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://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/msnbc-congresswoman-joyce-beatty-speaks-with-msnbc-about-pending-covid-19,MSNBC | Congresswoman Joyce Beatty speaks with MSNBC about pending COVID-19 relief,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,Sign up to receive the Beatty Bulletin and messages pertaining to Congresswoman Beatty and the district.,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-national-defense-authorization-act-veto-override,Kaptur Statement on National Defense Authorization Act Veto Override,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), released the following statement after the House voted on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis to override the President's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act: This overwhelming, bipartisan vote in the U.S. House to override the President's unwise veto of the 2021 Defense Bill upholds the oath every federal official is sworn to uphold:to protect and defend the American people, said Rep. Kaptur. I urge the Senate to immediately follow suit. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-trump-signing-bipartisan-coronavirus-relief-and-omnibus,Kaptur Statement on Trump Signing Bipartisan Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Funding Bill,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), released the following statement after the President signed the bipartisan coronavirus relief and omnibus funding bill. The President previously threatened not to sign the legislation and allowed jobless aid to expire over the weekend. The President's signing of the bipartisan coronavirus relief and omnibus funding bill is welcome news for millions of Americans across the U.S., said Rep. Kaptur. It is unfortunate that President Trump felt the need to throw the fate of the legislation into question and unnecessarily drag out the process to the point where jobless aid expired the day after Christmas, sending countless American families into panic over the holidays. His stunt caused needless worry for those working on the frontlines of the pandemic, those who are ill, out of work, struggling to keep their business afloat, or otherwise down on their luck all while he played golf at his private resort. This was a sad episode for the American Presidency. Now, let's get on with swearing in a new President and Vice President who will govern our nation, not game the American people. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-ryan-votes-increase-economic-impact-payment-600-2000,Congressman Ryan Votes to Increase Economic Impact Payment from $600 to $2000,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan today voted to increase the second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) from $600 per eligible member of the household to $2,000 per eligible member of the household.The Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020 (HR 9051), increases the amount of the EIPs from the recently passed COVID relief bill. Additionally, the bill includes language to ensure non-child dependents, such as college students and adults with disabilities, are able to receive a stimulus as well. This provision is retroactive, so that eligible non-child dependents can receive a check from the first round of EIP's as well. Congressman Ryan has been calling on Congress and the President to provide more stimulus funding, including college students and adults with disabilities who are still claimed as a dependent. This would provide a long-overdue stimulus to the economy and help workers take care of the basic needs of their families. The provisions of this bill are a much-needed correction to the recently passed COVID relief bill, putting more money in the hands of hard-working families. A one-time $600 payment is simply not enough to meet the level of need within our country right now,said Congressman Ryan. Our families and small businesses are facing an unprecedented crisis and this increase will help stabilize our economy and give our families a fighting-chance to survive Congressman Ryan has long supported additional payments to Americans, and earlier this year introduced theEmergency Money for the People Act, legislation that would provide$2,000 per month until employment returns to pre-COVID-19 levels.After the President changed his mind last week and decided to support an increase in direct payments to $2,000, HouseDemocrats immediately went to the Floor to askfor Unanimous Consent to bring a stand-alone bill to increase the payments. House Republicans blocked that request. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-votes-override-president-trump-s-veto-national-defense,Congressman Tim Ryan Votes to Override President Trumps Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) voted this evening to override President Trump's veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a pay raise and hazard pay for U.S. Servicemembers and long-overdue benefits to Vietnam-Era veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Overriding a president's veto requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress. The House voted today to override President Trump's veto by a vote of 322 87. The Senate is also expected to vote to override the president's veto of the NDAA, if that happens, this will be the first veto override in Trump's presidency. This defense bill is crucial to keeping our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians safe and helping us compete against our adversaries like China and Russia. For the President to veto this bill due to petty and personal reasons is shameful. I am proud that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have joined in overturning this veto so we can get back to the business of governing,said Congressman Ryan. The NDAA was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 335-78 on December 8thand the U.S. Senate with a vote of 84-13 on December 11th. The NDAA includes long-overdue benefits to Vietnam-Era veterans exposed to Agent Orange adding Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism to the list of diseases associated with its exposure. It also included a pay raise for the troops and hazard pay for those who serve in harm's way. It authorizes a 3.0 percent increase in basic pay and $275 hazardous duty pay per month for service members in harm's way, including members of the National Guard and National Reserve. Our veterans have put their lives on the line in defense for our freedoms and security. As a nation, we can honor their service and sacrifice by holding up our end of the bargain and providing them the care they have earned and this bill provides long-overdue benefits to those brave Vietnam-Era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. This bill also provides additional wages and protections to our active duty armed forces and veterans during this already difficult time. Our troops must be fully prepared for the many threats they face around the world, and it is our job to make sure they get the support they need to carry out their missionespecially as we face a global pandemic,Congressman Ryan continued. Other provisions of the $732 billion NDAA supported by Congressman Ryan include: Ensuring paid parental leave to all federal employees. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to furnish childcare to each child of a member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the DOD while that member or employee works on rotating shifts at a military installation. Taking Steps to Further Protect Military Communities frompolyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including authorizing $1.4 billion for environmental remediation and BRAC accounts which support a range of remediation activities, to include those related to PFAS, at current military installations, formerly utilized defense sites, and installations closed by BRAC. Includes the Elijah Cummings Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination Act, passed the House in January 2019, which strengthens equal employment opportunity protections for federal employees and strengthens prohibitions against discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers. Includesimprovementto military housing, including updating minimum health and safety standards for all military base housing, repealing a provision that currently allows DOD to place families in substandard housing units, and requiring DOD to implement Comptroller General recommendations for improvement of military family housing. Requires the DOD Inspector General to establish a mechanism to track and report supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang activity in the Armed Forces. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-trump-veto-2021-national-defense-authorization-act,Kaptur Statement on Trump Veto of 2021 National Defense Authorization Act,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), released the following statement after President Trump vetoed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): What kind of misguided President does America have? said Rep. Kaptur. The one who earlier this week released several high level, political criminals tied to his own election wrongdoing. Now, he has vetoed the principal defense bill for U.S national security, which passed Congress with broad bipartisan support. What a damaging act during this time of presidential transition. In my entire career, I have never witnessed a president who fired so many of his own Secretaries of Defense, Chiefs of Staff, and Secretaries of Homeland Security. The Trump Administration often looks more like it is aiding and abetting our enemies than it is defending the U.S. rule of law and national security. Its contempt for the rule of law is almost as troubling as its chaotic internal operations. This President simply has no will or desire for organizational discipline in the departments and agencies he is sworn to operate to defend the American people. Some might even say he is a convenient, purposeful agent of chaos. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairwoman-kaptur-highlights-northern-ohio-and-national-priorities,Chairwoman Kaptur Highlights Northern Ohio and National Priorities Included 2021 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, released the following statement highlighting the Northern Ohio priorities included in the House-passed 2021 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, legislation she introduced and shepherded through Congress. The legislation funds the Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior programs, and other related agencies. The bill was passed as a part of a bipartisan omnibus package that funds the federal government through September 2021. With over $12 billion focused on the clean energy revolution, this legislation is one of the most important climate bills this Congress. The 2021 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill captures the American spirit of ingenuity and independence, said Rep. Kaptur. It provides the foundation of critical investments to combat climate change and will be the most important climate change legislation passed this year. In a year unlike any other, ensuring Northern Ohio communities receive the critical energy research and water infrastructure support they need is absolutely imperative. The funding provided in this bill will help spur economic innovation, job creation, and a brighter, cleaner future in Northern Ohio and across the U.S. A summary of the relevant portions of the FY 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill is below. Kaptur Regional Priorities Total: $630 million Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) $59.2 million for new navigation projects not on the inland waterways system (Soo Locks, a major Great Lakes construction project, is eligible to compete). This is in addition to $123.2 million included for Soo Locks in the bill. $25 million for Corps' multistate ecosystem restoration programs (Great Lakes Fisheries Restoration projects are eligible to compete for this funding). Report language included for a targeted Corps' investigation new start for a coastal resiliency study (to help the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study, a regional coordinated effort among the eight Great Lakes states to compete). Includes report language specific to the Brandon Road project as well as language prioritizing certain Corps environmental restoration projects that will help the Brandon Road project better compete for funding. $4 million for Corps harmful algal bloom research and development targeting freshwater ecosystems. Includes language on harmful algal blooms directing the Corps to develop a comprehensive research plan to combat harmful algal blooms. Bill language prohibiting the open lake disposal of dredged material in Lake Erie. $2 million, for Corps research on new approaches to repair and increase infrastructure resilience. DOE/Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy DOE/Nuclear Energy DOE/Fossil Energy $8 million, $2 million above enacted, carveout for algae systems for capturing and re-using CO2 to produce renewable materials (to help University of Toledo better compete), and report language included. DOE/Science $30 million, equal to enacted, for Coastal Ecosystem Research (National Labs partnership with University of Toledo), and report language included. DOE/Environmental Management $430 million, $12 million above enacted, for the Portsmouth, Ohio site. Kaptur National Priorities Total: $1.4 billion Army Corps $100 million, equal to enacted, for Corps Environmental Infrastructure. $250 million, $50 million above enacted, for Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. DOE/Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy $310 million, $5 million above enacted, for Weatherization: Within Weatherization, $1.5 million, $1.5 million above enacted, for a community-scale weatherization pilot project. Report language on community scale weatherization and coordination among federal agencies is included. $25.5 million within the Advanced Manufacturing Office for the following activities: $72 million, equal to enacted, for photovoltaic technologies within Solar Energy Technologies Office. $110 million, $6 million above enacted, for the Wind Energy Technologies Office and report language included. $396 million, $1 million above enacted, for the Advanced Manufacturing Office. $40 million, equal to enacted, for the Clean Cities Program. $10 million, equal to enacted, for distributed wind. $10 million, $10 million above enacted, for advanced tooling for lightweight automotive components. $30 million and report language on transactive controls included. Report language on Building America Program included. Report language on the USDA collaboration/Energy-Water Nexus Initiative included. Report language on electric air flight included. DOE/Electricity $80 million, $24 million above enacted, for the Energy Storage. DOE/Science $29 million, $1 million above enacted, for Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (internships at National Labs). $1 million, $1 million above enacted, for DOE to partner with NIH within DOE's mission space and report language included on biomedical sciences. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairwoman-kaptur-statement-after-house-passes-fiscal-year-2021-energy,Chairwoman Kaptur Statement After House Passes Fiscal Year 2021 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, released the following statement after the House passed her 2021 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. The legislation funds the Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior programs, and other related agencies. The bill was passed as a part of a bipartisan omnibus package that funds the federal government through September 2021. The FY 2021 bill provides $49.5 billion in discretionary funding, $6.9 billion above the President's budget request and $1.1 billion above the fiscal year 2020 enacted level. That amount includes $27.5 billion for defense-related activities, $1.5 billion above the request and $3.3 billion above the fiscal year 2020 enacted level. The amount also includes $21.9 billion for non-defense activities, $5.3 billion above the request and $2.1 billion below the fiscal year 2020 enacted level. With over $12 billion focused on the clean energy revolution, this legislation is one of the most important climate bills this Congress. The 2021 Energy and Water Appropriations bill captures the American spirit of ingenuity and independence, said Rep. Kaptur. It provides the foundation of critical investments to combat climate change and will be the most important climate change legislation passed this year. Our bill rejects the President's shortsighted and devastating proposed cuts for both today and tomorrow. Instead, our bill invests in the future to meet serious national priorities. This bill is needed more than ever to heal this nation and move America forward. The ongoing and significant demands our country faces are monumental, but today our bipartisan effort is a bit of needed solace. A summary of the fiscal year 2021 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill is below. Bill Summary: Army Corps of Engineers Provides $7.8 billion, an increase of $145 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $1.8 billion above the budget request to support our nation's water infrastructure that is the lifeblood of waterborne commerce and our national economic competitiveness. This funding also invests in our national environmental sustainability of and will bolster the resilience of our infrastructure in the face of a changing climate. Funding for Investigations is $153 million, an increase of $2 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $50.4 million above the request. Funding for Construction is $2.69 billion, an increase of $11.6 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $519.4 million above the request. Funding for Operation and Maintenance is $3.85 billion, an increase of $59.7 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $1.8 billion above the request. Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects receive $1.68 billion, an increase of $50 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and an increase of $665 million above the request. This meets the target set by the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 and represents 92 percent of estimated revenues compared to the fiscal year 2021 target of 83 percent. The bill makes full use of the estimated revenues, which includes a total appropriation of $113 million for the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Provides nine new study starts and seven new construction starts. Funds the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program for the first time for the Corps at $14.2 million, to guarantee almost $1 billion in loans. Department of Interior/Bureau of Reclamation Provides $1.69 billion, an increase of $11 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $553 million above the budget request. Provides $21 million for the Central Utah Project, $1 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $11 million above the request. Provides $1.67 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation, an increase of $10 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $542 million above the request. Within Reclamation: Provides $559 million in additional funding for water resources projects, including those authorized in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. Within additional funding, $114.7 million is provided for rural water projects above the budget request. Department of Energy Provides $39.6 billion for the Department, an increase of $1 billion above the fiscal year 2020 level and $4.5 billion above the budget request. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Provides $2.86 billion, an increase of $72 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $2.1 billion above the request. This funding provides for clean, affordable, and secure energy and ensures American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy. Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response Provides $156 million, equal to the fiscal year 2020 level. This funding provides for efforts to secure the nation's energy infrastructure against all hazards, reduce the risks of and impacts from cybersecurity events, and assist with restoration activities. Electricity Provides $211.7 million, an increase of $21.7 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $16.7 million above the request. This funding will advance technologies to increase the resiliency and efficiency of the nation's electricity delivery system with capabilities to incorporate growing amounts of clean energy technologies. Nuclear Energy Provides $1.5 billion, an increase of $14.2 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $328 million above the request. This funding invests in activities to further improve the safety and economic viability of our current reactor fleet, develop the next generation of clean and safe reactors, and supports the advanced reactors demonstration program. Fossil Energy Research and Development Provides $750 million, equal to the fiscal year 2020 level and $19.4 million above the request. This funding provides for research, development, and demonstration activities to ensure the safe, efficient, and environmentally sound use of fossil energy resources. Science Provides $7.026 billion, an increase of $26 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $1.2 billion above the request. The Office of Science funds basic science research in physics, biology, chemistry, and other science disciplines to expand scientific understanding and secure the nation's global leadership in energy innovation. Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Provides $427 million, an increase of $2 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and rejects the budget proposal to eliminate this program. This funding supports research aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that are capable of significantly changing the energy sector to address our critical economic, environmental, and energy security challenges. National Nuclear Security Administration Provides $19.7 billion, an increase of $3 billion above the fiscal year 2020 level. This funding will maintain a safe, secure, and credible nuclear deterrent while addressing the threat of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. This includes: Weapons Activities - $15.35 billion, an increase of $2.9 billion above the fiscal year 2020 level to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent and critical scientific and R&D capabilities. Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation - $2.26 billion, an increase of $95.6 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $229 million above the request. This funding secures nuclear material at home and abroad and is crucial for reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. Naval Nuclear Reactors - $1.68 billion, an increase of $35.6 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and equal to the request, to continue safe and reliable operation of the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet. Environmental Cleanup Provides $7.59 billion, an increase of $131 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $1.52 billion above the budget request. This funding is used for nuclear waste cleanup at 16 sites across the country and includes: Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup - $319.2 million, equal to the fiscal year 2020 level and $43 million above the request. Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning - $841 million, a decrease of $40 million below the fiscal year 2020 level and $35 million above the request. Defense Environmental Cleanup - $6.426 billion, an increase of $171 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $1.4 billion above the request. Power Marketing Administrations Provides the net budget request levels for the Southeastern Power Administration, Southwestern Power Administration, and Western Area Power Administration. The agreement rejects the President's proposal to sell the transmission assets of the PMAs, change the laws governing how the PMAs establish power rates, and repeal the borrowing authority for the Western Area Power Administration. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Provides a net appropriation of $123 million. This funds regulatory activities to ensure the safe use of nuclear reactors and radioactive materials while protecting people and the environment. Appalachian Regional Commission Provides $180 million, which is $5 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $15 million above the budget request. The Commission funds projects in the Appalachian Region to promote economic development, education and job training, critical infrastructure, and community development. Northern Border Regional Commission Provides $30 million, which is $5 million above the fiscal year 2020 level and $29.1 million above the budget request. This funding targets the economic development needs of distressed portions of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Policy Provisions: A provision to prevent the reorganization of the Army Corps of Engineers, or to transfer Corps functions to other agencies. A provision to allow a transfer of funds from the Western Area Power Administration to the Bureau of Reclamation for environmental stewardship and endangered species recovery purposes. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-coronavirus-relief,Kaptur Statement on Coronavirus Relief,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), released the following statement after the House passed a new round of bipartisan coronavirus relief. The legislation is expected to be signed into law in the coming days: American families should not have had to wait this long for coronavirus relief, said Rep. Kaptur. It is a national disgrace that Senate Republicans refused to act for over half a year while COVID-19 ravaged our nation, infecting over 17.2 million Americans and killing over 310,000, resulting in devastating public health and economic crises affecting every single person in this country. Despite Democrats' efforts for larger relief payments, Republicans flatly refused and limited this legislation to a payment of $600 in direct relief even as coronavirus continues to infect more people on a daily basis than at any other point in the pandemic. While the direct aid is half of what we were able to approve last Spring, the need has surely not subsided.Additionally, the fact that this bill extends exactly zero dollars to state and local governments to aid in their coronavirus response is a disgrace; a failure of government specifically sought by Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans who ought to be ashamed. All of this just three years after Republicans passed a $1.5 trillion dollar tax cut bill for corporations and the wealthy. While this coronavirus deal is far from perfect it is also far better than nothing. It is the second largest stimulus package ever passed by Congress, second only to the CARES Act, including a $300 boost in weekly unemployment insurance, more than $300 billion in small business aid, $25 billion for rental assistance, and significant funding for hospitals, schools, and vaccine distribution. However, what remains clear is that the American people continue to struggle -- families unable to put food on the table, essential workers left to fend for themselves, students and graduates unable to pay their loans, small businesses closing their doors, millions losing their jobs, and thousands getting sick and dying each day. I will continue to fight tooth and nail for Northern Ohio communities and working people across the country in the new Congress. This cannot be the last round of coronavirus relief the American people receive. It is not enough. Democratic priorities included in the COVID-19 relief package: Accelerating vaccine distribution and crushing the coronavirus: The bipartisan COVID relief package finally recognizes that we cannot get our economy working unless we can get the coronavirus under control. The package provides billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible, to implement a strong national testing and tracing strategy with billions reserved specifically for combating the disparities facing communities of color, and to support our heroic health care workers and providers. Strong support for small business: Democrats secured critical funding and policy changes to help small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, and nonprofits recover from the pandemic. The agreement includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants, and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street. Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions: The agreement includes dedicated PPP set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); $9 billion in emergency U.S. Treasury capital investments in CDFIs and MDIs to support lending in low-income and underserved communities, including persistent poverty counties, that may be disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of the COVID19 pandemic; and $3 billion in emergency support for CDFIs through the CDFI Fund to respond to the economic impact of the pandemic on underserved low-income and minority communities. Rental assistance: Democrats secured $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium. Strengthens the Low Income Housing Tax Credit: The package enhances the LIHTC to help increase affordable housing construction and provide greater certainty to new and ongoing affordable housing projects. Direct payment checks: Democrats secured a new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, also ensuring that mixed-status families receive payments. Strengthened Earned Income Tax Credit & Child Tax Credit: The agreement helps ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a strong tax credit based on their 2019 income, preserving these vital income supports for vulnerable families. Supports paid sick leave: The agreement provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave, based on the Families First framework. Employee Retention Tax Credit: The agreement extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers in the jobs during coronavirus closures or reduced revenue. Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits: Democrats averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work. Nutrition assistance for hungry families: Democrats secured $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure. Education and child care: The agreement provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open. Global Health: Democrats secured an additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-votes-support-covid-19-relief-and-government-funding-bill,Congressman Tim Ryan Votes to Support COVID-19 Relief and Government Funding Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan today voted in support of a long-awaited COVID-19 relief bill that will accelerate the distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible, support our small businesses and assist all Americans in providing for their families and helping to ensure their financial security. The COVID-19 relief bill was passedas part of the House Appropriations bill funding the government until September 30, 2021 Ryan is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. While I'm pleased Congress has finally passed this much needed COVID-19 relief, which will bring long-needed resources to families and small businesses all across this country, it is important to stress that this is only a down payment. We must continue working to pass another larger relief package that will help keep the American people afloat until we get through this public health crisis that has taken too many lives and this economic crisis that has taken too many livelihoods,said Congressman Ryan. I am proud this relief package included additionalfundingforthe Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), funding to accelerate the distribution of vaccines, support for mental health and substanceusedisorderprograms,rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium, andnutrition assistance for those facing food insecurity.And while I'm proud of these programs and many others that I have fought for in the bill,I am disappointed that the $600 cash payment and the $300 in Enhanced Unemployment benefits are not higher. This is not enough for the millions of Americans who have been struggling to make ends meet for the last nine months. In the next relief package, I will be continuing to fight to include my legislation that provides a $2,000 recurring payment to every Americanuntilemployment returns to pre-COVID-19 levels,added CongressmanRyan. Other provisions of the bill supported by Congressman Ryan include: Forgivable PPP loans and expanded eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, and key modifications to PPP to better assist independent restaurants. $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. As a Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Ryan secured funding for two additional new C-130J aircraft for the Air Force Reserve. These two aircraft build on four planes Congressman Ryan secured in last year's Defense spending bill which were later reduced to only two in FY2020 due to President Trump's reprogramming of two planes for his border wall construction. The Youngstown Air Reserve Station houses the 910th Airlift Wing, which utilizes older models of C-130 aircraft for its unique aerial spray mission as well as combat support. In January of 2020, Air Force Reserve Command announced the 910th Airlift Wing was one of two finalists to receive any new C-130J aircraft. Additional funding for additive manufacturing research and development, laser research, innovative cooling material for military equipment, and other projects.Congressman Ryan authored a Buy American provision into the bill that would require the Pentagon to report to Congress every time it waives rules for domestic sourcing requirements (rules referred to as the Berry Amendment). Ryan authored language requiring the military to begin studying how to incorporate baseline brain injury testing of servicemembers when they enter military to better judge if a servicemember later acquires a traumatic brain injury. Concerned about a growing obesity problem in the armed forces, Ryan secured language that requires pilot programs to reform the military nutrition and dining system. $74 million secured for whole health initiatives for veterans and language to create a pilot program called VetsCorps which provides jobs for veterans to conduct outreach to at-risk veterans. Ryan was also instrumental in securing funding for initiatives that will enhance the economy in northeastern Ohio including: $5 M in funding for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Programs $5 Mfor energy-focused incubators like BRITE Energy Incubator in Warren, OH $395 M for Advanced Manufacturing $10 M for Advanced Battery Manufacturing Center of Excellence $10 M for the Army Corps to restore the aquatic ecosystem of polluted rivers (like the Mahoning River) $2 M for the Army Corps to clear downed trees and other debris from rivers. $180 Million for the Appalachian Regional Commission Additional provisions of the bill supported by the Democratic Caucus include: $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the COVID hunger crisis; $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open; and An additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. Includes a one year extension of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). A copy of the 5,593 page bill may be foundhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairwoman-kaptur-statement-cybersecurity-breach,Chairwoman Kaptur Statement on Cybersecurity Breach,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, released the following statement on the massive cybersecurity breach affecting federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy: The cyberattack of U.S. government agencies and assets by Russian intelligence, including at the U.S. Department of Energy, through the private firm SolarWinds, is deeply troubling especially given the ongoing presidential transition of power,said Rep. Kaptur.Russia's actions are a breach of U.S. national security.Early reports highlight the serious consequences this could have for U.S. national security, though much is still unknown. Federal leaders across departments, agencies, and Congress must fully investigate what occurred, the risks, and how to prevent this from ever occurring again in the future. Although press reports indicate Russia's specific intensions are unknown, to date, its history of misinformation and overt sabotage reminds us that a united effort to combat their aggression is needed. We must work with our Allies to immediately discern what occurred and determine the appropriate response to hold all malign actors accountable. A coordinated domestic response supportedby international Allies will echo loudly and send a clear signal to Russia and all adversaries that such acts of aggression will not be tolerated. As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, I am particularly troubled by the implications this breach may have on the Department of Energy.I urge a full investigation by both Congress and the impacted agencies. Our nation must secure and defend our critical information and national assets assuring maximum confidentiality.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-and-senators-brown-portman-applaud-passage-ryan-s,Congressman Tim Ryan and Senators Brown & Portman Applaud Passage of Ryans Legislation to Name Youngstown Veterans Affairs Clinic After Local Army Hero Carl Nunziato,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today applauded the final Senate passage of bipartisan and bicameral legislation authored by Ryan to name a Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Youngstown, Ohio after Major Carl Nunziato, a veteran of the U.S. Army. Major Nunziato served two voluntary tours of combat duty in Vietnam, where he was severely injured by a mortar shell while protecting the village of Soui Da, causing him to lose his legs. For his bravery, he received the Bronze Star, the Army Air Medal, a Purple Heart, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Throughout his admirable life, Carl Nunziato has served Youngstown and the United States, both at home and abroad with bravery and honor. He has worked valiantly to improve accessibility, right, and quality of life for veterans and people with disabilities, and the naming of the Youngstown Veterans Affairs Clinic after Mr. Nunziato is a fitting tribute to his outstanding work and service. Major Carl Nunziato is a true American hero and represents the very best of Ohio. From serving two tours in Vietnam to fighting for veterans and disabled rights, Carl has dedicated his life to serving our country. He was instrumental to bringing the VA outpatient clinic to Youngstown, and his tireless work in our community and with Youngstown State has helped countless students and veterans. I couldn't be prouder that we are naming the new Youngstown VA facility in Carl's honor and recognizing his heroism and sacrifice,said Congressman Tim Ryan. The renaming of the Youngstown VA Clinic in honor of Major Carl Nunziato is the right way to honor a man who did so much to help his fellow veterans. Carl served our nation honorably in Vietnam and then continued that service through his work in the Valley through his advocacy work and philanthropy. I'm glad to join Senator Portman and Representative Ryan in celebrating this well-deserved honor,said Senator Sherrod Brown. Carl Nunziato is a true son of Ohio and an American patriot who deserves this honor,said Senator Rob Portman.I'm proud that my Senate colleagues passed this important legislation to name the Veterans Affairs clinic in Youngstown, Ohio after Major Nunziato. He has fought and sacrificed for our nation, for his fellow veterans, and for all disabled Americans and this legislation is a fitting tribute to his valuable achievements. I'm grateful for his service and proud to call him a fellow Ohioan. Congressman Ryanintroduced this legislationin the House last year, and thenpressed US House Leadersto ensure its swift passage earlier this fall. Just over a week later, itpassed the Houseand was sent to the Senate for consideration. Watch Congressman Ryan's full remarks on the House floorregarding this legislation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/rep-joyce-beatty-calls-deputy-who-shot-casey-goodson-jr-a-murderer,Rep. Joyce Beatty calls deputy who shot Casey Goodson Jr. a murderer,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"As FBI agents spent a third day in the neighborhood where Casey Goodson Jr. lived, an Ohio congresswoman labeled the Franklin County Sheriff's deputy who shot and killed him a murderer. