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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Congressional Democrats Join Union Workers to Announce Legislation to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat

As originally released by the Committee on Education & Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, Representative Judy Chu (D-CA.-28), and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) joined union workers from the United Farm Workers (UFW), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and United Steelworkers to announce their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to implement federal enforceable workplace heat stress protections.

Co-leads of the legislation include Representative Alma Adams (D-NC-12), and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). 

To address the increasing risks from extreme temperatures, the lawmakers introduced the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act, legislation to protect the safety and health of indoor and outdoor workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace.  The legislation would protect workers against occupational exposure to excessive heat by requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to establish an enforceable federal standard to protect workers in high-heat environments with commonsense measures like paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, limitations on time exposed to heat, and emergency response for workers with heat-related illness. The bill also directs employers to provide training for their employees on the risk factors that can lead to heat illness and guidance on the proper procedures for responding to symptoms.

The bill is named in honor of Asunción Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes for 10 hours straight in 105-degree temperatures.  Mr. Valdivia fell unconscious, but instead of calling an ambulance, his employer told Mr. Valdivia’s son to drive his father home. On his way home, he died of heat stroke at the age of 53.

“This summer, Americans across the country are grappling with some of the hottest temperatures on record. Yet workers in this country still have no legal protection against excessive heat—one of the oldest, most serious, and most common workplace hazards. Heat illness affects workers in our nation’s fields, warehouses, and factories, and climate change is making the problem more severe every year,” said Ranking Member Scott.  “This legislation will require OSHA to issue a heat standard on a much faster track than the normal OSHA regulatory process.  I was proud to advance this important bill in 2022, and I urge Chairman Walberg and Committee Republicans to do so again this Congress.  Workers deserve nothing less, particularly as heat-related illnesses and deaths rise.”

“As we continue to experience record-breaking summer heat waves, we’re also seeing a distressing increase in cases of workers collapsing and even losing their lives due to excessive heat. I will never forget people like Asunción Valdivia or Esteban Chavez Jr., who passed away in Pasadena, California in 2022 after a day of delivering packages in 90-degree heat in a truck without air conditioning. Unfortunately, their tragic deaths were entirely preventable,” said Representative Chu. “Whether on a farm, driving a truck, or working in a warehouse, workers like Asunción and Esteban keep our country running while enduring some of the most difficult conditions—often without access to water or rest. To protect our workforce and save lives, we must pass this bill into law and establish comprehensive and enforceable federal standards addressing heat stress on the job.”

“Asunción Valdivia’s death was completely preventable, yet his story is sadly not unique.  As the planet continues to grow hotter, there is still no federally enforceable heat safety standard for workers.  That’s not just dangerous for the farm workers and construction workers who work all day outside in the sun — it’s also dangerous for the factory and restaurant workers in boiling warehouses and kitchens,”said SenatorPadilla.  “Every family deserves to know that even on the hottest day, their loved one will come back home.  A national heat safety standard would provide that peace of mind and finally give workers the safety they deserve.”

“As we face record temperatures, it has never been more important that we protect our workers facing extreme heat in the workplace,”said Representative Adams. “Last year, a North Carolina postal worker Wendy Johnson lost her life to heat illness after spending hours in the back of a postal truck on a 95-degree day with no air conditioning. Her death was entirely preventable, and Wendy should still be with us today. I’m proud to introduce this bill so we can honor her memory and ensure every worker has the protections from extreme heat that Wendy deserved.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 was the warmest year on record for the United States.  The past decade, including 2024, was the hottest on record, marking a decade of extreme heat that will only get worse.  Heat-related illnesses can cause heat cramps, organ damage, heat exhaustion, stroke, and even death.  Between 1992 and 2017, heat stress injuries killed 815 U.S. workers and seriously injured more than 70,000.  The Washington Center for Equitable Growthestimates hot temperatures caused at least 360,000 workplace injuries in California from 2001 to 2018, or about 20,000 injuries a year. The failure to implement simple heat safety measures costs U.S. employers nearly $100 billion every year in lost productivity.

From 2011-2020, heat exposure killed at least 400 workers and caused nearly 34,000 injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work; both are likely vast underestimates.  Farm workers and construction workers suffer the highest incidence of heat illness.  And no matter what the weather is outside, workers in factories, commercial kitchens, and other workplaces, including ones where workers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), can face dangerously high heat conditions all year round.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03) , Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN-07), Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA-02), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO-05), Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Rep. Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Rep. Al Green (D-TX-09), Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA-04), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY-22), Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN-01), Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Rep. Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Rep. Derek T. Tran (D-CA-45), Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY-07), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).

