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Gun Violence Prevention Press Conference: Last week, I joined fellow veterans on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to call for much-needed gun safety reforms.
I spoke on the effectiveness of enacting common-sense safety rules. We know the policies that work: in Massachusetts, we have some of the most comprehensive gun safety legislation in the United States and we have the lowest per capita gun rate in the nation. In fact, research suggests that if Massachusetts gun legislation were adopted nationwide, tens of thousands of lives could be saved every year. Now, Republicans must find the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and support these life-saving measures.
Prime Minister Modi's Joint Address: Last week, I was joined by Rakashi Chand from Newton as my guest of honor at Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi's joint address to Congress. I had an informative conversation with Rakashi about U.S.-India relations and the Indian diaspora in the Massachusetts Fourth. Rakashi is committed to promoting Indian culture in our district, including her service as a past president of United India Association of New England and her leadership in organizing Holi and Diwali celebrations in Newton. Rakashi's work and family are a testament to the depth and richness of cultural and economic ties between the United States and India.
As a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, I am also committed to working to strengthen the U.S.-India relationship as a counterweight to China's aggression, and to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations. To that end, Prime Minister Modi's vow for a U.S.-India partnership that supports democracy and a rules-based order was welcome. But it remains at odds with India's funding of Russia's war against Ukraine. That's why I led a bipartisan letter encouraging India to reassess its importation of Russian oil. I also joined a congressional letter to President Biden that encouraged him to raise human rights and political freedom as areas of concern with Prime Minister Modi.
ARPA-I: Recently, I spoke about the promise of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) at the White House's summit. Modeled after its highly-successful predecessors, ARPA-E and DARPA, the new agency can catalyze improvements in how we build, maintain, and optimize our transportation infrastructure.
I also encouraged ARPA-I to have a locally-focused mindset, that does not think of local government as the lowest level of government, but as the highest level of collaboration between people who want to make a place better. You can watch my full remarks here.
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Haywood House: I joined local officials, advocates, and future residents at the ribbon cutting at the Haywood House in Newton. I enjoyed speaking with Mrs. Karen (Katy) Haywood, beloved wife of longtime housing advocate Reverend Howard Haywood of Myrtle Baptist Church.
The Newton Housing Authority's Haywood House will provide affordable senior housing. I spoke about how it can be a template for the public-private cooperation necessary to turbocharge housing production in Massachusetts.
Taunton Pride Celebration: I celebrated Pride Month at Taunton's Pride event. In remarks, I reflected on the importance of making our state and our country a place where everyone is included and celebrated for who they are.
On the federal level, I'm a strong supporter of the Equality Act. We must pass this bill to make discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation illegal in all 50 states.
Day of Portugal: Grace and I attended Fall River's celebration for the Day of Portugal. I joined Mayor Coogan and organizer Tony Rodrigues at the festivities. We had a great time listening to the music, enjoying the food, and talking with everyone who came out to celebrate.
Juneteenth: The newly designated federal holiday of Juneteenth is an important opportunity to reflect on our nation's new birth of freedom. I had a wonderful time with friends and neighbors at Newton's Juneteenth Celebration. |
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