Press releases
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3,063 rows where state = "MA" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
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| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/politico-elizabeth-warrens-next-chapter | Politico: Elizabeth Warren's next chapter | 2020-12-31 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 31, 2020 Politico: Elizabeth Warren's next chapter The progressive senator is already playing the inside game to shape Biden's agenda. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer replaced, lamenting that there's no one ready to step in. Elizabeth Warren has a different approach. The Massachusetts Democrat is a member of Schumer's leadership team and is working closely with the Senate minority leader on a policy priority that could fuel the first intra-party fight with President-elect Joe Biden. A few months before the election, Warren asked Schumer to join her effort to cancel $50,000 of student loan debt for millions of Americans. The president can do it without Congress, she argues. The New York Democrat, who is up for reelection in 2022, was immediately interested. Read the full articlehere. By: Burgess Everett Source: Politico Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1922 | Congresswoman Lori Trahan Issues End of Term Report | 2020-12-30 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | LOWELL, MA Today,Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03)released her term in review report detailing key victories she secured for residents of Massachusetts' Third District during her first two years in Congress. When I took office in January 2019, it was with the promise that the concerns of hardworking families across Massachusetts' Third District would always come first,Congresswoman Trahan said. Each day, that promise drives my work in the U.S. Capitol and in our community. As this report details, we've accomplished a tremendous amount over the past two years. However, there is still much work to be done, and I look forward to continuing to deliver for Massachusetts families, workers, and small businesses as we navigate this pandemic and beyond. The report details Congresswoman Trahan's first term by the numbers, including a breakdown of her accessibility to constituents, her team's ability to successfully assist folks in need of help with a federal agency, and her performance on key legislative scorecards. It also lists solutions Trahan prioritized in response to problems experienced by folks she represents, including addressing COVID-19, strengthening education, tackling the opioid crisis, protecting the environment, and more. The report can be accessed by clickingHERE. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/29/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-2043/ | Chairman Neal Statement on House Passage of the CASH Act | 2020-12-29 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Washington, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020: “House Democrats have always favored sending more substantial relief to struggling families, and the CASH Act does just that. Increasing the second round of economic impact payments to $2,000 will make a real difference for Americans experiencing extreme financial hardship. Now that the House has approved these larger checks, it is up to Senate Republicans to do the same. “Even if the CASH Act does pass the Senate and becomes law, it must not be the last COVID relief we provide to workers and families. The pandemic will not suddenly disappear when the calendar turns to 2021, and the economy will not immediately make a full recovery. Congress will need to work with the Biden Administration to create new jobs, successfully address the public health crisis, and ensure that Americans have the support they require to get back on their feet.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/28/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-1478/ | Chairman Neal Statement on President Trump’s Signing of COVID Relief Legislation | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Springfield, MA SPRINGFIELD, MA – Tonight, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after President Trump signed into law the bipartisan COVID relief and omnibus spending package that Congress passed last week: “The President’s pointless delay in approving this relief legislation cost millions of Americans a week’s worth of pandemic-related unemployment assistance that they desperately need. His stalling only intensified anxiety and hardship for workers and families who are collateral damage in his political games. Now, people will need to wait even longer for direct payments and other vital assistance to arrive. President Trump made an already stressful holiday season even worse for American families.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-statement-house-passage-cash-act | Chairman Neal Statement on House Passage of the CASH Act | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Chairman Neal Statement on House Passage of the CASH Act Chairman Neal Statement on House Passage of the CASH Act WASHINGTON, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020: House Democrats have always favored sending more substantial relief to struggling families, and the CASH Act does just that. Increasing the second round of economic impact payments to $2,000 will make a real difference for Americans experiencing extreme financial hardship. Now that the House has approved these larger checks, it is up to Senate Republicans to do the same. Even if the CASH Act does pass the Senate and becomes law, it must not be the last COVID relief we provide to workers and families. The pandemic will not suddenly disappear when the calendar turns to 2021, and the economy will not immediately make a full recovery. Congress will need to work with the Biden Administration to create new jobs, successfully address the public health crisis, and ensure that Americans have the support they require to get back on their feet. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1915 | Congresswoman Trahan Supports CASH Act to Deliver $2,000 Checks to Americans in Need | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today,Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03)returned to Washington to cast her vote in favor of theCaring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, legislation that will deliver $2,000 economic impact payments to families and individuals in need of serious relief. Passage of the legislation comes just days after House Republicansblockedan attempt to pass the bill late last week. After nine months without additional relief, $600 is simply not enough for workers and their loved ones struggling to make ends meet,said Congresswoman Trahan. The Administration's about-face and sudden agreement with us that $2,000 survival checks are long overdue is a welcome change. Now that the House has passed the bill, the President should turn his sights on Mitch McConnell and demand that he do his job. The Senate should vote immediately on the CASH Act so folks can start getting their payments as soon as possible. TheCASH Actincreases the value of economic impact payments from $600 to $2,000 for an individual and $4,000 for joint filers. It also closes theCARES Actloophole that unfairly prevented a mixed-status family from receiving a payment, even if one spouse would have been eligible as an independent filer. The same provision was included in the relief package recently signed into law, meaning mixed-status families are eligible for the original $600 economic impact payment amount and would be eligible for the increase to $2,000 for each family member with social security number if theCASH Actbecomes law. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/officials-react-president-trump-signing-900-billion-covid-relief-bill | Officials react to President Trump signing the $900-billion COVID relief bill | 2020-12-27 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- President Donald Trump has reportedly signed the $900-billion stimulus package, government spending bill. By signing the bill, it averted a government shutdown. With the president signing this bill, millions of Americans can keep their federal unemployment benefits. Also, the eviction moratorium extended, and now millions of Americans will be getting a $600 stimulus check. "Well, I mean, glad that he signed it because the consequences of him not signing it were massive in a bad way," said Karl Petrick, an economics professor at Western New England University. Petrick said the president's decision to sign the latest stimulus bill extends unemployment benefits and the moratorium on evictions, along with avoiding a government shutdown in the middle of a pandemic. Congressman Richard Neal released a statement to Western Mass News on the president's decision to sign the bill on Sunday night, saying: The president's pointless delay in approving this relief legislation cost millions of Americans a week's worth of pandemic-related unemployment assistance that they desperately need. His stalling only intensified anxiety and hardship for workers and families who are collateral damage in his political games." The president at first refused to sign the bill after asking for the stimulus checks to increase. Petrick told us he believes the president could still want that. "He may well still push for the $2,000 outside of this bill," he noted. "I'm sure the Democrats in the House will be happy to push that forward, possibly tomorrow." But the timing could be off, as a new Congress gets sworn in next Sunday. "It probably won't come to anything in this Congress. I don't think there's time to get extra money," he added. "But if they're going to debate it now, then hopefully the incoming Congress next Sunday will take it up." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-statement-president-trump-s-signing-covid-relief-legislation | Chairman Neal Statement on President Trumps Signing of... | 2020-12-27 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Chairman Neal Statement on President Trump's Signing of COVID Relief Legislation Chairman Neal Statement on President Trump's Signing of COVID Relief Legislation SPRINGFIELD, MA Tonight, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after President Trump signed into law the bipartisan COVID relief and omnibus spending package that Congress passed last week: The President's pointless delay in approving this relief legislation cost millions of Americans a week's worth of pandemic-related unemployment assistance that they desperately need. His stalling only intensified anxiety and hardship for workers and families who are collateral damage in his political games. Now, people will need to wait even longer for direct payments and other vital assistance to arrive. President Trump made an already stressful holiday season even worse for American families. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/26/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-1477/ | Neal: Millions Will Lose Their Unemployment Benefits Tomorrow if Trump Does Not Sign COVID Relief Bill | 2020-12-26 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Springfield, MA SPRINGFIELD, MA – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding the urgent need for President Trump to sign legislation Congress passed that would extend expiring pandemic-related unemployment assistance through March 14, 2021: “If President Trump does not sign the latest COVID relief package into law today, pandemic-related unemployment assistance will abruptly cut off for millions of Americans tomorrow. A failure to avert this benefits cliff would be devastating for struggling workers and their families who aren’t able to return to their jobs yet due to the ongoing public health crisis. As the economy continues to falter, folks are hanging on by a thread and desperately need this federal relief to continue so they can afford basics like food, medicine, diapers, phone bills, and housing. “The Trump Administration was directly involved in negotiations for the bipartisan COVID relief legislation that Congress passed on Monday and had agreed to the 11-week extension of this vital assistance that the package provides. It is underhanded and cruel for the President now to refuse to sign it into law and potentially end this brutal year by inflicting even more pain and suffering on families in need. Republican leadership in Congress should join in calling for the signing of this legislation – which they helped write and voted for – to extend this crucial aid.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/second-stimulus-update-millions-americans-set-lose-unemployment-benefits-day-after | Second stimulus update: Millions of Americans set to lose unemployment benefits day after Christmas as COVID-19 relief measure awaits signature | 2020-12-26 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Financial assistance for millions of Americans hangs in the balance of the COVID-19 relief measure passed by the House and Senate earlier this week. The bipartisan $908 billionCOVID-19stimulus package includes $600 stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans earning less than $75,000 - as well as $600 for each child dependent - and an extra $300 in weekly unemployment aid through mid-March. If President Trump does not sign the latest COVID relief package into law today, pandemic-related unemployment assistance will abruptly cut off for millions of Americans tomorrow, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said on Saturday. A failure to avert this benefits cliff would be devastating for struggling workers and their families who aren't able to return to their jobs yet due to the ongoing public health crisis. As the economy continues to falter, folks are hanging on by a thread and desperately need this federal relief to continue so they can afford basics like food, medicine, diapers, phone bills, and housing. The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, estimates about 12 million Americans will lose pandemic unemployment assistance on Dec. 26 if the latest round of federal aid isn't passed. These meager benefitsaveraging $240 per week for PUA and $317 for PEUC and state UIhave become the sole lifeline keeping millions of families out of poverty and extreme hardship, Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow with the foundation,wrote. The bill also includes $284 billion in forgivable small business loans through the Payroll Protection Program; $20 billion in economic injury disaster loans in low-income communities; and $15 billion to live venues, independent movie theaters and other cultural businesses and nonprofits. It's not perfect, but will offer desperately needed support to Americans hit hardest by the economic impacts of the pandemic, Rep. Richard Neal told MassLive earlier this week. This deal is a good starting point and an important step in the short-term, but more must be done as the pandemic continues to grip the nation… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/us-uk-relationship-little-less-special-after-brexit | U.S.-U.K. Relationship Is a Little Less Special After Brexit | 2020-12-26 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Britain's departure from the European Union and the legacy of the Trump administration means that the special relationship between the U.S. and U.K. isn't what it once was. But theagreement struck on Christmas Eveover post-Brexit relations between the U.K. and EU removed a major potential source of friction betweenBoris Johnson's government and the incoming Biden administration in Washington. President-electJoe Bidenand some other Democrats, including those with active Irish-American blocs in their districts, had bristled over the possibility that a no-deal Brexit wouldresult in a hard borderbetween the British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland and violate the Good Friday peace deal, which the Clinton administration helped broker in 1998. With a deal that avoids the need for tariffs between the U.K. and EU member Ireland, that prospect has been averted. I am glad to see that this deal preserves the Good Friday Agreement, which has maintained decades of peace for the British and European peoples and ensures that there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland, said Rep. Richard Neal (D., Mass.), chairman of the U.S. House's tax and trade-focused committee. I look forward to continued U.S. engagement with our trading partners across the Atlantic in the years to come. But even with this strain removed, in one important sense Brexit has reduced the value of the relationship with the U.S. because,since Jan. 31, the U.K. has no longer been in the corridors of power in Brussels, influencing EU decisions. There is no question that we have lost a significant element of our value to the U.S. by no longer being around the EU table, said Kim Darroch, a former British ambassador to the U.S. and the EU, and national security adviser to the British government. He said Washington used to consult London on a weekly basis on issues that it cared about in Brussels, from proposed EU legislation to relations with Russia. Now, London is no longer such an important conduit to or influence on Berlin, Paris and B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/neal-millions-will-lose-their-unemployment-benefits-tomorrow-if-trump-does-not-sign | Neal: Millions Will Lose Their Unemployment Benefits... | 2020-12-26 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Neal: Millions Will Lose Their Unemployment Benefits Tomorrow if Trump Does Not Sign COVID Relief Bill Neal: Millions Will Lose Their Unemployment Benefits Tomorrow if Trump Does Not Sign COVID Relief Bill SPRINGFIELD, MA Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding the urgent need for President Trump to sign legislation Congress passed that would extend expiring pandemic-related unemployment assistance through March 14, 2021: If President Trump does not sign the latest COVID relief package into law today, pandemic-related unemployment assistance will abruptly cut off for millions of Americans tomorrow. A failure to avert this benefits cliff would be devastating for struggling workers and their families who aren't able to return to their jobs yet due to the ongoing public health crisis. As the economy continues to falter, folks are hanging on by a thread and desperately need this federal relief to continue so they can afford basics like food, medicine, diapers, phone bills, and housing. The Trump Administration was directly involved in negotiations for the bipartisan COVID relief legislation that Congress passed on Monday and had agreed to the 11-week extension of this vital assistance that the package provides. It is underhanded and cruel for the President now to refuse to sign it into law and potentially end this brutal year by inflicting even more pain and suffering on families in need. Republican leadership in Congress should join in calling for the signing of this legislation which they helped write and voted for to extend this crucial aid. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/us-reps-mcgovern-neal-detail-pros-cons-relief-bill | U.S. Reps. McGovern, Neal detail pros, cons of relief bill | 2020-12-25 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | As Congress waits for President Donald Trump's signature on a COVID-19 stimulus and spending bill, the region's congressional delegation is describing the relief bill as an imperfect but necessary compromise. The stimulus package, which Congress combined with appropriations to fund the federal government this coming year, includes $600 payments to individuals making less than $75,000, 11 weeks of a $300 enhancement to federal unemployment benefits, more money for the small-business Paycheck Protection Program, funding for schools, funding for vaccine distribution and more. However, the bill also includes some $200 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and does not include direct aid to struggling state and local governments. For U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, the bill wasn't big enough and contained some provisions he is unhappy with. He said negotiations with the Republicans, who don't share the same values as Democrats, made the process difficult. We have something that has more good in it than not, McGovern said. I think it will help, but it's a down payment. We will have to come back when Biden is president and build on it. I look at this bill as a bridge. That echoes similar sentiments that McGovern shared in late March, when the U.S. House passed a $2 trillion stimulus package. Back in the spring, he also lamented the failure to increase benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In the current bill, though, SNAP benefits formerly known as food stamps were boosted by 15 percent, and money was allocated to food banks and Meals on Wheels. The nutrition part of this bill in part is particularly important to people who are going hungry right now, McGovern said. It is a strong portion of this bill that we have had to fight tooth and nail for. I want that preserved and we have to then build on that. McGovern noted that the U.S. House passed a more generous $3 trillion bill, known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, seven months ago bu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/masslive-sens-ed-markey-elizabeth-warren-oppose-springfield-biomass-project-by-palmer-renewable-energy | Masslive: Sens. Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren oppose Springfield biomass project by Palmer Renewable Energy | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 24, 2020 Masslive: Sens. Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren oppose Springfield biomass project by Palmer Renewable Energy Massachusetts' two U.S. senators, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, have asked the state to suspend and reassess the approval it gave 12 years ago for a still-unbuilt Springfield biomass plant that would take wood chips and burn them for electricity. Developer Palmer Renewable Energy said Wednesday it has already begun work at the site, 1000 Page Blvd. in East Springfield. The two Democratic senators want the project put on hold at least until the incoming Biden administration comes out with a green energy and climate change program, according to a letter sent to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Read the full articlehere. By: Jim Kinney Source: Masslive Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/24/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-1473/ | Chairman Neal Statement on UK-EU Post-Brexit Trade Agreement | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Springfield, MA SPRINGFIELD, MA – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding reports that Britain and the European Union have reached a post-Brexit trade agreement: “I commend the European Union and the United Kingdom for reaching an agreement regarding their future economic relationship today. I am glad to see that this deal preserves the Good Friday Agreement, which has maintained decades of peace for the British and European peoples and ensures that there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland. I look forward to continued U.S. engagement with our trading partners across the Atlantic in the years to come.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/24/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-2022/ | Chairman Neal Introduces the CASH Act to Provide $2,000 Payments to Americans in Need | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Washington, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) introduced the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020 to increase the amount of money struggling Americans receive in a second round of direct payments to $2,000. Upon introducing the new legislation, Chairman Neal said: “For months, Democrats have consistently sought to provide Americans with a substantial second round of direct financial assistance. Now that the President has finally endorsed that idea as well, we’re ready to immediately pass the CASH Act to put an additional $2,000 into the pockets of folks in need. Congressional Republicans must join us in this effort and not block critical relief from reaching families who are hurting.” The CASH Act: Increases the value of the economic impact payments (EIPs) provided in the end-of-year COVID relief package so that each eligible family member receives $2,000, up from $600. Applies the same, broader eligibility established in the end-of-year package to mixed-status families where one spouse has a Social Security Number (SSN). As specified in the latest COVID relief legislation, these families are eligible for the EIP amount for each family member with an SSN, and can claim the corresponding amount for the first round of economic impact payments when they file their 2020 taxes. Text of the legislation is available HERE. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/24/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-2035/ | Neal Decries Republicans’ Heartless Obstruction of $2,000 Checks for Struggling Americans | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Washington, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after House Republicans blocked approval of the CASH Act, legislation the Chairman introduced to increase the amount of money struggling Americans receive in a second round of direct payments to $2,000: “If not for congressional Republicans, $2,000 checks would be heading to Americans in need. Instead, on this Christmas Eve morning, Minority Leader McCarthy directly undermined President Trump and led the charge to block this crucial relief from reaching millions of families. This heartless obstruction comes at a time when folks across the country are wondering how they’ll put food on the table and cover next month’s rent payment. Democrats will continue to fight to provide Americans with the substantial support they require to make ends meet during the ongoing COVID crisis.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/congressman-richard-neal-reacts-house-blocking-cash-act | Congressman Richard Neal reacts to House blocking CASH Act | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) On Thursday morning Congressman Richard Neal spoke with reporters about the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act that would increase the amount Americans receive in stimulus checks. Congressman Neal introduced the CASH Act to the House on Thursday but Republicans voted against it however Neal said he expected this to happen. The CASH Act that Neal introduced to the House could increase the amount of money in stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. Something that President Trump and Speaker Pelosi have agreed upon. But because the act didn't get unanimous consent, it will be shut down. Congressman Neal called this block a heartless obstruction of relief for millions of families. What we're saying here is that this is stability. Much of the money that had come from the CARES Act people have now used. And they're going to need money for rent payments and mortgage payments, said Congressman Richard Neal. According to Congressman Neal, 20-million Americans are receiving unemployment assistance. The House could have voted on the new amount amendment on Monday if passed on Thursday, with Neal saying people could see payments by next week but that's now on hold. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/not-over-us-rep-richard-neal-says-after-gop-blocks-2000-covid-stimulus-checks | This is not over, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal says after GOP blocks $2,000 COVID stimulus checks | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | SPRINGFIELD U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was in the middle of explaining the legislative procedure of unanimous consent to reporters Thursday when someone shouted out that House Republicans had blocked his bill to provide$2,000 COVID impactpayments to individuals. We had a feeling that would happen, said Neal, a Springfield Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Neal's Thursday morning press conference on the steps of the federal courthouse was clearly part of a broader strategy to pressure Republicans. A press statement from Neal's office reacting to House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's blocking of the bill was distributed almost immediately. In a tweet, meanwhile, Neal said, This is not over. House Democrats will still vote on the proposal Monday. They must be back in Washington anyway to vote on a potential override of President Donald J. Trump'svetoof a defense spending bill that would give pay raises to military members. But the failure on Christmas Eve to move forward with unanimous consent throws a wrench into Neal and his fellow Democrats' proposal to provide $2,000 direct payments to individuals. Neal's bill introduced Thursday morning after consultation with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others would do two things: increase the value of the economic impact payments provided in the new COVID relief package so that each eligible family adult receives $2,000, up from $600; apply the same, broader eligibility established in the end-of-year package to mixed-status families where only one spouse has a Social Security Number. Under the latest COVID relief legislation, families are eligible to receive the payment amount for each adult with a Social Security number, and can claim the corresponding amount for the first round of economic impact payments when they file their 2020 taxes. Neal's legislation also requires the White House to implement the whole bill in order to send out the $2,000 payments, a guard against letting Republicans pick and choose. McCarthy, a California Republican, sa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/rep-neal-introduces-bill-increases-direct-payments-americans | Rep. Neal introduces bill that increases direct payments to Americans | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Congressman Richard Neal has introduced a new bill that would increase the amount of money struggling Americans could receive in the second round of direct payments. The bill, introduced as the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, would allow eligible Americans to receive a direct payment of up to $2,000. Congressman Neal sent a statement to Western Mass News on this latest development, saying: For months, Democrats have consistently sought to provide Americans with a substantial second round of direct financial assistance. Now that the President has finally endorsed that idea as well we're ready to immediately pass the CASH Act to put an additional $2,000 into the pockets of folks in need. Congressional Republicans must join us in this effort and not block critical relief from reaching families who are hurting. But as of Thursday morning on Christmas Eve, House Republicans have blocked the Democrats' bid for the $2,000 stimulus checks demanded by President Trump. Congressman Neal also released a statement regarding the House Republicans latest decision, saying: If not for congressional Republicans, $2,000 checks would be heading to Americans in need. Instead, on this Christmas Eve morning, Minority Leader McCarthy directly undermined President Trump and led the charge to block this crucial relief from reaching millions of families. This heartless obstruction comes at a time when folks across the country are wondering how they'll put food on the table and cover next month's rent payment. Democrats will continue to fight to provide Americans with the substantial support they require to make ends meet during the ongoing COVID crisis. For a full report of the legislation, clickhere. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-introduces-cash-act-provide-2000-payments-americans-need | Chairman Neal Introduces the CASH Act to Provide $2,000... | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Chairman Neal Introduces the CASH Act to Provide $2,000 Payments to Americans in Need Chairman Neal Introduces the CASH Act to Provide $2,000 Payments to Americans in Need WASHINGTON, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) introduced the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020 to increase the amount of money struggling Americans receive in a second round of direct payments to $2,000. Upon introducing the new legislation, Chairman Neal said: For months, Democrats have consistently sought to provide Americans with a substantial second round of direct financial assistance. Now that the President has finally endorsed that idea as well, we're ready to immediately pass the CASH Act to put an additional $2,000 into the pockets of folks in need. Congressional Republicans must join us in this effort and not block critical relief from reaching families who are hurting. The CASH Act: Increases the value of the economic impact payments (EIPs) provided in the end-of-year COVID relief package so that each eligible family member receives $2,000, up from $600. Applies the same, broader eligibility established in the end-of-year package to mixed-status families where one spouse has a Social Security Number (SSN). As specified in the latest COVID relief legislation, these families are eligible for the EIP amount for each family member with an SSN, and can claim the corresponding amount for the first round of economic impact payments when they file their 2020 taxes. Text of the legislation is available HERE. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-statement-uk-eu-post-brexit-trade-agreement | Chairman Neal Statement on UK-EU Post-Brexit Trade Agreement | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Chairman Neal Statement on UK-EU Post-Brexit Trade Agreement Chairman Neal Statement on UK-EU Post-Brexit Trade Agreement SPRINGFIELD, MA Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding reports that Britain and the European Union have reached a post-Brexit trade agreement: I commend the European Union and the United Kingdom for reaching an agreement regarding their future economic relationship today. I am glad to see that this deal preserves the Good Friday Agreement, which has maintained decades of peace for the British and European peoples and ensures that there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland. I look forward to continued U.S. engagement with our trading partners across the Atlantic in the years to come. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/neal-decries-republicans-heartless-obstruction-2000-checks-struggling-americans | Neal Decries Republicans Heartless Obstruction of $2,000... | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Neal Decries Republicans' Heartless Obstruction of $2,000 Checks for Struggling Americans Neal Decries Republicans' Heartless Obstruction of $2,000 Checks for Struggling Americans WASHINGTON, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after House Republicans blocked approval of the CASH Act, legislation the Chairman introduced to increase the amount of money struggling Americans receive in a second round of direct payments to $2,000: If not for congressional Republicans, $2,000 checks would be heading to Americans in need. Instead, on this Christmas Eve morning, Minority Leader McCarthy directly undermined President Trump and led the charge to block this crucial relief from reaching millions of families. This heartless obstruction comes at a time when folks across the country are wondering how they'll put food on the table and cover next month's rent payment. Democrats will continue to fight to provide Americans with the substantial support they require to make ends meet during the ongoing COVID crisis. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-pressley-tlaib-jayapal-ocasio-cortez-omar-introduce-legislation-provide | Reps. Pressley, Tlaib, Jayapal, Ocasio-Cortez, & Omar Introduce Legislation to Provide $2,000 Survival Checks | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | Bill Text (PDF) WASHINGTON Today, Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) introduced legislation to provide survival payments of up to $2,000 to families suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the woefully inadequate relief provided to them so far. For months, the congresswomen have been at the forefront of pushing for substantial direct relief for families during the worst public health emergency in our lifetimes. Families in my district and all across the country are struggling under the weight of this unprecedented crisis, said Congresswoman Pressley. We've been fighting all along for robust survival checks to help people meet their most basic needs, and the broad support that has emerged is a testament to the power of the people and the urgency of this moment. $2,000 in direct cash assistance will help families weather the crisis while we continue fighting for additional relief that meets the scale and scope of the hurt so many are feeling. Let's get it done. While President Trump has indicated support for the $2k direct payments, it is highly doubtful he has done anything to encourage congressional Republicans to support the effort. This morning on Christmas Eve, House Republicans blocked an attempt to provide survival checks. This holiday season, families are being forced to make incredibly difficult decisions, such as whether they should keep their lights on or buy groceries, said Congresswoman Tlaib. They are suffering to no fault of their own. We must protect public health and the economic well-being of those we serve. Providing $2,000 survival checks would give those struggling right now a lifeline as we continue to fight to defeat COVID-19. It's time for Trump to stop bluffing and get the members of his party in line so that the government can provide this long overdue relief to people across the country during this time of great need. It's long overdue that Congress approves COVID-1… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-warren-urge-reconsideration-of-decade-old-air-permit-for-proposed-biomass-fired-power-plant-in-springfield-and-reassessment-of-air-quality-impacts | Senators Markey and Warren Urge Reconsideration of Decade-Old Air Permit for Proposed Biomass-Fired Power Plant in Springfield and Reassessment of Air Quality ImpactsRead More | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Wood-burning power plants have a carbon dioxide emissions rate approximately 50% higher than a coal-fired power plant Washington (December 24, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today wrote to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) urging the agency to consider suspending and reassessing the decade-old Conditional Approval issued to Palmer Renewable Energy LLC for a proposed biomass-fired power plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, particularly as the new Biden administration determines its climate and air quality priorities. The Senators called on MassDEP to conduct a new review of the proposed plant's air quality impacts that accounts for the ongoing respiratory health pandemic, new public health data, and the impacts to the accelerating climate crisis. The proposed plant is expected to burn approximately one ton of wood per minute and emit fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other harmful pollutants, which can damage the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. Nearly one in five children in Springfield suffer from asthma, and 90 percent of city residents are categorized as living within an environmental justice population. Springfield residents deserve an updated air quality analysis that reflects the city's current health and environmental justice issues, which have become more acute in the decade since MassDEP initially issued the Conditional Approval,write the Senators in their letter to MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg.In reassessing the Palmer biomass plant proposal, MassDEP needs to account for the latest research into the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory health risks in the surrounding population, and the historic burden of air pollution on the local community. A copy of the letter can be found HERE. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved Massachusetts' State Implementation Plan for air quality standards, giving MassDEP the authority to rev… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-warren-and-rep-welch-lead-letter-on-trump-administration-failure-to-address-millions-of-orphan-oil-and-gas-wells-that-continue-to-emit-methane-and-toxic-chemicals | Sen. Warren and Rep. Welch Lead Letter on Trump Administration Failure to Address Millions of Orphan Oil and Gas Wells That Continue to Emit Methane and Toxic Chemicals | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Sen. Warren and Rep. Welch Lead Letter on Trump Administration Failure to Address Millions of Orphan Oil and Gas Wells That Continue to Emit Methane and Toxic Chemicals The problem is exacerbated by oil drillers' financial struggles caused by the pandemic and the Trump administration slashing environmental regulations Trump administration's failed enforcement could cost states hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for cleanup, while endangering the environment and public health Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, DC -- United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led a letter to Secretary of the Interior (DOI) David Bernhardt about the Bureau of Land Management's failure to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for plugging millions of abandoned oil and gas wells on public lands, which continue to leak dangerous chemicals like methane and endanger both the environment and public health. The letter is also signed by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.). The federal government estimates that there are more than three million abandoned oil and gas wells across the United States, two million of which are unplugged and are releasing "the methane equivalent of the annual emissions from more than 1.5 million cars." These abandoned wells can contaminate groundwater and emit volatile and hazardous compounds, posing significant environmental and public health risks. Leaking methane is particularly dangerous, since methane "pound for pound can warm the planet more than 80 times as much as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period." In 2018 and 2019, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) laid out recommendations for how the Bureau of Land Management can track and manage the wells. But the Trump administration largely ignored and even hampered efforts to hold Big Oil and franking firms accountable by weakening environmental laws like the Methane Rule, which… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398657 | McGovern Announces 2020 Congressional App Challenge Winners | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Jim McGovern | M000312 | mcgovern.house.gov | legacy | WORCESTER, MASS. Today, Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) announced the winners of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge from Massachusetts' Second Congressional District: Mahathi Gopinathan and Helen Liu. Both students attend Shrewsbury High School. Their app, The Kindness Calendar, assigns users one kind thing to do on a daily basis. The coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of millions of Americans. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 53% of adults in the United States reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus. Mahathi and Helen created The Kindness Calendar in hopes of increasing positivity in others' lives. I am excited to congratulate Mahathi and Helen on their exceptional app.saidCongressman McGovern. During these trying times, it is encouraging to see younger generations continue finding innovative ways to care for others. Programs like the Congressional App Challenge help today's students develop the skills they need to become the inventors and leaders our country needs now more than ever. BACKGROUND ON THE CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE: The Congressional App Challenge highlights the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and encourages students to engage in these fields. By recognizing our nation's young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the growing importance of these skills. The Challenge is open to all U.S. high school students in participating districts. Challenge participants are invited, either as individuals or as teams of up to four, to create and submit their own software application (app) for mobile, tablet, or other computing devices on a platform of their choice. A panel of local computer science professionals and congressional representatives will judge the apps, and the winners in each district will have the honor of being recognized by their Congressional representative. The Challenge is coordinatedby the Congress… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1914 | Representatives Clark, Trahan, Democratic Women’s Caucus Publish Spotify Playlist Commemorating 100 Years of Suffrage, Songs Fueling Continued Fight for Justice | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today,Assistant Speaker-elect Katherine Clark(MA-05),Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03),and members of theDemocratic Women's Caucus(DWC) published aWomen in the Houseplaylist on Spotify to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and honor the tremendous contributions of women across the nation who are working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been a historic year for women: the celebration of 100 years of suffrage, our first woman Vice President, and the heroic role women have played as a majority of essential workers and health care providers during the pandemic. But our accomplishments are still coupled with crisis. Women across American are being pushed out of the workforce and pushed into economic turmoil because of persistent policies based on inequality,said Congresswoman Katherine Clark.This playlist is a celebration of women and our refusal to give up in our fight for equal rights and equal representation. I hope that when you listen you feel inspired, empowered, and ready to take on the world. In a year that has been challenging for everyone, particularly working women and moms, it can be easy to overlook the tremendous achievements of strong, successful women across our nation. While I continue to advocate each day for policies that uplift women, I recognize that I wouldn't be able to do what I do if it weren't for the women who came before me, the women I serve with, and the women who sacrifice each day on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 to make sure that we are safe and healthy, said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. This playlist brought me some joy during this difficult time, and I hope it does the same for all of the strong women out there who need a reminder of just how fearless and inspiring they are. Music has played an uplifting role in the battle for women's rights since the suffrage movement helping women to unify, rally, and assert their unbreakable spirit with songs of protest and praise to uplift and inspire us to keep going. Th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-secures-220-million-in-year-end-spending-bill-for-universal-flu-vaccine-research | Senator Markey Secures $220 Million in Year-End Spending Bill for Universal Flu Vaccine ResearchRead More | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 23, 2020) As 190.4 million fluvaccineshave been distributed in the United States so far this flu season, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) announced he helped secure $220 million in the year-end spending package for research for the creation of a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple strains of the flu virus and offer longer lasting protection. The flu costs the nation at least $3.2 billion in direct medical costs annually and $87 billion in total economic burden. With increased vaccination rates this flu season, paired with stay-at-home orders, incidence of flu cases are down 91 percent from November 2019. Last April, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began its first clinical trial of an innovative universal influenza vaccine candidate. With the creation of the coronavirus vaccine, we have seen what happens when we fully empower scientists with the funding to research and innovate, said Senator Markey. Now, we have to do the same with the creation of a universal flu vaccine and enhance our response to this global scourge. With the additional research funding in this year-end spending bill, we