What I was up to in September

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Hi Folks- September was a busy month, and I wanted to share with you a look back at some highlights. Working on behalf of the people of the First District is always my top priority in Congress. Although the House was in session for most of the month, I was consistently advocating for Virginia priorities. Scroll down to take a look.   I met with members of the American Cancer Society to discuss the steps Congress can take to continue supporting research that helps fight the diseases that affect so many individuals and families. I had the honor of meeting Dan Beyer from Veterans of Foreign Wars to learn about the issues they face as the individuals who have sacrificed so much for our country. I have much gratitude for their service and will continue to fight for their benefit in Congress. I was proud to receive the Heartbeat Hero award for co-sponsoring the Heartbeat Bill (H.R. 490). The Heartbeat Bill protects unborn children from abortion once their heartbeat is detected.  I stopped by Northern Neck Burger for a bite to eat and to hear about the issues facing small businesses in our district. I joined Governor McAuliffe and Rep. Connolly to commemorate job creation in Virginia's First District by attending a ribbon cutting for Iron Mountain's new data center, the first and largest of its kind in Prince William County. In Congress, we have taken many steps to roll back federal regulations so business can do what they do best— create jobs.  I had the honor of meeting with National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1270 to connect with federal retired employees in our community. We discussed a myriad of important issues—from healthcare to defense to tax reform. I had a wonderful time speaking with pastors in Northern Neck about issues that affect our community. I was honored to be able to share my own testimony with them and to be on the receiving end of the prayers given for our government officials. I participated in a RSC press conference to reaffirm my promise that I will work toward tax reform, securing our borders, and repealing the Affordable Care Act.  I met with Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and other individuals involved in U.S. wildlife protection to discuss migratory bird conservation. As a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, I'm working with Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke to protect and conserve important wetlands habitats in the Chesapeake Bay and across the nation. I was delighted to meet and introduce Rear Admiral Galinas at our Shipbuilding Caucus breakfast. I learned a lot of critical information about the state of our nation's ships and what I, as Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, can do to ensure the United States continues to be kept safe.   I enjoyed meeting with students from the United States Naval Academy, and I joined several of my colleagues in Congress in hearing the USNA's updates. We discussed the future of the United States Navy with regards to shipbuilding and cyber-security. As Chairman of the Board of Visitors at the Naval Academy, it is always an honor to meet such honorable and bright individuals. I met with the Williamsburg Realtors to discuss tax reform and flood insurance reauthorization. I hosted two Service Academy Days to give students the chance to hear an overview of each academy and the respective admissions processes. All students who wish to attend a service academy must receive a nomination, and I am able to nominate one student per academy each academic year.  I also wanted to share with you the op-eds I wrote this month: Congressional irresponsibility is wrecking the military. That has to stop. House committee seeks answers for naval collisions A Window of Opportunity To keep up with all of my work around the First District and in Washington, connect with me on Facebook. Remember, you can share your thoughts and ideas with me and see the latest news on my work representing the First District by visiting my Facebook page, Twitter account, or Instagram feed. As always, I want to hear from you when issues that concern you come before Congress. You can send me an email by visiting my website. You can also sign up to participate in my telephone town hall meetings by clicking here. I look forward to hearing from you, and it's an honor to serve you and Virginia's First District in the People's House. Sincerely, Rob

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Your #5Actions for This Week!

Quick actions on hurricane relief, gun safety, more!

Dear Rob,

It's been another heavy week, with the tragedy in Las Vegas and the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands weighing heavily on our hearts and minds.

But… don’t give up! Never doubt that groups of committed people like us have had - and will continue to have - an impact on issues like these. Sometimes change might feel incremental. But we are making progress, and defending programs that matter to our families and communities. When parents talk, our leaders listen.

Please take a a few moments to complete the top #5Actions of the week, below. And share them with family and friends, too.

Thank you! 

 

1. ACT NOW -> Stem the Tide of Gun Violence

Enough is enough. Our hearts are broken, and we will not wait. We demand real progress on gun safety, starting with a ban on military-style assault rifles and high capacity magazines; passage of universal background checks on gun sales; and a full stop to the SHARE ACT that is in front of Congress now, which aims to deregulate silencers to disguise the sound of gunfire. —> Our elected leaders have to stop wasting time! We need action now to stem the tide of gun violence. Join us in demanding that Congress finally moves forward gun safety policies like limiting military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines. 

