This Week in Congress: June 24-28
Your Guide to Congress' Activities
By Brianna Ford, Samantha Lai and Ian Weiner
Staying on top of Congress’ activities can be a full-time job. Corporations have hired armies of lobbyists to look out for them. At Public Citizen, we’re looking out for you.
Here’s a list of congressional oversight activities, legislative hearings and Hill briefings happening this week to help you keep an eye on federal lawmakers as well as links to related resources from Public Citizen.
Highlights of the week: a Monday briefing on defending regulatory safeguards, a Tuesday rally to make NAFTA 2.0 better for working people and a Tuesday hearing on problems with electronic voting.
Monday, June 24
Defying Deregulation: Standing Up for Our System of Safeguards
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards
4:30 – 5:30 p.m., 2237 Rayburn House Office Building
Join our briefing on defending regulatory safeguards featuring U.S. Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). Experts from the coalition, including Public Citizen’s President Robert Weissman, will outline progressive efforts to defend public protections from the Trump administration’s ongoing assault.
Tuesday, June 25
Implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building
In December 2018, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its intent to roll back the Clean Water Rule, Public Citizen criticized the rule for benefiting corporations at the expense of regular people.
Protecting and Restoring America’s Iconic Waters
House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
The Coalition for Sensible Safeguards recently published “Safeguarding Summer” – a report which covered the importance of clean water standards to prevent toxic algae blooms that can destroy ecosystems.
Recovery, Resiliency and Readiness – Contending with Natural Disasters in the Wake of Climate Change
House Committee on Oversight and Reform
2 – 4 p.m., 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
Public Citizen is spreading awareness about the climate crisis. Sign our petition calling on the media and Congress to treat it as one.
Mexico’s Labor Reform: Opportunities and Challenges for an Improved NAFTA
House Committee on Ways and Means
2 – 4 p.m., 202 Rayburn House Office Building
Public Citizen has kept a close eye on NAFTA 2.0 since its formulation. Join our rally before the hearing to make sure the new trade deal doesn’t lock in high medicine prices.
Election Security and Voting Technology Vulnerabilities
House Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
2 – 6:45 p.m., 2318 Rayburn House Office Building
For many years, Public Citizen has fought to ensure that Americans’ votes will not be compromised due to hacking or other vulnerabilities associated with the internet. In 2018, we called upon the largest voting machine vendor to stop selling machines that are connected to the internet. Tell lawmakers to protect the integrity of voting for all Americans.
Wednesday, June 26
Violations of the Hatch Act Under the Trump Administration
House Committee on Oversight and Reform
10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
Our President, Robert Weissman, has criticized Kellyanne Conway’s violation of the Hatch Act as a member of the Trump administration. It’s time for her to go.
Fixing a Broken Budget and the Spending Process: Securing the Nation’s Fiscal Future
Senate Committee on the Budget
2:30 – 4:30 p.m., 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building
As a leader of the Clean Budget Coalition, Public Citizen fights against poison pill riders added to budget and spending bills that block public protections. If Republicans are serious about the integrity of the budget process, they should stop using it to ram through controversial, ideological poison pills that have nothing to do with funding our government.
Thursday, June 27
Examine Options for the Interim and Long-Term Storage of Nuclear Waste
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building
In April 2019, Public Citizen fought for lawmakers to reject the disposal of nuclear waste in Texas. It’s dangerous and extremely reckless to transport nuclear waste through heavily populated areas.