As a senior Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am constantly working to ensure that Americans are kept safe and their interests protected. In our markup of the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act—the act privatizing the Air Travel Control Corporation (ATC)—I introduced an amendment intended to accomplish this very goal.
My amendment, which I introduced with Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), requiring the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on new passenger aircraft passed unanimously. One of the clear and convincing lessons of 9/11 was the need to improve cockpit safety, and these secondary barriers are both cost-effective and widely recognized as the most efficient and safest way to protect the flight deck. I look forward to shepherding its passage through the House of Representatives and eagerly anticipate its enactment into law.
Leading Congressional Lawsuit Over Foreign Emoluments ClauseViolations
In June, I joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) in announcing a Congressional lawsuit filed against the president for, what I believe are his violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause in Article 1, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution. Nearly 200 fellow Members of Congress—166 Representatives and 30 Senators—filed the lawsuit over the continued failure to disclose presidential foreign business dealings.
Since the day he was sworn into office, I believe the president has brazenly flouted the Constitution, which is absolutely clear that he cannot accept any gift or emolument of any kind from a foreign state “without the Consent of Congress.” Under the Constitution, it is our duty, as Members of Congress, to determine whether the President can accept any emolument, so that we can protect the nation against improper foreign influence. President Trump accepted these emoluments without first obtaining approval from Congress. As such, Congress has been deprived of the ability to carry out this duty. My fellow Members and I believe that no president is above the law, which is why we are asking the courts to step in and protect our constitutionally mandated right.
Introducing a Bill to Boost College Completion
Last month, I joined New York Representatives Grace Meng, José Serrano, Nydia Velázquez, Hakeem Jeffries, Yvette Clarke, and Carolyn Maloney in introducing the Community College Student Success Act. This bill takes inspiration from CUNY’s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) project, and will help ensure students complete their higher education in a timely and affordable manner by providing students with academic, financial, and personal support through tutoring, childcare, transportation, and course materials.
I am thrilled to see the incredible work spearheaded by CUNY is being recognized in this legislation, and I cannot wait to see what community college students in New York and around the country can accomplish with the right support this bill will provide.
Celebrating LGBT Pride Month
Rep. Nadler and community leaders at the official designation ceremony of the Stonewall National Monument last year.
On June 25th, New York City celebrated LGBT Pride Month with its annual event on 5th Avenue, passing by the historic Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. It was both a privilege and an honor to particpate in this event as an ally of the LGBT community, just as I have so many times before, and to reflect upon the struggles of activists whose courage and tenacity pushed this country towards greater LGBT equality. That movement started right here in New York City, and it gives me great pride to represent the district where this spark first ignited and to have lead the fight to create the first national monument to LGBT history.
