Press Office of Paulina Richards (D-OH)

[Keyshawn]

 

Paulina Richards

United States Senator from Ohio

 

 

Press Releases

- Press Statement on NAFTA Renegotiation

- Congressional Briefing: Bipartisan Deal To Reduce Child Care Costs; Endorsement of Paul Watford, & More

- Congressional Briefing: Senator Richards Works To Build Schools, Hospitals

- Congressional Briefing: Senator Richards Votes To Support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court

Edited May 1 by Keyshawn

[Keyshawn]

 

Richards: I Trust The de la Cruz Administration To Negotiate Fair Trade Deals

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Paulina Richards (D-OH) today voted in favor of an amendment that would allow President Xiomara de la Cruz to negotiate a new and improved tri-lateral trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

 

Senator Richards issued the following statement upon introducing the bill into the Senate:

 

"The Democratic party has been staunchly supportive of worker's rights, lower prices for families, and improving global cooperation for labor-friendly and environmentally-sound policies. The President was elected with the support of union voters and working people across America, because they trust her judgement to deliver on issues of economic justice and economic prosperity. My mission as a Senator representing Ohio is to make sure we're giving our President the tools to work for us. I trust the de la Cruz Administration to negotiate fair trade deals - particularly to renegotiate NAFTA - to reduce deficits; improve supply chains; contain prices; and spur job growth."

Edited April 4 by Keyshawn

[Keyshawn]

 

Congressional Briefing: Senator Richards Releases Bipartisan Deal To Reduce Child Care Costs; Endorsement of Paul Watford, & More

 

WASHINGTON, D.C - Senator Paulina Richards (D-OH) has been hard at work for the people of Ohio. Over the last few weeks, the Senator has hit the ground running as the new Congressional session gets underway. Sen. Richards teamed up with Republican Senator James Cambridge (IA) on a bill that would lower child care costs for Ohioans. She has also co-sponsored a number of bills and recently made a decision about the nomination of Paul Watford to serve on the Supreme Court. Learn more below:

 

BIPARTISAN CHILD CARE LEGISLATION 

As child care costs have ballooned across America, and particularly for Ohio families, Senator Richards made it a priority to not just address the issue but work across the aisle on solutions that could be enacted into law and begin changing people's lives. In partnership with Jim Cambridge of Iowa, Senator Richards released the details of that bipartisan work recently. Learn more about the bill by reading the Plain English Summary provided here.

 

ENDORSEMENT OF PAUL WATFORD'S SUPREME COURT NOMINATION

Senator Richards cares abundantly about qualified candidates serving on the Supreme Court. Paul Watford, with his extensive experience in the courtroom and on the bench, is an experienced candidate. Senator Richards has waited until after hearing Watford's testimony before the Senate to make her decision and, like most Americans, believe Watford carried himself well. She has made the decision to vote in favor of his nomination, in order to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court.

 

ADVANCING COMPUTER SCIENCE

Senator Richards has co-sponsored legislation from her colleague Camilo J. deSonido (I-CA) to advance computer science literacy among our children, enhancing their prospects in the workforce and their opportunities post-education. Learn more about the bill here.

 

ENDING CORRUPTION

Senator Richards is working to elevate another bipartisan package focused on ending corruption and ensuring ethical standards among those who work in public service. The legislation, introduced by Senator Jason Roy (R-SC) and Senator David Stewart (R-PA), would put greater controls and restrictions on revolving door lobbying and prevent conflicts of interest. Learn more about the bill here.

 

[Keyshawn]

 

Congressional Briefing: Senator Richards Works To Build Schools, Hospitals

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Paulina Richards (D-OH) has continued her work on behalf of the people of Ohio. Recently, during her work in the Senate chambers, Senator Richards sponsored legislation that will spur investments in elementary and middle schools; colleges; libraries; hospitals; and other government buildings across Ohio and America if enacted. Senator Richards also cosponsored legislation to promote a balanced budget; enhance equipment for police officers; address the opioid crisis; and support union workers. Learn more below:

 

AN INITIATIVE ON INVESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, & MORE

Senator Richards has sponsored legislation, to spur investments in elementary and middle schools; colleges; libraries; hospitals; and other government buildings across Ohio and America if enacted. Senator Richards will work across the aisle to promote the legislation and work to see the law passed. Learn more about the bill by reading the Plain English Summary provided here.

 

PROMOTING BALANCED BUDGETS

America has lost its way when it comes to fiscal discipline. Senator Richards is committed to balancing America's checkbook. She has co-sponsored a proposal, working with her Democratic colleague Senator John Carlsen (D-IN) to promote a constitutional amendment focused on balancing America's budget, among other measures. Learn more about the bill by reading the Plain English Summary provided here.

 

ENHANCING EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE OFFICERS

Protecting America's law enforcement officer is a critical priority of Senator Richards. She has worked across the aisle, co-sponsoring legislation with Senator Tom Donelson (R-TX) to ensure federal regulation does not prevent law enforcement gear from getting to those who need it most, police officers and those that protect us each and every day. Learn more about the bill by reading the Plain English Summary provided here.