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat whose district includes most of Columbus, sent a letter to outgoing U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Thursday in which she wrote, Although a routine reality when Black in America, Mister Goodson's murderer was one of the very individuals who swore to protect and serve him and his family. Goodson, 23, was shot on Dec. 4 as he was returning home from the dentist, family say. He apparently drove past a group of U.S. Marshals, who were in the area on an unrelated operation. What happened next varies from accounts by law enforcement and Goodson's family. Law enforcement say Goodson was seen waving a gun. Officers followed him several blocks before there was a verbal confrontation. Goodson then pointed a weapon at Franklin County deputy Jason Meade, who was part of the marshal's detail. Meade then fired at Goodson. Family say that Goodson had a permit to carry a concealed weapon, but that he was returning home with sandwiches and attempting to unlock a door at his residence when he was shot. His death was witnessed by several family members. The uncertainty of the case has drawn attention locally and nationwide. The FBI is investigating whether Goodson's constitutional rights were violated, and that agency is part of U.S. Department of Justice, run by Barr. In her letter, Beatty said she intends to review the findings and to work with congressional colleagues to make systemic, long-term changes to the operations of police departments nationwide. In response, Meade's attorneys wrote, in part: As criminal defense attorneys, we do not have the luxury of leaping to a conclusion before an investigation has even begun. We work to protect our clients' constitutional, procedural and statutory rights regardless of station in life, gender, political views, employment, race creed and sexual orientation. Meanwhile in the Northland neighborhood of Columbus where the shooting occurred, FBI agents were seen photographing and measuring the road. This article was originally published by NBC 4 on December 17, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/rep-joyce-demanding-justice-transparency-in-casey-goodson-investigation,"Rep. Joyce demanding justice, transparency in Casey Goodson investigation",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, OH-3, is calling for justice, accountability, and transparency in the investigation into the death of Casey Goodson Jr., who was shot and killed by a Franklin County deputy. She said she is calling for a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. Beatty recently sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr seeking more information as well as a fair, complete review of the shooting and death of Goodson. ""Unfortunately, although a routine reality when Black in America, Mr. Goodson's murderer was one of the very individuals who swore to protect and serve him and his family, Beatty wrote. Yet, as you are aware, his last steps were taken as he opened his front door to enter the safety of his own homethe place that should have been his sanctuary, as opposed to the scene of his unwarranted execution. She later added, I do not want Mr. Goodson's death to have been in vain, so my review of the investigation will only serve as the beginning of the work I will complete in partnership with my congressional colleagues to make systemic, long-term changes to the operations of police departments nationwide,"" Beatty said. Joyce Beatty Letter to AG William Barr by WSYX/WTTE on Scribd Beatty also took part in a rally in downtown Columbus calling for justice. Columbus Police and the FBI are conducting independent investigations into Goodson's death. As of Wednesday, Columbus Police said they have yet to speak with Deputy Jason Meade, who shot Goodson. All police have received as of Wednesday is a statement from Meade's attorney. This article was published by ABC 6 on December 17, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/demanding-justice-accountability-and-transparency-in-goodson-murder,"Demanding Justice, Accountability, and Transparency in Goodson Murder Investigation",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBUS, OHU.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) recently sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr seeking more information as well as a fair, complete review of the shooting and death of Casey Christopher Goodson, Jr. at the hands of a Franklin County sheriff's deputy. Unfortunately, although a routine reality when Black in America, Mr. Goodson's murderer was one of the very individuals who swore to protect and serve him and his family, Beatty wrote.Yet, as you are aware, his last steps were taken as he opened his front door to enter the safety of his own homethe place that should have been his sanctuary, as opposed to the scene of his unwarranted execution. She later added, I do not want Mr. Goodson's death to have been in vain, so my review of the investigation will only serve as the beginning of the work I will complete in partnership with my congressional colleagues to make systemic, long-term changes to the operations of police departments nationwide. A full copy of Beatty's later can be accessed on her website. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-bill-cultivate-next-generation-veterans-health-professionals,"Kaptur Bill to Cultivate Next Generation of Veterans Health Professionals Clears House and Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan H.R. 1271, the Veterans'-Specific Education for Tomorrow's Health Professionals Act of 2019 (VET HP Act). The bill passed the U.S. Senate last week in a legislative package entitled the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. The shortage of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physicians and medical professionals has been a major problem for VA medical centers across the country, including in Northern Ohio, forcing VA facilities to provide care with fewer staff than are medically necessary to properly care for our nation's veterans. According to a 4th Quarter 2020 VA report published in accordance with the VA Mission Act, the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland currently has 153 medical vacancies, the VA Healthcare System in Ann Arbor has 215 medical vacancies, and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit currently has 69 medical vacancies. The VET HP Act would direct the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) to create a one-year pilot program in at least five VA medical centers for pre-med students to gain clinical observation experience, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of veterans' specific health needs and experiences, while creating a viable pipeline of future medical professionals in the process. By expanding opportunities for future physicians interested in serving our nation's veterans, this legislation will lay the groundwork to help fill the roughly 30,000 medical vacancies at VHA by creating a viable pipeline of future physicians and medical professionals, said Rep. Kaptur. This bill will prioritize undergraduate students specializing in a health profession where there is an identified VHA staffing shortage, as well as students in medically underserved areas, first-generation college students, students referred by minority-serving institutions, and of course veterans. This legislation is the definition of a win-win. I thank our veterans' service organizations, including The American Legion and Paralyzed Veterans of America, for supporting this legislation. I also thank Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for her support and sponsorship in the Senate as well as Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for his leadership and support shepherding this bill through Congress. I call on the President to sign this bipartisan legislation without delay. The VET HP Act is a sensible bill which will help fill the tens of thousands of vacancies across VA, improve the quality and timeliness of care for veterans, and move us one step closer to achieving our shared vision of a stronger VA, said Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. I'm grateful to Rep. Kaptur for her work addressing the serious staffing shortages at VA while ensuring students from underserved communities are able to earn the clinical observation hours necessary for medical school and gain experience caring for our nation's veterans. I urge the President to sign it without delay. The VET HP Act previously passed the House of Representatives in March, 2019. The VET HP Act passed the U.S. Senate in December 2020 as a part of a broad veterans legislative package and had to be voted on again in the House. Kaptur's bill has been endorsed by the American Legion and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-bill-rename-nasa-plum-brook-station-after-neil-armstrong-clears,"Kaptur Bill to Rename NASA Plum Brook Station After Neil Armstrong Clears House and Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statement after her bipartisan, bicameral legislation to rename NASA'sPlum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio in honor of Neil Armstrong passed the U.S. House of Representatives.Plum Brook is part of theNASA John H. Glenn Research Center and is home to unique world-class facilities that conduct critical and innovative tests for the international aerospace community.Plum Brook Station is testing a new generation of space exploration technologies that are essential for NASA's plans to explore the lunar surface and again land humans on the Moon. Rep. Kaptur introduced the legislation on a bipartisan basis alongside Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Brown (D-OH) and Portman (R-OH) and has since passed. Kaptur delivered the following remarks ahead of the final vote (as prepared for delivery): Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2472, the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility Act, Congresswoman Horn, you have been a trusted and valued colleague and have ably served the nation and your constituents. I want to express my deep appreciation for your assistance on today's legislation and for your friendship in Congress. In the frantic days before the end of session, Ohio is grateful for your assistance in getting this bill to the finish line. The Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility Act renames the NASA Plum Brook Station after a true American Hero. The Plum Brook Station located in Sandusky Ohio is a true asset to American excellence in space exploration. The facilities at the site are second to none. It contains the space environments complex with the world's largest space test chamber, the in-space propulsion building has a space chamber where we can fire an upper stage rocket. There is also a world class clean air hypersonic wind tunnel and a space chamber to test equipment to simulate planetary surface conditions. These capabilities enable our scientists to prepare for the rigors of space exploration. The Plum Brook Station and test facility in Sandusky Ohio is a national asset, and today, it is being renamed after a pioneer in human history. This year, the Plum Brook station finished testing the Orion 1 the spacecraft that will fly the Artemis 1 mission. This mission will eventually return a man to the moon. 51 years after Neil Armstrong captivated the world with his famous words that united mankind and allowed us to dream for a common purpose, the nation turns our attention back to the test facility. I also want to express my deep appreciation for Representative Gonzalez's partnership on this bill. I am pleased to see him managing the Republican time today. You and your staff have been able partners in securing a floor vote. The people of Ohio are also grateful to Chairwoman Johnson, Ranking Member Lucas, our Senate Colleagues Senator Brown and Portman for their bicameral partnership on today's legislation. In the days of uncertainty for our society and planet, renaming the NASA Test Facility in Sandusky Ohio for Neil Armstrong offers a reminder to the world of the common purpose of the giant leaps that lie ahead for mankind. Indeed, we must continue reaching for the stars. I urge my colleagues to support S. 2472, the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility Act and yield back. ""Renaming Plum Brook Station after one of our state's greatest icons is a fitting way to memorialize Neil Armstrong's legacy within the state of Ohio and to inspire the next generation of leaders in our quest to explore the universe, said Rep. Gonzalez. I ampleased to join Ohio's Senators, Congresswoman Kaptur, and the rest of the Ohio delegation in getting this legislation passed through Congress and on its way to the President's desk."" ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-ryan-fudge-and-sen-brown-urge-appropriators-reject-cuts-auto-manufacturing,"Reps. Ryan, Fudge and Sen. Brown Urge Appropriators to Reject Cuts to Auto Manufacturing Program Critical to Bringing Jobs Back to Lordstown",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote to congressional appropriators urging them to reject any cuts or elimination of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program in any year-end government funding legislation. In their letter, the Ohio lawmakers raise concerns about proposed cuts to the program and cite the importance of the ATVM program in bringing auto manufacturing jobs to the state, including at Lordstown Motors, which has applied for ATVM funding to produce electric trucks in Lordstown after GM laid off thousands of workers at its plant there. Workers in Lordstown, and across America's industrial heartland, are ready to do the work building the vehicles that the world will drive in the 21st Century. As we have worked with the community to reverse the devastation left by GM's departure, potential investors have made clear that support from ATVM is a key part of the path to bringing advanced auto manufacturing into communities that are struggling to recover jobs lost to outsourcing. In fact, Lordstown Motors, a manufacturer of electric pickup trucks and other vehicles, is utilizing factory space at the former GM facility, and has submitted an application for ATVM loan funds. The loan program was created in 2007 to assist emerging companies like this as they build the vehicles of the future,the lawmakers wrote. In January, Ryan leda group of ten Ohio Senators and Representatives, including Brown and Fudge, inurging the U.S. Department of Energyto approve Lordstown Motor Corps' (LMC) application for an Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan. Brown, Fudge and Ryan's full letter to Congressional Appropriators can be foundHEREand below. Dear Chairman Shelby, Vice Chairman Leahy, Chairwoman Lowey, and Ranking Member Granger: As you work to finalize the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY2021) Omnibus, we urge you to reject any efforts to eliminate or rescind funding for the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program (ATVM). As you know, Congress created ATVM to encourage innovation and create jobs in the domestic auto manufacturing sector and assist manufacturers as they work to produce fuel-efficient and emissions-free vehicles. To date, the program has supported automotive companies as they retool American factories to add electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient conventional vehicles to their fleet. Increasing the capacity for manufacturing these advanced technology vehicles now is crucial to maintaining the global competitiveness of the American auto industry as demand for low-and-zero emissions vehicles increases, and to protecting good-paying American jobs. In 2019, General Motors (GM) shuttered its production facility in Lordstown, Ohio, leading to the loss of over 2,700 jobs in the community. Workers in Lordstown, and across America's industrial heartland, are ready to do the work building the vehicles that the world will drive in the 21stCentury. As we have worked with the community to reverse the devastation left by GM's departure, potential investors have made clear that support from ATVM is a key part of the path to bringing advanced auto manufacturing into communities that are struggling to recover jobs lost to outsourcing. In fact, Lordstown Motors, a manufacturer of electric pickup trucks and other vehicles, is utilizing factory space at the former GM facility, and has submitted an application for ATVM loan funds. The loan program was created in 2007 to assist emerging companies like this as they build the vehicles of the future. We have offered our support for this program in the past, and are alarmed to hear reports that this committee is considering defunding the program. For years, many of us have pushed back against previous efforts to undermine the program and we offer our strong support for ATVM. ATVM is an investment in America's manufacturing future that we must maintain it if we hope to preserve American leadership in automotive inovation. We appreciate your consideration. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/a-new-bill-would-make-all-police-misconduct-allegations-and-settlements,A new bill would make all police misconduct allegations and settlements public,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"State, local, and federal governments have spent billions of dollars over the past decade settling police misconduct cases, which include everything from deadly shootings to neglect. For example, the Louisville Police Department paid out $12 million to the family of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in her home in March. But most settlements don't make the news and law enforcement agencies are not uniformly required to make that information publicly available. As a result, taxpayers in many localities are left to their own devices to ascertain how much of their money goes towards police settlements, and to what degree state and local government budgets are impacted by the payments is unclear. Also often obscured are important details about the people involved what happens to the officers who commit misconduct, particularly when cases don't receive national attention, and who the people affected by negative police action are. The Cost of Police Misconduct Act, a new bill from Rep. Don Beyer, the incoming chair of the US Congress Joint Economic Committee, seeks to change that by creating a publicly accessible federal database that would track police misconduct allegations and settlements at both the state and federal levels. The whole notion is you can't manage what you don't measure, Beyer told me. So we thought, let's measure this. And by simply measuring it, we will probably change it a great deal. Activists have debated whether a focus on cataloging police misconduct and settlements might limit police brutality. Writing on settlements in September, civil rights activists Andrea J. Ritchie and Maurice BP-Weeks argued in Truthout that the most likely consequence of focusing attention on these payments is not that police violence will stop or slow down because it is a feature, not a bug. Ritchie and BP-Weeks wrote that because of this, proposed settlement reforms like mandating misconduct insurance for officers, or even efforts in highlighting the amount of police misconduct' settlements, would fail to bring about change. Beyer called concerns such as these meaningful criticism. You don't want the law to discourage appropriate and rightful payments to families or individuals who've been wounded by police brutality, [or] by wrong police conduct, Beyer said. It's a balance as so many are things in life. And I'm hoping that the balance over time weighs down on much less police brutality, much more money saved, that can be invested in productive things. The idea that money spent on policing could be better used elsewhere, like to fund mental health services, is part of the argument advocates for defunding the police have advanced. And Beyer told me of how his own family saw the importance of public mental health funding when his son was faced with a crisis that police found themselves unable to solve. But this is not a defund the police bill; it hopes to free up funds by eliminating police settlements from government budgets, and Beyer said he sees this happening through public awareness of the cost of settlements. When the public sees how much settlements have cost them, Beyer said, people are going to want to know why. And what did that do to my tax rate? And what could I have done to prevent it? And what's going on with our police department? But as activists have long pointed out, decades of public pressure have not yet eliminated the bias that has led police misconduct to fall disproportionately on people of color, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation making crime statistics available has not improved the ability of the police to solve crimes. (The rate of solved crimes has remained fairly stable for several decades, with the FBI reporting that fewer than half of all violent crimes were solved in 2019.) It is clear that reform is badly needed to improve the rates at which crimes are solved, but also to erode the bias that has created a situation in which Black men have a one in 1,000 chance of being killed by police, and in which Americans of color, particularly Black Americans, have a relationship with police that is defined by terror and trauma. It is just as clear that comprehensive federal efforts to address these issues have stalled. Should this bill be passed into law, it may, or may not, lead to less police misconduct. But it would create a record of acts committed and payments made that would provide some clarity as to just how much bad policing costs in lives and dollars. The Cost of Police Misconduct Act, briefly explained At its core, the Cost of Police Misconduct Act would work by setting new requirements for the reporting of misconduct at both the state and federal level. The bill would mandate the US attorney general create and manage a publicly accessible online database populated with all allegations of misconduct, as well as information on new judgements and settlements. For each allegation, judgement, and settlement, law enforcement would be required to provide: At which department of agency the officer worked The ethnicity, gender identity, and ages of all officers and civilians involved The year the misconduct took place, and the year it was reported The type of misconduct (for instance, a shooting or an officer planting evidence) Any actions taken by the officer following the misconduct (such as a resignation) Whether disciplinary action was taken by the officer's department or agency The amount paid out in any settlement Where the settlement came from (for instance, from police bonds) For the database to succeed, law enforcement officials will need to do some extra work, and ensure they are keeping careful records. The bill gives law enforcement groups at the federal, state, and local levels 120 days after the legislation becomes law to begin getting this data to the Department of Justice; the groups would be then required to continue sending in data every month. State and local governments that fail to comply would face a penalty: Losing up to 10 percent of their federal policing funding. That money would be redistributed to state and local governments that did cooperate to use for criminal justice related work, ranging from drug treatment programs to corrections. Beyond being responsible for the platform, the attorney general's office would be required to verify all the information provided by state and local departments within 30 days of receipt using independent sources. And the attorney general would also be responsible for compiling an annual summary of the data. A more detailed report would be released every two years by the head of the Government Accountability Office, who would need to provide analysis of all the collected information that includes rankings and trends to Congress and to the public. I'm optimistic that it will change behavior in some important structural ways, Beyer said of the bill overall. And while the point is not just to save money the point is to reduce police brutality the money saved, can go to other good things, including continuing to raise the quality of the people who want to be police officers. Passing the Cost of Police Misconduct Act is unlikely to be easy The prospects of the bill passing into law in the short term aren't terribly high, given Congress is currently consumed with stimulus negotiations and passing legislation that will ensure the government isn't forced to shut down due to lack of funding. But Beyer said he hopes to use the beginning of the next legislative period to build support for the bill in the House of Representatives, and that Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), who was recently selected to be the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, will cosponsor the legislation. Given that Democrats will hold their majority in the House next year, albeit by a small margin and that Democrats supported June's Justice for George Floyd Act, which proposed sweeping police reforms it's entirely conceivable that there would be sufficient support in the House to pass the Cost of Police Misconduct Act, either alone or as part of a larger package. What happens in the Senate will hinge in part on the results of Georgia's runoffs. Both of the state's Republican senators are up for reelection there, and if even one wins, Republicans will maintain control of the chamber. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been reticent to take up legislation passed by the House throughout the Trump administration and may continue this pattern if he remains majority leader under a Biden administration. If Democrats win both Georgia races, the Senate may be more likely to take up the bill; but it would also likely need to gain some Republican support to meet the 60-vote threshold most legislation needs to pass the chamber. It isn't completely out of the question that this could happen. Senate Republicans have shown some openness to data collection on policing for instance, the GOP's police reform proposal, called the JUSTICE Act, had data collection on police use of force and no-knock warrants as a key tenet. Ultimately, the Cost of Police Misconduct Act would be a smaller first step toward police accountability than either the Justice for George Floyd or Justice Acts but it would be a significant one, particularly given Congress's inability to act on policing thus far. This article was originally published by VOX on December 15, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/how-ohio-s-racial-justice-movement-won-big-at-the-ballot-box,How Ohios Racial Justice Movement Won Big At The Ballot Box,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Daniel Hughes had an awakening years ago when police in his hometown of Lima, Ohio, killed a Black woman named Tarika Wilson and shot her infant son. At the time, there were folks who were talking about how no one will ever remember her name, said Hughes, who is now a pastor at Incline Missional Community Church in Cincinnati's Price Hill neighborhood. And I remember thinking I will never forget her name,' because it just awakened something in me. So when a University of Cincinnati police officer killed Samuel DuBose, an unarmed Black man, in 2015, Hughes decided to get his congregation involved in the fight for racial justice. They joined the Amos Project, a federation of congregations throughout the greater Cincinnati area committed to improving the quality of life for all residents. Amos is among a number of local groups that have made strides in recent years toward criminal justice reform, which contributed to a significant political shift in November. In Ohio, where President-elect Joe Biden lost and Democrats fell short of flipping the state Supreme Court, local elections in two counties delivered progressive wins that have potential to transform the criminal legal system. Hamilton County, home to Cincinnati, now has a sheriff who wants to lower incarceration rates, along with a slate of new reform-minded judgesthough voters also narrowly re-elected a prosecutor who makes frequent use of the death penalty. In Franklin County, where Columbus is located, voters elected Democrats for every judicial seat on the ballot, approved a civilian police review board, and ousted a notoriously harsh prosecutor. These wins mirror others in cities and counties nationwide, where voters embraced local candidates and ballot measures that promised progressive change, particularly on criminal justice issues like drug policy and policing. The shift highlights how grassroots organizing and coalition-building outside of four-year election cycles can expand electoral power. And it shows how focusing on down-ballot races can engage voters in ways that national elections may not, because it's often clearer how the outcomes will directly affect people's everyday lives. In 2018, Celeste Treece, a criminal justice organizer with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, was focused on raising awareness about judicial elections in Hamilton County. A lot of people didn't even realize that we elected judges locally, Treece said. That year, Democrats flipped two seats on the First District Court of Appeals and picked up two seats on the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, which handles criminal and civil cases. To build on the momentum after the 2018 election, Treece and a group of friends started a court watch program to monitor judicial proceedings. Meanwhile, they continued talking to people in the community about the role of the courts and how judges were selected. [Often] we only think about the criminal side, but there are a lot of civil matters that go through the courts, like child support and [debt collection], said Treece. Many people are going through those things and really don't understand how the courts affect them. Information gathered during the court watch program helped inform Treece's outreach during the 2020 election cycle. Treece and her team were able to organize small group Q&A sessions with judicial candidates so that voters could ask questions in an intimate setting. Treece also said the national conversation around federal judicial appointments motivated people to learn more about local judges. Although judicial races are nonpartisan in Hamilton County, Democrats invested in them like never before, winning nine out of 13 open seats in the appeals and common pleas courts in November. The slate included candidates with experience as public defenders and civil rights lawyers, who promised reforms like overhauling the bail system to reduce pretrial incarceration. In an interview with Cincinnati NBC affiliate WLWT, attorney Bill Gallagher credited racial justice protesters for the election of a slate of judges more reflective of the communities they serve. What was being demanded by people attending those protests was more accountability, more change, more access, more fairness, said Gallagher. Prentiss Haney, co-director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative said the political shift in Hamilton County this year was due to multiple cycles of organizing that have gotten more people involved in local elections. He pointed to the efforts of faith leaders in 2016 to mobilize voters around Preschool Promise, a local ballot initiative that levied millions of tax dollars to fund near-universal preschool and other education programs. And he said that the momentum for political change in Hamilton County can be traced back even further, noting the role of the Amos Project, which has been around for 26 years.The arc of the wins in Hamilton County has been connected to that base over the years, he said. In 2018, Hughes, the Cincinnati pastor, was involved in The Amos Project's effort to pass Issue 1, a proposal to decriminalize low-level drug offenses. Although it did not pass, the group was able to build on that previous work as it started organizing in 2020. There's a sense of certainty [with faith institutions], a regularity around the practices, the ritual, said Hughes. The ability to bring people to an awareness, to bring people to a moment is intrinsic in faith communities. This year, the Amos Project held forums with Hamilton County sheriff candidates. Hughes said voters ultimately supported Sheriff-elect Charmaine McGuffey because she made significant commitments to reform the office. In April, McGuffey beat incumbent Jim Neil by a landslide in a Democratic primary election, running on a platform that included addressing poor jail conditions and opposing a jail expansion. In the general election, she won against Republican Bruce Hoffbauer, who attempted to stoke fear among voters by equating racial justice protests with violence and chaos. Hughes referenced the recovery pod program that McGuffey spearheaded when she was a major in the sheriff's department as an example of her leadership in improving jail conditions. The program began as an effort to help women with substance use disorder transition to life after incarceration. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was expanded to offer services to men. Someone like McGuffey gives us the opportunity to start to build on the kind of vision or future that we want, Hughes shared. But winning elections alone is not enough, he cautioned. For Hughes, building a winning coalition of voters is about getting people to stay involved in strategic organizing for equity and justice. What I'm doing right now is I'm trying to get faith communities to recognize the actual power that they have, and name the things that they actually want to create in the world, versus just chasing after an election, Hughes said. In Franklin County, Adrienne Hood has a similar perspective. A prominent local figure in the fight for racial justice and police accountability, Hood said the defeat of the county's chief prosecutor, Ron O'Brien, shows that voters want to change the way Black and Latinx people are treated in the criminal legal system. But she also acknowledged that it takes more than one election to achieve that. In 2016, Hood's son Henry Green was killed by two plainclothes Columbus police officers. O'Brien did not prosecute the officers, a pattern that was characteristic of his office. That year, O'Brien faced his first electoral challenge in 16 years. He won, but it set the stage for the renewed effort to remove him from office this year. O'Brien's inaction led Hood to become more active in community organizing with groups like the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and The Freedom BLOC, a Black-led organizing effort focusing on civic engagement and electoral organizing in the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown, and Akron. Hood recalled the moment she learned O'Brien had been defeated. There's accountability sooner or later, she said. I was glad that this time around [O'Brien] was seen for who he is. But she was less enthusiastic about his replacement, retired judge Gary Tyack, who hasn't taken a strong stance on certain reforms, like ending cash bail. It's definitely time for a change in that office, and I'm praying that this is a beginning, Hood said. I don't look at Tyack as my savior, but it is definitely a start in the right direction that has to be attributed to the grassroot organizations that are making the connections for the community. She explained that when George Floyd's murder at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked protests nationwide, organizers in Franklin County channeled the outrage toward electoral action by educating protesters about O'Brien's connections to the Fraternal Order of Police. In addition to ousting a longtime prosecutor, voters in Columbus overwhelmingly approved the formation of a civilian police review board. Hood says the actions of the Columbus police made the best case to the public for the civilian police review board. During this spring's protests, the police pepper-sprayed several Black elected officials including U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. It is very unfortunate that it took three of the top Black officials here in Columbus, in Franklin County, to get [pepper-sprayed] in order to [say] that stuff has to change, Hood said. After that incident, Hood said the conversation of a police review board took greater urgency. It is something that has been recommended for years. Hood said, recalling a community elder who told her that the fight for a police review board dates as far back as the 1980s. The energy motivating voter turnout also showed up in Franklin County judicial elections, with Democrats sweeping all eight open seats in the Commons Pleas Court, including the domestic and probate divisions. In an interview with the Columbus Dispatch, Judge-elect Andy Miller said candidates talked more during this election cycle about substantive issues. I noticed people are more appreciative of the concept of restorative justice, he said. With the election over, Hood says the work of groups like Freedom BLOC continues through conversations and community education. Now, the real work is ahead of us, she said. That is educating and empowering the people of our community so that they know the responsibility in holding elected officials accountable does not start nor stop at the ballot box. This article was originally published by The Appeal on December 15, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/msnbc-cbc-covid-19-and-the-road-ahead,"MSNBC | CBC, COVID-19, and the Road Ahead",2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,Sign up to receive the Beatty Bulletin and messages pertaining to Congresswoman Beatty and the district.,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/beatty-selected-as-chair-of-the-congressional-black-caucus,Beatty selected as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus,2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who was pepper-sprayed by police while protesting the murder of George Floyd on March 31, 2020, has been elected chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. The caucus' membership now includes a record 57 members. Beatty, 70, represents Ohio's 3rd Congressional District, which includes all of Franklin County and most of Columbus. Beatty succeeds Karen Bass, who represented California's 37th Congressional District. Right now, our nation is facing three pandemics that have disproportionately impacted the lives of Black Americans: COVID-19, economic turmoil, and social injustice, Betty said. As chair, I will work with the Biden administration, House and Senate leadership, as well as my congressional colleagues, to defeat the pandemic and ensure better days ahead for all of use. Moreover, I will use my voice to address enduring economic and heath disparities, and fight to break the chains of systemic racism that have held the Black community for so long. U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, who represents Nevada's 4th Congressional District, will serve as 1st Vice-Chair of the Caucus, and Brenda Lawrence will serve as 2nd Vice-Chair of the Caucus. Lawrence represents Michigan's 14 Congressional District. Beatty will lead the Caucus in the 117th Congress. This article was originally published by The Louisiana Weekly on December 14, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-announces-james-bish-bay-village-winner-2020-congressional-app,Kaptur Announces James Bish of Bay Village Winner of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge,2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur(OH-09), announcedthe winner ofthe Ohio 9thCongressional District's secondannual Congressional App Challenge. James Bish of Bay High School in Bay Village, Ohio has been selected by a panel of judges as the winner of this year's competition.Rep.Kapturlooks forward to a discussion with James tolearnfirst-hand of theskills and expertise that went into the creation of his application. Bish's app, Anonymous FRQ Grading, is an impressive tool for teachers and students to submit responses to essay questions free of bias in evaluation. James' wonderful application received strong scores in each phase of the judging process, from concept, to design, to the skill shown to produce it, said Rep. Kaptur. We had strong submissions and participation from across the district. Developing STEM education must be a priority not only within our community, but across our nation as well, and the Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity to foster critical skills. I offer my sincerest congratulations to James Bish on his win and thank him for the impressive and important work that went into creating his app. The Congressional App Challenge is a district-level competition for high school students tofoster coding skillsand inspire students to pursue careers in computer science. James' application comes at the direction of teacher Rob Grossman at Bay High. Additional standout applications came from Toledo St. Francis High School at the direction of teacher Mike Blochowski. Rep. Kapturreceived a total ofnineapp submissions from students across Ohio's 9th Congressional Districtinhersecondyear hosting thecompetition.The judges for this year's competition included computer science professionals and scholars from across the district such as Max Herzog from the Cleveland Water Alliance and Kelly Zelesnik from Lorain Community College. Winners of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge will beeligible to attenda virtual #HouseOfCodeCapitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C.,wheretheir app will be featured in the United States Capitol Building. Prize announcements are still to come, but past winners have received flight credits and Amazon gift credits. More information on the Congressional App Challenge can be foundhere. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-ryan-announces-coming-broadband-access-401000-rural-ohioans,"Congressman Ryan Announces Coming Broadband Access for 401,000 Rural Ohioans",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan today announces401,000 rural Ohioans, who were previously unserved, will gain access to high-speed broadband as a result of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. $5.58M in broadband investments through the auction will come to the five counties in Ohio's 13thCongressional District. Phase I of the auction began on October 29th, 2020 and targeted over six million homes and businesses in census blocks that are entirely unserved by voice and broadband services. The auctionallocated a total of $170,038,205.10 to expand broadband to 191,093 unserved homes and businesses across America over the next 10 years. Whether it's completing schoolwork, accessing job applications, banking online, or any number of other resources we access through the internet, broadband is an essential utility for every 21stcentury American. At a time when we have been forced to carry out more and more of our normal daily life remotely, too many Ohioans have been disadvantaged because they couldn't access the internet,said Congressman Tim Ryan. The success of this project is a huge step in the right direction to ensure every Ohioan has the opportunity to thrive during this pandemic and beyond. I applaud these efforts, and I will continue to support efforts to get everyone in our community covered. In October 2020, the FCC adopted rules creating the 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute up to $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G wireless broadband connectivity to unserved areas in rural America.The auction used a multi-round, descending clock auction format in which bidders indicated in each round whether they would commit to providing service to an area at a given performance tier and latency at the current round's support amount. There will be a second phase of the auction that covers locations in census blocks that are currently partially served, as well as locations that were not funded in Phase I. See below data on coming coverage in Northeast Ohio from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction: County # Homes/Business Covered $ Support Mahoning, OH 1,075 $1,235,261 Portage, OH 1,656 $635,914 Stark, OH 960 $905,508 Summit, OH 69 $318,109 Trumbull, OH 1,624 $1,937,550 Warren, OH 1,291 $552,310 TOTAL 6,675 $5,584,651 For more information on which providers will serve each county in Northeast Ohio, clickhere. For more information on the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction -- including complete auction results and a map of winning bids -- clickhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-presses-congressional-leadership-ensure-small-businesses,Congressman Tim Ryan Presses Congressional Leadership to Ensure Small Businesses with PPP Loans Remain Eligible for Tax Deductions,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today called on Congressional leadership to restore the tax deductibility of forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses in any end-of-year COVID-19 relief legislation.In a bipartisan letter with more than 170 House members, Congressman Ryan offered this fix to avoid surprise tax bills for those small businesses who utilized the PPP program throughout this year, which was a clear intention of the program as outlined in the CARES Act. Currently the IRS is disallowing small businesses to deduct the forgiven PPP expense on their 2020 returns. We have to prioritize helping working-class people, and working-class people are small business owners. The Paycheck Protection Program was meant to keep these folks afloat not make it harder for them down the road with a big surprise tax bill,said Congressman Tim Ryan.Not only will protecting our small businesses help the business owners, it will help waiters, store clerks, and countless others who work at small businesses remain employed during this difficult time. This fix is a key to making sure hard-working Americans are still on their feet as we come out of this pandemic. In their letter, the members wrote: Without Congressional action, small businesses are estimated to pay over $120 billion in taxes on forgivable PPP loans. At a time when many are struggling to keep their doors open each day, we cannot saddle small businesses with a massive surprise tax bill. For this reason, we ask that you include a fix to clarify that recipients of forgivable PPP loans can claim normal business expense deductions in any end-of-year legislation. Congress enacted the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide more than $600 billion for forgivable loans to small businesses to help keep employees on payroll and continue operating. Since its enactment, over 5 million loans have been made to businesses in all fifty states. This program has helped keep our economy from total collapse by providing a lifeline to small businesses with no alternative funding source. The PPP was intended to provide vital tax-free assistance for certain business costs in unprecedented economic circumstances. Congress specifically included Section 1106(i) in the CARES Act to exclude forgivable loan assistance from taxable income. On April 30, however, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2020-32 disallowing the deduction of forgiven expenses. This notice is contrary to Congressional intent. Section 1106(i) of the CARES Act was put in place specifically to ensure forgivable loan proceeds would be tax free, stating that any amount which (but for this subsection) would be includible in gross income of the eligible recipient by reason of forgiveness described in subsection (b) shall be excluded from gross income. Notice 2020-32 essentially ignores this section and effectively makes forgivable loans taxable despite Congress's clear intent to allow the deduction of necessary business expenses. This clear fix to ensure the tax-deductibility of PPP loans was included in part of the Heroes Act which waspassed most recently by the House on October 1, 2020 and awaits consideration in the Senate. Today's letter calls on Congressional leadership to ensure that this critical protection for small businesses remains in any end-of-year COVID-19 relief legislation. Read the full text oftheletterhereand below. Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader Hoyer, and Whip Scalise, Thank you for your continued efforts to provide assistance to the American people through these challenging times. As we continue working on additional coronavirus assistance measures, we want to bring your attention to an important issue affecting small businesses across the United States and ask for your help in providing much-needed relief. Over the past few months, statewide shutdowns in response to the pandemic have had devastating effects on small businesses throughout the country. Thousands of small businesses have permanently closed, while capacity restrictions and reopening costs have drastically cut revenue streams for those that have remained open. In response to these dire economic conditions, Congress enacted the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide more than $600 billion for forgivable loans to small businesses to help keep employees on payroll and continue operating. Since its enactment, over 5 million loans have been made to businesses in all fifty states. This program has helped keep our economy from total collapse by providing a lifeline to small businesses with no alternative funding source. The PPP was intended to provide vital tax-free assistance for certain business costs in unprecedented economic circumstances. Congress specifically included Section 1106(i) in the CARES Act to exclude forgivable loan assistance from taxable income. On April 30, however, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2020-32 disallowing the deduction of forgiven expenses. As Chairman Grassley, Chairman Neal, and Ranking Member Wyden wrote in a letter to Secretary Mnuchin on May 5, 20201, this notice is contrary to Congressional intent. Section 1106(i) of the CARES Act was put in place specifically to ensure forgivable loan proceeds would be tax free, stating that any amount which (but for this subsection) would be includible in gross income of the eligible recipient by reason of forgiveness described in subsection (b) shall be excluded from gross income. Notice 2020-32 essentially ignores this section and effectively makes forgivable loans taxable despite Congress's clear intent to allow the deduction of necessary business expenses. To make matters worse, on November 18, 2020, the IRS released Revenue Ruling 2020-27 stating that PPP recipients who had not even received or applied for forgiveness could not deduct normal business expenses if they reasonably expected their loans to be forgiven. These notices are not only contrary to Congressional intent, but in fact changed the terms of the loan after a majority of PPP applicants had already applied for and received funds. Over 84% of total PPP applications were submitted prior to April 17, when the program first expired. This unfairly changed the rules of the program after the overwhelming majority of participants had joined. Without Congressional action, small businesses are estimated to pay over $120 billion in taxes on forgivable PPP loans. At a time when many are struggling to keep their doors open each day, we cannot saddle small businesses with a massive surprise tax bill. For this reason, we ask that you include a fix to clarify that recipients of forgivable PPP loans can claim normal business expense deductions in any end-of-year legislation. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/family-of-black-man-fatally-shot-by-ohio-deputy-demands-investigation,Family of Black man fatally shot by Ohio deputy demands investigation into his death,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"A sheriff's deputy fatally shot a 23-year-old on his grandmother's doorstep following a ""verbal exchange"" with the lawman, authorities and family members said Sunday. Loved ones of Casey Christopher Goodson Jr. said they have ""extreme concern"" about the killing in Columbus on Friday and are demanding a thorough investigation. A Franklin County Sheriff's deputy, working with a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force, ""reported witnessing a man with a gun,"" Columbus police said in a statement. ""The deputy was investigating the situation and there are reports of a verbal exchange. The deputy fired at Mr. Casey Goodson, resulting in his death,"" according to a sheriff's statement. ""A gun was recovered from Mr. Goodson. Mr. Goodson was not the person being sought by the U.S. Marshals task force."" Sean Walton, a lawyer representing the family, said Goodson's loved ones are skeptical of the deputy's version of the deadly encounter. It doesn't make sense, Walton told NBC News on Monday. Who drives down the street waving a gun out of the window? This isn't a music video. This is real life. Goodson was licensed to carry a concealed weapon ""and Ohio does not prohibit the open carrying of firearms,"" according to a statement from Walton's firm. The young man had gone to the dentist that day and fetched three Subway sandwiches before he was killed in front of his 72-year-old grandmother and two toddlers. Goodson had parked in front of the house, walked across the front yard and was entering the home through the side entrance when he was shot, according to Walton. There's no reason or justification for why any of this happened, Walton said. He fell and died in his own kitchen. When Goodson's grandmother heard the shots and screams of toddlers, she rushed to the kitchen where the deputy pointed his gun at family members and ordered them out of the house, according to Walton. The family saw the sandwiches next to Goodson's body but not the gun, their lawyer said. ""There's really nothing that they've alleged or said that Casey did on his walk from the car to the house that would justify him being shot, Walton said. He actually was putting his key into the door when he was shot. The key was hanging in the door even hours after the shooting. The deputy, a 17-year veteran of the force, was not wearing a body camera, Columbus police said. Deputies in this county are not required to wear body cams. A representative for the union representing Franklin County Sheriff's deputies could not be immediately reached for comment on Monday. Friday's slaying drew the attention of U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, incoming chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, who represents the district where Goodson was gunned down. Like many in the community, I am at a loss of words over the killing of Casey Christopher Goodson, Jr.,"" she said in a statement on Monday. ""The circumstances surrounding his tragic death are upsetting and extremely unsettling because too many Black men in our community are dying or are the victims of unjustifiable, excessive force from the very people sworn to protect and serve all of us. I join Casey's family, friends, and the entire community in demanding accountability and seeking justice for his senseless killing. This article was published by NBC News on December 7, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/spectrum-news-1-congresswoman-beatty-elected-cbc-chair,Spectrum News 1 | Congresswoman Beatty Elected CBC Chair,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"On December 8, 2020, Congresswoman Beatty gave her first television interview after being elected 27th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 117th Congress. An archived recording can be found on YouTube.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ohio-s-third-congressional-district-marks-16th-statewide-tribute-to-rosa,Ohios Third Congressional District Marks 16th Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks with Release of New Video Highlighting the Power of One,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBUS, OHTo mark the 16th Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks in Ohio (December 7th-December 8th), U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) premiered the powerful short film, The Power of One: From Agony to Action, the Time is Now, highlighting Rosa Parks, the Power of One,' and how both continue to inspire countless Ohioans, Americans and people across the globe to make a difference in their community. Video special guests include: The Ohio State University President Kristina Johnson, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) President/CEO Joanna Pinkerton, and U.S. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), with contributions from constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District. Rosa Parks was the embodiment of the Power of One, and her life and actions on that historic December day is a touchstone moment for so many, Beatty said. By sitting down, Rosa Parks stood up for what is right and just. She added, As we celebrate the 16th Statewide Tribute65 years after she bravely refused to give up her seatlet's recommit ourselves to following in her footsteps to help move from agony to action. The time is now! It is my great pleasure to help honor an icon of racial justice and equity, Johnson said. While Rosa Parks is most often remembered for her defiance of injustice on a bus in Montgomery, she also taught us that progress is a lifelong pursuit. She is an inspiration to remain steadfast in the face of challenges as we continue her work today. Rosa Parks' heroic act of civil disobedience was an indelible moment in the fight for equality, one that continues to this day, Pinkerton noted. COTA is proud to continue to support the Statewide Tribute to this remarkable woman, who serves as a reminder that public transportation is not a system that should divide usbut instead unite us and connect us all to social and economic prosperity. ""I am proud to represent the home of Civil Rights icon and leader Rosa Parks. Throughout her life, she embodied the fighting spirit of Detroit and served as an inspiration and guiding light for our nation. As a Black woman in Congress, I plan to continue to use my voice to unite and uplift all future generations of women just as those who came before me,"" Lawrence said. In 2005, following the passing of Parks, then-State Representative Beatty authored, advocated, and won unanimous support for her emergency bill designating December 1st as Rosa Parks Day. Her piece of legislation was signed into law by former Governor Bob Taft and made the State of Ohio the first in the nation to recognize Rosa Parks Day. Since that time, Beatty has helped organize, alongside COTA and The Ohio State University, the Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks, hosting a Community Leaders Forum that draws a crowd of nearly 500 people every year. The Power of One: From Agony to Action, the Time Is Now can be viewed on Beatty's Facebookand on her official YouTube channel. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-dingell-joyce-huizenga-applaud-house-passage-water-resources,"Kaptur, Dingell, Joyce, Huizenga Applaud House Passage of Water Resources Development Act",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Co-Chairs of the House Great Lakes Task Force Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), David Joyce (R-OH), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Bill Huizenga (D-MI) applaud the passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) today in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan effort prioritizes the health and well-being of the Great Lakes as a whole and places a necessary focus on the viability of these beloved bodies of water.With today's vote, the bipartisan and bicameral agreement now heads to the Senate for final approval. In October, Co-Chairs of the House Great Lakes Task Force led a bipartisan letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee urging the Committee to include support for the Great Lakes in this year's Water Resources Development Act. Specifically, the Great Lakes Task Force Members asked that the final package include provisions previously approved by the House of Representatives, including 80 percent federal cost share and full authorization for the Brandon Road project to prevent invasive Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes, and expanded authorization for the Great Lakes Resiliency Study contained in Section 207 of the House-passed Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 7575). The letter was signed by 34 Members. The Water Resources Development Act enjoys broad bipartisan support because it pays close attention to the unique and particular needs of the different regions of our diverse nation, said Rep. Kaptur. The package includes provisions to protect 90% of North America's surface water on the Great Lakes. This includes a specific authorization of the invasive species control system at Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a project that serves a unique national role and once completed, will serve as a bull-work for preventing Asian Carp and other invasive species from threatening the fragile ecosystem of the Great Lakes. Today's authorization marks an important milestone for protecting the Great Lakes $7 billion recreational fishery. Our region has advocated to include this authorization for nearly a decade. Since 2010, when Congress authorized the Great Lakes Interbasin Study, our delegation searched for a long term and basin-wide solution to Asian Carp. I commend the committee for imbedding resiliency into the Corps planning processes, and for investing to rebuild and advance the nation's water infrastructure for the 21st century. Finally, the bill adds the words Great Lakes to the name of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to shine a light on the Seaway's unique role in unleashing the economic potential of the region and the nation. I urge support for this bipartisan bill. I was proud to work alongside my fellow Co-Chairs of the Great Lakes Task Force to include bipartisan provisions in this year's Water Resources Development Act to enhance both the environmental and economic health of the Great Lakes region,said Rep. Joyce. As someone who has long worked across the aisle to protect and preserve the Great Lakes, I know they are an invaluable natural resource and economic powerhouse andwill continue working across the aisle to ensure Congress makes the necessary investments to treat them as such. The Great Lakes are an unparalleled natural resource we are entrusted to protect for the health of our people, our environment, and our economy, said Rep. Dingell. By including critical provisions to protect our Great Lakes in the Water Resources Development Act, Congress has recognized that our most precious natural resources cannot survive without investments that protect our drinking water, strengthen invasive species management, and revitalize our coastlines. I commend our co-chairs and every member of the Great Lakes Task Force for their strong, bipartisan collaboration that helped us secured important authorizations for protecting these treasured waters from invasive species and putting a greater focus on coastal resiliency long-term. The Great Lakes are an indispensable resource, said Rep. Huizenga. Congress must continue to prioritize the Great Lakes from both an economic as well as an ecological perspective. WRDA achieves this goal by authorizing construction for the critical Brandon Road Lock and Dam System to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes and by addressing erosion mitigation, the impacts of high water, and coastal resiliency. This bipartisan bill demonstrates that Congress can take effective steps to protect and preserve the Great Lakes ecology while prioritizing and modernizing infrastructure. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-kinzinger-introduce-bipartisan-transatlantic-telecommunications,"Kaptur, Kinzinger Introduce Bipartisan Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act",2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), released the following statement after they introduced the bipartisan Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act, legislation to authorize the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide financing for 5G telecommunications infrastructure development to our European allies and partners. The legislation seeks to increase resilience in countries in the region whose infrastructure deficit from the Soviet-era makes them especially vulnerable to malign Chinese influence, including among nations in the Three Seas Initiative. Additionally, this bill directs the Secretary of State and other relevant agency heads to prioritize diplomacy and project support for European allies and partners to develop 5G markets that are inclusive, transparent, economically viable, socially sustainable, and compliant with international law. Finally, this legislation ensures the United States is leading with our European allies to develop international 5G standards that favor democratic institutions, not further authoritarianism spread by China. I thank Congressman Kinzinger for joining me in introducing this important, bipartisan legislation today, said Rep. Kaptur. The United States and our allies are facing increasing threats from state-linked companies in China as they seek to infiltrate and undermine democratic institutions. These companies pose an especially dire risk as our European allies and partners work to build out their 5G infrastructure. 5G networks will serve as the backbone of transatlantic telecommunications infrastructure for years to come, fostering greater development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. With those advances come immense national security and economic implications. That is why it is critical that these networks be kept safe from malign foreign influence. This legislation will help our European allies and partners finance 5G infrastructure development through the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, which will provide a viable, transparent alternative to insecure telecommunication equipment and service providers. I am glad to introduce the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act with my colleague Representative Kaptur. This legislation, which is modeled off our European Energy and Security Diversification Act, would offer American assistance and innovation to help central and eastern European countries push back on the infiltration of Chinese technology into their critical networks, said Congressman Kinzinger. With the growing threat coming from Communist China, we must ensure that our allies are protected from their malign influence. Doing so not only protects our shared communications, but helps defend the freedom of speech, press, and religion across the continent. Following unanimous House passage of the H.Res. 672 supporting the Three Seas Initiative and the enactment of the bipartisan European Energy Security and Diversification Act, this bill is the critically needed, next step for Congress to secure our transatlantic allies and partners from malign influence. Original cosponsors of this legislation include: Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ed Case (D-HI), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY), and Jim Costa (D-CA). Bill text can be found online here. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-votes-long-overdue-benefit-vietnam-era-veterans-exposed,Congressman Tim Ryan Votes for Long-Overdue Benefit to Vietnam-Era Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today voted in favor of H.R. 6395, the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included a long-overdue benefit to Vietnam-Era veterans exposed to Agent Orange adding Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism to the list of diseases associated with its exposure. This bipartisan bill also included a pay raise for the troops and hazard pay for those who serve in harm's way. It authorizes a 3.0 percent increase in basic pay and $275 hazardous duty pay per month for service members in harm's way, including members of the National Guard and National Reserve. Our veterans have put their lives on the line in defense for our freedoms and security. As a nation, we can honor their service and sacrifice by holding up our end of the bargain and providing them the care they have earned and this bill provides long-overdue benefits to those brave Vietnam-Era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange,said Congressman Ryan.This bill will also provide additional wages and protections to our active duty armed forces and veterans during this already difficult time. Our troops must be fully prepared for the many threats they face around the world, and it is our job to make sure they get the support they need to carry out their missionespecially as we face a global pandemic. Other provisions of the $732 billion NDAA supported by Congressman Ryan include: Ensuring paid parental leave to all federal employees. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to furnish childcare to each child of a member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the DOD while that member or employee works on rotating shifts at a military installation. Taking Steps to Further Protect Military Communities frompolyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including authorizing $1.4 billion for environmental remediation and BRAC accounts which support a range of remediation activities, to include those related to PFAS, at current military installations, formerly utilized defense sites, and installations closed by BRAC Includes the Elijah Cummings Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination Act, passed ty the House in January 2019, which strengthens equal employment opportunity protections for federal employees and strengthens prohibitions against discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers. Includes improves to military housing, including updating minimum health and safety standards for all military base housing, repealing a provision that currently allows DOD to place families in substandard housing units, and requiring DOD to implement Comptroller General recommendations for improvement of military family housing. Requires the DOD Inspector General to establish a mechanism to track and report supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang activity in the Armed Forces. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-tim-ryan-statement-rep-marcia-l-fudge-s-reported-nomination-secretary,Rep. Tim Ryan Statement on Rep. Marcia L. Fudges Reported Nomination for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Representative Tim Ryan (OH-13) made the following statement in support of Rep. Marcia L. Fudge's (OH-11)reportednomination for Secretary for Housing and Urban Development: Representative Marica L. Fudge's nomination for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is huge for the State of Ohio and huge for cities across America both big and small. Rep. Fudge is the thoughtful and sophisticated leader we need to help us eliminate blight and bring investments into our urban areas. This is a home run pick. I want to thank President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris for their leadership and wish my good friend Marcia Godspeed. I stand ready to support her. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/body-cameras-coming-for-franklin-county-deputies-but-too-late-to-help-in,"Body cameras coming for Franklin County deputies, but too late to help in latest shooting",2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Franklin County sheriff's office and county commissioners agree that deputies need body cameras. But there is disagreement over the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old Black man Friday by a SWAT deputy and now over who should handle the independent investigation into the incident. Discussions about obtaining body cameras have been ongoing for the past couple of years, Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said Monday, with talks settling on the goal of purchasing the equipment in 2021. The lack of body cameras for the agency has become a topic of discussion after Franklin County SWAT deputy Jason Meade shot 23-year-old Casey C. Goodson Jr. on Friday afternoon outside a Northland apartment while working with a U.S. Marshal's Service fugitive task force. Among those expressing concerns about the lack of body cameras is the Columbus NAACP, which issued a statement Sunday saying that it contacted various law enforcement leaders and ""inquired immediately if officers present were wearing body cameras."" ""We find ourselves again addressing the death of a Black man by those sworn to protect and defend,"" the NAACP wrote, demanding ""greater transparency, documentation and accountability for those responsible for protecting the community."" Had a body camera been in use when Meade pursued, interacted with and fired at Goodson, the NAACP and others say conflicting narratives about the incident would likely be easier to resolve. Columbus police talked Monday afternoon with the Ohio Attorney General's office about having its Bureau of Criminal Investigation take over the investigation, and initially seemed to have approval. But Attorney General Dave Yost overrode that and turned down the request. We received a referral to take a three-day-old, officer-involved shooting case. Not knowing all the reasons as to why so much time has passed before the case was referred to BCI, we cannot accept this case,"" Steve Irwin, press secretary to Yost, said in a statement. Yost said that BCI can investigate officer-involved shootings, but the process begins with a request for assistance, processing of a crime scene and a thorough investigation. BCI has an existing memorandum of understanding with Columbus police and ""they know that BCI is their first call when an incident occurs,"" the statement said. ""BCI is the first call because we cannot be the subject matter experts unless we're on scene from the beginning to document the evidence of what happened from the start, Irwin said. ""Three days later after the crime scene has been dismantled and the witness have all dispersed does not work."" Police Chief Thomas Quinlan said he had full confidence in the ability of his Critical Incident Response Team to fully investigate the case, but thought bringing in an outside agency would help lessen public concerns that have been expressed about objectivity. ""We understand that issues of perception can impact how the public views the results of a case such as this,"" he said in a written statement. ""To remove any doubt among the public about the independence of this investigation,"" Quinlan said he believed it was appropriate to refer the case to state investigators. With that option closed, Columbus police will likely have to proceed with their investigation because another law enforcement agency might have the same issues with coming in after the fact. The U.S Marshal's Service and Columbus police have said that the incident began shortly before 12:15 pm. Goodson waved a gun as he was driving past a sheriff's SWAT deputy, who was in an unmarked vehicle. The deputy was part of a U.S. Marshals task force had come up empty looking for a wanted fugitive. Goodson was not the target of that operation, and court records indicate he has had no criminal offenses. According to law enforcement officials, the deputy pursued the vehicle a short distance to investigate and confronted Goodson when he got out of his car at what turned out to be his grandmother's residence, with whom he lived in the 3900 block of Estates Place. They say the deputy fired at Goodson after he failed to comply with orders to drop the weapon. ""A gun was recovered from Mr. Goodson,"" according to a Columbus police news release. Peter Tobin, the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio, said at a Friday news conference that a nearby citizen heard Goodson being ordered to drop his gun. No officers witnessed the shooting, and ""no civilian eyewitnesses have been identified,"" police said in their release. An attorney for Goodson's family said in a Sunday release that ""his death was witnessed by his 72-year-old grandmother and two toddlers who were near the door."" However, that statement is not supported by a 911 call that the grandmother placed to police immediately after the shooting. Asked by the 911 operator who shot her grandson, she replied: ""I don't know. I just heard the gunshots and got up and he's laying in the door."" A recording of the call was obtained by The Dispatch from police through a public-records request. The family's attorney, Sean Walton, has said that Goodson was returning from a dentist's appointment and picked up lunch from Subway, which he was carrying when he was shot as he placed his keys into the apartment door. ""As Casey lie on the ground dying, the unopened Subway sandwiches that he bought for himself and his family sat next to him in a pool of blood,"" Walton's release said. ""Even hours after his death, the keys he used to let himself in the house as he was shot and killed hung in the door."" Investigators have provided few details about the shooting, including any comments about Subway sandwiches or house keys. Nor have they commented on the claims by Walton that Goodson was shot three times in the back. In the 911 call, the grandmother tells the operator that her grandson ""just got shot in the back."" Law enforcement sources have said that wounds seen on a person's back are sometimes from bullets that struck a person in the front and passed completely through the body. An autopsy, which will determine the path of the bullets, is expected to be performed this week. A call to Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz for information about when the autopsy will be performed was not immediately returned. Among the elements that appear beyond dispute are that Goodson was not the person being sought by the fugitive task force and that he has no criminal record. ""He's not a bad kid,"" his grandmother said in the 911 call. ""He doesn't have a police record. He works. I don't know why this happened."" Goodson also had a concealed-carry license, according to his family, which his sister posted a photo of on social media. Law-enforcement sources countered that having a license to carry a concealed weapon does not allow the permit-holder to wave the gun at others or refuse an officer's command to drop the weapon, which is what Tobin said happened when he spoke at a news conference Friday. Tobin said the fugitive task force that included marshals and sheriff's office SWAT members had just finished an unsuccessful search for a suspect early Friday afternoon on Estates Place, near Karl and Ferris roads, when Deputy Meade, a 17-year veteran, saw a man drive by waving a handgun. In response to the conflicting information about what happened next, Columbus police urged patience in awaiting the outcome of the investigation. ""The division has seen a number of inaccurate statements circulating, which can only add to the pain and confusion of an already tragic situation,"" according to the police release. At the time, police were conducting the investigation and said in the release that they would ""provide all evidence to the Franklin County prosecutor, who will review the established facts to a civilian grand jury."" Prosecutor Ron O'Brien, who lost a re-election bid in November, said in a text message that he doesn't expect the office to receive an investigative packet on the shooting until after his tenure ends on Jan. 4. At that point, a decision about how the case will be handled will be up to his successor, Gary Tyack. O'Brien texted that, if it were up to him, he would ask an outside prosecutor, either the Ohio attorney general's office or another county prosecutor, to handle the case. O'Brien recently began referring officer-involved fatal shootings in Franklin County to outside prosecutors to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. Tyack told The Dispatch that he won't make any decision until after reviewing the evidence, but he said it's likely that his office would handle the prosecution. ""I don't think I'm going to avoid that responsibility,"" he said. Baldwin said discussions about obtaining body cameras for deputies are so far along that his office obtained estimates for the cost of the system during the summer. The need to reduce the office's budget as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented him from including the body cameras in next year's budget, Baldwin said, but he and county administrators ""still feel it is important enough to find a way to do it."" He said the proposal is to obtain 175 body cameras that are compatible with the office's existing cruiser cameras and include cloud-based storage of the video. Controversy about Friday's shooting prompted State Rep. Erica C. Crawley, a Columbus Democrat, to release a statement reinforcing her commitment to police-reform legislation. ""The Ohio legislature has failed to pass any meaningful legislation that would bring more accountability and transparency to peace officers and police departments,"" she wrote. ""Earlier this year, I introduced two key pieces of legislation regarding law enforcement, House Bill 706 and 721. ""This heartbreaking situation reinforces the necessity of de-escalation training, which is an important section in HB 706."" Additionally, this legislation would train peace officers about racism, implicit bias and dealing with those experiencing a mental-health crisis, she stated. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, one of three Democratic officeholders who were caught in a burst of pepper spray during a Downtown protest about racial injustice this summer, issued a statement Monday calling the details surrounding Goodson's death ""upsetting and extremely unsettling."" ""Too many Black men in our community are dying or are the victims of unjustifiable, excessive force from the very people sworn to protect and serve all of us,"" she wrote. ""I join Casey's family, friends, and the entire community in demanding accountability and seeking justice for his senseless killing."" Change.org revealed in a Monday afternoon release that an online petition had been signed by nearly 8,000 people ""in the community who are outraged and demanding justice for Casey."" Police didn't reveal Goodson's identity, nor that of Deputy Meade, until Sunday afternoon. The shooting was at least the second in which Meade has been involved. In June 2018, he was one of seven Franklin County deputies who fired their weapons during a standoff in Pike County that ended with two men dead. Pike County sheriff Charles Reader had called in Franklin County's SWAT team to assist his deputies in a standoff that occurred when they tried to serve a felony arrest warrant. There were three separate incidents of gunfire in the standoff at a home in the southwestern part of Pike County. The deputies' actions did not result in criminal or departmental charges. This article was originally published by The Columbus Dispatch on December 7, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/rep-beatty-elected-chair-of-congressional-black-caucus,Rep. Beatty Elected Chair of Congressional Black Caucus,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Congressional Black Caucus is a nearly 60-member group of U.S. representatives and U.S. senators dedicated to creating more opportunity and equality for Black Americans. Beatty becomes the third Ohioan elected to chair influential caucus In her first TV interview, Beatty outlines priorities as CBC chair The Congressional Black Caucus has growing influence on Capitol Hill Come January, on the start of the caucus' 50th anniversary, Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty will take over as its chair. It's not like I'm starting from scratch. I'm going to build on the 50-year foundation, Beatty said in a virtual interview Saturday, her first TV interview since being elected chair. The Columbus Democrat, who represents Ohio's 3rd District, has been vice-chair of the caucus for the last two years and is a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the interview, Beatty explained what she will prioritize following a year that saw nationwide protests after the murder of George Floyd and the start of the coronavirus pandemic that has disproportionately impacted Black Americans. It is a three-pronged pandemic, when you look at the health care of course, but it is also an economic pandemic that is married to that, and it's a social injustice pandemic that's married to that, so it's a three-pronged number one for the first 100 days of my leadership, she said. Beatty becomes the third Ohioan to chair the CBC. Cleveland Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D, 11th Congressional District) served a few years back, and the late Congressman Louis Stokes helped found the caucus. Capri Cafaro, a professor at American University in Washington and a former Ohio state senator, said the group's influence has grown in the last half century. Both the majority and the minority, whether you're Democrat or Republican, really do need to involve the Congressional Black Caucus because they are so numerous and because they do hold so much sway politically, as well as policy-wise, when it comes to either developing a bill or getting the votes to make sure that it passes, Cafaro said in a Skype interview Monday. Beatty said she's already been in touch with constituents back in her district to help form her platform as chair. She also received a congratulatory call from Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who has been a member of the CBC during her time as senator and will become the first Black vice president in U.S. history. She knows the issues and she's going to be in the highest position as a go-to person for us, Beatty said. With control of the Senate still up in the air, Beatty is waiting to see how much she'll have to work across the aisle to get CBC-backed legislation signed into law. Beatty supports President-elect Joe Biden, and when asked if he, as an older white man, could be limited in understanding the challenges minorities face, she said she sees promise. I am very comfortable when I look at what he has proposed thus far, Beatty said. Now, that does not mean that he won't get challenged or questioned or that we will be silent on issues. In addition to fighting the pandemic and reforming the criminal justice system, the Congressional Black Caucus also works to combat voter suppression and expand access to education. This article was originally published by The Spectrum News 1 on December 7, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/rep-joyce-beatty-releases-statement-on-shooting-death-of-casey-goodson-jr,Rep. Joyce Beatty releases statement on shooting death of Casey Goodson Jr,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-OH 3rd District, said Monday in a statement that she is ""at a loss of words over the killing of Casey Christopher Goodson, Jr."" Like many in the community, I am at a loss of words over the killing of Casey Christopher Goodson, Jr. The circumstances surrounding his tragic death are upsetting and extremely unsettling because too many Black men in our community are dying or are the victims of unjustifiable, excessive force from the very people sworn to protect and serve all of us. I join Casey's family, friends, and the entire community in demanding accountability and seeking justice for his senseless killing,"" Beatty said. Authorities said Goodson Jr., 23, was shot and killed by Franklin County Deputy Jason Meade on Friday, Dec. 4. The shooting is being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Meade is permanently assigned to work with U.S. Marshals. During an operation in the Northland area of Columbus, police said Meade reported witnessing a man with a gun. According to Columbus Police, Meade was investigating the situation and there were reports of a verbal exchange. Police said Meade fired at Goodson Jr., resulting in his death. Police said a gun was recovered from Goodson. According to police, Goodson was not the person who was sought by the U.S. Marshals Task Force. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office said Meade is not currently on duty and is waiting to be interviewed by the Columbus Police Critical Incident and Response Team. The shooting was initially being investigated by Columbus Police, but Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said BCI has taken over the investigation in the interest of maximum transparency. This article was originally published by ABC 6 on December 7, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-urges-house-leadership-and-cdc-ensure-covid-19-vaccine,Congressman Tim Ryan Urges House Leadership and the CDC to Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Goes to Frontline and Healthcare Workers and Others Before Members of Congress,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, US House of Representatives Attending PhysicianDr. Brian P. Monahan, and CDC Chair Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Dr. Jose Romero calling on them to ensure first responders, frontline workers, healthcare workers, those with preexisting conditions, and the elderly are offered the COVID-19 vaccine before Members of Congress. Ensuring the vaccine goes to these groups first is the right thing to do from a moral, public health, and economic perspective,wrote Congressman Ryan. It allows frontline and healthcare workers to reduce transmission of the virus between groups that have high exposure to the public, it saves the lives of our most vulnerable populations, including those with preexisting conditions and the elderly, and it will allow us to get our economy back up and running. Congressman Ryan said in the letter that there would be an exception for Members of Congress who are in one of the listed vulnerable age groups or have a preexisting condition. Read the full text of the letterhereand below. Dear Speaker Pelosi, Dr. Monahan, and Dr. Romero, Thank you for your steadfast leadership during the pandemic and the economic crisis. As you know, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will determine prioritizations of vaccine administration.I write today to urge that the Office of the Attending Physician and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices refrain from disbursing or recommending disbursingthe COVID-19 vaccine to Members of Congress until after all first responders, frontline workers, healthcare workers, those with preexisting conditions, and the elderly have been offered the vaccine first, with the exception of Members of Congress in a vulnerable age group or with preexisting conditions. Over the past nine months, our nation has been gravely impacted by the pandemic, and yet many Americans have continued to carry out their duties under difficult and risky circumstances to keep our country running as smoothly as possible despite being the most at risk and putting their lives on the line. Ensuring the vaccine goes to these groups first is the right thing to do from a moral, public health, and economic perspective. It allows frontlineand healthcareworkers to reduce transmission of the virus between groups that have high exposure to the public, it saves the lives of our most vulnerable populations,includingthose with preexisting conditions and the elderly, and it will allow us to get oureconomyback up and running. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for prioritizing the Americans who need this vaccine the most and putting them ahead of Members of Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/msnbc-congresswoman-joyce-beatty-speaks-with-ali-veshi-about-her-election,MSNBC | Congresswoman Joyce Beatty speaks with Ali Veshi about her election as Chair of The Congressional Black Caucus.,2020-12-05,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,Sign up to receive the Beatty Bulletin and messages pertaining to Congresswoman Beatty and the district.,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/cbc-elects-executive-committee-for-117th-congress,CBC Elects Executive Committee for 117th Congress,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Joyce Beatty will chair the Congressional Black Caucus for the 117th Congress as the caucus embarks on its 50th anniversary as the voice of Black America on Capitol Hill. Along with the announcement of the Ohio Democrat as chair, the CBC also laid out its new executive committee that begins in January. Rep. Steven Horsford, who represents Nevada's 4th District and currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, Budget Committee and Natural Resources Committee, will serve as 1st vice chair of the CBC. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, who represents Michigan's 14th District and currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the Oversight and Reform Committee, was tapped as 2nd vice chair. Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida's 24th District, who currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the House Education and Labor Committee, where she chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, was elected as secretary of the CBC. Rep. Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia's 4th District and currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the House Judiciary Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, will take over as whip. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Texas's 18th District and currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security Committee and the Budget Committee, will serve as parliamentarian. Next year marks 50 years for the CBC, which outgoing Chair Rep. Karen Bass of California called 50 years as a champion for bold, progressive ideas in Congress. Fifty years of making a seat at the table and building a pipeline for those to come, and 50 years as the conscience of the Congress,' Bass said. On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee for the 117th Congress. In 1971, 13 Black members of Congress organized their efforts to help improve Black people's conditions in America and around the world. Though small in numbers, the Congressional Black Caucus founders understood their responsibility for the millions of voices they represented, Bass noted. That responsibility drove them to speak up and speak out against injustice wherever they found it from apartheid in South Africa to voter suppression, economic oppression, racial violence across the country, she said. Under the leadership of Chair-elect Beatty, the caucus will enjoy its largest membership in history, with a record 57 members forming a body as diverse as the nation. After four years under one of the most racist and repressive regimes in modern history, the CBC has an enormous opportunity under the Biden-Harris administration to restore faith in our democracy and show Black Americans the power of their vote, Bass said. We look forward to the work ahead on behalf of Black America. In addition to the CBC positions, House Democrats voted to elect Georgia Rep. David Scott as Agriculture Committee chairman, making him the first African American to hold that position in the chamber's history. Rep. Gregory Meeks also made history as the first Black American selected to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, one of the most powerful panels on Capitol Hill. We've got to make sure that we get the State Department up and running, Meeks told NBC News. The New York Democrat said the first thing the committee would do is work with expected incoming Secretary of State Tony Blinken. We've got to make sure that the morale is returned there, and we get our diplomats back in, and things begin to happen again, he said. This article was originally published by The Washington Informer on December 4th, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/jewish-groups-congratulate-beatty-is-elected-as-chair-of-the,Jewish groups congratulate Beatty is elected as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, was elected the 27th chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Dec. 3, her office announced in a news release. It is the honor of a lifetime to be voted by my peers to lead the Congressional Black Caucus in the 117th Congress, Beatty said in the release. Right now, our nation is facing three pandemics that have disproportionately impacted the lives of Black Americans: COVID-19, economic turmoil and social injustice. As chair, I will work with the Biden administration, House and Senate leadership, as well as my congressional colleagues, to defeat the pandemic and ensure better days lie ahead for all of us. Moreover, I will use my voice to address enduring economic and health disparities and fight to break the chains of systemic racism that have held back the Black community for far too long. The Caucus will mark its 50th anniversary in 2021, and I will do everything in my power to build upon our previous successes, work to create racial wealth equity and sustainability, increase access to affordable health care, housing and education, reform our criminal justice system and clean up our environment. Together standing on the shoulders of the 13 CBC founders we will continue to fight for our families, fight for our communities and fight for justice for all. JewishColumbus and Ohio Jewish Communities, both in Columbus, on applauded her election to the position. There is no one more deserving of this incredibly prestigious honor, JewishColumbus posted on Facebook. As you take your rightful place on the national stage, we are excited the entire country will see what we already know that each and every day you work tirelessly on behalf of all your constituents. We look forward to continuing to be your partner in building Black-Jewish relations, fighting systemic racism and anti-Semitism, and building a more just society for all. Since its establishment in 1971, the CBC has worked to use the full Constitutional power, statutory authority and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that Black Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American dream, the release said. For the 117th Congress, the CBC will be comprised of a historic number of members in the U.S. House and Senate. OJC also wished Beatty a mazal tov. When it comes to community partnerships, outreach across the aisle and working together, there is no bigger champion, more powerful ally or better statewide representative of what her district knows as the Columbus Way,' ensuring everyone has a seat and a say in crafting a solution, than Joyce Beatty, OJC said in a statement. No one is more aware of the historic alliance between the African American and Jewish communities in fighting injustice together and building up our country together. We look forward to new opportunities at this alliance and partnership. This article was originally published by The Cleveland Jewish News on December 4th, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/joyce-beatty-elected-next-chair-of-congressional-black-caucus-0,Joyce Beatty elected next chair of Congressional Black Caucus,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, was elected the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Thursday (December 3). Beatty will be the Caucus' 27th chair, taking over the 50-member group after Rep. Karen Bass of California. As the leader of CBC, Beatty said she's highlighting three areas of concern that are impacting Black people in disproportionate ways: the coronavirus pandemic, economic turmoil, and social injustice. She has plans to collaborate with President-elect Joe Biden and Congress, according to The Hill, to handle the pandemic and ensure better days lie ahead for all of us. Beatty sent a tweet marking her election and the importance of the role. The CBC was founded in 1971 by 13 founding members including: Shirley Chisholm, Charles B. Rangel, William Clay Sr., George Collins, John Conyers Jr., Ronald Dellums, Charles Diggs Jr., Ralph Metcalfe, Parren Mitchell, Robert N.C. Nix Sr., Louis Stokes, and Walter Fauntroy. Beatty took the time to acknowledge the upcoming 50th anniversary of the caucus' founding stating, The Caucus will mark its 50th anniversary in 2021, and I will do everything in my power to build upon our previous successes, work to create racial wealth equity and sustainability, increase access to affordable healthcare, housing and education, reform our criminal justice system, and clean up our environment. Beatty also plans to use the platform as leader of the CBC to emphasize the turmoil Black Americans experience, saying it's necessary to address enduring economic and health disparities and fight to break the chains of systemic racism that have held back the Black community for far too long. Her words come as Black Americans continue to be hospitalized and die from COVID-19 at twice the rate of white people, according to the COVID Racial Data Tracker. Research also shows Black small businesses are suffering at greater rates and economically devastating Black families and individuals. This article was originally published by The Black Information Network on December 4th, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-announces-22-million-mahoning-valley-s-ohio-north-east,Congressman Tim Ryan Announces $2.2 Million for the Mahoning Valleys Ohio North East Health Systems,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Youngstown, OH Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today announces $2,273,337 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be awarded to Ohio North East Health Systems, Inc. With the COVID-19 pandemic surging, these funds will provide much needed support in our community. Ohio North East Health System has served Northeast Ohio for over 30-years, and they are deserving of this award which will allow them to continue to provide health care to the uninsured and underinsured in the Mahoning Valley,"" said Congressman Ryan. This grant will provide continued operational funding to provide more people access to high quality integrative behavioral health services, including prevention or treatment of mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. Funding my be used for professional development and training, opioid prevention, and the use of telehealth and other health information technologies. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-urges-congressional-leadership-include-support-local,Congressman Tim Ryan Urges Congressional Leadership to Include Support for Local Restaurants in COVID Relief Package,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators urging House and Senate leadership to include the RESTAURANTS Act in the COVID relief package or year-end spending bill to ensure local restaurants get much-needed help as soon as possible. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the lawmakers pressed for passage of the RESTAURANTS Act, which would create a$120 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide structured relief to food service and drinking establishments, especially targeting small businesses that earned under $1.5M in revenue last year. The restaurant sector is the second-largest private employer after health care, and for countless Americans they provide the first opportunity for a job. These businesses are the beating heart ofcommunities across America, but the pandemic puts their survival in jeopardy,the lawmakers wrote. For the second time this year,restaurantsand barsare having tolimitoperations or closetheir doors completely,raising concerns about their ability to survive the long winter ahead. They need quick relief tokeep their workers employed and hold onto their businesses. Congress needs to act speedily andpass the RESTAURANTS Act to help save local restaurants across the country and the millions of workers they employ,they continued. TheRESTAURANTSActwould create arestaurant revitalization fundthat can be used for a wide range of expenses, includingpayroll and benefits, food, utilities, rent, maintenance, and supplies.This legislation has gained bipartisan support in Congress, as well as backing from restauranteurs and a large coalition of industries that rely on restaurants.It passed the House of Representatives on October 1, 2020, inH.R. 925 (Section 607, Division O). A June 2020 study on the legislation found itwould generate at least $183 billion in primary benefits and $65 billion in secondary benefits more than double the amount of the fund itself. Nearly one in four jobs lost from the pandemic were those of restaurant and bar workers. The food and beverage industryisstill down 2.3 million jobs since the pandemic began, a number that is sure to rise with increasing infection rates and new restrictions. See the full text of the letterhereand below. Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: America faces its most difficult phase in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19). COVID-19 case numbers are spiking across the nation, with more than one in 400 Americans testing positive in the last week alone. This unprecedented increase has prompted a wave of new restrictions ranging from nighttime closures and restrictions on indoor dining in New York, North Dakota, and Maryland to takeout-only in Oregon and stay-at-home orders in New Mexico. For the second time this year, restaurants and bars are having to limit operations or close their doors completely, raising concerns about their ability to survive the long winter ahead. They need quick relief to keep their workers employed and hold onto their businesses. Congress needs to act speedily and pass the RESTAURANTS Act to help save local restaurants across the country and the millions of workers they employ. The restaurant industry has been uniquely devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one in four jobs lost from the pandemic were those of restaurant and bar workers. The food and beverage industry is still down 2.3 million jobs since the pandemic began, a number that is sure to rise with increasing infection rates and new restrictions. Despite bearing the brunt of this economic crisis, independent restaurants have received no directly tailored federal aid. Many independent restaurant owners did not benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) because the program did not match their business model or needs. These businesses are the beating heart of communities across America, but the pandemic puts their survival in jeopardy. This threat affects restaurants and their employees and every other link in the $1 trillion restaurant supply chain. The food supply chain touches every corner of the country and supports tens of millions. The restaurant sector is the second-largest private employer after health care, and for countless Americans they provide the first opportunity for a job. These businesses are the beating heart of communities across America, but the pandemic puts their survival in jeopardy. This threat affects restaurants and their employees and every other link in the $1 trillion restaurant supply chain. The food supply chain touches every corner of the country and supports tens of millions of livelihoods, including farm workers, fishermen, and truck drivers. A new round of restaurant closures is likely to have dire effects on the entire food supply chain. The RESTAURANTS Act would create a restaurant revitalization fund that can be used for a wide range of expenses, including payroll and benefits, food, utilities, rent, maintenance, and supplies.It passed the House of Representatives on October 1, 2020, in H.R. 925 (Section 607, Division O). A June 2020 study on the legislation found it would generate at least $183 billion in primary benefits and $65 billion in secondary benefitsmore than double the amount of the fund itself. This type of economic multiplier is needed now more than ever. We urge you to pass the RESTAURANTS Act quickly as part of a COVID-19 relief bill or a year-end spending bill. We look forward to partnering with you to save local restaurants across America. This legislation has gained bipartisan support in Congress, as well as backing from restauranteurs and a large coalition of industries that rely on restaurants.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/columbus-democratic-congresswoman-joyce-beatty-chosen-to-lead,Columbus Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty chosen to lead Congressional Black Caucus,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty will be the new leader of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, the 59-member caucus voted Beatty, who in January will begin her fifth term representing the 3rd Congressional District, as its chairwoman. She was the caucus' first vice chair, and she will succeed Congresswoman Karen Bass, of California. Beatty is the third Ohioan to serve as chair of the caucus. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge of Cleveland held the post from 2013 to 2015, and Rep. Louis Stokes was chair from 1972 to 1974. It is the honor of a lifetime to be voted by my peers to lead the Congressional Black Caucus in the 117th Congress. Right now, our nation is facing three pandemics that have disproportionately impacted the lives of Black Americans: COVID-19, economic turmoil, and social injustice,"" she said in a prepared statement. ""As chair, I will work with the Biden Administration, House and Senate Leadership, as well as my congressional colleagues, to defeat the pandemic and ensure better days lie ahead for all of us. Moreover, I will use my voice to address enduring economic and health disparities and fight to break the chains of systemic racism that have held back the Black community for far too long."" Beatty, of Jefferson Township, cruised to a fifth term in the November election, winning more than 70% of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic district. She has represented one of the state's few districts gerrymandered to favor Democrats since her first election to the open seat in 2012. She previously was a senior vice president at Ohio State University, and was the first woman to lead her party caucus as she spent five terms in the Ohio House. Beatty said in a press release that her priorities for the caucus will include: ""racial wealth equity and sustainability, increase access to affordable healthcare, housing and education, reform our criminal justice system, and clean up our environment."" The congresswoman drew national attention last summer when she, along with Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin and Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce, was hit with pepper spray during protests in Downtown Columbus. This article was originally published by The Columbus Dispatch on December 3rd, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/joyce-beatty-elected-next-chair-of-congressional-black-caucus,Joyce Beatty elected next chair of Congressional Black Caucus,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) on Thursday was elected the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) a position she called an honor of a lifetime. Beatty will serve as the 27th chair of the caucus, which was founded in 1971. The caucus has more than 50 members in this congressional session, a historic high. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) serves in the role for the current session. In a statement marking her election, Beatty pointed to three pandemics she said are having a disproportionate impact on Black Americans: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, economic turmoil, and social injustice. In the role, Beatty said she plans to work with the incoming Biden administration and Congress to combat the coronavirus pandemic and ensure better days lie ahead for all of us. The congresswoman has already put pressure on President-elect Joe Biden to make undoing a controversial executive order issued by President Trump that takes aim at certain diversity training, a priority when he gets into office. Beatty also said Thursday she will use her platform to address enduring economic and health disparities and fight to break the chains of systemic racism that have held back the Black community for far too long. Her comments come as racial data continues to emerge highlighting the disproportionate effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on Black Americans. Black Americans, along with other minority groups, are being hospitalized with the illness at nearly four times the rate of non-Hispanic white people, reporting from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows. According to the COVID Racial Data Tracker, Black people are dying from the illness at twice the rate of white people in the United States. A study released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the summer also showed that Black small business were getting hit harder than others by the pandemic. These disparities have stood out even more this year as the U.S. saw a countrywide reckoning with race brought on by the killings of Black Americans by police. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., in particular sparked months of protests against police brutality and racism across the country. In her statement on Thursday, the congresswoman also acknowledged the caucus's upcoming 50th anniversary. The Caucus will mark its 50th anniversary in 2021, and I will do everything in my power to build upon our previous successes, work to create racial wealth equity and sustainability, increase access to affordable healthcare, housing and education, reform our criminal justice system, and clean up our environment, she said. Togetherstanding on the shoulders of the 13 CBC founderswe will continue to fight for our families, fight for our communities, and fight for justice for all, she added. This article was originally published by The Hill on December 3rd, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-calls-congressional-leadership-protect-funding-hospital,Congressman Tim Ryan Calls on Congressional Leadership to Protect Funding for Hospital Based Nursing Schools,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan(OH-13)todayurgedHouse and Senate Leadership to include a provision in the upcominggovernmentfunding bill to protect hospital-based nursing schools across the country from facing devastating cuts. In the letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, SenateMinorityLeader Chuck Schumer and to the Appropriations Chairsand Ranking Membersof each body, the Members wrote that thereare 120 hospital-based nursing schools in the United States, graduating more than 5,000 nurses each year.Locally,Mercy College of Ohio, which operates a nursing school at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Youngstown, would lose approximately $500,000 in funding. Additionally, nine other hospital-based nursing schools in Ohio would lose funding, including Aultman Hospital in Canton. Joining Congressman Ryan on the letter are 6 members of the Ohio House delegation, including Congressman Bob Gibbs (OH-7) and Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16) and over 20 other members from around the country. We are in the middle of a pandemic that has strained our health care system to the breaking point and now is not the time to cut funding that may cause hospital-based nursing schools to close their doors,said Congressman Ryan.Our well-trained nurses have been the backbone of our healthcare system and we need to ensure that the schools that train them have the necessary funding to continue to operate. The Mercy College of Ohio community greatly appreciates the support of Congressman Tim Ryanwho is leading the initiative to prevent the loss of funding for nursing and allied health colleges during this critical time as the demand for nursessoars,said Dr. Susan Wajert, Mercy College of Ohio President. We thank Congressman Ryan for recognizing the need to address this importantissuefornursing students,saidAndrea Mazzoccoli, RN, PhD, FAAN, Chief Nurse and Quality Officer, Bon Secours Mercy Health.These students are the future of healthcare and become the frontline workforce impacting thousands of patients each day. Now, more than ever isthetime for our leaders to supporthospital-based nursing education. For more than a century, Aultman College and its history of nursing education has been a vital program supporting our mission of leading the community to improved health,said Tony Snyder, President of Aultman Hospital.Our workforce demands, critically important right now, depend upon a steady supply of new nurses and allied health professionals. Aultman College, along with the 5 other hospital affiliated nursing programs in Ohio, deeply appreciate the support of Congressman Ryan and his Ohio congressional colleagues includingBob Gibbs and Anthony Gonzalez and their commitment to preserve our ability to meet the growing workforce demand for nurses and allied health professionals, especially during this global pandemic that is challenging our frontline caregivers,said Dr. Jean Paddock, President of Aultman College. The letter is available below andhere: As negotiations continue on the final Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations bills, we write to urge you to include a provision to protect the nation's 120 hospital-based nursing schools across the country from facing devastating cuts in funding in the middle of a pandemic. On August 21, 2020, CMS issued Transmittal 10315 (Change Request 11642), instructing Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to recalculate the Part C components of nursing and allied health (NAH) and direct graduate medical education (DGME) payments to hospitals for calendar years 2002 through 2018. This applies to all unsettled cost reports as well as those settled within the past three years. According to the transmittal, CMS failed to make annual updates to the DGME Part C payments that fund the Nursing and Allied Health (NAH) Part C payment pool of up to $60 million annually. CMS has decided to recalculate and recoup payments previously made to NAH programs effective September 21, 2020. Some hospital-based nursing schools project losing as much as 70% of past payments, with additional payment reductions going forward. The initial analysis is that this could result in the recoupment of about $2 billion in past payments and at least $30 million in additional payment cuts each year. CMS gave these hospitals and their nursing schools barely a month's notice before implementing this new policy. This solution will result in the closing of NAH programs with the concomitant loss of nursing and allied health professionals at a time when these health care providers are most needed. While CMS recognizes the tremendous impact this will have on schools across the country, they believe they lack the authority to delay the Transmittal Notice beyond mid-December. For these reasons, we urge you to include language implementing a 180 day delay on the Transmittal Notice to give hospital-based nursing programs more time to work with CMS to find a more long-term solution. These nursing schools receive about $108 million annually in CMS pass-through funds to support their nursing education programs. Hospital-based nursing schools act as both employer and educator providing a pipeline of highly trained nurses to many of the communities suffering the highest levels of nursing shortages. Failure to act puts 120 hospital-based nursing schools across the country at risk of closure or cutbacks at a time where we need them the most. We must work to ensure the future of hospital-based nursing schools, its employees and graduating nurses who have done so much for this nation during the pandemic. Thank you for your continuing work and thank you for the consideration. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-commemorates-rosa-parks-day,Congresswoman Beatty Commemorates Rosa Parks Day,2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a then Alabama seamstress, refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama city bus. Parks' defiance and ultimate arrest on that dreary December day sparked the 381-day long Montgomery Bus Boycott, ultimately leading to the complete desegregation of our nation's public transportation system. Although Parks is most known for that life altering momentand rightfully soshe was also a lifelong, active member of the NAACP, helped organize countless civil rights and equal justice events across the South, and worked for many years for former U.S. Congressman John Conyers (MI-13), helping the constituents of her adopted hometown of Detroit, Michigan. A little more than 50 years later after that historic day, on October 24, 2005, the world said goodbye to Parks. Immediately following the passing of the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement,' then State Representative Joyce Beatty jumped into action, authoring emergency legislation that was signed into law in the State of Ohio recognizing Parks and the Power of One individual to be a difference maker. As a result of Beatty's bill, the Buckeye State became the first state in the nation to officially recognize December 1st as Rosa Parks Day. Rosa Parks forever changed the world, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) said. Through her willingness to sit, Rosa Parks stood up for what she believed in, helping spark a movement that still inspires countless Americans and people across the globe all these years later. She added, On the 16th anniversary of Rosa Parks Day, I join with all those celebrating the Power of One and working to build a freer, fairer, and more just nation for everyone. Together, we can move from agony to actionthe time is now! This year, to mark the 16th anniversary of Rosa Parks Day in Ohio, Beatty will be premiering a new video on social media highlighting the Power of One's enduring impact still today. The video will feature national and community leaders, as well as constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District chosen by the total number of Facebook likes through Beatty's #PowerOfOne Challenge. For more information, and to vote for your favorite photo submission(s), please visit Beatty's Facebook page.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-beatty-announces-over-3-million-for-central-ohio-healthcenters,Congresswoman Beatty Announces Over $3 Million for Central Ohio Community Health Centers,2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBUS, OHThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded$3,219,213to Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc. to continue providing high quality, affordable, comprehensive healthcare services to constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District and the surrounding area. In response, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: Community health centers are the backbone of the Ohio healthcare system, providing cost-effective primary and preventive services that are crucial to the wellbeing of more than 800,000 Ohioans annually. As the Representative of Ohio's Third Congressional District, I am a strong supporter of our nation's community health centers and their dedicated team of healthcare professionals, and will continue to do all I can to ensure that they have the much-needed federal funds to carry out their important work to build healthier lives for my constituents. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-applauds-mahoning-valley-scrappers-continued-affiliation,Congressman Tim Ryan Applauds Mahoning Valley Scrappers Continued Affiliation with Major League Baseball,2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Niles, Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) applaudedtoday's announcement of continued affiliation between the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Major League Baseball (MLB). The Scrappers will join the newly formed MLB Draft League which will begin playing in 2021 and will focus on displaying the talents of top college level players eligible for the MLB draft. This long-term partnership between the Scrappers and MLB will ensure that top talent will continue to play in the Mahoning Valley for years to come. Ryan has been a leading advocate to ensure the Scrappers retained their affiliation with MLB. Working closely with the team leadership, Ryan made calls, sent letters, introduced legislation, and had many tough discussions fighting on behalf of the Scrappers. After many months of calls, letters, legislation, and tough discussions with Major League Baseball to ensure theScrappersstay in the Mahoning Valley, I'm proud to say that this announcement will not only protect theScrappersbut add value to our community and local baseball fans,said Congressman Tim Ryan. By showcasing the best draft-eligible talent in our nation, theScrappers are poised to continue providing our community amazing entertainment for many years to come, said Congressman Tim Ryan. January 30, 2020 Ryan requests meeting with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to discuss Major League Baseball's (MLB) plans to cut 42 Minor League (MiLB) teams including the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Ryan has previously called on Manfred to reverse the decision. More infohere. January 28, 2020 Ryan introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to support the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. This bipartisan resolution expressing the sense of Congress that Major League Baseball (MLB) should maintain the current minor league structure rather than proceed with its plan to eliminate 42 minor league clubs. More infohere. December 20, 2019 Ryan wrote a letter to Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan and Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred to urge them to abandon MLB's plan to end its affiliation with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and 41 other Minor League teams.More infohere. November 19, 2019 Ryan wrote a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to urge Major League Baseball (MLB) to abandon its plan to end its affiliation with 42 Minor League teams, including the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. More infohere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/the-power-of-one-challenge-vote-for-your-favorites,The Power of One Challenge: Vote for Your Favorite(s),2020-11-28,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"I need your help to determine the winners for my #PowerOfOne Challenge in honor of the 16th Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks in Ohio.From now through December 1st,I invite you to visit myFacebook pageto see the numerous submissions from constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District. The top 16 entriesas determined by total likeswill be highlighted on my social media channels and in the official 2020 Rosa Parks Day video. So, be sure to vote now and do not forget tolike my pageand follow me onTwitterandInstagramto get the latest developments on my work in Central Ohio and Washington, D.C.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-highlights-the-importance-of-national-diabetes-month,Congresswoman Beatty Highlights the Importance of National Diabetes Month,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"November is National Diabetes Month, a month-long campaign that aims to raise awareness on diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. To mark the occasion, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: More than 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes this year. That figure is imperative as we all need to become aware of the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of diabetes. This month and all year long, I implore all Americans to talk with their doctors about diabetes because early detection is key. To learn more about American Diabetes Month, please visit the American Diabetes Association website. Also, please be sure to join in the conversation online by using #EveryDayReality.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-pushes-extension-health-care-tax-credit-critical-delphi,Congressman Tim Ryan Pushes for Extension of Health Care Tax Credit Critical to Delphi Salaried Retirees and United Steelworker Retirees,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan has joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress today in asking the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee to extend the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) for five years. Congressman Ryan has been fighting to extend the tax credit for the last ten years as it helps thousands of retirees access affordable health care, especially those who have been affected by harmful trade practices. The HCTC can cover up to 72.5 percent of premiums in some cases.HCTC is set to expire on December 31, 2020. As we face a pandemic and a struggling economy, we have to ensure that retirees and others who have faced trade-related and business disruptions are able to access affordable premiums for the health care they need,said Congressman Ryan.The Health Care Tax Credit helps thousands of Delphi salaried retirees and retired United Steelworkers (USW) get the health care that they and their families deserve we cannot leave them without coverage. Our districts are home to working people who are facing threats to their families' financial stability through no fault of their own and who need continued access to affordable health care through this credit.Ryan and his colleagues wrote.The addition of pandemic-related economic uncertainty, along with continued trade pressures and pension instability, mean that this is no time to let the HCTC lapse. The Health Coverage Tax Credit is an extremely important benefit to thousands of retirees who have lost substantial pension annuity benefits and health care coverage due to their employer's bankruptcy. Please consider a 5 year extension of this vital legislation,said Paul Beiter, Delphi Salaried Retirees Association Benefit Trust Chairman. Joining Congressman Ryan on the letter were Reps. Michael Turner (OH-10), Jared Golden (ME-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16).Congressman Ryan is also a cosponsor on H.R.1939 - Health Coverage Tax Credit Reauthorization Act of 2019 which extends for five years the tax credit for health insurance coverage. Full text of the letter sent today can be found below. Dear Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady: As the committee considers tax extenders legislation in the final months of 2020, we write to highlight the importance of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) (26 USC 35) to our constituents and urge that it be extended for five years as outlined in H.R.1939. Our districts are home to working people who are facing threats to their families' financial stability through no fault of their own and who need continued access to affordable health care through this credit. The addition of pandemic-related economic uncertainty, along with continued trade pressures and pension instability, mean that this is no time to let the HCTC lapse. The HCTC is targeted to people who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing and to those whose pensions have been taken over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation as a result of their employer's financial instability. In these cases, our constituents face financial risks that threaten their ability to afford health insurance for themselves and their families. In many cases, people using the HCTC are near the Medicare eligibility age, when health insurance age rating means they face particularly expensive premiums in the years before they qualify for Medicare. This makes the HCTC particularly important for our constituents in these situations to be able to continue to protect their health and that of their families. For these reasons we urge the Committee to extend the HCTC for at least five additional years. Thank you for your consideration. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-tim-ryan-and-ohio-delegation-members-urge-fema-omb-and-dod,"Representative Tim Ryan and Ohio Delegation Members Urge FEMA, OMB and DOD to Support Governor DeWines Request to Extend Federal Funding for Ohio National Guards COVID-19 Response Mission",2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCRepresentative Tim Ryan (D, OH-13), in a letter today with bipartisan members of the Ohio congressional delegation, urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) AdministratorPeter Gaynor, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, andActing Defense Secretary Christopher Miller to supportGovernor Mike DeWine's request to restore and extend full federal funding for the Ohio National Guard's COVID-19 response mission through March of 2021. Representative Ryan joined in sending the letter with Senators Portman and Brown, as well as Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), and Warren Davidson (R-OH). The Ohio National Guard has been instrumental in supporting the State of Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We, as a bipartisan, bicameral Ohio delegation, write to express our support for the request made by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to restore and extend full federal funding for up to 1,800 members of the Ohio National Guard through March 31, 2021,the members wrote.Ohio Guardsmen have significantly increased the response capacity in Ohio by maintaining testing sites, staging and distributing personal protective equipment, and assisting foodbanks in distributing more than 33 million pounds of food to Ohioans in need. Like other frontline responders, Ohio's foodbanks find themselves approaching the end of the current Ohio National Guard mission in the midst of surging COVID-19 cases,said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.As much as it pains us to see growing need for help with emergency food, and to have to respond to that need with the added logistical challenges of operating in a pandemic environment, we have also been buoyed by each of the soldiers and airmen serving alongside us. They are more critical than ever to our ability to keep food moving safely and efficiently to record numbers of Ohioans. We are grateful for Governor DeWine and Adj. Gen. MG Harris for making this request and humbled that Senators Portman and Brown would once again lead a bipartisan, bicameral effort with Ohio's House members to ensure that the Administration understands the urgency and gravity of the moment. Since the beginning of the pandemic, approximately 2,000 members of the Ohio National Guard have been on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio by maintaining testing sites, responding to outbreaks, and staging and distributing PPE. Today, there are more than 500 National Guard members responding to the pandemic. The Ohio National Guard has played a critical role in helping to distribute more than 33 million pounds of food at foodbanks across Ohio. This support has been particularly important as foodbanks experience increased demand for food but have a limited number of volunteers due to the health crisis. Governor DeWine has requested full federal funding be reinstated for the Ohio National Guard's COVID-19 response through March 31, 2021. Since August, the federal government has covered 75 percent of the costs associated with Ohio's National Guard response, which is authorized through December 31, 2020. The federal government previously authorized full federal funding from March 22nd through August 21st. Without action, the Ohio National Guardsmen will end their missions on December 17th to permit a 2-week quarantine period. Find the full text of the letter below. Dear Administrator Gaynor, Director Vought, and Acting Secretary Miller: The Ohio National Guard has been instrumental in supporting the State of Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We, as a bipartisan, bicameral Ohio delegation, write to express our support for the request made by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to restore and extend full federal funding for up to 1,800 members of the Ohio National Guard through March 31, 2021. On March 13, the President declared a nationwide emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, and, on March 22, authorized full federal reimbursement for states' use of their National Guard under Title 32 for COVID-19 response activities, which was extended through August 21. The federal government is currently funding 75 percent of the Ohio National Guard's Title 32 response activities through December 31, 2020. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented health and economic challenges in Ohio. Since April, approximately 2,000 men and women of the Ohio National Guard have answered the call to serve their communities and help keep their fellow citizens safe. Ohio Guardsmen have significantly increased the response capacity in Ohio by maintaining testing sites, staging and distributing personal protective equipment, and assisting foodbanks in distributing more than 33 million pounds of food to Ohioans in need. In particular, National Guard support has been critical to Ohio's testing operations for nursing homes. Nursing homes are required to conduct weekly testing for both staff and residents to help prevent an outbreak of the virus within a facility. When PCR tests are administered, the National Guard provides logistical and operational support, collecting the swabs for COVID-19 testing and returning the results. We are encouraged by the recent, promising progress made in the development of vaccines against COVID-19, but the threat of the virus still remains. Transmission rates are already increasing in Ohio as we enter into the winter months, and the Ohio National Guard will continue to be an essential part of the State's ongoing response to the health crisis. We fully support Governor DeWine's request and urge its immediate consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Thank you, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-celebrates-national-adoption-month,Congresswoman Beatty Celebrates National Adoption Month,2020-11-21,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"November is National Adoption Month, an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness on adoption and to advocate for children and their forever families. As a strong supporter of adoption, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: Adopting a child is one of the most generous acts of love a new parent can make, and it is far more common than you might think. In fact, close to 100 million Americans have adoption in their immediate family. Yet, sadly, too many children in the foster care system will age out.. In that spirit, let's work to reverse this trend and help more children find their forever families. For more information on National Adoption Month, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' website. Additionally, be sure to join the conversation online by using #NationalAdoptionMonth",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-receives-perfect-score-on-national-parks-action-fund,Congresswoman Beatty Receives Perfect Score on National Parks Action Fund Scorecard,2020-11-20,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) recently received a perfect score on the National Parks Action Fund's 2020 Scorecard for the 116th Congress. The Scorecard evaluates Members of Congress on their work concerning park funding, oil and gas development near parks, and protections for water and wildlife. In response, Beatty said: Americans care deeply about national parks and believe they deserve the best protection possible.That is why I am fighting in Congress with like-minded colleagues, the National Parks Action Fund and many others to ensure our nation's 421 national parks are well funded and that laws protect them. To view the National Parks Action Fund's 2020 Scorecard, please visit www.nationalparksaction.org/scorecard/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=4298,Rep. Fudge Supports Passage of National Apprenticeship Act,2020-11-20,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) supported passage in the House of Representatives of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 (H.R. 8294). The bill invests $3.5 billion over five years to create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities. It includes the Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act (H.R. 8339), legislation introducedby Rep. Fudge to expand participation in pre-apprenticeship programs for underrepresented populations and individuals with barriers to employment. With millions of Americans out of work through no fault of their own, there has never been a more important time to invest in programs that create good-paying jobs, said Rep. Fudge. Registered Apprenticeships connect workers with paid, on-the-job training in preparation for careers in high skilled, in-demand industries. By expanding apprenticeship opportunities, Congress recognizes the importance of not only building our workforce back stronger, but also preparing workers for jobs of the future. I'm particularly proud to see this bill includes provisions like my Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act that ensures underrepresented workers have fair access to career-building pre-apprenticeship opportunities. For the bill text on National Apprenticeship Act, click here. For the fact sheet on National Apprenticeship Act, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-votes-support-national-apprenticeship-act,Congressman Tim Ryan Votes to Support National Apprenticeship Act,2020-11-20,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Tim Ryan today voted to support the National Apprenticeship Act Reauthorization, a bipartisan bill providing nearly one million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five yearswith a $10.6 billion net benefit to American taxpayers. Additionally, the bill includes provisions from Congressman Ryan's Working on Rewarding and Keeping Employees Resilient (WORKER) Act, a bill he introduced in February 2019 that focuses on workforce development and supporting the American worker by addressing jobs, wage stagnation, and continued layoffs as a result of outsourcing and automation. Included in the current bill from Congressman Ryan's WORKER Act is a provision that the Office of Apprenticeships would operate within the Department of Labor, promoting diversity in the apprenticeship programs and ensuring equal opportunity for women, people of color, and individuals with barriers to employment. The bill also requires better cooperation with the Department of Education by creating a network of higher education institutions that will encourage collaboration while providing students with academic credit after completing a registered apprenticeship program. Importantly, it also aligns youth apprenticeship programs and high school graduation requirements. I have always believed that apprenticeship programs can be among the most effective ways to train qualified workers as we move into the future of manufacturing. As northeastern Ohio transforms into Voltage Valley and becomes a leader in the production of electric vehicles, apprenticeships can be a highly effective way to connect workers with stable, good paying jobs,said Congressman Ryan. When Congressman Ryan introduced the WORKER Act last year, he said, For being the wealthiest nation on earth, too many Americans are struggling with the realities of everyday lifepaying their bills, caring for their family, putting food on the table, and keeping a roof over their head. The future of our economy, and of the American Dream, rests on our ability to alleviate this struggle by innovating and creating new, good-paying jobs where they are needed most. The Department of Labor estimates that 94% of people who complete registered apprenticeships are employed upon completion and earn a starting wage of over $70,000 annually. Investments in apprenticeships not only pay off for workers and employers, they also benefit taxpayers. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 would yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to U.S. taxpayers in the form of increased tax revenue and decreased spending on public-assistance programs and unemployment insurance. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/what-does-the-power-of-one-mean-to-you,"What Does ""The Power of One"" Mean to You?",2020-11-19,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Every year, on December 1st, the State of Ohio celebrates Rosa Parks Day, recognizing the historic day Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. The Statewide Tribute is also an important opportunity to reflect on ""ThePower of One that each individual possesses to make a difference in the lives of others, our nation, and the world. As a result of COVID-19 Pandemic, the 16th Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks is going virtual and I need your help to make sure it's no less impactful! I am inviting constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District to join in my #PowerOfOne Challenge for an opportunity to be highlighted on my social media and in the official 2020 Rosa Parks Day video. To participate, please send a photo of you, your name, the city where you live, and a two sentence explanation on how ""The Power Of One"" inspires you to be difference maker toOH03ThePowerOfOne@gmail.comby 11:59PM, Friday, November 27, 2020. The next day, on Saturday, November 28th, eligible submissions will be posted on myFacebook,where winners will be determined by the total number of likes' received by 11:59PM, Tuesday, December 1, 2020. If you have any questions, please call my District Office at (614) 220-0003.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/trump-s-controversial-diversity-order-expected-to-see-swift-reversal,Trumps controversial diversity order expected to see swift reversal under Biden,2020-11-19,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"President-elect Joe Biden is expected to swiftly reverse an executive order signed by President Trump earlier this year that takes aim at diversity training for government workers by prohibiting the teaching of divisive concepts. The order, which prompted legal challenges from civil rights groups immediately after it was signed in September, has been met with considerable backlash from federal workers and others who say it amounts to executive overreach. Though the measure which applies to the military, federal contractors and grant recipients does not ban diversity and inclusion training outright, its effect has still been significant. About a month after Trump signed the order, all training programs related to diversity and inclusion were halted at the State Department, a decision the agency said was intended to allow time for review of content to ensure compliance with the president's order. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reportedly canceled a speaker series on racism and an event on LGBTQ pride, and the Pentagon nixed an audit of bias in the military. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, told The Hill it's critical the measure be undone to preserve diversity and inclusion training programs at federal departments and agencies as well as in the private sector. We have just started making headway by making sure that companies understand that it's a good business decision and the value of not only diversity but inclusiveness, and training does that, said Beatty, who introduced a bill last month that would invalidate Trump's order. The measure has more than 50 co-sponsors. Beatty, who recently wrote a letter to Biden urging him to immediately rescind the order upon taking office, said she feels very positive the Biden administration will take action against the order, which she called offensive and anti-American. The Biden transition team did not respond to a request for comment. Biden has not commented on the executive order at length. His campaign website, which said he's committed to promoting ""diversity and accountability in leadership across key positions in all federal agencies,"" did not address Trump's executive action directly. Democratic strategist Tad Devine said he thinks Biden will work as quickly as humanly possible to undo the damage that Trump has done these last four years, and this executive order on diversity training is a great example of it. The measure's reversal, Devine said, would send a strong signal to Biden's supporters and the rest of the country. Franklin Turner, a government contracting lawyer and partner at McCarter & English LLP, said the order had an obvious chilling effect on any training he said could conceivably come within the target of this order, noting the obviously political language. Concepts labeled divisive that were banned by the order focused on ideas that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, that an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex and that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex. Turner said the order, which also moved to establish a hotline through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, encouraged, basically, federal contractor employees to complain to the extent that they saw or that they received training that they think violated the terms of this order. Turner said companies were certainly concerned about the order, which warned of sanctions for noncompliance and possible debarment for contractors. Michelle Kim, co-founder and CEO of Awaken, which offers diversity and inclusion trainings, said she initially didn't think the order would affect her company since it doesn't work directly with any federal agencies. But that changed when the company realized contractors were impacted by the order, which extended a ban on training that involved race- and sex-based discrimination weeks after the administration already directed federal agencies to stop programs that discussed ""white privilege"" or ""critical race theory. She said she thinks some clients who have ties to federal contracts were worried about the impact of that and the implications of working with her company, which she noted has been critical of the Trump administration and is not one to shy away from the tougher conversations around diversity. We're going in there talking about white supremacy culture. We're talking about anti-racism. We're talking about anti-Blackness, Kim said. Kim said the Trump administration wants to make subject matters like these as diluted, ambiguous and indirect as possible so that it doesn't make people feel like they are being vilified, which, she added, is also not the goal of these talks or workshops. Rescinding the order, Kim said, should be a priority for the Biden administration, because without talking about and understanding how racist systems and structures function people will not be able to truly solve issues like climate change and the ongoing pandemic, which disproportionately affects minorities. Ajmel Quereshi, senior counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, one of a number of civil rights groups that have launched legal challenges against Trump's order, called the executive action one of the most outrageous and discriminatory things that the Trump administration has done while it's been in office. However, because it's an executive order, any new administration coming in, including the Biden administration, would have the ability to rescind the executive order on day one, Quereshi said. Until the order is undone, Quereshi said the civil rights group will absolutely press ahead with its lawsuit. This article was originally published by The Hill on November 19th, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=4297,Rep. Fudge Appointed to 2021 NDAA Conference Committee,2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve as a House Conferee to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Committee. Rep. Fudge will represent the Committee on House Administration with Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19). I thank Speaker Pelosi for appointing me to the FY 2021 NDAA Conference Committee, said Rep. Fudge. I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to produce a bill that supports all those from Ohio's 11th Congressional District and across the country who serve and defend our country. As a conferee, I will fight to ensure the 2021 NDAA maintains key priorities, including promoting diversity and inclusion in our military, requiring the Pentagon to remove Confederate names from military bases and providing a pay raise for our brave service men and women. The NDAA authorizes funding for Department of Defense programs and activities. To view the announcement from the Speaker's Office, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-kinzinger-resolution-supporting-three-seas-initiative-unanimously,"Kaptur, Kinzinger Resolution Supporting Three Seas Initiative Unanimously Passes House",2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution in support of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), a strategic partnership of twelve Central and Eastern European nations with the shared goal to foster energy, digital, and transportation infrastructure independence and resilience through collective financing of new infrastructure projects, increasing connectivity between the Adriatic, Baltic, and Black Seas, and countering Russian and Chinese malign influence. Three Seas Initiative membership includes: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The resolution includes 43 bipartisan cosponsors, signifying the robust bipartisan support in the Congress for the transatlantic alliance. I am thrilled our resolution in support of the Three Seas Initiative has unanimously passed the House said Rep. Kaptur. This resolution expresses robust support for the Three Seas Initiative to accelerate the development of cross border infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. This effort signifies robust Congressional support for the transatlantic alliance and is a key step to complete the vision of a Europe that is undivided, prosperous, secure, and free from Russian and Chinese malign influence. I look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration to continue to strengthen the Three Seas Initiative. I thank my colleague Congressman Adam Kinzinger for his partnership in shepherding this resolution through the House. I am also grateful to Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Engel, Ranking Member McCaul, and Congressman Keating for their commitment to strengthen the transatlantic alliance. As a strong advocate for the independence and security of Europe's energy markets, I'm proud to see our Three Seas resolution pass the House today. While Russia hopes to hold our European allies hostage with their Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the Three Seas Initiative seeks to counter their malign influence. The collaboration between Eastern European countries will help strengthen their regional interconnectivity to secure the energy markets of our most important partners, said Rep. Kinzinger. This ambitious initiative has impressively received bipartisan support, transatlantic support, and overwhelming support from the Administration. I want to thank my colleague Representative Kaptur for her unwavering dedication to the transatlantic partnership and I look forward to working with our allies to build upon this important legislation. Bill text can be foundhere. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/congresswoman-beatty-celebrates-national-adoption-month,Congresswoman Beatty Celebrates National Adoption Month,2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"The month of November marks National Adoption Month, an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness and advocate for the needs of adopted children and their families, and to encourage more Americans to adopt. Continuing in her advocacy for families, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: Adopting a child is one of the most generous acts of love that a parent can make, and is far more common than you might think. Close to 100 million Americans have adoption in their immediate family, and 60 percent of Americans have personal experience with adoption. Sadly, many children currently in the foster care system will age out before being adopted. It is imperative that we work to reverse this trend and help more children find their forever families. For more information on National Adoption Month, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-celebrates-american-education-week-0,Congresswoman Beatty Celebrates American Education Week,2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"This week, from November 16-20, 2020, is American Education Week, a weeklong initiative to support public education and recognize individuals who are making a difference in our education systems. In honor of this year's celebration, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) said: Every child deserves a high-quality, public education no matter their zip code or cross streets. In that spirit, I promise to work with my colleagues in congress to work toward providing all young people the much-needed tools, skills, and access to succeed inside and outside of the classroom. I will remain committed to working with NEA and other education stakeholders in the weeks and months ahead to make this a reality for all students, parents and communities. For more information on American Education Week, please visit the National Education Association's website. To join in this year's conversation, be sure to use #AEW2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-celebrates-military-family-appreciation-month-0,Congresswoman Beatty Celebrates Military Family Appreciation Month,2020-11-13,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"November is Military Family Appreciation Month, a month-long initiative celebrating America's over 1.9 million military families and an opportunity to honor the many sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces and their families. Thank you to the more than 1.3 million brave men and women in uniform and nearly two million military families for putting our country and freedoms above everything else, Beatty said. Each and every day, servicemembers and their families make extraordinary contributions and extreme sacrifices for all of us. She continued, This Military Family Appreciation Month, I join my constituents and all Americans in saluting these unsung heroes who embody what makes our nation so great. For more information on Military Family Appreciation Month, please visit the National Military Family Association's website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/bloomberg-beatty-on-opportunities-in-leadership-for-117th-congress,Bloomberg | Beatty on Opportunities In Leadership for 117th Congress,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"On November 12th, 2020, Congresswoman Beatty spoke with Bloomberg TV Balance of Power Host David Westin on the upcoming 117th Congress and her candidacy to be the Chair for the Congressional Black Caucus. An archived recording is available on YouTube.