U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate as well as the House and Senate leadership and House and Senate committees.
Featured Stories
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sets Business Meeting
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following upcoming hearing: Business meeting at S-116 Capitol Building at 10 a.m. on May 22:
Agenda
TREATY:
1. The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled, done at Marrakesh on June 27, 2013 (Treaty Doc 114-6); submitted to the Senate February 10, 2016
LEGISLATION:
2. S. 2269, Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2017
3. S. Res 386, A resolution urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fulfill its
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following upcoming hearing: Business meeting at S-116 Capitol Building at 10 a.m. on May 22:
Agenda
TREATY:
1. The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled, done at Marrakesh on June 27, 2013 (Treaty Doc 114-6); submitted to the Senate February 10, 2016
LEGISLATION:
2. S. 2269, Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2017
3. S. Res 386, A resolution urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fulfill itsagreement to hold credible elections, comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms, and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power by taking concrete and measurable steps towards holding elections not later than December 2018 as outlined in the existing election calendar, and allowing for freedom of expression and association, with amendments
4. S.J. Res. 58, A joint resolution to require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and for other purposes, with an amendment
Sen. McConnell Pays Tribute to Staffer Dunn
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, issued the following statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 17, paying tribute to staff member Brendan Dunn:
Mr. President, now, speaking of tax reform, I have to bid farewell to an outstanding member of my staff.
Brendan Dunn has been a key member of my leadership office team for the last 6 years. He has made an outsized impact as a trusted counselor and friend.
I, actually, stole Brendan from the Finance Committee in 2012. I am not sure if Chairman Hatch ever quite forgave me for it. If you have ever had the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, issued the following statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 17, paying tribute to staff member Brendan Dunn:
Mr. President, now, speaking of tax reform, I have to bid farewell to an outstanding member of my staff.
Brendan Dunn has been a key member of my leadership office team for the last 6 years. He has made an outsized impact as a trusted counselor and friend.
I, actually, stole Brendan from the Finance Committee in 2012. I am not sure if Chairman Hatch ever quite forgave me for it. If you have ever had thepleasure of witnessing Brendan in action, you will understand why he is a sought-after commodity, whether you need deep expertise on tax policy or the perfect movie quote for any occasion.
Brendan has been my trusted adviser on issues including tax policy, banking, trade, and pensions. So I am just glad that his last few months in the office could be a calm and laid-back period. All he had to do was play a leading role in crafting generational tax reform and help steer it across the finish line. Oh, then came Dodd-Frank reform, for good measure.
This Maryland native holds degrees from Holy Cross, Fordham, Georgetown, and Notre Dame, but you would not know that this unassuming leader and reliable source of comic relief holds a J.D. and a Ph.D. in political philosophy unless you needed to. That is the kind of guy Brendan is.
His many contributions to my team have benefited this body, the people of Kentucky, and the Nation. I know everyone who has gotten to work closely with him is sad to see him depart the Senate. I certainly am. Yet I have a hunch that his lovely wife, Lee, and his children-- Patrick, Audrey, and Mary--will not mind seeing a little bit more of him.
So I offer Brendan my sincere thanks for a job very well done and wish him Godspeed for what lies ahead.
Rep. Reed Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Arc of Schuyler
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 18, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Arc of Schuyler:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the fortieth anniversary of The Arc of Schuyler.
The Arc of Schuyler is a private, not for profit organization providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. The Arc of Schuyler is a Chapter of the Arc of New York, which is the largest not for profit organization working with and for people
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 18, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Arc of Schuyler:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the fortieth anniversary of The Arc of Schuyler.
The Arc of Schuyler is a private, not for profit organization providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. The Arc of Schuyler is a Chapter of the Arc of New York, which is the largest not for profit organization working with and for peoplewith intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York State and is a member of The Arc of the United States.
A courageous group of family members and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities founded The Arc of Schuyler on May seventh, in the year nineteen hundred and seventy-eight. From modest beginnings it has become the most comprehensive provider of support in Schuyler County to hundreds of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Arc of Schuyler is an advocacy agency that believes all people have the fundamental moral, civic, and constitutional rights to live, learn, and work in safe and respectful communities of their choosing without prejudice. A volunteer Board of Directors including relatives of persons with a developmental disability and dedicated community leaders continue to provide their experience and insight to ensure the rights of people with developmental disabilities.
The Arc of Schuyler urges all citizens to give full support to the efforts empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they may live full and productive lives of inclusion in our communities.
Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to commend The Arc of Schuyler upon the occasion of its fortieth anniversary in the year two thousand eighteen.
