Scanlon, Mary Gay RSS Articles

Scanlon Introduces Bill to Lower Costs of Meat and Poultry and Target Corporate Greed

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) last week introduced the Packers and Stockyards Improvements Act, legislation to address rising meat and poultry prices due to corporate mergers and takeovers. The bill would improve the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) enforcement tools under the Packers and Stockyards Act and prohibit anti-competitive behavior in the meat and poultry industry.

“As mergers and corporate takeovers have consolidated power in the meat and poultry industry, consumers and producers have paid the price. The Packers and Stockyards Act has been crucial for enforcing compliance, but lacks sufficient tools to protect Americans from paying outrageous costs,” said Rep. Scanlon. “The Trump administration’s deregulation of the industry will only help his corporate buddies to maximize profits while continuing to hurt ranchers, farmers, and American families. I’m proud to introduce the Packers and Stockyards Improvements Act to lower costs for consumers and strengthen protections for our ranchers and farmers.”

In recent years, the meat and poultry sector has undergone a drastic shift with just four major corporations - Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef - controlling about 85% of the U.S. beef packing, 67% of the pork market, and 60% of poultry processing, resulting in skyrocketing prices for consumers. The Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 was passed to promote fair competition and trade practices, but has been unable to prevent increasing consolidation and subsequent price increases. This has further exacerbated the cost of living crisis as working class Americans struggle to put food on the table. In August 2026, the cost of ground beef reached a record high of $7.158 per pound. Beef prices have risen more than 22% since January 2025, as the Trump administration continues to pursue trade wars and failed to prevent a screwworm outbreak.

To address major changes from the first Trump administration, including the weakening of Packers and Stockyards protections, the USDA released a study entitled Agricultural Competition: A Plan in Support of Fair and Competitive Markets as part of President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy to use existing authorities to promote competition and protect ranchers and farmers from abusive meatpacker practices. Based on the report’s findings, the USDA implemented two rules and proposed a third. However, in July 2026, the Trump administration announced that it was rescinding those rules.

To address these insufficiencies, the Packers and Stockyard Improvements Act would:

Add poultry growers to administrative litigation authority under USDA.
Allow the Packers and Stockyards Division to have regular access to Livestock Mandatory Reporting Data to better monitor for violations.
Give USDA civil investigative demand authority for potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
Provide a standard whistleblower protection for employees and contractors of regulated businesses who report suspected violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

The Packers and Stockyards Improvements Act would further strengthen our ability to combat contemporary anticompetitive practices in meat and poultry markets, and add a new list of per se violations to address commonly used practices that lessen competition and punish suppliers, growers, and farmers.

The bill is endorsed by the American Economic Liberties Project, Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, National Farmers Union, Farm Aid, National Family Farm Coalition, RAFI, and Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance.

Find the full bill text here.

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Scanlon Leads PA Dems to Demand Answers About Private Detention Center Financials

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today led her Pennsylvania Democratic House colleagues in pressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the GEO Group, Inc.(GEO), and Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, for transparency on their intentionally opaque financial relationship with Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest immigration center in the Northeast. The push comes following Rep. Scanlon’s unannounced oversight visit to Moshannon Valley Processing Center on July 29, 2026.

The letter is signed by Reps. Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Chris Deluzio (PA-17).

“As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to conduct oversight of government spending and executive action. GEO has reported record profits driven by this administration’s mass deportation and immigrant surveillance campaigns. As part of these efforts, ICE and Clearfield County have both funneled Pennsylvanians’ taxpayer dollars to GEO. More importantly, our constituents have been detained at Moshannon. It is incumbent on us, as their elected representatives, to investigate the contract terms that peg their detention to GEO’s profit,” the members wrote.

ICE recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit contract bids that would extend immigration detention at Moshannon for another 10 years. The current five year contract is due to expire this month. The RFP sets an expedited timeline — just two weeks of visibility for the public from the time it was posted online (August 28, 2026) to when the Phase 1 Proposal(s) were due (September 11, 2026). This timing is in line with other attempts by the administration to rush government contracts and obscure how taxpayer funds are being spent.

Both Congress and the public must be able to evaluate the financial impact of the current agreement governing Moshannon before a new contract is awarded. Currently, an Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) between ICE and Clearfield County provides for the operation of the Moshannon facility and services related to the detention of persons in ICE custody, with GEO as the approved private contractor delivering those services. This contracting structure thwarts oversight because it delays the availability of crucial financial details. When Congresswoman Scanlon visited Moshannon in July, onsite managers of the facility claimed that they could not provide the Congresswoman with a copy of the contract or other current billing details.

The IGSA agreement requires that the County submit an itemized operating fee to ICE on a monthly basis, which ICE then reviews and approves for payout. According to recent reports, the monthly fixed rate includes a monthly operating fee, which began as $2.95 million per month and may have adjusted over time, a per diem fee of $10 per day for 1 through 800 detainees and $40 per day for 801 to 1876 detainees, reimbursement of one dollar per day for the detainee work program, transportation fees, and fees for guards.