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/beatty-calls-on-biden-transition-team-to-terminate-trump-anti-diversity,Beatty Calls on Biden Transition Team to Terminate Trump Anti-Diversity Training Executive Order,2020-11-12,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair of the House Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, wrote a letter to President-elect Joseph R. Biden to urge him to rescind President Trump's Executive Order to end diversity and inclusion training programs in the federal government promptly after taking office. Executive Order 13950, which is based on the pernicious premise that diversity is offensive and anti-American, effectively terminates diversity and inclusion training programs within all federal departments and agencies, the U.S. uniformed services, and among federal contractors, subcontractors, and certain federal grant recipients, Beatty wrote. In hearings throughout the 116th Congress, the Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, which I chair, has received testimony from industry leaders and experts acknowledging the positive correlation between diversity performance and the bottom line. She added, President Trump's Executive Order is designed to eliminate the use of diversity and inclusion training programs that are essential in the prevention of discrimination, unconscious bias, and sexual harassment in the workplace and in promoting understanding, increasing profitability, and contributing to a more effective workforce. On September 22, 2020, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, rolling back diversity and inclusion training programs within all federal departments and agencies, the U.S. uniformed services, and among federal contractors and subcontractors and certain federal grant recipients. The order also established within the Department of Labor a hotline for the investigation of complaints and requires the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to craft a request for seeking information from federal contractors, subcontractors, and their employees regarding the training, workshops, or similar programming provided to employees, under the threat of termination of any existing contract and preclusion of future contracting opportunities. Prior to today's letter, Beatty introduced a bill (H.R. 8595) to invalidate Executive Order 13950 and preserve diversity and inclusion training programs at federal departments and agencies as well as in the private sector.She also sent a letter to the Trump Administration expressing her opposition to Executive Order 13950 on September 18, 2020. In addition, during a Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee hearing in early September, the Offices of Minority Women and Inclusion (OMWIs) directors testified that diversity and inclusion training programs at their respective financial regulatory agencies are a critical tool for fostering greater inclusivity, mutual respect, and acceptance of all employees in the federal workforce. A copy of the full letter can be viewed on Beatty's website. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-marks-veteran-s-day,Congresswoman Beatty Marks Veterans Day,2020-11-11,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today is Veteran's Day, a day that recognizes and honors the service of our nation's veterans. To mark the occasion, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: I thank the brave men and women who selflessly answered the call to serve our country and never wavered in their commitment. Whether at home or abroad, at times of war and in peace, our veterans have kept our nation safe and protected the freedoms that we all value so greatly. Today and always, Americans salute, honor, and remember each and every veteran, their families, survivors and all those departed who made the ultimate sacrifice.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/ohio-rep-beatty-runs-for-cbc-chair-to-build-on-the-success-that-we,Ohio Rep. Beatty runs for CBC Chair to build on the success that we already have.,2020-11-11,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio has formally announced her candidacy for Congressional Black Caucus Chair in order to build on the successes that we already have. Beatty has been proudly serving in Ohio's Third Congressional District since 2013 and is currently the 1st Vice-Chair of the CBC. The COVID-19 pandemic, economic turmoil, and social justice are the three top priorities she wants the upcoming 117th Congress to specifically focus on. In an exclusive interview with theGrio, Rep. Beatty explains why she wants to lead the organization as it celebrates its 50th anniversary next year. When you serve in the Congress and you have an opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization, I think many of us aspire to having that dream that one day you can be the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, following in giant footsteps like Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, who now speaks to the nation and people listen, Beatty says. On Monday, Beatty announced her intention to run after congratulating President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, declaring that she wants to do her part to make America a more perfect union. She'd be taking over for California Rep. Karen Bass, who was once considered as Biden's VP before Harris was named to the position. Bass was elected Chair in 2018. The CBC now has 55 members, the most in its history. Beatty says she's received support from Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond who served as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus from 2017-19 and is ready to make her own imprint against the backdrop of President-elect Biden and his incoming administration. I want to build on the successes that we already have. I want to make sure that people don't forget about our Jobs and Justice bill, especially if we go into a new administration that will be reaching out to us and asking us what are the areas that will help us build back better when we look to the Black communities and to Black Americans, as well as Latinx and other minorities, she maintains. Beatty adds that there would be a sea change when it comes to how the new president would respond to race relations in the country. She cited two things that would have been handled differently the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police and President Donald Trump signing an executive order that prohibits federal and government contractors from providing diversity training. This current president issued an order to stop all diversity and inclusion training in the federal government and beyond. While we wrote to the president, we did not hear back from him, she says. The CBC has already penned a letter to President-elect Biden about the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act which would allow for more accountability by police officers across the board. She did not say if there had been a response yet from Biden. Beatty also wants to focus on COVID-19's impact on the Black community. When we look at what's happening, not only in my state and many other states but when we look across the nation and we look at that, we have had 238,000 plus people die and we are up to something like 10 million cases, she says. When you look at Black Americans, who account for 16% of those cases, and when you look at us, we make up 20% of those deaths, but we only represent 13% of the United States population. As a Black woman, Beatty believes that she is uniquely qualified to lead the caucus. It allows me to have an opportunity to have a Black woman in the room when we talk about leadership and the direction not only of this Congress, but of this country, she declares. So I think I have a lot to offer and I'm very excited and honored and humbled by just the opportunity that I am running and could be elected during [the 50th] anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus. This article was originally published by The Grio on November 11th, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/spectrum-news-1-beatty-announces-congressional-black-caucus-chair-run,Spectrum News 1 | Beatty Announces Congressional Black Caucus Chair Run,2020-11-11,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"On November 11th, 2020, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty spoke with Spectrum News 1 about Congress' upcoming agenda, including her announcement to run for Congressional Black Caucus Chair during the 117th Congress. An archived recording is available on YouTube.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/house-bill-introduced-to-nullify-executive-order-13950,House Bill Introduced to Nullify Executive Order 13950,2020-11-10,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representative Joyce Beatty, Democrat-Ohio, recently introduced a bill to nullify Executive Order 13950, which prohibits federal contractors, subcontractors, and grant recipients from inculcating race or sex stereotyping, race or sex scapegoating, and other divisive concepts in their workplace trainings. As of this writing, the bill H.R. 8595 has 49 co-sponsors, all Democrats. And, the House leadership has been referred it to three committees, Oversight and Reform, Education and Labor, and Armed Services, for further consideration and action. If the Democratically controlled House passes the bill, its prospects in the Senate, with its current Republican majority, are dim. Dimmer still are the chances that President Trump, who issued Executive Order 13950, would sign the bill into law. But, the incoming Biden administration could moot the bill if, as some anticipate, the new administration rescinds the Order. This article was originally published by The JD Supra on November 10th, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-named-clean-water-congressional-champion,Congresswoman Beatty Named Clean Water Congressional Champion,2020-11-09,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Clean Water Action recently released the Clean Water Scorecard for the 116th Congress. U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) was awarded a score of 100 percent for her work to put people, water, and the environment first. Access to clean, safe drinking water should not be a luxury but an American right, Beatty said. I am proud to have the support of Clean Water Action and will continue to support conservation and environmental programs that protect our rivers, streams, and waterways for generations to come. Established in 1972, Clean Water Action fights to protect our environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life. To review the Clean Water Scorecard for the 116th Congress, please visit Clean Water Action's website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=4296,Rep. Fudge Statement on Election of Joe Biden as Next President of the United States,2020-11-07,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement regarding the election of Joe Biden as the next President of the United States: I am pleased to congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for being elected the next President and Vice President of the United States. Through his leadership, empathy and dedication to bringing us together, President-Elect Biden has demonstrated why he is the right President for this moment. He has never stopped fighting to restore the soul of America, and I know he will maintain his commitment to do what is in the interest of every American, not just those who supported him at the ballot box. From his first day in office onward, President-Elect Biden will restore integrity, decency, and honor to the White House. I could not be prouder of Senator Harris for making history by becoming the first woman, Black woman and Asian American Vice President. She has shattered the next glass ceiling, but she will not stop there. A fearless trailblazer and an unparalleled public servant, Vice President-Elect Harris is uniquely positioned to deliver on the transformational change we so desperately need. In an election of record-breaking turnout, the American people have made clear who we are and who we aspire to be. Difficult times are ahead, but I have no doubt President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris have what it takes to help us build back better. I look forward to working with them to tackle the challenges ahead, from defeating the pandemic to addressing the racial and economic inequality that continues to grip our nation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-election-joe-biden-and-kamala-harris,Kaptur Statement on the Election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,2020-11-07,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statement following the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris: Congratulations to the new President and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, said Rep. Kaptur. Thank you to all voters for their patience as each and every ballot was counted. It is clear the American people turned out in record numbers in favor of democracy, liberty, and compassion. With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we could not have asked for a better pair of leaders to unify the country, take on the coronavirus pandemic, and spur economic growth to create opportunity for all. I am confident that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be President and Vice President for every American. I look forward to working closely with President-Elect Joe Biden to bring our country together. Compassion and empathy will be our guiding principles in that effort as we work to restore political and economic power to working people and families. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/beatty-highlights-importance-of-alzheimer-s-awareness,Go Purple for Alzheimers Awareness,2020-11-05,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. All month long, Americans are invited to Go Purple to help raise awareness about Alzheimer's Disease. To make the occasion, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: Right now, more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's Disease, including one in nine Americans over 65-years-old. This staggering statistic means that each of us likely knows someone impacted by Alzheimer's. In that spirit, this month and all year long, we must commit ourselves to working together to raise greater awareness and doing more to support individuals, their families, friends and caregivers touched by Alzheimer's Disease. A great place to start is by simply pledging to Go Purple' during November. To learn more about National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, please visit the Alzheimer's Association website. Also, do not forget to join and follow the conversation online by using: #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth, #EndAlz, #HonorACaregiver, and #GoPurple.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-earns-perfect-score-on-2020-humane-scorecard,Congresswoman Beatty Earns Perfect Score on 2020 Humane Scorecard,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Humane Society Legislative Fund released its 2020 Humane Scorecard for the 116th Congress earlier this month. U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) was awarded a 100 percent for her strong record of support for animal protection legislation. I am honored to once again receive a perfect score and proud to be recognized for my ongoing work by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, Beatty said. We must do all that we can to protect and promote the safety and well-being of all animals, and I promise to continue to do precisely that in 2021 and beyond. Established in 2004 as an independent affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund is dedicated to educating the public about animal protection issues.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/diverse-perspectives-lead-to-better-decision-making-ariel-investments,Diverse perspectives lead to better decision making: Ariel Investments John Rogers Jr. pushes corporate boards to have their own Jackie Robinson moment,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Decades before John Rogers Jr. founded Ariel Investments, his dad gave him his first stock at age 12. Rogers, 62, has been recreating that gift on a grand scale ever since, with a commitment to developing investment savvy, and wealth in the Black community. It's a sorely needed effort. Black households are almost twice as likely not to have any stock-market investments, according to a recent study. Ten percent of Black investors said their investments would fare worse than stock-market averages in the coming 12 months, nearly twice the level of pessimism displayed by white investors. There's a long, troubling history behind these investing imbalances, and Rogers knows it personally. His great-grandfather, J.B. Stradford, owned a Tulsa hotel that was destroyed during the city's 1921 race massacre. When Stradford fled to Chicago, his son's legal skills blocked the businessman's extradition to Tulsa and, he said, likely prevented a lynching. But things weren't the same after that for Stradford, whose wealth and status were reduced to ashes. Stradford's story has deep meaning for Rogers, but he knows there are too many tales of a step forward for Black wealth followed by a step back. And that's what brings Rogers, the chairman, co-CEO and chief investment officer of the $12 billion asset-management firm, back to financial literacy and economic justice. My Black friends even those that came from professional families, doctors, lawyers, what have you, academics they had no knowledge of the market.' My grandfather was very involved in the Lorraine Hansberry family case that fought the redlining that was going on here in the Chicago area. It went to the Supreme Court and he was able to use his legal skills there again to fight for economic justice and fairness when it came to the historic segregation that was here. But we never were able to kind of create the wealth that traditional lawyers would have working for big law firms with big clients that could pay big legal fees. MarketWatch: You started getting stocks at age 12. When your father bought that stock for you, how much of that was linked to what happened in Tulsa, and the idea of building up wealth and starting over? Rogers: I think it could have been indirectly. My dad was a Tuskegee Airman. He met my mom in law school. He was Class of '48 and I wasn't born until 1958, 10 years later, so he had a lot of time to plan for me. At age 16, you're going to have a summer job, and I became a vendor at Wrigley Field and Sox Park. You're going to have a checking account at a certain age, savings account, etcetera. But he always told the story that he was having a conversation with a white lawyer here in Chicago. They got into a conversation about the fact that African Americans were not invested in the stock market, and that was a problem. And this white gentleman told my father, Well, in your community, you in the African-American community, you should know as much about the stock market as my 12-year-old son does, because I buy stocks for him every birthday and every Christmas. So my father vowed that when I got to be 12, I was going to have that same exposure to the stock market that the white gentleman's son had. And so that was kind of the inspiration for him to put me through that process. MarketWatch: As you've built Ariel Investments, financial literacy is just so much a part of the stated mission and culture. And, of course, there's your own resume and career. Why is financial literacy so important to you? Rogers: I'm really channeling my dad, because I found that as I started my career as a stockbroker at William Blair I quickly realized that my white friends that I had gone to high school with and college, they were always familiar with the markets. They became my early customers. Some of them had money from their bar mitzvah, money from their holidays. They learned about the markets from their parents, their grandparents. They were totally comfortable buying and selling. My Black friends even those that came from professional families, doctors, lawyers, what have you, academics they had no knowledge of the market, and when they came to see me, I was sort of showing them something, and teaching them something they had no exposure to. So I realized that when I got started in my career, I just felt a responsibility to take my dad's values and try to do what I could to expose African Americans, particularly, to the stock market: Go and speak at churches in the Black community. Go and speak to students in lower school and middle school and high school; try to get interviewed in Black publications to talk to people about the importance of saving and investing, the magic of compound interest. These private-equity firms and hedge funds and venture-capital firms have to start getting out of their comfort zone and stop only hiring people that look like them.' I felt I should pay it forward by exposing as many people to the markets as possible because I just believe it's a wonderful thing to be able to compound money as you lived your life and built your career. MarketWatch: Too little financial literacy is a problem in many places. But why is it that especially so in the Black community? Rogers: Whenever we got a step ahead, we got pulled back down: Jim Crow laws, historic discrimination that we faced, the lack of education in our communities all those extraordinary challenges. We know that we were supposed to get 40 acres and a mule after the Civil War. And after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, the new president wasn't interested in that. We really went backwards every step of the way. Whenever we made progress, something would come back and pull us down again. So, because of the historical racism we faced in this country, we never had the chance to generate wealth. We never had a chance to build multigenerational wealth. So you get comfortable in the markets if you have some money to invest in the markets, and you have parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who had wealth and invested in the markets, and they can help pass along not only their inheritances, but their knowledge of the markets and understanding of the markets. The volatility is going to be something that's hard to live with, without people you can trust who can make you be comfortable and help you be comfortable.' But when you have families who are living month to month and taking care of extended families because of the historical discrimination we face in this country, we're just not going be comfortable in the markets. It's a foreign concept. If you didn't get comfortable with it at an early age and then all of a sudden start, if you begin to make a little bit of money, it's a whole new thing that you're not going to be naturally comfortable with. The volatility is going to be something that's hard to live with, without people you can trust who can make you be comfortable and help you be comfortable. And so inevitably what happens is, we found in research with Charles Schwab SCHW, 1.34% and others over the years, is that African Americans are much more comfortable investing in tangible real estate. Which, of course, is problematic if you live in a segregated city like Chicago because you end up buying property and parts of the city that don't grow and thrive, and you don't have the same kind of wealth-creation vehicle for your real-estate investments. But there's a lot more comfort investing in real estate. Also, we're comfortable investing in insurance products. This risk aversion that's developed in our community shows up again in investing in real estate and insurance products. MarketWatch: You mentioned segregation and redlining earlier. When we're talking about narrowing the wealth gap, how much can a financially literate mind set accomplish when there are so many other external headwinds? Rogers: You're exactly right. Financial literacy can only do so much. We feel strongly that public schools should be teaching young people about the stock market and teaching them about investing. And we started the Ariel Community Academy over 25 years ago to help teach kids at this one public school in Chicago about the markets by giving them real money to invest in real stocks, the way that my dad did. So financial literacy helps not only in kids learning at an early age about investing and savings, but they also learn about financial-services careers that can be so lucrative. And we think it prepares them to be better entrepreneurs if they get exposed to financial literacy at an early age, learning how to budget and all the things necessary to start a business. So financial literacy helps not only in kids learning at an early age about investing and savings, but they also learn about financial-services careers.' But I do think, when I talk to parents about how can you create wealth for your families. I tell them the most important thing is to get your child into the appropriate studies that will allow them to be qualified to work in the parts of the economy where the wealth and the jobs are being created today. And most people in our community, because of the discrimination we face, we don't know about hedge funds, we don't know about private equity. We don't know much about venture capital. We don't know about the enormous wealth that is created by these parts of the economy that have just sort of sprung up. If we want to bring wealth to our communities, we have to get our young people exposed to the markets at an early age so they can get career paths that will lead them to the right places. At the same time, these private-equity firms and hedge funds and venture-capital firms have to start getting out of their comfort zone and stop only hiring people that look like them and hiring from their own communities in our segregated society. We have to hold these institutions accountable. Pension funds hire private-equity firms; family offices do, universities and hospitals and foundations do. If all those anchor institutions in our community told their private-equity managers and their hedge-fund managers and their venture-capital managers that they had to have staff that looked like America and they had to have leaders in those organizations that look like America, I guarantee you, they would find that talent once the customers asked and insisted on it. MarketWatch: I want to hear more about the private sector, but first I want to hear more about the public sector: Are there any regulations or tax-code changes or laws that could be changed in order to help close the wealth gap? Rogers: I was very fortunate during the Obama administration to chair his Council for Financial Capability for Young Americans, and one of the suggestions we gave the president at the end was that we would hope that the government would encourage financial institutions to partner with urban schools in the way that we have. The federal government can't mandate it, but I think that would go a long way. If all the major financial institutions in this country, small, mid-sized and large, did what we've done with the Ariel Community Academy, you would have a whole different story out there. It would be an amazing success story. I think the second thing the government can do is follow what's happening in Australia. Australia has the best kind of Social Security on steroids where they allow all citizens to create wealth and, over a long period of time, have money put aside for their retirement benefits. [The government can] put tax incentives in place to bring back defined-benefit plans. Right now, all the regulatory and tax law incentivizes corporations strongly incentivizes corporations to get out of the pension-fund business, and replace it with the 401(k) business. Right now, all the regulatory and tax law incentivizes corporations strongly incentivizes corporations to get out of the pension-fund business, and replace it with the 401(k) business.' And that's especially debilitating for Black and brown folks coming along, who are not as familiar with the markets. So they're going to, of course, get into the 401(k) late and they're going to get in and out, sell their securities at the wrong time. When the markets are panicking, they're going to panic. They're going to also be more likely to take hardship withdrawals or loans from their 401(k) plans. All those things conspire for people of color to be able to not have the kind of retirement they deserve. It would be wonderful if the government could intervene backwards, and go back to the way it used to be, where the incentives for corporations were in line to have strong pension plans. It was meaningful and material and made all the difference. I was on a call with [BlackRock BLK, 1.21% chairman and CEO] Larry Fink. He's talked a lot about this, and he was saying he didn't understand why the press, why the presidential candidates, why congressional leadership wasn't focused on this issue of the future of retirement income for Americans. And I made the point to Larry that it's much worse for people of color. This is a crisis for everyone, but it's a super crisis for folks of color. MarketWatch: Now getting to the private sector, and boardrooms in specific. You've been on both sides: You sit on some boards and in Ariel Investments, you encourage boardrooms to become more diverse. Why do you do that and what have the results been? Rogers: We can point to now over 45 instances where we have caused a corporation to have what we call a Jackie Robinson moment, and have their first diverse board member. So we're really quite proud of that, from Sotheby's BID, 0.32% to Jones Lang LaSalle JLL, 7.04%. When we talk to these companies, we tell them, We're one of your bigger shareholders, we believe in you, we think you're going to be a great business. But if your management team and your board looks like a 1940s company, it's hard for us to have confidence in you as an investment. We want a company that looks like a 21st-century company that cares about these issues but understands that if you search for diverse talent, you're going to have a stronger team. if your management team and your board looks like a 1940s company, it's hard for us to have confidence in you as an investment. We want a company that looks like a 21st-century company.' There's a lot of research that shows diverse perspectives lead to better decision making. And, of course, when you have diverse leadership you're going to have better understanding of your diverse customer base. And that's really, really important. As the country gets more and more diverse, if you don't do this well, you're just going to get further and further and further behind. And your competitors that get it will race ahead of you because they are going to have better talent, deeper talent and better connections with their customer base. I know sometimes people think we're a pain in the ass, because we keep plugging them and plugging them, and pushing them and pushing them. But if a company doesn't get it, then at some point we may have to decide we're going to sell. Under the leadership of our ESG team, we are going to be keeping track of this and then voting against directors a year out if they have not had that Jackie Robinson moment. MarketWatch: To what extent can ESG [environmental, social and corporate governance] investing close the racial wealth gap? Rogers: I always use the example of the University of Chicago, where I've been a long time trustee, close to 20 years. We were talking about the fact that at the time when Bob Zimmer became president and, at some point, realized I was the only Black trustee there out of 60 trustees. We were having lunch or breakfast, and I said, Bob, if every progressive institution like University of Chicago never works with minority-owned companies or asks the majority companies to have minority leaders in their relationship with the university, how do you expect us to create the wealth and stature to qualify to be on the board? He said, Every once in a while, someone helps you think about a new way to solve a difficult problem. And so John's done that for me. There's a lot of research that shows diverse perspectives lead to better decision making. And, of course, when you have diverse leadership you're going to have better understanding of your diverse customer base.' There's now over 95 companies that are doing business with the University of Chicago professional services, financial services, technology, etcetera that weren't 11 years ago. There's some other institutions in town doing great work like that. Northern Trust NTRS, 0.52%, McDonald's, Exelon EXC, 0.50% have been absolutely fantastic. But those are sort of the exceptions, really, that have really made a true commitment. I'm sure there are some others out there, and some others out there nationally. But too often, the economic opportunities are not open for people of color, even today. And, you know, as Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, many well-meaning white Americans deplore prejudice, but accept or ignore economic injustice. And we continue to see that in our country today. MarketWatch: What did the Paycheck Protection Program in the CARES Act and the money it distributed to Black-owned businesses show about the wealth gap, and race and business? Rogers: It was much harder for Black and brown businesses to get access to that vitally needed capital in the heart of the pandemic. We didn't have the relationships with the banks. We just did not get the opportunities to save our businesses the way that the majority community did. So I think that's part of this whole financial-literacy issue; it's part of this whole relationship. Again, segregation, discrimination. Implicit, unconscious bias is still out there where people think that we're not worthy of the loans and the opportunities that PPP brought forth. It was much harder for Black and brown businesses to get access to that vitally needed capital in the heart of the pandemic. We didn't have the relationships with the banks.' The second thing that's really important, and I think it's not been talked enough about, is the disproportionate amount of Black and brown businesses that are in the parts of the economy where the pandemic hurt them the worst. If you're in construction and catering, janitorial services, low-margin businesses to start with, you're out of business when the pandemic hits. If you're in private equity, hedge funds, venture capital or lawyers, accountants they're able to work from home. Many are doing as well or better, financially, than before the pandemic hit. And so, again, this historical discrimination of not allowing us in parts of the economy where wealth is being created, that exacerbated and magnified dramatically during this pandemic. MarketWatch: In the wake of George Floyd's killing, corporate America pledged a lot of money toward racial justice. How much of that is lip service and PR versus a genuine effort? Rogers: I think there's a lot of well-meaning corporations in this case that mean well and start with philanthropy. That's important, and [Ariel Investments co-CEO and president] Mellody Hobson would say that's important, but we can't let that be the end-all and be-all. Because we dream of a day when African-American entrepreneurs can create their own philanthropy, not have to go to white America for all the support. There's a lot of pride that comes when we can support our own communities through our own wealth-building activities and our own leadership activities in things that we built, like what happened at Tulsa, where you had a strong Black business community and had strong Black churches, had strong Black philanthropy. We need to get back to that. It's a good thing they are doing this, but we can't allow them to feel like they've checked that box; they're really the good guys now because they've given more money this year to historically Black colleges or civil-rights organizations and community organizations. There's a lot of pride that comes when we can support our own communities through our own wealth-building activities and our own leadership activities in things that we built.' That's all good. I mean, that's great. Most importantly, though, they've got to make sure they are hiring people within their own organization at the highest ranks, and they are bringing people of color into the C-suite, into leadership roles, and that they are spending money with minority businesses and minority entrepreneurs and minority business leaders so that we can, again, build our own wealth. We need access to capital, but we need access to customers. So I always give the example of McDonald's: Not only do they have over 200 Black-owned franchisees in this country they're all multi-millionaires, for the most part, real wealth they also, over the years, have worked to establish many, many large suppliers to McDonald's. If you look at the Black Enterprise list of top 100 companies, when you drill down to the top 20 companies, five of the top Black-owned companies in the country are McDonald's suppliers. If you have McDonald's buying anything from croutons to ice-cream toppings to sausages from your business, you're not going to have any problem getting capital from the banks to build and grow your business. That is the model we would hope that corporate America could follow. MarketWatch: There's just so much going in the world right now. How hopeful are you that the wealth gap will close, between improved financial literacy, government intervention, improved hiring practices in the private sector, all these things? Rogers: I'm more optimistic than I was a year ago. I think it is the silver lining coming out of all this tragedy and the horrific murder of George Floyd and all the challenge we face: I'm finding that more company CEOs seem very sincere about working with Black-owned businesses and getting more Black leadership into their C-suites and into their boards. I'm seeing more non-profits, the anchor institutions in our community, more interested in doing the same thing. I'm seeing more progressive politicians who understand business getting elected to Congress, getting elected to local offices. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Joyce Beatty (D. Ohio), chairman of the subcommittee on diversity and inclusion, they're driving change to the institutions that they regulate and oversee. So for those reasons, I'm optimistic. Corporations seem to be in a better place; business leadership seems to be in a better place. And they are getting pushed along by more progressive political leaders. I think we have hope that this can be something that can be a long-lasting change for our society. This article was originally published on November 2nd, 2020 by Market Watch.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=4295,DOJ To Monitor Polling Sites Nationwide,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Today, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) is informing residents of Cuyahoga County that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will be monitoring local polling sites here and in 43 other American cities and counties, during the November 3, 2020 election. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division is entrusted with protecting the right to vote for all Americans without suffering discrimination, intimidation, and harassment. Since the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the division has regularly monitored elections across the country every year. The 44 jurisdictions selected for monitoring during Tuesday's General Election are: Coconino County, AZ City of Eastpointe, MI Maricopa County, AZ City of Flint, MI Navajo County, AZ City of Hamtramck, MI Los Angeles County CA City of Highland Park, MI Orange County, CA City of Jackson, MI Broward County, FL Shelby Township, MI Duval County, FL City of Minneapolis, MS Hillsborough County, FL Bergen County, NJ Miami-Dade County, FL Middlesex County NJ Orange County, FL Bernalillo County, NM Palm Beach County, FL Mecklenburg County, NC Fulton County, GA Wake County, NC Gwinnett County, GA Cuyahoga County, OH City of Chicago, IL Allegheny County, PA Cook County, IL Lehigh County, PA Montgomery County, MD Philadelphia County, PA City of Boston, MA Richland County, SC City of Lowell, MA Harris County, SC City of Malden, MA Waller County, TX City of Quincy, MA Fairfax County, VA City of Springfield, MA Prince William County, VA City of Detroit, MI City of Milwaukee, WI Anyone who witnesses voter discrimination, intimidation or harassment should immediately contact the Election Protection Hotline at (866) OUR-VOTE; (866) 687-8683, coordinated by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law and other non-partisan voter protection organizations. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/get-covered-register-now-check-healthcare-coverage-for-2021,"Get Covered: Register Now, Check Healthcare Coverage for 2021",2020-11-01,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Constituents of Ohio's Third Congressional District and their families looking to enroll or change their healthcare plan may do so beginning today, November 1st, through December 15th. For more information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and/or to select a plan that works best for you and your family, please visit www.healthcare.gov. Get covered now. You have less than SEVEN WEEKS!