url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-bonuses-for-ge-workers-in-erie,Casey Statement on Bonuses for GE Workers in Erie,2015-12-31,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington DC U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following GEs decision on bonuses for local GE workers. On November 18th, Casey urged GE Transportation CEO Jamie Miller to follow through on awarding the bonuses. Caseys original letter is attached. GE has made the right decision by agreeing to pay all of its workers the bonuses they earned. I called on GE to pay these bonuses this November because the workers in Northwestern Pennsylvania, who have made GE a successful company over the years, have earned them. GE made $934 million in profit through the first three quarters of this year. There should never have been a question about paying hardworking employees a couple of thousand dollars each in earned bonuses. In the new year Ill continue to press GE to commit to returning work to its Erie facility when orders increase. An increase in orders should result in the rehiring of workers in Erie instead of jobs being shipped to Texas. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lou-barletta-2015-year-in-review,Rep. Lou Barletta: 2015 Year in Review,2015-12-30,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today reviewed the year 2015 in the United States House of Representatives and highlighted some notable improvements and achievements. Among the important issues covered during the year were continuing the fight against illegal immigration, protecting national security interests from refugees and problems with visas, preserving funding for SHINE, preventing heavier trucks from hitting the highways, and protecting steel jobs in Pennsylvania. Barletta indicated that he would continue the fight on those and other important issues as the 114th Congress resumes on January 5, 2016. The world is changing rapidly, and Congress must continue to work to address the evolving challenges we face as a nation, Barletta said. In 2015, we addressed many of those needs, and also found solutions to problems we have long been facing. But theres still work to be done. Barletta Priorities in Highway Bill Rep. Barletta, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was among House conferees appointed to negotiate the particulars of a five-year $305 billion Highway Bill, which included many of Barlettas highest priorities for the U.S. transportation system and its infrastructure. While voting for the bill, Barletta did express disappointment that the bill was a missed opportunity to develop serious reforms in transportation funding. Among Barlettas victories in the final bill were: Defeating Truck Weight Increase: Barletta was able to defeat efforts that would have increased the weight limit for trucks from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. Barletta said that local roads were not built to handle the increased weight, and the heavier trucks would pose a greater danger to their drivers and other motorists. Making Railway Cars Safer: Barletta successfully amended the highway bill to require railway tank cars carrying flammable liquids to be equipped with protections for their pressure safety valves. Newer tank cars already have this type of feature, but the legislation requires older cars to be retrofitted. The requirement would make it more unlikely for tank cars to burst into flames or explode in the event of an accident. Agricultural Vehicles Near Farms: The highway bill also contains Barlettas priority that states may adopt their own safety standards for agricultural vehicles operating near farms without jeopardizing federal transportation funding. Barletta authored theLocal Farm Vehicle Flexibility Actto allow states to permit farmers to operate vehicles that are technically uncovered as they travel from point to point on a farm or to a nearby processing facility, even if they traverse public roads in the process. Highway Safety Improvement Program: Barletta led efforts to ensure that the highway bill fully funds the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which pays for safety measures such as guardrails, retroreflective signs, and road markings. The Senate bill had previously reduced the program sharply. Safer Trucks and Buses: The highway bill includes much of BarlettasSafer Trucks and Buses Act, which seeks to reform safety scores for carriers by making the scores more reflective of the companys safety record. The legislation would temporarily halt the publication of flawed safety scores until the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations (FMCSA) Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) scoring system is revamped. The language in no way eliminates law enforcement access to safety data, meaning that the worst offenders can still be targeted Reducing Paperwork for Ready Mix Concrete Drivers: The bill reduces burdensome paperwork requirements for drivers of ready mix concrete trucks, without changing any on-duty rules. Currently, if a driver works for more than 12 hours in a shift, the driver must fill out a log book accounting for every 15 minutes of work. The maximum on-duty period allowed is 14 hours. The change simply makes the two requirements line up, eliminating unnecessary paperwork for the driver. Saving SHINE Funding and Replacing No Child Left Behind Barletta, a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, supported the Student Success Act, which replaces No Child Left Behind, and importantly rescues federal funding for afterschool programs such as SHINE, originally slated to be eliminated before Barletta intervened. SHINE, or Schools and Homes In Education, is a successful educational program in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties that Barletta has championed with state Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon). By restoring the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, Barletta has preserved a funding stream that accounts for 49 percent of SHINEs total funding. The bill,the Conference Report to Accompany S. 1177, was negotiated by House and Senate conferees and supplants No Child Left Behind, returning many educational decisions to states and localities. Beginning in February 2015, Barletta began painstakingly working to restore the 21st CCLC program. The original House version of the bill eliminated the program; however, Barletta negotiated 14 changes to the base text of the bill in support of afterschool programs, and specifically the SHINE model, in the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He also engaged in a colloquy with committee Chairman John Kline (MN-2) to establish a record of support for such programs. On the floor of the House, Barletta spoke in support of his own successful amendment that requires school districts to report to state agencies on the use of Title I money for afterschool activities to further demonstrate the importance of such programs. Finally, when the legislation reached the conference committee, Barletta sent a letter to lead House and Senate negotiators imploring them to preserve the 21st CCLC program. As a result, the conference report passed by the House authorizes $1 billion in funding for the 21st CCLC program. Fighting Illegal Immigration Sanctuary Cities Barletta once again introduced tough legislation cracking down on Sanctuary Cities that he first authored in 2011, theMobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R. 3002), which would prohibitanyfederal funding for a minimum period of one year to any state or local government which has a policy or law that prevents them from assisting immigration authorities in enforcing federal immigration law. A state or local government would only regain federal funding eligibility after the Attorney General certifies that its laws and policies are in compliance with federal immigration law. The legislation was in response to the July 1, 2015 San Francisco murder of 32-year-old Kate Steinle, whose accused killer is a seven-time felon who had been deported five times previously. Barletta has personal experience with a similar tragedy, as he was mayor of Hazleton in 2006 when a local man, Derek Kichline, was murdered by an illegal immigrant who had been released in New York, another sanctuary city. Barletta was also moved by meeting the parents of 20-year-old murder victim Carly Snyder of Northumberland County, who was stabbed 37 times by an illegal immigrant from Honduras in 2005. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats blocked a similar bill that would have defunded sanctuary cities. The House had already passed legislation withholding certain law-enforcement funding and grants. There are now 340 such sanctuary cities in the United States, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. Obamas Executive Amnesty Barletta led the fight to defund President Obamas illegal executive amnesty plans through the passage of an appropriations bill that would have defunded the amnesty program for illegal immigrants, largely through an amendment Barletta co-authored, had the bill been signed into law. The House approved the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with the key amendment known as theAderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta Amendment. The House also adopted additional amendments Barletta supported, including one which stops the presidents Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has abused the practice of prosecutorial discretion on immigration enforcement. Aderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta Amendment The lead amendment to the DHS appropriations bill was the one authored by Rep. Barletta, Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4), and Rep. Mick Mulvaney (SC-5). It was the Aderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta amendment which would have specifically defunded President Obamas executive amnesty. The Aderholt/Mulvaney/Barletta amendment addressed the Obama executive amnesty by: Preventing any funds from any source from being used to carry out the executive actions the president announced on November 20, 2014. Preventing any funds from any source from being used to carry out the so-called Morton Memos, which directed immigration officers to ignore broad categories of illegal immigrants. Declaring that no funds may be used to carry out any policies that are substantially similar to the ones being defunded. Declaring that the policies being defunded have no basis in federal law or the Constitution and therefore have no legal effect. Preventing any funds from being used to provide federal benefits to illegal immigrants intended to be impacted by the presidents executive amnesty. American Workers Barletta remained a leader in the fight against President Obamas executive amnesty for illegal immigration, arguing that the policy was a national security threat and unfairly favored illegal immigrants over legal immigrants and American workers. We have immigration laws in this country for two basic reasons: to preserve American jobs and to protect national security. President Barack Obamas unlawful executive actions to grant amnesty to at least 5 million illegal immigrants violate both of those principles. Any objective review must find that the presidents policies have placed the concerns of those who have broken our laws ahead of the interests of citizens and legal residents of the United States, Barletta wrote in an opinion column in Roll Call on March 23, 2015. Employment is difficult enough to find for millions of Americans and legal residents who woke up this morning without a pay check. On top of that hardship, the president has now introduced millions of new applicants who will compete for jobs that are already scarce. It is difficult to imagine how such a policy is beneficial to American workers. Strengthening National Security In 2015, Barletta, already a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, was named to the committees Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Syrian Refugees Barletta voted against the $1.1 trillion Omnibus spending bill, primarily because it continued funding of the program that relocates Syrian refugees to the United States. In light of the terror attacks in San Bernardino and Paris, Barletta had proposed suspending the entire refugee program until thorough background checks and screenings can be reliably conducted. The Islamic State, or ISIS, has placed America atop its terror list, and has indicated it would use the refugee program to infiltrate the United States. In addition, Barletta backed the American SAFE Act, which requires comprehensive background checks of every refugee from Iraq or Syria before they can be admitted into the United States and certification that each does not pose a threat. No refugee from Iraq or Syria will be admitted into the U.S. unless: The FBI Director certifies the background investigation of each refugee. The Secretary of Homeland Security, along with the FBI Director and the Director of National Intelligence, certifies to Congress that each refugee is not a security threat to the United States. The DHS Inspector General independently assesses the refugee approvals, thus making sure that high-risk individuals do not slip through the cracks. Fusion Centers The House passed Barlettas legislation that clarifies and enhances the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the national network of fusion centers. A fusion center is a collaborative effort of two or more agencies, including federal, state, and local entities, which share resources and information to improve their ability to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist or criminal activity. The bill, H.R. 3598, theFusion Center Enhancement Act, passed the House by a voice vote. The bill improves fusion centers by: Directing DHS to make sure its components are providing information and personnel to fusion centers to better cooperate with state and local officials. Requiring DHS to coordinate with fusion centers and State Homeland Security Advisors in carrying out assigned responsibilities. Requiring DHS to submit a report to Congress on its efforts to meet these requirements. Standing Firm on Iran Barlettavoted against approval of the Iran nuclear deal and in favor of legislation that prevents the President of the United States from lifting or easing sanctions against Iran until January 21, 2017. The bill Barletta voted against was H.R. 3461, which would have approved the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The bill failed by a bipartisan vote of 162-to-269, with one member voting present. The bill Barletta voted in favor of was H.R. 3460, which suspends the authority of the president to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran until January 21, 2017. The votes followed addition House action approving a resolution that found that President Obama is in violation of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, which requires the president to transmit the agreement, including any secret side deals, to Congress for its approval. It is now known that Iran has cut such covert side agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that they have not been provided to Congress. Defending Steel Jobs, Leveling the Playing Field Barletta was a key leader in protecting the steel industry during the passage of legislation that strengthens enforcement of U.S. customs and trade laws, and protects American employers and workers from unfair practices by companies in other nations. The conference report on theTrade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (H.R. 644),which is the result of negotiations between the House and Senate, incorporates requirements Barletta insisted upon to protect American jobs from countries which illegally dump cheap products into markets like steel manufacturing. The provisions of the ENFORCE Act included in the conference report prevent countries from circumventing trade laws by shipping a product through another country and switching the label. For example, when China dumps steel into America, American steel companies spend time and money building a case against the Chinese dumping. If they win that case, the steel companies deserve to have the Chinese penalized for the dumping. The ENFORCE Act makes sure that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actually investigates the American companies case. The ENFORCE Act gives CBP a strict deadline to review the case. American companies can pursue a case in U.S. Trade Court if the company believes CBP is rubberstamping the decisions without fairly reviewing the details. For his efforts, Barletta was named a 2015 Congressional Steel Champion by the American Iron and Steel Institute, an organization representing the majority of steel producers in North America. Barletta received the award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen antidumping and countervailing duty laws, and his leadership on the ENFORCE Act to improve the process to ensure the laws against unfair trade are strictly enforced. Saving Taxpayers $2.8 Billion As Chairman of the Subcommittee for Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Barletta is tasked with governing federal real estate assets, among other federal responsibilities. In that role, Barletta has steered federal agencies through an improvement in the way the federal real estate footprint is managed. Through creative use or renovation of existing properties, or through better structuring of leases, Barletta has saved taxpayers more than $2.8 billion since being named subcommittee chairman in 2013. Relieving Burden on the Taxpayers Barletta supported legislation that makes permanent many tax provisions and extends others, preventing a tax increase for millions of Americans.The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Actachieves certainty for individuals and businesses by extending or making permanent 55 provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that expired on December 31, 2014 and extending other policies for two and five years. Among the tax policies made permanent for individuals were: Enhanced Child Tax Credit. Enhanced American Opportunity Tax Credit (for post-secondary education). Enhanced Earned Income Credit. $250 deduction for K-12 teachers for school supplies (indexed for inflation). Charitable giving incentives (food inventory, conservation easements, and IRA charitable rollover). State and local sales tax deduction. Among the tax policies made permanent for businesses were: Research and Development Tax Credit. Section 179 Expensing (helps cyclical businesses like farming and construction invest in new property and equipment). Active financing exemption. 15-year recovery for leasehold and restaurant improvements. Charitable contributions of S corporations. 5-year recognition period for S corporation built-in-gains. The Medical Device Tax contained in Obamacare has been delayed by two years, helping device makers, their employees, and consumers. In addition, the legislation reins in the IRS and protects taxpayers by: Firing IRS employees who take politically-motivated actions against taxpayers. Requiring IRS employees to respect the taxpayer bill of rights. Prohibiting IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business. Fighting the Jeansville Mine Fire Barletta assumed a leadership role in finding a solution to the Jeansville mine fire, which has been burning for decades near the village of Tresckow in Banks Township in Carbon County. He pressed federal, state, and local authorities for a solution to the ongoing public safety hazard, and also convened a meeting with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and local officials in September to exchange information about the problem. As a result of the coordinated efforts, DEP has awarded a contract to Hazleton Shaft Corporation to isolate and extinguish the Jeansville mine fire. According to DEP, the $9.3 million contract involves digging two isolation trenches to contain the fire and stop it from spreading. The project will involve the excavation of approximately 2.6 million cubic yards of material to isolate the fire on the south side. A water supply for the fire will be obtained by connecting to a line owned by the Hazleton City Authority and from a well to the mine pool which lies below the area. Protecting Correctional Officers Barletta co-sponsored legislation that requires the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to supply oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly known as pepper spray, to prison officers or employees who may respond to emergency situations with inmates. TheEric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act(H.R. 472) is named for an officer at the United States Prison at Canaan who was brutally murdered by an inmate in 2013. Senior Correctional Officer Eric Williams, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was murdered by convicted gang assassin Jessie Con-ui at the high security prison on February 25, 2013. Con-ui, a member of the violent New Mexican Mafia gang, was serving an 11-year sentence when he suddenly attacked Officer Williams, knocked him down a flight of stairs, and stabbed him more than 200 times with homemade blades known as shanks. Con-ui is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree murder of a U.S. corrections officer, and possessing contraband in prison. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Preserving Veterans Cemeteries as Places of Honor Legislation Barletta introduced would ensure that veterans buried in military cemeteries are truly eligible for that honor and have not been convicted of state or federal capital crimes. The legislation,Berties Respect for National Cemeteries Act, is named for Pennsylvanian Bertha Bertie Smith, who was murdered by a man who was subsequently interred in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. The legislation also provides for her killers removal from the cemetery. This legislation is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Berties Respect for National Cemeteries Act was made necessary by the burial of George Emery Siple at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Siple was convicted of the October 15, 1969 capital murder of Bertie Smith outside a local store front. He was interred in the cemetery upon his death in prison in 1999, despite his evident ineligibility under current law. Smiths family has been unsuccessful to this point in petitioning for his disinterment. The legislation: Requires Department of Veterans Administration (VA) National Cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery to take every reasonable action, including searching public criminal records, to ensure that a veteran is eligible to be buried. Allows for the disinterment of veterans convicted of capital crimes, to apply to all burials after 1997. Provides for the disinterment of George Emery Siple. Defending Innocent Life Barletta supported legislation, theRestoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 (H.R. 3762), which dismantles Obamacare, places a moratorium on funding of clinics which provide abortions, provides new funding for womens health centers, and reduces deficits by an estimated $130 billion over ten years. Under the Fiscal Year 2015 concurrent Budget Resolution, three House committees were required to produce legislation to bring spending into line with the law through a process known as budget reconciliation. As a result, the Education and the Workforce, the Energy and Commerce, and the Ways and Means Committees reported legislation to the Budget Committee, which combined the three into H.R. 3762. Barletta also backed a resolution that established a select committee to investigate potential wrongdoing and lawbreaking involved in abortion provider practices. The move came in the wake of videos exposing Planned Parenthoods practice of selling the organs and body parts of unborn children. Specifically the committee will look into medical procedures and business practices involving fetal tissue procurement, federal funding and support for abortion providers, and providers of late-term abortions, including partial birth abortion and procedures for the care of a child born alive as a result of an attempted abortion. The Congressman co-sponsored two important bills to protect unborn children. H.R. 3134, theDefund Planned Parenthood Act, eliminates federal funding of that abortion provider while the practice of selling fetal body parts and organs is investigated. In addition, H.R. 3504, theBorn-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, requires any health care practitioner present to administer medical attention to a baby born alive following an attempted abortion. Backing Israel In a year that saw history made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress, Barletta was outspoken in his support for Israel, Americas strongest ally in the Middle East. Barletta was an original cosponsor ofH.Res. 485, which expresses solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of recent terrorist attacks and condemns the Palestinian Authority for inciting an atmosphere of violence. The resolution details a number of recent terrorist attacks supported and encouraged by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, and is also critical of propaganda efforts intended to increase the surge of violence against Israeli citizens. Barletta was also an original cosponsor ofH.Res. 500, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the State of Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian hostility and that the House pledges to support Israel in its efforts to maintain its sovereignty. The resolution contends that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, diminishes Israels national security. Barletta has been a harsh critic of the deal President Obama approved, which paves the way for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Welcoming Pope Francis Congress welcomed Pope Francis to Washington, DC in September, and Barletta expressed his admiration for the Holy Father by saying, It was a singular honor for me and my wife, Mary Grace, to be present in the House chamber when Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress, the first time any pope has done so. These are very troubling times in which we live, and the popes message of peace is something that people of all faiths or no faith at all can benefit from. We should be greeting the Holy Father as Americans, not as Republicans or Democrats, and check our politics at the door as we do so. He is the leader of one of the great religions of the world, the successor to Saint Peter, and we should all listen to and reflect on what he has to say. Barletta also presented a painting by Hazleton artist Salvadore DeFazio titled A Prayer for Peace to the pontiffs traveling staff. The painting depicts a pair of hands reaching upward, toward a dove and star in the sky. DeFazio was also named Hazletons first poet laureate while Barletta was mayor of the city. Looking out for Volunteer Firefighters For the fourth time, Barletta introduced his legislation to protect volunteer firefighters and emergency responders from the unintended consequences of Obamacare. Barlettas bill, theProtecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act, ensures that emergency services volunteers are not counted as full-time employees by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Employer Mandate of Obamacare. If volunteer fire companies were subject to the mandates of Obamacare, they could be liable for crippling new health care costs, causing many to have to close their doors. The House previously has passed similar legislation on three separate occasions by a combined unanimous vote of 1,226-to-0. The legislation is supported by the National Volunteer Fire Council, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute. In 2014, after months of pressure from Barletta, other members of Congress, and firefighters, the IRS indicated that it will not count hours of volunteer firefighters and emergency responders when determining an employers full-time employees in compliance with Obamacare. Barletta, however, has continued to pursue passage of his legislation as insurance against future changes from the IRS. Connecting to Main Street In 2015, Congressman Barletta continued his Main Street Tours, during which he visited local businesses and heard the concerns and ideas of small employers and citizens. Barletta has conducted nearly thirty Main Street Tours since 2013 in communities across the 11th District. While Barletta indicated that while he was pleased with the successes of 2015 and the first session of the 114th Congress, he will continue to fight for the 11th District of Pennsylvania. If 2015 taught us anything, its that it is much better to get half a loaf of bread than no loaf at all, Barletta said. We have much more work to do, and I look forward to 2016.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-encourages-pa-06-residents-apply-us-passport-early,Costello Encourages PA-06 Residents to Apply for U.S. Passport Early,2015-12-30,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"West Chester, PA Ahead of 2016, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) took the opportunity to provide the following public service announcement to individuals seeking to obtain or renew a United States passport in the coming year. Recently, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a warning that the 10-year anniversary of the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative may prompt a surge in passport applications, and consequently result in a slower process. The Department estimates that nearly 45 million passports will expire in the next three years, compared to 26 million in the past three years. As State Department staff work to meet their service commitments, they are encouraging travelers to take the necessary steps to start the application process early. Costello echoed the warning for travelers not to wait until the last weeks to renew their passports: If you have plans to travel abroad in the coming year, I encourage you to make sure your passport is up to date well before your departure, said Congressman Costello. Pennsylvania Sixth District residents seeking a passport should submit their application at least 6-8 weeks before their date of travel, particularly if you are submitting an application in the spring or summer months when the volume of applications is larger.For individuals that may run into problems, my casework staff is happy to help constituents ensure the process moves along. Congressman Costellos office urged constituents who are filing as a first time applicant to be sure their birth certificate includes their parents names and raised seal on it.Additionally, many countries require travelers passports to have at least six months validity, so passport holders should not wait for their document to expire prior to submitting the renewal application. Casework staff is available to answer any questions applicants may have. Staff can be reached at the Wyomissing District Office (610) 376-7630 or by visiting Costello.house.gov. For more information on applying for a United States passport, please visit travel.state.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-finishes-2015-with-major-legislative-wins,Casey Finishes 2015 With Major Legislative Wins,2015-12-30,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. As the 2015 legislative year comes to an end, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced several major legislative wins and public laws he led to passage on behalf of Pennsylvanians. 13 Casey led bills were enacted into law in 2015; 7 bills introduced by Casey, and 6 bills on which he served as the lead Democratic sponsor. These public laws will help improve the lives of Pennsylvanians across all spectrums, creating jobs, keeping kids in school by creating a more positive school climate, and keeping drivers safe by providing $73,796,694 annually to fix off-system bridges. I was pleased to guide into law a number of bills that will help Pennsylvanians and the economy of the Commonwealth, especially efforts to create jobs, keep kids in school, and improve our infrastructure, said Senator Casey. Theres much more to be done in the coming year to make sure children learn more early in life so they earn more later and so middle class incomes increase. The full list of bills Senator Casey led as well as bills he was the lead Democrat on can be found below. Casey Lead Depreciation Fairness Act S.394- The bill makes permanent the 15-year depreciation period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. It ensures the depreciation schedule permanently reflects the economic useful life of these types of investments. This change will provide businesses with the certainty they need to undertake capital expenditures, which will fuel economic activity and create jobs. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Section 123 of the PATH Act, H.R. 2029, which became public law on December 18, 2015. Keep Kids in School Act S 672. This legislation requires states and school districts to report on the use of exclusionary discipline and create plans to reduce its use. The bill also provides funding to implement activities that have been proven to create a more positive school climate. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Sections 1005 and 4304 of the Every Student Succeeds Act, S. 1177, which became Public Law 114-95 on December 10, 2015. Better Educator Support and Training (BEST) Act S 882. This bill reforms the educator professional development pieces within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. With the passage of the Every Student Achieves Act (ESSA) ESEA reauthorization, states and districts are now required to implement evidence-based activities that help keep teachers in the classroom, strengthen the teaching profession, and ensure principals have the skills they need to be effective by setting aside specific resources for their professional development. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Title IIA of the Every Student Succeeds Act, S. 1177, which became Public Law 114-95 on December 10, 2015. Empowering Parents and Students Through Information Act S 528. This legislation helps ensure that Americas six million K-12 students with disabilities and their families have access to necessary information to make informed decisions on their childs education and future opportunities for pursuing college and career goals. This is accomplished by clarifying clear guidelines for the use of alternate academic assessments, provides greater access to the standard academic curriculum for all students, and provides additional data transparency on the use of assessments. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Title IA of the Every Student Succeeds Act, S. 1177which became Public Law 114-95 on December 10, 2015. Continuum of Learning Act S 643.This legislation updates ESEA to strengthen connections between existing early learning programs and elementary grades. This bill helps educators from Head Start, child care, other early childhood education programs, and elementary schools work together so young children have successful continuity of learning and development that sets a strong foundation throughout the K-12 school years and beyond. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Sections 4624 and 9212 of the Every Student Succeeds Act, S. 1177, which became Public Law 114-95 on December 10, 2015. Computer Science Education and Jobs Act S 671. Adds computer science as a core academic subject within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and adds supports for teachers who specialize in this subject area. These key provisions, included in the ESSA ESEA reauthorization as part of a definition of well rounded education, will provide support and clarity to states and school districts to expand this discipline, ultimately helping to keep the nation competitive in the global high-tech market. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Title IIA, Section 4107, and Title VIII of the Every Student Succeeds Act, S. 1177, which became Public Law 114-95 on December 10, 2015. Clean Vehicles Corridor Act - S 1581.The principles and goals of the Clean Vehicles Corridor Act were included in section 1413 of HR 22, the DRIVE Act. Under this section, the Secretary of Transportation would designate transportation corridors to encourage fueling infrastructure for natural gas, electric, hydrogen and propane vehicles. HR 22, the DRIVE Act, the surface transportation reauthorization bill, which was signed into Public Law 114-94 on December 4, 2015. Casey Lead Democrat The Protecting Our Infants Act (w/ Senator McConnell) S 799.The Protecting Our Infants Act, which was signed into Public Law 114-91on November 25, 2015. This bill addresses the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and infants suffering from opioid withdrawal. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a departmental review to identify gaps in research and any duplication, overlap or gaps in prevention and treatment programs related to prenatal opioid abuse and infants born with opioid withdrawal. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to work with stakeholders to develop recommendations both for preventing prenatal opioid abuse, and for treating infants born dependent on opioids. Finally, this measure encourages the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with states and help improve their public health response to this epidemic. Small Business Fairness Act (w/ Senator Enzi) S 958. This bill was included in section 867 of S. 1356, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was signed into Public Law 114-92 on 11/25/2015. This bill allows federal agencies to enter into contracts with small businesses that are service disabled veteran owned, economically disadvantaged, women-owned or a qualified HUBZone small business, even if they are part of a teaming agreement. Current law does not allow these designated small businesses to be part of a teaming agreement and also claim a socioeconomic designation. Support for Bridges Act/FAST Act (w/ Senator Blunt) S 1370. The goals of the Support for Bridges Act were included in The FAST Act. The Fast Act continues to provide $73,796,694 annually for off-system bridges in Pennsylvania which adds up to $369 million over 5 years. The bill makes an additional $4.9 billion (FY 16-20 total) available for highway bridges nationwide that lost predictable funding under MAP-21. Incorporated into Section 1106 of the FAST Act, H.R. 22, which became Public Law 114-94 on December 4, 2015. Small Business Tax Certainty and Growth Act of 2015 (w/ Senator Collins) - S.1141.Legislation includes 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property (Depreciation Fairness Act S.394). Provisions extending bonus depreciation, and a provision making permanent section 179 expensing ($500,000 expensing with $2,000,000 phase out) indexed for inflation. Major portions of this bill were incorporated into Sections 123, 124, and 143 of the PATH Act, H.R. 2029, which became public law on December 18, 2015. 529 Enhancement Act (w/ Senator Grassley) S 335.The provision expands the definition of qualified higher education expenses for which 529 accounts are eligible to include computer equipment and technology, modifies 529 account rules to treat any distribution from a 529 account as coming only from that account. It also treats a refund of tuition paid with amounts distributed from a 529 account as a qualified expense if such amounts are re-contributed to a 529 account within 60 days. This legislation was incorporated into Section 302 of the PATH Act, H.R. 2029, which became public law on December 18, 2015. Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act (w/ Senator Portman) S. 2425 This bill does three key things. It implements a one year delay of the CMS proposal to apply competitive bid pricing to complex rehab accessories. It freezes the current payment rates for certain radiation therapy services for 2017 and 2018. This provision would ensure that cancer patients have the option to receive care in their preferred setting. It gives CMS the ability to process physician and hospital applications for a hardship exemption from complying electronic health record meaningful use requirements more efficiently. An increase in the submission of hardship applications from requirements in effect for 2015 is expected for reasons beyond provider control. This bill was passed in the Senate and the House on December 18, 2015 and became public law on December 28, 2015 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1661,Toomey's Take: Working Together for PA,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"When I travel across the Commonwealth, host public town halls or telephone town halls, or sit down with constituents for a cup of coffee, I often hear complaints about how partisan Washington has become and how little is being done in Congress to help Pennsylvania. I, too, get frustrated when partisanship gets in the way of legislating. And while the Senate has rolled up its sleeves and passed more bills in 2015 than in recent years, I understand why many Pennsylvanians feel this way. Fortunately, partisanship and gridlock do not have to stop Washington from doing business. As Senator Bob Casey and I have shown, bipartisanship and cooperation can work and produce real results. So let me discuss one example of this cooperation: federal judges. Pennsylvania has three federal judicial districts and is covered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. When vacancies occur in the district courts, Senator Casey and I vet and recommend candidates whom the president will then typically nominate. For vacancies on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, the White House, Senator Casey, and I collaborate on a suitable nominee. When I took office in 2011, Pennsylvania had a number of vacancies on the federal bench. At the time, the federal courthouses in Easton, Reading, and Williamsport all lacked a sitting federal district judge. The Erie courthouse currently lacks a federal district judge as well. Clearly, Pennsylvania not only needed more federal judges, but also needed these judges to be more geographically dispersed across the state so all Pennsylvanians could access justice conveniently. That is why Senator Casey and I, along with the White House, have worked on a bipartisan basis to fill judicial vacancies. In fact, since 2011, Senator Casey and I have vetted, recommended, and confirmed 14 U.S. District Court judges and one judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit - with the result that during this time, Pennsylvania has had more federal judges confirmed than any other state except California and New York. And Easton, Reading, and Williamsport now have sitting federal district judges working in each of their federal courthouses. There is a lot of work required to recommend and confirm each judge. Senator Casey and I established bipartisan panels in each federal judicial district. These experienced, knowledgeable panels vet and interview district judge applicants and then make recommendations to Senator Casey and me. We then review these recommendations, conduct our own interviews, and then agree on which finalists to submit to the White House. The White House then carries out its own background investigation. If everything checks out, the president nominates our recommended candidates. The Senate Judiciary Committee then reviews the nominees, conducts yet another background investigation, and, barring any disqualifying discoveries, approves them so they can then receive a confirmation vote in the full Senate. This is a time consuming process, but it has been working for Pennsylvania - including this very month. On December 9th, the Senate agreed to schedule a confirmation vote for Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo for a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. That same day, four federal district judge nominees for Pennsylvania - including one to fill the vacant courthouse in Erie - received a hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee and are one step closer to getting confirmed. If all five of these nominations are approved by the Senate, and I am confident they will be, Senator Casey and I will have worked together to confirm a total of 20 judges to Pennsylvania's federal courts - significant progress for our state. It is an accomplishment that not only helps Pennsylvania, but it also shows what can be achieved when two senators from opposite parties rise above the gridlock and partisanship to put their constituents first.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-boyle-death-staff-sergeant-peter-taub-montgomery-county,"Congressman Boyle on the death of Staff Sergeant Peter Taub, a Montgomery County Native",2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Representative Brendan Boyle (PA-13) released the following statement on the death of an American soldier and Montgomery County native in Afghanistan: I was saddened today to hear that Staff Sergeant Peter Taub, a Wyncote, PA native, was among the six americans killed in an attack in Afghanistan earlier this week near Bagram Airfield. Staff Sgt. Taub was a truly dedicated soldier and public servant. We are grateful to him for giving the ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughter, family and fellow service members at this most difficult time.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-announces-congressional-app-challenge,Costello Announces Congressional App Challenge,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) announced that his office is now accepting entries for the Congressional App Challenge. The contest, open to high school students in Pennsylvanias Sixth Congressional District, encourages students to program and design their own original applications, known as apps, for electronic devices. Sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation, the challenge offers PA-06 high school students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and programming abilities to a national audience and make contact with potential future high-tech employers.Entries will be accepteduntil January 15, 2016. In an effort to promote creativity and encourage students to hone their coding expertise, I have launched the Congressional App Challenge, said Congressman Costello. Its my hope that the contest will pose a fun challenge for students involved in STEM-based education and stay ahead of the evolving technology. Maybe well see a PA-06 student create the next Instagram or Snapchat app that will take our culture by storm! Congressman Costello is a member of the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) caucuses. Rules of Entry Contestants will be judged on creativity, user experience, and an understanding of coding and programming skills. Participants must be 13 years of age or older and reside in or attend school in Pennsylvanias Sixth Congressional District. Teams of no more than four students are welcome. The winning student or teams app in each congressional district will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website (www.house.gov), and displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. The apps will be judged by a panel selected by the Congressmans office and winners will be announcedon February 22, 2016. For more information on rules and entry requirements, interested students may contact Congressman Costellos Washington, DC office at(202) 225-4315or visit www.challenge.gov/challenge/congressional-app-challenge-pa-06-rep-costello/.For information about the Internet Education Foundation, please visithttps://www.neted.org. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1660,"Toomey, Kaine Call On GAO To Review Pain Clinics' Narcotics Dispensing Practices",2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Govt Watchdog Would Also Examine Quality of Treatment, Patient Outcomes WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) have formally requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) launch a review of pain management clinics in light of the growing national prescription opioid and heroin epidemic. The states of Pennsylvania and Virginia have both seen a dramatic rise in opioid prescribing and deaths from prescription painkillers. The formal request, which was detailed in a letter to GAO sent on Thursday, comes as the Centers for Disease Control announced that opioid overdose deaths, from both prescription pain relievers and heroin, hit record levels in 2014. More than 47,000 people died from opioid overdose, an alarming 14 percent increase in just one year. Senators Toomey and Kaine are requesting that GAO review rates of opioid prescribing by pain clinics in relation to other clinical settings, an issue highlighted during an October field hearing convened in Pittsburgh by Senator Toomey, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. The letter further notes that testing laboratories have indicated to staff that pain patient specimen results are inconsistent with patients' drug treatment regimens 30 to 40 percent of the time, an indicator of possible diversion and/or substance abuse. The bipartisan letter also asks GAO to review whether existing statutory and regulatory guidelines governing pain clinics has had an impact on prescribing practices. A copy of the letter is below. The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro Comptroller General of the United States U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street NW Washington, D.C. 20548 Dear Mr. Dodaro: The United States is currently in the midst of a prescription opioid and heroin epidemic[1]. From 1999 to 2013, the rate for drug poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics nearly quadrupled. The states of Pennsylvania and Virginia have both seen a rise in opioid prescribing and deaths from prescription painkillers. For example, Pennsylvania ranks above the national average in prescribing of long-acting extended-release opioids (9th), and high-dose opioid pain relievers (14th). The state's drug overdose death rate for 2010 (15.3 per 100,000 population) is above the national rate (12.4 per 100,000 population) [2]. Meanwhile in Virginia, the state's chief medical officer has said drug overdose deaths have surpassed automobile fatalities for the first time in 2014[3]. More than 3,000 Virginians have lost their lives to drug overdose deaths in the last five years[4]. In July 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a ""Vital Signs"" report that questioned the high rate of opioid prescriptions in the context of an increasing number of prescription opioid overdose deaths. The CDC has noted that individuals who are addicted to prescription painkillers are forty times more likely to become addicted to heroin than those who have never abused prescription drugs. Unlike past periods of increased heroin abuse, nearly 80 percent of today's heroin users say they previously abused prescription opioids[5]. In addition to risks of addiction and overdose deaths, large doses of prescription opioids can have other adverse health effects. For example, prescription opioids are largely behind a 114 percent increase in the number of emergency department (ED) visits for pharmaceutical misuse or abuse.[6] High doses of opioids have also been associated with increased risks of falls and fractures[7] in the elderly. To help address the public health consequences of opioid overprescribing, medical groups have begun updating guidelines for how to properly treat both acute and non-cancerous chronic pain with opioids[8]. On December 14 2015, the CDC published for public comment new opioid prescribing guidelines for treating chronic, non-cancerous pain lasting more than three months.[9] These guidelines will have a significant impact on both pain physicians and primary care specialties, which account for nearly half of all dispensed opioid prescriptions[10]. Concerns about the overprescribing of opioids for treating both acute and chronic, non-cancerous, pain were raised by expert witnesses during a field hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, which convened in Pittsburgh, PA on October 14, 2015. In particular, one witness, who serves as the system director of pain medicine for a large health system in Southwestern Pennsylvania, testified that some pain management clinics had now replaced so-called ""pill mills"" as large prescribers of suspect quantities of narcotics. In addition, our offices have heard similar concerns from both public health experts and employees at clinical testing laboratories. Several testing labs told staff that between 30 and 40 percent of pain clinic patients had test results inconsistent with their prescribed course of treatment. Samples showed the presence of higher-than-prescribed quantities of opioids (indicating possible addiction), too few opioids (possible diversion), and positive test results for other illicit drugs (possible substance use disorder). This information raises significant questions about the quality of care chronic pain patients are receiving. To better understand the current delivery of care and the regulatory framework governing pain management clinics, we ask your agency to undertake a review of the following: 1. Please evaluate outcomes and quality measures used by pain management clinics. Examine rates of opioid prescribing at pain management clinics in comparison to other clinical settings, and give specific focus in your report to possible diversion, addiction, and adverse events, such as overdoses, fractures/falls, and emergency department visits, for pain management clinic patients. 2. Evaluate current state, and where applicable, federal statutory and regulatory guidelines that exist for pain management clinics, and how effective they are at curbing inappropriate prescribing. 3. Examine any questionable billing practices, especially in relationship to in-office laboratory drug tests. 4. Please review the rate of use of clinical prescribing and treatment guidelines by pain management clinicians. Note in your report any differences in morphine-equivalent dosage amongst clinical guidelines and the possible impact these have on outcomes. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. We look forward to reviewing your report as Congress continues to work on addressing this important issue. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-millions-in-funding-coming-to-pennsylvania-schools-and-students,Casey: Millions in Funding Coming to Pennsylvania Schools and Students,2015-12-22,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. As the Senate ended its legislative year with the passage of the sweeping Omnibus Bill, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced several education-based wins he advocated for in the legislation. Education is the ticket to the American dream for working families across Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, Senator Casey said. I am pleased that members of the Senate worked together to put our differences aside and do what is best for students and the future of our country. These accomplishments include: Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG):The bill provides $2.8 billion, a $326 million increase over FY15 levels, for CCDBG. In total, this program helps over 95,600 children, and their families in Pennsylvania every month, and Pennsylvania can expect to receive more than $183 million in fiscal year 2016. This increase will help states implement the health and safety improvements required by the CCDBG Act of 2014, while maintaining working families access to quality child care options. Preschool Development Grants:The bill provides $250 million for FY16. This is flat funding from FY15 after both the House and Senate versions of the bill eliminated the program entirely. Nearly 60,000 children in the U.S. would have lost access to preschool without this funding. Senator Casey led the bipartisan letter to appropriators on Preschool Development Grants. Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the Department of Education:The bill provides $107 million, an increase of $7 million over FY15 levels, for the OCR. OCR will be instrumental in implementing ESSA equity provisions and will be a significant player in implementing Senator Caseys Campus SAVE Act legislation. Head Start: The bill provides Head Start over $9.16 billion, an increase of $570 million over FY15 levels. This includes $141 million for cost-of living increases for grantees. The bill also includes $135 million for Early Head Start and $294 million to expand Head Start to full-day and full-year programs. Senator Casey led the letter to the appropriators on early childhood education, including Head Start and Early Head Start. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Preschool Grants & Part C - Grants for Infants and Families:Senator Casey led the letter to appropriators on early childhood education, including support for early intervention and students with disabilities. Title I:The bill provides $14.9 billion, an increase of $500 million from FY15, for Title I grants for low-income students. Over 60 percent of schools in Pennsylvania receive Title I funding. Pell Grants:The bill provides $22.475 billion for the Pell Grant program and it will maintain the maximum discretionary award at $4,860 for the 2016-2017 school year. Approximately 100,000 more students will be awarded Pell Grants in the 2016-2017 school year than in this current school year. TRIO:The bill provides $900 million, an increase of over $60 million from FY15, for the program to help low-income and first generation college students prepare for higher education. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/doyle-joins-local-officials-opening-carrie-furnace-flyover-ramp,Doyle Joins Local Officials in Opening Carrie Furnace Flyover Ramp,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Mike Doyle,D000482,doyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Pittsburgh, PA U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) joined state, county, and local officials today in celebrating the completion of the $14.5 million Carrie Furnace flyover ramp with a formal ribbon cutting. The flyover ramp connects the Rankin Bridge to the 168 acre Carrie Furnace site along the Monongahela River. The new ramp passes over three railway tracks and incorporates significant railroad crossing safety improvements. The completion of the flyover bridge marks a significant milestone in the site preparation and reclamation of the former steel yard. Up until now, access to this site has been limited by the railroad tracks, and that has hurt our efforts to redevelop it, Congressman Doyle said today. It was clear that providing better access to the site was essential in order to get it back into productive use. I contacted the Secretary of Transportation and expressed my strong support for the countys application for funding to building this flyover ramp, and I was very pleased when the county was awarded a $10 million grant in 2011. Now, with its completion, this site is ready for new economic activity. This ramp represents a significant step in the reclamation and redevelopment of this property because it offers direct access to over 100 acres of flat, riverfront land, said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. The investments made by Congressman Doyle, Senator Costa, Rep. Costa and the Redevelopment Authority were absolutely integral to the clean-up of this brownfield, and can be a boon to the surrounding communities as it begins to develop. The construction of the flyover bridge was made possible with a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant of $10 million that was championed by Congressman Mike Doyle. Additional funding was provided through Housing & Urban Development Community Development funds ($1.5 million) and the PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program ($3 million). Allegheny County purchased the Carrie Furnace site in 2005 for $5.75 million. In 2006, Carrie Furnaces Nos. 6 and 7 were designated as a National Historic Landmark. In the last decade, the county has completed environmental assessments of the property, finished design and engineering work needed to bring the site above the 100 year flood plain, and extended sanitary and storm water systems. Importation and grading of fill material has continued. Todays site has over 45 acres of pad ready for development, and 1,880 foot of the Carrie Furnace Boulevard constructed with an investment of nearly $32 million in improvements. The completion of this project marks a pivotal point for Pittsburgh and shows what progress we can make when we invest in our infrastructure and our communities, said Senator Jay Costa. This bridge does more than just connect portions of our city it is tangible evidence of how we can change lives through job creation and economic development when we work together to move Pa forward. Im pleased to support the efforts of everyone involved and offer my sincere thanks for a job well done. Activity on the Carrie Furnace site will continue as fill is imported for an additional 23 acres of pad ready development, extending the developable acreage up to the historic furnaces. There will also be continued construction of Carrie Furnace Boulevard to the far west end of the site and continued importation of fill and grading on the western side of the furnaces. Additionally, plans call for the remediation and eventual connection of the hot metal bridge to the site with bike and pedestrian trails continuing from the Waterfront. I commend Congressman Doyle and former Governor Ed Rendell for securing the funding for this long-awaited opportunity to redevelop what was once the signature landmark of Steel Valley, said Rep. Paul Costa. The opening of this flyover bridge moves this development forward and provides a great opportunity for Rankin and Swissvale to take advantage of this chance to grow and thrive along with the other communities along the Monongahela River. The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, which has managed the project, anticipates that a request for development proposals will be released now that the flyover construction is nearing completion. Overall, the site can absorb 1,000 jobs over the first 10 years within this proposed LEED-certified flex-office/light industrial park. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-releases-annual-christmas-message-third-district-constituents,Rep. Kelly Releases Annual Christmas Message to Third District Constituents,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Kelly Releases Annual Christmas Message to Third District Constituents Dec 21, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) released the enclosed video today as his annual Christmas greeting to the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Pennsylvania. The full video message can be viewed via YouTube here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/costello-op-ed-education-transportation-bipartisan-reforms,"Costello Op-Ed: Education, transportation bipartisan reforms",2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"As published in the Daily Local News https://bit.ly/1QBNaV0 Earlier this month, Congress completed work on two significant initiatives that will improve the quality of life for families in Pennsylvania for years to come. The bills a long-term, paid-for highway bill (The Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act) and a reform of federal K-12 education programs (the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)) were the product of a comprehensive effort to achieve a consensus on critical policy reforms. Furthermore, both received the support of nearly 80% of Members of the House making them truly bipartisan accomplishments. So aside from the fact that these two efforts passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support and have been signed into law by President Obama, what else do they have in common? Both laws reduce ineffective federal bureaucracy Each of these laws streamline the role of the federal government in transportation and education. The FAST Act consolidates at least six duplicative offices within the Department of Transportation (DOT) and ends redundant regulatory processes that slow down infrastructure project approval. Similarly, ESSA eliminates 49 ineffective or duplicative programs within the U.S. Department of Education and explicitly stops the federal government from imposing one-size-fits-all Common Core standards on our students. Unlike its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, ESSA sets forth unprecedented restrictions in law limiting the authority of the Secretary of Education. They return decision-making to the state and local levels The good news for local officials, stakeholders, and families is that instead of consolidating more power in Washington, DC, both laws return power back to state and local governments where it belongs. The FAST Act increases funding for projects in the Commonwealth by over $700 million and expands the amount of Surface Transportation Program funding available to local governments nationwide by 5 percent over the five-year duration of the bill. Likewise, it will change Amtraks funding structure to keep and reinvest passenger rail dollars spent on Amtraks Northeast Corridor along those specific lines. Instead of the U.S. Department of Education acting as a national School Board with the Secretary of Education as its President, ESSA takes steps to protect the rights of states to set their own standards, oversee school accountability, and shift curriculum control to schools and rather than requiring that schools teach to the test. Further, I was pleased that provisions I championed, which would give school districts flexibility to use federal resources to streamline and reduce unwanted tests, were included in the final law. They make a long-term investment in our future Finally, these laws provide our communities with much-needed certainty and stability. The FAST Act is the first long-term surface transportation bill to be signed into law in a decade. The five-year, fully paid for authorization targets funding to restore our crumbling infrastructure, including critical bridge and road repair projects both on and off the national highway system. Provisions I authored to mitigate congestion and improve the safety of Pennsylvania roadways and grade crossings were included in the final law. Likewise, ESSA is a long-term investment in our childrens future. This four-year bill will give our children the education tools needed to succeed and our teachers, administrators, and school districts the desired flexibility for success. Since January, I have made it a top priority to get these bills across the finish line, and I am pleased that day has finally come. Congressman Ryan Costello represents the 6th District",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-votes-no-on-omnibus-over-syrian-refugees,Barletta Votes No on Omnibus over Syrian Refugees,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today voted against the $1.1 trillion Omnibus spending bill, citing his grave concerns over its continued funding of the program allowing refugees from other countries, including Syria and Iraq, to enter the United States. In light of the terror attacks in San Bernardino and Paris, Barletta has proposed suspending the entire refugee program until thorough background checks and screenings can be reliably conducted. The Islamic State, or ISIS, has placed America atop its terror list, and has indicated it would use the refugee program to infiltrate the United States. The bill passed the House by a vote of 316-to-113. Barletta, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee who sits on the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, issued the following statement: Knowing what we know about the Islamic State and how it intends to continue its assault on Americans, I cannot support the continued funding of the refugee program, particularly for those coming from Syria and Iraq. This is an enormous national security problem, as the FBI and the Secretary of Homeland Security have told us that they have no real ability to conduct thorough background checks on those applying to be refugees. The 9/11 Commission Report taught us that terrorists want two things: to gain entry into the United States, and to be able to stay here. The refugee program is the perfect vehicle for those goals. Our national security system has to work correctly every single time, while terrorists only have to be right once. While we still have fundamental problems in the screening process, I believe we should call a timeout in the refugee program until we get it fixed. For these reasons, I voted emphatically against the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://meehan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/i-will-not-gamble-with-refinery-jobs,I Will Not Gamble with Refinery Jobs,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Pat Meehan,M001181,meehan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today opposed a government funding measure that would endanger thousands of jobs at refineries in southeastern Pennsylvania by lifting the decades-old ban on the export of crude oil. Theres a lot in this bill that I support and fought for, including a significant increase in NIH research funding, help for 9/11 responders, and a strengthened Land and Water Conservation Fund, said Congressman Meehan. But I will not gamble with refinery jobs and the families and communities they support. Generations of middle class families have depended on those refineries to help them put food on the table and their kids through school. Those jobs have been in jeopardy before, and they shouldnt be threatened again because of a policy change in Washington. The United States is still a net importer of crude oil, and every year we bring in millions of barrels of crude from overseas. Lifting the 40-year ban on exporting crude threatens to undermine our domestic refining industry and send gas prices at the pump higher. Already, U.S. oil prices have begun to rise in anticipation of lifting the ban. It will ultimately reduce our ability to meet our own energy needs. Meehan was a leader in the effort to protect jobs in the refining sector in 2011, when several of the Delaware River refining facilities were threatened with closure. Meehan led a bipartisan coalition made up of labor, management, lawmakers and public officials to find buyers for the then-ConocoPhillips refinery in Trainer and the Sunoco refinery in Philadelphia.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=760,Shuster Opposes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) released the following statement regarding his NO vote on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, also known as the omnibus spending bill on Friday morning. I opposed the House spending measure because it did not include many of the conservative policy reforms that my constituents sent me to Washington to fight for, and it was a missed opportunity to reduce the size of the federal government, said Congressman Shuster. We need to be committed to cutting wasteful spending and advancing the bold ideas and proposals that will not only make this nation better today but better for our future generations. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-supports-bill-responsibly-fund-government-increase-domestic-security-and,"Thompson Supports Bill to Responsibly Fund Government, Increase Domestic Security and Prevent Regulatory Overreach",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson (PA-05) voted in favor of funding the government through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2016 (Sept. 30, 2016). The measure passed the House by a vote of 316 to 113. Thompson issued the following statement after passage of the bill: Following yesterdays historic vote on tax reforms that will allow more Americans to keep their hard earned money, today the House has passed a bill to strengthen our national defense and responsibly fund government operations through the remainder of the Fiscal Year. In addition, the bill includes several policy changes, including reforms to the Visa Waiver Program, to ensure we are not allowing those who may intend to harm us into the country. We have also successfully lifted an outdated, 40 year-long moratorium on exporting domestically produced crude oil. Currently, the United States is the only oil producing country in the world with such a ban. Perhaps most importantly, the bill includes several measures to reduce fraud and abuse within government programs, increase transparency from federal agencies, and continues a process of reigning in regulatory abuses that have soared under this administration. I look forward to the Senate passing this measure later today and the President signing the bill into law this weekend.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1658,"Senator Toomey: Cannot Support Bloated, Irresponsible $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) voted today against the massive, year-end $1.1 trillion spending legislation. In spite of bipartisan opposition, the Senate passed the legislation 65 - 33. His statement follows. ""It is outrageous that Congress pushed through a bloated, $1.1 trillion spending bill that was crafted behind closed doors, is filled with special interest giveaways, and will continue Washington's addiction to overspending and fiscal irresponsibility. ""It is also disappointing that Congress is forced to vote on such a giant, every-thing-but-the-kitchen-sink proposal at the eleventh hour because Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked efforts to allow spending bills to reach the Senate floor individually, so we could have a more orderly and transparent appropriations process. ""One of the few bright spots is that this legislation does include some bipartisan proposals that I have championed for years and will help create jobs in Pennsylvania. It includes a key part of my bill with Sen. Menendez that would make it easier for small businesses to expand and grow by allowing them to expense equipment purchases. It also fosters innovation by making permanent the research and development tax credit. ""I am pleased the bill suspends the harmful medical device tax, which I have been fighting to repeal for five years. I am optimistic this provision suggests that there's real hope that Congress will permanently eliminate this onerous tax. ""The bill allocates an amount consistent with my legislation to ensure crime victims get the appropriate distribution from the Crime Victims Fund and permits the disbursal of a record $2.6 billion to assist victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes. The measure provides needed health care to the heroic 9-11 responders and increases funding for Alzheimer's research - both of which I support. ""Finally, it's good news the bill strengthens our nation's military by providing sufficient funds for our troops, increased readiness, and overseas operations and it increases funds for veterans care and services, all of which I have consistently supported."" ""But on balance, this bill is not worthy of support as it -- Continues out-of-control overspending adding to our nation's deficit by $50 billion with such wasteful projects as $65 million for salmon restoration and $130 million to promote and develop fishery products, $123 million for sustainable landscape programs, $168 million for the World Bank's Global Environment Facility, and the list goes on; Funds the Obama Administration's plan to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees without an effective vetting process, $100 million for refugee resettlement; Continues federal funding of sanctuary cities; Expands wasteful tax credits by billions of dollars for wind and solar projects; and Fails to reauthorize effective school choice program beyond 2016, threatening to return poor children to failing schools. ""Moreover, the bill calls for fully funding the implementation of damaging federal regulations including: Allowing unnecessary, job-killing water regulations, which are hurting Pennsylvania farmers and homebuilders, to take effect and maintaining the over regulation of our state's coal industry Increasing the Federal Communications Commission's control over the internet; and Continuing the Department of Labor's red tape that makes investing more costly to savers. ""Since President Obama has been in office, the federal government has piled up $8 trillion in new debt, which is an unsustainable burden that we are passing along to our children and grandchildren. The overspending in Washington must be stopped before we do more harm to our economy and future generations. I therefore cannot support this overstuffed trillion dollar bill and will continue fighting for a more transparent, responsible appropriations process next year."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-boyle-votes-omnibus-appropriations-bill-makes-critical,"Congressman Boyle Votes for Omnibus Appropriations Bill that makes Critical Investments in Renewable Energy, Education, Health Care, Research and Development, Law Enforcement, and Early Learning",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13) voted with many colleagues in the House to adopt, by a vote of 316 to 113, the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This measure funds the government until October 2016. Today I voted to avert a disastrous Republican government shutdown and to make vital investments in the future of Americas working families, Congressman Boyle said. The bill implements the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that was adopted by Congress in October. The bill is not perfect; it is a bipartisan compromise. It is not the bill I would have written, but it is huge victory for working families over the Republican Congresss special interest priorities. In this Omnibus package, Democrats won enormous improvements over the destructive FY 2016 appropriations bills Republicans wrote earlier this year, Congressman Boyle pointed out. For most of this year, Republicans have been trying to make devastating cuts to our investments in the future of our hard-working American families cuts that would kill jobs and weaken our economic growth. For example, the House GOP bill would have slashed education initiatives by $2.5 billion below 2015 and also cut HHS funding below the 2015 level. In stark contrast, this final bill makes strong investments in areas that will create jobs and grow the economy, such as renewable energy, education, research, and infrastructure. I am deeply disappointed that Republicans insisted on helping Big Oil in this vital package of legislation by including a provision to lift the crude oil export ban, Mr. Boyle added. However, in exchange for Republicans desperation to lift the ban, Democrats were able to secure many environmental protections and other victories for Americas working families throughout the package. In addition to purging the bill of scores of Republican poison pill policy riders, Democrats extended wind and solar tax credits that will eliminate around ten times more carbon pollution than exporting our oil will add. The bills investments in priorities include the following: Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Overall Education: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students. Early Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country. Medical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research. Infrastructure: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million. Law Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants, an increase over the House bill. The measure also does not include numerous GOP ideological riders that would have had damaging impacts on Americas women, consumers, workers, and children. The damaging GOP poison pill riders that were removed from the final bill include: GOP riders that would have limited womens access to the full range of comprehensive health care services, including by defunding Planned Parenthood. GOP riders that would have gutted the Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable. GOP riders that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, jeopardizing the health of our children and working families. GOP riders that would have blocked moving forward on addressing climate change and reducing damaging carbon emissions. GOP riders that would have blocked protections that allow workers to form unions and help them save for retirement. Finally, the Omnibus includes several other important provisions: Reauthorizes the key James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years; Delays the so-called Cadillac tax, a tax on employer-provided health plans worth over a certain threshold, for two years from 2018 to 2020; Includes the provisions of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which addresses issues raised by the terrorist attacks in Paris with reforms to the program; and Reauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund, which is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs and which Republicans allowed to expire on September 30. By passing this bill, Congress has ended the specter of a possible Republican government shutdown that the country has been facing all fall, concluded Congressman Boyle. I hope that the Republicans will now abandon their practice of creating one manufactured crisis after another and join Democrats in developing bipartisan legislation that creates jobs, strengthens the middle class, and enhances our national security. The enactment of this bill today can be one step in moving the country forward.