“We request that you provide us with any and all monthly invoices for services provided pursuant to the IGSA and all communications regarding such invoices and payments made for such services at Moshannon from January 1, 2025, to present, by and among ICE, GEO, and Clearfield County,” the members continued. “We also request all invoices, payments, and communications by and among the parties and detainees regarding payments for and operation of the “detainee work program,” from January 1, 2025, to the present.”

“Finally, to the extent that additional agreements exist directly between GEO and Clearfield County, we request such agreements, corresponding contracts, any amendments or modifications, payment receipts, invoices, and supplemental documentation,” the members concluded.

In the letter, the members have requested a number of materials by September 25, 2026 — prior to the expiration of the current IGSA between ICE and Clearfield County, which is set to expire on September 28, 2026.

Find the full text of the letter here.

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Scanlon and Congressional Colleagues Host Hearing on Protecting American Democracy and the Right to Vote at Widener University

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Chester, PA – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), Committee on House Administration, today hosted a shadow hearing with Reps. Norma Torres (CA-35), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) featuring presentations from experts about protecting American democracy, including election security, electoral reforms, voting rights, and anti-corruption efforts.

Experts at today’s shadow hearing included:

Omar Noureldin, Senior Vice President of Policy and Litigation, Common Cause
Amy Widestrom, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
Lauren Cristella, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy
Marian Schneider, Adjunct Professor of Law, Villanova University and former PA election official

This shadow hearing takes place amid widespread concerns over proposals by Republicans and the Trump Administration to restrict voting and allow federal takeover of state elections. Proposals include the SAVE America Act, which could potentially disenfranchise hundreds of millions of American citizens, and efforts to restrict voting by mail.

“Our democracy ultimately depends on Americans choosing to participate in it. When the White House sows propaganda and injects chaos in our elections, it suppresses voter participation,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Americans should have confidence that when they cast a lawful ballot, that ballot will be counted. I’m grateful to the experts who joined today’s hearing to provide truthful information about our elections, and the various ways that every American can participate in and be an ambassador for our democracy.”

“The President and his allies want to take over this election,” said Ranking Member Morelle. “Our planned, targeted responses include litigation, effective community organization and mobilization, and promoting early voting. This work is ongoing every day. It’s iterative, and there’s still a long road ahead, but I’m confident that through this work we will be more prepared than ever this fall and beyond.”

Watch a recorded livestream of the event here.

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Ranking Member Scanlon’s Opening Statement Blasting Republicans for Trying to Strip American Children of Their Constitutional Right to Citizenship

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, today delivered opening remarks at a hearing on Republicans’ continued efforts to undermine the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship, even after the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s attempt to strip citizenship from children born in the United States.

Below are Ranking Member Scanlon’s remarks at today’s hearing.

WATCH Ranking Member Scanlon’s opening statement.

Ranking Member Mary Gay Scanlon

Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government

Hearing on “‘Subject to the Jurisdiction Thereof’: Birthright Citizenship and the Fourteenth Amendment, Part II”

September 2, 2026

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It seems that my Republican colleagues believe that no matter how false or bizarre a claim, repeating it over and over again will somehow make it true. What else can explain the hearing that they’ve scheduled for today?

As I explained last time the majority swung and missed on this topic, the text and legislative history of the 14th Amendment clearly establish that, aside from rare exceptions, a person’s birth in the United States guarantees citizenship in the United States. To suggest otherwise is nothing more than a disingenuous attempt to rewrite our nation’s history and the very words of the Constitution.

And you don’t have to take my word for it. The Supreme Court resoundingly agreed just two and a half months ago in its decision on this issue in Trump v. Barbra: the 14th Amendment guarantees that “all persons born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” That plain text is about as clear as the law can be. The Supreme Court and our Constitution only recognize two very narrow exceptions for children of foreign diplomats and children of an occupying army’s soldiers—situations where U.S. law cannot be applied. Simply tweeting that there is “an invasion” of immigrants is nothing more than a desperate and bigoted attempt to fabricate an end run around birthright citizenship, and doesn’t meet either of those exceptions.

The American children of undocumented immigrants and the American children of visa holders are persons born here in America at the moment of their birth. They’re subject to the same laws of the United States as me or you or the Chairman here with an undeniable constitutional claim to the rights, duties, and protections of that reciprocal relationship. In other words: citizenship.

So why are Donald Trump and our Republican colleagues continuing to question the plain, long-settled meaning of the 14th Amendment? Why are they peddling obviously unconstitutional proposals to end birthright citizenship, even after the Supreme Court settled the matter? Once again, it’s because Donald Trump and his Republican flunkies think they can profit at the polls if they strip away from an entire group of our American neighbors their rights, their votes, and their identities, and turn them into a permanent underclass. These Republicans want to pick and choose who is worthy of citizenship, based solely upon who someone’s parents are and where their parents are from.

