Reps in the News: Trauma Act, Climate Accountability

Congressman Mike Gallagher

Rep. Gallagher, joined by Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), introduced H.R. 3180, the RISE from Trauma Act. This bipartisan bill would increase support for children and adults who have been exposed to trauma. Nationwide, nearly 35 million children have had at least one traumatic experience, and this legislation would further build the nation’s trauma-informed workforce and enhance resources for communities to better support those who have experienced trauma.  

“Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a transformative way to help millions overcome the long-term effects of trauma,” Gallagher said. “Traumatic experiences and toxic stress have far-reaching effects throughout our schools, workforce and veterans’ community, and this bill ensures that we have the resources necessary to strengthen our trauma-informed workforce and address the unique challenges victims of trauma face. Wisconsin has been a leader in advancing TIC, and I’m proud to continue to build off this momentum at the federal level.”

Source: Gallagher press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Sen. Baldwin helped introduce legislation directing the Trump administration to meet the standards established by the historic Paris Climate Agreement and to mitigate the long-term damage caused by the Trump administration’s anti-environment actions. The International Climate Accountability Act, led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), would prevent the president from using funds to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. Instead, the bill directs the Trump administration to develop a strategic plan for the country to meet its commitment under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which the United States joined with nearly 200 other nations.

The bill also makes clear that the Paris Climate Agreement is critical to strengthening international cooperation to reduce global greenhouse emissions and hold high-emission nations accountable, and it recognizes the important role the agreement plays in protecting and advancing U.S. economic interests and foreign-policy priorities around the globe.

“Let there be no doubt: climate change is a real, immediate and growing threat to national security, public health and our economy. The longer we fail to act, the more costly climate change will be. Of particular concern to us in Wisconsin are the costs of infrastructure damage from severe flooding, crop and livestock losses from extreme weather, and decreasing water quality in our Great Lakes and inland lakes and rivers. These are threats to major parts of our Wisconsin economy. Taking bold action to confront climate change is not just an environmental goal; it is an urgent economic necessity for us in Wisconsin,” Baldwin said. “Unfortunately, President Trump refuses to believe climate change is occurring, questioning sound science and calling it a ‘hoax.’ Backing out of the Paris Agreement and turning our back on the rest of the world after years of strong U.S. leadership is a costly mistake. We have a moral obligation to future generations to do something about this challenge. It’s now or never, and we can’t accept never from this president. We must take action now.”

Source: Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

The crisis at the Southwest border is “out of control,” and President Trump “brilliantly” used the threat of tariffs to get action from Mexico, Sen. Johnson (R-Wis.), chair of the Homeland Security Committee, told Fox News Sunday.

But Mexico’s agreement to send many more of its own troops to the border with Guatemala is only part of the solution, Johnson added:

“We really are calling on Democrats: work with us. This is not a manufactured crisis. This is a problem we have to solve, and it’s growing out of control.”

Source: cnsnews.com

President Donald Trump

Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Trump by 13 points nationally, according to the latest Quinnipiac University survey. The poll found Biden taking 53 percent against 40 percent for Trump, with the poll’s assistant director describing it as a “landslide” margin.

Five other Democratic contenders also lead the president: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) hold healthy leads over Trump, with Sanders up by nine points, Harris ahead by eight and Warren leading by seven.

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) lead Trump by five points, with each posting a 47-to-42 split.

“It’s a long 17 months to Election Day, but Joe Biden is ahead by landslide proportions,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

Biden’s double-digit lead over Trump is largely driven by the gender gap. The former vice president edges Trump 47 percent to 46 among men, but but among women, Biden leads by 26 points, 60 to 34.

Similarly, white voters are split evenly between the two, with Trump at 47 percent and Biden at 46. But Biden leads 85 to 12 among black voters and 58 to 33 among Hispanics.

Souce: thehill.com