will supercharge our ability to predict the right strain for the next season, produce a more optimal vaccine, and protect all Americans against all strains of this virus.Senator Markey and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) previously introduced theFlu Vaccine Act, legislation to conduct or support comprehensive research for the creation of a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple strains of the flu virus and offer longer lasting protection. The legislation calls for a total investment of $1 billion $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 for NIH. Senator Markey and his colleagues were able to secure a dedicated $100 million, $140 million, and $200 million for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, for universal flu vaccine research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-portman-and-wyden-commend-three-year-extension-of-innovative-home-based-primary-care-medicare-program_independence-at-home | Senators Markey, Portman, and Wyden Commend Three-Year Extension of Innovative Home-Based Primary Care Medicare Program Independence At HomeRead More | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | In 2012, Independence at Home began as a three-year demonstration program through the Affordable Care ActWashington (December 23, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), commended a three-year extension of the Independence At Home (IAH) demonstration project in the year-end budget legislation. Independence at Home is an innovative, team-based model that is bringing measurable, high-quality care to patients suffering from multiple debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, congestive heart failure, diabetes and Parkinson's, while significantly lowering costs for the Medicare program. In addition to the extension, the package also includes an increase in the number of eligible beneficiaries. In April 2019, Senators Markey and Portman reintroduced legislation (S.1202) to convert the Independence at Home demonstration into a permanent, national Medicare program. In 2012, Independence at Home began as a three-year demonstration program. In 2015 and 2017, the House of Representatives and Senate approved two-year extensions. Senators Markey and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are the original co-authors of the Independence at Home provision in the Affordable Care Act. When we provide health care to our most vulnerable in their living rooms, we help curtail their visits to emergency rooms, said Senator Markey. Independence at Home improves the care that frail patients receive, while saving taxpayers money by catching emerging health problems early. With the IAH program set to expire this year, this extension is critical. But I will continue to work to make this innovative program permanently accessible for all Medicare beneficiaries and their family caregivers in the future, and I thank Senators Portman and Wyden for their partnership on this innovative program. The Independence at Home program is delivering results and saving money, said Senator Portman. It has made a difference by reducing hospital readmissions, preventing costly hospital and nursing … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/bloomberg-tobacco-companies-tried-to-profit-off-virus-lawmaker-group-says | Bloomberg: Tobacco Companies Tried to Profit Off Virus, Lawmaker Group Says | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Bloomberg: Tobacco Companies Tried to Profit Off Virus, Lawmaker Group Says A group of U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, has sent letters to two of the world's largest tobacco companies alleging they attempted to profit off the back of a global health crisis. The letters sent to British American Tobacco Plc and Philip Morris International Inc., dated Dec. 16 and Dec. 18, respectively, cite a Stanford University study that found tobacco companies promoted their products during the pandemic on social media platforms popular with young adults by offering free gifts that had been hard to find, like hand sanitizer, toilet paper and masks. Some ads even pitched the products as good for stress relief during Covid-19, the letter said. Read the full articlehere. By: Tiffany Kary and Corinne Gretler Source: Bloomberg Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/cnbc-sen-warren-introduces-bill-to-provide-free-covid-testing-for-teachers-students-and-essential-workers-across-us | CNBC: Sen. Warren introduces bill to provide free Covid testing for teachers, students and essential workers across U.S. | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 CNBC: Sen. Warren introduces bill to provide free Covid testing for teachers, students and essential workers across U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is pushing legislation that would provide free Covid testing for teachers, students, essential workers and others who have high exposure to the coronavirus, expanding federally funded screening efforts throughout the U.S. The Expanding COVID-19 Testing Capacity Act of 2020 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to stabilize the testing supply chain by manufacturing tests and testing supplies, or find contractors who can do it for the agency, Warren said Tuesday. Read the full articlehere. By: Will Feuer Source: CNBC Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/military-times-private-military-housing-companies-face-questions-about-military-families-with-disabled-members | Military Times: Private military housing companies face questions about military families with disabled members | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Military Times: Private military housing companies face questions about military families with disabled members Two senators are pressing privatized housing companies for extensive details on their treatment of military families with disabled members who need accessible housing. Some private companies that have partnered with the Defense Department do not appear to be following federal laws that protect persons with disabilities, according to letters sent Dec. 18 to top executives of six companies, signed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Citing the findings of a small online survey released in July by the nonprofit Military Housing Advocacy Network, the senators asked the executives for details about each of their military housing communities by Jan. 15. Read the full articlehere. By: Karen Jowers Source: Military Times Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/nbc-news-senators-ask-justice-department-watchdog-to-investigate-federal-executions-under-trump | NBC News: Senators ask Justice Department watchdog to investigate federal executions under Trump | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 NBC News: Senators ask Justice Department watchdog to investigate federal executions under Trump "The reversal of long-standing DOJ policies and protocols for federal executions raise numerous questions about the fairness and application of these policies." After a second federal inmate scheduled to be executed next month recently tested positive for the coronavirus, several senators are asking the Department of Justice's independent watchdog agency to investigate what motivated the Trump administration to resume the federal death penalty this year. Since July, the Justice Department under Attorney General William Barr has put 10 federal inmates to death, with three more executions scheduled in January just days before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. That is the most executions in a presidential lame-duck period in more than 130 years. The federal government's ramping up of executions ended a 17-year moratorium under previous administrations, and came amid a pandemic that led all states to halt executions. Read the full articlehere. By: Erik Ortiz Source: NBC News Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-warren-and-booker-to-osha-your-persistent-failure-to-protect-workers-at-meatpacking-facilities-from-escalating-deadly-covid-19-outbreaks-is-disgraceful | Senators Warren and Booker to OSHA: Your Persistent Failure to Protect Workers at Meatpacking Facilities From Escalating, Deadly COVID-19 Outbreaks is Disgraceful | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Senators Warren and Booker to OSHA: Your Persistent Failure to Protect Workers at Meatpacking Facilities From Escalating, Deadly COVID-19 Outbreaks is Disgraceful A new study finds that meatpacking facilities are associated with community spread of COVID-19, leading to hundreds of thousands of cases and thousands of deaths in the U.S. OSHA has refused to establish emergency workplace safety standards Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) sent a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asking why the agency is still failing to take any action to protect meatpacking workers during a raging global health pandemic in which meatpacking plants are serving as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hotspots that are harming their employees and surrounding communities, the majority of which are immigrant communities and communities of color. Their letter follows the recent release of a study that explicitly identified meatpacking facilities "as (COVID-19) transmission vectors into the surrounding population (that) accelerate the spread of the virus" and are associated with hundreds of thousands of cases and thousands of deaths. The senators sent a letter to OSHA in September 2020 criticizing the agency's delayed and ineffective response to COVID-19 outbreaks occurring at meatpacking facilities across the U.S. that have sickened and killed many workers. In response, OSHA wrongly asserted that enforceable, emergency health and safety standards are "not necessary at this time." Since the September 2020 letter to OSHA, an additional 8,974 meatpacking workers have tested positive for COVID-19 and 54 workers have died of COVID-19 across another 69 meatpacking plants. "Given these ongoing concerns, we would like to know whether you plan to take any action while you are still in office to protect workers and communities during this surge in the pandemic, or if you plan to end you… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-announces-funding-bill-will-restore-pell-grant-eligibility-to-victims-of-predatory-for-profit-colleges | Warren Announces Funding Bill Will Restore Pell Grant Eligibility to Victims of Predatory For-Profit Colleges | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Warren Announces Funding Bill Will Restore Pell Grant Eligibility to Victims of Predatory For-Profit Colleges Washington, D.C. - Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today announced the Pell Grant Restoration Act, legislation that Senator Warren introduced, will be included in broader government funding legislation that the Senate will consider this week. This critical legislation would amend Higher Education Act to restore students' Pell Grant eligibility for any period of time during which they would have qualified for loan forgiveness due to school closure, fraud, or misconduct. This provision allows tens of thousands of low-income student borrowers who were cheated by now-defunct for-profit colleges like Corinthian Colleges and ITT Tech to have a clean slate, so they can start over in their pursuit of higher education that allows them to build a future. "Students should not be punished for getting scammed by for-profit, predatory colleges, said Senator Warren. I'm glad that Congress has chosen to advance The Pell Grant Restoration Act to ensure that students who have been cheated can hit the reset button on their Pell Grant eligibility so that they can have a chance to go back to school and build a future." Senator Warren introduced the Pell Grant Restoration Act three times. She first introduced it in 2015, alongside then-Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and then-Ranking Member of the House Education and Labor Committee Bobby Scott (D-Va.). She reintroduced the bill in 2017, alongside Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.),. The legislation considered this week, Senator Warren reintroduced with Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) as well as Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Penn.), and Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) in both the House and Senate. Senator Warren has been a consistent fighter for defrauded students. She successfully fought for students cheated… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-blumenthal-durbin-krishnamoorthi-and-degette-question-tobacco-companies-exploitative-e-cigarette-advertisements-during-the-covid-19-pandemic | Warren, Blumenthal, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi and DeGette Question Tobacco Companies Exploitative e-Cigarette Advertisements During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Warren, Blumenthal, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi and DeGette Question Tobacco Companies Exploitative e-Cigarette Advertisements During the COVID-19 Pandemic Extensive Use of Social Media Indicates Abusive Promotions Are Aimed at Youth "Exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic of a respiratory disease to promote a product that increases risk for the very same disease is unconscionable" Letter to BAT (PDF) | Letter to PMI (PDF) | Letter to FDA & FTC (PDF) Washington, DC - After a recent study by public health experts at Stanford University revealed that numerous tobacco companies - including several subsidiaries of British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI) - have "chosen to exploit a global pandemic for marketing purposes," United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) along with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform's Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, and Congresswoman Dianna DeGette (D-Colo.), Chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, sent letters to BAT, PMI, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) questioning the tobacco companies' exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic to market their e-cigarette products using abusive and misleading tactics aimed at youths and adolescents, and seeking information on the enforcement actions taken by the agencies to regulate these advertisements. Since the beginning of the pandemic, several subsidiaries of tobacco and e-cigarette companies BAT and PMI have taken advantage of the ongoing public health emergency to promote the sale of their products. The research conducted by a group of public health experts at Stanford foun… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-booker-durbin-and-colleagues-request-investigation-of-trump-administrations-unprecedented-spree-of-federal-executions | Warren, Booker, Durbin, and Colleagues Request Investigation of Trump Administration's Unprecedented Spree of Federal Executions | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Warren, Booker, Durbin, and Colleagues Request Investigation of Trump Administration's Unprecedented Spree of Federal Executions "Prior to the Trump Administration's revival of federal executions, the federal government had not executed a federal prisoner since 2003 and has only executed three people in the previous 50 years." "The reversal of long-standing DOJ policies and protocols for federal executions raise numerous questions about the fairness and application of these policies and protocols by the Trump Administration." Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio.), sent a letter to Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking an investigation of the frenzied and unprecedented "spree of federal executions during [President Trump's] lame-duck period." In July 2020, the Trump Administration ended a 17-year hiatus on federal executions when it executed Daniel Lewis Lee, and followed that with six more executions between July 16, 2020, and September 24, 2020. Since his defeat at the polls in the November 2020 election, President Trump and political appointees at the DOJ have ramped up the pace of executions during the lame duck period of his presidency, with executions of Orlando Hall on November 19, 2020, Brandon Bernard on December 10, 2020, and Alfred Bourgeois on December 11, 2020. Three more executions are scheduled mere days before the end of President Trump's term in January 2021, including Lisa Montgomery, who would be the first woman to be put to death by the federal government in 67 years. "This spree of executions marks a break with both modern history and decades-old practice. Prior to the Trump Administration's revival of federal executions, the federal government had not executed a federal p… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-introduces-legislation-to-expand-access-to-federally-funded-covid-19-testing | Warren Introduces Legislation to Expand Access to Federally Funded COVID-19 Testing | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Warren Introduces Legislation to Expand Access to Federally Funded COVID-19 Testing "Even as vaccine distribution begins, testing will remain a critical tool in reducing rates of COVID-19 infections" The Expanding COVID-19 Testing Capacity Act of 2020 would require the federal government to manufacture and distribute COVID-19 diagnostic tests to expand Americans' access to free COVID-19 testing. Bill Text | Bill One-Pager Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Expanding COVID-19 Testing Capacity Act of 2020, which would require the federal government to manufacture and distribute COVID-19 diagnostic tests to community centers, congregate care settings, schools, and childcare facilities, religious centers, prisons and jails, businesses that employ essential workers, and other qualified locations across the country for the purpose of expanding Americans' access to free COVID-19 testing. "It's long past time that the federal government throws real muscle behind controlling and mitigating the spread of COVID-19, and investing in and implementing aggressive testing measures are a critical part of this effort. Even as vaccine distribution begins, testing will remain a critical tool in reducing rates of COVID-19 infections. High-quality and frequent COVID-19 testing should be easily available to all Americans, and this is why I'm glad to be introducing legislation to ensure that our nation has expanded access to federally funded testing," said Senator Warren. "For many months, physicians with a frontline view of the devastation caused by the pandemic have been calling for federal support to enable broader testing. A strong national testing framework is a critical component of an optimal COVID-19 mitigation strategy, and we applaud Senator Warren for her leadership in introducing this thoughtful bill," Massachusetts Medical Society president Dr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-tillis-question-private-military-housing-providers-on-reports-they-have-denied-access-and-failed-to-provide-appropriate-on-base-housing-to-military-families-with-disabilities | Warren, Tillis Question Private Military Housing Providers on Reports They Have Denied Access And Failed to Provide Appropriate On-Base Housing to Military Families With Disabilities | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Warren, Tillis Question Private Military Housing Providers on Reports They Have Denied Access And Failed to Provide Appropriate On-Base Housing to Military Families With Disabilities These letters follow troubling reports revealing that private military housing providers at multiple installations across all four Services may not be complying with federal laws that protect Americans with disabilities. Text of Letters (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, sent letters to top executives at six major private military housing companies requesting information about the on-base housing units they developed and manage to determine whether military families are being denied access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant housing. In July 2020, the Military Housing Advocacy Network (MHAN), a nonprofit organization that advocates for military families to make sure that they have access to safe and appropriate conditions in on-base, privatized housing, released findings from a survey of military families with disabilities revealing that private military housing companies that have partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD) do not appear to be following federal laws that protect persons with disabilities. "These findings paint a clear and troubling picture of housing problems for thousands of servicemembers and their families and are yet another example of how private military housing companies are padding their pockets with profits at the expense of our women and men in uniform. Our military families should have access to safe, accessible, high-quality housing and deserve better than this," Senator Warren said in a statement shared with her letters. The DoD's Exceptional Family Membe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398656 | McGovern Bill Supporting Tibetan Human Rights and Religious Freedom Set to Become Law | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Jim McGovern | M000312 | mcgovern.