Posts

Posted on

Griffith Delivers Remarks on SWVA Public Safety Communications

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, participated in a hearing entitled “Public Safety Communications in the United States.”

Following the hearing, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

“For many rural communities, like those in Southwest Virginia, lack of access to secure public safety communications systems hampers community response efforts. I will continue to advocate for solutions that secure and improve rural community access to these systems.”

Congressman Griffith’s questions and remarks during the hearing can be seen here or below.

BACKGROUND

This July, Congressman Griffith was named to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. He is serving his first term on the Subcommittee.

Congressman Griffith previously waived onto a Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing to advocate for greater access to broadband in the Ninth District. In 2024, he pressed an official from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and encouraged approval of Virginia’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program submitted by Governor Youngkin.

Congressman Griffith is a member of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Caucus.

Entire footage of today’s hearing can be found here.

###

Posted on

Congressman Baird, Congresswoman McCollum Introduce Legislation to Reduce Catalytic Converter Thefts

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act to reduce catalytic converter thefts by marking identifying information on catalytic converters, addressing how the parts are purchased, and strengthening enforcement of catalytic converter theft for local law enforcement. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) joined Congressman Baird in introducing this legislation.

“Each year, thousands of Americans face costly repairs to their vehicles as catalytic converter thefts have surged nationwide,” said Congressman Baird. “These thefts can have devastating financial consequences on Americans and business owners, and it has become a significant problem in Central Indiana. I first introduced the PART Act after hearing from numerous constituents and local law enforcement officers about the growing prevalence of catalytic converter thefts. I am proud to introduce this bill to take action on this pressing issue by closing the loopholes in our legal system that allow thieves to steal this essential car part and empowering law enforcement to hold these thieves accountable. I also thank Congresswoman Betty McCollum for her continued work with me on this critical issue affecting Hoosiers and Americans across the country.”

“Catalytic converter theft continues to be a common and costly problem for drivers across the nation, and specifically in the Twin Cities,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “I am pleased to join my Republican colleague, Rep. Baird, in reintroducing the PART Act. By working with auto manufacturers in writing the regulations to properly track catalytic converters, the PART Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to prevent this crime. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass this vital legislation.”

Congressman Baird and Congresswoman McCollum were also joined by Representatives Brian Babin (TX-36), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), Angie Craig (MN-02), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), and Tracey Mann (KS-01) in the introduction of this legislation.

Background:

A catalytic converter is a car part used to reduce the potency of toxic emissions from an internal combustion engine and is a component required for compliance with the Clean Air Act. Catalytic converters are constructed using precious metals such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium, and can be sold to scrap dealers for hundreds of dollars. Replacement of these parts can be very costly for vehicle owners, with many replacements ranging from $500 to $2,300. In some cases, the cost of a catalytic converter theft may even be enough for a total loss to a vehicle.

The theft of catalytic converters has become increasingly prevalent over the past few years, plaguing vehicle owners, scrap yards, and law enforcement officials in communities across the United States. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts rose from 3,389 in 2019 to over 64,000 in 2022, though the rate declined in 2023 to 21,200 thefts. Law enforcement officers still only have limited tools to curb thefts as current policy leaves many advantageous loopholes for criminals to exploit. A lack of criminal code in regard to the trafficking of these stolen parts means that law enforcement must catch a criminal in the act of removing the part in order to prosecute a case.

The PART Act seeks to reduce catalytic converter thefts by allowing law enforcement officers to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originate by requiring new vehicles to have a unique identifying marker stamped onto the converter, creating a grant program through which entities can stamp these markers onto catalytic converters of existing vehicles, improving record keeping standards for purchasers of used catalytic converters, and establishing enforceability of laws around catalytic converter theft by codifying these crimes as a criminal offense.
 

