S. custody in the past month. In response, Rep. Ral M. Grijalva issued the following statement: As Secretary Nielsen embarks on her latest photo opportunity and media tour at the Southern Border, she arrives under the dark cloud of a Republican-induced government shutdown, the President's threats to close the border, and the tragic deaths of two children in DHS custody. I've been clear from the beginning. Secretary Nielsen has no business serving as DHS Secretary, and the latest accountability and transparency issues at DHS provide more evidence that she is unfit to lead. I reiterate my call for her to resign. ### Stay in touch with Rep. Grijalva: NewsletterFacebookTwitterInstagramWebsite 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-statement-passing-former-bishop-robert-mulvee Langevin Statement on the Passing of Former Bishop Robert Mulvee 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Democrat House RI Jim Langevin L000559 langevin.house.gov     legacy WARWICK, RI Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following statement on the passing of former Providence Bishop Robert Mulvee: Bishop Mulvee was a kind and gentle soul who personified what it means to be a good shepherd in the Catholic church. He was a man who devoted his life to God and provided important spiritual guidance to many while always remaining compassionate and understanding. I had the honor to know Bishop Mulvee, and I considered him a true friend. His leadership and presence in the local Catholic church will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in eternal peace. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://scalise.house.gov/press-release/scalise-confirms-fema-reverses-course-nfip-policies-will-be-written-effective Scalise Confirms that FEMA Reverses Course, NFIP Policies Will be Written Effective Immediately 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Steve Scalise S001176 scalise.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after receiving FEMA's new guidance restoring the ability of the National Flood Insurance Program to write and renew flood insurance policies during the government shutdown: I'm glad after speaking with OMB and FEMA yesterday that they have decided to reverse course and allow flood insurance policies to continue as usual. While it's frustrating that they did not follow Congressional intent from the beginning, I'm glad they were willing to work with me on reversing their initial decision. Iwill work with the Administration on passing a long-term reauthorization of the flood insurance program.Millions of families in Louisiana and across the country rely on this program, and we need to give them the assurances and peace of mind they deserve. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://turner.house.gov/2018/12/turner-on-federal-employee-pay-increase TURNER on Federal Employee Pay Increase 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Republican House OH Michael R. Turner T000463 turner.house.gov turner https://turner.house.gov/press-releases scraper   0 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z
https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsarticles?ContentRecord_id=6393F1C3-85F1-4E2E-AE1F-9167144E2017 Washington Post: Alexander seeks to stay the course of bipartisanship in his final Senate stretch 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Republican House TN Lamar Alexander A000360 www.alexander.senate.gov     legacy In baseball, .400 puts you in the Hall of Fame. Alexander declined to single out any colleagues who stayed too long in the Senate, but it's clear that had an impact on his decision. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) won a seventh Senate term in 2014, at the age of 77, and earlier this year had to retire amid a physical and mental decline. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) won a seventh term in 2012, at 78, and decided to retire this year. Lately he has struggled to articulate some points, leading to staff statements more fully describing his thoughts. Alexander, in fine health, did not want to risk tainting his reputation. Another term was an eight-year commitment, he said two years to run for reelection and six years to serve out the term. At that point, he would be 86. He has known McConnell for decades, but he only hinted to the leader months ago that he would likely retire. The two men did not seek each other's advice about their own futures. It's such a personal decision, Alexander said. As of now, McConnell, 76, is running hard for a seventh term which would end when he is 84. Alexander wasn't afraid of a challenge from a hard-line conservative in a GOP primary. I actually like defeating evil forces where I can find them in politics, Alexander said. That's about as intemperate as Alexander will ever sound, which makes him an outlier in this political era of shouting into the winds of cable news and social media. But that style has made him indispensable inside the Senate, where some things have not changed. It's still based on relationships, he said. Alexander, a former Tennessee governor who twice ran for president, built strong enough relationships early in his Senate career to climb to the No. 3 post in leadership. But he voluntarily jumped off the leadership ladder in 2012 so that he could refashion himself as an across-the-aisle dealmaker. He worked with Schumer on easing the cumbersome process for confirming presidential nominees and then spent the past four years chairing th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-coons-statement-on-tomorrows-elections-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo Sen. Coons’ statement on tomorrow’s elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Democrat House DE Christopher Coons C001088 www.coons.senate.gov     legacy 12.29.18 Sen. Coons' statement on tomorrow's elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo WILMINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement ahead of tomorrow's long-delayed elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I call on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo ensure that long delayed elections take place as scheduledtomorrow, December 30and that the Congolese people are able to participate freely. Security forces, candidates, and their supporters must refrain from violence and commit to the rule of law and transparent, accountable governance. The people of the DRC, a country the size of Western Europe, have suffered enough in recent years due to pervasive corruption, attacks by armed groups, and a lack of basic services. The current and recent outbreak of Ebola in the east compounds these challenges. Congo's 81 million people have never known the leaders they deserve. The election tomorrow represents an opportunity to turn over a new page in the country's history. But the conduct of the pre-election environment has not been encouraging. This election should have been held at the end of 2016 under DRC's constitution. The Saint Sylvestre political agreement of December 2016 provided a one-year extension, which authorities again failed to respect. Most recently, a mysterious fire that destroyed some eight thousand voting machines, which were apparently to be used in the capital of Kinshasa (an opposition stronghold), caused an additional one-week delay. Finally, the electoral commission decided unilaterally this week that some 1.2 million people in Beni, Butembo, and Yumbi (also known for supporting opposition candidates) will not be able to vote on Sunday, due to the Ebola outbreak as well as recent violence. These delays are concerning. I am also disappointed by the electoral commission's refusal to accept independent election observers from the European Union or the U.S.-based Carter Cente… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-trumps-rollback-of-clean-air-rules-will-harm-childrens-health Duckworth: Trump’s Rollback of Clean Air Rules Will Harm Children’s Health 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Democrat House IL Tammy Duckworth D000622 www.duckworth.senate.gov     legacy December 29, 2018 Duckworth: Trump's Rollback of Clean Air Rules Will Harm Children's Health [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled back the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Duckworth serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. The Trump Administration is choosing to continue its attack on the public health of our children and our communities. The evidence is clear: mercury is a toxin that causes learning disabilities, loss of IQ, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature deaths. By rolling back the lifesaving standards responsible for the dramatic reduction of mercury and other toxins in our air, the Trump Administration has once again abandoned its duty to protect the public health of our babies and our children. I'll keep working to protect the right of every child and every American to breathe clean, healthy air. -30- Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-statement-on-the-passing-of-bishop-mulvee Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Bishop Mulvee 2018-12-29 2018 2018-12 Democrat House RI Sheldon Whitehouse W000802 www.whitehouse.senate.gov     legacy 12.29.18 Whitehouse Statement on the Passing of Bishop Mulvee Providence, RI U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today released the following statement on the passing of former Providence Bishop Robert Mulvee: Bishop Mulvee was quite involved in community policing issues during my years in law enforcement, and we came to know and trust each other. He was always a wise, patient and kindly voice, and in all our personal dealings he was warm, honorable and sincere. I am saddened by his passing. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=398897 Burgess Releases 2018 Year End Report 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House TX Michael Burgess B001248 burgess.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after publishing his 2018 Year End Report detailing key accomplishments and services for the 26th District. I began the 115th Congress with high expectations for what we could accomplish for North Texans. As this term concludes, it is clear we have achieved important legislative victories and made significant strides in areas where work remains. From committee hearings to town halls, case work to media interviews, I am committed to serving the 26th District to the best of my ability. As a Member of Congress, I have always made communicating with constituents one of my top priorities, and this annual report is one way I share my work on behalf of the 26th District of Texas. I hope North Texans review it and let me know how I can best serve them and their families as we look ahead to 2019. During 2018, Dr. Burgess: Authored and introduced 18 bills Hosted or attended more than 430 meetings Gave 80+ interviews Resolved 434 cases with federal agencies on behalf of constituents Received and responded to more than 50,000 pieces of correspondence Honored 19 student constituents entering the U.S. Service Academies Traveled more than 6,000 miles in North Texas For more, please read the complete 2018 Year End Report. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398852 U.S. Rep. Castor's statement on her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House FL Kathy Castor C001066 castor.house.gov     legacy U.S. Rep. Castor's statement on her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisi f t # e Washington, December 28, 2018 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis by Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi: share: f t U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding her appointment as Chair of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis by Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi: "I am humbled by Speaker-designate Pelosi's confidence in me to leadthe Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. She is correct to reinstitute the Select Committee and urge action to address this dire crisis that impacts my neighbors in Florida, all Americans and future generations. We must act with urgency to reduce carbon pollution and we can do so by unleashing American ingenuity and creating clean energy jobs to power our future. We cannot delay. The costs of the changing climate and extreme weather events pose greater risks every day to American families, businesses and our way of life.The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the new generation of leaders in Congress -- who understand the scientific imperative -- will tackle the crisis head on. Failure is not an option. ### f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401633 <span class="kicker">Washington Post op-ed by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith</span>'The World Must Stand Against China's War on Religion' 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House NJ Christopher Smith S000522 chrissmith.house.gov     legacy Chris Smith, a Republican, represents New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mihrigul Tursunsaid she pleaded with God to end her life as her Chinese jailers increased the electrical currents coursing through her body. Tursun, aMuslim Uighurwhose escape led her to the United States in September, broke down weeping at a Nov. 28congressional hearing as sherecounted her experiencein one of China's infamouspoliticalre-educationcenters. It is an appalling story but one that is all too familiar as existential threats to religious freedom rise in President Xi Jinping's China. The world can't ignore what's happening there. We must all stand up and oppose these human rights violations. The ruling Chinese Communist Party has undertaken the most comprehensive attempt to manipulate and control or destroy religious communities since Chairman Mao Zedong made the eradication of religion a goal of his disastrousCultural Revolutionhalf a century ago. Now Xi, apparently fearing the power of independent religious belief as a challenge to the Communist Party's legitimacy, is trying to radically transform religion into the party's servant, employing a draconian policy known assinicization. Under sinicization, all religions and believers must comport with and aggressively promote communist ideology or else. To drive home the point, religious believers of every persuasion areharassed, arrested, jailed