Press releases
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31,034 rows where party = "Republican" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending
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| http://gosar.house.gov/press-release/rep-gosar-circulates-legislation-strip-medal-freedom-bill-cosby | Rep. Gosar Circulates Legislation to Strip Medal of Freedom from Bill Cosby | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AZ | Paul Gosar | G000565 | gosar.house.gov | legacy | PRESCOTT, A.Z. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after circulating a Dear Colleague letter inviting his fellow members of Congress to cosponsor legislation that he will introduce next week affirming a mechanism for the president to strip Bill Cosby of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and that will impose criminal penalties for anyone who wears or publicly displays a Presidential Medal of Freedom that has been revoked: The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not something to be taken lightly and such an honor must come with responsibility and accountability. No doubt, Bill Cosby has made cultural contributions to public life in the United States as both an entertainer and as an advocate for social causes. However, the shocking admissions of Cosby during a 2005 deposition, the harrowing accounts of more than 50 women of Cosbys sexual assault and drugging as well as Cosbys arrest for three felony counts of sexual assault make him unfit to retain our nations highest civilian honor. When approached, President Obama stated there is no mechanism to revoke the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Cosby, making it is necessary to establish a formal removal process in order to protect the integrity of this award. For this reason, I will introduce legislation that ensures there is a mechanism in place to strip Cosby, or anyone else found dishonorarable, of the Medal of Freedom. Furthermore, it is true that there is a presumption of innocence in the American legal system, and rightly so. While our criminal justice system will ultimately determine whether Cosby serves jail time for the 2004 incident, Montgomery County prosecutors made clear in their Affidavit of Probable Cause yesterday that Bill Cosby has likely been drugging women for years. Cosbys own admissions to drugging women for sex place him outside the bounds of whom we should admire in our society. To continue honoring Bill Cosby with this prestigious accolade would be an affront to women nationwide,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398665 | Looking Ahead to 2016 | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | With 2015 officially in the books, we can now look ahead to 2016 and build on what the House was able to accomplish last year. share: f t With 2015 officially in the books, we can now look ahead to 2016 and build on what the House was able to accomplish last year. I am ready to get the ball rolling early. In the coming weeks, the House is expected to vote on my legislation, the Providing Accountability through Transparency Act. This legislation would require each government agency, in providing notice of a rule making, to include a link to a 100-word plain language summary of the proposed rule. Government agencies create long-winded rules each and every day and this bill requires a short summary and ensures the agency will provide a web link at regulations.gov to make the proposed rule accessible to all Americans. Of course, Ill keep fighting against the onerous new rules and regulations being issued by the Obama Administration, but it is very important that the American people have the opportunity to read, in plain language, what is being proposed. Also this year, I will continue oversight of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, maintain a leading role in the debate over Missouri River management, and support legislation that helps our nations veterans. In addition, it is my hope the House will start working on tax reform in 2016. Families and small businesses deserve a tax code that is simple and fair and it is long overdue for the House to start the process of overhauling the more than four million words that are in todays tax code. In 2015, the House passed major bills addressing education, transportation, tax relief, and lifting the ban on crude oil. The House will continue to build on its plan to keep our nation secure and a plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive. As we enter 2016, please remember that my offices located in Jefferson City, Wentzville, Washington, Mo., and Washington,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reichert-named-one-most-effective-members-congress | Rep. Reichert Named One of the Most Effective Members of Congress | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | WA | Dave Reichert | R000578 | reichert.house.gov | legacy | Recently, the University of Virginias and Vanderbilt Universitys Legislative Effectiveness Project ranked U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert as one of the most effective Members of Congress between 2013 and 2014. Specifically, Rep. Reichert earned the second-highest score among Washington State lawmakers after Rep. Doc Hastings who is now retired, ranking 27th among Republicans, and 28th among all 435 House members. This past year, Rep. Reichert has built upon his achievements from previous congressional terms and has continued to focus his efforts on growing jobs in Washington, enabling Americans to keep more of their hard earned dollars, and keeping our communities safe. Here are some of the highlights from 2015: Named Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee: Rep. Reichert was given the opportunity to lead the Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Trade and champion some of the issues that have the greatest impact on Washingtonians. Throughout the year, Rep. Reichert also continued to supporttrade in Washington by fighting for the reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank and serving as the lead advocate in Congress to resolve the West Coast Ports dispute. He is also a member of the President's Export Council. Served as Chairman of the Tax Subcommittee: Prior to being named as Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Rep. Reichert chaired the Subcommittee on Tax Policy, where he focused on reforming the tax code to make it work better for American workers, families and businesses. Now as the Chairman Emeritus and second in seniority, he will continue reforming the outdated tax code. Named Conferee to Customs and Highway Conference Negotiations: With a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues, Rep. Reichert worked to negotiate two important bills for the American people. This years Highway Bill is the first long term highway bill in a decade, giving states the certainty they need to invest in long-term infrastructure projects.The Highway Bill also included Rep. Reicherts language advising states to strengthen laws regarding s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://scalise.house.gov/press-release/icymi-scalise-barton-op-ed-dallas-morning-news-praises-benefits-lifting-ban | ICYMI: Scalise-Barton Op-Ed In Dallas Morning News Praises Benefits Of Lifting The Ban | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | LA | Steve Scalise | S001176 | scalise.house.gov | legacy | METAIRIE, LA. -Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) and Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.) penned a joint opinion editorial published in The Dallas Morning News titled Develop American resources, create American jobs.As of December 18, 2015, the nearly forty-year-old ban on crude oil exports has been lifted, thanks in part to Scalises leadership in the House. The op-ed touts the job-creating and economy-growing benefits for the state of Louisiana and our region. Excerpts from the op-ed are below: Let us develop the resources of our land These words, the beginning of a quotation of Daniel Webster, are emblazoned upon a plaque hung prominently in the House of Representatives chamber. They certainly hold true today as Republicans work to grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, make life more affordable for hardworking families and bolster Americas national security. Throughout the Gulf Coast region, our oil and gas industry remains the heartbeat of our economy an amazing success story that creates good-paying jobs by providing homegrown energy to America and our allies. In Texas and Louisiana alone, the oil and gas industry supports well over 2 million jobs directly and indirectly,from oil patch workers to engineers, service industry workers to truck drivers, computer programmers and more. The average salary of an oil and gas industry worker in the Gulf Coast region is about $80,000 a year, and the industry contributes tens of billions of dollars to our regional economy.With results like these, every state blessed with valuable energy resources should have the same opportunity to replicate our success. But for years, President Barack Obama has been trying to reverse these opportunities by imposing radical regulations that are rooted in a failed cap-and-trade scheme. With these and other wrong-headed policies, the president and his administration are waging a notorious War on Coal that is hurting American workers and their families. Just this month, the president met with the leaders of other nations in Paris to pursue… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-and-house-intelligence-committee-launch-investigation-into | Rep. Stewart and House Intelligence Committee Launch Investigation into Spying Allegations | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | UT | Chris Stewart | S001192 | stewart.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. -- As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) joined his committee colleagues in opening an investigation into the Obama Administration's practice of spying on members of Congress and some friendly foreign leaders. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the United States collected information on private exchanges between members of Congress and the Israeli Prime Minister during the Iran nuclear deal negotiations. This comes two years after President Obama announced he would no longer eavesdrop on friendly heads of state. Additionally, the law states that any intercepted communication between a U.S. government official and a foreign target must be destroyed unless the NSA Director grants a waiver. At this time, Congress is aware of no such waiver. "If the Wall Street Journal report is correct, we've got a real problem, Stewart said. "The National Security Agency already has a strained relationship with the American people, and breaking our privacy laws only weakens that relationship.Next week, the House Intelligence Committee is expected to meet with members of the Intelligence Community to get some answers to these very serious allegations." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desantis.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8B7562DD-8121-46C9-908D-FCA0694BC793 | DeSantis Seeks Answers on Israel, Congressional Spying | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | FL | Ron DeSantis | D000621 | desantis.house.gov | legacy | St. Augustine, FL – Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, has signed onto a letter to Admiral Michael S. Rogers, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), concerning recent allegations that the NSA intercepted and provided to the Executive Branch communications between member of Congress and the Israeli government. The letter can be read here. DeSantis issued the following statement: “While the Obama Administration was negotiating a nuclear deal with the world–s leading state sponsor of terrorism, they were simultaneously spying on and trying to undermine our closest ally in the region, Israel. That this spying may very well have swept up the communications of members of Congress, which represents an affront to the separation of powers. Congress needs to investigate how the Obama administration used this information and determine whether it shared information gleaned from this spying with Iran." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2427 | Rep. Gosar Circulates Legislation to Strip Medal of Freedom from Bill Cosby | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AZ | Paul Gosar | G000565 | gosar.house.gov | legacy | PRESCOTT, A.Z. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after circulating a Dear Colleague letter inviting his fellow members of Congress to cosponsor legislation that he will introduce next week affirming a mechanism for the president to strip Bill Cosby of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and that will impose criminal penalties for anyone who wears or publicly displays a Presidential Medal of Freedom that has been revoked: The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not something to be taken lightly and such an honor must come with responsibility and accountability. No doubt, Bill Cosby has made cultural contributions to public life in the United States as both an entertainer and as an advocate for social causes. However, the shocking admissions of Cosby during a 2005 deposition, the harrowing accounts of more than 50 women of Cosby's sexual assault and drugging as well as Cosby's arrest for three felony counts of sexual assault make him unfit to retain our nation's highest civilian honor. When approached, President Obama stated there is no mechanism to revoke the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Cosby, making it is necessary to establish a formal removal process in order to protect the integrity of this award. For this reason, I will introduce legislation that ensures there is a mechanism in place to strip Cosby, or anyone else found dishonorarable, of the Medal of Freedom. Furthermore, it is true that there is a presumption of innocence in the American legal system, and rightly so. While our criminal justice system will ultimately determine whether Cosby serves jail time for the 2004 incident, Montgomery County prosecutors made clear in their Affidavit of Probable Cause yesterday that Bill Cosby has likely been drugging women for years. Cosby's own admissions to drugging women for sex place him outside the bounds of whom we should admire in our society. To continue honoring Bill Cosby with this prestigious accolade would be an affront to women nationw… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/commentary/review-2015-senate-gets-work | Review of 2015: Senate Gets to Work | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | IA | Charles Grassley | G000386 | www.grassley.senate.gov | legacy | By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley At years end, most Americans take stock of the previous 12 months and consider if they met their goals for the year. A review of ones bank account, pay stub or job status and even a peek at the bathroom scale give folks a pretty good idea if they stayed true to their New Years resolutions. When the 114th Congress gaveled to order this past January, it marked the first time since 2006 that Republicans controlled both the House and Senate. The new leadership vowed to live up to the promises and expectations of the 2014 midterm elections and restore order to the peoples branch. The U.S. Senate succeeded in breathing life back into the worlds greatest deliberative body. In fact, the Senate held 163 roll call votes on floor amendments, compared to only 18 the previous year. Lawmakers performed oversight, drafted legislation, considered nominations and kept the federal government open for business. Restoring regular order ought to be considered the rule, not the exception as far as Im concerned. Considering that public opinion polls rank Congress among the least popular institutions in society, lawmakers are obligated to work towards restoring credibility and fundamental trust in our system of self-government. An appraisal of the first 12 months of the year reflects promises made and promises kept. Congress prioritized results that matter and advanced public policies that have substantive consequence on the daily lives of American families. Three key items that had evaded resolution for years in Washington were advanced by the Republican-led Congress and signed into law this year, including: approval of a five-year reauthorization of the federal transportation funding law that eluded bipartisan agreement for years. If theres one item that gets people animated at town meetings, its maintaining reliable roads and bridges. Rural Americans, in particular, typically commute longer distances in their own vehicles and need dependable roads to send and receive goods in the marketplace. The $… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/what-others-are-saying?ContentRecord_id=a02a9ecf-771c-4dae-8e16-314a00ed8d7b | Marietta Daily Journal: Isakson's Year in Review: What the Republican Congress did | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | GA | Johnny Isakson | I000055 | www.isakson.senate.gov | legacy | By Don McKee Georgias senior U.S. senator, Johnny Isakson, says the biggest accomplishment of the Republican-majority Congress in 2015 was the approval of an omnibus appropriations bill for the first time in seven years. Congress actually went through the process of appropriating rather than doing continuing resolutions and rather than having a government thats on cruise control and continues to spend money like it always did, the senator said in a post-session telephone interview. Probably that accomplishment more than anything else is something that gives us hope, because we had a lot of things that needed to be addressed both from an enhancement standpoint as well as a reduction standpoint, Isakson said. As for measures sponsored by Republicans, Isakson cited first the Clay Hunt suicide prevention act named for a young Texas Marine veteran who took his own life in 2011. The law provides better access to mental health resources aimed at preventing suicides which average about 22 a day among veterans. Its already being implemented around the country and were beginning to get some meaningful reductions in suicide incidents in our veterans population, said the senator. This is an issue close to Isaksons heart, and he has wielded his influence as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to bring about reforms in the VA and increased funding for veterans health care. He also has a lot of other irons in the fire as chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. Isakson ticked off other accomplishments of congressional Republicans. We passed a Keystone Pipeline bill to get Canadian crude down to Texas for refining but the president vetoed it but we put it on his desk, which was important, the senator said. We did a defense authorization bill for the first time in a couple of years. We did the trade promotion authority to give the president authority for fast track negotiations on trade. We passed repeal of Obamacare on the reconciliation bill, which the president will veto, but we passed it… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/fighting-for-florida?ContentRecord_id=368eafdd-9445-46c1-94e4-8378b8c157d6 | Looking Back on 2015, Excited about 2016 | 2015-12-31 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | FL | Marco Rubio | R000595 | www.rubio.senate.gov | legacy | As we look ahead to what promises to be an exciting and eventful 2016, my wife, Jeanette, and I would like to pause for a moment to reflect and give thanks for the year we are leaving behind. Although Washington continues to be a dysfunctional place that is out of touch and lacks the presidential leadership to confront the big challenges facing our country, I'm proud of the work my office and I did to make a real difference.With a chance to finally serve in a Republican Senate majority, 2015 proved to be our most impactful year in serving the people of Florida in the U.S. Senate. We learned that our successful effort to stop the taxpayer-funded bailout of health insurance companies that lose money under ObamaCare ended upsaving taxpayers $2.5 billionover the past year. And when the health insurers came back this year to get bailed out,we stopped themonce again. A bill I introduced to sanction the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollahbecame law, providing the U.S. with an important tool to deprive these savages of money to rain rockets down on Israel and carry out terror attacks against U.S. assets, allies and interests throughout the Middle East. To combat the growing global crisis of children who never receive birth certificates - and its long-term consequences - I introduced and helped enact into law theGirls Count Act, which directs U.S. foreign assistance to aid countries in setting up birth registries. This new law will help ensure that millions of kids, the majority of them young girls, are not subjected to exploitation, human trafficking and social exclusion because they lack birth certificates to prove their identity. I was able to play a leading role inre-authorizing the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which literally does the Lord's work in defending people around the world whose right to freely practice their faith is under assault. As part of my foreign policy work, it has also been a great honor serving as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on West… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lou-barletta-2015-year-in-review | Rep. Lou Barletta: 2015 Year in Review | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | PA | Lou Barletta | B001269 | barletta.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today reviewed the year 2015 in the United States House of Representatives and highlighted some notable improvements and achievements. Among the important issues covered during the year were continuing the fight against illegal immigration, protecting national security interests from refugees and problems with visas, preserving funding for SHINE, preventing heavier trucks from hitting the highways, and protecting steel jobs in Pennsylvania. Barletta indicated that he would continue the fight on those and other important issues as the 114th Congress resumes on January 5, 2016. The world is changing rapidly, and Congress must continue to work to address the evolving challenges we face as a nation, Barletta said. In 2015, we addressed many of those needs, and also found solutions to problems we have long been facing. But theres still work to be done. Barletta Priorities in Highway Bill Rep. Barletta, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was among House conferees appointed to negotiate the particulars of a five-year $305 billion Highway Bill, which included many of Barlettas highest priorities for the U.S. transportation system and its infrastructure. While voting for the bill, Barletta did express disappointment that the bill was a missed opportunity to develop serious reforms in transportation funding. Among Barlettas victories in the final bill were: Defeating Truck Weight Increase: Barletta was able to defeat efforts that would have increased the weight limit for trucks from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. Barletta said that local roads were not built to handle the increased weight, and the heavier trucks would pose a greater danger to their drivers and other motorists. Making Railway Cars Safer: Barletta successfully amended the highway bill to require railway tank cars carrying flammable liquids to be equipped with protections for their pressure safety valves. Newer tank cars already have this type of feature, but the legislation requires olde… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jason-smith-organizes-open-town-hall-meeting-at-clara | Congressman Jason Smith organizes open Town Hall Meeting at Clara Drinkwater Library to discuss Mississippi River Levels and surrounding Levees | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Cape Girardeau, MO On Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 4pm, Congressman Jason Smith invites residents and media to speak directly with the Army Corps on the recent record rainfall and current levels on the Mississippi River. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Army Corps and others to give a status update on current river levels, projected levels, and what the plan is for each levee. After the update, residents and the media will have a chance to ask questions. WHO: U.S. Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) Major General Wehr, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division Colonel Anderson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division Sam E. Angel, Mississippi River Valley Commission The Honorable Norma Jean Mattei, Mississippi River Valley Commission WHAT:Status update and discussion on recent record rainfall and Levee integrity WHERE:Clara Drinkwater Library, 105 E Marshall St, Charleston, MO WHEN: Thursday, December 31, 4pm ***Members of the media are invited to the meeting*** | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lobiondo.house.gov/event/martin-luther-king-day-federal-offices-closed | Martin Luther King Day - Federal Offices Closed | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Frank LoBiondo | L000554 | lobiondo.house.gov | legacy | Martin Luther King Day - Federal Offices Closed Start: January 18, 2016 End: January 18, 2016 Dec 30, 2015 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lobiondo.house.gov/event/presidents-day-federal-offices-closed-0 | President's Day - Federal Offices Closed | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Frank LoBiondo | L000554 | lobiondo.house.gov | legacy | President's Day - Federal Offices Closed Start: February 15, 2016 End: February 15, 2016 Dec 30, 2015 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398666 | Luetkemeyer Ranked Among Most Effective Lawmakers in House of Representatives | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Luetkemeyer Ranked Among Most Effective Lawmakers in House of Representatives f t # e Washington, December 30, 2015 In a recent study performed by the Legislative Effectiveness Project (LEP), U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) was ranked Missouris most effective lawmaker. share: f t In a recent study performed by the Legislative Effectiveness Project (LEP), U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) was ranked Missouris most effective lawmaker. The Legislative Effectiveness Project is run by professors at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University and measures how successful a given representative is at getting things done. The average Legislative Effectiveness Score for any given member in the 113th Congress was 1.0. Luetkemeyer received a 2.344. In addition, Luetkemeyer was ranked 45th out of the 240 Republicans in the House of Representatives. The list can be found here. As a Member of Congress, one of the most important parts of the job is to listen to your constituents and take what they have told you back to Washington to put their concerns and ideas into action. Thats what the legislation that I introduce each year is all about. I am very pleased to be recognized as an effective lawmaker but it does not happen alone. It takes collaboration with and support from my colleagues, along with assistance from my staff, for bills to pass through committees, the House, the Senate, and be enacted into law. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://roby.house.gov/column/new-year-strong-start | A New Year, A Strong Start | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AL | Martha Roby | R000591 | roby.house.gov | legacy | As the House convenes for the Second Session of the 114th Congress, it is important to get off to a strong start. Thats why Im pleased the very first bill to be considered this year is a plan to repeal Obamacare and begin the process of replacing it with healthcare policy that works. It is past time for this law to go.Under Obamacare, many in Alabama and throughout the country lost the health plans they liked. Many have been forced to go to different doctors, to say nothing of the doctors who stopped practicing altogether. Premiums skyrocketed and many middle class families are being impacted by new taxes, fees and penalties. I wouldnt blame you for thinking, So what? The House has voted to repeal Obamacare dozens of times. Its true that my colleagues and I in the House have voted more than 50 times to repeal, defund or replace the presidents health care law. And, each time, our efforts are ultimately blocked in the Senate, where Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. Whats different this time? This time our plan was carefully crafted to follow the Senates special Reconciliation rule that allows certain budget-related legislation to go through by a majority vote regardless of a filibuster. The Senate came through in late 2015 passing the Obamacare repeal reconciliation package by a vote of 52-47. That means when the House takes up and passes the measure first thing this year, we will finally send a bill repealing Obamacare to the presidents desk. Some may quibble that this is somehow an empty gesture. After all, President Obama will never sign a bill repealing his signature legislative achievement and the law that bears his name. However, as veteran lawmakers like Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) have pointed out, forcing a veto puts accountability for this deceptive, costly healthcare law squarely on President Obama. It also sends a clear message to the American people that, under a new president in 2017, Congress stands ready to replace this disast… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://stivers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398853 | No Child Should Ever Be Without a Home | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | OH | Steve Stivers | S001187 | stivers.house.gov | legacy | Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. This report provides a point-in-time count of homeless Americans, an estimate which is based upon the numbers collected on one particular night in January. The count includes homeless individuals living in shelters, and those identified by volunteers who survey places such as streets, parks, rail stations and all-night businesses where those who are homeless frequently seek shelter. share: f t Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. This report provides a point-in-time count of homeless Americans, an estimate which is based upon the numbers collected on one particular night in January. The count includes homeless individuals living in shelters, and those identified by volunteers who survey places such as streets, parks, rail stations and all-night businesses where those who are homeless frequently seek shelter. In 2015, HUD identified 128,000 homeless children under the age of 18 in the United States. This reflects a 5.8 percent decrease from the numbers it released for 2014. While a decrease in the number of homeless youth would be cause to celebrate, unfortunately, these numbers dont provide a complete picture of the problem. In fact, the HUD survey does not consider the places most homeless families and youth can be found, which is staying temporarily with other people, or in motels. By comparison, the Department of Education, which does consider these living arrangements, identified more than 1.3 million homeless children and youth in the 2013-2014 school year, a number that was UP from 2012-2013. Two different federal agencies with two completely different stories to tell as it relates to homeless youth -- this is a discrepancy we must fix to ensure that the federal government has accurate data and the information it needs to best s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-statement-usfs-ski-area-water-rights-directive | Tipton Statement on USFS Ski Area Water Rights Directive | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CO | Scott Tipton | T000470 | tipton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONToday, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement in response to the U.S. Forest Services publication of the final directive for the Ski Area Water Clause in the federal record. The Forest Services conditional use of permit for ski areas has been one of the Administrations most onerous attempts to hijack private water rights. While the latest version of the directive is improved from the original that sought to outright force the transfer of private water rights to the federal government, there still is room for improvement. The latest rendition of this ill-fated directive places unnecessary restrictions on private water rights holders, in an attempt to solve a problem that doesnt exist. By the Forest Service Chiefs own admission, there has not been an instance of ski area water rights being sold off for other uses. Furthermore, there is still ongoing concern that while the Forest Service may not require the outright transfer of private water rights in this directive, it is still enforcing manuals that do. Western water users are right to be wary of any action on water rights by this Administration, which has been dead set on slowly expanding federal control over water in the Western U.S. We continue to work on getting legislative protections in place to codify state water law and defend private water rights users from federal taking and interference as our Water Rights Protection Act seeks to do. Despite the Forest Services insistence that under the new ski area permit condition it will no longer require the transfer of water rights, Forest Service manual 2441.32 (Possessory Interests), which is currently being enforced, instructs the agency to continue to claim water rights of permittees. It is unclear if or how the Forest Service plans to reconcile the conflicting instructions. Section 2541.32 of the 2007 Forest Service Water Uses and Development Manual directs: Claim possessory interest in water rights in the name of the United States for water uses on National Forest System lands a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398564 | Upton Reviews 2015 and Looks Ahead to 2016 in New Report | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MI | Fred Upton | U000031 | upton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released a new report titled 2015: The Year in Review and a Look Ahead which outlines many of the legislative and policy priorities his office tackled in 2015 and looks towards the new year. We had a busy year working to move the ball down the field by focusing on commonsense, bipartisan solutions to problems faced by families and businesses here in Southwest Michigan and across the country, said Upton, who also chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Im proud of the progress weve made on a host of fronts, and look forward to the new year as we still have much work yet to be done as we pursue an ambitious, pro-growth agenda. Im excited and optimistic about the opportunities before us as we continue to get the job done for everyone in Southwest Michigan. The report breaks down specific policy areas in which Congressman Upton has been a bipartisan community leader; jobs and the economy, healthcare innovation, veterans care, homeland security, education, the Great Lakes, Medicare and Medicaid, agriculture, opioid abuse, infrastructure, and the Internet. Click HERE to read the report. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1f75cd94-3d62-4be9-8515-616901dfce81 | Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | 12.30.15 Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities Senator Holds Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today held a roundtable in Bismarck with local officials and business leaders to outline key legislative accomplishments that he worked to advance throughout the year and that Congress included in legislation passed this month. Hoeven worked with his congressional colleagues to address North Dakotas priorities and meet the needs of the states families, schools, businesses and farmers across a wide variety of areas, including energy, tax, education, transportation and regulatory policy. We secured important priorities for our state and nation, Hoeven said. We lifted the ban on crude oil exports, provided tax relief, restored local control over education standards and ensured stronger funding for long-term infrastructure projects. These accomplishments will provide considerable benefits for our businesses and our families by promoting greater economic growth and local autonomy. Senator Hoeven helped to successfully pass the following measures through Congress this December: Lifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy Committee, repeatedly called for the repeal of the outdated crude oil export ban and cosponsored bipartisan legislation earlier this year to do just that. Allowing crude oil exports will support domestic energy production, grow the nations economy, provide good jobs for workers, reduce fuel costs for consumers and enhance the security of the U.S. and our allies. Tax Relief for Small Business and Farmers Approved tax relief totaling $680 billion over ten years. Included a permanent extension of Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation and a five-year extension of bonus deprecation, important provisions that provide small businesses certainty and flexibility… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=6df9171c-2fd6-430b-8453-abbbf6dd55f3 | Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | Event December 30 2016 11:00 AM On Wednesday, December 30, Senator Hoeven will host a roundtable with the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce to review North Dakota legislative priorities that he worked to advance this year and that passed Congress in December, including: Lifting the ban on crude oil exports Providing tax relief for small businesses and farmers Providing regulatory relief for farmers and ranchers through stopping the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Waters of the U.S. regulation Ensuring education funding and local control Providing school meal flexibility in sodium and grain requirements Passing the five-year highway bill, which will provide North Dakota with more than $1.3 billion and enable more than 100 N.D. transportation projects to advance Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce WHEN: Wednesday, December 30 11:00 a.m. CT WHERE: Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce 1640 Burnt Boat Drive Bismarck | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/get-latest-southern-illinois-flooding-here | Get the Latest on the Southern Illinois Flooding, HERE. | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | IL | Mike Bost | B001295 | bost.house.gov | legacy | Because I want to do everything I can to provide Southern Illinoisans with the resources they need should this flood damage or destroy property, I am providing residents with the following links for up-to-date information concerning the Flood of 2015. For a list of available Red Cross shelters should you need to evacuate your home or business, clickHERE. For a list of the latestroad closings throughout Southern Illinois, click HERE. Most importantly, please DO NOT attempt to drive your car into a high water area. We have already seen tragedy associated with residents trying to cross roadways in order to get to higher elevations. If you have any questions, please contact my office in Belleville at (618) 233-8026 or in Carbondale at (618) 457-5787. The most important thing you can do is pray for our residents, first responders and all those directly impacted by this flooding. Thank you. Mike. Our next stop was Alexander County where we talked to workers and local officials at the county highway garage in Olive Branch. I'm continuing our tour of areas in the 12th District most prone to flooding or that have already seen flooding. We're now in Grand Tower, one of the areas that may see some of the worst flooding, talking with residents and officials in that community. We've had wonderful response and communication from the Army Corps of Engineers. With me addressing questions from residents and officials in Grand Tower is Major General Michael Wehr. A critical part of getting needed information out to our residents is the local media and I thank them for doing, just that. Reporters from WSIL TV 3 and KFVS TV 12 were here, talking to residents and us about the latest flooding information to pass on to their viewers. Thank you for helping Southern Illinoisans stay informed! In Alton, dozens of volunteers helped place sandbags ahead of where water is expected to rise. Mayor Brant Walker told me flooding was expected in the basements of the downtown business district but they are preparing for the worst. We also met with… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-encourages-pa-06-residents-apply-us-passport-early | Costello Encourages PA-06 Residents to Apply for U.S. Passport Early | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | PA | Ryan Costello | C001106 | costello.house.gov | legacy | West Chester, PA Ahead of 2016, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) took the opportunity to provide the following public service announcement to individuals seeking to obtain or renew a United States passport in the coming year. Recently, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a warning that the 10-year anniversary of the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative may prompt a surge in passport applications, and consequently result in a slower process. The Department estimates that nearly 45 million passports will expire in the next three years, compared to 26 million in the past three years. As State Department staff work to meet their service commitments, they are encouraging travelers to take the necessary steps to start the application process early. Costello echoed the warning for travelers not to wait until the last weeks to renew their passports: If you have plans to travel abroad in the coming year, I encourage you to make sure your passport is up to date well before your departure, said Congressman Costello. Pennsylvania Sixth District residents seeking a passport should submit their application at least 6-8 weeks before their date of travel, particularly if you are submitting an application in the spring or summer months when the volume of applications is larger.For individuals that may run into problems, my casework staff is happy to help constituents ensure the process moves along. Congressman Costellos office urged constituents who are filing as a first time applicant to be sure their birth certificate includes their parents names and raised seal on it.Additionally, many countries require travelers passports to have at least six months validity, so passport holders should not wait for their document to expire prior to submitting the renewal application. Casework staff is available to answer any questions applicants may have. Staff can be reached at the Wyomissing District Office (610) 376-7630 or by visiting Costello.house.gov. For more information on applying for a United States passpo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-blasts-obama-kerry-appeasing-iran-expense-american-security | Donovan Blasts Obama, Kerry for Appeasing Iran at Expense of American Security | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Daniel Donovan | D000625 | donovan.house.gov | legacy | Staten Island, NYDecember 30, 2015.Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today voiced strong opposition to the Obama administrations pledge to protect Iranian business interests by waiving Congressionally-mandated travel visa restrictions. Congressman Donovan said, Apparently, Irans business interests come before American security and citizens. Its yet another weak and wrongheaded step in the Obama administrations long road of placating our enemies. At issue is a Donovan-supported measure passed into law as part of the year-end funding package. It requires travelers to obtain a visa before visiting the United States if they have also visited Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan in the past five years. This includes citizens of the 38 countries which participate in a visa-waiver program with the United States. The goal is to make it more difficult for would-be terrorists to enter America. Iran took issue with the security restrictions, arguing they came about as a result of the Zionist lobby and directly contradict the parameters of the nuclear deal agreed to earlier this year. In response, Secretary of State John Kerry penned a letter to his Iranian counterpart assuaging Irans concerns and promising to implement the law so as not to interfere with legitimate business interests of Iran. Donovan continued, Iran still holds American prisoners who were ignored as part of the nuclear negotiations, and Iran violated U.N. missile test restrictions just two months ago. Despite the regimes flagrant disregard for American citizens and international norms, the Obama administration immediately submitted to Irans complaints. Several Americans have been held captive in Iran for years. Even after the nuclear deal, Iran convicted an American reporter on bogus espionage charges and arrested an American businessman. Earlier this month, United Nations experts announced that Iran violated an international resolution when it conducted a missile test in October. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://marchant.house.gov/2015/12/30/congress-to-send-obamacare-repeal-planned-parenthood-defunding-to-the-presidents-desk/ | Congress to send Obamacare repeal, Planned Parenthood defunding to the presidents desk | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Kenny Marchant | M001158 | marchant.house.gov | legacy | Congress to send Obamacare repeal, Planned Parenthood defunding to the presidents desk December 30, 2015 Congress to send Obamacare repeal, Planned Parenthood defunding to the presidents desk Information from Speaker Ryan Press Office December 30, 2015 View Online | http://spkrryan.us/1MH9eWs Next week, for the first time, Congress will send the president a billrepealing Obamacareanddefunding Planned Parenthood. That bill is called theRestoring Americans Healthcare Freedom ReconciliationAct, and you canread it here. Here are three reasons why this bill is so important: Repeals Obamacare.With each passing day, it becomes more apparent that Obamacare is an unmitigated disaster for hardworking families and our economy. Millions of Americans have already been kicked off plans the presidentrepeatedly promisedthey could keep, while countless others face the sticker shock ofdouble-digit premium increases. This bill effectively repeals the mandates and taxes at the heart of the law.This will be the first Obamacare repeal bill that Congress sends to President Obama since the laws enactment in 2010. This, of course, is a critical step in replacing this law with a patient-centered plan as a part of abold, pro-growth agenda. Defunds Planned Parenthood.The horrific videos released earlier this year depicting Planned Parenthood affiliates harvesting and selling fetal body parts should offend everyone regardless of political persuasion. The House has already responded byestablishing a panelfocused on investigating this practice. In the meantime, Americans should not be forced to fund this organization. Thats whyCongress will act to defund Planned Parenthood, and shift those resources to community health centers. Forces President Obamas Hand.Weve worked tirelessly to dismantle Obamacare and protect Americans from this law. All told, weve forced President Obama to signat least 10 billsthat chip away at parts of Obamacare. The recent year-end funding legisla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/aderholt-only-alabama-republican-vote-omnibus-states-congressional | Aderholt only Alabama Republican to vote for omnibus; State's congressional delegation weighs in on budget | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AL | Gary Palmer | P000609 | palmer.house.gov | legacy | Although Congress passed a bi-partisan budget deal on Friday to avert a government shutdown, only two members of the Alabama delegation followed the leaders of their parties' call to approve the omnibus bill that funds the government until September. U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, and Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, were the only two "yes" votes for the omnibus in the House; both Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions voted against it in the Senate, as they previously indicated they would. The $1.1 trillion omnibus package was a compromise hashed out by legislative leaders that includes lifting America's 30-year ban on exporting oil, funding increases for NASA, the Veterans Affairs department, federal workers, the National Institutes of Health and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (there are 12 HBCUs in Alabama.) But it also left out key Republican priorities like blocking the president's Syrian refugee resettlement plan and defunding Planned Parenthood. Aderholt, a conservative Republican who plays a key role in the annual National Prayer Breakfast, said he voted for the bill because it continued a ban on federally monies from going to abortion except in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the mother is in danger. "The bill is known more for what it is not than for what it is. While I was able to get some important language included for the pro-life movement, the bill does not contain other riders I had hoped for such as tying the president's hands on the Syrian refugees and peeling back the EPA water regulation. That is a big disappointment," he said in a statement. "The good news is that this bill is the last vestiges of Speaker Boehner's style of leadership and in two weeks we will start putting together a bill that with conservative principles will pass with conservative votes." Sewell cited the NIH increase and funding boosts to HBCUs and other education programs, as well as money allocated to preserve historic civil rights cites as among the reasons she was one of166 Democrats to appr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=6233b924-df4e-445c-82fa-11d43eb1957a | 2015 in Review | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AR | John Boozman | B001236 | www.boozman.senate.gov | legacy | As we close the book on another year and celebrate the excitement and promise of a New Year, I want to highlight some of the Senates accomplishments in 2015. Under new Republican leadership, the Senate set out to restore responsibility to the fiscal process. We passed the first bicameral budget since 2009. More importantly, the first balanced budget since 2001. And all twelve appropriations bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee for the first time in six years. We took big strides in providing relief to hardworking Arkansans and their families. Most significantly, we passed the first Obamacare repeal bill that will make it to the Presidents desk. The legislation we passed would begin to lift the burdens and higher costs the failed program has placed on every Arkansan. It begins to build a bridge from the presidents broken promises to a better health care system for hardworking families across the country. The Obamacare repeal isnt the only relief we have sought to provide the people of Arkansas from the Obama Administrations regulatory excesses. The Senate has passed measures to overturn the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) mandate and the carbon rules on new and existing power plants, two glaring examples of administration overreach. These EPA mandates strip Arkansans of their personal property rights, stifle job growth and will raise the cost-of-living for every Arkansan. While the President will likely veto these bills, Senate passage of them sends a clear message of disapproval of these policies on behalf of the American people. Certainly not all of our accomplishments have met a veto pen. People often ask me why Congress cant work together to get things done for the American people. I can honestly say that we are. We started off the year with by passing the groundbreaking Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act to ensure our veterans receive mental health services. We also prevented a cut to Medicare providers that would have … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/sen-burr-recaps-strategic-legislative-accomplishments-for-2015- | Sen. Burr Recaps Strategic Legislative Accomplishments for 2015 | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NC | Richard Burr | B001135 | www.burr.senate.gov | legacy | 12.30.15 Sen. Burr Recaps Strategic Legislative Accomplishments for 2015 WASHINGTON Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) revisited several of his high profile legislative accomplishments for 2015 including an important conservation program renewal, education funding for low-income families, military reforms and transportation improvements. Senator Burr said: Over the last year, I successfully wrote several bills that have since become law. These new laws will enhance the lives of our veterans, help children from low-income families get better education and enable transportation improvements for high traffic corridors. Im pleased that I delivered for North Carolina in 2015. Every day, my staff and I work to make sure that our federal dollars are efficiently used in the state. This year was a productive one in Congress, and that means $24 million to children from low-income families, and a revitalized military in North Carolina. As Intel Committee Chairman, I introduced legislation which was signed into law that addresses serious weaknesses in our ability to protect Americans against cyber-attacks. I can and will keep fighting for North Carolina families. A few of Sen. Burrs legislative successes from 2015: Title II Education Funding Reform in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) In addition to repealing the common core mandate, ESSA includes language sponsored by Burr that fixes an inequity in federal education funding that for 15 years has not only shortchanged North Carolinas teachers and schools, but also the low-income students they serve across North Carolina. The funding fix will add $24 million each year for school programs. Senator Burr introduced on April 16th 2015. Signed into law December 10th 2015. Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act helps protect Americans personal privacy by taking steps to stop future cyber-attacks before they happen. This legislation creates an environment that encourages the sharing of inform… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cruz.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=2567 | Sen. Cruz Tours Tornado Wreckage in Rowlett | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Ted Cruz | C001098 | www.cruz.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today joined U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Canton), State Rep. Cindy Burkett (R-Sunnyvale), Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel, and Rockwall County Judge David Sweet to tour the areas ravaged by tornadoes last Saturday. After witnessing the wreckage, Sen. Cruz said, It is heartbreaking to see these homes that have been utterly destroyed, and yet, it is miraculous that in the face of all of this devastation, there was not more loss of life. Weve seen homes that have been reduced to piles of rubble, and yet miraculously, the families that were there survived. That is something for which we are all thankful. It is also remarkable seeing how Texans respond in the face of tragedy. Over and over again, when faced with natural disasters, Texans come together. We had the opportunity to visit with volunteers from neighboring areas that have come together to help clean up the wreckage, to help patch up the roofs, to help people put together their lives. That sense of community, that sense of love, that sense of togetherness is one of the things that really defines Texas. I commend the mayor, the city officials, the county officials, and the local and state governments for stepping up and helping their citizens rebuild their lives. The cleanup operation is incredible. And over and over again, as we visited with people, families who had lost their homes were simply saying, Thank God we survivedphysical possessions can be replaced. People are hurting. People are grieving. And we are coming together as one to pray for and stand with our friends and neighbors in the face of this natural disaster. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-reviews-december-legislative-accomplishments-north-dakota-priorities | Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | 12.30.15 Hoeven Reviews December Legislative Accomplishments, North Dakota Priorities Senator Holds Year-End Roundtable with Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce BISMARCK, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today held a roundtable in Bismarck with local officials and business leaders to outline key legislative accomplishments that he worked to advance throughout the year and that Congress included in legislation passed this month. Hoeven worked with his congressional colleagues to address North Dakota's priorities and meet the needs of the state's families, schools, businesses and farmers across a wide variety of areas, including energy, tax, education, transportation and regulatory policy. We secured important priorities for our state and nation, Hoeven said. We lifted the ban on crude oil exports, provided tax relief, restored local control over education standards and ensured stronger funding for long-term infrastructure projects. These accomplishments will provide considerable benefits for our businesses and our families by promoting greater economic growth and local autonomy. Senator Hoeven helped to successfully pass the following measures through Congress this December: Lifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy Committee, repeatedly called for the repeal of the outdated crude oil export ban and cosponsored bipartisan legislation earlier this year to do just that. Allowing crude oil exports will support domestic energy production, grow the nation's economy, provide good jobs for workers, reduce fuel costs for consumers and enhance the security of the U.S. and our allies. Tax Relief for Small Business and Farmers Approved tax relief totaling $680 billion over ten years. Included a permanent extension of Section 179 with the $500,000 limitation and a five-year extension of bonus deprecation, important provisions that provide small businesses certainty and flexibil… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/what-others-are-saying?ContentRecord_id=fa9c2418-4f72-4533-8665-c889edec6e3a | Coastal Courier: Carter, Isakson look forward to new year in DC | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | GA | Johnny Isakson | I000055 | www.isakson.senate.gov | legacy | By Brent Zell It was a year of learning and experiencing a lot, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., said. In his first year as representative from the 1st Congressional District, the Pooler native got to experience Pope Francis address to Congress up close and went with a group of legislators to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Each event, Carter said, was an honor. Then, there was dealing with a new schedule. In his days as a state legislator, Carter was used to 40-day sessions in Atlanta and getting to go home around the end of March or beginning of April. Being a U.S. congressman, however, is year-round and 24/7, he said. Even being back home, he said he was busy getting around and seeing people in a district that has 17 counties, including Liberty and Long. Its very time consuming, but its very, very exciting, Carter said. One of Carters major goals when going to Congress was to tackle the national debt, which was at nearly $19 trillion Dec. 24, according to TreasuryDirect.gov. This year, for the first time since 2009, Congress passed a budget, which cuts the debt by $5.5 trillion over the next10 years, Carter said. A budget that, granted, its not a balanced budget, but it does give us a roadmap to a balanced budget, he said. Also, Congress passed a highway bill that covers five years worth of spending, marking the first time in decades that a highway bill longer than two years was approved. That was key to helping relieve the debt, Carter said. That is because in order to economically grow out of debt, sound infrastructure has to be in place, which means transportation has be taken care of, he said. The federal bill will work in harmony with Georgias highway bill that was passed this year in Atlanta by making sure projects keep going, Carter added. The federal governments got to be a reliable partner to the states in order for the states to get projects underway and completed, he said. Other key legislation from this year included ensuring doctors will accept Medicare from… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c78c1e97-d1a5-4b86-9444-f1ebcce730e5 | STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON IRAN ROCKET LAUNCH NEAR U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AZ | John McCain | M000303 | www.mccain.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on Irans recent rocket launch near the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz: "As the Obama Administration celebrates the Iran nuclear deal, Iran conducted a highly provocative launch of several rockets with little warning just 1500 yards from a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. This alarming launch comes after Iran has conducted two advanced missile tests since October in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Yet the Administration continues to turn a blind eye to Iranian saber rattling, continued state sponsorship of terrorism, and violations of its international commitments for fear Iran will walk away from the nuclear deal. "The administration's desperate attempts to get sanctions relief before the elections in February based on an unfounded belief that it will promote what they perceive as a 'moderate' political strain in Iran is both nave and dangerous. A rush to sanctions relief threatens to embolden an increasingly aggressive Iranian regime that has no intention of normalizing relations with the West or of retreating from a malign policy intended to destabilize the Middle East. "We need a to ensure that U.S. forces are postured to respond to Iranian aggression and finally adopt a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's malign influence in the Middle East." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-zeldin-calls-investigations-nsa-spying-members-congress | Congressman Zeldin Calls for Investigations into NSA Spying on Members of Congress Conversations with Israeli Leadership | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Lee Zeldin | Z000017 | zeldin.house.gov | legacy | Patchogue, New York - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY 1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus today called on Congress and the Department of Justice to investigate the NSAs spying on members of Congress conversations with top Israeli leadership. The House Intelligence Committee just announced today that it is opening a probe. Additionally, Congressman Zeldin called on the Obama Administration to disclose information related to its role in this questionable activity. If the latest reports are true, laws were broken and there must be accountability for all responsible, said Congressman Zeldin. First off, Israel is a trusted ally of the United States of America and should be respected as such. The NSAs spying of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top level Israeli leadership harms our relationship with our greatest friend and ally in the Middle East. Furthermore, and especially concerning, the NSA should not have been recording the conversations between members of Congress and Israeli leadership. It appears that laws may have been broken. Congressman Zeldin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other top leaders in the Israeli government, during the negotiation and deliberation of the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran Nuclear Agreement. Israel is a beacon of freedom and democracy in a region of the world that is filled with darkness, continued Congressman Zeldin. Americas foreign policy should be one that strengthens our relationships with our allies and treats our enemies as our enemies. These new details about the NSAs spying does nothing to strengthen our relationship with Israel and other allies around the world. If only the Obama administration would channel a fraction of its bias against Israel towards more responsible policy towards Iran, America would be made more secure today and in the future. Congressman Zeldin concluded, Putting the spying of Israeli leadership aside for a moment, in … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://duncan.house.gov/wivks-gunner-honored-work-vets | WIVK's Gunner Honored for Work with Vets | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TN | John Duncan | D000533 | duncan.house.gov | legacy | Mr. Speaker: I wish today to honor a man that many in my District know by only one name. Ted Ousleyor simply Gunner as he is known to his many fansis one of the most popular people in my District and a longtime personality with WIVK radio in Knoxville, Tennessee. Each weekday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Your Cowboy Pal Gunner entertains listeners with his unique brand of East Tennessee charm, humor, and grace. He loves his job, and you can tell when listening to his show. He once said that he was living his dream by being on the air with WIVK. In 2003 and 2004, Gunner was voted the Best DJ by Metro Pulse readers and was a finalist for the Marconi Air Personality of the Year. But Gunner is not just known for his entertainment. He is also a tireless champion of Veterans. Following the September 11th terror attacks in 2001, Gunner started a segment on his show called Voices from the Front, where he would connect families over the phone with their loved ones serving in the wars. It was hugely popular and emotional for him and his listeners. In 2004, he traveled to Iraq, and upon his return led an effort to bring to the United States for treatment an 8-year-old suffering from a severe form of Spina Bifida. In 2009, Gunner received the first annual Civilian Warrior Award for his work with the 844th Engineer Battalion. East Tennessee is one of the most patriotic places in this Country. Each year, Gunner helps lead the Veterans Day parade in Knoxville, which is attended by many thousands of people. In addition to his service to Veterans, Gunner finds the time to run two East Tennessee farms and serve on the Board of Directors of the East Tennessee Alzheimers Association. Mister Speaker, Ted Gunner Ousley embodies the Volunteer spirit of East Tennessee. His humility and dedication to those who serve will forever hold a place in our hearts, and I thank him for his dedication to this Country and wish him success as he continues to entertain us each day. I also call his work with Veterans to the attention of my… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398291 | Gohmert Reflects on 2015 Battles in the U.S. House of Representatives | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Louie Gohmert | G000552 | gohmert.house.gov | legacy | Sen. Bill Ratliff once told me the old adage, Its amazing what you can get done if you dont care who gets the credit. He was so right. Knowing that I had evoked Speaker Boehners wrath, I would tell him I did not care whose name was on a bill that needed to come to the floor for a vote and I have gotten a number of bills passed and others should pass this next year. Since my first term in office, I have been pushing to end the automatic increase in every federal department and agency. That would make it a Zero Baseline Budget. Four years ago, Boehner agreed to bring it to the floor under the name of the stellar young House member who managed it in committee. It passed the House, but the Senate did not take it up. About two years later, it was again passed out of the House as the Woodall-Gohmert bill, though I told Paul Ryan not to put my name on it because it might prevent it coming to the floor for a vote. Paul said, Ive already told Boehner everybody knows you are the one who has been pushing this since youve been here, so he said ok. The Senate did not take it up, but I am told in this Congress, we should pass it this year and demand the Senate vote on it. Since Speaker Ryan strongly supports it, it may get a vote in the Senate. THE KARI'S LAW ACT OF 2015 We have worked with various aspects of the lodging industry, phone system providers, and concerned individuals including Hank Hunt, to draft Karis Law that will require phone systems be provided with the default allowing anyone dialing 911 to reach emergency help without dialing any prefix. We expect to get it passed this year. OBAMACARE ORIGINATION CLAUSE Previously, I drafted a bill that would state that it is the sense of the House that the ObamaCare bill did not originate in the House as the Constitution requires for bills that raise revenue or have taxes in them. There are attorneys who have filed suit and gotten different judgments in different Circuit Courts, so there is a good chance that the Supreme Court will take it up. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398276 | Watch Congressman Huizenga's Facebook Town Hall | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MI | Bill Huizenga | H001058 | huizenga.house.gov | legacy | Watch Congressman Huizenga's Facebook Town Hall f t # e Washington, December 29, 2015 On Monday afternoon, Congressman Huizenga held his first-ever live video town hall on Facebook. During the town hall, Rep. Huizenga took questions from West Michigan residents on the threats posed by ISIS,how Congress is addressing refugees from war torn regions in the Middle East,the negative impact of Dodd-Frank on West Michigan community banks, his legislation to make the Federal Reserve more accountable and transparent to the American people, the legislative plan to defund Planned Parenthood and how Congress is preparing to put the first major ObamaCare repeal legislation on President Obama's desk in January. You can watchthe entire town hall event below: Earlier today, I held a live town hall on Facebook where I took questions from West Michigan Residents on immigration, ObamaCare, ISIS, Dodd-Frank, fed reform, Planned Parenthood and more. If you couldn't join the town hall this afternoon, the full video is below. Posted by Rep. Bill Huizenga on Monday, December 28, 2015 Be sure to "like" Rep. Huizenga on Facebookto ensure you receivea notification for the Congressman's next "FacebookLive" Event. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398664 | Luetkemeyer Offers Resources for Mo. Residents Due to Widespread Flooding | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following release in response to the high level of rainfall that has occurred over the last few days in areas of the 3rd District. share: f t U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following release in response to the high level of rainfall that has occurred over the last few days in areas of the 3rd District. With Missouri under a state of emergency due to the heavy rain and flooding throughout much of the state, I wanted to ensure that individuals have the access to information they may need. I have listed website links to various agencies or departments so individuals can find any necessary information they are looking for in dealing with the aftermath of the heavy rainfall. There are now clearer days in the forecast but roads are still flooded over so please stay safe on the roads over the next few days. Resources General Flood Readiness Information: http://www.ready.gov/floods Road Closures from MoDot: http://traveler.modot.org/map/ Missouri State Emergency Management: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/plan_and_prepare/flooding.php St. Louis Corps of Army Engineers (Mississippi River): http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/ National Weather Service (Missouri Basin River Forecast Center): http://www.weather.gov/mbrfc/ | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balart-calls-for-medical-care-and-immediate-release-of-vladimir | Diaz-Balart Calls for Medical Care and Immediate Release of Vladimir Morera Bacallao | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | FL | Mario Diaz-Balart | D000600 | mariodiazbalart.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement regarding incarcerated Cuban pro-democracy activist Vladimir Morera Bacallao. "Vladimir Morera Bacallao is in intensive care after being transferred from his prison cell where he has been on hunger strike since October 9, 2015. Reports indicate that he is gravely ill. "Morera Bacallao was released as part of the Obama-Castro deal announced on December 17, 2014. However, he was re-arrested in April 2015 for placing a sign outside his home during the Castro regime's sham 'elections' that said, 'I vote for my freedom and not in an election where I cannot choose my president.' Last month, the Castro regime gave Morera Bacallao a new four-year prison sentence for the 'crime' of expressing his political opinion. "During the Obama administration, activists Orlando Zapata Tamayo and Wilman Villar Mendoza died under uncannily similar circumstances. Activists Laura Pollan and Oswaldo Paya also perished at the hands of Castros' thugs during this administration. "Morera Bacallao has risked everything for the basic right to have a voice in his government. His unjustifiable imprisonment and mistreatment are further indictments of the brutal malevolence of the Castro regime, and the utter failure of Obama's appeasement of Cuba's dictators. I urge human rights organizations and the Obama administration to bring attention to the urgent case of Vladimir Morera Bacallao, and to demand that he receive immediate medical attention. We must not remain silent while another courageous activist hovers on the brink of death." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://renacci.house.gov/index.cfm/weekly-column?ContentRecord_id=EF6076AA-619D-437B-A685-D428CF7610B6 | Giving thanks for our freedoms as we enter a New Year | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | OH | Jim Renacci | R000586 | renacci.house.gov | legacy | As we begin the New Year and reflect on 2015, let us pause and give thanks for the rights and freedoms we enjoy in this country. In America, we have the ability to turn dreams into realities through hard work and innovation. We owe these privileges to the men and women who served, and are currently serving, to protect the freedoms that are the bedrock of our country. As a member of Congress, it is my duty to ensure that those who choose to dedicate their lives defending our freedoms receive the support they deserve. For these reasons, I was proud to support the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) earlier this year. TheNDAA fully funds the resources needed for our troops, but also cuts some unnecessary spending. One of the most important actions Congress can take is to pass a reform-centered NDAA to ensure our service members have the tools necessary to confront todays challenges and keep Americans safe. The NDAA also means jobs right here in the 16thDistrict of Ohio. For instance, one small employee-owned business will continue to manufacture radio towers vital for our ally Israels Iron Dome missile defense system. In addition to the NDAA, the Omnibus which was recently signed into law also includes provisions to strengthen our national defense, and restore funding forour men and women in uniform. One provision included will provide the necessary funding forthe construction and repair of facilities at both active and reserve military installations. Another provision will raise the pay for military personnel, and capital for the Department of Homeland Security. Finally, the House-passed bill to strengthen our Visa Waiver Program and tighten the security requirements under the program is also included in the Omnibus. Specifically, this legislation would deny Visa Waiver Program status to individuals who have recently travelled to terrorist hotspots. It is important to pause and show our gratitude for those who keep us safe and provide us the freedoms to pursue new opportunities in 2016. Th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/3rd-district-students-receive-us-service-academy-nominations | 3rd District Students Receive U.S. Service Academy Nominations | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CO | Scott Tipton | T000470 | tipton.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONCongressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) announced that 24 students from Colorados 3rd Congressional District have received a nomination from his office to attend U.S. Service Academies in 2016. The students were selected based on meeting or exceeding the stringent requirements of the respective academy and of Tiptons office, which uses a merit-based, competitive nomination process. Students who applied were required to submit an essay, test scores, an application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and complete a panel interview in order to be considered. It takes hard work, intelligence and determination to meet the high entrance standards of our nations Service Academies, traits that are critical for success as a leader in the Armed Forces. To earn a nomination, these students have met or exceeded these high standards and demonstrated a true passion to serve our country, said Tipton. On behalf of the 3rd Congressional District I commend these exceptional students for their selflessness and dedication, and wish them well in what will no doubt be a very bright future. Tipton called to personally notify each student of the nomination(s) last week. Congressman Tiptons Academy Nominations for Colorados 3rd Congressional District: U.S. Air Force Academy *Alexandre Basagoita, Monte Vista, Sargent HS, currently attending Adams State University Kobi Betts, Pueblo, Pueblo Central HS *Kyle Cox, Montrose, Montrose HS Jonathan Hints, Pueblo, Pueblo West HS, graduated 2012, currently active duty AF Lydia Knutson, Cedaredge, Cedaredge HS Jessica Tuttle, Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Springs HS Natasha Weimer, Grand Junction, currently attending Northwestern Prep School Noah Smith, Pueblo, Pueblo South HS *Kamren McKee, Fruita, Fruita Monument HS Mary Hood, Alamosa, Sargent HS U.S. Naval Academy *Connor Frasier, Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs HS Samuel Samberson, Pueblo West, Pueblo West HS Jacob Crouch, Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs HS Nolan Butcher, Grand Junction, Hill School (boarding… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398562 | Obama signs into law Uptons bill banning microbeads | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MI | Fred Upton | U000031 | upton.house.gov | legacy | President Barack Obama signed into law Monday a bill championed by southwest Michigan Congressman Fred Upton to phase out the production and sale of tiny bits of plastic called microbeads. The Senate on Dec. 18 passed the bill by voice vote, and the House passed it earlier this month. The legislation was co-sponsored by Reps. Fred Upton, the St. Joseph Republican who heads the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey. Its a banner day for Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes -- we now have a bipartisan law on the books to cleanse dirty microbeads from all our nations waters, Upton said in a Monday statement. Microbeads may be tiny plastic, but they are wreaking big time havoc in our waters. We came together, Republicans and Democrats, and got the job done. The Microbead-Free Waters Act would ban the manufacture of microbeads starting in July 2017, followed by a ban on manufacturing over-the-counter drugs and on sales of cosmetics with microbeads to start in July 2018. A ban on sales of over-the-counter drugs containing microbeads would begin July 2019. The synthetic particles have been found in relatively high concentrations in the Great Lakes where they absorb pollutants, raising concern over their consumption by fish and other wildlife that could eventually enter the food chain. The little pieces of plastic are often used as abrasive exfoliants in toothpastes and facial cleansers, ending up in waterways after they rinse down the drain and flow through the filtration systems at wastewater treatment plants. At least nine states and numerous local jurisdictions already have bans on microbeads in personal-care products, creating a patchwork of differing laws on the synthetic particles. Uptons bill on microbeads was one of several matters that Michigans Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress agreed they would push in a common agenda to maximize Michigans clout on Capitol Hill a development that political experts declared was significant among the states. In May, Democratic Sen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=fe0df18f-629b-4ac5-9a86-f07f6cc5c5d1 | Cornyn Op-Ed: In 2015, New Senate Majority Delivered For The Nation | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | John Cornyn | C001056 | www.cornyn.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Office 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Main: 202-224-2934 Get Directions Southeast Texas: 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 Houston, TX 77007 Main: 713-572-3337 Fax: 713-572-3777 Get Directions South Texas: 222 East Van Buren Suite 404 Harlingen, TX 78550 Main: 956-423-0162 Fax: 956-423-0193 Get Directions West Texas: Wells Fargo Center 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 Lubbock, TX 79401 Main: 806-472-7533 Fax: 806-472-7536 Get Directions South Central Texas: 600 Navarro Suite 210 San Antonio, TX 78205 Main: 210-224-7485 Fax: 210-224-8569 Get Directions … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c1fa06b7-4190-45e9-bdd6-527bf391b571 | Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | 12.29.15 Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights Bill Supports General Aviation, Allows More Qualified Pilots to Continue Flying WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate has passed the Pilots Bill of Rights II, a measure he cosponsored that updates the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) medical certification for most general aviation pilots, providing a safe and transparent process to help ensure more healthy, qualified and trained pilots can fly. The bill expands the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots flying light sport aircraft and broadens the protections provided in the original Pilots Bill of Rights signed into law in 2012, which Hoeven also cosponsored. General aviation is an important part of North Dakotas transportation infrastructure and economy, providing vital services across industries, Hoeven said. The FAAs current medical standards are outdated, costly to comply with, prevent healthy and skilled pilots from flying and do little to ensure the safe operation of general aviation aircraft. Our bill updates the FAAs medical exemption process to reflect real-world health care needs and risks, which will better serve our pilots, empower them to seek treatment for their medical conditions and enhance public safety. The Pilots Bill of Rights II: Expands the existing FAA exemption for a 3rd class medical certificate to include general aviation aircraft up to 6,000 pounds and raises altitude up to 18,000 feet. Maintains safe aircraft operations by requiring an individual to take an online medical education course, complete the FAA medical evaluation process one time and maintain ongoing medical care, while also providing a checklist to guide discussion between pilots and their physicians during health examinations and maintaining the special issuance process for pilots diagnosed with mental he… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://abraham.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/traffic-restricted-levee-abraham-gets-view-air | Traffic restricted on levee; Abraham gets view from air | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | LA | Ralph Abraham | A000374 | abraham.house.gov | legacy | 5th District U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, got a bird's-eye view of the rising river Tuesdayin a helicopter tour with Col. John Cross, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Vicksburg District. "I'm very much concerned," Abraham said. "From what I saw today there are many camps and houses in peril on the river side of the levee." Abraham expressed confidence in the corps' ability, citing its work during the Great Flood of 2011 when the Mississippi reached an all-time high of 57.1 feet at Vicksburg. To read the full story, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://frelinghuysen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=2&itemid=1144 | Frelinghuysen marks the Centennial of the National Park Service | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Rodney Frelinghuysen | F000372 | frelinghuysen.house.gov | legacy | On August 25, 2016, the National Park Service will turn 100 years old! In addition to some of the local sites mentioned below, the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service initiated the Find Your Park movement to encourage people to enjoy and support America's national parks. For more information, visit here:http://findyourpark.com/. New Jersey's 11th Congressional District: Morristown National Historical Park New Jerseys 11thdistrict is fortunate to be the home of our nations oldest and most historic National Park, Morristown National Historical Park. Working with the Park Service and the Washington Association, Congressman Frelinghuysen has been leading the effort to secure dollars for the Park and to help renovate the museum. For more information on Morristown National Historical Park, please visit:http://www.nps.gov/morr/index.htm. Thomas Edison National Historical Park Located in West Orange, Thomas Edison National Historical Park includes Edisons former home and laboratory. The museum collection at the Park, the largest single body of Edison-related material, is estimated to number over 300,000 items, while the archives contain approximately five million documents. For more information, visit their webpage:http://www.nps.gov/edis/index.htm. The Crossroads of the American Revolution Two hundred and thirty years ago New Jersey was at the crossroads of America's Revolutionary War. Today, there are nearly 300 sites in New Jersey with direct ties to the American Revolution. Among the landmarks areWashingtons Headquarters inMorristown, Jockey Hollow, the Old Trenton Barracks,the Dey Mansion inWayne,the Princeton, Monmouth, and Red Bank battlefields, andthe Great Falls of the Passaic. Congressman Frelinghuysen introduced H.R. 87, legislation to recognize the critical role our state played in the American Revolution. This legislation was included in the National Heritage Areas Act of 2005, which was signed into law on October 12, 2006. The Crossroads of the American Revolution National … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://hurd.house.gov/media-center/hurd-hill/hurd-hill-representing-you | Hurd on the Hill: Representing You | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Will Hurd | H001073 | hurd.house.gov | legacy | Almost 12 months ago, I started a new job representing you in Washington. Being an effective leader in D.C. is not easy, especially when you are battling a bureaucracy that is slow and inefficient. But when you work smarter and harder, and surround yourself with a dedicated team, it is amazing what can be accomplished. The last time a representative from the 23rd Congressional District of Texas had legislation signed into law was 2007 -- a bill that renamed a post office. In 2015, sixty-seven bills became law and two of those are mine. Two additional bills that I introduced were also signed into law when they were added to other pieces of legislation. That means four of my bills have been signed into law, and my fifth one, The State and Local Cyber Protection Act, is on track to be sent to the Presidents desk in the New Year. My bills have a direct impact on the 23rd Congressional District by protecting the paychecks of our brave Border Patrol Agents, giving small businesses and local governments greater access to resources for cyber protection, allowing Texas to invest in border infrastructure for trade and commerce, and keeping hackers out of our governments digital infrastructure. However, not everything can be accomplished through introducing legislation. Sometimes working with my colleagues, state and federal agency heads, and local leaders is what makes something happen in our district. Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, received funding for a much-need security gate update and is on track to finally be able to fix their airfield runways so that a couple of inches of rain no longer brings pilot training to a halt. Socorro Road, stretching from Ysleta to San Elizario and Highway 132 & 173 in Devine are seeing more regular maintenance because of a call to the Texas Department of Transportation. The City of Alpine is moving forward to remediate wastewater infrastructure because of a call to TCEQ. The City of Hondo broke ground on a new vocational training facility due to a grant they received from t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://lynnjenkins.house.gov/press-releases/administration-to-release-more-gtmo-detainees-in-january/ | Administration To Release More GTMO Detainees In January | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | KS | Lynn Jenkins | J000290 | lynnjenkins.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – According to the Associated Press, the Administration will begin releasing the first of seventeen Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) detainees next week. Additionally, the article states that “the administration is continuing to pursue plans to find an alternate U.S.-based facility.” Upon hearing the news, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) released the following statement: “Once again, the Administration refuses to listen to Kansans and the American people. At my recent town hall in Leavenworth, Leavenworth County residents voiced their unanimous concerns and frustrations with the President’s plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center and transfer terrorists to the United States – possibly to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. It’s time for the President to drop this reckless campaign promise and instead focus on strengthening our national security.” Items To Note: Pentagon assessing Fort Leavenworth as possible site for Guantanamo transfers. (Lubold, Gordon, The Wall Street Journal: Pentagon Assessing Fort Leavenworth as Possible Site for Guantanamo Transfers, 08/14/15) Congresswoman Jenkins holds special town hall in Leavenworth on GTMO prisoner. http://jenkins.house.gov/press-releases/jenkins-pompeo-host-special-town-hall-on-gtmo-prisoner-transfer/ Congresswoman Jenkins and Leavenworth May write editorial explaining their bipartisan opposition to the President’s plan to close GTMO. http://journal.ijreview.com/2015/12/250687-why-we-dont-want-guantanamo-in-our-backyard/ President Obama signs NDAA barring transfer of GTMO detainees. http://jenkins.house.gov/press-releases/president-obama-signs-ndaa-barring-transfer-of-gtmo-detainees1/ President Obama’s plan to close GTMO would cost as much as $600 million. http://jenkins.house.gov/press-releases/jenkins-statement-on-pentagons-plan-to-close-guantanamo-bay-detention-center/ | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-op-ed-2015-new-senate-majority-delivered-nation | Cornyn Op-Ed: In 2015, New Senate Majority Delivered For The Nation | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | John Cornyn | C001056 | www.cornyn.