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-bill-protect-americans-tax-hikes,House Passes Bill to Protect Americans from Tax Hikes,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 2029: the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act by a wide bipartisan vote of 318-109. The PATH Act will provide families and businesses with the certainty they need and put more money back in the pockets of hard working American taxpayers. Some key provisions that Costello has promoted over the past year, which are included in the PATH Act: Conservation Easement Tax Incentive: The conservation easement tax incentive provides Pennsylvania landowners and taxpayers with the ability to donate land and property for conservation and historic preservation efforts. The conservation easement tax incentive is made permanent in the PATH Act. As a co-chair of the Congressional Land Conservation Caucus (LCC) and a cosponsor of H.R. 641: the Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2015, Costello has been a strong advocate for a permanent extension of the conservation easement tax incentive. Medical Device Tax: The PATH Act includes a two year suspension of the 2.3% excise tax on medical device manufacturers and importers that was implemented in 2013 aspart of the Affordable Care Act. The medical device tax has raised the cost of healthcare and adversely affected Pennsylvania jobs and medical innovation. Since Day One, Costello has been an original cosponsor of H.R. 1160: the Protect Medical Innovation Act to repeal the medical device tax and called for its repeal on the House floor in January. Educator Tax Deduction: The PATH Act permanently extends the deduction for K-12 teacher classroom expenses and includes professional development as a deductible expense. Educators in Pennsylvania and nationwide spend nearly $1.5 billion of their own money on classroom supplies and professional development. Costello is a cosponsor of H.R. 2940, the Educator Tax Relief Act, which calls for the educator tax deductions permanence. Charitable Giving. The PATH Act promotes charitable giving by making permanent certain tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes, including contributions of food inventory to food banks. Costello is a cosponsor of H.R. 637: the Permanent IRA Charitable Contribution Act, in support of these efforts. Small Business Relief. Included in the PATH Act is permanent extension of a key small business provisions including the R&D tax credit and Section 179 expensing. Costello is a cosponsor of both H.R. 880: the American Research and Competitiveness Act and H.R. 636: The American Small Business Tax Relief Act to make these tax provisions permanent. IRS Reform. The PATH Act includes critical reforms to protect taxpayers and hold the IRS and its employees accountable, including: The ability to fire IRS employees who take politically motivated actions against taxpayers Requiring IRS employees to respect the taxpayer bill of rights. Prohibiting IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business. Following passage of the PATH Act, Congressman Ryan Costello released the following statement: The PATH Act is a significant milestone that will strengthen our economy and communities by providing PA-06 families and small businesses with certainty and relief they deserve. It will ensure that hardworking American taxpayers keep more of their hard earned dollars and not be burdened by immediate and significant tax increases. Importantly, this legislation paves the way for Congress to consider historic reforms to simplify and fix our broken tax code. Costello highlighted the conservation easement tax incentive: Our region has a rich history of conservation and historic preservation, so I am particularly pleased that the conservation easement tax incentive was included in the final passage. This measure will promote the continued preservation of Southeastern Pennsylvania historic lands for generations to come. Molly Morrison, President, Natural Lands Trust, commended the conservation easement tax incentive provision: Choosing to preserve ones land for the benefit of future generations is a remarkably selfless act. For years, the conservation easement tax incentive has enabled many more landowners to make that choice and we are thrilled that the incentive is now permanent. We extend our sincere thanks to Congressman Costello, his predecessor Jim Gerlach, and the many other members of the Pennsylvania delegation who have been steadfast supporters of this vital conservation tool. Farmers will benefit from the PATH Act, as tax provisions like Section 179 small business expensing, will help farmers free up needed cash flow so they can reinvest in their businesses and make improvements on the farm that reduce costs, increase efficiency and make the farm more financially sound for the next generation on the family farm, said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert. The PA Farm Bureau would like to thank Congressman Costello for his efforts in securing passage on the PATH Act. Costello also applauded the suspension of the medical device tax: Since arriving to Congress, I have made it a priority to repeal the medical device tax that has blunted the growth of innovation, investment, and jobs at companies across Southeastern Pennsylvania. There are almost 600 medical device companies that employ over 20,000 Pennsylvanians in good, high paying jobs.Because of the suspension of the medical device tax these companies and innovators will have the certainty to continue to grow. More on the PATH Act here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-comprehensive-appropriations-measure,House Passes Comprehensive Appropriations Measure,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the U. S. House of Representatives passed the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation to provide discretionary funding for the federal government through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016. Congressman Costello released the following statement: There are some items included in the bill I do not like and there are some provisions that I wouldve liked to see included. However, the good outweighs the bad, including an increased commitment to the NIH and medical innovation; delay of ObamaCares punitive Cadillac tax on high-quality health plans; prevention of a taxpayer bailout of ObamaCares risk corridorprogram; reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund; increased funding and support for rail safety and positive train control; keeping terrorists out of our country by strengthening the visa waiver program; permanently reauthorizing benefits for 9/11 first responders; and lifting the antiquated ban on oil exports that will create an estimated one million jobs in nearly every state. Passage of this legislation is yet another step towards building a pro-growth economy for families and businesses in my district, and above all, it keeps our government operating and at work for the American people. Molly Morrison, President, Natural Lands Trust, applauded the reauthorization of the LWCF: From countless community parks, playgrounds, and trails, to iconic historic and natural gems like Valley Forge National Historic Park and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has improved the lives of everyone in our region. While there is still a need for permanent reauthorization of LWCF, the short-term extension and increased funding announced today is a big step in the right direction. We are fortunate to have representatives in Congress like Rep. Costello who understand the importance of continuing to invest in our quality of life. ""Farmers across Pennsylvania are embracing parts of the new spending plan, which includes key measures to help farmers remain economically viable and help them become even better stewards of their land,"" said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert. ""Farm Bureau would like to thank Congressman Costello for his efforts in securing passage on the omnibus bill."" Key provisions included in the appropriations bill: Invests in Biomedical Research & Health Programs Increases critical funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and leading efforts to find cures for cancer and Alzheimers disease. Funds critical disease prevention and bio-defense research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Boosts assistance to state and local governments to support mental health and substance abuse treatment, child care, and community health centers. Supports our Veterans Provides a 10 percent increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure our veterans receive health, job, and other benefits. Costello is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Supports 770 new staff to address the claims processing backlog. Increases oversight at the VA to ensure veterans are receiving the benefits and care they need and to protect taxpayer dollars. Expands whistleblower protections to ensure VA staff have the same protections as other VA employees. Helps end veterans homelessness by supporting new and existing VASH vouchers. Protects our Natural Resources Provides increased funding for Interior and Environment programs. Reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through September 2018 with 50% of funds directed to state and local recreation, conservation and battlefield protection programs. Costello has been a vocal supporter of permanent reauthorization of the LWCF. Provides the necessary funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including the funding for state and wildlife grant programs. Provides funding for the National Parks Service, including funds to reduce the maintenance backlog and for services related to the Centennial. Blocks Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overreach Keeps our Homeland Secure Includes H.R. 158, Visa Waiver Program to strengthen vulnerabilities and tighten security requirements in the visa process. Increases funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve security and law enforcement efforts to keep our nation and citizens safe. Provides funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to strengthen enforcement of immigration, including funding to combat human trafficking, child exploitation and to expand visa vetting capabilities. Funds cybersecurity operations to improve and protect our networks from cyberattacks and cyberespionage. Strengthens aviation security. Supports September 11th First Responders Strengthens National Security and Military Readiness Provides the essential funding for men and women in uniform to successfully carry out their missions within the budget caps. Funds International Security Aid that will address anti-terrorism programs to prevent the travel foreign fighters and fight illicit financing networks. Fully funds our commitment to our most critical ally in the Middle East, Israel. Prohibits the transfer of detainees out of Guantanamo Bay. Strengthens our Education System Funds for Early Childhood Education and Care. Expands maximum Pell Grant award. Provides additional $415 million in special education grants to states. Repeals the Antiquated Oil Export Ban Ends the 1975 ban on oil exports and would create an estimated 1 million American jobs in nearly all 50 states and generate more than 1 million barrels daily. A full summary of the legislation can be found here. Read the entire bill here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=28428568-6D00-49AE-8F21-052B6247FDDD,Dent: Omnibus Bill Provides Needed Budgetary Stability,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Charlie Dent,D000604,dent.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today the House passed the negotiated Omnibus Budget agreement by a vote of 316 to 113. Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) released the following statement regarding the passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act: Today Congress provided much needed stability for the American people by passing a budget agreement that funds the military and federal agencies through the end of September 2016. Americans have grown tired of the self-imposed cliffs and crises that have been manufactured by politicians who take an all or nothing approach to governing, and this bipartisan bill offers certainty for the year ahead. This bill relieves the fiscal chokehold that had been imposed on our military and provides the funds necessary to allow us to effectively fight and destroy ISIS and protect our communities here at home. Also included in this omnibus bill is a provision that lifts the outdated ban on the export of American crude oil. This measure alone will result in the creation at least 300,000 new jobs including an estimated more than 13,000 in Pennsylvania alone and is projected to add $38 billion to our economy. This is an important victory for our economy that will allow U.S. businesses to compete within the global marketplace and support our allies by providing them with a secure and reliable energy source. Additionally, the omnibus includes a provision to meet and care for the lingering health woes faced by victims and First Responders as a result of the 9/11 attacks. This provision will help a number of Pennsylvanian citizens who answered the call and worked at Ground Zero in the months after the Towers fell. The bill also protects taxpayers from damaging Obamacare taxes, funds critical medical research programs, prevents the imposition of retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods, and stops the Administration from advancing its efforts to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil. I am pleased that Congress could come together in such an overwhelming manner to pass this bill and provide positive benefits and certainty for American families, military personnel, veterans, farmers and job creators.____________________________________________________________ CONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=94DE7A71-3199-441E-B9B2-F92E3BD2FAE5,Dents Pro-Veteran Legislation Advances with Bipartisan Support,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Charlie Dent,D000604,dent.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) Representative Charlie Dent, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, released the following statement upon House passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2016. The bill (House Amendment #1 to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2029) was advanced by the House of Representatives through a bipartisan vote of 316 113. Today the House delivered on its promise to care for our nations veterans, servicemembers, and military families by providing an unprecedented level of funding for veteran services and healthcare. This bill will deliver a 9.8% increase for VA medical care, which includes a $4.7 billion increase for VA medical services in order to allow for approximately 7 million veterans to receive the high quality care and treatments that they have earned through their service and sacrifices. Among its highlights, this bill will make a minimum of $1.5 billion available for Hepatitis C treatments and cures within the next year; increase stipends for family caregivers of seriously injured post-9/11 veterans by more than 25% over the current levels; give the VA the funding it needs to help treat mental health care and reduce the prevalence of veteran suicide and homelessness; increase funding for traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatments; and move the VA closer to the establishment of an interoperable electronic health record system. The bill will also ensure that veteran disability compensation and pension programs remain funded for the 5.2 million veterans and their survivors that depend on them, allow post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to continue for over 935,000 veterans, and grant vocational rehabilitation and employment training for more than 137,000 veterans. VA mandatory programs like these will also enjoy the security of being advance-funded for Fiscal Year 2017 for the first time ever in order to provide our veterans and their families with the assurance that they will be cared for in the event of any broader lapse in government funding. To address the VAs disability claims and appeals backlogs, the bill increases funding for processing disability claims by $173 million, provides the Board of Veterans Appeals with an $11 million increase, and supports further staff to focus specifically on working through these claims and appeals. This legislation also increases oversight of the VA and expands whistleblower protections in order to reduce and rebuke mismanagement at VA offices, medical centers, and construction projects. Finally, this act will enhance our militarys readiness, strengthen our global defense posture, and support our troops and their families at home and abroad by providing a 21 percent increase for military construction projects. Such initiatives will ensure quality housing remains available for nearly two million military families, maintain our military medical facilities, and strengthen our National Guard and Reserve facilities here at home. These provisions have long enjoyed broad bipartisan support, and I am proud to have led the efforts to provide our veterans with this historic level of care. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our veterans and our men and women in uniform in Pennsylvania and around the world. ____________________________________________________________ CONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/standing-principle,Standing on Principle,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Tom Marino,M001179,marino.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C.Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10) issued the following statement regarding his opposition to H.R. 2029-Consolidated Appropriations Act or was has been referred to as the omnibus spending bill: I voted against this bill for many of the same reasons I voted against the budget deal in October. This is a massive spending measure with $50 billion in additional spending. America cannot continue this trend. I have continuously championed smaller and simpler legislation or what I call single subject bills because there are several items within this legislation which I believe to be vital. However, many of these items appear to be carrots dangling from sticks meant to entice Members into voting for a bill that ultimately includes more spending that our constituents oppose. Enough is enough. On top of more irresponsible spending, this bill does nothing to halt the resettlement of Syrian refugees and omits any measures to curb spending for Planned Parenthood. In addition, several measures I have championed as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, including efforts to stop the overreaching regulations like the Clean Power Plan and Waters of the United States (WOTUS), and halt the Justice Departments practice of funneling forced settlement payments to activist third-party groups, were all excluded. While there may be several measures within this massive legislation I do agree with, such as the reauthorization of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program, the negative aspects of this bill are too egregious to support. Hence, why the many of these more agreeable measures should have been stand-alone bills. It is my hope that Speaker Ryan will continue to push the House towards regular order so that bills brought before the House can better reflect the priorities of the House Majority and the Americans we represent. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-opposes-massive-omnibus-spending-bill-champions-regular-order,"Rothfus Opposes Massive Omnibus Spending Bill, Champions Regular Order",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after opposing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (H.R. 2029), which provides $1.149 trillion to fund the federal government through September 30, 2016: This is not governing. For several years now, I have been on record criticizing trillion dollar catch-all spending bills that run thousands of pages and do not allow for amendment by the American peoples elected representatives. Todays omnibus is the fourth omnibus I have been asked to vote for since I came to Congress. I have urged Congressional leadership and my fellow members to follow regularorder, which would end omnibuses. I introduced legislation that would hold members of Congress accountable if we fail to pass appropriations bills on time, said Congressman Rothfus. Under our Constitution, Congress has the authority to spend federal tax dollars, and to condition how these funds are spent.Todays omnibus fundamentally disenfranchised the American people.In the first instance, this bill spends billions more in domestic programs thatPresident Obama demanded as a condition to adequately fund our military. An appropriate compromise would be for the President, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid to agree to some Republican requests on how the money would be spent. They rejected concerns that the majority of Americans have. Among the other problems with this bill, it does not suspend the reckless plans of the President to resettle Syrian refugees who have not been properly vetted in the United States.Further, the spending in this bill threatens the continued destruction of Americas coal industry, which supports thousands of jobs in Western Pennsylvania.Nor does this bill protect the freedom of conscience for people of faith who do not want to be coerced into facilitating abortion, Rothfus continued. The alternative would be to pass a short-term continuing resolution to provide Congress necessary time to vote on these and other individual line items and send individual bills to the Presidents desk. Congress should have rejected this deal and gotten back to work, Rothfus added. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-harrisburg-isis-arrest,Barletta Statement on Harrisburg ISIS Arrest,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued a statement regarding the FBIs arrest of a 19-year-old suspect in Harrisburg, accused of aiding and spreading propaganda for the terrorist organization ISIS, or the Islamic State. Barletta is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and sits on the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. The statement is as follows: I commend the FBI for their fine work in this case, which underscores what we know already about how the Islamic State prefers to conduct its business. They will take advantage of those who sympathize with them, or have been radicalized, whether they are American citizens or new arrivals to this country. ISIS has said, American blood is the best, and we will taste it soon. And I believe them. There are so many gaping holes in our national security system that now is the worst time possible to be throwing open our doors, when we cannot know for sure who it is that we are letting in. There are flaws in our screening process, problems with our visa programs, and serious failings in our refugee program. I repeat my opposition to allowing Syrian refugees into the country and Pennsylvania while we still are unable to properly screen the applicants. We should also be taking care to monitor social media channels, because we know it is the preferred method of communication for aspiring terrorists like the one captured today. Our law enforcement professionals did an exemplary job with this arrest, but it is a reminder that they must get it right every single time in order to keep Americans safe. Terrorists only need to get it right once.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-statement-on-tax-extenders-legislation,Barletta Statement on Tax Extenders Legislation,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today voted in favor of legislation that makes permanent many tax provisions and extends others, preventing a tax increase for millions of Americans. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act achieves certainty for individuals and businesses by extending or making permanent 55 provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that expired on December 31, 2014 and extending other policies for two and five years. The bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 318-to-109. Among the tax policies made permanent for individuals were: Enhanced Child Tax Credit. Enhanced American Opportunity Tax Credit (for post-secondary education). Enhanced Earned Income Credit. $250 deduction for K-12 teachers for school supplies (indexed for inflation). Charitable giving incentives (food inventory, conservation easements, and IRA charitable rollover). State and local sales tax deduction. Among the tax policies made permanent for businesses were: Research and Development Tax Credit. Section 179 Expensing (helps cyclical businesses like farming and construction invest in new property and equipment). Active financing exemption. 15-year recovery for leasehold and restaurant improvements. Charitable contributions of S corporations. 5-year recognition period for S corporation built-in-gains. The Medical Device Tax contained in Obamacare has been delayed by two years, helping device makers, their employees, and consumers. In addition, the legislation reins in the IRS and protects taxpayers by: Firing IRS employees who take politically-motivated actions against taxpayers. Requiring IRS employees to respect the taxpayer bill of rights. Prohibiting IRS employees from using personal email accounts for official business. Barletta issued the following statement: This is very good news for anyone who works for a living, cares about their family, and pays taxes. These extensions and permanent changes provide real tax relief for Americans, providing them with certainty moving forward, that the deductions and credits they are used to getting will still be there for them. On the business side, we are recognizing that the best thing government can do is to create an atmosphere where they can reinvest and create jobs. This is a jobs bill and a quality of life bill for American taxpayers. Postponing the Medical Device Tax helps manufacturers, employees, and customers who rely on devices like pacemakers. We also rein in the IRS, which for too long has been terrorizing citizens for its own political agenda. This is a tremendous first step toward meaningful and comprehensive reform of our tax code.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-major-legislation-prevent-tax-increases,House Passes Major Legislation to Prevent Tax Increases,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan package includes 9 bills introduced by Rep. Kelly WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) a member of the House Ways and Means Committee issued the following statement today in praise of H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives this afternoon by 318-109. The bipartisan legislation makes permanent more than 20 tax relief provisions, extends for five years or two years a number of other tax relief provisions which expired at the end of calendar year 2014, provides for a two-year moratorium on the medical device tax within the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and includes a number of additional tax policy changes. It includes provisions originally introduced as nine separate bills by Rep. Kelly. Statement by Rep. Kelly: Todays legislation is a massive achievement for hardworking American taxpayers, small businesses, and our entire nations economy. It protects millions of families and job creators from imminent tax increases and restores both certainty and clarity to our outdated tax code, while paving the way for comprehensive tax reform to make the code fairer and simpler. It also changes the law to better protect Americans from further abuse at the hands of the IRS. Im especially glad this package contains numerous provisions that I personally fought to include for the sake of creating jobs, restoring economic growth, and protecting hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Full List of Kelly Provisions Permanent Provisions: Section 111: An extension and modification of special rule for contributions of capital gain real property made for conservation purposes. This provision permanently extends the charitable deduction for contributions of real property for conservation purposes. The provision also permanently extends the enhanced deduction for certain individual and corporate farmers and ranchers. The provision modifies the deduction beginning in 2016 to permit Alaska Native Corporations to deduct donations of conservation easements up to 100 percent of taxable income. Originally introduced as H.R. 641, the Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2015 Section 121: As part of the Research & Development permanent extension (Section 121), this provision states that beginning in 2016 eligible small businesses ($50 million or less in gross receipts) may claim the credit against alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability, and the credit can be utilized by certain small businesses against the employers payroll tax (i.e., FICA) liability. Originally introduced H.R. 3058, the Innovator Job Creation Act of 2015 Section 123: An extension of 15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant buildings and improvements, and qualified retail improvements. This provision permanently extends the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. Originally introduced as H.R. 765, the Restaurant and Retail Jobs and Growth Act of 2015 Two-Year Provisions: Section 164: An extension of qualified zone academy bonds. This provision authorizes the issuance of $400 million of qualified zone academy bonds during 2016. The bond proceeds are used for school renovations, equipment, teacher training, and course materials at a qualified zone academy, provided that private entities have promised to donate certain property and services to the academy with a value equal to at least 10 percent of the bond proceeds. Originally introduced as H.R. 3703, the Investing in 21st Century Schools Act Section 181: An extension and modification of credit for nonbusiness energy property. This provision extends through 2016 the credit for purchases of nonbusiness energy property. The provision allows a credit of 10 percent of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy improvements, up to $500. Originally introduced as H.R. 2517, the Powering American Jobs Act of 2015 Section 182: An extension of credit for alternative fuel vehicle refuelingproperty. This provision extends through 2016 the credit for the installation of non-hydrogen alternative fuel vehicle refueling property. (Under current law, hydrogen-related property is eligible for the credit through 2016.) Taxpayers are allowed a credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of the installation of the qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property. Originally introduced as H.R. 2517, the Powering American Jobs Act of 2015 Section 185: An extension of biodiesel and renewable diesel incentives. This provision extends through 2016 the existing $1.00 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel and biodiesel mixtures, and the small agri-biodiesel producer credit of 10 cents per gallon. The provision also extends through 2016 the $1.00 per gallon production tax credit for diesel fuel created from biomass. The provision extends through 2016 the fuel excise tax credit for biodiesel mixtures. Originally introduced as H.R. 2517, the Powering American Jobs Act of 2015 Section 342: An excise tax credit equivalency for liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas. This provision converts the measurement of the alternative fuel excise tax credit for liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas from 50 cents per gallon to 50 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel fuel, which is approximately 29 cents per gallon for liquefied natural gas and approximately 36 cents per gallon for liquefied petroleum gas. The provision is effective for fuel sold or used after 2015. Originally introduced as H.R. 898, the Energy Production Fairness Act Miscellaneous Provisions: Section 309: Prevention of the extension of the tax collection period for members of the Armed Forces who are hospitalized as a result of combat zone injuries. This provision requires that the collection period for members of the Armed Forces hospitalized for combat zone injuries may not be extended by reason of any period of continuous hospitalization or the 180 days after hospitalization. Accordingly, the collection period expires 10 years after assessment, plus the actual time spent in a combat zone. The provision applies to taxes assessed before, on, or after the date of the enactment. Originally introduced as H.R. 2572, the Wounded Warrior Tax Equity Act of 2015 Section 332: Removal of bond requirements and extending filing periods for certain taxpayers with limited excise tax liability. This provision allows producers of alcohol that reasonably expect to be liable for not more than $50,000 per year in alcohol excise taxes to pay such taxes on a quarterly basis rather than twice per month (and those reasonably expecting to be liable for not more than $1,000 per year to pay such taxes annually, rather than on a quarterly basis). The provision also exempts such producers from bonding requirements with the IRS. The provision is effective 90 days after the date of enactment. Originally introduced as H.R. 2238, the Craft Beverage Bond Simplification Act of 2015 Tax Administration: Section 403: Release of information regarding the status of certain investigations. This provision allows taxpayers who have been victimized by the IRS, for example, through the unauthorized disclosure of private tax information, to find out basic facts, such as whether the case is being investigated or whether the case has been referred to the Justice Department for prosecution. The provision applies to disclosures made on or after the date of enactment. Originally introduced as H.R. 1026, the Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigation Act NOTE: More information about the PATH Act can be found here and here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/icymi-rep-kelly%E2%80%99s-office-hosts-medal-ceremony-world-war-ii-veteran-erie,Rep. Kellys Office Hosts Medal Ceremony for World War II Veteran in Erie,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"101 year-old veteran of five European campaigns awarded French Legion of Honor WATCH NEWS REPORT HERE WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) hosted a ceremony yesterday at Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie, PA, at which Master Sergeant Allison Taylor of Erie was presented the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service in World War II. Erie Times-News: Seventy years have passed since Allison Taylor, who was drafted into the U.S. Army in World War II, left behind the battlefields of Europe -- places like Normandy, Rhineland and Ardennes. Taylor, now 101 and a resident of the Pennsylvania Soldiers' & Sailors' Home in Erie, was reminded Wednesday of the importance of his service. And Taylor, who received the Bronze Star Medal for his service, also was reminded that the nation of France counts itself among the grateful. Surrounded by friends, family and members of the military, Taylor was presented with the Legion of Honor by Jean-Dominique Le Garrec, the Honorary French Consul, as an outreach of the Ambassador of France to the United States. ""I love it so much, I can't speak,"" said Taylor of the award. ""I just tried to help everybody,"" he said of his military service. He'll be 102 Dec. 23. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., whose office hosted the medal ceremony, praised Taylor in a statement as a ""national treasure."" Erie News Now: Eries Soldiers and Sailors oldest resident, Al Taylor, received a prestigious award. At the age of 101, Al was honored with the French Chevalier of the Legion of Honor Award. This award is given to veterans serving in World War II. However, the veteran has to have served on French territory. French Honorary Consul Jean Dominique Le-Garrec presented the award to Al. Something his nephew, Chaplain Ken Fails says, I don't believe this honor could mean more to our family. We're very, very proud of him."" Fails heard about the award through various Soldiers and Sailors events, he then enlisted the help of Representative Mike Kelly. ""One thing led to another, and I had a lot of help from Congressman Mike Kelly, and his staff. They expedited it so quickly, please realize he's a [101], we didn't have much time. And that's why I'm so glad he's made it this far to enjoy this honor. He's eating this up like crazy."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://meehan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-relief-bill-a-bipartisan-win-for-pennsylvania-families,Tax Relief Bill A Bipartisan Win for Pennsylvania Families,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Pat Meehan,M001181,meehan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today supported House passage of bipartisan tax relief legislation that will prevent pending tax increases on millions of American taxpayers. The legislation passed today with the support of Republicans and Democrats by a vote of 318-109. Meehan spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation this afternoon. This legislation is a bipartisan win for middle-class Pennsylvania families, said Congressman Meehan. It makes permanent the tax credit for research and development, which will expand life-saving research and create good-paying jobs in the life sciences in our region. It delays the harmful Obamacare tax on medical devices like pacemakers and heart valves that drives up costs for patients and stifles innovation. And it includes a number of provisions that will help small businesses expand and invest in new equipment and technology. These provisions are key to job creation and economic growth in our area. It also makes permanent the charitable deduction for property donated for conservation. These conservation easements preserve open space and will help our communities protect Pennsylvanias scenic farmlands and woodlands. The bill makes permanent the deduction for elementary and high school teachers who pay out of their own pockets for supplies their students need in their classrooms. And it makes permanent enhancements to the earned income tax credit, which benefits more than 900,000 low- and middle-income families in Pennsylvania. The bill includes important protections and reforms that will aid taxpayers in their dealings with the IRS. It contains my legislation which gives non-profits the right to appeal a denial of tax-exempt status. Making these tax provisions permanent gives certainty to taxpayers as they try to plan for the future. Its another bipartisan victory that will expand jobs and opportunity for hardworking taxpayers, Meehan said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=759,Major Tax Cuts Made Permanent,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) helped pass the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act on Thursday. This legislation prevents dozens of tax increases from hitting Pennsylvanias families and small businesses. Since I entered Congress, I have been committed to lowering the financial burden on families and businesses across the 9th District, said Congressman Shuster. This legislation achieves that by permanently preventing several tax increases from going into effect and extending other tax cuts that will allow for more certainty and income that can be used to bolster the economy instead of paying for more wasteful Washington spending. The PATH Act, which will prevent a significant immediate tax increase on millions of Americans, makes permanent dozens of temporary tax cuts including the research and development tax credit that encourages incentives for innovation and also provisions that provide small businesses and farmers tax relief. Its also a win for small businesses as they will now be able to plan and adjust their budgets and new investments accordingly due to finally having the certainty that these tax extensions will now be permanent or extended for several years. Also included in the PATH Act are several provisions that are part of the Houses continued efforts to rein in the IRS. This includes language to allow for the firing of IRS employees that are making politically motivated actions like we saw under former IRS director Lois Lerner. Time wont heal the trust that the IRS broke with this nations citizens when they knowingly and purposely targeted people based on their political beliefs, continued Shuster. Its essential that we included measures in this tax package that allows for holding IRS employees accountable for their violations. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-congressman-boyle-s-legislation-waiving,House Passes Congressman Boyles Legislation Waiving First Responder Passport Fees,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC- Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-13) was proud to see the U.S. House of Representatives pass bipartisan, common-sense legislation that he introduced with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA-49) to waive passport fees for first responders traveling abroad to help in disaster areas. The legislation passed by a vote of 421 to 2, and will now be referred to the Senate for consideration. He also delivered remarks on the House floor in support of his legislation. Here is a link to video to the Congressmans floor speech: https://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=c39fb04d-5566-4b48-82e3-dd0d922b047e Here is a transcript of the Congressmans statements on the floor: Congressman Boyle: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this measure. And I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, my colleague and friend from California Mr. Issa, and my fellow Foreign Affairs committee colleagues for their unanimous support in helping our first responders answer the call of service when a natural disaster strikes abroad. Every year, Americans bravely go abroad to help victims of natural disasters in foreign lands, such as the 2010 earthquakes in Haiti, the 2008 cyclones in Yemen, and 2015 hurricane Patricia in Mexico, just to name a few. Earlier this year, the world was shocked by the images of Nepals 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed over 8,600 people and injured over 16,800. The United States was one of the largest donors to the relief and rebuilding efforts in the wake of this catastrophe through charitable donations, DOD, contributions, and search and rescue operation and relief efforts. U.S. search and rescue teams searched for survivors trapped in debris. These first responders continuously put their lives on the line at home and abroad. Mr. Speaker, this is an example of American leadership. Their bravery and efforts do not go unnoticed. We should do all we can to make their endeavors easier. Unfortunately, American contractors and volunteers, despite being coordinated by USAID, are subject to passport fees at their own expense when attempting to travel abroad in response to these disasters. To alleviate this obstacle, H.R. 3750, the First Responders Passport Act would allow the Secretary of State to grant their passports free of charge. I am proud to have introduced this common-sense bill with my colleague, Mr. Issa from California, because contractors and volunteers deserve the same treatment as government employees when they are sent abroad to offer their service on behalf of the American people. Cultural diplomacy like the services of these brave men and women provide in the face of international disasters is critical to our international image and international relations. I ask that my colleagues support this bipartisan, common-sense legislation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ripon-advance-legislation-aiding-servicemembers-higher-education-introduced,Ripon Advance: Legislation aiding servicemembers higher education introduced by Costello,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"As published in Ripon Advance The bipartisan Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act to streamline and improve the federal financial aid process for servicemembers and their families was introduced on Tuesday by U.S. Reps. Ryan Costello (R-PA) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). For our men and women in uniform, academic success should not mean a lifetime of repaying student loans, Costello said. Therefore, I have joined Congresswoman Sinema in introducing legislation to streamline and improve the federal financial aid processes for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Specifically, this legislation will make families aware of the full range of benefits and programs, provide loan relief for military spouses, discharge loans for veterans assigned 100 percent service-connected disabilities, and reduce the interest for active duty borrowers. All are common-sense measures that we can take to ensure our nations bravest individuals are not strapped with student loan debt as they serve our nation. Read the full article here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-legislation-provide-debt-relief-pa-national-guard-members,House Passes Legislation to Provide Debt Relief to PA National Guard Members,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC On Wednesday, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4246: the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act by a nearly unanimous vote of 419-1. Under the current law, members of the National Guard and active reservists are exempt from meeting certain means test income requirements to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.Without Congressional action, that exemption was set to expire on December 19, 2015.The legislation that passed the House, H.R. 4246, would extend the expiring exemption through 2019. Following the passage of H.R. 4246, Congressman Costello released the following statement: By extending the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Act, we are ensuring that National Guard and Reservist members who may experience financial hardship will continue to receive bankruptcy relief without having to sort through the substantial paperwork required. Costello continued, Since 9/11, the National Guard and Reserves have risen to the occasion.They have been tested and have proven they are a critical, operational force and provide the support and end-strength to their active duty component.This legislation recognizes the sacrifices they have made to protect our nation by helping those who fall on hard times. I urge the Senate to pass this commonsense action and send it to the Presidents desk. Testimony in the 110th Congress noted that 40 percent of all Guard members are in financial hardship and 26 percent of National Guard members struggle with financial problems related to their deployment into war zones. The Pennsylvania National Guard is the third largest National Guard in the nation, and headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap just outside of PA-06. Since 9/11, 44,967 Pennsylvania National Guard members have been mobilized for overseas operations. Currently, the 828th Finance Army National Guard located in PA-06 is deployed. National Guard sites in Pennsylvania include: 86 Readiness Centers 14 Field Maintenance Sites 6 Air National Guard Bases 2 Combined Support Maintenance Shops 2 Army Aviation Support Facilities. The National Guard just celebrated its 379th birthday on December 13, 2015. Background The National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008, Public Law No. 110-438, created an exception to the means tests presumption of abuse for members of the National Guard and Reserve who, after September 11, 2001, served on active duty or in a homeland defense activity for at least 90 days.The exception is also available for 540 days after the servicemember leaves the military. This exception, however, is set to expire later this year. The National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act of 2015 would extend the exemption until December 2019. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=44941B88-8FA8-464E-96FF-3A7993FF4BC4,Dent Supports Inclusion of 9/11 Victim Health Program & Victim Compensation Fund Reauthorizations in Omnibus,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Charlie Dent,D000604,dent.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) announced his support today for the inclusion of the provisions of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation and Victim Compensation Fund Reauthorizations within the framework of the Omnibus Budget deal. Rep. Dents statement: Im proud of the bipartisan decision made to provide a long-term reauthorization of the World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund in the Fiscal Year 2016 omnibus appropriations bill. A number of individuals who were exposed to toxins and pollutants as a result of the horrific attacks of September 11, including Pennsylvanias first responders who answered the call for help, are still suffering from injuries and side effects. Many of those who provided assistance at Ground Zero as part of rescue and recovery efforts are suffering long-term health issues as a result of their valiant service. Its critical that we ensure that long-term funding will be available to meet their needs, which is why I applaud the inclusion of these important provisions within this bill. NOTE: * The Health and Compensation Reauthorization extends the World Trade Center Health Program through 2090. * The Victim Compensation Fund Reauthorization provides for an additional $4.6 billion to extend the program for another five years. _____________________________________________________________ CONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/simple-fair-and-stable,"Simple, Fair and Stable",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Tom Marino,M001179,marino.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C.Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10) issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act which passed the House of Representatives 318-109: When I speak with people across the tenth district about their finances, the overwhelming majority of them tell me that having greater certainty about their financial outlook is most important whether it is for their small business or familys budget. That is why I voted in favor of this important tax reform package. This legislation is just as important for individuals as it is for businesses. It provides the certainty families require and includes measures to stabilize an otherwise unruly tax structure. Among other things, we fought to maintain classroom tax credits for teachers while encouraging employers to hire the long-term unemployed. This package also delays Obamacares medical device tax makes the R&D tax credit a permanent fixture within the tax code and encourages businesses to expand by making the Section 179 deductions permanent. In all, this bill is a positive step in the right direction for everyday working families. It inspires confidence for every Americans economic outlook - especially as we head into the holidays and New Year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/protecting-american-families-and-businesses-tax-increases,Protecting American Families and Businesses from Tax Increases,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] released the following statement after voting for the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 (H.R. 2029). The bill extends a number of tax relief provisions that expired at the end of calendar year 2014 and makes permanent certain key tax provisions: This important legislation will provide local businesses in Western Pennsylvania the stability and certainty they need to invest in their communities and hire additional workers, said Congressman Rothfus. Congress needs to continue to build on these successes, and I remain committed to comprehensive tax reform to fix our complex, burdensome tax code. Enacting serious tax reform to produce a fairer, flatter, simpler tax code will help Americans grow the economy in unprecedented ways. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-and-higgins-introduce-legislation-protect-charitable-nonprofits,Rothfus and Higgins Introduce Legislation to Protect Charitable Nonprofits and Donors,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] and Congressman Brian Higgins [NY-26] introduced the Charitable Giving Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 4281), bipartisan legislation to protect charitable nonprofits and their donors from the negative consequences of an ongoing rulemaking by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The proposed rule would give 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations including charities, religious groups, and educational foundations the option of collecting and providing to the IRS the name, address, and Social Security numbers (SSNs) of their donors to substantiate (or serve as evidence of) contributions for tax purposes. Since its issuance, the proposed rule has been strongly opposed by charitable nonprofits across the United States because it could unnecessarily compromise the private personal information of donors and disincentivize charitable giving. Charitable nonprofits are an essential element of our society that positively affect the lives of millions of Americans. This commonsense bipartisan legislation will serve to better protect these valuable organizations and their supporters and ensure that they can continue to provide important services to communities across the country, said Congressman Rothfus. Any circulation of Social Security numbers raises privacy concerns for individuals and the collection and transmission of personal data places an unnecessary burden on nonprofit organizations already stretched thin, added Congressman Higgins. I am pleased to join Congressman Rothfus in this bipartisan legislation that protects organizations doing good work in our communities and the people who support them. Congressmen Rothfus and Higgins legislation is supported by the National Council of Nonprofits, which represents more than 25 thousand nonprofit organizations nationwide. The proposed rulemaking has received nearly 35 thousand comments, almost all expressing opposition. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-alleged-isis-related-arrest-in-harrisburg,Casey Statement on Alleged ISIS Related Arrest in Harrisburg,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following an alleged ISIS related arrest in Harrisburg. Im closely following reports that an individual from Harrisburg has been accused of aiding ISIS. This evening, I was briefed by a senior FBI official and will speak with other senior Administration officials and the Philadelphia office of the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force. I commend the FBI, particularly those in the Philadelphia Joint Terrorism Task Force, who investigated this case and made the arrest, as well as state and local law enforcement who supported their efforts. Our nation must continue to remain vigilant to confront terrorism from ISIS or any other terrorist organization. ### Press Contact John Rizzo and Jacklin Rhoads 202-228-6367",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/nineteen-democratic-senators-express-profound-concern-over-second-iranian-ballistic-missile-test-in-letter-to-president-obama,Nineteen Democratic Senators Express Profound Concern over Second Iranian Ballistic Missile Test in Letter to President Obama,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), along with Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) expressed profound concern in a letter to President Obama regarding the second ballistic missile test conducted by Iran on November 21st. Extraordinary vigilance is required from the United States and the international community as the JCPOA is implemented, Senator Casey said. Iran has proven time and again that it will skirt international sanctions and flout UN Security Council Resolutions. Experts have told us that the October missile test was a violation of UNSCR 1939, and this demands a response. In the letter, the Senators write: We are deeply concerned by Irans continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015If there are no consequences for this violation, Irans leaders will certainly also question the willingness of the international community to respond to violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The letter sent to President Obama today appears below. Dear Mr. President: We are deeply concerned by Irans continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015. Once again, the international community has an opportunity to demonstrate its resolve in the face of Iranian violations of its international obligations. On December 15, a panel of expert monitors working on behalf of the United Nations Security Council reported that, ""On the basis of its analysis and findings the Panel concludes that the Emad launch on October 10th is a violation by Iran of paragraph 9 of Security Council Resolution 1929."" Unfortunately, some members of the UN Security Council failed to condemn this violation and failed to take steps collectively to enforce Resolution 1929. If there are no consequences for this violation, Irans leaders will certainly also question the willingness of the international community to respond to violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The November test is Irans second recent violation of UNSCR 1929, which clearly states Iran shall not undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology. Clearly, the Security Council should take appropriate enforcement action against Iran in the face of this violation. On this matter, we recognize and appreciate United Nations Ambassador Samantha Powers ongoing efforts to build support to enforce consequences for the October 10 ballistic missile test by referring the issue to the Iran Sanctions Committee and advocating for a forceful response by the UN Security Council. However, in the time it took the Panel of Experts to make a determination on the first violation, Iran tested another ballistic missile. In the absence of a UN Security Council commitment to enforcing UNSCR 1929, we request that you take action unilaterally, or in coordination with our European allies. Such action is essential to make clear to Irans leaders that there will be consequences for future violations of UN Security Council Resolutions and that the United States reserves the right under the JCPOA to take unilateral action in response to this and other significant actions by Iran in the areas of ballistic missile development, terrorism and human rights. Sincerely, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin Senator Charles E. Schumer Senator Richard Blumenthal Senator Christopher Coons Senator Gary Peters Senator Michael Bennet Senator Ron Wyden Senator Jeanne Shaheen Senator Debbie Stabenow Senator Heidi Heitkamp Senator Tim Kaine Senator Bill Nelson Senator Edward J. Markey Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. Senator Mark R. Warner Senator Cory A. Booker Senator Martin Heinrich Senator Maria Cantwell ### Press Contact John Rizzo and Jacklin Rhoads 202-228-6367",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-bankruptcy-protection-for-national-guard,Barletta Backs Bankruptcy Protection for National Guard,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today supported legislation that extends bankruptcy protections for National Guard and reservist troops returning from active duty. The bill prolongs an exemption from a means test used to determine whether debtors have the financial ability to repay creditors, helping troops deal with unique financial hardships they encounter upon returning home. The exemption was set to expire on December 19, 2015, but the legislation extends it through 2019. The bill, the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act (H.R. 4246), passed the House by a massive bipartisan vote of 419-to-1. The National Guard and reservists put their lives on hold and go into harms way to protect this nation and its citizens, Barletta said. We know that when they return home from active duty, they often encounter economic hardships they werent expecting. We should help them prevent personal financial disaster after they have been risking their lives for our freedoms. The legislation makes it easier for National Guard and reservists to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcies, which require means tests to determine an individuals ability to repay debts. In some cases, service members have been earning higher pay for hazardous duties while deployed, but see their income drop upon returning home, creating a financial hardship. In other cases, service members have turned to payday lenders for temporary loans and subsequently find themselves unable to retire the debts. The bill extends the exemption from the means test used to determine if they can commit some portion of their monthly income to repayment of creditors. George Washington said, The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation, Barletta said. This is just the right thing to do for those who have served this country. The National Guard is a reserve military force composed of the Army and Air National Guard with a mission to provide aid during domestic emergencies and disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. The Pennsylvania National Guard is the fourth largest in the country and is vital to the nation, the Commonwealth, and our local communities, particularly in times of disaster. After Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, many citizens simply would not have endured without the help of the Guard. Many units have become operational and seen several combat tours abroad.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-host-roundtable-butler-va-health-care-center,Rep. Kelly to Host Roundtable on Butler VA Health Care Center,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Kelly to Host Roundtable on Butler VA Health Care Center Dec 16, 2015 * * * ADVISORY * * * You are invited to take part in a Community Leaders Roundtable discussion with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). When: Monday, December 21st 5:30 6:30 p.m. Where: American Legion Post 778 150 Legion Memorial Lane, Lyndora U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) will be hosting VA subject matter experts from the Washington, D.C. Central Office and VA Butler Healthcare System Director David Cord, for a discussion with Community Leaders regarding the new VA Health Care Center project currently underway in our region. Special Instructions: In order to allow VA subject matter experts time to research and best answer your concerns, please submit questions in advance to Tony Digiacamo at tony.digiacomo@mail.house.gov or 724-282-2557. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=758,Message from the Department of State Regarding Passport Applications,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Department of State is expecting an increase in passport applications during 2016 continuing through 2018. With this in mind, we encourage passport applicants to apply for or renew U.S. passports well ahead of planned travel, as we anticipate longer than average wait times for passport processing over the coming months. In planning, applicants should allow 6 weeks for routine service or 3 weeks for expedited service. The expedited service costs an additional $60. If traveling in less than 2 weeks, or if a U.S. passport is needed for a foreign visa within 4 weeks, an application should be submitted at a Department of State passport agency. For an appointment call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TDY at 1-888-874-7793. Customers must pay the $60 expedite fee and provide a travel itinerary when applying at a passport agency. We also advise travelers to check the passport expiration date for every family member. Knowing the passport expiration date may help avoid costly travel delays. Some countries require a passport have at least six months validity remaining. For information on requirements, applications, fees, where to apply and other information visit Travel.State.Gov/ApplyEarlyor call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778/1-888-874-7793 (TTY/TTD). Our goal is to provide Passport Services information to the American traveling public optimizing the use of various media methods. We ask for your assistance in providing the passport information weve provided to the public by posting a link to the Department of State website www.travel.state.gov on your website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1657,"Senate Passes Toomey, Casey Bipartisan Bill to Protect Federal Correctional Officers",2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Senate acted to ensure federal correctional officers will be safer at work, passing bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.). The Senate passed the Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act, which ensures that federal correctional officers in high- and medium- security prisons are given non-lethal pepper spray for self-defense. The bill also instructs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate issuing pepper spray to guards in minimum or low-security penal facilities. Prior to Senator Toomey's and Casey's efforts, federal correctional officers were sometimes placed on duty completely unarmed-without any defensive gear or weapons, even non-lethal ones. Officer Eric Williams of the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan in Waymart, Pa. paid the price for this policy. In February 2013, the 34 year-old officer was working alone in a housing unit of 125 inmates. He carried only a radio, handcuffs, and keys. A gang member, who was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, killed Officer Williams-beating him savagely enough to crush his skull and stabbing him with a prison-made weapon 129 times. ""I am extremely pleased that the Senate has acted to protect our federal correctional officers by passing bipartisan legislation guaranteeing them the use of non-lethal pepper spray,"" said Sen. Toomey. ""It is shocking that Bureau of Prison policy previously allowed guards to be placed on duty completely unarmed or without any defensive gear-a policy that led to the death of Officer Eric Williams in Wayne County, Pa. This victory was made possible by the tireless efforts of Eric Williams' parents, Don and Jean Williams, who turned their family tragedy into a national effort to protect other officers."" ""We have an obligation to keep safe the men and women who serve in our correctional facilities,"" said Sen. Casey. ""The tragic murder of Eric Williams illustrates the risks they take every day just by going to work. It's a service to the memory of C.O. Williams and a tribute to the dedicated advocacy of his family that the Senate acted today to ensure that staff in the most dangerous prisons will permanently have access to a non-lethal means of self-protection."" Pennsylvania is home to seven federally operated prison facilities and thousands of federal corrections officers. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1677,A Victory for Kids,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"It is unimaginable: A child is being repeatedly sexually abused, and the people the child should be able to trust not only stand by but actually facilitate the abuse. Amazingly it is happening and - of all places - in our children's schools. Again and again, we have seen instances where a teacher or other school employee sexually abuses a child, other school employees know, and instead of acting to protect the child, those employees facilitate the abuse. Take Pittsburgh's Plum High School. At least two teachers have been charged with sexually abusing students in their care. A third teacher allegedly took it upon himself to intimidate one of the victims in an attempt to silence her. Or consider the tragic case of Jeremy Bell, 12. At an elementary school in Delaware County, child after child, boys ages 10 to 12, came forward and told the school officials how the fifth-grade science teacher had performed sexual acts on them - and raped at least one boy. The school, appallingly, helped the pedophile land a new teaching job in West Virginia, sending along letters of recommendation. That teacher continued brutalizing children, eventually raping and murdering Jeremy Bell. The vast majority of teachers would never stand by and allow a child to be hurt - much less harm a child themselves. But these cases reveal a troubling mindset that has taken hold at too many schools. When an allegation of child sexual abuse emerges, some employees first look the other way and do not report the abuse. Then they discourage - or intimidate - children who want to come forward and report the abuse. Finally, when there are so many child victims it cannot be swept under the rug, they help that pedophile get a new job, where he'll be someone else's problem. Indeed, the practice of schools helping a child molester land a job at another school is so common that it has its own moniker-""passing the trash."" Fortunately, last year, the Pennsylvania Legislature enacted a law banning passing the trash. And Pennsylvania has dedicated prosecutors willing to uncover the alleged wrongdoing at schools like Plum High School. But Pennsylvania legislators and prosecutors cannot stop schools in other states from passing their pedophile employees to Pennsylvania schools. Federal legislation is necessary. That is why I took the fight to Washington, D.C., introducing bipartisan legislation that would ban passing the trash nationwide. President Obama has signed into law a bipartisan education bill that included my legislation banning this terrible process. This legislation is a crucial step forward toward protecting our children from child molesters. A study by the Government Accountability Office found that the average pedophile working in a school victimized 73 children over a lifetime. Seventy-three. Imagine if that pedophile was caught after the first victim instead of ""passed along"" to other victims. How many children would be spared? No child should have his or her innocence shattered by sexual abuse. When we in Congress work together - across party lines - we can achieve real victories to protect our children.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-legislation-combat-terrorist-use-social-media,House Passes Legislation to Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3654: the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act. Following increased threats to our homeland and our allies, we must ensure that we are able to effectively combat and disrupt terrorists and terrorist organizations through their use of social media to recruit and mobilize supporters and carry out attacks. If enacted into law, H.R. 3654 would require the Administration to issue a report to Congress on the U.S. strategy to neutralize our enemys online propaganda. Included in the report must be: An evaluation of what role social media plays in Islamic radicalization in the U.S. and across the world; An analysis of how terrorists and terrorist organizations are using social media; A summary of the Federal Governments efforts to counter the use of social media by our enemies; An analysis of how social media is being used for counter-radicalization and counter-propaganda purposes; An assessment of the value of social media posts by terrorists and terrorist organizations to law enforcement; An overview of social media training available to law enforcement and intelligence personnel to understand and combat the use of social media by terrorists and terrorist organizations; and Recommendations to improve training of law enforcement officials. Following passage of the bill, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) released the following statement: It is clear that ISIS and other terrorist organizations are using social media to rally supporters and promote attacks. We must make advancements in the cyber war, assess our current counterattacks, and improve on all fronts. Passage of this legislation is a critical step to preventing terrorism online and the radicalization of Americans. We must shutdown ISIS use of social media. The bill also requires the President, within 180 days of enactment, to submit to Congress a report that contains a comprehensive strategy to counter terrorist use of social media, as committed to in the Presidents 2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States. Passage of H.R. 3654 is a continued effort by the House to keep our homeland safe and secure. Last week, the House passed H.R. 158: the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Improvement Act to address key vulnerabilities in the VWP by implementing more rigorous background checks for foreign travelers. More here. Additionally, the House passed four pieces of legislation to streamline and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). More here. Lastly, the House passed H.R. 4038: the SAFE Act, to suspend the Syrian and Iraqi refugee admissions into the U.S. until certain certification are met. More here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=757,Terrorists Should Not Tell Our Female Service Members How To Perform Their Duty,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter outlining concerns with female guards being prohibited from transporting detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Also leading the letter, which pressed Secretary Carter for any information regarding changes made to prison policies, were Representatives Martha McSally (R-AZ), Susan Davis (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Steve Russell (R-OK). In January 2015, a military judge issued an order that prohibited female guards from transporting detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The ruling was issued in response to complaints from five individuals accused of the most egregious acts of terror, who alleged that any contact with women violated their religious beliefs. This group includes Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the 9/11 mastermind who shares responsibility for the deaths of thousands of innocent American citizens. Terrorists locked up at Guantanamo Bay should not be dictating policies that prevent members of our armed forces from doing their job, said Representative Shuster. Women have been performing their duties admirably there since the arrival of the first detainees from Afghanistan in 2002, and we should reject this false compromise to Americas basic values. We must stand firmly by the basic tenets of our democracy, especially when it comes to the very individuals that have tried to destroy this nation. Numerous accommodations have been made for the religious beliefs of the accused by the military commission during pretrial proceedings, including breaks during court hearings to allow defendants to pray, access to the Quran, and halal-only meals in accordance with Muslim dietary restrictions forbidding pork. Currently, the judge is in the process of deciding whether the restriction of allowing female guards to touch or transport detainees should be made permanent. The additional signatories of the letter include: Reps: Adam Smith (D-WA),Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Tim Murphy (R-PA), Richard Nugent (R-FL), David Rouzer, (R-NC), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Brian Babin (R-TX), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Robert Brady (D-PA), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), Steve Knight (R-CA), Candice Miller (R-MI), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Ryan Costello (R-PA), Paul Cook(R-CA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Steve Pearce (R-AR), Ed Royce (R-CA), Cresent Hardy (R-NV) , Keith Rothfus (R-PA), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Tom Marino (R-PA), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Kristi Noem (R-SD), and Buddy Carter (R-GA). Text of Letter to Secretary Carter Dear Mr. Secretary, It has come to our attention that five high value detainees at Guantanamo Bay have petitioned to permanently restrict female service members from assignments related to their detention. We believe these positions should remain open to women, regardless of the religious beliefs of the detainees. Prohibiting women from these assignments discriminates against our troops and allows the enemies of the United States to dictate the terms on which American citizens serve their country. Women in uniform should not have to endure prejudice based on the convictions of enemy combatants, and male soldiers should not be forced to fill these deployments at a higher rate than necessary as a result. Women have served at Guantanamo Bay since the arrival of the first detainees from Afghanistan in 2002. They have demonstrated the same commitment to their duties as their male counterparts, and numerous other changes have already been made to accommodate the religious beliefs of those currently held at Guantanamo. While the United States should make certain allowances with respect to human rights, we must not compromise our basic principles at the behest of the very individuals who seek to destroy them. This case exemplifies the continued manipulation of our system to benefit terrorists directly responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent Americans. One of the five detainees, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, is the infamous mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. He was Al Qaedas chief propagandist, and continues to support that role through his legal actions at Guantanamo. Attempts to impose Mr. Mohammeds interpretation of religious law on Americas men and women in uniform must be unequivocally denied. We ask that you provide Congress with the current policy regarding assignments surrounding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. In your response, outline any changes that have been made to this policy since September 11, 2001. If any policy changes were to accommodate religious or cultural interests, please provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind those changes. Finally, we impel you to ensure that female service members are not barred from continuing to serve in any capacity due to the requests of those detained for participating in terrorist attacks against the United States. Our policies reflect our values. We cannot allow our values to be compromised by prohibiting female soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen from certain assignments due to the objections of our enemies. We value all that our women in uniform do and have done to keep our nation safe, and must stand by our principles in this war of ideas. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-sinema-introduce-legislation-help-servicemembers-pursue-higher,"Costello, Sinema Introduce Legislation to Help Servicemembers Pursue Higher Education",2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) and Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) introduced the Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act, a bipartisan bill to streamline and improve the federal financial aid process for servicemembers and their families. For our men and women in uniform, academic success should not mean a lifetime of repaying student loans, said Congressman Costello. Therefore, I have joined Congresswoman Sinema in introducing legislation to streamline and improve the federal financial aid processes for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Specifically, this legislation will make families aware of the full range of benefits and programs, provide loan relief for military spouses, discharge loans for veterans assigned 100% service-connected disabilities, and reduce the interest for active duty borrowers. All are common-sense measures that we can take to ensure our nations bravest individuals are not strapped with student loan debt as they serve our nation. Congress passed laws like the GI Bill and the Servicemember Civil Relief Act to ensure that military families have access to the American Dream, said Congresswoman Sinema. College costs are rising and it is often difficult for servicemembers to take full advantage of the benefits theyve earned. This legislation is a commonsense solution that makes student loans more predictable and affordable for military families. The Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act also has the support of leaders within the veterans community. On behalf of the over 2 million members of The American Legion, I would like to express support for the Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act, said Dale Barnett, National Commander of The American Legion. This bill would work to ensure military families have better information about resources and invoking their protections on student loans, help to improve the student loan system and improve support for servicemembers and veterans on campus. Our veterans face numerous obstacles in obtaining a college degree, said Jared Lyon, Acting President and CEO of Student Veterans of America. This legislation will make that road a little smoother by ensuring our returning servicemembers and veterans receive the education benefits they have earned, along with the tools and resources to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Among other provisions, the Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act: Fully discharges student loans for veterans assigned a 100% service-related disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Defers student loan payments for military spouses for six months when their families are relocated. Prevents interest from accruing on student loans when active duty borrowers are deployed in a combat zone. Ensures military families are aware of the full range of benefits and programs available to them under current law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-regarding-iaeas-report-on-irans-past-nuclear-activity,Casey Statement Regarding IAEA’s Report on Iran’s Past Nuclear Activity,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) releases a statement following the review of the IAEAs report on Irans past nuclear activity. I have reviewed the IAEAs recent report regarding the past military dimensions of Irans nuclear program. Unsurprisingly, this report confirms what we already knew about Irans illicit nuclear activity: that prior to 2003, they had a structured program to develop a nuclear weapon. I am very concerned about evidence that Iran tried to skirt international sanctions by using shell companies for procurement and by explanations that lacked credibility for their development of advanced detonator technology. This report paints a picture of Irans history of deceptive behavior and reinforces my belief that as implementation of the JCPOA moves forward, extraordinary vigilance by the United States and the international community is essential. We must look for ways to bolster the IAEAs monitoring and verification efforts and to ensure its inspectors and technical experts have the resources necessary to detect any cheating or illicit activities in the future. I also believe that we must remain open to the possibility that additional evidence of Irans past illicit activities could emerge and, if so, such evidence must be thoroughly investigated. ### Press Contact John Rizzo and Jacklin Rhoads 202-228-6367",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/reading-eagle-naacp-official-attends-13th-amendment-celebration,Reading Eagle: NAACP official attends 13th Amendment celebration,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Jonathan ""Johnny"" Corson said he had tears in his eyes when he was introduced in the U.S. Capitol to Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and longtime civil rights activist. Corson, chairman of the reorganizing committee of the Pottstown Branch NAACP, was invited to Washington by U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, who represents parts of Montgomery and Berks counties. Costello extended the invitation to Corson and his wife, Paula, to attend a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which outlawed slavery. ""Prior to that, President Lincoln had written the Emancipation Proclamation, but many of the Southern states were ignoring that,"" Corson said in a phone interview. The 13th Amendment banned slavery of any kind in all states and territories under U.S. control, Corson said. Read the full article here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/taxonomy/term/42/rep-rothfus-don-t-destroy-economy-climate-deal,Rep. Rothfus: Dont Destroy Economy for Climate Deal,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Daily Caller by: Keith Rothfus When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed, we were promised we would see lower premiums, that we could keep our plan, that we could keep our doctor and that there were no taxes on the middle class. All of these were false.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-customs-bill-protecting-steel-american-jobs,"Barletta Backs Customs Bill Protecting Steel, American Jobs",2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today voted in favor of legislation that strengthens enforcement of U.S. customs and trade laws and protects American employers and workers from unfair practices by companies in other nations. The conference report on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (H.R. 644), which is the result of negotiations between the House and Senate, incorporates requirements Barletta insisted upon to protect American jobs from countries which illegally dump cheap products into markets like steel manufacturing. The bill passed the House by a vote of 256-to-158 and now awaits approval from the Senate. The provisions of the ENFORCE Act included in the conference report prevent countries from circumventing trade laws by shipping a product through another country and switching the label. For example, when China dumps steel into America, American steel companies spend time and money building a case against the Chinese dumping. If they win that case, the steel companies deserve to have the Chinese penalized for the dumping. The ENFORCE Act makes sure that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actually investigates the American companies case. The ENFORCE Act gives CBP a strict deadline to review the case. American companies can pursue a case in U.S. Trade Court if the company believes CBP is rubberstamping the decisions without fairly reviewing the details. Barletta issued the following statement for the record: Mr. Speaker, today, we are making critical changes to our domestic trade laws to ensure that U.S. companies compete on a level playing field. Manufacturers in my district have suffered a competitive disadvantage from trade cheaters in China and other foreign countries that dont follow the trade rules we already have on the books. Unfortunately, there are companies in China who cheat. American companies cannot compete with products that are subsidized by foreign governments and therefore priced below market value. American companies waste valuable time and legal fees bringing cases against unfairly subsidized products that are dumped into the United States. When American companies win these dumping cases, they deserve to have the penalties enforced. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, American companies have not been competing on a level playing field. Those same trade cheaters that dumped their goods into our U.S. markets are adding insult to injury by evading the duty or penalty. When they ship the product from a country that doesnt have a penalty for dumping, they are skipping out on paying the penalty for cheating in the first place. We need a better referee to level the playing field. We need the penalties to be enforced. Thats why I negotiated for the inclusion of the ENFORCE Act in the final Customs Bill and defended their importance throughout this Conference process. This bill will ensure that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must investigate cases of duty evasion within 300 days. If for some reason CBP begins rubberstamping these decisions, the company can go to a U.S. court to have the case reviewed. These are critical reforms that are necessary to ensure that American companies are on a level playing field. I thank my colleagues and friends Mr. McHenry, Mr. Tiberi, Chairman Brady, Speaker Ryan, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Smith, and the Steel Caucus for working with me on this important reform. Every foreign company wants to sell their goods on American store shelves to American consumers. We must make sure we have the tools we need at the border to prevent foreign trade cheaters from sneaking their goods onto our shelves without paying the appropriate duties. We must protect American manufacturers and American jobs from trade cheaters. Additionally, I urge support for this bill because of critical protections against misguided attempts to use trade agreements to rewrite our domestic immigration laws and environmental regulations. While this bill is not perfect, the permanent improvements to our trade laws and the bans on misuse of trade agreements make it worthy of our support.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://meehan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-trade-enforcement-bill-protects-us-jobs,Bipartisan Trade Enforcement Bill Protects U.S. Jobs,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Pat Meehan,M001181,meehan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today issued the following statement after the House of Representatives approved bipartisan House-Senate compromise legislation that strengthens enforcement of U.S. customs and trade laws. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 passed the House today with a vote of 256-158. The compromise legislation passed today gives us new tools to facilitate trade, improve enforcement and create and support good-paying U.S. jobs, said Congressman Meehan. It brings our customs and trade enforcement policies into the 21st century and helps workers harmed by the unfair trading practices of other nations access aid and relief. It gives the administration robust tools to take on currency manipulation by other nations and enables us to take action against countries that refuse to address currency distortions. The compromise agreement included provisions of Meehans Preclearance Authorization Act of 2015, which addresses shortfalls in the process of establishing overseas preclearance facilities that enable travelers to complete U.S. customs inspections before arriving in the United States. Im pleased the bill includes an important measure that will ensure our overseas customs preclearance facilities are established with American jobs in mind, said Congressman Meehan. This provision will prevent Washington from giving an unfair advantage to foreign airlines over our own domestic carriers and the tens of thousands of jobs they support. America has the worlds finest workforce, and our middle class workers can compete and win in any global market, Meehan continued. But we need to be able to enforce our trade laws on the books to give them a fair shot. This bill will modernize our customs policies and make enforcement more effective. Its an important step in helping our middle-class compete on a level global playing field.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/costello-iran-s-recent-ballistic-missile-test,Costello on Irans Recent Ballistic Missile Test,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC In light of the report that Iran recently tested a medium-range ballistic missile, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) released the following statement: This action is in direct violation of not one but two United Nations Security Council resolutions, said Congressman Ryan Costello. The ballistic missile test is just further proof that Iran cannot and should not be trusted, and will continue all efforts to destabilize the region. Now we see reports that Russia has begun delivery of the S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran, a clear violation of the Iran deal. A nuclear Iran will pose a real danger to our nation and our allies, and we cannot continue to sit idly while Iran continues their illegal and threatening actions. The Administration should re-impose all relevant sanctions on Iran that have been relaxed thus far. This weeks ballistic missile test marks the second time Iran has illegally tested these weapons since the Iran Nuclear Agreement was enacted into law. Last week, the arms trade advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the delivery of the S-300 missile systems to Iran. In September, Congressman Costello voted in opposition to the Iran Nuclear agreement calling it a horrible deal."" # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/we-just-banned-taxes-internet-access-permanently,We Just Banned Taxes on Internet Access. Permanently.,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Tom Marino,M001179,marino.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, the House of Representatives passed a provision within the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644) permanently banning state taxation of Internet access. A temporary banwas first putin place in 1998. Since then,Congress hasextendedit multipletimes with enormous bipartisan support.House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has long sought to make the ban permanent. Todays provision originally passed the House as H.R. 235, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA). It permanently bans states from taxing Internet access or placing multiple or discriminatory taxes on e-commerce. PITFA passed in both this Congress and the 113th by voice-vote. Were the existing, temporary moratorium permitted to lapse, the potential tax burden on Americans would be substantial. It is estimated that Internet access tax rates could be more than twice the average rate of all other goods and services. Low-income households could pay 10 times as much as high-income households as a share of income. The last thing that Americans need is another tax bill on their doorsteps. Taxes on Internet access would burden the millions of Americans who rely on the Internet to conduct business, communicate, educate, and live. Americans are far too used to seeing myriad of taxes and fees at the bottom of their cable and telephone bills. Now that the House of Representatives has made the ban permanent, Americans will be protected permanently from seeing a long list of taxes on their Internet bills. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Chairman Tom Marino (R-Pa.), and Congressman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) issued the following statement after the passage of the provision: We applaud the bipartisan passage of a permanent ban on the Internet access tax today in the House. Making the ban on the Internet access tax permanent is a necessary measure to keep Internet access free of taxation forever and ensure the Internet is more affordable for the American people. Internet access drives innovation and the success of our economy. It is a gateway to knowledge, opportunity, and the rest of the world. The American people deserve affordable access to the Internet and a permanent ban on the Internet access tax will help prevent unreasonable cost increases that hurt consumers and slow job creation. Click here to learn more about the provision. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-applauds-franklin-extradition-ruling-awaits-appeal,"Barletta Applauds Franklin Extradition Ruling, Awaits Appeal",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today praised a judges ruling in Argentina that accused murderer Anthony Rocco Franklin is to be extradited to the United States to face trial for the 2012 murder of his son-in-law, Frank Spencer, in Columbia County. Franklin, whose daughter Maria Sanutti-Spencer was married to Spencer and has already been convicted of first degree murder and arson in the case, has appealed his extradition to the Argentina Supreme Court. The time table for the resolution of the appeal is unclear, but is expected to take at least several months. This is one major hurdle cleared in our ongoing efforts to have Mr. Franklin returned home to stand trial for his involvement in the murder of his son-in-law Frank Spencer, Barletta said. The family and friends of Mr. Spencer have been anticipating justice, and so have the people of Columbia County. With this ruling, we are one step closer to a conclusion. We now await the results of his appeal, and I extend my thanks to the State Department and the Department of Justice for their work on this case. I also appreciate the diligence of the Pennsylvania State Police and local prosecutors. The U.S. State Department notified Barletta this week of the judges ruling, having been informed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations office within the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires. Under Argentinian law, Franklin has the right of one appeal to that countrys highest court. He has been held in Argentina since September 2014, after he fled Columbia County when a grand jury began discussing possible charges against him in connection with Spencers murder. Police investigators have maintained that both Franklin and Sanutti-Spencer were responsible for the crime. Barletta and Rep. Tom Marino (PA-10) have been engaged in efforts to return Franklin to Pennsylvania to stand trial. In June, the two Congressmen wrote to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch seeking the Department of Justices involvement in the case. They also wrote to the Argentinian Ambassador to the United States, Cecilia Nahn, requesting her governments cooperation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-lauds-steel-protections-in-customs-legislation,Barletta Lauds Steel Protections in Customs Legislation,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today hailed the final agreement between House and Senate negotiators on customs legislation that includes his provisions intended to protect the steel industry from unfair practices by companies in other nations. The conference report on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (H.R. 644) incorporates requirements Barletta insisted upon to protect American jobs from countries which illegally dump cheap products into markets like steel manufacturing. We are protecting American jobs, particularly steel jobs across Pennsylvania, by preventing countries like China from dumping cheap products into international markets and hurting Pennsylvania manufacturing, Barletta said. We have established a better referee for international trade. We will do a better job of calling the fouls against trade cheaters, and enforce the penalties of duties or financial sanctions. During Junes floor debate on H.R. 644, Barletta obtained assurances from Speaker Paul Ryan, then the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, that the final bill would include timely deadlines for Customs to investigate and decide duty evasion cases, the key provisions of the ENFORCE Act. Click here or on image to watch colloquy between Rep. Barletta and Rep. Paul Ryan The provisions of the ENFORCE Act included in the conference report prevent countries from circumventing trade laws by shipping a product through another country and switching the label. For example, when China dumps steel into America, American steel companies spend time and money building a case against the Chinese dumping. If they win that case, the steel companies deserve to have the Chinese penalized for the dumping. The ENFORCE Act makes sure that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actually investigates the American companies case. The ENFORCE Act gives CBP a strict deadline to review the case. American companies can pursue a case in U.S. Trade Court if the company believes CBP is rubberstamping the decisions without fairly reviewing the details. We applaud the efforts of Rep. Barletta in ensuring that strong language was included in the customs bill to make sure duties are being accurately assessed and collected at the border, said Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute. The steel industry has been devastated by unfair trade. The steel workers of Pennsylvania and the nation are fortunate that the work of Rep. Barletta and others will enable Customs and Border Protection officials to address concerns brought by industry when foreign companies avoid duty payment. Barletta will continue to review the final bill, which is expected to receive a vote on the House floor in the coming days.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blackburn-smith-barletta-and-desjarlais-lead-effort-to-keep-terrorists,"Barletta, Blackburn, Smith, and DesJarlais Lead Effort to Keep Terrorists Out of America",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON-U.S. Representatives Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Lou Barletta (R-PA), and Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) today introduced legislation that would temporarily halt the refugee resettlement program by cutting off funding for any resettlement activity. Under the bill, no funding would be made available for refugee resettlement operations until the following four conditions are met: Congress passes a joint resolution approving the Presidents refugee resettlement plan CBO provides a report to Congress scoring the long term cost of refugee resettlement operations DHS submits a report to Congress identifying terrorist and criminal activity of refugees admitted into the U.S. since 2001 The President submits a report to Congress of the prior years cost of admitting refugees and proposes offsetting spending cuts to pay for resettlement Rep. Blackburn: President Obamas plan to admit thousands of additional Syrian refugees into this country at a time of heightened jihadist threats and the San Bernardino massacre is beyond reckless. It endangers our national security and costs hard working taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, which is why an omnibus funding bill should not include a blank check for refugee resettlement. We must confront the danger of radical Islamic extremism. Our legislation will allow Congress to check the Presidents irresponsible resettlement agenda. Rep. Smith: Recent attacks justify a temporary halt in our current refugee resettlement program. We have asked this administration for reports on the number of refugees admitted in recent years, the associated costs, and the number who have engaged in acts of terrorism or committed crimes. Americans deserve answers to these questions, yet the administration has failed to provide them. Our bill is simple: no more refugee admittance until we can strengthen the system and better ensure the safety of Americans. For this administration to force foreign refugees on American communities at this time ignores the very real security threats we face. Rep. Barletta: The attack in California demonstrated once again that there are radical Islamic terrorists whose main goal in life is to kill Americans. While the United States has always been a nation that welcomes people seeking refuge, it is only prudent to suspend our refugee program until we know exactly who we are letting in. The peoples representatives in Congress should have a say in who is admitted, how much relocating them will cost, and what security risks are associated with them. Until we have a handle on a dependable vetting process, we should put national security first and call a temporary halt to the refugee program. Rep. DesJarlais: The United States has always been a kind and caring nation. However, we must not forget our governments primary constitutional responsibility of ensuring the safety of the American public. As such, it is incumbent upon our elected officials to establish protocols that will properly safeguard our country from those who come here solely to do us harm. Unfortunately, President Obamas own administration has publicly admitted that under the current framework, Syrian refugees cannot be vetted in a way that meets the rigorous security standards we rightfully expect. Therefore, it is critical we halt the refugee program until Congress is satisfied any individual admitted will not pose a security risk now or in the future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-introduces-legislation-to-eliminate-hazardous-oil-and-gas,Cartwright Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Hazardous Oil and Gas Loophole,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Closing Loopholes and Ending Arbitrary and Needless Evasion of Regulations (CLEANER) Act. The legislation, introduced with 100 co-sponsors and endorsed by 206 organizations from across the country, eliminates a hazardous waste exemption that was added to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1980. The CLEANER Act would force oil, gas and geothermal companies to play by the same rules as other industries. Under current federal law, oil and gas companies do not even have to test the majority of their waste to see if it is toxic, leaving us with no way of knowing what is being disposed of and how it is being treated. It is time oil and gas companies comply with the minimum standards and oversight that virtually every other industry successfully works with, said Rep. Cartwright. The RCRA of 1976 requires the safe disposal of solid waste and hazardous materials. In 1980, RCRA was amended to exempt waste from the production and development of oil and natural gas (exploration & production waste) and geothermal waste. Currently the task of regulating disposal of these wastes is left to states, with mixed results. RCRA is meant to protect the public and the environment from hazardous waste. Toxins pose health and environmental risks no matter what industry produces them. Its time to hold oil and natural gas producers to the same standards that other industries have complied with for over 30 years, said Rep. Cartwright. The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the problem as well, recently proposing federal regulations that would address discharges of wastewater pollutants from onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction facilities to publicly-owned treatment works. ""For too long now, the oil and gas industry has taken advantage of the American public by securing exemptions from many of our nation's commonsense health and environmental safety laws. Closing these loopholes is the only way we can protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. Representative Matt Cartwright's legislation to hold toxic pollution from drilling and fracking up to the same standards as other industrial poisons is an important place to start, said Mike Brune, Executive Director of The Sierra Club. It is a courageous move to put the health and well-being of the American people before the financial interests of the nation's wealthiest corporations, and the Sierra Club stands behind Representative Cartwright."" ""It's clear to everyone that the 1.3 billion gallons of fracking waste generated in Pennsylvania over the last few years, which is often laced with numerous toxins and cancer-causing chemicals, is hazardous to our health and environment,"" said Adam Garber, PennEnvironment Field Director. ""The CLEANER Act will ensure that companies can no longer spray this toxic fluid on our roads, dump hundreds of thousands of gallons into water treatment facilities, or use it to water cattle. We applaud Congressman Cartwright for trying to align the law with what we all already know: fracking wastewater is hazardous to our health."" Current Cosponsors (100): Karen Bass, Don Beyer, Earl Blumenauer, Robert Brady, Suzanne Bonamici, Corrine Brown, Lois Capps, Michael Capuano, Kathy Castor, Judy Chu, Katherine Clark, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver, Steve Cohen, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Gerald Connolly, John Conyers, Elijah Cummings, Susan Davis, Peter DeFazio, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Mark DeSaulnier, Ted Deutch, Donna Edwards, Keith Ellison, Anna Eshoo, Sam Farr, Chaka Fattah, Alan Grayson, Raul Grijalva, Alcee Hastings, Dennis Heck, Brian Higgins, Mike Honda, Jared Huffman, Sheila Jackson Lee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Henry Johnson, William Keating, Joseph Kennedy III, Derek Kilmer, Ann Kuster, John Larson, James Langevin, Rick Larsen, Brenda Lawrence, Barbara Lee, John Lewis, Ted Lieu, David Loebsack, Zoe Lofgren, Alan Lowenthal, Stephen Lynch, Carolyn Maloney, Sean Patrick Maloney, Doris Matsui, Betty McCollum, Jim McDermott, James McGovern, Greg Meeks, Grace Meng, Seth Moulton, Jerrold Nadler, Grace Napolitano, Richard Neal, Rick Nolan, Eleanor Norton, Donald Payne, Jr., Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Jared Polis, David Price, Mike Quigley, Charles Rangel, Kathleen M. Rice, Lucille Roybal-Allard, John Sarbanes, Janice Schakowsky, Adam Schiff, Bobby Scott, Jose Serrano, Brad Sherman, Albio Sires, Louise Slaughter, Adam Smith, Jackie Speier, Eric Swalwell, Mark Takai, Mark Takano, Mike Thompson, Paul Tonko, Niki Tsongas, Chris Van Hollen, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velazquez, Maxine Waters, Peter Welch, Frederica Wilson, John Yarmuth Current Supporting Organizations (207): 350 Bay Area, 350.org, Alaska Wilderness League, Alliance for a Green Economy, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Rivers, Appalachian Voices, Athens County Fracking Action Network, Baldwin Hills Oil Watch, Berks Gas Truth, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Blue Heron Environmental Network Inc., Breast Cancer Action, Breathe Easy Susquehanna County, Buckeye Forest Council, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Bufallo County Defenders, Bus for Progress, Californians for Western Wilderness, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Effective Government, Center for Health, Environment & Justice, Center for Water Advocacy, Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Citizen Shale, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (NY & CT), Citizens Climate Lobby, Citizens for a Clean Pompton Lakes, Citizens for a Healthy Community, Citizens for Huerfano County, Citizens for Responsible Oil & Gas, Citizens for Water, Citizens to Protect Our Water, Citizens United for Renewable Energy, Citizens' Environment Coalition, Clean Air Council, Clean Energy Action, Clean Ocean Action, Clean Water Action, Clean Water Action New Jersey, Clean Water for North Carolina, ClimateMama, Coalition for a Frack-Free Tennessee, Coastal Monmouth Democratic Club, Committee for Clean Water, Air and Earth, Communities United for Rights and Environment, Concerned Chippewa Citizen, Concerned Citizens Ohio, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Doddridge County Watershed Association, Downwinders at Risk, Earth Day Network, Earth Justice, Earthworks, EcoEquity, EcoFlight, Energy Action Coalition, Environment America, Environment California, Environment Colorado, Environment Connecticut, Environment Georgia, Environment Iowa, Environment Maine, Environment Maryland, Environment Massachusetts, Environment Michigan, Environment Minnesota, Environment Missouri, Environment New Jersey, Environment New Mexico, Environment New York, Environment North Carolina, Environment Ohio, Environment Oregon, Environment Rhode Island, Environment Texas, Environment Virginia, Environment Washington, Environmental Action, Environmental Working Group, Fleased, Food & Water Watch, FracDallas, Frack Files of Weld, Frack Free Illinois, FreshWater Accountability Project Ohio, Friends of Blackwater, Friends of Strouds Run State Park, Friends of the Au Gres-Rifle Watershed, Friends of the Earth, Grand Valley Citizens Alliance, Grassroots Coalition, Grassroots Environmental Education, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Greeley, Colorado Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Green Party of Pennsylvania, Greenfaith--Interfaith Partners for the Environment, Harpeth River Watershed Association, Haw River Assembly, High Country Citizens' Alliance, Interfaith Power & Light, Iowa Audobon, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Jesus People Against Pollution, Justice and Peace Task Force of Plymouth United Church of Christ, Labor Network for Sustainability, League of Conservation Voters, Lehigh Valley Gas Truth, Licking County Concerned Citizens for Public Health and the Environment, LNG Opposition Team, Los Padres ForestWatch, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, Marcellus Outreach Butler, Marcellus Protest, Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, Michigan Land Air Water Defense, Mountain Watershed Association and Youghiogheny Riverkeeper, Move to Amend - Grand Rapids, MoveOn.org, Nature Abounds, Neighbors of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, Network for Oil and Gas Accountability and Protection, New Jersey Sustainable Collegiate Partners, North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, North Fork Ranch Landowner's Association, National Parks Conservation Association, Northern Plains Resource Council, Northjersey Pipeline Walkers, NRDC, Nuclear Energy Information Service, NYH2O, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Oil Change International, Our Broomfield, Our Health, Our Future, Our Longmont, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Peach Bottom Concerned Citizens Group, PennEnvironment, PennFuture, Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Water and Air, People's Oil& Gas Collaborative Ohio, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility - Kansas City, Physicians for Social Responsibility Philadelphia, Physicians Scientists & Engineers for Healthy Energy, Plains Alliance for Clean Air and Water, Potomac Riverkeeper, Powder River Basin Resource Council, Powder River Basin Resource Council, Clark Resource Council, and Pavillion Area Concerned Citizens, Prairie Rivers Network, Preserve Carolina, Preserve Trempealeau County, Protecting Our Waters, Riverkeeper, Rocky Mountain Recreation Initiative, Rocky Mountain Wild, Safe Climate Campaign, San Juan Citizens Alliance, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, SanDiego350.org, Savage River Watershed Association, Save Our Town Whitehall, SaveWithSunlight, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, SLO Clean Water Action, Solaria, SouthEast Communities Against Pollution, Southern Environmental Law Center, Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment, Southwest Ohio No Frack Forum, Stand Up Ohio, Stark-Summit Coalition, Sullivan Area Citizens for Responsible Energy Development, Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition, Sustainable Marin, Texas Drought Project, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TDEX), The Shalom Center, The Solution Project, The Wilderness Society, Tour de Frack, U.S. Climate Action Network, United for Action, WATERSPIRIT, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Inc., West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Western Colorado Congress, Western Nebraska Resources Council, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Western Slope Conservation Center, WildEarth Guardians, Wilderness Workshop, Wisconsin Environment, Wisconsin Resources Protection Council, WV Citizen Action Group, WV Surface Owners' Rights Organization, Youghiogheny Riverkeeper, Choose Clean Water Coaltion",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/no-child-left-behind-overhaul-signed-law,No Child Left Behind Overhaul Signed Into Law,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-05) today joined House and Senate leaders for the signing of the Every Student Succeeds Act by President Barack Obama. The bill, which passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support, replaces the current elementary and secondary education law No Child Left Behind. Thompson, who is a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, was appointed by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to serve on the committee responsible for settling differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, Thompson issued the following statement: The reforms put forward in the Every Student Succeeds Act will prepare students for the 21st century economy, empower parents to get out of the bleachers and back into the classrooms, and allow dedicated educators to teach and inspire our future generations. Todays signing ceremony for the Every Student Succeeds Act, marks a historic, bi-partisan recognition that an overhaul of No Child Left Behind was necessary to provide more flexibility and control to the states, school districts, educators, students and parents.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1655,"Casey, Toomey Statements on Confirmation Hearing for Four Candidates to U.S. District Courts of Pennsylvania",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) endorsed four nominees to fill judicial vacancies in Pennsylvania for U.S. District Court seats. In the last five years, Sens. Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. Together, they have vetted, recommended, and confirmed 14 Federal District Court Judges and one Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals -- more than every state but California and New York during this time. Judge Susan P. Baxter, Judge Robert J. Colville, and Judge Marilyn J. Horan are nominated to the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge John M. Younge is nominated to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. ""I'm pleased that the Judiciary Committee is moving forward by holding hearings for these nominees. They are all highly skilled legal professionals and experienced judges who will bring fairness and integrity to their work on the federal bench,"" Senator Casey said. ""Judge Baxter has earned a sterling reputation as an excellent jurist during her two decades as a Federal Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Robert Colville has served on the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County with distinction for the last fifteen years and is respected for his extensive work on juvenile justice. Judge Marilyn Horan has compiled a distinguished 20 year record as a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Butler County and will do excellent work on the federal bench in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Younge has built a long record as one of Philadelphia's most respected Common pleas County judges and now has the opportunity to continue his work on the federal bench. I appreciated working with Senator Toomey in a bipartisan fashion to recommend these individuals to the White House. Over the last four years, Senator Toomey and I have successfully completed the nominations and the confirmation of 14 Federal District Court judges and one Third Circuit judge in Pennsylvania. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Toomey to recommend highly qualified individuals for the federal bench."" ""I was pleased to speak on behalf of Judge Susan P. Baxter, Judge Robert J. Colville, Judge Marilyn J. Horan, and Judge John M. Younge at today's hearing,"" said Sen. Toomey. ""These nominees possess a wealth of legal experience from their work in both the public and private sectors. I am confident that they have the acumen, integrity, and respect for the limited role of the judiciary that they need to excel as federal judges. As we have done over the years, I look forward to working with Sen. Casey on a bipartisan basis to have these outstanding nominees confirmed by the Senate."" Each has undergone a background check and clearance process by the committee. Committee members questioned each on their qualifications today and will vote to recommend a full Senate vote in the coming days. Timing of a vote by the Senate is uncertain. Judge Susan Paradise Baxter: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge Susan Paradise Baxter has served as United States Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1995 to the present, serving as Chief Magistrate Judge from 2005 to 2009. Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate Judge, Judge Baxter worked as the Court Solicitor for the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, was a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Cole, Raywid & Braverman (now Davis Wright Tremaine LLP). Judge Baxter received her J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1983, a M.Ed. from Temple University in 1980, and a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 1978. Judge Robert John Colville: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge Robert John Colville has served as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County since 2000. Judge Colville currently presides over civil matters. Since 2012, he has also served as a judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. Previously, Judge Colville worked as an associate at the law firm of Pietragallo Bosick & Gordon in Pittsburgh. He began his legal career by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Ralph J. Cappy, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Judge Colville received his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 1992, and his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 1989. Judge Marilyn Jean Horan: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge Marilyn Jean Horan has been a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Butler County since 1996. Judge Horan currently serves in the civil division. During her tenure on the bench, Judge Horan has also presided over criminal and family law cases. Previously, from 1979 to 1996, Judge Horan worked at the law firm of Murrin, Taylor, Flach & Horan, where she was elevated to partner in 1982. Judge Horan received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1979, and her B.A. magna cum laude from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. Judge John Milton Younge: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Judge John Milton Younge has been a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial Circuit of Pennsylvania since 1996. Judge Younge has extensive experience presiding over both criminal and civil cases. From 1985 to 1995, Judge Younge worked at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, serving as Deputy Executive Director and subsequently as General Counsel. He began his legal career as a solo practitioner in Philadelphia. Judge Younge received his M.J.S. in 2011, from the University of Nevada, Reno, his J.D. in 1981 from Howard University School of Law, and his B.S. in 1977 from Boston University. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/liam-migdail-smith-adding-mileage-transportation-bill,Liam Migdail-Smith: Adding mileage to transportation bill,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"As published in the Reading Eagle U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello has had a few reasons to smile lately. In a newsroom interview before he took office about a year ago, the Chester County Republican, who represents parts of the Berks and Tri-County areas, had listed several measures he wanted a hand in during his first term. Two of the big ones - a long-term transportation bill and an overhaul offederal education policy - happened last week. And both included amendments he authored. I caught up with Costello on Tuesday to chat about the transportation bill, which President Barack Obama signed last week, and get his thoughts as a member of the committee that developed it. The bill represents a sort of double-edged sword. It marks the return of a once-routine achievement Congress had not been able to accomplish since 2005: funding transportation for longer than a year or two at a time. That's a big relief for planners and transit agencies, which need reliable income if they're going to take on major, multiyear projects.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-legislation-strengthen-our-homeland-security,House Passes Legislation to Strengthen Our Homeland Security,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the House of Representatives passed four pieces of legislation to streamline and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, the House has renewed its focus on security measures to better protect our homeland. The following bills passed the House of Representatives: H.R. 3869: State and Local Cyber Protection Act: Directs the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) at DHS to identify vulnerabilities in information systems and cybersecurity tools. Additionally, H.R. 3869 encourages coordination with state and local officials on best practices for dealing with cybersecurity. Passed by a unanimous vote. H.R. 2795: First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations (FRIENDS) Act: Ensures that state and local programs and policies prepare and protect our nations first responders as well as their families in areas impacted by a terrorist attack. Passed by a vote of 396-12. H.R. 3875: Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act: Establishes a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Office within DHS to ensure our nation is prepared for CBRNE threats and attacks of high magnitude. Passed by a unanimous vote. H.R. 3578: DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act: Improves how the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) within DHS carries out and conducts homeland security research and development. Passed by a unanimous vote. Following passage, Congressman Costello released the following statement: These are decisive Congressional actions to ensure our nation and our citizens remain safe and confident in how were protecting our homeland. We are living in very serious times, and these bills will strengthen DHS to adapt to the changing and evolving tactics of our enemies. Additionally, the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 158: the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Improvement Act and H.R. 4038: the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act. H.R. 158 addresses key vulnerabilities in the VWP by implementing more rigorous background checks for foreign travelers and more reoccurring examinations of the program and its effectiveness. H.R. 4038 would suspend the Syrian and Iraqi refugee admissions into the United States until certain certifications are met. Costello recently signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 4186: the Enemy Expatriation Act, which proposes revoking U.S. citizenship for any Americans traveling abroad to join, participate in, train with, fight for, conspire with, or otherwise support a foreign terrorist organization, including ISIS. This legislation was authored by Pennsylvania Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://kelly.house.gov/press-release/icymi-rep-kelly-hosts-special-order-mandatory-congressional-oversight-paris-climate,ICYMI: Rep. Kelly Hosts Special Order on Mandatory Congressional Oversight of Paris Climate Treaty,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Warns President Obama against circumventing Congress on deal crafted at UN summit in Paris, ending Friday WATCH HERE WASHINGTON U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) a member of the House Ways and Means Committee hosted a Special Order on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday evening to bring attention to the international agreement currently being negotiated at the ongoing Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France, and to emphasize the constitutionally-mandated role of the U.S. Senate in approving any such treaty. The order was attended by six other House members. Highlights of Rep. Kellys remarks: Its kind of shocking and stunning that a former professor of constitutional law would have a total disregard for the Constitution. Id like to tell the president that the Constitution is not a suggestion. It is who we are. It is what makes us a successful nation. It is stunning that the legacy of one man would overshadow whats good for not only our country, but the world. Decisions made by this president and commitments made by this president he makes the House irrelevant. This is not, by the way, a Republican or Democrat issue. This is an American issue. This goes to the very framework and the very foundation of who we are as a nation. And I would just say to the president, if you go to Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2 [of the Constitution], its very clearly stated: The President shall have power by and with the advice and consent of the Senate to make treaties provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur. Were talking about energy and were talking about setting targets and timetables that will be very expensive for hardworking taxpayers money. And I would like to remind the president that the money that hes talking about committing is not his; it belongs to hardworking American taxpayers. This insane idea that somehow there is an endless amount of money to be thrown around the world for whatever reason possible, and knowing that, really, the Paris Protocol is nothing more than a conversation taking place in Paris. This is not whats good for America; this is whats good for this administration, and this president. That is not only shameful, it is unconstitutional, and cannot be tolerated. That is why, with Senator Lee in the Senate, and myself, weve come up with a concurrent resolution [H. Con Res. 97] that states: any commitment of funds hardworking American taxpayers funds has got to come before the Senate for its advice and consent. We can debate, and we can talk and we can amend. But what we cannot condone is an executive that has a total disregard for this House and for the Senate. . If we turn our back on this, what will be next? The Constitution is not a suggestion. It is who we are as a nation. It is what makes us great. It is what allows the people to decide how they will be governednot the government to decide how the people will be governed. Mr. President: You are the President of the United States; you take the same oath all of us take, and if for some reason you cant remember what it is, then please a look at it and remind yourself who you are, what you are, and who you represent. BACKGROUND: During a White House press briefing on March 31, 2015, White House spokesman Josh Earnest was asked by Fox News reporter Shannon Bream whether Congress has the right to approve the protocol negotiated in Paris. He replied: I think its hard to take seriously from some members of Congress who deny the fact that climate change exists, that they should have some opportunity to render judgment about a climate change agreement. NOTE: On November 19, 2015, Rep. Kelly and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 97 and S. Con. Res. 25) in the House and Senate respectively to require that President Obama submit to the U.S. Senate whatever agreement he may negotiate at the UNFCCC. The resolution currently has 73 co-sponsors in the House and 33 co-sponsors in the Senate. That same day, Rep. Kelly and Sen. Lee co-authored a joint op-ed for National Review Online detailing the purpose of their resolution, which can be read here. On December 1, 2015, Rep. Kelly and Sen. Lee participated in a joint video interview video with The Hill to discuss the importance of their resolution, which can be viewed here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1654,Congress Enacts Toomey Measure to Help Protect Children from Pedophiles Infiltrating the Classroom,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Education Bill, Including Pass-the-Trash Ban, Goes to Presidents Desk WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) legislation to help protect children from pedophiles infiltrating America's classrooms will soon become law. Today, the Senate passed a bipartisan education bill reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Sen. Toomey fought to include in the education reform measure his legislation banning ""passing the trash""-the terrible process whereby a school helps a child molester employee obtain a new job and move on to other victims. The measure will become law when the President signs the bill. ""For the first time, Congress has acted to protect our children from pedophiles infiltrating America's classrooms. Under Toomey's provision to the Every Student Succeeds Act, schools will no longer be able to help a known child molester obtain a job elsewhere, and become someone else's problem. It is hard to imagine that this appalling practice ever occurs-much less occurs so frequently as to have its own moniker, passing the trash.' Congress's ban is long overdue. This is a victory for children in Pennsylvania and across the country,"" said Sen. Toomey. ""I am pleased that we were able to bridge our differences to enact this bipartisan solution. I will continue fighting to prevent sexual abuse of our children, including fighting to require background checks for all school workers who have access to children. Our children deserve it."" Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, praised Sen. Toomey's leadership to ensure that the Every Student Succeeds Act will help protect children from child molesters in schools. ""Sen. Toomey's tireless advocacy for vulnerable children has led Congress to achieve bipartisan consensus on legislation to help prevent sexual abuse by school personnel of the 50 million children in our 100,000 public schools,"" Sen. Alexander said. ""This simply would not have happened without Pat Toomey's leadership and persuasiveness."" Sally Cooke, of Blackwood, N.J., the mother of a child who was sexually abused by her track coach, explained how crucial Sen. Toomey's legislation is. She said, ""Thank you from every child who will not have the guilt, the shame, the pain of abuse. Thank you from every mother who had to watch her child endure the pain, the trauma of abuse. Thank you for protecting our children. Thank you for standing up and saying this is not okay that our children are exposed to these criminals. I hope everyone realizes what an impact this bill has: Many children are safer. Because of this bill, and Sen. Toomey's efforts, we are a better society."" Sen. Toomey's legislation to ban passing the trash was inspired by the tragic story of 12-year-old Jeremy Bell. A school in Delaware County, Pa. quietly dismissed a teacher for molesting several children. But instead of acting to stop the predator, the school helped him obtain a new job in West Virginia, sending letters of recommendation for the teacher. That teacher continued to harm young children, eventually raping and murdering Jeremy Bell. Under Sen. Toomey's provision, a school district that receives federal funds shall not assist a school worker in obtaining a new job if the school knows or has probable cause to believe that the school worker engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor or student. The provision has been endorsed by seven child advocacy groups, three law enforcement organizations, and three prosecutors groups: Child Advocates: National Children's Alliance National Center for Missing and Exploited Children S.E.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct & Exploitation) Center for Children's Justice Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape MassKids, Inc. American Academy of Pediatrics Law Enforcement: Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association National Association of Police Organizations National Sheriffs' Association Prosecutors: Association of Prosecuting Attorneys National District Attorneys Association PA District Attorneys' Association ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1674,"Casey, Toomey Statements on Confirmation Hearing for Four Candidates to U.S. District Courts of Pennsylvania",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - At a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) endorsed four nominees to fill judicial vacancies in Pennsylvania for U.S. District Court seats. In the last five years, Sens. Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. Together, they have vetted, recommended, and confirmed 14 Federal District Court Judges and one Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals -- more than every state but California and New York during this time. Judge Susan P. Baxter, Judge Robert J. Colville, and Judge Marilyn J. Horan are nominated to the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge John M. Younge is nominated to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. ""I'm pleased that the Judiciary Committee is moving forward by holding hearings for these nominees. They are all highly skilled legal professionals and experienced judges who will bring fairness and integrity to their work on the federal bench,"" Senator Casey said. ""Judge Baxter has earned a sterling reputation as an excellent jurist during her two decades as a Federal Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Robert Colville has served on the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County with distinction for the last fifteen years and is respected for his extensive work on juvenile justice. Judge Marilyn Horan has compiled a distinguished 20 year record as a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Butler County and will do excellent work on the federal bench in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Younge has built a long record as one of Philadelphia's most respected Common pleas County judges and now has the opportunity to continue his work on the federal bench. I appreciated working with Senator Toomey in a bipartisan fashion to recommend these individuals to the White House. Over the last four years, Senator Toomey and I have successfully completed the nominations and the confirmation of 14 Federal District Court judges and one Third Circuit judge in Pennsylvania. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Toomey to recommend highly qualified individuals for the federal bench."" ""I was pleased to speak on behalf of Judge Susan P. Baxter, Judge Robert J. Colville, Judge Marilyn J. Horan, and Judge John M. Younge at today's hearing,"" said Sen. Toomey. ""These nominees possess a wealth of legal experience from their work in both the public and private sectors. I am confident that they have the acumen, integrity, and respect for the limited role of the judiciary that they need to excel as federal judges. As we have done over the years, I look forward to working with Sen. Casey on a bipartisan basis to have these outstanding nominees confirmed by the Senate."" Each has undergone a background check and clearance process by the committee. Committee members questioned each on their qualifications today and will vote to recommend a full Senate vote in the coming days. Timing of a vote by the Senate is uncertain. Judge Susan Paradise Baxter: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge Susan Paradise Baxter has served as United States Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1995 to the present, serving as Chief Magistrate Judge from 2005 to 2009. Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate Judge, Judge Baxter worked as the Court Solicitor for the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, was a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Cole, Raywid & Braverman (now Davis Wright Tremaine LLP). Judge Baxter received her J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1983, a M.Ed. from Temple University in 1980, and a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 1978. Judge Robert John Colville: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge Robert John Colville has served as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County since 2000. Judge Colville currently presides over civil matters. Since 2012, he has also served as a judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. Previously, Judge Colville worked as an associate at the law firm of Pietragallo Bosick & Gordon in Pittsburgh. He began his legal career by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Ralph J. Cappy, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Judge Colville received his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 1992, and his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 1989. Judge Marilyn Jean Horan: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Judge Marilyn Jean Horan has been a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Butler County since 1996. Judge Horan currently serves in the civil division. During her tenure on the bench, Judge Horan has also presided over criminal and family law cases. Previously, from 1979 to 1996, Judge Horan worked at the law firm of Murrin, Taylor, Flach & Horan, where she was elevated to partner in 1982. Judge Horan received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1979, and her B.A. magna cum laude from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. Judge John Milton Younge: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Judge John Milton Younge has been a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial Circuit of Pennsylvania since 1996. Judge Younge has extensive experience presiding over both criminal and civil cases. From 1985 to 1995, Judge Younge worked at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, serving as Deputy Executive Director and subsequently as General Counsel. He began his legal career as a solo practitioner in Philadelphia. Judge Younge received his M.J.S. in 2011, from the University of Nevada, Reno, his J.D. in 1981 from Howard University School of Law, and his B.S. in 1977 from Boston University. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pottstown-naacp-vice-president-attends-150th-anniversary-ratification,Pottstown NAACP Vice President Attends 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) welcomed Pottstown NAACP Vice President Jonathan Corson and his wife, Paula Corson, to Capitol Hill to attend the Congressional Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. On December 6, 1865, the states ratified the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, affirming that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."" The amendment was adopted on December 18, 1865. The ceremony, held in Emancipation Hall in the United States Capitol Visitors Center, was hosted by Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Democrat Senate Leader Harry Reid, and Democrat House Leader Nancy Pelosi. It was also attended by President Barack Obama, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Members of Congress, and African American community leaders from across the country. Following the ceremony, Congressman Costello reflected on the importance of the Thirteenth Amendment: Today, we celebrated the amendment that ushered in a new birth of freedom and the opportunity for many to achieve a better life. As we were reminded during the ceremony, the Thirteenth Amendment is only 43 words long but is one of the most significant and powerful statements of our nations values. While I do often disagree with President Obama on policy matters, it was a historic occasion to be with Pottstown NAACP leaders as we watched the first African American President deliver remarks in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitors Center commemorating passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. I was very proud to have Pottstown be a part of the ceremony given the many civil rights leaders whove called Pottstown home throughout its history. View the entire ceremony here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-leads-special-order-hour-american-energy-and-prosperity,Rothfus Leads Special Order Hour on American Energy and Prosperity,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] and Congressman Mike Kelly [PA-3] led a special order hour on the House floor Tuesday night to highlight the critical role affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy have played in improving the lives of the American people and billions around the globe. Congressman Rothfus emphasized the vital role of affordable energy plays in improving our quality of life and brought attention to the high human cost of the Presidents regulatory agenda.President Obama and other world leaders recently championed stringent energy regulations as well as generous climate change commitments at the COP-21 Summit in Paris. The Special Order participants also discussed the importance of following constitutional principles and ensuring that the President submit any agreement reached in Paris to the Senate for ratification as a treaty. Congressman Rothfus also reiterated the importance of passing his FAIR Burdens Act (H.R. 4169), which would block power plant rules such as the Clean Power Plan from coming into effect absent similar action from major carbon dioxide emitters like China, Russia, and India. The bill was introduced last week and has ten original co-sponsors. Congressmen Rothfus and Kelly were joined by Representatives Hartzler (MO), Palmer (AL), Weber (TX), and Yoho (FL). Congressman Rothfus introductory remarks can be viewed here and the full special order can be viewed here. Congressman Rothfus remarks as prepared for delivery: I thank the gentleman for yielding. I wanted to take the opportunity this evening to take a different look at American produced energy. As many of you know, one of my core convictions is the importance of upholding the dignity of human life. Our task here in Washington should be to promote ideas and policies that allow people to live longer, healthier, and more rewarding lives. It is in that spirit that I have joined with my fellow Pennsylvanian, Representative Kelly, and our like-minded colleagues to host tonights special order. Starting last week, world elites gathered in Paris to negotiate climate change commitments and promises that, if enacted, could undo generations of human progress progress that has provided us with the affordable and reliable energy necessary for humans to truly flourish. Im here tonight to tell another side of this story, one that abandons the dogma of scarcity put forward by elites in Paris and climate change zealots in Washington. I want to shift this debate to focus on the remarkable story of human abundance. Affordable, reliable energy has been responsible for helping to improve and prolong the lives of billions of people around the world. Energy powers our businesses; it keeps the lights on in our homes; it allows us to have fresh food and clean water; and it powers our schools and hospitals. Energy is in many respects a life or death matter. Its a moral issue, and it deserves more careful consideration than its given by the President. As you can see, for much of human history, our lives were short, miserable, and lacking in fulfillment. Consider that, until the industrial revolution, people lived 27 years on-average, earned little money, and faced limited opportunities. As people learned to access the bounty of energy available, we turned it to our advantage. As we got better at it, incomes and populations soared. In China and India, both of which have industrialized over the last generation, life expectancy has increased by more than a decade. Infant mortality has plummeted by 70 and 58 percent respectively. And this is all correlated with increased energy use and the availability of affordable energy resources. As Alex Epstein argues in the Moral Case for Fossil Fuels, hundreds of millions of people [] have gotten their first lightbulb, their first refrigerator, their first decent-paying job With all of our worlds problems, affordable energy has helped make this the brightest, most abundant time in human history. Some may disparage this story as one of unseemly consumption and excess. I see it as a tremendous triumph of human ingenuity and a victory for those of us who put human well-being as our top priority. We can tell the same story about Western Pennsylvania, where we are once again witnessing increasing prosperity, attracted by affordable and reliable energy. This entails better opportunities for Pennsylvanias youth and a better quality of life. Thats why Im so troubled by the Presidents actions at home and in Paris. In negotiating a global compact, which will likely entail further restrictions on our access to energy, the President is unknowingly endangering our future well-being. By not taking his plans to Congress for approval, as should be the case with a treaty, the President is ignoring the will of the American people. This is not a trivial point. The American people will be denied the opportunity to weigh in on something that will drastically impact their daily lives. Remember, the President said when he was a candidate in 2008 that electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket. And all of this comes in addition to heavy burdens that the American people already have to grapple with. Take the so-called Clean Power Plan as an example. By forcing more power plant closures and placing stricter requirements on those that remain, the Presidents plan will raise energy prices by $289 billion through 2030, hurting American families and businesses large and small. Research suggests that well see 224,000 fewer American jobs being created each year because of this rule. Well also see reduced disposable income and weaker economic growth. And minority communities will be especially hard-hit. A study from the National Black Chamber of Commerce found that the Clean Power Plan would increase poverty among African-Americans by 23% and Hispanics by 26%. This is unacceptable and it is immoral. Real people will be hurt by these actions, yet few in Washington seem to care about these real human costs. Thats why Ive introduced a bill called the FAIR Burdens Act. This bill would prevent the President from endangering our prosperity and well-being until the EPA can verify that a sufficient number of countries have enacted similarly stringent policies. In other words, the FAIR Burdens Act would ensure that Americans arent made to needlessly suffer and that our jobs arent forced overseas as the President unilaterally slows the American economy. But we cant just rely on legislation we need to change the narrative and educate the public. Affordable, reliable energy is a vital ingredient for human prosperity and well-being. Ignoring this fact and taking ill-conceived policy actions as a result condemns millions of Americans and billions around the world to dimmer futures, higher energy costs, and less prosperity. We owe it to our constituents to defend their ability to live fulfilling, prosperous lives. I want to thank my colleagues who have joined me here tonight to do just that and I yield the balance of my time. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/resolution-reaffirming-freedom-of-press-passes-senate,Resolution Reaffirming Freedom of Press Passes Senate,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced that a resolution highlighting the importance of press freedom and the issue of impunity in attacks against journalists has passed the Senate. The bipartisan resolution recognizes the dangers that reporters face and reaffirms freedom of the press as a priority for the U.S. government. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 221 journalists worldwide were in prison as of December 1, 2014, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian who remains jailed in Iran. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2014 Syria was the worlds deadliest country for journalists for the third year in a row. I am pleased that my colleagues have passed this resolution. Senator Casey said. Journalists take incredible risks to tell the truth about major events in the world. Too often reporters face intimidation and imprisonment. Unfortunately, just in 2015 there have been attacks on press freedom, like Hossam Bahgat in Egypt, who was detained for simply doing his job. This resolution recognizes the important of press freedom and affirms that promoting freedom of the press should be a central feature of our nations foreign policy. While our world today is more open and connected than ever before, repressive governments continue targeting journalists and media outlets in order to cover up their own corruption, brutality, and incompetence, said Senator Rubio. The U.S. cannot overlook assaults on press freedom like the case in Iran where The Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian is languishing in an Iranian jail cell because of his profession as a reporter. By honoring World Press Freedom Day, the U.S. reaffirms its support for independent journalists and media outlets that are being persecuted around the world. As the son of a journalist, I grew up on the principle that asking the hard questions is absolutely essential to a free society, Senator Wyden said. Journalists in too many places around the world are threatened for reporting the facts. By passing this resolution, the U.S. Senate has rightly called on the administration and free societies around the world to stand against the persecution of journalists and the stifling of ideas. The full resolution can be seen below. Calendar No. 135 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 207 Recognizing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 22, 2015 Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. WYDEN, and Mrs. SHAHEEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations June 25, 2015 Reported by Mr. CORKER, without amendment RESOLUTION Recognizing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance. Whereas Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted at Paris December 10, 1948, states that `everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers'; Whereas, in 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 of each year as `World Press Freedom Day' to celebrate the fundamental principles of freedom of the press, to evaluate freedom of the press around the world, to defend the media from attacks on its independence, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession; Whereas, on December 18, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/68/163) on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, which unequivocally condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, including torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations; Whereas 2015 is the 22nd anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, which focuses on the theme `Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, and Media Safety in the Digital Age'; Whereas the 2015 World Press Freedom prize was awarded to Syrian journalist and human rights activist Mazen Darwish, who remains imprisoned by the Assad regime; Whereas the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-166; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note), which was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, expanded the examination of freedom of the press around the world in the annual human rights report of the Department of State; Whereas, according to Freedom House, only approximately 14 percent of the world's inhabitants--or one in seven people--live in countries with a press ranked as `Free' by Freedom House; Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, 69 journalists and 19 citizen journalists were killed in 2014 in connection with their collection and dissemination of news and information; Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the 3 deadliest countries for journalists on assignment in 2014 were Syria, Ukraine, and Iraq; Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 40 percent of the journalists killed in 2014 were targeted for murder and 31 percent of journalists murdered reported receiving threats first; Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 650 journalists have been killed between 1992 and April 2015 without the perpetrators of such crimes facing punishment; Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the 5 countries with the highest number of journalist murders that go unpunished, measured from 2004 to 2014, are Iraq, Somalia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Syria; Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, 853 journalists and 122 citizen journalists were arrested in 2014; Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 221 journalists worldwide were in prison as of December 1, 2014; Whereas, according to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, the 5 countries with the highest number of journalists in prison as of December 1, 2014, were China, Eritrea, Iran, Ethiopia, and Vietnam; Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders' 2015 World Press Freedom Index, Eritrea, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Syria, and China ranked lowest according to a range of criteria that include `media pluralism and independence, respect for the safety and freedom of journalists, and the legislative, institutional and infrastructural environment in which the media operate'; Whereas, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2014 Syria was the world's deadliest country for journalists for the third year in a row; Whereas, according to the International Federation of Journalists, more than 40 journalists and media staff have been killed since January 2015; Whereas, according to Reporters Without Borders, the Government of the Russian Federation continued to intensify its pressure on the media to bring independent news outlets under control or be throttled out of existence; Whereas Freedom House has cited a deteriorating environment for Internet freedom around the world and ranked Iran, Syria, China, Cuba, and Ethiopia as `Not Free' and having the worst obstacles to access, limits on content, and violations of user rights among the 65 countries and territories rated by Freedom House in 2014; Whereas freedom of the press is absolutely essential to the creation and maintenance of free and open societies and a key component of democratic governance, the activism of civil society, and socioeconomic development; and Whereas freedom of the press enhances public accountability, transparency, and participation: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) commemorates World Press Freedom Day by commending journalists like Mazen Darwish and others around the world for the vital role they play in supporting open and democratic societies, promoting government accountability, and strengthening civil society; (2) expresses concern about the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world, and pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives carrying out their work; (3) pays tribute to the journalists who have lost their lives carrying out their work; (4) calls on governments abroad to implement United Nations General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/68/163), by thoroughly investigating and seeking to resolve outstanding cases of violence against journalists, including murders and kidnappings, while ensuring the protection of witnesses; (5) condemns all actions around the world that suppress freedom of the press, including: the brutal murders of journalists by the terrorist group ISIS, violent attacks against media outlets like the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and kidnappings of journalists and media workers in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian militant groups; (6) reaffirms the centrality of freedom of the press to efforts by the United States Government to support democracy, mitigate conflict, and promote good governance domestically and around the world; and (7) calls on the President and the Secretary of State-- (A) to improve the means by which the United States Government rapidly identifies, publicizes, and responds to threats against freedom of the press around the world; (B) to urge foreign governments to transparently investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of attacks against journalists; and (C) to highlight the issue of threats against freedom of the press year-round. ### Press Contact Jacklin Rhoads (Casey)- 202-228-6367 Alex Burgos (Rubio)- 202-224-3041 Hank Stern (Wyden)- 503-326-7539",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/gao-democratic-leaders-national-climate-information-system-could-better,"GAO, Democratic Leaders: National Climate Information System Could Better Help Officials Plan for Extreme Weather Events, Prevent Billions in Damages",2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that, in the face of global climate change, more can be done in the United States to share useful climate data so that leaders at the federal, state, and local level, as well as those in the private sector, can better prepare for future extreme weather events and prevent billions of dollars in damages. In the report requested by House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Senate Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA), the nonpartisan agency recommended that a national climate information system be created to help decision makers access, translate, and use climate information in planning. GAO noted that extreme weather events over the last decade have cost the federal government over $300 billion. As these events become increasingly common and more intense due to climate change, costs are also expected to grow. A focused, streamlined national climate information system, like those in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, would help to more effectively disseminate critical, timely information and allow decision makers to make the necessary investments in modernization and resilience. The GAO has already recognized the risks associated with extreme weather events by adding severe weather threats to its 2013 and 2015 High Risk Lists, which outline the most pressing fiscal exposures faced by the federal government, said Rep. Cartwright. While federal coordination efforts have been improving over the past two years we still have a long way to go to adequately prepare for the threats posed by extreme weather events. To confront this issue, Ive introduced the PREPARE Act; this zero-cost bill requires the federal government to better coordinate their efforts and form comprehensive plans to address the threat posed by extreme weather events. Extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy have shown us firsthand the devastating costs of climate change on peoples lives, the environment, and our economy, said Rep. Pallone. This report makes clear that, while important steps are already being taken to adapt to our changing climate, more needs to be done to ensure that our leaders at all levels have the tools and information they need to prepare for the coming changes and mitigate damages down the road. Climate inaction is costing taxpayers money at all levels, Sen. Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said. Good information should be available to decision makers at the local, state and federal levels, so to better prepare for the impacts of climate change. The release of this report comes after House and Senate Republicans continued their partisan efforts to undermine efforts by the United States to lead the international community in taking serious steps to address global climate change by reducing carbon emissions. A copy of the full report is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=755,Shuster Announces Federal Fire Grant Funding Application Period Opens,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) announced that the application period for the FY 2015 US Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agencys Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program will open today, Monday, December 7th and close on Friday, January 15th at 5:00pm. This grant funding saves lives plain and simple, said Congressman Shuster. We have many first responders across the district that have utilized the AFG program in the past to acquire new vehicles and protective equipment along with using funds to recruit new volunteer firefighters. I urge them to look into this program and to contact my office if we can be of any assistance. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program helps meet the needs of firefighters, emergency responders, and emergency medical organizations. Funds provided by the AFG program are used to purchase supplies, including new vehicles, protective gear, staff training, and other resources that local departments need to protect the public. For fire departments / applicants requiring assistance please visit www.fema.gov/grants, or contact the AFG Help Desk at firegrants@fema.gov or 1.866.274.0960. Fire departments and other interested entities interested in assistance from Congressman Shusters office or to receive letters of support regarding their grant request can contact the office by calling 814-696-6318. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=756,House Moves to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg) helped pass H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015 on Tuesday. The legislation strengthens the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by requiring individuals that have traveled to countries of concern and State Sponsors of Terrorism such as Iraq, Syria, and Iran since March 1, 2011 to obtain a visa before entering the United States. Congress needs to make several reforms to strengthen our national security in order to defend American soil from radical Islamic terrorists, said Congressman Shuster. One of the important steps that is needed is to make certain that individuals who have visited nations like Iraq, Syria, and Iran in the last several years cannot use the Visa Waiver program to enter the United States. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act closes a potential path for terrorists to get into the country, and helps eliminate another backdoor for ISIS. The Visa Waiver Program was created in 1986 to allow individuals from participating countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days for business or tourism without obtaining a U.S. visa. If they were a national from a participating country, they would just need to present a valid passport and meet additional requirements. With this legislation, individuals that have traveled to nations including Iraq, Syria, and Iran would need to go through the full Visa process in order to enter the United States. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-boyle-introduces-bill-close-visa-loophole,Congressman Boyle introduces bill to close visa loophole,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Freda R. Savana, staff writer Congressman Brendan Boyle, D-13, introduced legislation Monday to close a loophole that, he said, could help a foreign terrorist enter the U.S. with minimal screening. The bill, HR 4173, would require any foreign individual who has traveled to Iraq and Syria within the past five years to apply for a regular visitor visa, rather than the expedited U.S. visa waiver program. The regular visitor visa includes a detailed application, in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate and fingerprint scans before being admitted to America. ""This is a reasonable step we all agree can and must be taken to secure our borders from foreign terrorists,"" Boyle said in a statement. Boyle's congressional district includes parts of Montgomery County and Philadelphia.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-boyle-calling-humanitarian-assistance-ukraine,Congressman Boyle Calling for Humanitarian Assistance for Ukraine,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-13) entered the following statement on the record about humanitarian assistance for Ukraine: Mr. Speaker, as a proud representative of a vibrant Ukrainian community in my district, I rise to echo the requests of an extremely important and time-sensitive meeting with the administration where the Ukrainian community pleaded for necessary humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. The global community continues to mourn the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris. These attacks remind us of the importance of our freedom and democracy in our turbulent world these values must be actively safeguarded each day. Ukraine has been doing just that: fighting for its democracy and freedom each day denouncing Russian authoritarianism and combating Putin's aggression. Ukrainians are on the ground battling Russian separatists and thugs attempting to steal their democratic freedoms and undermine their self-governance. As a result, Ukraine has suffered 7,883 deaths and 17,610 wounded citizens, according to OCHAs latest report. Five million Ukrainians have been affected by Russias aggression. It is shocking that this number is hardly discussed. One million Ukrainians have fled Ukraine since 2014, and 1.5 million Ukrainians are considered Internally Displaced People. And these numbers continue to rise. Ukraine needs more humanitarian assistance, and they need it now. Winter is fast approaching. Time is running out for winterization. Temperatures will plummet to 0 degrees and below. Eastern Ukraine has already experienced its first snowfall. We must act before it is too late. Today, many Ukrainians have little to no access to humanitarian assistance because very few humanitarian partners have received authorization from the de facto authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk to operate. Restrictions on freedom of movement have resulted in civilians waiting 24 hours before they can cross checkpoints across the ceasefire line which will be impossible to do in the winter. Additionally, a recent assessment has discovered that 20% of Internally Displaced People reside in destroyed or damaged homes. These homes need rebuilding materials now as temperatures continue to drop. These crucial humanitarian supplies need to be airlifted to Ukraine, and the United States should expand its efforts in helping to provide these supplies. It is becoming ever more critical by the day. Let's bring more humanitarian assistance to our partner in democratic freedom, Ukraine, immediately before the death toll increases any higher",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-bill-strengthen-security-visa-waiver-program,House Passes Bill to Strengthen the Security of the Visa Waiver Program,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, with the support of Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06), the House of Representatives passed H.R. 158: the Visa Waiver Program (WVP) Improvement Act by a large bipartisan vote of 407-19. In the wake of recent terror attacks, the House has renewed its focus on homeland security measures to better protect our homeland from weaknesses exposed in our immigration, refugee, and visa systems. Passage of the bill comes on the heels of recommendations made by the House Task Force on Combatting Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel. Currently, the VWP allows individuals from 38 countries, including France and Belgium, to travel to the U.S. for stays of 90 days or less. H.R. 158 addresses key vulnerabilities in the VWP by implementing more rigorous background checks for foreign travelers and more reoccurring examinations of the program and its effectiveness. In addition, H.R. 158 grants the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to suspend a country from VWP participation if it fails to share terrorism and foreign traveler data, and disqualifies an individual if they have traveled to Iraq and Syria within the past 5 years. This is in an effort to prevent foreign fighters from entering the U.S. Following passage of the bill, Congressman Costello released the following statement: The threat of an attack by ISIS on our nation is real and keeping America safe is my top priority as a Member of Congress. It is imperative that we take the necessary precautions to protect our homeland and prevent our enemies from entering our borders through the VWP to inflict harm on our citizens. The reforms we passed this evening are responsible and commonsense security measures needed to ensure we are properly using the tools we have at our disposal to keep terrorists out of America and keep our nation safe. In addition to H.R. 158, the House recently passed H.R. 4038: the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act to suspend the Syrian and Iraqi refugee admissions into the United States until certain conditions are met. For the past year, the House Committee on Homeland Security has been investigating the counterterrorism challenges associated with a number of security weaknesses that have allowed terrorists and foreign fighters to cross borders or penetrate refugee populations. The House-passed pieces of legislation directly address these deficiencies. Background on the Visa Waiver Program The VWP was created in 1986 and allows nationals from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days for business or tourism without obtaining a U.S. visa, by presenting a valid passport, and by meeting certain other requirements. Currently, there are 38 countries that participate in the VWP. View the list of the nations included in the VWP here. To be designated as a VWP country, the country must participate in security reviews every other year and meet several key conditions, such as offering reciprocal visa-free travel for U.S. citizens and meeting a host of information-sharing and security requirements. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=418D6FC4-C0C2-49F8-95BE-DCEF1C272860,Dent Introduces Legislation to Revoke Citizenship of Terrorists Fighting Against U.S.,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Charlie Dent,D000604,dent.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) announced the introduction of H.R. 4186, the Enemy Expatriation Act, that would provide for a loss of American citizenship for people who travel overseas to join ISIS or other foreign terrorist organizations designated by the Secretary of State. An individual could make no clearer statement that they have voluntarily repudiated their American citizenship than by traveling overseas to join ISIS or any other designated terrorist organization, said Representative Dent. Current federal law identifies several actions by which United States citizens and legal permanent residents can voluntarily relinquish their nationality. These acts include serving in the armed forces of a foreign state at war with the United States and committing treason. However, engaging in hostilities against the U.S. as part of a non-state terrorist organization is not currently included in that list. Dents legislation, the Enemy Expatriation Act, would correct this omission by adding one item to the list of expatriating acts: travelling abroad to join, train with, support, or fight for a State Department designated foreign terrorist organization. This bipartisan legislation updates existing law to better reflect how terrorist organizations operate in the modern world.Our legal system and law enforcement have consistently proven capable of apprehending and serving justice to domestic terrorists. However, U.S. nationals who travel abroad to support foreign terrorist organizations represent a military threat that requires a military response. At least 250 American nationals have travelled or attempted to travel to the Middle East to train with foreign terrorist organizations. One such individual was the late al Qaeda leader, Anwar al-Awlaki. Operating in Yemen, he had close contacts to Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. He also admitted to colluding with Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Underwear Bomber, prior to his failed bombing attempt on Northwest Flight 253. People who travel to join a terrorist group like ISIS, fight with them, train with them, and commit unspeakable atrocities should not expect to be shielded by all the rights and privileges enjoyed by American citizens. ISIS and al Qaeda are antithetical to everything we believe in and stand for as Americans. Any individual who joins them should be treated in the same manner as we treated Americans who joined the Nazi or Imperial Japanese armies during World War II, Dent said. Rep. Brad Ashford (D-NE) joined Rep. Dent in introducing this legislation. ____________________________________________________________ CONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=8280AE4B-A2BF-4D69-ACAE-F839991ADAF4,Representative Dent Votes to Strengthen and Reform Visa Waiver Program,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Charlie Dent,D000604,dent.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) - H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015 was passed by the House of Representatives by a strong bipartisan vote of 407 - 19. Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15) supported the bill. Since its original enactment in 1986, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has served as an important means to encourage bilateral economic and cultural relationships between the United States and participating VWP partner countries, said Representative Dent. However, the global threat environment has changed since the VWP was initially established, and the reforms that were advanced through todays legislative action will allow the VWP to keep pace with todays realities while still maintaining the original spirt of the program to allow for the seamless temporary travel of tourists and businessmen and women from some of our most trusted ally nations on a reciprocal basis. Even the most effective security protocols and information are irrelevant if there is not a shared standard in practice. The enhancements required by this bill such as requiring more secure electronic passports and improving traveler screening processes will help to maintain safe travel and allow the VWP to continue to serve its intended purpose. This bipartisan legislation offers a workable solution to provide greater security for America as well as all participating VWP nations, Dent stated. Key security enhancement provisions in the legislation include: *Requiring all VWP countries to issue fraud-resistant e-passports that contain biometric information and requiring countries to report lost or stolen passports within 24 hours of becoming aware of such theft or loss; *Demanding strong intelligence and law enforcement information sharing by allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the participation of countries in the VWP if they do not share terrorism and foreign traveler data; *Denying VWP status to individuals who could have connections to terrorist hotspots or state sponsors of terrorism; *Requiring annual assessments of countries that pose a high risk to U.S. national security and allowing for the suspension of VWP designation for any such countries; *Taking steps to ensure VWP travelers do not falsify their background information. _____________________________________________________________ CONTACT: Shawn Millan (610) 770-3490",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/four-follies-fighting-new-war-against-terror,Four Follies in Fighting the New War against Terror,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Tom Marino,M001179,marino.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C.Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10) issued the following statement in response to President Obamas continued failure to effectively combat and defeat radical Islamic terrorism across the globe: There are four massive mistakes in the Presidents actions and rhetoric when it comes to combatting ISIS. The first is his recent insistence we will destroy ISIS. For two years plus, ISIS has grown in power and influence. Their evil is spreading well beyond their caliphate. We are the most powerful nation on earth yet we are lobbing the equivalent of warning shots at ISIS targets with less than 20 airstrikes a day. We ought to be hitting them with everything we have I am talking about a thousand plus strikes a day until every last one of their fighters is dead. The Presidents second mistake is insisting on a refugee resettlement program. Yes, that is exactly what it is. Not only can we not ensure with 100% accuracy that these supposed refugees have no links to terrorism, but we have no plan to repatriate them back to their countries of origin. His third mistake come as no surprise because it is straight out of the Chicago playbook. In a speech about combatting terrorism, he outlined four steps Congress should take to assist him. Two of those happened to be new gun control measures. Protecting our people from terrorism is not about domestic gun ownership laws. If he is truly concerned about gun violence then he should task his Attorney General with investigating the gangs in Chicago instead of the police department. The fourth mistake is the product of an increasingly prevalent liberal way thinking that is, ignore hard realities and espouse whimsical solutions instead. He says the international community should find a way to transition Assad out of power. Such an asinine suggestion proves he is unwilling to accept the fact that his initial failures from the beginning have allowed Assad to stay in power and Russia fortify him. It has been five years Mr. President, wake up! Four mistakes for a President who is unqualified, underprepared and indecisive. It is time for boldness, strength, thoroughness and a new leader with the intestinal fortitude to do what needs to be done. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://marino.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/marino-votes-fortify-visa-waver-program,Marino Votes to Fortify Visa Waiver Program,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Tom Marino,M001179,marino.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) voted in favor of H.R. 158 - theVisa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 407-19. H.R. 158 reforms the existing Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to close certain gaps in the security screening process and provides for a stronger information sharing framework among the 38 VWP countries. Under the current program, some participant countries have refused to disclose suspected names to the U.S. intelligence community, issued E-passports without fraud protections, and/or have failed to run watch-list names through trusted databases. This legislation remedies those security loopholes with six key provisions: Denies all individuals who have traveled to known terrorist hotspots in the past five years. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to terminate a country from participating in the VWP if it does not share data on suspicious travelers and disallows reentry into the program until it complies with all data sharing requirements. Requires VWP countries to check names against trusted INTERPOL databases to ensure no criminal or terrorism activity is documented with more localized law enforcement agencies. Requires new and modernized passport issuances from VWP countries which include biometric information. It also requires countries to report lost and stolen passport information to centralized INTERPOL databases with 24 hours of reported loss or theft. Requires U.S. intelligence agencies to regularly audit the security threat of VWP countries for compliance. If an audit reveals noncompliance, the countrys participation if revoked. Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to immediately implement processes to better detect fraudulent information used by travelers seeking entry under the VWP. Congressman Marino issued the following statement on passage of the legislation: As a Member of Congress who works closely with my European counterparts in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I have firsthand knowledge of the challenges VWP member countries face when screening individuals coming through their borders. They have warned us about the risks America faces. This bill is critical to reforming a valuable program so we can better ensure the safety of the American people while still allowing the benefits the VWP affords its members. This also signals our allies that America is leading the way on broadening the intelligence and information sharing capabilities so we discourage, prevent and apprehend terrorists from entering our countries. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-close-security-gaps-visa-waiver-program,Rothfus: Close Security Gaps in Visa Waiver Program,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, the House passed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015 (H.R. 158) by a vote of 407-19. The legislation takes important steps to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to better ensure that individuals entering the United States are not security risks while maintaining the VWPs ability to facilitate legitimate foreign business travel and tourism to our country. In a time of increased and unprecedented threats from countries like Syria, Iraq, and other state sponsors of terrorism, which harbor terrorist groups like ISIS, we must take appropriate action to close security gaps and ensure that all travelers are thoroughly screened before they attempt to travel to the United States. This legislation preserves the benefits of the Visa Waiver Program while also taking the steps necessary to keep the American people safe, said Congressman Rothfus. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-close-security-gaps-visa-waver-program,Rothfus: Close Security Gaps in Visa Waver Program,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Keith Rothfus, a member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, joined Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Gary Peters (D-MI), as well as Congressmen David Young (R-IA), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) on a trip to Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq. They visited with U.S.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-boyle-introduces-legislation-close-loophole,Congressman Boyle Introduces Legislation to Close Loophole,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-13) has introduced common-sense legislation to close a loophole in our national security laws that could facilitate a foreign terrorists entry into the United States with minimal screening. Specifically, H.R. 4173 would require that any foreign individual who has traveled to Iraq or Syria within the past 5 years may not participate in the expedited U.S. visa waiver program. Instead, under this legislation, any non-U.S. Citizen who has recently traveled to Iraq or Syria looking to come to the U.S. would have to apply for a regular visitor visa, which includes a detailed application, in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and fingerprint scans before admittance into the country. This is a reasonable step we all agree can and must be taken to secure our borders from foreign terrorists, said Congressman Boyle. We must do all we can to ensure that security failures of other countries or gaps in security intelligence sharing do not threaten our homeland. Under the current visa waiver program, citizens from 38 countries, mainly in Europe, may enter the U.S. for 90 days without a visa and its accompanying review. This is genuine national security vulnerability, making us susceptible to foreign fighters able to obtain a visa in one of these 38 countries. According to a report from the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, there are now over 4,000 foreign terrorist fighters from Western Europe double ICSRs findings in December 2013. The U.S. Congress and Obama administration continue to evaluate our national security framework in light of the Paris terrorist attacks and other evolving threats. Last week, President Obama announced that his administration will work with Congress to enhance the visa waiver program in several areas. This includes measures like H.R. 4173 to improve our ability to identify individuals who may have traveled to conflict zones to train or fight with terrorist organizations, as well as increasing information sharing between our partners and Interpol, and improving security at foreign airports. Congressman Boyle believes elected officials should come together to address known vulnerabilities. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he has closely studied and debated these issues since elected to office in January.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-following-president-obamas-address-to-nation-from-oval-office,Casey Statement Following President Obama’s Address to Nation from Oval Office,2015-12-06,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the National Security Working Group and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs released a statement following President Obamas address to the nation from the Oval Office on ISIS and terrorism: Tonight President Obama provided the nation with an important update on the shootings in San Bernardino and our fight to defeat ISIS. Keeping America safe must be our first priority. Our military and security professionals are to be commended for the considerable work theyve done over the last year to combat ISIS and protect the homeland. Defeating ISIS requires a comprehensive approach that kills terrorists, cuts off ISIS financing and rolls back their hold on territories in Iraq and Syria. Since August of 2014 the coalition, that the U.S. military has led, has launched more than 8,500 airstrikes against ISIS targets and has supported local forces battling ISIS while leveraging our special operations forces and the full force of our intelligence capabilities to degrade the terrorists. According to the Defense Department, the work of our women and men in the military has reduced ISIS hold on territory in Iraq and Syria by 25%, taken out thousands of ISIS terrorists and blunted ISIS finances. Recent news reports indicate that the situation in ISIS held territories is increasingly dire- basic services are not being provided and residents live in a constant state of fear. ""While the heroic work of our military and security professionals has made progress over the last year, theres much more the Administration and Congress can do to protect our homeland and intensify efforts against ISIS. Members of Congress cannot continue to engage in oversight by sound bite or broad condemnations without proposing specific steps. Simply put, Congress has to step up. Ive repeatedly called for the Senate to set aside a substantial amount of floor time to debate an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS. This floor debate and subsequent hearings could provide an opportunity for a rigorous review and examination of our strategy. Ill continue to press the Administration, as I have since the summer of 2014, to take aggressive action on ISIS financing. The Administration has to step up its targeting of ISIS financiers and the countries that allow those financiers safe haven. Ill also continue to press for the passage of my bipartisan legislation, the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act, which would limit ISIS ability to profit from the black market sale of stolen antiquities. The Administration also needs to accelerate the training and equipping of local forces to combat ISIS. During a speech on the Senate floor last month I proposed that Congress consider establishing a bipartisan group to examine our policy in Syria and against ISIS, similar to what was done in 2006 regarding the conflict in Iraq. I continue to believe, as President Obama has said, that a large deployment of U.S. ground forces would be the wrong step. The most direct path to a durable solution is one in which Sunni Arab and Kurdish forces take the fight to ISIS on the ground. A large deployment of U.S. ground forces would result in a coalition of coat holders- one where countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, who have the most at stake in the fight against ISIS, are watching as U.S. troops bear the brunt of the fight. Gulf countries need to do more to combat ISIS financial networks, including investigating and prosecuting their citizens who engage in terrorism financing. ""At home, there are additional steps we can take to increase security. We have to guarantee the strongest possible security screening for anyone entering the country so they dont aid and abet terrorists. Last week in a letter to Majority Leader McConnell, I called for the Senate to move quickly to strengthen the Visa Waiver program and close the loophole that allows those on the terrorist watch-list to purchase firearms. Additionally, Congress should move to ban military-style weapons, limit clip and magazine sizes and strengthen background checks. The Senate also has to end the delay on confirming key Administration officials that are vital to homeland security and the fight against ISIS . For example, the nominee to become Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Financial Intelligence, Adam Szubin, has been waiting for Senate confirmation since April 20 more than 220 days. As Under Secretary, Szubin would lead the team responsible for the investigation and sanction of ISIS terrorists, facilitators, and financiers. Cutting off ISISs financial network is an essential component of our strategy, and we should have a vote to confirm Szubin before the end of the year. ""Destroying ISIS and protecting our homeland is a vital task that Congress has an opportunity to play a constructive role in. A serious, sober and bipartisan approach to this challenge can play a substantial role in increasing safety at home and ultimately destroying ISIS. While tonights address by President Obama is a welcome update, it is not sufficient by itself. The Administration must engage in an effort over the next weeks and months to continually update, inform and explain their strategy against ISIS to the American people."" ### Press Contact John Rizzo and Jacklin Rhoads 202-228-6367",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-reaction-to-islamic-state-tie-to-ca-terror-attack,Barletta Reaction to Islamic State Tie to CA Terror Attack,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today reacted to disclosure by law enforcement officials that one of the two shooters in the San Bernardino, California terrorist attack had pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State on Facebook, according to news reports. Tashfeen Malik, the reported wife of the other shooter, Syed Rizwan Farook, posted about her fidelity to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the emir of the Islamic State, prior to the two attempting to erase their electronic tracks. Farook, a native-born American, reportedly found his Pakistani wife online and brought her to the U.S. from Saudi Arabia on a fiance visa. At some point along the way they became radicalized. Barletta, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee who sits on the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, issued the following statement: There can no longer be any doubt that what happened in California was a terrorist attack pulled off by Islamic extremists, whether they were formal members of the Islamic State or not. These terrorists do not wear uniforms, and they dont belong to a regiment. They can be working in concert with Islamic State leaders, or they can act on their own. Their common thread is a twisted religious ideology that is dedicated to destroying freedom wherever it exists, whether it is in San Bernardino, Paris, or anywhere else in the world. I am troubled by the fact that this attack could possibly have been prevented if neighbors of the terrorists had come forward with their suspicions about activities going on in and around their home. It is painful to hear that neighbors were fearful of being accused of racial profiling and being branded racists if they alerted authorities to questionable behavior they were witnessing. We have gone from If you see something, say something, to If you see something, keep your mouth shut, at just the moment when we need public awareness the most. From where I sit on the Homeland Security Committee, I can see gaping holes in our security apparatus. This goes well beyond our illegal immigration problem, which continues to be in desperate need of repair. We must learn more about the process that allowed Farook to bring Malik in from Saudi Arabia, and exactly how the screening failed in this instance. I am very concerned about our visa waiver program, and our inability to track those who have arrived in United States legally, but never returned to their native countries. Visas are an extreme problem area, with people being allowed to bring in family members and others, without proper screening. We should also suspend our entire refugee program, as I have said before, until we can be certain that we are not letting in people whose goal in life is to kill Americans. There are clearly fatal flaws in our vetting systems, and they must be addressed. The Islamic State, or ISIS, is on the march. They are not the JV Team as the president infamously called them they are in the big leagues now, and they have a lot of fans. As Americans, we had better recognize that we are at war with them, because they are most assuredly at war with us.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-barletta-s-offices-accepting-toys-for-tots-donations,Rep. Barlettas Offices Accepting Toys for Tots Donations,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, is again participating in the United States Marine Corps Reserves Toys For Tots program, collecting toys for children in our region. Toys will be accepted in each of Congressman Barlettas offices in Washington, DC and the four 11th District offices with a deadline of December 18th. Donations should be aimed at children at a range of ages from infants to about 16 years old. Toys should be unwrapped, new, still in original packaging, and dropped off at office locations between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. This is a great program that Im always happy to participate in, Barletta said. It all started in 1947 with the first toy a hand-made doll. Today, it makes tens of thousands of kids happy each year. Rep. Barletta Toys For Tots Donation Locations All Drop-off Times: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekdays Hazleton District Office 1 South Church Street Suite 100 Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 Phone: (570) 751-0050 Carlisle District Office 59 W. Louther Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Phone: (717) 249-0190 Harrisburg District Office 4813 Jonestown Road Suite 101 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109 Phone: (717) 525-7002 Sunbury District Office 106 Arch Street Sunbury, Pennsylvania 17801 Phone: (570) 988-7801 Washington, DC Office 115 Cannon House Office Building Independence Avenue & 1st Street SE Washington, DC 20515 The U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity, is the authorized fundraising and support organization for the Toys for Tots Program. The foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The foundation staff is headquartered in the Cooper Center located just outside the main gate of Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Washington, D.C. Local campaigns are conducted annually in about 500 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.ToysForTots.org.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/wblf-970-am%E2%80%99s-jerry-fisher-host-radio-town-hall-thompson,WBLF 970-AMs Jerry Fisher to Host Radio Town Hall with Thompson,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson (PA-05) today announced his participation in a live radio broadcast with WBLF 970-AMs Jerry Fisher. The event, entitled, Coffee with the Congressman: A Radio Town Hall with WBLF 970-AMs Jerry Fisher, will be a question and answer session, planned for Monday, Dec. 14, from 8-9 a.m. at the Days Inn Penn State, located at 240 S. Pugh St., State College. The hour-long event is open to the public and press and will also be live broadcast on WBLF 970-AMs Centre County This Morning. Questions from the public should be submitted in advance to the host, WBLFs Jerry Fisher, via email at jerryfisherpsu@gmail.com. Questions will be selected at random by Fisher and will not be provided to Thompson in advance. Questions should be submitted to Fisher no later than December 12 at 5 p.m. People have busy lives and busy schedules, and Im thankful that WBLF 970-AM can broadcast this town hall to maximize the audience reach, Thompson said. I look forward to the opportunity to hear what is on peoples minds, answer questions and share some of my thoughts and offer some solutions to the issues facing our nation and Pennsylvanias 5th Congressional District. An agenda for the program is as follows: 8:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks from Congressman Glenn Thompson 8:03-8:56 a.m. Question and Answer Session with WBLF-AMs Jerry Fisher 8:56 a.m. Closing Remarks from Fisher and Congressman Thompson",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1652,"Toomey Supports Long-Term, Bipartisan Highway Bill",2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement about the Senate vote today on highway funding legislation. ""Tonight, I voted for the Senate's five-year transportation bill, the first long-term bill since 2005, because it will allow our commonwealth to repair its roads and bridges and plan for and complete new construction projects. ""Congress was able to pay for this bill without raising the gas tax but rather with offsets in other government programs. I am pleased that the final bill included my legislation to help municipalities make essential infrastructure-based repairs after a natural disaster without having to navigate excessive red tape. ""Altogether, this bipartisan bill contained a total of seven bills I authored including: one to allow states to repeal onerous burdens on farmers; one to improve child support enforcement for the benefit of struggling parents and their children; and several to enhance small banks' ability to lend to small businesses and families. ""Unfortunately, a reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank was added to this legislation. This corporate welfare has nothing to do with our highways and bridges and should not have been tacked onto a transportation bill. While the Export-Import Bank may be a winner for certain special interests, it's a loser for taxpayers and those who believe in free enterprise and I will keep fighting against it. ""On balance, the transportation bill is good for Pennsylvania and keeps our highway programs on track with sensible, long-term funding that saves time and money."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rothfus-leads-effort-protect-nonprofits-and-their-donors,Rothfus Leads Effort to Protect Nonprofits and Their Donors,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Keith Rothfus,R000598,rothfus.