A Busy Two Weeks in the District

Apr 10, 2018
Newsletter

Dear Friend,

It was so great to be able to spend the last two weeks in New York for Congress’s Spring District Work Period. I had the chance to see so many NY-12 residents and hear from you about what you want me to work on in DC.

If I didn’t get to see you in person, know that I am reading your tweets, Facebook comments, emails and getting your phone messages.

I kicked off my time in the district by joining hundreds of thousands of you here in NY and across the country at the March for Our Lives. I can tell you, this time feels different – the passion and dedication of countless Americans who are fed up with gun violence is going to lead to real change. Following the March, I held two townhalls – one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn – with students, community leaders, and gun safety experts on how we can make progress in our fight for gun safety. I’m returning to DC today with your ideas and determination.

Last week, I announced the introduction of a new gun safety bill that will make it less likely that guns get into the wrong hands. My NICS Review Act would require that the FBI keep all National Instant Background Check System (NICS) records for 90 days after giving gun purchasing approval so that the FBI and ATF have the time they need to audit background check records. Currently those records are destroyed after 24 hours.  This simple change would make it more difficult for dangerous individuals to skirt the law and the safeguards we’ve put in place. 

Another issue that requires immediate action is protecting the 2020 Census from the Trump Administration’s partisan political attacks, especially its plan to include a citizenship question in the next Census. I joined New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as he announced a new lawsuit initiated by 17 states and DC to prevent the inclusion of a new question on citizenship. I will be leading an amicus brief to the courts from members of Congress in support of this important lawsuit.  This planned citizenship question is intended to discourage immigrants from responding to the census, reducing response in areas with many immigrants. Since an accurate census count is critical to representation and distribution of federal dollars, we need to make sure everyone is counted and I will be working to make sure they are. 

One of the most rewarding parts of serving as your Congresswoman is the opportunity to meet young men and women who are focused on the future and are looking for their chance to serve their communities and country. I was thrilled to jointly host, with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, an important discussion with many of these young leaders. At The Future is Female: Making a Difference in our Communities and in Congresswith the Lower East Side Girls Club, we discussed the importance of gender equality and our initiatives to support women and girls, including state and federal Equal Rights Amendments, the establishment of a Smithsonian Women’s History Museum, and New York’s Women’s Agenda. 

Finally, I just announced today a new bill to combat anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry across the country. During this Week of Remembrance, as we honor the memories of those who perished in the Holocaust because of the intolerance and hate of the Nazis, I am introducing the Never Again Education Act. This bill will give teachers the resources and training they need to teach our children the lessons of the Holocaust.

You can read more about these events and initiatives below.

As always, your concerns for New York and for our nation remain my top priority; please visit my website to let me know what is on your mind.

Sincerely,

Carolyn B. Maloney

Member of Congress

NYC Students Speak Up About Gun Violence at Town Hall

 

Gun safety reforms should be at the top of Congress' to-do list. Children's lives are being cut short, while the GOP refuses to stand up to the NRA. We need to stop sending thoughts and prayers without actions to make schools safer. These students, and all the students across the country making their voices heard, are inspiring our nation. They aren't just the future's leaders, they're today's leaders. Congress should be following their example.

Read more about the listening session here. 

Queens Tribune: Maloney Introduces Bill to Extend Background Check Records

 

Gun violence is an epidemic in this country, and Congress must do more to ensure that guns are not getting in the hands of dangerous individuals. That is why I introduced the NICS Review Act. This bill would give law enforcement the tools it needs to ensure NICS is accurate and effective by giving them enough time to properly audit the background check system. We must do all we can to ensure that those we have already deemed ineligible aren’t slipping through the cracks.

 

Read more in the Queens Tribune.

The Hill: House Dem Calls for Markup on Census Bill to Stop Citizenship Question

 

On March 29, I sent a formal request to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy to bring my 2020 Census IDEA Act up for a markup in our committee. This bill will strengthen oversight, require each and every question on the census to be researched, tested and studied to prevent last minutes changes, like adding a citizenship question, without the proper research and vetting.

Read more in The Hill.

Newsweek: New York Sues Trump Administration Over Citizenship Question

 

Every effort must be made to fight the Trump Administration’s thinly veiled attempt to wage an unconstitutional assault on our census – which is why I was proud to stand with AG Schneiderman and why I intend to lead an amicus brief of members of Congress in support of his multi-state lawsuit to prevent the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

Read more about the lawsuit in Newsweek.

JTA: House to Introduce Bill That Would Fund Holocaust Education Programs in Schools

 

For far too many in this country, the memory of the Holocaust is fading and we need to do all we can to ensure that people never forget those atrocities. As the saying goes, if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. That is why I am proud to announce the Never Again Education Act. This bipartisan legislation gives our teachers what they need to teach the Holocaust accurately and effectively. We know that hate is learned. Our children are not born with prejudices, and it is up to us to make sure they learn tolerance and understanding.

Read more about the bill in JTA.