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://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/pennsylvania-members-congress-release-statement-regarding-certification,Pennsylvania Members of Congress Release Statement Regarding Certification of Electors,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) and seven Pennsylvania members of Congress released the following statement regarding the certification of electors on January 6, 2020: The United States Constitution is unambiguous in declaring that state legislatures are the entity with authority to set election procedure Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof' Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2: Each state shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors' Unfortunately, the many unlawful actions undertaken by the Pennsylvania Governor's office, the Secretary of State, and what has been described as a rogue Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded and circumvented the state legislature's clear constitutional authority. The unlawful actions include, but are not limited to: Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day. Not properly requiring signatures to match those on mail-in ballots or requiring dates. Meanwhile, the matching of signatures was required at a polling site. Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hours' notice. Only some counties were informed and adhered to this order leaving voters treated unequally from county to county. Authorizing the use of unsecure drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute. Prohibiting certified poll watchers overseeing the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia. These unlawful actions were taken without the authority or consent of the Pennsylvania state legislature. These are facts, and they are indisputable. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Attorney General did nothing with regard to these unlawful activities. Not one inquiry, no questioning, and certainly no investigations. Not to mention that hundreds, if not thousands, of affidavits outlining election complaints and potential fraud were documented, submitted, and ignored. The Pennsylvania election could be summed up as a free-for-all with no oversight and different standards applied throughout the Commonwealth. It is also very apparent that the unlawful actions described were concentrated in heavily populated, Democrat-led counties. By definition, such unlawful, unregulated, and inconsistent activities resulted in a highly questionable and inaccurate vote total. The scope of these inaccuracies cannot be known until the legal ballots are identified and counted, and the illegal ballots are disqualified. This has not been done. Therefore, the state's official certification of electors was based upon a flawed system and an inaccurate vote count. Thus, very possibly resulting in an erroneous certification. Until these unlawful practices are acknowledged and corrected, we, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives, cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count. The voters of Pennsylvania deserve integrity in the election process and equal protection under the law. This very unfortunate, volatile, and distressing situation is due to the lack of respect and regard for the law and the U.S. Constitution as well as the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Additionally, the failure of Pennsylvania's justice system to seek the truth, rather than stay silent, allowed these irregular, unlawful actions to create a high level of mistrust in the process as well as a potentially flawed outcome. The one thing that all voters, regardless of party affiliation, can all agree upon is that we must have election integrity. That is the only way to ensure trust in our elections and it is accomplished by adhering to our Constitution and the law. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/pennsylvania-us-house-members-release-statement-certification-electors,Pennsylvania U.S. House Members Release Statement on Certification of Electors,2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16) today released this joint statement with Representatives Dan Meuser (PA-9), Glenn GT' Thompson (PA-15), Scott Perry (PA-10), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), John Joyce (PA-13), and Fred Keller (PA-12) regarding their intent to vote against certification of Pennsylvania's electors on January 6: The United States Constitution is unambiguous in declaring that state legislatures are the entity with authority to set election procedure - Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2: Each state shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors Unfortunately, the many unlawful actions undertaken by the Pennsylvania Governor's office, the Secretary of State, and what has been described as a rogue Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded and circumvented the state legislature's clear constitutional authority. The unlawful actions include, but are not limited to: Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day; Not properly requiring signatures to match those on mail-in ballots or requiring dates.Meanwhile, the matching of signatures was required at a polling site; Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hour's notice.Only some counties were informed and adhered to this order leaving voters treated unequally from county to county; Authorizing the use of unsecured drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute Prohibiting certified poll watchers overseeing the canvassing of ballots in Philadelphia; These unlawful actions were taken without the authority or consent of the Pennsylvania state legislature. These are facts, and they are indisputable. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Attorney General did nothing with regard to these unlawful activities. Not one inquiry, no questioning, and certainly no investigations. Not to mention that hundreds, if not thousands, of affidavits outlining election complaints and potential fraud were documented, submitted, and ignored. The Pennsylvania election could be summed up as a free-for-all with no oversight and different standards applied throughout the Commonwealth. It is also very apparent that the unlawful actions described were concentrated in heavily populated, Democrat-led counties. By definition, such unlawful, unregulated, and inconsistent activities resulted in a highly questionable and inaccurate vote total. The scope of these inaccuracies cannot be known until the legal ballots are identified and counted, and the illegal ballots are disqualified. This has not been done. Therefore, the state's official certification of electors was based upon a flawed system and an inaccurate vote count. Thus, very possibly resulting in an erroneous certification. Until these unlawful practices are acknowledged and corrected, we cannot agree to support electors chosen based upon an inaccurate total vote count. The voters of Pennsylvania deserve integrity in the election process and equal protection under the law. This very unfortunate, volatile, and distressing situation is due to the lack of respect and regard for the law and the U.S. Constitution as well as the Pennsylvania State Constitution. Additionally, the failure of Pennsylvania's justice system to seek the truth, rather than stay silent, allowed these irregular, unlawful actions to create a high level of mistrust in the process as well as a potentially flawed outcome. If there is an American ideal that all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, can agree upon it is that we must have election integrity. Election integrity is the only way to ensure trust in our elections and it is accomplished by adhering to our Constitution and the law."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-votes-override-presidential-veto-ndaa,Rep. Kelly Votes to Override Presidential Veto of NDAA,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today voted to override President Trump's veto of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is enacted annually to set the policy and spending priorities of the United States military. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) voted to pass the NDAA over the president's objection and issued this statement: ""The NDAA outlines the budget and policies the Department of Defense uses to plan for the next year. While I support the president's goal of amending or abolishing Section 230, that debate must not delay military planning for 2021."" #####",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/kelly-statement-house-vote-increase-stimulus-payments-600-2000,Kelly Statement on House Vote to Increase Stimulus Payments from $600 to $2000,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) issued this statement following his vote against increasing COVID-19 pandemic relief stimulus checks from $600 to $2000: ""I support providing direct relief to Pennsylvanians whose current economic struggles were caused by Governor Wolf's lockdown of the Keystone State for most of 2020, but this stimulus check expansion misses the mark because it is not targeted to people who need it most and ignores President Trump's call to reduce wasteful government spending. Our path forward must include direct relief, spending cuts, and opening the Commonwealth's economy so families can go back to work."" #####",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/lamb-statement-following-votes-provide-additional-covid-relief-and-support,LAMB STATEMENT FOLLOWING VOTES TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COVID RELIEF AND SUPPORT TROOPS,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) issued the following statement regarding his votes for the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act to increase economic impact payments to $2,000 and to override the President's veto of the bipartisan William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 6395) Conference Report: You can't get two-thirds of this Congress to agree on much, but tonight we had overwhelming bipartisan votes to increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000, and to overturn the President's absurd veto of our bipartisan bill to fund the military and pay our troops. We've asked people to sacrifice a lot this year for the sake of public health jobs, businesses, wages and working hours, time with loved ones. And working families have been forced to wait far too long for their government to provide any support to make those sacrifices just a little bit easier. Mitch McConnell should not make them wait any longer, but he will. We know that about him. The important thing is that we do not and will not accept it. By not adopting his radical, do-nothing view of being a Senator, we got a bill signed into law yesterday. And we aren't done. Visit Lamb's website for more information on the additional legislation Congress passed to address the coronavirus public health crisis, as well as the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 6395). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/twenty-eight-members-congress-file-amicus-brief-supporting-representative-kellys,Twenty Eight Members of Congress File Amicus Brief Supporting Representative Kelly's Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania's Unconstitutional Mail-in Ballot System,2020-12-24,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - Last night, more than two dozen members of the United States House of Representatives filed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs inMike Kelly, U.S. Congressman, et al. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, et al., a case challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's no-excuse mail-in ballot voting system. ""I am honored that so many of my colleagues from Pennsylvania and across the country have joined our fight to protect the Pennsylvania Constitution, which states clearly how voters are to cast their votes in the Commonwealth,""said Kelly.""If Governor Wolf and the legislature wanted to create another method of voting, they should have amended the PennsylvaniaConstitution, which requires, among other factors, placing the question on the ballot for Pennsylvanians to consent.We're asking the Supreme Court of the United States to hear our case and require the Commonwealth to properly amend the Constitution if they want to create a mail-in voting system for future elections. Read the Amicus Brief Here Members of Congress who signed the amicus brief include Representatives Alex Mooney (R- W.Va.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Fred Keller (R-Pa.), GT Thompson (R-Pa.), Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Jody Hice (R-Ga.),Dr. John Joyce (R-Pa.), Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Mike Johnson (R- La.), Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) and Warren Davison (R-Ohio). Background In this case, Representative Kelly and the other plaintiffsallege that the Pennsylvania Legislature and Governor Wolf violated the Pennsylvania Constitution when they enacted no-excuse mail-in voting, which conflicts with the Constitution's clear delineation of what makes a person eligible to vote by mail. Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough issued an emergency preliminary injunctionin the case, saying: Petitioners appear to have established a likelihood to succeed on the merits because Petitioners have asserted the Constitution does not provide a mechanism for the legislature to allow for expansion of absentee voting without a constitutional amendment. Following this pronouncement, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania appealed directly to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which dismissed the case on a technicality without addressing the merits of the petitioners' claims. Currently, the Petitioners have filed awrit of Certiorarito argue the merits before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).SCOTUS has yet to announce whether it will take up the case.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-releases-statement-on-covid-relief-legislation,Casey Releases Statement on COVID Relief Legislation,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement on the COVID-19 relief legislation: The COVID-19 relief legislation is a bipartisan compromise that will put money in the pockets of working families and invest vital dollars into vaccine deployment. While agreement on this latest COVID-19 relief bill is welcome and long overdue, the legislation is nowhere near what must be done to address the full scope of our Nation's public health and economic crisis. Due to the intransigence of Senate Republicans, this relief bill does not include critically-needed money to state and local governments to prevent service cuts and layoffs of firefighters, law enforcement and local health departments. It also lacks meaningful policies and investments to protect nursing home residents and workers and to allow seniors and people with disabilities to receive needed care at home. I will continue to fight for these measures. When a new Congress convenes in January and President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris are sworn in, we must begin work on bold, robust legislation that will allow America to build back better and provide families a full measure of support.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://doyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congress-approves-new-covid-relief-bill,Congress Approves New COVID Relief Bill,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mike Doyle,D000482,doyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-18) announced that he voted in favor of legislation to provide $900 billion in COVID-related relief to American households and small businesses. The bill, H.R 133, the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act, was approved by the House and Senate last night and sent to the President for his signature. The COVID-19 relief legislation will provide urgently needed help for unemployed Americans and our struggling small businesses, Congressman Doyle said after the vote. This bill will provide a $600 stimulus check to most Americans, for example, and it will extend federal unemployment assistance for 11 more weeks. The COVID relief bill also provides $300 billion in new aid for small mom and pop businesses, and it includes reforms to ensure that aid gets to the small and minority-owned businesses that were all too often left out of the first round of business relief. This bill also provides the funding necessary to purchase and distribute the newly approved vaccines for COVID-19. It also included legislation I negotiated to help eliminate the Digital Divide' that's been highlighted and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation provides less aid than I had hoped and fought for, but it will make a big difference in millions of Americans' lives, Congressman Doyle explained. Taken as a whole, I believe that the compromise reached on COVID relief deserved my support. It's a good down payment on controlling the coronavirus, getting the economy back on track, and putting people back to work. Democrats fought successfully for many policy and spending provisions that were included in H.R. 133, Congressman Doyle added. I believe that it was the best deal possible at this time, it was long overdue, and it contains aid that millions of families and small businesses desperately need. With the enactment of this bill, Congress will have provided more than $4 trillion this year for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused more than 300,000 American deaths. I look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration next year to meet the remaining COVID-related needs of the American people, getting the coronavirus under control, and setting our economy on course for a strong recovery, Congressman Doyle said. Here are some highlights of the bill. Families and Individuals Unemployment insurance (UI) This bill extends the unemployment benefit coverage for the self-employed, gig workers, and others in non-traditional employment (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA). It increases the amount of time than an individual can claim these benefits by 11 weeks, for a total of 50 weeks of eligibility. It extends federally-funded unemployment benefits for individuals who have exhausted their regular state benefits (Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or PEUC) by 11 weeks, for a total of 50 weeks of eligibility. The extension was critical in preventing 12 million Americans from losing this economic lifeline at the end of this year. The bill provides an extra benefit of $100 per week for some workers who have both wage and self-employment income, but whose base UI benefit calculation doesn't take their self-employment into account. In addition, the bill provides an additional $300 per week for all workers receiving unemployment benefits, through March 14, 2021. Direct Payments This bill will provide Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) to most American households similar to the ones included in the CARES Act enacted by Congress with my support in March. The difference is, that instead of $1,200 for every adult and $500 for every qualifying dependent child, this time the Economic Impact Payments will total $600 for each adult and their child dependents. As with the previous round of stimulus checks, the payments will phase out starting at annual incomes of $75,000 per adult and $150,000 per couple.Rental Housing Assistance The bill includes an extension of the eviction moratorium through Jan. 31. It also includes $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes. The assistance, which would be administered by state or community housing organizations, could be used to help pay rent or utility bills, including those owed since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, The bill strengthens the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to help increase affordable housing construction and provide greater certainty to new and ongoing affordable housing projects in the future. Hunger Alleviation The COVID relief bill includes $13 billion to increase SNAP benefits by 15 percent to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure. Earned Income Tax Credit & Child Tax Credit The bill will help millions of families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic by increasing the size of their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). It will do it by allowing them to calculate these credits based on their 2019 income, which in many cases will be larger than their income this year during the pandemic. Child Care The bill includes $10 billion to help child care providers stay in operation despite the higher costs associated with changes necessary to keep operating during the pandemic. This will help many parents get back to work as well as keep a number of child care providers open. Education The package includes the largest expansion of Pell Grant recipients in over a decade, reaching 500,000 new recipients and ensuring more than 1.5 million students will now receive the maximum benefit. Small Businesses Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) The bill includes $284 billion in new funding to help small businesses hurt by the pandemic through the PPP. It will provide new loans for eligible small businesses, including second loans for businesses that applied for and received loans this summer, and it expands eligibility for non-profit organizations and news providers. It also dedicates $12 billion in PPP funding to mom and pop businesses and low-income neighborhoods through proven community lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs). The bill also includes PPP program reforms to help non-profits and small businesses like restaurants such as simplifying the loan forgiveness process for loans under $150,000. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) The bill also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street. The bill dedicates $15 Billion in PPP funding for live concert venue, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. Employee Retention Tax Credit The agreement extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to encourage employers to keep workers in their jobs during coronavirus closures or reduced revenue. State and Local Government While the bill didn't include comprehensive assistance for state and local governments, it did include some assistance targeted to specific government agencies. Education $82 billion in funding for colleges and K-12 schools, including ventilation repair and replacement, to help prevent virus transmission and reopen classrooms Transportation $14 billion for transit systems like the Port Authority of Allegheny County $10 billion for highways $2 billion for airports Telecommunication As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Congressman Doyle worked successfully to include legislation in the bill to provide an investment of $7 billion in increasing access to broadband, including a new Emergency Broadband Benefit to help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic. It included: o $3.2 billion in emergency funds for low-income families to access broadband o $250 million dollars in additional funding for telehealth services Health Care The COVID relief legislation provides billions in urgently need funds to carry out the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to Americans as rapidly as possible, to implement an effective national testing and tracing strategy which includes billions of dollars that will be dedicated to eliminating the disparities facing communities of color, and to support health care providers on the front lines of the pandemic. $20 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments $9 billion for vaccine distribution $22 billion for testing, tracing and COVID mitigation programs; of this amount, $2.5 billion will be specifically targeted at underserved areas, including both communities of color and rural communities. $9 billion in support for health care providers $1 billion for NIH to research COVID-19 $4.5 billion in mental health funding $3 billion to replenish the strategic national stockpile What's Not in the Bill Last, but not least, there are a number of provisions that weren't in the bill as approved by the House last night. The bill approved by the House doesn't include several Republican proposals that Democrats, including Congressman Doyle, considered serious threats to American workers and the recovery of our economy. One was a provision that could have unjustly put workers' health and safety at risk and taken away their right to legal recourse. The other would have hamstrung the Federal Reserve's ability to stabilize the economy and save jobs. We were successful in preventing the inclusion of those provisions in the final version of the bill. In addition, Democrats fought hard to include more COVID relief funding for state and local governments, which have been hit hard this year by the pandemic. State and local governments have been called upon to spend billions of dollars in emergency funding to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic - at the same time as the revenues they depend on dropped dramatically as a result of the shutdowns required to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Congressional Republicans refused to permit the inclusion of broad funding to help state and local governments in the bill. Nevertheless, the bill does contain some targeted assistance for specific local government operations like education, transportation, and vaccine distribution. Click here for a one-page fact sheet on the Coronavirus relief portions of the bill. Click here for a one-page fact sheet on the Appropriations portions of the bill. Click here for a one-page fact sheet on the Authorization portions of the bill. Click here for a section-by-section summary of the Coronavirus relief portions of the bill. Click here for a section-by-section summary of the Appropriations portions of the bill. Click here for a section-by-section summary of the Authorization portions of the bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-signs-keller-s-bill-honoring-hunts-healing-founder-law,President Trump signs Kellers bill honoring Hunts for Healing founder into law,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, President Trump signed into law H.R. 4279, Congressman Keller's bill to designate the Post Office in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, as the Melinda Gene Piccotti Office in honor of the late Mindy Piccotti, an Air Force veteran who founded Hunts for Healing. Started in 2009, Hunts for Healing aims to help wounded soldiers returning from military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and other combat veterans transition back into civilian life by allowing them to experience the joys of hunting, including social interaction and camaraderie. The Hunts for Healing team is completely volunteer based, made up of veterans and community members committed to supporting America's men and women in uniform. On the bill becoming law, Congressman Keller made the following statement: Today is an exciting day for our veteran community, the residents of Laceyville, Mindy's family, and every person whose life has been touched by Mindy's outstanding work. Mindy was a community leader who cared deeply about making sure our wounded veterans had the support they need to recover from and overcome their injuries. Mindy built an organization that continues to grow, making an important impact in our community. I thank President Trump for signing this bill into law and for allowing us to finally give Mindy the recognition she deserves for her lifetime of service. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/kelly-statement-passage-targeted-pandemic-related-economic-relief-americans,Kelly Statement on Passage of Targeted Pandemic-Related Economic Relief for Americans,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed theBipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal, legislation to provide pandemic-related financial relief to workers and small businesses and to fund the federal government through September 30, 2021, the end of Fiscal Year 2021. U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) voted in favor of the legislation and released this statement: ""For most of 2020, government lockdowns because of the pandemic have caused economic pain across the nation and our Commonwealth. This bill, while far from perfect, brings targeted economic relief to workers and small businesses. I support the direct payments to individuals and families, the provisions that will allow for the deductibility of Paycheck Protection Program loans, and unemployment insurance supplements, all of which will help western Pennsylvanians weather this economic storm. Additionally, as the COVID-19 vaccine makes its way to communities across America, this bill helps ensure it gets to those most vulnerable. While these measures provide temporary relief, the real solution to our economic and emotional well-being is to open the economy and get people back to work."" #####",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-releases-statement-following-meeting-with-health-and-human-services-secretary-nominee,Casey Releases Statement Following Meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Nominee,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement following his meeting with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Xavier Becerra: Our Nation faces a once in a century pandemic which requires a Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) who is committed to the health and well-being of all Americans. After meeting with him and reviewing his record, I am confident that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is the kind of leader our Nation needs at the Department of Health and Human Services during this challenging time. Xavier Becerra has dedicated his life to public service and at every turn he has fought to expand access to health care and improve the health and well-being of his constituents. As a Congressman, he was instrumental in developing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and as California Attorney General he has been leading the fight to protect the ACA. Attorney General Becerra has been on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 by standing up for California workers' safety on the job. Xavier Becerra's long fight to ensure all Americans have access to health care will continue when he is confirmed as HHS Secretary.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-when-it-comes-to-the-rights-of-workers-and-womens-economic-empowerment-the-united-states-must-lead-,"Casey: When it Comes to the Rights of Workers and Women’s Economic Empowerment, the United States Must Lead",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Following a request from U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on women's rights and economic participation in trade preference programs. The GAO report highlights the lack of requirements for Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to monitor or report on women's economic participation and rights. The report, titled Observations On Whether Women's Rights and Economic Interests Are Protected or Promoted by U.S. Trade Preference Programs, reviewed ten years of agency reports, finding only episodic coverage of issues related to the rights of women and equal protection in trade programs. Around the world, women disproportionately face barriers to equal protection and economic participation, including legal barriers to work, restrictions on property ownership, restricted educational opportunities, wage discrimination and violence and harassment in the workplace. GAO's review of indicators related to women's rights and economic participation shows that beneficiary country performance on these measures varies widely. Key GAO Findings: 1. U.S. trade preference program statutes do not include provisions specifically promoting women's rights and economic interests. 2. U.S. agencies are not required to monitor or report on women's rights and economic interests with respect to trade programs. 3. GAO's review of 10 years of agency reports found only episodic coverage of issues pertaining to the rights of women and equal protection in trade programs. 4. Beneficiary country performance on indicators related to women's rights and economic participation varies widely. When it comes to the rights of workers and women, the United States should be a leader. Our trade laws should support women's full economic participation globally. Firms and countries should not be able to use discrimination, in any form, as a trade advantage, said Senator Casey. It is clear from this report that we have a long way to go with respect to advancing women's economic empowerment and participation, globally. Accordingly, our trade laws must be modernized to include binding measures on the rights of women and equal protection under the law, measures on non-discrimination as well as violence and harassment in the workplace. In June, Senator Casey introduced the Women's Economic Empowerment in Trade Act to strengthen and modernize Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) standards on worker rights and ensure countries receiving GSP afford equal rights and protection under the law, regardless of gender. The legislation also bars gross violations of human rights; includes measures on non-discrimination and violence and harassment in the workplace. Read the GAO report here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-statement-on-coronavirus-relief-and-government-funding-0,Cartwright Statement on Coronavirus Relief and Government Funding Compromise,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) made the following statement ahead of consideration of a bipartisan House-Senate compromise coronavirus relief and government funding bill, on which he will vote to pass on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The vote is expected later today. Seven months after the House passed the Heroes Act coronavirus relief bill that prioritized frontline workers, families, small businesses and older Americans, we have a negotiated agreement that falls short in many ways. But House negotiators fought for and won important battles to make sure aid reaches people who are struggling, and big corporations can be held accountable for keeping people safe. When Senate Leader Mitch McConnell was finally ready to end his self-described pause on relief', he then tried for months to block another round of direct payments, enhanced unemployment insurance, rental assistance, food aid and more. His main priority was to give corporations a pass even if they blatantly put the health and safety of their employees and customers at risk. That will not be forgotten, but the House succeeded in providing relief that puts people over corporate profits. In addition to stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment, rental assistance to help landlords and tenants, and food aid, this compromise also includes priorities For The People like funds for equitable vaccine distribution, relief for our smallest businesses, investments in broadband in rural places, education and child care support, and my bill to help schools modernize their ventilation systems. There is no question that many of the lifelines in this bill needed to be stronger, and more needed to be done to ensure we can continue to keep our police officers, first responders, teachers and other public employees on payroll. However imperfect this compromise is, our constituents cannot wait any longer for us to act. It is time for us to come together to fund the government for the next fiscal year and deliver long overdue aid to the people we serve, who for months have been looking to us for help during this painful crisis. With distribution of two safe and effective vaccines underway, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But we have to continue to be responsive to American people's needs until we get to the other side. The omnibus coronavirus relief and government funding bill includes the following provisions. Accelerates vaccine distribution: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. Ends surprise billing:includes bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will end surprise billing for emergency and scheduled care. Strong Support for Small Business:includes 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: 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: Provides $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 (LIHTC): enhances the LIHTC to help increase affordable housing construction and provide greater certainty to new and ongoing affordable housing projects. Direct payment checks:authorizes a new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, also ensuring that mixed-status families receive payments. Strengthens Earned Income Tax Credit & Child Tax Credit: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:provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave, based on the Families First framework. Employee Retention Tax Credit: extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers in their jobs during coronavirus closures or reduced revenue. Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits:averts 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:provides $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: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. Historic expansion of Pell Grants: includes the largest expansion of Pell Grant recipients in over a decade, reaching 500,000 new recipients and ensuring more than 1.5 million students will now receive the maximum benefit. Broadband access:invests $7 billion to increase access to broadband, including a new Emergency Broadband Benefit to help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic. Fights the climate crisis: includes sweeping clean energy reforms, R&D enhancements, efficiency incentives, and extends clean energy tax credits to create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the clean economy.The package also phases out superpollutant HFCs, positioning the U.S. to lead the world in avoiding up to 0.5 degree Celsius of global warming. WRDA: includes the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA), creating good-paying jobs and strengthening and improving the vital water infrastructure that Americans rely on while unlocking the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Global Health:provides 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.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-votes-no-massive-year-end-spending-bill,Congressman Fred Keller votes no on massive year-end spending bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) released the following statement after voting against the $2.3 trillion year-end spending package, which combined government funding with COVID-relief legislation and passed the House by a vote of 359-53: Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement in response to the vote: Since the start of the pandemic, I have advocated for targeted relief for American families, workers, and small businesses that is focused on getting Americans back to work. The best stimulus is a job, and Congress should advance policies that will allow our economy to recover and create family-sustaining jobs for Pennsylvanians. While this legislative package includes measures I have worked hard to advance, such as extending and improving the Paycheck Protection Program, it also spends well beyond our nation's means, lacks critical protections for small businesses, healthcare providers, and educators, and continues policies that will make it harder to achieve sustained economic recovery. Based on conversations with small businesses and workers across Pennsylvania's 12th District, I have advocated for an extension of the PPP and allowing businesses to deduct PPP expenses. The PPP has been a tremendous success keeping Americans employed and our small businesses operational by providing forgivable loans. These provisions will allow struggling small businesses and their workers to continue to access critical resources. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrat majority blocked efforts to pass a clean extension of the PPP more than 40 times since the program expired in August. For months, Speaker Pelosi passed messaging bills, using the pandemic as a political bargaining chip. COVID relief must stand on its own and be narrowly targeted to the hardest hit industries and those who need it the most. The only way we will see sustained economic recovery is by supporting relief that gets Americans back to work. Unfortunately, this bill saddles our children and grandchildren with more debt and misses the mark in ensuring targeted relief for the American people. This package includes an Omnibus appropriations bill, coronavirus relief, an extension of expiring tax credits, and legislation to address surprise medical billing. Each of these items is important, and Congress should deal with them individuallythrough regular orderso that members of Congress and the American people can review them. Unfortunately, this 5,593-page bill was released hours before the House voted on it. We are never going to change Washington, D.C. and fix our nation's problems legislating like this. Background Congressman Keller has taken significant action to get targeted, pro-growth relief to American families, workers, and businesses. Those actions include: Supporting H.R. 7010, the PPP Flexibility Act, which provided additional flexibility to PPP loans, including extending the time period businesses have to spend their funds and lowering the threshold required to be spent on payroll. Sending a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Small Business Committee, requesting the creation of a streamlined forgiveness application for loans under $350,000 to prevent businesses from being weighed down by burdensome guidelines when applying for loans or loan forgiveness. Cosponsoring H.R. 7777, the Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act, a bipartisan bill that modifies loan forgiveness under the paycheck protection program for loans of $150,000 or less. Cosponsoring H.R. 7175, the Paycheck Protection for Producers Act, which would allow farmers to calculate their PPP loan amount based on 2019 gross income rather than net income. Signing Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler's discharge petition, which would force a vote on H.R. 8265, the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act, to free up and extend the additional $138 billion of unspent PPP funds. Sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy requesting that Congress restore deductibility of forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) expenses. Sending a letter to House leadership requesting clarification that recipients of forgivable PPP loans can claim normal deductions in any end-of-year legislation. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/lamb-statement-following-passage-coronavirus-relief-package,LAMB STATEMENT FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) issued the following statement after passage of the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief Package (H.R. 133), which includes a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill: Too many families were stretched too thin for far too long this year. Our constituents have demanded over and over again that we set politics aside and just meet basic needs for cash and food. Finally, we are doing that in this bill, which is a credit to pragmatists in both parties who simply did not give up. We must do more in the new year without delay, but for now, the extra unemployment assistance, cash payments, and small business aid are a step in the right direction, and a reason to continue believing that our government can work if we just put the country first. Visit Lamb's website for more information on the additional legislation Congress has passed to address the coronavirus public health crisis. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/constituent-success-stories-housing-d4ada0a4dfab?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,Constituent Success Stories: Housing,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"This year has been filled with uncertainty and economic hardship. During these difficult times, I want you to know our office is just a phone call away to assist you. While my team and I have been working around the clock to secure resources, send updates, and work on important pieces of legislation, our office remains committed to doing what we can to resolve any challenges that arise for our constituents, especially those concerning federal agencies. I'd like to share with you a few ways we can help you navigate one of these challengesHousing. Right here in PA-05, there are thousands of our neighbors only one unexpected expense away from being unable to make rent. This public health crisis and the resulting financial crisis have only made it worse, illuminating many inequities in our country, particularly in the areas of housing, health, and economic security. Housing is foundational to economic security and I remain committed to doing everything I can at the federal level to keep people in their homes. I want to share with you a few ways our office has helped constituents secure housing: Sylvia is a 100-year-old constituent who was on the verge of getting evicted from her assisted living community. She had spent most of her savings on the assisted living facility and was quickly running out of money. Her daughter, Kathy, had spent years trying to file a claim with the VA for spousal benefits but was denied. Not understanding why the claim was being denied, she reached out to the Delco VA but was met with more roadblocks They had lost her paperwork. Frustrated, confused, and overwhelmed, Kathy reached out to our office for help. Our casework team was able to locate and review their denial letter. We soon got to the bottom of what was missing that resulted in the denial and contacted the VA immediately. We worked with numerous VA departments to make sure proper documentation was submitted and requested the case to be immediately expedited due to her age. In a little over a month, she was awarded back pay of over $12,000 and an additional $1228 a month for the rest of Sylvia's life to cover any cost moving forward. Jim is a 64-year-old constituent who was homeless and living in his car when he reached out to us. He contacted our office inquiring about how we could help with the delays in housing inspection due to COVID-19 he was experiencing. We immediately reached out to the Delaware County Housing Authority. Because Jim didn't have access to a computer, we worked with DCHA to create and manage a web account for him. Within the week, Jim was able to move into a place of his own just in time for the holidays. *Sylvia, Kathy, and Jim are pseudonyms given to protect the anonymity of these constituents. We are committed to doing all we can to meet the needs of our constituents during this challenging time. If you need help with a federal agency, please call 6106262020. You will be connected, via phone, to a constituent services representative who will assist you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/constituent-success-stories-were-here-to-help-you-9cb5ee92432?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,Constituent Success Stories: Were Here to Help You,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"While my team and I have been working around the clock to secure resources, send updates, and work on important pieces of legislation, our office remains committed to doing what we can to resolve any challenges that arise for our constituents, especially those concerning federal agencies. I'd like to share with you a few ways we can help you navigate what challenges you might be having: Steve reached out to us after not receiving the tax refund he was due. He was struggling to get answers from the IRS due to certain department closures. We reached out to the IRS on his behalf and began communicating with a taxpayer advocate on his behalf. Since the errors resolutions department was closed for several months, we kept in contact with the taxpayer advocate, keeping Steve updated about the timeline of his refund every step of the way. When we were finally able to get him his refund, he received over $16,000 plus his accrued interest from the period it was withheld. Dr. Williams is a constituent who had recently received a grant to research Alzheimer's at a local university. Just before the pandemic, she went on a trip overseas to visit her mother. While abroad, the virus took hold of the world and many countries began restricting travel. In the country she was visiting, the consulate notified her that they would not be honoring the specific visa she was visiting with. The research grant Dr. Williams had received was under a very strict timeline and being stranded overseas would lead to wasted valuable research time. We were able to get a hold of the consulate and worked with them to resolve the visa issue and get her home asap so she could continue her research. We are committed to doing all we can to meet the needs of our constituents during this challenging time. If you need help with a federal agency, please call 6106262020. You will be connected, via phone, to a constituent services representative who will assist you. *Steve and Dr. Williams are pseudonyms given to protect the anonymity of these constituents.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/incoming-house-ag-committee-ranking-member-outlines-top-priorities,Incoming House Ag Committee Ranking Member Outlines Top Priorities,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Glenn GT Thompson, GOP Leader Elect of the House Ag Committee, says his number one priority is building resiliency within the ag food supply chain. We've all witnessed the disruptions as a result of the coronavirus, he says. I'm excited that we're talking on the week where the first vaccines are already being delivered around the country and being received but we have a few months here yet that we still will have to deal with some of the impacts of the coronavirus and I think building resiliency within the ag industry has to be a priority for us. He tells Brownfield building new markets for agricultural products is another priority. Whether that's domestic markets through innovative approaches for use of our farm commodities or expanding our foreign markets, he says. We've seen some good signs from USMCA and certainly the China trade deal. Other priorities include improving broadband connectivity and supporting farmers and ag practices that address conservation needs and climate issues. The Pennsylvania Republican says it is a privilege and honor to have been selected by his colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the 117thCongress. The new Congress will convene on January 3.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-receiving-the-covid-19-vaccine,Casey Statement on Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine,2020-12-20,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has received the COVID-19 vaccine: Our Nation now has a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19, which has already claimed the lives of more than 300,000 Americans. Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician for the United States Congress and Supreme Court, recently issued a recommendation that all members of Congress receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which arrived at the Capitol this week in order to ensure continuity of government. This morning, I received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. I will receive my second dose in approximately three weeks. I encourage all Americans, in consultation with their doctor, to get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. I will continue to press the Administration to work to ensure that all Americans can receive the vaccine in a timely manner and insist that vaccines be distributed in an equitable fashion, particularly at nursing homes where residents and workers face an acute threat from the virus. The Food and Drug Administration granted an Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 12, 2020. The Office of the Attending Physician was notified this week by the National Security Council that consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 40 (PPD-40) (2016), Congress and the Supreme Court, along with Executive Branch agencies, will be provided with a specific number of these COVID-19 vaccine doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations. These requirements are focused on essential operations and personnel. PPD-40 establishes continuity requirements for the Federal Government and states that continuity actions for the Executive Branch should be undertaken in parallel with the Legislative and Judicial branches of government. The small number of COVID-19 vaccine doses being provided reflects a fraction of the first tranche of vaccines being distributed throughout the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-releases-statement-following-meeting-with-agriculture-secretary-nominee,Casey Releases Statement Following Meeting with Agriculture Secretary Nominee,2020-12-19,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement following his meeting with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack: The pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have caused millions of children and their families to go hungry. Our farmers have faced significant market disruptions as well as the devastating effects of climate change. Given his experience and vision, I know that Tom Vilsack will make food security one of USDA's top priorities and ensure that farmers have the tools they need to play a critical role in protecting natural resources and addressing the climate crisis. I had the opportunity to virtually meet with Secretary Vilsack on Friday and we discussed the work that needs to be done to deliver relief for families and farmers in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. He is committed to leading a diverse team at USDA and addressing the racial inequities in our food and agriculture system. At a time of national crisis, Tom Vilsack brings with him to USDA his eight years of prior experience as Secretary of Agriculture under President Obama, as well as first-hand, intricate knowledge of the department that will allow him to be effective on day one. I look forward to supporting his nomination.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-bill-inspired-by-pittsburgh-family-to-strengthen-investigations-into-sudden-unexpected-infant-and-child-deaths-passes-senate-goes-to-president-for-signature,"Casey Bill, Inspired by Pittsburgh Family, to Strengthen Investigations Into Sudden Unexpected Infant and Child Deaths Passes Senate, Goes to President for Signature",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that his bipartisan legislation to strengthen efforts to investigate and collect information when a young infant or child dies, the Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, has passed the U.S. Senate. This bill would help combat Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood by providing grants to help states, municipalities and nonprofits improve data collection and death scene investigations related to unexpected infant and child deaths. The bill would also help promote safe sleep practices for children and support local efforts to conduct infant and child death reviews. With its passage in the Senate, the legislation will go to President Trump for his signature. Scarlett's Sunshine is named after a little girl who was lost to Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood, said Senator Casey. We must do more to understand why certain infants and young children have died unexpectedly, and to learn what is causing these deaths. I introduced the Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act to help increase our understanding of the causes of unexplained infant and child deaths and to help us develop new tools to prevent and reduce such deaths in the future. I am pleased that Congress has passed the Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act and I look forward to seeing its passage into law. On January 8th, 2017, our lives were shattered when our beautiful, healthy, thriving 16-month-old daughter, Scarlett Lillian Pauley, went to sleep and never woke up. And we do not know why,"" said Stephanie Zarecky and Ryan Pauley. ""Losing a child is the single greatest pain we could ever imagine and living without answers magnifies the tragedy exponentially. We try every day to spread Scarlett's Sunshine, allowing her memory to shine on and bring light to unexplained death in childhood, the medical mystery that took her from us. We thank Senator Casey for his leadership on Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act in honor of Scarlett and all of the other children who are deeply loved and missed. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death is any sudden and unexpected death that occurs during infancy (from birth to age one), including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other unforeseen deaths; SIDS is the fourth leading cause of infant deaths. Similarly, Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood is the unexpected death of a child over the age of one. Currently, there are no nationwide standards for investigating and collecting data following an infant or child death. This often makes it impossible to determine the causes of these deaths, and decide what strategies can be implemented to help prevent these tragedies. The Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act is endorsed by: The American Academy of Pediatrics, March of Dimes, Children's Hospital Association, Cribs for Kids, First Candle, SUDC Foundation, KID: Fighting for Product Safety, Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild of Seattle Children's Hospital, Child Care Aware and Safe Kids Worldwide. Read more about the Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/intermediate-unit-be-given-head-start-grant,Intermediate unit to be given Head Start grant,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"McVEYTOWN Rep. Fred Keller, whose 12th District encompasses all of Mifflin, Juniata, Snyder and Perry counties, has announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a grant to Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 in Mifflin County. A Head Start grant in the amount of $839,202 will be administered by HHS to TIU 11 to support comprehensive childhood development and better meet the needs of area children and families in need. On the awarding of the grants, Keller made the following statement: Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 is an outstanding service agency dedicated to bettering children's lives and providing them with the education and tools necessary for future success. I am confident that this grant will go a long way to support their important mission. I commend HHS for continuing to connect our community with federal resources that to improve the lives of those living in our region.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-keller-participates-hearing-america-s-opioid-epidemic,Congressman Keller participates in hearing on Americas opioid epidemic,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) participated in a hearing of the House Oversight and Reform Committee focusing on the role of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in the opioid epidemic. During his remarks, Congressman Keller highlighted the importance of holding companies like Purdue Pharma accountable for engaging in deceptive tactics that ultimately worsened America's opioid epidemic. Congressman Keller noted that Purdue Pharma and the Sackler Family significantly downplayed the addictiveness and other effects of OxyContin to the American people when the drug was first marketed. Starting in 1996, Purdue Pharma and the Sackler Family marketed OxyContina drug at the forefront of our nation's opioid epidemicas having much lower addiction risk to patients, which sharply contrasts with the reality that this drug has cost lives and torn families apart, Keller said. Congressman Keller asked Dr. Craig Landau, President and CEO of Purdue Pharma, what his company is doing to educate patients and providers about the dangers of overprescribing opioids. We are supporting a tremendous amount of education through third party resources to bring to the surface important information relating to the prescription of opioidstheir safe storage and disposaland the consequences of addiction with an emphasis on school children to prevent them from initial exposure which can have devastating consequences, Dr. Landau said. In a follow-up question about ensuring accountability in the future, Congressman Keller asked Dr. Landau how he would recommend Congress work with the pharmaceutical industry to prevent opioid addiction. What I would recommend is to make training for prescribing opioids mandatory, Dr. Landau said. I would also suggest that efforts be made to require that all the medicines within this classcontrolled release and immediate release opioidshave barriers introduced to make them less attractive as drugs of abuse. Addiction is a tougher issue. It's a complex medical condition with various contributing factors. I think education of physicians and access to healthcare are vital. A copy of Congressman Keller's remarks can be found below. Thank you, Madam Chair, I appreciate you holding this important hearing. For decades, drug overdose deaths have remained at an unacceptable level across the United States. Just last year, we lost 4,458 Pennsylvanians due to drug overdose. That's 12 deaths per day on average, which is 12 too many. I hope this committee and the House of Representatives can get to work on solutions that save lives and enhance the 21st Century Cures Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. Thanks to these efforts and President Trump's leadership on the issue, more resources are available to fight the opioid epidemic. Naloxone is more widely available to prevent overdoses, which has led to encouraging downward trends, however more work is needed to reduce deaths related to the opioids. This includes holding companies like Perdue accountable for their deceptive tactics. Starting in 1996, Perdue Pharma and the Sackler Family marketed OxyContina drug at the forefront of our nation's opioid epidemicas having much lower addiction risk to patients, which sharply contrasts with the reality that this drug has cost lives and torn families apart.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/lamb-leads-bipartisan-effort-address-k-12-testing-during-covid-19,LAMB LEADS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO ADDRESS K-12 TESTING DURING COVID-19,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) led a bipartisan coalition of Members in a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos regarding standardized testing during the coronavirus public health crisis. The letter urges the U.S. Department of Education to provide clarity, guidance and support to K-12 schools as they navigate decisions around student assessments. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have endorsed the letter. Since the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, our offices have heard from students, families, teachers, and school leaders who are concerned by COVID-19's disruption of student learning and effect on student learning outcomes, the lawmakers wrote. Many schools in the Commonwealth and other states are providing virtual-only or hybrid learning, and unfortunately, in most cases school leaders have been unable to identify when it will be safe for fully in-person learning to resume. We are committed to our students and understand that their futures rely on a high-quality education, which benefits from the close monitoring of students' learning through assessment. However, we are concerned about the challenges schools face in implementing federally required annual assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter asks the Department of Education to provide clarity about: Whether a waiver process similar to last year's will be considered this year; If the Department will provide flexibility in assessment design as states may need to make changes to how they assess students because of COVID-19; and What kind of guidance and support schools can expect from the Department on matters of testing and assessment during COVID-19. School districts across Pennsylvania are facing and overcoming unprecedented challenges to ensure their students are safe and learning during the pandemic. While assessments are a critical piece in helping our students stay on track, we know things will continue to look different through the spring. We appreciate Rep. Lamb and his colleagues for urging the Department of Education to provide additional clarity, flexibility, and guidance so we can continue to support and prioritize student success, said John Callahan, Chief Advocacy Officer of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. There is no doubt that students need to be back in school as long as the appropriate safety measures are in place. But with COVID continuing to spread through communities at alarming rates, states need the option of waivers this school year. We should also think about more creative ways to assess students' progress such as year end and capstone projects, not just this year but moving forward, said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. In addition to Lamb, the bipartisan letter was signed by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Brendan Boyle (PA-2), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Susan Wild (PA-7), Matt Cartwright (PA-8), Mike Doyle (PA-18), Alma Adams (NC-12) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14). Click here to view a copy of the Lamb letter. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-thompson-optimistic-covid-relief-will-be-passed-soon,Congressman Thompson Optimistic COVID Relief Will Be Passed Soon,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Glenn GT Thompson, incoming GOP leader of the House Ag Committee, says it's critical that lawmakers pass a coronavirus relief bill soon. Our farmers and ranchers are still needing assistance and so are our agriculture businesses, he says. That's why it's so important that, if not within days, within the week that we pass a COVID-19 relief act that offers support to farmers and ranchers and neighbors in need that are struggling from a nutritional perspective. He tells Brownfield he is optimisticI'm planning on sticking around through the weekend and I'm hoping we'll get this done. Leadership on both sides of the aisle are looking at tying the next covid relief package in with the federal funding. The Pennsylvania Republican was elected by his colleagues to serve as Ranking member of the House A Committee in the 117thCongress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-ernst-introduce-legislation-to-seal-low-level-nonviolent-criminal-records,"Casey, Ernst Introduce Legislation to Seal Low-Level, Nonviolent Criminal Records",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are introducing the Clean Slate Act to give more than 70 million Americans, with nonviolent criminal records, a second chance to fully participate in society. This bipartisan legislation would remove major barriers for many Americans in finding employment, securing housing and accessing education by automatically sealing the federal records of individuals convicted or arrested for simple drug possession. More than 1 in 3 adults have some form of a criminal record, keeping them from participating in many facets of everyday life as nearly nine in ten employers, four in five landlords and three in five colleges utilize background checks to screen applicants. Automated record sealing is a critical step in the ongoing fight for criminal justice reform. Too many Americans are not given a second chance at life because they are burdened by criminal records for nonviolent convictions or arrests that did not result in a conviction. With nearly half of U.S. children having at least one parent with a criminal record, automatically sealing these records helps us invest in our Nation's future by ensuring millions of parents with minor criminal histories, and their families, aren't prohibited from achieving a successful life, said Senator Casey. Those who have been charged with low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors oftentimes face significant barriers to employment, housing, and other necessities, even after they've paid their debt to society. This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense criminal justice reform to give these individuals a second chance, while keeping our communities safe, said Senator Ernst. Many states have ways to either seal or expunge some types of criminal records, but there is a considerable gap between those eligible to apply for clearance and those who actually complete the process. The Clean Slate Act aims to reduce this gap by automatically sealing federal arrest records for individuals not convicted and records for individuals convicted of simple drug possession after successfully completing their sentence. It would also establish new procedures to allow individuals to petition to seal records for other nonviolent offenses that are not automatically sealed. The Clean Slate Act is endorsed by the Center for American Progress, FreedomWorks, Justice Action Network, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Faith & Freedom Coalition, JPMorgan Chase, Business Roundtable and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. Read more about the Clean Slate Act here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-applauds-616054-research-grant-awarded-to-university-of,"Cartwright Applauds $616,054 Research Grant Awarded to University of Scranton Professor",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Scranton, PA Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) applauded a National Science Foundation (NSF) $616,054 federal grant awarded to a University of Scranton professor to fund an atmospheric research project. Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at The University of Scranton, was awarded the CAREER grant, a highly competitive award. NSF CAREER grant is a special funding program that is only available to early-career, tenure track faculty members and must include tightly integrated research and education components. Dr. Frissell's research will build on his previous studies of how space weather events affect the communications and GPS technologies that Americans rely on every day. The funding supports two research assistants at Scranton who will conduct data analysis and run models and code implementation using a new server that the grant will also fund. America's leadership in technology is due in large part to the work that goes on in places like the University of Scranton, said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.This kind of research not only moves us forward on innovation, the students who take part in it can then become part of a highly skilled workforce that attracts space and technology businesses to our area. I applaud Dr. Frissell and the University of Scranton for their pioneering work. In Congress, I will continue to support National Science Foundation initiatives that lift up Northeastern Pennsylvania's best minds. I am excited about the opportunities this grant gives for scientific discovery, engineering development, and the education and training of future technological leaders of America. This grant will bring new cutting-edge research to the University of Scranton while furthering America's ability to lead in the fields of space science, space weather, climate, and communications, said Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at The University of Scranton. The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports research, innovation and discovery that provides the foundation for economic growth in this country. By advancing the frontiers of science and engineering, our nation can develop the knowledge and cutting-edge technologies needed to address the challenges we face today and will face in the future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/republican-members-oversight-and-reform-commission-demand-emergency-hearing-about,Republican members of Oversight and Reform Commission demand emergency hearing about online censorship,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-Pa.) has joined his colleagues from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in demanding that Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) hold an emergency hearing about online censorship in light of the news that Hunter Biden's business dealings are under federal investigation. House Oversight Republicans claim that a New York Post article regarding Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings was censored by Facebook and Twitter. The committee further expressed concerns of political bias among large tech companies and the silencing of conservative voices and values. Chairwoman Maloney refused to hold a hearing about the issue. Last week, Hunter Biden confirmed that his taxes are indeed under federal investigation. In response, the Oversight Republicans sent a second letter to Chairwoman Maloney demanding an emergency hearing about censorship. On the second letter, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: Despite Big Tech's censorship of Americans' free speech in the Hunter Biden cover-up, we now know he is under federal investigation. This level of unchecked censorship is unacceptable and has no place in the United States. I urge Chairwoman Maloney to hold an emergency hearing to hold Big Tech accountable for its clear violations of Americans' free speech. The full text of the letter follows: Dear Madam Chairwoman: On October 15, 2020, we requested you hold an emergency hearing on Big Tech's repeated efforts to interfere in the 2020 election. At that timejust days before the November 3, 2020 presidential electionFacebook and Twitter censored a news article about Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, regarding his Ukrainian business dealings while his father was Vice President.These Big Tech companies both limited and/or denied distribution of the New York Post's report, and Twitter locked the New York Post's account. Last week, both Hunter Biden and the Biden-Harris Transition Team acknowledged Hunter Biden is under federal investigation for his tax affairs. Reporting indicates this investigation is related to his overseas business dealings. In light of Hunter Biden's admission that he is under investigation, especially after Big Tech's unjustifiable censorship of the New York Post's report, we are renewing our hearing request. Big Tech's silencing of viewpoints and censorship of news undermines our electoral process, our institutions, and our U.S. Constitution. As we explained in our October 15 letter, shortly after the New York Post posted its story on Facebook the company reduc[ed] its distribution in an apparent attempt to limit access to the story. Just as concerning, Facebook reportedly refused to answer basic questions about its decision. Twitter also censored the article and warned users that it is potentially spammy or unsafe, and locked the New York Post's Twitter account. As Hunter Biden admitted last week, he is under federal investigation regarding his taxes, potentially related in part to the very matters the New York Post reported, yet for which it was censored. Indeed, additional reporting from NBC News refers to a 2017 email to Hunter Biden regarding his income from Burisma and need to amend Biden's 2014 tax returns to reflect the unreported income. An NBC spokesperson did not dispute the authenticity of the email, which came from a laptop dropped off at a computer hardware store in Delawarethe same laptop and same computer hardware store discussed in the New York Post's October 14 article censored by Big Tech for being potentially spammy or unsafe. Big Tech's effort to selectively limit speech based on political affiliation is a disturbing patten [sic] of censorship in our nationa nation that holds out the First Amendment's right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press as two of our most paramount freedoms. As Big Tech platforms continue to limit speech based on political ideology, we must immediately hold a hearing to learn who are responsible for making these decisions and what policies enable Big Tech to selectively limit and/or censor speech on social media. We reiterate our request the Committee hold an emergency hearing on this important matter as soon as possible.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-announces-2020-congressional-app-challenge-winner,Congressman Fred Keller announces 2020 Congressional App Challenge winner,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) today announced that Loyalsock Township High School junior Hibah Khan has been selected as the winner of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge for Pennsylvania's 12th District. The Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage student creativity and encourage participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education fields. This nationwide event allows high school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software application, or ""app,"" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The Congressional App Challenge is sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation (IEF), which assists offices in hosting the challenges in their individual districts. Khan created a web application for a new community group, the Williamsport Youth Organization (WYO). She built a responsive website using HTML, CSS and JavaScript to inform the community of WYO's mission, activities and partnerships. Khan's winning creation will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle school and high school students in participating districts. Information on the 2021 contest will be announced next spring. On the award, Congressman Keller made the following statement: Congratulations to Ms. Khan on this wonderful achievement and for using her passion for coding to make a difference in our community. It is my hope that Ms. Khan's success inspires other students to get involved in STEM fields and use their creativity and innovation to solve the problems of tomorrow. I am confident that Ms. Khan will continue to be an active leader in our community, and I have no doubt she will do great things in the future. Thank you to the Internet Education Foundation for sponsoring the Congressional App Challenge and elevating the importance of STEM in our nation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/lamb-announces-pa-17-winner-2020-congressional-app-challenge,LAMB ANNOUNCES PA-17 WINNER OF 2020 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(PITTSBURGH, PA) Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced that Ananth Kashyap, a student at Fox Chapel Area High School, is the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Pennsylvania's 17th District for their development of the Covid Scanner app. Lamb hosted the Congressional App Challenge in order to give middle and high school students in PA-17 an opportunity to practice coding and computer science skills. A panel of independent judges from the Pittsburgh region chose the winning app which will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year. Health and safety are top of mind for all of us during this public health crisis, and the Covid Scanner app is a smart use of technology in these challenging times, said Lamb. Congratulations to Ananth for winning the Congressional App Challenge. Thanks to all of the talented students who participated and the teachers for encouraging students to pursue and explore STEM skills. Ananth is a sophomore at Fox Chapel Are High School. The Covid Scanner app runs on the iOS system, and asks users who believe they have contracted COVID-19 a set of question about symptoms and underlying health conditions to determine if they are experiencing recognized symptoms of the virus before advising testing and listing local testing sites. The app utilizes data and resources from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in its analysis. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual nationwide competition sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation to inspire students to explore STEM, coding and computer science through hands-on practice. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/scanlon-helps-pass-bill-to-support-mental-health-treatment-for-incarcerated-individuals-c3a04815be11?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,Scanlon Helps Pass Bill to Support Mental Health Treatment for Incarcerated Individuals,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Yesterday, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) helped to pass The Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act of 2020, a bipartisan bill led by Representative David Trone (D-MD), which would support mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals. This bill, which unanimously passed the House, was introduced with original co-sponsors Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-RI). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1 in 7 individuals incarcerated in state and federal prisons and 1 in 4 individuals in jails self-reported experiences of serious psychological distress. The Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act would allow for correctional institutions to partner with mental health providers to provide mental health treatment and crisis stabilization for incarcerated individuals and promote warm handoffs to community-based care upon reentry. Far too often, we criminalize mental health challenges in our country, Rep. Scanlon said. This is a small step in breaking that cycle by ensuring people have the resources they need to successfully re-enter society. I am grateful to my colleague, Rep. Trone, for this leadership on this important issue and look forward to this critical piece of legislation becoming law. We are facing a mental health crisis that has only been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, and incarcerated populations are bearing the brunt of it due to the lack of social distancing and safety measures, said Rep. Trone. Every American deserves access to high-quality mental health care, and this bill will help us make this a reality by ensuring that incarcerated individuals can access treatment should they need it. In my time as a district judge, I often handled the cases of reoffenders who were suffering from untreated mental illness or substance abuse, conditions which made it nearly impossible for them to successfully reintegrate into society following incarceration, said Rep. Reschenthaler. The Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act will ensure we provide these men and women with treatment and tools for their long-term recovery upon their release from a correctional facility. Ensuring continuity of mental health care improves the success rate of reentry, which is critical to reducing recidivism, improving public safety, and saving taxpayer dollars. For far too many the criminal justice system is the end point of a mental health crisis, Rep. Dean said. This bill works to break that cycle by providing formerly incarcerated individuals with the medication they need to build a stable footing as they reenter society. Throughout my time in law enforcement, I saw many individuals re-offend time and time again, often with the same offenses involving substance abuse and issues with mental health, said Rep. Rutherford. That's why I was proud to join my colleague Representative Trone to introduce the Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act, which passed the House today. This bipartisan legislation will prevent a lapse in care between prison and society, and instead, create a Continuity of Care' for those at greatest risk of relapse. I look forward to this bill becoming law, as it will save lives, save money, and reduce crime. Ensuring the strong mental health and wellbeing of those incarcerated is an important step in helping them prepare to re-enter our communities, said Rep. Kelly Armstrong. The Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Act builds on efforts to lower recidivism and provides real criminal justice reform that better serves our nation and helps connect formerly incarcerated individuals to the resources they need. The bill, introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-RI), passed the Senate on November 16th and now heads to the President's desk for signature. An overview of the legislation can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/top-gop-lawmakers-call-swalwell-be-removed-intelligence-committee,Top GOP lawmakers call for Swalwell to be removed from Intelligence Committee,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Top Republicans in the House are calling for Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to be removed from the Intelligence Committee following reports that he was allegedly targeted by a woman believed to be a Chinese spy. In a letter sent Tuesday to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the lawmakers, including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (Wyo.), said Swalwell's contacts posed a national security risk. Because of Rep. Swalwell's position on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, his close interactions with Chinese intelligence services, however unintentional they may be, are an unacceptable national security risk, they wrote. It said the panel handles some of the most sensitive information our government possesses,"" and that as a result Swalwell should be removed from his position. Axios first reported that Swalwell had been targeted by an alleged Chinese Ministry of State Security operative named Christine Fang, who also goes by Fang Fang. The woman, according to the report, helped Swalwell's fundraising during his 2014 reelection campaign and she also helped place an unpaid intern inside his office. The Republicans drew a parallel to Democratic calls for former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign after he met with a Russian ambassador without alerting Congress. The lawmakers said that Swalwell should be held to the same standard as Sessions, arguing that his interactions with the Chinese agent were more dangerous. Rep. Swalwell withheld information for five years from the House Intelligence Committee about an ongoing Chinese espionage operation targeted at him and his own colleagues, they wrote. Obviously, Rep. Swalwell's interactions with a Chinese spy were more dangerous and unusual than AG Sessions' meetings with a Russian diplomat. But to make matters worse, Rep. Swalwell kept this information to himself while repeatedly using his position on [the Intelligence Committee] to peddle damaging and baseless conspiracies about President Donald Trump's unproven ties to Russia for years and still refuses to comment fully on the extent and nature of his relationship with the Chinese Communist Party spy exposed in Axios' bombshell report. Swalwell told Politico last week he severed contact with Fang after he was alerted by federal investigators of alleged suspicious activity and is not accused of any wrongdoing, adding Democratic leadership knew about the interactions. He also questioned the timing of the report, arguing that there was political motivation behind the leak given his rebukes of the Trump administration. Fang left the country in 2015 during the FBI investigation into her activities. Pelosi has previously stated she has no concerns about Swalwell remaining on the panel. ""I don't have any concern about Mr. Swalwell, she told reporters last week. Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Banks (Ind.) and GOP Reps. Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Jody Hice (Ga.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Bob Gibbs (Ohio), Greg Murphy (N.C.), Ron Wright (Texas), Ted Budd (N.C.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Fred Keller (Pa.) and Kevin Hern (Okla.) also signed on to the letter. Other GOP lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and retiring Rep. Pete King (N.Y.), who previously sat on the Intelligence Committee, have also called for Swalwell's removal from the panel. ""I will accept Swalwell's claim that he ended all involvement with Fang after he was informed by the FBI that she was a spy,"" King wrote in an op-ed in The Hill on Tuesday. ""Nevertheless, the fact remains that he was compromised and made susceptible to blackmail by the Chinese, who could threaten him with the disclosure of his involvement with their alleged agent. No matter what anyone thinks of Swalwell, his appointment was not a risk worth taking.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-announces-head-start-grant-tuscarora-intermediate-unit,Congressman Fred Keller announces Head Start grant to Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a grant to Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 in Mifflin County. A Head Start grant in the amount of $839,202 will be administered by HHS to Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 to support comprehensive childhood development and better meet the needs of area children and families in need. On the awarding of the grants, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 is an outstanding service agency dedicated to bettering children's lives and providing them with the education and tools necessary for future success. I am confident that this grant will go a long way to support their important mission. I commend HHS for continuing to connect our community with federal resources that to improve the lives of those living in our region. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-keller-oversight-republicans-renew-call-emergency-hearing-big-tech,"Congressman Keller, Oversight Republicans renew call for emergency hearing on Big Tech censorship",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today joined his colleagues from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in demanding Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) hold an emergency hearing on Big Tech censorship, in light of the news that Hunter Biden is under federal investigation. In October, House Oversight Republicans called for an emergency hearing after a New York Post articlehighlighting Hunter Biden's foreign business dealingswas censored by Facebook and Twitter, raising significant concerns of political bias and the silencing of conservative voices and values by Big Tech companies. Chairwoman Maloney refused to hold a hearing. Last week, Hunter Biden confirmed that he is under federal investigation regarding his taxes, prompting Oversight Republicans to send a second letter to Chairwoman Maloney demanding an emergency hearing to hold Big Tech accountable for suppressing free speech and censoring conservative voices. On the second letter, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: Despite Big Tech's censorship of Americans' free speech in the Hunter Biden cover-up, we now know he is under federal investigation. This level of unchecked censorship is unacceptable and has no place in the United States. I urge Chairwoman Maloney to hold an emergency hearing to hold Big Tech accountable for its clear violations of Americans' free speech. Full text of that letter can be found below. Dear Madam Chairwoman: On October 15, 2020, we requested you hold an emergency hearing on Big Tech's repeated efforts to interfere in the 2020 election.[1] At that timejust days before the November 3, 2020 presidential electionFacebook and Twitter censored a news article about Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, regarding his Ukrainian business dealings while his father was Vice President.[2] These Big Tech companies both limited and/or denied distribution of the New York Post's report, and Twitter locked the New York Post's account.[3] Last week, both Hunter Biden and the Biden-Harris Transition Team acknowledged Hunter Biden is under federal investigation for his tax affairs.[4] Reporting indicates this investigation is related to his overseas business dealings.[5] In light of Hunter Biden's admission that he is under investigation, especially after Big Tech's unjustifiable censorship of the New York Post's report, we are renewing our hearing request. Big Tech's silencing of viewpoints and censorship of news undermines our electoral process, our institutions, and our U.S. Constitution. As we explained in our October 15 letter, shortly after the New York Post posted its story on Facebook the company reduc[ed] its distribution in an apparent attempt to limit access to the story.[6] Just as concerning, Facebook reportedly refused to answer basic questions about its decision.[7] Twitter also censored the article and warned users that it is potentially spammy or unsafe, and locked the New York Post's Twitter account.[8] As Hunter Biden admitted last week, he is under federal investigation regarding his taxes, potentially related in part to the very matters the New York Post reported, yet for which it was censored. Indeed, additional reporting from NBC News refers to a 2017 email to Hunter Biden regarding his income from Burisma and need to amend Biden's 2014 tax returns to reflect the unreported income.[9] An NBC spokesperson did not dispute the authenticity of the email, which came from a laptop dropped off at a computer hardware store in Delawarethe same laptop and same computer hardware store discussed in the New York Post's October 14 article censored by Big Tech for being potentially spammy or unsafe. Big Tech's effort to selectively limit speech based on political affiliation is a disturbing patten of censorship in our nationa nation that holds out the First Amendment's right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press as two of our most paramount freedoms. As Big Tech platforms continue to limit speech based on political ideology, we must immediately hold a hearing to learn who are responsible for making these decisions and what policies enable Big Tech to selectively limit and/or censor speech on social media. We reiterate our request the Committee hold an emergency hearing on this important matter as soon as possible.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/lamb-bill-help-medal-honor-spouses-and-families-headed-president-s-desk,LAMB BILL TO HELP MEDAL OF HONOR SPOUSES AND FAMILIES HEADED TO PRESIDENTS DESK,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate amendment to the bipartisan Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (H.R. 7105) to increase access to health care and services for women veterans, provide for training opportunities for unemployed veterans, provide assistance for homeless veterans and increase oversight and accountability within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The final legislation includes the Veterans Valuing our Widows and Widowers (VOW) Act (H.R.1826), introduced by Representatives Conor Lamb (PA-17) and Brian Mast (FL-18), which would ensure that the widows and widowers of Medal of Honor recipients receive the same support that was given to the veteran. Spouses and families sacrifice so much in support of our men and women in uniform, said Lamb. We owe the families of our Medal of Honor recipients the financial security their spouse has earned. I look forward to the President signing this commonsense, bipartisan bill into law. Currently, veterans who receive the Medal of Honor are entitled to an additional monthly pension. However, when the recipient passes away the pension stops. The VOW Act would ensure the surviving spouses of the Medal of Honor recipients continue receiving the pension that their spouse was awarded, even if the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously. The Medal of Honor represents the highest recognition for valor in combat that a member of the Armed Forces can earn. It is awarded very rarely and only to those whose service and sacrifice far exceed the call of duty. H.R. 7105 passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent last week and now goes to the President for his signature. Click here to learn more about the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-releases-statement-following-meeting-with-deputy-treasury-secretary-nominee,Casey Releases Statement Following Meeting with Deputy Treasury Secretary Nominee,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement following his meeting with U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary nomineeWally Adeyemo: Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet virtually with Wally Adeyemo, who has been nominated to serve as Deputy Treasury Secretary in President-elect Biden's Administration. I commended Mr. Adeyemo for his service during President Obama's Administration and his willingness to once again serve our Nation during this challenging time. Mr. Adeyemo expressed his desire to ensure that our Treasury Department focuses on the economic needs of working families. I am confident that he will focus his efforts on promoting policies that raise wages for workers and help American families make ends meet. Mr. Adeyemo has the experience and vision to serve as Deputy Treasury Secretary during this economic crisis. He, working together with Janet Yellen, who has been nominated to be Treasury Secretary, will help America build back better.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-releases-statement-following-meeting-with-surgeon-general-nominee,Casey Releases Statement Following Meeting with Surgeon General Nominee,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement following his meeting with U.S. Surgeon General nominee Dr. Vivek Murthy: Today, I had the opportunity to virtually meet with Dr. Vivek Murthy, President-elect Biden's nominee to be our Nation's next Surgeon General. During President Obama's Administration, Dr. Murthy was a Surgeon General who worked to protect and improve the health and well-being of all Americans. As our Nation faces its most dire health crisis in more than 100 years, I am grateful to Dr. Murthy for his willingness to serve in this role once again and lend his considerable skills and experience to the incoming Biden Administration. If confirmed, I am confident that he will play a critical role in helping to lead our Nation through the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge stronger.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-releases-statement-following-meeting-with-treasury-secretary-nominee,Casey Releases Statement Following Meeting with Treasury Secretary Nominee,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement following his meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen: On Friday, I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet virtually with the Treasury Secretary nominee, Janet Yellen. I thanked Chair Yellen for her lifetime of public service and her willingness to once again work on behalf of our Nation and its families during this difficult time. We discussed Chair Yellen's vision for the Treasury Department in President-elect Biden's Administration and how she will work to ensure our Nation builds back better. Janet Yellen has the experience and vision to ensure the Treasury Department is at the forefront of the fight for working families. If confirmed, I am confident she will once again serve the Nation with distinction.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-urges-house-and-senate-leaders-to-forge-covid-19-relief,Cartwright Urges House and Senate Leaders to Forge COVID-19 Relief Compromise,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Scranton, PA Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in both parties urging them to reach a bipartisan deal that provides urgently needed economic relief for Northeastern Pennsylvanians, as the Pennsylvania state government issued new restrictions intended to mitigate the latest surge of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. As time runs short for a bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal to come together before the remaining CARES Act programs expire, I wish to express the urgency of putting aside our differences and coming together to provide relief for all Americans who desperately need us to act. We need to find common ground and pass a bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill immediately, Cartwright writes in the letter. Cartwright outlined the concerns of some of the constituents have raised with him since many of the CARES Act relief programs expired. While the vaccine offers hope, he pointed out that the latest coronavirus surge still threatens lives and livelihoods. The emergency authorization and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is reason for hope that this public health and economic crisis will soon be behind us. However, we are experiencing by far the worst COVID-19 surge our nation has endured since the outbreak began, and the trendlines are looking worse, He wrote. He added that economic support is critical in light of the new business and travel restrictions implemented by the state government over the weekend. In my home state of Pennsylvania, new lockdowns have been imposed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and to ensure those who contract the disease can be treated in a hospital if necessary. While these painful measures are needed, they are untenable without robust economic support to protect families, jobs and businesses, Cartwright wrote. Read the full letter below or HERE. Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and Leader Schumer: As time runs short for a bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal to come together before the remaining CARES Act programs expire, I wish to express the urgency of putting aside our differences and coming together to provide relief for all Americans who desperately need us to act. We need to find common ground and pass a bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill immediately. I hear daily from many of my constituents whose hearts are breaking with worry. A mother near Matamoras called to ask when her pandemic SNAP benefits would return to help her feed her two school-age children. She does not have the means to pick up meals from the school and monitor her children who are learning remotely. Almost every week, I get another e-mail from a man who lives near East Stroudsburg and has been waiting for months for his Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). It took quite some time before Pennsylvania's system was operational, and people really could not wait yet so many still are waiting. Many more have told me how the credit cards, the banks, the car dealerships and others are not willing to wait for their money. One woman called because her extra $300 in federal funds added to her unemployment benefits ended. Those dollars moved over from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief expired in September. A man in Wilkes-Barre called because he was still waiting for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan when the funding ran out in July. His voice cracked as he told me how his employees and his family are looking to him for support. For 20 years, he and his partner ran their business without needing a loan or help from anyone. Large event centers and resorts are some of our biggest employers in the Eighth Congressional District. They have the same fears as small business owners. They call me worried about staying in business and keeping their employees safe and on payroll. The PPP loan funds covered payroll and some other expenses earlier this year. That money is long gone. One single mother runs several small businesses and opened a new one despite challenges from COVID-19. She received one SBA loan, which did not go far. She had worried how she was going to keep her businesses afloat until she got a grant through her county's relief funding made possible through the CARES Act. I think about her and how persistence is power. She kept trying, and she made it. But I know that aid will not last long, either. Local government officials call to ask about the limits of what they can do with their remaining CARES Act funds. They have so much to do. The funds helped, but it fell short of their needs. Our municipal governments are in jeopardy as sales tax and income tax revenues fall, and I hear their worries about keeping staff in place to maintain operations as well as respond to the pandemic. The emergency authorization and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is reason for hope that this public health and economic crisis will soon be behind us. However, we are experiencing by far the worst COVID-19 surge our nation has endured since the outbreak began, and the trendlines are looking worse. In my home state of Pennsylvania, new lockdowns have been imposed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and to ensure those who contract the disease can be treated in a hospital if necessary. While these painful measures are needed, they are untenable without robust economic support to protect families, jobs and businesses. We should come together and pass a bill that provides relief for people in an efficient manner, including: A renewal and strengthening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to support our struggling business community, along with targeted relief for the hard-hit hospitality and entertainment businesses. The winter will only make things tougher for them, and we need to give them a lifeline to make it to the summer when we hope the vaccine will help us get back to normal. Stimulus checks to get money into people's hands, to help them pay their bills and to get money flowing through our economy. State and local aid to help our governments provide basic services and pay their employees, from our police to our teachers. An extension of enhanced unemployment benefits to get aid to those that need it most. So many people desperately want to work, but are in an industry that is shut down or struggling. We need to support these families. Food assistance to help those in need as we see the lines at our food pantries grow amid the holiday season. Funding for our public health infrastructure and vaccine distribution to keep people healthy and administer the vaccine as efficiently and safely as possible. Thank you for your consideration and I hope and pray we can find common ground for the good of all Americans in the coming week. Sincerely, /s/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/injured-usp-allenwood-corrections-officer-released-hospital,Injured USP Allenwood corrections officer released from hospital,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Danville, Pa. A corrections officer at the United States Penitentiary at Allenwood who was injured last week during an assault by an inmate has been released from the hospital. A spokesperson at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville confirmed Dale Franquet Jr., 51, was discharged on Sunday. Franquet Jr. was transported to the hospital on Monday, December 7, after an inmate assaulted him and another staff member. The inmate reportedly stabbed Franquet Jr. in the eye with a shank. Franquet Jr. underwent surgery on Wednesday to remove his right eye. The federal Bureau of Prisons did not release the identity of the second staff member, but The Daily Item reports that corrections officer was Sara Harvey. She reportedly was injured but has since returned to work. Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12), who serves on the federal Bureau of Prisons Reform caucus, said in a media release that Franquet Jr.'s father said he is expected to be fitted with a prosthetic eye within three months. Shane Fausey, the national president of the Council of Prison Locals and an employee at Allenwood prison complex, said the assaults are a stark reminder of the unpredictable and violent nature of the vital work the Bureau of Prisons correctional professionals do every day, according to Keller's release. Details regarding the attack are not being released pending an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Franquet Jr.'s brother, Jeffrey Franquet, of New Jersey, and his sister, Corie Kline, started a Go Fund Me campaign. The pair stated on the campaign page that the inmate who assaulted their brother was serving a sentence for terrorism. The Go Fund Me, which had raised more than $29,000 by Monday afternoon, is to help support Franquet Jr.'s family including his two daughters during a time of financial distress. Unfortunately, our brother will have to learn a whole new way of life and a whole new normal. Doing the simplest of task will be a struggle until Dale adjusts to this new way of life, Franquet and Kline wrote in the campaign update. Franquet Jr., who was employed by the federal prison system for 22 years, also is the head wrestling coach at Midd-West High School. He had recently built a pole barn on his property for wrestling clinics and had been scheduled to hold a grand opening last Saturday, according to Keller. Those plans are temporarily on hold. Franquet Jr.'s father, Dale Franquet Sr., of Orwigsburg, expects that he will recover quickly. He's a tough individual and will be stronger for it, Franquet Sr. said, recalling how at age 16 Franquet Jr. wrestled in high school with a broken hand, according to Keller's release.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-wild-bill-would-ensure-that-emergency-preparedness-protocols-in-schools-include-needs-of-students-with-disabilities,"Casey, Wild Bill Would Ensure that Emergency Preparedness Protocols in Schools Include Needs of Students with Disabilities",2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is introducing the Promoting Responsible Emergency Protocols (PREP) for all Students Act to keep all students safe when extreme weather strikes or on-campus violence occurs. During the 2017-2018 school year, 16 to 18 percent of children had a disability or developmental delay. As natural disasters such as flooding and wildfires rise in the United States and on-campus violence spikes, safety recommendations for schools and child care settings must evolve to integrate the needs of young children and youth with disabilities. The PREP for all Students Act would ensure that public schools, early child care education centers and institutions of higher education have the tools they need to develop inclusive emergency preparedness protocols. U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-7) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. No student should feel unsafe or unprotected in a learning environment, said Senator Casey. We must do more to meet the needs of all children and youth, regardless of age, developmental stage and ability. The PREP for all Students Act would ensure that young children and students with disabilities are not left out of emergency preparedness and would support schools and child care centers by providing the resources they need to keep young people safe. All too often, emergency protocols are designed with a one-size-fits-all approach not properly accounting for the unique needs of persons with disabilities, mental health needs, or young children, said Congresswoman Wild. As natural disasters and on-campus violence continue to rise, every level of schooling from child care centers to institutions of higher education need the resources to be able to develop trauma-informed emergency preparedness plans to protect young students and students with disabilities. I'm proud of this legislation that would ensure students with disabilities and mental health challenges are included in their schools' emergency planning and creates a safer environment for each and every student. The PREP for all Students Act would establish a Federal Advisory Council composed of federal agencies, youth with disabilities and mental health considerations, parents, educators and advocates to develop guidelines and recommendations for the implementation of accessible, developmentally appropriate, culturally aware and trauma-informed emergency preparedness protocols in early child care and education centers, public schools and institutions of higher education. The legislation would ensure that Congress is provided a report with the findings of the Federal Advisory Council and that schools are provided with accurate information about the needs of specific populations of children, youth and employees during emergency events. The PREP for All Students Act is supported by the following organizations: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Institute for Childhood Preparedness, National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), Sandy Hook Promise, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Little Lobbyists, National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Autism Society of America, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Council of Parent and Attorney Advocates (COPAA), Spina Bifida Association and Access Living. Read more about the PREP for all Students Act here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-calls-immediate-small-business-relief,Congressman Fred Keller calls for immediate small business relief,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today on the steps of the Capitol, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Whip Steve Scalise, Conference Chair Liz Cheney, and other House Republicans for a press conference on the need to immediately extend the Paycheck Protection Program and deliver much needed relief to America's small business, workers, and hardest hit industries. The Paycheck Protection Program expired 124 days ago, yet Speaker Pelosi has yet to take legislative action to reopen this highly effective program, which has served as a lifeline for thousands of small businesses nationwide. In Pennsylvania, more than 73,000 small businesses received PPP loans totaling over $20.7 billion in forgivable loans that helped them keep workers employed. In a video immediately after the press conference, Congressman Keller called on Speaker Pelosi to put partisan politics aside and join House Republicans' effort to reopen the Paycheck Protection Program and deliver the remaining $138 billion in relief to those who need it the most. Here a few excerpts from Congressman Keller's video: H.R. 8265 would provide relief to small businesses and the people who work for them. Speaker Pelosi has admitted that, for political purposes, she's held up relief negotiations, and she's done so more than 40 times. It's time to end the [political] games; it's time to get to work. Let's get this bill done, and let's get relief to the people who need it most.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-responds-gov-wolf-s-latest-shutdown-orders,Congressman Fred Keller responds to Gov. Wolfs latest shutdown orders,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. In response to Governor Tom Wolf's latest shutdown order announcement, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) made the following statement: Since the start of the pandemic, small businesses and workers across Pennsylvania have suffered due to Governor Wolf's chronic mismanagement and heavy-handed shutdown mandates. Now, two weeks before Christmas, the governor is once again taking unilateral action that will further devastate our economy and threaten the livelihoods of countless Pennsylvanians simply trying to earn a living. To put it plainly, shutdowns do not work. As with his previous order, the governor's latest shutdown will advantage big box stores, destroy countless small businesses and restaurants, and cause more harm than it solves. Today's announcement shows a stunning lack of confidence in the people of Pennsylvania who have been living and learning through this pandemic for nearly a year. Pennsylvanians are smart, hardworking people capable of following common-sense guidance from healthcare professionals. The last thing Pennsylvania needs are more mandates and a one-size-fits-all shutdown order.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/congressman-fred-keller-responds-rise-covid-19-cases-union-county-federal-prisons,Congressman Fred Keller responds to rise in COVID-19 cases in Union County federal prisons,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Union County, Pa. As cases of coronavirus continue to rise at federal prisons across the country, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) released a statement calling the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inadequate in containing outbreaks. The statement was released in conjunction with Andy Kim, (NJ-03), who also has prisons in his district that have experienced outbreaks. Keller's district includes Union County, where federal prisons in Allenwood and Lewisburg previously experienced COVID-19 outbreaks. The coronavirus pandemic has created significant challenges for the federal prison system tasked with keeping inmates and correctional officers safe. However, it is clear that the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) COVID-19 response plan has been inadequate in containing outbreaks at a number of facilities across the country. Despite Members of Congress raising the alarm about the spread of the virus under its watch, BOP leadership has failed to effectively respond to growing outbreaks in the federal prison system. Despite the uptick in cases in certain facilities, the BOP continues to transfer inmates between facilities, in many cases transferring COVID-19 positive inmates into new facilities, exposing staff and other personnel to the virus. It is irresponsible to continue to risk exposure through inmate transfers from various parts of the country. We firmly believe that during the coronavirus pandemic, all inmate transfers between BOP facilities should be halted in order to protect the health and well-being of inmates, as well as the thousands of BOP correctional officers across the country. Allenwood United States Penitentiary previously had an outbreak, with 120 inmate and five staff cases reported on the BOP website on Nov. 24. As of Dec. 7, the website shows there are now three inmates who tested positive and 11 staff. A total of 132 inmates and two staff have recovered. Allenwood Medium shows shows 45 current inmates cases and nine staff cases. Allenwood Low shows 20 inmates with active COVID-19 cases and six staff. Related Reading: State and federal prisons in Pennsylvania experiencing more COVID-19 outbreaks The United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg also experienced an outbreak in August, with almost 50 inmates at one point reported as being positive for COVID-19. Public relations representatives at BOP had told NorthcentralPa.com at the time that they were not taking transfers at the Union County facilities. Currently, there are no active COVID-19 cases among inmates. Related Reading: USP Lewisburg now reports 46 inmates positive for COVID-19 The BOP must also clearly outline, and make public, the steps that it will take to improve its response to outbreaks in its facilities. We have heard deep concerns from our constituents for the health and safety of their friends or family in federal prisons, or that serve as staff in the facilities. Every day that the BOP refuses to take action, is a day that more Americans are put at risk. We stand ready to work alongside the BOP to find common ground and solutions that will save lives. Congressman Keller and Congressman Kim are members of the Bureau of Prisons Reform Caucus, of which Congressman Keller is the founder and chairman.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/keller-and-wild-introduce-nurses-care-act,Keller and Wild Introduce Nurses CARE Act,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"A pair of Pennsylvania elected officials on opposite sides of the aisle are teaming up for a bipartisan effort to bolster the workforce pipeline for essential healthcare workers. On Monday, Reps. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) introduced the Nurses CARE Act, (H.R. 8874). The bipartisan legislation aims to prevent workforce shortages in long-term care facilities and allow America's essential healthcare workforce to do its important work uninterrupted. According to a press release, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Section 1135 waivers to provide states with greater flexibility to direct personnel and resources to patients in need, in response to COVID-19. Although the release touts this regulatory flexibility as being an essential tool in preventing health care shortages by employing Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) to offer care during the pandemic, it is set to expire when the national emergency declaration is lifted. The Nurses CARE ACT works to build on the success of CMS's Section 1135 waivers and provide states with the necessary flexibility to ensure that competent TNAs who provided critical services during the pandemic can retain their certification after the national emergency declaration has expired. The release also adds that this legislation would allow states and facilities to offer on-the-job experience as a partial substitute for certification courses, testing, and other evaluations, thus providing a pathway to full-time employment for TNAs who answered the call during the COVID-19 pandemic and have already received extensive on-the-job training. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much about how we deliver health care at nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care centers, Keller said. We need to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable populations, like our seniors and those with pre-existing conditions. I am proud of this bipartisan legislation that gives American families across our nation the peace of mind that their loved ones in long-term care are receiving the care they need to remain safe and healthy. Throughout this entire pandemic, so many have selflessly joined the front lines in our nursing homes and long-term care facilities to get our most vulnerable through this health care crisisand they deserve their work and on-the-job training to be fully recognized, Wild said. I'm proud to join this bipartisan, commonsense effort to help prevent critical health care shortages or gaps in Pennsylvania and ensure those who answered the call in this emergency have a pathway for full-time employment once this pandemic ends. The bill also has received praise from the head of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association. Since the temporary nurse aide position was formally approved in the Commonwealth, more than 4,000 Pennsylvanians have completed the training program, and many have been hired to assist long-term care providers in their response to COVID-19, said Zach Shamberg, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association. This legislation not only recognizes the heroic and compassionate work these caregivers have performed since the pandemic began, but also puts them on a path to full-time employment as certified nurse aides. We are grateful to both Congressman Keller and Congresswoman Wild for their bipartisan leadership and united approach in standing up for our long-term care providers and healthcare heroes on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania and throughout the country, Shamberg continued.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/oppose-section-230-big-tech-censorship,Injured corrections officer undergoes surgery to remove damaged eye,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Penitentiary at Allenwood corrections officer and Midd-West head wrestling coach Dale Franquet Jr. underwent surgery to remove an eye Wednesday, two days after he was assaulted by an inmate. A second staff member was also injured in the inmate assault at the high-security prison Monday morning but neither the identity nor health condition of the officer were released by the Bureau of Prisons. Dale Franquet Sr., of Orwigsburg, said the surgery to remove his son's injured eye went well at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, according to the younger Franquet's wife, Angela. ""There was no damage to the eye socket. In three months he could be fitted with a prosthetic,"" said Franquet Sr. Shane Fausey, the national president of the Council of Prison Locals and an employee at the Allenwood prison complex, said the assaults ""are a stark reminder of the unpredictable and violent nature of the vital work the Bureau of Prisons correctional professionals do every day."" While the details of the attacks are not being released pending an FBI investigation, Fausey added that the ""quick and decisive actions of both officers, even at the risk of their own personal safety, are nothing short of heroic and resulted in quickly bringing an end to a potentially deadly situation."" U.S. Rep. Fred Keller expressed his hope for the injured officers' speedy recovery and echoed Fausey in saying on Twitter that the incident ""is a reminder of the challenging job that our corrections officers are tasked with."" Franquet Sr. expects his son will rebound quickly. ""He's a tough individual and will be stronger for it,"" he said, recalling how at the age of 16 Dale Jr. wrestled in high school with a broken hand. For several years Franquet Jr. has served as varsity head coach at Midd-West High School. Assistant wrestling coach A.J. Steininger described him as being dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential. ""It's going to be tough"" starting the wrestling season without Franquet Jr., Steininger said. ""He's an integral part of our wrestling program."" Franquet Jr. recently built a pole barn on his property for wrestling clinics and was scheduled to hold a grand opening on Saturday. ""Dale's biggest concern is the pole barn,"" Franquet Sr. said of the family's decision to postpone the opening until his son can participate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/representative-kellys-statement-governor-wolfs-latest-pennsylvania-lockdown,Representative Kelly's Statement on Governor Wolf's Latest Pennsylvania Lockdown,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Mike Kelly,K000376,kelly.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representative Kelly's Statement on Governor Wolf's Latest Pennsylvania Lockdown Dec 10, 2020 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) released this statement following Governor Tom Wolf's latest lockdown of the Keystone State: ""Pennsylvanians have endured the coronavirus pandemic for nearly a year and are fully capable of determining what activities they are comfortableengaging in. Governor Wolf's latest order demonstrates that he does not trust us to make our own decisions. In mandating more business closures, he has guaranteed that more hard-working Pennsylvanians will lose their jobs as additional small businesses will close permanently. This is unacceptable and the governor should lift this lockdown immediately."" #####",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/scanlon-garcia-introduce-bill-to-facilitate-voter-registration-in-subsidized-housing-bd30a1e48762?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,"Scanlon, Garcia Introduce Bill to Facilitate Voter Registration in Subsidized Housing",2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC On December 9, 2020, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Congressman Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04) introduced the Our Homes Our Votes Act, a bill that facilitates voter registration for residents of federally subsidized housing by allowing them to register to vote as they sign their lease. The bill has 18 original cosponsors. The provisions of the Our Homes Our Votes Act mirror the popular National Voter Registration Act of 1993 or Motor Voter Law, which allows eligible voters to register to vote directly at the DMV as they obtain or renew their drivers' license. This bill extends the concept to tenants in subsidized housing administered by a public housing authority who, like customers at the DMV, have already had their identity and residence vetted by public authorities. Low-income voter turnout regularly lags higher-income turnout by 20 percentage points, though low-income voters made gains in the last election. The Our Homes Our Votes Act: Allows eligible and interested tenants in subsidized housing administered by a Public Housing Agency (PHA) to register to vote as they sign their lease document without providing duplicate information;Requires PHA's to transmit these voter registration forms to local election authorities in a timely manner;Designates private landlords of subsidized housing as voter registration agents responsible for distributing voter registration forms and helping tenants fill them out if needed. When we make it easier for eligible voters to register and vote, more people are able to make their voices heard and claim their power in our democracy, Congresswoman Scanlon said. This bill builds upon the foundation established by the National Voter Registration Act by expanding voter registration opportunities. If you can register to vote while updating your driver's license, why can't you when signing a lease at a Public Housing Agency? It's just that simple. The best way to achieve our country's promise of one person one vote' is to make it easier for everyone to vote. That's why I'm introducing the Our Homes Our Votes Act. This bill will facilitate voter registration for residents of federally subsidized housing. Tenants already have their identity and residence verified when they sign their lease, so if they are eligible to vote they should be able to do so easily, said Congressman Garca. People fought and died for the right to vote in our country, but residents of working-class districts like mine still face too many barriers to vote. I believe we should help low-income communities vote with the same numbers as higher-income communities then we will have policies that help everyone. The Our Homes, Our Votes Act is a simple solution to one of the most persistent voter disparities in our democracy, said Diane Yentel, president & CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Renters care deeply about voting, but they have more barriers to doing so successfully. One of the most common reasons renters vote at lower rates is that they move more frequently than homeowners, and they have to update their voter registration at each new address. This bill will make it clear to all public housing agencies and other housing providers who use federal housing subsidies that voter registration is an important part of the lease-up process. We applaud Representatives Chuy Garca and Mary Gay Scanlon for their leadership on this innovative proposal. Our democracy is strongest when it includes the most voices; the Our Homes, Our Votes Act will boost the participation of low-income renters in a meaningful and impactful way.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-to-introduce-police-overhaul-that-would-reform-the-way-law-enforcement-interacts-with-people-with-disabilities-,Casey to Introduce Police Overhaul that Would Reform the Way Law Enforcement Interacts with People with Disabilities,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. As the Nation reckons with the high profile killings of Black Americans at the hands of police officers and growing calls for policy changes to prevent future violence, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is launching the Law Enforcement Education and Accountability for People with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative, to help bring about racial justice and address the high incidence rate of police violence involving people with disabilities. The LEAD Initiative is comprised of two bills the Safe Interactions Act and the Human-services Emergency Logistic Program (HELP) Act which would reduce calls to 9-1-1 call systems regarding non-criminal emergencies and provide robust training to law enforcement on interacting with people with disabilities, including those experiencing a mental health crisis. The families of Walter Wallace, Jr., Ricardo Munoz and Osaze Osagie needed mental health crisis support and they didn't get it, said Senator Casey. We must take action to ensure that someone's ethnicity or mental ability does not preclude them from receiving protection and fair treatment. My LEAD initiative aims to protect the promise of liberty and justice for all by reforming our emergency systems so that people and police are connected with the resources they need. United Way and the 211 network are deeply grateful to Senator Casey for introducing the HELP Act, said Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide. 211 is a vital resource supporting over 95 percent of communities in the U.S. and this expansion of coverage means that more people can get the help they need, particularly those with mental health illnesses and other disabilities. United Way looks forward to working with Senator Casey to expand critical services to the American people during these difficult times. The Washington Post database of police shootings estimates that at least 25 percent of shootings involve a person with a mental health disability. A 2016 Ruderman Foundation report estimated that between one-third and half of 2015 shootings involving a law enforcement officer included a person with a disability. The HELP Act would divert non-criminal, non-fire and non-medical emergency calls from 9-1-1 systems to state and regional 2-1-1 systems, while providing resources and funding to improve 2-1-1 referral systems. The bill would create an oversight system for the 2-1-1 networks comprised of community members who represent older adults, people with disabilities, ethnic and racial community members and members of other communities. The HELP Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The Safe Interactions Act would provide grants to enable non-profit disability organizations to develop training programs that support safe interactions between law enforcement officers and people with disabilities. The training would be directed to both new and veteran officers and would include people with disabilities in the training as instructors. It would also establish an advisory council, chaired by a person with a disability, to oversee the training program development and implementation. The Safe Interactions Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Read more about the HELP Act here. Read more about the Safe Interactions Act here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://doyle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-doyle-ferguson-introduce-pasteur-act-promote-new-antimicrobial,Congressmen Doyle & Ferguson introduce PASTEUR Act to promote new antimicrobial drugs,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mike Doyle,D000482,doyle.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) introduced the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act to encourage the development of critically needed antimicrobials and antibiotics and to ensure their appropriate use and domestic supply. Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent public health threat that requires a comprehensive, bipartisan solution, said Congressman Doyle.Infectious disease experts agree that our next public health crisis could be caused by drug-resistant infections, and we mustn't be caught flat-footed. The PASTEUR Act will help scientists and researchers bring better antimicrobials to the market, and it will help hospitals and doctors ensure these drugs are used properly. The public health, economic, and national security threats of antimicrobial resistance could have serious implications if left unresolved, said Congressman Ferguson. Pandemic preparedness is first and foremost about having the right preventative tools available, and antibiotics are without question one of these key tools. The PASTEUR Act brings together the public and private sectors to research and develop strong and effective antibiotics. This important piece of legislation will safeguard new antibiotic developments and prevent R&D from falling behind. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reportAntibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, and at least 35,000 people die as a result. Unfortunately, financial incentives to develop drugs to treat many of these life-threatening infections are lacking. The PASTEUR Act would address these market failures and increase public health preparedness by keeping novel antibiotics on the market and improving appropriate antibiotic use across the health care system. While current contracts between the government and drug makers base payment on volume, the PASTEUR Act would establish a subscription-style model which would offer antibiotic developers an upfront payment in exchange for access to their antibiotics, encouraging innovation and ensuring our health care system is prepared to treat antibiotic-resistant infections. Public health experts agree that the PASTEUR Act is an essential component of our response to combat antimicrobial resistance: Antibiotics are central to our preparedness and the foundation of modern medical care, but growing antibiotic resistance and the fragile antibiotic pipeline leave us extremely vulnerable. The PASTEUR Act will sustain antibiotic research and development and provide essential new resources to support antibiotic stewardship. Cornelius J. Clancy, MD; Associate Chief, Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh Antibiotic resistant infections seriously jeopardize our ability to provide complex medical care, including transplants and other surgeries, cancer chemotherapy, and care for patients seriously ill with COVID-19. IDSA is proud to support the PASTEUR Act to ensure we have the antibiotics we need and to drive the appropriate use of antibiotics to protect their effectiveness. Barbara D. Alexander MD, MHS, FIDSA; President, Infectious Diseases Society of America; Professor of Medicine and Pathology at Duke University School of Medicine Our ability to fight infections underpins modern medicine, but, in the battle between innovation and resistance, resistance is currently winning. COVID-19 has underscored the importance of preparedness and the threat of AMR looms large the PASTEUR Act is an important step forward in that fight against antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease,said Ken Thorpe, Chairman, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease; Advisory Board, Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease. The PASTEUR Act would: Establish a subscription model to encourage innovative antimicrobial drug development aimed at treating drug-resistant infections. This model will be fully delinked, meaning that participating developers would not receive income, as a part of their subscription payments, based on volume or quantity of sales. Subscription contracts would contain terms and conditions including product availability to individuals on a government health insurance plan, supporting appropriate use, and completion of postmarketing studies. These contracts could be valuated between $750 million and $3 billion. Build on existing frameworks to improve usage of the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network and other programs to collect and report on antibiotic use and resistance data. Include transition measures such as smaller subscription contracts to support novel antimicrobial drug developers that need a financial lifeline. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/lawmakers-negotiate-possibility-stimulus-checks-next-covid-19-relief-bill,Lawmakers negotiate possibility of stimulus checks in next COVID-19 relief bill,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Congress appears to be closer to bringing a COVID-19 relief bill to a vote in the House and Senate, but direct stimulus checks are, so far, absent from the compromise plan. There's continued conversation around direct stimulus checks, which I think is important, Virginia Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger said. Spanberger fears including direct payments in the bill could prevent the plan from crossing the finish line. Finish line means a bill passed through the House and the Senate and signed on the president's desk so that we can ensure that extended unemployment, rent support, and food assistance among other things are delivered to the American people, Spanberger said. Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Fred Keller says another round of $1,000 checks is not the answer. This stimulus payment will run out. Once that's gone, what are they going to do next? Keller said. Keller says instead, Congress needs to focus on jobs. The best stimulus is a job. And what we need to do going forward is support our small businesses and our working families, Keller said. Many Republican lawmakers say the us can't afford another round of direct payments. For every penny that we spend is borrowed, Kentucky Republican Congressman Brett Guthrie said. That's hundreds of billions of dollars borrowed from our children and grandchildren. If stimulus checks are not included in the compromise, some lawmakers say they will work on a standalone bill, although that would be unlikely to pass until after the first of the year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/reps-keller-and-wild-introduce-nurses-care-act-help-prevent-care-facility-worker,Reps. Keller and Wild introduce Nurses CARE Act to help prevent care facility worker shortages,2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. On Dec. 7, Congressman Fred Keller (R-Pa.) and Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-Pa.) introduced House Resolution 8874, also called the Nurses CARE Act. The bipartisan proposal would help prevent workforce shortages in long-term care facilities. In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Section 1135 waivers to give states more flexibility to direct personnel and resources to patients in need. The waivers have allowed Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) to offer care during the pandemic, but it is set to expire when the national emergency declaration is lifted. The Nurses CARE Act builds on the waivers, providing states with the necessary flexibility to let TNAs who provided critical services retain their certification after the national emergency declaration expires. In addition, states and facilities could offer on-the-job experience as a partial substitute for certification courses, exams, and other evaluations, allowing the aides who stepped up during the crisis a quicker path to full-time employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much about how we deliver health care at nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care centers, Keller said. We need to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable populations, like our seniors and those with pre-existing conditions. I am proud of this bipartisan legislation that gives American families across our nation the peace of mind that their loved ones in long-term care are receiving the care they need to remain safe and healthy. Throughout this entire pandemic, so many have selflessly joined the front lines in our nursing homes and long-term care facilities to get our most vulnerable through this health care crisisand they deserve their work and on-the-job training to be fully recognized, Wild said. I'm proud to join this bipartisan, commonsense effort to help prevent critical health care shortages or gaps in Pennsylvania and ensure those who answered the call in this emergency have a pathway for full-time employment once this pandemic ends. Since the temporary nurse aide position was formally approved in the Commonwealth, more than 4,000 Pennsylvanians have completed the training program, and many have been hired to assist long-term care providers in their response to COVID-19, said Zach Shamberg, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association. This legislation not only recognizes the heroic and compassionate work these caregivers have performed since the pandemic began, but also puts them on a path to full-time employment as certified nurse aides. We are grateful to both Congressman Keller and Congresswoman Wild for their bipartisan leadership and united approach in standing up for our long-term care providers and healthcare heroes on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. The full text of the bill will be available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/new-house-ag-leaders-push-active-bipartisan-panel,"New House Ag leaders push for active, bipartisan panel",2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Georgia Democrat and Pennsylvania Republican poised to take the reins of the House Agriculture Committee next year have shared priorities, including climate policy, but different timelines and approaches. Reps.David Scott, D-Ga.,andGlenn GT Thompson, R-Pa.,were both selected by their respective caucuses as their party's House Ag leaders for the next two years. Scott by virtue of a slim Democratic majority will chair the committee, and Thompson will serve as the panel's top Republican. Both men indicate they wantcommittee members to continue to work in a bipartisan way across regional differences. As I told Speaker Pelosi I have served on the committee when we had Republican chairmen and we had Democratic chairmen, and I've achieved things on that committee underneath both, Scott said in an interview withAgri-Pulse. Agriculture has been and will be a bipartisan committee because we have a history of that; I have a history of that. Our numbers will be as close as ever, Thompson said in a separate conversation withAgri-Pulse. Which I think is going to help us continue to work in the bipartisan way we do in agriculture. The official committee rosters and party splits will be determined at a later date, but the committee's Democratic majority could be as slim as two or three votes. For Scott, the close divide shouldn't slow down anambitious agenda that includes action on climate change, disaster readiness, and of course preparation for the next farm bill. Reflecting a top priority of President-elect Joe Biden, Scott said that climate change has got to be our top priority in this committee. He wants to bring in scientists and other expert witnesses to discuss the subject and help producers navigate the subject, but also to lower the temperature on what can often be a very heated debate. Carbon sequestration, no-till farming, all of these things we've got to be able to have as part of the discussion, Scottsaid. We're going to have to bring that climate change issue away from all of this politicization it is our farmers that are suffering. Thompson also brought up climate change as a top priority of his, but one that he'll approach from the perspective of getting agricultural practices the recognition he feels they're due. He said he wants to avoid overregulation that can be""punishing"" to farms.He believes that grazing, responsible forest management, and other carbon-sequestering technologies that can come from agriculture need to be considered as part of the solution to the issue. The reality is those things work, he said. They're not political solutions, they're practical solutions. Scott also listed broadband deployment among his top priorities for the committee, as well as a desire to work with the Appropriations Committee to enact legislation that creates a response protocol and funding that can be used for future disasters. Thatidea,floated earlier this year by current House Ag Chair Collin Peterson, D-Minn., would allow USDA to fund disaster response for producers without an act of Congress and could potentially be funded through the department's Commodity Credit Corp. Peterson, who lost his reelection effort in November, had said such a protocol would have been among his top priorities in Congress. The two new leaders both had kind remarks about the other Scott called Thompson very thoughtful and very thorough, Thompson said Scott is a gentleman and a statesman and both boast lengthy House Ag resumes. Scott also quipped about his Pennsylvania roots he went to elementary school in Scranton a surefire way, he said, to build a connection with Thompson. Both chaired or served as ranking member to a handful of panel subcommittees, and both are veterans of several farm bills, experience that will serve them well as they begin to deliberate how to approach a lingering 2023 deadline when the current legislation will expire. For Scott, he said he'd like to get my sea legs under me. He hearkened back to his days in the Georgia state Senate when he gained the reputation as a members' chairman for his style of soliciting member feedback before taking concrete action on a bill. I want to make sure that I can articulate the ambitions and interest of the members of the committee, he said. But Thompson says time is of the essence. We need to make up for some lost time, he said, pointing to action that could have happened had the chamber been doing its regular work in Washington for much of 2020 rather than dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We need good oversight. It's time to start hearing from USDA directly; hearing from farmers and ranchers, and folks within rural communities on what's working and what's not working with the 2018 farm bill. One thing Scott already knows about the next farm bill is he wants to expand an $80 million scholarship program for historically Black colleges and universities he championed in the 2018 legislation. Those scholarships, given to agricultural students at 1890s land grant colleges, should be expanded to Hispanic and Native American institutions, he said. The two new leaders are part of a group of House and Senate Agriculture Committee heads with three of four new faces (Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., will the only holdover from the last farm bill; Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., is set to be the Senate panel's top Republican). But both Scott and Thompson expect a solid working relationship with their Senate counterparts. They've both worked with Stabenow on previous farm bills, and Boozman is a former House colleague. Thompson said he hopes rural and urban America will see results. When we get the policy right on agriculture and for rural America, what that means is that every American family including those in very large cities won't wake up in the cold, dark, and hungry,"" Thompson said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/inmate-transfers-fort-dix-resume-despite-lawmakers-objections-amid-covid,Inmate transfers to Fort Dix resume despite lawmakers' objections amid COVID,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"More local lawmakers are joining the call for the federal Bureau of Prisons to halt inmate transfers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Reps. Andy Kim of New Jersey and Rep Fred Keller of Pennsylvania issued a joint statement on Friday calling for the end to all inmate transfers between BOP facilities during the current health crisis. Both Kim and Keller represent districts home to BOP facilities FCI Fort Dix in Kim's third legislative district, and FCI Allenwood in Keller's 12 legislative district. Despite Members of Congress raising the alarm about the spread of the virus under its watch, BOP leadership has failed to effectively respond to growing outbreaks in the federal prison system, the statement read. Kim was part of an earlier delegation made up of New Jersey lawmakers who sent a letter to BOP Director Michael Carvajal outlining grave concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak at FCI Fort Dix, and asking BOP to extend a moratorium on inmate transfers to the low-security prison on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The BOP issued at the beginning of November a moratorium on inmate transfers to the prison through Nov. 23 as the number of positive cases at the prison neared 250. BOP officials said Friday the moratorium was not extended. The 3,000 people at FCI Fort Dix live in units of up to 300 people, according to a complaint. FCI Fort Dix is a low-security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum-security satellite camp. The congressmen were not happy with the decision. It is irresponsible to continue to risk exposure through inmate transfers from various parts of the country. We firmly believe that during the coronavirus pandemic, all inmate transfers between BOP facilities should be halted in order to protect the health and well-being of inmates, as well as the thousands of BOP correctional officers across the country, Kim and Keller's statement read. As of Monday, there are 103 active cases among inmates and 35 active cases among staff members, according to BOP data. BOP reported 266 inmates and six staff members have recovered. No deaths have been reported. Kim and Keller also echoed the New Jersey Congressional delegation's letter, calling for the BOP to publicly outline the steps it will take to improve its response to outbreaks in its facilities. We have heard deep concerns from our constituents for the health and safety of their friends or family in federal prisons, or that serve as staff in the facilities. Every day that the BOP refuses to take action, is a day that more Americans are put at risk, the joint statement read. Lawmakers, advocates, inmates and their family members have pointed to the transfer of inmates from FCI Elkton in Ohio to FCI Fort Dix as the cause of the outbreak. BOP officials have denied the accusation. All inmates entering or departing any BOP facility, to include voluntary surrenders, BOP-to-BOP transfers, or transfers from outside the BOP system, are screened and tested by medical staff for COVID-19 upon arrival, and placed in quarantine or medical isolation, a BOP spokesperson said Friday. FCI Elkton was the site of one of the worst outbreaks in the country earlier this year; nearly 1,000 inmates have tested positive there since the outbreak began. Nearly 300 inmates from FCI Elkton were transferred to FCI Fort Dix to allow for more social distancing at the Ohio prison in a series of groups on Sept. 28, Oct. 6, Oct. 21, and Oct. 28.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-national-defense-authorization-act-conference-report-fiscal-year,HOUSE PASSES NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT CONFERENCE REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 6395) Conference Report to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) military activities, in order to ensure the security of the country and the men and women who serve to defend it. In July, H.R. 6395 passed the House (295-125) and S. 4049, the companion version passed the U.S. Senate (86-14). In November, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17), who serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, was appointed to the conference committee that worked to reconcile the two bills, and reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement. This agreement is scheduled to be voted on in the Senate and head to the President's desk later this week. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report authorizes a three percent pay increase for servicemembers while making key investments to military infrastructure and provides crucial support to training and sustainment activities that enhance military operations. The legislation also authorizes funding that will strengthen the country's ability to respond to potential COVID-19 resurgence and other infectious diseases in the future. In addition, it adds three new diseases to the presumptive list for Agent Orange exposure, calling for increased data collection of toxic exposures for veterans building on the passage of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (H.R. 299). This is a good bill. Congress worked on a bipartisan basis to provide our troops with a much-needed pay raise and give Vietnam era veterans additional health care benefits, said Lamb. I look forward to this legislation getting signed into law as soon as possible to help improve the lives of our servicemembers and veterans across the country. Lamb led three amendments and secured a key provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report, including: An amendment adapted from a bill Lamb co-led with Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), The Coastal and Inland Ports and Terminals Commerce Improvements Act (H.R. 7416), which would provide assistance to inland and small coastal ports and terminals; An amendment that directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a Center for Artificial Intelligence within the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) in order to codify NOAA's artificial intelligence strategy; An amendment to ensure that members of the U.S. Coast Guard can access workforce development through the DOD's Skillbridge initiative that provides access to apprenticeships and on-the-job learning for servicemembers as they transition from the military into civilian life; and A provision for the inclusion of National Science Foundation (NSF) Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in the teaching and learning of topics related to AI systems in K-12 and post-secondary educational programs, including workforce training and career and technical education programs. Additional key provisions included in H.R. 6395 include: Removing all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America; Setting monetary limits on the use of emergency construction funds to ensure no President can ever rob the military construction accounts for projects like the border wall for which Congress has declined to appropriate funds; Extending paid parental leave to approximately 100,000 federal civilians inadvertently excluded from last year's legislation, including employees at the VA, TSA, FAA, White House, Article I judges, and the courts and the public defender's office for Washington, D.C.; and Requiring each federal agency to establish a model Equal Employment Opportunity Program that is independent of the agency's Human Capital or General Counsel office and establishes requirements related to complaints of discrimination and retaliation in the workplace, under the Including the Elijah Cummings Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act. Click here to learn more about the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-water-resources-development-act-2020,HOUSE PASSES WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2020,2020-12-08,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (S. 1811) to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works mission areas for the next two years, which include projects on: navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, shoreline protection and ecosystem restoration. A member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) supported the legislation which passed the House with broad bipartisan support. This legislation is a major investment in jobs and infrastructure in my district and across the country, said Lamb. We are prioritizing investment in projects that will help protect the health and safety of all Americans, including clean drinking water and flood mitigation. Lamb fought for multiple provisions which were included in the final legislation. In April, Lamb co-led a bipartisan letter with Representative Brian Babin (TX-36) signed by 78 Members advocating for an adjustment to the cost-share for inland navigation projects. This policy change lays the groundwork for faster repairs to western Pennsylvania's critical locks and dams, and the final legislation ensures the cost-share is maintained for the next decade. Three inland navigation facilities in the Upper Ohio Navigation Project the Emsworth, Dashields, and the Montgomery Locks and Dams are at risk of catastrophic failure. WRDA 2020 is vital to completing these long-overdue repairs and modernization efforts. In an additional letter to Committee leadership, Lamb advocated for raising the funding authorization threshold for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address widespread problems specifically in rural and small communities pertaining to inadequate wastewater treatment, contaminated drinking water, and insufficient water supply. The bill also allows for Beaver County to access these funds for the first time. Click here to learn more about the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 and visit Lamb's website to see him speak on the House floor last July in support of the legislation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-honors-memory-of-wwii-hero-and-nepa-native-george-c-yurek-sr,"Cartwright Honors Memory of WWII Hero and NEPA Native George C. Yurek, Sr.",2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) spoke on the House floor to honor the late Technical Sergeant George C. Yurek, Sr., of West Wyoming, PA, who recently passed away at the age of 98. Cartwright spoke of TSgt. Yurek's bravery in volunteering for the unit that diffused hundreds of landmines on the Island of Corregidor in the Philippines, which paved the way for American forces to recapture the island from Japanese control. Watch Cartwright's floor speech:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/central-susquehanna-intermediate-unit-receives-federal-grant-offer-resources,"Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit receives federal grant, offer resources to families during COVID-19",2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Milton, Pa. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $1,755,707 Head Start grant to Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) to support early childhood education and development initiatives as part of CSIU's Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in Northumberland county. ""We prepare our most vulnerable young children to succeed in school, and in life beyond school. Our services are at no cost, and are for children ages birth to 5 from low-income families, as well as pregnant women,"" said Jamie Bartlett Head Start/Early Head Start Programs Manager in Northumberland County. The services offered focus on core areas of Early Learning and Development, Health, and Family Well-Being and CSIU provides transportation to the centers to ensure enrolled children and family members can regularly participate. In Northumberland County, CSIU's programs have the following: - Head Start has 168 federally funded and 72 HSSAP funded preschool children. We have 14 center-based classrooms. - Early Head Start has 83 infants, toddlers and pregnant women. It is a home-based program providing weekly, 1.5 hours home visits. - 90 percent of enrolled families live below the federal poverty level (2020 guidelines: $26,200 for a family of four). - A minimum of 10 percent children enrolled are identified as special needs. Congressman Fred Keller expressed his enthusiasm for CSIU after the grant was announced. Now more than ever, we must ensure our children are not left behind. Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit plays a critical role in providing quality education to help our children thrive and I am confident that this grant will support its mission and expand its reach in our communities, said Keller. The Head Start/Early Head Start Programs have done their best to continue providing their services virtually during COVID-19, but it hasn't been easy to connect with all the families, according to Bartlett. Program staff have offered both synchronous and asynchronous classes through Google classroom and the Early Head Start leaders do their best to connect with families once a week to support parents and children. Staff members have even taken the time to drop-off educational materials to families so that learning can safely at home. ""Sometimes our children aren't able to join us virtually, our staff misses the in person contact with the children and families during virtual instruction,"" explained Bartlett. ""Our goal is to support our children and families at all times, especially during this pandemic. We work with families to make sure their family has their basic needs covered, and if needed connect them with resources in the community. During a time of uncertainty we want to be a consistent resource for them. Our staff are working hard to do this.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/congressmen-kim-and-keller-release-statement-covid-19-risks-bureau-prisons,Congressmen Kim and Keller Release Statement on COVID-19 Risks at Bureau of Prisons Facilities,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) released the following statement on the continued increase of COVID-19 spread in Bureau of Prison (BOP) facilities across the country. Both Congressmen Kim and Keller represent districts that are home to BOP facilities. The coronavirus pandemic has created significant challenges for the federal prison system tasked with keeping inmates and correctional officers safe. However, it is clear that the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) COVID-19 response plan has been inadequate in containing outbreaks at a number of facilities across the country. Despite Members of Congress raising the alarm about the spread of the virus under its watch, BOP leadership has failed to effectively respond to growing outbreaks in the federal prison system. Despite the uptick in cases in certain facilities, the BOP continues to transfer inmates between facilities, in many cases transferring COVID-19 positive inmates into new facilities, exposing staff and other personnel to the virus. It is irresponsible to continue to risk exposure through inmate transfers from various parts of the country. We firmly believe that during the coronavirus pandemic, all inmate transfers between BOP facilities should be halted in order to protect the health and well-being of inmates, as well as the thousands of BOP correctional officers across the country. The BOP must also clearly outline, and make public, the steps that it will take to improve its response to outbreaks in its facilities. We have heard deep concerns from our constituents for the health and safety of their friends or family in federal prisons, or that serve as staff in the facilities. Every day that the BOP refuses to take action, is a day that more Americans are put at risk. We stand ready to work alongside the BOP to find common ground and solutions that will save lives. Congressman Kim and Congressman Keller are members of the Bureau of Prisons Reform Caucus, of which Congressman Keller is the founder and chairman.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/fred-keller-votes-no-marijuana-big-cats,"Fred Keller votes No on marijuana, big cats",2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement Friday afternoon: Instead of addressing the plight of millions of Americans across the country who are struggling during this pandemic, this week Speaker Pelosi decided to once again put politics over people and hold votes on legalizing marijuana and exotic animals instead of COVID relief measures. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to do their jobs and join House Republicans in delivering targeted relief to our families, businesses, and industries who need it the most.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/latest-covid-relief-framework-includes-billions-dollars-high-speed-broadband,Latest COVID relief framework includes billions of dollars for high-speed broadband,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The new COVID relief compromise is gaining traction on Capitol Hill and 10 billion dollars will pay for a public/private partnership to improve Americans' internet service I say this as somebody who spent longer in the wireless industry than I have in politics. We can provide some of that much need relief, Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner said. Warner says while there was money for broadband in the Cares Act, that's a potential short term solution. He says the new money will help build lasting high-speed internet service for more Americans. And one of the things we found is that broadband is now an economic necessity, Warner said. Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Fred Keller agrees, the pandemic showcased the need for reliable internet access. It takes care of education, it takes care of the delivery of healthcare, and it takes care of commerce, Keller said. This is not just in rural communities. There are many suburban communities that have very slow internet or no internet, Warner said. Both Warner and Keller agree this money will help provide high-speed broadband to millions of more Americans. We need these things. And I'm all for making sure that we have the resources to adequately build out an infrastructure system in broadband, Keller said. If Congress approves this plan, four billion dollars of the broadband fund would go to supporting connectivity to low-income households.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-introduces-bipartisan-bill-bolster-workforce-pipeline,Congressman Fred Keller introduces bipartisan bill to bolster workforce pipeline for essential healthcare workers,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) joined Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA) in introducing H.R. 8874, the Nurses CARE Act, bipartisan legislation that would help prevent dangerous workforce shortages in long-term care facilities and allow America's essential healthcare workforce to do its important work uninterrupted. In response to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Section 1135 waivers to provide states with greater flexibility to direct personnel and resources to patients in need. While this regulatory flexibility has been an essential tool in preventing critical health care shortages by employing Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) to offer care during the pandemic, it is set to expire when the national emergency declaration is lifted. The Nurses CARE Act works to build on the success of CMS's Section 1135 waivers and provide states with the necessary flexibility to ensure that competent TNAs who provided critical services during the pandemic can retain their certification after the national emergency declaration has expired. Additionally, this legislation would also allow states and facilities to offer on-the-job experience as a partial substitute for certification courses, testing, and other evaluationsthus providing a pathway to full-time employment for TNAs who answered the call during the COVID-19 pandemic and have already received extensive on-the-job training. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much about how we deliver health care at nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care centers, Keller said. We need to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable populations, like our seniors and those with pre-existing conditions. I am proud of this bipartisan legislation that gives American families across our nation the peace of mind that their loved ones in long-term care are receiving the care they need to remain safe and healthy. Throughout this entire pandemic, so many have selflessly joined the front lines in our nursing homes and long-term care facilities to get our most vulnerable through this health care crisisand they deserve their work and on-the-job training to be fully recognized, Wild said. I'm proud to join this bipartisan, commonsense effort to help prevent critical health care shortages or gaps in Pennsylvania and ensure those who answered the call in this emergency have a pathway for full-time employment once this pandemic ends. Since the temporary nurse aide position was formally approved in the Commonwealth, more than 4,000 Pennsylvanians have completed the training program, and many have been hired to assist long-term care providers in their response to COVID-19, said Zach Shamberg, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Association. This legislation not only recognizes the heroic and compassionate work these caregivers have performed since the pandemic began, but also puts them on a path to full-time employment as certified nurse aides. We are grateful to both Congressman Keller and Congresswoman Wild for their bipartisan leadership and united approach in standing up for our long-term care providers and healthcare heroes on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. Full text of the bill is available here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/scanlon-fitzpatrick-introduce-bill-to-stop-drivers-license-suspensions-for-non-payment-307f954a6783?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,"Scanlon, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bill to Stop Drivers License Suspensions for Non-Payment",2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DCToday, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced the Driving for Opportunity Act of 2020, the House companion to a bill introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MI), to encourage states to stop debt-based driver's license suspensions. This bill, co-led by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), was introduced with bipartisan support from Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14). Every year, millions of Americans have their licenses suspended for unpaid court fines and fees, not based on conduct related to driving. This makes it harder to get to work and pay off the fines while also placing an unnecessary burden on our courts, jails, and law enforcement agencies. Punishing people for failing to pay debts in a way that limits their ability to obtain gainful employment only sets up a cruel cycle of failure and results in the criminalization of poverty, said Rep. Scanlon. Particularly during the ongoing global pandemic, we need to work to eliminate barriers to employment and find legislative solutions to break the cycle of poverty. I'm proud to be joined by Rep. Fitzpatrick in introducing this common sense bipartisan legislation. For too long, many Americans have had their driver's licenses suspended for non-public safety reasons and have suffered the economic setback of debt-based driver's license suspensions, said Rep. Fitzpatrick. Incentivizing states to end the suspension of driver's licenses for unpaid fines is a commonsense reform that will improve livelihoods across this country and has widespread support from law enforcement, civil rights, and criminal justice reform organizations. I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act. Suspending driver's licenses for unpaid fines and fees makes it harder for Americans to hold down a job and care for their families, and places an undue burden on our police officers, said Senator Coons. Today's introduction of the Driving for Opportunity Act in the House moves us one step closer to ending this counterproductive practice and the harm it causes in communities across the country. The broad, bipartisan coalition backing this bill underscores the strong support for swiftly passing it into law. Besides not being an effective debt collection tool, these too poor to drive suspensions can hinder an individual's ability to keep working or get work and can lead to interactions with the criminal justice system, both of which have far reaching impacts on our communities, said Rep. Moore. In Milwaukee and around the country, these policies disproportionately impact minorities and the most financially vulnerable. The Driving for Opportunity Act would encourage states to end the suspension of driver's licenses for unpaid fees to lift the burden off of drivers and to reinstate such licenses and ensure resources are better allocated towards promoting public safety. In 2018, Pennsylvania passed legislation eliminating driver's license suspensions for non-driving infractions, an effort I was honored to be a part of, said Rep. Reschenthaler. The Driving for Opportunity Act will incentivize other states to follow Pennsylvania's lead and eliminate debt-based driver's license suspensions. By ending this counterproductive practice, we can make it easier for struggling Americans to hold down a job and pay off their debts while also ensuring police departments can target their resources where they are needed most. A copy of the bill can be found here: https://scanlon.house.gov/UploadedFiles/SCANPA_047_xml.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/caseys-bipartisan-rosie-the-riveter-congressional-gold-medal-act-signed-into-law,Casey’s Bipartisan Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act Signed Into Law,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)'s bipartisan Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed into law. This legislation honors American women who joined the workforce in support of the war effort during World War II by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. These Rosie the Riveters answered the Nation's call to action and learned new skills, many building the vehicles, weaponry and ammunitions that were critical to the war effort. Senator Casey led the effort along with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and U.S. Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA-14) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1). 76 senators co-sponsored the Senate bill, including every female senator. Millions of women helped support our troops during WWII, whether they worked on assembly lines, addressed the troops' medical needs or tended to ships and farms. These Rosie the Riveters' have set an example of the We Can Do It' spirit for decades, and this recognition of their tremendous service and patriotism is long overdue, said Senator Casey. I am glad to announce that the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act is now law and I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives for their partnership in moving this legislation forward. The percentage of women in the workforce jumped from 27 percent to nearly 37 percent between 1940 and 1945. By the end of the war, nearly one out of every four married women worked outside the home. These Rosie the Riveters' took positions across various industries, but the aviation industry saw the biggest increase of female workers with more than 310,000 working in the aircraft industry in 1943, representing 65 percent of its workforce.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-honors-frontline-healthcare-workers-house-floo,Congressman Fred Keller honors frontline healthcare workers on House Floor,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) recently spoke on the House Floor to celebrate the valiant efforts of frontline healthcare workers in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District and across America, as they continue their dedicated service amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. During his remarks, Congressman Keller invoked the storied reverence of frontline workers, drawing a parallel between pandemic-era health care workers and the Americans who helped fuel wartime manufacturing efforts during World War II. Following his floor remarks, Congressman Keller made the following statement: The outstanding men and women who go to work every day in our hospitals and health networks are worthy of our utmost admiration and respect. Though their job is not easy, these individuals have persisted through truly demanding times and they continue to provide critical services to our region. And though they don't do it for recognition, they deserve recognition nonetheless. I am dedicated to continuing to support them and their noble work. Congressman Keller's full remarks are below. Madam/Mr. Speaker, Throughout American history, generations of American frontline workers have answered the call of duty to support our nation, states, and local communities. From those in the factories who fueled the Allied advance in World War Two, to the men and women who cleared the rubble after the attacks of September 11th, there is a storied reverence that comes with being a frontline worker. Today, across Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district and America, our nurses, doctors, and health care providers are answering that call to duty. In the face of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and global uncertainty, our health care professionals have not wavered in their mission, exemplifying compassion, determination, and resilience. Most importantly, our health care workers have given our nation reassurance that there is light at the end of this tunnel, and we can beat this pandemic. To our frontline healthcare workers at: Evangelical community hospital; UPMC; Geisinger; Endless Mountains; Bucktail Medical; Robert Packer; Guthrie Towanda Memorial; Troy Community; Divine Providence; Mount Nittany; Barnes-Kasson; And Tyler Memorial I know your job is not easy, but your impact is felt throughout our community and across our nation. Please know that we are forever grateful for your service. Thank you, I yield back.