Scanlon, Mary Gay RSS Articles

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 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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Scanlon Opposes the Sunshine Protection Act, Promotes the Sunshine for Our Kids Act

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

“If we're going to make a permanent change that affects every American, we should follow the science, learn from history, and prioritize Americans' health, particularly that of our children.”

WATCH Rep. Scanlon’s floor remarks.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) this week spoke on the House floor about the Sunshine Protection Act, the bill that would make daylight saving time permanent. Citing the risks of this decision, Scanlon discussed her bill, the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, which would make standard time permanent instead.

While the Sunshine Protection Act eventually passed the House 308-117, its fate in the Senate remains unclear. Opposition in the Senate cites late sunrises in the winter as detrimental to public health and safety, particularly for school-age children.

Below are Rep. Scanlon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, during Tuesday’s floor debate.

“Thank you.

As I think we can all tell from the ensuing debate here, there are serious issues that this body needs to be wrestling with, but the Speaker has chosen to put on the floor this week H.R. 139, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent.

So, I think there's one thing everyone in this chamber can agree on: Americans do not like changing their clocks twice a year. So, the big question isn't whether we should ditch the switch. It's how. And unfortunately, the bill that the Speaker has chosen chooses the wrong solution by making daylight saving time permanent nationwide, while denying states the right to enact permanent standard time if they so choose, not if, but when they discover that Congress made the wrong choice.

We can all understand the appeal of an extra hour of sunlight in the summer, but permanent daylight saving time comes with serious health and safety concerns caused by even darker winter mornings.

If this bill becomes law, winter mornings across the country are going to look very different. Millions of Americans will wake up during the winter months in complete darkness, with the sun not rising until long after people get up and travel to school or work, or have to go about their days.

In much of upstate and northern New York, communities won't see the sunrise until well after 8:30 a.m.

In Michigan, it will be close to nine before the sun comes up, and in parts of the Pacific Northwest, sunrise will be pushed even later than 9 a.m.

In many parts of the country, children will be waiting for school buses in darkness. Parents will be driving to work before sunrise. Morning commuters, students, and pedestrians will be starting their day in the dark. Not because of the seasons, but because Congress decided to move the clock instead of following the sun.

We don't have to speculate about what would happen under permanent daylight saving time. We already tried it.

During the 1974 energy crisis, Congress made daylight saving time permanent in a failed attempt to save energy.

It lasted less than a year. Families found themselves sending their kids to school in the dark, and there were a rash of fatal crashes involving school children. Communities raised serious safety concerns, and public support, which initially was quite strong, quickly collapsed. Congress repealed the policy within months.

The science has only become clearer since then.

Medical and scientific experts have endorsed the move to permanent standard time because permanent daylight saving time disrupts our natural circadian rhythms, the internal clocks that regulate when we sleep and wake.

That disruption has been linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, chronic sleep deprivation, and other adverse health concerns. And these bad outcomes are even more serious and long-lasting than the sleep deprivation, traffic accidents, and heart attacks that follow the twice-yearly changes that we currently have.

I've also heard directly from my constituents. Like most Americans, they're ready to ditch the switch.

But when I asked which permanent system they would prefer if they had to choose, the clear preference was for standard time. And a Gallup poll last year found that Americans preferred permanent standard time to permanent daylight saving time 2 to 1.

That's why I've introduced the bipartisan Sunshine for Our Kids Act with Representative Pat Harrigan from North Carolina. Our bill would end the clock changes and make standard time the national default. But importantly, it would also allow for states to adopt permanent daylight saving time through state law if they choose.

If we're going to make a permanent change that affects every American, we should follow the science, learn from history, and prioritize Americans' health, particularly that of our children.

That's why I urge a no vote on the rule and on H.R. 139.

I yield back.”

