Congressman Auchincloss; An Update From Your Congressman for the past 2 weeks

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Updates from the Select Committee on China Bipartisan border deal Celebrating science and scientists Bipartisan tax package Advocating for "Complete Streets"           — Social Services roundtable  Learning alongside the next generation at Southeastern Regional VoTech High School Supporting families living with Alzheimer's New Hope groundbreaking for domestic violence survivors Brookline Muslim Friends and Congregation Beth El-Atereth Israel  On the Hill Updates from the Select Committee on China: I asked former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who described January 6th as a "peaceful transfer of power," to testify that President Biden was duly elected in a free and fair election. While under oath, Secretary Pompeo refused to assert that the 2020 election was "free and fair". The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party should not take a lecture on democracy from an election denier.  America cannot defend democracy overseas if we do not protect it at home. I joined Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi in introducing the BIOSECURE Act, a bill to ensure foreign adversary biotech companies of U.S. national security concern do not gain access to U.S. taxpayer dollars. Innovation must be guided by values. The Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated biomedical corporations are operating unethically in the collection of genetic information without consent, and U.S. taxpayers should not be helping to fund those or other nefarious practices. American tax dollars should instead be directed towards basic research that unlocks more cures. Bipartisan Border Deal: I joined CNN to discuss the bipartisan national security proposal that offers tough and fair policy on the border – improving due process, upgrading security and curtailing the surge of fentanyl – while providing necessary aid to our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The Senate's comprehensive national security bill is the right way to defend our allies and to strengthen our border security. Speaker Johnson should put this bill on the floor after Senate passage instead of handing Putin and the drug cartels a win by calling it "dead on arrival." I would vote "Yes" on the current version.  Celebrating science and scientists: I joined Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to celebrate her confirmation as Director of the National Institutes of Health. I look forward to working with Director Bertagnolli to advance biomedical research through federal engagement. The NIH is in good hands with an MA-04 resident at the helm!   Bipartisan Tax Package: I voted to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand the Child Tax Credit, making the credit available to an additional 15,000 children in MA-04 and 182,000 across Massachusetts. This tax package will increase the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) by 12.5% from 2023-2025, an expansion I advocated for in a recent letter to the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee. Expanding the successful LIHTC Program will allow Massachusetts to allocate more credits for affordable housing projects. Additionally, the bill restores preferential tax treatment for corporate R&D, which especially helps biotech companies.  I spoke to the Boston Globe about the impact this tax deal would have on Massachusetts, which may be the state in the union that would most benefit if this bill passed the Senate and became law. Support for families, more affordable housing, and more biotech R&D are three big wins for the Bay State. Advocating for "Complete Streets": With Representative Cohen and Senator Markey, I introduced an improved version of our Complete Streets Act, which would make roads safer and more accessible by ensuring states direct a portion of their federal highway funding towards the creation of a Complete Streets Program. A "complete street" provides safe and accessible transportation options for children, seniors, and people with disabilities by prioritizing infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users. Under the Complete Streets Act, eligible local and regional entities can use funds from their state's Complete Streets Program for technical assistance and capital funding to build safe street projects such as sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and bus stops. Walking shouldn't be dangerous. Pedestrian deaths are surging in the United States, and Congress must respond. Promoting Complete Streets helps ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists operate safely. And the design and infrastructure of Complete Streets is not just safer – it's also better for ambience, the environment, and retail. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you.  Do you support federal engagement to move away from car-centric infrastructure? Around the Fourth Social Services roundtable: I hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with social service providers and non profit organizations in Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, and Needham. I provided an update on expansions of the Child Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit passed by the House, shared resources for constituents to engage with federal agencies, and engaged in a dialogue about the needs of residents who face the steepest economic challenges.  Longtime Newton affordable housing advocate and Executive Director of CAN-DO, Josephine McNeil, provided information about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation services for qualifying taxpayers. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years and offers free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including: People who generally make $64,000 or less Persons with disabilities; and Limited English-speaking taxpayers There are five VITA locations in our district: CAN-DO in Newton, Citizens for Citizens in Fall River, Franklin Public Library in Franklin, and High Street Veterans Family Learning Center and Trustman Family Learning Center in Brookline. You can find the one nearest to you using the IRS locator tool: Find a Location for Free Tax Prep | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov). Learning alongside the next generation: Students from the Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, in Easton, took me on a tour of their school and moderated a Q&A session with their classmates. I watched medical assistants-in-training conduct clinical tests while I peppered them and their teacher with questions about the curriculum and their career goals. A repeated refrain was their desire to help people by working in health care. In my conversation with students, I spoke about gun violence prevention legislation, social media regulation, and – my favorite point with students – the importance of taking smart risks early on to pursue your passion, even when you're afraid to fail. Living with the effects of Alzheimer's: Adelaide of Newton Centre hosted a conversation on Alzheimer's with caregivers. I listened to their stories and learned more about bed shortages, training for first responders, and caregiver burnout. We also discussed how Americans need to better insure for long-term care, and my commitment to supporting biomedical research and – when the cures do come – patient access to therapies without risk of medical debt. New Hope groundbreaking: I joined New Hope to break ground on their new confidential shelter project, House of Hope, which will expand New Hope's mission to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing the capacity to support an additional 20 families per year. Survivors of sexual and domestic violence deserve a place in our community where they can go for protection, care, and safety. People looking to flee bad situations, whether by themselves or with family, shouldn't have to worry about finding a safe place to stay as they begin to rebuild their lives. When I first visited New Hope, I listened to stories from survivors about fleeing sexual and domestic violence with no money and no idea where to go next. New Hope is that 'next' – and with support from a federal earmark I designated, it will soon have a facility worthy of its mission. Despite this local win, we are not doing enough at the federal level. Right now, Congress is debating the 2024 federal appropriations. The Crime Victims Fund, created by the Victim of Crimes Act, which helps fund emergency shelters facing cuts. Protecting survivors of domestic and sexual violence should not be a partisan issue, and we should not be cutting funds that are designated to help the most vulnerable. Brookline Muslim Friends and Congregation Beth El-Atereth Israel: I met with members of Brookline Muslim Friends, a group of MA-04 residents who have lived and raised their families in Brookline for decades. We spoke about the need to protect civilians in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war, while making sure that our neighbors feel safe in their communities here at home. On the same day, I met with members of an Orthodox temple in Newton where we discussed the hostages held by Hamas, the Biden Administration's response to aggression by Iranian-backed proxy groups, and the prospects of a two-state solution.  As I continue to have important and difficult conversations across the district with Muslim and Jewish constituents, I am encouraged by the commonality of our desire and our work for welcoming, pluralist communities where everyone can raise their children to believe in the promise of America for equal dignity and justice for all. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact Unsubscribe

