We are now into the fifth year of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine – with Russian forces continuing to launch a deadly drone and missile air campaign against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has refused to provide additional security assistance to the Ukrainian people and even slashed tens of millions in funding that would have supported the investigation of Russian war crimes targeting Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.
In defense of a free and sovereign Ukraine, and in the interest of U.S. national security, I voted YES on the Ukraine Support Act. This bipartisan legislation authorizes additional security assistance for Ukraine and will impose harsher sanctions on Russia if it continues the war, refuses to engage in good faith peace negotiations, or violates the terms of an existing peace agreement.
As an early co-sponsor of the Iran War Powers Resolution, it was especially gratifying today to finally force a vote to gain House passage. I give great credit to our Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member, @RepGregoryMeeks, for his relentless effort to bring several Republican members over to our side.
With President Trump’s war of choice against Iran at a stalemate despite his claims to the contrary, the safety of American service members and U.S. national security demand that the President comply with the Constitution and the War Powers Act of 1973 and terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces in Iran absent Congressional authorization.
One of my favorite parts of my job is meeting with students and talking with them about the issues that matter most to them. It was great to meet with Master of Public Administration and Law students from @Suffolk_U in Washington today.
Many of these students are currently working in federal, state, and local government, and we had a great discussion on current events, their classes, and various policy areas they are passionate about.
Thank you to their professor, and former Quincy City Councilor, Doug Gutro, for your commitment to your students and your dedication to teaching the future generation!
On the House Democratic Litigation Task Force, we are working together with pro-democracy advocates like @DemocracyFwd and others to challenge unlawful Trump Administration actions in court – and we are securing key wins.
In a victory for the rule of law and American taxpayers, a federal court in D.C. recently blocked President Trump’s unconstitutional slush fund, which would have allowed Trump to use $1.8 billion in taxpayer funds to award payouts to the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol and assaulted Capitol police officers.
I am also grateful that a federal court in Virginia has issued an order requiring the removal of President Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, including the building façade, all physical and digital signage, and official materials. As the sponsor of legislation to do the same, I firmly agree with the Court’s finding that “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
In support of voting rights and election integrity, I introduced the "Vote by Mail Protection Act" to invalidate President Trump's executive order and prohibit the U.S. Postal Service and other federal agencies from using any taxpayer funds to restrict voting rights.
It was a full house at the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association meeting at the Paul McLaughlin Boys & Girls Club. Very grateful to President Bill Walczak and VP Eileen Boyle for allowing me the opportunity to provide an update on what is happening in Washington and across the District and take some thoughtful questions.
It was great to see former Councilor Frank Baker and Nichole Mikshenas and hear Jim Brett discuss the Mary Ann Brett Food Pantry.
I was impressed by the level of engaged citizenship ant the well-managed agenda that reflected what was most important in the Dorchester neighborhood.
As we begin celebrating Pride Month, we must be mindful that recent Supreme Court decisions have shown us that the civil rights of all Americans can never be taken for granted.
We need to support each other - now more than ever.
As a member of the @EqualityCaucus and a cosponsor of the Equality Act, I will continue to push for greater protections and agency for the LGBTQI+ community.
I led a bipartisan letter to the FAA, with 31 of my colleagues joining me, to demand airplane noise reduction. It’s more than just a nuisance for families in Queens and on Long Island, it’s a serious quality-of-life issue. Solutions that reduce noise without compromising safety exist, and it’s past time to use them.
On Sunday morning, our neighborhood of South Boston came together for the Annual Memorial Day services held by the Fitzgerald VFW Post 561.
I was honored to join Commander Tom McCarthy and my colleagues in government, @mayorwu529, @nickcollinsma, @EdforBoston, @ErinforBoston, @david_biele, and Veterans Commissioner Rob Santiago in paying tribute to our sons and daughters in uniform who have rendered courageous service and sacrifice on behalf of our Nation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of @BostonFire Firefighter Robert Kilduff Jr., who lost his life in the line of duty in Dorchester.
As a Marine and third-generation firefighter, Bobby Kilduff dedicated his life to our City and our Nation, he represented the best in us, and his loss is deeply felt.
