Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg carried the torch for justice and equality, from her law school classrooms to our highest court. Her light shines so long as we continue her work and the relentless pursuit of justice.
On Saturday night, the League of Women Voters held candlelight vigils for the Notorious RBG at courthouses around the country. I joined the vigil in Media.
My heart is broken — may her memory be a blessing and an inspiration always as we continue fighting for justice.
Here’s some of the work we did last week for you:
Joined Ridley neighbors in support of Black Lives Matter
I have been heartened by the overwhelmingly peaceful and thoughtful response of people across our community as we have difficult conversations about racial justice, and how we can overcome injustice. I have been particularly impressed by the dedication of the young activists in Delco Resists who have organized several peaceful rallies in the county and, when confronted with hatred and threats, refused to give in to violence but organized again, and continued the conversation with grace, including acknowledging, while seeking to dispel, the fake social media rumors intended to scare the community. District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and law enforcement officers from across the region did a great job of making sure that Saturday’s March went off without a hitch.
We know that long standing, structural issues have allowed the deaths of our fellow Americans, Ahmaud, Breonna, George, and the pain of their families and our communities. So we must actively listen to each other and do the hard work to confront and change our society — we must demand justice.
Got my flu shot!
I kicked off my Monday with a very important meeting: Getting my flu shot! Due to COVID19, It’s more important than ever to get a flu shot — to protect yourself, to protect your neighbors, and to keep our health system from being overwhelmed.
Delaware County’s second public flu shot clinic of the season will be held on Tuesday, September 22, from 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday, September 23, from noon until 4:30 p.m. at the US Army Reserve Center in Upland, located at 500 West 24th Street, Upland, PA 19013. Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/132699430212046/posts/1836612656487373/
Called on the Inspector General to open an investigation into whistleblower allegations regarding abnormal rates of hysterectomies being performed on immigrant women in detention.
The allegations are horrific and demand an investigation.
Everyone — regardless of their immigration status, their language, or their incarceration — deserves control over their own reproductive freedom and to make informed choices about their bodies.
I joined over 170 of my colleagues in calling on the Inspector General to open an investigation. We expect hearings will also be scheduled.
Read our letter here: https://judiciary.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3349
We are frequently asked to quantify how much federal assistance the district receives. Since coming to Congress, I directly helped to secure $1,124,439,278 in federal funds to support various health, education, and jobs programs in the district
In the last two years, our district has faced challenges that have jeopardized the health and wellbeing of families, the jobs they rely on, and the critical programs that support the education and health of their children.
I take seriously the obligation we have as public servants to fight for the resources my constituents need and to protect the programs they depend on to grow and thrive. It is the privilege of a lifetime to represent our community in Congress — I’ll never stop fighting for families and children.
Read about the programs here: https://link.medium.com/zXHoayyWS9
Managed the debate for the rule for for H. Res. 908, H.R. 2574, H.R. 2639 and H.R. 2694.
I was proud to lead debate on four bills that will protect workers, encourage diversity and inclusion in the workforce, and show a strong show of force against the anti-Asian sentiment that has been fomented by the right due to COVID-19.
- H. Res. 908 — Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19.
- H.R. 2574 — Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2019
- H.R. 2639 — Strength in Diversity Act of 2020
- H.R. 2694 — Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Watch the debate here: https://www.c-span.org/video/?475717-2/house-session-part-1 (00:23:12)
Celebrated Philadelphia Gay News Honors
PGN was recently awarded a historical marker and the Best Overall Non-Daily Newspaper from the Society of Professional Journalists. Founded by a pioneer for the LGBTQ community — Mark Segal — in 1976, PGN has provided reliable, accessible, and inclusive news ever since. PGN has been at the heart of the fight for equality and inclusivity, diving into the challenges facing LGBTQ people and lifting up their voices. At the height of the AIDS/HIV epidemic, PGN was vital to ensuring people had the information and the resources they needed to make informed decisions about their safety, health, and wellbeing.
As we continue to fight for a more equitable and inclusive society, and see an uptick in vicious attacks that have claimed the lives of 28 trans women, including Philadelphia’s own Dominique Rem’mie Fels and Tatiana Hall, the work of PGN has never been more important.
Listen to my floor speech here: https://twitter.com/repmgs/status/1306240858900045827?s=21
Joined neighbors in East Lansdowne for a community clean-up
It was great to join the East Lansdowne community for a neighborhood cleanup!
Spoke about the role of immigration courts at a Constitution Day Celebration
On Constitution Day, I was invited to speak to immigration advocates about the need to assure the independence of US immigration courts in an era when they have been politicized and undermined.
Participated in a panel discussion with Temple College of Public Health
I participated in a roundtable discussion with state and local officials and to speak Temple public health faculty and students about the relationship between federal state and local governments and public health. Our public health professionals are more important than ever as we battle the coronavirus pandemic, gun violence, hunger, racial disparities in maternal mortality rates, and so many other public health challenges that impact our region.
Enjoyed an early morning hike and discussion of the importance of preserving open space with Natural Lands Trust at Hildacy Preserve in Media.
I continue to meet with our local public health leaders each week as we work together to map out our path out of this pandemic and towards recovery. Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep your friends, family, and neighbors safe. Keep social distancing. Keep wearing your mask. We know that these are challenging times, but we can support each other to come through stronger.
Our office is here to help as we navigate this crisis together. You can reach us by phone at 610 — 626 — 2020 or by sending me a message through our website at scanlon.house.gov/contact.