In our country, where the Founders banned noble titles and declared that no man is guilty for his father’s sins, there’s nothing less American than that. In short, the people who want to end birthright citizenship are proposing to resurrect the infamous Dred Scott decision, which tried to make bloodline the mark of citizenship. Thankfully, most Americans reject this bigoted view, one that is diametrically opposed to our nation’s long-standing history and ideals. Patriotism requires us to resist the backsliding and injustice that the president and his allies are pushing. Our history, our quest for a more perfect union, has always been about opening up opportunity and civic participation, not ripping it away. Expanding our electorate has been an important part of that progress—enfranchisement, not disenfranchisement.

We passed constitutional amendments that guarantee citizenship and access to the ballot box, no matter a person’s race or sex. In doing so, we’ve made our country and its government more representative, more fair, and, slowly but surely, more perfect. That’s a vision shared by patriotic Americans and rooted in fundamental American ideals. Any attempt to radically reinterpret the citizenship clause only serves the schemes of right-wing extremists and limits who can have a political voice in this country.

Donald Trump’s unconstitutional executive orders to end birthright citizenship, not to mention copycat legislation by our Republican colleagues—even after the Court’s Barbara decision—would drag us backwards. Their efforts would upend the promise of America and consecrate a government that’s not for “the” people, but for “some” people.

It’s been nearly 160 years since the 14th Amendment rebuked the Dred Scott decision and reestablished birthright citizenship as the law of our land. In that time, the U.S. has been made better by Americans born here to immigrants, regardless of their parents’ birthplace or citizenship status. Countless prominent Americans are U.S.-born children of immigrants, including the Chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressman Greg Casar, the Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, Congressman Andy Harris, and for the region I represent, one of the greatest Eagles players of all time, Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik.

If you’re looking for prominent Americans who’ve benefited from birthright citizenship, you can look no further than senior officials in the Trump Administration like Marco Rubio or Nikki Haley, who were born to non-citizens and received their U.S. citizenship at birth.

Defending birthright citizenship is a moral as well as a constitutional imperative. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote in its Trump v. Barbara amicus brief that “ending birthright citizenship denies the innate dignity and freedom of the person.” The moral imperative, historical evidence, legal arguments, and U.S. Constitution are apparently no obstacle to our Republican colleagues, however.

As they persist in conjuring up all kinds of nonsense to justify limiting birthright citizenship, we’ve already heard some of our colleagues’ hallucinations about “birth tourism” and anchor babies. The claim that nefarious, expectant mothers enter the country on tourist visas just to give birth. Setting aside the fact that the Republicans own witnesses cannot show actual proof that birth tourism happens on any meaningful or widespread basis, any congressional response certainly does not involve upending constitutional fundamentals about the meaning of American citizenship. In fact, birthright citizenship is about as American as apple pie. Americans overwhelmingly back birthright citizenship, and extremists like Stephen Miller know they don’t have the votes or the public support to pass a constitutional amendment to repeal it.

So instead, they’re trying to do an end run by obliterating more than a century and a half of legal analysis and forcing a tortured reading of the English language, which the Supreme Court just rejected again.

Finally, let’s be abundantly clear. The through line that links this attempt to end birthright citizenship and every cruel immigration policy propped up by this administration serves the same goal: turning our melting pot democracy into a white nationalist ethnostate. And we will do everything in our power to fight that vision as a Congress, as a government, as a nation.

We should not be in the business of turning back the clock and allowing our country to backslide into the most shameful parts of its past. Instead, we should be passing laws that shepherd it towards a brighter future, where the promise to form a more perfect union rings true for all, rather than just a titled few.

Policies that bring us toward this vision of a more, just, more fair America, guided by all Americans, are exactly what I and my Democratic colleagues will use this Committee to fight for, and with that, I yield back.”

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Scanlon, Deluzio, Dean, Lee, Evans Introduce Bill to Expand Congressional Oversight at ICE Facilities

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) yesterday joined Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Dwight Evans (PA-03) in introducing the new Oversight Access Act of 2026.

This bill would allow for Representatives to bring one member of their staff inside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities when conducting oversight, without prior notice. This would allow for additional translation services and more capacity to conduct oversight. Under a current Trump Administration rule, Members of Congress can enter the facility unannounced but interpreters and other staff must receive prior approval, defeating the purpose of unannounced oversight visits.

“When a Member of Congress visits an ICE detention facility to conduct congressional oversight, they must be able to do so effectively,” said Rep. Scanlon. “That includes being able to bring an essential staff member or interpreter to support this critical duty. I am proud to lead the Oversight Access Act with Reps. Deluzio, Dean, Lee, and Evans to ensure that future unannounced oversight visits include a staff member.”

“Moshannon officials blocked my staff from joining our oversight visit this May, and it limited the conversations we could have with people detained inside. Unannounced congressional oversight visits to federal facilities are powerful and important accountability measures,” said Rep. Deluzio. “However, unannounced oversight would be far stronger if Members of Congress could be accompanied by a staff member who could provide translation services, legal guidance, or policy expertise. I’m introducing the Oversight Access Act to make this fix and expand congressional oversight at ICE facilities.”

