After 300 Days, Still No Jobs Plan, Fighting to End DOMA, Celebrating our Veterans
After 300 Days, Still No Jobs Plan
After more than 300 days in the majority, Republicans have failed to enact a jobs agenda. Instead, they have voted 17 times against Democratic proposals to create or protect American jobs.
In recent weeks, House Democrats have met with thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs in our districts to hear what we can do to help them grow, thrive, and hire. We understand that creating jobs through rebuilding America’s infrastructure is critical to America’s competitiveness. Our “Make It In America” initiative, along with President Obama’s American Jobs Act will support vital investments in rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, level the playing field for American workers and small businesses, and create new good paying jobs.
It’s time for Republicans to stop ignoring the top priority of the American people – jobs – and start working to put people back to work and grow our economy.
Fighting to End DOMA
On Thursday, I was proud to join 132 of my Democratic colleagues in filing an Amicus Brief in the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) consolidated case of Massachusetts v. Dept. of Health and Human Services and Gill v. Office of Personnel Management. This landmark case has reached the First Circuit Court of Appeals following a federal district court ruling that parts of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are unconstitutional. Our brief provides a comprehensive explanation of how DOMA undermines Congress’s legitimate interests.
The Obama Administration’s recent decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act in federal courts is a victory for civil rights, fairness, and equality for the LGBT community and all Americans. DOMA is discriminatory; it is unfair and indefensible; and it betrays our nation’s long-held – and long-cherished – value of equality for all. My colleagues and I are committed to ending this discriminatory legislation and strongly oppose Speaker Boehner’s effort to put the House of Representatives in the position of defending DOMA, at a cost to the taxpayers of up to $1.5 million. We will continue to fight for marriage equality and look forward to the day when all American families are treated with respect and viewed equally in the eyes of the law.
Congresswoman Pelosi joins other members of Congress to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Japanese-American veterans who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service during WWII.
Celebrating our Veterans
On Wednesday, the Congress was honored to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal to Japanese-American veterans who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). As the site of the first headquarters of the MIS, San Francisco is proud of the heroism demonstrated by the honorees, many of whom call the city home. We honor their valor and draw inspiration from their deeds and their bravery.
I commend the National Japanese American Historical Society for their efforts to create a museum in the Presidio to honor those who served in the MIS. Working with my colleagues, I was able to secure $3 million in federal funding to rehabilitate the site of the original MIS school, Building 640. Once completed, the facility will showcase a permanent and rotating exhibition area featuring a mock-up classroom and barracks, and displays from a growing Japanese American Military collection of historical artifacts, documents and objects. The MIS Historic Learning Center will ensure that the efforts of our heroic soldiers are never forgotten.
You're Invited!
Congress on Your Corner
In the coming weeks, my San Francisco office will be conducting “Congress on Your Corner” office hours at San Francisco Public Library branches. My staff will be available to offer assistance in resolving issues with federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, and problems securing Social Security, Medicare or other federal benefits.
4-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 30th
Main Library
100 Larkin Street
1st Floor, Stong Room
(415) 557-4277
Map it!
6:15 p.m Monday, December 5th
Mission Branch
300 Barlett Street
Children’s Reading Room
(415) 355-2800
Map it!
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my website. I am also on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.