| September 2019 |
Many of my activities as your U.S. Representative are recorded. These range from questioning and other remarks in my House Appropriations Committee and Natural Resources Committee, to speeches in the full House of Representatives, media interviews, remarks and other activities in D.C. and back home, and my regular Congressman Ed Case Reports show on ‘Ōlelo /Hawai‘i community broadcasting. As part of my commitment to sharing my work in Congress for our country, Hawai’i and you, I post these recordings to my congressional website at case.house.gov through my YouTube channel. For your convenience, I have described and linked below many of these recordings so you can easily check out some of what I’ve been up to in these first eight months of my current term as your Congressman. Just click on the link for any you’re interested in. I also encourage you to subscribe to my YouTube channel to get regular updates on new video content as I continue my activities. Just click the red “Subscribe” button at the top right-hand side of my YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/repedcase, or by clicking the YouTube button at the right-hand sidebar of this newsletter. Please also sign up for my regular e-newsletter at bit.ly/2XtDG8J and follow my social media accounts for a closer look at my daily activities both in Hawai‘i and Washington, DC. You can find me @RepEdCase on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or you can use the links at the right-hand sidebar above. There will always be more information on me, my office, activities and record, services I can provide for you and your loved ones and more at my website, case.house.gov. Lastly, I will be doing five more general district-wide Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case events in early October in Hawai‘i Kai, Mō‘ili‘ili, Pearl City, Mililani, and Kapolei. Please stay posted for more details to come. I always welcome your input and questions at ed.case@mail.house.gov. Mahalo! Introduction I was recently interviewed by C-SPAN as part of an ongoing series of profiles of new Members: Congressman Ed Case interview and profile on C-SPAN series on freshman Members of Congress. Budget & Fiscal Responsibility March 6, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on fiscal responsibility and Indo-Pacific priorities. I testified at a Member Day hearing of the House Budget Committee on the importance of fiscal responsibility and ensuring that our budget reflects our country’s top priorities, including our interests in the Indo-Pacific region. May 10, 2019: Congressman Ed Case discusses checks and balances and reprogramming appropriations for a border wall. Amidst the President’s declaration of an emergency at the southern border and attempt to reprogram previously appropriated funds towards the construction of a border wall, I spoke out in my House Appropriations Committee hearing on the importance of respecting our system of checks and balances, regardless of political and partisan differences. June 28, 2019: Congressman Ed Case discusses fiscal responsibility with Blue Dog Coalition panel. As co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition’s Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility and Government Reform, I joined my co-chair Congressman Ben McAdams of Utah in hosting a panel to discuss the importance of a balanced budget and the long-term negative impacts of our present course in spending on future generations. July 18, 2019: Congressman Ed Case leads special order hour on fiscal responsibility. I joined Congressman McAdams in an hourlong presentation in the full House focusing on fiscal responsibility and the long-term dangers that our growing national debt poses to our future interests. August 20, 2019: A morning at Waikele Elementary School. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is giving back to our keiki, and as the son of a children’s librarian, I enjoyed this opportunity to donate books from the Library of Congress to the students of Waikele Elementary School and to learn about their enthusiasm for reading. Environment & Natural Resources January 24, 2019: Congressman Ed Case’s questions on oil and gas industry during the 35-day shutdown. During my House Natural Resources Committee forum on oil and gas industry waivers that were being granted by the Administration during the 2018-2019 government shutdown, I questioned witnesses about the nature of these permits and their effects on our national parks and the oil and gas industries. February 12, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on climate change-related energy transition planning. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on energy transition. I asked Dr. Bill Bissett, director of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, about the best form of energy transition away from coal and towards renewable energies. February 12, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on climate change impacts on tribal communities. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples of the United States, one which I serve, held a hearing on the impacts of climate change on tribal and indigenous communities. I asked tribal leaders whose tribes have been impacted by climate change on their economic transition process to combat the effects of climate change. March 27, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on tsunami warning systems and ocean conservation in NOAA FY2020 Budget. In a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on which I serve, on the FY 2020 budget request of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I asked about proposed drastic budget cuts to NOAA programs, including the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, that would affect its ability to function. March 28, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on Japanese-American confinement sites in Interior Department FY2020 budget request. In a House Committee on Natural Resources hearing on the Department of Interior's FY 2020 budget request by the Administration, I challenged the Administration’s proposal to defund Japanese American Confinement Sites, which include Honouliuli on O‘ahu, and the 14 percent proposed cuts to the Department of the Interior. April 3, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on helicopter tours and the USS Arizona Memorial with the National Park Service. In an oversight hearing on the National Park Service with the House Committee on Natural Resources, I asked about the problem of tour helicopters and the lack of regulations on this industry, especially over our national parks. April 30, 2019: Congressman Ed Case introduces the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019. In light of the lack of statutory authorities, benefits, and service obligations within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps, which operates NOAA's specialized fleet of research and survey ships and aircraft, I introduced H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2019, which would help the NOAA Corps improve recruitment, retention and diversity to attract more qualified commissioned officers. May 1, 2019: House debates and passes Congressman Ed Case’s amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. To enhance our efforts to combat climate change, I introduced an amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. This amendment would recognize the oceans as critical to the climate debate and would support congressional efforts to designate the oceans as a critical resource in the global fight against climate change. My amendment was adopted by the full House. June 5, 2019: Congressman Ed Case at beach cleanup on Reef Day. At Kahuku, Oahu with staff from Raw Elements Sunscreen, Hawaiian Airlines, Surf Jack Hotel, Duke's Waikiki and others, I spoke about the importance of our oceans to the people of Hawai‘i before our beach cleanup on World Reef Day. January 9, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on H.R. 1, the For the People Act. My first speech of the 116th Congress to the full House focused on H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping pro-democracy bill I co-introduced that would reduce money in politics, regulate lobbying, increase transparency, expand voting rights and promote election security. March 8, 2019: Congressman Ed Case introduces H.R. 1 amendment. My amendment to H.R. 1, the For the People Act, would incentivize political parties to prioritize small-dollar donations in supporting candidates. My amendment, which was adopted, seeks to reduce the role of big donors and elevate the role of average Americans in our politics. April 3, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on Secretary Ross’s absence from Appropriations oversight hearing. During a scheduled budget request hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross declined to appear and testify before the subcommittee. I spoke about the importance of Congress’s oversight role over this and any administration and for each Cabinet secretary and department head to be held accountable for their decisions. April 9, 2019: Congressman Ed Case questions Attorney General William Barr on Mueller report. In his first testimony before Congress after Special Counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report on March 22, 2019, Attorney General William Barr appeared before my House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. In my questioning, I pressed the Attorney General to commit to releasing the full, unredacted Mueller report to the public. National Security & Defense March 6, 2019: Congressman Ed Case in support of increased funding for the East-West Center. I testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs during its Member Day in support of increased funding for the East-West Center, a critical educational institution focused on the Indo-Pacific established in 1960 here in Hawai‘i. As the Indo-Pacific grows in importance to our country’s interests, organizations like the East-West Center play a major role in enhancing and informing our foreign policy in the region. April 3, 2019: Congressman Ed Case testifies to House Armed Services Committee on Indo-Pacific priorities. As the House Armed Services Committee considered the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I testified on the importance of placing the Indo-Pacific region, including Hawai‘i, as our top national security priority. That includes devoting additional resources to the region and ensuring that we have a strong defense posture capable of deterring our competitors and adversaries from threatening our interests. June 21, 2019: Congressman Ed Case’s opening remarks at United States Institute of Peace dialogue on China in the Indo-Pacific. I joined my colleague Congressman John Rutherford of Florida for a bipartisan congressional dialogue, hosted by the U.S. Institute of Peace, on China’s economic and military coercion in the Indo-Pacific. The Institute is the brainchild of my mentor, the late Congressman, and Senator Spark Matsunaga, and it was an honor to join Congressman Rutherford in discussing critical national security issues while celebrating a spirit of bipartisanship. July 17, 2019: House debates and passes Congressman Ed Case’s amendment on Chinese-American civil liberties. Amidst reports of Chinese-American scientists under increased scrutiny by our intelligence agencies and concerns of racial profiling targeting Chinese Americans, I introduced an amendment to H.R. 3949, the Intelligence Authorization Act, that required a report by the intelligence community on the impacts of counterintelligence efforts on the privacy and civil liberties of Chinese