“Congress has a solemn duty to conduct oversight at ICE facilities in Pennsylvania and across the country, but ICE’s arbitrary rules have made that more difficult. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I care deeply about ensuring that any facility receiving federal dollars lives up to the highest standards of care, decency, and safety,” said Rep. Dean. “I am grateful to Congressman Deluzio, Congresswoman Scanlon, Congresswoman Lee, and Congressman Evans for their partnership on this critical legislation, which would strengthen Congressional oversight and make it easier for members of Congress and our staff to visit ICE facilities unannounced.”

“Congressional oversight works when Members of Congress have the proper tools they need, and our staff play a critical role in that work, from providing translation services to bringing legal and policy expertise to the table,” said Rep. Lee. “It’s been made clear abuse, neglect, and inhumane conditions have plagued detention centers. Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility and right to conduct oversight, and we must be able to do our jobs without obstruction or intimidation. No administration is above accountability.”

“Over the past year and a half, we have seen numerous reports of inhumane, even deadly conditions of ICE detention facilities,” said Rep. Evans. “I’m proud to join this effort to demand more transparency and oversight of the Trump-Vance Administration’s actions.”

Rep. Scanlon joined her House colleagues in introducing this bill after she conducted an unannounced oversight visit of ICE’s largest detention center in Pennsylvania, the Moshannon Valley Detention Center. At the site, the Congresswoman was not permitted to bring congressional staff inside the facility. ICE blocking congressional staff from entering the facility limited the ability to communicate with people detained inside Moshannon.

Specifically, the bill would:

Remove the requirement of prior notice for a Member or an employee to enter any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security.
Prohibits temporary modification in any such facility that would alter what is observed by a Member of Congress while conducting oversight.
Prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from preventing Members of Congress and congressional employees accompanying a Member from entering a facility with the purpose of conducting oversight.

Find the full bill text here.

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Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Expand Eviction Diversion Programs

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) last week introduced the Stable Homes Act, legislation that would establish a competitive grant program to help local governments create or expand eviction diversion programs. More than two million eviction cases are filed each year across the country, roughly one filing every four minutes. Only 3% of tenants - compared to more than 80% of landlords - have legal representation. Eviction diversion programs (EDPs) have produced benefits for tenants, landlords, and local court systems by resolving disputes before an eviction filing is ever made.

EDPs help tenants avoid long-term consequences of an eviction record, such as barriers to future housing and damage to credit, while landlords benefit through mediation and supported negotiation to help resolve payment disputes and avoid court and attorney fees associated with formal eviction proceedings. EDPs also connect families to rental assistance, housing counseling, legal representation, and other resources to keep them housed.

“At a time when working-class Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, we need programs that help individuals and families stay in their homes and prevent housing insecurity,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Eviction diversion programs promote faster, fairer, and more sustainable resolutions for both landlords and tenants. I’m proud to introduce the Stable Homes Act to strengthen our housing market and keep our most vulnerable neighbors housed.”

Locally, Philadelphia’s EDP has demonstrated how pre-filing mediation can transform a city’s eviction landscape. In its first full year, 85% of cases entering the program avoided eviction court entirely, contributing to a dramatic decline in eviction filings from 20,000 annually to 7,000 in 2021. The program also relieved the local court system, reducing hearing wait times by two-thirds.

The Stable Homes Act would provide funding for localities to:

Establish eviction diversion programs, offering mediation services between tenants and landlords before an eviction filing occurs.
Support productive negotiation by providing direct rental assistance, legal representation, and housing counseling for the tenant.
Collect data and evaluate outcomes to measure program effectiveness and inform future policy.

The bill is endorsed by the National Housing Law Project and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Find the full bill text here.

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Congresswoman Scanlon Conducts Unannounced Oversight Visit to Moshannon Valley Processing Center, Largest ICE Detention Center in Northeast

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Chester, PA — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) this week conducted an unannounced Congressional oversight visit inside Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest ICE detention center in the Northeast. After a roughly 30 minute wait, Rep. Scanlon gained entry to the facility and was provided a tour of the Moshannon facility by ICE and GEO administrators for 3 hours. With one exception, she was not allowed to speak with detainees.

The visit occurred without prior notice to ICE after a March 2 court order blocked ICE actions to restrict access to detention facilities by Members of Congress and reaffirmed their legal right to conduct unannounced oversight visits to those facilities.

Moshannon Valley Processing Center is a former prison owned and operated by private prison contractor, GEO Group, and now used solely for immigration detention. While reports of poor conditions at Moshannon have circulated for years, they have dramatically increased since the start of the Trump Administration’s mass deportation efforts, including a hunger strike, reports of inadequate medical care and neglect, allegations of sexual assault, and two detainee deaths.

“The American people are entitled to know how their tax dollars are being spent. Given the billions of dollars in deficit spending that Congressional Republicans and the Trump White House are devoting to mass deportation, it is more important than ever that Congress conduct oversight of ICE and DHS operations to find out how those taxpayer dollars are being spent, and ensure that people being held in custody by the United States government are treated humanely,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Following numerous reports of unsafe living conditions, subpar medical care, and two deaths at this private prison facility, in which dozens of my community members and constituents have been detained against their will, it would be irresponsible not to inspect conditions at Moshannon firsthand. GEO charges us millions of dollars every month to detain people at Moshannon. Taxpayer dollars should be spent to improve the lives of Americans, not to inflict misery and make private prison contractors rich.”