Rep. Lieu Honors Life of Ex-Mayor Clark
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Ted Lieu, D-California, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 18, honoring the life of Lawrence "Larry" Clark, ex-mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes:
Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Lawrence "Larry" Clark--a beloved husband and former mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes--who passed away on May 2, 2018 at the age of 69. It was an honor for me to have known Larry.
Larry was born on January 19, 1949 in Orange, California. Larry double majored in both psychology and sociology at California State University, Fullerton. Later,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Ted Lieu, D-California, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 18, honoring the life of Lawrence "Larry" Clark, ex-mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes:
Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Lawrence "Larry" Clark--a beloved husband and former mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes--who passed away on May 2, 2018 at the age of 69. It was an honor for me to have known Larry.
Larry was born on January 19, 1949 in Orange, California. Larry double majored in both psychology and sociology at California State University, Fullerton. Later,Larry also received an MBA from California State University, Dominguez Hills. After graduating, Larry began a 40-year career with the federal government where he was able to work with several agencies such as the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the communications and information systems field. Before being elected to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council in 2001, Larry served on the View Commission and Planning Commission. Due to his passion to serve the public and his perseverance seen through his dedication and hard work, Larry was elected for a second term. While in his second term, he was appointed twice to the California State Coastal Commission. Larry was elected as mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes in 2008, and served for two years.
After retiring from the federal government in 2012, Larry was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Larry went on to volunteer with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), create the PanCAN Survivor Council, and serve on the Executive Committee for PurpleStride Los Angeles. In 2013, Larry received the Spirit of Hope award at the PanCAN's Evening with the Stars gala for his advocacy on behalf of the nonprofit organization and was shortly appointed one of five national ambassadors for PanCAN. Larry fought cancer with tremendous courage, grace and dignity.
Larry is survived by his wife of 24 years, Becky, and their two corgis Milo and Katie, whom I hope take comfort in the way Larry lived his life as a deeply thoughtful, compassionate and moral citizen. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
Rep. Gallagher Recognizes Retirement of Lt. Gen. McMaster
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 18, recognizing the retirement of Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a soldier who, for the past 34 years, has been an exceptional and faithful servant to the nation. With the retirement today of Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, the U.S. Army is losing a towering figure, who more than anyone, embodies what he has described as the "warrior ethos." As someone who had the good fortune to work with H.R., I can say that serving under his
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 18, recognizing the retirement of Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a soldier who, for the past 34 years, has been an exceptional and faithful servant to the nation. With the retirement today of Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, the U.S. Army is losing a towering figure, who more than anyone, embodies what he has described as the "warrior ethos." As someone who had the good fortune to work with H.R., I can say that serving under hiscommand was one of the great privileges of my life.
General McMaster has described the warrior ethos as "a covenant between the members of our profession comprised of values such as honor, duty, courage, loyalty, and self-sacrifice." H.R. has lived by this covenant, earning a well-deserved reputation as one of the Army's pre-eminent soldier-scholars and the honor of serving as the President's primary advisor on national security issues.
Over his more than three decades of distinguished service, General McMaster stands out for his success in both conventional and irregular conflict. During the Gulf War, his textbook assault at 73 Easting stands as a high-water mark of American conventional superiority. More than a decade later, his early adoption of a population-centric approach to warfare turned the tide in Tal Afar and helped usher in a sea change in the American approach to combating the insurgency in Iraq.
General McMaster has also stood out for his steadfast commitment to puncturing what he has called the "vampire fallacy" of easy war. This sensibility is captured by the historian T.R. Fehrenbach, who wrote in This Kind of War, "you may fly over a land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, pulverize it and wipe it clean of life--but if you desire to defend it, protect it, and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman legions did, by putting your young men into the mud."
As H.R. has described, "Our military is a living historical community and those of us serving today are determined to preserve the legacy of courageous, selfless service that we have inherited from the veterans who have gone before us." There is no one whose legacy of courageous and selfless service is more worthy of preservation than General McMaster.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all members of this body to join me in saluting Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster for his service on behalf of a grateful nation. I thank H.R. for showing us all what it means to live by the warrior ethos.
Re. Johnson Recognizing Life, Legacy of Ward
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 17, recognizing the life and legacy Doris Margaret Ward, ex-president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a passionate civil rights activist, committed community servant, and my dear friend--Doris Margaret Ward. She embodied the ideal of what it means to be a true public servant and to selflessly give of her time and talents for the betterment of others.
The Honorable Doris Ward graduated from Froebel
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on May 17, recognizing the life and legacy Doris Margaret Ward, ex-president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a passionate civil rights activist, committed community servant, and my dear friend--Doris Margaret Ward. She embodied the ideal of what it means to be a true public servant and to selflessly give of her time and talents for the betterment of others.
The Honorable Doris Ward graduated from FroebelHigh School, of Gary, Indiana, where she mastered the art of debating, helping her debate team win a championship while serving as team leader. She, later, earned both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education from the University of Indiana. She continued her education by earning a Master's Degree in Counseling from the San Francisco State University of California. It was there that her passion for social activism blossomed as she joined other students during sit-in protests. This experience led her to become the President of the Indianapolis National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) Metropolitan Council.
Doris also taught in the Indianapolis School District before marrying a law student by the name of John Ward. After moving to San Francisco in 1968, she became a Trustee of the San Francisco Community College District. Later on, in 1979, Doris was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Eleven short years later, she became the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' first African American President.
In 1996, Doris was first appointed to, and then elected as the San Francisco County Assessor Recorder. She retired in 2006 with a remarkable, long-term record of political activism. Doris is a Founding Member of the San Francisco Chapter of 100 Black Women Incorporated, and Black Women Stirring the Waters. She led the African-American Action Network and served as Board Vice President of the Black Coalition on AIDS, which later became the Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness. Of Mrs. Ward's numerous accomplishments and accolades, what brought her the most joy was her sponsorship and co-sponsorship of legislation governing minority businesses, rent control mandates for San Francisco apartment vacancies, and the divestiture in South Africa' s apartheid.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ward family, Mrs. Ward's friends, and her admirers. There are many whose lives were greatly enhanced by the endless service, the profound graciousness, and the pure love that she carried in her heart and soul. It is my hope that the outpouring of love that surrounds her loved ones gives you all the strength to embrace each coming day with a spirit of strength and peace.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally recognize Mrs. Doris Ward's 86 years of life and the tremendous impact she has had throughout. Her record of political and social activism is only superseded by her incredible compassion to fight for those that could not fight for themselves. I ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating her life and in honoring the outstanding legacy she has left for all of us to remember her by.
House Energy Subcommittee Issues Testimony From Rep. Reed
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Environment issued the following testimony by Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, at a hearing on the Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2278) and legislation to reauthorize the West Valley demonstration project (H.R. 2389):
"Good morning, Chairman Shimkus, Ranking Member Tonko, and members of the Committee. I would like to thank you for bringing this legislation before the Committee today. I am proud to have introduced this legislation, H.R. 2389, to reauthorize the West Valley Demonstration Project along with my colleagues
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Environment issued the following testimony by Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, at a hearing on the Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2278) and legislation to reauthorize the West Valley demonstration project (H.R. 2389):
"Good morning, Chairman Shimkus, Ranking Member Tonko, and members of the Committee. I would like to thank you for bringing this legislation before the Committee today. I am proud to have introduced this legislation, H.R. 2389, to reauthorize the West Valley Demonstration Project along with my colleaguesCongressmen Nadler and Higgins, and the late Congresswoman Slaughter.
"Nuclear cleanup sites must be at the top of the priority list. There are still nuclear sites in the United States that need to be managed and cleaned up. The Western New York Nuclear Service Center in my district is one such site. The Department of Energy estimates that making the investments needed now in nuclear site remediation will save our nation hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming decades.
"The cleanup at this site, designated the West Valley Demonstration Project, is very important to our constituents in New York State as nuclear waste cleanup is a matter of environmental health and the health and safety of our fellow citizens. I have worked with my constituents on the West Valley Citizen Task Force, the Department of Energy, state and local officials, along with my colleagues in the Congress, to raise awareness about the need for consistent funding at this facility. Given the public safety issue of dealing with radioactive waste and the long-term cost savings, this bill makes good sense from both a governmental and a financial standpoint.
"H.R. 2389 will provide the necessary resources over a sufficient number of years to continue the cleanup work required by the demonstration project act. At its core, the Western New York Nuclear Service Center was an Atomic Energy Commission project, and because New York State was encouraged by the AEC to develop it, the federal government should provide a disposal path for all waste on the site. Records show that the majority of waste at the site was the result of reprocessing federally-owned nuclear fuel, most of it from the federal government's Hanford facility in Washington state. The result of that reprocessing then went back to the federal government, in some part for weapons research or weapons use.
"In summary, this bill will:
- Authorize sufficient funding to continue the cleanup work and reduce overall lifecycle costs, and
- Treat all radioactive waste at the site as resulting from atomic energy defense activities.
"I appreciate your commitment to this important issue and encourage you and your staffs to continue working with our office as we solve this important issue. Thank you very much for your time this morning."
