Media

Yesterday’s massacre in San Bernardino, CA was the 355th mass shooting in the U.S. this year in which there were 4 or more victims. Over the past decade, 280,000 Americans have died due to gun violence.

Gun violence in America has now become such a common, everyday occurrence that we know there will be another “breaking news” report of a shooting. We can only hope it is not our town, neighborhood, or family that is victimized.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Mr. Ayers for the kind introduction. I appreciate all that you and your staff are doing to keep Congress working while you are restoring our beautiful Capitol dome. Thank you for your leadership.

I am thrilled to be here today!

The American Architectural Foundation is playing an important role in driving an agenda that places cultural heritage, historic preservation, and architectural restoration at its forefront.

The AIDS epidemic continues to be the most pressing global health issues of our generation. 35 million people of all ages are living with HIV and AIDS today. On World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their lives, support those who continue to be affected by the virus, and renew our support for those working to cure it. The 2015 theme for World AIDS Day is “Getting to Zero.”

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) released the following statement regarding the bill:

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 511, The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) voted in support of the bill and released the following statement:

“In 1935, the National Labor Relations Act was passed to protect workers from harm and exploitation. This legislation allowed state and local units of government to develop their own separate labor standards. Tribal governments were not included in this bill because in 1935, tribal governments and their people were not included in much in the United States of America.

"We stand united with the people of France as they comfort the victims and mourn those murdered in this barbaric act of terrorism.

This brutal crime demands unified and coordinated action by all nations to eliminate extremists and those who promote or profit from this barbarism.

The Paris attacks clearly demonstrates a significant escalation by the Islamic State to kill innocent people indiscriminately which puts our country risk.

“Oak Flat is a sacred site for the Apache people,” said Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. “A great injustice was done when this holy and protected place was given away to a foreign corporation in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Today, my colleagues, hundreds of Americans and I are speaking out against this injustice and voicing our opposition to policies that disrespect public lands and limit the religious liberty of Native American tribes.”