Rep. Scanlon summarized her key takeaways as follows:

Administrators reported that the population at Moshannon during the visit was 1,634 — consistent with increased detention numbers across the country as ICE arrests have escalated in June and July 2026.
Officials at Moshannon indicated that 1,311 of the 1,634 individuals detained at the time of the visit were considered low-security. ICE’s FY2026 statistics confirm that the vast majority (8 out of 10) of people detained at Moshannon have no criminal record.
Only 46 (less than 3%) of detainees were women. This aligns with reports that ICE is targeting male breadwinners for detention in order to pressure self-deportation by entire family units (including children who are U.S. citizens).
The average stay at Moshannon was reported by administrators to be 34 days; current online statistics from ICE list a higher (46 days) average stay.
While ICE and GEO officials on site said that they did not know or could not disclose how much ICE pays GEO to operate the facility at Moshannon, public reporting indicates that GEO is receiving over $5.3 million per month, consisting of a monthly management fee of at least $3.4 million and an additional fee of $10 per person per day up to 800 detainees, and $40 per person per day for over 800 detainees. This fee structure provides a perverse incentive for private prisons to prolong detention. GEO Group representatives also confirmed that it charges the government additional fees for its expanding private transportation services.
If one prorates GEO’s monthly fees as reported for May 2025, before the most recent surge, it is costing taxpayers $43,741 per year to detain someone at Moshannon, which is about what it costs to send a student to Penn State University nearby for a year.
Moshannon Valley Processing Center is a former prison, and is run using prison practices. Detained individuals are required to wear color-coded prison garb and eat in their living quarters. There are severe constraints upon their liberty and their ability to contact family and anyone outside the facility.
By law, immigration detention is supposed to be a form of civil process, not criminal punishment, meaning the system is supposed to be used to manage flight or safety risks and ensure that people attend their court hearings. What detained individuals experience at Moshannon could not be described as anything other than punitive — at best.
Detainees must perform most of the labor at the facility where they are being involuntarily held, including cleaning showers, toilets, and living quarters, and supplying the majority of labor for food service and laundry. Only two full-time janitors service the entire facility, which has a capacity of more than 1,800 people. While GEO and ICE say that such labor is “voluntary,” an administrator acknowledged that these core functions could not be performed without detainee labor. By using detainee labor, rather than hiring employees or contractors at market rates, the private contractor increases its profits.
Many detainees avoid the institutional meals which administrators said are prepared to meet correctional facility caloric and nutrition standards. Due to poor food quality, detainees have initiated two hunger strike protests this year and rely upon food such as ramen noodles purchased from the facility’s commissary, using funds sent to them by friends or relatives. The Congresswoman saw such prepackaged food in the living quarters. She was provided with a lunch tray in the dining hall, which detainees cannot use, but was unable to compare it to what detainees were served.
While the facility denies using solitary confinement for punishment, its “Special Management Unit” currently has 29 detainees in single cells, separate from the general population. The physical setup of the unit, and admissions by management that some detainees were assigned there for infraction of facility rules, at least partially confirmed reports of abuse of solitary confinement standards. All cells were occupied by only one person. Some were on suicide watch. One had been held there for 220 days. Daily recreation for residents of that unit takes place in a cement block hall containing chain link cages in which “natural light and fresh air” is provided by 1’ x 3’ openings in the wall about 12 feet above floor level.

During her visit to Moshannon Valley Processing Center, Rep. Scanlon was able to speak with one of her constituents who had previously completed an ICE Privacy Waiver that authorizes the release of information to a third party, including a Congressional office. Moshannon administrators barred the Congresswoman from speaking with other detainees, which made it difficult to assess their actual treatment and conditions.

The July 29 visit follows an August 2025 visit to Moshannon, when Rep. Scanlon was denied entry under orders of former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and her January 2026 oversight visit to Philadelphia Federal Detention Center, which serves as a temporary holding facility for individuals detained in the area before they are transferred to Moshannon or elsewhere.

Rep. Scanlon, who is a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, has previously visited a detention center and migrant shelter in Texas, ports of entry on both the northern and southern borders, and a family detention center in Berks County, PA, which has since been closed.

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Scanlon, Thompson Introduce Legislation to Protect Grandfamilies Affected by Substance Misuse

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) today introduced the bipartisan Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act, legislation that would strengthen support for grandfamilies and other kinship caregivers by ensuring they have access to the services and resources they need to help children thrive. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced the Senate companion bill.

Nearly 2.5 million children are being raised in kinship families or “grandfamilies” by relatives or close family friends without their parents in the home, and the vast majority of these children are raised outside of the foster care system. For every child in foster care living with relatives, there are 18 being raised by relatives outside of the foster care system. Kinship caregivers often receive little or no support to meet the complex needs of children, especially those who have experienced trauma, and are left to navigate complicated child welfare support systems on their own.