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Scanlon Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Make Standard Time Permanent Default For Stronger Youth Development and Increased Public Safety

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today introduced the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, legislation to restore permanent Standard Time nationwide. The bill would end the annual switch to Daylight Saving Time in most of the country, and make Standard Time, the time we currently use between November and March, the default year-round. The bill is a bipartisan effort with Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10) as a co-lead.

At present, two states use Standard Time year-round, and no state uses Daylight Saving Time year-round. While this legislation would default all states to permanent Standard Time, it does allow for states to institute permanent Daylight Saving Time through state law if they so choose. A brief national experiment with year-round Daylight Saving Time in 1974 was quickly abandoned amid widespread public dissatisfaction.

The biannual switch between Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time has been shown to pose significant public health and safety risks, including increased motor vehicle accidents, cardiovascular events, and mood disorders each time the switch occurs. While there is widespread public agreement that the twice-yearly clock switch needs to end, proposals to enact year-round Daylight Saving Time carry additional medical risks.

“For decades, scientists and medical professionals have highlighted the detrimental mental and physical health impacts of twice-a-year clock changes, particularly on children and teens,” said Rep. Scanlon. “The Sunshine for Our Kids Act will not only help children and teens during the most important years for mental and physical development, but will also promote public health and safety in our communities.”

“It's hard to find anyone who enjoys changing the clocks twice a year, yet Americans have been stuck with the same outdated policy for decades,” said Rep. Harrigan. “The Sunshine for Our Kids Act replaces that one-size-fits-all mandate with a smarter approach by making standard time the default while allowing states to decide what works best for their own communities.”

The medical community is in agreement that the country should switch away from moving our clocks forward and backward each year, and believes a switch to permanent Standard Time to align with our natural circadian rhythms would be the best possible solution. By switching to permanent Standard Time, Americans across the country will experience improved sleep and brain function, better physical and mental health, and greater safety as a result.

The bill is endorsed by American Academy of Sleep Medicine, National Sleep Foundation, Save Standard Time, American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the Society for Research in Biological Rhythms (SRBR) and the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time.

“Permanent standard time is the healthier choice for all Americans,” said Dr. Abbasi-Fienberg, President of American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Scanlon for championing legislation that puts health and safety first and helps ensure that mornings are better aligned with natural light and human circadian rhythms.”

“Permanent standard time will lead to a healthier, safer, and more productive America,” said Dr. Karin Johnson and Jay Pea, co-chairs of Coalition for Permanent Standard Time. “Natural standard time has a proven track record of improving public health, student performance, and economic output. Permanent standard time ends the harms of clock changes while best aligning with human circadian biology. By ensuring adequate morning light, standard time reduces the risks associated with circadian misalignment, sleep loss, and unsafe dark morning commutes.”

Find the full bill text here.

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Scanlon, Warren Introduce Legislation to Ban Sale of Americans’ Health and Location Data

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today introduced the Health and Location Data Protection Act, a bill that would ban data brokers from selling or transferring Americans’ health and location data. Joining Rep. Scanlon as co-leads for the House bill are Reps. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Rashdia Tlaib (MI-12).

Largely unregulated by federal law, data brokers gather personal information, such as location data and search history, through unassuming sources like weather or prayer apps, often without the consumer’s consent or knowledge. That data is then sold in bulk for massive profits to any willing buyer. Data gathered and sold by brokers has been used to circumvent the Fourth Amendment, out LGBTQ+ Americans, and stalk and harass individuals. Some brokers have been caught selling cell phone-based location data of people visiting abortion clinics, risking the safety and security of women seeking basic healthcare. In a post-Dobbs world, the need for strong privacy protections is more urgent than ever.

“Americans deserve to know that their most sensitive and personal information is safe, not exploited for profit,” said Rep. Scanlon. “As extremist Republicans attempt to criminalize or ban abortion and other critical, life-saving healthcare, we need to rein in this invasion of Americans’ privacy with a clear set of rules and standards to prevent profiting off of highly personal and sensitive data without consumer consent. I’m proud to lead the Health and Location Data Protection Act to stop data-brokers from profiting off Americans' vulnerabilities."