 

ADDRESSING THE OPIOID CRISIS

The opioid crisis is presenting a major challenge to families in Ohio and across the country. Senator Richards is working across the aisle, co-sponsoring legislation with Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) to hold drug manufactures accountable for a variety of actions that has aided and abetted the opioid epidemic. Learn more about the bill by reading the Plain English Summary provided here.

 

SUPPORTING UNION WORKERS

Senator Richards is committed to the collective bargaining rights of everyday workers who make up Ohio's working and middle classes. She has co-sponsored a proposal, working with her Democratic colleague, the Senate Majority Whip, Senator Diego Everhart (D-PA), to ensure public employees have the right to join unions and work together to increase their wages and workplace standards. The legislation also ensures that unions do not impeded on the conducting of public emergency services through organized strikes. Learn more about the bill by reading the Plain English Summary provided here.

[Keyshawn]

 

Congressional Briefing: Senator Richards Votes To Support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Paulina Richards (D-OH) has continued her work on behalf of the people of Ohio. Recently, Senator Richards voted to close debate and move forward the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Senator Richards also voted to advance her signature bipartisan bill on child care and for infrastructure relief related to the Interstate-5 bridge collapse. 

 

GETTING A QUALIFIED JUDGE ON THE SUPREME COURT

Senator Richards not only voted to advance Judge Jackson's nomination, she worked tireless to attain Republican support for a "consensus candidate", including calling on the Administration to move forward in that way. She has assessed the career and judicial record of President Doug Murphy's nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and realized her devoted leadership, down-the-line impartiality and wise rulings. Learn more about Judge Jackson here.

 

RICHARDS-CAMBRIDGE CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE SET TO PASS

Senator Richards has worked across the aisle to attain support for a bipartisan package of reforms aimed at lowering child care costs for mothers throughout Ohio and protect vulnerable children. Richards has worked with her colleagues to boost the Child Care Tax Credit and other measures to ensure the bill's passage. As of right now, the legislation is poised to pass the Senate. Senator Richards will continue to press House Republicans to debate and pass the measure to ensure this legislation is signed and passed by the President of the United States. 

 

SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY INFRASTRUCTURE

Senator Richards voted in favor of the Interstate-5 Relief Act, delivering much needed emergency aid to the State of California for the reconstructing of a vital bridge that has implications for national commerce, including, indirectly, goods arriving in Ohio on time. As a result, the Senator was thrilled to support the measure and commended Senator deSonido and Majority Leader Everhart for their swift production of the Act. 

[Keyshawn]

 

Congressional Remarks: Senator Richards Addresses Need for Border Security

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Paulina Richards (D-OH) took to the Senate floor to deliver remarks on the vital need to address border security, giving voice to Ohio victims of migrant crime and drug abuse. Read her full remarks below:

 

"Madam President,

 

Today, I rise with a heavy heart to address a pressing issue that has haunted our communities for far too long. We have seen the devastating consequences of migrant crime, and it is time for us to confront this reality head-on. As a moderate Democrat, I believe in upholding the rule of law while also advocating for compassionate and sensible immigration policies. But we cannot turn a blind eye to the dangers that unchecked illegal immigration poses to our citizens.

 

Allow me to share with you the tragic story of Margaret Kostelnik, a beloved member of the Willoughby, Ohio community. Margaret served as the secretary for the mayor for nearly three decades, dedicating her life to public service. Yet her life was senselessly cut short by the heinous actions of an undocumented migrant, Juan Razo. Before he killed Mrs. Kostelnik, Razo had attempted to rape his young niece. Margaret's murder serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked illegal immigration.

 

Sadly, Margaret's story is not an isolated incident. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a disturbing rise in migrant crime across Ohio. From theft and assault to drug trafficking and murder, the impact of illegal immigration on our communities cannot be ignored. And let us not forget the continuous rise in drug overdoses, fueled in part by the influx of illicit substances brought across our borders.

 

My friends, this is not just a border-state problem. It is a national crisis that demands decisive action. We must strengthen our border security measures and enforce the laws on the books to protect the safety and security of all Americans. That is why, if this body will not take up the issue of border security, I call on the president to take more forceful action through the Department of Homeland Security to address this urgent issue.

 

We cannot afford to allow undocumented immigrants who pose a threat to our communities to roam freely among us. Every instance of an undocumented immigrant not detained and deported, only to go on to commit further crimes, is an egregious failure of our duty to ensure the safety and security of our nation. It is one of the worst offenses of American insecurity.

 

As Democrats, we must stand firm in our commitment to both compassion and security. We can uphold our values of inclusivity and diversity while also safeguarding the well-being of our citizens. It is not a question of one or the other; it is about finding common-sense solutions that protect both the rights of immigrants and the safety of our communities.

 

In conclusion, let us honor the memory of Margaret Kostelnik and all those who have fallen victim to migrant crime by taking decisive action to secure our borders and enforce our laws. Let us come together as Americans, across party lines, to confront this crisis and build a safer, more prosperous future for all. Thank you and I yield the remainder of my time."