Washington – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes marked 100 days since the new House Democratic Majority was sworn in on January 3rd, highlighting swift legislative progress on core pillars of House Democrats’ For The People legislative agenda.
“I am proud of the work we have been able to achieve in this short amount of time,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “The Democratic majority passed HR 1, the For The People Act, a landmark piece of legislation to protect the people’s access to the ballot over protecting special interests. We are advancing vital new bills to lower health costs and prescription drug prices, and doing the work investigating the needs in our communities to invest in rebuilding America’s infrastructure. From passing common sense gun violence prevention and a strengthened Violence Against Women Act, to the Paycheck Fairness Act, and restoring Net Neutrality protections, our House Majority is focused on taking action that improves the lives of the American people.”
Below are some highlights of the first 100 days.
Education
Congresswoman Hayes introduced legislation in opposition to using federal funding to arm teachers. This resolution has the support of groups representing educators, parents, school personnel and gun violence prevention advocates. Hayes made public a previously uncovered Department of Education memo that revealed the Secretary has the authority to prohibit Title IV-A funds from being used to arm teachers. She then pressed Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to finally commit to prohibiting federal funds from arming teachers.
Congresswoman Hayes voted for the Rebuild America’s Schools Act (H.R.865), which would invest $100 billion in America’s public schools. During consideration of the legislation, Hayes was successful in passing an amendment to close what is known as the charter school lease reimbursement loophole.
Congresswoman Hayes chaired a hearing on the issue of seclusion and restraint within the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, raising awareness that seclusion and restraint policies disproportionately impact young boys of color.
Health Care
In the first 100 days, Hayes has supported bold health care legislation and aggressive oversight of abuses in the health care industry that have had a direct impact on the lives of the American people. On day one of the 116th Congress, Hayes voted to throw the full legal weight of the House of Representatives against the Texas v. United States lawsuit backed by the Trump administration, which would dismantle protections for people with pre-existing conditions and strike down the Affordable Care Act.
Hayes has also cosponsored the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act (H.R. 1884), a sweeping piece of legislation which would lower health insurance premiums for an estimated 13 million Americans, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Under Democrats, House committees have already held more than 25 health care hearings and markups, reporting 13 bills out of committee to lower health costs and prescription drug prices.
Environment
Hayes supported the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Act, which was included in the Natural Resources Management Act. Signed into law on March 12, this legislation will create a National Park Service protective designation for the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook that runs through ten Connecticut towns including Avon, Burlington, Canton, Farmington and Simsbury. With this protective designation as a “wild and scenic river”, the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook could receive as much as $100,000 in funding from the federal government to assist volunteers and officials with conservation efforts.
Appropriations
Hayes submitted 274 requests to the House Appropriations Committee in support of funding for education, veterans’ health care and housing, agriculture and nutrition programs, and environmental conservation.
Other major legislation that Hayes has supported includes:
- H.R. 1 – For The People Act
- H.R. 4 – Voting Rights Advancement Act
- H.R. 5 – Equality Act
- H.R. 6 – The American Dream & Promise Act
- H.R. 7 – Paycheck Fairness Act
- H.R. 8 – Bipartisan Background Checks Act
- H.R. 9 – Climate Action Now Act
- H.R. 840 – Veterans Access to Child Care Act
- H.R. 1112 – Enhanced Background Checks Act
- H.R. 1585 – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
- H.R. 1644 – Save The Internet Act
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