More Stuff in the News: Transportation Innovation, Alternative Transportation, Army Childcare, National Debt, Terror Victims

Congressman Dan Lipinski’s (IL-3) Future Transportation Research and Innovation for Prosperity (TRIP) Act, which supports innovative technologies that have the potential to fundamentally alter mobility in America and beyond, was approved by the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today led all the House Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in requesting funding for a popular program that supports community investments in infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians saying, “Less than 2 percent of federal transportation funding goes to the Transportation Alternatives Program, which funds bike and pedestrian projects. But communities leverage these small funds to get big results. To make sure safety comes first for everyone who uses our roads, whether they bike, bus, drive or walk, local communities need these resources to invest in bike lanes, sidewalks and trails. Better bike and pedestrian infrastructure not only improves safety, it benefits people’s quality of life by cutting down on traffic congestion and pollution.”

Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles) served as the Ranking Member of an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing regarding significant failure issues with the U.S. Army’s Childcare Services Assistance Program. Gross mismanagement of the Army program, which was created to help military families pay for childcare, has caused unacceptably long backlogs in processing payments and severe hardships to thousands of military families. In addition, the hearing revealed that thousands of emails and voicemails by servicemembers and their spouses were intentionally deleted by the General Services Administration (GSA). It is Congressman Lieu’s view that the Army and the GSA must work together to immediately identify and put in place concrete measures to correct the program.

The Ways and Means Committee advanced H.R. 3442, the Debt Management and Fiscal Responsibility Act, by a vote of 22-14. Authored by U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24), this legislation would establish a more credible framework for debt reduction by bringing greater accountability, transparency, and discipline to the debt limit process.

Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) has introduced legislation prohibiting sanctions relief for Iran unless it first pays the court-ordered damages it owes to terror victims.

Stuff In the News: Manufacturing, Criminal Aliens, Syrian Refugees, National Debt, Transportation

In 2010, House Democrats launched the Make It In America plan. Sixteen Make It In America bills have since been signed into law. However, the economic landscape has changed and new sectors have arisen in our economy since the plan was first introduced. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 5th) sought input yesterday from those testifying at her Make It In America Field Hearing on new ideas for where we can capitalize on past successes and address future challenges as the Make It In America plan is updated. Click here to view Esty’s remarks on the House floor.

“Due to Presidential Executive Orders, our law enforcement's hands are tied and border patrol agents can’t do their job,” Congressman Farenthold said. “Now with ICE’s PEP (Priority Enforcement Program), we’re hearing more devastating and horrendous stories about illegal immigrants who were captured and released only to commit crimes in America. Today we heard about a criminal alien who murdered an American women, injured another and attempted to rape a 14-year-old girl after he was caught and released by ICE. I fought in Congress to defund sanctuary cities after the murder of Kate Steinle, but due to these executive overreaches, we have become a sanctuary country." -- Blake Farenthold (R-TX, 27th)

In the letter, Keith Ellison (D-MN, 5th) calls for the United States to grant emergency asylum saying, “Security protocols account for significant delays in resettlement in the U.S., but we don't have to sacrifice our humanity to ensure our security. The U.S. could grant emergency asylum to thousands seeking refuge while ensuring that proper security screening protocols are met.” To date, the United States government has accepted only 1,500 Syrian refugees.

Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman Bill Flores (R-TX, 17th) announced his support for H.R. 692, the Default Prevention Act, which is set to be marked up by the House Ways and Means Committee tomorrow. This bill, introduced by RSC Member Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), is a long-standing RSC Initiative. “The Default Prevent Act ensures that the United States will fulfill our most pressing financial commitments, even in the event of political gridlock,” Chairman Flores said. “This bill protects Social Security recipients, while preserving the strength of our economy and our nation’s credit rating. It also marks an important step toward responsibly reducing America’s staggering national debt. By removing the threat of default, Congress will be able to tackle the problems at the root of Washington’s out-of-control spending more aggressively. I applaud my colleague, Rep. McClintock, for his work on the Default Prevention Act. The Republican Study Committee fully supports this bill and looks forward to its timely consideration by the full House of Representatives,” says Flores.

Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) has introduced the Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act, which would bring critically needed transportation dollars to Broward and Palm Beach counties. The legislation awards additional funding from the federal government to local transportation organizations that work together.