or tortured. Only the compliant are left relatively unscathed. Bibles are burned,churches destroyed,crosses set ablaze atop church steeplesand now, under Xi, religious leaders are required to installfacial-recognition camerasin their places of worship. New regulations expand restrictions on religious expressiononlineandprohibit those under age 18 from attending services. Government officials are also reportedlyrewritingreligious texts including the Bible that remove content unwanted by the atheist Communist Party, and have launched afive-year sinicization planfor Chinese Protestant Christians. These e… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/letters-garret-graves-leads-saltwater-anglers-victory Letters: Garret Graves leads saltwater anglers to victory 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Ralph Abraham A000374 abraham.house.gov     legacy As saltwater anglers in Sportsman's Paradise, we are blessed with abundant fisheries resources off our coast. Today, we are grateful to our members of Congress who understand the value of America's fisheries and the public's access to those resources. On Dec. 19, Congress passed legislation known as the Modern Fish Act (S. 1520) to improve the way recreational fisheries are managed in federal waters nine to 200 nautical miles off Louisiana's coast. The Modern Fish Act, championed by its lead sponsors, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves R-Baton Rouge, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature. As we head into the new year, anglers from coast to coast to coast can be proud of what the Modern Fish Act means for the future of recreational fishing. We are now on a path to better, more modern management and improved data collection on angler effort and harvest. Ultimately, these updates should help avoid the abrupt closures and inconsistent fishing regulations that have been plaguing many federally-managed recreational fisheries in the last several years. I would like to thank Graves and his colleagues from Louisiana's congressional delegation in particular, Modern Fish Act co-sponsors U.S. Sens Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Clay Higgins,Ralph Abrahamand Mike Johnson who stood up for Louisiana's 400,000 saltwater anglers on Capitol Hill and demanded that we have a seat at the table of fisheries management. To read the full story, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://adriansmith.house.gov/newsroom/columns/looking-back-2018 Looking Back at 2018 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House NE Adrian Smith S001172 adriansmith.house.gov     legacy 2018 has been a productive year. The economic benefits of tax reform are on display throughout the country with businesses expanding and jobs being created all around us. While there is much left to be done, I'd like to discuss a few of our proudest accomplishments from the past year. During the week before Christmas, the Senate passed my bill to help our agricultural producers in the Northport Irrigation District. Once signed into law, this bill will allow individual land owners to repay their portion of federal irrigation infrastructure loans instead of paying only the interest as they have for decades. I was pleased to see the House pass it earlier this year and I thank Senator Fischer for her diligent efforts to shepherd it through the Senate. Earlier in December, President Trump issued a new rule to supplant President Obama's vastly overreaching WOTUS rule which threatened the productivity of our farmers and ranchers. When President Obama's EPA first issued the rule, I introduced a joint resolution to repeal it under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) which easily passed both the House and Senate and forced a veto by President Obama. I appreciate President Trump's efforts to shield our agricultural producers from overregulation and I look forward to putting this problem behind us for good. President Trump also recently notified Congress of his intent to negotiate a trade agreement to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between the United States and Japan. I have long called for such negotiations, including through a House resolution I introduced last year, and I look forward to the 116th Congress when I will take over as co-Chair of the U.S. Japan Congressional Caucus. Through this position, I hope to strengthen our ties with Japanese leaders and build support a mutually beneficial agreement between our two nations. Among our other accomplishments was an amendment to the FAA's reauthorization bill which will allow several of Nebraska's airports to continue receiving safety improvement funding. Many of ou… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bacon.house.gov/media/press-releases/bacon-voices-support-district-court-judge-nominee-buescher Bacon Voices Support for District Court Judge Nominee Buescher 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House NE Don Bacon B001298 bacon.house.gov     legacy OMAHA, NE- Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) today expressed support for Brian Buescher of Omaha, who has been nominated by the President to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge in Nebraska. He also expressed disappointment in two U.S. Senators for their religious discrimination shown in their questioning: Brian Buescher is a distinguished civic leader and accomplished attorney here in Omaha and has the outstanding judicial temperament needed to serve on the court. Recent questioning from two Democratic Senators on his affiliations with the Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus are out of line and against the spirit of the founding of this nation. We should never have a religious test as a qualification or disqualification to become a judge. Further, our First Amendment right to exercise our faith freely is core to the character of our country. Brian Buescher should be confirmed, and we should rebuke Senators Mazie Hurino of Hawaii and Kamala Harris of California for their disturbing questioning that smells and looks like anti-religious bigotry. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bass.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bass-statement-appointment-cheryl-johnson-next-house-clerk Rep. Bass Statement on Appointment of Cheryl Johnson as Next House Clerk 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House CA Karen Bass B001270 bass.house.gov     legacy Los Angeles, CA Office 4929 Wilshire Blvd Suite 650 Los Angeles,CA 90010 Phone: (323) 965-1422 Fax: (323) 965-1113 Washington, DC Office 2059 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7084 Fax: (202) 225-2422 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/10tv-congresswoman-beattys-ceremonial-community-swearing-in 10TV: Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House OH Joyce Beatty B001281 beatty.house.gov     legacy On Friday, December 28, 2018, 10TV was on hand to cover all the action surronding Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in event at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. An archived recordinng can be viewed on Beatty's official YouTube page. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/nbc4-congresswoman-beattys-ceremonial-community-swearing-in NBC4: Congresswoman Beatty's Ceremonial Community Swearing-in 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House OH Joyce Beatty B001281 beatty.house.gov     legacy 471 East Broad Street, Suite 1100 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614-220-0003 Fax: 614-220-5640 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-bill-renaming-post-office-in-honor-of-staff-sergeant-alexandria Collins Bill Renaming Post Office In Honor Of Staff Sergeant Alexandria Gleason-Morrow Becomes Law 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House NY Chris Collins C001092 chriscollins.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC Today legislation sponsored by Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) to rename the U.S. Post Office in Dansville, New York after Staff Sergeant Alexandria Gleason-Morrow officially became law. SSgt Gleason-Morrow was a Dansville native who was killed in the line of duty March 22, 2017 while serving in Jordan. I am honored that President Trump signed this piece of legislation honoring Staff Sergeant Gleason-Morrow,said Congressman Collins.Staff Sergeant Gleason-Morrow was a true American hero that represented the very best of the Dansville community. Renaming this post office after her stands as a lasting tribute to her bravery, heroism and sacrifice for our country. SSgt. Gleason-Morrow enlisted into the United States Air Force after graduating from Dansville Senior High School. She attended the Air Force's Aircraft Armament Technical School after basic training, and was assigned to the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. SSgt. Gleason-Morrow was deployed to Jordan during the Operation Inherent Resolve, and died from non-combat related injuries while performing maintenance duties on a fighter aircraft. Alexandria Mae Gleason-Morrow was a great American that loved her country and put her life on the line to defend us all,said StephanieGleason, mother of SSgt Gleason-Morrow.She was a top notch airwoman that gave her all, and never accepted anything but perfection. She taught those around her to become the best person they could possibly be. Alex was the best daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, wife and friend to us all. Gleason added:To say I feel a little overwhelmed is an understatement. To know that so many people still remember Alex and care about our family is heartwarming. All I can say is thank you this honor has truly made our Christmas and New Year brighter. SSgt Gleason was posthumously honored by her comrades when she was named the first Senior Airman team chief for the 389th Thunderbolts Aircraft Unit, a subdivision of the 366th Squadron. S… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cohen.house.gov/taxonomy/story-type/enewsletters/criticizing-trumps-government-shutdown Criticizing Trump's Government Shutdown 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TN Steve Cohen C001068 cohen.house.gov     legacy Dear Friend, This week, the federal government remained partially shutdown by an unnecessary demand by the President for funding for a border wall. In addition to pushing back against the Trump shutdown, I met with constituents and went on CNN to emphasize the need for overdue oversight of the Trump administration, announced a grant for Early Head Start programs at Porter-Leath, expressed concern at the death of a second child migrant in U.S. custody this month, and offered a holiday health tip about getting enough sleep. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me onTwitterandFacebookto see more updates as they happen. Criticizing Trump's Government Shutdown Talking Future Oversight of Trump Administration on CNNAnnouncing $2.3 million Early Head Start Grant to Porter-LeathExpressingConcernat a Second Death of a Child Migrant in U.S. CustodyAppearing on MSNBC on SundayOffering U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Signing Up for Congress On Your Corner and this e-Newsletter Weekly Health Tip Quote of the Week Criticizing Trump's Government Shutdown This week, for the third time in Trump's presidency, portions of the federal government shut down. This time it was because of Trump's 11thhour demand for a border wallthat the President said Mexico would pay for, not taxpayers.As he boasted how proud he was to shut down the government,I spoke out against it. The public deserves and expects the programs and services it pays for to stay open and work. I will continue to work to reopen the government, and get federal employees back to work for the American people. Talking Future Oversight of Trump Administration on CNN On Wednesday, I went on CNN with Dana Bash who asked me about oversight of the Trump administrationafterDemocrats take the Majority in the House on January 3. I told her oversight is a basic duty of Congress that has been neglected during the past two years and that that will change in the year ahead. See theinterview here. Announcing $2.3 million… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cole-appointed-ranking-member-house-rules-committee Cole Appointed Ranking Member of House Rules Committee 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House OK Tom Cole C001053 cole.house.gov     legacy Norman, OK Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he was appointed by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to serve as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee in the 116th Congress. Ranking Member is the top Republican leadership position on this important panel. Before consideration on the House floor, every piece of legislation must first pass through the Rules Committee. Going into the new Congress, I am honored to serve as Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, said Cole. I am grateful to Leader McCarthy for appointing me to serve in this key role on behalf of House Republicans and entrusting me to lead. While divided government is challenging, the American people are still counting on Congress to govern. Without question, the Rules Committee is an essential piece in the process of fulfilling that duty effectively. In my new role, I look forward to continuing to serve on the Rules panel and working with my colleagues to ensure Republicans remain heard and influential. Prior to this appointment, Cole has served numerous stints on the House Rules Committee. He first served as a member from 2004 to 2006; he was then reappointed in 2013 in the 113th Congress and has remained on the panel during each consecutive Congress. Since 2017, he has served as Vice Chairman of the committee. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/questions-and-answers-about-the-impact-of-a-partial-government-shutdown Questions and Answers about the Impact of a Partial Government Shutdown 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House WA Denny Heck H001064 dennyheck.house.gov     legacy Will my mail still arrive during the shutdown? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars. Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks? Yes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks. Will Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted? No. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown. Can I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown? It will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS. While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed. IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline. Can I get a passport during the shutdown? Perhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down. Will I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown? The Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there are no services for visitors to National Park Service sites during the shutdown. Services such as restrooms, visitors' centers… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/service-spirit-and-longevity-remembering-richard-overton Service, Spirit, and Longevity: Remembering Richard Overton 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov     legacy ***Press Release*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 28, 2018 Contact: Kate Stotesbery 202-225-4865 Service, Spirit, and Longevity: Remembering Richard Overton Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in remembrance of Austin veteran Richard Overton: Saluting Richard Overton for his service, spirit, and longevity. One of the last of our World War II vets has passed away at 112. Pleased that he could share so many honors late in life including, here, getting the Healing Garden at our Veterans Clinic named in his honor. Joined by Mayor Adler, we shared a celebration of his life that he very much enjoyed. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook:https://www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett | Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett| Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/service-spirit-and-longevity-remembering-richard-overton Service, Spirit, and Longevity: Remembering Richard Overton 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov doggett https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in remembrance of Austin veteran Richard Overton: "Saluting Richard Overton for his service, spirit, and longevity. One of the last of our World War II vets has passed away at 112. Pleased that he could share so many honors late in life including, here, getting the Healing Garden at our Veterans Clinic named in his honor. Joined by Mayor Adler, we shared a celebration of his life that he very much enjoyed." Follow Lloyd Doggett 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://engel.house.gov/latest-news/engel-to-pompeo-push-to-secure-justice-for-victims-of-the-kosovo-war/ Engel to Pompeo: Push to Secure Justice for Victims of the Kosovo War 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NY Eliot Engel E000179 engel.house.gov     legacy   0 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-the-passing-of-tom-weisner Foster Statement on the Passing of Tom Weisner 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House IL Bill Foster F000454 foster.house.gov foster https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper Aurora, IL - "I am deeply saddened to learn that Mayor Tom Weisner passed away. Mayor Weisner led the city through a period of great change and growth, leaving it a more vibrant place to live, work, and play. We are forever indebted to him for his years of public service and leadership as mayor of Aurora. I am grateful to have been able to call him a friend, and I am even more grateful for the counsel he offered me for more than a decade. Tom never forgot the real reason we enter into public service - to improve the lives of the people we represent. Aurora is a better place because of Tom's work, and his legacy will continue to live on in the community he worked to make a better place for the people who call it home. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://garretgraves.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/letters-garret-graves-leads-saltwater-anglers-victory Letters: Garret Graves leads saltwater anglers to victory 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Garret Graves G000577 garretgraves.house.gov     legacy As saltwater anglers in Sportsman's Paradise, we are blessed with abundant fisheries resources off our coast. Today, we are grateful to our members of Congress who understand the value of America's fisheries and the public's access to those resources. On Dec. 19, Congress passed legislation known as the Modern Fish Act (S. 1520) to improve the way recreational fisheries are managed in federal waters nine to 200 nautical miles off Louisiana's coast. The Modern Fish Act, championed by its lead sponsors, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves R-Baton Rouge, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature. This historic, bipartisan vote on the Modern Fish Act marks the first time a sport-fishing-focused bill has ever passed out of Congress and takes important steps toward updating the way recreational fisheries are managed at the federal level. America's federal fisheries have for decades been managed by policies designed to manage commercial fishing. Therefore, one of America's favorite pastimes often fell victim to regulations never suited to the nature of our sport. As we head into the new year, anglers from coast to coast to coast can be proud of what the Modern Fish Act means for the future of recreational fishing. We are now on a path to better, more modern management and improved data collection on angler effort and harvest. Ultimately, these updates should help avoid the abrupt closures and inconsistent fishing regulations that have been plaguing many federally-managed recreational fisheries in the last several years. I would like to thank Graves and his colleagues from Louisiana's congressional delegation in particular, Modern Fish Act co-sponsors U.S. Sens Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Clay Higgins, Ralph Abraham and Mike Johnson who stood up for Louisiana's 400,000 saltwater anglers on Capitol Hill and demanded that we have a seat at the table of fisheries management. Jeff Angers president, Center for Sportfishing Policy Baton Rouge 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-reacts-president-trump-s-threat-shut-down-southwest-border Congressman Gonzalez Reacts to President Trumps Threat to Shut Down Southwest Border 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Vicente Gonzalez G000581 gonzalez.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump'scomments that a full shutdown of the U.S. Southwest Border may be necessary to obtain funding for a border wall. It is increasingly worrisome that the president is not kept accountable for his rhetoric - be it online or on any platform. No, Mr. President, you cannot shut down the Southwest Border as a bargaining chip for your useless border wall proposal. The American people need to understand that this action would have vast, terrible implications for American consumers and businesses. If I recall correctly, the biggest threats faced at the U.S.-Mexico Border this year have been the inhumane policies enacted by the Administration. We must be diplomatic and strategic in securing our borders. We must be diligent in protecting trade relations with our neighbors. And the president must exercise the decorum expected from the White House - even from his Twitter account. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1169 Gottheimer Claws Back More Than $6.5 Million for Hackettstown Train Project 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NJ Josh Gottheimer G000583 gottheimer.house.gov     legacy Gottheimer Claws Back More Than $6.5 Million for Hackettstown Train Project Grant for Positive Train Control on Hackettstown Line to Trenton and New York Penn Station Will Increase Rail Safety f t # e Newton, December 28, 2018 Friday, December 27, 2018, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced a federal grant from the Department of Transportation for $6,542,353 for positive train control on a NJ Transit line that travels from New York Penn Station and Trenton to Hackettstown. The grant comes as part of the FY18 Positive Train Control Grants under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.This grant will go a long way to improving commuter and rail safety in Warren County and across northern New Jersey, said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). The new positive train control system will help keep our trains moving on time and work to prevent the type of rail accidents in New Jersey that we've seen in our state and around the country in recent years. I am proud to claw back our federal tax dollars to make long overdue improvements to our infrastructure in North Jersey. Since I took office, we've clawed back 16% more federal dollars back into the Fifth District compared to previous years -- an increase of $290 per household to help cut our property taxes and fight back against Moochers States, like Mississippi and Alabama. In April, Josh's bipartisan FRA Safety Data Improvement Act, HR 4925, passed the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support. The legislation, which was cosponsored by Republican Congressman Paul Mitchell (MI-10), passed by a unanimous vote. The FRA Safety Data Improvement Act codifies safety accountability requirements to prevent shifting in standards from one Administration to the next. It requires a plan and the implementation of recommendations… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-calls-fiscally-responsible-wall-funding-plan JONES CALLS FOR FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WALL FUNDING PLAN 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House NC Walter Jones J000255 jones.house.gov     legacy GREENVILLE, NC As portions of the federal government remain shuttered over a standoff between the president and Congress regarding funding for the wall, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) reminded all parties that increases in federal spending, including expenditures for the wall, should not be paid for by raising the debt. Whatever compromise is reached, it should be paid for without adding to the deficit or the debt, said Congressman Jones. America's national debt is nearly $22 trillion. Next year our annual deficit is projected to top $1 trillion. We can't afford to keep financing the provision of government services by borrowing more and more money. It's morally irresponsible and it's got to stop. Improving security on the southern border is essential, and we need a fiscally responsible plan to pay for it, Jones continued. If Mexico isn't going to be made to pay for a wall, that means funds must be found internally. Options could include cutting other wasteful federal spending. Foreign aid and the war in Afghanistan would be good places to start. As a wealthy man, the president might consider pledging some of his own funds as well. Whatever it takes, just so long as we don't add to the debt that is bankrupting our great country. Congressman Jones is a leader in the fight to cut wasteful spending and balance the budget. He has consistently voted against increasing the debt limit, and over the past 14 years, he is the only member of Congress to vote against every bloated federal budget. For additional information, please contact Congressman Walter Jones' office at (202) 225-3415. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3754 Lipinski Lends Support to Innovative National Security Program 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON--Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers who are requesting the Department of Defense to include funding for the Hacking for Defense (H4D) program in its FY 2020 budget request. H4D combines the problem-solving techniques learned by members of the military in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan with Silicon Valley lean business startup methods to teach students how to solve national security challenges. Earlier this month, Lipinski wrote a letter to Michael Griffin, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, requesting that he support the MD5 National Security Technology Accelerator, which through its university partnerships and collaboration with the H4D program, has helped create a pipeline of new technology and engineering talent focused on national security issues. Fifteen senators and representatives joined Lipinski in requesting funding for the program, which has created more than 900 new applications, concepts, or solutions provided to end-users throughout DOD. H4D delivers solutions directly to the warfighter, supports the rebuilding of U.S. military readiness, and advances the mission of innovation in national security, Lipinski said. We're requesting that the DOD make MD5 a program of record and include funding for it in order to increase innovation in the department's acquisition process and improve U.S. military readiness. H4D is modeled after the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, which has been teaching scientists and engineers the skills they need to turn their discoveries into commercial products since 2011. As the top Democrat on the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Lipinski was an early supporter of the I-Corps program and was responsible for helping it proliferate through the federal government. It has changed how federally funded research is commercialized. Congress has recognized the importance of MD5 by adding more than $50 millio… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lujan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/udall-heinrich-harris-gillibrand-lujn-demand-investigation-into-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NM Ben Luján L000570 lujan.house.gov     legacy   0 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/frequently-asked-questions-trump-government-shutdown Frequently Asked Questions on the Trump Government Shutdown 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House MN Betty McCollum M001143 mccollum.house.gov     legacy Frequently Asked Questions from Constituents on the Trump Government Shutdown Will my mail still arrive during the shutdown? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars. Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks? Yes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks. Will Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted? No. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown. Can I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown? It will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS.While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed.IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline. Can I get a passport during the shutdown? Perhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down. Will I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown? The Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there arenoservices for visitors to Nati… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://nadler.house.gov/press-release/top-house-democrats-call-preservation-records-related-child-deaths-cbp-custody-and Top House Democrats Call for Preservation of Records Related to Child Deaths in CBP Custody and Announce Plans for Oversight Hearings in 116th Congress 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NY Jerrold Nadler N000002 nadler.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chairman-Elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following joint statement calling for the preservation of all evidence related to the two child deaths in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody, as well as announcing they will conduct hearings and oversight in the new Congress into those deaths and conditions in those facilities generally: We are devastated by the news that yet another child has died in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). After the new Congress begins next week, our Committees in the House of Representatives will hold hearings and conduct oversight of the two deaths that occurred earlier this month, as well as the conditions under which thousands of children are being held in DHS custody. We take seriously our responsibility to conduct meaningful and fair oversight, and to ensure accountability where required." As a result, we are calling on DHS to preserve any and all evidence related to these horrible incidents. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, medical records, logs of health and welfare checks, and surveillance videos at all relevant Customs and Border Protection holding facilities, forward operating bases, and processing centers. We as a country can and must do better. We look forward to working with DHS to improve the health and safety of those in its custody and to ensure that this never happens again." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-king-time-for-us-to-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan Congressman King: Time for U.S. to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House NY Peter King K000210 peteking.house.gov     legacy Congressman Pete King Statement: "To reaffirm our commitment to Israel and opposition to Iran expansion &amp; aggression, it is time for the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights. Essential to Israeli security, regional stability and U.S. national interest." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sablan.house.gov/kilili-eyes-education-subcommittee-chairmanship Kilili eyes education subcommittee chairmanship 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House MP Gregorio Sablan S001177 sablan.house.gov     legacy Marianas Variety- U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan wants to chair the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. A senior member of the full committee and the current ranking member of its Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, Kilili caucuses with the U.S. Democrats who have won control of the incoming 116th U.S. House of representatives. In a press conference at his Saipan office on Thursday, Kilili, who won a sixth term in November, said he will be in a position that will make him very effective for the people of the CNMI. Kilili is interested in chairing the early childhood, elementary and secondary education subcommittee which, he added, has a broad oversight on many issues involving elementary and secondary education, Head Start, career and technical training, among others. Since he was elected as the CNMI's first delegate to the U.S. Congress in 2008, Kilili said he has successfully obtained federal funding for the Public School System. This, he added, includes $5.3 million through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which will benefit all individuals in the CNMI, 3 to 21 years, with disabilities, as well as the islands' early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families. In the Every Student Succeeds Act, Kilili said he came up with a formula change for insular areas that increased Title I-A funding for elementary and high schools in the CNMI by more than $4 million for a total of $11 million, with further increases through 2020. My focus has been to get myself ready for what will come in the 116th Congress, he said. I would like to get more money for our schools, our teachers, our students maybe money to build new schools, money to pay teachers higher salaries. Education is my top priority. Kilili said he will also continue to work hard on disaster recovery. Recently, he said he was able to include the CNMI in a disaster supplemental bill, H… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-commutation-mayor-langford-s-sentence Rep. Sewell Statement on Commutation of Mayor Langfords Sentence 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House AL Terri Sewell S001185 sewell.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. On Friday, December 28, Judge L. Scott Coogler of the Northern District of Alabama issued a ruling reducing the sentence of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford to time served. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) has been in communication with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and the White House, urging officials to permit Mayor Langford's release after she was informed by his attorneys of the Mayor's most recent hospitalization. As I have said before, justice should be fair, but merciful. I am deeply grateful to all those who heeded our renewed call for the immediate compassionate release of Mayor Larry Langford, said Rep. Terri Sewell. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Jay Town, Senator Doug Jones, our federal partners, and all those who worked side-by-side with our office despite the government shutdown to secure Mayor Langford's release. The holiday season is a reminder of the importance of family, and the commutation of Mayor Langford's sentence means that our former Mayor can spend his final days at home in Alabama with loved ones. My prayers are with the whole Langford family as they reunite and provide comfort to Mayor Langford in the days and weeks ahead. Rep. Sewell previously advocated for the compassionate release of Mayor Langford in 2015 and 2016 during the Obama Administration. Mayor Langford has suffered from worsening chronic health conditions for years and meets all of the legal criteria for a reduction in sentence. ### Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Vot… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/speeches/larry-langford-order Larry Langford Order 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House AL Terri Sewell S001185 sewell.house.gov     legacy 908 Alabama Avenue Federal Building, Suite 112 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=2320 Toomey in Today's Morning Call: Even with Divided Congress, Opportunities Exist for Bipartisan Legislation 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House PA Patrick Toomey T000461 toomey.senate.gov     legacy Allentown, Pa. - In an op-ed published in today's Morning Call, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) details his legislative priorities for the coming legislative session and what he believes can be accomplished under divided government. Topics include, but are not limited to, making permanent the expiring provisions of tax reform, strengthening firearm background checks, expanding opportunities for international trade, and a federal infrastructure improvement measure. Senator Toomey's op-ed is provided below and available here. Your View: Even with divided Congress, opportunities exist for bipartisan legislationMorning Call By Senator Pat Toomey December 28, 2018 In January, Americans will send a divided government to Washington. As we consider our legislative agenda for the next Congress, our first rule should be: Do no harm. The American economy is the strongest we've seen in decades. Economic growth has accelerated, unemployment is at 3.7 percent, middle-class wages are finally rising, and for the first time there are more job openings than there are people looking for a job. This is largely due to historic tax reform and regulatory relief that has been enacted over the past two years. We should make the expiring provisions of tax reform permanent and continue the regulatory reforms that helped get us here. Another important opportunity is meaningful entitlement reform. Our structural deficits and accumulating debt will, at some point, undermine economic growth and our standard of living if uncorrected. The three big entitlement programs - Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - are the root cause of our fiscal problems. Successful reforms in the past were achieved when members of both parties were willing to take political risks together. I have no illusions that this will be easy - or likely. But Congress owes the American people a government that is fiscally stable. Areas where we have better odds of making real progress include keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill; ex… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://vela.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/vela-gonzalez-push-back-border-tweets Vela, Gonzalez push back at border tweets 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Filemon Vela V000132 vela.house.gov     legacy Amid the partial federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump tweeted an ultimatum Friday morning directed at Congress: Fund his promised border wall or the United States-Mexico border will close. Either we build (finish) the Wall or we close the Border one of Trump's four tweets about the border said in part. The president's series of tweets about the border riled up Rio Grande Valley congressmen, who quickly fired back, both on the president's preferred social media platform and ina prepared statement. The shutdown is a crisis of the president's own making, U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, said in a tweet. To suggest that the appropriate response to his own crisis to shut down operations at our nation's border and cut off humanitarian aid to Central America is grossly foolish. If he doesn't secure enough votes to fund the wall, one of his major 2016 campaign promises, Trump also threatened to cut off aid to countries fled by asylum seekers, tweeting, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money. In 2017, the U.S. spent about $257.3 million in Guatemala alone, with $30 million directed toward a counter-drug program headed by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, according to the United States Agency for International Development. That year, the U.S. directed $181 million to Honduras and $118.2 million to El Salvador. U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, responded to the president's tweets via a prepared statement and did not address the threat to cut off aid to Central American countries. He instead pushed back on threats directed at the border. No, Mr. President, you cannot shut down the Southwest Border as a bargaining chip for your useless border wall proposal, the statement read. The American people need to understand that this action would have vast, terrible implications for American consumers and businesses. Last month, surveyors were spotted near the National Butterfly Center in Mission, weeks after the federal government awarded contracts to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A7D3A133-078D-4BAC-B9AA-278F4DBC74B9 Alexander: Mercury Rule Has Kept Tennessees Air Clean 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House TN Lamar Alexander A000360 www.alexander.senate.gov     legacy MARYVILLE, Tenn.,December 28,2018 United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the Mercury Rule is important to help keep Tennessee's air clean. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a proposed rule to revise regulations related to the Mercury Rule. Ever since being elected to the Senate, I have worked to clean up our aircleaner air means better jobs as well as better health for Tennesseans,Alexander said.The Mercury Rule, which was finalized in 2012, required utilities to install pollution control equipment to reduce emissions of mercury and hazardous air pollutants in order to keep our air, waters and streams cleanwhich has been good for our state and its economy. I will review the Trump Administration's proposed rule in the coming weeks to determine its potential impact on Tennessee. The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (the Mercury Rule) was finalized in February 2012 to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from power plants. In June 2012, Alexandervoted to supportthe Mercury Rule on the Senate floor. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=3B240EDA-52E9-4B16-A047-CCF0F7961316 Bennet Office Holds Listening Sessions in Every Colorado County in 2018 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House CO Michael Bennet B001267 www.bennet.senate.gov     legacy Denver, CO Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet invited constituents to meet in person with members of his Colorado staff in all 64 counties this year. Constituents in Colorado, and across the country, sometimes need assistance when dealing with the IRS, Social Security Administration, VA, or other federal agencies. In 2018, Bennet's Colorado staff scheduled individual appointments to listen to constituent concerns, respond to questions, and help Coloradans navigate through government red tape. Standing up for Coloradans is at the heart of our commitment to the public, saidSenator Bennet. No matter what, constituents should always reach out to our office with any questions, concerns, opinions, and requests. Bennet's office held 80+ community office hours in 2018. During his second term, Bennet fielded questions during 20+ official town hall meetings across the state, in addition to accepting invitations from constituents to discuss topics of interest, including immigration, veteran issues, and agriculture. Constituent service will remain a top priority for Bennet and his team in 2019. Submit requestsonlineor call any of Bennet'sstatewide offices. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are recommended, but not required. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/tb-p-sen-boozman-says-work-being-done-to-protect-election-integrity TB&P: Provision in new Farm Bill could help Arkansas farmers sell crops in Cuba 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy In the News The newly minted Farm Bill contains a provision that will allow U.S. agricultural producers to use federal market promotion dollars for exports to Cuba. Full story:https://talkbusiness.net/2018/12/provision-in-new-farm-bill-could-help-arkansas-farmers-sell-crops-in-cuba/ 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-capito-looks-back-at-2018 VIDEO: Capito Looks Back at 2018 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House WV Shelley Capito C001047 www.capito.senate.gov     legacy 12.28.18 VIDEO: Capito Looks Back at 2018 CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today released a video highlighting various events from 2018 and her work for West Virginians during the past year. Click here or the image above to watch the video. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/carper-to-epa-dismantling-mercury-emissions-rule-puts-americans-health-at-risk Carper to EPA: Dismantling Mercury Emissions Rule Puts Americans Health at Risk 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House DE Thomas Carper C000174 www.carper.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is rolling back critical protections by asserting that it is no longer appropriate and necessary to regulate mercury and toxic air pollution from coal and oil fired plants under the Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS). Once again, the Trump Administration is acting in a way that will adversely affect the health and safety of those living from coast to coast.The Trump EPA has decided despite the recommendations of scientists, public health experts and elected officials on both sides of the aisle that it is no longer appropriate and necessary' to protect the development ofinfants' brains from the serious threats posed by mercury power plant pollution. By releasing this proposal today, Acting Administrator Wheeler can only be attempting to rush an egregious policy before EPA staff are furloughed that is not only wildly unpopular, but also rolls back years of critical protections that keep toxic emissions out of the air we all breathe. With this action, EPA is also setting a dangerous precedent that a federal agency charged with protecting the environment and public health will no longer factor in all the clear health, environmental, and economics benefits of clean air polices, such as reducing cancer and birth defects.Since the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule was issued in 2012, both electric prices and mercury pollution have gone down. With this proposal, EPA has decided to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, and all Americans will suffer as a result. Background on Senator Carper's fight to limit mercury emissions: Senator Carper in December sent aletterto the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) expressing grave concerns that in making this decision, EPA is ignoring or dismissing many of the MATS rule's public health benefits and actual costs. Senator Carper in Augustint… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-announces-fema-will-correct-error-resume-sales-of-new-flood-insurance-policies Cassidy Announces FEMA Will Correct Error, Resume Sales of New Flood Insurance Policies 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Bill Cassidy C001075 www.cassidy.senate.gov     legacy 12.28.18 Cassidy Announces FEMA Will Correct Error, Resume Sales of New Flood Insurance Policies WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), released the following statement announcing that in response to his letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long, the agency will reverse its decision to suspend sales of new flood insurance (NFIP) policies during the partial government shutdown. FEMA's initial NFIP guidance made no sense, and I'm happy to announce they are heeding my direction and will start selling new flood insurance policies again. It's unfortunate so many people were inconvenienced due to FEMA's error, but I'm glad they are correcting it so home sales in limbo can proceed, said Dr. Cassidy. Now if only Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and other Washington Democrats will also listen to common sense, we can pass a bill to secure the border and end this partial government shutdown. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins%E2%80%99-statement-members-coast-guard-affected-partial-government-shutdown Senator Collins Statement on Members of Coast Guard Affected by Partial Government Shutdown 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House ME Susan Collins C001035 www.collins.senate.gov     legacy Newsroom Senator Collins' Statement on Members of Coast Guard Affected by Partial Government Shutdown Posted Fri, 12/28/2018 - 16:49 Washington, D.C.U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued this statement today regarding a separate payroll system that will prevent active-duty members of the Coast Guard from receiving pay for pre-shutdown work unless action is taken: Most federal employees will receive their scheduled paychecks today, but that is not the case for 42,000 Coast Guard members, who will not be paid for pre-shutdown work because they are under a different pay system.This is not fair. I called the White House to urge an immediate fix. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=DBFE6666-2B3C-4EFD-A346-21293A6E0C8C Corker Announces Portman Will Lead Congressional Efforts to End Modern Slavery Worldwide 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House TN Bob Corker C001071 www.corker.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON As his time in Congress comes to a close, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced that Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will take the helm of congressional efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. For years, Senator Portman has been a champion in Congress in the fight against human trafficking here at home, and I can think of no one better to take up the mantle in the global fight against this scourge on humanity as I depart the Senate, said Corker. With passage of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act and launch of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, we have made great progress in this fight, but much more work remains. While I plan to continue to play a role in this fight as a private citizen, I am incredibly grateful that Rob has agreed to take the helm in Congress to ensure this important work continues as we strive to end modern slavery once and for all. I am honored that Senator Corker has entrusted me with this role and I want to thank him for his tireless and courageous efforts to combat this horrific crime around the globe, said Portman. Over the past decade we have made progress but there is much more to do both in the U.S. and in other countries to help end this scourge once and for all. BACKGROUND: More than 27 million people are enslaved around the world, more than at any time in history. While U.S. government agencies and non-profit organizations have taken significant steps to end this scourge on humanity, much more work remains. Recognizing the United States could not meet this challenge alone, three years ago, Senator Corker proposed a bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Not unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS across the globe, the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act was designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations, and the private s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.feinstein.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A562073E-498D-44A3-A299-81676BFF6B58 Feinstein: Trump Attacks on Northern Triangle Nations Cover for Bad Border Wall Idea 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House CA Dianne Feinstein F000062 www.feinstein.senate.gov     legacy WashingtonSenate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today responded to President Trump's call to end funding for Northern Triangle nations: President Trump this morning once again attacked Mexico and Central America, raising the specter of another so-called caravan to stoke fears of his political base and justify his ill-conceived border wall. His actions continue to be incredibly irresponsible and threaten to further destabilize the region. The only person who doesn't understand why people are leaving El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is President Trump. The violence and intense poverty in those countries are forcing families to flee for their lives. A humanitarian crisis deserves a humanitarian response, not a heartless attack. We'll never help improve living conditions in those countries if we further isolate them, a fact that President Trump refuses to acknowledge. Even members of Trump's own administration say economic development in Central America is key to solving this crisis, but still the president refuses to listen. It's clear that President Trump is prolonging his government shutdown for political reasons. I'm hopeful that congressional leaders can come together and end this wasteful stalemate without squandering billions of taxpayer dollars on the president's absurd border wall. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-marks-policy-oversight-accomplishments-115th-congress Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments of the 115th Congress 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House IA Charles Grassley G000386 www.grassley.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa marked a series of policy and oversight accomplishments in the 115th Congress. Serving the people of Iowa as their United States Senator is my first priority and it's an honor that I take seriously, Grassley said. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and through my extensive oversight efforts, my work focuses on making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Iowans and all Americans. Grassley holds at least one question-and-answer session in each of Iowa's 99 counties every year to hear concerns and answer questions on any subject fromIowans. In 2018, Grassleycompletedhisannual county meetings for the 38th year in a row. Grassley holdsmeetings in a variety of settingsto ensure that a broad cross-section of Iowans can participate, includingbusinesses, schools,townmeetings andfactory floors. Although the setting may differ from county to county, the format is the same: Iowans set the agenda. In addition to his annual meetings, Grassley attended or convened a variety of events and forums, including: In 2018, Grassley created a social media series called #CornWatch that gave followers an insider look at farming operations and tracked the progression of the corn crop grown on the Grassley family farm in New Hartford, Iowa from planting through harvest. When the Senate is in session, Grassley sets aside eight 15-minute meetings everyMondaythroughThursdayto meet with Iowans in Washington, D.C., including advocacy groups, associations, chambers of commerce and local business leaders, students and families. During the 115th Congress, Grassley metwith more than 2,000 groups of Iowans visiting the nation's capital and discussed a variety of policy issues affecting Iowans such as trade, tax reform and health care. Grassley also joined 26 Iowa schoolsfor Q&amp;As via video conferencing and, as an avid fan of Iowa universities, attended dozens of sporting events. Highlights of Grassley's legislative and oversight work follow here: Agriculture: As the sen… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/udall-heinrich-harris-gillibrand-lujn-demand-investigation-into-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Luján Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NM Martin Heinrich H001046 www.heinrich.senate.gov     legacy Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez 8-year-old is second young child to die in CBP custody this month; Lawmakers seek answers to alarming questions about the timeline and actions surrounding Felipe's death Friday, December 28, 2018 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujn (D-N.M.) wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into yet another tragic death of a child in U.S. custody, eight-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, near the U.S.-Mexico border this time in Alamogordo, N.M. Felipe is the second child to die in CBP custody in December, following the tragic death of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin earlier this month. Full text of the letter is available HERE. [Felipe's] death is unacceptable, the lawmakers wrote. We seek immediate answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP about how they will ensure the health and safety of children at our borders, adequately train CBP agents and officers and allocate resources, and prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. We remain deeply concerned about the Administration's anti-immigrant policies for enforcement operations against individuals who pose no threat to our nation, as well as the policies and practices that may be causing asylum seekers to attempt a dangerous journey of crossing between ports of entry. In their letter, the lawmakers said that there are alarming questions about the timeline surrounding Felipe's death, about the conditions under which the child was held prior to his death, and about DHS's apparent lack of adherence to its own standards regarding the care of those in its custody, particularly children, due to the administration's immigration policies. Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillib… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/concordia-blade-empire Concordia Blade-Empire: Moran offers support for Concordia's IAP grant application 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House KS Jerry Moran M000934 www.moran.senate.gov     legacy Moran offers support for Concordia's IAP grant applicationConcordia Blade-Empire Friday, December 28 Offering his support for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Grant application submitted by the city of Concordia, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran visited Blosser Municipal Airport on Thursday to gather information on the proposed project. The city, in October 2018, submitted the grant application to the FAA seeking funds to construct a new runway east of the existing runway and an estimated cost of $6.5 million. There is no local match necessary for the grant. The United State Congress authorized an additional $1 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (IAP). Pleasing to me is that it is a priority program for rural communities. That doesn't happen very often in Washington D.C. Moran (R-Kansas) said. About $200 million has been awarded for 37 projects, and there is a total of $11 billion in applications. There are currently eight applications in Kansas pending, and Moran is expecting the decision to be made on the Concordia application in the first half of 2020. I want to be in position to be helpful to this community as this grant application makes its way across the desks of the people at the FAA, Moran said. Steve Richard, who serves on the Airport Advisory Board, said that the current runway, which is 3,600 feet long, was constructed in 1984. Richard said that the Airport Master Plan was updated in 2013. An environmental impact study for a longer runway was done and land was acquired. The Master Plan, which included a 4,800 foot runway, was signed off on by the FAA. When this program came down for the billion dollars we all had a smile on our faces, and said we have a shovel ready project, lets do it, Richard said. When approached on the project, the FAA determined a longer runway wasn't need. Moran asked Brad Waller, branch manager for Bensch in Manhattan, why if the longer runway was in the Master Plan, the FAA now says it is not needed. Really its a change over in personnel, Waller s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E70E4FEC-11D1-420A-AB6A-D3EBA9E5C201 Corker Announces Portman Will Lead Congressional Efforts to End Modern Slavery Worldwide 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House OH Rob Portman P000449 www.portman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. As his time in Congress comes to a close, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced that Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will take the helm of congressional efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. For years, Senator Portman has been a champion in Congress in the fight against human trafficking here at home, and I can think of no one better to take up the mantle in the global fight against this scourge on humanity as I depart the Senate, said Corker. With passage of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act and launch of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, we have made great progress in this fight, but much more work remains. While I plan to continue to play a role in this fight as a private citizen, I am incredibly grateful that Rob has agreed to take the helm in Congress to ensure this important work continues as we strive to end modern slavery once and for all. I am honored that Senator Corker has entrusted me with this role and I want to thank him for his tireless and courageous efforts to combat this horrific crime around the globe, said Portman. Over the past decade we have made progress but there is much more to do both in the U.S. and in other countries to help end this scourge once and for all. BACKGROUND: More than 27 million people are enslaved around the world, more than at any time in history. While U.S. government agencies and non-profit organizations have taken significant steps to end this scourge on humanity, much more work remains. Recognizing the United States could not meet this challenge alone, three years ago, Senator Corker proposed a bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Not unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS across the globe, the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act was designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations, and the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2109DD93-364B-4502-AA5E-5393E3C20EEC Rubio Applauds Administration Decision To Reverse DHS Guidance On The NFIP During Government Shutdown 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House FL Marco Rubio R000595 www.rubio.senate.gov     legacy Press Releases Home Newsroom Press Releases Miami, FL Today,U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement applauding the decision by the administration to reverse new guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that prevents the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from writing or renewing National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies during the current government shutdown. Yesterday, Rubio urged the Office of Budget Management (OMB) to reverse this decision.I am glad to see commonsense prevail in Washington. When Congress passed legislation last week to keep the NFIP operating until June 2019, our intent was clear. I thank the administration for reversing DHS actions and ensuring Floridians can continue to obtain and maintain flood insurance. I look forward to working with my colleagues to secure a long-term reauthorization of the program and much-needed reforms.Timeline of Rubio's Efforts on the National Flood Insurance Program December 27, 2018 Rubio Urges OMB To Reverse DHS Guidance On The NFIP During Government Shutdown December 21, 2018 Rubio Welcomes Passage of Bill To Extend National Flood Insurance Program November 28, 2018Rubio Comments on NFIP Reauthorization November 15, 2018 Rubio Introduces Bill to Reauthorize National Flood Insurance Program for Six Months July 31, 2018 Rubio Comments on Senate Reauthorization of National Flood Insurance Program July 25, 2018 Rubio on National Flood Insurance Program: We Should Not Hold Floridians Hostage July 18, 2018 Rubio Video Statement: We need to extend NFIP now or it will be a disaster for Florida July 18, 2018 Rubio in Tampa Bay Times: Congress Needs Long-Term Solution for Flood Insurance Program June 21, 2018 Rubio Secures Funding for FEMA Pre-disaster Mitigation and Flood Hazard Mapping and Ri… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.rubio.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=808C44EE-A98D-4A86-AEE7-4EDA81F930B6 Rubio to Release Report, Hold Press Conference on 2018 Accomplishments 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House FL Marco Rubio R000595 www.rubio.senate.gov     legacy Press Releases Home Newsroom Press Releases Miami, FL Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will release a report called Fighting for Florida detailing his legislative accomplishments during the 115th Congress. Rubio's remarks at Florida International University are open to the press and will be live streamed here at 10:00 am EST.The 15-page report, accompanied by a four and a half minute video, highlights Rubio's legislative accomplishments and provides a look at his behind the scenes efforts to influence policy in Washington. Last year, a non-partisan analysis ranked Rubio 4th out of 100 Senators for the number of bills he wrote that became law. That same analysis ranked Rubio 5th overall in Senate leadership and 6th in bipartisan support for his bills. Overall, more than two dozen bills Rubio introduced or served as the lead Republican sponsor became law over the past two years.One of my highest priorities continues to be ensuring that my staff and I are available to help Floridians with whatever federal assistance they may need,Rubio said. We have also accomplished some incredible policy victories over the last two years for Florida and for our nation.Landmark Laws: A few of the dozens of new laws are truly landmark accomplishments for Florida and the nation. In 2017, Rubio's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Actbecame law. That same year, he successfully expanded the size of the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child, and for the first time made the first $1,400 refundable against an individual's payroll taxes. This year, Rubio secured congressional authorization and funding to construct the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir to reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal communities.Leading during Crisis: From harmfu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/news/press-releases/udall-heinrich-harris-gillibrand-lujn-demand-investigation-into-death-of-felipe-alonzo-gomez Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NM Tom Udall U000039 www.tomudall.senate.gov     legacy December 28, 2018 Udall, Heinrich, Harris, Gillibrand, Lujn Demand Investigation into Death of Felipe Alonzo-Gomez 8-year-old is second young child to die in CBP custody this month Lawmakers seek answers to alarming questions about the timeline and actions surrounding Felipe's death WASHINGTON Today,U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.),Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)andKirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)andU.S. Representative Ben Ray Lujn (D-N.M.)wrote to leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) demanding an immediate investigation into yet another tragic death of a child in U.S. custody, eight-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, near the U.S.-Mexico border this time in Alamogordo, N.M. Felipe is the second child to die in CBP custody in December, following the tragic death of seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin earlier this month. Full text of the letter is availableHERE. [Felipe's] death is unacceptable,the lawmakers wrote. We seek immediate answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP about how they will ensure the health and safety of children at our borders, adequately train CBP agents and officers and allocate resources, and prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. We remain deeply concerned about the Administration's anti-immigrant policies for enforcement operations against individuals who pose no threat to our nation, as well as the policies and practices that may be causing asylum seekers to attempt a dangerous journey of crossing between ports of entry. In their letter, the lawmakers said that there are alarming questions about the timeline surrounding Felipe's death, about the conditions under which the child was held prior to his death, and about DHS's apparent lack of adherence to its own standards regarding the care of those in its custody, particularly children, due to the administration's immigra… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/op-ed Op-Ed: Stop treating federal employees like bargaining chips, Mr. President 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy Roughly 2 million civilian employees work for the federal government. They are men and women of every racial background and from every state in the country. Yet there is one thing they all have in common: They made a choice to serve, even knowing, in many cases, that they could be making more money in the private sector. Unfortunately, it appears that we have a president who, rather than leading the nation's public workforce, consistently chooses to belittle it. The latest example came when the president took to Twitter on Thursday morning, day six of an unnecessary government shutdown instigated by congressional Republicans at President Trump's behest. In what has become a familiar pattern of politicizing the largely nonpartisan, nuts-and-bolts work of the federal government, Trump tried to exert political pressure on congressional Democrats to fund his ineffective border wall by asking: Do the Dems realize that most of the people not getting paid are Democrats? What the president fails to understand is that federal employees don't go to work wearing red or blue jerseys. What they do wear are the badges of law enforcement and the hats of park rangers and the uniforms of first responders, and they make up the backbone of our government. They bring their skills and expertise to strengthen our nation and make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens, regardless of political affiliation. As the senior senator from Virginia, I represent hundreds of thousands of federal employees and service members. I have no idea how many of them are Democrats, but I know this: They include voters and nonvoters alike; they are independents and Republicans and Democrats and libertarians and vegetarians. Those who are hurt by this shutdown include Forest Service firefighters and National Weather Service forecasters in red states, and U.S. marshals and Drug Enforcement Administration agents in blue states. What distinguishes them isn't their partisan affiliation it's their commitment to serving our country. Like … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=CC7140F4-12EB-4D1B-B0FB-F86F31DDFED3 Wicker Hopeful About Reforms in FIRST STEP Act 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House MS Roger Wicker W000437 www.wicker.senate.gov     legacy A few weeks ago, I joined President Trump in Gulfport for a roundtable discussion on prison reform. Then, on December 18, I voted for the federal legislation discussed at that meeting, the FIRST STEP Act. This important bill does as its name implies, taking a constructive step to fix our criminal justice system while strengthening law and order over the long term. It was encouraging to see Democrats and Republicans rally around the legislation, which earned the support of the Trump Administration and a wide range of outside groups. One of the bill's primary objectives is to reverse the problem of recidivism when offenders are rearrested after their release. Studies have shown that rearrests happen for nearly half of federal prisoners. Preventing Future Crime The FIRST STEP Act seeks to break this cycle of incarceration by encouraging prisoners to participate in programs that have been shown to reduce recidivism. These programs are potentially life-changing for participants. They also offer benefits to society as a whole, preventing future crime and prison overcrowding not to mention the associated financial burdens that crime and incarceration put on taxpayers. The programs can also provide educational opportunities and vocational training, readying inmates to find a job when they leave prison. The job environment that prisoners face after their release matters to their successful transition back into society. Today's thriving economy has created more jobs and an attractive market for job seekers. Job programs in prison could help lower the high unemployment that currently exists among working-age men with a criminal history. In the end, employers would have more skilled applicants to fill available positions and our economy's productivity would remain strong. Sensible Adjustments to Sentencing Rules Another important reform in the bill is the slight modifications it makes to current sentencing rules for nonviolent prisoners. Moreover, it empowers judges to decide appropriate sentences rather than forcing… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=398894 Burgess Urges Senate to Fund Border Security, End Shutdown 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Republican House TX Michael Burgess B001248 burgess.