The Fight for the First LGBT National Monument at Stonewall
It is time for a monument to LGBT civil rights history -- one that is inclusive and tells the stories of all of the many diverse individuals who have fought bravely for LGBT equality. I was pleased to host Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis for a public meeting where we heard from many members of the community who gave their unanimous support for the designation of a new National Park at Stonewall.
Working with Artists to Push the Fair Play, Fair Pay Act
I was proud to stand with over 40 musicians and local broadcasters as they stormed Capitol Hill in support of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act (HR 1733), legislation I introduced with Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Conyers to require all radio services to fairly compensate artists for their music. Rep. Darrell Issa joined us and clearly stated that any Congressional action to update the copyright act must include this common sense legislation. And a big thank you to Rosanne Cash, T Bone Burnett and Duke Fakir for their leadership and advocacy on this first #FairPlayFairPay Day in Washington.
President Signs Defend Trade Secrets Act into Law
I was pleased to join President Barack Obama as he signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act into law. This bipartisan legislation will protect trade secrets and intellectual property from theft by foreign agents and those engaging in economic espionage. As the Ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, and the lead Democratic House sponsor of this bill, I have worked closely with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in both the House and Senate to pass this legislation to protect intellectual property, which helps drive innovation, creates new jobs, and helps our economy grow.