To read the fact sheet on the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act is availablehere.

To read the section-by-section summary of the bill is available here.

To read the bill text of the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act here.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Votes Against Crypto Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, S. 1582, the GENIUS Act, and H.R. 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act:

“Cryptocurrency must be meaningfully regulated to protect consumers and prevent systemic risks to the financial system. Any legislation governing digital assets should also require crypto operators to have a fiduciary responsibility to consumers. 

“These bills fall short. They lack the reporting requirements and regulatory oversight necessary to protect consumers, and they create an unnecessary risk of taxpayer-funded bailouts. The regulations will create a veneer of legitimacy when the assets may have little underlying value. The regulations also fail to prevent the use of digital assets in money laundering or other illicit activities.

“It is noteworthy that these bills prohibit members of congress and senior executive branch officials from creating a stablecoin, yet curiously provide no limits on the president or vice president. If a regulatory framework is going to be established, consumers should be able to make investments in cryptocurrency and have confidence that they are not being ripped off.”
 

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Votes Against GOP Bill to Defund Public Broadcasting and National Security Investments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4,the Rescissions Act of 2025:

“Congressional Republicans just voted to cancel federal funding for public broadcasting and important national security initiatives. These were funds that were just appropriated by legislation that passed by a bipartisan majority a few short months ago. And this comes just weeks after Republicans enacted the Big, Ugly Bill that adds $3.4 trillion to our national debt. It is absurd to characterize rescinding less than one-third of one percent of the $3.4 trillion as doing something fiscally worthy. 

“This package cuts funds to public broadcasting which provides Americans with educational programming and fact-based news reporting. Cutting public broadcasting also makes it harder for communities to get emergency alerts during disasters. The bill slashes critical aid from displaced, hungry and sick people in developing countries and conflict zones across the globe and rescinds funds to prevent disease and future pandemics. These are the same cuts from DOGE that just this week caused the Trump Administration to incinerate 500 metric tons of emergency food aid.

“These cruel cuts undermine our safety and national security and undermine our standing in the world.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Votes Against GOP’S FY26 Defense Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2026.

“The annual defense appropriations bill must be a strong investment in our servicemembers and our national security. There are some provisions I support in this defense appropriations bill such as investments in shipbuilding, including funding the Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines and the Gerald R. Ford Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier program. The bill also includes an important amendment to prevent the closure of the United States Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis.

“However, I ultimately cannot support the bill in its current form because the Republicans included language directing the Department of Defense to make harmful cuts in service of Elon Musk’s DOGE agenda. This bill will cut over $2 billion for troop readiness and $409 million for health programs. The bill includes provisions that attack the civil rights and liberties of service members and military families, including eliminating any office of diversity, equity, or inclusion. The bill also restricts access to abortion for servicemembers and fails to include $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion. 

“I am hopeful that as the bill moves to the Senate, the final enacted version of this legislation will ensure our servicemembers and their families are protected and will also include necessary investments to our national security.”

CLICK HERE for a fact sheet on the legislation.  

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Deportations of Cruise Ship Seafarers

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on recent press reports of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) deporting cruise ship seafarers at the Port of Norfolk and other ports in the United States:

“My office has been made aware of recent immigration enforcement actions by CBP at the Port of Norfolk and other ports in the United States against cruise ship seafarers from the Philippines and other nations even though they held valid C1/D visas. 

“Based on credible press reports, an earlier CBP action last year in Florida aboard a cruise ship was pursuant to a law enforcement investigation. However, that individual was arrested, charged, and convicted of a crime – and will not be deported until after serving his sentence. It is unclear based on press reports why these recently deported seafarers were targeted. Especially, whether for each individual detained, if there was probable cause that they had committed a crime.

“I am making inquiries with the appropriate federal authorities to gather more information. Our nation was founded on the fundamental principles of due process. Under our Constitution, everyone is entitled to due process regardless of citizenship or immigration status.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Rollins and Interior Secretary Burgum demanding answers on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to overturn the 225,504-acre federal mineral withdrawal in the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest. 

This move would blindside local communities, ignore scientific consensus, and put the profits of mining interests ahead of Minnesota’s clean water and world-renowned wilderness.

