Taking Care of Our Veterans & Military Families

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced a resolution that seeks to amend the House Rules to require a reading of the names of members of the Armed Forces who died in the previous month as a result of combat operations.  The bipartisan resolution was introduced with the support of 16 colleagues, 8 Republican and 8 Democratic. “For the many in the world to live free…

Today, Congressman Matt Cartwright introduced the Annuity Safety and Security Under Reasonable Enforcement (ASSURE) Act along with Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11).  The legislation, introduced with the support of 38 colleagues, aims to protect federal and military retirees by expanding ‘Truth in Lending Act’ disclosure provisions to any situation where a federal or military…

Building on his efforts to reopen the government, Rep. Matt Cartwright today called for protecting American families from the cost of a dangerous default by taking long-term action on the debt limit.  The need for action is highlighted by a new analysis by Ways and Means Committee Democrats that shows the consequences families in Pennsylvania would face under a default. …

House Democrats wrote to several Pennsylvania House Republicans today who have expressed support for a clean government funding bill and urged them to sign onto a discharge petition this Saturday that will allow an up or down vote on a clean bill to reopen the government as early as next week.  Unless House leadership schedules an immediate vote on a clean bill, a discharge petition…

Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced that two separate grants have been awarded to the Commission on Economic Opportunity, Wilkes-Barre.  The grants, awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), total $627,486.“No one who has fought for our nation in uniform should have to fight for a roof over their head when they return to civilian life,” said…

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…

Today U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act, legislation that would create a fast track hiring process for psychiatrists who train at Veterans Affairs facilities.  The legislation was introduced with the support of four Republican and four Democratic Representatives.The legislation aims to reduce the wait times for veterans seeking…

Today, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act—the landmark civil-rights law protecting racial minorities from discrimination at the polls.  The Court ruled that the formula used by Congress to decide which jurisdictions are covered under the law, known as Section 4b, violates the Constitution.  Below is Rep.…

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…

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…