Press Releases

I congratulate the Colombian government and the FARC negotiating teams for reaching this historic agreement to begin the removal of anti-personnel landmines throughout Colombia. After Afghanistan, Colombia is the most mine-affected country in conflict in the world, and it will take many years to fully remove all landmines from Colombia. This concrete agreement also contributes to even greater confidence that the negotiations are serious, are moving forward and that a final peace accord will be achieved. Read more »

Later this morning, I will join my colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins of Kansas, at DC Central Kitchen to officially re-launch the House Hunger Caucus. I couldn’t be happier that we are continuing this important bipartisan Caucus in the 114th Congress. I’m thrilled to have her partnership in this Caucus and I look forward to working with her. I encourage my House colleagues to join the House Hunger Caucus. As Members, we don’t have to agree on everything to agree on something. Ending hunger should be something that we can all agree on. Read more »

Today, Congressman Jim McGovern released a bipartisan letter signed by 67 Members of Congress to King Salman, the new King of Saudi Arabia, encouraging him to advocate for human rights and democratic reforms in his country. Read more »

Last Thursday I launched #FillUpYourPlate on my website at mcgovern.house.gov. It’s a place where people can tell me what SNAP, or food stamps, means to them or how hunger has impacted their lives. Responses are posted on my website to create a wall of virtual paper plates. I encourage people to visit my website at mcgovern.house.gov to share what SNAP means to them. Read more »

After giving this issue a great deal of thought, I have decided not to attend the Prime Minister’s speech. Read more »

I’m pleased that we are finally discussing a new authorization for military force in the Middle East, something that should have happened a long time ago. Congress has been negligent, ignoring its constitutional duties on matters of war and peace. I hope that when a resolution comes to the floor, the House will be given the opportunity for a full and fair debate. Read more »

I rise today to highlight two important new reports released today by the Food Research and Action Center, or FRAC, on the school breakfast program. FRAC’s reports – the School Breakfast Scorecard; and School Breakfast – Making it Work in Large District show that we’ve made progress in expanding access to school breakfast, but that work remains to be done. Read more »

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 »