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/nbc-4-congresswoman-beatty-speaks-with-colleen-marshall-about-lack-of,NBC 4 | Congresswoman Beatty speaks with Colleen Marshall about lack of COVID-19 relief funding,2020-11-01,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,Sign up to receive the Beatty Bulletin and messages pertaining to Congresswoman Beatty and the district.,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/companies-start-responding-to-pressure-to-bolster-minority-0,Companies start responding to pressure to bolster minority representation,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Companies are beginning to respond to the pressure to promote diversity and integration following this summer's nationwide protests against racial injustice. Major corporate groups and household names such as Starbucks have recently announced plans to increase their efforts in the coming years. Starbucks, one of the largest private employers in the U.S., said last week that it is aiming for 30 percent minority representation at all levels of the company by 2025. The top employer in the U.S., Walmart, is taking similar steps along with other industry leaders. Walmart CEO Doug McMillion, who is also Chairman of the Business Roundtable, announced last week new corporate initiatives and public policy recommendations to promote equity. It's our employees, customers and communities that are calling for change, and we're listening and most importantly we're taking action, he said in a statement. The plan of the company and its more than 200 CEOs, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Arne Sorenson of Marriott, also includes expanding its collaboration with historically black colleges and universities and supporting companies owned by black entrepreneurs. Companies that have already taken action include Sony Music Group, which recently appointed a new Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Nike appointed a new chief diversity officer, while Intel said it would double the number of women and underrepresented minorities in senior management positions by 2030. The actions of U.S. corporations are under scrutiny, not only by activists but also by Congress. House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) described the statements of Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf about the recruitment of black leaders as highly inaccurate after he said in September that there was a limited pool of black talent from which to recruit a statement he has since apologized for. But Waters also praised and commended Citigroup for appointing Jane Fraser as its next CEO. She will be the first female CEO of a major bank on Wall Street. As the first woman and the first African-American to chair the Financial Services Committee, I know only too well that there are many women, colored people, and other underrepresented groups qualified to fill positions at all levels of the financial services industry that are often overlooked and ignored, Waters said in a statement. When Waters took over the committee, she established the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, chaired by D-Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. It is undeniable that diversity and inclusion are key drivers of productivity and innovation for businesses and our economy. The work of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion is therefore a crucial bridge to the workforce and economy of tomorrow, Beatty said in a statement. Beatty said her work includes pressuring financial institutions to hire diversity officers, developing business diversity plans, finding asset managers for minorities and women, and ensuring greater transparency and accountability. While the business community has traditionally been seen as aligned with Republicans, this relationship recently suffered a rift after President Trump extended his government's ban on providing training on racial and gender discrimination to federal contractors by executive order last month. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which includes more than 150 state and local chambers, trade associations and nonprofit organizations, wrote a letter to Trump on Thursday asking him to withdraw the order. The American Hospital Association also wrote to Trump, asking him to rescind the injunction because it would effectively undo decades of progress in combating racial inequality. The decree prohibits the doctrine of divisive concepts, including the idea that one race or gender is superior, that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, that any person should feel discomfort, guilt, fear, or physiological suffering because of his or her race or gender, or that a person bears responsibility for past actions of other persons of the same race or gender. Beatty said it was unscrupulous not to respond to Trump's command. In this way, we have made the administration aware that diversity and inclusion training is an integral tool for building mutual respect and understanding. They are fully aware that I am against this order and I call on all parties to reject these efforts, she said. The corporate world is also questioning its own efforts to cultivate diversity and inclusion. Glassdoor, a website where current and former employees can anonymously rate companies, recently introduced a Diversity & Inclusion Rating. Technology company Salesforce had the highest rating for diversity and inclusion, with 4.6 out of 12 companies with an initial rating, while Walmart had the lowest rating, with 3.7. This article was originally published by The Washington Newsday on October 30, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=4294,Rep. Fudge Introduces Bill to Study Health Impacts of Rubber Bullets,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) introduced the Analyzing Kinetic Impact Projectiles (KIPs) Against Americans Act. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study the health impacts of KIPs in the United States, including rubber or plastic bullets, bean bag rounds, sponge rounds, pellet rounds, or wooden dowels. On May 30, 2020, a peaceful protestor in Cleveland, Ohio was shot in the face with a bean bag of lead pellets, causing the individual to lose an eye. KIPs are often used by law enforcement for crowd control purposes, but their use has led to countless serious bodily injuries. To date, there has yet to be a federal comprehensive review of the short and long-term health effects of the use of KIPs, particularly when used against civilians. Rubber and plastic bullets are hardly an alternative to lethal force when people continue to sustain life-threatening injuries, said Rep. Fudge. It is time we take a closer look at the use of KIPs and the frequency and types of associated injuries. The Analyzing KIPs Against Americans Act will provide Congress with the information to implement government-wide policies on the correct use, if any, of KIPs while ensuring the safety of our neighbors. Original cosponsors for this legislation include Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Karen Bass (CA-37), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) Anthony Brown (MD-04), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24). The legislation is endorsed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. We view this issue not through a political lens, but through our commitment to saving vision, said Michael X. Repka, MD, MBA, American Academy of Ophthalmology Medical Director for Governmental Affairs. About 30 people suffered serious eye injuries after being struck in the face by rubber bullets and other kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs) during last summer's demonstrations. One-third of the people injured suffered complete loss of vision. This legislation is an important component of efforts to develop recommendations on the appropriate use, if any, of KIPs as a means of crowd management in the future. Americans have the right to speak and congregate publicly and should be able to exercise that right without the fear of blindness. For the text of the Analyzing KIPs Against Americans Act, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-kapszukiewicz-ask-toledo-businesses-provide-paid-time-workers,"Kaptur, Kapszukiewicz Ask Toledo Businesses to Provide Paid Time Off to Workers to Vote, Volunteer on Election Day",2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz sent the following letter to businesses in the Toledo community urging them to provide workers paid time off on Election Day to vote and volunteer as poll workers. Additionally, Rep. Kaptur and Mayor Kapszukiewicz are asking Toledo businesses to help educate their workers about opportunities to vote, such as communicating early voting options, hours, and locations, as well as opportunities to serve as nonpartisan volunteers at polling places leading up to and during election day. Voting is our most sacred right and responsibility in America and businesses large and small play an outsized role in whether their workers are able to cast a ballot, said Rep. Kaptur. Today, Mayor Kapszukiewicz and I are calling on businesses in the Toledo community to take steps to provide paid leave to workers interested in voting or serving as nonpartisan election day volunteers. Additionally, we hope business will help educate their employees about opportunities to vote and volunteer leading up to and during November 3rd. Not having paid leave to vote is one of the leading reasons working people don't participate in elections. Business leaders can play an important role in ensuring their employees' voices are heard and reflected in their government. Full text of the letter can be foundhere and below: Dear Local Business Leader: We write today seeking your help to ensure a safe, secure, and accessible November election in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the coronavirus struck, we saw the Toledo community come together like never before in recent memory. Neighbors checked in on one another, businesses took steps to protect their customers and employees, and healthcare workers mobilized to care for the sick and dying. As our country, and most importantly our families, continue to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understandable why many have not been able to focus on civic engagement. As a result, many people have not had the ability to vote-by-mail or vote early in person. As Election Day swiftly approaches, we are again asking for your help to ensure your workers and those in our community are able to exercise their most sacred right: the right to vote: There are several steps we're asking you take to ensure every eligible person is able to do cast a ballot: Will you offer your employees paid time off on November 3 to vote or serve as poll workers? First and foremost, we ask that you please offer paid time off to your employees so they may vote. Not having paid time off to vote is one of the leading reasons Americans don't participate in elections. By taking this simple step, citizens who would otherwise not participate in the election will have the opportunity to make their voices heard. Many companies already offer a half or full day off to vote, Starbucks, Walmart, Apple, Coca-Cola, Cisco, PayPal, Uber, and many others. As a reminder, Ohio Revised Code 3599.06 requires all companies provide at least a reasonable amount of time to vote on Election Day. Furthermore, the Lucas County Board of Elections relies on volunteers to run polling locations across the county. This year, we are facing a significant shortage of volunteers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which means there will be fewer in-person voting sites available, meaning longer wait times for all in-person voters. You may be aware that Ohio Revised Code 3599.06 already requires businesses to allow employees to serve as election officials on Election Day. However, we are asking you to go even further by offering paid time off and even recruiting members of your workforce to volunteer at the polls. Will you share nonpartisan educational materials with your employees? Such materials would come from the Lucas County Board of Elections and nonpartisan groups like the League of Women Voters. They would give instructions on various ways to vote (early in-person, early by mail, and Election Day in-person). We would ask you to communicate the early voting options, hours, and location. Voting is our most sacred right and ensuring its free and fair exercise is our civic duty. Thank you, ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-after-gsa-selects-whiting-turner-construction-company,"Kaptur Statement After GSA Selects Whiting-Turner Construction Company for Ashley Courthouse Project, Identifies Summer 2021 as Start Date",2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Toledo, OH Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statement after the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it selected the Whiting-Turner Construction Company for the Bridging Design Build services contract at the James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley U.S. Courthouse annex construction and renovation project in Toledo, Ohio. The project will construct a courthouse annex and make significant improvements to the existing courthouse.Construction will commence Summer of 2021. Rep. Kaptur, who serves as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in securing the $104 million needed for construction of the Toledo Courthouse Annex in the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bill's passage put the new annex on track for construction. This new addition to the Ashley Federal Courthouse will lift up and modernize our Civic Center Mall, said Rep. Kaptur. This design is a tribute to Toledo's ongoing heritage as the Glass City. A federal investment of more than $100 million in the heart of our city will transform our Civic Center Mall and justice corridor for generations. I look forward to work getting underway in the further renaissance of our city's core. The project at the Ashley U.S. Courthouse is an example of GSA's commitment to our historic buildings, and the American people who work in and visit the courthouse, said GSA Regional Administrator Brad Hansher. Through this important investment in the courthouse, GSA will expand and modernize an iconic asset on Toledo's Civic Center Mall to best meet the needs of the Judiciary. Project Details Whiting-Turner Construction Company, in partnership with Bialosky Cleveland and William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., will provide Bridging Design Build services for the Ashley U.S. Courthouse construction and renovation project. The total project award is $85,535,000, and includes design and construction services. The project will construct an annex for the Ashley U.S. Courthouse. The project also includes upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems, elevator replacement, accessibility upgrades, tenant improvements, faade repairs, and roof replacement for the existing courthouse. GSA anticipates that construction of the annex will be complete in 2023, and the renovation of and upgrades to the existing courthouse will be complete in 2024. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-announces-more-3-million-trumbull-head-start,Congressman Tim Ryan Announces More Than $3 Million for Trumbull Head Start,2020-10-30,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Warren, OH Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today announces $3,131,095 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding for Head Start programming at the Trumbull Community Action Program in Warren, OH. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, which is why I'm proud to fight every day on behalf of the families here in Trumbull County,said Congressman Tim Ryan. All around the country Head Start has a proven track record of success. I am confident this funding will make a difference in the lives of countless children in our community. Head Start programs prepare America's most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and beyond. Head Start programs deliver services to families and children from birth to fiveyears of age during core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being. The Head Start program serves about 1 million children and pregnant women in urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout America. These funds are budgeted to support the program through October 31, 2021 and the grant project runs until October 31, 2023. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/trump-s-latest-executive-order-seen-as-attempts-to-sabotage-biden,Trumps Latest Executive Order Seen as Attempts to Sabotage Biden Administration and Eliminate Diversity and Inclusion Programs,2020-10-29,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"With record early voting numbers heavily pointing to a potential landslide by Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden, President Donald Trump is working behind the scenes to undermine a new administration and further divide the country. The President this week quietly signed an executive order that strips civil service protections from a large number of career federal workers if Trump determines that they are in confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating positions. He also was called out by members of Congress for another executive order that removes diversity and inclusion programs both at the federal and private sector levels. As first reported by the U.K. Independent, the most recent executive order creates a new category Schedule F for such federal positions that do not turn over from administration to administration and reclassifying them. The Office of Personnel Management essentially the executive branch's human resources department has been charged with implementing the order by publishing a preliminary list of positions to be moved into a new category on what could be President Donald Trump's last full day in office: January 19, 2021. The range of workers who could be stripped of protections and placed in a new category is vast, experts told the Independent. The list could include most non-partisan experts scientists, doctors, lawyers, economists whose work to advise and inform policymakers is supposed to be fact-driven and devoid of politics. For instance, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, would be among those terminated by Trump. In a nutshell, the Independent reported that the executive order could give Trump the power to mount a scorched-earth campaign which would cripple a future Biden administration. In the event the incumbent president loses his re-election bid, this order could give him largely unfettered authority to fire experts while leaving behind a corps of embedded loyalists to undermine his successor, according to federal employment law experts, the newspaper noted. Creating the new category known as Schedule F and moving current civil servants into it could allow a lame-duck President Trump to cripple his successor's administration by firing any career federal employees who've been included on the list, Journalist Andrew Feinberg wrote for the Independent. It also could allow Trump administration officials to skirt prohibitions against burrowing in the heavily restricted practice of converting political appointees (known as Schedule C employees) into career civil servants by hiring them under the new category for positions which would not end with Trump's term. Another provision orders agencies to take steps to prohibit removing Schedule F appointees from their jobs on the grounds of political affiliation, which could potentially prevent a future administration from firing unqualified appointees because of their association with President Trump. Spokespeople for both the President and Biden did not return emails to Black Press USA. Yes, if Biden wins, he will undo all of these Executive Orders, tweeted Beth Noveck, the first United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer and director of the White House Open Government Initiative under President Barack Obama. However, if they fire people on their way out the door, it will wreak considerable havoc. And if he doesn't win, then this disaster is another one of many but a serious one for democracy and the rule of law. Noveck added: It's unclear whether this becomes a blunt instrumentto do some surgical removal of people they don't like, or whether they're going to actually attempt some sort of bloodletting or purge. Charlie Reeves, who describes himself as an anti-Trump moderate, said the implications of the executive order is far-reaching. I understand as an executive order it can be reversed, but you can do a lot of damage in two months and make for a big mess for Biden to clean up early, Reeves tweeted. Clear effort for petty revenge and to hinder a smooth transition. The President's latest act marked another in a string of recent controversial executive orders. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair of the House Financial Services Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, recently introduced a bill (H.R. 8595) to invalidate Executive Order 13950 and preserve diversity and inclusion training programs at federal departments and agencies as well as in the private sector. Beatty's bill, which has the backing of 23 members of Congress, noted that Trump's order rolls back diversity and inclusion training programs within all federal departments and agencies, the U.S. uniformed services, federal contractors, subcontractors, and specific federal grant recipients. The order also established a hotline within the Department of Labor for the investigation of complaints. It required the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to craft a request for seeking information from federal contractors, subcontractors, and their employees regarding the training, workshops, or similar programming provided to employees, under the threat of termination of any existing contract and preclusion of future contracting opportunities. As the first-ever Chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, I have focused our bipartisan work on highlighting the tremendous impact of a more inclusive U.S. economy and workforce, Beatty said. In hearings throughout the 116th Congress, the Subcommittee has received testimony from industry leaders and experts acknowledging the correlation between diversity performance and the bottom line. Diverse organizations are more profitable, pose less regulatory risk, and strengthen our economy. She added: That is why I strongly oppose Trump's divisive attempt to cement racism as the practice and policy of the federal government and call on all Americans to join me in this effort because this Executive Order is antithetical to the values we hold so dear as a nation. This article was originally published by The Los Angeles Sentinel on October 29, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://fudge.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=4293,"Fudge, Kaptur Introduce Connecting Youth to Jobs Act",2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcia Fudge,F000455,fudge.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Representatives Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) introduced the Connecting Youth to Jobs Act to strengthen youth employment systems during periods of high national youth unemployment, public health emergencies, and economic recession. The bill invests $40 billion through formula funding and competitive grants to support state and local efforts to improve educational and career outcomes for young people, particularly underserved youth residing in high-poverty areas. The coronavirus pandemic has only exposed persistent disparities in our workforce system as unemployment rates remain historically high for youth of color, said Rep. Fudge. Targeted programs assisting in the economic recovery while connecting youth to jobs or the education system will build a foundation for an equitable future. The Connecting Youth to Jobs Act will make significant investments in underserved communities across the countryto further ensure young people have a clear path to economic security. Once again Young Americans are among the workers hardest hit by the current COVID induced recession. For young Black and Hispanic workers this reality is even worse, said Rep. Kaptur. Not only have young people lost the opportunity to celebrate some of their greatest achievements graduations, senior proms, and significant birthdays they lost jobs and career starting employment opportunities. The inability to find a job today has lifelong impacts on mental and financial health for both individuals and society. It is why Congress must act and invest in the workforce of today and tomorrow. Young Americans need bold ideas to train, connect, and prepare them for the workforce, and the Connecting Youth to Jobs Act we propose today will prioritize these needs. The Connecting Youth to Jobs Act is endorsed by the Cleveland-based Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), and Young Invincibles. CLASP is proud to support the Connecting Youth to Jobs Act to provide youth and young adultsparticularly young people of colorwith access to quality, paid career pathways, saidOlivia Golden, Executive Director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). Because opportunity youth have been systemically excluded from economic opportunity, we need bold proposals like this to overcome centuries of divestment and ensure young people receive the support they need during the pandemic and beyond. Y.O.U. helps teens and young adults in Northeast Ohio get onto a path of economic self-sufficiency, said Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) President & CEO Craig Dorn. We are pleased that our Congresswoman, Marcia Fudge, has taken a leadership role in creating a youth jobs bill. With youth unemployment at record numbers, now is the time to invest more resources into our future workforce. The Connecting Youth to Jobs Act is a great step towards addressing this issue. For the text of the Connecting Youth to Jobs Act, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-and-mayor-don-walters-announce-pre-order-lordstown,Congressman Tim Ryan and Mayor Don Walters Announce Pre-Order of Lordstown Manufactured Electric Pickup Truck,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Cuyahoga Falls, OH Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) and Mayor Don Walters are proud to announce that the City of Cuyahoga Falls has pre-ordered a Lordstown Endurance Electric Pickup Truck, the world's first all-electric pickup truck that will be manufactured by Lordstown Motors in 2021. I want to congratulate Mayor Walters and the City of Cuyahoga Falls on the pre-order of theLordstownMotors-built Endurance Electric Pickup Truck,said Congressman Ryan.TheMayor is doing his part in ensuring that the United States is a leader in building electric vehicles.Like the Mayor,I amalsoexcited for the future of manufacturing in northeastern Ohio as our workers will once again buildworld-classvehicles, this timeanelectric vehicle that puts on displaythe forward-thinking ingenuityand workmanship we have always been knownfor. I am proud that we are able to order this vehicle that will be manufactured locally here in the State of Ohio. We remain committed to our sustainability and green initiatives by utilizing an electric vehicle with lower operating and maintenance costs that also help us save valuable tax dollars,stated Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters. The ability for us to acquire the Endurance highlights that there is a bright future for manufacturing in Ohio and that Ohioans have the innovation, workforce, and infrastructure to adapt to the shifting needs of the automotive market. The City of Cuyahoga Falls has earmarked $70,000 in the 2021 budget for the Lordstown Endurance Electric Pickup. The budget will be introduced to Cuyahoga Falls City Council throughout the month of November, with passage expected in early December. For more information about the Endurance, please visithttps://lordstownmotors.com/pages/endurance. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/beatty-observes-national-principals-month,Beatty Observes National Principals Month,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"October is National Principals Month, a month-long opportunity to recognize and thank school principals for their work in and outside of schools across the nation. In recognition, of National Principals Month, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: Across this great country, school principals are preparing, motivating, and positively impacting the lives of the next generation of leaders. In that spirit, this month and all year long, I wanted to commend each of them for their work, dedication, and determination to see that every student can fully realize their dreams and succeed in school and life. To learn more about National Principals Month, please visit www.PrincipalsMonth.org, and be sure to join the conversation online by using: #ThankAPrincipal.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/democrats-introduce-legislation-to-include-fi-s-in-civil-rights,Democrats Introduce Legislation to Include FIs in Civil Rights Protection,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"A group of Democratic lawmakers in both Houses has introduced legislation that would extend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to cover credit unions and other financial institutions. While the legislation has no chance of being enacted this year, the introduction of the measure by members of the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee may indicate a Democratic priority for the 117th Congress. Six Democrats, including Senate Banking Committee ranking Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio, introduced the legislation; Brown is likely to chair the committee if the Democrats capture control of the Senate. In the House, the bill was introduced by Democratic Reps. Hank Johnson of Georgia and Joyce Beatty of Ohio. Beatty is chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee's Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee. In introducing the legislation, the lawmakers noted that while the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination in certain places of public accommodations, it does not cover financial institutions. Too many Black and brown Americans experience racial profiling and unequal treatment when trying to access services at banks and other financial institutions, Brown said. Victims of discrimination are not even able to hold financial institutions accountable it is shameful. The three-page bill would allow people who believe they have been discriminated against by a financial institution to file suit in federal court. The legislation has been endorsed by civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, as well as Americans for Financial Reform and the Center for Responsible Lending. The NCUA recently announced an ACCESS initiative that is designed to make changes in agency regulations, policies and programs to encourage greater financial inclusion at the NCUA and the credit union system. This article was originally published by The Credit Union Times on October 26, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-statement-confirmation-judge-amy-coney-barret,Kaptur Statement on Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barret,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statement after Republicans confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court: The process by which Judge Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court drips with hypocrisy, injustice, and the worst of what we've come to expect from partisan Washington, said Rep. Kaptur. Majority Leader McConnell held up President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland for nearly a year under the pretense that a justice ought not be confirmed in an election year. The fact that Amy Coney Barrett cruised from nomination to confirmation in an unprecedented 30 days, during a national pandemic, and eight days before a contentious presidential election proves that Republicans aren't driven even by their own espoused values, but rather pure political expediency. Under his watch, Mitch McConnell blocked President Obama from confirming judicial appointees. As a result, the United States Senate has been able to confirm 220 judges nominated by President Trump, including three justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 53 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 162 judges for the United States district courts, and two judges for the United States Court of International Trade. In Washington, Republicans have done nothing to govern in a way that brings people together, giving zero regard to what is right for this country, only what they can get away with. As President Trump's third nominee takes their seat on the Supreme Court, and its conservative majority grows from five-four to six-three, we are reminded how deeply out of touch their recent rulings have been with public opinion. Affordable health care, a woman's right to make her own health care decisions, collective bargaining, LGBTQ+ rights, gun safety measures they've never been more threatened than they are now. The chasm between the Supreme Court and the public has never been wider. That is why I support the creation of a bipartisan commission to study the court system, a proposal recently put forward by Vice President Joe Biden. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryans-statement-judge-amy-coney-barretts-confirmation-united,Congressman Tim Ryan's Statement on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation to the United States Supreme Court,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC -- Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) made the following statement today regarding Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. More than 13 million Americans are unemployed and more than 200,000 have died; working-class people are begging for help from Congress. Yet while the American people are desperate for help, President Trump and Senate Republicans paused COVID-relief negations and dropped everything to confirm an extremist justice to the court just days before the Election. I am extremely disappointed that my Republican colleagues are continuing to refuse to focus on the critical issue of getting the American people the relief they need,said Congressman Tim Ryan. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-brown-beatty-fudge-ryan-urge-ohio-attorney-general-yost-join,"Kaptur, Brown, Beatty, Fudge, Ryan Urge Ohio Attorney General Yost to Join Litigation of the United States Postal Service To Make It Easier For Ohioans to Vote",2020-10-23,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9), along with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3), Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), and Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11), Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Elections, penned a letter to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost urging him to join litigation against the United States Postal Service (USPS), allow for the installation of drop boxes without superfluous restrictions, and abandon unnecessary signature matching regulations for absentee ballots. The Ohio Attorney General is directing the State's legal defense on voting policies that are constraining Ohioans ability to cast their ballots. The lawmakers wrote to remind the State Attorney General of several simple steps he could take to streamline voting procedures and to make it easier for Ohioans to cast their ballots. Protections enshrined in the Constitution and numerous federal statutes were designed to empower Americans with the inalienable right to vote, the Ohio lawmakers wrote in their letter. Keystone statutes like the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were drafted to empower ordinary Americans in the exercise of their Constitutionally protected right to vote. Unfortunately, state laws masquerading as protections against non-existent voter fraud, have a long history of disenfranchising Americans, particularly working-class voters and communities of color. We fear that your positions hinder access to the ballot box and risk repeating that history, sending a chilling message to the people of our state about the value of their vote. In September, the lawmakers sent aletterto Ohio Secretary of State LaRose urging him to work with the skilled and dedicated tradespeople of Ohio to locate additional drop boxes across all 88 counties as well as, in another correspondence, provide prepaid postage on return ballots and ballot applications. The lawmakers in these communications with Ohio officials are prioritizing the quality of our democratic process in Ohio, while urging those responsible for gaps in the system to make it easier for Ohioans to cast their ballots. Lawmakers in the letter to Yost identify several steps to improve voter accessibility in the state of Ohio.These include the push for the state to adopt changes regarding signature matching sought by voting rights advocates, provide Ohioans with sufficient and secure drop boxes, expand the accessibility of voting in collaboration with the ADA, and finally take steps to ensure that Ohioans are able to vote freely and fairly this election cycle. The actions taken by the Trump Administration to sow discord in the integrity of our elections are deeply troublesome to lawmakers and voters alike. The lack of Presidential leadership is intended to compromise the sanctity of our democracy and destabilize our confidence in the fall elections. Ohio lawmakers are pressing the chief legal officer in Ohio, Secretary Yost, to collaborate with Secretary LaRose on the USPS litigation and to take other steps to protect our electoral system. Full text of the letter sent today can be found here and below: October 21, 2020 Dear Attorney General Yost: During a devastating and norm-altering pandemic, your office has a responsibility to ensure that Ohioan's right to vote is not unnecessarily burdened. Ohio depends on your leadership to ensure our voting procedures satisfy federal fairness standards. Unfortunately, the approaches taken by your office has made it more difficult for Ohioans to exercise their Constitutionally protected right to vote. As Ohio's chief legal officer, we encourage you to join litigation against the United States Postal Service (USPS), allow the installation of multiple drop boxes without unnecessary restrictions, and retreat from unnecessary signature matching rules. Federal courts are weighing action to mitigate postal service delays, but Ohio does not have a seat at the table in these discussions.[1] Protections enshrined in the Constitution and numerous federal statutes[2] were designed to empower Americans with the inalienable right to vote. Keystone statutes like the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were drafted to empower ordinary Americans in the exercise of their Constitutionally protected right to vote. Unfortunately, state laws masquerading as protections against non-existent voter fraud,[3] have a long history of disenfranchising Americans, particularly working-class voters and communities of color. As Justice Breyer noted in an opinion addressing previous voting restrictions in Ohio: [i]n the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of [r]estrictive registration laws and administrative procedures' came into use across the United Statesfrom literacy tests to the poll tax and from strict residency requirements to selective purges.' Each was designed to keep certain groups of citizens from voting' and discourage participation.'[4] We fear that your positions hinder access to the ballot box and risk repeating that history, sending a chilling message to the people of our state about the value of their vote. a. The United States Postal Service The Trump Administration has taken deeply troubling actions to destabilize the USPS, removing high volume processing sites and cracking down on overtime, in an attempt to cast doubt on the reliability of the Postal Service to deliver ballots on time.