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. A bipartisan bill to support the human rights and religious freedom of the Tibetan people written by Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China is set to become law after being included in the omnibus spending package agreement just passed by Congress. Full Text of the Bill (PDF) The bill updates the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 to address the ongoing oppression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese government, and directs sanctions on Chinese officials who violate Tibetan human rights. Our bipartisan bill shines a light on the Chinese government's ongoing oppression in Tibet and strengthens existing U.S. tools to protect the religion, language, and culture of the Tibetan people, said Chairman McGovern. It also reaffirms America's commitment to the idea that human rights matter. It is essential that the human rights of all the people of China and Tibet are respected by their government. The human rights situation in Tibet has gotten progressively worse in recent years. The Chinese government has refused to enter into genuine dialogue with Tibetan leaders. Restrictions on access to Tibet, for both Tibetans and foreigners, have been tightened. International journalists have stated that the isolation of Tibet is as bad as North Korea, allowing human rights abuses and environmental degradation to be concealed from the outside world. Chinese officials claim that they have sole authority to select the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, in violation of the religious freedom of the Tibetan Buddhist community. In the Tibetan Autonomous Region, new regulations on ethnic unity mandate acceptance and promotion of Chinese government ethnic and religious policy. McGovern's bill: Establishes as U.S. policy that the succession or reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including a future 15th Dalai Lama, is an exclusively religious matter that should be decided solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/22/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-1932/ | Chairman Neal Statement on Green Energy Investments and Jobs | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Washington, DC Today, following House passage of a legislative package that included extensions of energy-related tax credits, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement underscoring the importance of pro-worker policies accompanying future investments in the green energy sector: “During a time of great uncertainty for the nation, we have advanced a bipartisan bill to provide timely relief and certainty to workers and businesses, including to those in the green energy space. This fast-growing sector is not only critical to our fight against climate change, but also a core part of our economic recovery from the COVID recession. “For a successful recovery, we must ensure that green jobs are good jobs. To do anything less would be to squander this opportunity to build back the American middle class and restore the power and dignity of workers. “Workers in the green energy sector deserve good pay, benefits, safe workplaces, and all rights and protections afforded under our nation’s labor laws. Unions are crucial to ensuring collective bargaining rights and to standing up for workers whose employers are violating the law. I am disappointed by the low unionization rate within the renewable energy sector and dismayed at reports of attempts to restrict unionization and retaliate against workers for attempting to unionize. Workers must be at the center of a transition to a green economy. “In undertaking this transformation, it is also critical that we continue working to ensure that the benefits of our ongoing investments in green energy lift up American manufacturing with products made in the United States. American-made steel, solar panels, and other sustainable goods can and should be a top choice for consumers here at home and around the world. As part of that effort, the United States must take the lead by engaging our trading partners to effectively address trade and climate change. “Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson has be… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/covid-stimulus-only-beginning-massachusetts-lawmakers-pledge | COVID stimulus only the beginning, Massachusetts lawmakers pledge | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | After both houses of Congress passed a $908 billionCOVID-19stimulus package on Monday night, Massachusetts lawmakers pledged to continue fighting for more aid after President-electJoe Bidentakes office in January. The lawmakers touted Democrats' efforts to secure, at minimum, direct cash payments to Americans and rental and food assistance in the final stimulus deal, which comes nine months after the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The new aid package also includes enhanced unemployment benefits through the spring, billions of dollars for small business loans and funds for health care facilities and schools. But the overwhelming message from the Massachusetts delegation is that more must be done and soon. The lawmakers lashed out at Republicans for delays and for refusing to provide funding to states and municipalities hit with budget shortfalls and layoffs. With millions literally lining up in bread lines, this relief package isn't even half a loaf, Sen. Ed Markey said late Monday night. This deal is better than the Republican alternative of nothing, but it must only be the beginning, a down payment on what is to come. This cannot be the last time that Congress speaks on this issue. The $908 billion package, expected to be signed by PresidentDonald Trumpthis week, will deliver $600 stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans earning less than $75,000, as well as $600 for each child dependent. For more on when checks will arrive and who's eligible,read here. The bill also includes an extra $300 in weekly unemployment insurance through mid-March; $284 billion in forgivable small business loans through the Payroll Protection Program; $20 billion in economic injury disaster loans in low-income communities; and $15 billion to live venues, independent movie theaters and other cultural businesses and nonprofits. Markey, who previously called for recurring payments of $2,000 for most Americans, said the bill's $600 stimulus checks and extended $300 boost in unemployment incl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/second-covid-19-relief-package-coming | Second COVID-19 relief package is coming | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Congress has passed a pandemic relief package that is aimed to help American families struggling, as well as resources to vaccinate a nation. Leaders are calling this a major accomplishment as more money comes to struggling businesses. Congress voted on Monday evening to approve a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that promises to accelerate vaccine distribution and deliver much-needed aid to small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The rescue package, which was negotiated on a bipartisan basis, was combined with a massive $1.4 trillion government spending bill to fund federal agencies for the new fiscal year. It will include direct payments of up to $600 per adult, enhanced jobless benefits of $300 per week, roughly $284 billion in paycheck protection program loans, $25 billion in rental assistance, an extension of the eviction moratorium, and $82 billion for schools and colleges. Congressman Richard Neal spoke about the importance of the relief package this afternoon. Part of the comprise here was even though this is $900 billion dollars, that the duration will take us through march 31 and give president-elect Biden and his economic team, Janet Yellen, who I spoke with just a couple of days ago and give them a chance to sit in the saddle and see where they want to head, said Neal. The bill also contains $25 billion in rental assistance, $15 billion for theaters and other live venues, $82 billion for local schools, colleges, and universities, and $10 billion for child care. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill sometime Tuesday. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1912 | Reps. Trahan and Moulton, and Senators Markey and Warren Applaud Inclusion of “Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act” in Year-End Spending Bill | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | Washington (December 22, 2020) Representative Lori Trahan (MA-03), Representative Seth Moulton (MA-08), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), applauded the inclusion of their Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act as part of the year-end spending package. The lawmakers introduced the legislation in response to the catastrophic gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts on September 13, 2018, which resulted in the death of 18-year-old Leonel Rondon, dozens of injuries, damage to more than 100 homes, and thousands of homes left without natural gas service for months. More than two years after the tragic and preventable Merrimack Valley gas explosions impacted thousands of families in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, our legislation to prevent another disaster like this is finally on the cusp of becoming law, said Rep. Trahan. For too long, outdated and insufficient safety regulations have failed the communities they were supposed to protect. Today's passage of the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act will apply the many lessons taken from this tragedy including those informed by NTSB's experts to ensure that no community ever has to experience this type of terrible devastation again. Passage of the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act pays honor and tribute to the life of Leonel Rondon and serves as a small justice for the Merrimack Valley community, said Senator Markey. The natural gas explosions that struck Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover more than two years ago were yet another example of corporations cutting corners to turn a profit. The passage of this legislation is a critical step in ensuring that we prioritize public safety over corporate profit and never allow a tragic disaster like this to happen again. I thank Senators Wicker, Cantwell, Fischer and Duckworth, and Chairmen Pallone and DeFazio for their leadership on this legislation. The Merrimack Valley pipeline explosions could have… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1913 | Representatives Trahan and McGovern Applaud $125,000 in CDC Drug Free Community Grant Funding for LUK, Inc | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | LOWELL, MA Today,Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03)andCongressman Jim McGovern (MA-02)applauded the awarding of $125,000 in federal grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Disease Control and Prevention to LUK, Inc., a not-for-profit social service agency based in Fitchburg that provides critical services to communities throughout North Central Massachusetts. Cases of addiction and substance use disorder have continued to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic across all demographics, and young people have sadly not been immune,said Congresswoman Trahan. Ensuring that organizations like LUK have the resources they need to continue combating drug and substance abuse is more important than ever. This funding will go a long way toward preventing the use of alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine usage by teens and youth in Leominster. Massachusetts knows all too well the terrible toll that substance use disorder has taken on our communities. Sadly, COVID-19 has only exacerbated the many challenges we face in addressing this problem,said Congressman McGovern.I'm hopeful that this grant will be a big help as LUK continues their work to prevent substance abuse among teens and adolescents, empower families, provide care, and even save lives. We are very excited to continue to build upon our long-standing partnership with the Leominster Community Action Team,said Cassandra Foley, LUK's Director of Community Engagement and Support.This funding will enable the coalition to implement evidence-based strategies to prevent the use of alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine among youth in Leominster." We are thrilled to have received the DFC grant,added Catherine Gaudt, BSN, RN, NCSN, Nurse Manager in Leominster Public School System.This will aid in our efforts to prevent adolescent and teen substance use and abuse in our community. Background: Throughout her time in Congress, Trahan has been a strong proponent of legislation that seeks to end the addiction crisis and bolster mental health and substance… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/22/2020/senator-markey-senator-whitehouse-and-rep-langevin-applaud-the-inclusion-of-offshore-wind-act-provision-in-year-end-spending-bill | Senator Markey, Senator Whitehouse, and Rep. Langevin Applaud the Inclusion of Offshore WIND Act Provision in Year-End Spending BillRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Spending package includes five-year extension of critical tax incentives for offshore wind Washington (December 22, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) applauded the inclusion of key components of their legislation, theOffshore Wind Incentives for New Development (WIND) Act (S. 1957), as part of the year-end spending package. The provision would extend the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind facilities at 30 percent through 2025, as called for in the Offshore WIND Act. Introduced in June 2019 by Senators Markey and Whitehouse, and Rep. Langevin, the Offshore WIND Act would spur the growth of offshore wind energy in the United States by extending tax credits for the renewable energy industry. In addition to extending the offshore wind ITC, the omnibus budget package extends the ITC for solar and the production tax credit (PTC) for onshore wind. It makes permanent energy efficiency improvements for commercial buildings and extends a credit of up to $2,000 for the purchase of energy efficient homes, as well as extends credits for non-business energy property purchases. The package also includes a five-year extension of the tax used to fund the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Offshore wind has the potential to change the game on climate change, and those winds of change are blowing off the shores of Massachusetts, said Senator Markey. Offshore wind projects are a crucial part of America's clean energy future, creating tens of thousands of jobs up and down the East Coast and reducing carbon pollution. In our effort to harness this potential, we will now be able to provide this burgeoning industry the long-term certainty in the tax code that it needs. Our workers and our manufacturers stand ready to meet the demands of the offshore wind industry, and our economy stands ready to reap the winds of success. My big thanks to Senator Whitehouse and Rep. Langevin for their continued partnership and dedication to this legislation. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-and-congresswoman-maloney-applaud-inclusion-of-25-million-in-gun-violence-research-funding-in-omnibus-funding-package | Senator Markey and Congresswoman Maloney Applaud Inclusion of $25 Million in Gun Violence Research Funding in Omnibus Funding PackageRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 22, 2020) With funding for federal gun violence prevention research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) beginning for the first time this past fall, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) today applauded the inclusion of $25 million in the 2021 Fiscal Year package to continue that research. Last year, the lawmakers were also successful in securing $25 million in the year-end spending bill to fund research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention, the first time Congress approved federal funding for the study of gun violence since an appropriations rider called the Dickey Amendment was put on the books in 1996. Despite the pandemic, gun violence is up in Massachusetts and around the country. We cannot accept that gun violence is pre-ordained, when we can know it can be prevented, said Senator Markey. This research funding is a critical step to understanding the causes of this scourge and putting an end to gun violence in our schools and neighborhoods. Research will help us create evidence-based solutions to this ongoing public health crisis. Gun violence is a public health crisis that continues to destroy lives all across the country and has grown even worse during the coronavirus pandemic, said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. For years, I have worked to pass legislation directing federal funding toward health research into gun violence. I am encouraged that the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations package once again includes this much needed funding. This research can help save lives by proposing science-based solutions to end the gun violence epidemic. In January 2019, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney co-authored theGun Violence Prevention Research Act,legislation to fund research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on firearms safety and gun violence prevention. The legislation has been endorsed by a number of gun safety groups and health organizations. For too lo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-helps-secure-300-million-increase-for-alzheimers-research-in-omnibus-spending-bill | Senator Markey Helps Secure $300 Million Increase for Alzheimers Research in Omnibus Spending BillRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 22, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senate co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, today commended the inclusion of $3.1 billion for Alzheimer's and related dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the year-end spending bill. This funding is a $300 million increase over last year's appropriations, and meets the funding level the NIH estimates it will need to effectively treat or prevent Alzheimer's by 2025, based on its most recent annual Alzheimer's Disease budget conducted pursuant to Senator Markey's Alzheimer's Accountability Act. Currently, more than 5.5 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease, and by 2060, that number is expected to triple. We need big, bold investments in medical and clinical research in order to defeat the devastating disease that is Alzheimer's, said Senator Markey. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1985, and we cared for her in our living room until she passed in 1998. I know the pain this disease causes, and I also know the love that families and caregivers have for their loved ones living with it. I am proud to have fought for the appropriations included in this year's spending bill, which will be critical to our fight for a cure. In Fiscal Year 2020, Senator Markey helped to secure $2.8 billion for Alzheimer's and related dementia research at NIH, a 370% increase since 2014. Throughout his years in Congress, Senator Markey has been a champion for raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease and working to find a cure. He is the House author of theNational Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), which became law in 2011. Passage of NAPA led to the creation of a National Alzheimer's Plan to effectively prevent and treat Alzheimer's by the year 2025. In 2014, Senator Markey'sAlzheimer's Accountability Actwas signed into law, as part of the fiscal year 2015 appropriations package, which requires the NIH to report to Congress how much additional fund… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-senator-whitehouse-and-rep-langevin-applaud-the-inclusion-of-offshore-wind-act-provision-in-year-end-spending-bill | Senator Markey, Senator Whitehouse, and Rep. Langevin Applaud the Inclusion of Offshore WIND Act Provision in Year-End Spending BillRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Spending package includes five-year extension of critical tax incentives for offshore wind Washington (December 22, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) applauded the inclusion of key components of their legislation, theOffshore Wind Incentives for New Development (WIND) Act (S. 1957), as part of the year-end spending package. The provision would extend the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind facilities at 30 percent through 2025, as called for in the Offshore WIND Act. Introduced in June 2019 by Senators Markey and Whitehouse, and Rep. Langevin, the Offshore WIND Act would spur the growth of offshore wind energy in the United States by extending tax credits for the renewable energy industry. In addition to extending the offshore wind ITC, the omnibus budget package extends the ITC for solar and the production tax credit (PTC) for onshore wind. It makes permanent energy efficiency improvements for commercial buildings and extends a credit of up to $2,000 for the purchase of energy efficient homes, as well as extends credits for non-business energy property purchases. The package also includes a five-year extension of the tax used to fund the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Offshore wind has the potential to change the game on climate change, and those winds of change are blowing off the shores of Massachusetts, said Senator Markey. Offshore wind projects are a crucial part of America's clean energy future, creating tens of thousands of jobs up and down the East Coast and reducing carbon pollution. In our effort to harness this potential, we will now be able to provide this burgeoning industry the long-term certainty in the tax code that it needs. Our workers and our manufacturers stand ready to meet the demands of the offshore wind industry, and our economy stands ready to reap the winds of success. My big thanks to Senator Whitehouse and Rep. Langevin for their continued partnership and dedication t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-statement-on-passage-of-coronavirus-relief-package | Senator Markey Statement on Passage of Coronavirus Relief PackageRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 21, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement upon passage of a $900 billion bipartisan coronavirus relief package. Workers, small businesses, and families may be getting an ounce of relief in this coronavirus package, but they need a ton more.With millions literally lining up in bread lines, this relief package isn't even half a loaf. It is a terrible day in Congress that we see the tragedy of hunger, unemployment, illness, and death, but Republican cruelty and partisanship overrule compassion and commonsense. This packagemust be only the beginning of our work to secure trillions more in aid for the American people. They deserve so much more than this. A one-time direct cash payment, as well as extensions of vital nutrition funding and a national eviction moratorium will provide desperately-needed help during these darkest and coldest winter months. Massachusetts small businesses will receive another round of payroll assistance. And the extension of enhanced unemployment benefits for our gig workers and independent contractors a program I fought to create at the beginning of the pandemic will provide some temporary relief. But expanding Pell Grants is not the kind of relief that cancellation of student debt would provide. A business tax credit is not the full paid sick time that all Americans deserve. As utility bills pile up, legislation that does not prevent the cruel shut-off of gas, electric, or water will lead to massive, unabated energy debt.Broadband funding that ignores the successful E-rate a proven program that is ready to connect vulnerable students now to the internet will do little to close the homework gap'. Meanwhile,states and cities continue to be punished by Senate Republicans who refuse to provide them aid as they are left to bear the economic burden resulting from the Trump administration's abdication of leadership during the pandemic. This deal is better than the Republican alternative of nothing, but… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-schumer-and-rep-engel-celebrate-inclusion-of-legislation-to-preserve-first-responders-access-to-emergency-spectrum-in-year-end-spending-bill | Senators Markey and Schumer, and Rep. Engel Celebrate Inclusion of Legislation to Preserve First Responders Access to Emergency Spectrum in Year-End Spending BillRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 21, 2020) Today, Congress released its final end-of-year spending legislation, which includes Senator Edward J. Markey's (D-Mass.) bill to preserve first responders' access to T-band spectrum (470512 MHz). Congress is now poised to pass theDon't Break Up the T-Band Act, legislation that allows firefighters, emergency medical service providers, police officers and other emergency personnel in eleven metropolitan areas across the county to continue to communicate with each other using T-Band spectrum.Thelegislationrepeals a provision of the 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, which directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction off this band of spectrum by February 2021. First responders in highly-populated metropolitan areas in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere use critical T-Band spectrum for emergency public safety communication. Agencies across the country have invested millions of dollars in the T-Band networks, which offer the reliable coverage and regional interoperability that first responders require for mission critical voice communications. A recent study by the United States Government Accountability Office noted that had Congress failed to act, the cost of relocating T-Band users to other bands of spectrum would cost between $5 and $6 billion, and for many T-Band users, alternative bands of spectrum are limited or nonexistent.For years, I have been working to ensure that first responders in Massachusetts and across the country have the resources they need to do their jobs, said Senator Markey. Every day, brave women and men on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic rely on T-Band spectrum to communicate with each other. By passing this bill into law, Congress will say loud and clear to our public safety heroes, We have your back.' I thank Leader Schumer and all of my partners on this legislation for their commitment to passing this bill into law. This is the type of action the America… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-warren-and-reps-trahan-and-moulton-applaud-inclusion-of-leonel-rondon-pipeline-safety-act-in-year-end-spending-bill | Senators Markey and Warren and Reps. Trahan and Moulton Applaud Inclusion of Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act in Year-End Spending BillRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Massachusetts lawmakers introduced legislation in the wake of Merrimack Valley gas explosion Washington (December 22, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Seth Moulton (MA-08) applauded the inclusion of their Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act as part of the year-end spending package. The lawmakers introduced the legislation in response to the catastrophic gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts on September 13, 2018, which resulted in the death of 18-year-old