Press Releases

Today, the House passed H.Res. 148, calling on the government of Iran to fulfill their previous promises of assistance in finding Robert Levinson, a South Florida native and the longest-held civilian American citizen. I was pleased to join my South Florida colleagues Ted Deutch, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart as an original cosponsor of this resolution; we must hold Iran's leaders accountable to every commitment they make, particularly when American lives are on the line. Read more

I congratulate Matthew Verderosa on his appointment as our next Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police. He has served with the Capitol Police for more than 25 years and has an extensive background in leadership and command positions within the force. His work serving the entire Congressional community, from Members, to staff, to the general public, has come during some of the most significant periods of change in our system. I know those experiences will serve him well as the Capitol Police adapt to our community's security threats. Read more

President Obama's nomination of Dr. Carla D. Hayden as the next Librarian of Congress is an important step forward for one of our nation's most important national treasures. The Library of Congress is a world-renowned institution that helps Americans learn and understand our history – and it is fitting that Dr. Hayden is exceptionally qualified in helping Americans of all walks of life learn and understand their world, no matter where they live. Read more

Today I am thinking of, and sending my love and strength to my friend and colleague, Senator Claire McCaskill and her family as she heads to St. Louis for her breast cancer treatment. Senator McCaskill is a consummate public servant and tenacious fighter who will battle her cancer with the spirit and determination that we have all come to admire and respect. Read more

However, yesterday's ruling only further underscores the importance of the United States Supreme Court's impending decision in Zubik v. Burwell, a case for which the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in only a few weeks. I was proud to join 123 Democratic Members of Congress in an amicus brief in Zubik v. Burwell, which urged the Court to uphold the current accommodation and protect contraceptive coverage for all women. Read more

As Members of Congress representing South Florida, we are proud and honored that Attorney General Loretta Lynch is highlighting the progress in our area in building and improving upon the relationships between law enforcement and our communities. President Obama and Attorney General Lynch's leadership during these trying times has been inspiring and resilient. Read more

President Obama's final budget is a substantive proposal and strong statement of our values that would expand opportunity to more working families and make investments in some of our nation's most pressing areas like education from quality pre-K to affordable college; as well as climate change and Social Security and Medicare. As a cancer survivor, I am particularly pleased with the Administration's request for $755 million for Vice President Biden's moonshot effort to ensure fewer families experience the heartbreak the Bidens, and so many others, have suffered as a result of cancer. As a woman and a mother, I am also thrilled that President Obama has recommended a $14 million increase in funding for the Title X family-planning program. Read more

Phil Connors couldn't avoid doing the same thing over and over again each day in the film Groundhog Day, with hilarious results. House Republicans marked Groundhog Day today by taking their 63rd vote to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, and the 12th vote this Congress to restrict women's access to health care – no laughing matter. Under Speaker Ryan, House Republicans are continuing their obsession with interfering in a woman's right to make her own decisions about her body and her health. They should stop wasting taxpayers' time and money, and instead focus on expanding access to quality, affordable health care for everyone. Enough is enough. Read more

During the month of February we honor the contributions of African Americans who have immeasurably enriched our nation's political, educational, cultural and economic fabric, and who have continually helped to perfect our union since its inception. Read more

President Obama's signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, his first after taking office, signaled to women across the country that equal pay for equal work was one of his Administration's and Congressional Democrats' top priorities. As a mother of two daughters who by one study will not see equal pay with their male counterparts until they are 59 and 55 years old, respectively, I am proud to have been an original cosponsor of that bill. Read more