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on the current government shutdown. The defense of our nation must be Congress' first priority. Period. I urge the Senate to join the House and pass H.R. 695, the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019, which includes President Trump's requested funding to build an effective wall on our southern border and protect the American people. Any vote against this funding is not only a vote for this unnecessary government shutdown, but also a direct vote against secure borders and national security. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401632 Protecting Taxpayers and Encouraging Charitable Giving: the Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Republican House NJ Christopher Smith S000522 chrissmith.house.gov     legacy Amid fresh reports that charitable giving could drop precipitously for 2018 because of the changes to the tax law, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is calling attention to a bipartisan remedy he proposed this year and will reintroduce at the beginning of the 116th Congress. Smith's Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act would allow taxpayers to write off charitable donations to organizations that volunteer and assist those in need, whether or not they choose to itemize on their taxes. Charitable organizationsincluding homeless shelters, soup kitchens, after-school programs, churches and synagoguesdepend upon the generosity of many American taxpayers to continue serving those most in need. Yet with last year's changes to the tax law many charities are facing the unintended consequences of the new policywhat could be a steep drop in donations. Just yesterday, USA Today reported concerns of organizations that say charitable giving in this year alone could decline by as much as $20 billion, Smith said. My legislation would help remedy this problem, allowing all those who wish to donate to charity to do so whether or not they itemize, thus protecting taxpayers while encouraging continued support for groups assisting the vulnerable among us, Smith said. I plan to reintroduce this legislation in the coming Congress and look forward to its bipartisan support and swift passage. Studies including the American Enterprise Institute's Charitable Giving and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act report predicted that charitable giving would significantly decline in 2018, due to an increase in the standard deduction in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which would result in many taxpayers no longer choosing to itemize on their taxes, which would include being able to write off charitable donations. In May of 2018, Rep. Smith introduced HR 5771, the bipartisan Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Actwhich he plans to reintroduce in the 116th Congress. The legislation would make charitable tax deductions universal and above-the-line, provid… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/lanny-keller-beware-conventional-wisdom-louisiana-governors-race Rep. Ralph Abraham holds fundraiser for gubernatorial campaign tonight to beef up his war chest 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Republican House LA Ralph Abraham A000374 abraham.house.gov     legacy Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham holds a fundraiser in Monroe tonight to beef up his campaign war chest, as he attempts to catch up to the at least five million dollars in campaign funds reported by the Edwards re-election campaign earlier this year. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says he'll need a lot of cash on hand, because this race will be remarkably expensive. Former U.S Senator Vitter raised about 11-million in an unsuccessful campaign against Governor Edwards, so he's going to need at least ten million dollars. Baton Rouge businessman and fellow Republican Eddie Rispone has also pledge five million of his own dollars for his own campaign. Abraham has served for four years in Congress, likely making quite a few deep pocketed contacts. Stockley says there's a few industries that tend to come in handy for Louisiana Republicans looking to raise campaign funds. To read the full story, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-announces-3074309-department-of-health-and-human-services-hhs Cartwright Announces $3,074,309 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant to Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern PA 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House PA Matt Cartwright C001090 cartwright.house.gov     legacy Wilkes Barre, PA Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency (HHS) has awarded a $3,074,309 grant to Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern PA in Wilkes-Barre. This funding will continue to provide families and individuals with the preventive care and treatment they need to live healthy lives, said Rep. Cartwright a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Community health centers remain a crucial part of our system to provide everyone with access to affordable, quality care. The Health Center Cluster Grants Program is awarded on a competitive basis to grantees that have demonstrated quality care to their communities and is overseen by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration agency. Congressman Cartwright continues to be an advocate for community health centers and health equity in Northeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the country. He recognizes the important role local health centers play in providing care to underserved communities. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-announces-23-million-early-head-start-grant-porter Congressman Cohen Announces $2.3 Million Early Head Start Grant for Porter-Leath 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TN Steve Cohen C001068 cohen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Porter-Leath will be receiving a $2,330,982 Early Head Start grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Office, and made the following statement: Early Head Start helps at-risk children under three years old develop the necessary skills to give them a shot at the American Dream. I'm pleased to announce this continuing grant funding for Porter-Leath which has helped meet the needs of Memphis' children and their families since 1850. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-time-has-come-reopen-government Dingell: Time has come to reopen the government 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House MI Debbie Dingell D000624 debbiedingell.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following comment on the continued government shutdown: As this unnecessary shutdown continues, the President needs to show leadership by reopening the government. Every single Democrat agrees keeping our nation secure is our number one priority. Let's debate in Congress, on the floor and in committee, the best ways to keep our borders secure. Using hundreds of thousands of federal workers including members of the Coast Guard working on the Great Lakes and TSA agents keeping airports safe as pawns are no way to run the government. It's disrespectful to the service and time federal employees devote to our country. Time has come for us reopen the government and leave debate for border security to regular order. Dingell and her office remain open for residents of the Twelfth Congressional District who need assistance with federal agencies, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and others. If you are in need of assistance please call her Dearborn Office at 313-278-2936, her Ypsilanti Office at 734-481-1100, or visit DebbieDingell.House.gov. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-time-has-come-reopen-government-0 Dingell: Time has come to reopen the government 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House MI Debbie Dingell D000624 debbiedingell.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) released the following comment on the continued government shutdown: As this unnecessary shutdown continues, the President needs to show leadership by reopening the government. Every single Democrat agrees keeping our nation secure is our number one priority. Let's debate in Congress, on the floor and in committee, the best ways to keep our borders secure. Using hundreds of thousands of federal workers including members of the Coast Guard working on the Great Lakes and TSA agents keeping airports safe as pawns is no way to run the government. It's disrespectful to the service and time federal employees devote to our country. Time has come for us reopen the government and leave debate for border security to regular order. Dingell and her office remain open for residents of the Twelfth Congressional District who need assistance with federal agencies, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and others. If you are in need of assistance please call her Dearborn Office at 313-278-2936, her Ypsilanti Office at 734-481-1100, or visit DebbieDingell.House.gov. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/its-about-time-editorial It's about time (Editorial) 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House WA Denny Heck H001064 dennyheck.house.gov     legacy With the Chinese American WWII Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act now being signed into law, let freedom ring for all. This is a wonderful holiday gift to the Chinese American community. The president's signature on this bill on Dec. 20 reaffirms this administration's recognition of the contributions that people of color make in protecting our nation. They put their lives on the line, pledging loyalty to our country, and proving that we are all patriots. The passing and signing into law of this act honorably recognizes the Chinese Americans who bravely served our country. Few people know that more than 18,000 Chinese and Chinese Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII. They served in every capacity within the armed forces, even though the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was still in force for much of the war. Many earned citations for their heroism and honorable duty to our nation. Up until now, they were the only U.S. minority group that had not been recognized for their service. We have lost many of these patriots in the years since the end of WWII. With precious few still alive, it's about time that those still with us are getting honored and recognized for their selflessness and sacrifice. Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced the bill, along with Ed Royce (R-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced it in the Senate. Here are the Washington senators and congressmen who cosponsored the bill: Sen. Maria Cantwell Sen. Patty Murray Rep. Suzan DelBene Rep. Denny Heck Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler Rep. Pramila Jayapal Rep. Derek Kilmer Rep. Rick Larsen Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Rep. Dan Newhouse Rep. Dave Reichert Rep. Adam Smith 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ksat-condolences-pour-after-sudden-death-county-commissioner-paul-elizondo KSAT: Condolences pour in after sudden death of County Commissioner Paul Elizondo 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov     legacy SAN ANTONIO - Condolences are pouring in for longtime county commissioner Paul Elizondo, who passed away suddenly Thursday morning. Elizondo served on the Bexar County Commissioners Court for 32 years. Paul was my dearest friend. Over 17 years, we forged a strong partnership on the commissioners court. His life's work will leave a lasting impact on our community. I will miss him terribly. - Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff "For over a generation, Paul Elizondo was an icon of the West Side and a force in Bexar County government and politics. His influence will be felt for decades to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time." - Mayor Ron Nirenberg Commissioner Elizondo's passing is saddening to hear. He has been a friend and a mentor to many. His institutional wealth of knowledge of the county will be sorely missed, along with his antidote of humor and wittiness, that I will miss the most. - Commissioner Sergio Chico Rodriguez A life lived in the service of others is a life well lived. Nobody personified that more than Commissioner Paul Elizondo. His career in the military, as an educator, and as an elected official spanned decades and placed service to his community before all else. - Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar Commissioner Paul Elizondo was a champion for our veterans, his constituents, and Bexar County. He was also a mentor and friend, and I will miss him very much. - Commissioner Kevin Wolff I want to ask everyone to please say a prayer for Commissioner Elizondo's, family, friends, staff and community. As the dean of Commissioners Court his passing is a huge loss with over 60 years of public service from the time he was a Marine to today. His institutional knowledge is legendary and will be missed. I am comforted to know our last conversation was jovial as he told me about his