Leonel Rondon, dozens of injuries, damage to more than 100 homes, and thousands of homes left without natural gas service for months. Passage of the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act pays honor and tribute to the life of Leonel Rondon and serves as a small justice for the Merrimack Valley community, said Senator Markey. The natural gas explosions that struck Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover more than two years ago were yet another example of corporations cutting corners to turn a profit. The passage of this legislation is a critical step in ensuring that we prioritize public safety over corporate profit and never allow a tragic disaster like this to happen again. I thank Senators Wicker, Cantwell, Fischer and Duckworth, and Chairmen Pallone and DeFazio for their leadership on this legislation. The Merrimack Valley pipeline explosions could have been completely avoided if Columbia Gas executives had valued safety over profits, said Senator Warren. The passing of the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act honors the memory of a young man killed by the reckless gas explosion and will strengthen regulatory safety laws to help prevent disasters like this from happening again. More than two years after the tragic and preventable Merrimack Valley gas explosions impacted thousands of families in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, our legislation to prevent another disast… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-warren-applaud-passage-of-water-infrastructure-bill-benefiting-critical-massachusetts-projects | Senators Markey and Warren Applaud Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill Benefiting Critical Massachusetts ProjectsRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Bipartisan legislation includes provisions to expedite the replacement of Cape Cod Canal Bridges, improve climate resilience, mitigate flood risks, and control coastal erosion Washington (December 22, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren commended Congress's passage of theWater Resources Development Act of 2020, a water resourcesand infrastructure bill that includes several key provisions benefiting Massachusetts. Senator Markey is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the legislation. During the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever that we provide relief and support to communities throughout Massachusetts,said Senator Markey.I am proud that the water infrastructure legislation passed today includes many of our key provisions, which will provide new and more robust resources to help localities recover and grow their economies, while also bracing for the impacts of climate change. I look forward to building on this progress with comprehensive investments in sustainable and resilient infrastructure in the next Congress. I am glad to see this water resources and infrastructure legislation support critically important infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth, said Senator Warren. I will continue to fight to ensure our communities have the resources they need to protect against future impacts of climate change and allow for continued economic growth. I am grateful to Senator Markey and Senator Warren for their leadership and support in preserving open space and investing in sustainable green infrastructure, two critical strategies to combating the effects of climate change and building a thriving, healthy, and innovative Boston, said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. My administration has invested over $60 million in critical stormwater management projects along the Muddy River and the Emerald Necklace park system, an integral part of our resilience strategies led by Climate Ready Boston. These investments an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/stabenow-collins-markey-capito-menendez-announce-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-improving-hope-for-alzheimers-act | Stabenow, Collins, Markey, Capito, Menendez Announce Senate Passage of Bipartisan Improving HOPE for Alzheimers ActRead More | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Bipartisan Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's Act passes Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Shelley MooreCapito(R-WV)and Bob Menendez (D-NJ)today announced Senate passage of the bipartisan Improving HOPE (Health, Outcomes, Planning, and Education) for Alzheimer's Act. Thanks to theirsuccessful bipartisan push in 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in November 2016 that Medicare would begin covering new care plans in 2017, effectively implementing the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act. The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach to make more health care providers aware of this important benefit and to report back on rates of utilization and barriers to access. Care plans are an important tool to ensure that those living with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones who help care for them every day have the support they need to cope with this devastating disease,said Senator Stabenow.The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will help make sure patients, their families, and their health care providers know about and can take advantage of the available resources. "It is imperative that those living with Alzheimer's disease and their families receive the resources they need, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available, said Senator Collins. Fortunately, following our advocacy, CMS implemented a new rule in 2018 that allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive a care planning session. Our legislation will expand access to this service by increasing awareness of this policy change among physicians. As the Co-Chair of the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force, I will continue to support those living with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. While we work towards the goal of finding a cure for Alzheimer's by 2025, we must also ensure seniors with Alzheimer's get the best care possible. Developing car… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/12/21/2020/senators-warren-and-markey-convene-bipartisan-advisory-committee-on-nomination-of-united-states-attorney-for-the-district-of-massachusetts | Senators Warren and Markey Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Nomination of United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 21, 2020 Senators Warren and Markey Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Nomination of United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today announced they will convene a bipartisan advisory committee to review and provide recommendations on U.S. Attorney candidates for the District of Massachusetts. Candidates interested in applying for the U.S. Attorney position must submit their applications to the Advisory Committee by December 28, 2020. The Advisory Committee on United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Nominations will solicit, interview, and comment on applications for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, the state's top federal law enforcement officer. The Advisory Committee comprises distinguished members of the Massachusetts legal community, including prominent academics and litigators, and is chaired by former U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Gertner. "The Advisory Committee plays an important role ensuring that a highly-qualified, fair-minded, and justice seeking candidate is appointed as U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts," said Senators Warren and Markey. "We look forward to receiving the committee's recommendations." Applications for the position will be reviewed by Nancy Gertner, former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; Elissa Flynn-Poppey, former Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Romney and Executive Director of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts; Angela Onwuachi-Willig, Dean of the Boston University School of Law; Walter Prince, Partner at Prince Lobel and former president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association; Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute; Jennifer Levi, Professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law and Director of … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EBE38695-1118-4137-AC3E-EA2D282F8C73 | Clark, House Approve Emergency COVID Relief, Government Funding Package | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Katherine M. Clark | C001101 | katherineclark.house.gov | clark | https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases | scraper | 0 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | |
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/21/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-1630/ | Chairman Neal Floor Statement on he COVID-19 Relief and Omnibus Spending Agreement | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Washington, DC (As Prepared for Delivery) After long, intense negotiations, we are finally here today with relief in sight for the American people. This agreement isn’t perfect, but it will offer struggling workers, families, and business with some immediate support. Americans are suffering, wondering how they’ll afford to put food on the table and stay in their homes. Democrats understand that folks are in extraordinary crisis, so we fought to make sure this package includes urgently-needed relief provisions. As with previous COVID legislation, the Ways and Means Committee contributed several of the most crucial measures in today’s bill. We included 11 weeks of $300 per-week emergency unemployment benefits, as well as an extension of pandemic-related unemployment assistance that’s otherwise set to cut off in the coming days. Importantly, there are new protections for individuals who received pandemic-related benefit overpayments through no fault of their own and are now unable to repay the funds. Folks in need will also receive a second round of direct payments. These $600 checks are not as robust as we would have liked, but they will help Americans bridge the gap until we can provide further relief. I’m pleased that we expanded eligibility for this round of checks to include people in some mixed-status families. In situations where one spouse does not have a Social Security number, the other eligible spouse and children will not be denied their direct payments, as they were under the CARES Act. What’s more, the eligible spouse and children in these families will also be able to claim the first round of payments they initially missed out on when they file their 2020 taxes. We put more money in the pockets of working families by providing greater flexibility for those who are eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit. An expanded Employee Retention Tax Credit and the deductibility of expenses paid for using PPP loans will both incentivize the hiring and retent… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/2020/12/21/news-documentsingle-aspx-documentid-2044/ | Chairman Neal Statement on the COVID-19 Relief and Omnibus Spending Agreement | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Richard E. Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | neal | https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/ | scraper | Washington, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the introduction of bipartisan, bicameral end-of-year legislation: “This agreement isn’t perfect, but it will offer struggling workers, families, and businesses desperately needed support. Americans are suffering, wondering how they’ll afford basics like food, medications, and rent payments. Democrats ensured that the reinstatement and extension of critical unemployment assistance and a second round of direct payments made it in this package so that people will be able to cover their most immediate needs. Notably, eligibility for this new round of checks includes many mixed-status families who missed out on the first round of payments but will now have access to the federal aid. “There are a number of additional tax measures in the packages that will go a long way in supporting folks facing hardships while also helping get our economy back on track. We put more money in the pockets of working families by providing greater flexibility for those who are eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. Though we faced resistance, Democrats fought for and successfully secured inclusion of the expanded Employee Retention Tax Credit and the deductibility of expenses paid for using PPP loans, two provisions that incentivize the hiring and retention of workers. “We also made sure that the legislation includes key measures that will help us combat the public health emergency and save lives. Until we effectively address the virus and people are safe, our economy cannot fully recover. I’m extremely pleased that the package contains our bipartisan, bicameral agreement to protect patients from surprise medical bills – this is particularly crucial as the pandemic continues to spread and thrust Americans into unexpected health and financial peril. “This deal is a good starting point and an important step in the short-term, but more must be done as the pandemic continues to gri… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/brewers-restaurants-federal-workers-set-tax-wins-congressional-deal | Brewers, Restaurants, Federal Workers Set for Tax Wins in Congressional Deal | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONThe beer industry, struggling restaurants and federal workers forced into President Trump's payroll-tax deferral all stand to gain from theyear-end congressional agreementreached Sunday. The deal includes tax breaks aimed at supporting the economy during the coronavirus pandemic as well as extensions of popular provisions that were set to expire at the end of the year. Lawmakers still must vote, but the contours of the tax provisions took shape over the weekend along with the broader coronavirus relief package. There are a number of additional tax measures in the packages that will go a long way in supporting folks facing hardships while also helping get our economy back on track, said Rep. Richard Neal (D., Mass.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. The tax provisions total $328 billion over a decade, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. About half of that is the one-time stimulus checks. Beer, wine and spirits makers had been bracing for excise tax increases Jan. 1. Instead, the lower tax rates they have had since 2018 will be extended indefinitely, as will a tax credit for maintaining short-line railroads. Mr. Trump will get thebusiness-meals breakhe has desired for 2021 and 2022, allowing full write-offs inside of the current 50% limit. Some lawmakers and economists have questioned the merits of what they deride as a three-martini-lunch deduction that encourages indoor dining during a pandemic. But Mr. Trump, swayed by restaurateurs such as Wolfgang Puck, says it is important for the restaurant industry. The deductions will lead to more spending in restaurants, said Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.), who championed the provision and had earlier authored a separate bill on it. Common-sense solutions like my bill are no-brainers and will help save millions of restaurants across the nation from going under, he said. Federal workers were among the few who were pushed intodeferring their Social Security payroll taxesfor the final four months of 2020. Mr. Trump was trying to offer a payroll-… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/new-covid-stimulus-deal-not-perfect-will-deliver-desperately-needed-support-rep-richard | New COVID stimulus deal: Not perfect but will deliver desperately needed support, Rep. Richard Neal says | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts on Monday said the recently-struckCOVID-19stimulus deal is not perfect, but will offer desperately needed support to Americans grappling with the economic fallout of the pandemic. This deal is a good starting point and an important step in the short-term, but more must be done as the pandemic continues to grip the nation and the recession persists, Neal said in a statement. Congress will need to pass additional, substantial relief and stimulus legislation in 2021. Big investments must be made to create jobs, support families, and ensure states and localities have the resources necessary to continue providing essential services and distribute COVID vaccines quickly and fairly. The $908 billion package set for approval Monday includes $600 stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans earning less than $75,000, as well as $600 for each child dependent. Notably, eligibility for this new round of checks includes many mixed-status families who missed out on the first round of payments but will now have access to the federal aid, Neal noted. The bill also includes an extra $300 in weekly unemployment aid through mid-March; $284 billion in forgivable small business loans through the Payroll Protection Program; $20 billion in economic injury disaster loans in low-income communities; and $15 billion to live venues, independent movie theaters and other cultural businesses and nonprofits. Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, touted Democrats' successful efforts to expand the Employee Retention Tax Credit, offering a 70% credit on up to $10,000 of wages per employee per quarter to help businesses to keep people on payroll. Lawmakers also made the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit more flexible by letting hard hit families use their 2019 income to determine the credits, putting more money in the pockets of working families, Neal said. With the package coming after months of negotiations among Democratic and Republican leaders and the Trump administr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/in-the-news/us-rep-richard-neal-us-sens-ed-markey-and-elizabeth-warren-get-covid-vaccinations | U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren get COVID vaccinations | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON In separate tweets over the weekend, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey all announced they have received the first of two COVID vaccinations. Each tweet was accompanied by a shot of the lawmaker getting vaccinated. All had similarly worded statements of support for the vaccine. Neal, like his Democratic colleagues from the Massachusetts delegation, used the opportunity to encourage others to get vaccinated when they have the opportunity. Today, under the guidance of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the first of 2 COVID19 vaccinations, Neal wrote Sunday. It is safe, will save lives & I encourage everyone who can receive it to do so. Please continue to wear masks, practice social distancing & stay home when possible. All three members are over the age of 70: Neal is 71, Markey is 74 and Warren is 71. President-Elect Joe Biden was expected to get vaccinatedMonday on live television. Sitting Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated last week. The vaccination program that began only in the last week has given initial shots to about 556,000 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Associated Press reported that people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters, teachers and grocery store workers should be next in line for COVID-19 shots. The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and Germany's BioNTech already is being distributed, and regulators last week gave approval to the one from Moderna Inc. that began shipping Sunday. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-floor-statement-he-covid-19-relief-and-omnibus-spending-agreement | Chairman Neal Floor Statement on he COVID-19 Relief and... | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | (As Prepared for Delivery) After long, intense negotiations, we are finally here today with relief in sight for the American people. This agreement isn't perfect, but it will offer struggling workers, families, and business with some immediate support. Americans are suffering, wondering how they'll afford to put food on the table and stay in their homes. Democrats understand that folks are in extraordinary crisis, so we fought to make sure this package includes urgently-needed relief provisions. As with previous COVID legislation, the Ways and Means Committee contributed several of the most crucial measures in today's bill. We included 11 weeks of $300 per-week emergency unemployment benefits, as well as an extension of pandemic-related unemployment assistance that's otherwise set to cut off in the coming days. Importantly, there are new protections for individuals who received pandemic-related benefit overpayments through no fault of their own and are now unable to repay the funds. Folks in need will also receive a second round of direct payments. These $600 checks are not as robust as we would have liked, but they will help Americans bridge the gap until we can provide further relief. I'm pleased that we expanded eligibility for this round of checks to include people in some mixed-status families. In situations where one spouse does not have a Social Security number, the other eligible spouse and children will not be denied their direct payments, as they were under the CARES Act. What's more, the eligible spouse and children in these families will also be able to claim the first round of payments they initially missed out on when they file their 2020 taxes. We put more money in the pockets of working families by providing greater flexibility for those who are eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit. An expanded Employee Retention Tax Credit and the deductibility of expenses paid for using PPP loans will both incentivize the hiring and retention of workers. Ways and M… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-statement-covid-19-relief-and-omnibus-spending-agreement | Chairman Neal Statement on the COVID-19 Relief and Omnibus... | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the introduction of bipartisan, bicameral end-of-year legislation: This agreement isn't perfect, but it will offer struggling workers, families, and businesses desperately needed support. Americans are suffering, wondering how they'll afford basics like food, medications, and rent payments. Democrats ensured that the reinstatement and extension of critical unemployment assistance and a second round of direct payments made it in this package so that people will be able to cover their most immediate needs. Notably, eligibility for this new round of checks includes many mixed-status families who missed out on the first round of payments but will now have access to the federal aid. There are a number of additional tax measures in the packages that will go a long way in supporting folks facing hardships while also helping get our economy back on track. We put more money in the pockets of working families by providing greater flexibility for those who are eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. Though we faced resistance, Democrats fought for and successfully secured inclusion of the expanded Employee Retention Tax Credit and the deductibility of expenses paid for using PPP loans, two provisions that incentivize the hiring and retention of workers. We also made sure that the legislation includes key measures that will help us combat the public health emergency and save lives. Until we effectively address the virus and people are safe, our economy cannot fully recover. I'm extremely pleased that the package contains our bipartisan, bicameral agreement to protect patients from surprise medical bills this is particularly crucial as the pandemic continues to spread and thrust Americans into unexpected health and financial peril. This deal is a good starting point and an important step in the short-term, but more must be done as the pandemic continues to grip the nat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://neal.house.gov/press-releases/chairman-neal-statement-green-energy-investments-and-jobs | Chairman Neal Statement on Green Energy Investments and Jobs | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Richard Neal | N000015 | neal.