Monday, February 26, 2024

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update for the past 2 weeks (as of 2/23/24)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW

I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed.

On the Hill

Supporting our allies: Alongside my Democratic national security colleagues, I called on Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately take up the Senate's aid package that includes funding for our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Ukraine has the willpower to win, but it needs the firepower. The bipartisan bill to support our ally passed the Senate and has the votes to pass the House. One man stands in the way: Speaker Johnson, who refuses to let the People's House work its will.

Reagan Republicans in the House must help Democrats force this legislation to the floor.

Congressional Ukraine Caucus: I joined my colleagues to introduce a resolution commemorating the two year anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and recognizing the heroic sacrifices of the Ukrainian people. It is unacceptable that the Speaker sent Congress home without a vote on supporting Ukraine. While House Republicans fundraised in Florida, the Russians captured Avdiivka. How many more cities must fall before Speaker Johnson cuts short the vacation?

The bipartisan Ukraine Caucus stands with our ally in their fight for freedom.

Championing the debate for Ukraine: There are too many speeches in Congress, and not enough debate. Representative Warren Davidson and I debated on A Starting Point about Ukraine. Appeasement does not work; Russia must be defeated. You can watch the whole debate here.

T&I goes off the rails: The Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on the state of American aviation, but my Republican colleagues spent the morning berating the Federal Aviation Administrator about the migrant crisis. If they want answers, they should ask the Speaker why he torpedoed a bipartisan immigration deal to secure the border and address the migrant crisis.

Happy 100th birthday to Matthew Jefferson: I gave a floor speech to recognize Matthew Jefferson in honor of his 100th birthday. Matt Jefferson and his late wife, Lillie, worked to eliminate racial, educational and economic barriers in Newton. As Black residents in an overwhelmingly white city, they devoted themselves to their religious community, the Myrtle Baptist Church; their neighborhood known as the "Village" in West Newton built around Myrtle; and the civil rights of people of color. Matt and Lillie helped found the Newton Interracial Fellowship to bring racial equity to Newton and helped form Newton's Fair Housing Committee, established to eliminate racial bias in housing.

In 1968, Matt was appointed to the Board of Aldermen, becoming Newton's first Black Alderman. The Board instituted the Fair Housing requirement that at least 10% of any large housing development filing for a special permit be "affordable." Furthermore, he served on many boards and committees including the Newton Wellesley Hospital, Andover Newton Theological School, Middlesex Community College, Newton Housing Authority, and President of the South Middlesex Branch of the NAACP, among others. Above all else, Matt is known for his kindness and generosity. He is a mentor, leader, family man and a fierce advocate for social justice, and I am proud to recognize Mr. Jefferson's accomplishments this Black History Month. Happy 100th birthday Mr. Jefferson!

It's been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Do you think the U.S. still needs to stand up to Russia and defend Ukraine?

Around the Fourth

China Select Committee visits MA: The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party recently conducted field hearings in Massachusetts to study biotech competition between China and the United States. Bio-manufacturing in places like Fall River, Norton, and Plainville in our district complement Greater Boston's outsize contribution to R&D, driving the bioeconomy forward. The bio-economy is a big prize; the life sciences provide jobs, cures, and new applications in fields like agriculture and materials. I got to preview the trip with WPRI 12. You can watch it here.

The Committee wants to study how the U.S. should respond to China's major investments in biotech. In my op-ed for the Boston Globe, I explain that Massachusetts shows us how: by supporting talented people; by passing policy that promotes makers, not takers; and by providing biotech infrastructure. Two steps in the right direction would be to fully appropriate the basic research provisions of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which would unlock more public money for science, and reverse the Trump-era amortization penalty on research and experimental expenditures, which would unlock more private money for science and which just passed the House, with my support.

The broader economic and technological competition between the U.S. and China has two core elements: getting tougher on trade with China while increasing U.S. investments at home and U.S. engagement with the Global South – countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Brazil. In a recent interview with Inside U.S. Trade, I argue that the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party must convince Congress of both elements.

Milford Senior Center town hall: I visited with seniors at the Milford Senior Center, where we discussed border security and immigration reform, Ukraine aid, and health care in a Q&A session hosted by the senior center.

I also highlighted that, beginning this year, Medicare Part D beneficiaries, particularly those suffering from cancer, will start seeing lower out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs. Starting next year, there will be a hard cap of $2,000 for annual out-of-pocket costs in Part D, benefitting thousands of seniors in our district. These reductions are part of the 2022 legislation that empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices; I am now working to lower this cap further through my own legislation.

Building opportunities with Consigli: I visited family-owned Consigli Construction, which has an impressive portfolio of Eds & Meds construction projects here in Massachusetts. I met with their leadership to share notes on healthcare and life sciences economic trends and to discuss political dynamics in Washington. Employers are seeking stability and competence in governance, so that they can make their own long-term decisions. As your Representative, I am committed to working across the aisle to pass needed legislation on healthcare, taxes, and foreign policy.

Honoring Black History Month with the Attleboro Council on Human Rights: I spoke at the Attleboro Arts Museum, where the Museum and the Attleboro Council on Human Rights teamed up for Black History Month to invite Black artists to reimagine Civil War artifacts through their own artwork. I was inspired by art that emphasized "our common humanity", even in times of division and strife, in the words of one of the artists. I also particularly enjoyed Reverend Cheryl Harris's speech on the role of song in Black history.