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-votes-no-speaker-pelosi-s-out-touch-priorities,Congressman Fred Keller votes NO on Speaker Pelosis out-of-touch priorities,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. This week, Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) voted against the MORE Act and the Big Cat Public Safety Act, legislation brought forth by Speaker Pelosiin the midst of a global pandemicthat aims to legalize marijuana and revise protections for exotic animals, respectively. The MORE Act passed the House by a vote of 228-164 while the Big Cat Public Safety Act passed by a vote of 272-114. By contrast, House Democrats took no legislative action this week to join House Republicans in supporting H.R. 8265, legislation that would deliver the $138 billion in remaining Paycheck Protection Program funds to American families, small businesses, and workers. In a video, Congressman Keller highlighted Speaker Pelosi's unwillingness to bring real relief to the American people and details how she instead chose to push trivial and nonurgent legislation through the House. (Click to watch video) Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement in response House Democrats' legislative priorities: Instead of addressing the plight of millions of Americans across the country who are struggling during this pandemic, this week Speaker Pelosi decided to once again put politics over people and hold votes on legalizing marijuana and exotic animals instead of COVID relief measures. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to do their jobs and join House Republicans in delivering targeted relief to our families, businesses, and industries who need it the most. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-keller-and-kim-release-statement-covid-19-risks-bureau-prisons,Congressmen Keller and Kim release statement on COVID-19 risks at Bureau of Prisons facilities,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) and Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement on the continued increase of COVID-19 spread in Bureau of Prison (BOP) facilities across the country. Both Congressmen Keller and Kim represent districts that are home to BOP facilities. The coronavirus pandemic has created significant challenges for the federal prison system tasked with keeping inmates and correctional officers safe. However, it is clear that the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) COVID-19 response plan has been inadequate in containing outbreaks at a number of facilities across the country. Despite Members of Congress raising the alarm about the spread of the virus under its watch, BOP leadership has failed to effectively respond to growing outbreaks in the federal prison system. Despite the uptick in cases in certain facilities, the BOP continues to transfer inmates between facilities, in many cases transferring COVID-19 positive inmates into new facilities, exposing staff and other personnel to the virus. It is irresponsible to continue to risk exposure through inmate transfers from various parts of the country. We firmly believe that during the coronavirus pandemic, all inmate transfers between BOP facilities should be halted in order to protect the health and well-being of inmates, as well as the thousands of BOP correctional officers across the country. The BOP must also clearly outline, and make public, the steps that it will take to improve its response to outbreaks in its facilities. We have heard deep concerns from our constituents for the health and safety of their friends or family in federal prisons, or that serve as staff in the facilities. Every day that the BOP refuses to take action, is a day that more Americans are put at risk. We stand ready to work alongside the BOP to find common ground and solutions that will save lives. Congressman Keller and Congressman Kim are members of the Bureau of Prisons Reform Caucus, of which Congressman Keller is the founder and chairman. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lamb.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-lamb-statement-more-act,LAMB STATEMENT ON MORE ACT,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,PA,Conor Lamb,L000588,lamb.house.gov,,,legacy,"(WASHINGTON, DC) Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) statement following the passage of the MORE Act: I support decriminalizing marijuana. It's a big, serious issue that needs to be done the right way. This is a small, non-serious bill that wasn't done the right way and will never be signed into law, regardless of who is President. And everyone knows that. This was an opportunity for people to say they voted to legalize marijuana' without doing any of the work to actually accomplish that. I hope we do take this up in a serious way in the future. For now I'm focused on the fact that an American is dying every minute, people are losing jobs and going broke, and we're in a recession. People say you can do two things at once' well, Congress usually can't even do one thing at once. Which is why we still haven't gotten a COVID relief deal. So maybe for now we should stay focused on the deadly, devastating health and economic crisis that's raging in every single one of our districts.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/pa-congressman-gets-top-spot-house-ag-committee,Pa. Congressman gets top spot in House Ag Committee,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn GT Thompson was elected as the top Republican in the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson was elected ranking member Dec. 2. The full House GOP Conference ratified the decision Dec. 3. He is succeeding the retiring Rep. Mike Conway (R-Texas). The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet, said Thompson, who was elected in 2008. National Milk Producers Federation and National Cattlemen's Beef Association put out statements in support of Thompson's new role in Congress and praised his track record of bipartisan legislative victories. GT has been a vocal and effective advocate for the needs of dairy farmers in Pennsylvania and throughout the country, said Jim Mulhern, National Milk Producers Federation president, in a statement. Thompson served as chairman of the conservation and nutrition subcommittees during the writing of the last two farm bills. Most recently he's been the ranking member of the general farm commodities and risk management subcommittee. His district is the state's geographically largest congressional district, in north western and north central Pennsylvania. It covers portions of Armstrong, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Venango and Warren counties.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-lead-agriculture-committee,Thompson to lead agriculture committee,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, has been elected by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve as GOP leader of the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress. As a lifelong resident of a small town in rural central Pennsylvania and the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers, I am incredibly humbled to have been elected by my Republican colleagues, Thompson said Wednesday. Thompson, also known as GT, represents Indiana, Armstrong, Clearfield, Jefferson and all or part of Cambria and nine other counties in the 15th Congressional District. The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet, Thompson said. Overall, he has served in Congress since 2009, from the old Fifth Congressional District, and in November was easily chosen for a second term in Indiana County and other areas moved by state Supreme Court order into a reapportioned 15th District. Thompson said he was very appreciative of the vote of confidence he received, as he became the most senior Republican on the House Agriculture Committee and second most senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. On election night he pledged to continue to work closely with the Indiana County Farm Bureau, saying, my goal is really to become a part of the communities I serve. Among key issues listed on his website is rural development, or, as he writes: Creating jobs and expanding technology, such as broadband and cellphone coverage, is a major challenge that must be met in order to improve and sustain rural Pennsylvania. As he expanded upon that in answering questions from the Gazette during the recent election campaign, COVID-19 has shown those of us living in more rural settings the importance of high-speed internet connectivity, for businesses and homes.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-lead-republican-caucus-us-house-agriculture-committee,Thompson to lead Republican caucus of U.S. House Agriculture Committee,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier this week, Rep. Glenn GT Thompsonwas elected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve asRepublican leader of the House Agriculture Committee, replacing Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas, whom he worked under as vice ranking member in the current Congress. Thompson is a familiar face to farmers and ag leaders in Pennsylvania. His district covers a big swath of north-central Pennsylvania, just east of Erie and west of Williamsport, going south to Altoona, and he is a familiar face at many agricultural events in the state, including the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Ag Progress Days. He's been an advocate for forestry-related programs, especially when it comes to the farm bill, and he has been an outspoken supporter of getting whole milk back in schools.Earlier this week, Rep. Glenn GT Thompsonwas elected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve asRepublican leader of the House Agriculture Committee, replacing Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas, whom he worked under as vice ranking member in the current Congress. Thompson will be leading the committee's Republican coalition, which he says will likely have four openings for new members when the 117th Congress gets sworn in next month. He says that he's worked with incoming committee Chairman DavidScott on two previous farm bills and calls him someone he can work with. Thompson says that he intends to work across the aisle when it comes to pushing agricultural legislation. With very few exceptions, every bill I introduce is bipartisan,"" he says. ""I reach across the aisle. That's my style with committee work as well."" Thompson says that he recently spoke to Rep.-elect August Pfluger of Texas, who told him that the No. 1 requested committee assignment by incoming freshman representatives is agriculture. He also says the committee will be focused on passing mandatory livestock price reporting legislation, working to expand domestic and foreign markets, passing bills to make agriculture more resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and expanding rural broadband.Incoming representatives will have a lot to learn with work on the upcoming 2022 Farm Bill likely kicking into high gear in 2021. Thompson says that virtual listening sessions on the next farm bill have already been held in home districts and that live in-person listening sessions could be held in spring if the COVID-19 vaccine helps to reduce cases. It is time for full and complete connectivity in rural America,"" Thompson says. ""We need to take a laser-focused approach to connectivity. COVID has made this apparent.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/western-pa-congressmen-join-rebuke-us-attorney-general-william-barr,Western Pa. congressmen join rebuke of U.S. Attorney General William Barr,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"A bloc of 39 congressmen including five Pennsylvania Republicans who were reelected Nov. 3 lashed out at Attorney General William Barr in a letter expressing dismay at the shocking lack of action stemming from the Justice Department's investigation of allegations of fraud in the election. The letter was posted the same day Barr announced that Justice Department investigators had uncovered no evidence of fraud that would change the outcome of the election. To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election, Barr told The Associated Press. U.S. Reps. John Joyce, R-Blair County, and Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters Township were among those who urged Barr to take a closer look at what they claim are election irregularities. Both are staunch supporters of President Trump who appeared on stage with the president at campaign rallies in Western Pennsylvania. Neither Joyce nor Reschenthaler responded to requests to detail what they believe threw the Pennsylvania election into question. Tuesday's announcement from Barr, who previously warned of the potential for fraud in widespread mail-in balloting, left many of the president's supporters stunned. The congressmen joined Trump and his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, in discounting Barr's findings. The president continues to claim he won and has repeated unfounded claims of widespread fraud and sweeping conspiracies to steal the election. Like Joyce and Reschenthaler, Pennsylvania Republican Reps. Fred Keller, R-Snyder, Scott Perry, R-York, and Dan Meuser, R-Luzerne, signed off on the letter. All five of them were re-elected as Trump suffered an 81,000 vote defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in Pennsylvania. There are a number of anomalies, statistical improbabilities and accusations of fraud that bring the election results in several states into question, the congressmen wrote. Affidavits of irregularities in the voting and tabulation processes have been sworn in a number of jurisdictions. Threats of retribution by leftist groups with a history of violence have been made against election officials and attorneys for President Trump. And a number of last-minute changes in balloting and counting requirements raise questions about the overall integrity of federal elections. Although Pennsylvania Republicans have reported receiving numerous allegations of election irregularities, federal courts here have dismissed the Trump campaign's legal challenges to the election as lacking in evidence. Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so, Judge Stephanos Bibas, a Trump appointee to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, wrote in the Nov. 27 ruling that rejected the campaign's most recent appeal in Pennsylvania. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here. Many of the allegations in Pennsylvania referred to issues with dates and signatures on mail-in ballots and complaints from poll watchers that they were not given adequate access to the count. At a hearing in Gettysburg last week, Giuliani conflated primary election reports with general election returns to falsely claim Pennsylvania officials had counted 700,000 more mail-in ballots than they distributed. Sidney Powell, a lawyer for the Trump campaign who has since been dismissed, alleged voting systems were flipping votes. Barr said Tuesday his office had looked into claims such as those Powell voiced. There's been one assertion that would be systemic fraud and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results. And the (Department of Homeland Security) and DOJ have looked into that, and so far, we haven't seen anything to substantiate that, he said. Nonetheless, the president's supporters continue to maintain their attacks on the election. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, did not sign Tuesday's letter, but is continuing his own attack on the outcome of the election in Pennsylvania. Kelly, the lead plaintiff in a suit seeking to have Pennsylvania's expansive 2019 mail-in ballot law ruled unconstitutional, is seeking a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court shot down the complaint Saturday and dismissed a lower court ruling halting the certification of the vote here. In its ruling, the state high court said the challenge was filed long after the expiration date for such challenges, and the plaintiffs had failed to prove a single ballot fraudulent. In a new appeal filed Wednesday, Kelly asked the state Supreme Court to reinstate the lower court's stay on election certification, pending the U.S. Supreme Court's decision whether to hear his appeal.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/climate-trade-top-gop-pick-thompson-s-farm-panel-priorities,"Climate, Trade Top GOP Pick Thompsons Farm Panel Priorities",2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Glenn GT Thompsonwill serve as the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee next year, the party conference announced. Thompson will succeed ranking memberMike Conaway(Texas) following his retirement. The Republican steering committee recommended the Pennsylvania lawmaker over Reps.Austin Scott(Ga.) andRick Crawford(Ark.), who were also vying for the position. His selection will help solidify Republican priorities for the panel next year, as the chairmanship remains in flux after current leaderCollin Peterson(D-Minn.)'s election loss. Thompson's roots in dairy farming help him understand what needs to be done to take America's agriculture industry to the next level, and he knows the needs of the hard working Americans who will get us there, the GOP conference's Thursday announcement said. Thompson's Priorities Thompson, who is heading into his seventh congressional term, has previously served as the committee's vice chairman and ranking member of three subcommittees. The Republican conference announcement pointed to his commitment to speaking up as one of his best leadership skills, making him the most frequent speaker on the House floor for the past seven years. In his new role, Thompson pledged to restore a robust rural economy, help develop precision agriculture, identify climate solutions through voluntary conservation, and expand agricultural market opportunities with strong trade deals. Farmers and ranchers also need a stronger safety net to mitigate weather-related disasters, such as Southern agriculture producers' losses during hurricanes and Iowa farmers' crops flattened by an August derecho, he said. There's no other committee that probably touches the lives more frequently in a day's time of the American family than the Agriculture Committee, Thompson said in an interview before the November election. Thompson highlighted his ability to work with his Democratic colleagues, having served as a co-sponsor on several of Peterson's bills, such as assistance for meat processors (H.R. 7490) and whole milk for students (H.R. 832). DemocratsDavid Scott(Ga.) andJim Costa(Calif.) are vying to succeed Peterson.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-gop-selects-several-new-ranking-members-next-congress,House GOP selects several new ranking members for next Congress,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced Thursday that the GOP caucus has selected several new ranking members for the incoming Congress, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) for the Energy and Commerce Committee. Other leading committee Republicans who will be new to their posts include Reps. Glenn Thompson (Pa.) for Agriculture; Mike Rogers (Ala.) for Armed Services; Jason T. Smith (Mo.) for Budget; Bruce Westerman (Ark.) for Natural Resources; Blaine Luetkemeyer (Mo.) for Small Business; and Mike Bost (Ill.) for Veterans Affairs. The top Republicans on other committees will remain the same as in the current Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/pennsylvanias-glenn-thompson-lead-us-house-ag-republicans,Pennsylvania's Glenn Thompson to Lead U.S. House Ag Republicans,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., was elected Wednesday to be the Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee for the 2021-2022 term. The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet, saidThompson, who represents a heavily forested but sparsely populated swath of Pennsylvania stretching from Centre County to Venango County and the New York border. Since entering Congress in 2009, Thompson has spoken effusively about farmers. In recent years he has led efforts to return whole milk to the School Lunch Program. Thompson's ascension to Ag Committee leadership is somewhat unusual. The posts often go to lawmakers from Western states. Thompson, known as G.T., was chosen by the Republican Steering Committee. The committee's current ranking member, Texas Rep.Mike Conaway, is retiring. The Democrats, who will maintain control of the House next session, have not announced the next Ag Committee chairman. The incumbent, Rep.Collin Petersonof Minnesota, was defeated in November's election, and one of the most senior members of the committee, Rep.Marcia Fudgeof Ohio, is being discussed for U.S. ag secretary.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-elected-top-republican-ag-committee,Thompson Elected Top Republican on Ag Committee,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"A Pennsylvania Republican will lead his GOP colleagues in the House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress. On Wednesday, Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-Centre) was elected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve as the GOP leader of the House Agriculture Committee for the upcoming Congress. As a lifelong resident of a small town in rural Central Pennsylvania and the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers, I am incredibly humbled to have been elected by my Republican colleagues to be their leader on the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress, Thompson said in a release. The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet. Thompson is taking over for Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), who is retiring at the end of the current Congress. According to theJohnstown Tribune-Democrat, Thompson is currently serving as the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee's General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Committee. Thompson was the lone Pennsylvanian serving on the House Agriculture Committee during the 116th Congress. Thompson was first elected to Congress in 2008 to serve in the old 5th Congressional District after besting Democrat Mark McCracken by15 points. He cruised to reelection in 2020 after defeating Democrat Robert Williams by52 pointsin the GOP friendly 15th Congressional District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-named-top-republican-house-agriculture-committee,Thompson named top Republican on House Agriculture Committee,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"His new role allows him to determine which policies the GOP introduces and supports on the ag committee for the next two years. Rural broadband, and everything that goes with that, Thompson said of his priorities during an interview on the topic last month. Rural health care, rural commerce. Rural economic development, whether its rural utilities, all of that happens through the Farm Bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/congressman-keller-announces-childhood-development-grant-bradford-tioga-counties,"Congressman Keller announces childhood development grant for Bradford, Tioga counties",2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a grant to Bradford-Tioga Head Start. A grant in the amount of $1,638,062 will be administered by HHS to support childhood education and development programs in northcentral Pennsylvania. On the awarding of the grant, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: The programs offered by Head Start give local children essential opportunities to learn and grow while also supporting area families in need. Over the past 35 years, Bradford-Tioga Head Start has helped improve thousands of children's lives right here in PA-12. I thank HHS for its continued support of these critical programs and applaud the outstanding work that the people of Bradford-Tioga Head Start do to educate our children, strengthen our families and better our community.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-announces-head-start-grant-central-susquehanna,Congressman Fred Keller announces Head Start grant to Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a grant to Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in Milton, Northumberland County. A Head Start grant in the amount of $1,755,707 will be administered by HHS to support Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in early childhood education and development initiatives. On the awarding of the grants, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: Now more than ever, we must ensure our children are not left behind. Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit plays a critical role in providing quality education to help our children thrive and I am confident that this grant will support its mission and expand its reach in our communities. Background: In the 116th Congress, Congressman Keller has made child care a priority as the nation recovers from the pandemic, co-sponsoring two key bills: The EnsuringChildren andChildCareWorkers Are Safe Act of 2020, which provides federal support to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in child care provider settings; and the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020, which establishes a grant program to help child care providerswho were in operation prior to March 1, 2020pay for fixed costs and operating expenses for up to nine months. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-keller-calls-ag-barr-address-lack-action-doj-address-election,Congressman Keller calls on AG Barr to address lack of action by DOJ to address election integrity,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. This week, Congressman Fred Keller joined 36 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to Attorney General Barr, highlighting concerns over the lack of transparency in actions taken by the Department of Justice following the AG's directive to pursue allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The letter explains that the Department of Justice has not made a transparent effort to address cases of anomalies and inconsistencies in the tabulation of election results in several states, last-minute changes in balloting and counting requirements, and threats of retribution made by leftist groups against election officials. A copy of the letter is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-join-scott-house-ag-committee-leadership,Thompson to Join Scott in House Ag Committee Leadership,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Both parties have now selected their leaders for the House Ag Committee. The Republican steering committee voted Wednesday and chose Glenn GT Thompson from Pennsylvania to take over when Texas Congressman Michael Conaway retires. Democrats selected Georgia Congressman David Scott Tuesday, replacing Minnesota's long-time chair Collin Peterson. After Wednesday's vote, Thompson said he is humbled to have been elected by his colleagues. The descendant of generations of dairy farmers says, The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet. Both Scott and Thompson must be approved by the full party caucuses before assuming their new roles. Democrats plan to vote on Scott's selection Thursday.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-named-top-republican-agriculture,Thompson named top Republican on Agriculture,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Glenn ""GT"" Thompson (Pa.) won the race to take over as the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson edged outReps.Austin Scott(R-Ga.) andRick Crawford(R-Ark.). Thompson, who was first elected to Congress in 2008, is the most senior member on the panel and the ranking member of the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee. Thompson is slated to succeed outgoing Rep.Mike Conaway(R-Texas), who announced his retirement in July 2019. The panel has jurisdiction over issues including food assistance programs and aid for farmers. Under House GOP rules, lawmakers are allowed to serve three terms as a ranking member or chairman before being term-limited out of the role. Thompson said he highlighted his experience on the panel while making his pitch to members, noting his work on two farm bills and his leadership on issues including conservation, forestry and nutrition. Thompson said he is ready to hit the ground running next year, placing a strong emphasis on policies to boost economic growth. My vision is basically looking to restore a robust economy. Certainly, that is an important part of that is markets for all of our commodity groups, all those farmers and farm families that work so hard to produce us the food and the fiber that we need but also what we need in rural America,"" he said. The House GOP conference is slated to ratify the Steering Committee's ranking member selections on Thursday.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/thompson-selected-lead-republicans-house-ag,Thompson selected to lead Republicans on House Ag,2020-12-02,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House Republican Steering Committee on Wednesday selected Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania to serve as ranking member for the House Agriculture Committee. Pending formal approval of the full House GOP conference, he will succeedTexas Rep. Mike Conaway,who is retiring from Congress. ""As a lifelong resident of a small town in rural central Pennsylvania and the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers, I am incredibly humbled to have been elected by my Republican colleagues to be their leader on the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress, Thompson said in a statement. The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet."" Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia (no relation topresumptive Democratic Chair David Scott, who got the nod from that party'ssteering committee Tuesday)and Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas, were alsovying to be the top Republican on the panel. Thompson has served 11 years on the House Agriculture Committee and serves as ranking member of the general farm commodities and risk management subcommittee. He also was the vice chair of the full committee and chair of the nutrition subcommittee during the development of the 2018 farm bill. His vision to lead the committee has two parts: having a robust rural America and serving the next generation of family farms. We need to make sure that we provide the right kind of policies so folks can find opportunity in rural America, Thompson toldAgri-Pulsein November 2019. At the time, Thompson said his priorities include expanding new markets for agricultural products, improving the farm safety net, improving Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage to be more effective and affordable for producers, and improving rural broadband connectivity. He also wants to expand access to commodity purchases through The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP,a federal program providing low-income Americans with emergency food assistance at no cost. Thompson's appointment rounds out the new leadership group for the House and Senate Ag Committees, who will have new faces in three of four slots for the upcoming Congress. In addition to Thompson taking Conaway's place, David Scott is poised to succeed Rep. Collin Peterson as the new chair of the House committee. In the Senate, Arkansas Republican John Boozman is expected to lead Republican efforts on the ag committee; Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow is the lone holdover from the leadership group that drafted the last farm bill. The steering committee selected Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to become ranking member on the powerful House Energy and Committee. This committee has jurisdiction over energy policy and oversight of the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. McMorris Rodgers, whose district covers the eastern third of Washington, would replace retiring Oregon Rep. Greg Walden.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/losing-spikes-was-not-option-entering-their-15th-year-state-college-spikes-brace,"'Losing the Spikes was not an option' | Entering their 15th year, the State College Spikes brace for rebrand",2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"After the State College Spikes' 2020 season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was a degree of uncertainty surrounding the team's future. The Spikes previously the Short Season Class A affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals quelled that uncertainty and announced their direction as a franchise Tuesday morning as they enter their 15th season in State College. As first released in a tweet by Major League Baseball, the Spikes will be joining the brand new MLB Draft League, which will hold its inaugural season in 2021, and will no longer be affiliated with a Major League club. A few months ago, I don't think we were quite sure how things were going to play out for the Spikes, but to be able to share the news today, it's very, very exciting, Scott Walker, the General Manager of the Spikes, said at the beginning of the press conference. Walker and the Spikes' uncertainty stemmed from a proposed agreement between Major League and Minor League Baseball that would reduce the number of club affiliates from 160 to 120, and called for the elimination of Short Season Class A, the level the Spikes were previously. State College Spikes Chairman and Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg followed Walker's statement and expressed how he believes the club's visions both on the field and off, will not only continue, but will be taken to the next level. This is an updated, more intense version of everything that's made Spikes baseball great. All of the things that have made it a great experience [will continue], Greenberg said. From a big picture standpoint, it's going to be all the things we've had, with an even greater concentration of talent. The Draft League's primary focus will be on giving MLB exposure to draft-eligible collegiate players. Greenberg is excited to bring college players to one of the ultimate college towns in Happy Valley to improve their draft stock and make the case for themselves to get drafted, calling it an extraordinary set of circumstances. He also acknowledged the fact that the league will attempt to distribute talent among its members equally but said there's a good chance of an appearance from Penn Staters and local standouts with the Spikes. There's certainly going to be a special priority placed on local affiliations, Greenberg said. If there are Penn State players who are draft-eligible or ready to play at that level, [we are] confident that they'll be with the Spikes. Kerrick Jackson, the former head baseball coach at Southern University, was appointed as the president of the new MLB Draft League and said that the talent and ability of the league will be similar to, if not greater than, that of what Spikes fans are used to seeing. As a former college coach, Jackson understands the challenge of college baseball players struggling to focus because they are drafted while their seasons are still going on. For that reason, Jackson is excited about the prospect the league presents for players to hone their skills in a professional setting after the completion of their college seasons. Now that these kids will be done playing it's solely meant to be focused on their professional careers, Jackson said. Making sure that they're putting themselves in a position to be the best players they can be. The Spikes' impact reaches well beyond the realm of baseball, playing a large role in the State College community, especially financially. According to Fritz Smith, president and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, State College has lost $132 million dollars in visitor spending in 2020 and around 1,600 leisure and hospitality workers in the area are still searching for jobs. Smith said, though, that the one area that hasn't seen a decline in interest in State College happens to be the attraction of sports. Sports are in our DNA here, Smith said. It would have been unthinkable to not have Spikes baseball this year, so we're looking forward to it. Smith believes that the new league will generate plenty of interest and attention and believes State College has turned the corner and is looking forward to a great 2021. Congressman Fred Keller of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District has been impressed by the support for the Spikes. The Spikes mean more than just baseball, Keller said. Our community knew that losing the Spikes was not an option. Keller said that it has been outstanding to see Central Pennsylvania rally for the Spikes and that the new position with the Draft League presents a light at the end of the tunnel. Greenberg said that the financial situation surrounding the new Draft League will be very similar to what it was before and gave credit to MLB for listening to each team's needs. The Spikes will have 34 home games in the new league compared to 38 in their previous league. Looking forward, Greenberg doesn't just see the MLB Draft League as a stepping stone, but instead they are looking forward to hopefully the next 15 years just as much as they were the last 15 years. I couldn't be more excited about it, both with my Spikes hat on and my general baseball fan hat on, Greenberg said. I really think this an exceptional, wonderful day.