“Navigating the child welfare system can be a stressful experience for children and caregivers already experiencing hardship, especially grandfamilies,” said Rep. Scanlon. “It’s important that we abolish systemic barriers that prevent all children and families from successfully navigating the child welfare system. I’m proud to introduce the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Abuse Act to set up children and families for brighter futures.”

"Stability is the foundation for a child's quality of life and future success. For many children, this stability is found in the care of a grandparent or kinship caregiver who can provide a safe and loving home," said Rep. Thompson. "I am proud to support the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act to ensure these caregivers and children have access to the services they need."

The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act would:

Ensure that grandfamilies and all kinship families are eligible for services under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).
Provide additional support to these families to meet the unique needs of children who have experienced trauma, including being exposed to substance misuse.
Call for specialized training to help kinship caregivers navigate the complicated supports and services they may be eligible to receive.
Coordinate with the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center that Congress created to disseminate information on best practices used to support children being raised in kinship families within or outside of the child welfare system.

The bill is endorsed by the National Foster Youth Institute and Generations United.

“The National Foster Youth Institute proudly supports the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act because it reflects what young people with lived experience have shared with us for years: kinship caregivers should be the first stop and are often the reason children remain connected to their family, culture, identity, and community, yet too many are left to do it without the support they need,” said Cortez L. Carey, Director of Government Relations at the National Foster Youth Institute. “We believe preserving those cultural connections is essential to a child's well-being. By investing in grandparents, relatives, and other trusted caregivers, this legislation strengthens families, honors cultural preservation, and helps more children heal, thrive, and have a support system beyond the age of 18.”

“Grandparents and other kin caregivers often step in during a family crisis to keep children safe, connected, and surrounded by people they know and trust. Yet the systems intended to support families do not always fully recognize or respond to the circumstances of kinship families,” said Kristen Kiefer, Executive Director of Generations United. “The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act makes important, practical improvements to CAPTA by more clearly including kinship families in prevention services, caregiver training, and supports for children who have experienced trauma. Generations United is pleased to endorse this legislation again, and we thank Congresswoman Scanlon and the bill’s sponsors for their continued attention to the needs of kinship families."

Find the full bill text here.

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Scanlon, Dingell, Simon, Durbin, Duckworth, Wyden, Sanders Lead 100 Members of Congress in Calling on DOJ to Rescind Opinion Undermining Olmstead

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee; Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions today led 100 Members of Congress in a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to rescind its June 18 Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion that undermines decades of protections for disability rights that have ensured people with disabilities are not arbitrarily placed in segregated, institutionalized settings and instead can access services in integrated settings within their communities. The push comes in the middle of Disability Pride Month to celebrate disability identity and advocate for full inclusion in everyday life. DOJ’s opinion, titled “Application of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act to State Institutionalization of Patients with Severe Mental Illness or Disabilities,” would undermine both the scope and enforcement of the integration mandate under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

“The opinion represents a dramatic departure from decades of federal law, regulations, and judicial precedent protecting the civil rights of people with all types of disabilities and must be withdrawn,” the lawmakers wrote.

In enacting the ADA, Congress explicitly found that “historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities” and determined that such segregation constitutes a serious and pervasive form of discrimination. The ADA was designed not merely to prohibit intentional exclusion, but to ensure that people with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to live, work, learn, and participate fully in community life as full members of their communities.

In 1999, the Supreme Court affirmed these principles in Olmstead v. L.C., holding that unjustified institutional isolation of individuals with disabilities is discrimination under the ADA. The Court recognized that institutionalization perpetuates harmful stereotypes about the capabilities of people with disabilities and severely diminishes opportunities for family relationships, employment, economic independence, educational advancement, and participation in community life.

“For more than 25 years, federal courts across the country, Republican and Democratic administrations alike, the Department of Justice, and Congress have interpreted and implemented the Olmstead decision to require states and public entities to provide services in integrated settings when appropriate,” the lawmakers wrote. “This long-accepted interpretation has enabled hundreds of thousands of Americans with disabilities to avoid harmful and unnecessary institutionalization and remain connected to their families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and chosen communities.”

The lawmakers’ letter continues, “The Department’s recent opinion rejects this settled understanding and threatens to undermine one of the most important civil rights protections for people with disabilities. Notably, the opinion itself acknowledges that its interpretation is ‘out of step with common understanding of that decision within Federal courts.’ Such an admission should give serious pause before the Department reverses decades of enforcement efforts or undertakes further regulatory actions. In order to protect the civil rights of disabled people, DOJ must meaningfully enforce the integration mandate.”

The consequences of weakening the integration mandate would be profound. Millions of Americans with disabilities rely on home and community-based services supporting them to be among their families, maintain employment, pursue education, and participate in civic life. The Department’s new interpretation risks creating, supporting, and encouraging policies that steer individuals into segregated settings such as nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, segregated work programs, and segregated classrooms. Such a result would be inconsistent with federal law, contrary to congressional intent, and harmful to people with disabilities and their families.

