DOCSLIB.ORG

Congressional Record on Choice

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

2019 Congressional Record on Choice Government Relations Department 1725 I Street, NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20006 202.973.3000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON CHOICE 116TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION NARAL Pro-Choice America’s 2019 Congressional Record on Choice documents the key House and Senate votes on reproduc- For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice tive freedom taken during the first session of the 116th Congress. The 116th Congress reflects a wave of historic firsts—most America has led the fight for repro- significantly the first pro-choice majority in the House of Representatives. There are a record number of women serving ductive freedom for everyone, includ- in the House, and more LGBTQ people serving in Congress than ever before. The freshman class is also younger than most ing the right to access abortion. recent incoming classes and the 116th Congress reflects record breaking racial, ethnic, and religious diversity. Nowhere was the new pro-choice House majority more NARAL Pro-Choice America is powered evident than in the appropriations process. House spending bills for fiscal year 2020 reflected increased funding for vital by our 2.5 million members—in every family planning programs, defunded harmful abstinence-on- ly-until-marriage programs, and blocked many of the Trump administration’s efforts to use the regulatory process to state and congressional district. restrict access to abortion and family planning services. Though the House bills were not passed by the Senate, we We represent the more than 7 in 10 now see what can happen when lawmakers committed to reproductive rights are in control. Unfortunately, some long- Americans who believe every person standing abortion restrictions remained in the funding bills, but we will continue to work with champions for reproductive should have the freedom to make the freedom to find ways to chip away at these barriers. best decision for themselves about if, Notably, co-sponsorship of the EACH Woman Act continued to grow, bringing the total number of co-sponsors when, and how to raise a family to a record high in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which would repeal bans on abortion coverage in government healthcare programs, reflects a growing movement calling for an end to these restrictions. The Women’s Health Protection Act also achieved a record number of co-sponsors this year. The Women’s Health Protection Act would establish a federal 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON CHOICE 1 statutory right to abortion and would block the onslaught of Our legislative victories in the House are a preview of state bans and restrictions on abortion. Given continued state the potential wins ahead for reproductive freedom under a efforts to ban and restrict abortion access across the country, pro-choice legislative majority. Despite these victories, Roe we need this legislation now more than ever. v. Wade is more vulnerable than ever. This term the Supreme Court decided to take up its first major abortion case since The progressive majority in the House also put an end Justice Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed. As we head into a to the onslaught of Congressional attacks on the Affordable presidential election year, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Care Act (ACA) and legislative efforts to defund Planned our 2.5 million member-activists will hold accountable the Parenthood. Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s lawmakers who are attacking reproductive freedom, and we dangerous domestic gag rule and efforts to undermine the will fight for our champions who know that women and fami- ACA in the courts and through the regulatory process could lies don’t deserve to pay the price for a political agenda. We still have devastating consequences on access to reproductive remain vigilant in our commitment to defend and advance healthcare across the country. our fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to While the House worked its way through the appropriations decide freely if, when, and how to start a family, and we know process, the Senate was hard at work confirming anti-choice that 7 in 10 Americans stand with us. nominees to executive and judicial posts, in most cases handing them lifetime positions that will allow them to promote Trump and the Senate GOP’s anti-choice agenda for decades to come. In doing so, the Senate has allowed Trump to change the face of the judiciary—for the worse—for at least a generation. It is hard to overstate the impact that this president has had on the federal court system. Trump has now confirmed over 160 judicial nominees, many of them with reprehensible records on reproductive freedom and some rated as “not qualified” by the nonpartisan American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Judiciary for their lack of legal experience. The list of Trump’s nominees is woefully lacking in gender, racial, and ethnic diversity. Senate Republicans, critical allies in Trump’s strategy to flood the courts with anti-choice judges, have been working to confirm these nominees as fast as possible. Trump judges now account for more than a quarter of federal appellate judges. Senate Republicans’ attacks on reproductive freedom have not been limited to the courts. The anti-choice Senate majority took breaks from stacking the federal judiciary to introduce bills that would restrict access to abortion by elimi- nating insurance coverage of abortion (including in the private market) and interfering in the medical practice of abortion care. Thankfully these bills failed on procedural votes. 