###

Posted on

Wasserman Schultz Leads Florida Congressional Democrats in Call on DeSantis to Reverse Plan to Weaken Vaccine Policy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“Protecting our children, vulnerable seniors and our economy is so important, that it is essential to speak with one voice to shut down any extremist push to undermine life-saving vaccines. Too many lives and jobs are on the line,” said Wasserman Schultz. “The majority of Floridians have confidence in and rely upon universal vaccination programs. So, I’m deeply disappointed that a powerful, bipartisan message could not be sent to our governor and his top health official that makes it clear: this assault on vaccines must be reversed. Democrats are making it clear today where we stand – with the health of our people and our economy.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) led Florida’s entire Congressional Democratic delegation in calling on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to reverse a recent policy plan to eliminate state vaccine mandates. Florida’s House Republicans were invited to sign on to the request, which pointed to the potential negative health and economic impacts that could result from such a policy change. Not one of them signed onto the letter.

Last week, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that the state would end “every last one” of the state’s vaccine mandates and compared the mandates to “slavery.” In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper this weekend, Ladapo admitted that the decision was not based on any scientific research or data, and that no advance review was conducted to determine how many children or health-compromised seniors would be harmed by the new policy.

“Protecting our children, vulnerable seniors and our economy is so important, that it is essential to speak with one voice to shut down any extremist push to undermine life-saving vaccines. Too many lives and jobs are on the line,” said Wasserman Schultz. “The majority of Floridians have confidence in and rely upon universal vaccination programs. So, I’m deeply disappointed that a powerful, bipartisan message could not be sent to our governor and his top health official that makes it clear: this assault on vaccines must be reversed. Democrats are making it clear today where we stand – with the health of our people and our economy.”

“We urge you to reverse this directive and maintain school vaccine requirements. Doing so will help safeguard the health of Florida’s children, families, educators, and economy, while also upholding the scientific standards that guided America’s public health policies for generations,” the Members wrote to DeSantis. “Preserving these protections is not a partisan matter but a bipartisan responsibility to protect our most vulnerable and ensure that our schools remain safe places to learn and thrive.”

Read the full letter here or below:

Governor DeSantis:

As Members of Congress, we write to share our serious concern at the recent directive issued by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to eliminate school-based vaccine requirements. We feel it is dangerous to remove this cornerstone of public health that ensures children are protected from preventable illnesses and keeps classrooms safe for students, schools, and families alike. This basic tool against infectious disease also helps keep parents on the job, ensures businesses and clinics function optimally, and avoids costly hospitalizations. For tourists who bring young families to Florida, vaccinations offer an assurance that we are a safe travel destination. To be the first state to abandon these baseline protections needlessly endangers the lives of our children and health-compromised seniors, risks massive spikes in avoidable medical costs, and recklessly exposes Florida’s tourism and overall economic health. We respectfully urge you to reconsider this policy and restore these long-standing safeguards.

The health benefits of child immunizations are indisputable. For centuries, vaccinations have been a highly effective public health measure, and in recent decades, they saved thousands of lives each year in the United States alone. They have dramatically reduced and in some cases eradicated deadly diseases such as polio, measles, rubella, tetanus, and Hepatitis B. These achievements were only possible because of widespread adherence to vaccination protocols, particularly in schools, where children spend hours in close contact. Decades of rigorous scientific study confirms that vaccines are safe, effective, and essential to prevent costly, often deadly outbreaks. Worse, weakening vaccine requirements threatens not only our children, but needlessly endangers Florida’s seniors, who far more often face compromised immune systems.

We are also concerned by the inflated rhetoric around vaccine requirements, such as comparing them to “slavery.” This inflammatory language risks sowing confusion among parents, and mistrust in public health institutions. Medical experts universally emphasize the importance of clear, evidence-based communication to maintain public confidence in immunization. This is especially true for families who are religiously or personally opposed to immunization: it must be made clear that current Florida law allows them to opt out. This moment requires clarity and consistency for families who depend on strong leadership to protect their children’s health.

We urge you to reverse this directive and maintain school vaccine requirements. Doing so will help safeguard the health of Florida’s children, families, educators, and economy, while also upholding the scientific standards that guided America’s public health policies for generations.