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) published the following op-ed on FoxNews.com recapping the Senate’s accomplishments in the first year of the new Republican Majority: In 2015, New Senate Majority Delivered For The Nation FoxNews.com U.S. Senator John Cornyn December 29, 2015 http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/12/28/sen-john-cornyn-in-2015-new-senate-majority-delivered-for-nation.html Congress is often characterized as a place of partisan bickering and gridlock—where debate and partisan rancor is widespread, but little is actually accomplished. Too often, this assessment has proven accurate. But last fall, the American people decided to change that, sending a Republican majority to the U.S. Senate. Since January, and under Republican leadership, the Senate has delivered on our promise to pass legislation to help American families, grow our economy, and keep us safe. At the beginning of the 114th Congress, I introduced the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act—legislation aimed at defeating the scourge of human trafficking in this country. Human trafficking is a horrendous practice that, tragically, can be found in every state. Fortunately, members in both parties, and in both Chambers, understood the great need to urgently fight this reprehensible practice. Legislators from across the political spectrum united under a common cause: to help victims of modern-day slavery recover and rebuild their lives. In the spring, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act passed with 99 votes in the Senate, and paved the way for these brave survivors—some young children—to find a path to healing. It’s now the law of the land. Congress also tackled major issues concerning our national security. This fall, both Chambers overwhelmingly passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is integral to ensuring that our military is resourced, trained and ready for action when called upon. And in the wake of several serious security breaches of federal government computer servers over the summer—and the braz… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-senate-passes-measure-to-update-faa-medical-certification-protect-pilots-due-process-rights | Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | 12.29.15 Hoeven: Senate Passes Measure to Update FAA Medical Certification, Protect Pilots' Due Process Rights Bill Supports General Aviation, Allows More Qualified Pilots to Continue Flying WASHINGTON Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Senate has passed the Pilot's Bill of Rights II, a measure he cosponsored that updates the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) medical certification for most general aviation pilots, providing a safe and transparent process to help ensure more healthy, qualified and trained pilots can fly. The bill expands the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots flying light sport aircraft and broadens the protections provided in the original Pilot's Bill of Rights signed into law in 2012, which Hoeven also cosponsored. General aviation is an important part of North Dakota's transportation infrastructure and economy, providing vital services across industries, Hoeven said. The FAA's current medical standards are outdated, costly to comply with, prevent healthy and skilled pilots from flying and do little to ensure the safe operation of general aviation aircraft. Our bill updates the FAA's medical exemption process to reflect real-world health care needs and risks, which will better serve our pilots, empower them to seek treatment for their medical conditions and enhance public safety. The Pilot's Bill of Rights II: Expands the existing FAA exemption for a 3rd class medical certificate to include general aviation aircraft up to 6,000 pounds and raises altitude up to 18,000 feet. Maintains safe aircraft operations by requiring an individual to take an online medical education course, complete the FAA medical evaluation process one time and maintain ongoing medical care, while also providing a checklist to guide discussion between pilots and their physicians during health examinations and maintaining the special issuance process for pilots diagnosed with me… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-sen-rand-paul-holds-town-hall-paducah-performing-free-eye-surgeries/ | Sen. Rand Paul Holds Town Hall in Paducah Before Performing Free Eye Surgeries | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | paul | https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/ | scraper | PADUCAH, KY – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul held a Town Hall in Paducah, Kentucky at the Paducah Chamber of Commerce Center. Before heading to the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Paducah to perform pro bono eye surgeries, Sen. Paul spoke with Kentuckians in attendance and took questions from the audience. Questions ranged from local issues to immigration to national defense. Following the Town Hall, Sen. Paul performed pro bono eye surgeries with Dr. Barbara Bowers. Sen. Paul regularly performs free eye surgeries for charity, and since being elected to the Senate in 2010, he has continued to use his skills to help those in need. No related posts. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/sen-rand-paul-holds-town-hall-paducah-performing-free-eye-surgeries | Sen. Rand Paul Holds Town Hall in Paducah Before Performing Free Eye Surgeries | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | legacy | PADUCAH, KY Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul held a Town Hall in Paducah, Kentucky at the Paducah Chamber of Commerce Center. Before heading to the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Paducah to perform pro bono eye surgeries, Sen. Paul spoke with Kentuckians in attendance and took questions from the audience. Questions ranged from local issues to immigration to national defense. Following the Town Hall, Sen. Paul performed pro bono eye surgeries with Dr. Barbara Bowers. Sen. Paul regularly performs free eye surgeries for charity, and since being elected to the Senate in 2010, he has continued to use his skills to help those in need. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-2015-a-year-in-photos | Senator David Perdue: 2015 A Year in Photos | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | GA | David Perdue | P000612 | www.perdue.senate.gov | legacy | Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet David Connect Helping You News | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-his-return-iraq-rep-zeldin-releases-statement-iraqi-military | Following His Return from Iraq, Rep. Zeldin Releases Statement on Iraqi Military Recapturing Ramadi | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Lee Zeldin | Z000017 | zeldin.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY 1), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who just returned from a Christmas time Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visit to Iraq and Kuwait, released the following statement after the Iraqi military recaptured Ramadi from ISIS: Recapturing Ramadi is a key strategic victory for Iraq and coalition forces. For Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, U.S. Army Lieutenant General Sean McFarland, the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, and all others who played critical roles in this effort, this is a very positive development not just for Iraqi security, but for the security of the free world in the fight against ISIS. In Iraq, the United States and coalition partners clearly have a plan and that plan is moving in the right direction. Since the May 19th fall of Ramadi, there has been no loss of ground to ISIS for more than 48 hours. It is very tenuous though and with so much ground still to recapture, the reality remains that this could all pivot in the opposite direction in the blink of an eye. An intense battle for Mosul still awaits. For ISIS, which has linked its efforts to establishing a caliphate, holding ground and expanding further is critical. That is a key reason why their loss of Ramadi is important. There is a possibility that within two to five years, the Iraqis will recapture all land in their country currently held by ISIS. That is far from certain, but for the first time in a long time, many are at least feeling momentum in the right direction. Syria and Libya are a completely different story where there seems to be no plan to defeat ISIS, only to take out some of the bad guys and disrupt some of their command and control. That situation I fear is likely to get worse before it gets better and is a race against the clock. The best humanitarian victory that can be delivered for the Syrians is to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth and for the rest of the civil war to end. It is difficult to develop a plan for a post-Assad Syria if all of the people needed to run the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://buchanan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/buchanan-fights-save-florida-panther | Buchanan Fights to Save Florida Panther | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | FL | Vern Buchanan | B001260 | buchanan.house.gov | legacy | Endangered Animal Needs a "Safe Habitat" To Survive WASHINGTON U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan, R-FL, noting yet another panther death in southwest Florida, today called on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate a critical habitat for the endangered animal. Wildlife officials said last week a 1-year-old Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, raising to 30 the number of automobile-related deaths in 2015. The Florida panther remains one of the most endangered mammals on earth, with fewer than 180 big cats alive today. The breeding population of Florida panthers is found only in the southern tip of the state. Each year, the Florida panther population continues to shrink in size as more big cats are hit and killed by cars because they lack a safe habitat, Buchanan said. Although these panthers are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, they face extinction because they have no protected area to live and repopulate. Earlier this month Buchanan and several other Florida congressmen sent a letter to President Obama requesting a safe habitat for the Florida panther. The letter highlighted the need for a safe environment that would preserve valuable environmental resources, such as wetlands, aquifer-recharge areas, drinking water supplies. We should not stand by and do nothing as yet another endangered species is wiped off the earth, Buchanan said. We dont get a second chance once a species becomes extinct. The panther was one of the original 14 mammals named to the endangered species list in 1967, but a critical habitat has never been established, even though one is required by the Endangered Species Act. Buchanan is a longtime advocate of the Endangered Species Act and has been recognized as a legislative leader by the U.S. Humane Society for his record on animal welfare issues. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/real-achievements | Real Achievements | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Despite the commonly held opinion that this has been an unproductive Congress, I believe that this year lawmakers have proved that the federal government can function under regular order and responsibly get the work of the American people done. It is especially encouraging that, even in the era of divided government, there are a number of legislative achievements that can make all Americans rest assured that the work of the people, through their elected representatives, is indeed getting done. Since this spring, lawmakers have been working on legislation to responsibly fund the government, and this year marked the first time since 2006 that all 12 spending bills were passed through the Appropriations Committee in both chambers. In the House of Representatives, six of those funding bills passed by bipartisan majority votes on the floor. However, it wasnt until after a long negotiation between leaders in both chambers of Congress and in communication with the president that worry of another government shutdown was finally laid to rest. Guided by funding levels previously agreed to in the Bipartisan Budget Act and spending recommendations from the groundwork laid in the Appropriations subcommittees, the resulting omnibus legislation passed before Christmas represented an acceptable, albeit imperfect, compromise. Passed by a strong majority in Congress and signed by the president, it not only keeps the government open but it provides financial peace and much needed stability for a full fiscal year. It is important to note that more than 60 percent of the spending in the so-called omnibus bill went to fund the military and support our veterans. During the same week that Congress passed vital legislation to fund the government, lawmakers also supported and the president signed into law a bill that permanently extends more than 20 temporary tax provisions. In addition to helping out individuals and job creators and boosting economic growth, the law also encourages comprehensive tax reform, reduces potential fraud and ab… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398788 | Clemmons man inspires new legislation adopted by Congress | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NC | Virginia Foxx | F000450 | foxx.house.gov | legacy | It has taken nearly five years, but a Clemmons financial advisors idea to alter language on the federal IRA accounts was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives last week.Shepherded through by U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, the bill streamlines SIMPLE IRA rollovers. Paul Johnson of Clemmons first brought it to her attention. Johnson said the process had given him some indication about how cumbersome the law making process can be. In some ways, I am glad bills take a while to get passed. I think my clients are going to be pleased that Congresswoman Foxx managed to get this bill passed. I faxed Senators Burr and Tillis last week, asking them to support the Senate version that included my bill, he said. With rare bipartisan support, the legislation corrects a technical limitation preventing the rollover of tax-deferred retirement funds into existing SIMPLE IRA accounts. When I received an email from Congresswoman Foxx policy advisor I was excited that my small idea for a bill was passed this month, said Johnson One of the best retirement plans for small businesses is the SIMPLE IRA. Owners can offer employees a way to save for retirement without all those fees in 401(k)s. My clients were frustrated when they could not roll their other retirement savings into their SIMPLE IRA and have just one account. I wondered if Congress could reverse the prohibition on employees to consolidate of other accounts into the SIMPLE IRA. My respect for Congresswoman Foxx led me to reach out to her. Five years ago, after her re-election in 2010, I sent a fax asking for a change in the law so that clients could consolidate. She met with me and replied that she would work on it. She and her staff spent over 35 hours researching the ERISA regulations, the history of the bill and wrote it. She had to get acceptance that it was revenue neutral and find a Democrat as a co-sponsor. She told me that she went to a Democrat from Massachusetts and asked for his co-sponsorship by saying I have a constituent who says this is important for his client… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-king-says-us-airstrikes-haven-t-weakened-isis | Rep. King says US airstrikes havent weakened ISIS | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Peter King | K000210 | peteking.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Rep. Peter King said the leader of ISIS is likely correct to conclude the barrage of US-led airstrikes have failed to weaken the terror group. Unfortunately, overall, hes probably right, King (R-NY) told Fox News Sunday, referring to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed ISIS leader who said the months-long air campaign had failed and ISIS was expanding and getting stronger. After 15, 16 months of air attacks by the US, its had really minimal impact on ISIS, said King, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. He added: ISIS, I believe, is stronger than it was 16 months ago. They certainly have a larger land mass under their control. Theres no doubt ISIS is planning increased attacks against the US. He also called for stepped up surveillance of the Muslim community and said federal authorities should be allowed to infiltrate mosques. They can cry all they want, the fact is thats where the threat is coming from, King said. We are kidding ourselves [with] blind political correctness. Muslim American leaders gathered in Washington last week to condemn the terrorist attacks and pledged to do more to root out radicalization, educate the public and condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric, exacerbated by Donald Trumps plan to ban-Muslims from entering the US. But King accused the Muslim community of more often than not failing to alert authorities of someone suspicious. On Long Island, here, where youve had people in mosques who have spoken radically, who spoke of their intentions to be involved in jihad, it was never told to the police, King said. There was one imam New York police confided in about a suspected bomb plot, King said, but he alerted the father of the subway bomber who was planning attacks in September 2009. He was the one guy they trusted and he tipped off the enemy, King said. A guy who was coming to New York to kills thousands of New Yorkers. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-peter-king-says-air-strikes-against-isis-are-not-enough-recommends | Rep. Peter King says air strikes against ISIS are not enough, recommends monitoring Muslim communities | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Peter King | K000210 | peteking.house.gov | legacy | What doesnt kill ISIS makes it stronger. That was the message Sunday from Rep. Peter King, who said that the Islamic States leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was telling the truth when he said the U.S. and Russia had done little to halt his army of bloodthirsty militants. Unfortunately overall he is probably right that after 15 months of, 16 months of air attacks by the U.S., its had really minimal impact on ISIS, considering how long those attacks have been going on, King said on Fox News Sunday. The comments come a day after the 24-minute recording from Baghdadi surfaced. In the recording Baghdadi urged his soldiers to be patient because you are on the right path. The U.S.-led alliance does not scare us... nor do they scatter our resolve because we are the victors in any event, he said. Baghdadi declared that the caliphate in Syria and Iraq was doing well despite an international alliance against it that includes Saudi Arabia. America and its allies dream of destroying the caliphate through their proxies and henchmen, and whenever an alliance of theirs fails or a tail is cut, they hasten to establish another, Baghdadi said. The Republican Congressman from Long Island reiterated that the best way to prevent further ISIS attacks in the U.S. was more surveillance of Muslim communities. Critics say the controversial move would further dissuade law-abiding people from contacting the authorities for fear of being suspected of becoming radicalized. This is nothing against Muslims, but the fact is that is where the threat is coming from. And we are kidding ourselves. We have this blind political correctness, which makes no sense, King said. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://royce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397861 | These are the 10 most effective lawmakers in the U.S. Congress | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CA | Edward Royce | R000487 | royce.house.gov | legacy | Public approval of Congress is near historic lows. Journalists, scholars, and presidential candidates regularly express frustration with Congresss inability to get anything done. So which members of the U.S. House are skilled at overcoming gridlock and successfully making laws?Building on our existing research on legislative effectiveness in the United States Congress, we have updated our Legislative Effectiveness Scores (LES) to include those House members who served in the 113th Congress (2013-14). As described in our recently published book, the Legislative Effectiveness Score is constructed to measure how successful a given representative is at moving his or her own legislative agenda items (meaning, sponsored bills) through different stages of the legislative process, where each of those bills is also coded for its substantive significance. The specific formula for the LES can be found here. Drawing on these updated scores, the following tables identify the five most effective representatives from the Republican and Democratic Parties, respectively. Most Effective Republican Representatives (Name/State and District) Dave Camp (MI-4) Darrell Issa (CA-49) Ed Royce (CA-39) Doc Hastings (WA-4) Don Young (AK) Most Effective Democratic Representatives (Name/State and District) Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) Richard Nolan (MN-8) Elijah Cummings (MD-7) Kurt Schrader (OR-5) Derek Kilmer (WA-6) All of them except Camp and Hastings are now serving in the current 114th Congress. Our research suggests that effective lawmakers in one Congress are more likely to produce landmark laws in the next. Given the success of these representatives, should we be optimistic that the current Congress can tackle major issues? On the Republican side, we see that these most-effective representatives have introduced many bills (H.R.s) into the House. Despite an arguably contentious environment, they have had a good deal of success. Issa, for example, sponsored the FOIA Act (H.R. 653) and the First Responders Passp… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1661 | Toomey's Take: Working Together for PA | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | PA | Patrick Toomey | T000461 | toomey.senate.gov | legacy | When I travel across the Commonwealth, host public town halls or telephone town halls, or sit down with constituents for a cup of coffee, I often hear complaints about how partisan Washington has become and how little is being done in Congress to help Pennsylvania. I, too, get frustrated when partisanship gets in the way of legislating. And while the Senate has rolled up its sleeves and passed more bills in 2015 than in recent years, I understand why many Pennsylvanians feel this way. Fortunately, partisanship and gridlock do not have to stop Washington from doing business. As Senator Bob Casey and I have shown, bipartisanship and cooperation can work and produce real results. So let me discuss one example of this cooperation: federal judges. Pennsylvania has three federal judicial districts and is covered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. When vacancies occur in the district courts, Senator Casey and I vet and recommend candidates whom the president will then typically nominate. For vacancies on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, the White House, Senator Casey, and I collaborate on a suitable nominee. When I took office in 2011, Pennsylvania had a number of vacancies on the federal bench. At the time, the federal courthouses in Easton, Reading, and Williamsport all lacked a sitting federal district judge. The Erie courthouse currently lacks a federal district judge as well. Clearly, Pennsylvania not only needed more federal judges, but also needed these judges to be more geographically dispersed across the state so all Pennsylvanians could access justice conveniently. That is why Senator Casey and I, along with the White House, have worked on a bipartisan basis to fill judicial vacancies. In fact, since 2011, Senator Casey and I have vetted, recommended, and confirmed 14 U.S. District Court judges and one judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit - with the result that during this time, Pennsylvania has had more federal judges confirmed than any other state except… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsletter?ContentRecord_id=71aa088b-e534-4a9c-8baf-1519ba7ab6bc | Kansas Common Sense: Kansas Listening Tour Continues | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | KS | Jerry Moran | M000934 | www.moran.senate.gov | legacy | Hello, Welcome to Kansas Common Sense. I hope you and your family are enjoying this holiday season. Robba and I enjoyed a peaceful Christmas with our family and we wish you and yours a very Happy New Year. In January, my colleagues and I return to Capitol Hill and I am hopeful 2016 will be a year where Congress can work together for the well-being of our nation. I look forward to advocating for pro-growth policies that create jobs and more economic opportunity for every American, while protecting the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution. Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them. Kansas Listening Tour ContinuesThis week, I continued my Kansas Listening Tour and kicked off the last of several stops around Kansas Ill be making in 2015 with a visit to Barnes. It was good to be in Washington County rather than Washington, D.C. The issues I focus on and work I do in Washington are significantly based on the conversations I have with Kansans. I have several more visits scheduled after Christmas including stops in Udall, Wellington, Clearwater, Haven, Hillsboro and Hill City. You can visit my website to learn more about these and other upcoming Kansas Listening Tour stops in your community. I hope youll come out and visit with me. On Monday, I headed Barnes, where around 30 town hall attendees came to Our Daily Bread Bake Shoppe to share concerns on a number of topics including the veterans health care, the farm economy, gun control, and the recent omnibus spending legislation. Thanks again to all the folks who came out and shared a dose of Kansas common sense, and to the folks at Our Daily Bread Bake Shoppe for coordinating and hosting my visit. Celebrating the Life of Bob KrauseLast Monday, Robba and I attended funeral services for Bob Krause who will be remembered for his more than 20 years of leadership at KansState University. Bobs efforts to attract new development projects like the Natio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-announces-congressional-app-challenge | Costello Announces Congressional App Challenge | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | PA | Ryan Costello | C001106 | costello.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Today, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) announced that his office is now accepting entries for the Congressional App Challenge. The contest, open to high school students in Pennsylvanias Sixth Congressional District, encourages students to program and design their own original applications, known as apps, for electronic devices. Sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation, the challenge offers PA-06 high school students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and programming abilities to a national audience and make contact with potential future high-tech employers.Entries will be accepteduntil January 15, 2016. In an effort to promote creativity and encourage students to hone their coding expertise, I have launched the Congressional App Challenge, said Congressman Costello. Its my hope that the contest will pose a fun challenge for students involved in STEM-based education and stay ahead of the evolving technology. Maybe well see a PA-06 student create the next Instagram or Snapchat app that will take our culture by storm! Congressman Costello is a member of the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) caucuses. Rules of Entry Contestants will be judged on creativity, user experience, and an understanding of coding and programming skills. Participants must be 13 years of age or older and reside in or attend school in Pennsylvanias Sixth Congressional District. Teams of no more than four students are welcome. The winning student or teams app in each congressional district will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website (www.house.gov), and displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. The apps will be judged by a panel selected by the Congressmans office and winners will be announcedon February 22, 2016. For more information on rules and entry requirements, interested students may contact Congressman Costellos Washington, DC office at(202) 225-4315or visit www.challenge.gov/cha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-congratulates-stephen-reynolds-of-missoula-on-naval-academy-appointment | Daines Congratulates Stephen Reynolds of Missoula on Naval Academy Appointment | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MT | Steve Daines | D000618 | www.daines.senate.gov | legacy | 12.28.15 Daines Congratulates Stephen Reynolds of Missoula on Naval Academy Appointment WASHINGTON, D.C. Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Missoula student Stephen Reynolds on his appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Reynolds, a senior at Sentinel High School in Missoula, received a nomination to the Naval and Air Force Academies from Daines earlier this month. Reynolds is currently the student body class president, captain of the varsity football team as well as member of both the National Honor Society and Key Club. Stephen Reynolds is a hardworking student excelling both inside and outside of the classroom who exemplifies the best of our state's commitment to service, Daines stated. I am proud to congratulate Steve on his extensive accomplishments in high school and looking forward to watching him become a future leader in the Navy. The United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland. Montana students interested in applying to any of our nation's service academy can find more information by visiting Daines' website at:http://www.daines.senate.gov/serving-you/for-students/academy-nominations. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=37b2bec3-08f3-44bc-bfe1-c05a15e0de93 | STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON JAPAN & REPUBLIC OF KOREAS AGREEMENT REGARDING COMFORT WOMEN | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AZ | John McCain | M000303 | www.mccain.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the agreement reached by Japan and the Republic of Korea regarding wartime comfort women: Today's landmark agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea regarding the comfort woman issue is a testament to the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Abe and President Park. I truly hope this agreement will mark a new era between Tokyo and Seoul based not on the burdens of history but on the shared goal of forging a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous future for the Asia-Pacific region. A Japan and ROK that are more unified bilateral partners and trilateral allies with the United States represents a powerful force for freedom in the world that we should welcome in these perilous and unpredictable times. I congratulate both governments on finalizing this historic deal and look forward to realizing its benefits in the years ahead. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4193375b-dae1-48f9-8ede-cdfbbd5607b7 | STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON IRAQI FORCES RETAKING RAMADI FROM ISIL | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AZ | John McCain | M000303 | www.mccain.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on reports that Iraqi forces have retaken the city center of Ramadi from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): The liberation of the city center of Ramadi is a major milestone in the fight against ISIL, a significant achievement for the Iraqi Security Forces, and a tribute to the tireless efforts of U.S. and coalition forces who have enabled this victory. The recent capture of Tishreen Dam by opposition forces in Syria, similarly supported by U.S. and coalition forces, also represents a meaningful setback for ISIL. However, no one should understate how much work remains and how much more difficult that work will be than liberating Ramadi. The black flags of ISIL still fly over Mosul, Raqqa, and other key parts of Iraq and Syria. This threat is also metastasizing across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. And it now poses a more direct threat than ever to our homeland and that of our allies, as we have seen in recent terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Paris, Beirut, Ankara, and the downing of a Russian airliner over Sinai. For recent gains to endure, the ground that has been cleared in Iraq and Syria must now be held so ISIL cannot return. At the same time, the liberation of ISIL's strongholds in Iraq and Syria are essential to eliminating its ability to recruit and radicalize, but our commanders estimate that Mosul will not be retaken by the end of next year, and there is currently no local ground force in Syria that is both capable and willing to retake Raqqa, nor is one likely to emerge in the foreseeable future. These efforts must be part of a comprehensive regional strategy to counter ISIL wherever it seeks to expand and make inroads. If our goal truly is to destroy ISIL in the near future, rather than kick the can down the road for others to deal with, the United States must play a far more active role than we are now, especially in supporting local … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-commends-leaders-of-republic-of-korea-and-japan-on-comfort-women-settlement | Sullivan Commends Leaders of Republic of Korea and Japan on Comfort Women Settlement | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | legacy | 12.28.15 Sullivan Commends Leaders of Republic of Korea and Japan on Comfort Women' Settlement WASHINGTON, D.C--Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement on the settlement of the dispute between the Republic of Korea and Japan over World War II-era Comfort Women. I commend the leaders of both the Republic of Korea and Japan for directly addressing the painful and difficult issue of Comfort Women' during World War II and the involvement and responsibility of Japan's military. This agreement should further help healing and reconciliation between two of our most important allies in the Asia Pacific and hasten trilateral cooperation on a variety of security, economic and humanitarian issues among our three countries. Senator Sullivan sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. As part of his duties on that committee, he has traveled to the Asia Pacific twice in the last year and has met with numerous senior government officials in the region. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/joint-op-ed-tulsa-world-lifting-ban-crude-oil-exports-starts-new-chapter-oklahoma | Joint Op-Ed in Tulsa World: Lifting ban on crude oil exports starts new chapter for Oklahoma | 2015-12-27 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Tulsa World - By U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe & James Lankford and Congressmen Frank Lucas, Tom Cole, Markwayne Mullin & Steve Russell Revenue in Oklahoma is down by 12 percent. We face a $900.8 million shortfall going into 2016. Our state Secretary of Finance has said we are facing the biggest fiscal challenge since the 2008 recession, and our state education agencies have been told to prepare for large, across-the-board budget cuts midway through the school year substantially due to unreasonably restricting our own access to the international market. On top of all of this, a report from Oklahoma State University shows our state could lose more than 20,000 jobs through 2016 as a result of our unstable energy market. One immediate way we can fix the problem is by ending the 40-year-old relic that has been dictating our national energy policy. Most people might not know that it has been illegal for the U.S. to sell crude oil around the world. This outdated law has hurt our state and its families and businesses that are already struggling to get by. This is why we have been fighting for a change. We have been fighting to give jobs back to Oklahomas oil patch workers, to keep gasoline prices low, and to make sure the United States and our allies are not held hostage by countries that use energy as a political weapon. We won this fight to lift the ban on exporting U.S. crude oil in the year-end funding bill. Lifting the ban means creating 1 million jobs across nearly all 50 states. It means more revenue for Oklahoma. It means six new downstream jobs for every 10 new energy jobs, from manufacturing to information technology. Lifting the ban on crude oil exports means maintaining the low prices we see at the gasoline pumps and disposable money families can put in savings or back into our economy. It means freedom from dangerous cartels across the Middle East that threaten our security and our way of life. Lifting the ban on crude oil exports is about our kids future. It is a new opportunity for the entrepreneur dow… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/looking-back-on-2015 | Looking Back on 2015 | 2015-12-27 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AL | Bradley Byrne | B001289 | byrne.house.gov | legacy | 2015 was packed full of major developments for Southwest Alabama. As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be a good time to review some of the highlights. One of the first votes the House of Representatives took in 2015 was on my bill to repeal Obamacare in its entirety and instead move forward with patient-centered healthcare reform that isnt run by the federal government. My bill passed the House by a vote of 296 to 186. Also in February, I introduced the Real Choice for Veterans Act to help increase veteran access to private health care. The bloated VA bureaucracy is failing too many of our veterans, and I believe we shouldnt require veterans to remain stuck in this failed system. Its time we let veterans seek medical care from doctors and hospitals in their local communities. In March, I hosted a Leadership Workshop in Mobile for over 500 area high school students. South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones served as our keynote speaker, and I held a town hall meeting to take questions from the students. It was a huge success. Also in the spring, I introduced legislation designed to reduce the size of the federal government and cut down on unnecessary government bureaucracy. My bill, known as the Sunset Act, would require most federal agencies to be reviewed and reauthorized once every ten years. If Congress fails to authorize an agency, they would cease to exist. This would make government more efficient and accountable. In June, the House passed a bill that included three of my reforms designed to get a longer Red Snapper season for our fishermen. My provisions would repeal the inflexible quotas, extend state water boundaries for each Gulf state to nine nautical miles, and remove data collection and stock assessments from federal control. I was proud to get these important provisions passed through the House. In August, I traveled to Israel to visit with our strongest allies in the Middle East. We talked a lot about the Iran Nuclear Agreement and the harmful impact it would have on Israel and the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cruz.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=2566 | Sen. Cruz: Prayers for Victims of Severe Weather in Texas | 2015-12-27 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Ted Cruz | C001098 | www.cruz.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following statement on the devastating storms and tornadoes in North Texas yesterday that killed at least 11 people and damaged more than 600 buildings: Yesterday evening, horrific storms and tornadoes hit the state of Texas. Tragically, lives were lost, many were injured, and still many more left homeless. While the damage is great, our perseverance is greater. At times like these, we all come together to help one another. The Red Cross and first responders in the area have acted swiftly to tend to those in need. Heidi and I ask that you join us in keeping the victims of this tragedy in your hearts and prayers, and we encourage you to lend a hand to those affected as storms continue throughout the day. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.lankford.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/joint-op-ed-in-tulsa-world-lifting-ban-on-crude-oil-exports-starts-new-chapter-for-oklahoma | Joint Op-Ed in Tulsa World: Lifting ban on crude oil exports starts new chapter for Oklahoma | 2015-12-27 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Lankford | L000575 | www.lankford.senate.gov | legacy | 12.27.15 Joint Op-Ed in Tulsa World: Lifting ban on crude oil exports starts new chapter for Oklahoma Revenue in Oklahoma is down by 12 percent. We face a $900.8 million shortfall going into 2016. Our state Secretary of Finance has said we are facing the biggest fiscal challenge since the 2008 recession, and our state education agencies have been told to prepare for large, across-the-board budget cuts midway through the school year. On top of all of this, a report from Oklahoma State University shows our state could lose more than 20,000 jobs through 2016 as a result of our unstable energy market. One immediate way we can fix the problem is by ending the 40-year-old relic that has been dictating our national energy policy. Most people might not know that it has been illegal for the U.S. to sell crude oil around the world. This outdated law has hurt our state and its families and businesses that are already struggling to get by. This is why we have been fighting for a change. We have been fighting to give jobs back to Oklahoma's oil patch workers, to keep gasoline prices low, and to make sure the United States and our allies are not held hostage by countries that use energy as a political weapon. We won this fight to lift the ban on exporting U.S. crude oil in the year-end funding bill. Lifting the ban means creating 1 million jobs across nearly all 50 states. It means more revenue for Oklahoma. It means six new downstream jobs for every 10 new energy jobs, from manufacturing to information technology. Lifting the ban on crude oil exports means maintaining the low prices we see at the gasoline pumps and disposable money families can put in savings or back into our economy. It means freedom from dangerous cartels across the Middle East that threaten our security and our way of life. Lifting the ban on crude oil exports is about our kids' future. It is a new opportunity for the entrepreneur down the street, motivation for the student thinking about an apprenticeship in our energy economy and sec… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-spends-christmas-us-troops-iraq-and-kuwait | Rep. Lee Zeldin Spends Christmas with U.S. Troops in Iraq and Kuwait | 2015-12-27 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Lee Zeldin | Z000017 | zeldin.house.gov | legacy | Patchogue, NY - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, returned Saturday, December 26, from a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visit that he led to the Middle East. Also participating in Congressman Zeldins CODEL were Congressmen David G. Valadao (R - CA-21) and David Cicilline (D RI-1). During the visit, Congressman Zeldin made stops in Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. Congressman Zeldin said, "I was honored to lead a bipartisan CODEL to the Middle East over Christmas. The briefings with top military and diplomatic leadership, who are front in center in the fight against ISIS, served to update me on the latest developments in the coalition's efforts. I also had an opportunity to personally thank many of our service members in Iraq and Kuwait who are currently deployed and missing Christmas away from their families this holiday season." "It is great to be back home from the Middle East," Congressman Zeldin continued. "The briefings were so informative. The good news is that things are moving a little better in Iraq now and there is a plan being executed in a positive direction. It is very tenuous though and could turn in the opposite direction quickly. The bad news is that things are a lot worse in Syria and Libya and there really isn't much of a plan at all." Congressman Zeldin concluded, "I'll be looking forward to spending the next 24 hours digesting the detailed info from the various discussions, reflecting on the entire trip and reporting back on what I can. It is a complicated map in the Middle East, and unfortunately believing that none of it has anything to do with us is absolutely not an option. Naivety, weakness and a lack of leadership would prove very costly with the road ahead. The next step forward in American foreign policy must be the right move and it must be a move that plans from victory backwards and considers what moves six, seven and eight down the road should look like. There sure is quite a lot for me to think about the rest of this … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldins-christmas-day-greeting-middle-east | Rep. Zeldin's Christmas Day Greeting From the Middle East | 2015-12-27 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Lee Zeldin | Z000017 | zeldin.house.gov | legacy | Baghdad, Iraq - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following Christmas Day greeting while currently leading a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visit to the Middle East: "As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I'm currently leading a Congressional Delegation visit to the Middle East. For some of our service members I have met, this is their first deployment and first Christmas away from home. For others, this is their 6th deployment and sacrificing so much time away from family for so many holidays is certainly not easy. During my visit, which has included stops in Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan, I've had several meetings with top military and diplomatic leadership as well as many small group conversations over meals with our deployed service members from New York and around the country. It is such a privilege to personally let each and every one of them know just how much a very grateful nation thinks about them during these deployments and prays constantly for their safe return. This holiday season, Americans at home and abroad are seeking time for reflection and family. From the Middle East, I want to wish all Long Islanders back home who I am so honored to represent a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=00E0793D-B932-4CB5-9A22-1DBE40C9E8B6 | Meet The Lawmakers Who Sleep, Shower, Work All On Capitol Hill | 2015-12-26 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | SD | Kristi Noem | N000184 | noem.house.gov | legacy | NPR When South Dakota Republican Kristi Noem was looking for a new office at the beginning of this Congress, she knew she'd need one thing in particular: closet space. Noem is one of dozens of lawmakers who, by day, work in the office buildings on the House side of the U.S. Capitol and, by night, live in them. "There's storage in this room here for my blankets and pillows," Noem told NPR in a recent tour of her office in the Rayburn building. These lawmakers say office living has some political benefit, but it's mainly a good way to save a buck in Washington. Noem sleeps on a pullout in her office. She described her morning routine this way: "There's a gym in the basement, so I get up in the morning and go down to the member's gym and work out with a group of people," she said. "And then I go to the women's gym and shower and put my makeup on and stuff and come back up here and get dressed." Sleeping in the office is not without some hazards, Noem said. One night in her old office, she was working late on her laptop when an unwelcome visitor arrived. A mouse. Noem is a farmer and a rancher, but she freaked out. She called a male staffer back to the office to help catch the mouse. They couldn't find it, so for her peace of mind, she had him duct tape the bottom of her office door "so that it wouldn't come in while I was sleeping," she said. The most prominent member of this "Couch Caucus"? Newly minted House Speaker Paul Ryan, who's been sleeping in his office for years. The Wisconsin Republican told CNN's Dana Bash in a recent interview that he would keep doing it even if he is, now, second in line to the presidency. "I'm just a normal guy," Ryan said. "But normal guys don't sleep in their offices!" Bash replied. Maybe it's not normal, but there are no rules against it. There's also no official data on how many do it. Lawmakers estimate, though, that at least 40 House members sleep in their offices. "I think there's more than you might expect," said Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., who sleeps on a futon i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=cf8021b5-1538-40ea-ba15-80bae616757a | Senator Blunt Comments on Passing of Missouri Senator Emory Melton | 2015-12-26 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Roy Blunt | B000575 | www.blunt.