News List

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 »

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 »