Preserving these protections is not a partisan matter but a bipartisan responsibility to protect our most vulnerable and ensure that our schools remain safe places to learn and thrive.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

[MEMBERS OF CONGRESS]

####

Posted on

Congressman Castro Kicks off Inaugural Call for Texas Music Nominations to the National Recording Registry

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

September 09, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced his first ever call for songs and albums by Texas artists to the National Recording Registry, highlighting Texas’ rich music heritage and legacy.

“Texas is a hub for creative talent and the birthplace of many iconic musicians in various genres. From George Strait’s soul-stirring country to Beto Villa’s orquesta Tejana, Texas artists represent a blend of various cultures, styles, and languages. This year, I want to honor their legacy by nominating Texas artists who have shaped the music industry in Texas and beyond,” said Congressman Castro.

Both songs and albums can be submitted by visiting castro.house.gov/texasmusic. To qualify for nomination, selections must be at least ten years old. Submissions must be submitted by Sunday, September 21st at 11:59 PM CT to be eligible for Congressman Castro’s official nomination.

Background:

The National Recording Registry was established by the U.S. Congress in 2000 with a mission to preserve sounds and recordings with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. Every year, the National Recording Preservation Board selects 25 additional recordings to preserve in the National Recording Registry.

As of 2025, the National Recording Registry includes 675 recordings. Less than 5% of current recordings can be attributed to Texas artists. Current Texas artists in the National Recording Registry include: Mance Lipscomb’s “Texas Sharecropper and Songster” (1960), Narciso Martinez and Santiago Almeida’s “La Chicharronera” (1936), and Bob Will’s “New San Antonio Rose” (1940).

For the last three years, Congressman Castro has submitted annual Registry nomination lists to increase the visibility of Latino recording artists who should be considered for inclusion. This year, Congressman Castro is launching a nomination process for Texas artists who also deserve national recognition.

Since Congressman Castro began submitting nomination lists in 2022, the National Recording Preservation Board has inducted 7 of his selections – Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” (1990), Héctor Lavoe’s “El Cantante” (1978), Irene Cara’s “Flashdance…What A Feeling” (1983), Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” (2004), Vicente Fernandez’s “El Rey” (1973), Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (1974), and Lin Manuel Miranda’s album “Hamilton” (2015).

Posted on

Casten, Duckworth Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Education Support Professionals Access FMLA Benefits

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

September 09, 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act, bipartisan legislation to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to cover 2.7 million education support professionals (ESPs) who are currently blocked from accessing FMLA benefits. The FMLA guarantees a segment of the workforce the ability to take unpaid leave to care for their newborns and sick loved ones without fear of losing their jobs.

“Gaps in FMLA coverage for the 2.7 million janitorial staff, food service workers, bus drivers, clerical support staff, and other public school employees mean that the very people we rely on to feed, transport, and support our students can be unfairly forced to choose between caring for their families and keeping their jobs,” said Rep. Casten. “I’m proud to introduce this bill with Senator Duckworth to improve and expand FMLA coverage to education support professionals.”

“No one should ever have to choose between their job and caring for a sick child or family member—including our nation’s education support professionals,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to reintroduce this important legislation with Congressman Casten so we can work to close the loopholes that prevent many education support staff from accessing basic, hard-earned benefits through the Family and Medical Leave Act.”

Right now, as a result of their schedules and the limited school year, many ESPs—including clerical support professionals, maintenance workers, janitorial staff, food service employees, bus drivers, and others—fail to meet the 1,250-hour threshold needed to qualify for unpaid leave under the FMLA. The ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act would correct this by finally updating the FMLA to close this gap in federal law.

The bipartisan ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act would build on a provision enacted in 2009—which helped more airline flight crews receive FMLA benefits—and update the FMLA so that all ESPs who work more than 60 percent of the total monthly hours expected for their specific role can access benefits.