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.)released the following statement today on the passing of former Missouri State Senator Emory Melton. Senator Melton was a lifelong resident of Barry County, Missouri and served in the Missouri Senate from 1972 until 1996. "Senator Melton faithfully served Missouri in the statehouse for over 20 years and he is someone most everyone admired, including me. Emory's advice was valued, his friendship could be counted on, and his example was always good." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://flores.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398743 | Waco Tribune: Flores honors Army vet with commendation | 2015-12-25 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Bill Flores | F000461 | flores.house.gov | legacy | Retired U.S. Army Col. Jon Ker, of Valley Mills, received a 2015 Congressional Veterans Commendation from U.S. Rep. Bill Flores. He was one of several veterans honored who live in the 17th Congressional District served by Flores. Ker served in the U.S. Army for nearly 40 years. He served with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969 at the Dak Seang and Ben Het Special Forces camps in the Tri-border area where Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos converge. He fought throughout the siege at Ben Het, which at the time was the second-longest battle of the war. He earned a Bronze Star, among other commendations, during his combat duty in Vietnam. In 2003, he volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the 5th Special Forces Group, and part of his job was to work on the capture of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. After his capture, one of the men in Kers group drove Saddams car to the U.S. safe house. To read full article click here | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://harper.house.gov/enewsletters/merry-christmas-and-happy-new-year | Merry Christmas and Happy New Year | 2015-12-25 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MS | Gregg Harper | H001045 | harper.house.gov | legacy | Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Dear Friend, As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, let us remember that the holiday season is also about family and the love we share for each other. Its about gathering together to share in the traditions that we hold dear, not only as a family or a community, but as a nation. As we do that, let us not forget to expressour gratitude to the men and women who serve or have served our country in the protection of our freedoms. And as we celebrate the most important reasonthe Christ child who was born in a stable and brought forgiveness and peace, take a moment to helpthepeople around you who may be having a difficult time and please extend your generosity. Scripture reminds us in 1 John 4:9, In this way the love of God was revealed to us; God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. I, along with Sidney, Livingston, Maggie, and my Congressional staff, wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Bless, Gregg Harper Member of Congress Posted: December 25, 2015 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/opinions-and-speeches?ContentRecord_id=aa2f9920-76e0-4096-8448-125658ccdc3b | VA improved, but has long way to go | 2015-12-25 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | GA | Johnny Isakson | I000055 | www.isakson.senate.gov | legacy | By U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson As published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Last year, we all watched with horror as a devastating scandal unfolded at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans around the country were dying as they waited for care. The resulting investigation revealed more tragedies, seemingly every day. As a Senate, we came together to pass the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 to give veterans the access they needed to quality health care and to begin to clean up an agency in total disarray. When I took over as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs at the beginning of this year, almost a year after the scandal broke, I dedicated my service as chairman to 1st Lt. Noah Harris of Georgia, who died in Iraq in 2005. His motto was, I do what I can. I promised to do everything I could to help the brave men and women who served our country like Noah. Im proud to report the committee and Senate have been working together to do what we can to serve our veterans and were seeing results. At the beginning of this year, I laid out five broad goals for the committee to pursue during my time as chairman: Overseeing the implementation of the Veterans Choice Program, improving the experience of service members transitioning from active duty to veteran status, protecting victims of military sexual trauma, combating veteran homelessness, and ensuring the VA provides access to mental health care for veterans. The largest undertaking we have had as a committee has been holding the scandal-plagued VA accountable through our critical oversight. So far, we have held committee oversight hearings to address all five of these goals. This year, we left the comfort of the U.S. Capitol and brought our committees oversight directly to the VA to hear firsthand from the leadership and rank-and-file employees what actions theyre taking on behalf of our veterans. We have traveled to Denver to address the rampant mismanagement of the construction of the VA medical center th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hensarling.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/wsj-consumer-watchdog-pushed-discrimination-case-on-vulnerable-firm-report | WSJ: Consumer Watchdog Pushed Discrimination Case on Vulnerable Firm: Report | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Jeb Hensarling | H001036 | hensarling.house.gov | legacy | Republicans say Consumer Financial Protection Bureau targeted Ally on likelihood of settlement to gain restructuring approval WASHINGTONWhen federal regulators launched a crackdown on alleged discrimination in auto lending two years ago, they knew their methodology would be questioned. But they calculated they could secure a market-shaping settlement by going after a company unlikely to fight the charges because it needed to avoid a complaint to clinch government approval for a broader restructuring. That is the conclusion of a report, based on internal documents and emails written by the staff of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, releasedTuesdayby congressional Republicans who have long criticized the discrimination probe. Some of the claims being made in this case present issuesthat would pose litigation risks, CFPB staff members wrote in one 2013 memo addressed tothe bureaus director, Richard Cordray,which was included in the report. But such concerns, the officials said in the same 23-page document, would be offset by the likelihood of a settlement by the target company,Ally FinancialInc.Ally may have a powerful incentive to settle the entire matter quickly without engaging in protracted litigation, the agencys lawyers wrote, noting that the companys failure to secure approval to become a holdingcompany would force it to divest itself of key businesses, primarily its insurance subsidiaries. The document showed Mr. Cordray approved the staffs report by signing his initials. Samuel Gilford, a CFPB spokesman, said the bureau wasnt able to comment immediately, adding that it hadnt had the time to review the report or verify the authenticity of the accompanying documents. The CFPBs goal has been, and continues to be, the elimination of illegal discrimination, he said, adding that the bureau will fairly and consistently enforce the related law to ensure borrowers harmed by discrimination receive the relief they deserve. The $98 million settlementwith Ally was the governments biggest case involving alleged … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://jasonsmith.house.gov/media-center/weekly-capitol-report/capitol-report-protecting-farm-family | Capitol Report: Protecting Farm & Family | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Jason Smith | S001195 | jasonsmith.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Jason Smith Capitol Report:Protecting Farm & Family This past week Congress completed its legislative work for the calendar year. While much of what was jammed through Congress in the 11thhour represented more of the same in Washington; there was one piece of legislation which will provide large scale tax relief to American families, farmers and business owners, which I was proud to support, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act. As a Member of the Ways & Means Committee, the Committee with jurisdiction over all federal taxation issues, I helped author one provision in particular making permanentsection 179 expensing levels. Section 179 of the U.S. Tax Code allows small businesses, farmers, and small manufacturers to immediately expense the purchase of certain equipment. Had we not taken action, come January 1st, the tax rate on that equipment would have increased by almost 2000%! Since 2003, section 179 expensing levels have been extended on a temporary, uncertain, ad-hoc basis on ten different occasions usually for one or two years at best. That type of tax code policy does nothing to allow farmers and business owners to plan for the future. Without certainty on what their tax rates, folks cant manage their farm or business properly nor know how much they will have to expand, invest and grow their operation. The more certainty congress can provide about long term tax rates, the more farmers and businesses can help our economy and create new jobs. This is a major step to give farmers more peace of mind for the long term while also providing for a major reduction in taxes. Without this action, taxes would have gone up on the very farmers that keep our rural economy moving. Making this provision permanent finally ends the charade of temporary extensions and patches of U.S. tax code policy. Working on and advancing major wins like this for the farmers of Missouri was the exact reason I fought to get on the Ways & Means Committee. We are finally allowing farmers, manufactures and smal… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lance.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/lance-christmas-greeting | Lance Christmas Greeting | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Leonard Lance | L000567 | lance.house.gov | legacy | FLEMINGTON, N.J. --- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today released the following Christmas greeting: May the birth of the Savior remind all peoples of the true meaning of Christmas:Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May God be with our men and women in the military, especially those who are in distant lands, this holiday season. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398663 | Blaine's Bulletin: Looking Back on 2015 | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | MO | Blaine Luetkemeyer | L000569 | luetkemeyer.house.gov | legacy | Looking back on 2015, I am reminded what an honor it is to serve as your voice in Congress. This year has proved to be another year of battles between Congress and the Administration but it has also been one in which several issues facing the 3rd District were tackled and I am proud of what has been accomplished. share: f t Looking back on 2015, I am reminded what an honor it is to serve as your voice in Congress. This year has proved to be another year of battles between Congress and the Administration but it has also been one in which several issues facing the 3rd District were tackled and I am proud of what has been accomplished. This year, Congress passed and the president signed into law, the first long-term transportation legislation in a decade. This fully-funded legislation will help sustain and improve our nations highways, bridges, and railroads. In addition, Congress passed and the president signed into law, legislation that repeals No Child Left Behind. What this means is that Common Core will be kept out of schools, it will reduce the federal role in K-12 education, and it will restore local control and empower parents. The Wall Street Journal wrote this legislation is a bipartisan compromise from the House and Senate represents the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter century. On a more personal note, I was honored to assist in the naming of the Cedar Hill Post Office after one of our 3rd Districts very own heroes. In June, the president signed into law legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service in Cedar Hill as the Sergeant First Class William B. Woods, Jr. Post Office. It was very moving at the dedication ceremony to be alongside Sergeant Woods friends and family. Another humbling moment for me was having the honor to go to the White House with former Labadie resident, Elsie Shemin Roth, to receive the Medal of Honor on behalf of her father. The official awards ceremony was a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398506 | Congressman Griffith's Special Edition E-Newsletter 12.24.15 | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | VA | Morgan Griffith | G000568 | morgangriffith.house.gov | legacy | Till ringing, singing on its way. The world revolved from night to day. This time of year, I am often reminded of the great carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. After suffering through years of great despair following the tragic loss of his wife and the injury of his son Charles in the War Between the States, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wroteChristmas Bells, the basis for the carolI Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. This carol tells of its narrator's despair that "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men," until on Christmas Day when he hears the ringing of the bells , which celebrate the power of faith and offer great hope. I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men. And in despair I bowed my head There is no peace on earth, I said, For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good well to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men!" This meaningful, moving carol was the result of Longfellow having faced the blues, something many experience this time of year. If you know someone of suffering from the blues, consider reaching out to them. All can benefit from and appreciate the importance of community, caring, and giving. A hopeful message to remember: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). From my family to yours, best wishes for a safe and merry Chris… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3f088632-4cfd-4ab4-83be-1c2f79ca168b | Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | legacy | 12.24.15 Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts with Alaskans this holiday season: The end of the year is often regarded as a time of celebration, a time of hope, and a time of reflection. And as we gather with our family and friends this year, I encourage you to cherish those you love, and give thanks for that which we hold most dear. Lets also make time to think about the achievements and progress in the past year, and resolve to build upon them. As Alaskans we are blessed with incredible resources; an abundant land and a spirit of ingenuity not least among them. Let us count them among our blessings as we spend time with our loved ones this holiday season. (Click image to watch video.) This time of year is also the season of giving, and while we tend to get caught in the rush of Christmas shopping and holiday parties, let us not forget those in need and make volunteering a year-round tradition. Alaskans know that the smallest gesture or gift can make a world of difference, and we can all find a way to make a difference in our community. And finally, let us not forget the men and women who serve to protect our country all over the world, many of whom are unable to spend the holidays with their families. To all of our service members and their families, their loved ones: we thank you for your service and all that you do for our nation. I wish you and your family the very best. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senators-burr-and-tillis-recap-north-carolina-military-and-veterans-related-legislative-and-policy-gains-for-2015 | Senators Burr and Tillis Recap North Carolina Military and Veterans Related Legislative and Policy Gains for 2015 | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NC | Richard Burr | B001135 | www.burr.senate.gov | legacy | 12.24.15 Senators Burr and Tillis Recap North Carolina Military and Veterans Related Legislative and Policy Gains for 2015 WASHINGTON Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) today recapped the significant gains for veterans, military bases and the military organizations that call North Carolina home. Senators Burr and Tillis worked over the year to secure critical military upgrades that will ensure that America and the state remain prepared amid growing terrorist threats, as well as important legislation for veterans who have suffered from exposure to toxic chemicals at both Camp Lejeune and aboard C-123s in Vietnam. Additionally, all North Carolina military installations are scheduled to receive significant infrastructure upgrades as a result of legislation passed in 2015. "2015 represented a number of legislative gains for both military installations and organizations in North Carolina, as well as national gains for veterans and active duty personnel," said Senator Burr. "Senator Tillis and I worked together to maintain North Carolina's status as a premier military hub by successfully securing additional capabilities at Seymour Johnson Air Base (NC) as well as the preservation of the 440th Airlift Wing at Fort Bragg (NC). It's critical for both North Carolina and the country to continue to support our Special Operations Forces, given the current terrorist threats to both the homeland and our allies overseas. Additionally, I continued to fight for justice on issues such as those affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (NC) and those vets across the country who were finally granted disability status from illnesses caused by Agent Orange exposure in C-123s planes over Vietnam and afterwards. The Military Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015 was signed into law this year and closed a loophole that predators have used to evade law enforcement detection for years. 2015 was a productive year for our efforts to make a difference in NC and nationally and I'm proud of our accomplishment… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361829 | Senator Mike Crapo Delivers the Republican Christmas Address | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ID | Michael Crapo | C000880 | www.crapo.senate.gov | legacy | December 24, 2015 Senator Mike Crapo Delivers the Republican Christmas Address 'We all know people in our communities who are making good things happen. They reach out to those who are hurting, shelter those without and demonstrate examples of selfless service throughout our great nation. Many devote countless hours to lessening the burdens of others. To all those giving Americans serving others, please know that you are setting lasting examples.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho delivers a holiday message that recognizes the importance of service to others and thanks the men and women who strive to keep our nation and its citizens safe, both at home and abroad. 'Thank you, to all our first responders and law enforcement officers who serve in the face of evil," says Crapo. "And to the men and women of our military, many of whom are far from home right now missing their families and the joys of this holiday season, we thank you.' Video of Crapo's remarks is available here. A full transcript of the address follows: "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I am Mike Crapo and I represent the people of the great state of Idaho in the United States Senate. "This season is a time to gather with loved ones and celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. An important part of Christmas is remembering our Father's love. God loved us so very much that He sent His Son to earth so that we may better understand that love. "As we love and care for our families, strive to protect them, and always no matter how grown our children get, long for what is best for them, we can start to grasp the magnitude of God's love and reflect it not only throughout the Christmas season, but also every day. For many families, this time of year is when children learn charity and service to others, and realize that giving to others, is always more important than receiving. "For those of different faiths, including those who choose not to observe a higher power or any religious … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-wishes-coloradans-a-merry-christmas | Gardner Wishes Coloradans a Merry Christmas | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CO | Cory Gardner | G000562 | www.gardner.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the following statement marking Christmas: Jaime and Iwish all Coloradans andAmericans across the countrya Merry Christmas on this joyous day. We are so blessed to live in thegreatest nation on Earth,and it is important to take this time toreflect on all that we have to be thankful for andto spend time with family and friends. Iwant to recognize the men and women in uniformwhohave made enormous sacrifices to keep our country safe. Many of our servicemembers areaway from their families this Christmas, and it is important to remember theirdedication to this great nation. I thank them for their service and pray for their safety. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-wishes-alaskans-a-merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays | Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | legacy | 12.24.15 Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her thoughts with Alaskans this holiday season: The end of the year is often regarded as a time of celebration, a time of hope, and a time of reflection. And as we gather with our family and friends this year, I encourage you to cherish those you love, and give thanks for that which we hold most dear. Let's also make time to think about the achievements and progress in the past year, and resolve to build upon them. As Alaskans we are blessed with incredible resources; an abundant land and a spirit of ingenuity not least among them. Let us count them among our blessings as we spend time with our loved ones this holiday season. (Click image to watch video.) This time of year is also the season of giving, and while we tend to get caught in the rush of Christmas shopping and holiday parties, let us not forget those in need and make volunteering a year-round tradition. Alaskans know that the smallest gesture or gift can make a world of difference, and we can all find a way to make a difference in our community. And finally, let us not forget the men and women who serve to protect our country all over the world, many of whom are unable to spend the holidays with their families. To all of our service members and their families, their loved ones: we thank you for your service and all that you do for our nation. I wish you and your family the very best. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-mrs-rand-pauls-christmas-message/ | Dr. & Mrs. Rand Paul’s Christmas Message | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | paul | https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/ | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul and his wife, Kelley Paul, delivered the following message in celebration of Christmas and the holiday season. The video and transcript can be found below. CLICK HERE TO WATCH DR. AND MRS. RAND PAUL’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TRANSCRIPT Merry Christmas! As families come together this time of year to give thanks and rejoice in the holiday season, Kelley and I would like to offer our very best wishes to the hard-working families in Kentucky, and across this great nation. With the Christmas season upon us, let us pause for a moment and remember our brave men and women serving our country and protecting our freedom at home and abroad. We thank you and your families for all the sacrifices you make. We would also like to extend our prayers and wishes to the families across the Commonwealth of Kentucky – from the horse farms to the coal mines, from the family-owned small businesses to the factories creating products shared worldwide. Your hard work makes the Bluegrass State proud. May your holiday be filled with love and your New Year rich with God’s blessings. From our families to yours, merry Christmas and happy holidays! ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T20:33:33Z |
