Representative Ed Case

Dear Friend, Multiple crises face a still-new Administration and Congress. The assault on our Capitol and impeachment remain fresh reminders of deep division. Since 1795 our coin has promised “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many, one), but we doubt our oneness. The question is not whether to go on together but how. How do we persevere through the challenges facing us all, engage in the difficult debates and make the right decisions for all, without questioning and attacking our foundations? We can start by agreeing and acting on the crises that unite us. By accepting that the great majority of us do believe in and seek the continued promise of America. By truly listening to each other even as we don’t all agree on the best paths forward. By including all in government and making it truly our government. All of this is on my mind as I begin the third month of this 117th Congress (2021-2023). In that spirit, I report to you again and especially ask for your input with another anonymous online survey and another open community Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case.Third Major COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Measure Heading Toward PassageLast Saturday, just shy of a year since the first COVID-19 case in Hawai’i, the U.S. House passed (with my “Aye” vote) the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. Our third major emergency assistance measure targets the most critical needs we face: ramping up production and distribution of the vaccinations that hold much of the key, extending unemployment benefits to our workers without jobs, another round of stimulus payments for individuals and families in need, assistance for our small businesses and especially impacted industries, and aid for reopening our schools. Here is my summary of our bill, which is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate and which we are striving to pass by mid-March.Again, as with our previous COVID-19 relief measures or with any other questions or needs on COVID-19, please go to my website, case.house.gov, at the COVID-19 tab for comprehensive information. You can also email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov or call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688.Advancing H.R. 1, Our For The People Act, To Include All In Our Government In 2018 I asked to resume my service in Congress largely to help return our government to the people. Back on Capitol Hill, I co-introduced in both the 116th Congress (2019-2021) and the current 117th Congress H.R. 1, our For the People Act, a truly revolutionary bill that will implement many of the most critical government reform efforts we need to get government working for the people again, such as fighting voter suppression, simplifying voting, promoting election security, curbing special interest and dark money in politics, incentivizing smaller and broader donations, increasing transparency and fortifying ethics laws.The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 this past Wednesday. The final version included my successful floor amendment to strengthen vote-by-mail nationwide given its clear success in Hawai’i in our 2020 elections. Here are my remarks highlighting our success in increasing election accessibility and turnout across-the-board, especially for our kūpuna and those in underserved communities for whom in-person voting is problematic, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. H.R. 1 now moves to the U.S. Senate. I am hopeful that this critical effort will surmount partisan differences in recognition that we are all better off with a truly inclusive government.We Cannot Forget Our Federal Budget CrisisIn my November 2020 Congressional Survey, I asked you whether our exploding federal deficits and debt were a problem and if so what we should do about them. Only 4% of responses felt they are no problem, while over 21% felt we have to curb them now, and 70% felt (and I agree) that we have to borrow responsibly to get us all through COVID-19 but must address them after the crisis is under control. As to what to do about them, responses were spread among raising taxes, repealing the recent tax cuts, and reducing defense and/or non-defense spending. But a large percentage favored establishing an expert nonpartisan commission to recommend binding solutions which could include some or all of these options. I’ve now pursued that initiative by joining my Appropriations Committee colleagues, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Arkansas), and other colleagues on both sides of the aisle in co-introducing H.R. 974. Our proposed Sustainable Budget Act would create a National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, similar to past commissions like the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission which sorted through and recommended the tough choices Congress finds so difficult to even face. I said on introduction:“It is inescapable that the underlying problem driving the ballooning national debt is our collective inability or unwillingness to prioritize fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Whether we look at budgets, taxes, spending or any other element of our fiscal debate and decisions, the result is the same: an avoidance of sound budgetary principles and practices and acceleration in deterioration of our nation’s finances. We clearly need external help that will focus us on the specific issues and collective decision-making required to stabilize our budget.” Here is the text of our Sustainable Budget Act, which we are advancing wherever and however we can.Working Alongside My New Partner In The U.S. HouseI have always said that for a small state like Hawai’i, with only four in our Congressional delegation (two Senators, two Representatives) out of 535 voting Members of Congress, we must always work together especially on critical issues for Hawai’i so that we maximize our collective influence. To do so, every new member of our delegation must fully contribute from the get-go.To this end, I have devoted much of my effort since the 2020 election to getting my new partner, U.S. Representative Kaiali’i Kahele, up to speed as soon as possible. I am very happy that he has done just that, and we are fully engaged in working together on COVID-19 and other major challenges facing our Hawai’i. Here is my recent ‘Olelo “Congressman Ed Case Reports” public broadcasting show in which Congressman Kahele joined me to talk story on his roots, journey to Capitol Hill, first weeks and months, committees, agenda and more. Asking For Your Continued Input Through Another Anonymous Online Survey I need and ask for your continued guidance with the various issues I face. Please help me by taking a few minutes to complete another online survey by clicking here. This is completely anonymous. I won’t know who is replying and can’t track your responses back to you. Inviting You To Join My Next Live Online Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case Monday, March 22, 2021, 6:30PM Hawai'i TimePlease join my next live Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case on Monday, March 22, at 6:30 PM Hawai'i Time on Facebook Live. To access the Facebook Live feed, please go to my Facebook page (@Repedcase) I'll report to you and answer your questions.As always, I welcome you to go to my website at case.house.gov for much more information on me, my office and my activities as your Congressman. Please also email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov or call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688 with any questions or comments or needs.I wish you and yours only the very best in these very difficult times for our country, our Hawai’i, and all of us. With great respect and aloha,P.S. Please sign up for my regular e-newsletter here.