“The Trump administration has abandoned students, pushed aspiring educators out of the profession, and deprived educators of basic supports and resources they need to help our students succeed,” said National Education Association President Becky Pringle. “Now more than ever, our education support professionals are critical to helping all our students—no matter their color, background, or ZIP code—learn and grow into their full brilliance. But many education support professionals that are essential to our students learning, that drive our school busses, ensure our students have nutritious meals, make sure buildings are safe and clean, and so much more are unable to access basic leave benefits without risk of losing their job due to a gap in coverage for workers under federal law. On behalf of educators across our country, I applaud Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Sean Casten for reintroducing the ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act which would ensure more education support professionals are able to recover from a medical emergency, care for a newborn baby, or support a sick family member. This legislation is long overdue.”

“Thank you for trying to change the law to allow our schools’, colleges’ and universities’ support staff to have access to Family Medical Leave Act benefits without the risk of losing their jobs,” said Al Llorens, president of the Illinois Education Association. “These people provide integral support to students across the country. They should be valued for their work and treated with dignity.”

“The ability to take time off and care for a sick family member or cope with one’s own illness without losing your job should be a basic workplace right,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “Yet one in three public school staff lack access to the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Sean Casten’s ESP Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act rights this wrong by extending FMLA coverage to school support staff. I urge Congress to pass it. No matter where you work, the law should protect you. It shouldn’t matter if you’re a classroom assistant, bus driver, school secretary or classroom teacher: No one should be in a situation where a pregnancy or an illness means financial ruin.”

This bill has been endorsed by the American Federation for Teachers, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the National Education Association, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the Teamsters, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Text of the bill can be found here.

###

Posted on

Griffith Statement on American Tin Company Investment in Henry County

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Nathan Trotter, a Pennsylvania-based tin production company, will invest approximately $65 million to build a metal production and processing facility in Henry County. According to a press release, the investment will support an estimated 118 new jobs, build a 115,000 square foot tin processing facility and help secure America’s tin supply chain. 

In response to this news, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Virginia’s Ninth District is fertile ground for advancing American manufacturing and critical mineral production. This investment in Henry County highlights Virginia’s commitment to ‘Made in America’ and supports local economic development. I would like to thank Governor Youngkin, state and local partners and Nathan Trotter for their work to create this fantastic opportunity.”

BACKGROUND

One reason listed for Nathan Trotter’s selection of Henry County is its proximity to key ports, customers, suppliers and Nathan Trotter’s network of tin production facilities throughout the region.

Nathan Trotter will develop and operate the nation’s first plant capable of refining noteworthy volumes of both tin concentrate and scrap tin in support of the U.S. economy and defense industrial base. The cutting-edge facility has also been designed to utilize the most advanced and environmentally friendly technology, enabling successful operations into the future.

Governor Youngkin delivered remarks on this announcement in Martinsville, Virginia.

###

Posted on

Huffman, Dexter, Neguse Lead Oversight Push to Safeguard Wildland Firefighters

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

September 09, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02), alongside Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) and Joe Neguse (CO-02), led lawmakers in an oversight effort to address the federal government’s failure to protect wildland firefighter health.

The lawmakers requested individual briefings from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to support the health and safety of wildland firefighters.

“Recent reporting suggests that federal agencies are neglecting their duty to protect the health of wildland firefighters. Making matters worse, agencies are already struggling to fill vacant wildland firefighter positions. Neglecting the health of current firefighters will make future recruitment harder and leave our communities vulnerable. We write to request a briefing on your efforts to meet the needs of the firefighters that serve us,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers outlined eight?critical questions?to better understand what steps the agency is taking to safeguard firefighters on the front lines:

  1. What steps is your agency taking to prevent wildfire smoke inhalation??
  2. What respiratory PPE is currently offered to wildland firefighters? What, if any, PPE is required and under what conditions is it offered or required??
  3. When will you require the distribution and use of respiratory protective equipment to wildland firefighters???
  4. How much would it cost to provide situationally appropriate respiratory protective equipment to all firefighting crews in your agency??
  5. What steps has your agency taken to improve tracking of the long-term health of federal wildland firefighters? How have recent staff and budget cuts affected those studies??
  6. How would consolidation of federal wildfire response under the proposed U.S. Wildland Fire Service impact the casualty assistance program?
  7. How have recent agency personnel and budget cuts impacted the response rate for wildland firefighter workers compensation claims??
  8. How would consolidation of federal wildfire response under the proposed U.S. Wildland Fire Service impact current and future PPE guidance and policy??

Read the full letter here.

###

Posted on

Rep. Jim Costa Pushes to Enhance Federal Incentives for Water Conservation and Farmland Restoration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced H.R. 5111 – The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Improvement and Flexibility Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide stronger incentives for farmers and producers to restore farmland and conserve water.
“Clean water and healthy soil are the foundation of American agriculture,” said Congressman Costa. “By modernizing the Conservation Reserve Program for the first time in nearly 40 years, we can meet the challenges of drought and climate change head-on. My bipartisan bill would put more dollars into conservation practices to conserve water, restore farmland, and keep family farms thriving for generations to come.”
“Iowa farmers are the best stewards of our farmland and natural resources – and their actions are proof of that. Our producers go to great lengths to protect our water, maintain soil health, and ensure that our farmland can be passed from one generation to the next, keeping our rural traditions alive,” said Congressman Feenstra. “I’m glad to introduce bipartisan legislation with Rep. Jim Costa to modernize the Conservation Reserve Program to help our farmers continue their strong, yet voluntary, conservation practices. From implementing buffer strips to conducting responsible grazing practices, our producers are leading the charge to keep our farmland the most productive in the world, our water safe and clean, and our environment healthy.”BACKGROUNDCreated under the Food Security Act of 1985, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program administered by the U.S. Farm Service Agency. This program provides farmers, ranchers, and producers with federal support to implement long-term conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land.
Through the planting of native grasses, trees, and riparian buffers, CRP reduces soil erosion, recharges groundwater, improves water quality, and restores wildlife habitat. This program has helped recharge groundwater, prevent flooding, and sequester carbon — making the program one of agriculture’s most effective conservation tools.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Improvement and Flexibility Act would enhance this program by increasing federal assistance and incentives for eligible participants and entities. Specifically, this legislation would:

Lift the cap and increase CRP annual payments from $50,000 to $125,000, which has not been updated since 1985. 
Provide cost-share for the establishment of grazing infrastructure, including interior cross fencing, perimeter fencing, and water infrastructure such as rural water connections, wells, pipelines, and water tanks. 
Permanently establish the States Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative to support wildlife habitat conservation. 
Expedite emergency haying and grazing authorizations in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events.

Originally created in 1985, CRP was most recently reauthorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and extended by the American Relief Act of 2025. Congressman Costa’s legislation builds on that foundation, ensuring the program keeps pace with today’s challenges while providing farmers stronger incentives to protect land and water resources.

Posted on

Speaker Johnson on Violent Crime Across America: “We Do Not Have to Live Like This”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — At the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson addressed the senseless murder of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina, the continuation of President Trump’s successful crackdown on crime, UN countries considering recognizing Palestinian statehood, and Democrats discussing shutting down the government ahead of the government funding deadline.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On the senseless murder of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina:

This 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was brutally murdered in cold blood on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her name Iryna Zarutska, and she was on the way home from her job at a pizzeria where she worked. She was stabbed repeatedly by a career criminal with a rap sheet a mile long. It’s infuriating, it’s heartbreaking. It gives you a feeling in the pit of your stomach. This young lady, Iryna, survived Ukraine. She fled amid the deadliest land war in Europe since World War II. She fled to the safety, or so she thought in the United States, just to have her life senselessly ended by someone who should have never been allowed to walk freely. This individual, DeCarlos Brown is his name, was arrested and released 14 times. More than a dozen, 14 times.

Now here’s what is stunning to me. If you only read the New York Times, the Washington Post, or most of the other mainstream outlets, you don’t know anything about this heartbreaking story. For some reason, many national news outlets have refused to cover it. It’s social media that has amplified the story and made everyone pay attention to it. Axios shamelessly reported that this was, “fuel for the MAGA messaging battle,” as if it’s some sort of contrived problem. Watch the video for yourself. It’s a tragedy. It’s a completely avoidable tragedy that deserves the nation’s attention. For now, all we can do is pray for the family, the Zarutska family, and continue our calls for the swift application of justice.

