WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – In the wake of the tragic shootings in Isla Vista near the University of California, Santa Barbara last week, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on Friday, May 30, announced that she will be introducing legislation soon to help provide families and close associates of a potentially dangerous person with new […]
Boxer: Help families prevent gun violence Read More »
USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — In response to the House of Representatives’ passage of the Thompson-King Amendment to provide $19.5 million to improve background check records related to gun purchases, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: “The scars of gun violence are present in too
House funds background checks for gun buyers Read More »
USA
WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) – Congressman Alan Grayson (D-Florida) introduced legislation on Thursday, May 29, to protect reporters and journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources. Grayson’s measure was added to H.R. 4660, the ‘Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act’, and prohibits the Department of Justice from using funds to force journalists to
House passes federal ‘shield law’ for journalists Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-Rhode Island), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, on Friday, May 30, introduced legislation that would help keep guns away from dangerously mentally-ill individuals. Specifically, the End the Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act would ensure lifesaving information is submitted into the Federal
Cicilline: Keep guns away from mentally disturbed Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York), a veteran Member of the House Judiciary Committee, delivered a statement on the House floor on closing the Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba. He said: “I understand that there is an irrational fear of bringing Guantanamo detainees into the United States, even though we
Nadler: Keeping Gitmo Prison open is irrational Read More »
International, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) on Thursday, May 30, applauded Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Tim Gill, founder of the Gill Foundation, for creating the first-ever study by the National Park Service to identify historical sites and events integral to the civil rights struggle of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
Nat’l Parks to honor historic LGBT sites Read More »
USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–President Barack Obama announced the resignation of Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki, and reaction and advice from Capitol Hill was quick to follow. Here is a partial transcript of the news conference in which the President announced the resignation: * THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. A few minutes ago, Secretary Shinseki and
Shinseki resigns as V.A. Secretary; Congress reacts Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USABy Jeremy Ben-Ami WASHINGTON, D.C. –I’ve just returned from a J Street fact-finding Mission to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan with five Members of Congress and 16 national J Street leaders following suspension of the peace talks brokered by Secretary of State John Kerry. After meeting officials, activists and business people on all sides,
J Street on Mideast peace: Wait till next time Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–Representative Eliot L. Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the recent elections in Egypt: “After three years of tumultuous change, I hope that these elections will mark a turning point in Egypt. But that will only be the case if Egyptian
Engel positive on Egypt’s post- election future Read More »
Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)- Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the following in response to President Obama’s speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at which the President outlined his plans to militarily withdraw from Afghanistan. “This week the president has made a strong case that the
Levin applauds Obama plan for Afghan withdrawal Read More »
International, USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (SDJW)—Four Jewish members of Congress—two in the Senate and two in the House—have responded to reports from the Inspector General that some VA hospitals make veterans wait an unacceptably long time for appointments, and that there had been manipulation of data by some officials at the VA to keep that information from coming
VA Secretary Shinseki faces firestorm in Congress Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – In a speech on the House Floor on Thursday, May 29, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) took on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s ridiculous and disingenuous claim that Kentucky could retain the benefits of Kynect – the state exchange created under the law – if the Affordable Care Act was repealed.
Yarmuth says McConnell not truthful on health care Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Starting Sunday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) will join thousands of cyclists and volunteer “roadies” who will embark on a 545-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles – the AIDS/LifeCycle – to raise awareness and funding for the fight to end HIV/AIDS. This annual journey raises millions of dollars to support the San
Rep. Adam Schiff to join 7-day AIDS bike ride Read More »
Sports & Competitions, USAWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)– Rep. Jan Schakowsky, (D-Illinois) led more than 100 Members of Congress on a May 28 letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging action on human rights in Honduras. The letter expresses concerns about the situation within the country and urges the State Department to take an active role in
Schakowsky, 100 colleagues, urge Kerry to insist on human rights protection in Honduras Read More »
International, USA