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/state-college-spikes-other-new-york-penn-league-teams-will-join-new-league-2021,"State College Spikes, other New York-Penn League teams will join a new league for 2021",2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"After a year of uncertainty, the State College Spikes announced their path forward Monday. The Spikes will be one of the founding members of Major League Baseball's Draft League, which will feature top prospects who are eligible for the baseball draft. The Spikes will be joined by the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Williamsport Crosscutters and West Virginia Black Bears, all from the New York-Penn League; and the Trenton Thunder, of the Eastern League. The league expects to add a sixth team in the next few weeks. The new format affirms MLB's commitment to the region and assures that communities of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New Jersey will continue to host high-caliber baseball and future Major Leaguers for years to come, MLB said in a statement. Chuck Greenberg, Spikes chairman and managing partner, said the league will provide a chance for players to compete at an elite level in the weeks leading up to the draft and bring a higher level of talent. I truly believe this is a step forward for the Spikes, Greenberg said during a virtual news conference. I couldn't be more excited about it. Reports first emerged a year ago that the Spikes, then a St. Louis Cardinals farm team, could lose their affiliation as part of Major League Baseball's plan to restructure the minor leagues. In response, the team launched Save Our Spikes, a campaign to harness the community's support. In June, the entire minor league season was canceled. The team's future was not clear until Monday's announcement. The last year, obviously, has been pretty stressful in so many ways. Even before the pandemic hit, Greenberg said, the questions about the future of the Spikes, the questions about the future of the New York-Penn League, they weighed heavily. Greenberg was sure the Spikes would continue, he said, but he was concerned about what form that would take. The Draft League and the team's continuing affiliation with MLB are what I hoped for and more, he said. U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, said he joined a bipartisan letter in the House to support the inclusion of minor league baseball in future COVID-19 relief legislation. The cancellation of the minor league season hurt clubs, employees, stadium workers and small businesses who rely on the industry, Keller said. Our community knew that losing the Spikes is not an option, Keller said. The news that the Spikes will retain Major League Baseball affiliation means there is light at the end of this tunnel and minor league baseball will come back stronger than before. Fritz Smith, president and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, also struck a cautiously optimistic tone as he discussed a tough year for the area. He pointed to about $132 million lost in visitor spending and 1,600 employees in leisure and hospitality out of work. We do feel that the turnaround is starting and that we're going to have a terrific 2021, he said. Smith noted that one area that has maintained visitor interest is sports. People want to be part of tournaments and camps: Sports is in our DNA here. I do think that this new league is going to draw interest and attention, and I think that's going to raise the attendance level, he said. MLB Draft League will be run by Prep Baseball Report, a scouting and event company. Kerrick Jackson, a former college baseball coach, will be president.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/williamsport-new-prospects-league,Williamsport in new prospects league,2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Williamsport and State College will have professional baseball again this summer after Major League Baseball announced Monday it is creating a minor league for top eligible prospects leading to the summer draft. The wood-bat MLB Draft League is launching with five teams and could add a sixth, MLB said Monday. Teams will play a 68-game regular season that includes an All-Star break coinciding with the draft in early July. The founding members of the MLB Draft League are located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New Jersey: the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the State College Spikes, the Trenton Thunder, the West Virginia Black Bears, and the Williamsport Crosscutters. MLB said it is in discussions with a sixth team that it hopes to announce soon. Teams in the MLB Draft League are going to communities that lost franchises when MLB began shrinking the affiliated minor leagues from 160 to 120 teams. The reduction this offseason followed the expiration of the Professional Baseball Agreement, which governed the relationship between the majors and minors. MLB has planned to eliminate the separate governing body of minor league baseball. We are ecstatic to have Williamsport continue to be a gateway to the Majors in the all-new MLB Draft League, and cannot wait for another season of Crosscutters baseball, Peter Freund, president and principal owner of the Crosscutters said. Ask anyone from Williamsport and they will tell you that the Cutters are more than just a baseball team, U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, whose 12th District covers Lycoming and parts of Centre county. They are a cornerstone of our community, providing affordable family entertainment for our region. This partnership will bring new life to the Cutters and ensure that Williamsport remains the baseball capital of the world. The season will run roughly from late May through mid-August, broken into halves. The first half will be a showcase for draft-eligible high school, college and junior college players. Following a multi-day break for the draft, rosters will be restocked with the best players passed over by MLB teams who are still interested in signing. The start of the season will overlap with the College World Series, meaning some top players won't be able to join until after opening day, similar to other college summer leagues such as the Cape Cod League. MLB's push to shrink the minors had drawn criticism from many in minor league communities, including politicians. A trio of U.S. senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia praised the MLB Draft League as a way to keep high-level baseball in their communities. I'm glad that MLB listened, Brown said. The formation of the MLB Draft League is good news for baseball and for fans in the (Mahoning) Valley, who will get to continue to see high-level prospects in their own backyard and rally around the Scrappers again soon. This is really great news for the Crosscutters organization as well as north central Pennsylvania, said state Sen. Gene Yaw, a Republican from Lycoming said. The possibility of not having a professional baseball team in Williamsport, the home of Little League Baseball, was a major concern. Now, the MLB Draft League presents an opportunity to grow the game, while safeguarding the Cutters' presence in our region. The draft league will be operated by Prep Baseball Report a scouting, events and media organization focused on youth ball and former Cape Cod League coach Kerrick Jackson has been appointed president. MLB said in a statement that players will receive unprecedented visibility to MLB club scouts through both in-person observation and state-of-the-art scouting technology and educational programming designed to prepare them for careers as professional athletes. Morgan Sword, MLB's executive vice president of baseball economics and operations, called the venture a one-of-a-kind league that will allow fans to see top prospects and future big-league stars in their hometowns. He added that MLB is committed to preserving and growing baseball in communities around the United States. MLB announced in September that the Appalachian League, formerly a Rookie-level affiliated league, would be transformed into a wood-bat college summer league. The Associated Press's Jake Seiner contributed to this story.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fred-keller-announces-childhood-development-grant-bradford-tioga,"Congressman Fred Keller announces childhood development grant for Bradford, Tioga counties",2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a grant to Bradford-Tioga Head Start. A grant in the amount of $1,638,062 will be administered by HHS to support childhood education and development programs in northcentral Pennsylvania. On the awarding of the grant, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: The programs offered by Head Start give local children essential opportunities to learn and grow while also supporting area families in need. Over the past 35 years, Bradford-Tioga Head Start has helped improve thousands of children's lives right here in PA-12. I thank HHS for its continued support of these critical programs and applaud the outstanding work that the people of Bradford-Tioga Head Start do to educate our children, strengthen our families and better our community. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/weekly-recap-what-you-might-have-missed-c06f036fc79d?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed,2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"I hope you all had a restful and happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for doing your part during this difficult time to keep your loved ones and community safe. With two promising vaccines now moving towards approval, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But, we have some months to go before they are generally available. With cooler weather and holidays where we would ordinarily gather indoors with loved ones, we cannot let our guard down. Please. Wear a mask, maintain social distancing, wash your hands, and be safe. Here is how I spent the past week fighting for you: Spoke on the House floor about the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color More than 1 in 4 residents of PA05 is Black, and our communities have been devastated by the disparate impact of this virus. Each day that we don't deliver relief for families, businesses, local governments, and our frontline workers, the impact of this pandemic grows that much more disastrous and disproportionately so for communities of color. After 7 months of inaction, the Senate needs to come to the table to pass a relief bill. Listen here: https://twitter.com/repmgs/status/1329126591809646596?s=21 Observed Transgender Day of Remembrance by lifting up the names and stories of Black transgender women who faced violence this year in Philadelphia We've lost at least 36 transgender or gender non-conforming people to fatal violence motivated by anti-transgender bigotry. The intersections of employment, housing, and other forms of discrimination put too many transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, at risk. We cannot address this violence if we do not acknowledge it, so today, and every day, we must recommit ourselves to honor those lost, and the survivors, with action. Listen to my remarks here: https://twitter.com/repmgs/status/1329784005110206467?s=21 Voted to pass the National Apprenticeship Act Historically, apprenticeships made up the backbone of our vocational education programs, and unions and building trades have done amazing work to lead these efforts. I was proud to support the National Apprenticeship Act this week when it passed the House with bipartisan support. We cannot rebuild our economy without connecting the millions of Americans out of work with good paying jobs, and providing a way for young people to develop skills that will set them on viable career paths. This legislation will help employees prepare to meet jobs for the future. Saw Madelyn Kieh's beautiful portrait hung in the Capitol along with the other Pennsylvania winners of the Congressional Art Competition Madelyn Kieh, a senior at Penn Wood High School, won our 2020 Virtual Congressional Art Competition this past spring with her piece This is Me. Her beautiful self portrait will hold a position of honor in the halls of Congress for the next year. Read more about the competition here: https://link.medium.com/Fy0ABMABzbb Introduced Ending Bankruptcy Discrimination Act of 2020 As COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly throughout the country, Americans face a multitude of economic crises, including the prospect of a tidal wave of bankruptcies. Currently, private employers have the right to refuse employment to individuals who have filed for bankruptcy relief. While prospective government employees are protected from this form of discrimination, ambiguity in Section 525 of the U.S. bankruptcy code has left the courts to decide with respect to the private sector, resulting in these employers being allowed to refuse employment based on current or past bankruptcy status. As we navigate the challenges presented by the global health and economic crisis, we cannot allow private employers to discriminate based on bankruptcy status. Read more about my bill here: https://repmgs.medium.com/scanlon-fights-to-protect-bankruptcy-filers-from-employment-discrimination-with-new-bill-1619d08efc5d Met with Gun Violence Prevention Task Force On average, we lose 100 people to gun violence every day. This violence has become the second leading cause of death for children in this country. Our thoughts and prayers are not enough. We must mobilize all levels of government to act. The Congressional Task Force Met this week to begin mapping the policy path forward in the 117yh Congress. The US House has passed multiple gun violence prevention bills this term which the Senate has yet to consider. Last month, I introduced the Stop Online Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act, a bill to prevent gun sellers from circumventing technology companies' terms of service by making it illegal to fraudulently sell firearms and ammunition online. This bill would make it illegal for gun sellers to circumvent websites' terms of service and continue the underground proliferation of firearms. It's part of a larger effort that needs to be taken to stop the plague of gun violence in our communities. Read more about my bill here: https://link.medium.com/pvl8JTPOzbb Launched the #PA5Heroes initiative As we all grapple with the serious challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, countless members of our community have stepped up to help those in need. From first responders and frontline workers to volunteers at food and clothing drives, to teachers navigating virtual classrooms, we are grateful for those who have gone above and beyond to meet the needs of our community. Do you know a local hero making a difference during this pandemic? Please nominate them here so that we can recognize them! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxRVWhEeXsDvW382r84GbHV8dIzzJsBMCSNnodh4WwOtUkzA/viewform Met with the Irish Ambassador to discuss progress with respect to the Brexit negotiations in Ireland Delaware County is often called the 26th county of Ireland due to the large number of Irish immigrants and descendants who live in the region. More than one in four people in PA05 claim Irish descent, including myself. As a member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus, I keep current on issues affecting our Irish allies, particularly as the UK negotiates changes to their relationship under Brexit. I look forward to bringing Irish leaders to the district for discussions in the coming months. Spoke with local Girl Scouts working on civics and government badges This week, I had the opportunity to meet virtually with Girl Scout Troop 566 from Drexel Hill and participate in a virtual town hall with Girl Scouts participating in Scout Days at the National Constitution Center. These young leaders of tomorrow had great questions about government service and the process of running for office.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://cartwright.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cartwright-announces-nearly-5-million-for-early-childhood-education-in,Cartwright Announces Nearly $5 Million for Early Childhood Education in Luzerne County,2020-11-27,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,PA,Matt Cartwright,C001090,cartwright.house.gov,,,legacy,"Wilkes-Barre, PA Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that Luzerne County Head Start received $4,897,038 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These funds will be used for the continuation of high quality, comprehensive, early childhood education for children in Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. This grant is an investment in our children the future of our country. Early childhood learning is vital to strengthening our economy and our country,said Rep. Cartwright,a member of the Appropriations Committee. I applaud Luzerne County Head Start on receiving this award and their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for children and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Head Start programs provide children with education services focused on early learning, health and family well-being. These programs promote children's growth and development and give parents an opportunity to become actively engaged in their child's education. Head Start and Early Head Start have served over 36 million children, providing them with the skills they need to succeed in school and in their lives. Head Start services are funded and overseen by The Office of Head Start (OHS), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the Department of Health & Human Services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-statement-on-pa-reaching-10000-covid-19-deaths,"Casey Statement on PA Reaching 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths",2020-11-25,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Scranton, PA Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement as Pennsylvania surpassed 10,000 COVID-19 deaths: COVID-19 has reached every corner of our Nation and every county in our Commonwealth. Today, I am thinking about the 10,000 Pennsylvanians who have lost their lives to this virus, and all those who loved them. We mourn for those we have lost and pray for those still suffering, as well as for their friends and families who are grieving. Pennsylvanians, especially our frontline health care workers, have been fighting this relentless pandemic for more than eight months. COVID-19 has now claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Pennsylvanians, and over a quarter of a million Americans. We are now seeing the largest wave of cases to date, and I am saddened to know that there will be more deaths in the weeks to come. It is critical that we all follow the guidance from public health authorities to stay home, wear a mask and avoid gatherings with people outside our families, in order to protect each other and do our part to stop the spread of this vicious virus. Furthermore, it is past time for Senate Republicans to work with Democrats, including the incoming Biden Administration, on robust legislation to provide states and the health care system with the resources they need to mitigate the spread of the virus. We must work together for the health and safety of the American people to protect frontline workers, implement a national testing strategy, advise people across all states to wear a mask and safeguard the seniors, people with disabilities and workers in nursing homes and other long-term care settings, who are among those put most at risk amid the pandemic. We must secure resources for state and local officials who are desperately in need of more resources and logistical support to prepare for vaccine distribution. Elected officials owe much more than condolences to the people who entrusted us with public office. The time to act is long overdue, and we cannot waste another day. We must mitigate the spread of this virus and prevent further senseless tragedy. It is far past time for Senate Republicans to get serious about saving lives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/penn-state-receives-over-1-million-research-grant-through-ultimate-program,Penn State receives over $1 million research grant through the ULTIMATE program,2020-11-25,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"State College, Pa. The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Resource Projects Agency-Energy has awarded Pennsylvania State University a $1,200,000 grant to fund research into certain alloys. The grant was funded through the Ultrahigh Temperature Impervious Materials Advancing Turbine Efficiency (ULTIMATE) program. The research project funded by the grant is titled, ""Design and Manufacturing of Ultrahigh Temperature Refractory Alloys."" The project will help develop materials and technologies for use in the aviation and power generation industries. On the awarding of the grants, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement: Congratulations to Penn State for receiving this grant which will fund its important work in developing new energy advancements. I commend ARPA-E for being an important, forward-thinking partner in unlocking new technologies that will help America meet its energy needs for future generations. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that the ULTIMATE program will have for Penn State and our region.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://smucker.house.gov/media/blog-posts/much-be-thankful,Much to Be Thankful For,2020-11-25,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Lloyd Smucker,S001199,smucker.house.gov,,,legacy,"As appeared in the November 25, 2020 edition of the Ephrata Review, Elizabethtown Advocate, and Lititz Record Thanksgiving is a time for friends and families to come together and give thanks for the blessings that we enjoyed throughout the year. Like much of 2020, Thanksgiving will likely look different for many of us this year. As we take a moment to reflect on the past year, let us be thankful for all who have helped us in our battle against COVID-19 and keep in our prayers those who may be alone or suffering. Medical professionals in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health centers have worked to keep us all healthy. They have committed long hours away from their families to put the needs of others first. I speak on behalf of all residents of the Eleventh District in sharing how thankful I am for their dedication and continued hard work. Throughout this year, we saw numerous times that Lancaster and southern York Counties came together to support medical professionals and our community's health. Local companies switched their operations to produce hand sanitizer, volunteers began sewing masks to be donated, a company produced more hospital beds to help the potential for a case surge in hospitals, and local charitable organizations provided exceptional support to those in need. When challenged, our community has shown exceptional strength and care for one another. I am thankful for the farmers, producers, truck drivers, and manufacturers who worked without pause to provide for us all. Farmers and agricultural producers adjusted to changes in supply chain operations. Truck drivers and logistics professionals ensured deliveries of essential goods and personal protective equipment. Educators have also faced significant challenges this year, but they have continued to provide students with the best education possible. Adapting to the challenges of remote instruction meant educators and school districts had to adjust quickly to make sure students are still receiving a quality education. We must also give thanks to the brave servicemembers in the United States Armed Forces who are away from their families this Thanksgiving and holiday season. We pray for their continued safety. We must also hold their families in our hearts, as they too serve our nation with bravery while their loved ones are abroad. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be joining my family around the table. I hope all of our families can use this day to reflect and be thankful for those working hard to fight COVID-19. I am confident that brighter days lie ahead for our neighbors and nation. Therapeutics and vaccines are going to help us turn the corner on this virus. I know that as we continue to fight COVID-19, I am confident in the strength of our resolve and am certain we will be an example for communities across America. Please keep your loved ones and neighbors in mind: wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice social distancing this holiday season. I am honored and humbled to have been chosen by the residents of Lancaster and southern York Counties for the continued opportunity to represent Pennsylvania's 11th District in Washington. Thank you for your trust and support. I will work every day to live up to the confidence you have placed in me. Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of my offices if we may ever be of any assistance with any federal issues. You can contact my Lancaster office at 717-393-0667, my Hanover office at 717-969-6132, my Red Lion office at 717-969-6133 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-2411.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/open-enrollment-information-adc512872fb?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,Securing Health Insurance Coverage During the Open Enrollment Period,2020-11-24,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"As we continue to grapple with this public health crisis, it has never been more clear that access to healthcare is crucial to ensuring our health and safety. I wanted to reach out to make sure you had all the resources you need to secure health insurance coverage during the open enrollment period. There are several ways to obtain coverage: Between now and December 15, you can visit healthcare.gov to review your options, make changes to your current plan, or sign up for a new plan on the healthcare marketplace. Coverage begins on January 1, 2021. For PA residents, you can also choose to enroll through Pennie, the state health insurance network, between now and January 15. Visit pennie.com to easily compare health insurance options, and then shop for the plan that is best for you. Our office is here to help. Our office can act as a liaison between constituents and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to assist with issues related to Medicare part A, B, C, and D. We can inquire about Issues related to a beneficiary having problems with Original Medicare (fee-for-service) including, claims payment, coordination of benefits, and also Medicare as a secondary payer. If constituents are Issues related to a beneficiary having problems with a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare prescription drug plan our office can also inquire about resolving those issues. We are able to assist with enrollment and eligibility, however, that is handled by the Social Security Administration. For individuals who are serviced through the Marketplace Health Insurance, initial contact should first be directed to the Marketplace Call Center at 8003182596 to verify enrollment. If issues persist, our office can send an inquiry to follow up as well. To sign up/ change your Medicare plan https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans. If you have any questions about this information, don't hesitate to reach out to our office. Give us a call at 6106262020 or visit us at scanlon.house.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://medium.com/@repmgs/scanlon-fights-to-protect-bankruptcy-filers-from-employment-discrimination-with-new-bill-1619d08efc5d?source=rss-c2708a5a087------2,Scanlon Fights to Protect Bankruptcy Filers From Employment Discrimination with New Bill,2020-11-24,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,PA,Mary Scanlon,S001205,medium.com,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced the Ending Bankruptcy Discrimination Act of 2020 to protect bankruptcy filers from employment discrimination, a bill co-sponsored by House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY-10) and Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01). As COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly throughout the country, Americans face a multitude of economic crises, including the prospect of a tidal wave of bankruptcies. Currently, private employers have the right to refuse employment to individuals who have filed for bankruptcy relief. While prospective government employees are protected from this form of discrimination, ambiguity in Section 525 of the U.S. bankruptcy code has left the courts to decide with respect to the private sector, resulting in these employers being allowed to refuse employment based on current or past bankruptcy status. As we navigate the challenges presented by the global health and economic crisis, we cannot allow private employers to discriminate based on bankruptcy status, Congresswoman Scanlon said. We must do everything we can to ensure our families are not prevented from accessing employment. The Ending Bankruptcy Discrimination Act of 2020 will clarify that private employees are protected from discrimination based on their current and/or past bankruptcy status, extending the same rights afforded to prospective government employees to individuals in the private sector. This critical legislation is endorsed by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). A copy of the bill can be found here: https://scanlon.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Ending_Bankruptcy_Discrimination_Act_of_2020.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-thompson-peterson-and-comer-push-leadership-delay-ligado,"Reps. Thompson, Peterson, and Comer Push Leadership to Delay Ligado Application",2020-11-24,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Glenn Thompson,T000467,thompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"HOWARD, PA Today, U.S.Representatives Glenn GT' Thompson (R-PA), Collin Peterson (D-MN), and James Comer (R-KY)sent aletterto House Leadership and the Appropriations Committeerequesting language delaying implementation of the April 2020 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order granting Ligado's application to deploy a terrestrial nationwide network to provide 5G services.In July, the Congressmenexpressed serious concernssurrounding the FCC's decision, questioning the reliability of GPS for millions of Americans, especially the farmers and ranchers who rely on this technology each and every day for precision agriculture.""Investments in 5G and GPS are critically important to the American economy, especially the agriculture industry,"" saidRep. Thompson. ""However, the Ligado decision will have negative impacts on GPS and satellite communications, hindering reliability and slowing progress on current and future innovation of this technology. I urge my colleagues in Leadership and on the Appropriations Committee to delay this harmful implementation.""There is no room for error when discussing safety and reliability of service for GPS signals. Aviation, agriculture, and other vital industries rely on consistent signal quality,"" saidRep. Peterson. ""Safety and national security issues remain unresolved under the current order, which is why it is vital that we delay Ligado's 5G deployment.Our farmers are vitally important to providing the food supply for America and the world, and a reliable GPS network is critical to precision agriculture, saidRep. Comer. I understand the importance of improving telecommunications operations, especially for advancing rural economies. But critical tools like GPS technology must not be disrupted, as our farmers are essential workers who must have the tools they need to do their jobs. It is our responsibility as policymakers to fight to ensure that federal agency decisions do not negatively impact Americans' livelihoods. It is my hope that this language to delay implementation of the Ligado order will be addressed in a year-end appropriations package.The FCC's ill-advised decision on the Ligado matter risks serious negative impacts to the communication of real-time environmental data from satellites that are a primary tool by the American Weather Enterprise in the creation and timely dissemination of accurate weather forecasts and severe weather warnings, saidJonathan Porter, Vice-President and General Manager, AccuWeather, Inc. Any degradation in these communications will endanger critical economic and societal benefits for weather-sensitive businesses from family farms to large corporations and reduce the ability for people to stay safe during severe weather.GPS is critical to precision agriculture applications that deliver centimeter level accuracy that enables farmers to maximize crop yields while lowering costs and environmental impact,"" saidDale Leibach, spokesperson for the Keep GPS Working Coalition. ""The FCC's decision represents a sweeping governmental and regulatory assault on farmers who are already facing unprecedented challenges including severe weather, low commodity prices, and supply chain vulnerability as a result of COVID-19. The order must be stopped, and Congressman Thompson and Chairman Peterson have been relentless champions for farmers in the effort to reverse the FCC's decision.""GPS technology is a key component to precision agriculture, a sustainable practice that benefits both farmers and the environment, saidDennis Slater, President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The recent Ligado decision will hinder these hardworking Americans from being able to properly utilize the tractors, combines, harvesters, and other modernized equipment we manufacture. We urge House leadership to include language to delay Ligado implementation. Farmers are already struggling due to the pandemic, natural disasters, and other factors. Let's not add to their economic pain.""Protecting the public interest and our economic security requires defending and protecting critical GPS, satellite communications services, aviation navigation equipment and essential weather apparatus. But Ligado's reckless venture puts that at risk,"" saidJordan Hassin, Director, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, and Industry Affairs for Iridium Communications. ""As more users of services in the L Band discover the threat Ligado presents to their livelihoods, more of our policymakers are recognizing that they need to demand this threat be addressed either in the NDAA or in an end of year spending package. This is not just a defense issue. We are grateful to the leaders of the Agriculture Committee for adding their voices to the call for a change to the FCC's misguided and destructive decision.