Now -- February 15, 2013

A Note from Congressman Carson

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Dear Friend:

Things in Washington, D.C. sometimes move slowly, and while thoughtful deliberation takes time, some issues demand swift action. We have priorities that need our attention now, and they shouldn't get held up in foolish, political back and forth.

If Congress fails to act by March 1^st, our nation will face damaging, automatic cuts to programs and initiatives all of us rely on, resulting in the loss of 2.14 million American jobs, layoffs to thousands of teachers, and the stalling of our economic growth.

Additionally, House GOP leaders have now waited over 500 days to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, critical legislation that provides resources to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault. There is no reason for Congress to put this off any longer. The Senate has passed this bill. Now, the House must act.

I need your help. I'm fighting for these issues every day, but many of my colleagues are turning away from the challenge; please take a moment over the next few days to call your friends and family and have them reach out to their representatives. Send a clear message – we need to pass the VAWA and replace automatic cuts with a balanced solution that protects our economy.

Best,

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André

The Inside Scoop

State of the Union

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama offered his 4^th State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress. The President's plan outlined steps we must take to strengthen the middle class and make America a magnet for jobs and manufacturing. He outlined the need to invest in infrastructure, clean energy, and education, while also renewing his call for Congress to act on reducing gun violence and fixing our broken immigration system. You can watch the full speech by visiting WhiteHouse.gov.

Sequestration (Automatic, Across-the-Board Cuts)

With all of the talk about sequestration, many Americans are wondering what this March 1^st deadline means for them. This week, Congressman Carson shared information to show that sequestration means serious consequences for our schools and our working families. Click on the image below to visit our Facebook page and learn more.

Violence Against Women Act

Congressman André Carson this week called upon House Republican leaders to quickly bring up and pass the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization, which the Senate passed by a vote of 78 to 22. Congressman Carson stated, "The victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault deserve better than political posturing and stalemate. "

Transportation Job Fair

Congressman André Carson (IN-7) and Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-8) will join forces next week to host the 2013 Transportation Job Fair. The event, which will be held at the Ivy Tech Corporate College in Indianapolis, will provide job seekers the opportunity to meet with 30 employers offering more than 350 transportation-related positions throughout Central Indiana.