Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) – Today Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis issued the following statement regarding ongoing contract negotiations between the Mayor and the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA): 

“Last month, I called on the Mayor to strike a fair deal with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), the union representing workers on the Staten Island Ferry, who have been working without a contract for 13 years. While negotiations are ongoing and at times have come very close to being resolved, it’s been brought to my attention that talks are now being held up on overtime with the City refusing to put time and half on the table. Because our skilled mariners and captains are operating without a contract, commuters are forced to deal with service delays and reductions, including in the overnight hours where the city is falling short on providing ferry service every half hour. The mayor has a legal obligation to meet the terms of this charter and I continue to urge his administration to resolve this long-standing dispute as quickly as possible to not only avoid further legal trouble, but to do what’s right by our workers and commuters.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense (FARMLAND) Act.

This legislation would authorize the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review all purchases or leases of American farmland by foreign entities that exceed $5,000,000 or 320 acres and require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish an annual report outlining any threats or national security risks of foreign investment in American farmland. It would also direct the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a public database of all farmland owned by foreign governments and other entities, and limit foreign-owned or operated land from participating in Farm Service Agency programs like the commodity programs.

“For far too long, our government has not administered the laws on the books to protect American farmland from acquisition by our foreign adversaries. If we fail to actively monitor foreign purchases of our farmland, we jeopardize our national, economic, energy, and food security. As a strong advocate for stopping our adversaries – like China – from buying our farmland, I am proud to introduce the FARMLAND Act, which will develop new oversight measures for foreign farmland purchases, require the Secretary of Agriculture to report the threats of foreign acquisition of American farmland to Congress, and punish foreign investors who fail to disclose farmland purchases,” said Rep. Feenstra. “With almost 50% of farmland expected to change hands in the next two decades, it is vital that we monitor and track any foreign entity buying large amounts of our farmland. Born and raised in rural Iowa, I firmly believe that American farmland belongs to American farmers, and I will continue to lead the fight to protect our farmers and rural communities.”

“Food security is national security, which means we cannot allow strategic competitors like China to gain control of the agricultural land that feeds us,” said Rep. Slotkin. “This legislation will help ensure our agricultural land does not come under the control of the Chinese Communist Party or other bad actors who might seek to use that control against us. I’m grateful for the leadership of Chairwoman Stabenow and Sen. Ernst on this bill in the Senate and hope to see this legislation as part of the 2023 Farm Bill.”

Under current law, the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires foreign investors who acquire, transfer, or hold any interest in American farmland to report holdings and transactions to the Secretary of Agriculture. However, enforcement of AFIDA has been virtually nonexistent as federal agencies do not enjoy explicit investigative power. To highlight the lack of oversight, China’s ownership of American farmland increased by 30% between 2019 and 2020 alone, and we’ve seen purchases mere miles from sensitive military sites.

Additionally, as of September 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture had only assessed eight financial penalties against foreign investors since 2012.

Earlier this year, Feenstra’s Defend America’s Rural Energy Act – which bans China from buying American farmland suitable for ethanol and biodiesel production – passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a margin of 407 to 26.

Feenstra also recently led a forum hosted by the Congressional Western Caucus – which is the largest Republican caucus on Capitol Hill that advocates for rural America – about the dangers that the Chinese Communist Party poses to the United States, our economy, our agriculture industry, and our food security at large. Representing the second largest agriculture-producing district in the country, defending American farmland from foreign land grabs remains a major priority for Feenstra.

You can find legislative text of the FARMLAND Act HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – The Office of Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) will be hosting Mobile Office Hours in three locations on Tuesday, August 8th and Wednesday, August 9th.    

Congressman Fitzgerald and his staff members will be available to meet with constituents who may be experiencing problems with a federal agency. Constituents are asked to bring copies of documentation related to their issues. 

Tuesday, August 8th:

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Johnson Creek Village Hall
125 Depot Street
Johnson Creek, WI 53038

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Dousman Village Hall
118 S. Main Street
Dousman, WI 53118

Wednesday, August 9th:
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Kewaskum Municipal Annex Building
1308 Fond du Lac Avenue 
Kewaskum, WI 53040

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19)

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) today introduced the Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act, a bipartisan bill that will lower food costs by strengthening the supply chain. Rep. Molinaro introduced this bipartisan bill with U.S. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), and Max Miller (R-OH-7).

The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities across the entire food supply chain. A recent survey found that 70% of retailers were negatively impacted by supply chain disruptions, farmers have struggled to get products to market due to a lack of availability of shipping containers, freight rates for fresh foods have tripled in some regions, and shortages in warehouse space and increased rents are putting the supply chain at risk for disruptions.

Rep. Molinaro’s bill addresses these challenges by expanding the USDA’s Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to support new investments in America’s food supply chain. This program provides low-interest loans to businesses investing in food supply chain operations and prioritizes investments in rural, economically distressed areas.

