Rep. Matt Cartwright released the following statement today after the announcement made by the Tobyhanna Army Depot that they have reduced civilian defense workers furloughs from 11 days to 6:“The Tobyhanna Army Depot has informed its 3,500 civilian employees that the 11-day furlough instituted last month have been reduced to six. The decision means that today is the sixth and final furlough day f... Read more »
Today, Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Financial Literacy for Students Act, HR 2920, with the support of 23 Representatives.The Act would create incentive grants to states who agree to provide financial literacy education in Title I public elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the legislation would allow for significant flexibility, creativity and innovation in the integration of fi... Read more »
Last night, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright led the charge against the proposed Chabot Amendment, which aimed to zero out the funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The amendment, which failed by a vote of 273-147, was offered as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.“ARC’s purpose is to close the economic gap between Appalachia and the rest of ... Read more »
Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17) issued the following statement prior to President Obama’s speech in regards to climate change that is set to take place tomorrow:“We’ve reached 400 ppm carbon dioxide pollution and are quickly reaching catastrophic atmospheric tipping points. If we do not slow, stop and reverse climate change, the consequences will be devastating. In fact, we are already se... Read more »
Today U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Locality Pay Equity Act (H.R. 2450), legislation that would simplify, make fair, and raise pay rates for all workers at Tobyhanna Army Depot. The legislation was introduced with the support of local U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (PA-10), a Republican, and three Democratic Representatives, Bob Brady (PA-01), Chaka Fattah (PA-02) and Allyson Schwartz (PA-13).The... Read more »
Today the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass the Federal Agricultural Reform and Risk Act, commonly known as the Farm Bill, by a vote of 234-195. Below is U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright’s statement on the action.“While the Farm Bill had many provisions that would have streamlined and improved our nation’s agriculture policy, I could not vote in favor of a $20 billion cut to the SNAP Program. ... Read more »
Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright took legislative action to force an up-or-down vote on key legislation that would stop the doubling of the interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans on July 1. The bill in question would freeze the interest rate on these loans at 3.4% for the next two years – giving Congress time to enact comprehensive student loan reform as part of a reauthorization of the Higher... Read more »
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright recently introduced the Time Off to Vote Act (H.R. 2350). The legislation would require employers to grant their workers at least two hours of paid leave to vote in federal elections. Such a provision already exists in 24 states, and this bill would act to ensure that citizens everywhere have a voice in their government, regardless of where they happen to work. “At a time... Read more »
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright will take on the SNAP Challenge this Wednesday, limiting himself to $4.50 for a day’s worth of food. This is the current average daily benefit for a recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as “food stamps.”Cartwright will participate in the SNAP Challenge on Wednesday, June 19th and will keep a record on Twitter and Facebook.“SNAP... Read more »
Today, Rep. Cartwright honored local small businesses as part of the 50th Annual National Small Business Week.“Today, we celebrate American small businesses, from Carbondale to Tower City, which are the engine that drive our economy. That is why House Democrats have put small businesses at the forefront of our economic plan to create good-paying jobs and grow the economy,” said Rep. Cartwright.To ... Read more »