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12] is leading an effort to protect nonprofits and their donors from the potential negative consequences of an ongoing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulemaking. The proposed IRS rule would create a new reporting regime that would permit 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations including charities, religious groups, and educational foundations to collect the personal information, including Social Security numbers (SSNs), of donors. Since the proposed rules issuance, nonprofits across the country have expressed significant concern that the new reporting regime will unnecessarily introduce identity theft risk, force nonprofits to divert financial resources away from their core missions, and likely result in decreased donations. Tens of thousands of nonprofits and their donors are concerned about the real security risks and other potential consequences associated with this rule. The IRS has undermined the trust of the American people time and again. This new reporting regime would only increase that trust deficit and discourage the charitable giving that supports the important work of nonprofits across the country, said Congressman Rothfus. Congressman Rothfus was joined by the following members in opposing this IRS rule: Representatives Brat (VA), Cole (OK), Franks (AZ), Gohmert (TX), Gosar (AZ), Grothman (WI), Huizenga (MI), Issa (CA), Kelly (PA), Miller (FL), Pittenger (NC), Rouzer (NC), Schweikert (AZ), Scott (GA), Thompson (PA), and Zinke (MT). A copy of their letter can be found here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-announces-firefighter-grant-application-period,Barletta Announces Firefighter Grant Application Period,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today announced that the application period is about to open to apply for Assistance to Firefighter Grants, a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since 2001, the program has been designed to meet the needs of firefighters and emergency responders by funding equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources. The application period runs from December 7, 2015 through January 15, 2016. Our first responders are the first line of defense for the safety and well-being of our communities, Barletta said. Anything we can do to get them the tools they need is a step in the right direction for the people who protect our homes and businesses, and respond when there is an emergency. For more information, interested organizations may contact Mike Shay in Rep. Barlettas Hazleton office at (570) 751-0050 or by email at Michael.Shay@mail.house.gov. Prospective applicants may visit FEMAs Assistance to Firefighters Grant webpage at: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program. Barletta has been a longtime supporter of the Assistance for Firefighter Grants program, having made repeated requests to House Appropriations Committee leaders for continued support and funding. He has promoted the support of benefits for first responders, particularly those who directly suffered the effects of September 11, 2001. In addition, Barletta successfully led the fight to protect volunteer fire and emergency companies from the ravages of Obamacare, which could have caused many stations to close their doors because of financial burdens associated with the employer mandate provision. Under pressure from Barletta, the Internal Revenue Service changed its rule governing the employer mandate and specifically exempted firefighters from Obamacare, though Barletta continues to pursue legislation to formalize it in federal law. When embarking on one of his Main Street Tours of the 11th District, Barletta usually begins his visit with a stop at the local fire house. In 2014, the National Volunteer Fire Council named Barletta their Legislator of the Year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-highway-bill-with-barletta-priorities,House Approves Highway Bill with Barletta Priorities,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Lou Barletta,B001269,barletta.house.gov,,,legacy,"Still Argues Serious Reforms Must Come for Dependable Funding Source WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today voted for final passage of the conference report on a five-year, $305 billion Highway Bill, which is the result of negotiations between House and Senate transportation leaders in which Barletta was a key participant. Barletta, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was among House conferees appointed to negotiate the particulars of the plan, which includes many of Barlettas highest priorities for the U.S. transportation system and its infrastructure. While voting for the bill, Barletta did express disappointment that the bill was a missed opportunity to develop serious reforms in transportation funding. The House passed the conference report by a massive bipartisan vote of 359-to-65. The conference report now moves on to the Senate where it is also expected to enjoy broad bipartisan support. The priorities Barletta succeeded in cementing in the bill are detailed below. He issued the following statement for the House record: Today is a historic day, as we are voting for a five year surface transportation reauthorization bill that provides critical investment to our roads and bridges. This will help keep America competitive and provide certainty to states and communities planning infrastructure projects. However, it is irresponsible that neither the House nor the Senate has worked on serious reforms. We have not adjusted the user fee for our infrastructure in 20 years or considered new, sustainable revenue streams. Instead, we have spent valuable time searching for short term gimmicks. Make no mistake; I am disappointed with the offsets in this bill. We should not be robbing the banks or Customs to pay for our roads and bridges. This is fiscally irresponsible. At some point, we have to say enough is enough. That time has come. We need a long-term, robustly funded bill. We missed an opportunity with this legislation, but we in Congress must work together to continue finding common ground on innovative ideas to ensure the Highway Trust Fund has a sustainable revenue source. We cannot allow our children and grandchildren to pay for the investments we should be making now. As a Conferee, I was happy to work with Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and my Senate Colleagues on important roadway safety issues, such as preventing heavier trucks from driving on our local roads. This bill fully funds the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which invests in infrastructure like guardrails, rumble strips, and retroreflective signs. While you will never read the headline, Rumble strip saves family of four, this program saves lives every day and for that reason alone, I urge my colleagues to support this bill today. Additionally, I was pleased to see common-sense provisions that I championed included in the final agreement. For example, I introduced the Local Farm Vehicle Flexibility Act to make sure farm vehicles are not regulated like long haul trucks. Today, this highway bill includes language to prevent farmers from getting tickets for driving from field to field without covering their load. It makes crude oil being transported by freight rail safer and gives first responders more time to react in the unlikely event of a derailment by including top fitting protections for the pressure relief valves. It also includes language that I strongly support to reduce paperwork burdens on concrete truck drivers. I worked with my fellow conferees to encourage the use of U.S. iron and steel in rolling stock frames and car shells. This provision will increase use of U.S. iron and steel in the fabrication of rolling stock frame and car shell components and subcomponents. Finally, many of the policy ideas that I introduced in the Safer Trucks and Buses Act were incorporated in this final version. We must work to make sure we fix the important safety score program so that good decisions can be made on scores that actually represent truck and bus safety records. Investing in infrastructure is good for the economy and good for America. I am happy to vote for this long term bill and look forward to working with my colleagues on policy ideas that could be included in a comprehensive tax reform bill to ensure the Highway Trust Fund has a sustainable funding source. I appreciate Rep. Barlettas work as a conferee on this very important highway bill, said Rep. Bill Shuster (PA-9), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He is a valuable member of our committee, and his background in road construction and as a mayor were of great value during the negotiations with the Senate. He made his priorities known, and he fought to have them included in the final bill. During negotiations with Senate conferees, Barletta led House efforts and was able to secure a number of victories for transportation safety, reduced regulation, and common sense. Defeating Truck Weight Increase Barletta was able to defeat efforts that would have increased the weight limit for trucks from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. Barletta said that local roads were not built to handle the increased weight, and the heavier trucks would pose a greater danger to their drivers and other motorists. Making Railway Cars Safer Barletta successfully amended the highway bill to require railway tanker cars carrying flammable liquids to be equipped with protections for their pressure safety valves. Newer tanker cars already have this type of feature, but the legislation requires older cars to be retrofitted. The requirement would make it more unlikely for tanker cars to burst into flames or explode in the event of an accident. Agricultural Vehicles Near Farms The highway bill also contains Barlettas priority that states may adopt their own safety standards for agricultural vehicles operating near farms without jeopardizing federal transportation funding. Barletta authored the Local Farm Vehicle Flexibility Act to allow states to permit farmers to operate vehicles that are technically uncovered as they travel from point to point on a farm or to a nearby processing facility, even if they traverse public roads in the process. The legislation clarifies language included in the 2012 Highway Transportation Bill, or the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Highway Safety Improvement Program Barletta led efforts to ensure that the highway bill fully funds the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which pays for safety measures such as guardrails, retroreflective signs, and road markings. The Senate bill had previously reduced the program sharply. Safer Trucks and Buses The highway bill includes much of Barlettas Safer Trucks and Buses Act, which seeks to reform safety scores for carriers by making the scores more reflective of the companys safety record. The legislation would temporarily halt the publication of flawed safety scores until the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations (FMCSA) Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) scoring system is revamped. The language in no way eliminates law enforcement access to safety data, meaning that the worst offenders can still be targeted Reducing Paperwork for Ready Mix Concrete Drivers The bill reduces burdensome paperwork requirements for drivers of ready mix concrete trucks, without changing any on-duty rules. Currently, if a driver works for more than 12 hours in a shift, the driver must fill out a log book accounting for every 15 minutes of work. The maximum on-duty period allowed is 14 hours. The change simply makes the two requirements line up, eliminating unnecessary paperwork for the driver.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://meehan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/transportation-bill-means-safer-highways-shorter-commutes-and-more-jobs,"Transportation Bill Means Safer Highways, Shorter Commutes, and More Jobs for Pennsylvania",2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Pat Meehan,M001181,meehan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Patrick Meehan (R/PA-07) today issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the House-Senate compromise version of a long-term federal transportation bill. The legislation passed with an overwhelming 359-65 vote. This bill means safer highways, shorter commutes, and more jobs for Pennsylvania. Its the latest sign of a thaw in the partisan gridlock that has gripped Congress for far too long, Meehan said. The compromise passed by the House today is the result of months of bipartisan cooperation. It enables us to continue critical road, bridge and highway projects in Pennsylvania. It will provide long-term certainty to states and communities hoping to embark on complex projects. It promotes research into technologies that will make our highway system safer and more efficient. It cuts the red tape and bureaucracy that obstructs needed infrastructure improvements. And it eliminates wasteful or duplicative federal programs that werent effectively making use of taxpayer dollars, Meehan said. Passage of the House transportation bill earlier this month was hailed by SEPTA as great news. The legislation also reflects a commitment to mass transit, so important to so many commuters in our region, Meehan continued. Its a commitment Ive worked closely with my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, from the Delaware Valley to ensure Congress meets. This agreement gives states and regional transit systems like SEPTA more flexibility to use federal support how it will best serve passengers. And it will make transporting crude oil by rail safer. The Senate is expected to follow suit and send the compromise legislation to the Presidents desk. The bill follows House passage of a bipartisan landmark education reform bill, also the product of House-Senate compromise, earlier this week.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=753,Moving on from No Child Left Behind and Rejecting Common Core,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC The House passed the Every Student Succeeds Act on Wednesday. This overhaul to current polices replaces No Child Left Behind with conservative reforms to our nations education system. This bill is about empowering parents and creating a better environment for our students by significantly reducing the federal governments role in the classroom and turning over more authority to state and local governments, said Congressman Bill Shuster. We needed to make changes to better allow our students to reach their full potential, and replacing No Child Left Behind with a more conservative approach will have lasting effects for the nations education system. The Every Student Succeeds Act authorizes our nations education programs for four years. It eliminates nearly 50 ineffective and duplicative programs and repeals the federal accountability Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). It also includes new measures that permit local governments to evaluate teacher effectiveness instead of the federal government. Additionally, the Every Student Succeeds Act prohibits the Obama Administration from attempting to force or coerce states into adopting Common Core, or interfering with state standards or assessments. I am strongly opposed to Common Core and have supported several initiatives that protect states from being forced by the Obama Administration into enacting these big government standards, continued Shuster. Reforming our education system was necessary, and I am glad that we will be sending a bill to the presidents desk that makes conservative reforms like rejecting Common Core and one-size-fits-all testing. Todays vote was on the final conference report of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Earlier this year both the House and Senate passed similar versions of their education authorization measures. A conference committee was established to negotiate the differences. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://shuster.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=754,Shuster Highway Bill Sails Through House,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Bill Shuster,S001154,shuster.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Bill Shusters (R-Hollidaysburg) long-term surface transportation legislation, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act passed 359 to 65 on Thursday. This legislation will be the first long-term surface transportation measure enacted into law in 10 years and will provide about $8.7 billion in funding over five years for Pennsylvania to invest in programs for highway and bridge improvement. This is a nearly $800 million (10%) increase over current levels. The FAST Act is also fully paid for and contains no tax increases. It is a good day for Pennsylvanias families and businesses as this long-term highway bill has been years in the making, said Congressman Shuster. We are increasing investments to the roads and bridges we drive on each day and providing long-term certainty that will allow for new investments to grow our region and strengthen our communities. The FAST Act is one of the most important measures that this Congress will pass. It is also fiscally responsible because it is fully paid for and contains no tax increases on the American people. The FAST Actis a five-year surface transportation reauthorization of federal highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials, and passenger rail programs. The bill reforms and strengthens transportation programs, refocuses on national priorities, provides long-term certainty and more flexibility for states and local governments, streamlines project approval processes,and maintains a strong commitment to safety. Congressman Shusters highway bill first passed the House on November 5th. The Senate passed a different version. Todays vote was on the final conference report that will now head to the Senate for passage and then go to the presidents desk to be signed into law. A conference committee led by Shuster was established to negotiate the differences and to produce the FAST Act. FAST Act Highlights -Facilitates commerce and the movement of goods by refocusing existing funding for a National Highway Freight Program and a Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program -Expands funding available for bridges off the National Highway System -Converts the Surface Transportation Program (STP) to a block grant program, increases flexibility for states and local governments, and rolls the Transportation Alternatives Program into the STP Block Grant -Streamlines the environmental review and permitting process to accelerate project approvals -Eliminates or consolidates at least six separate offices within the Department of Transportation and establishes a National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau to help states, local governments, and the private sector with project delivery -Increases transparency by requiring the Department of Transportation to provide project-level information to Congress and the public -Promotes private investment in our surface transportation system -Promotes the deployment of transportation technologies and congestion management tools -Encourages installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure equipment to improve congestion and safety -Updates research and transportation standards development to reflect the growth of technology ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-no-child-left-behind-overhaul,House Passes No Child Left Behind Overhaul,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson (PA-05) voted in favor the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, which passed the House with bipartisan support. A senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Thompson was appointed by Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, to serve on the committee responsible for settling the differences between the House and Senate versions of replacing No Child Left Behind, the federal law governing elementary and secondary education. Today marks a historic step forward, where the House and Senate have come together to put young learners first, Thompson said. The Every Student Succeeds Act will overhaul the contentious No Child Left Behind and place more control in the hands of states, local school districts, educators, parents and students across the nation. Among the provisions included in the legislation are: An end to the federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), which has controlled education on the state and local levels. Eliminates nearly 50 programs which were determined to be unnecessary or duplicative. Provides an unprecedented reduction in the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Education. Allows flexibility in the utilization of most federal education funds so that school districts can put the needs of their students first. Additionally, the bill allows state flexibility for testing. The legislation also calls for the U.S. Department of Education to study how Title I funds are allocated seeking to address Thompsons long-held concerns that children are put at a disadvantage based upon the population of their school district, rather than concentration of poverty. This is the result of an amendment introduced by Thompson and support provided by the full conference committee. It has been one my priorities to ensure federal funds to offset the effects of poverty are allocated in an equitable manner to best target those areas most in need, Thompson said. Despite the push from big city and suburban schools to maintain the status quo, I am hopeful this study will definitively make the argument for the more equitable distribution of funds for those areas most affected by poverty, Thompson added.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-issues-statement-following-speaker-ryan%E2%80%99s-first-major-address-library,Thompson Issues Statement Following Speaker Ryans First Major Address at the Library of Congress,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson (PA-05) today attended the first major address of House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) at the Library of Congress. In the address Ryan outlined his vision for the House in 2016, during a week that included bipartisan approval of legislation to reform elementary and secondary education, replacing the contentious No Child Left Behind, and a $300 billion, five-year reauthorization of surface transportation programs. Following Speaker Ryans address, Thompson offered the following statement: Speaker Ryans address confirms for me that he is truly dedicated to leading a House that will provide real solutions to the challenges facing our country. I share his sentiment that the best government is one that empowers people with the tools needed for success, without stifling growth with needless rules and regulations. Similarly, the Speaker aims to empower Members of Congress to best serve the needs of their constituents by moving legislative proposals through the committee process, where differences of opinion can be hashed out, which often creates the best policy. This may seem like a basic civics lesson, but too often it has been missing from the legislative process. I welcome efforts to simplify the tax code and close special interest loopholes, which will allow us to lower tax rates for everyone. This will allow for further job growth and higher wages for workers, providing a much needed boost for the economy. I found the Speakers address to be a refreshing change of pace and look forward to working with him to better serve our country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://thompson.house.gov/press-release/thompson-supports-long-term-transportation-bill-0,Thompson Supports Long-term Transportation Bill,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson (PA-05) today voted in favor of H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act, which passed by a vote of 359 to 65 and provides for thelong-term authorization of the surface transportation law, helping improve our nations roads, bridges and public transit systems. Appointed by the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, Thompson served as a representative from the House Natural Resources Committee, to the conference committee tasked with settling differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. It authorizes $281 billion over the next five years, which is fully offset, providing more certainty for transportation and infrastructure planning. Thompson issued the following statement upon passage: This legislation is respectful of the taxpayers and traveling public, does not raise taxes and ensures long-term certainty for those states, municipalities, and planning organizations responsible for the development of infrastructure projects, maintaining our roads and bridges, along with the operation of public transit systems. I commend my colleague, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (PA-9) on his efforts to make this bill possible. His leadership was essential through tough negotiations that have led to a bill that will benefit all Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1649,Obamacare is beyond repair,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Joseph and Michele DiBello of Rydal, Montgomery County, liked their insurance plan from Independence Blue Cross. At $662 a month, the plan, with a $6,000 deductible and a pre-tax health savings account, allowed the DiBellos to manage medical bills for themselves and their four children. Even though the president promised the DiBellos - and millions of other Americans - that if they liked their plan they could keep it, their policy was terminated and forbidden by the Affordable Care Act. Mandated to buy a plan permitted by Obamacare, the DiBellos' deductible has more than doubled and their premium has risen to an astonishing $1,141 a month. The family has also dealt with misinformation, cancelled policies and gaps in coverage seemingly due to incompetence at the law's ""Marketplace Exchange."" The Obama administration claimed taxpayer subsidies would offset the higher costs of insurance policies caused by the new law. But the DiBellos, and millions of other middle-class families, are finding that the subsidy covers just a small fraction of the higher costs for health care they now must pay. Pennsylvanians buying coverage on Obamacare's exchange are now seeing average premium increases of 11 percent for 2016. These higher prices, however, don't equate to better plans. As a recent headline in The New York Times stated, ""Many Say High Deductibles Make Their Health Law Insurance All but Useless."" Costs are also increasing for employers under the law. Obamacare's medical device tax has caused companies like B. Braun in the Lehigh Valley to forgo expansion plans while new mandates and regulations are crushing many small businesses that can no longer afford to offer health insurance to employees. Meanwhile, insurers face rising red ink. Due to unanticipated losses of $222 million from its Obamacare insurance lines, Western Pennsylvania's Highmark is replacing its most popular plans for 367,000 beneficiaries with policies that have higher deductibles and fewer choices in doctors and hospitals. Highmark is not alone. Insurers lost an estimated $4 billion last year on Obamacare. Twelve health insurance co-ops created by the law have folded, resulting in approximately 400,000 individuals and their families losing coverage. The country's largest insurer, United- Health, now says it is reconsidering its participation in Obamacare. The mistake made by the law's authors and supporters was underestimating future costs and overstating, by 2.5 million, the number of healthy and middle-class Americans who would enroll in Obamacare. These Americans were supposed to subsidize the higher cost of care for older and sicker enrollees. But as prices for insurance continue to rise, healthier, wealthier and younger Americans are finding it less expensive to go without insurance and pay the tax penalty instead. This trend, where only the sickest and costliest individuals enroll in Obama-care, is known in the insurance industry as a ""death spiral."" Fewer healthy people paying inflated premiums drives up the per person cost of providing insurance, which, in turn, drives premiums even higher, exacerbating the problem until the program collapses. It's not too late to undo the damage that many of us predicted when this law was enacted in 2010. The first step is repealing Obama-care, which the Senate likely will vote to do this week. Instead of having the federal government control health care decisions, dictate prices and essentially socialize the health-insurance industry, we can leverage the power of the marketplace to force greater competition and empower consumers to decide what works best for their families. Toward that end, some commonsense reforms would build a foundation for a system where you could get the care you need at a price you could afford. First, eliminate the long-standing unfair discrimination against nonemployer-sponsored coverage that's built into our tax code. Individuals who buy insurance should receive the same tax deduction that employers enjoy when they buy health insurance for their workers. This would immediately make health care more affordable for millions of uninsured Americans. Second, individuals and businesses should have the right to buy an insurance plan from anywhere in the country. The current system forbids individuals and employers from buying a more affordable plan with fewer mandates available for sale in another state. Changing this law would compel health-insurance companies to compete with each other across the country, much as life and property insurers do today. In addition, companies and individuals should be permitted to band together, or ""associate,"" to use their buying power to acquire more affordable coverage. Perhaps the most glaring hole in Obamacare is the absence of tort reform. Everyone agrees that patients have a right to hold accountable a medical professional who is negligent, but the legal system is rife with abuse. Frivolous lawsuits lead to higher malpractice premiums for doctors. They also increase the practice of ""defensive medicine"" where physicians order expensive tests and procedures that are medically unnecessary to reduce the risks of a lawsuit. Lawsuit reform would reduce waste in the health care system and help taxpayers, too. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates clamping down on frivolous lawsuits would reduce federal deficits by $65 billion over 10 years. These are just a few of the thoughtful solutions that would give families greater choice in health care while reducing costs for taxpayers. We've tried the ""big government"" approach. The result has been higher premiums and deductibles, fewer choices in plans and doctors and job losses. It's time to admit failure and take a different tack for the sake of our economy, our health care system and families like the DiBellos.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1650,Toomey Statement on Senate Vote on Background Checks,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Patrick Toomey,T000461,toomey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statement on the Senate's vote today on the Manchin-Toomey language to help keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and those adjudicated as mentally ill. ""In 2013, Joe Manchin and I nearly achieved a breakthrough on background checks that would have helped prevent guns from getting into the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill. It represented a commonsense, bipartisan approach to help keep Americans safe while also strengthening our Second Amendment rights. ""Today, I supported this effort again after Senator Manchin decided to offer our proposal as an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill. ""Our amendment takes a balanced approach - namely, it largely takes Pennsylvania's enhanced background check policies for commercial firearm sales and makes them the federal standard. Such background checks are a constitutional, sensible way to improve public safety. ""As a longstanding Second Amendment supporter, I am pleased that our proposal further bolsters the rights of lawful gun owners. The proposal expressly prohibits a national gun registry and goes one step further by including a punishment of up to 15 years in prison for any government official who attempts to keep such a list. It also includes measures to help veterans regain their Second Amendment rights. ""I recognize that enhanced background checks are not going to stop all mass shootings. As we have seen, many of these attacks would still have happened even if our proposal was on the books. But some tragedies, such as the mass shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007, might have been prevented. And if there's a sensible way to help keep the American people safer, I believe it deserves our support."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-brendan-boyle-votes-five-year-highway-reauthorization-bill,Congressman Brendan Boyle Votes for Five-Year Highway Reauthorization Bill,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-13) voted with 359 Democratic and Republican colleagues in the House to adopt the conference report on Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act -- a measure that reauthorizes highway, bridge, transportation safety, and public transit projects for the next five years. The measure provides $281 billion in guaranteed funding for these programs over these five years. The measure also reauthorizes the critically important Export-Import Bank for four years, which helps American workers and businesses compete in the global economy. I am pleased to be voting for a long-term highway reauthorization bill today, Congressman Boyle said. For too long, Congress has passed short-term extension after short-term extension, leaving state and local governments in limbo and preventing many transportation projects from being built. By providing guaranteed funding for the next five years, this measure will allow critical infrastructure projects to go forward. However, although I am glad this is a long-term bill, I am disappointed that this measure does not provide the level of investment needed to repair and rebuild our aging system of roads and bridges. Although this bill is a first step, it doesnt do nearly enough. Democrats will continue to fight for more robust funding for highways, bridges, and transit in order to fully address the challenge of our crumbling infrastructure. A more robust infrastructure program would create millions of jobs and generate faster economic growth. The conference report does include a number of key provisions, including: Boosting commerce and strengthening our economic competitiveness by providing dedicated funding specifically for freight projects, including freight rail, for the first time. Injecting $3.7 billion over five years into bus funding a 75 percent increase over current levels. This will reduce traffic congestion, by providing more public transportation options. Authorizing $10.2 billion for intercity passenger rail investment, including Amtrak, while providing $199 million in guaranteed funding to help commuter railroads implement Positive Train Control systems. Increasing American manufacturing jobs by strengthening Buy America requirements. I am also very pleased to be voting today to reauthorize the job-creating Export-Import Bank, continued Congressman Boyle. For more than eight decades, the Export-Import Bank has helped level the playing field for American workers and businesses, big and small, to compete in the global economy. The Bank has created and supported hundreds of thousands of jobs over the years, all at no cost to taxpayers. It has been five months since the GOP-controlled Congress allowed the charter for the Export-Import Bank to expire, Rep. Boyle concluded. That has been five months of lost economic opportunity. Reauthorizing the Bank is a key victory for hard-working American workers and businesses across the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/joint-statement-congressman-boyle-and-councilwoman-qui-ones-s-nchez,Joint Statement from Congressman Boyle and Councilwoman Quiones-Snchez On National Day of Action for Puerto Rico,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,PA,Brendan Boyle,B001296,boyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA-13) joined dozens of national elected, community, labor and faith leaders for a National Day of Action for Puerto Rico to urge Congress to pass legislation addressing the growing fiscal and humanitarian crisis. The Congressman is pleased to partner with Philadelphia City Councilwoman Maria Quiones-Snchez to highlight this very important issue. Councilwoman Quiones-Snchez lead a coalition from Pennsylvania to join in the call for action. It is extremely important that we stand with Puerto Rico in restructuring its unsustainable debt burden, said Congressman Boyle. We also need to help them grow their economy so that Puerto Ricans can focus on the essential work of investing in a brighter economic future. The inequitable treatment by the federal government has constrained Puerto Ricos ability to restructure its debt through an orderly court-supervised process. It is essential that Congress grants the government of Puerto Rico the legal authority to restructure the territorys public debt. Councilwoman Maria Quiones Snchez of Philadelphia stated that a historic coalition of Puerto Rican leaders and allies have asked The President and Congress to provide the tools for Puerto Rico to recover from this crisis, which include; Allowing the government to file for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy to restructure its debt (An authority the islands government had until 1984), Creating parody for the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements under the Affordable Care Act, and extending the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Income Tax Credit to the 3.5 Million U.S. citizens on the island.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://costello.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/chesco-times-local-congressmen-applaud-passage-bipartisan-education-bill,Chesco Times: Local congressmen applaud passage of bipartisan education bill,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,PA,Ryan Costello,C001106,costello.house.gov,,,legacy,"As published in the Chester County Times. Two Chester County Congressman praised the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives, Wednesday, of legislation to replace 2001s No Child Left Behind educational rules, returning more control over education to states. The bill has passed the U.S. Senate and the House and is expected to be signed later this month by President Barack Obama. U.S. Reps Ryan Costello (R-6) and Pat Meehan (R-7) said this week that the bi-partisan bill, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), represents needed changes to the original legislation, from reducing redundant testing to eliminating impossible Adequate Yearly Progress standards. Chester Countys other Congressman, U.S. Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-16) also voted to support the measure. Both Pennsylvania U.S. Senators, Bob Casey (D) and Pat Toomey (R) voted to support the measure last month. No Child Left Behindwas a well-intentioned step towards bringing more accountability to our schools and classrooms, Meehan said in a statement. But in the almost 15 years since it was enacted, weve learned that many of its mandates and requirements are simply unworkable. The one-size-fits-all metric of Adequate Yearly Progress is broken, the testing regimen is ineffective, and a dizzying array of Washington directives are tying the hands of our administrators and school boards. Costello noted he was pleased that elements of a bill he introduced earlier this year with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici made it into the final version of this bill. From Day One, I wanted to work to find a commonsense, bipartisan solution to the testing burden imposed on our students and teachers, Costello said in a statement.The SMART Act provisions included as part of the ESSA will accomplish this by eliminating unnecessary and duplicative assessments, limiting the amount of classroom time that can be dedicated to testing, and providing school districts and teachers with resources to develop a classroom-based curriculum that meets the needs of their students.I thank Congresswoman Bonamici for her leadership and cooperation on this issue over the past year. Read the full article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z