“We cannot return to a time when people with disabilities were denied basic civil rights, ripped away from their families, and institutionalized against their will. The disability community has spent decades advancing the promise that disability should never be grounds for exclusion from community life. The integration mandate is a cornerstone of that promise, and weakening it would reverse decades of bipartisan progress,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers’ letter concludes, “The integration mandate has transformed the lives of countless Americans with disabilities by expanding access to community living, employment, education, and self-determination. We urge the Department to honor both the letter and spirit of the ADA by rescinding this opinion and reaffirming its commitment to the civil rights of people with disabilities.”

In the letter, the lawmakers request responses to a number of questions no later than August 5, 2026.

Along with Scanlon, Dingell, and Simon, the letter is signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), André Carson (D-IN-07), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Julie Johnson (D-TX-32), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), John Mannion (D-NY-22), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Sarah McBride (D-DE), April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Christian Menefee (D-TX-18), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).

Along with Durbin, Duckworth, Wyden, and Sanders, the letter is signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

The letter is endorsed by Justice in Aging, Caring Across Generations, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, The Arc, and American Civil Liberties Union.

Find the full text of the letter here.

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Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Expand Social Security Survivor Benefits for Widowers and Surviving Divorced Spouses

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today introduced the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act, legislation that would update arbitrary restrictions on benefits for widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses, and increase Social Security benefits for more than one million Americans. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Senate companion bill.

Under current law, widow(er)s who develop a disability after their spouse dies are not allowed to claim survivor benefits until they reach the age of 50, and the value of these benefits is severely reduced if they claim them before reaching full retirement age. More than one-third of widow(er)s also have their benefits limited by an obscure provision known as the “widow(er)’s limit,” which permanently reduces widow(er)s’ survivor benefits if their deceased spouse claimed retirement benefits before retirement age.

“Social Security has been a critical and essential lifeline for retired, disabled, and low-income workers for decades,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Obscure benefit caps and outdated arbitrary legal restrictions have created obstacles for beneficiaries, particularly women, during some of the most vulnerable periods in their lives. I’m proud to introduce the SWIFT Act to tackle those barriers and increase Social Security benefits for deserving Americans in need.”

The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act would:

Allow widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities to receive 100% of the survivor benefit they are entitled to regardless of their age;
Give widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses the ability to increase the value of their survivor benefits beyond current arbitrary caps;
Enable widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses caring for children to receive child-in-care benefits until their children are age 18 or 19 if still in school; and
Require the federal government to proactively provide information to widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses about benefits they are eligible for, claiming options, and important deadlines.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-11), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01).

The bill is endorsed by the National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, National Association of Disability Representatives, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, Alliance for Retired Americans, Justice in Aging, and AFL-CIO.

Find the full bill text here.

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Protecting Democracy: Defending the Right to Vote

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

On Tuesday, September 22, at 2:00 pm ET, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, will lead a spotlight hearing to reassure the American people that, despite what they are hearing about the Trump Administration’s attempts to undermine the integrity of the midterms and sow confusion and doubt, they can feel confident that their votes will be counted this November.

At the hearing, titled “Protecting Democracy: Defending the Right to Vote,” Members of Congress will hear from expert witnesses who have ramped up their voter education and election protection efforts.

Among the members participating will be Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Joe Morelle, Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration.

LIVESTREAM: WATCH HERE

MEMBERS EXPECTED:

Ranking Member Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)

Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08)

Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25)

Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08)

Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04)

Other Members of Congress

EXPERT WITNESSES:

Michael Waldman, President and CEO of Brennan Center for Justice

Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs at the League of Women Voters of the United States

Alysoun McLaughlin, former Deputy Elections Director for Montgomery County, Maryland, and Director of the Election Resilience Lab at University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement

Service Academy Nomination Virtual Info Session

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Members of Congress are able to nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Congresswoman Scanlon's service academy nomination process officially launched in July and will close on Friday, November 13, 2026.

Join this virtual information session to learn more about Congresswoman Scanlon's service academy nomination process so you can put your best foot forward as you pursue a congressional nomination through our office.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams. Register Here.

Town Hall with State Representatives Borowski & O’Mara

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

I am hosting a joint town hall with State Representatives Borowski and O’Mara to give you the latest updates on what is happening in Washington and Harrisburg. We’ll also take questions from attendees.

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Time: 6:30PM (Doors Open at 6:00PM)

Location: Delaware County Community College - Academic Building, Large Auditorium || 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063

This event has reached capacity. Registration is now closed.

Office Hours with Congresswoman Scanlon

Tue, 05 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Scanlon for Office Hours at her district office in Chester. Congresswoman Scanlon wants to hear from constituents like you about how she can best represent PA-05 in Washington. You'll also have the chance to learn more about services available through the office and meet district staff who work on constituent services.

Advance registration is required due to limited capacity and security protocol. Entry is not guaranteed for anyone who has not registered in advance.