2 NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON CHOICE 3 Sixth Circuit. Confirmed 52-47. A pro-choice vote (+) was against confirmation. (3/6/19). 6. Murphy Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Eric Murphy to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the VOTE DESCRIPTIONS Sixth Circuit. Confirmed 52-46. A pro-choice vote (+) was SENATE against confirmation. (3/7/19). 7. Rao Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Neomi Rao to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of 1. No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act: Motion to End Columbia Circuit. Confirmed 53-46. A pro-choice vote (+) Debate. No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act, S.109. Motion to invoke cloture (end debate) on Wicker (R-MS) was against confirmation. (3/13/19). bill to effectively ban abortion coverage in the state 8. Wyrick Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice health insurance exchanges, penalize small businesses nominee Patrick Wyrick to the U.S. District Court for that purchase private health plans that include abor- the Western District of Oklahoma. Confirmed 53-47. A tion coverage, mandate that health plans make biased, pro-choice vote (+) was against confirmation. (4/9/19). one-sided “disclosures” of abortion coverage, and reiterate and expand bans on public insurance coverage of abor- 9. Barker Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee tion. Three-fifths of the Senate (60 votes) is required to J. Campbell Barker to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern invoke cloture on legislation. Cloture motion failed 48-47. District of Texas. Confirmed 51-47. A pro-choice vote (+) A pro-choice vote (+) was against cloture. (1/17/19). was against confirmation. (5/1/19). 2. Barr Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee 10. Brasher Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice William Barr to the post of Attorney General. Confirmed nominee Andrew Brasher to the U.S. District Court for the 54-45. A pro-choice vote (+) was against confirmation. Middle District of Alabama. Confirmed 52-47. A pro-choice (2/14/19). vote (+) was against confirmation. (5/1/19). 3. Interference in Abortion Practice: Motion to End Debate. 11. Park Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, S.311. Motion Michael Park to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second to invoke cloture (end debate) on the motion to proceed Circuit. Confirmed 52-41. A pro-choice vote (+) was against to the Sasse (R-NE) bill to interfere with the medical prac- confirmation. (5/9/19). tice of abortion care under the threat of severe penalties. 12. Truncale Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice Three-fifths of the Senate (60 votes) is required to invoke nominee Michael Truncale to the U.S. District Court for the cloture on legislation. Cloture motion failed 53-44. A Eastern District of Texas. Confirmed 49-46. A pro-choice pro-choice vote (+) was against cloture. (2/25/19). vote (+) was against confirmation. (5/14/19). 4. Miller Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee 13. Lee Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee Eric Miller to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Kenneth Lee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Confirmed 53-46. A pro-choice vote (+) was against Circuit. Confirmed 52-45. A pro-choice vote (+) was against confirmation. (2/26/19). confirmation. (5/15/19). 5. Readler Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice 14. Vitter Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee nominee Chad Readler to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Wendy Vitter to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern 4 NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON CHOICE 5 District of Louisiana. Confirmed 52-45. A pro-choice vote Third Circuit. Confirmed 56-40. A pro-choice vote (+) was (+) was against confirmation. (5/16/19). against confirmation. (7/16/19). 15. Collins Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice 24. Berger Confirmation. Vote to confirm anti-choice nominee nominee Daniel Collins to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Wendy Williams Berger to the U.S. District Court for the Ninth Circuit. Confirmed 53-46. A pro-choice vote (+) was Middle District of Florida.
Recommended publications