“This withdrawal is crucial for protecting the clean water, unparalleled recreation opportunities, and biodiverse wildlife habitat of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Boundary Waters)—the most visited National Wilderness Area in the nation,” the lawmakers wrote. “As Representatives for the people of the United States and champions for the Boundary Waters – a vast reserve of some of our nation’s purest water and one of our greatest outdoor treasures – we have significant concerns both the substance of this announcement and the manner in which it was communicated.”

The lawmakers slammed Secretary Rollins for announcing the decision using a vague and misleading social post, claiming to have reviewed the withdrawal and taken into account the extensive public input. Multiple environmental reviews and public letters from the U.S. Forest Service leadership have repeatedly concluded that opening the Superior National Forest to mineral development would pose unacceptable risks to the watershed’s cultural, economic, and natural resource values. Polls show that 70 percent of Minnesotans support permanent protection of the Boundary Waters. 

“The people of Minnesota and Americans nationwide overwhelmingly support permanent protection for the headwaters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The use of an inaccurate tweet lacking substantive detail has generated confusion and concern among our constituents, who have already provided extensive public input in support of protecting the Boundary Waters through a mineral withdrawal,” added the lawmakers. 

Unraveling the mineral withdrawal protecting these headwaters threatens pristine ecosystems and a vibrant recreational economy supporting nearly 96,000 jobs in Minnesota and generating $13.5 billion annually. The lawmakers asked Secretary Rollins and Secretary Burgum to address their concerns before any further action is taken on the Rainy River Mineral Withdrawal by either the USDA or the DOI. 

Read the full letter here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late Thursday night, the House of Representatives passed President Trump’s rescissions package on a vote of 216-213. The bill would rescind over $9 billion in federal spending that was passed on a bipartisan basis by defunding public broadcasting and clawing back funding for international development. Upon passage of the bill, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement:

“In yet another late-night vote, Republicans jammed through a bill that undermines and outright destroys long-held, bipartisan American values. I joined all my Democratic colleagues in voting NO on this reckless and damaging bill,” said Congresswoman McCollum.  

“This Republican rescissions bill undercuts the safety of our communities and America’s national security by clawing back funding for public broadcasting and international development. Why? Because President Trump demanded it, despite the fact that Congress passed this funding on a bipartisan basis and Trump signed it into law a mere four months ago. Not only does rescission fail to make any logical sense – it hasn’t been done since 1992 –Republicans are surrendering to Trump the Congressional control of funding for the public good. This will hurt us both at home and abroad. 

“For 50 years, public broadcasting has received bipartisan support because Congress has continuously recognized that access to public media is in the public’s best interest. But this bill eliminates federal funding for millions of Americans who rely on public media. In an emergency—when the power goes out and cell networks or the internet go down—public radio is the most reliable form of communication. Public radio stations offer live news during disasters, providing real-time information to local listeners on available resources and safe locations.

“H.R. 4 will also rescind critical foreign assistance funding that was appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis 4 months ago. This rescission will stop lifesaving food assistance for families, and core nutrition services for children under five. This week, it was uncovered that the State Department is incinerating nearly 500 tons of emergency food that was already purchased to go to starving children. How many lives could have been saved if we just kept our commitments? This horrifying waste and ineptitude leaves a vacuum of leadership in the most vulnerable places in the world – a void that will be filled by China and Russia.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

Defense Appropriations Ranking Member calls the bill ‘incomplete,’ says it attacks service members and their families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following remarks on the House floor during debate over the Fiscal Year 2026 defense spending bill:

“Thank you, Mr. Chair.

“I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

“I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026. But I do want to begin by recognizing the work of the staff. Jennifer Chartrand, Jason Gray, and Ed Etzkorn on the minority side. Ben Peterson and my Defense Fellow, Lisa Lawrence, in my personal office. Adam Sullivan, and the majority staff, thank you for your hard work. I also want to thank Chairman Calvert for his leadership of the Subcommittee – and his friendship. You had to write a bill without a full budget request. Those are unprecedented circumstances – and I know this process was difficult.

“Turning to the bill. The Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act totals $831.5 billion. That is the same level that DoD is currently operating at under the full year Continuing Resolution. As I said, this bill was written without having the full Fiscal Year 2026 budget request in front of us. That is a huge problem – let me explain why.

“The Defense Appropriations Act is this Committee’s largest discretionary funding bill. It is a complex piece of legislation – dealing with a wide range of national security issues – such as: The construction of ships and submarines, the launch of technologically advanced satellites, the development of hypersonic weapons; and most importantly – supporting our servicemembers and their families who so bravely serve our nation.

