Rep. Maloney Statement Following Swearing in of the 115th Congress

Jan 6, 2017
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC—Following being sworn in to the 115th Congress, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) released the below statement:

“As we begin the 115th Congress, I am looking forward to what we can achieve this congress and beyond. I will continue working towards bettering our economy and our cities, keeping our country safe and healthy, providing fair working conditions for all Americans and their families, getting New York fully reimbursed for costs incurred protecting President-Elect Trump and the building of the long overdue Smithsonian museum of women’s history.

“As evidenced by the building and completion of Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway, investing in infrastructure produces great benefits for our constituents and economy. I will continue to fight for federal funding for the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway and for the completion other critical infrastructure projects already underway, including East Side Access, repairs to the L Train tunnel, rebuilding Kosciuszko Bridge, and improvements to Harold Interlocking to lay the groundwork for High Speed Rail between New York and Boston.

“Our greatest responsibility as elected officials is to keep Americans safe, which is why I will continue to support our intelligence and Homeland Security agencies as we address terror threats at home and abroad. This also means that we must pass commonsense gun safety regulations. After Sandy Hook, Charleston, and Orlando – enough is enough.

“In protecting our people, we must also ensure all Americans have access to quality and affordable health care. No family should go bankrupt from an unexpected illness and no woman should have to travel hundreds of miles to access reproductive healthcare. I remain wholly committed to protecting the progress achieved though the Affordable Care Act and fighting any attempts to endanger Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

“In respecting all of America’s families, all workers should have access to paid family leave so that they have the flexibility to care for loved ones without foregoing earnings and losing their jobs. Additionally, women must finally be guaranteed equal pay for equal work. The gender pay gap leaves women behind and affects women from all walks of life and across all industries. Passing the Equal Rights Amendment will help to bring equal pay to fruition and finally put women in the Constitution, ensuring equal standing with their male counterparts.

 “As too many New Yorkers are aware, protecting the President-Elect has fallen, in large part, on the NYPD. While our city will do its duty to protect the President-elect, it cannot be expected to foot the bill for a national security expense. I will continue to fight for every last penny of reimbursement for our city until we see all $35 million requested and to make sure New York City is reimbursed for costs it incurs to protect the President after the inauguration. 

“For nearly 20 years now, I have advocated for and worked to bring an American Museum of Women’s History to the National Mall. This past November, after 18 months of thorough research and hard work, the bipartisan American Museum of Women's History Congressional Commission released its report, unanimously noting that our country needs and deserves this new institution and recommending that it be part of the Smithsonian and on or near the National Mall. Taking their recommendations into consideration, I have begun drafting a bill to do just that and finally give American women the recognition they deserve.

“While we look ahead, I also want to take the time to reflect on what we were able to accomplish in the 114th Congress – most notably the passage of the James B. Zadroga Reauthorization Act and the completion of the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway in New York City.

“With the passage of Zadroga reauthorization, we have finally ensured that our first responders and the survivors of the 9/11 terror attacks will have access to the health and compensation they need and deserve. This law essentially makes permanent the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

“And of course, New Yorkers have much to celebrate in the completion of Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway. The first subway built in 60 years in the great city of New York, this new line has already generated $2.5 billion in economic activity is expected to transport as many as 200,000 people a day.

“I am proud of the accomplishments of the last two years, but there is a lot more work to be done this Congress. Working with my colleagues and with community leaders in NY-12 and across the great city of New York, I know we can reach our goals. I thank my constituents for the opportunity to once again represent them in the People’s House and look forward to the road ahead.”

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