Press Releases

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) today introduced in the House of Representatives the “Prescribe a Book Act” (HR 523). The bill seeks to build upon the successful “Reach Out and Read” (ROR) program by codifying an early literacy competitive grant program. This approach to promoting early language and literacy development has enlisted pediatricians and other health care providers to encourage parents to read aloud to their children, sending them home from each doctor visit with a “prescription” to read together. Read more »

No parent should find themselves in the difficult situation of having to drop their child off at a program that is unsafe or of poor quality just so they can get to their job. Parents should not have to choose between safe child care and keeping their job to pay the bills. I urge the Republican leadership to support the President’s initiatives to expand and improve access to high-quality affordable child care programs. It’s the right thing to do for our children. It’s the right thing to do for all American families. And it’s especially the right thing to do for our low-income families who have not shared in recent economic improvements and who face tough choices every day. Read more »

I rise in strong opposition to this closed rule and to the underlying bill. Here we are again, back on the House floor with yet another pointless attempt by the Republican Majority to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Today’s exercise in time-wasting gamesmanship marks the 56th time that we have been down this well-traveled road. If Republicans get their way, real people would see real benefits taken away. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) today was named the Democratic Ranking Member on the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Nutrition. The Subcommittee’s jurisdiction includes policies and statutes relating to nutrition, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and domestic commodity distribution and consumer initiatives. The Republican Chair of the Subcommittee is U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana. Read more »

Today marks the five-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s dreadful Citizens United decision, in which the Court ruled that corporations have the same right to free speech as people. Despite the ruling in Citizens United, the Constitution was never intended to give corporations the same rights as the American people. My amendment clarifies that corporations, whether they are for-profit or non-profit entities, are not people with constitutional rights. Read more »

Tonight the President laid out a bold – but achievable – agenda to increase prosperity for all Americans.  We continue to see strong economic growth as we recover from the worst recession since the 1930’s. But too many middle class families – and those trying to get into the middle class – have not fully benefited from that growth.  That has to… Read more »

The recent news out of Nigeria is appalling, with Boko Haram murdering thousands of innocent civilians. The government of Nigeria and its regional neighbors must increase and coordinate their efforts to stop the violence against defenseless villages. The international community, including the United States, should do all it can to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to the Nigerian people – especially those who have fled or escaped Boko Haram. The U.S., in particular, should help northeastern Nigeria establish early warning systems and other proven methods that help local communities avoid violent attacks. And even though other events may dominate the news, I call on every person of conscience to keep the people of Nigeria in their thoughts. Read more »

I’ve come to the floor today to give a voice to those who are hungry, to share their struggles and to challenge my House colleagues to take meaningful action to #End Hunger Now. Last week, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a troubling new report estimating that roughly 1 million unemployed Americans will be cut off from SNAP benefits over the course of 2016. The report anticipates that those affected will lose between $150 - $200 per person per month in food benefits, cuts that will cause serious hardship.This is shameful. We should be working to end hunger now, not making it worse. Read more »

Today is a historic, long-overdue day. At long last, the Cold War policies of the past five decades are almost over. I look forward to working with the President to consolidate and advance the measures announced today, and I commend him and his Administration for choosing to create a better future for the people of the United States and the people of Cuba. Read more »

The Senate Intelligence Committee’s report is deeply disturbing. The United States should never use torture. Period. It’s morally wrong, it’s ineffective and it puts our own troops at risk. We should do whatever it takes to make sure this sad chapter in American history is never repeated. Read more »