Women's Issues
Last Thursday, the United States of America reached its debt limit. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that extraordinary measures need to be taken to avoid the United States defaulting on its debts. We must raise the debt ceiling. This is not new spending; it is paying the bill for programs we have already approved. Republicans would rather cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, plus help the rich cheat on their taxes, than follow through with our obligations. It is time my colleagues put the livelihood of Americans first.
Once again, House Democrats saved the day by helping pass a continuing resolution, averting a catastrophic shutdown of the government. A total of 106 Republicans, nearly half of the entire House Republican Conference, voted against the continuing resolution and were prepared for a government shutdown. This is now the third time that Democrats have stepped up to prevent a shutdown. With the passage of this legislation, we have extended the deadlines to pass our appropriations bills to March 1st and March 8th.
On Monday, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States and, almost immediately, issued a slew of executive orders that attack our fundamental freedoms.
Last week was another busy week here in Washington thanks to several press conferences, constituent meetings, and bill introductions! We also spent a lot of the week deliberating on committee assignments. I am proud to announce that I am the Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee, formerly known as the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The Chair of the subcommittee is my friend, Rep. Gus Bilirakis from Florida.
Our greatest security threats have no military solutions, and it is time our budget reflects that. Last week, I voted against the final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill, that originally came out of committee with pay raises for our service members and civilian federal employees, turned into a MAGA manifesto with the addition of a series of extremist Republican amendments.
Our most fundamental rights are under attack. In the last two weeks, the House of Representatives passed legislation to protect the right to abortions, contraception, interstate travel, and gay marriage. Now, it is up to the Senate to pass these bills so they can be sent to President Biden's desk and signed into law.
There is no doubt in my mind that President Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the most consequential presidents of all time. In his one term in office, President Biden created more jobs than any previous administration in the same time span. He lowered prescription drug prices and capped insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 a month. He made the largest ever investment in our climate. He fought for every American – he advocated for workers’ rights, and championed LGBTQ+ and women’s rights. I thank President Biden for his decades of unrelenting service.