Archive: 2017

Our nation’s DREAMers want nothing more than to earn degrees, join the workforce and openly contribute their talents to make our country a stronger and better place. Five years ago, President Obama made that dream possible with the DACA initiative, which sent a strong message to the world that, by bringing their hopes, courage and determination to succeed to our shores, immigrants make America more American.

Good morning, everyone.
Over the weekend, I had the great privilege of accompanying a CODEL to Galveston, Texas, to witness and be part of the commissioning of the USS Gabrielle Giffords. This is so exciting.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the distinguished Speaker in paying tribute to the brave men and women of the Capitol Police Force, and also in sadness for the assault that was made on our colleagues and members of the staff.

This morning, the U.S. Congress suffered a despicable and cowardly attack. My thoughts and prayers are with Whip Steve Scalise and the others wounded, Capitol Police and staff, and their families.

Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Leaders announced the development of a House Democratic Diversity Initiative. The initiative, which will include a full-time dedicated staffer, focuses on increasing House Democratic workforce diversity and expanding opportunities for diverse candidates at all House staff levels. As part of that effort, the initiative will maintain a database of highly qualified individuals for positions at all levels and aid in building relationships with outside organizations and institutions to recruit diverse candidates for House employment.

Remember this? “Congress is moving fast to rush through a health care overhaul that lacks a key ingredient: the full participation of you, the American people.” – Paul Ryan, July 18, 2009 And this? “Congress and the White House have focused their… Continue

OVERVIEW OF THE OPEN, TRANSPARENT, LENGTHY PROCESS OF ENACTING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT “This is the most thoroughly debated piece of legislation in my memory in Washington.” – Bill Kristol, Fox News Sunday, 3/7/10 “[T]his bill has received more careful consideration, more… Continue

President Trump is headed to Wisconsin today to talk about ‘JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!’ But what we want to know is: WHERE ARE THE JOBS, JOBS, JOBS? Five months into the Trump Administration, Republicans still have not put forward a single piece of… Continue

Congressional appropriators will kick off their process of marking up spending bills Monday evening, despite not having a top line budget number to guide their spending. Normally, appropriators start marking up spending bills after the passage of a budget resolution, which sets… Continue

The Trump Administration’s hollow theme this week is ‘Workforce Development.’ That’s rich, because five months into the Trump Administration, Republicans still have not put forward a single piece of legislation to create good-paying jobs or raise the wages of hard-working Americans. Instead,… Continue