Today we celebrate the 51st anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. We celebrate 51 years of ensuring our senior citizens – who have sustained and strengthened our nation with their tireless work – are able to live their lives secure in Medicare's promise that they have health insurance. We celebrate Medicaid for the working families, children, and seniors who are living in poverty and deserve quality health care just like every other American. Read more »
Today's reports that four South Floridians have contracted the Zika virus from local mosquitoes is more than simply an, "I told you so" moment. It is a startling new phase in this public health crisis. The Obama Administration, leading public health officials, and Congressional Democrats have been warning the nation about this imminent development for months – while Republicans have refused to take meaningful action to stop the virus' spread. I have introduced legislation to provide robust funding for mosquito vector control, public health programs and local government resources to combat this pernicious virus. Time and again I've helped lead the effort with my fellow Democratic Appropriators, introducing amendments to appropriations bills to provide this essential emergency funding. Read more »
My heart is heavy today with the passing of my colleague and friend Congressman Mark Takai, and my deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his wife Sami and their children Matthew and Kaila. The state of Hawaii and our nation have lost a valued and dedicated public servant – a man whose vibrant life took him overseas in our nation's armed forces, to the Hawaii Legislature, and the U.S. House of Representatives. His time serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait helped make him a brave and tireless advocate in Congress for our nation's active duty armed forces and veterans, and a moral voice on our nation's role in armed conflict. We will all miss him dearly, and may his memory be a blessing. Read more »
The loss of three Baton Rouge police officers is another deeply saddening and troubling moment for our nation. Every single day our men and women in law enforcement put on their uniforms knowing they could be in harm's way – a solemn duty that we are deeply grateful for and forever indebted. I send my deepest thoughts and condolences to the families of the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty today. As we grieve and heal from this series of tragedies, we must reaffirm our commitment to peacefully ending this senseless violence that has left too many communities in unspeakable pain. Read more »
This kind of cowardly bloodshed has no place in our world and the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our oldest ally. We will not be intimidated by acts like these, and our nations remain as committed to Libert_, Egalit_ et Fraternit_ as we ever have. Read more »
Florida Democrats stood united in demanding Speaker Paul Ryan act on the Zika virus before the Congressional recess. This is a serious public health crisis, which House Republicans have shamefully responded to with endless delays and refusals to provide the funding our public health experts have said we need to properly tackle Zika. The number of Floridians with Zika is growing by the day. It is unconscionable for House Republicans to send Members home for seven weeks without passing legislation that would meaningfully address this deadly disease. This crisis falls squarely at their feet, and the House of Representatives should not recess until we do the job we were elected to do and help keep the American people healthy and safe Read more »
I congratulate Carla Hayden on her confirmation as the 14th Librarian of Congress. Carla is eminently qualified for this post, having served our nation's public libraries in a wide variety of roles, and she will bring an important perspective as both the first woman and first African-American to become Librarian of Congress. I am confident that she will continue the Library's modernization, work that began under previous Librarians of Congress, including Dr. James H. Billington and Acting Librarian David Mao, and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead. Read more »
Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans' failure to act on commonsense gun safety legislation is a deeply disappointing decision during a week, summer and year in which Americans have grieved for far too many gun violence victims. Today marks both the one month anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting as well as at least the eleventh time that President Obama has had to address the nation after a mass shooting. It is unacceptable for the House of Representatives to recess for seven weeks without addressing our national gun violence epidemic. Our constituents sent us here to work together to solve America's most difficult problems, and these reports show that House Republicans have once again failed this critical test of leadership. We need action – not excuses, not more moments of silence, and not NRA-backed policies that do nothing to keep us safe. House Democrats have been clear – we need a vote on these rational, commonsense policies that overwhelming majorities of Americans support. Read more »
Our nation is in mourning over the murder of five law enforcement officers in Dallas, Texas last night. Every day our law enforcement officers perform the valiant and courageous act of leaving their homes knowing they may be in harm's way and yesterday too many of them did not return home. I send my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen officers and the community of Dallas. As we grieve the loss of those law enforcement officers, we also grieve the loss of two African-American men taken far too soon from their families and communities. The loss of even one life is too many, and we must have the courage to unite as a nation and have serious conversations about the bonds of trust between our communities and law enforcement. We owe it to ourselves, our children and one another to have those conversations. Read more »
Once again, Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans have completely surrendered to the National Rifle Association. Instead of moving commonsense legislation to address the gun violence crisis in the wake of the worst mass shooting in our nation's history, they have chosen to do absolutely nothing to keep us safe. Read more »
