Past Newsletters
September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the history and contributions of Hispanic Americans. This month recognizes individuals with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America – a group rich in diversity, and united by common desires.
It’s hard to forget that devasting day.
On September 11, 2001, our nation was changed forever. While 22 years have passed, the physical and emotional scars remain.
Unfortunately, even today, 9/11 first responders still struggle to receive the healthcare they need to address injuries and illnesses sustained from the attacks and the long aftermath of searches and recovery. Everyone deserves access to lifesaving healthcare – especially those who sacrificed so much for us.
While Labor Day is considered a welcome day off and a transition from summer to fall, it’s important to remember what the day represents: the importance of the American worker.
The labor movement was instrumental in advocating for livable wages, safety standards, employee healthcare and benefits, and more. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to build on that movement and advance the cause of workers’ rights over the last two years under President Biden.
Sixty years ago, we marched.
In 1963, in the wake of violent attacks on civil rights advocates, 250,000 people came to Washington, D.C. from all over the country to stand up for freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his transformational “I Have A Dream” speech, and Americans from all walks of life joined together to march for fairness, for human dignity, for voting rights, for equal wages, to end police brutality, to end segregated schools and housing.
We’ve all been there. You go to complete a purchase – whether it’s a concert ticket, a hotel room, renting a car, or even your monthly cable bill – and there’s a surprise fee at the end of your transaction, but it’s not clear exactly what it’s for. They’re called junk fees, and the Biden-Harris administration is cracking down on them.
Our veterans bravely served our country. Now, it’s our turn to serve them.
Despite the bipartisan budget deal between the President and Speaker last month, at least 750,000 Americans could lose food assistance in the new Agriculture Appropriations funding bill proposed by the misguided House majority -- primarily toddlers, preschoolers, and postpartum mothers. Extremists have driven the House majority to break the agreement they made with the President and make cruel cuts in nutrition assistance for those who desperately need help.
You only need to step outside to realize climate change isn’t just a problem for future generations. It’s here now.
June was Earth’s hottest year on record, and the heat wave was caused or made worse due to climate change. Catastrophic floods are hitting the Hudson valley this summer. And in Indianapolis, we’ve experienced smoky days that make working or spending time outside virtually impossible, especially for those with conditions like asthma.
Last week, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – Congress’ annual defense policy bill –passed out of committee with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 58 -1. While I did not personally agree with everything in the bill, overall it was a balanced compromise bill capable of garnering support across the aisle.
In June, we created 209,000 jobs – a total of 13.2 million jobs since President Biden took office.
Not only have we regained all the jobs lost during the pandemic, we’ve also created 4 million more, including over 1.5 million jobs in manufacturing, construction, and research and development.