Rep. Molinaro said, “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weak links in New York’s regional supply chain that have resulted in higher food prices. This bipartisan bill strengthens federal support for projects related to food processing, storage, distribution, and other operations that bring our food from the farm and to the grocery store. With this bill, we are taking action to make sure that our food is safe, affordable, and accessible.”

Rep. Khanna said, “We need  action to get food prices back under control for Americans. More than two years of a devastating pandemic has caused massive supply chain disruptions and made it difficult for regular families to afford things like eggs, milk, and baby formula. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to not only lower costs for Americans, but also help create jobs here at home and support American farmers.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Brecheen (2nd District)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen and Senator James Lankford demanded answers from the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery after it was discovered Planned Parenthood received $20 million in COVID relief through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). 

“It is obvious that Planned Parenthood did not need or qualify for COVID relief money when these taxpayer funds were designed to assist health care providers who were negatively affected by COVID lockdowns. Planned Parenthood should not be receiving any of our tax dollars in the first place and it would be incredibly concerning if it provided false or misleading information in order to get these funds. I am proud to join fellow Oklahoman, Senator James Lankford in demanding answers and accountability for Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen. 

The Daily Signal’s Mary Margaret Olohan wrote an exclusive report on the letter, which you can read here.

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Inspector General Grimm:

It has come to our attention that Planned Parenthood and its affiliates were provided with over $20 million from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). We request that you review the PRF applications submitted by Planned Parenthood and its affiliates to determine whether the organization provided false or misleading information to obtain access to PRF funds.

The PRF was established by Congress through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This fund was designed to provide financial assistance to healthcare providers and health systems that were limited with in-person visits and were forced to cancel elective procedures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, entities that received these funds needed to certify that they provided testing or care for COVID-19 cases.

Congress intentionally designed the CARES Act so that no federal funding appropriated through the bill could be used on abortion. As the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), you have the authority to conduct audits and investigations into allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse for HHS-administered programs and funding opportunities.

Planned Parenthood and its affiliates’ efforts are centered around abortion. Despite the pandemic and lockdown policies, in its 2020-2021 annual report, Planned Parenthood and its affiliates performed 383,460 abortions. This was an increase from the previous year, a time when Planned Parenthood performed 354,871 abortions. Planned Parenthood also provided fewer health services during the pandemic. Breast screenings fell by more than 30%, gynecological exams decreased by 39%, and total pregnancy tests decreased by 14%.

While most healthcare providers were financially strained by the pandemic, Planned Parenthood’s financial records show that the organization was not significantly impacted. In its 2020-2021 Annual Report, Planned Parenthood boasted $1.7 billion in revenue and possessed more than $2.5 billion in net assets. Even during the height of the pandemic, Planned Parenthood was able to maintain positive cash flow when many small businesses and actual healthcare providers were forced to close their doors to patients.

Planned Parenthood’s financial statements speak for themselves. This organization did not possess a financial need for funds distributed through the PRF, nor should taxpayer dollars be given toward the provision of abortions. We request that you review the applications submitted by Planned Parenthood to determine whether the organization provided false or misleading information to obtain access to PRF funds. If it is discovered that Planned Parenthood intentionally falsified information on its applications, we ask that you submit a criminal or civil referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Thank you for your important work and attention to this matter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) announced her appointment to the historic House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group by Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The bipartisan group of twelve members is tasked with engaging more directly with and strengthening the relationship between Congress and the 120 members of Israel’s Knesset.

“As someone who proudly represents a large Jewish population, it’s an honor to be selected by Speaker McCarthy to be a part of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group,” Malliotakis said. “Israel is one of our nation’s strongest allies and a key strategic partner, and it’s critically important that we continue to foster this special relationship because a safe Israel brings stability to the Middle East and makes the United States more secure. As part of this new forum, I look forward to working with my colleagues and Israeli counterparts to build upon the success of the Abraham Accords, strengthen our military and security partnership, and ultimately move closer to our shared goal of establishing peace in the Middle East.”

“Congresswoman Malliotakis has been a strong, consistent voice in support of the US-Israel alliance,” said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “I’m proud to name her to this historic Parliamentary Friendship Group because of her commitment to reinforcing our relationship with one of our strongest allies. Her experience on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, coupled with her shared values with the people of Israel, will undoubtedly lead to an even stronger bond between our nations.”

The following members will serve on the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group:

• David Kustoff, Chairman (R, TN-08)
• Ann Wagner (R, MO-02)
• Nicole Malliotakis (R, NY-11)
• Anthony D’Esposito (R, NY-04)
• John James (R, MI-10)
• Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)
• Max Miller (R, OH-07)
• Dean Phillips, Ranking Member (D, MN-03)
• Brad Sherman (D, CA-30)
• Kathy Manning (D, NC-06)
• Ritchie Torres (D, NY-15)
• Nikema Williams (D, GA-05)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

Today Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on President Joe Biden to support efforts to provide needed funding to prevent a national wave of child care closures.

Congress secured historic funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to stabilize child care amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but that relief funding is set to end at this September. In a recent report, The Century Foundation (TCF) estimates that more than 70,000 child care programs will likely close when the Child Care Stabilization Funds and other child care relief funding expires.