days in the Texas Legislature. My sincerest condolences to the family and to his constituents who he so proudly served. - Commissioner Tommy Calvert On behalf of our 1,400 members and the leade… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ktsa-bexar-co-commissioner-paul-elizondo-dies-83 KTSA: Bexar Co. commissioner Paul Elizondo dies at 83 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov     legacy SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) Bexar County commissioner Paul Elizondo died Thursday. No word on the cause of his death, though he died at his home. For over a generation, Paul Elizondo was an icon of the West Side and a force in Bexar County government and politics, San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement Thursday. His influence will be felt for decades to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. My deepest condolences go out to the Elizondo family during this time. San Antonio has lost a deeply caring and thoughtful individual in County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, councilman Roberto Trevino. I am grateful to Commissioner Elizondo for his help on many issues; his extensive military and public service record; but above all, I am grateful for his friendship. Commissioner Elizondo's legacy will live on, and continue to have a positive impact on the residents of San Antonio for generations to come. A life lived in the service of others is a life well lived, Bexar County sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement. Nobody personified that more than Commissioner Paul Elizondo. His career in the military, as an educator, and as an elected official spanned decades and placed service to his community before all else. The San Antonio business community is saddened by the news of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo's passing. Over his 36 years of dedicated public service, Commissioner Elizondo has been a champion of the underserved in our county and city, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Richard Perez said. Improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare for the most needy, addressing the most endemic flooding issue throughout the county, and preserving our rich heritage were but a few of the many vital projects Commissioner Elizondo shepherded through to completion. The University Health System expansion, the Alameda Theater renovation, and countless flood-control projects are a reality as a result of his commitment to the citizens of Bexar County. The b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/kxan-reactions-passing-richard-overton-recall-texas-legend KXAN: Reactions to the passing of Richard Overton recall a 'Texas legend' 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov     legacy AUSTIN (KXAN) Shortly after the news of World War II veteran Richard Overton's death, condolences and memories came pouring in from around Texas and the nation. Overton's cousin, Volma Overton Jr., said the family will miss the funny 112-year-old and that his memory will keep them going. "We are truly blessed for everyone who has shown support and prayers, everyone who was encouraging to him and our family," Volma Overton Jr. said. "We are so thankful." People gathered at a mural on 12th and Chicon Streets that depicts Overton. They sang songs in his honor and did two his favorite things: drank whiskey and smoked cigars. Gov. Greg Abbott called Richard Overton an "American icon and a Texas legend," in a statement. "With his quick wit and kind spirit he touched the lives of so many, and I am deeply honored to have known him," Abbott wrote. "Richard Overton made us proud to be Texans and proud to be Americans. We can never repay Richard Overton for his service to our nation and for his lasting impact on the Lone Star State." People, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett, shared photos of the veteran and remembered his "service, spirit and longevity. Sen. John Cornyn simply said "A life well lived." Rep. Roger Williams said he had the honor of knowing Overton well and will miss him dearly. "Sitting on his porch and listening to him tell stories are memories I will never forget," Williams wrote. "I am thankful for his service to our country, and I am eternally grateful to have had him in my life as a friend and role model." Rep. Will Hurd shared a quote of Overton's that said "You don't know when you get here. You don't know when you go. It's in God's hands. Hurd added that "Our words will never be enough to fully show our gratitude for your selfless service. Fair winds and following seas, my friend." A Twitter account called EverythingTX shared a picture of the born-and-raised Texan smoking his signature cigar that he claimed helped him live a long life. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-passing-bexar-county-commissioner-paul-elizondo Statement on the Passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov     legacy ***Press Release*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 27, 2018 Contact: Kate Stotesbery 202-225-4865 Statement on the Passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo Washington, D.C. Congressman Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in reaction to the sudden passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo today: With a long life of commitment to Bexar County families, Paul earned having his name inscribed on the Justice Center Tower. He combined the feisty toughness of a Marine vet, the insights of a teacher, and the good humor and joy of a sax player in his legendary orchestra. As a personal friend since our work together decades ago in the Texas Legislature, I am saddened by his sudden passing. Let's remember Paul by renewing our own commitment to continue building a community that advances opportunity for all. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook:https://www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett | Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett| Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-passing-bexar-county-commissioner-paul-elizondo Statement on the Passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House TX Lloyd Doggett D000399 doggett.house.gov doggett https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. — Congressman Lloyd Doggett released the following statement in reaction to the sudden passing of Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo today: "With a long life of commitment to Bexar County families, Paul earned having his name inscribed on the Justice Center Tower. He combined the feisty toughness of a Marine vet, the insights of a teacher, and the good humor and joy of a sax player in his legendary orchestra. As a personal friend since our work together decades ago in the Texas Legislature, I am saddened by his sudden passing. Let's remember Paul by renewing our own commitment to continue building a community that advances opportunity for all." Follow Lloyd Doggett 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1168 Gottheimer Cuts Through Red Tape for Bergen County Family 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NJ Josh Gottheimer G000583 gottheimer.house.gov     legacy Above: Gottheimer poses for a picture with BenSaturday, December 22, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) met with a Bergen County family that he helped fight bureaucratic roadblocks after adopting a baby boy. Earlier this year, Karen, Keith, and their son, Will, welcomed Ben into their family. In the summer, the family still had not received Ben's birth certificate and needed that to obtain Ben's U.S. Passport. After the family contacted Gottheimer's office, they received Ben's birth certificate and an expedited passport just two weeks later. I was lucky to spend time with Karen, Keith, Will, and Ben and see first-hand how adoption brings families together. The last thing Karen and Keith needed was red tape for their first family trip. I'm happy that we were able to help and that I could spend some time with this wonderful family last week, said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). I want anyone in the Fifth District who is experiencing trouble with a federal agency -- whether it be adoption, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the VA, anything -- to contact me and my team. Since taking office, Congressman Gottheimer has worked extensively to cut red tape for families and businesses in the Fifth District. If anyone in the Fifth District is in need of help with a federal agency, they are encouraged to contact Josh in his Glen Rock office at 201-389-1100 or in Newton at (973) 940-1117. Video of the visit can be found HERE. Below: Gottheimer talks with the Bergen County family his office helped acquire a birth certificate and a passport 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://joyce.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=377 Joyce Issues Statement on Partial Government Shutdown 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Republican House OH Dave Joyce J000295 joyce.house.gov     legacy How to use: Insert &lt;span class="EXACT_VALUE_LABEL_AS_ENTERED_BELOW"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt; where you'd like the value to be populated. Non-breaking space within span tags - &amp;nbsp; - is required for WYSIWYG. Label (no spaces or special characters) Value Comments (optional) repName John Smith helpWithFedAgencyAddress Haverhill District Office 1234 S. Courthouse Haverhill, CA 35602 district 21st District of California academyUSCitizenDate July 1, 2012 academyAgeDate July 1, 2012 academyApplicationDueDate October 20, 2012 repStateABBR AZ repDistrict 1 repState Arizona repDistrictText 1st repPhoto SponsoredBills Sponsored Bills CoSponsoredBills Co-Sponsored Bills 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pascrell-pallone-urge-fema-to-issue-flood-insurance-policies-during Pascrell & Pallone Urge FEMA to Issue Flood Insurance Policies during Trump Shutdown 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House NJ Bill Pascrell P000096 pascrell.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) sent a letter to FEMA administrator Brock Long urging the agency to resume the activities of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the Trump shutdown. While many departments and agencies remain without funding, Congress passed an extension of NFIP's authorization last Friday so the program could continue to issue flood insurance policies. Despite this extension, FEMA issued guidance Wednesday, December 26 claiming NFIP insurers may not collect premiums for the issuance, renewal, or monetary endorsements of NFIP policies because doing so would cause the government to incur obligations without an appropriation. However, the sale of new policies is funded by the National Flood Insurance Fund, not discretionary appropriations. The NFIP successfully helps individuals and communities secure flood insurance, Reps. Pallone and Pascrell write. Suspending the program because of Trump's decision to close the government will cause additional needless suffering for our constituents and the long-term health of the NFIP. Last week, Pallone and Pascrell helped defeat a last-minute GOP effort to add a controversial giveaway to insurance companies as part of an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at the expense of policyholders and taxpayers. The Congressmen have also been leaders in demanding transparency and needed reforms for the program and are supporters of H.R. 3285, the Sustainable, Affordable, Fair, and Efficient (SAFE) National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide long term reauthorization for NFIP. Text of the letter can be found below: December 27, 2018 The Honorable Brock Long Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Dear Administrator Long: We write to inquire about the decision to prevent all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurers from issuing or renewing policies bec… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sablan.house.gov/week-congress-2018-year-review THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - 2018: The Year in Review 2018-12-27 2018 2018-12 Democrat House MP Gregorio Sablan S001177 sablan.house.gov     legacy 2018: The Year in Review January Sablan, Murkowski intro CW bill Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and I introduced theNorthern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act.The bill gives the Marianas access to foreign labor for another 10 years and allows for 13,000 CW workers. The bill also creates a new category to give long-time foreign workers more certainty. (See box above for more details.) I have been working with Senator Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, since July 2017 on this long-term solution. She formed a working group to draft the new policy with myself and key Republicans and Democrats from the Senate and the House to help ensure the success of the legislation. I am very grateful to the Chairman and all the members of the working group. We put in many hours of discussion to reach today's agreement. There will be more fine-tuning in the days ahead, but we now have a solid foundation for a long-term labor policy for the Northern Marianas.See our news release for a more complete discussion of the bill. February Confronting the opioid crisis.As Ranking Member of HELP the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee I opened our joint hearing with the Workforce Protection Subcommittee this week on the nationwide opioid epidemic. Billions are lost and the human toll is incalculable from the injuries, absenteeism, and lost productivity stemming from opioid abuse. We need safer workplaces, stronger consumer protections in health law, and greater access to treatment through Medicaid and other forms of health insurance to combat this problem. March Students lead to stop gun violence.Along with Washington, D.C.-area students, I walked out on National Walkout Day. Sensible gun control policy is what these young adults seek. And I could not agree more. With at least 65 school shootings in the United States since the 2013 slaughter at Sandy Hook Elementary, we have to act. Students like thesesmart, articulate, politically engagedshould give us all hope both for our count… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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