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-mrs-rand-paul%E2%80%99s-christmas-message | Dr. & Mrs. Rand Pauls Christmas Message | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Rand Paul and his wife, Kelley Paul, delivered the following message in celebration of Christmas and the holiday season. The video and transcript can be found below. CLICK HERE TO WATCH DR. AND MRS. RAND PAUL'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TRANSCRIPT Merry Christmas!As families come together this time of year to give thanks and rejoice in the holiday season, Kelley andI would like to offer our very best wishesto the hard-working families in Kentucky, and across this great nation. With the Christmas season upon us,let us pause for a moment and remember our brave men and women serving our country and protecting our freedom at home and abroad. We thank you and your families for all the sacrifices you make. We would also like to extend our prayers and wishes to the families across the Commonwealth of Kentucky from the horse farms to the coal mines, from the family-owned small businesses to the factories creating products shared worldwide. Your hard work makes the Bluegrass State proud. May your holiday be filled with love and your New Year rich with God's blessings. From our families to yours, merry Christmas and happy holidays! ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398636 | <span class="kicker">Asbury Park Press article</span>'WWII veteran finally receives his medals' | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | legacy | BY DAN RADEL, ASBURY PARK PRESS STAFF WRITER At 90 years old, Alfred Caponigro has received many gifts -- but this year, his familygavehim one of the greatest presentsthey could his long-lostservice medals. The World War IIveteran is battling cancerbut no one couldtell that from the joy on his face when he wassurrounded in hishome by his family members Tuesday night -- and his long-delayed gift. "I think there's27 grandchildren and 25 great-great children, or it's the other way," jokedhis daughter Elena Mazza, about their very large Italian-American family. The medals arrived byspecial delivery fromRep.Chris Smith (R-N.J.) who came bearingtheeight medals and ribbons thatCaponigro earned but never collected for hisservice to the country. "It is witha sincere gesture of gratitude that I give you these. You earned them. You are the greatest generation," Smith said, sitting next toCaponigro in hisliving room, the two gentlemen clasped in a handshake. For a short moment the veteran was teary eyed. Caponigro was born in Montclair on June 21,1925,a first-generation Italian-American. His parents came to the United States fromLacedonia, Italy when they were teenagers. When he was 17 he joined the U.S. Navy with the help of his parent's signature because he was too young to enlist without their consent. "I thought it was the right thing to do," he said. He was a part of the D-Day invasion,what Smith called the "decisive battle ofWorld War II." He lost his hearing during the battle and suffered another injury to his hand went he got hit byshrapnel. For the rest of his life he wore hearing aids. "The sky was blacked out from the planes," Caponigro recalled of the D-Day. It did not stop him from raising seven children or making a career at DuMont Laboratories, before taking a job at Fort Monmouth for the U.S. Department of Defense. "My grandmother who passed away a couple of years ago started the exercise of trying to retrieve medals and accommodations he might have earned as a result of his servi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398637 | <span class="kicker">***Ocean Twp. vet, 90, never received medals after the war***</span>Monmouth Co. World War II Vet Presented Medals for Service | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) presented long-overdue medals to Alfred Caponigro of Ocean Township, Monmouth County, on Dec. 22, nearly 73 years to the day after the veteran enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Caponigro enlisted Dec. 28, 1942, and fought in the Battle of Normandy on D-Day and the days afterward off Utah Beach on the coastal patrol vessel PC 1176, the sister ship of which was sunk during the battle. During his service, he became deaf and was discharged with a 100 percent disability rating by the Navy. In front of many of the veterans seven children, 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren and other friends and family at the veterans home, Smith presented Mr. Caponigro with: World War II Victory Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Combat Action Ribbon Honorable Service Lapel Navy Honorable Discharge Lapel NJ State Distinguished Service Medal Smith also presented him with the French Legion of Honor, the highest honor France bestows on non-French citizens. Smith asked the French Consulate in New York to expedite the medal. Smith sent a letter to the National Archives National Person Records Center requesting the medals be issued. The Navy approved the medals and Smith received the medals in November. It is witha sincere gesture of gratitude that I give you these, said Smith, who was the chairman of the Veterans Committee in the House of Representatives for four years. You earned them. You are the greatest generation. A humble man, Mr. Caponigro said he would not accept medals after the war because of all of the other Americans who didnt make it back, or who lost limbs and other injuries. His family, in particular his grandson Bob Williams, encouraged him to seek the medals for the familys history, and he contacted Smiths office in September for assistance. Smith has written 13 bills that have been enacted into law to assist veterans. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://hunter.house.gov/press-release/reps-hunter-kinzinger-commend-air-force-decision-miley-gate-controversy | Reps. Hunter & Kinzinger commend Air Force decision in Miley-Gate controversy | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CA | Duncan Hunter | H001048 | hunter.house.gov | legacy | Reps. Hunter & Kinzinger commend Air Force decision in Miley-Gate controversy Washington, DC--The Air Force today informed several of its instructor pilots involved in the Laughlin texting controversyreferred to as Miley-Gatethat their aeronautical orders will be immediately reinstated. U.S. Representatives Duncan Hunter (CA-50) and Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) intervened in the case, after learning that several instructor pilots were wrongfully accused and punished for illegal drug use due to suggestive personal text messages that were recovered during an unrelated investigation. It was determined, through a review process ordered by the Air Force Chief of Staff, that allegations of drug use are unsubstantiated. Representatives Hunter and Kinzinger made the following statement after their respective conversations with the Air Force Chief of Staff this morning: While its our belief that the initial action taken against the pilots by the Air Force was unjust, we have been impressed with the seriousness and speed by which these cases have been corrected. Overall, we are content with the outcome and commend the Air Force for doing the right thing. General Welsh demonstrated quality leadership and sound judgment throughout this processand we are grateful for his personal attention to these cases. We do remain concerned, however, with the parts of the military justice system that seem to permit the unjustified seizure and misrepresentation of personal text messagesand we intend to address this issue. Its important that this doesnt happen again. We wish the pilots all the best in their flying careers and thank them for their service. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccathy-congress-leaders-tell-administration-to-follow-the-visa-waiver | McCarthy, Congressional Leaders Tell Administration to Follow the Visa Waiver Program Law | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CA | Kevin McCarthy | M001165 | kevinmccarthy.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement on a letter sent by Congressional leaders urging the Administration to follow the new visa waiver program law in regards to Iran: As I have stated before, Secretary Kerrys concerning letter to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif implying that the Administration could choose to exempt those who travel to and from Iran from the new visa waiver program requirements goes against Congresss express intent and the spirit of the law. "The Administration was an active participant in discussions when Congress drafted the visa waiver program legislation and it knows full well that those who travel to and from Iran cannot be granted a blanket exception from the law. Several House chairmen and I sent a letter to Secretaries Kerry and Johnson underscoring the meaning of the law and Congresss concern over Secretary Kerrys letter. There is no ambiguity. The Administration should follow the law as written and agreed to. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1454 | Christmas 2015 Statement | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | CO | Doug Lamborn | L000564 | lamborn.house.gov | legacy | Christmas 2015 Statement f t # e Colorado Springs, December 23, 2015 Christmas is a blessed time of year. During this marvelous season, we celebrate the birth of Christ and spend time with friends, family, and loved ones gathered around hearth and home. As we reflect on the year gone by and the days to come, let us be thankful for our blessings, mindful of the needs of the less fortunate, and conscious of the challenges ahead. I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! - Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4A7F5015-BC3F-4DB7-96C5-A36AF5180EFF | Weekly Column: Learning Something from Yesterday | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | SD | Kristi Noem | N000184 | noem.house.gov | legacy | It has been an honor to serve you again this year. As we prepare to start 2016, I couldnt help but reflect on what a year it has been. I started 2015 with an appointment to the historic House Ways and Means Committee, which handles all tax, trade and economic growth policies. As the first South Dakotan to serve on this committee, its been a tremendous opportunity to make sure our priorities and values are reflected in the nations largest debates. Just days into the new year, the House passed the Keystone XL Pipeline Act with bipartisan support. This bill would have allowed work to begin. While Republicans and Democrats in the Senate also agreed to the legislation, the President vetoed it. In doing so, he deprived South Dakota of good jobs, millions of dollars in revenue for cash-strapped counties, and congestion relief for the roads and rails. This was one of the first of more than 300 bills the House would pass throughout 2015. We also voted on a permanent repeal of the death tax, a bill to hold sanctuary cities accountable, and measures to rein in federal regulators. Although none of these items on our conservative agenda received the Presidents signature, there were a handful of areas where we found common ground with members from both parties. Over the last few years, Ive advocated for legislation to combat human trafficking. On May 29, we earned a major victory when the President signed our bipartisan Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which included provisions I wrote with the needs of South Dakota and our children in mind. We also passed a bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority bill, which put tools in place to hold the Obama administration accountable for meeting the trade objectives set by Congress. This legislation is already making an impact. Because of it, the public has full access to the pending Trans Pacific Partnership before Congress can act on it. That gives everyone time to review it and make sure its a good deal for America. After more than 13 years under No Child Left Behind, Con… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reicherts-statement-states-early-release-prisoners | Rep. Reichert's Statement on State's Early Release of Prisoners | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | WA | Dave Reichert | R000578 | reichert.house.gov | legacy | Today, Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) made the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee's announcement that the Washington State Department of Corrections has mistakenly released thousands of prisoners early over the past thirteen years: Yesterdays news of yet another mishap by the Department of Corrections is as disturbing as it is infuriating. Over the past several months I have heard from folks throughout Washington state who are deeply concerned and baffled by the decisions coming out of Olympia. Over the summer I was notified by victims of one of the most heinous crimes in Washingtons history that the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board was considering the early release of Timothy Pauley, a man serving three life sentences for a triple homicide in 1980. As one of the detectives who carried the bodies of his victims out of the building where he and his accomplice tortured and killed three people and left two more for dead, I can attest to it being one of the worst crime scenes weve ever processed. Unfortunately, it appears the ISRB believes 35 years in prison will suffice for the three life sentences he was given. Numerous people including victims, lawyers, and King County Prosecuting Attorney, Dan Satterberg have called into question the method used to calculate Pauleys minimum sentence. We now know it is not only Pauleys sentence but thousands of others that have been miscalculated by the DOC. Ultimately those questions were ignored, and the ISRB is moving forward with a hearing on Pauleys release on January 5th, less than two weeks from today. Whats worse, Pauleys victims and their families were given little-to-no notice of previous hearings or decisions, and the Governor has refused to meet with them. We also learned this summer that the DOC, again without notifying the victims families, moved the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway from isolation in the Walla Walla State Penitentiary to a prison in Colorado where he would be able to mingle with the general population. Only after public outcry wa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://williams.house.gov/media-center/columns/looking-back-with-thanks-and-ahead-with-hope | Looking Back with Thanks and Ahead with Hope | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | TX | Roger Williams | W000816 | williams.house.gov | legacy | As we approach the new year, it is a great time to reflect on 2015. While the past year has brought much frustration and disappointment from Washington, it is the Texas spirit of resolve, determination and willingness to confront challenges head-on that give me hope for the future. November marked six years since the unspeakable tragedy that occurred at Fort Hood. This year we were finally able to get the Obama Administration to admit the events that transpired on that fateful day were an act of terrorism and not workplace violence. In April, I attended an emotional ceremony at the Great Place where soldiers and their civilian counterparts received their Purple Hearts and Defense of Freedom medals that were so rightfully deserved. Although we will mourn this day every year, we can go forth knowing that these brave men and women were at last appropriately honored after making the ultimate sacrifice. But the spirit of resolve and determination neither starts nor ends at Fort Hood. Earlier this year, Texas was in the midst of the most extreme drought in recent memory. But in a cruel twist of fate, we got too much of what we so desperately needed. While many communities statewide were severely impacted by the flooding, some of the worst damage occurred in the southern portion of the 25th district. In what should have been another kickoff to summer marked by barbeques and baseball, many will instead remember this past Memorial Day weekend as the time when the rising waters of the Blanco River ripped through properties and devastated families. As I said at the time, the strong Texas spirit of resolve proved more powerful than Mother Natures fury. Sure enough, the people of Wimberley took care of each other, looked out for their own and pushed forward. Remarkably, one month later, local news stations declared Wimberley was open for business. Today, flattened foundations along the river bring back painful memories, but open signs in restaurants and shops remind us that our willpower ros… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e9274571-c7e2-47c5-afbb-8c23e8915779 | Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | 12.23.15 Hoeven Holds Meeting with Minot Leaders to Plan Next Steps for Comprehensive Flood Protection Year-End Funding Bill Provides Provisions for Flood Protection, Minot Air Force Base, Tax Relief MINOT, N.D. Senator John Hoeven today hosted a meeting with state and local officials to plan the steps going forward for building comprehensive flood protection for Minot and the region. The senator outlined key provisions in the year-end funding legislation Congress passed last week that will support their efforts. In addition, he outlined provisions in the measure to support Minot Air Force Base and provide tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses. In the year-end funding legislation we passed last week, we secured authorization and funding for new project studies, which are essential for communities like Minot that are working to advance a comprehensive flood protection project, Hoeven said. The legislation also includes priorities that will strengthen national security, including provisions for Minot Air Force Base, which hosts two legs of the nations nuclear triad. The measure also provides real tax relief for farmers, ranchers and small businesses, who will now be able to expense equipment and repairs at the current limit because weve worked to make Section 179 permanent. Permanent Flood Protection As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to include critical authorization and funding for new project starts and construction in the FY 2016 budget. The measure provides nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for new studies and construction activity that will help to advance the permanent flood protection project in the Minot region. Hoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation. Specifically, the legislation w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/public-events?ContentRecord_id=f82d6e14-722a-47c2-8df3-127831553205 | Minot Flood Protection Public Meeting | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | ND | John Hoeven | H001061 | www.hoeven.senate.gov | legacy | Event December 23 2015 11:00 AM On Wednesday, Hoeven will hold a meeting at Minot City Hall to outline the year-end funding bill that passed the Senate earlier today. The legislation includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineers proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in both the Fargo-Moorhead and the Minot regions. WHEN: Wednesday, December 23 11:00 a.m. CT WHERE: Minot City Hall 515 2nd Avenue SW Minot | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=48a4d17f-a610-48cd-af6e-36966ba25449 | Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | legacy | 12.23.15 Two Years Later, Still No Help for King Cove Obama Administration Has Failed to Act Despite 38 More Medevacs U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the Obama administrations heartless rejection of a short, life-saving road for the isolated village of King Cove, Alaska. I will never understand how the administration made its initial decision, or why it has continued to fail the people of King Cove ever since. Instead of protecting human lives, the administration has only managed to waste scarce resources on a shallow study of inferior alternatives. King Cove has endured at least 38 more medevacs over the past two years, including 14 that required the men and women of the Coast Guard to risk their own lives in terrible conditions. The worst part is, if King Cove were a foreign village claiming it was threatened by climate change, the administration would be scrambling to send millions of taxpayer dollars its way. It has been two years to date since I got the call from Secretary Jewell rejecting this life-saving road and the good people of this isolated community deserve better. And I will keep fighting, every day, to protect their health and safety. This is a matter of life and death that has led to far too much needless suffering. I will never give up, and I will work harder than ever in 2016 to finally secure a life-saving road for King Cove. In 2009, Murkowski won congressional and presidential approval of a nearly 300:1 land exchange needed to facilitate a narrow, gravel, non-commercial, 10-mile-long road through a small sliver of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The road would provide emergency medical transportation out of King Cove during frequently extreme weather conditions by linking the village to the all-weather runway in nearby Cold Bay. The Department of the Interior formally denied the life-saving road on… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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