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update on the last 2 weeks (as of 1/26/24)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Standing with hostages Defending Ukraine Securing the border In the weeds with the IT industry Combatting Antisemitism Building more housing           — Honoring MLK Visiting Fall River Young Israel Sharon Tackling opioids & meth On the Hill Standing with the Hostages: I joined fellow Members of the House in standing behind hostage families at a candlelight vigil to commemorate 100 days since Hamas slaughtered, raped, and tortured innocent civilians and took hundreds more hostage. Congress must remain united in pursuing the release of all hostages. Defending Ukraine: I voted against Speaker Johnson's short-term funding measure. Consistent with my position from last summer, I will not bail the Republicans out of their continuing dysfunction unless they present a clear, credible, and concrete plan to fund Ukraine. Ukrainians are caught between Putin to their East and Trump to their West while they fight on the front lines of the free world, in their pursuit of self-determination. The funds already approved have had tremendous return on investment – making Russia weaker, NATO stronger, and boosting U.S. industrial capacity and jobs, including a billion dollars for Bay State industry alone. Congress must stop delaying and start shipping more materiel to our ally. I joined CNN to discuss my vote. You can watch it here.  Securing the border: I am angered by reports that Senate Republicans plan to torpedo an impending bipartisan deal to fund Ukraine and secure our border. By their own admission, they are responding to Trump's request that he wants to campaign on the border, so he doesn't want them to govern on it. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Mike Johnson must demonstrate political courage in standing up to Trump and MAGA in order to govern for the good of the country. Last month, I joined state and local officials and service providers to deliver meals to migrants in our community. I remain committed to passing bipartisan immigration reform like the DIGNITY Act, which would upgrade border security and pre-process migrants in countries of origin; streamline & rationalize asylum & visa pathways; provide documentation and dignity to DREAMers; and help fund the upskilling of American workers. Legislating on immigration in an election year is a tall order, but I will continue to press for pragmatism and compromise in order to improve border security and ensure due process. In the weeds with the IT industry: I met with members of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to discuss the importance to the IT industry of strong intellectual property laws; access to global markets; and a thriving U.S. R&D ecosystem. These issues are not just critical to outcompeting China, they are also impactful to the Massachusetts economy. Combating Antisemitism: In response to the Boston City Council's vote against accepting counter-terrorism funds, I sent a letter to Council President Ruthzee Louijeune urging the council to approve the funding when Mayor Michelle Wu re-submits the request. The Boston Globe concurred in an editorial. Regrettably, the Boston City Council has again delayed approval. The Israel-Hamas War has heightened our region's need for counter-terrorism security measures, as underscored in recent congressional testimony by the FBI Director. Greater Boston is a national hub for the Jewish community. As antisemitism proliferates, counter-terrorism funding is more pertinent than ever. Impeding its disbursement could undermine the trust of Greater Boston's Jewish community. It is imperative that the City Council reconsider and approve these federal funds to support the safety of Greater Boston, including the town of Brookline in our district, which would be covered under the grant. Building more housing: I sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee requesting the expansion of the successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program in the bipartisan tax package. I am happy to report the expansion was included in the bill that House Ways & Means approved. You can read more about the proposal, which also includes an expansion of the Child Tax Credit and inducement of corporate research & development, here. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you.  Do you support federal tax credits for affordable housing? Around the Fourth Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: Needham Select Board Member Marcus Nelson and I spoke about our work to advance affordable housing as a foundation of racial justice at Needham's MLK celebration. The celebration's theme was building bridges, not walls. Exclusionary zoning is a paper wall. We can't build bridges if we can't build housing. Image Credit: Colin Furze, the Herald News Visiting Fall River: With Mayor Paul Coogan, I visited the Homeless Overflow Shelter at the Timao Center, where federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has supported the Shelter's dynamic team of first responders, substance abuse counselors and mental-health practitioners in treating the homeless population and putting these individuals on the path to self-sufficiency. At the Highland Head Start Birth to Five Center, I heard from early educators about the hundreds of children on their waiting list and the 'two generation' model they pursue, where they uplift both children and their parents. I then toured the Veterans Association of Bristol County, where Executive Director Ken Levesque explained his efforts to expand from a food pantry to a full-service veterans-services hub for southeastern Massachusetts, encompassing social services and community building. Young Israel Sharon: I joined the members of several Sharon temples at Young Israel of Sharon on Sunday, where I reiterated my support for the Israeli people and encouraged Israel's war cabinet to articulate achievable aims of returning all hostages; degrading Hamas to prevent it from waging further attacks; and establishing transitional governance for Gaza that is consistent with both Israel's security and the aspiration of the Palestinian people for a state of their own. Israel's reported offer of a two-month pause in return for all hostages is an important step in that direction. Hamas' rejection of the offer is another example of that terrorist organization's barbarity and the necessity of destroying its leadership and excluding it from governance. Tackling Opioids & Meth: I met with the director and analysts from New England's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program. The HIDTA Program is funded from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and has a track record of success fusing government efforts in three domains: Driving tight feedback loops between federal, state, and local law enforcement Combining public safety with public health Addressing drug trafficking along with related threats, including money laundering and illegal gun distribution HIDTA briefed me on substance-abuse trends in Massachusetts, where in addition to the opioid crisis the analysts highlighted the alarming rise in methamphetamine abuse in the commonwealth, which previously has been spared that scourge. We also discussed bipartisan reauthorization of the HIDTA Program and the local Coast Guard's role in drug interdiction. This last element is of particular interest to me as a Member of the Coast Guard & Maritime Subcommittee and as a former commander of a joint training team for drug interdiction in Panama. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

