What we saw on the Senate floor this week was a disgrace to our democracy. It’s an insult to working families that Senator McConnell and his allies blocked the Senate from passing relief for those impacted by the virus when R's are sitting in the muck of their own complacency. /1
Democrats passed the HEROES Act in MAY. Republicans sat on their hands for TWO MONTHS blocking relief for working families, and what did they come up with? A demand for corporate immunity and a skinflint proposal which would be catastrophic for our economy. /2
Millions of workers are unemployed and families are losing their paychecks through no fault of their own. Just last week 1.4 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment. And Republicans want to take $1,600 out of their pockets every single month. /3
Unemployment benefits expire today. One in four renters are at risk of evictions. Resources for state and local governments are dried up. Republicans have thrown away their own ideology to pander to a corrupt President. /4
If Republicans cared about the economy, they’d first be laser focused on getting the pandemic under control. But half will barely acknowledge the pandemic, and many of those remaining won’t challenge the President because they are scared he will tweet at them. /5
If Republicans cared about the middle class and the economy, why wouldn’t they keep giving our unemployed workers the extra $600 they need to cover their bills and pay for food? /6
This isn’t just simply the right thing to do. It also increases demand and puts money back into the economy. There’s absolutely no rhyme or reason. Republicans are turning their backs on working families. /7
Can you imagine suddenly having your paycheck cut by 43%, in the middle of an economic crisis? That’s exactly what Republicans are doing to the average unemployed worker by objecting to the extended benefits Democrats offered. /8
Meanwhile the GOP bill is stuffed with $2 billion for a new FBI building that even Senate Republicans acknowledge has nothing to do with COVID. /9 nytimes.com/2020/07/28/us/…
.@SenateDems WANT to negotiate & reach bipartisan agreement but the White House & @SenateGOP don't even have a unified position among their own party. They won't lead, they won't follow, they won't get out of the way. They only agree on a maniacal obsession w/ blocking HEROES./10
Even with over 151,000 Americans dead and over 17 million unemployed, Republicans in the Senate are fighting for corporate immunity & a big tax deduction for ‘three martini lunches’ instead of working people. The Republican majority is the Nation’s most dangerous con artist. /11
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After years of work to reestablish Scranton rail, today we've reached a milestone that puts us dramatically closer to restoring the Scranton to New York rail line.
Here's what happened 🧵
Today, @RepCartwright and I are announcing a critical step in bringing Amtrak passenger service back to Scranton, thanks to the infrastructure law. The New York - Scranton line will also make stops in NJ, East Stroudsburg, and Mount Pocono. 2/
When finished, the Scranton-New York line will be an economic boost to Northeastern Pennsylvania, bringing in up to $84 million a year in economic activity. /3
Today, I'm releasing my second greedflation a report, which exposes how big food and agriculture businesses are raising prices on your holiday meals.
🧵 Let's take a look. /1
While inflation has slowed, prices for many holiday staple foods have not. This is due to corporations raising prices above the rate of inflation. /2
Let's look at some specifics, while inflation has risen 19% since January 2020 - the prices of chicken, pork, and potatoes have all increased much faster. /3
Today, I'm releasing a report on greedflation that exposes how corporations are making record profits on the backs of American families.
🧵Let's talk about it. /1
While inflation has slowed recently, prices for everyday items have not. That’s because between 2020 and 2022, corporate profits rose by 75 percent—five times as fast as inflation. /2
What does that mean for families? It means you're paying more for products not just to cover higher costs - but so corporations can pad their profit margins. /3
I came to Washington in 2007 with the firm belief that to support and honor Pennsylvania’s deep-rooted hunting culture meant that I should not support restrictions on guns.
Then Sandy Hook happened.
The idea that 26 children and educators could be slaughtered in a matter of minutes because a 20-year-old had virtually unfettered access to weapons of war was too much to bear.
So I changed my position. Now, it’s time for many of my colleagues in the Senate to do the same.
This morning, I held a roundtable with students in Philadelphia to discuss the impacts of gun violence on their lives and communities and what Congress must do to end this epidemic and save lives.
As of 2020, the leading cause of death among children and teens in America is gun violence. It’s a staggering reminder of the breadth and impact of this uniquely American problem.
We cannot simply surrender to this problem.
My Democratic colleagues and I secured $50 million for a new Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevent grant program and the Department of Justice is accepting applications. bja.ojp.gov/funding/opport…
URGENT: In its last months in office, the Trump Administration is seeking to deport vulnerable children and their parents from the Berks Family Residential Center and the South Texas Family Residential Center. (thread)
These parents and children fled unspeakable violence in their home countries in Haiti, Central America and South America. For many of them, deportation is tantamount to a death sentence. /2
Included is this group is a girl (15) who fled Honduras after gang members tried to torture, rape, and kill her; a boy (14) who fled domestic violence and human trafficking in Guatemala; a three-year-old who was ripped from his mother’s arms and held captive by gang members... /3