March 25, 2016

Brussels

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Brussels as well as the many international visitors Belgium welcomes every day. Brutal terrorist attacks were carried out by ISIS, at the airport and on the subway in that peaceful city. Precious lives were lost and dozens of innocent people were wounded. We stand ready to help the people of Brussels tend to their wounded, comfort the grieving and bring the terrorists to justice.

Government Center

I had the pleasure Monday of joining Governor Baker, Transportation Secretary Pollack, Mayor Walsh and many other officials to celebrate and officially reopen the newly renovated and beautifully designed Government Center MBTA Station. Located steps from City Hall and a short walk to the State House, the Government Center T station is an important resource for commuters traveling into Boston, or connecting to the Blue Line for access to Logan Airport. At the opening celebration, I took the opportunity to voice my strong support for the Green Line Extension (GLX) and desire to participate in more opening ceremonies for an extended GLX: http://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2016/03/21/capuano-urges-completion-of-mbta-green-line-extension

Federal Trade Commission

On Wednesday the House considered H.R. 2745, the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules (SMARTER) Act. This legislation weakens the independence of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC was established in 1914 to focus on the development of antitrust policy, independent from the Department of Justice. H.R. 2745 limits the FTC’s ability to advocate for consumers and undermines its authority in enforcing antitrust law. I voted NO. H.R. 2745 passed and the entire vote is recorded below:

South Sudan

On Wednesday, I reconnected with Sue Lautze, the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan. We met when I traveled to South Sudan in November. Unfortunately, the already troubling conditions for civilians and humanitarian workers have become even more dangerous. We discussed the ongoing crisis in South Sudan and the continuous lack of cooperation between President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar. Camps, schools and clinics were recently burned completely to the ground during an attack in Malakal. According to the United Nations, 25 people were killed, including 2 humanitarian workers, and 120 wounded. This attack has certainly raised questions about the safety of civilians at UN sheltering sites and is another horrifying instance of violence in an ongoing civil war marked by a complete lack of respect for the lives and dignity of South Sudanese civilians. Since the 2013 civil war erupted, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported approximately 1.69 million people have been displaced internally in South Sudan and over 648,000 are refugees in neighboring countries. The South Sudan Government must form the transitional government of national unity without further delay so the country can begin to heal.

What’s Up Next

A District Work Period has been scheduled. The next House votes will take place on Tuesday April 12th.