  • IMPEACHMENT: WEEK FIVE What Mattered

    IMPEACHMENT: WEEK FIVE What mattered The most momentous and consequential vote of this Congress – or any Congress in recent memory – went down not with a bang, but with a quick and quiet, almost under-the-radar vote. After 12 hours of contentious and often factually disconnected debate of proposed amendments to the two articles of impeachment, the committee reconvened at 10 a.m. Friday and by 10:09 had been gaveled to a close after a party line vote to approve the articles of impeachment. The end of a heck of a week. "IMAGINATION IS THE ONLY LIMIT TO WHAT HE MAY DO NEXT" The reason we have not heard from all the witnesses and documents is because President Trump has obstructed the investigation. " – Barry Berke " Things progressed pretty much as expected last week. On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee released a 55-page report detailing the Constitutional basis for impeaching President Trump. Check out Section 6, page 41 for responses to Republicans' "inaccurate claims" about the legality or fairness of the process itself. The fireworks came when the panel questioned both the Democratic and Republican counsel. There was several hours of questioning for both the witnesses, but Barry Berke's four-minute dissection of the "excuses" for Trump's actions clearly laid out the facts. “HOW WOULD YOU BE REMEMBERED?” By Tuesday, two articles of impeachment had been prepared: Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress. Markup began on Wednesday with an evening session where each of the 41 committee members made their opening statements, setting the hyper-partisan tone for the next three days.
  • Congressional Affairs Programming at a Glance 2016

    Congressional Affairs Programming at a Glance 2016

    Congressional Affairs Programming At A Glance 2016 - 2020 Congressional Delegations Congress-Bundestag Forum 2020 February 15-20, 2020 Elmau and Munich, Germany The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and the Robert Bosch Stiftung Foundation (Bosch) hosted the 17th Annual Congress-Bundestag Forum. A bipartisan delegation of members of the U.S. House of Representatives met with members of the German Bundestag for a series of discussions on areas of mutual concern, such as: Asia in the transatlantic space, challenges to the West, European reunification after the end of communism, social cohesion, energy issues, and workforce development. Participants of the Congress-Bundestag Forum 2020 included Representatives Rob Bishop (R-UT), Bill Flores (R-TX), Mark Green (R-TN), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Debra Lesko (R-AZ), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Eric Swalwell (D- CA), Mike Turner (R-OH), as well as fifteen members of the German Bundestag. Transatlantic Technology Congressional Delegation 2019 November 3-8, 2019 Berlin, Germany and Brussels, Belgium GMF held, with Software.org, The Transatlantic Technology Congressional Delegation (TTCD), held in Brussels, Belgium and Berlin, Germany, enabled members of Congress to engage directly with stakeholders on topics relating to the transatlantic digital space. TTCD 2019 covered issues such as data protection, data ownership, cybersecurity, workforce development, digital trade, and digital entrepreneurship, among other issues. Participants of TTCD 2019 included Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Glen Grothman (R-WI), James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Greg Walden (D-OR), and four senior congressional staffers.
  • Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 8/22/2017 | 15-02156-346 | Summary | Report

    Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 8/22/2017 | 15-02156-346 | Summary | Report

    Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Office of Healthcare Inspections Report No. 17-01854-115 Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program Review of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 14, 2018 Washington, DC 20420 In addition to general privacy laws that govern release of medical information, disclosure of certain veteran health or other private information may be prohibited by various Federal statutes including, but not limited to, 38 U.S.C. §§ 5701, 5705, and 7332, absent an exemption or other specified circumstances. As mandated by law, OIG adheres to privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations protecting veteran health or other private information in this report. To Report Suspected Wrongdoing in VA Programs and Operations Telephone: 1-800-488-8244 Web site: www.va.gov/oig CHIP Review of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI Glossary CHIP Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program EHR electronic health record EOC environment of care facility Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center FY fiscal year MH mental health Nurse Associate Director for Patient Care Services Executive OIG Office of Inspector General OPPE Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation PC primary care QSV quality, safety, and value SAIL Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning TJC The Joint Commission UM utilization management VHA Veterans Health Administration VISN Veterans Integrated Service Network VA OIG Office of Healthcare Inspections CHIP Review of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical
  • Congressional Report Card

