Press Releases
Gillibrand Introduces Companion in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, lead sponsors Rep. John Lewis (GA-5), House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5), Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (SC-6), Rep. John Conyers (MI-13), Rep. Robert Brady (PA-1), and more than 178 Democrats reintroduced the Voter Empowerment Act in the House of Representatives. Sen.
WASHINGTON – Rep. John Lewis will use these prepared remarks today at the SPEAKOUT rally on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at 10:30 AM. He joins other members of the Democratic leadership, other colleagues, and activists in an effort to persuade this Congress to repair the Voting Rights Act.
Rep. John Lewis made this statement on the floor today in response to the tragic shooting of Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and four other people at a Virginia baseball park while they were practicing for the annual congressional baseball game:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the heaviest of hearts.
“I was deeply concerned by this nation’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. I do not agree with the dark vision of America’s future the president described that pits accepting responsibility for our environmental impact against the economic stability and vitality of our country.
WASHINGTON – During a series of two House Ways & Means hearings today, Rep. John Lewis railed against the Trump Administration budget. During the committee’s afternoon hearing with Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin:
“I am not certain what more the White House could do to signal its utter disregard for the democratic process in this country. While we as a nation are trying to evaluate why the FBI director was fired shortly after he requested more funds to continue the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, the president moves to establish a so-called “election integrity
“Just when I thought the news from the White House could not get any worse, Donald Trump signs another hypocritical executive order. From the moment he set foot in the Oval Office, he has done exactly what he falsely accused President Barack Obama of doing. He is by-passing the legislative role of Congress, negating the fundamental value of public argument and debate, and chan
“Today we are facing a crossroads in the history of this nation. One day our children and our children’s children may turn to us and ask, “Which side were you on?” In the aftermath of this vote, members of the House will have to look their constituents, their friends, their family and even their children in the eyes and tell them the painful truth.
“I watched in horror today at the news reports of the chemical weapons attack on the Syrian people. Tiny little children, babies in their mothers’ arms were struggling for life. Their innocent beauty and the hopefulness in their little eyes was deeply distressing, knowing that their lives have been change forever.
“Journalism is such a powerful force in American society. Freedom of speech and of the press is the cornerstone of our democracy. Walter Cronkite once said that, 'A free press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.'