Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed
This Labor Day, we remembered all who have fought for workers’ rights from the shop floor, in the streets, and on the picket line. It is more important than ever to protect the rights of workers — especially during this public health crisis.
Here’s how I spent this last week fighting for you:
Celebrated major jobs win for the region with my House and senate colleagues
I was proud to join my colleagues in passing the FY21 NDAA which supports so many critical programs and jobs in our region, a direct investment in the families and workers who call our region home. This bill continues to support the Chinook program which is built in our district, invests in our federal firefighters by adopting a better work schedule to meet the needs of their changing work, and provides a three percent pay increase for servicemembers and their families while making key investments in military infrastructure to support our troops overseas.
I remain committed to protecting these jobs and our national security by continuing to secure funding for the Chinook program.
Philly Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/news/boeing-chinook-army-congress-20191211.html
Defense News: https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/07/31/boeing-wins-265-million-to-build-more-special-ops-chinook-helos/
Joined historians from the Library of Congress for a presentation on the history of voting rights in America
I was pleased to bring the amazing resources of the Library of Congress to our district virtually on an issue that I have worked on for decades: the expansion of voting rights.
Our country has a painful history with voting rights, and we know that some of our most historic wins have been undermined in recent years. Women, people of color, and other marginalized Americans have had to fight for the rights that white, land holding men have been guaranteed since the country’s inception.
I was grateful to have this conversation with:
- Ryan Reft, 20th Century Historian
- Liz Novara, Women’s History Specialist
- Adrienne Cannon, Historian of Afro-American History and Culture
- Barbara Bair, Specialist on Native American Voting Rights
I believe our country is stronger when we make it easier for all eligible voters to cast their ballots. I will continue working towards this goal in Congress.
Listen to the presentation here: https://www.facebook.com/RepMGS/videos/746837809488898/
Joined the National Constitution Center for a conversation exploring the rights of journalists during civil unrest.
It was great to join Congressman Steve Cohen, Rich Lowry of National Review, and Suzanne Nossel of PEN America to explore the rights of journalists when covering protests and government responses to protests.
Over the last few weeks, millions of Americans have participated in predominantly peaceful demonstrations against police brutality. These protests have been covered extensively by local, national, and international media, an activity protected by the First Amendment and which is critical to promote accountability, transparency, and democratic values. In the course of covering demonstrations, many journalists have been harassed, injured, detained, or arrested.
In June, I was proud to join Rep. Adam Schiff in introducing a resolution denouncing violence against the press in the US, to protect journalists and reaffirm the centrality of press freedom in light of violations committed during recent protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.
A free press is essential to our democracy. Assaults on members of the press and attempts to limit their ability to report on government actions are unacceptable.
Listen to our conversation here: https://youtu.be/Y-58K0YMsv8
Stopped by the Thornton and Bryn Mawr Farmers’ Markets
I continued my farm market tour this weekend. Not only do I enjoy being able to safely shop at our local farmers markets, it’s a great way to connect with neighbors in a socially distanced manner and support local farmers and small businesses! I believe that farm. markets are part of the solution to supporting small businesses, and addressing nutrition and food insecurity in our region.
We all feel a sense of urgency to help our community during this extraordinary time, and one of the easiest things that each of us can do to help, right now, is to participate in the 2020 Census. Doing the right thing has never been easier, safer, or more critical. You can respond online at 2020census.gov. You can respond by phone at 844–330–2020. You can respond by mail by returning your Census form to the U.S. Census Bureau, National Processing Center, 100 Logistics Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN 4714.
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.