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (Sign Up for One of Three 30-Minute Timeslots)
Location: 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, PA 19013

**Space is limited and advance registration is required. RSVP here or contact my Chester office at (610) 626-2020.**

Town Hall

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 19:00:00 GMT

On Saturday, January 24 at 2:00PM, I am hosting a town hall in Chester to give you an update on the latest actions of the Trump administration, what’s happening in Congress, and how I’m fighting for PA-05 families.

Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Event Time: 2:00 PM (Doors open at 1:30 PM)
Location: Widener University - Alumni Auditorium || 1410-1490 Providence Avenue, Chester, PA 19013
Parking: Attendees can park in any of Widener University’s open lots or utilize street parking in non-residential zones. A campus map showing all parking lots and the event venue (Alumni Auditorium) is available here.

**RSVP here or contact the Chester office at (610) 626-2020.

Advance registration is required. Once the venue has reached capacity, no additional attendees will be admitted.

Government Shutdown Telephone Town Hall

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, October 2, I am hosting a telephone town hall to give you an update on the government shutdown and answer your questions about how I'm fighting for PA-05 families.

Dial 855-274-3980 on Thursday, October 2, at 6:00 pm to listen in and ask a question.

Passport Day with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and the Philadelphia Passport Agency

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMT

My office is hosting a “Passport Day” in partnership with the Philadelphia Passport Agency to make the passport renewal and application process more convenient for you. You’ll be able to submit your passport renewal application or apply for the first time. Routine and expedited service options are offered based on current State Department timelines.

Please note that this will be an acceptance only event. Completed passport booklets will not be issued at this event, you will receive your passport in the mail. No same-day service available.

Date: Thursday, June 11th, 2026

Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Location: Brookhaven Municipal Center, 2 Cambridge Rd, Brookhaven, PA 19015

All appointments for this event are currently booked. Please call our Chester office at (610) 626-2020 to be added to our wait list.

Come Prepared:

You must complete the required application(s) in advance and bring a printed copy of the unsigned form(s) to your appointment. Application forms can be found online at travel.state.gov/passport.
You must bring an acceptable passport photo to your appointment.
You must submit original proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship, or Report of Birth Abroad). These documents will be returned by mail after your passport is processed.
You must bring valid identification, such as a driver’s license or photo ID.
For children’s passport applications, proof of the parent-child relationship is required, such as a birth certificate. A previous passport for a minor only serves as proof of citizenship and does not verify the relationship. Consent from both parents/guardians is also required. More information is available here.
All application fees must be paid on-site at your appointment.

Check travel.state.gov/passport for the latest forms, fees, and required documents.

Current Passport Processing Times:

Routine: 4 to 6 weeks
Expedited: 2 to 3 weeks (with an extra $60 fee)

Current Fees:

New Passport: $130
Passport Renewal: $130
Child’s Passport (16 and under): $100
Execution Fee (Applied to first time passport applicants and those not eligible for renewal, Form DS-11): $35
Expedited Service: $60
Express Mail for Completed Passport: $22.05

To find out your anticipated total fees, check the Passport Fee Calculator prior to your appointment.

Acceptable Payment Types:

Check
Money Order
Credit Card
Tap to Pay

**Cash will NOT be accepted.**

Service Academy Info Session

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Scanlon’s staff and representatives from military organizations to learn more about the resources available for high school students in PA-05 interested in serving their country. Information will be provided about the application process for receiving a congressional nomination to one of the U.S. service academies, as well as other paths to service available to interested young people.

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Valley Forge Military Academy & College (Mellon Hall) - 1001 Eagle Rd, Wayne, PA 19087
Parking: Onsite parking is available.

Please note: this is the last Service Academy Information Session that the office will host for 2025.

*RSVP here or call the Chester office at (610) 626-2020 no later than Tuesday, September 16.*

Coffee With Your Congresswoman

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:30:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Scanlon for coffee and conversation. While she is home in the district, Congresswoman Scanlon wants to hear from constituents like you about your top concerns and how she can best represent PA-05 when she returns to Washington.

Due to limited venue capacity, we ask that you register for ONLY ONE of the Coffee with Your Congresswoman events being held August 4-7, 2025. This will allow more constituents to participate.

Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Event Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Office of Congresswoman Scanlon, 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, PA 19013

Sign-ups for this event have surpassed the capacity of the venue. Walk-ins will not be accepted due to venue capacity.

Coffee With Your Congresswoman

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Join Congresswoman Scanlon for coffee and conversation. While she is home in the district, Congresswoman Scanlon wants to hear from constituents like you about your top concerns and how she can best represent PA-05 when she returns to Washington.

Due to limited venue capacity, we ask that you register for ONLY ONE of the Coffee with Your Congresswoman events being held August 4-7, 2025. This will allow more constituents to participate.

Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Event Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Tinicum Memorial Public Library, 620 Seneca Street, Essington, PA 19029
NOTE: Tinicum Memorial Public Library is not a sponsor of Coffee with Your Congresswoman and is not involved in the planning or content of the event.

Sign-ups for this event have surpassed the capacity of the venue. Walk-ins will not be accepted due to venue capacity.