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/infrastructure-improvements-must-be-priority,Infrastructure improvements must be a priority,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"State Rep. Tim Hennessey, the chairman of the House Transportation committee, said the proposal to toll Pennsylvania bridges is still in the preliminary stages. It's not something people need to be alarmed about now, he said. That means it is exactly the time to be worried, or at least very aware of the proposal. Lawmakers across the party spectrum said last week they support a move by a public-private partnership board that would allow tolling of traffic on major bridges in Pennsylvania. The move, they said, is necessary to help pay for repairs to bridges and roads across the state's expansive road map. How about instead of that movement, we make sure the tax dollars already allocated to repairing roads actually do it, while also finding a way to make rehabilitating the nation's crumbling infrastructure a national priority? The needs of the interstate system are staggering, State Rep. Mike Carroll, a Democrat from Luzerne County said. There's a reason so many states are raising the gas tax and looking to increase tolls. Among the issues hindering bridge and road renovation in Pennsylvania are the continued allocating of liquid fuel funds to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year away from repairs and to the state police, and a lack of funding from the federal government. The first issue is something the General Assembly in Harrisburg is going to have to fix on its own and sooner rather than later. Pennsylvanians, we have stated in this space previously, were amendable to the nation's highest gas tax now second-highest behind California as long as the money was spent fixing potholes and repairing crumbling bridges. The second will require a federal initiative. All of the lawmakers The Daily Item hosted for editorial boards during the lead up to the election, from state Rep. David Rowe to state Sen. John Gordner and Congressmen Fred Keller and Dan Meuser all said infrastructure roads, bridges, rail and even broadband internet is something every politician at every level of government supports. It's never flashy and headline getting, but a huge road project creates jobs and presents numerous benefits to an area. Along with the construction jobs, other businesses may pop up around the road work, creating additional jobs. It can ease traffic patterns, which can improve the aesthetic in neighborhoods and even bump up property values. Sure these projects can be an inconvenience just ask home and business owners in Northumberland but in the long run they make life better more often than not. The costs of these projects aren't going down anytime soon. The more we delay, the more costly they become. Tolls aren't the answer. A local, state and national focus is the way forward. NOTE: Opinions expressed in The Daily Item's editorials are the consensus of the publisher, top newsroom executives and community members of the editorial board. Today's was written by Managing Editor Bill Bowman.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/meuser-keller-other-reps-seek-clarification-mask-order-athletes,"Meuser, Keller, other reps seek clarification on mask order for athletes",2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Seven members of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation including Valley Reps. Dan Meuser and Fred Keller wrote to Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine seeking new information on the state's masking order and it relates to interscholastic athletics. ""The updated universal masking order issued by the Department of Health lacks clarity as to how it applies to interscholastic athletics. We urge you to provide guidance for student athletes reflective of different sports and the athletes that participate in them,"" the letter states. It is clear that the updated masking order appears to apply to athletes regardless of the nature of competition they are engaged in. No neighboring state has seen the need to apply a mask mandate that does not include reasonable exceptions for individuals engaged in varying degrees and modes of physical activity."" The letter notes at the PIAA, the governing body for scholastic sports in Pennsylvania, has sought clarification but has not heard a response from state officials. Winter sports practices began Friday in Pennsylvania as the PIAA conducts championships in soccer and field hockey this weekend and the state playoffs continued for football. ""This is a time-sensitive issue affecting more than 650 schools in Pennsylvania,"" the letter says. ""Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we encourage your office to specify how this new mandate may apply to individual sports as well as empower local school districts to develop and enforce safe practices that fit their communities.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-fred-keller-election-covid-19-vaccine-pennsylvania-s-home-mask-mandate,"Rep. Fred Keller on the Election, COVID-19 Vaccine, Pennsylvanias In-Home Mask Mandate",2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"In this episode, we sit down with Pennsylvania Congressman Fred Keller to discuss the election, COVID-19 vaccine developments, and Pennsylvania's newly expanded mask mandate which requires people wear masks inside their homes under certain conditions. This is American Thought Leaders, and I'm Jan Jekielek. Jan Jekielek: Congressman Fred Keller, it's such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders. Rep. Fred Keller: I'm glad to be here today. Mr. Jekielek: Congressman Keller, this is news that's hot off the presses. As we're conducting this interview, President Trump just gave a press conference about new rules of lowering prescription drug prices for Americans. I know you've been looking at this. Your reaction? Rep. Keller: I would look at what the President has done over his first three years in office. But this is just continuing on, him keeping the promises he made to the American people. Seeing lower drug prices last year for the first time in over 50 years, looking at what he can do to be effective to help the American people. Right now, I believe the order is that states can go to Canada and shop for drugs and look for lower price medications for people that are in their states. So I look at that as a huge win for the American people. He will continue to do that with the most favored nation status. He's looking to make sure that we have lower drug prices here in America. Mr. Jekielek: Again, fairly recent news, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has approved now an audit of the 2020 election results. Again, your thoughts on this? Rep. Keller: That's actually Jesse Topper's legislation. I served in the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania with Representative Topper. And what he wants to do isn't something that [anyone] should be concerned about. It's not a Republican or Democrat issue; it's an American issue. What he wants to do is he wants to take a look and have an audit of the election and see what things went right and what things maybe didn't go right and could be improved upon. And we should all welcome that kind of scrutiny. Particularly in a time when, just last year, Pennsylvania changed their election laws, allowing for no excuse absentee balloting, allowing for a shorter period of time before election day that you could register to vote or require an absentee ballot. There were some changes in the law. This is the first election we've had since those changes. There are also some things that the Governor and the Secretary of State in Pennsylvania did with election law where they actually unilaterally made changes that were upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, that is controlled by Democrats 5 to 2, Democrat to Republican. And I think we should welcome as Americans this kind of examination on how the election went, so that we can be certain that the things that work well, we replicate; the things that we can improve on, we improve on those things. Mr. Jekielek: That's right. As I've been learning over the past weeks and so forth, it's really the assembly that has to approve any changes to law and so forth. That didn't seem to happen here. Rep. Keller: Not at all. The Governor made an order where ballots could be received three days after election day. That really isn't up for the Governor to do, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed that to happen and just sort of endorsed what he did. Also, the Secretary of State in the Commonwealth also said that you didn't have to match the signatures on the ballots when they were returned. So when you signed the outside of the envelope, they didn't have to be matched. So I think there were some things in there that definitely weren't handled properly, and changing that guidance just added confusion to the electoral process. We need to make sure that we get to the bottom of that. Mr. Jekielek: Do you think those ballots after election day, November 3, should be counted? Rep. Keller: The thing I would look at with the whole situation is, if a person had not gotten an absentee ballot and failed to make it from work to the polling place, could they show up Wednesday morning and vote? They can't. I use the example of myself about getting things done in the mail. If you're voting, you're at least 18 years old, and you know that when you place something in the United States Postal Service, the laws of physics don't cease to exist, it still takes time to get it from point A to point B. I have mailed my utility bills now for, I'm 55, so about 37 years, every month. Guess what? I've never had one late, because I allow enough time for it to get there. So I don't see there's any reason why we should be taking a ballot that was put in or received by the polling place after election day. Mr. Jekielek: Just in general, there have been numerous irregularities around the election results that have been documented. And then there was a big press conference recently about some of those irregularities. Of course, there's been allegations of fraud and some isolated cases of fraud that have been proven. Are you concerned about this? Rep. Keller: The thing I would look at with that is, when we go back to 2000, I'm going to compare that. Because everybody starts calling former Vice President Biden, president-elect, and they fail to recognize that Donald Trump is still the president. And his campaign has the right to make sure that the votes were counted properly. We want every vote that was cast within the guidelines of the election code to be followed; absolutely! And counted. That needs to happen. But when you had elected officials and appointed officials within the administrationI'll talk to the Wolf Administration here in Pennsylvaniaputting out guidance up to election day on how to handle these ballots, I think there should be some scrutiny on that. We should know what happened. And again, that's not a Republican or Democrat issue. That's an American issue. And not only for this election but for elections going forward. When you look at what's happened thereI saw the press conference that the president's legal team had yesterday. I didn't see the whole thing, but I saw Mayor Giuliani was there; he made some very good points. And I think that the judges in these cases, once the case is made, need to make sure the law passed by the General Assembly is applied to those cases. And then whatever the [outcome]I'm not rooting for an outcome in this case, one way or the other. I want to make sure that we find out what went well, what didn't go well, to make sure we can have confidence in every election going forward. Mr. Jekielek: A number of media, not this media, but a number of media have announced that former Vice President Biden is the president-elect. And a growing number of Americans, based on some polls that have happened, seem to agree. What do you make of that? Rep. Keller: The only person that's called the election has been the press. And that's not really their job, because the election results have not been certified. That's how things work in our electoral process. So I think it's a little premature to be doing that before we've heard the merits of the cases that are before the courts in the various states and before the state election results have been certified. At that point in time, once that has all been done, we can then determine whether President Trump will be serving another four years or whether it will be a President-elect Joe Biden. But until those things take place as it's supposed to, prescribed by the laws of our states and of our nation, I think we're getting the cart in front of the horse, and we need to make sure that we allow this process to play out. Mr. Jekielek: Let's switch gears a little bit. You've been, as I understand it, against lockdowns, against shutdowns and so forth. There's a number of places in America that are advocating for that. I think recently, at the national level, no one seems to want to say they want to lock down or shut down. There's also, actually in your state I believe, there's an in-home mask wearing mandate. I just wanted to get your sense of what you think about these things and what you've learned from your team? Rep. Keller: Dr. Levine, who is the Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania, did put out new guidance. Dr. Levine is not an elected official to make law or have it enforceable. The Department of Health is for guidelines for guidance, but it's up to the General Assembly to pass laws and the governor to enforce those laws. Now the governor can veto of courseor notany law. I did see those regulations come forward. It says that if there's somebody in your house that is not a member of the household, but it's family or somebody is living with you, and somebody comes into your house, you're supposed to wear masks. Last time I checked, this is the United States of America, and we have the right to assemble. And I don't think we want the government peeking in the windows of our homes, determining whether or not this person that came to visit me is wearing their mask. There's a certain amount of personal responsibility. If you're sick, if you have symptoms, then I think you're not going to want to go to your grandparents' house or an elderly person's house, or somebody that might be susceptible. I think the American people are smart enough to evaluate that and make those decisions without having the government micromanaging what goes on inside our homes. Mr. Jekielek: So what about lockdowns, which, I guess, are both inside and outside our homes? Rep. Keller: I did see Governor Newsom in California has a curfew that runs overnight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. I'm not sure I have the hours right on that. I just happened to catch that. I'm not sure what not being out overnight [does]; does the virus spread differently after dark, between those hours, than it does differently? Some of these things seem to me to be a little bit more about control, rather than trust and faith that the American people will look out for one another, their family members, their communities. And in Pennsylvania is a perfect example of that. We had our governor, all through this pandemic, not consulting the members of the Pennsylvania House and Pennsylvania Senate, the General Assembly, or the county commissioners. He was doing it all by himself. And I think there's a responsibility there to make sure that you don't have one person just saying this is how it should be done. There are people that can give us recommendations and how we should be safe and do things. But we are still in the United States of America. And I don't think that we need to be getting into people's homes and telling them how to live their lives inside their homes. Mr. Jekielek: Is there any scenario where you think a lockdown might be a good idea? Rep. Keller: I think the President said it very well early on: the cure can't be worse than the disease. And we all need interaction with other human beings. That's just who we are. To be isolated and not be able to make those decisions, I think has other implications. I believe that people are thoughtful, intelligent, and they care. So they'll be able to make sure that they keep themselves and their community safe. It is a virus, and we need to make sure that people are kept safe, if they can. But we're also a free society where I can make a determination on whether or not I want to go to a sporting event. I look at what Governor Wolf has done and look at some of the things, some of the players, if they're playing college sports, they're going to have to wear masks while they're playing. And people coming into venues are not. There's a certain amount of personal responsibility. If I think I'm going to get sick and don't want to get sick, then I don't get in my car or walk down the street to the venue where the game is going to be played and pay to go in and watch it. There's some inherent risks in living our daily lives. I'm not trying to minimize the importance of keeping our vulnerable population safe. But there's a certain amount of things we'd like to do in our life, and freedoms that we have. And I want to make sure that our constitution isn't thrown aside, and our rights are not suspended during a pandemic. Mr. Jekielek: From what I understand, now, we have at least two vaccines that are looking very promising, that they might even be ready for distribution by the end of the year. And you've been someone that, you've been talking a lot about advocating for Operation Warp Speed. So, tell me about what's going to happen with these vaccines? Rep. Keller: The first thing with Operation Warp Speed, and I think what the President did, in getting private industry together with government resources to produce vaccines that are this effective in such a short period of time, it shows his leadership. When we elected the President the first time in 2016, we elected somebody that wasn't the established. That meant that he would look at things differently and get the government moving in the right direction and be responsive. And that's exactly what Operation Warp Speed did. He got these companies together and challenged them, as we've done a lot of times throughout our history when we had to defeat whatever threat it is, but challenge these companies to come up with vaccines and give them help. They got help from the government as far as making sure some of the red tape was gone and so on. They did that, and we got these vaccines. I got asked a while ago about the competition. Do you think it was good that Pfizer said theirs was 90 percent, Moderna came out with 94 point whatever it was [percent], and now Pfizer is saying theirs is 95 percent? That competition is good. That's what built our country, the fact that we could compete, we could do better. We can deliver a quality product that will help benefit not just us, but all of humanity, and that's what's happened under Operation Warp Speed. We've got a vaccine, which people said never could be done. And under the President's leadership and guidance, we're at a point now where, if people need the vaccine or want the vaccine, [they] will soon be able to have a vaccine for the coronavirus. Mr. Jekielek: Are you at all concerned about the safety? This was developed at an unprecedented speed, hence the name of the operation. Are you at all concerned that it might not be ready for mass deployment? Rep. Keller: That's where we have to take a look at what has been done and the trials that have been done, and the approval of the FDA. I think the FDA with everything they're doing can evaluate that, the companies can evaluate it, and make sure it's safe. We would not be puttingcompanies wouldn't be, because if they're putting something out that they think isn't safe or they know isn't safe, they can be in a heck of a lot of trouble later on. And the FDA is going to make sure that it's safe. So the safety aspect of it might be something that some people are concerned about, but personally myself, I would not be concerned about that. Mr. Jekielek: You trust the process? Rep. Keller: Yes, absolutely. Mr. Jekielek: Again, let's switch gears a little further. We are seeing these increased cases of coronavirusor CCP virus, actually, as we call it here at the Epoch Timesacross numerous states. People are worried that there will be more shutdowns or basically the economy will stay in this kind of very reduced state that it's at. And there's a stimulus bill that's being discussed and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere at the moment. Your thoughts? Rep. Keller: Talking about what we need to do to recover economically from coronavirus, we did the CARES Act [The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act], which was about $3 trillion. And when you think of the scope of $3 trillion, that's almost three quarters of the national budget on an annual basis. Our budgets are a little over $4 trillion$4.4, $4.3 trillion. This was $3 trillion in one spending package! What we need to do and we need to look at is the most severely impacted businesses and people that were impacted by this in America, through no fault of their own. It's not because they ran their business poorly; it's because they were told they couldn't do what Americans do best, and that's go to work. We said, You can't do that, so we have a responsibility. But what we do should be narrowly targeted to addressing those effects, and should not be a wish list of items like the Speaker [Pelosi] and Leader [Chuck] Schumer has in the Heroes Act. Because when you look at this, and you look at what needs to happen, the Speaker said before, that she'd be ready to talk when Republicans come up with $2 trillion. I don't know if you remember that? That's a couple of months ago. And, she needs to be reminded that it's not the Republicans $2 trillion. It's not the Democrats $2 trillion. It's $2 trillion that the United States Government is going to borrow. And the Speaker is 80 years old. And I'm 55. Who do we think is going to repay that debt? When we look at helping and getting through coronavirus, we have a responsibility. But we have a responsibility to make sure that the actions we take and the financial resources we put toward that deal with that issue and not issues that were policy positions that the Democrats have not been able to get done for years and are trying to take advantage of this crisis to get done. That's what we need to make sure we do. Mr. Jekielek: So what are some specific provisions in the Heroes Act that concern you? Rep. Keller: Let me go back to what we can already do. The Speaker is talking about all these things. But the first thing that you can do is, you can go ahead and you canwe have a discharge petition for H.R.8265, which is Steve Chabot's bill, that would take money that's already been appropriated for the Paycheck Protection Program to help our businesses and liability protection. She can already run that bill now, and we've signed a discharge petition. We've tried almost 40 times to get that bill run, and every time, the Democrats have defeated it. In the Heroes Act, they have things that deal with voting and a whole bunch of other things that have nothing to do with the economic recovery of the coronavirus. Mr. Jekielek: Congressman Keller, any thoughts before we finish up? Rep. Keller: The thing I'd like to talk about is a little bit about what happened this week in Congress. It was the apprenticeship reauthorization for a program that was started during the New Deal era, back during the Depression, about setting up apprenticeships for people to learn skills for jobs. It had ratios in it, where you had to have so many journeymen to one apprentice. And that was set up about 80 years ago or so. We have a different, more diverse workforce than we had before. So when you look at the needs of our workforce today, nobody knows those needs, to help us expand our economy and our jobs, better than America's small businesses and job creators and the people that work in those jobs. What we want to do is we wanted to make sure that smaller businesses could register for apprenticeship programs and get funding under Title II, which would allow them to build and help our workforce and our economy. We talk about kids and how much debt they're getting when they come out of college. But these apprenticeship programs, not just the ones that are run by labor organizations, but ones that might be run by small businesses or small business associations, have the same rules. So the kids can get good paying jobs, whether it be with carpentry, electricians; you name it, there's apprenticeships for it. What we need to do is we need to make sure the rules are different. And the small businesses, America's small businesses, aren't cut out from being able to offer these apprenticeship programs, because the ratios are different for them, higher for them than they would be for organized labor. To me that's a huge issue. If we want to talk about being able to help the next generations of Americans to be ready with the skills, I think this is an important step. And small businesses are basically being cut out of participation in these apprenticeship programs. Mr. Jekielek: It seems particularly relevant under this crazy coronavirus situation that we find ourselves in. Rep. Keller: It absolutely is. And the point I would like to make in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 70 percent of the companies operating in Pennsylvania are not C-Corps or large corporations. They're Subchapter S, they're sole proprietorships, they're partnerships, they're small businesses. And those are the people that are the backbone of our economy. We need to make sure they have the resources to have a skilled workforce to come in and work in their businesses and provide the services that are so vital to keeping our economy going. Mr. Jekielek: Congressman Keller, such a pleasure to have you on. Rep. Keller: Good to be here today. Thank you so much. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://keller.house.gov/media/in-the-news/ten-bradford-county-veterans-receive-overdue-korean-ambassador-peace-medals,Ten Bradford County veterans receive overdue Korean Ambassador of Peace Medals,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,PA,Fred Keller,K000395,keller.house.gov,,,legacy,"Towanda, Pa. On Friday, November 13, Congressman Fred Keller made a trip to Towanda, Bradford County, to present Korean Ambassador of Peace Medals to 10 local Korean War veterans and their families. Korean War veterans often feel unrecognized, as the war took place between World War II and the Vietnam War, which generally take prominence in the public eye. Making matters worse, the Korean Ambassador of Peace Medal was once only given to American veterans who traveled to South Korea to receive it. Distribution of medals to veterans unable to make the trip to South Korea has been so delayed that many veterans died before receiving the recognition; the medals are being presented to their surviving families instead. The ten medal recipients in Towanda are: Patrick Leo Beirne Marines, Cpl Kenneth Edsell Marines, Cpl Glen Ellis Jr. Navy, SN Keith Spear Haight Sr. Marines, GySgt Earl Leroy Mayo Army, Sgt (T) Charles Francis Miller Army, Sgt (T) Silas Leo Mills Sr. Army, Cpl Edward Moritz Army, Cpl Carlton Thomas Repsher Jr. Army, Cpl George Frederick Webb Air Force, AIC Nicholas Williams Navy, SN",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-booker-call-on-trump-administration-to-halt-deportation-of-vulnerable-migrant-children-in-family-detention-,"Casey, Booker Call on Trump Administration to Halt Deportation of Vulnerable Migrant Children in Family Detention",2020-11-21,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,PA,Bob Casey,C001070,www.casey.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) called on the Trump Administration to halt the planned deportation of vulnerable migrant children and their parents held at the Berks Family Residential Center and the South Texas Residential Center. Despite having U.S. sponsors willing to take them in and not having had a fair chance to present their cases for asylum, the Trump Administration has held them in detention and is seeking to deport them into danger. In their letter, Senators Casey and Booker highlighted the voices of the immigrant children and made the case that sending them and their families back to the countries they fled would be tantamount to a death sentence. The Senators wrote, These families fled unspeakable violence in their home countries. For many of these children, deportation is tantamount to a death sentenceWith more pressing issues facing ICE and the need to spend our limited federal resources wisely, there are more cost effective and humane approaches to this situation than family detention. We urge you to release these families to their sponsors and allow them a fair hearing of their case. The full text of the letter can be seen below: November 20, 2020 The Honorable Chad F. Wolf Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528 Dear Acting Secretary Wolf: We write to urge you to stay the removals of twenty eight children and their families detained at the Berks County Residential Center (BCRC) in Leesport, Pennsylvania and at the South Texas Family Residential Center (STFRC) in Dilley, Texas, immediately release them from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, and allow them the opportunity to present their claim for asylum or related relief. These families fled unspeakable violence in their home countries. For many of these children, deportation is tantamount to a death sentence. This group of children includes a 15-year-old girl who fled Honduras after gang members tried to torture, rape, and murder her; a 14-year-old boy who fled Guatemala after surviving physical beatings and human trafficking; a three-year-old boy who was ripped from his mother's arms and held captive by gang members who threatened to murder him in El Salvador; a 16-year-old girl who was stripped naked and cut with a knife by gang members in El Salvador; a seven-year-old boy who received death threats in Guatemala due to his indigenous ethnicity; and a four-year-old girl whose father was murdered in Honduras. After fleeing their homes to seek protection in the United States, many of these families have been subjected to prolonged detention, in some cases for well over a year. Below, we have included excerpts in their own words, but we urge you to read the attached letters from several of the children. Katherin, 14-years-old: I don't have the warmth of family anymore, I feel alone and sad because of everything that has happened in this place. I see so many people who arrive and leave and my mom and I remain here detained. Our lives are also in danger because of so many people who are infected with COVID-19. It hurts me to see that many kids like me are locked up even more because of COVID-19. They spend more time locked up in their rooms. Please, I implore you, I beg you, help us leave this place as soon as possible. I don't want to spend another Christmas locked up here. Marjorie, 9-years-old: In these simple words, [I ask] that you help my mom and me to leave and be able to reunite with my family in Los Angeles California. Please I don't want to spend another Christmas or another birthday in this place without being able to play freely and with the fear of being deported. I ask you to know and understand our suffering, we have been locked up here for so long. Jhoselyn, 11-years-old and his sisters Zoe, 8 and Emily, 6: We have been locked up here for 11 months already, we spent our birthdays here and it's very hard. We don't want to spend Christmas locked up here in this center. We can't play freely or run because the guards yell at us not to. I can't stand it anymore and I cry a lot Please, I don't want them to separate us. My sisters and I can't go back to Ecuador either. Ashlee, 13-years-old: I live with my mom and my 5 year old sister Camila, they are all I have I don't understand why life isn't fair. We need to continue our lives as young people, study and be good people for society. Hopefully you will be able to understand and comprehend, or at least imagine how hard it is to be here for so long and they don't let us leave. May God touch your hearts and have the authority to help us and get us out of here together as one whole family. God bless your lives. What my family and I have lived here I don't wish on your children nor on any child or young person. Juan David, 11-years-old: I am detained with my mom. The 27th of this month, we will complete 15 months of detention. They asked me why I am afraid to return to my country. I'm afraid that the gangsters will hurt me, that they will kill me and my mom. That's why I ask God to soften the hearts of the asylum officers and that I can go live with my aunt and uncle in New York I want to have a normal life, make friends, go to a normal school, be with my family, living a normal life. Here, I always have a headache and anxiety. Neydi, 10-years-old: I don't remember much about my country anymore but when they threatened us a lot my mom brought me to the U.S. so that nothing would happen to me. But now we have been locked up for 14 months in this South Texas jail and I don't want to be here for another Christmas, in this place where we can't play freely. Please help me and my mom to leave this place and be able to spend Christmas with my family in North Carolina. Estuardo, 14-years-old: I have been jailed here for 13 months together with my mom. I hope that whoever this letter reaches is having a good time and in good health, and that you can help us to leave this place as soon as possible because here there have been too many injustices against us. When I came here they told me that the longest I would be here was 20 days but we have now been here for 13 months without a single good answer I am a calm and humble boy and I have hope in God that I will have the opportunity to stay in this country because we have suffered a lot in Guatemala. We can't go back Each of the detained children have similar stories to these. They fled violence to seek refuge only to be placed in detention. In the interest of justice, these families should be released from custody, issued Notices to Appear before an immigration court and be given a full and fair opportunity to put forth their case. With more pressing issues facing ICE and the need to spend our limited federal resources wisely, there are more cost effective and humane approaches to this situation than family detention. We urge you to release these families to their sponsors and allow them a fair hearing of their case. We appreciate your attention in this matter and look forward to a prompt response. Sincerely, Robert P. Casey, Jr Cory Booker United States Senator United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z