“It is in the best interests of our nation for the Defense bill to be written the right way – with thoughtful analysis. And DoD’s programs require a detailed annual review – because these programs naturally ebb and flow over time. The only way for our Subcommittee to analyze this information and write a thoughtful and informed bill is to review a full budget request.

“I want to take a moment to illustrate that. These two poster boards represent a single DoD program that we fund. The Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. This is an advanced helicopter for the Army. This poster shows the 9-page Congressional Budget Justification documents for this program from last year’s budget request. These documents represent the critical granular details that the Subcommittee needs to properly evaluate DoD programs. It shows us not only what the request is for the coming fiscal year – but also what is expected to be spent over the next five years.

“That detail – the next five years – is how we can see if the program is still on target compared to the previous year’s information. And because we don’t have clean audits from DoD, except from the Marines, these documents are the only way we can track the money. The submission of these documents is part of the normal budget process that every Administration and Congress have operated under. So, this year, because the Trump administration failed to submit a full budget request – what did we have to write this bill? I call your attention to the second poster board.

 “The number you see here – on one line – represents all we received on the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft to write this bill. Nine pages of background on the one hand – one number on the other. This Administration gave us almost no information to make decisions. It’s completely unacceptable. I wonder what the Majority’s reaction would be if the Biden administration had failed to submit a budget request.

“The fact is – we did not have the President’s plan for his Defense priorities when this bill was written. That makes this bill an incomplete product. For example, Golden Dome at this point is merely a concept – not a plan. None of us have been briefed on how the Administration intends to spend $175 billion or deliver it in three years, because the analysis by DoD is incomplete. We don’t know how money for Golden Dome will impact future defense bills.

“Another example is the cost to deploy the National Guard around the country to do Homeland Security’s job. In June, we found out what the cost is to deploy 4,000 California National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. It is $134 million. But now, Secretary Hegseth is reviewing a request from the Department of Homeland Security to deploy more than 20,000 National Guard troops across the country.

“And what is the end goal? To turn the National Guard into the National Police? I don’t agree with that. The National Guard is intended to be used for specific purposes. They are used in their states when natural disasters occur, or yes, in times of civil unrest – when their Governors call them up. And then federal Title 10 missions when they are deployed overseas, or in times of national emergency like on September 11^th. Deploying troops of that magnitude has a serious budgetary impact.

“But Secretary Hegseth did not give us a complete budget, so we don’t know what thought went into the duration of these deployments, how much they will cost, or where the funding will be pulled from to pay for them.

“The President proposes, Congress disposes – that’s the way our system works. There are consequences to not following this process. We may end up buying too many of one platform, wasting precious taxpayer dollars. We may end up buying too little of another – leaving a gap in our defense capabilities. When we write this bill without seeing the full budget request, we fail to maximize the buying power for the taxpayer. So, it is deeply unfortunate that the Trump administration, and OMB in particular, has put the Committee in this position.

“This bill also includes many of the same poison pill riders that were in previous House versions of the Defense bill. These partisan social policy riders should never become law. But they lead us down a road that may once again result in a full year CR. Last year’s CR was bad enough – a second would be a catastrophe. Our national security cannot afford another lost year. 

“Once again, the bill limits the ability of Service personnel and their families to receive the reproductive health care they deserve. Women make up almost 20% of the military services, and many women service members live in a state that has limited or banned access to reproductive health care. Once again, there are provisions that disenfranchise lesbian, gay, and transgender service members. These poison pill riders will not go unnoticed by our troops – they will impact recruitment and retention.

“As I told Secretary Hegseth last month, we have witnessed a deliberate effort by the Trump administration to silence and diminish the achievements of minorities and women in the military. Their dedication, heroism, and sacrifices, on behalf of our nation deserve recognition – not erasure. As a former history teacher, I know that acknowledging uncomfortable truths about our own history is the only way we move forward together.

“Since World War II, the Department of Defense has made great strides in building a military that is more reflective of the population of the nation it defends. That should be celebrated – not reversed. That is how we build a more perfect union – together.

“M. Chair, regrettably at this time, I will be unable to vote for passage of this bill. I cannot recommend to my colleagues that they support it.

“I reserve the balance of my time.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

Lawmakers emphasize importance of emergency broadcasting funding to keep Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies