Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement marking the 79th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act into law: “For 79 years, Social Security Income (SSI) has offered financial security and peace of mind to millions of Americans. In Florida’s 20th district alone, nearly 120,000 thousand people receive more than $1.5 billion in Social Security benefits every year. SSI is a critical support system for them and millions of other Americans, and is also ...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) sent the following letters to House Speaker John Boehner and President Barack Obama calling on Congress to return to Washington in order to address the ongoing crisis in Iraq. (Please find below and attached a copy of the letters). August 14, 2014 The Honorable John A. Boehner Speaker U.S. House of Representatives H-232 The Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Speaker Boehner: I respectfully call upon you to bring Congress back into session so that we m...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement following the murder of Rabbi Joseph Raksin, who was shot and killed Saturday as he walked to morning services in Miami: “I was shocked, saddened, and outraged to hear of the murder of Rabbi Joseph Raksin on Saturday morning. My deepest condolences are with Rabbi Raksin’s family and friends, and all of the Miami and Brooklyn Orthodox communities. The Miami-Dade Police Department has my full support as they work to bring those ...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to sue the President of the United States: “House Republicans have voted to waste more time and money advancing Speaker Boehner’s frivolous lawsuit. This bill is nothing more than an election year stunt that puts politics over governing and goes against all legal precedent. Republicans have even gone so far as to block every Democratic amendment to bring to light the true cost of this r...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement marking the 5th anniversary of the last increase in the federal minimum wage and calling on Congress to pass legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10: “It has been five years since our nation increased the federal minimum wage. The time for action is long overdue. Hardworking families in my district and across the country deserve a raise now. “More than half of minimum wage earners work full-time and bring home 50 p...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after the House Rules Committee voted to sue the President: “There is zero precedent for what Republicans are trying to do with this lawsuit. Contrary to what they may say, this is not about the law; it’s about appeasing the most extreme members of their party. “The Republican-led House has voted 52 times to repeal the law they now they say want to enforce. This lawsuit is nothing more than a political stunt and once again put...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on Israel’s ground operation in the Gaza Strip: “Since the start of Operation Protective Edge, more than 1,000 rockets have been launched from Hamas-controlled Gaza into Israel. This escalation of violence is deeply troubling. Israel has every right to defend itself against this constant indiscriminate barrage of rockets.” “Hamas has shown its true colors, rejecting a cease fire agreement, urging Palestinians who have fled for saf...
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement praising the recent decision by Chief Circuit Judge Luis M. Garcia of Florida’s 16th Judicial Circuit to overturn the State’s 2008 ban on same-sex marriage, thereby allowing committed gay and lesbian couples to receive marriage licenses in Monroe County beginning on July 22, 2014: “It is indeed a brighter day for gay and lesbian Floridians living in Monroe County, who, following the recent court ruling, will soon be able to marry....
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Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17: “As the details of today’s horrific plane crash come into focus, one thing is already clear. Nearly 300 people were killed when flight MH17 fell from the sky. My prayers and condolences are with the families of those who lost their lives today. As we wait for the facts to emerge, let us keep in our thoughts the victims of this terrible tragedy.” Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as...
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Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement after joining the Democracy is for All constitutional amendment as an original co-sponsor. The legislation was introduced by Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL), Donna Edwards (D-MD), and Jim McGovern (D-MA). It would reverse the highly controversial Supreme Court decisions in Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. FEC, which have given corporations and wealthy donors undue influence in our elections. Read the text of the a...
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