Duckworth Diary: July 31, 2015

Statement

Dear Neighbors,

When we were working on the defense budget earlier this year, I led the effort to remove language delaying financial protections for our Servicemembers. Last week the protections against financial predators were put into place for our Servicemembers. As we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the financial protections it provides, it's important to recommit to protecting those who serve so that they can focus on keeping America safe.

In Washington, I was proud to help introduce the Equality Act with Congressman David Cicilline. This legislation will ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and many other areas. While LGBT Americans recently gained the right to marry, it is still unacceptable that they can be fired from their job, evicted from their home and discriminated against simply because of who they love.

Additionally, along with Congressman Patrick Murphy and Congressman Joe Crowley I helped introduced legislation to defend a woman's right to affordable birth control. The Affordability is Access Act ensures women maintain access to affordable and safe oral contraceptives by clarifying that if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves an over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptive, insurance companies are still required to cover it.

This week I was pleased to announce that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $218,182 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the Addison Fire Protection District for a driver simulator for emergency vehicles. This simulator will allow the fire department to practice defensive driving skills without jeopardizing the public. This grant was a regional award that will also bring the simulator to other fire departments in our region.

As August begins I want to make sure you have all the details for my District Office's Grants Workshops Series. These workshops are an opportunity to learn about best practices for obtaining grants and upcoming funding opportunities from Federal and State agencies as well as private organizations. Topics include: Capacity building for non-profit organizations, Agriculture/Food Security and Nutrition, Infrastructure, Education and Arts & Humanities. You can find all the details here or by calling my District Office at 847-413-1959.

I hope you are having a great week.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Duckworth

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