[5] Attacks on the Postal Service are an attacks on the right to vote and jeopardize the sanctity of our democracy. These assaults have proven so dangerous to States' ability to operate an election that 21 State Attorneys General sued the Postal Service to stop these cuts. Ohioans deserve an Attorney General that will fight for their right to vote. By joining this litigation, you will ensure that Ohioans' voices are heard in support of the USPS performing efficient, reliable ballot pickup and delivery.[6] The discovery process will give the state verifiable information about how USPS intends to ensure that each ballot is postmarked,[7] processed under first class standards,[8] and identified when it arrives at a sorting facility.[9] This litigation will also give the state more information about whether the high-volume processing facilities that were recently taken offline have been fully restored [10] and whether the USPS is utilizing overtime during peak processing times.[11] Therefore, we encourage you join these Attorneys General in litigation against the Postal Service's planned service cuts.[12] b. Signature Matching Your office has taken a troubling position regarding signature matching of absentee ballots.[13] Instead of working with voting rights advocates to improve the efficacy of the signature matching system, the State has gone to great lengths to enact barriers under the guise of protecting ballot integrity. The League of Women Voters, a century-old, non-partisan organization dedicated to the right to vote, said that Ohio's confusing, inconsistent signature match process too often results in eligible Ohio voters incorrectly having their absentee applications or ballots rejected.[14] Your decision to continuously appeal the validity of signature matching procedures has had a particularly damaging impact on men and women in our military and veterans seeking to cast a ballot. First, we encourage you to more closely consider the signature matching's impact on the rights of those currently putting their life on the line to serve overseas in defense of our nation.[15] Second, as nearly half of all veterans have pre-existing conditions, many may be voting absentee for the first time. Those who served our nation should not be asked to risk their health by having to vote in person due to the state's flawed signature matching process. Election procedures should honor our uniformed service members and veterans as heroes, not risk relegating them to the sidelines of our democracy. Our boards of elections are made up of professionals whose primary mission is expanding and protecting voter access. These boards are dedicated to serving all Ohioans. Instead of continuing to cynically run out the clock on the signature matching litigation which limits voters' rights, we implore the State to voluntarily adopt changes sought by voting rights advocates. c. Secure Drop Boxes We are also disturbed by the State's decision to dedicate precious time and taxpayer resources to mount continuous challenges to repeated court rulings that Ohio law allows counties to install additional secure ballot drop boxes across the county. This is even more puzzling given that the Ohio Secretary of State indicates they wish they had the legal authority to install additional drop boxes.[16] Three courts, state and federal, have agreed that the plain meaning of the law[17] allows for the installation of multiple drop boxes. First, Judge Frye of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas called Secretary LaRose's decision to limit drop boxes arbitrary and unreasonable.[18] Then Judge Polster, a federal judge from the Northern District Ohio, told Secretary LaRose that nothing in state law prohibits off-site drop boxes.[19] Finally, Ohio's Tenth District Court of Appeals told the Secretary that If[he] wants to permit additional drop boxes, he has the authority to do so and nothing in this decision prohibits him.[20] Clearly, when it comes to making it easier for Ohioan's vote safely and securely, you and Secretary LaRose cannot take yes for an answer. We note without irony that the Secretary of State's recent Directive 2020-22 announcing changes to drop box location policy was announced next to a tweet decrying the fact that litigation creates more uncertainty for voters.[21] The State Attorney General's litigation strategy is perpetuating this uncertainty. d. Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA provides a fairly simple directive: people with an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities must be afforded accommodations necessary to allow them to participate in democracy. [22] COVID-19 poses significant challenges for Ohioans seeking to access government services and, if left unchecked, policies defended by the State Attorney General pose dramatic impediments to those with disabilities, including the immunocompromised and senior citizens, seeking to cast their ballots.[23] Facilitating election participation through broad drop box access, prepaid postage for absentee ballots, and less restrictive signature matching rules would enable better ballot access to people with disabilities. ADA coverage in the context of voting is well settled law and we must be mindful of the risks that voting in person amidst a pandemic poses on the most vulnerable among us.[24] Given the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 on the fabric of American life, we urge you to consider the impact that restricting secure drop ballot boxes, allowing the USPS to implement dangerous mail delivery policies, and defending onerous signature matching rules have had on the rights of people with disabilities. e. Voting Rights Act Ohio's systematic efforts to limit voter participation through restrictive voting laws have a direct impact on our state's obligation under the VRA. As the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said in Democratic Nat'l Comm. v. Hobbs, frequent changes in polling locations; confusing placement of polling locations; and high rates of residential mobility. These factors disproportionately affect minority voters.[25] At this unprecedented time minority communities are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19,[26] students are temporarily away from campus, families have relocated, and even the President of the United States was in quarantine. We must recognize these unique circumstances and take every step to ensure that Ohioans can vote freely and fairly. Onerous barriers that impede Ohioans ability to access the ballot box undermine the intent and purpose of the VRA.[27] We therefore urge you to consider the disproportionate impact that aforementioned barriers to voting are having on communities protected by the VRA. f. Conclusion Once again, as Ohio's chief legal officer, we urge you to consult with the Secretary of State to join the litigation against the USPS, allow the installation of multiple drop boxes without unnecessary restrictions and retreat from unnecessary signature matching rules. You have an obligation to represent our citizens in protecting disenfranchised groups under the ADA, the VRA, the National Voter Registration Act, and, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Sincerely, Marcy Kaptur Sherrod Brown Member of CongressUnited States Senator Marcia L. Fudge Tim Ryan Member of Congress Member of Congress Joyce Beatty Member of Congress ### kaptur.house.gov [1] Judge Victor Marrero said in his ruling, the Postal Service must begin treating all election mail, including ballots, as first-class or priority mail; preapprove all overtime requested from Oct. 26 to Nov. 6, the peak times for election mail; and submit a plan to restore on-time delivery of mail to its highest level this year. Luke Broadwater, In Latest Legal Rebuke, Court Orders Postal Service to Prioritize Mail-In Voting The New York Times (2020), https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/us/politics/postal-service-mail-in-voting.html (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [2] The Voting Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. 10300-14; the National Voter Registration Act 42 U.S.C. 1973gg; the Americans with Disabilities Act 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq; and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) 52 U.S.C. 20301-20311. [3] Justin Levitt, Brennan Center for Justice, The Truth About Voter Fraud (2007), https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/truth-about-voter-fraud (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [4] Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Inst., 138 S. Ct. 1833, 1850, 201 L. Ed. 2d 141 (2018) (Breyer, J., dissenting) quoting H. R. Rep. No. 1039, p. 2 (1993). [5] Jacob Bogage, Internal USPS documents link changes behind mail slowdowns to top executives The Washington Post (2020), https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/09/24/usps-delays-dejoy-documents/ (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [6]After LaRose Calls For Congressional Support, Postal Service Confirms Significant Upgrades To Speed Up Election Mail Delivery, Frank LaRose, Secretary of State of Ohio (2020), https://www.ohiosos.gov/media-center/press-releases/2020/2020-04-24/ (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [7] Ellie Kaufman, Postmarks come under scrutiny as states prepare for mail-in voting CNN (2020), https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/11/politics/postmarks-mail-in-ballots/index.html (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [8]U.S. Postal Service Provides Recommendations for Successful 2020 Election Mail Season, About.usps.com (2020), https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0529-usps-provides-recommendations-for-successful-2020-election-mail-season.htm (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [9]Election Mail and Political Mail Overview, about.usps.com, https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2020/pb22539/html/cover_005.htm (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [10]Lawrence Norden et al., Brennan Center for Justice, Estimated Costs of Covid-19 Election Resiliency Measures (2020), https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/estimated-costs-covid-19-election-resiliency-measures (last visited Oct 15, 2020); Scott Wartman, Postal union: Mail piling up in Cincinnati, sorters taken offline The Enquirer (2020), https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/18/election-2020-mail-backing-up-amid-postal-service-funding-battle-fears-grow-over-absentee-voting-nov/3384320001/ (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [11] Russell Berman, What Really Scares Voting Experts About the Postal Service The Atlantic (2020), https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/08/how-postal-service-preparing-election/615271/ (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [12] Erin Cox & Amy Gardner, At least 21 states plan to sue the Postal Service over service delays, threat to election The Washington Post (2020), https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/at-least-20-states-plan-to-sue-the-us-postal-service-over-service-delays-threat-to-election/2020/08/18/c6ca2dc6-e166-11ea-b69b-64f7b0477ed4_story.html (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [13] The plaintiffs in League of Women Voters of Ohio v. LaRose persuasively argue that when absentee ballots are rejected because of a purported signature mismatch there is no adequate procedure or practice under Ohio law for voters to learn of purported signature mismatches and to cure them. . . Ohio law provides no standard or procedure applicable to or followed by any particular county for signature matching. League of Women Voters of Ohio v. LaRose., 2020 WL 5032514. [14] LWV of Ohio Files Lawsuit to Correct Flawed Signature Match Process for Absentee Ballots | League of Women Voters (2020), https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/lwv-ohio-files-lawsuit-correct-flawed-signature-match-process-absentee (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [15] The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. 52 U.S.C. 20301-20311. [16] Tierney Sneed, Why Has Ohio's Top Election Official Changed His Tune On Ballot Dropboxes? Talking Points Memo (2020), https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/why-has-ohios-top-election-official-changed-his-tune-on-ballot-dropboxes (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [17] Ohio Rev. Code 3509.05 [18] Ohio Democratic Party vs. Frank LaRose, Case No. 20CV-5634 (Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, September 15, 2020). [19] A. Philip Randolph Institute, of Ohio v. Larose, 2020 WL 5524842 (N.D.Ohio, 2020). [20] Ohio Democratic Party, v. Frank LaRose, 2020 WL 5874872 (Ohio App. 10 Dist., 2020). [21] Larose Issues Directive On Additional Options To Return Absentee Ballots, Frank LaRose, Secretary of State of Ohio (2020), https://www.sos.state.oh.us/media-center/press-releases/2020/2020-10-05/ (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [23] The [ADA] includes a nonexclusive list of major life activities' that could be limited by an impairment. Severe cases of COVID-19 most commonly affect the major life activity of breathing,' but COVID-19 may also limit other major life activities like caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, . . . eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.' A nonexclusive list of major bodily functions is also included in the definition of major life activities.' COVID-19 affects most commonly the major bodily function of the respiratory system, but also could affect the other listed systems, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, . . . digestive, bowel, . . . [and] circulatory . . . functions. Importantly, an individual vulnerable to COVID-19 complications or death may also have a disability defined by these terms, and therefore, be covered by the ADA. Frank Griffen, COVID-19 and Public Accommodations Under the ADA, St. Louis University Journal of Law, https://www.slu.edu/law/law-journal/online/2020-21/covid19-public-accommodations-under-ada.php (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [25] Democratic Nat'l Comm. v. Hobbs, 948 F.3d 989, 1001 (9th Cir. 2020). [26] Communities, Schools, Workplaces, & Events, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html (last visited Oct 15, 2020). [27]American Council of the Blind, Testimony To U.S. Commission on Civil rights, Jul 1, 2020 https://securisync.intermedia.net/us2/s/folder?public_share=2n8deuGPiijceQXIrch5zS0011ef58&id=Lw%3D%3D, (last visited Oct 15, 2020). https://securisync.intermedia.net/us2/s/folder?public_share=2n8deuGPiijceQXIrch5zS0011ef58&id=Lw%3D%3D",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kaptur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kaptur-calls-interior-secretary-bernhardt-allocate-needed-deferred,Kaptur Calls on Interior Secretary Bernhardt to Allocate Needed Deferred Maintenance Funding to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge,2020-10-23,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Marcy Kaptur,K000009,kaptur.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) sent the following letter to Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt urging the department to prioritize major deferred maintenance projects in FY 21 for the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) pursuant to the Great American Outdoors Act, bipartisan legislation signed into law earlier this year which extends much needed federal resources to rebuild and maintain National Parks and wildlands across the U.S. The ONWR is responsible for conservation, restoration, enhancement, and protection, with only 10 full-time employees managing over 11,000 acres of land, Rep. Kaptur wrote. The refuge works in partnership with the Union Sportsmen's Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, National Environmental Education Foundation, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The refuge also contains vital wetlands that filter out pollutants from water that eventually enters Lake Erie and serves as the last remnant of the great black swamp, which used to cover 1,500 square miles. Despite major challenges with COVID, this small refuge received over 359,000 visitors last year alone. However, continued public participation at the site is hindered by deferred maintenance challenges. In particular, I would like to make you aware of two backlogged deferred maintenance projects that will not be taken up until 2025, Rep. Kaptur continued. The first is the repair of Darby Lakefront Levee where erosion has done damage. The second is the rehabilitation of a levee on moist soil units 3 and 4. Together, these projects require $1.2 million and are critical for maintaining the continuity of ONWR. Given the urgency, these projects should be included in the Department of Interior Fiscal Year 2021 deferred maintenance project submission. These deferred maintenance projects at ONWR will enable hunters and anglers to continue enjoying the unique ecological resources you saw first-hand when you visited in 2019. Thank you in advance for your consideration and careful review of these deferred maintenance projects. The letter can be found online here. ### kaptur.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/the-power-of-diversity-and-inclusion-fighting-covid-19-the-economic,"The power of diversity and inclusion: Fighting COVID-19, the economic crisis, and securing social justice",2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"It is indisputable that diversity and inclusion are critical drivers of productivity and innovation for companies and our economy and companies that leverage it are more profitable. As the first chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, my focus has been on illuminating the incontrovertible facts that greater diversity and inclusion performance in the boardroom, C-suites and business procurement yields greater innovation, reduces regulatory risk, increases profitability and creates more sustainable business performance. Earlier this year, in February, the Financial Services Committee and Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion produced a comprehensive report, Diversity and Inclusion: Holding America's Large Banks Accountable. The report analyzed diversity and inclusion performance trends at the nation's 44 largest banking institutions. While our analysis identified troubling trends regarding the lack of diversity in the boardroom, in senior leadership roles and business spending, it also found that some companies are hiring chief diversity officers, leveraging employee resource groups and linking diversity and inclusion results to performance. I believe, without a doubt, that our work is pushing the financial services industry toward implementing best practices to improve diversity on corporate boards, in C-suites, the workforce and business diversity contracting, as well as diversity and inclusion training programs, which are all essential components to help foster greater understanding and mutual respect for all Americans. While recent progress demonstrates we are moving toward a more inclusive economy, tangible and intangible barriers to success remain. In September, the Trump administration issued executive order 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping. This draconian policy will effectively eliminate diversity and inclusion training programs within all federal departments and agencies, the U.S. uniformed services and among federal contractors and subcontractors. Moreover, the executive order is an effort to return us to a time when corporate leaders willfully overlooked the lack of gender and racial diversity at the leadership table. Like so much of what President Trump does, it is intended to divide us and impede leaders who are making great strides to embrace the workforce of tomorrow. I categorically reject this effort and call upon all stakeholders to do the same. These challenges are transparently clear when we consider the three pandemics our country is confronting in 2020: COVID-19, the fight for social justice and the ongoing economic pandemic. In short, COVID-19 has endangered the physical, financial and emotional health of all Americans, and has disproportionately impacted communities of color. The disparate impact of COVID-19 is evident when examining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's analysis of rates of infection, hospitalization and death for people of color. African Americans are nearly five times more likely to require hospitalization from COVID-19, and people of color are twice as likely to be infected and die from the disease compared to white Americans. The rehire rate for furloughed workers of color lags significantly as well. As of Oct. 1, the African American unemployment rate stands at 12.1 percent versus 7.9 percent for white Americans. The disproportionate burden of COVID-19 is also apparent when examining its effect on our economy's small businesses. Minority- and women-owned businesses (MWOBs) closed at significantly higher rates due to the pandemic. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, 41 percent of African American businesses closed their doors, Latinx businesses fell by 32 percent, and Asian businesses declined by 26 percent from February to April, and the numbers have likely increased since the spring. MWOBs play a crucial role in the elimination of the racial wealth gap, spur innovation and are integral to the overall health of the U.S. economy. As such, my colleagues and I have advocated vigorously for greater access to capital funding, financing tools and stimulus relief for these businesses. CDC: 75 percent of US seeing increases in COVID-19 cases in 'critical... Power players play chess match on COVID-19 aid We also can't lose sight of the racial justice pandemic that confronts us. Our country is making discernable progress toward achieving the ideals of the nation's Founding Fathers of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. Unfortunately, the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery serve as stark reminders that the ugly stain of systemic racism endures in often overlooked elements of our society. I am heartened by the numerous companies and stakeholders who have clearly espoused their values and goals to help achieve true social justice. The future is now, and I am hopeful that the progress we are making to eliminate the barriers of the past are both sustainable and durable. We cannot change the sins of yesterday, but we must acknowledge them and all work together toward achieving true equality and justice for all while celebrating our differences. This article was originally published by The Hill on October 22, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ohio-congressional-democrats-urge-ohio-attorney-general-yost-to-join,Ohio Congressional Democrats Urge Ohio Attorney General Yost to Join Litigation to Make It Easier for Ohioans to Vote,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), alongwith U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), and Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Marcia Fudge (OH-11) and Tim Ryan (OH-13), recently penned a letter to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost urging him to join litigation against the United States Postal Service (USPS), allow for the installation of drop boxes without superfluous restrictions, and abandon unnecessary signature matching regulations for absentee ballots. The Ohio Attorney General is directing the State's legal defense on voting policies that are constraining Ohioans ability to cast their ballots. The lawmakers wrote to remind the State Attorney General of several simple steps he could take to streamline voting procedures and to make it easier for Ohioans to cast their ballots. Protections enshrined in the Constitution and numerous federal statutes were designed to empower Americans with the inalienable right to vote,the Ohio lawmakers wrote in their letter. Keystone statutes like the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were drafted to empower ordinary Americans in the exercise of their Constitutionally protected right to vote. Unfortunately, state laws masquerading as protections against non-existent voter fraud, have a long history of disenfranchising Americans, particularly working-class voters and communities of color.We fear that your positions hinder access to the ballot box and risk repeating that history, sending a chilling message to the people of our state about the value of their vote. In September, the lawmakers sent aletterto Ohio Secretary of State LaRose urging him to work with the skilled and dedicated tradespeople of Ohio to locate additional drop boxes across all 88 counties, and another letter requesting him to provide prepaid postage on return ballots and ballot applications. Lawmakers in the letter to Yost identify several steps to improve voter accessibility in the state of Ohio.These include the push for the state to adopt changes regarding signature matching sought by voting rights advocates, provide Ohioans with sufficient and secure drop boxes, expand the accessibility of voting in collaboration with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and finally take steps to ensure that Ohioans are able to vote freely and fairly this election cycle. The actions taken by the Trump Administration to sow discord in the integrity of our elections are deeply troublesome to lawmakers and voters alike. The lack of presidential leadership is intended to compromise the sanctity of our democracy and destabilize our confidence in the fall elections. Ohio lawmakers are pressing the chief legal officer in Ohio, Secretary Yost, to collaborate with Secretary LaRose on the USPS litigation and to take further steps to protect our electoral system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-beatty-johnson-introduce-new-legislation-to-combat-discrimination,"Reps. Beatty, Johnson Introduce New Legislation to Combat Discrimination in Our Nations Financial Services Industry",2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, will introduce the House companion bill to the Senate's Fair Access to Financial Services Act. The bill would prohibit banks and other financial institutions from discriminating against consumers on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination in certain places of public accommodation, it does not cover banks and other financial institutions. This new legislation would ensure that all people receive equal treatment when trying to access services at financial institutions and hold them accountable when they engage in discriminatory acts. It is truly unconscionable that in 2020some six decades after the passage of the Civil Rights Actfinancial institutions can still discriminate against Americans because of the color of their skin, Beatty said. The Fair Access to Financial Services Act will right this wrong, making sure that no customer is denied access to vital banking services as a result of their race or ethnicity. I am proud to team up with Congressman Hank Johnson to introduce this historic piece of legislation and call on all my congressional colleagues to help put a stop to discriminatory banking practices once and for all. 'Banking While Black' isn't a slogan, it's real, Johnson added. Just ask Clarice Middleton of Atlanta, who recently tried to cash a $200 check, only to be accused of fraud by three branch employees, who then called the cops. Her experience is just a microcosm of a larger, systemic problem of racial profiling and unequal treatment Black and Brown people face when dealing with banks and other financial institutions. This bill is a direct response to the numerous incidents of discrimination experienced by Black and Brown people when trying to access the financial system. The piece of legislation has been endorsed by several civil rights organizations including Lawyers' Committee on Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Human Rights, The National Urban League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), UnidosUS, Americans for Financial Reform, Public Citizen, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, National Action Network, and the Center for Responsible Lending. The Senate version, S. 4801, was introduced on October 21, 2020 by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Senators Tina Smith (MN), Cory Booker (NJ), Bob Menendez (NJ), Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Chris Van Hollen (MD). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-responds-white-house-review-delphi-salary-retirees,Congressman Tim Ryan Responds to White House Review of Delphi Salary Retirees Pensions,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Youngstown, Ohio After Congressman Tim Ryan's (OH-13) urging, the White House issued a memorandum to review the actions taken by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. and investigate potential options to restore pensions of salaried retirees of Delphi. On September 30, 2020 Ryan led a bipartisan group of lawmakers inurgingPresident Trump to intervene on behalf of Delphi salaried retirees.TheWhite House memorandum can be foundhere. Multiple times I have urged President Trump to intervene on behalf of Delphi salaried retirees. I support any effort that will fix this egregious issue and stand ready to work with the Administration to help make Delphi salaried retirees whole, but they need action, not more reviews. I have worked across the aisle since day one on this issue, calling on both the Obama and Trump Administrations to intervene on their behalf. Delphi salaried retirees shouldn't have to wait another day to receive the benefits they earned,said Rep. Tim Ryan. On September 30, 2020, Reps. Ryan and Turner led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging President Trump to intervene on behalf ofDelphisalaried retirees to ensure that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) restores the retirees' pensions to the greatest extent possible and makes the retirees whole. Readthefull letter and releasehere. In April 2020, Reps. Ryan, Turner, and Kildee urged President Trump to support theDelphiSalaried Retirees by requesting that the PBGC join the retirees in asking the Sixth Circuit Court for a stay of the proceedings, which would allow for a negotiated settlement. Readthefull release and letterhere. In May 2020, Ryan was joined by Ohio Reps. Mike Turner, Bill Johnson, and Steve Chabot in calling on President Trump to restore the pension plans ofDelphiSalaried Retirees before any further coronavirus relief for the auto industry. Readthefull release and letterhere. On September 4, 2020, the PBGC responded to Ryan's letters on the subject stating that: On September 1, 2020, a three-judge panel of United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in PBGC's favor in the lawsuit involving PBGC and theDelphiSalaried Retirees Association (DSRA)in which DSRA challenged the termination of the Salaried Plan. According to the panel, the retirees have not raised any argument warranting reversal of a previous federal District Court ruling in PBGC's favor. The PBGC's full response letter can be readhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-aces-2020-common-cause-the-democracy-scorecard,Congresswoman Beatty Aces 2020 Common Cause Democracy Scorecard,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"This month, Common Cause released its 2020 The Democracy Scorecard, a midterm report on the 116th Congress. U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) was awarded a perfect score for her strong record on democracy reform bills. I am honored to receive an 15/15 score from Common Cause, Beatty said. It is important to do more to ensure that democracy is protected and that the voting rights and voices of all Americans are protected. I am proud to carry the banner of being a protector of our democracy and the protection of voting rights. Established by John W. Garnder, Common Cause has been fought year after year to ensure that the American people have a voice in Washington. Common Cause is dedicated to fighting to ensure that the American democracy is protected and that all Americans have the right to vote.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/announcements/congresswoman-beatty-observes-national-domestic-violence-awareness-0,Congresswoman Beatty Observes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a month-long initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence. In response, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement: For every minute in America, there are close to 20 people that fall victim to physical abuse. Unfortunately, ten million women and men are victims of domestic violence each year. With that sobering fact, I encourage everyone to lend their hearts, minds, and voices to share in the responsibility of recognizing, addressing, and preventing domestic violence. Together we can empower victims of domestic violence by ensuring that survivors and their families have access to the resources, care, and support they desperately need. If you or someone that you know are the victim of domestic violence, please contact Ohio Domestic Violence Awareness (ODVAN) at 800-934-9840 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE. To learn more about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month or the ODVAN please visit the network's website. Also, join the conversation online by using the hashtag: #DomesticViolenceAwarenessmonth, #StopTheSilence, and #DVAM20.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/news-articles/senate-bill-would-outlaw-bank-discrimination-for-the-first-time,Senate Bill Would Outlaw Bank Discrimination for the First Time,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Joyce Beatty,B001281,beatty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation that would make it illegal for banks and other financial firms to discriminate against their customers because of their race, religion, sexual orientation and other characteristics an effort meant to close a loophole in the Civil Rights Act highlighted in a New York Times report in June. The Fair Access to Financial Services Act, introduced on Wednesday by members of the Senate Banking Committee, would explicitly outlaw discrimination against bank customers. Currently, it is legal for banks and some other businesses to treat some customers differently as long as those customers eventually receive the services they are seeking. That means, in practical terms, that banks can racially profile their customers and delay their transactions, or ask them to take extra steps to prove their legitimacy, without risking penalties as long as they eventually do business with those customers. The loophole stems from the specificity of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which lists the kinds of businesses including movie theaters, restaurants and hotels where discrimination is prohibited. Courts have ruled that the law does not apply to any businesses not on the list. That leaves customers who say they have been mistreated with little recourse, especially in states like Georgia, where there are no statewide anti-discrimination laws. The bill stipulates that all persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges and accommodations of financial institutions. It is sponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Cory Booker and Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. The bill was written after The Times described the ways in which Black bank customers have been treated with suspicion and hostility while trying to do basic banking business. In one instance, a man seeking to withdraw cash from his Wells Fargo account to buy a car was turned away by a manager who threatened to call the police. In another, Wells Fargo employees called the police on a woman trying to cash a $200 check. Because of the loophole in federal law, customers who experience discrimination can rely only on state protections when they seek justice. Too many Black and brown Americans experience racial profiling and unequal treatment when trying to access services at banks and other financial institutions, Senator Brown said in an announcement of the bill emailed to The Times. Victims of discrimination are not even able to hold financial institutions accountable it is shameful. The two-and-a-half page bill lays out what bank customers who experience discrimination can do about it: Ask a federal court to order the bank or financial institution to cease the mistreatment and recoup lawyers' fees from the institution if the court rules in their favor. Our legislation would be a clear and comprehensive statement that discrimination has no place in our financial system, Senator Smith said in the announcement. The bill has been endorsed by civil rights groups like the N.A.A.C.P., UnidosUS and the National Urban League, according to the announcement. Two Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee, Representatives Hank Johnson of Georgia and Joyce Beatty of Ohio, will introduce a complementary bill, according to the Senate announcement. This article was originally published The New York Times on October 21, 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://timryan.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-tim-ryan-statement-purdue-pharma-s-83-billion-opioid-settlement,Congressman Tim Ryan Statement on Purdue Pharmas $8.3 Billion Opioid Settlement,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,OH,Tim Ryan,R000577,timryan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Youngstown, Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) released the following statement in response to Purdue Pharma's $8.3 billion opioid settlement with the United States Departmentof Justice(DOJ). Ryan is the Chairman of the House Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus. Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family perpetrated one of the most egregious criminal acts in American history, intentionally addicting millions of unsuspecting people to powerful painkillers for profit and directly contributing to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in an effort to increase profit and grow their wealth pushed obscene amounts of opioids on unsuspecting Americans, intentionally causing millions to become addicted, and resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands. Today marks a milestone on our nation's effort to reach justice for Americans impacted by this heinous criminal enterprise,said Congressman Tim Ryan. Purdue Pharma has agreed to plead guilty to three-counts related to its misleading marketing of opioid painkillers and faces a $3.5 billion criminal fine, $2 billion in criminal forfeitures, and a $2.8 billion civil settlement. This total amount of $8.3 billion includes the largest penalties ever levied against a pharmaceutical manufacturer. According to DOJ, this settlement will result in ""extraordinary new resources"" for treating substance use in communities across the country. I am pleased that Purdue Pharma will be forced to pay an unprecedented $8.3 billion in fines that will go to addressing the opioid epidemic, and look forward to using my position to ensure some of that funding comes to our community in Northeast Ohio.However,I am outraged that this settlement does not result in a single day of jail time for the Sackler family or company leaders. The Sacklers knowingly created and expanded the opioid epidemic for personal profit, then siphoned off billions of dollars into offshore bank accounts to ensure that they would still walk away as billionaires when their criminal enterprise finally came crumbling down. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,Ryan continued. This settlement will not result in prison time for the Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma, or other company officials but according to the DOJ, this settlement does not preclude them from future prosecutions regarding Purdue Pharma's actions. The settlement will restructure Purdue Pharma, and moving forward they will operate as a public trust under government control in their manufacturing of opioid medications. Last week, Ryan led a delegation of 35 lawmaker in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General expressing concern that this settlementwould resolve all the Sackler family's federal criminal liability without a single person serving a day in prison. Read morehere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z