    Congressional Report Card

    Congressional Report Card NOTE FROM BRIAN DIXON Senior Vice President for Media POPULATION CONNECTION and Government Relations ACTION FUND 2120 L St NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20037 ou’ll notice that this year’s (202) 332–2200 Y Congressional Report Card (800) 767–1956 has a new format. We’ve grouped [email protected] legislators together based on their popconnectaction.org scores. In recent years, it became twitter.com/popconnect apparent that nearly everyone in facebook.com/popconnectaction Congress had either a 100 percent instagram.com/popconnectaction record, or a zero. That’s what you’ll popconnectaction.org/116thCongress see here, with a tiny number of U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121 exceptions in each house. Calling this number will allow you to We’ve also included information connect directly to the offices of your about some of the candidates senators and representative. that we’ve endorsed in this COVER CARTOON year’s election. It’s a small sample of the truly impressive people we’re Nick Anderson editorial cartoon used with supporting. You can find the entire list at popconnectaction.org/2020- the permission of Nick Anderson, the endorsements. Washington Post Writers Group, and the Cartoonist Group. All rights reserved. One of the candidates you’ll read about is Joe Biden, whom we endorsed prior to his naming Sen. Kamala Harris his running mate. They say that BOARD OF DIRECTORS the first important decision a president makes is choosing a vice president, Donna Crane (Secretary) and in his choice of Sen. Harris, Joe Biden struck gold. Carol Ann Kell (Treasurer) Robert K.
  • 2013 Winter Newsletter

    2013 Winter Newsletter

    HHHHHHH LEGACY JOHN F. KENNEDY LIBRARY FOUNDATION Winter | 2013 Freedom 7 Splashes Down at JFK Presidential Library and Museum “I believe this nation should commit itself, to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” – President Kennedy, May 25, 1961 he John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Joined on September 12 by three students from Pinkerton opened a special new installation featuring Freedom 7, Academy, the alma mater of astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., Tthe iconic space capsule that U.S. Navy Commander Kennedy Library Director Tom Putnam unveiled Freedom 7, Alan B. Shepard Jr. piloted on the first American-manned stating, “In bringing the Freedom 7 space capsule to our spaceflight. Celebrating American ingenuity and determination, Museum, the Kennedy Library hopes to inspire a new the new exhibit opened on September 12, the 50th anniversary generation of Americans to use science and technology of President Kennedy’s speech at Rice University, where he so for the betterment of our humankind.” eloquently championed America’s manned space efforts: Freedom 7 had been on display at the U.S. Naval “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the Academy in Annapolis, MD since 1998, on loan from the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. At the request of hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure Caroline Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is the U.S.
  • Lobbying Contribution Report

    Lobbying Contribution Report

    8/1/2016 LD­203 Contribution Report LOBBYING CONTRIBUTION REPORT Clerk of the House of Representatives • Legislative Resource Center • 135 Cannon Building • Washington, DC 20515 Secretary of the Senate • Office of Public Records • 232 Hart Building • Washington, DC 20510 1. FILER TYPE AND NAME 2. IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS Type: House Registrant ID: Organization Lobbyist 35195 Organization Name: Senate Registrant ID: Honeywell International 57453 3. REPORTING PERIOD 4. CONTACT INFORMATION Year: Contact Name: 2016 Ms.Stacey Bernards Mid­Year (January 1 ­ June 30) Email: Year­End (July 1 ­ December 31) [email protected] Amendment Phone: 2026622629 Address: 101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001 USA 5. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE NAMES Honeywell International Political Action Committee 6. CONTRIBUTIONS No Contributions #1. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $1,500.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: Friends of Sam Johnson Sam Johnson #2. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $2,500.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: Kay Granger Campaign Fund Kay Granger #3. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $2,000.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: Paul Cook for Congress Paul Cook https://lda.congress.gov/LC/protected/LCWork/2016/MM/57453DOM.xml?1470093694684 1/75 8/1/2016 LD­203 Contribution Report #4. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $1,000.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: DelBene for Congress Suzan DelBene #5. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $1,000.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: John Carter for Congress John Carter #6.
  • CQ Committee Guide

    CQ Committee Guide

    SPECIAL REPORT Committee Guide Complete House and senate RosteRs: 113tH CongRess, seCond session DOUGLAS GRAHAM/CQ ROLL CALL THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS: The House Energy and Commerce Committee, in its Rayburn House Office Building home, marks up bills on Medicare and the Federal Communications Commission in July 2013. www.cq.com | MARCH 24, 2014 | CQ WEEKLY 431 09comms-cover layout.indd 431 3/21/2014 5:12:22 PM SPECIAL REPORT Senate Leadership: 113th Congress, Second Session President of the Senate: Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. President Pro Tempore: Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS Majority Leader . Harry Reid, Nev. Steering and Outreach Majority Whip . Richard J. Durbin, Ill. Committee Chairman . Mark Begich, Alaska Conference Vice Chairman . Charles E. Schumer, N.Y. Chief Deputy Whip . Barbara Boxer, Calif. Policy Committee Chairman . Charles E. Schumer, N.Y. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Conference Secretary . Patty Murray, Wash. Committee Chairman . Michael Bennet, Colo. REPUBLICAN LEADERS Minority Leader . Mitch McConnell, Ky. Policy Committee Chairman . John Barrasso, Wyo. Minority Whip . John Cornyn, Texas Chief Deputy Whip . Michael D. Crapo, Idaho Conference Chairman . John Thune, S.D. National Republican Senatorial Conference Vice Chairman . Roy Blunt, Mo. Committee Chairman . Jerry Moran, Kan. House Leadership: 113th Congress, Second Session Speaker of the House: John A. Boehner, R-Ohio REPUBLICAN LEADERS Majority Leader . Eric Cantor, Va. Policy Committee Chairman . James Lankford, Okla. Majority Whip . Kevin McCarthy, Calif. Chief Deputy Whip . Peter Roskam, Ill. Conference Chairwoman . .Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Wash. National Republican Congressional Conference Vice Chairwoman . Lynn Jenkins, Kan. Committee Chairman . .Greg Walden, Ore. Conference Secretary . Virginia Foxx, N.C.
  • 380 Dorchester Ave

    380 Dorchester Ave

    SouthBostonTODAYOnline • On Your Mobile • At Your Door September 3, 2020: Vol.8 Issue 35 SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE Lynch, WWW.SOUTHBOSTONTODAY.COM Go to our South Boston Today page to view us online. Collins and Make sure you like & share with Biele Cruise your favorite social media! t to Victory Bos on T h o ith the backdrop of Covid t d u a o 19, Mail-In Voting and In- y Wcumbents being challenged S by liberal progressives (so-called), local elected officials Congressman @SBostonToday Stephen Lynch, Senator Nick Col- lins and Representative David Biele proved that constituent service is a key Want to see your ad in South element of re-election success. Each Boston Today & SBT Online? of them has a reputation for engaging with their constituents, which in the Office: 617.268.4032 or case of Lynch and Collins extends cell: 617.840.1355 or email at beyond the South Boston borders. [email protected] There were a couple of upsets in the @SBostonToday CONTINUED ON page 6 “THERE IS 380 Dorchester ave. SUBSTITUENO FOR HARD WORK” South boston,ma 02127617-752-4771 thespotclothing.com HAPPY LABOR DAY 2 SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com September 3, 2020 EDITORIAL NOW They Want The Riots Stopped And We All Know Why t would be difficult would have used all the and even months in some probably won’t, they are to make it any more resources at their disposal locations. In desperation, in a panic. They are mak- I obvious. All of a sud- plus the federal resources they are trying to shift the ing statements in an effort den last week, the gover- offered to them to stop it.
  • New Exhibit Explores John F. Kennedy's Early Life

    New Exhibit Explores John F. Kennedy's Early Life

    ISSUE 20 H WINTER 2016 THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS AT THE JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM New Exhibit Explores John F. Kennedy’s Early Life efore he was president, John F. Kennedy was known simply as “Jack” to his friends and family. Young Jack, a new permanent exhibit at the BJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, features documents, photographs, and objects that provide an intimate look at his childhood and family life, intellectual development, foreign travels, and military service. Through engagement with these primary sources, students may explore how a somewhat Senator John F. Kennedy signs a copy of Profiles rebellious, fun-loving and academically under-achieving teenager took a serious in Courage for a young fan, ca.1956–1957. interest in international affairs and started on the path of leadership that would Profiles in Courage one day lead to the White House. Turns 60! School Years In 1954, John F. Kennedy took a A wooden desk from Choate, the private boarding school he attended from leave of absence from the Senate 1931-35, evokes the time Jack spent there as a spirited high school student to undergo back surgery. During struggling to keep his grades up. Accompanying the desk are revealing excerpts his recuperation, he set to work researching and writing the stories from correspondence between Jack and his father, along with this quote from of US senators whom he considered a report by his housemaster: to have shown great courage under “Jack studies at the last minute, keeps appointments late, has little enormous pressure from their parties and their constituents: John Quincy sense of material value, and can seldom locate his possessions.” Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Young people who are experiencing their own challenges, Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund G.
  • Shredding the Social Safety Net

