Marc's Memo - June 2016 Updates

Dear Friends,

During the month of June, I’ve been hard at work, fighting for you and your family. Take a moment to review how I’ve been busy introducing legislation to make college more accessible for hardworking immigrants and their children, continuing the fight to ensure your sacred right to vote, and making sure your loved ones can remain safe from gun violence. The residents of TX-33 remain front and center of everything I do in our nation’s capital and back home.

As always, I invite you to connect with me through my official website, Facebook page, and Twitter account to stay informed on what I am working on in the district and in D.C. Don’t forget to remind your friends to subscribe to my e-newsletter, so they don’t miss out on any updates on my efforts in Washington and in the Metroplex.​

Sincerely,

Marc Veasey
Member of Congress

Fighting for the Immigrant Community

This month, after two brave undocumented valedictorians from Texas revealed their immigration status and continued to face national anti-immigrant scrutiny,  I introduced the American Dream Promise Act and the Fairness in Financial Aid (FIFA) Act to demonstrate that as long as immigrants and their children are provided with educational opportunities, America will continue its proud legacy as a nation of immigrants. I also introduced the 14th Amendment Protection Act to make sure that the children of undocumented parents are not discriminated against by anti-immigrant state policies.

Despite Republicans’ continued inaction on immigration reform, I will continue to fight on behalf of the immigrant community and work towards passing commonsense immigration reform.

Fighting to Ensure Your Right to Vote Three Years After Shelby

Three years after the Supreme Court gutted key provisions of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, voters nationwide continue to face unnecessary obstacles at the ballot box.

That is why on Monday, June 6, I hosted a Voting Rights Forum in Fort Worth with Congresswomen Terri Sewell (AL-7) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-1) and expert panelists to update TX-33 residents on how to exercise their right to vote under today’s conditions.

Caption: Voting Rights Forum expert panelists (L-R), Matt Angle, Texas Lone Star Project; Gerry Hebert, Campaign Legal Center; Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, NM-1; Congresswoman Terri Sewell, AL-7; Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33; Barbara R. Arnwine, Transformative Justice Coalition; Bishop Kenneth Spears, First St. John Baptist Church; and Dr. Freddie Haynes, Friendship West Baptist Church.

As co-chairman of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, I refuse to end my fight to ensure that all Americans have full access to the ballot box. On Wednesday, June 22, I introduced The Poll Tax Prohibition Act to ensure the underlying costs of restrictive photo voter ID laws don’t prevent everyday Americans from exercising their right to vote. I also recently penned an op-ed on how today’s restrictive voter ID laws are the equivalent of modern day poll taxes.

To read the complete piece, please click here.

On Thursday, June 23, 2016, I was joined by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, my colleagues Reps. Terri Sewell, Charlie Rangel, and Bill Foster; Reverend Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus; Terri O’Neill of the National Organization of Women; and Barbara Arnwine of the Transformative Justice Coalition, demanding immediate action on voting rights legislation that will once again protect the sacred right to vote. 

Caption: Congressman Marc Veasey, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus, discuss the need to restore full access to the ballot box.

Empowering Families By Expanding Access to HealthCare

On Father's Day, I couldn’t help but think of my childhood and the many challenges and struggles that single parents continue to face in America. So how can lawmakers like me help stabilize families and help women to delay pregnancy until they wish to be pregnant? 

The answer is to ensure that all women, no matter where they come from, have the access to healthcare they need and the ability to make the best-informed decision for themselves.

In my op-ed featured in Glamour Magazine, I discuss how elected representatives can empower women to make their own informed decisions when it comes to family planning.

To read the complete piece, please click here.

The Historic Sit-In Demanding Action on Gun Violence

On Wednesday, June 23, 2016, I joined House Democrats in a historic 25 hour sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives calling for swift action to address gun violence. As a native Texan, I can assure my constituents that responsible gun owners were not the target of our actions. Instead, we are urging House Republicans to come together with House Democrats to finally pass common-sense laws to make sure terrorists can’t purchase guns. #NoFlyNoBuy. It’s that simple.

Clocking-in with Knight Waste Services

For June’s ‘Marc Means Business’ work day I joined the sanitation crew at Knight Waste Services to collect trash and recycling for Fort Worth area residents.  I had the opportunity to learn how to operate and ride-along in a back loader garbage truck, pick up trash and recycling bins curbside, and learn more about what it takes to work a morning shift under the Texas heat.

Caption: Congressman Marc Veasey takes a quick lesson on how to operate a back loader garbage truck during his ‘Marc Means Business’ with Knight Waste Services.

Join me on Wednesday, July 20, to learn how to apply for federal grants to support your organization’s community based projects.

What: Grant Writing Workshop 
When: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 10 AM – 4 PM 
Where:
John Dubiski Career High School
2990 State Hwy 161
Grand Prairie, TX 75051

For more information, call 817-920-9086 or 214-741-1387

Join Dallas Public Library’s Job Skills Center for career readiness fair to help you land your next job even if you have some blemishes on your record. 

What: Career Connections Job Readiness Fair
When: Friday, July 8 from 10 AM – 3 PM  
Where:
Dallas Public Library
1515 Young Street, 6th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201

For more information, please call 214-670-1468 for more information.