Americans. I was pleased to be joined in support by my colleagues on the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and for my amendment to be adopted by the House.Science & Technology March 28, 2019: Congressman Ed Case on the National Science Foundation’s FY2020 budget. In a budget request hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies focusing on the National Science Foundation’s FY 2020 budget request, I questioned Director France A. Córdova on the discrepancy between the request’s pro-science language and the steep budget cuts proposed. April 10, 2019: Congressman Ed Case speaks on House Floor on the first image of a black hole. On April 10, 2019, an international network of radio telescopes captured the first image of a black hole and the swirling hot disk of material that encircles it. I spoke to the full House to celebrate this historic scientific achievement that included contributions from the Submillimeter Array (SMA), the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) and the former Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) located on Mauna Kea. July 24, 2019: Congressman Ed Case asks Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy on scientific integrity. In an oversight hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, I questioned Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, on scientific integrity and disturbing reports of political interference in scientific reports and research by this Administration. Short-Term Rental July 25, 2019: Congressman Ed Case speaks on short-term rentals and tech liabilities at Member Day. I testified during the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Member Day hearing on the impacts of short-term rentals on Hawai‘i and how Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA 230) allows internet platforms to knowingly violate laws seeking to regulate short-term rentals. I am introducing legislation to address this problem. Small Business May 15, 2019: Congressman Ed Case testifies on Hawai‘i small business priorities to House Small Business Committee. I testified before the House Committee on Small Business during its Member Day in support of small business administration programs, such as microloans, for Hawai‘i. Ninety-nine percent of businesses in Hawai‘i are small businesses, and a majority of businesses in my district are minority-owned. Veterans February 28, 2019: Congressman Ed Case questions VA Secretary on Veterans Service Organizations. During a House Appropriations Committee hearing with Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, I asked about Veterans Service Organizations and how we can include them in the care of our veterans. June 11, 2019: Congressman Ed Case speaks on the House Floor on the 75th birthday of the USS Missouri. Commissioned on June 11, 1944, the USS Missouri played a storied role in our history until it was decommissioned in 1992, including serving as the site where the Japanese Instrument of Surrender ending World War II was signed. I was proud to speak on the House Floor to commemorate “Mighty Mo” and her 75th birthday this year.
Congressman Ed Case Reports to Hawai‘i My monthly, hour-long show entitled “Congressman Ed Case Reports to Hawai‘i” on ‘Ōlelo channel 49 airs every third Sunday of the month at 6:00pm and again the Tuesday after at 10:00am. You can also find each episode currently published on my YouTube channel or below. March 2019: Congressman Ed Case reports back to Hawai‘i on public access television. In my first report to the State of Hawai‘i, I talk about the significance of Hawaii’s First Congressional District, my role as a Member of Congress and my work in the issues of immigration, veterans affairs and more. April 2019: Congressman Ed Case reports to Hawai‘i with Gene Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States. I hosted Gene Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the United States and director of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), for a discussion on effective government oversight. The GAO is a non-partisan, independent institution that serve as the “congressional watchdog” by providing auditing, evaluation and investigative services for the United States Congress to ensure the federal government is saving money and working efficiently. May 2019: Congressman Ed Case reports to Hawai‘i on five “talk story” sessions. In April 2019, I hosted five Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case community meetings throughout my district in Aina Haina, Honolulu, Kalihi, Waipahu and Ewa Beach. This show summarizes my meetings and what I learned. June 2019: Congressman Ed Case reports to Hawai‘i with a day in the district. Join me for a typical day when I am home during one of Congress’s district work periods, as I visit the 2019 Filipino Fiesta and Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival, honor local students who participated in my 2019 Congressional Art Competition, welcome our country’s newest citizens at their naturalization ceremony and participate in a beach cleanup for World Reef Day. July 2019: Congressman Ed Case reports to Hawai‘i on veterans issues. This video highlights my efforts to reach out to veterans and their friends and families throughout my district, including a special Talk Story session at the O‘ahu Veterans Center, a memorial day speech at the Waikīkī Natatorium War Memorial and my overseas visits to Hawai‘i National Guard troops stationed abroad in Kosovo and Egypt. August 2019: Congressman Ed Case reports to Hawai‘i with Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. I invited Maya MacGuineas, the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that works on fiscal policy and the federal budget, to talk about the increasingly dangerous issue of our government’s debt.
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