On President Trump’s successful crackdown on crime:

We don’t have to live like this, and President Trump is proving that every single day in our nation’s capital. Since cracking down on violent crime in the district, roughly 1700 arrests have been made. Now, you may say that’s a small portion of the population. It’s just a small fraction, in fact, but somehow the city feels and is much safer. Everybody needs to think about why that is. The Trump Administration and local law enforcement know that always in every city, it’s relatively a select few individuals who are committing most of the crimes. And that’s been true in D.C. as well. They’re enabled by these soft on crime policies that were discussed here, and even softer prosecutors and prosecutions. Criminals have relentlessly abused the public and the public spaces. We just want to say this loud and clear, and we’re demonstrating it. This is not just talk. This is action. Republicans are in charge. And when Republicans are in charge, those days are over, the days of allowing soft on crime policies. We’re not going to do it.

On UN countries considering giving statehood to Palestine:

It’s more important than ever that America maintains a posture of strength because others in the West are flirting with surrender. This week, international leaders will convene at the UN General Assembly in New York, and we’ll be watching if close allies like France and Canada and the UK move ahead with plans to recognize a Palestinian state. It’s equally baffling as it is deeply troubling to have this idea that you would reward Hamas with statehood before they’ve returned every hostage. What message does that send to would be terrorists and tyrants around the world? If you rape and murder and abduct innocent civilians and then cause enough suffering among your own people, then the free world will somehow reward you with international legitimacy? We can’t do that. And I can tell you that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have been very clear that rewarding the carnage that took place on October 7th is a non-starter. It’s unacceptable.

On government funding and Democrats shutdown chatter:

As we get closer to the funding deadline, though, we recognize the shutdown chatter from the left is growing louder. Some of these people seem to enjoy this. It seems Democrats may take the path of maximum resistance and try to shut the government down. It’s not surprising because they’re struggling. They don’t really have a message or a leader, their party registration is falling, their approval ratings are in the low twenties and they’re about to elect a Marxist to the be the mayor of New York City.

They’re desperately searching for a solution. And some in the party apparently think a government shutdown would be some sort of political advantage to them. It’d be what we all know, dangerous and harmful to millions of Americans. And that is not the answer. So I’m going to say this again, and I’m say it in good faith. I’ve shared this with the Democrat Leader in the House and other colleagues. If Democrats are willing to work with us, we have our sleeves rolled up and we want to do this in good faith. We just have to think responsibly how to spend less money than we did last year. And if they’re willing to do that, and it’s incumbent upon all of us to do it with the high national debt, we’re open to that. But the ultimate question of whether there’s going to be a government shutdown at the end of the month is going to be up to Congressional Democrats. And that’s just the way it is.

###

Posted on

Jayapal Statement on FTC Abandoning Noncompete Rule

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision to drop its appeal on the noncompetes rule which would have banned noncompetes agreements that prevent workers from taking new jobs.

“The FTC’s decision to abandon the noncompetes rule is a major setback for American workers. The rule banned anticompetitive noncompete clauses that employers use to trap workers in worse jobs with lower pay. By walking away from this fight instead of defending the rule, the FTC is siding with the powerful corporate interests that profit from exploiting workers. This retreat represents a serious failure to fulfill the agency’s core mission of protecting against anticompetitive abuse.

“Noncompetes harm an estimated 30 million workers, preventing nearly one in five Americans from seeking better jobs or starting new businesses. Banning these anticompetitive clauses would have created immense economic benefits. The FTC’s own analysis projected that the ban would increase worker earnings by up to $488 billion over a decade. These higher wages would come from employers having to truly compete for talent. The rule would have also spurred new business creation and boosted innovation, with thousands of new businesses and patents projected annually.

“The original rulemaking process received more than 26,000 public comments, providing extensive input from workers, businesses, and the public. The evidence is clear. The FTC should have defended its rule and its authority to protect the American public. By failing to do so, it has missed a historic opportunity to deliver real economic benefits to working families.”

Issues: