This is a 100% volunteer effort brought to you by a handful of progressive Democrats and Independents who share a vision of a more informed electorate. We want to offer a big thank you to the Demcast and Pennsylvania Statewide Indivisible organizations who host our report and help us share it out to the residents of our Commonwealth!
Tracking Congress in the Age of Trump
The lower the number, the more the legislator votes in opposition to the Trump agenda.
| Member of Congress | This week’s score | Change from last report |
| Senator Bob Casey (D) | 29.5% | 0.0% |
| Senator Pat Toomey (R) | 88.0% | 0.0% |
| PA-01 Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R) | 64.4% | -0.1% |
| PA-02 Rep. Brendan Boyle (D) | 12.6% | -0.4% |
| PA-03 Rep. Dwight Evans (D) | 11.6% | -0.4% |
| PA-04 Rep. Madeleine Dean (D) | 3.8% | -0.2% |
| PA-05 Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D) | 6.0% | -0.4% |
| PA-06 Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D) | 5.0% | -0.3% |
| PA-07 Rep. Susan Wild (D) | 8.4% | -0.6% |
| PA-08 Rep. Matt Cartwright (D) | 19.4% | -0.6% |
| PA-09 Rep. Dan Meuser (R) | 98.7% | +0.1% |
| PA-10 Rep. Scott Perry (R) | 90.2% | +0.3% |
| PA-11 Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R) | 95.9% | +0.1% |
| PA-12 Rep. Fred Keller (R) | 96.0% | +0.4% |
| PA-13 Rep. John Joyce (R) | 98.7% | +0.1% |
| PA-14 Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R) | 96.2% | +0.3% |
| PA-15 Rep. Glenn W. Thompson (R) | 98.3% | +0.1% |
| PA-16 Rep. Mike Kelly (R) | 96.6% | +0.2% |
| PA-17 Rep. Conor Lamb (D) | 22.9% | -1.1% |
| PA-18 Rep. Mike Doyle (D) | 14.5% | -0.4% |
Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight website assesses the voting records of our MoCs to provide this index, by comparing any bills where President Trump has stated a position, and comparing the vote of the legislator to that opinion. There were five scored House votes – on a bill expanding the ACA, an infrastructure act, and three financial bills (including housing assistance and credit reporting) to address needs imposed by the pandemic..
Want to see exactly what votes went into giving your MoC the numbers above? Click on the name of any legislator and you will be brought to their 538 webpage, where all of the positions that went into the index are listed in an easy-to-read format.
Words From Our Founders Nation’s Sages
Regular readers of MoCTrack will have noticed that this segment has been on hiatus for a while. As much as we value the words from our nation’s founders, the wisdom that has brought our country where it is today has not been exclusively white and male. And it is not only found in the eighteenth century. So, in honor of Independence Day, we adjust this segment to reflect ALL the perspectives that have built our nation.
“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.”
— an excerpt from Frederick Douglass’s “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” a speech given on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York at an Independence Day commemoration
The House Votes to Expand the ACA
House Vote on H.R. 1425: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act
In the same week that saw the Trump Administration’s legal push to invalidate the entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the House voted for a bill to expand the ACA so that more Americans can access healthcare. This bill recap was provided by Bloomberg Law:
[It] would expand Obamacare’s insurance subsidies and encourage more states to extend eligibility for their public health insurance programs for the poor by reducing federal funds to those states for certain administrative services. The package would be paid for by legislation (H.R. 3) directing the government to demand lower drug prices for certain medications, another main tenet of the Democrats’ health agenda.
The legislation also would support adding more Americans to Medicaid rolls by giving states the option to raise the maximum income for enrollees. It would expand eligibility for premium tax credits beyond the current limit of 400% of the federal poverty line, extending subsidized private insurance to more Americans.
It is impossible to imagine this bill going anywhere except to Mitch McConnell’s graveyard, but it does allow lawmakers to draw the contrast in healthcare priorities between the Trump Administration and the House Democrats prior to the November elections.
Vote date: Monday, June 29, 2020 Vote Tally: 234-179
Party Breakdown: Most Democrats present voted YES, and they were joined by Republicans Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and PA-01’s Brian Fitzpatrick. All remaining Republicans voted NO, and they were joined by Libertarian Justin Amash and Democrat Collin Peterson of Minnesota.
Additional Reading:
- “House Democrats push through first bill in a decade expanding Affordable Care Act,” from The Washington Post
- “House Democrats approve health bill, seeking contrast with Trump’s Obamacare assault,” from Politico
- “House Democrats Move to Shore Up Obamacare Ahead of Election,” from Bloomberg Government
| Aye | R | Fitzpatrick, Brian | PA 1st |
| Aye | D | Boyle, Brendan | PA 2nd |
| Aye | D | Evans, Dwight | PA 3rd |
| Aye | D | Dean, Madeleine | PA 4th |
| Aye | D | Scanlon, Mary | PA 5th |
| Aye | D | Houlahan, Chrissy | PA 6th |
| Aye | D | Wild, Susan | PA 7th |
| Aye | D | Cartwright, Matthew | PA 8th |
| No | R | Meuser, Daniel | PA 9th |
| No | R | Perry, Scott | PA 10th |
| No | R | Smucker, Lloyd | PA 11th |
| No | R | Keller, Fred | PA 12th |
| No | R | Joyce, John | PA 13th |
| No | R | Reschenthaler, Guy | PA 14th |
| No | R | Thompson, Glenn | PA 15th |
| No | R | Kelly, Mike | PA 16th |
| Aye | D | Lamb, Conor | PA 17th |
| Aye | D | Doyle, Mike | PA 18th |
Infrastructure Week in the House, Part One
House Vote on H.R. 2: INVEST in America Act
The idea of “Infrastructure Week” has become something of a joke in Washington, DC, as many such planned weeks have been overtaken by Trump scandals. But there has been talk about Trump and the Democrats getting together to negotiate a massive infrastructure program. But in the absence of leadership from the President, the Democrats introduced and passed their own version of an infrastructure plan.
This $1.5 trillion package, also referred to as the “Moving Forward” is founded on principles of sustainability. The bill’s sponsor, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), stated:
With the Moving Forward Act, we make it clear that our infrastructure does not have to be a product of the past, with crumbling roads and bridges, unreliable transit and rail networks, inequitable outcomes, and little regard to our changing climate and our changing economy. I challenge my Senate colleagues to join the House in thinking big and being bold on long-overdue investments not only in our infrastructure, but also in the communities and the people we all represent.
These are highlights from the legislation (excerpted from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee fact sheet on H.R. 2):
- $300 billion for fixing tens of thousands of structurally deficient bridges
- $100 billion for zero-emission buses and improved mass transit
- $1.4 billion in alternative fuel charging infrastructure
- $70 billion to transform our electric grid to accommodate more renewable energy
- Dredging and upkeep of American harbors, ports, and channels
- Tripling of Amtrak funding to expand passenger rail
- $130 billion targeted at high-poverty schools
- Financing support for state and local government investments
- $100 billion into our nation’s affordable housing infrastructure to
- create or preserve 1.8 million affordable homes
- $100 billion to promote competition for broadband internet infrastructure
- $25 billion in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
- $40 billion in new wastewater infrastructure
- $30 billion to upgrade hospitals to increase capacity and strengthen care
- $25 billion to modernize postal infrastructure and operations, including a zero emissions postal vehicle fleet,
And, during the amendments process, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced a provision to provide money to municipalities that need to replace lead pipes in their drinking water infrastructure. This amendment passed 240-181, with the support of all of PA’s Democrats and PA-01’s Rep. Fitzpatrick).
Unfortunately, this bill may work as messaging for the election, but it will not proceed legislatively. The New York Times reports that Mitch McConnell called this “multithousand page cousin of the Green New Deal, masquerading as a highway bill,” and added “this nonsense is not going anywhere in the Senate.”
Vote date: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Vote Tally: 233-188
Party Breakdown: Two Democrats crossed party lines to vote NO with the majority of Republicans – Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Ben McAdams of Utah. Three Republicans voted YES with most of the Democrats – Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith of New Jersey and PA-01’s Brian Fitzpatrick. Libertarian Justin Amash voted NO.
Additional Reading:
- “House sends $1.5 trillion-plus infrastructure bill to reluctant Senate,” from MarketWatch
- “The House green infrastructure plan,” from Politico’s Morning Energy
- “House Passes $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Package Amid Coronavirus Pandemic,” from The New York Times
- “White House threatens veto on Democrats’ $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan,” from The Hill
| Aye | R | Fitzpatrick, Brian | PA 1st |
| Aye | D | Boyle, Brendan | PA 2nd |
| Aye | D | Evans, Dwight | PA 3rd |
| Aye | D | Dean, Madeleine | PA 4th |
| Aye | D | Scanlon, Mary | PA 5th |
| Aye | D | Houlahan, Chrissy | PA 6th |
| Aye | D | Wild, Susan | PA 7th |
| Aye | D | Cartwright, Matthew | PA 8th |
| No | R | Meuser, Daniel | PA 9th |
| No | R | Perry, Scott | PA 10th |
| No | R | Smucker, Lloyd | PA 11th |
| No | R | Keller, Fred | PA 12th |
| No | R | Joyce, John | PA 13th |
| No | R | Reschenthaler, Guy | PA 14th |
| No | R | Thompson, Glenn | PA 15th |
| No | R | Kelly, Mike | PA 16th |
| Aye | D | Lamb, Conor | PA 17th |
| Aye | D | Doyle, Mike | PA 18th |
Infrastructure Week in the House, Part Two
House Vote on the Motion to Recommit with Instructions H.R. 2: INVEST in America Act
The Republicans took the opportunity of the final step in the pre-vote legislative process – the Motion to Recommit – to add in a final amendment to the infrastructure bill. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) introduced wording to the bill that would forbid any of the funding in the legislation to be used on products from China.
The interesting part is that nowhere in this new text is “China” referred to. But the measure states:
Buy America.–None of the funds authorized or made available by this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be used in awarding a contract, subcontract, grant, or loan to an entity that– … is listed pursuant to section 9(b)(3) of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-145)
So that makes it pretty clear that China is indeed the target.
Things got heated in the debate following the introduction of this motion to recommit. In his time supporting his motion, Rep. Crawford took the opportunity to attack China for multiple issues that have nothing to do with the infrastructure bill, including “ choosing not to report the coronavirus outbreak for months.” And in response to that, Rep. DeFazio, who introduced the entire bill but opposed the motion to recommit, noted, “Madam Speaker, if only we had a President who would take meaningful action against China… we just recently found out that he begged Premier Xi Jinping to buy more farm products to help his reelection. And, by the way, he said he liked the prison camps, he thought they were a good idea. He actually said that.”
Ultimately, the motion to recommit passed with the support of a significant number of Democrats.
Vote date: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Vote Tally: 224-193
Party Breakdown: All Republicans present voted YES, and they were joined by 39 Democrats. The remaining 192 Democrats voted NO along with Libertarian Justin Amash.
Additional Reading:
| Aye | R | Fitzpatrick, Brian | PA 1st | Aye | R | Perry, Scott | PA 10th | |
| No | D | Boyle, Brendan | PA 2nd | Aye | R | Smucker, Lloyd | PA 11th | |
| No | D | Evans, Dwight | PA 3rd | Aye | R | Keller, Fred | PA 12th | |
| No | D | Dean, Madeleine | PA 4th | Aye | R | Joyce, John | PA 13th | |
| No | D | Scanlon, Mary | PA 5th | Aye | R | Reschenthaler, Guy | PA 14th | |
| Aye | D | Houlahan, Chrissy | PA 6th | Aye | R | Thompson, Glenn | PA 15th | |
| Aye | D | Wild, Susan | PA 7th | Aye | R | Kelly, Mike | PA 16th | |
| No | D | Cartwright, Matthew | PA 8th | Aye | D | Lamb, Conor | PA 17th | |
| Aye | R | Meuser, Daniel | PA 9th | No | D | Doyle, Mike | PA 18th |
House GOP opposes Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium
House Vote on H.R. 7301: Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act
This bill would provide renters and homeowners with a year-long moratorium on Evictions and foreclosures. It also includes, “$100 billion for a rental assistance fund and $75 billion for a homeowner’s assistance fund to cover rent, mortgage and utility expenses.$100 billion for a rental assistance fund and $75 billion for a homeowner’s assistance fund to cover rent, mortgage and utility expenses,” and “$18 billion for other federal programs to ensure rent remains at an affordable level and creates a lending facility for mortgage services and rental property owners,” according to reporting by Courthouse News Service.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, gave a speech on the floor of the House in support of this bill, which she introduced. She laid out the stakes of inaction in stark terms:
There are now only 25 days left before the federal eviction ban expires on July 25. When it does, many families who have been unable to pay their rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic will face eviction and the devastating consequences that evictions have on families, particularly children… I, for one, refuse to do nothing while families suffer. This is an emergency, and it calls for the emergency response provided by this legislation. We can’t wait.
Not a single Republican voted in support of this foreclosure and eviction moratorium.
Vote date: Monday, June 29, 2020 Vote Tally: 232-180
Party Breakdown: This vote was one away from being along party lines. All of the Republicans present were joined by Libertarian Justin Amash and Democrat Kurt Schrader of Oregon in voting NO. All other Democrats voted YES.
Additional Reading:
- “House passes bill to prevent homelessness crisis ‘like we’ve never seen in our lifetimes’,” from CNBC
- “House Passes Covid Relief Bill for Homeowners, Renters,” from Courthouse News Service
- “The Urgent Need for Federal Investment in Public Housing Amid COVID-19,” from US News World Report
| No | R | Fitzpatrick, Brian | PA 1st | No | R | Perry, Scott | PA 10th | |
| Aye | D | Boyle, Brendan | PA 2nd | No | R | Smucker, Lloyd | PA 11th | |
| Aye | D | Evans, Dwight | PA 3rd | No | R | Keller, Fred | PA 12th | |
| Aye | D | Dean, Madeleine | PA 4th | No | R | Joyce, John | PA 13th | |
| Aye | D | Scanlon, Mary | PA 5th | No | R | Reschenthaler, Guy | PA 14th | |
| Aye | D | Houlahan, Chrissy | PA 6th | No | R | Thompson, Glenn | PA 15th | |
| Aye | D | Wild, Susan | PA 7th | No | R | Kelly, Mike | PA 16th | |
| Aye | D | Cartwright, Matthew | PA 8th | Aye | D | Lamb, Conor | PA 17th | |
| No | R | Meuser, Daniel | PA 9th | Aye | D | Doyle, Mike | PA 18th |
The House approved new CFPB powers over credit reporting agencies
House Vote on H.R. 5332: Protecting Your Credit Score Act
This legislation strengthens the oversight of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over credit reporting agencies. It allows the CFPB to:
- Create new administrative rules for credit agencies to follow in order to protect consumer data
- Require credit agencies to reveal to consumers what organizations or people they’ve sold a person’s credit score or data to in the past two years
- Establish a no-cost portal where consumers can access some pieces of their credit information
- Improve the process for resolving disputes between consumers and credit agencies
Vote date: Monday, June 29, 2020 Vote Tally: 234-179
Party Breakdown: All Democrats present voted YES except Collin Peterson of Minnesota. They were joined by three Republicans – Brian Mast of Florida, Chris Smith of New Jersey and Tom Reed of New York. The 178 remaining Republicans voted NO along with Libertarian Justin Amash.
Additional Reading:
- “U.S. House of Representatives Passes FCRA Amendment Bill,” from ACA News
- “U.S. House passes major credit reporting reform,” from ConnPIRG
“Rep. Nadler Statement on This Week House Passage of Key Legislative Priorities,” from Insurance News Net
| No | R | Fitzpatrick, Brian | PA 1st | No | R | Perry, Scott | PA 10th | |
| Aye | D | Boyle, Brendan | PA 2nd | No | R | Smucker, Lloyd | PA 11th | |
| Aye | D | Evans, Dwight | PA 3rd | No | R | Keller, Fred | PA 12th | |
| Aye | D | Dean, Madeleine | PA 4th | No | R | Joyce, John | PA 13th | |
| Aye | D | Scanlon, Mary | PA 5th | No | R | Reschenthaler, Guy | PA 14th | |
| Aye | D | Houlahan, Chrissy | PA 6th | No | R | Thompson, Glenn | PA 15th | |
| Aye | D | Wild, Susan | PA 7th | No | R | Kelly, Mike | PA 16th | |
| Aye | D | Cartwright, Matthew | PA 8th | Aye | D | Lamb, Conor | PA 17th | |
| No | R | Meuser, Daniel | PA 9th | Aye | D | Doyle, Mike | PA 18th |
The House overturns a Trump Administration Financial Rule
House Vote on 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”
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) is a mechanism that can be used to overturn the rules of bureaucratic agencies. It allows Congress to have a say when a presidential administration is having bureaucratic agencies create rules that are not along the lines of what the Congress intended when they created the agency. If you would like to read more about how the CRA works, we covered in a past MoCTrack Civics lesson. But this vote, a joint resolution, is the process the House must use to attempt to overturn a Trump Administration rule that got rid of protections for home-buyers of color.
Prior to the 1970s, the federal government “red-lined” real-estate, marking certain areas as risky investments for federal mortgage programs. This, in turn, was picked up by private lenders, making whole areas ineligible for mortgages, loans, insurance and other financial services. It will come as no surprise that re-lined areas were primarily inhabited by people of color, and it accounts for much of the economic disadvantages that they have faced on a generational level. In 1977 the Congress passed a bill designed to reverse and end red-lining procedures, called the Community Reinvestment Act.
The reporters from The Hill explained the next steps in this process:
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released its long awaited [Community Reinvestment Act] overhaul on May 20, less than five months after first proposing the changes. The quick release of the new regulations came just a day before former Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting abruptly resigned, and without buy-in from the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) — the other two federal bank regulators that enforce the [Community Reinvestment Act].
While the House successfully overturned this return to red-lining by the OCC, the likelihood of this passing in the Senate is low.
Vote date: Monday, June 29, 2020 Vote Tally: 230-179
Party Breakdown: This was a party line vote, with Democrats voting YES, and the Republicans and Libertarian voting NO.
Additional Reading:
- “House Votes to Reverse Community Reinvestment Act Rule,” from the M Report
- “Warren urges bank regulator to scrap anti-redlining rule rewrite,” from The Hill
- “House Passes Resolution to Overturn Anti-Redlining Rewrite,” from Bloomberg Law
| No | R | Fitzpatrick, Brian | PA 1st | No | R | Perry, Scott | PA 10th | |
| Aye | D | Boyle, Brendan | PA 2nd | No | R | Smucker, Lloyd | PA 11th | |
| Aye | D | Evans, Dwight | PA 3rd | No | R | Keller, Fred | PA 12th | |
| Aye | D | Dean, Madeleine | PA 4th | No | R | Joyce, John | PA 13th | |
| Aye | D | Scanlon, Mary | PA 5th | No | R | Reschenthaler, Guy | PA 14th | |
| Aye | D | Houlahan, Chrissy | PA 6th | No | R | Thompson, Glenn | PA 15th | |
| Aye | D | Wild, Susan | PA 7th | No | R | Kelly, Mike | PA 16th | |
| Aye | D | Cartwright, Matthew | PA 8th | Aye | D | Lamb, Conor | PA 17th | |
| No | R | Meuser, Daniel | PA 9th | Aye | D | Doyle, Mike | PA 18th |
Senate Legislative Action
S. 4049 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021)
For much of this week the Senate has been focused on the 2021 National Defense Authorization. They started work on the bill in June, and have been pursuing many aspects of the bill (as reflected below in the additional reading links), including removal of confederate names from facilities and cybersecurity measures. This is a massive undertaking, and there have already been over 100 amendments considered.
The only other roll call vote related to this “must-pass” authorization pages was a Rand Paul Amendment. The Libertarian Republican offered an amendment to “withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.” A motion was then made to table this amendment, or to discard it. So YES votes mean a senator wants to get rid of this amendment, and NO votes mean that a senator support having a debate on the amendment.
The motion to table passed, 60-33, so the amendment was discarded. Senator Casey voted NO and Senator Toomey voted YES.
Additional Reading:
- “Senate measure would diminish Energy Department control of nuclear weapons,” from The Washington Post
- “Senate National Defense Authorization Act amendment would require state, federal cybersecurity coordinators,” from Homeland Preparedness News
- “Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act,” from NextGov
- “Trump Vows To Veto Defense Bill If It Removes Confederate Names From Military Bases,” from NPR
Unanimously passed legislation
The following bills were passed through unanimous consent or voice vote (which presumes unanimity, as any member can object to the voice vote and ask for a roll call). This list excludes bills related to post offices, stamps, memorials, awareness weeks and other ceremonial activities.
- S.4091 – Emergency Aid for Returning Americans Affected by Coronavirus Act
- S.123 – Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans Act
- S.2864 – Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans Network of Support Act
- S.3758 – A bill to amend the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to make certain technical corrections
- S.4104 – Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
- S.4116 – A bill to extend the authority for commitments for the paycheck protection program and separate amounts authorized for other loans under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (passed both houses unanimously this week)
- H.R.7440 – Hong Kong Autonomy Act (passed both houses unanimously this week)
- S.4148 – A bill to extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the Department of Homeland Security
- S.1253 – Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act
- S.4209 – A bill to amend title IX of the Social Security Act to improve emergency unemployment relief for governmental entities and nonprofit organizations
- H.Res.1037 – Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives and ranking a certain Member on a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives. This was the replacement of Rep. Jim Jordan as the Ranking Member on the Oversight Committee. If you would like to read more about this, check out this Politico article.
Special topic – Four PA House members join Trump Vote by Mail lawsuit
President Trump has spent a lot of time in the past few months denigrating the concept of vote by mail. Tweets like this are commonplace from him:
This week the Trump Administration, with the National Republican Party and the assistance of four Pennsylvania House members, has started a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for our new Vote by Mail laws. This is from PennLive:
The lawsuit argues the new procedures were accompanied by some changes that were not legal, including in about 20 counties where the plaintiffs say voters could drop off completed ballots at collection sites without sending them or handing them directly to county elections offices.
The plaintiffs want an order to prevent counting ballots that lack secrecy envelopes or that have certain marks on them. They also want poll watchers to be able to monitor vote counting outside the counties where they live — and to be able to observe counting of all mail-in ballots.
The lawsuit claims there was a “hazardous, hurried and illegal” roll-out of mail-in voting during the primary, saying the system now gives “fraudsters an easy opportunity to engage in ballot harvesting, manipulate or destroy ballots, manufacture duplicitous votes, and sow chaos.”
These are the four GOP MoCs that joined the lawsuit:
🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce 🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson 🔴 PA-16’s Rep. Mike Kelly
Additional Reading:
- “The Trump campaign is suing Pennsylvania over how to run the 2020 election,” from The Philadelphia Inquirer
- “Trump campaign sues Pa. over mail-in drop-off sites for ballots,” from PennLive
- “Trump and PA Republicans Sue Over Mail-In Voting,” from PoliticsPA
MoC Twitter Action
Created with the assistance of contributor Susan Vogel
Twitter Action – Coronavirus and its effects
🔵 Senator Bob Casey, @SenBobCasey, 06/30/20:
“WATCH LIVE: Senator Casey, colleagues take to the Senate floor to demand Congress does more to address the COVID-19 crisis unfolding in nursing homes, attempt to pass Casey’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act (S. 3768) with @SenWhitehouse” tweeted with embedded video of the senator’s floor speech
🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, @RepBrianFitz, 07/03/20
“During this pandemic, bad actors have been targeting our most vulnerable with scams. The #COVID19 SCAM Act would allow the @FTC to go after scammers and provide relief and security to seniors, consumers, and vulnerable populations across the US.” tweeted with a link to this Insider NJ reprinting of a congressional press release
🔵 PA-02’s Rep. Brendan Boyle, @RepBrendanBoyle, 07/02/20:
“Testing saves lives. It is that simple. The Senate must take immediate action to provide more funding for testing capacity. An effort to slow down #coronavirus testing is a threat to Americans nationwide.” tweeted with a link to a PBS NewsHour video titled “Fauci tells Congress more testing needed to combat ‘disturbing surge’ in virus”
🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans, @RepDwightEvans, 07/02/20:
“Practice social distancing by putting space between yourself and others. Continue to practice healthy habits, like washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and staying home if you’re sick, to help slow the spread of #COVID19. Learn more: http://cdc.gov/covid19”
🔵 PA-04’s Rep. Madeleine Dean, @RepDean, 07/01/20:
“As COVID-19 cases skyrocket across the nation, I am disappointed that @HHSGov would irresponsibly end Fed funding for community testing sites. I am certain @MontcoPA will step up to serve the roughly 300 people per day that need COVID-19 testing.” tweeted with a link to a Talking Points Memo piece titled “Whatever Trump Admin May Say, Locals Want Fed Support For Testing Sites”
🔵 PA-05’s Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, @RepMGS, 07/01/20:
“Wearing a face mask is not a partisan political statement — it is live saving. We have to do our part to keep each other safe.” tweeted with a link to a Business Insider article titled “‘The effect is greatest when 100% of the public wear face masks’: Growing body of research shows the role of face coverings in curbing the spread of the coronavirus”
🔵 PA-06’s Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, @RepHoulahan, 07/01/20:
“Today is Wednesday.
Please wear a mask.
And #FlyEaglesFly”
🔵 PA-07’s Rep. Susan Wild, @RepSusanWild, 07/02/20:
“This is exactly why I introduced the #RESTAURANTSAct. Our local restaurants need immediate help to survive.”
🔵 PA-08’s Rep. Matt Cartwright, @RepCartwright, 07/01/20:
“In the first 6 months of 2020, 245 prescription drugs had an average price hike of over 20%. What’s worse is that 75% of these meds help fight #COVID19. That’s why I helped pass a bill this week to end Big Pharma’s outrageous price gouging practices.” tweeted with a link to a press release from Patients For Affordable Drugs
🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry, @RepScottPerry, 07/02/20:
“During the outbreak of COVID-19, @realDonaldTrump provided Pennsylvania:
– 2.6M N-95 masks
– 18M surgical & procedural masks
– 470M medical gloves
– $301M in testing assistance funding
– PPE to all 683 Medicaid & Medicare certified nursing homes
🔴 PA-11’s Rep. Lloyd Smucker, @RepSmucker, 06/30/20:
“Thanks to @SeemaCMS and your leadership on supporting nursing homes’ response to COVID-19. PA needs that same level of support from Gov. Wolf. He could start by replying to @SelectGOP & @SteveScalise’s letter on why PA didn’t follow CMS guidance.”
🔴 PA-12’s Rep. Fred Keller, @RepFredKeller, 07/02/20:
“The Great American Comeback continues!
- 4.8 million jobs added
- Unemployment rate down to 11.1%
- Our economy is shattering “expert” expectations
Imagine what we can do if all Americans had the freedom to return to their livelihoods!” tweeted with a link to a Fox Business News article
🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce, @RepJohnJoyce, 06/30/20:
“Thank you Administrator @SeemaCMS and @Surgeon_General for visiting Pennsylvania and for your work to protect vulnerable Americans during the coronavirus crisis.”
🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, @GReschenthaler, 07/29/20:
“If we expect front-line workers to show up for work, then House Democrats should be able to make it to DC to represent their constituents. #StopTheProxyScheme”
🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson, @CongressmanGT, 07/01/20:
“Thank you hardworking nursing home staff who are dedicated to protecting the residents they care for & sincere condolences to families that loss loved ones who died from #COVIDー19 in nursing homes after #Pennsylvania Governor Wolf allowed readmission of COVID positive residents”
🔵 PA-18’s Rep. Mike Doyle, @USRepMikeDoyle, 06/30/20:
“#MovingFoward will help combat the #COVID19 pandemic and future health emergencies by investing $30 billion in our nation’s health care infrastructure.”
Twitter Action – MoCs on Legislation
🔵 Senator Bob Casey, @SenBobCasey, 07/02/20
“Exactly. Childcare is core to our Nation’s economic infrastructure. We must treat is as such and pass Sen @PattyMurray’s Child Care is Essential Act and my Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act to make child care more accessible & affordable for working families.” tweeted in response to a New York Times tweet which reads “Let me say the quiet part loud: In the Covid-19 economy, you’re allowed only a kid or a job,” writes Deb Perelman. “Why isn’t anyone talking about this?”
🔴 Senator Pat Toomey, @SenToomey, 07/02/20:
“@ChrisVanHollen’s and my bipartisan #HongKong Autonomy Act is now on its way to the president to be signed into law! With our bill, the CCP will learn there are ramifications for repressing Hongkongers’ freedom. President Trump should sign this bill ASAP. We #StandWithHongKong.”
🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, @RepBrianFitz, 07/02/20:
“Yesterday, the House and Senate passed a much needed and welcome extension of the #PaycheckProtectionProgram. While our work is not done, I am pleased to see Congress coming together to deliver results and relief for the American people. #PPP #COVID19”
🔵 PA-02’s Rep. Brendan Boyle, @RepBrendanBoyle, 07/01/20:
“I’m proud to vote for the #MovingForwardAct because our nation’s infrastructure has long been in desperate need of repair. This package is a critical step in addressing the ongoing infrastructure crisis and I’m thrilled to see that my bill is included in this comprehensive plan.” tweeted with an image of his official website statement on his vote
🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans, @RepDwightEvans, 07/02/20:
“For years, Americans have called for action to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. With the #MovingForward Act, @HouseDemocrats have passed my school-repair plan #ForThePeople. #PHLed” tweeted with a link to his official website statement
🔵 PA-04’s Rep. Madeleine Dean, @RepDean, 07/01/20:
“We continue to face the worst economic and public health crisis to date. Yet folks are expected to survive on a single $1200 payment. We must deliver another round of direct cash payments in the next relief package.”
🔵 PA-05’s Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, @RepMGS, 07/01/20:
“The fight for the full equality of the LGBTQ+ community is ongoing. I was so proud to join my House colleagues last year in passing the monumental #EqualityAct.
That was 411 days ago — and we are still waiting for a Senate vote. #HousePrideChallenge”
🔵 PA-06’s Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, @RepHoulahan, 07/03/20:
“I was proud to pass the annual bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) through the House Armed Services Committee. I led the freshmen class – offering 17 amendments that the Committee voted to include in the bill. Full statement below
Our men and women in uniform, their families, and the American workers who support our warfighters should take heart from this bipartisan vote. I am proud to represent our community and our Commonwealth on the Armed Services Committee, where I’m able to deliver bipartisan results for our national security.
This bill provides a pay raise for our servicemembers, improves military family housing, increases access to childcare, invests in research and development to address emerging threats, funds an Indo-Pacific Reassurance Initiative to counter Chinese aggression and much more.” tweeted with a link to her official website statement
🔵 PA-07’s Rep. Susan Wild, @RepSusanWild, 07/03/20:
“It was a busy week here in Washington – filled with votes to expand health care coverage, rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, expand rental assistance, and lots more. Before I head back to PA-07 for the next couple weeks, let me catch you up on all the action.” tweeted with embedded video of the representative discussing her votes
🔵 PA-08’s Rep. Matt Cartwright, @RepCartwright, 07/01/20:
“If we don’t act quickly, millions could lose their apartments or homes. This week I voted to extend eviction and foreclosure protections, to ensure Americans who are struggling amid this pandemic can keep a roof over their heads.” tweeted with a link to a Make It article titled “House passes bill to prevent homelessness crisis ‘like we’ve never seen in our lifetimes’”
🔴 PA-09’s Rep. Dan Meuser, @RepMeuser, 07/01/20:
“Today, I voted against H.R. 2, Speaker Pelosi’s partisan Green New Deal transportation wish list that fails to address the critical need to modernize our nation’s infrastructure. To read my full statement, please visit:” tweeted with a link to his official website statement
🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry, @RepScottPerry, 07/02/20:
“The United States must take immediate action to stand with Hong Kong. Speaker Pelosi and I agree that “one-party, two systems” is dead. I call for the House to pass H.R. 6947 to recognize Hong Kong as a separate, independent country.”
🔴 PA-11’s Rep. Lloyd Smucker, @RepSmucker, 07/02/20:
“I’m thankful Congress worked together to send legislation to extend the application deadline of the #PaycheckProtectionProgram to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump’s desk for his signature.” tweeted with a link to an article in The Hill titled “House votes unanimously to extend deadline for coronavirus small-business loan program”
🔴 PA-12’s Rep. Fred Keller, @RepFredKeller, 07/01/20:
“The Democrats’ “My Way or the Highway” infrastructure bill:
❌ Focuses more on the Green New Deal than on needed infrastructure upgrades.
❌ Turns back the clock on many bipartisan reforms already agreed to.
❌ Leaves crucial rural infrastructure needs further behind.
I voted NO.”
🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce, @RepJohnJoyce, 07/01/20:
“Today the #USMCA goes into effect, delivering a fairer trade deal for American workers, farmers, and manufacturers. By leveling the playing field and helping Americans compete in the 21st century, the #USMCA is a win for Pennsylvania and our nation.”
🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, @GReschenthaler, 07/01/20:
“Thanks to @SenToomey’s leadership, the Senate acted on another critical bill to counter China by stopping the flow of illicit fentanyl. As a cosponsor of the Blocking Deadly Fentanyl Imports Act, I requested this bill be included in the upcoming NDAA.” tweeted with a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article titled “Toomey measure to crack down on fentanyl imports moves forward in Senate”
🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson, @CongressmanGT, 06/30/20:
“The #COVID19 pandemic has underscored the extreme importance of a strong food supply chain. The #GROCERAct is a thank you to the grocery and convenience store employees who have been working around the clock to stock our shelves, ensuring we have access to the food we need.” tweeted with embedded C-SPAN video of his floor speech about the bill he introduced with PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans
🔵 PA-17’s Rep. Conor Lamb, @RepConorLamb, 07/01/20:
“The Moving Forward Act is a long overdue investment in America’s infrastructure & creates jobs for the workers who keep our country moving. #PA17” tweeted with a link to his official website statement on his vote
🔵 PA-18’s Rep. Mike Doyle, @USRepMikeDoyle, 07/02/20:
“Yesterday, I joined other @HouseDemocrats in approving the #MovingForwardAct, which would increase federal investment in roads, schools, clean water, affordable housing, and other critical infrastructure in communities across the country. Now it’s up to the Senate to take it up.”
Tweet of the Week
🔵 Senator Bob Casey, @SenBobCasey, 07/02/20:
“A few Republican members in the other chamber had some issues with my nursing homes report, but they seem to have mixed up their facts in the process. I fixed it for them.”
🔴 Senator Pat Toomey, @SenToomey, 07/04/20:
244 years ago in the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia, our founders signed the Declaration of Independence, formally beginning mankind’s greatest experiment in self-governance. America is still that shining city on a hill where freedom and liberty for all people is guaranteed.
🔴 PA-01’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, @RepBrianFitz, 07/01/20:
“As we continue to work with the @GLFOP to merge the proposals authored by @SenatorTimScott
(R-SC), which I am an original cosponsor of, and @RepKarenBass (D-CA), I will be playing a key role as a bipartisan bridge-builder, as the only FBI Agent in Congress, to craft a solution that protects individuals’ constitutional & civil liberties, and also protects our hero, police officers, from physical harm & potentially frivolous lawsuits.
Today I took to the House floor to talk about a key provision that I will insist be included in any final package that gets sent to the President’s desk: Reformed Qualified Immunity to protect our police officers’ ability to safely do their jobs.” tweeted with embedded video of his floor speech, which got him into a bit of trouble with the National Fraternal Order of Police
🔵 PA-02’s Rep. Brendan Boyle, @CongBoyle, 07/02/20:
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a victory of fairness, justice and equality. But for too long, the full promise of this historic legislation has gone unfulfilled. As we mark this important day, we must refocus ourselves to our shared responsibility to deliver progress toward a more perfect union and build a more just and equal future that is the right all Americans.” tweeted with video of the signing of the Civil Right Act from ABC News
🔵 PA-03’s Rep. Dwight Evans, @RepDwightEvans, 07/02/20:
“Impeachment 2.0: House Dem Files Resolution Calling For AG Bill Barr To Be Impeached” tweeted with a link to a Trending Politics article of the same name
🔵 PA-04’s Rep. Madeleine Dean, @RepDean, 06/30/20:
“The president has had days to respond to this damning Russia report like a president should. Not surprisingly, he hasn’t — and I am even more alarmed now than when I was first asked about it three days ago.” tweeted with embedded MSNBC video on the Russian bounty payments
🔵 PA-05’s Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, @RepMGS, 07/01/20:
“The level at which the Department of Education has abdicated responsibility for the safety, well-being and instructional success of the 90% of children in America who go to public schools is stunning.” Devos abandoned students when they needed leadership.” tweeted with a Washington Post opinion titled “Betsy DeVos is an abysmal failure and our nation’s schoolchildren are paying the price”
🔵 PA-06’s Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, @RepHoulahan, 07/04/20:
“I’d like to take this moment to wish everyone a safe and celebratory weekend! This time of year gives us the opportunity to reflect on our history—how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. From my family (including the popular Ms. Libby) to yours, #Happy4thofJuly”
🔵 PA-07’s Rep. Susan Wild, @RepSusanWild, 06/29/20:
“With more Americans jobless and struggling to afford care than ever, this Administration is still doing everything in its power to completely gut the #ACA. And they have absolutely no replacement policy. No backup plan for your health and well-being.
These continued attacks to dismantle the #ACA represent petty partisan politics at best, and a blatant disregard for the health of 23M Americans at worst.
We can’t just upend our current health care law & hope for the best – we have to strengthen, improve, & stabilize the #ACA.
I introduced a bill that does exactly that – bettering the #ACA by fixing the “family glitch” which has prevented some workers from being able to extend employer-provided insurance to their families.
It’s getting a vote today. RT if it has your support.”
🔵 PA-08’s Rep. Matt Cartwright, @RepCartwright, 06/30/20:
“In tackling the climate crisis, we can:
- unleash a wave of new job creation
- make our communities stronger
- ensure clean air & water
12 of my bills to achieve these goals & more were included in a new @ClimateCrisis plan out today. Check it out: https://bit.ly/2Zp6w8b”
🔴 PA-09’s Rep. Dan Meuser, @RepMeuser, 07/01/20:
“The USMCA trade deal goes into effect today. Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on this America First achievement. USMCA will increase jobs, boost the economy and strengthen our competitiveness with the rest of the world. I was proud to support the bill in Congress.”
🔴 PA-10’s Rep. Scott Perry, @RepScottPerry, 06/30/20:
“Before a rush to judgement or a decision on retaliatory actions, we need the facts. I lament the loss of any Service Member’s life, and I’d be very concerned about reports that Russia offered bounties to kill American and coalition Troops in Afghanistan.
This would be yet another example of Putin’s malicious behavior in the intl community, and further evidence that he and his regime cannot be trusted, nor is a partner of the US. Swift action will be necessary to hold the Putin regime accountable if these reports are accurate.” tweeted with a link to a Local 21 News article titled “U.S. Representative Scott Perry responds to Russian bounty allegations”
🔴 PA-11’s Rep. Lloyd Smucker, @RepSmucker, 07/03/20:
“ICYMI: I was elected to serve as the representative of the House Republican sophomore class to leadership.” tweeted with a link to an article in The Hill titled “Rep. Lloyd Smucker added to House GOP leadership”
🔴 PA-12’s Rep. Fred Keller, @RepFredKeller, 07/01/20:
“The left seems to be for mobs more than they are for jobs and protecting people that go to work.” tweeted with embedded OAN video
🔴 PA-13’s Rep. John Joyce, @RepJohnJoyce, 07/03/20:
“As Americans mark the 157th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, we cannot allow further violence or destruction to occur on this hallowed ground. This week, I called on the U.S. Park Police to protect Gettysburg National Military Park during any potential demonstrations.” tweeted with an image of the letter he referenced
🔴 PA-14’s Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, @GReschenthaler, 07/03/20:
“Obama and Biden just stood by when Russia invaded Ukraine. I will take @realdonaldtrump’s national security policies over theirs any day.
President Trump has a proven track record of taking action and continues to promote strength and defend freedom.” tweeted with embedded Fox News video
🔴 PA-15’s Rep. Glenn W. Thompson, @CongressmanGT, 06/30/20:
“Tomorrow, #USMCA will go into effect. This agreement with our two closest trading partners is a win for farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and more. Thank you to @realDonaldTrump for working tirelessly to seal the deal!” tweeted with embedded video of his floor speech on this topic (a video that shows several unmasked MoCs standing disturbingly close to each other)
🔴 PA-16’s Rep. Mike Kelly, @MikeKellyPA, 07/02/20:
“Great news today! The U.S. economy added 4.8 million jobs in June, and the unemployment rate fell from 13.3 percent to 11.1 percent. This report is an incredible testimony to the country’s resilience and our steady recovery!”
🔵 PA-17’s Rep. Conor Lamb, @RepConorLamb, 07/04/20:
“Wishing you all a healthy & safe 4th of July. #PA17”
🔵 PA-18’s Rep. Mike Doyle, @USRepMikeDoyle, 07/02/20:
“It’s been ONE WEEK since @HouseDemocrats passed the #GeorgeFloydLaw #JusticeInPolicing Act. Now it’s time for the Senate to do their job and hold a vote on this groundbreaking bill!”
Casey in the News
Courtesy of contributor Linda Houk
“The order issued last evening (Friday) by Judge Dolly M. Gee to release migrant children held in U.S. custody is the right decision, but it shouldn’t have taken a pandemic to treat children with basic compassion.”
— from an article in the Reading Eagle, titled “Foes of Berks immigrant detention center hope ruling shuts it down”
“The problem is, that determination [to increase Medicaid dollars] becomes a question of how may votes you can line up… It just doesn’t make sense to allow something as fundamental as Medicaid and the matching dollars to be at the whim of whoever is in power, as opposed to having a good program’s benefits be triggered by economic trauma.
The lesson I learned from the Great Recession is you’ve got to go big to jump-start the economy and get it out of the ditch… The danger here is we compound the problem of a public health and jobs crisis by penny-pinching when it comes to a program like Medicaid. It will make every problem worse.”
— from an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, titled “Citing soaring unemployment, Casey calls for boost in Medicaid dollars based on economic factors”
“Unfortunately for the nation, it is a chronicle of deadly delay, and a lack of urgency, and the lack of a strategy.
What we see in the way the administration handled this reflects the administration’s failure in responding to the pandemic generally.
I’m not saying that government can wave a magic wand and eliminate the threat, because the context of a nursing home is challenging… there’s no excuse for having this many deaths under any circumstances.”
— from an article in the Morning Call, titled “Bob Casey and Senate Dems blame Trump administration for COVID nursing home crisis”
RECOMMENDED CASEY VIDEO and REPORT!!
Senator Casey held a video town hall this Wednesday along with Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. The focus of the event was the nursing home crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Casey, who is also the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Aging, wrote this on Facebook:
To date, more than 40 percent of all COVID-19 deaths nationwide have been residents and workers in nursing homes and other long-term care settings. These are our grandparents, our teachers, our health care workers fighting on the front lines of this pandemic—and the Administration has failed to protect them. Watch live as I join Senator Wyden to discuss our new report detailing how the Administration’s failure to prepare for and respond to this pandemic cost American lives.
The video is about 45 minutes long, and it is worth a watch if you have concerns about how the Trump Administration is handling disease transmission in nursing homes. As indicated above, one of the topics discussed at length is the report just released by Senators Casey and Wyden, titled “COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: How the Trump Administration Failed Residents and Workers.” You can read the press release that accompanied the report here, while the report itself is here.
Toomey in the News
Courtesy of contributor Elayne Baker
“Given the many examples of egregiously bad behavior exhibited by Vladimir Putin and the Russian government, it would not be surprising to learn that Russian officials put bounties on American soldiers’ lives.
This does not make such actions less reprehensible or unacceptable. I have reviewed the classified information regarding bounties, upon which recent news reports are based. This information raises many questions and administration officials should come before the Senate and provide a classified briefing and answer questions from all members.
If it is concluded that Russia offered bounties to murder American soldiers, a firm American response is required in short order.”
— from a MyChesCo article titled “Toomey Calls for Administration Officials to Brief Senate on Russian Bounties”
“The naming of military installation is the responsibility of Congress and it is reasonable of us to consider from time to time whether the names should be changed, And I’m very sympathetic to the idea that we ought to take a look at assets named after Confederate figures. Those are people whose [sic] chose to go to war against the U.S. We need to look at those, and consider whether there are better people to name the bases after.”
— from a Pennsylvania Patch article titled “With Trump Veto Threat Looming, PA.’s Toomey Pushes For New Weapon In Fight Against Fentanyl”
“If a Chinese bank decides they value doing business with the oppressors more than they value access to the U.S. dollar … then they can make that decision. For a Chinese bank that has little or no U.S. dollar business, they might make that decision, but the bigger banks are going to have a much harder decision to make if they are persistent offenders and therefore subject to the sanctions.”
— from a Politico article titled “Senate sends Hong Kong sanctions bill to Trump”
“With our bill, the [Chinese Communist Party] will learn there are ramifications for repressing Hong Kongers’ freedom.”
— from an article in The Telegraph titled “Congress passes bill rebuking China over Hong Kong crackdown”
“I think we’re going to get it over the goal line… I don’t want us to lose sight of the appalling consequences of the ravages of the opioid epidemic.”
— from a PennLive article titled “Sen. Pat Toomey pushes bill to crack down on fentanyl imports from China and other countries”
Civics Class – on the first celebration of Independence Day in Pennsylvania
This excerpt from an article in Mental Floss on Independence Day describes how the first Independence Day was celebrated in Philadelphia, on July 4, 1777:
The celebrations started just a year after the Declaration was ratified. A July 18, 1777 issue of the Virginia Gazette—but with the article dated July 5—describes the scene in Philadelphia, and it sounds awfully familiar:
“Yesterday the 4th of July, being the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, was celebrated in this city with demonstration of joy and festivity. About noon all the armed ships and gallies in the river were drawn up before the city, dressed in the gayest manner, with the colours of the United States and streamers displayed. At one o’clock, the yards being properly manned, they began the celebration of the day by a discharge of thirteen cannon from each of the ships, and one from each of the thirteen gallies, in honour of the Thirteen United States.”
We might not employ cannons, or have 13 states anymore, but the “colours of the United States” should be on full display today. There were even fireworks, and a pretty good prediction for how we would feel 240 years later:
“The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal. Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more.”
We at MoCTrack hope you had a safe and happy Independence Day!
Call to Action – Support this Bill!
S. 3768: Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act
This is a bill introduced by our own Senator Bob Casey along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to provide $20 billion to help states, nursing homes and intermediate care facilities contain the spread of COVID-19. The legislation would provide for additional testing, protective gear surge staffing, and assistance in creating facility separation to stop the spread of the disease.
The bill is supported by both the AARP and the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly. Megan O’Reilly, Vice President of Government Affairs for AARP, made the following statement in support of this bill:
AARP supports the draft of the Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act that would help protect the health and save the lives of people in nursing homes and other facilities by supporting testing, personal protective equipment, staffing and more. The proposal would also improve public transparency and help protect the rights of residents and their families. Congress should act immediately to stem the loss of life and slow the spread of the virus.
Knowing how deadly this disease is particularly amongst our vulnerable elderly population, it is imperative that the GOP stop using the nursing home crisis as a talking point, and start getting onboard with solutions. Senator Toomey indicated an interest in early May in helping be a part of the solution, even co-authoring an Op-Ed in the Allentown Morning Call with Senator Casey, but since then he has not had much to say.
We ask that you call Senator Toomey and ask him to co-sponsor this bill and support this legislation. Here is a script you can use:
I am calling to ask Senator Toomey to support S. 3768: the Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act. I know that Senator Toomet joined Senator Casey to present a united Pennsylvanian front in calling for changes that will help protect our vulnerable elderly population in nursing homes from this deadly coronavirus pandemic. Now I ask that he follow-up those words with action. Please tell Senator Toomey I would like him to join his state colleague in calling for a plan that provides for additional testing, protective gear surge staffing, and assistance in creating facility separation to stop the spread of the disease. I would like to see him join as a co-sponsor of S. 3768.”
Thank you for reading, and we hope you had a Happy Independence Day!
Congress is scheduled to have home work weeks for the period of July 6th through July 17th. MoCTrack will be taking that time off, and we’ll be back once the voting resumes in Congress!
This report was brought to you by the Pennsylvania MoCTrack team…
CC Linda Houk
Elayne Baker Kierstyn Piotrowski Zolfo
Gary Garb Susan VogelWe are seeking additional assistance. Our Congresspeople are always busy and there is always more for us to cover — tasks big and small to fit any level of time commitment or experience. Can you help us out? Please email KierstynPZ@gmail.com and put “MoCTrack Help” in the subject. Thanks!