Congressmen Auchincloss and Cohen and Senator Markey Reintroduce Complete Streets Act

Measure prioritizes sidewalks, crosswalks, bus stops and bike lanes in road design priorities

 

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), and Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, today reintroduced an improved version of their Complete Streets Act, which would make roads safer and more accessible by ensuring states direct a portion of their federal highway funding towards the creation of a Complete Streets Program. A "complete street" provides safe and accessible transportation options for children, seniors, and people with disabilities by prioritizing infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users. Under the Complete Streets Act, eligible local and regional entities can use funds from their state's Complete Streets Program for technical assistance and capital funding to build safe street projects such as sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and bus stops. The legislation would also phase in a requirement for states to incorporate complete streets elements into all new construction and reconstruction.

 

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The United States is facing a national safety crisis on our roads. In recent years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of pedestrians killed by vehicles, especially in Memphis. We need streets that can accommodate all means of transportation, from foot traffic and strollers to bicycles, cars, light trucks and 18-wheelers. Our new Complete Streets Act will transform communities and make it safer for everyone to travel on and adjacent to our roadways."

 

Congressman Cohen hosted a roundtable discussion with local and state stakeholders on the Complete Streets Act in Memphis in October 2019.

 

Congressman Auchincloss made the following statement:

"Walking shouldn't be dangerous. Pedestrian deaths are surging in the United States, and Congress must respond. Promoting Complete Streets helps ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists operate safely. And the design and infrastructure of Complete Streets is not just safer – it's also better for ambience, the environment, and retail."

Senator Markey made the following statement:

"It's time to reverse course in our country and bring the increasing number of roadway fatalities to a full stop. When we fund a complete street, we make a community complete with equitable, safe, and accessible transportation—all while reducing our reliance on gas-guzzling vehicles. I thank Congressman Cohen for his partnership in making sure that the roads we use every day work for all people."

 

Endorsing organization statements in support of the Complete Streets Act:

 

Benito Pérez, Policy Director at Transportation for America, made the following statement:

 

"Every person has the right to be safe when traveling on our roads, no matter how they choose to get around—but for people outside of a car, that's often more of a pipe dream than reality. We applaud Senator Markey and Representative Cohen for their leadership in introducing the Complete Streets Act. By offering state-level grants to design and build Complete Streets, this bill provides a tangible step forward to improving safety, accessibility, and health outcomes for all road users."

 

Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, made the following statement:

 

"Everyone should be able to safely walk or bike with their kids to the playground. The Complete Streets Act would give local governments access to the resources and funding to invest in safer roads in our communities. Too often that trip to the playground is blocked by an intersection too dangerous for families to cross, or streets without sidewalks for families to walk on. The League of American Bicyclists is proud to support this bill and thanks Congressman Cohen and Senator Markey for their leadership on this issue."

 

The legislation is also endorsed by the National Complete Streets Coalition, Center for American Progress, and the Livable Streets Alliance.

 

Under the Complete Streets Act:

 

• States would be required to set aside five percent of their federal highway funding to create a "Complete Streets" program.
• To access the funds, eligible entities would need to adopt a Complete Streets policy, participate in technical assistance, and create a prioritized plan for Complete Streets projects in their jurisdictions.
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) would be responsible for certifying that Complete Streets policies meet minimum requirements set out by the United States Secretary of Transportation.
• The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, States, and MPOs would be required to adopt design standards for federal surface transportation projects that provide for the safe and adequate accommodation of all users of the surface transportation network, including motorized and non-motorized users, in all phases of project planning, development, and operation.

More about complete streets -> https://www.transportation.gov/mission/health/complete-streets

Auchincloss Calls for Including Affordable Housing Policy in Forthcoming Tax Package

"The lack of affordable housing is the single biggest challenge facing my home state of Massachusetts."

Ahead of the reported bicameral, bipartisan tax deal being reached, Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D, OR) and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R, MO-08), urging them to include the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act in the final package. 

In the letter Auchincloss stated, "The lack of affordable housing is the single biggest challenge facing my home state of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth faces a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of units of housing of all types, including rental units designated for extremely low-income households. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand the LIHTC program in a measured and thoughtful manner, allowing projects to carry less debt and making more projects eligible to receive funding. This would help Massachusetts build more affordable housing." 

A full copy of the letter can be found attached and below. 

January 11, 2024 

The Honorable Ron Wyden 

Chairman  

Senate Committee on Finance 

221 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Jason Smith 

Chairman  

House Committee on Ways and Means 

1101 Longworth House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Chairman Wyden and Chairman Smith: 

I write to you today to request that you include the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 in the forthcoming tax package. This bipartisan legislation would finance the construction of nearly two million new affordable housing units over ten years by expanding the successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the amount of credits allocated to each state. Additionally, this measure would increase the number of affordable housing projects that can be built using private activity bonds, increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households, and codify protections for veterans and victims of domestic and dating violence.  

As I testified before the House Financial Services Committee on November 9, 2023, the lack of affordable housing is the single biggest challenge facing my home state of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth faces a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of units of housing of all types, including rental units designated for extremely low-income households. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand the LIHTC program in a measured and thoughtful manner, allowing projects to carry less debt and making more projects eligible to receive funding. This would help Massachusetts build more affordable housing. 

I appreciate your attention to this important matter and hope to see the inclusion of the Affordable Housing Improvement Credit Act of 2023 in the forthcoming tax package.  

 

Sincerely, 

Jake Auchincloss 

Member of Congress  

cc: The Honorable Mike Crapo, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Finance 

      The Honorable Richard Neal, Ranking Member, House Committee on Ways and Means 

To learn more about Congressman Jake Auchincloss visit https://auchincloss.house.gov or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pt2h-w5ZsGj9hwr1g7Hk12Ijiip3_HfT/view?usp=drive_link

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update for the last 2 weeks (as of 1/09/24)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Happy New Year! On the Hill 2023 Recap: Despite a year of GOP dysfunction in Congress, my staff and I were able to visit all 35 cities and towns in MA-04, help nearly 2,000 constituents with casework, and make important progress on key issues. In 2024, I'll continue pursuing bipartisan avenues to lower drug prices, advance gun violence prevention legislation, and protect democracy at home and abroad. You can visit my website to learn more about how my office can help you cut through red tape and navigate the federal government in 2024. January 6th Anniversary: This weekend marked the 3rd anniversary of the insurrection on January 6th – one of the worst days in American history. January 6th was not a choice between Democrat or Republican. It was a choice between the Constitution or authoritarianism. The choice remains. Outcompeting China: I recently opposed and offered a parallel opinion to the House Select Committee on China's economic report. My objection is centered around the idea that the U.S. economy will outcompete China's by emphasizing science, education, and a pro-growth business climate, not industrial policy. You can read my full opinion here. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you.  Do you support investing in science and education, instead of industrial policy, to out-compete China? Around the Fourth Congressional App Challenge: Congratulations to Ritika Roy, a high-school junior from North Attleborough who attends Bishop Feehan High School, for winning the Congressional App Challenge with 'Handshake', an app that real-time translates American Sign Language into English, and vice versa. Ritika demonstrated impressive technical skill and product development sophistication. Runners-up were Aishwaryalakshmi Saravanan (Sharon), Neha Raj (Sherborn), and Sophia Yan (Newton) for apps dedicated to breast cancer research, insights into state legislators' records, and homework planning. Our guest judge, Michael Costello (Newton), evaluated the technical coding elements for the challenge. The creativity and technical facility of all these high-schoolers is impressive, and the conversation was especially fun for me as a former tech product manager.  Supporting Migrants: I joined state and local officials and social service providers to bring necessities, and some holiday gift bags, to migrant families at a motel in the district. Speaking with the on the ground service providers at the motel, the National Guard, and first responders who were running a vaccine clinic made me proud of the Bay State's 400-year tradition of welcoming new arrivals to our Commonwealth and integrating them into the economy and society. I remain committed to securing federal funding to backfill the state's outlays on shelter and services, and to passing bipartisan immigration reform like the DIGNITY Act, which would upgrade border security and pre-process migrants in countries of origin, streamline and rationalize asylum and visa pathways, provide documentation and dignity to DREAMers, and help fund the upskilling of American workers. Turkish-American Business Owners: I met with Turkish-American professionals at Lazzoni Furniture in Newton for a wide-ranging conversation on housing, workforce, and science. They are a tight-knit community whose stories underscore how critical immigration is to the dynamism of our culture and economy here in Massachusetts. Next time will be a breakfast event so that I can enjoy my favorite drink – Turkish coffee. Visiting Franklin: With my partners in state and local government, I visited three sites in Franklin where federal action can drive progress. At the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, we discussed our efforts in ongoing negotiations with CSX Rail to purchase land in order to extend the trail to downtown Franklin. At the fire station, we celebrated the chief's recent string of success with federal grants for training and equipment, and got an update on his plans for the next application, this one to accommodate the increase in mental-health calls. Finally, we toured the Nu-Style brownfield, where the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding the cleanup necessary to redevelop the formerly polluted site. I also visited the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin to see their programming, from electrical and HVAC to nursing and law enforcement, and to get briefed on their construction plans for a recently approved new facility, and how Congress's landmark climate law may be able to help lower the school's energy bills through tax credits for renewable sources. I then toured Dean College, also in Franklin, and met with President Kenneth Elmore to learn about their new biomanufacturing certificate, an addition to curriculum widely known for theater and dance. As the Democratic Chair of the House STEM Caucus, I'm committed to supporting the full scope of STEM careers, from precision manufacturing through trades through R&D. Islamic Center of New England: I met with members of the Islamic Center of New England at Sharon to tour the mosque and for, as they put it, a hard and heartfelt conversation on the war in Gaza. While we respectfully diverged on some geopolitical issues, we connected deeply, as Americans and as parents, on the tragedy of war and the suffering it brings to children; on the promise of the United States to treat all its citizens equally regardless of color or creed; and on the value of human-to-human conversations to demonstrate common ground and to build trust. I was particularly moved by the story of one member's grandmother, who taught herself the Quran, the Torah, and the Bible to widen her worldview. Congressional Award: In 1979, Congress established the Congressional Award Foundation to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people. Charlotte Elwy, of Wellesley, is the most recent laureate from the Massachusetts Fourth, earning a Silver Award for 200 hours of public service, 100 hours of personal development, and 100 hours of physical fitness. I encourage all Bay Staters between the ages of 13 and 24 to consider pursuing the Congressional Award. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact Unsubscribe