We are grateful for the courage and sacrifice of our firefighters, police, and EMTs who put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe.
We have set aside this day to remember and to honor the brave men and women who have answered our nation’s call to service and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom.
From major cities and small towns all across America to foreign outposts around the globe where our uniformed service members defend the cause of liberty, we pause to reflect on the enormity of their sacrifice and the power of their example.
With this in mind, may we pray for the comfort of gold star families and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our veterans and their loved ones receive the support and care that they have earned.
President Trump’s $1.8 billion political slush fund is an egregious, unconstitutional attack on the rule of law and a gross abuse of taxpayer dollars. Our Democratic Litigation Task Force has already filed a motion in federal court to block this latest instance of presidential self-dealing.
I am also a proud cosponsor of the No Taxpayer Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act – a bill to prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to create or finance the slush fund and bar settlement payouts to the President, Vice-President, their immediate family members, and the companies they control.
Congressman Barney Frank was my good friend and mentor in Congress. My prayers go out to his partner Jim and the Frank family; he will be deeply missed.
Amazing turnout at our Telephone Town Hall tonight from D.C.
I am very grateful to the more than 5,000 participants who connected by phone and over 500 who joined us on Zoom. Your comments and questions were thoughtful, “on point,” and deeply appreciated.
It was a real cross-section of the Eighth Congressional District - from Quincy to Brockton and from Norwood to Hingham.
We will follow up with everyone who submitted questions.
It is an honor to represent you in Congress - thank you!
Yesterday marked another huge milestone in the journey to bring the Martin Richard Boys and Girls Club Fieldhouse+ to life in Dorchester, with the Topping Off Ceremony skillfully performed by my brothers and sisters at Ironworkers Local 7.
I was proud to join @TeamMR8, the Marr Family, Lee Kennedy Construction, Bill, Denise, Jane, and Henry Richard, Bob Scannell and the @BGCDorchester, and my dedicated colleagues in Government, @mayorwu529, @nickcollinsma, Reps. @RepDanHunt, @david_biele, Chris Worrell, and Councilors Fitzgerald, @ErinforBoston, @Ruthzee, and @VoteWorrell for this celebratory day.
When complete, this facility will open its doors to thousands of young people and families across our community, offering access to athletics, the arts, mentorship, and so much more for generations to come. I am also proud that every part of this structure is the product of 100% Union Labor.
More than a building, the Fieldhouse+ will be a living embodiment of young Martin Richard's spirit, of kindness, generosity, and peace. That spirit is woven into every part of this project, and it will continue to inspire and shape every young person who walks through its doors.
We are grateful to @MassGovernor and Senators @SenWarren and @SenMarkey, and to the many generous donors, and of course, for the love that Bill and Denise Richard have shown to all the children of our City, all in memory of their son, Martin Richard.
Strong turnout at Easton Town Meeting last night. Great to meet new Town Manager Liz Dennehy - she will benefit greatly from the community's longstanding commitment to civic responsibility.
My sincere thanks to Town Moderator Kate Welch for the opportunity to provide an update from Washington, and to members of Town Meeting who participated.
Thank you for your willingness to be involved!
I am with my colleagues and union brothers and sisters to fight for Fair Trade for Working Families!
Join our livestream here - https://t.co/pYIdN2FlRF
Please be advised that I will be hosting a Virtual Town Hall next Tuesday, May 19, starting at 6:30 p.m.
To sign up, please register here - https://t.co/JbyBLK4hZ6
Great to join many friends in Canton for the Annual Town Meeting.
Very grateful to Canton Town Moderator, Dick Staiti, for allowing me to provide a brief update on our joint effort with our State colleagues, @MassGovernor, @PaulFeeneyMA, and Rep. Bill Galvin to ensure that Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children remains open for children with complex medical needs and the families who rely on the support they receive at Pappas.
I also had the opportunity to acknowledge outgoing Town Manager Charlie Doody and the Canton Select board, who played key roles in helping Canton qualify for more than $9 million in federal funding through ARPA and other federal appropriations, which were used to fund essential projects including water infrastructure improvements, equipment for our first responders, and HVAC upgrades to the Hansen and JFK schools.