News from US Congressman Eliot Engel, 16th District.

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Dear Friends: April is in the books and the new House Majority’s agenda is in full swing. We managed to advance some critical items in April. Here are some of the accomplishments and issues I worked on last month: 1)   Reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): The House Majority made the renewal of VAWA a top priority after it was allowed to lapse last year under the previous House Majority during the government shutdown. Women and children deserve to be safe in their homes, and we must do everything we can to eliminate the terror of living with domestic violence. I was proud to cosponsor VAWA’s renewal. 2)   Voted on Bold Legislation to Protect Net Neutrality: A free and open internet is essential to American democracy. Consumers should not be forced to deal with throttling of internet speeds, or tiered systems of delivery. The FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality was anti-Democratic and must be reversed by Congress. I was proud to cosponsor and help pass H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, which will ensure better, cheaper, faster internet for consumers and small business. 3)   Introduced "Day of Silence" Resolution Supporting LGBTQ Students: As a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I have introduced a resolution to mark GLSEN’s “Day of Silence” and support the student-led movement to end LGBTQ bullying and harassment every Congress since 2002. This year my resolution had the highest number of cosponsors ever with 70. “We are deeply grateful to Congressman Engel for his long-standing support of GLSEN’s Day of Silence, which shows LGBTQ youth that government officials visibly support them and advocate for safe and inclusive schools for all,” said Eliza Byard, GLSEN Executive Director. 4)   Denouncing the President’s Decision to Leave Arms Treaty: The President announced in a speech to the National Rifle Association that he plans to withdraw the United States from the Arms Trade Treaty. I believe the withdrawal is a politically motivated appeasement of the NRA and it’s shameful. As such, I have announced the Foreign Affairs Committee will convene a hearing to shed light on the proposed move.  5)   Cosponsoring the NO Ban Act to Repeal the President’s So-Called Muslim Travel Ban: I believe every iteration of the President’s Executive Order to ban people from Muslim Majority countries from coming to our country has been discriminatory. As such, I have cosponsored the NO Ban Act, which not only would repeal those Orders, but also expand the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion. 6) Led a Hearing on the Threat Posed by Climate Change to National Security: In early April, I held one of the first committee hearings on climate change in years, focusing on the threat it poses to our national security. During the hearing we heard from a panel of experts who all expressed great concern over what our changing climate could mean for global stability. We also advanced H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, through the Foreign Affairs Committee, which set up its full House passage on May 2nd.  Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel MEMBER OF CONGRESS