Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed

This year, the 4th of July was undoubtedly different. With so many traditional celebrations on hold, I took a moment to reflect on our work ahead to create a more just and equitable world, and keep everyone in our communities safe. I’d like to share with you my reflections on how we celebrated America’s birthday differently this year: https://medium.com/@repmgs/july-4-2020-how-do-we-move-forward-843eb0b537bb

Two weeks ago, the House passed the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act by a bipartisan vote of 236 to 181. The legislation is a much needed comprehensive first step to hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives.

This bill is a start. Now, we need the Senate to act.

Although Delco has moved to the green phase of reopening, this pandemic is not over and we must re-open with caution. Keep wearing your mask. Keep social distancing. Keep washing your hands. Thank you for everything you are doing to save lives and keep our community safe.

Here’s how I’ve been fighting for you:

Spoke during House debate in support of the Moving Forward Act

The Moving Forward Act is an investment in American families, workers, and our communities at a time when it is needed most. This is a game-changing, economy-altering infrastructure bill for the people that I am proud to represent.

Watch my remarks here: https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=594843048100861&_rdr

Debated several bills on the House floor with the Rules Committee

I joined my colleagues on the Rules Committee as we debated several bills including the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and the Emergency Housing and Relief Act.

The Justice in Policing Act is the reform for which Americans in big cities and small towns are marching and speaking out. Americans are demanding action, not lip service from all levels government, and the Justice in Policing Act seeks to meet that demand. Thus far, the Senate and White House have proposed only studies and lip service rather than transformative measures, so the House bill should be the starting point for negotiations.

The Emergency Housing and Relief Act was included in the Heroes Act that passed the House in bipartisan fashion earlier this month, and was repassed as a stand-alone bill last week. This critical legislation will help renters, landlords, homeowners, and those experiencing homelessness by providing billions in grants to help cover rent and other fees, as well as expanding moratoriums on eviction and foreclosure.

Listen to my remarks here: https://www.facebook.com/2317303261926393/posts/2833832893606758/

Participated in House Judiciary hearing on the unprecedented politicization of the Department of Justice Under President Trump and Attorney General William Barr.

The DOJ should work for the American people, but it is not. The Attorney General should work for the American people, but he is not.

Barr repeatedly takes positions that advance the President’s personal interests at the expense of the public, such as blocking Congressional subpoenas and requests for information ranging from election interference to administrative financial misconduct, overruling prosecutorial decisions in order to benefit the President’s friends, and. interfering with administrative watchdogs and inspectors general. These efforts have led to unprecedented numbers resignations by career prosecutors in protest of favoritism and unethical conduct.

This is not normal. It is dangerous. Barr and this administration must be held accountable.

In June, the Judiciary Committee launched an investigation into the politicization of the Department of Justice, just as Attorney General Barr initiated the firings of several U.S. Attorneys leading criminal investigations into the President and his associates. Witnesses, including current and former Department officials, spoke to the ongoing corruption of the Department by the Attorney General and the President.

Watch my remarks here: https://www.facebook.com/2317303261926393/posts/2832905693699478/

Watch the entire hearing here: https://judiciary.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=3034

Went on MSNBC to talk about Bill Barr and the House Judiciary Hearing on Politicization of the Department of Justice

The DOJ is supposed to enforce the law on behalf of the American people without fear or without favor. What we’ve seen is that the President’s cronies got special treatment.

During this interview, I also learned an appeals court judge ordered Flynn’s case to be dismissed.

Listen to my interview here: https://www.facebook.com/2317303261926393/posts/2832569530399761/

This week, the Committee will hear from the recently deposed U.S. Attorney from the Southern District of NY. Attorney General Barr is scheduled to appear before the committee later this month.

Participated in House Rules Committee meeting on measures to respond to the American people’s urgent needs

I’m proud that the House is strengthening our health care system, modernizing credit reporting, giving full representation to the citizens of Washington, DC and protecting civil rights.

We held a hearing to bring the following measures to the House floor for votes:

• H.R. 7120 — George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020
• H.R. 1425 — State Health Care Premium Reduction Act [Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act]
• H.R. 51 — Washington, D.C. Admission Act
• H.R. 5332 — Protecting Your Credit Score Act of 2019
• H.J. Res. 90 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency relating to “Community Reinvestment Act Regulations”
• H.R. 7301 — Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020

Watch the meeting here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=TQVTyxY9jeo

Participated in a Oversight Committee Hearing to examine government violence against protesters and the press.

“I’m a reporter. I’m a reporter. I’m a reporter. I’m a reporter. I’m a reporter. I’m a reporter.” Philadelphia Inquirer journalist Samantha Melamed repeated that phrase 6 times as she was arrested while covering Philly protests in response to police violence.

A free press is the lifeblood of democracy and the media’s role in covering recent protests calling for racial justice has been critical to holding the government, at all levels, accountable. However, during those protests we have journalists arrested, detained and subjected to police violence in unprecedented numbers. That is why I introduced a resolution, with Rep. Adam Schiff, to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to press freedom, and particularly freedom from the threat of official silencing.

Listen here: https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=2426803660951852&_rdr

Highlighted Dr. Ala Stanford’s leadership on the House floor

As evidence mounted that black Americans were suffering both from greater exposure to Covid 19, and from less access to testing, Dr. Ala Stanford, a board certified surgeon from Philadelphia, was done waiting. She took our community into her own hands — as so many black women have done when our institutions fail them — and she recruited a group of black health care workers to form the Black Doctors Consortium.

Staffed by black doctors, med students and nurses on their days off, The Black Doctors Consortium has spent the past few months using their own resources to test thousands of patients in church parking lots, Union Halls, and Rec Centers. Going into our communities to deliver testing services where they are most needed, the group recently received a $1 million grant to expand, and plans to test 250–350 people a day.

Listen to my remarks here: https://www.facebook.com/2317303261926393/posts/2835382863451761/

Kicked off a summer tour of Farmers Markets in PA-05 with a Coffee with Your Congresswoman focused on how farmers markets are addressing hunger, nutrition and the local economy

I am grateful to Jon Glyn from Farm to City and Caryn Long Earl from the PA Department of Agriculture for taking the time to discuss the vital role that Farmers’ Markets play in our region and how they are helping to combat hunger, provide safe, socially distanced access to healthy sustainable foods, and help our local economy.

We’ve all seen reports of the economic toll that this pandemic has taken on consumers, farmers and the agriculture industry, and the disconnect between farms and consumers when the supply chain is disrupted. But, one of the ways that we can bridge that disruption is to tap the local and regional economic impact of local farmers markets.

We also discussing the growing role at farmers markets for SNAP, EBT, WIC, and other food assistance programs for seniors and families.

Listen to our conversation here: https://www.facebook.com/RepMGS/videos/707744056683997/

Visited Farmers Markets — and made pies!

Last week, I visited the Swarthmore and Media Farmers Markets, and this week I moved onto Lansdowne’s Farmers Market. All of these markets accept SNAP benefits and provide a great source for fresh flowers and produce, specialty foods and crafts, and draw foot traffic to their local business districts. All of the markets have reconfigured their setup to allow social distancing. I stocked up on delicious fresh produce — including blueberries and sour cherries to make pies! Farmers markets are part of the solution as we work to address food insecurity and economic disruption in our region.

Helped secure Secure $7.6M Grant for Delaware County Intermediate Unit(DCIU) Head Start

As a longtime education rights advocate, I know how important Head Start is to our children, and families, and I am pleased to announce this grant for this critical program.

By placing an emphasis on family wellness, embracing education as a path toward self-improvement, and nurturing strong ties between DCIU’s staff and families, DCIU’s role in our communities is important in solidifying kindergarten readiness.

Every student should have access to quality public education and expanding access to early childhood education for students and families benefits our entire community.

Read more here: https://link.medium.com/gYrJcn8xD7

Joined a forum with Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) focusing on the future of Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry

Restaurantsplay an outsized role in our regional economy, and have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was great to have a discussion with leaders at the forefront of the economic challenges and realities the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to shed some light on the future of the restaurant and lodging industry in Pennsylvania as we all navigate these challenges.

I have proudly supported efforts in Congress to create and expand protections for businesses, workers, and specific industries to ensure that we make it out of this pandemic stronger than ever.

I also want to share a running list of legislation I am working on as we fight to increase access to equal justice, dismantle systems of hate, hold law enforcement officers accountable, and push for the adoption — and use — of unbiased policing practices. This work is ongoing and we will continue to update this list as we introduce more legislation: https://medium.com/@repmgs/fighting-for-justice-legislative-steps-were-taking-to-change-the-system-7d82192051d2

Changing this system will take each and every one of us. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our community safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions please call our office at 610 — 626 — 2020, or visit us online at https://scanlon.house.gov/.