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, following House passage of a legislative package that included extensions of energy-related tax credits, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement underscoring the importance of pro-worker policies accompanying future investments in the green energy sector: During a time of great uncertainty for the nation, we have advanced a bipartisan bill to provide timely relief and certainty to workers and businesses, including to those in the green energy space. This fast-growing sector is not only critical to our fight against climate change, but also a core part of our economic recovery from the COVID recession. For a successful recovery, we must ensure that green jobs are good jobs. To do anything less would be to squander this opportunity to build back the American middle class and restore the power and dignity of workers. Workers in the green energy sector deserve good pay, benefits, safe workplaces, and all rights and protections afforded under our nation's labor laws. Unions are crucial to ensuring collective bargaining rights and to standing up for workers whose employers are violating the law. I am disappointed by the low unionization rate within the renewable energy sector and dismayed at reports of attempts to restrict unionization and retaliate against workers for attempting to unionize. Workers must be at the center of a transition to a green economy. In undertaking this transformation, it is also critical that we continue working to ensure that the benefits of our ongoing investments in green energy lift up American manufacturing with products made in the United States. American-made steel, solar panels, and other sustainable goods can and should be a top choice for consumers here at home and around the world. As part of that effort, the United States must take the lead by engaging our trading partners to effectively address trade and climate change. Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson has been a consi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-pressley-house-passage-covid-19-relief-package | Statement from Rep. Pressley on House Passage of COVID-19 Relief Package | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the House passage of compromise legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. For nearly nine months now, workers and families in my district and across the country have been left to fend for themselves in the midst of an unprecedented public health and economic crisis that has robbed us of over 300,000 lives and shoved thousands of families into poverty. As a result of Republican stonewalling and negligence, our communities are experiencing record levels of food and housing insecurity, thousands have lost their jobs and our immigrant neighbors have been locked out of federal relief altogether. I have consistently heard from parents in my district who have exhausted their entire savings to keep the lights on and cover the costs of groceries, diapers and formula. I have heard from evicted seniors, immigrant families going hungry and essential workers deprived of PPE and access to paid leave and sick days. And I have heard from municipal leaders struggling to maintain critical jobs and services as the pandemic continues to worsen. I have fought every step of the way to strengthen this legislation and center those most impacted. Our fight continues. I want to recognize the grassroots organizing efforts and the partnership of my fellow progressives and Democrats in improving the legislation from where it stood only days ago. There is no doubt that these negotiations have been difficult given the callous disregard of the other side. It is because of our collective advocacy and organizing that direct cash payments are a part of this package, the Federal Reserve's authority to address future crises has not been severely limited, and that for the first time, mixed-status immigrant families will be able to access these critical resources. As a result of the efforts of Democrats, this package will include billions in rental assistance, resources to support the safe reopening of our schools, our public transportation systems and res… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1911 | Trahan Supports Relief Package, Calls for Work to Begin on Additional Aid | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | Trahan Supports Relief Package, Calls for Work to Begin on Additional Aid WASHINGTON, DC Today,Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03)supported passage of a funding package to keep the federal government open and deliver another round of COVID-19 relief. Following the vote, Trahan called for negotiators to begin work on another assistance package that can be signed into law early next year. Working families in Massachusetts and across our nation have been in dire need of help for months. I voted for this package not because it meets their needs, but because a lack of partnership and compassion from Mitch McConnell combined with the inattention of a President focused exclusively on undermining a lawful election has forced us to choose between the bare minimum or no relief at all,said Congresswoman Trahan. Congress must immediately begin work crafting a package similar to the CARES Act that actually delivers the level of relief that Americans and their families need. The COVID-19 relief contained in the package includes: Direct Payments:$166 billion in direct payments of up to $600 per individual plus another $600 per child. The phase out will be the same as the first round of CARES Act payments: $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers. This provision of the package also ensures that mixed-status families receive payments. Enhanced Unemployment Benefit:Extends the Unemployment Insurance benefits available to workers laid off because the pandemic through March 14thand adds a $300 per week enhancement. Vaccine Distribution and COVID-19 Testing:$20 billion to support the purchasing of COVID-19 vaccines, $9 billion for vaccine distribution, and $22 billion to support states with COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and efforts to slow the spread of the virus. The package also includes requirements that portions of the funds be used specifically for combating the disparities facing communities of color. Food Assistance for Hungry Families:… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-and-rep-huffman-to-introduce-bicameral-legislation-to-protect-the-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-in-the-new-congress | Senator Markey and Rep. Huffman to Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the New CongressRead More | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Blast lame-duck oil and gas lease sale and seismic exploration in Arctic Refuge as lease sale bidding begins today Washington (December 21, 2020) Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began the process of accepting bids for an oil and gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge currently scheduled to take place on January 6, 2021. Oil and gas exploration and seismic testing would threaten endangered polar bears in dens on the Coastal Plain and likely result in significant and long-lasting harm to the unique Arctic Refuge habitat, which is why Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) will be introducing legislation in the new year to restore protections to the Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain and ensure that oil activities are never allowed to commence in this iconic wilderness. We have been fighting the Trump administration every step of the way in their rushed and malicious attacks on the Arctic Refuge. And we will be just as committed to protecting this treasured place in the new Congress, when we will thankfully have strong leaders like President-Elect Biden and soon-to-be Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to partner with,said Rep. Huffman and Senator Markey.The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the last true wild places left in America, the source of the Gwich'in people's way of life for generations, and home to rare and threatened wildlife. This last-ditch effort to auction off this pristine land for destruction by whoever is willing to bid on it is not only immoral, but fiscally irresponsible and legally shaky. This past week, Senator Markey and Congressman Huffman werejoinedby 29 Senate and 79 House members in transmitting letters to DOI and BLM asking the agencies to halt efforts to proceed with the current lease sale and to also reject an application for seismic exploration that, if approved, would allow seismic testing to occur in the Arctic Refuge this winter. Multiples legal challenges have been… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases?ID=42BB005D-D788-4B6F-9254-9A616ECAAC48 | Congresswoman Clark Receives First Dose of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine | 2020-12-19 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Katherine M. Clark | C001101 | katherineclark.house.gov | clark | https://katherineclark.house.gov/press-releases | scraper | 0 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | |
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pressley-receives-covid-19-vaccine | Congresswoman Pressley Receives COVID-19 Vaccine | 2020-12-19 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONToday, at the direction of the Office of Attending PhysicianCongresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)received the COVID-19 vaccine. The Congresswoman released the following statement: Today, I received my first dose of the Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine. I am feeling well and encourage everyone in our community to take the first opportunity available to receive the vaccine in the weeks and months to come. I am grateful to the scientists, researchers, and frontline healthcare workers who have worked tirelessly over the last several months to develop a vaccine that is safe and effective. Candidly, I did not expect I would be able to receive the vaccine this soon. I planned to receive the vaccine at a Community Health Center in my district later in 2021. Members of Congress received notice at the end of this week from the Attending Physician that doses would be made available to us as part of a continuity of government plan,' a measure put in place during national crises. After consulting with my family and my doctor, I decided that I would move forward with this opportunity to receive the vaccine. As someone who has experienced how broken our healthcare system is firsthand, throughout this crisis I have been deeply concerned about equity issues in access to care, treatment and prevention. Healthcare justice is not a reality in America. The inequities we see in our healthcare system are stark, and the research and medical community have deeply violated the trust of Black and brown people in America throughout our nation's history. It is up to our research and medical institutions, our elected officials, and our collective public health response to make amends and earn the trust of communities of color as we distribute this vaccine and rebuild. I will continue to fight in Washington and in Massachusetts to ensure that our frontline healthcare workers, those behind the wall, our essential workers, and the marginalized communities who have been hit hardest by this pandemic are able to access the vaccine rapidly and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-markey-blumenthal-heinrich-merkley-and-gillibrand-outline-recommendations-for-biden-administrations-government-wide-response-to-the-climate-and-environmental-justice-crisis | Sens. Markey, Blumenthal, Heinrich, Merkley, and Gillibrand Outline Recommendations for Biden Administrations Government-Wide Response to the Climate and Environmental Justice CrisisRead More | 2020-12-19 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 19, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, led Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in outlining a set of recommendations for the incoming Biden administration to ensure that new officials are provided with the staff, budget, and coordinating power necessary to supercharge the federal fight against the existential threat of climate change. In the letter, the lawmakers applauded the Biden-Harris transition team's work to prioritize climate-focused personnel in the transition announcements made this week, while also encouraging the Administration to uphold its campaign promise to build a government-wide response to address the climate crisis. We must fight boldly for intersectional climate solutions that move the nation toward clean, renewable energy and incorporate ambitious climate, health, labor, and equity standards at a scale commensurate with the crisis, write the Senators in the letter to President-elect Biden. We encourage your transition team to continue its work toward developing an empowered, organized, diverse, and unified team to achieve the President-Elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. campaign's strong climate goalsbuilding an Administration that recognizes the gravity of the crisis and possesses the passion and energy needed to address it. A copy of the letter can be found HERE. The letter recommends that President-elect Biden empower the recently announced climate officials by establishing and restoring offices and entities focused on climate, environmental justice, and economic transition, including the creation of an overarching entity that reports directly to the president and is endowed with all the powers necessary to coordinate a national climate strategy across all federal departments and agencies. It also asks that the incoming Administration put climate justice at the forefront of the administration's strategy by appointing person… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/politico-warren-re-ups-bill-to-ban-stock-trading-by-lawmakers | Politico: Warren re-ups bill to ban stock trading by lawmakers | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Politico: Warren re-ups bill to ban stock trading by lawmakers The Massachusetts Democrat is making her push while two of her colleagues, Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, are under fire for their stock trades. While Georgia's two Republican senators fend off campaign attacks on their stock trading, their Democratic colleague Elizabeth Warren is re-launching her bill to prevent lawmakers from making individual stock trades. Georgia Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler both came under recent fire for buying and selling stocks at moments when they were privy to sensitive information about the companies they invested in. Each is now a candidate in Georgia's high-stakes January 5 runoff election, the outcome of which could change control of the Senate next year. Warren's proposed ban is part of a broader anti-corruption plan she promoted on the presidential campaign trail and is reintroducing with hopes that it can gain traction now that she has returned to the Senate. Warren, who said she would make such reform her first priority as president, proposes many changes to federal ethics law, including creating lifetime bans on lobbying for former members of Congress, expanding federal conflict-of-interest rules and barring lobbyists from fundraising for political candidates. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) introduced a companion bill in the House. Read the full articlehere. By: Maggie Severns Source: Politico Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-and-jayapal-reintroduce-the-anti-corruption-and-public-integrity-act | Warren and Jayapal Reintroduce the Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Warren and Jayapal Reintroduce the Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act Strengthened provisions include banning members of Congress, cabinet secretaries, federal judges, and other senior officials from owning or trading individual stock to eliminate financial conflicts of interest; The Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act of 2020 would improve ethics and reform the country's campaign finance laws; Legislation would make fighting corruption a top priority in Washington as the country faces "historic lows" in the public's faith in democracy Bill Text (PDF) | Bill Summary (PDF) | New Provisions (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) today reintroduced the Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act, bicameral legislation to fundamentally change the way Washington does business and restore the American public's faith in democracy, which has been at "historic lows" forover a decade. Today, only20% of Americans trust the government "to do the right thing." Originallyintroduced in 2018 as the most ambitious anti-corruption legislation since Watergate, the Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act of 2020 includes additional reforms to the country's campaign finance laws. The bill also includes new provisions to ban members of Congress from serving on corporate boards, to establish new ethics accountability for Supreme Court justices, and to overhaul the nation's campaign finance laws. The legislation also strengthens provisions to ban members of Congress, federal judges, and other senior federal officials from owning or trading individual stock. "After nearly four years of the most corrupt president in American history and with U.S. senators brazenly trading stocks to profit off a raging pandemic, the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act is more urgent than ever in order to rei… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-statement-on-republican-attempt-to-restrict-the-ability-of-the-federal-reserve-to-help-the-economy | Warren Statement on Republican Attempt to Restrict the Ability of the Federal Reserve to Help the Economy | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Warren Statement on Republican Attempt to Restrict the Ability of the Federal Reserve to Help the Economy Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today released the following statement on the Republican attempt to restrict the ability of the Federal Reserve to help the economy. "After weeks of refusing to acknowledge Biden's victory, some Republicans have now decided that sabotaging his presidency is more important than helping our economy recover by insisting that any COVID relief legislation also restrict the ability of the Federal Reserve and the new Administration to help states, cities, and American businesses next year," said Senator Warren. "Proposals to sabotage President Biden and our nation's economy are reckless, they're wrong, and they have no place in this legislation." ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/oversight-hearing-pressley-blasts-sacklers-purdue-pharma-execs-blaming-opioid | In Oversight Hearing, Pressley Blasts Sacklers, Purdue Pharma Execs for Blaming Opioid Crisis on People With Substance Use Disorder | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | Video (YouTube) WASHINGTON Yesterday, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) blasted Purdue Pharma executives and members of the Sackler family for their role in fueling the opioid crisis and for consistently placing the blame on people who suffer from addiction. A full transcript of her exchange with witnesses is available below and a full video is available here. Transcript: Pressley Blasts Purdue Pharma Execs for Blaming Opioid Crisis on People With Substance Use Disorder House Committee on Oversight and Reform December 17, 2020 REP. PRESSLEY: The crisis of opioid addiction has destabilized families and communities throughout the country, including in the Massachusetts 7th, which I have the honor of representing. Now, while the Commonwealth in 2014, was the first state to declare opioids a public health emergency, my constituents are still to this day fighting addiction and trying to heal from the pain and trauma created by the Sackler family. Despite the havoc wrecked by Purdue Pharma, community-based recovery centers have served as critical resources, like the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery and STEPRox, who have cared for my constituents with compassion. As the daughter of a parent who struggled with opioid substance use disorder, I know firsthand that we need to invest in these support systems and end the stigma and the criminalization of addiction. People who are battling addiction are not criminals. They are not misbehaving. They are managing a harrowing disease that afflicts them every single day. Mr. Sackler, yes or no, do you agree that addiction is a disease? MR. SACKLER: I do, yes. REP. PRESSLEY: Dr. Sackler, yes or no, do you agree that addiction is a disease? DR. SACKLER: Yes. REP. PRESSLEY: Based on documents obtained by the Massachusetts Attorney General, this was not always your family's viewparticularly when the opioid crisis was first unfolding and generating bad press for OxyContin. According to an internal email, marked as Docu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1901 | Congresswoman Lori Trahan Secures Appointment to Powerful Energy and Commerce Committee | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) was nominated for an appointment to the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, making her the only Massachusetts member on the Committee in the 117th Congress. Considered one of the most important committees in the House because of its broad jurisdiction, a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee will enable Trahan to further deliver on a wide range of priorities important to workers and families in the Third District and across the Commonwealth. The issues before the Energy and Commerce Committee impact the everyday lives of people across Massachusetts, including continuing our response to COVID-19 and the development and distribution of vaccines. As someone who grew up in a family that lived paycheck to paycheck, I understand the importance of access to quality, affordable health care and being able to afford lifesaving prescription medicine. Rooted in my lived experiences, these issues, along with our urgent need to clean up our environment and rein in the dominance of big tech, are top priorities for me on the Committee. Working in close coordination with the Biden administration, I will use this appointment to deliver for working families like the one I grew up in, for our health care heroes on the front lines, for scientists and researchers working to prevent the next pandemic, and for activists fighting for action on climate change, said Congresswoman Trahan. The Energy and Commerce Committee has the broadest jurisdiction of any committee in the House of Representatives. Members of the Committee are tasked with oversight and legislation of health care, insurance, biomedical research, environmental policy, climate change, electronic and telecommunications, the internet and digital marketplace, privacy, cybersecurity, data security, motor vehicle safety, and interstate and foreign commerce. At a moment when representation on the Committee will prove especially critical in the fight against COVID-19, Trahan garnered unanimous… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-statement-on-gina-mccarthy-appointment-as-domestic-climate-czar | Senator Markey Statement on Gina McCarthy Appointment as Domestic Climate CzarRead More | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 17, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey, member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-author of the Green New Deal resolution, released the following statement after media reported that former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) President Gina McCarthy will be named the Biden administration's domestic climate czar. There's no one better to be at the tip of the spear in the fight against climate change than Gina McCarthy, said Senator Markey. Gina is one of the most skilled and tenacious climate warriors with whom I've had the honor to work. She has leadership ability and universal respect to coordinate all aspects of this existential threat, and will be ready on Day 1 to make progress on clean energy and climate solutions. If there is anyone who can enact a bold vision, coordinate a whole-of-government response, and hit the ground running, it's Gina McCarthy. For climate action to be a day-one priority, our work cannot wait until January 20, 2021it must begin now as the Biden team determines personnel appointments and agency agendas. We need a government-wide approach that includes a strong domestic climate office, with the new climate czar reporting directly to the President and endowed with all the powers necessary to direct a national climate strategy across all federal departments and agencies, with environmental and climate justice at the forefront of this strategy. I am confident that under a Biden-Harris administration, we will pursue the most comprehensive climate agenda our country has ever known. We will not stop fighting until we take the bold, aggressive action that the science tells us is necessary and make the Green New Deal a reality. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/pressley-omar-waters-adams-introduce-bold-resolution-calling-president-elect | Pressley, Omar, Waters, Adams Introduce Bold Resolution Calling on President-Elect Biden to Cancel $50,000 in Federal Student Loan Debt | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | Cancellation Would Reduce Racial Wealth Gap, Stimulate Economy, and Provide Much-Needed Economic Relief Amid Pandemic Resolution (PDF) | One Pager (PDF) WASHINGTON Today, Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced a resolution outlining a bold plan for President-elect Joe Biden to cancel up to $50,000 in Federal student loan debt for student loan borrowers using existing legal authority under the Higher Education Act. The resolution, which outlines a pathway for the President-elect to use executive authority to cancel student loan debt while ensuring cancellation does not result in any tax liability for Federal student loan borrowers, is the House companion to Senate Resolution 711, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) earlier this year. Original co-sponsors of the House resolution include Congresswomen Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05). The student debt crisis is a racial and economic justice issue and we must finally begin to address it as such. Broad-based student debt cancellation is precisely the kind of bold, high-impact policy that the broad and diverse coalition that elected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris expect them to deliver, said Congresswoman Pressley. As we work to fight for meaningful economic relief for workers and families that meets the scale and scope of the crisis we face, canceling student debt is one of the most effective ways to provide direct relief to millions, help reduce the racial wealth gap, stimulate our economy, and begin to deliver an equitable and just recovery. On day one of his Administration, President-elect Biden will have the executive authority to cancel billions in student debt with the stroke of a pen. This resolution lays out a plan for him to do exactly that. Over 90 percent of student debt is held by the federal government, which Pre… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/video-rep-pressley-calls-robust-direct-cash-payments-people | VIDEO: Rep. Pressley Calls for Robust Direct Cash Payments for the People | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | Video (YouTube) WASHINGTON Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered remarks on the House floor in which she called for robust direct cash payments for the American people to be included as part of any COVID relief package. A full transcript of her remarks, as delivered, is available below. Transcript: Rep. Pressley Calls for Robust Direct Cash Payments for the People U.S. House of Representatives December 17, 2020 Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people. The people who are struggling and feel abandoned by their government during this crisis. I rise in solidarity with every parent who has struggled to buy diapers and formula. Every family behind on rent or crushed by the grief of an empty chair at the kitchen table. Our people are crying out sick, tired, hungry and broken. The people we have taken an oath to serve and protect need direct cash to survive the winter. We must send them survival checks immediately. Some of my colleagues are patting themselves on the back for sending corporations payoutscorporations, by the way, who have profited off of people during this pandemicand shaming families on the edge. Shame on them, their theatrics and their callousness. 450 pennies a day for the last nine months. That's what our government has sent the American people to weather this crisis. And nothing for the immigrant families who drive our essential workforce. It didn't have to be this way. Our families deserve direct cash, real survival checks. $600 is hardly sufficientit is an insult. We must act to save lives now. The pandemic has not discriminated in its hardship, but it would seem compassion and empathy have. Thank you, I yield. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1902 | Congresswoman Trahan Applauds $1.8 Million in Head Start Funding for Community Action, Inc in Haverhill | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | LOWELL, MA -Today,Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03),a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced $1,803,213 in federal Head Start funding for Community Action, Inc., a non-profit organization in Haverhill. This grant was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families' Office of Head Start. The outstanding staff at Community Action, Inc. have spent nearly every day for the past eight months working to deliver critical resources to families in need throughout Haverhill and surrounding communities,said Congresswoman Trahan. Their emergency programming has allowed students and families to access top tier developmental resources and opportunities, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. This federal funding will help them expand their footprint in our community and set up even more students and their families for success. Community Action, Inc. is grateful for the Head Start grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,saidKerri Sheeran Perry, CEO of Community Action, Inc.This critical funding will allow us to continue providing high quality early learning programming to hundreds of eligible children in the Greater Haverhill area. CAI's early learning program includes a strong, curriculum-based education with nutritional support, and family resources. Background: Congresswoman Lori Trahan has used her position as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee to advocate for increased funding for Head Start. In negotiations over Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations, Trahan successfully requested increased funding for Head Start. The program received $11.6 billion in funding for the year, an increase of $1.5 billion over the total allocated for FY2019. Trahan continues to advocate for additional funding for this important program, having supported a similar request for increased Head Start funding in FY2021 appropriations negotiations. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-warren-criticizes-fdic-rule-on-brokered-deposits | Senator Warren Criticizes FDIC Rule on Brokered Deposits | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 16, 2020 Senator Warren Criticizes FDIC Rule on Brokered Deposits Final rule guts critical protections meant to safeguard the financial system; Warren calls on FDIC Board to focus on maintaining financial stability and keeping consumers' bank accounts safe amidst this ongoing pandemic Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today released the following statement criticizing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for issuing a final rule on brokered deposits that poses serious risk to the financial system: "Following a multi-year effort to weaken key safety and soundness rules put in place after the 2008 financial crisis, Trump-appointed regulators have now gutted decades-old restrictions on certain banks' ability to accept brokered deposits, opening up the floodgates for banks to rely on this risky source of funding even though FDIC research shows that they are correlated with higher risks of bank failures. Instead of undermining these critical protections at the behest of the banking industry, the FDIC Board should focus on maintaining financial stability and keeping consumers' bank accounts safe amidst this ongoing pandemic." Deposits are considered "brokered" when they are placed through a third-party rather than directly by individuals and businesses. Restrictions on the types of banks that can accept these deposits were put in place after the 1980s Savings and Loan Crisis during which banks' reliance on these unstable deposits contributed to distress in the financial system. The FDIC's final rule will significantly limit the scope of these restrictions. ### Print Email Tweet Previou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-warren-and-markey-convene-bipartisan-advisory-committee-on-nomination-of-united-states-attorney-for-the-district-of-massachusetts | Senators Warren and Markey Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Nomination of United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 16, 2020 Senators Warren and Markey Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Nomination of United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Washington, DC -United States SenatorsElizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today announced they will convene a bipartisan advisory committee to review and provide recommendations on U.S. Attorney candidates for the District of Massachusetts. Candidates interested in applying for the U.S. Attorneypositionmust submit their applications to the Advisory Committee by December 24, 2020. The Advisory Committee on United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Nominations will solicit, interview, and comment on applications for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, the state's top federal law enforcementofficer. The Advisory Committee comprises distinguished members of the Massachusetts legal community, including prominent academics and litigators, and is chaired by formerU.S.District Court Judge Nancy Gertner. "The Advisory Committee plays an important role ensuring that a highly-qualified, fair-minded, and justice seeking candidate is appointedasU.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts,"said Senators Warren and Markey."Welook forward to receiving the committee's recommendations." Applications for the position will be reviewed byNancy Gertner, former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; Elissa Flynn-Poppey, former Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Romney and Executive Director of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts; Angela Onwuachi-Willig, Dean oftheBoston University School of Law; Walter Prince, Partner at Prince Lobel and former president oftheMassachusetts Black Lawyers Association; Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director oftheMassachusetts Law Reform Institute; Jennifer Levi, Professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law and Director o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398652 | House Hunger Caucus Co-Chair Jim McGovern Urges President-elect Biden to Appoint Hunger Czar to Fight Food Insecurity in America | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Jim McGovern | M000312 | mcgovern.house.gov | legacy | Calls for a Rollback of Trump-Era SNAP Cuts Following Alarming Increase of Hunger During COVID-19 Pandemic share: f t WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the House Hunger Caucus, is urging President-elect Joseph R. Biden to appoint a hunger czar to develop, coordinate, and implement a national strategy to reduce food insecurity in America. McGovern also called for a rollback of Trump-era regulatory changes that make it harder to qualify for nutrition assistance programs.The proposals are part of a list of recommendations McGovern has made to the incoming administration to address alarming levels of hunger caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As you prepare to lead the country in our efforts to end the pandemic and rebuild our economy, I urge you to prioritize our national response to hunger,wrote McGovern in his letter to President-elect Biden.With an unprecedentedfifteen percent of Americans 50 million people in total struggling with food insecurity, there has never been a more pressing time to strengthen our country's social safety nets. McGovern has been a harsh critic of the Trump administration's failure to address hunger. As lines for food banks stretch down the block and around the corner, President Trump is missing in action, hewrote in a July op-ed,whilefighting to block the administrationfrom cutting nutrition benefits during the ongoing pandemic. The need is real and people are desperate, McGovernsaid during a recent appearanceon CSPAN's Washington Journal. Full text of the letter is available here (PDF)and copied below. Dear President-elect Biden, As you prepare to lead the country in our efforts to end the pandemic and rebuild our economy, I urge you to prioritize our national response to hunger. With an unprecedented fifteen percent of Americans 50 million people in total struggling with food insecurity, there has never been a more pressing time to strengthen our … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1897 | Congresswoman Lori Trahan Announces Third District Winners for the 2020 Congressional App Challenge | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Lori Trahan | T000482 | trahan.house.gov | legacy | LOWELL, MA - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced Westford eighth graders, Arav Jain and Som Lunavat, the winners of the Third Congressional District's annual Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The two students' application, Work for Cause, was selected by a panel of local judges from a pool of submissions from middle and high school students who participated in this year's competition. "The Congressional App Challenge is a great way to recognize the incredible innovation and coding ability of students across the nation and here, in Massachusetts' Third District," said Congresswoman Trahan. I am grateful to all of the students who put countless hours of hard work into their submissions and made this decision difficult for our judges. I am thrilled to award this year's winners, Arav Jain and Som Lunavat. As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we have relied heavily on community resources to continually support those struggling the most, and this new app will allow these vital organizations to stay even more connected to their volunteers. The Work for Cause application helps nonprofit organizations connect with volunteers from the technology community. In order to improve engagement with their community, nonprofit organizations need to develop videos and produce web applications and mobile content. Many nonprofits find themselves unable to afford these necessities, putting them at a disadvantage in their community. This new app connects nonprofit organizations to the technological assistance they need to ensure their resources are as accessible as possible to employees, volunteers, and those they serve. I would like to thank Congresswoman Lori Trahan for recognizing WorkForCause.org app as the winner of our district. With this app, I hope to help non profit organizations get the volunteers they need and help our community, said Arav Jain. The Congressional App Challenge motivated me to develop this app and try to make a difference in our lives using technology. I learned new program… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-and-rep-huffman-lead-letters-opposing-lame-duck-oil-and-gas-lease-sale-and-seismic-exploration-in-arctic-refuge | Senator Markey and Rep. Huffman Lead Letters Opposing Lame Duck Oil and Gas Lease Sale and Seismic Exploration in Arctic RefugeRead More | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 16, 2020) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, were joined today by 29 Senate and 79 House members in expressing strong opposition to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil and gas lease sale scheduled for January 6, 2021. In companion letters sent to the Department of Interior, the group of lawmakers ask the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to halt efforts to proceed with the lease sale and reject an application for seismic exploration that, if approved, would allow seismic testing to occur in the Arctic Refuge this winter. Oil and gas exploration and seismic testing would threaten endangered polar bears in dens on the Coastal Plain, and would likely result in significant and long-lasting harm to the unique Refuge habitat. The Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge is a national treasure that is no place for oil and gas exploration and development activities, and none should occur there, write the Senators in their letter to Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt. It is also wholly unacceptable that the Trump administration seeks to hold a lease sale as one of its final actions. Given the result of the 2020 presidential election, any lease-sale decision should be left to the incoming Biden administration. The oil and gas leasing program was adopted in violation of numerous laws that protect the Coastal Plain and ensure the integrity of the decision-making process, write the House members in their letter. As a result of these violations, BLM's actions to date are currently the subject of four separate lawsuits. Before moving forward with these proposals, the BLM must remedy these legal deficiencies and ensure full compliance with numerous federal laws including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Wilderness Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Ta… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-rubio-applaud-senate-passage-of-legislation-to-award-congressional-gold-medal-to-american-heroes-killed-in-2012-benghazi-consulate-attack | Senators Markey and Rubio Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation to Award Congressional Gold Medal To American Heroes Killed in 2012 Benghazi Consulate AttackRead More | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Bill honors selfless sacrifice of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods, and Sean Smith Washington (December 16, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Shelley Moore Capito (D-W.V.) applauded U.S. Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation (S.2054) to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to J. Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith in recognition of their service to and defense of the United States of America. Stevens, Doherty, Woods and Smith were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012. Christopher Stevens, a member of the Career Foreign Service, was serving as United States Ambassador to Libya during the attack. Doherty, a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL, was a native of Winchester, Massachusetts. Woods, a native of Portland, Oregon was also a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Smith, a native of San Diego, had served in the Air Force where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. The bravery of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, Sean Smith and Ambassador Stevens must be remembered and honored. Our diplomats, armed forces, and all who proudly serve our country overseas deserve our utmost respect, recognition, and gratitude. I am honored to have led the effort that will honor them as the American heroes we know them to be, said Senator Markey. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor the legislative branch can bestow upon any individual, and I look forward to awarding them and their families with this rare distinction that will honor their legacy for generations to come. I urge the House of Representatives to prioritize the bill's swift passage. Honoring our fallen fellow Americans, who were murdered during a terrorist attack in our nation's consulate in Benghazi, commemorates not only their legacy but also their s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-warren-and-markey-convene-bipartisan-advisory-committee-on-nomination-of-united-states-attorney-for-the-district-of-massachusetts | Senators Warren and Markey Convene Bipartisan Advisory Committee on Nomination of United States Attorney for the District of MassachusettsRead More | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC -United States SenatorsElizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today announced they will convene a bipartisan advisory committee to review and provide recommendations on U.S. Attorney candidates for the District of Massachusetts. Candidates interested in applying for the U.S. Attorneypositionmust submit their applications to the Advisory Committee by December 24, 2020. The Advisory Committee on United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Nominations will solicit, interview, and comment on applications for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, the state's top federal law enforcementofficer. The Advisory Committee comprises distinguished members of the Massachusetts legal community, including prominent academics and litigators, and is chaired by formerU.S.District Court Judge Nancy Gertner. "The Advisory Committee plays an important role ensuring that a highly-qualified, fair-minded, and justice seeking candidate is appointedasU.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts,"said Senators Warren and Markey."Welook forward to receiving the committee's recommendations." Applications for the position will be reviewed byNancy Gertner, former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; Elissa Flynn-Poppey, former Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Romney and Executive Director of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts; Angela Onwuachi-Willig, Dean oftheBoston University School of Law; Walter Prince, Partner at Prince Lobel and former president oftheMassachusetts Black Lawyers Association; Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director oftheMassachusetts Law Reform Institute; Jennifer Levi, Professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law and Director of the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) Transgender Rights Project; and John Pucci, Partner and trial lawyer at Buckley Richardson.Interested candidates m… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/warren-markey-keating-joint-statement-on-attorney-general-maura-healeys-investigation-into-the-may-1-2020-incident-at-bristol-county-jail | Warren, Markey, Keating Joint Statement on Attorney General Maura Healey's Investigation Into the May 1, 2020 Incident at Bristol County JailRead More | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Representative William Keating (D-MA-09) released a joint statement on Attorney General Maura Healey's investigation into the violent events of May 1, 2020 at the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center, Unit B, Bristol County Sheriff's office."The thorough investigation by the Office of Attorney General Healey compiled significant evidence that the Bristol County Sheriff's Office violated the civil rights of immigrants detained at the facility. We agree with the report's recommendation that the Bristol County Sheriff's Office should not be engaged in immigrant detention," said the lawmakers in a joint statement. "Every person - regardless of their immigration status and regardless of where they are living - deserves to feel safe, to have access to due process under the law, to be treated with dignity, and to have their rights protected. We led our colleagues in calling on the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to conduct a federal investigation of these events. We look forward to the findings of that additional investigation, which we expect to help determine accountability for this disturbing incident and to offer further recommendations about how such events can be avoided in the future."In May, shortly after the violent altercation, Senators Warren and Markey, along with Representatives Keating and Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA-04), wrote to Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson to express alarm about the incident, to request that Sheriff Hodgson preserve video of the events to facilitate an investigation, and to allow persons detained at the facility to speak with their attorneys immediately. The four lawmakers also led the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, as well as several members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus-Chairman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and Representatives Jess G. "Chuy" Garca … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/forbes-the-bankruptcy-code-is-stacked-against-black-families-elizabeth-warrens-new-bill-would-change-that | Forbes: The Bankruptcy Code Is Stacked Against Black Families. Elizabeth Warren’s New Bill Would Change That | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 15, 2020 Forbes: The Bankruptcy Code Is Stacked Against Black Families. Elizabeth Warren's New Bill Would Change That Bankruptcy offers an exit route for families and businesses trapped by debt. In 2019, Forever 21, Barneys New York and Payless ShoeSource declared bankruptcy. Donald Trump's businesses have declared bankruptcy on six occasions. The Bankruptcy Abuse and Protection Act of 2005 made bankruptcy much more expensive and time-consuming for ordinary Americans to access. After the passage of BAPCA, typical costs for declaring bankruptcy rose from $663 to $986 for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and from $1,847 to $2,515 for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Read the full articlehere. By: Elena Botella Source: Forbes Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-markey-keating-joint-statement-on-attorney-general-maura-healeys-investigation-into-the-may-1-2020-incident-at-bristol-county-jail | Warren, Markey, Keating Joint Statement on Attorney General Maura Healey's Investigation Into the May 1, 2020 Incident at Bristol County Jail | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 15, 2020 Warren, Markey, Keating Joint Statement on Attorney General Maura Healey's Investigation Into the May 1, 2020 Incident at Bristol County Jail Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Representative William Keating (D-MA-09) released a joint statement on Attorney General Maura Healey's investigation into the violent events of May 1, 2020 at the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center, Unit B, Bristol County Sheriff's office. "The thorough investigation by the Office of Attorney General Healey compiled significant evidence that the Bristol County Sheriff's Office violated the civil rights of immigrants detained at the facility. We agree with the report's recommendation that the Bristol County Sheriff's Office should not be engaged in immigrant detention," said the lawmakers in a joint statement. "Every person - regardless of their immigration status and regardless of where they are living - deserves to feel safe, to have access to due process under the law, to be treated with dignity, and to have their rights protected. We led our colleagues in calling on the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to conduct a federal investigation of these events. We look forward to the findings of that additional investigation, which we expect to help determine accountability for this disturbing incident and to offer further recommendations about how such events can be avoided in the future." In May, shortly after the violent altercation, Senators Warren and Markey, along with Representatives Keating and Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA-04), wrote to Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson to express alarm about the incident, to request that Sheriff Hodgson preserve video of the events to facilitate an investigation, and to allow persons detained at the facility to speak with their attorneys immediately. The four lawmakers also led the entire Massach… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-to-outgoing-sec-chair-delay-rushed-lame-duck-resource-extraction-rule-until-corruption-and-transparency-concerns-can-be-addressed | Warren to Outgoing SEC Chair: Delay Rushed, Lame Duck Resource Extraction Rule Until Corruption and Transparency Concerns Can Be Addressed | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 15, 2020 Warren to Outgoing SEC Chair: Delay Rushed, Lame Duck Resource Extraction Rule Until Corruption and Transparency Concerns Can Be Addressed Text of letter (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today sent a letter to outgoing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Jay Clayton urging the SEC to delay the rushed, lame duck vote on its final Resource Extraction Rule, expected Wednesday, December 16th, until the rule can be strengthened. "The current SEC proposal would severely undermine the anti-corruption measures included in Dodd-Frank, and the Commission should conduct a full and complete analysis of the potential harm caused by implementing this rule before rushing to finalize it before you resign from the Commission at the end of the year," Senator Warren wrote to Chair Clayton. Congress enacted Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank), also known as the bipartisan Cardin-Lugar amendment, to address the "resource curse" of leaders of countries rich in fossil fuels siphoning off the wealth from resource sales to enrich themselves and their allies, rather than investing in the countries' economies. Strong rules under Section 1504 were meant to require governments to increase transparency and help root out the corruption that keeps entire nations in poverty and enables corrupt regimes to funnel money to terrorist groups. The nation's largest public pension funds and other major institutional investors have supported strong disclosure and oversight into payments for resource extraction to foreign governments, calling them "essential to safeguarding the effective functioning of the financial markets." But the rule up for a vote on Wednesday is severely flawed, limiting the amount of information companies would need to share about their payments to foreign countries and strengthening companies' ability to shield payments from public scrutiny. It also places the United States r… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://lynch.house.gov/2020/12/rep-lynch-and-ma-delegation-call-for-explanation-of-mbta-cuts-and-commitment-to-restore-full-services | Rep. Lynch And MA Delegation Call For Explanation Of MBTA Cuts And Commitment To Restore Full Services | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Stephen F. Lynch | L000562 | lynch.house.gov | lynch | https://lynch.house.gov/press-releases | scraper | Boston, MA —Yesterday, U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward Markey (D-MA), and U.S. Representatives Richard Neal (MA-1), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and William Keating (MA-09), sent a letter to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak requesting a full explanation for the proposed short-term and long-term cuts to MBTA services. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we worry that the proposed cuts will disproportionately impact riders from underserved communities. These riders likely have no other method of transportation and rely on MBTA services and expanded hours of service for their essential travel needs,” wrote the lawmakers. “Many of these riders—and MBTA employees themselves—are essential workers who have stepped up to help us face this public health crisis. The cuts could also add volume to each trip, further exacerbating public health risks for riders and workers alike. Reduce transit options for riders and employment opportunities for MBTA workers at this time is incongruous with the support and recognition they deserve for the risks taken to continue providing the essential services to the Commonwealth.” “We consider public transit to be a public good and will continue to fight for federal funding for the Commonwealth’s public transportation infrastructure,” they continued. “As such, we request that the MBTA further evaluate this proposal and provide clear evidence demonstrating the need for this degree of service reduction before moving forward with implementation at this precarious time. In addition to requesting evidence that demonstrates the need for the severity of the proposed service cuts, the Delegation Members expressed their expectation that any service cuts would be fully restored as soon as possible. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://lynch.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3D363F14-5969-4CCD-8FBE-8BD890ABCBE6 | Rep. Lynch And MA Delegation Call For Explanation Of MBTA Cuts And Commitment To Restore Full Services | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Stephen Lynch | L000562 | lynch.house.gov | legacy | Boston, MA —Yesterday, U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward Markey (D-MA), and U.S. Representatives Richard Neal (MA-1), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and William Keating (MA-09), sent a letter to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak requesting a full explanation for the proposed short-term and long-term cuts to MBTA services. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we worry that the proposed cuts will disproportionately impact riders from underserved communities. These riders likely have no other method of transportation and rely on MBTA services and expanded hours of service for their essential travel needs,” wrote the lawmakers. “Many of these riders—and MBTA employees themselves—are essential workers who have stepped up to help us face this public health crisis. The cuts could also add volume to each trip, further exacerbating public health risks for riders and workers alike. Reduce transit options for riders and employment opportunities for MBTA workers at this time is incongruous with the support and recognition they deserve for the risks taken to continue providing the essential services to the Commonwealth.” “We consider public transit to be a public good and will continue to fight for federal funding for the Commonwealth’s public transportation infrastructure,” they continued. “As such, we request that the MBTA further evaluate this proposal and provide clear evidence demonstrating the need for this degree of service reduction before moving forward with implementation at this precarious time. In addition to requesting evidence that demonstrates the need for the severity of the proposed service cuts, the Delegation Members expressed their expectation that any service cuts would be fully restored as soon as possible. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z | ||
| https://pressley.house.gov/media/press-releases/pressley-leads-lawmakers-calling-president-elect-biden-end-death-penalty-first | Pressley Leads Lawmakers in Calling on President-Elect Biden to End Death Penalty on First Day in Office | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Ayanna Pressley | P000617 | pressley.house.gov | legacy | Text of Letter (PDF) WASHINGTON Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led 41 of her House colleagues and three Representatives-Elect on a letter calling on President-Elect Joe Biden to end the use of the federal death penalty on his first day in office. The Congresswoman's letter comes as the Trump Administration continues its killing spree, executing more people in six months than the total number executed over the previous six decades. Your historic election with record turnout represents a national mandate to make meaningful progress in reforming our unjust and inhumane criminal legal system, wrote the lawmakers. Ending the barbaric practice of government-sanctioned murder is a commonsense step that you can and must take to save lives. Capital punishment is unjust, racist and defective. The United States stands alone among its peers in executing its own citizens, a barbaric punishment that denies the dignity and humanity of all people and is disproportionatelyapplied to people who are Black, Latinx, and poor. For example, Black people make up less than 13 percent of the nation's population while accounting for more than 42 percent of those on death row. A nationwide study found that at least 1 in 25 people sentenced to death are innocent, while research has shown that capital punishment does not deter crime. In their letter, the lawmakers called on President-Elect Biden to affirm his commitment to eliminating the death penaltyas laid out in his criminal justice reform planby ending it through executive action on Day 1 of his administration. The lawmakers also made clear that in the 117th Congress, they will continue to work toadvance H.R. 4052, Congresswoman Pressley's legislation to permanently abolish the death penalty and require the resentencing of those currently sentenced to death, and use their oversight authority to investigate the use of lethal injection drugs and its violation of the Eighth Amendment. With a stroke of your pen, you can stop all federal executions, prohibit United State… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/mcgovern-markey-and-pressley-demand-answers-from-usdafollowing-reports-of-food-box-shortages | McGovern, Markey, and Pressley Demand Answers From USDA Following Reports of Food Box ShortagesRead More | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON In light of recent reports from constituents that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Families Food Box Program is struggling to meet the needs of Massachusetts families, Representative James P. McGovern (MA-02), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) are leading the Massachusetts delegation in demanding answers from USDA administratorsthat oversee the program, and are requesting a meeting with the USDA to discuss the challenges that food box recipients and distributors are facing in Massachusetts. In addition to McGovern, Markey, and Pressley, the letter was signed by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Katherine Clark (MA-05), William Keating (MA-09), Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Lori Trahan (MA-03). Authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Farmers to Families Food Box Program purchases and distributes agricultural products to schools, food banks, and families in need. However,recentlyMcGovern, Markey, and Pressley learned that the program has not met the needs of Massachusetts residents. In recent weeks, we have received reports that the Northeast Region's new fourth-round contractor, Whitsons Culinary Group, is now unable to service many of the same Massachusetts schools and food banks that received food boxes in the Program's prior rounds,wrote the Massachusetts lawmakers in their letter.In our conversations with Whitsons, we learned that regional needs not only vastly outweigh its contracted capacity, but also that, as of December 3, 2020, it has a waitlist of 21 organizationsmany of which are previous food box recipients now without a supplier. In Massachusetts, the food-insecurity rate has increased by 53% during the pandemic, with one in seven residents lacking access to enough food for three healthy meals per day, and one in five children living in food-insecure households, according to the Greater Boston Food … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-warren-and-reps-keating-and-kennedy-applaud-keeping-wcvb-on-air-in-bristol-county | Senators Markey and Warren, and Reps. Keating and Kennedy Applaud Keeping WCVB on Air in Bristol CountyRead More | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 15, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Congressmen Bill Keating (MA-09) and Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-04) today praised the agreement between Comcast Corporation and Hearst Television to keep continue airing WCVB, the Boston ABC affiliate owned by Hearst, in Bristol County. Earlier this month, the Massachusetts lawmakers sent a letter expressing concerns about reports that starting on December 22, 2020 Comcast subscribers in Bristol County would no longer be able to view WCVB. Massachusetts residents rely on in-state news every day, and as viewers across the Commonwealth continue to navigate the ongoing public health and economic crises, they need up-to-date information that is relevant to their families, said the Massachusetts lawmakers. We applaud Comcast and Hearst for heeding our call, reaching this agreement, and doing the right thing on behalf of their customers in Massachusetts. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-van-hollen-and-bennet-and-rep-meng-applaud-inclusion-of-3-billion-in-e-rate-distance-learning-funding-in-bipartisan-senate-coronavirus-proposal | Senators Markey, Van Hollen, and Bennet, and Rep. Meng Applaud Inclusion of $3 Billion in E-rate Distance Learning Funding in Bipartisan Senate Coronavirus ProposalRead More | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Edward Markey | M000133 | www.markey.senate.gov | legacy | Washington (December 14, 2020) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.),Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),Michael Bennet (D-Colo.),and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-01) today applauded inclusion of their legislation the Emergency Educational Connections Act and $3 billion in funding for the E-rate program in the bipartisan Senate coronavirus relief proposal. The lawmakers' legislation funds elementary and secondary schools and libraries, including tribal schools and libraries, to provide Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and internet-enabled devices, including internet service through such equipment, to students, staff, and patrons. It would also allow schools and libraries to continue to use the equipment after the emergency period. We are pleased to see our legislation that funds K-12 distance learning included in this bipartisan coronavirus relief package, said the lawmakers. We cannot afford to wait another day to connect online our nation's most vulnerable children to their educators and classmates and to ensure the homework gap' does not grow into a damaging learning gap as the pandemic continues. This $3 billion in E-rate funding is a strong down payment on ensuring all kids can continue to learn and develop throughout this health crisis. TheEmergency Educational Connections Act, introduced in May by a group of 46 Democratic Senators and by Rep. Meng in the House of Representatives, would appropriate at least $4 billion to be delivered through the E-Rate program to equip students with internet connectivity and devices during the ongoing pandemic.Since the E-Rate began nearly two decades ago, more than $52 billion has been committed nationwide to provide internet access for schools and libraries.Senator Markey is the author of the original E-Rate program, which was created as a part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The program is designed to connect schools and libraries to the Internet, as well as ensure access for low-income students and families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/mother-jones-exclusive-read-elizabeth-warrens-scathing-report-on-corrupt-prison-audits | Mother Jones: Exclusive: Read Elizabeth Warren’s Scathing Report on “Corrupt” Prison Audits | 2020-12-14 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 14, 2020 Mother Jones: Exclusive: Read Elizabeth Warren's Scathing Report on Corrupt Prison Audits The result has been the rubber-stamping of dangerous facilities and the waste of millions of taxpayer dollars. The organization responsible for accrediting US prisons, jails, and detention centers runs a corrupt process that puts a rubber stamp on dangerous facilities while taking in millions from the private prison industry, according to a scathing report from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), shared exclusively with Mother Jones. The report, the result of a nearly 19-month investigation by the senator's office, examined the American Correctional Association (ACA), a nongovernmental organization that acts simultaneously as a professional association and an oversight body for prison and detention systems. Federal, state, and local governments pay the ACA to audit the facilities where they keep people incarcerated and issue its stamp of approval on their operations. Qualifying facilities must meet the standards ACA spells out in its published manuals, covering everything from fire code compliance to officer gun training. Private prisons and detention centers, meanwhile, are often required to get accredited by the ACA to access lucrative government contracts, according to Warren's reportand when scrutinized, they point to their accreditation status as a defense. After all, the ACA's website says, accreditation is awarded to the best of the best. Read the full articlehere. By: Madison Pauly Source: Mother Jones Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/news-coverage/politico-senate-democrats-press-trump-on-possible-vaccine-shortage | Politico: Senate Democrats press Trump on possible vaccine shortage | 2020-12-14 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 14, 2020 Politico: Senate Democrats press Trump on possible vaccine shortage They questioned if the U.S. is facing a vaccine cliff after the administration reportedly passed up offers to buy more Pfizer doses. Senate Democrats are pressing the Trump administration to explain whether the United States could soon face a critical shortage of Covid-19 vaccine doses, citing recent reports that the White House passed on Pfizer's repeated offers to purchase additional shots. "We are concerned the failure to secure an adequate supply of vaccines will needlessly prolong the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, causing further loss of life and economic devastation," a group of senior lawmakers wrote to leaders of Operation Warp Speed, the government's vaccine accelerator, in a letter shared with POLITICO. The Trump administration in July agreed to purchase 100 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine, which started rolling out across the country on Monday after the shot became the first to receive an emergency-use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. The nearly $2 billion deal included an option to buy an additional 500 million shots of the two-dose vaccine. Read the full articlehere. By: Dan Diamond Source: Politico Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-delauro-pocan-and-lee-blast-nlrb-members-admitting-they-would-defy-recusal-guidance-from-ethics-officials | Warren, DeLauro, Pocan and Lee, Blast NLRB Members Admitting They Would Defy Recusal Guidance from Ethics Officials | 2020-12-14 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MA | Elizabeth Warren | W000817 | www.warren.senate.gov | legacy | December 14, 2020 Warren, DeLauro, Pocan and Lee, Blast NLRB Members Admitting They Would Defy Recusal Guidance from Ethics Officials Three NLRB Members say federal ethics laws allow them to disregard ethics official's guidance on recusal and substitute their own "independent judgment" William J. Emanuel Response | Marvin E. Kaplan Response | Lauren McFerran Response John F. Ring Response on Behalf of Board | John F. Ring Individual Response Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) Chairwoman of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) released the following joint statement regarding answers from the majority of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) members attesting they would defy ethics officials' recusal guidance. "It should alarm every worker, employer, and American that a majority of NLRB members have stated they would openly defy the guidance of ethics officials, and rely instead on their 'individual judgment' about whether their conflicts of interest necessitate recusals. Public service is a public trust, and by brazenly flouting our federal ethics program, these members have undermined public confidence in the integrity of the NLRB and in these Board members' commitment to comply with principles of ethical conduct," wrote the lawmakers. The lawmakers wrote to the NLRB in March, regarding concerns that the Board's November 2019 ethics report and new recusal guidance "inexplicably suggests that it is not only permissible, but preferable for a potentially-conflicted Board member, rather than a third party, to make the final determination of whether they should recuse." The lawmakers wrote that the new NLRB guidance "belies common sense… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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