Dear Friend,

Multiple crises face a still-new Administration and Congress. The assault on our Capitol and impeachment remain fresh reminders of deep division. Since 1795 our coin has promised “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many, one), but we doubt our oneness.

The question is not whether to go on together but how. How do we persevere through the challenges facing us all, engage in the difficult debates and make the right decisions for all, without questioning and attacking our foundations?

We can start by agreeing and acting on the crises that unite us. By accepting that the great majority of us do believe in and seek the continued promise of America. By truly listening to each other even as we don’t all agree on the best paths forward. By including all in government and making it truly our government.

All of this is on my mind as I begin the third month of this 117^th Congress (2021-2023). In that spirit, I report to you again and especially ask for your input with another anonymous online survey and another open community Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case.

Third Major COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Measure Heading Toward Passage

Last Saturday, just shy of a year since the first COVID-19 case in Hawai’i, the U.S. House passed (with my “Aye” vote) the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. Our third major emergency assistance measure targets the most critical needs we face: ramping up production and distribution of the vaccinations that hold much of the key, extending unemployment benefits to our workers without jobs, another round of stimulus payments for individuals and families in need, assistance for our small businesses and especially impacted industries, and aid for reopening our schools. Here is my summary of our bill, which is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate and which we are striving to pass by mid-March.

Again, as with our previous COVID-19 relief measures or with any other questions or needs on COVID-19, please go to my website, case.house.gov, at the COVID-19 tab for comprehensive information. You can also email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov or call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688.

Advancing H.R. 1, Our For The People Act, To Include All In Our Government

In 2018 I asked to resume my service in Congress largely to help return our government to the people. Back on Capitol Hill, I co-introduced in both the 116th Congress (2019-2021) and the current 117th Congress H.R. 1, our For the People Act, a truly revolutionary bill that will implement many of the most critical government reform efforts we need to get government working for the people again, such as fighting voter suppression, simplifying voting, promoting election security, curbing special interest and dark money in politics, incentivizing smaller and broader donations, increasing transparency and fortifying ethics laws.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 this past Wednesday. The final version included my successful floor amendment to strengthen vote-by-mail nationwide given its clear success in Hawai’i in our 2020 elections. Here are my remarks highlighting our success in increasing election accessibility and turnout across-the-board, especially for our kūpuna and those in underserved communities for whom in-person voting is problematic, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

H.R. 1 now moves to the U.S. Senate. I am hopeful that this critical effort will surmount partisan differences in recognition that we are all better off with a truly inclusive government.

We Cannot Forget Our Federal Budget Crisis

In my November 2020 Congressional Survey, I asked you whether our exploding federal deficits and debt were a problem and if so what we should do about them. Only 4% of responses felt they are no problem, while over 21% felt we have to curb them now, and 70% felt (and I agree) that we have to borrow responsibly to get us all through COVID-19 but must address them after the crisis is under control. As to what to do about them, responses were spread among raising taxes, repealing the recent tax cuts, and reducing defense and/or non-defense spending.

But a large percentage favored establishing an expert nonpartisan commission to recommend binding solutions which could include some or all of these options. I’ve now pursued that initiative by joining my Appropriations Committee colleagues, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Arkansas), and other colleagues on both sides of the aisle in co-introducing H.R. 974.

Our proposed Sustainable Budget Act would create a National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, similar to past commissions like the bipartisan Simpson-Bowles Commission which sorted through and recommended the tough choices Congress finds so difficult to even face. I said on introduction:

“It is inescapable that the underlying problem driving the ballooning national debt is our collective inability or unwillingness to prioritize fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Whether we look at budgets, taxes, spending or any other element of our fiscal debate and decisions, the result is the same: an avoidance of sound budgetary principles and practices and acceleration in deterioration of our nation’s finances. We clearly need external help that will focus us on the specific issues and collective decision-making required to stabilize our budget.”

Here is the text of our Sustainable Budget Act, which we are advancing wherever and however we can.

Working Alongside My New Partner In The U.S. House

I have always said that for a small state like Hawai’i, with only four in our Congressional delegation (two Senators, two Representatives) out of 535 voting Members of Congress, we must always work together especially on critical issues for Hawai’i so that we maximize our collective influence. To do so, every new member of our delegation must fully contribute from the get-go.

To this end, I have devoted much of my effort since the 2020 election to getting my new partner, U.S. Representative Kaiali’i Kahele, up to speed as soon as possible. I am very happy that he has done just that, and we are fully engaged in working together on COVID-19 and other major challenges facing our Hawai’i. Here is my recent ‘Olelo “Congressman Ed Case Reports” public broadcasting show in which Congressman Kahele joined me to talk story on his roots, journey to Capitol Hill, first weeks and months, committees, agenda and more.

Asking For Your Continued Input Through Another Anonymous Online Survey

I need and ask for your continued guidance with the various issues I face. Please help me by taking a few minutes to complete another online survey by clicking here.

This is completely anonymous. I won’t know who is replying and can’t track your responses back to you.

Inviting You To Join My Next Live Online Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case Monday, March 22, 2021, 6:30PM Hawai'i Time

Please join my next live Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case on Monday, March 22, at 6:30 PM Hawai'i Time on Facebook Live. To access the Facebook Live feed, please go to my Facebook page (@Repedcase) I'll report to you and answer your questions.

As always, I welcome you to go to my website at case.house.gov for much more information on me, my office and my activities as your Congressman. Please also email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov or call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688 with any questions or comments or needs.

I wish you and yours only the very best in these very difficult times for our country, our Hawai’i, and all of us. With great respect and aloha,

P.S. Please sign up for my regular e-newsletter here.

Contact Me