    Shredding the Social Safety Net

    Shredding the Social Safety Net Introduction The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has revealed an urgent need to shore up our nation’s infrastructure for supporting public health and welfare, as millions of Americans struggle to access health care and financial resources. Yet that infrastructure is in fact more endangered than ever – thanks in large part to a quiet right-wing revolution that has been taking place within the federal court system. Even after the current health crisis is over, this transformation will have the potential to change the nature of American life and, if it proceeds unchecked, could effectively choke off the next president’s ability to govern. Through strategic appointments to the federal bench, the far right has in recent years achieved astonishing progress toward its long-held goal to do away with a wide range of government powers and authorities that it sees as impeding the “free market.” Most alarmingly, these efforts have been focused on using the federal courts as tools to gut protections for public health, safety and welfare. It’s a plan that aims to do nothing less than to shred the social safety net that has underpinned American society for decades, including all the landmark achievements of the New Deal. No electorate would ever vote for candidates pledging to dirty the water, pollute the air, deprive senior citizens of Social Security or strip health care coverage for people with preexisting conditions. So Republicans have chosen to pursue these goals through the federal courts, which essentially allows them to achieve their ends while flying under the radar.
  • April 16, 2020 Re: USDA Relief Funding for Dairy Idaho Dairymen, It Appears That We Are Very Near an Announcement by the U.S. D

    April 16, 2020 Re: USDA Relief Funding for Dairy Idaho Dairymen, It Appears That We Are Very Near an Announcement by the U.S. D

    April 16, 2020 Re: USDA Relief Funding for Dairy Idaho Dairymen, It appears that we are very near an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the details of major economic assistance for several sectors of agriculture provided by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ('CARES Act'). Among other provisions for economic assistance for farmers and nutrition assistance for the public, that bill provides $9.5 billion for specialty crop producers, livestock and dairy producers and farmers who sell directly through local markets and restaurants. The Congress gave Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue broad authority on assigning the funds in order to speed up the process of getting the assistance out the door and into the economy. All four members of the Idaho congressional delegation, Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher and Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, supported the CARES Act and have gone to work since the bill was signed into law three weeks ago to help make sure Idaho agriculture gets the support it needs in the wake of our nation's response to this public health crisis. Representatives Simpson and Fulcher went on the record and joined several of their colleagues in urging the Secretary of Agriculture to implement significant help for dairy farmers. Senator Risch originated and led a letter supported by Senator Mike Crapo and 13 of their colleagues from around the country urging the Secretary to 'go big' to help the dairy industry through this crisis. As you can imagine, the Secretary of Agriculture is getting input from industry groups all over the country on useful ways to deploy the assistance funds.
  • Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515

    Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515

    Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515 June 14, 2021 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House H-232, The Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Madam Speaker: We write today to urge you to fully reopen the House of Representatives. The positive impact of increasing vaccination rates and decreasing cases of COVID-19 are clear to see. Businesses are open, sporting venues and cultural institutions have welcomed back fans and visitors, and restrictions have been lifted. On June 11, Washington D.C. fully reopened and lifted the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the United States Capitol and the People’s House have failed to do the same. The Capitol remains closed to the American people and the House continues to maintain policies that run contrary to science of COVID-19. It is time for you to reopen the House and get back to serving the American people. Weekly case numbers in the United States have reached their lowest point since March of 2020 at the very start of the pandemic, and every day hundreds of thousands of Americans are being vaccinated. This also holds true for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and the Capitol Hill community specifically. Over the last two weeks cases are down 36% in Washington D.C. and over 40% in both Virginia and Maryland. On Capitol Hill, no congressional staffer is known to have tested positive in weeks and no Member of Congress is known to have tested positive in months. This can no doubt be attributed to the institution’s steady access to vaccinations.