On Labor Day, we celebrate all of our hardworking women and men and their countless contributions to our nation's progress and history. We owe so much to our workers, who built our nation's economy and created prosperity for our families. Thanks to the labor movement, from the fundamental right to organize, to better working conditions and wages, our working women and men have greatly improved the lives of millions of Americans. We celebrate all of those accomplishments, and recommit ourselves to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their drive for higher wages, including a higher federal minimum wage, paid family leave in the workplace, and better workplace protections for Americans of all identities. These fights are our next frontier in building a better economy for every American, and I am proud to be their partner in those efforts. Read more »
Today we celebrate Women's Equality Day, the 96th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and the landmark strides we have made for women's equality in our nation. From securing the right to vote, to defending a woman's right to make her own health care decisions, to fighting for better working conditions and pay, women have secured critical victories that have lifted up millions of people from all walks of life. Read more »
Today I join millions of people in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, the natural beauty of every corner of nation, and in particular, the Florida Everglades. The National Park Service helps protect and preserve some of our nation's most irreplaceable treasures, and they ensure families, students and citizens can learn about our ecosystems. Even more importantly, through their education and advocacy, they help safeguard these treasures for future generations. Read more »
As co-chair of the Congressional Kids Safety Caucus, and as a mother of three, I am deeply concerned about recent news reports and phone calls from my constituents regarding the skyrocketing cost of Mylan Pharmaceuticals epinephrine auto-injector, EpiPen. I am especially alarmed by reports showing that since Mylan acquired the EpiPen in 2007, its price has increased from a little over $100 to nearly $600 for an injector two-pack, while profits for Mylan seem to have soared since then. Read more »
Governor Scott's decision to finally end this attack on Planned Parenthood and women's health care is long overdue. For months – and even years – Governor Scott and his cronies in the Florida Legislature have done all they can to restrict women's access to comprehensive family planning services. He has resisted petitions, protests and advice from health care advocates and providers, as well as women across our state, to drop this assault. He even ignored a warning from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that signing H.B. 1411 would violate federal law. I led the effort, along with my Florida Democratic colleagues, to urge CMS to issue that warning – but Governor Scott signed the bill anyway. Read more »
Today's news that Miami Beach likely has locally transmitted Zika virus cases is another disturbing development in this public health crisis. These cases show the virus' impact is worsening and Speaker Ryan should immediately end the House of Representatives' recess to pass my legislation fully funding the President's emergency funding request. Our public health agencies need resources for mosquito control, maternal health programs and local government support - and we need to make sure we can continue the essential vaccine research whose funds will run out if Congress doesn't act before September 30th. If House Republicans fail to provide that support, they will have to answer for these new Zika virus cases. House Democrats are ready to take the action this crisis demands. Read more »
I am deeply troubled by reports that Russia is using Iranian air bases for missions in Syria. Iran and Russia's continued support of the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad has contributed to the deaths and displacement of millions of Syrians. I strongly support the Administration's efforts to further investigate whether Russia's actions violate a UN Security Council Resolution on aircraft transfers to Iran, and look forward to working with my Congressional colleagues and the Administration to ensure compliance with the sanctions regime we have in place. Read more »
Today we celebrate 81 years of Social Security, and recommit ourselves to protecting and expanding it for generations to come. We have a moral responsibility to our seniors, those who have lost a loved one, people with disabilities, and our children to protect this cornerstone of American life. We must defend it from attempts to chip away at its promise, and work together across party lines to ensure its viability long into the future. It is unacceptable that there was no cost of living adjustment this year and I will continue to advocate for an adjustment that uses a CPI index that actually reflects seniors' spending patterns. More than 100,000 of my constituents in Florida's 23rd Congressional District receive Social Security benefits, and as I always have on their behalf, along with millions of Americans across the nation, I will never stop fighting to expand benefits and ensure the promise of Social Security is an unwavering one. Read more »
With 16 cases of locally transmitted Zika, Republican leadership still refuses to act on legislation that would secure more funding for vaccine research, mosquito control, and treatment of the virus. Our public health agencies have nearly exhausted the resources they have to combat Zika, but the need for sustained, reliable funding for vaccine research remains. Make no mistake – a vaccine is the only permanent way to protect our citizens and we cannot let inadequate resources or partisan politics stymie its development. I urge Secretary Burwell to take any and all actions needed to secure this lifesaving funding. Read more »
I was proud to personally speak with Secretary Anthony Foxx about this important TIGER grant to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths in Broward County and stress the contribution the project would make to pedestrian and bicyclists' safety. They will help our working families get from place to place more quickly and safely - a critical issue for our region. I will continue to join my colleagues' vocal advocacy for robust transportation investments like the TIGER program that help build our nation's vital infrastructure needs is extremely important to meet our local economy and working families. Read more »