“We urge you to join us in supporting an investment of $16 billion a year by any and all means possible – including supporting Congress in efforts to extend the Child Care Stabilization grants passed in ARPA– and through emergency funding for child care in any supplemental appropriations package put forth by the Administration,” the Members wrote.

The Members noted that the child care system was already in crisis before the pandemic, and that it has been one of the slowest sectors to recover from the pandemic with wages remaining unacceptably low for the child care workforce.

“The broken child care market has resulted in an impossible tension between families, workers, and providers: child care providers cannot afford to run their businesses or pay adequate wages to their staff using revenue from parents alone, while child care costs are unaffordable and unsustainable for working families,” the Members wrote. “…The impending fiscal cliff will be devastating to child care programs, children and their families, the child care workforce, and the nation’s economy.”

The letter is supported by National Women’s Law Center, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), Child Care for Every Family Network, Community Change Action, Family Values at Work, Caring Across Generations, First Focus Campaign for Children, Oxfam America, MomsRising, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), and ZERO TO THREE.

“Without an immediate investment of at least $16 billion, early educators across the country will be forced to close their doors or raise their rates, which will leave millions of children and their families without the care that they need,” said Whitney Pesek, Director of Federal Child Care Policy for the National Women’s Law Center. “We are grateful for Senators Kaine, Smith, and Warren, as well as Representatives Bonamici and Jacobs, for their leadership in helping to prevent this looming child care crisis, and we join them in urging President Biden to support this critical funding that will provide a much-needed lifeline to the child care industry.”

The full text of the House letter can be found here, and Senate letter can be found here.

In addition to Jacobs and Bonamici, the House letter is signed by Representatives Alma Adams, Colin Allred, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Jamaal Bowman, Shontel Brown, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Cori Bush, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Troy Carter, Greg Casar, Sean Casten, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Henry Cuellar, Danny Davis, Don Davis, Madeleine Dean, Chris DeLuzio, Debbie Dingell, Veronica Escobar, Anna Eshoo, Dwight Evans, Lois Frankel, Sylvia Garcia, Jimmy Gomez, Josh Gottheimer, Raúl Grijalva, Jahana Hayes, Val Hoyle, Sheila Jackson Lee, Pramila Jayapal, Henry “Hank” Johnson, Syndey Kamlager-Dove, Bill Keating, Robin Kelly, Andy Kim, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Annie Kuster, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Barbara Lee, Mike Levin, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Seth Magaziner, Kathy Manning, Lucy McBath, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, James P. McGovern, Grace Meng, Robert Menendez, Gwen Moore, Kevin Mullin, Jerrold Nadler, Grace Napolitano, Donald Norcross, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Donald Payne Jr., Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Katie Porter, Ayanna Pressely, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Deborah Ross, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Linda Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Adam Schiff, Terri Sewell, Mikie Sherrill, Elissa Slotkin, Hayley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Mark Takano, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Ritchie Torres (NY), Lori Trahan, Juan Vargas, Marc Veasey, Nydia Velázquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jennifer Wexton, Susan Wild, and Nikema Williams.

In addition to Kaine, Smith, and Warren, the letter was signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s Office announced mobile office hours in the coming weeks.  

Congresswoman Boebert stated: “Serving the people of Colorado’s Third Congressional District is the greatest honor of my life. If you arehaving issues with a federal agency, or want your voice to be heard, please come to one of our mobile office hours, and a member of my team will be happy to assist you.” 

Staff from Congresswoman Boebert’s office will be available to help constituents who aren’t getting answers from federal agencies, like veterans seeking to get the care they earned from the VA, travelers that need expedited assistance to receive a passport on short notice, taxpayers being harassed by the IRS, and senior citizens having issues with the Social Security Administration or Medicare. Additionally, constituents are invited to come to the office hours to express their viewpoints on legislative issues or request special Congressional Commendations from the Congresswoman recognizing outstanding public achievements. 

Congresswoman Boebert’s office has hosted over 206 mobile office hours in every county in the District, helped over 2,315 people, and returned over $4,563,282.17 to constituents. 

Mobile office hours will be available at the following times and locations: 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3

Dolores County Mobile Office Hours

Rico Firehouse

119 South Glasgow Avenue

Rico, CO

1:00 – 2:30 pm

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15

Saguache County Mobile Office Hours

Road and Bridge Building

305 Third Street

Saguache, CO

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Saguache County Mobile Office Hours

Town Hall – Town Trustees’ Meeting Room

294 S. Worth Street

Center, CO

1:00 – 2:00 pm

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23

La Plata County Mobile Office Hours

Ignacio Community Library

Community Meeting Room

470 Goddard Avenue

Ignacio, CO

1:00 – 3:00 pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

Montrose County Mobile Office Hours

Public Works, Board of County Commissioners Room

63160 LaSalle Road

Montrose, CO

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Delta County Mobile Office Hours

Paonia Town Hall, Community Room

214 Grand Avenue

Paonia, CO

2:00 am – 3:00 pm