Press Releases

It is unconscionable to legislate discrimination, and I cannot condone the use of taxpayer dollars to defend a discriminatory law at ANY time especially when these senseless cuts have placed an even greater burden on the operations and effectiveness of this chamber.

We must not turn our backs on those who are serving our country. That is one of many reasons why Congress should avoid full implementation of sequestration by passing a balanced plan that closes tax loopholes, trims entitlements, and slows future growth of spending.

Our servicemembers make our military great and it is our responsibility to make sure they are taken care of.

Social Security is the ultimate legislative expression of our nation's shared values. For over 75 years, it has tied generation to generation. It ensures that seniors have a secure retirement after decades of service to their communities. And it provides a safety net for those who can no longer work due to an accident or disability.

There are many answers owed to this Subcommittee and the American people regarding the impact of sequestration and the Continuing Resolution on ICE and, in that context, the recent release of detainees.

By re-affirming this year's across-the-board cuts and slashing even more deeply into critical priorities like schools, roads and bridges, and medical research, the House budget resolution is a blueprint for stalled growth, joblessness, and abandonment of American families.

We saw firsthand Sandy's devastation, which tore apart communities, as well as the massive reconstruction effort underway in lower Manhattan and across the region.

The last several years have brought repeated and devastating weather events to many areas of the country, testing the ability of local communities to respond, rebuild and recover.