2. Say NO to Tax Cuts for Wealthy Corporations!

President Trump and extremist Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress are busy writing a plan that will hand out massive tax breaks to millionaires, billionaires and wealthy corporations―at your expense.To pay for their scheme, they will make deep cuts (to the tune of trillions of dollars!!) to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, WIC, disaster relief, and early education programs harming our families, communities, and economy. This is the health care fight all over again. We have learned that we can win, but only if we all speak out. **Watch our video and sign our letter to the U.S. Congress NOW and tell them to reject cuts to health care, nutrition, and early education programs that boost our families in order to give massive tax breaks to the mega-rich and powerful.

3. Tell Congress: Pass emergency funding for Hurricane Maria!

The situation is dire. Americans are experiencing what has been described as a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Families are in desperate need of help. Some experts estimate that the damage could cost in the tens of billions of dollars and the recovery could last over a year. Sign our letter and tell the U.S. Congress to appropriate major emergency funding to help Hurricane Maria victims NOW!!!

4. Sign Up to Deliver a Healthy School Power Pack!

It's that time of year when the kids head back, the weather turns cooler, and everything seems to accelerate a bit. It's also a great time of year to make some friendly noise for healthy schools! We have done *so much* in recent years, from implementing new healthy meal standards to updating school wellness policies. We've spoken out about the importance of dual-language learning, and creating supportive spaces for our kids to learn. With great success! But as any parent knows, getting the swing of new habits takes time. That's where you come in! Can you deliver a packet of useful tips to your local school this month? It takes just a minute. Sign up to deliver a Healthy School Power Pack full of tips and resources here!

5. Tell Congress: Act quickly to extend CHIP!

CHIP funding expired on September 30th! Our voices are urgently needed to get Congress to act. Nearly 9 million children rely on CHIP to meet their health care needs, so an extension of—and stability for—the program is critically important! Democratic and Republican lawmakers created CHIP together in 1997 because it was a low-cost, sound investment in our children’s health and future—and they were right! Since enacted, the uninsured rate for children has dropped by nearly 68%! Sign now! Tell lawmakers to act quickly to extend CHIP!

 

Thank you for all you do! #KeepMarching!

- Kristin, Karen, Felicia, Donna, Khadija, Sili, Tina, Beatriz, Nadia, Nate, and the MomsRising Team

 

P.S. This whole Top #5Actions list is up on our blog too! Use this link to share with family and friends on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else: https://action.momsrising.org/go/31241?t=17&akid=9664%2E847037%2Ep7EBB_

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FWD: Quick Signature: Help our citizens on the islands!

Rob - your signature is still needed!

President Trump visited Puerto Rico this week and managed to throw paper towels to residents in need.

Unfortunately, we are going to need a lot more than that to clean up the island. The situation on-the-ground in Puerto Rico is dire. Puerto Rico has 3.4 milloon residents and is part of the United States of America. Our fellow citizens are in trouble. Power remains out for the majority of the island and basic necessities are in short supply. Moms and families in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands need your help.

*Click here to tell Congress to pass emergency funding for Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and grant a long term waiver of the Jones Act!

Thanks for all you do,

Sili

P.S. check out our new video! We explain why Republicans in Congress are looking to cut long-term disaster assistance in order to pay for tax cuts for wealthy corporation, millionaires and billionaires (seriously!!)

Read on for more details ...

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Tell Congress to appropriate major emergency funding for FEMA now and grant a waiver of the Jones Act! Help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands now! Take Action

Dear Rob,

143 hours. That’s how much time I spent without electricity after Hurricane Irma hit Central Florida. We had a generator and could run to the gas station whenever it needed gas, though. We also had cases and cases of water, food, and medicine. Communications were in and out and I could barely speak to loved ones to check in and make sure everyone was okay for the first 48 hours. It wasn’t easy, but I knew help was near if we needed it and that my child would not be lacking in basic human needs.

This is not the case for our fellow Americans who live in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria, many of whom haven’t had power, food, clean water, or safe shelter since the hurricane; and it’s breaking our hearts. [1]  

Our voices are needed to get them help. Now. Immediately. There’s no time to waste.  

*Click here to tell Congress to pass emergency funding for Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and grant a waiver of the Jones Act!

(A point of clarification as there’s been some debate on social media on the matter: Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens [1])

The current situation is dire. A week after Hurricane Maria, Americans are experiencing what has been described as a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [2] Hurricane Maria made landfall less than 2 weeks after Hurricane Irma did, ripping through the center of Puerto Rico, taking out power for the entire island, water, roads, and other infrastructure, and has already claimed the lives of 16 people, with that number expected to rise. [3]

Assistance must come in many forms to Puerto Rico, not just by the emergency resources from FEMA. Unlike the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is not exempt from the Jones Act of 1920 which limits shipping between U.S. ports to U.S.-flagged vessels only. [4] President Trump has denied the request to grant a waiver of the Jones Act in order to ease the shipping of much needed resources and supplies to Puerto Rico. These waivers have been approved in the past as recent as during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. [5] This denial bottlenecks resources not just from the mainland but from other countries that wish to provide assistance. This is beyond cruel!

As we watch Hurricane Maria victims struggling through floodwater to reach safety, fighting for their very survival, and going without power and shelter, we are heartbroken and searching for ways to help. Well, here’s one critical way: Make sure the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is adequately funded so help gets to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands quickly. Help in the form of search and rescue crews, volunteers that can provide basic assistance, and medical care, experts who can help with damage assessment and provide shelter to those who have lost their homes, and experts who can provide assistance to the millions of people without electricity.

*Tell Congress now that FEMA must be given the emergency resources it will take to meet the unprecedented needs of Hurricane Maria victims and grant a waiver of the Jones Act for Puerto Rico.

The gulf region of our country was not prepared for Hurricane Harvey in Texas. And our U.S. citizens  certainly weren’t prepared for the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. After Hurricane Harvey, lawmakers appropriated $15.25 billion in relief funds but this was before Hurricanes Irma and Maria made landfall — that’s not nearly enough in resources to cover rescue and recovery efforts that are so needed at this time. [6]

A report by catastrophe-modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates that Hurricane Maria's damage could lead to as much as $85 billion in losses, with most of that loss being in Puerto Rico. [7]

Anyone who has turned on the television in recent days knows this is an emergency situation and that the families in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands need a focused emergency response. A major infusion of federal funds is critically needed to bring in additional emergency response teams; begin cleanup efforts; repair the infrastructure of damaged hospitals, houses, schools, and businesses; provide aid to displaced families; help those who have lost their homes and livelihood; provide healthcare and nutrition assistance to those in need; and more. The Jones Act waiver should be enacted without delay!

But while federal funding for disaster relief should be increased immediately, it should not come at the expense of other programs that support our families’ health care, nutrition, housing, education, and welfare. Under current law, emergency funding is not included under existing budget caps, and Congress should follow the law to ensure an immediate and effective response without causing harm elsewhere.

*Help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands now! Tell Congress to appropriate major emergency funding for FEMA now and grant a waiver of the Jones Act!

The U.S. Congress is currently considering their federal budget. Republican leaders want to pass a federal budget aimed at reducing the size of government by slashing government programs. In his own version of the budget, President Trump proposed major funding cuts for disaster relief. [8] As we are seeing now with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, FEMA is central to relief efforts in these historic national disasters, demonstrating the unique role government plays in times of need, providing assistance and support, mitigating the effects of disaster for America families and communities.

Please forward this email to family, friends and anyone else you know who wants to help our fellow Americans in the path of Hurricane Maria. Please also share the action link on Facebook and Twitter.  The more of us who reach out to Congress, the faster we’ll have an impact.  Here’s that link again for you to share: http://action.momsrising.org/sign/hurricane-maria/?t=11&akid=9661%2E847037%2EusS_YE.

Together, we must be a strong voice to make sure the resources are available to help the families and communities in the path of this national disaster.

-- Sili, Migdalia, Kristin, Monifa and the MomsRising.org/MamásConPoder.org team

 

[1] “Nearly Half of Americans Don’t Know Puerto Ricans Are Fellow Citizens,” The New York Times, September 26, 2017.

[2] "Hurricane Maria: Puerto Rico officials describe 'apocalyptic' conditions,” CNN, September 24, 2017.

[3] “The Latest: Puerto Rico blackout: Many more days in the dark,” New Haven Register, September 25, 2017.

[4] “The Law Strangling Puerto Rico,” The New York Times, September 25, 2017.

[5] “U.S. denies request for Puerto Rico shipping waiver,” Reuters, September 26, 2017.

[6]"With Harvey And Now Irma, Federal Funds And FEMA Are Put To The Test," NPR, August 25, 2017.

[7]“Hurricane Maria Caused as Much as $85 Billion in Insured Losses,” The Wall Street Journal, September 25, 2017.

[8] “Trump would slash disaster funding to the very agencies he’s praising for Harvey response,” Washingon Post, August 29, 2017.

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Like what we're doing? Donate: We're a bootstrap, low overhead, mom run organization. Your donations make the work of MomsRising.org possible--and we deeply appreciate your support. Every little bit counts. Donate today on our secure website.

On Facebook? Become a Fan. Follow us on Twitter.

Want info from MomsRising.org in Spanish? Sign up to receive emails from our Spanish-language community, MamásConPoder.org!

What should MomsRising tackle next? Tell us what's on your mind.