“It's more important than ever that we crack down on data brokers that are raking in giant profits from selling Americans’ most sensitive information,” said Senator Warren. “Especially as more people enter their private health data into AI, we need to make sure that information isn't exploited by the highest bidder."

The Health and Location Data Protection Act would:

Ban data brokers from selling or transferring location data and health data, and require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules to implement the law within 180 days while making exceptions for HIPAA-compliant activities, protected First Amendment speech, and validly authorized disclosures.
Ensure robust enforcement of the bill’s provisions by empowering the FTC, state attorneys general, and injured persons to sue to enforce the provisions of the law.
Provide $1 billion in funding to the Federal Trade Commission over the next decade to carry out its work, including the enforcement of this law.

"Three years after Dobbs, the threat to Americans' privacy has only grown -- and data brokers are still profiting off it,” said Rep. Velázquez. “From health records to location data to information people enter into AI systems, the most sensitive details of our lives remain up for sale. I'm proud to join Rep. Scanlon and Senator Warren in reintroducing the Health and Location Data Protection Act to put a stop to these dangerous practices."

“Your private data should be just that, private,” said Rep. Jayapal. “This is especially the case with health and location data. In a post-Dobbs world, women should not have to worry about data brokers buying and sharing information about them seeking healthcare at abortion clinics. It is time to stop these corporations from selling this information to the government to circumvent the Fourth Amendment. That’s why I’m proud to be joining Congresswoman Scanlon to lead the Health and Location Data Protection Act to create clear and enforceable rules to protect Americans’ privacy.”

The bill is endorsed by National Partnership for Women & Families, Reproductive Freedom for All, All* Above All, Guttmacher Institute, National Network of Abortion Funds, National Council of Jewish Women, and URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity.

“Four years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, people’s sensitive information, including location data, is being used to surveil their health and pregnancy outcomes,” said Nima Sheth, Vice President of Health Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families. “Especially as data brokers operate in the wild west of unregulated AI and a patchwork of data privacy laws, it’s critical to put a stop to them selling our sensitive information. This bill helps ensure that our location data and information from apps and other devices do not land in the hands of those who can compromise our safety and freedom. Our personal data—and our dignity and autonomy—is not for sale. National Partnership for Women & Families thanks Congresswoman Scanlon and Senator Warren for introducing this bill.”

"Every person deserves the freedom to make decisions about their own body without fear that their private health information could be used to criminalize, surveil, or discriminate against them for just visiting a doctor or provider. Protecting health data is an essential part of health care and a prerequisite for true bodily autonomy,” said Nourbese Flint, President of All* Above All. “The Health and Data Protection Act recognizes that our most sensitive health information, including information about pregnancy, miscarriage, fertility treatment, abortion care, contraception, and gender-affirming care, should never be bought, sold, or weaponized. At All* Above All, we believe everyone should be able to access the health care they need with dignity, safety, and confidence that their personal information will remain private. We applaud lawmakers for advancing legislation that puts people before profits and strengthens critical protections for patients at a time when they are needed most."

“Data security is a Reproductive Justice issue,” says Poonam Dreyfus-Pai, Interim Executive Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds. “Accessing abortion is already difficult enough, and abortion funds and abortion seekers should not have to worry that private health information is being sold to the highest bidder. Abortion seekers and the people who support them deserve strong data protections, not surveillance, criminalization, and punishment.”

Find the full bill text here.

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Scanlon, Thompson, Friedman Introduce Legislation to Prevent Pedestrian Fatalities and Make Streets Safer for All Road Users

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), and Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30) today introduced the Pedestrian Protection Act to address the rapid rise in pedestrian fatalities related to increased SUV and pickup truck size, by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop vehicle safety standards to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and vulnerable road users. The bill would implement standards for dangerous features like vehicle height and hood and bumper design, and a minimum visibility standard to reduce blind zones.

Over the past 15 years, pedestrian deaths resulting from car crashes have risen by 80 percent. During this period, many popular vehicle models in the United States have become larger, higher, heavier, and include more blunt features. A growing body of research demonstrates the link between SUVs and pickups with these design features and increased risk for pedestrians, especially children. Larger vehicles have reduced driver visibility, leading to higher rates of crashes with pedestrians, including cyclists and children.

“As cars and pickup trucks have become bigger and heavier, we are seeing pedestrian fatalities reach historic highs, and newer vehicles often leave drivers unable to fully see their surroundings, including pedestrians, children, and bicyclists,” said Rep. Scanlon. “With larger, heavier, higher vehicles becoming more popular in the United States, we cannot ignore the growing body of research that links such vehicles to increased risk for pedestrians. I’m proud to introduce the Pedestrian Protection Act to push for vehicle safety and visibility standards to address these risks and design flaws and prioritize the safety of our children and families.”

“The large, square hoods of modern SUVs and trucks have created dangerous blind spots for drivers, and these kinds of vehicles are 45 percent more likely to kill a pedestrian in a crash. That’s why I’m co-leading this bill with Rep. Scanlon to improve vehicle safety standards and establish a minimum visibility standard for cars to reduce blind spots and to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone else on the road,” said Rep. Mike Thompson, Co-Chair, Congressional Bike Caucus.

"Pedestrians, especially kids, are paying the price for cars that weren't designed with their safety in mind," said Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30). "With pedestrian deaths up 80 percent in 15 years, the Pedestrian Protection Act is a commonsense fix that finally puts safety first. I'm proud to co-lead this effort with Congresswoman Scanlon to keep families safe, because every Angeleno and every American deserves to get home safely."

The bill is endorsed by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, America Walks, Center for Auto Safety, Kids and Car Safety, League of American Bicyclists, and the National Safety Council.

“America’s vehicles are getting larger and heavier every year, contributing to greater risk of death or injury for pedestrians, bicyclists, and everyone else on the road,” said Michael Brooks, Executive Director, Center for Auto Safety. “Congresswoman Scanlon’s Pedestrian Protection Act addresses this growing problem, requiring the development of safety standards to improve pedestrian crashworthiness, while incentivizing automakers to improve vehicle designs and visibility to prevent these crashes from occurring.”

“Every person should be able to walk, bike, roll or cross the street safely. Yet, this isn’t always the case; 7,080 pedestrians and 1,103 bicyclists were killed in 2024, and thousands more were injured. Vehicles with large blind zones result in poor visibility and vehicles with heavy weights increase the risk of death or serious injury,” said Catherine Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. “The Pedestrian Protection Act would help address these preventable hazards by establishing new safety standards on vehicle design and minimum visibility standards as well as enhancing consumer safety information. We commend Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon, Mike Thompson, and Laura Friedman for introducing this commonsense legislation and urge Congress to advance it to better protect vulnerable road users.”

“Far too many children, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users are being seriously injured or killed by vehicles that were never designed with their safety in mind. As vehicles have become larger, taller, and heavier, the risks to people outside the vehicle have grown significantly. The Pedestrian Protection Act takes a commonsense approach by directing safety regulators to evaluate how vehicle design impacts those most at risk and to establish meaningful safety standards that can save lives. Every family deserves to know that their child can walk, bike, play, and travel through their community without facing unnecessary danger from preventable vehicle design hazards,” said Amber Rollins, Executive Director, Kids and Car Safety.

"The number of people killed outside vehicles is skyrocketing in America, driven by the rise of oversized SUVs and trucks with poor visibility and dangerous designs. This is a preventable crisis, and we have the power to change it,” said Mike McGinn, Executive Director of America Walks. “The Pedestrian Protection Act puts the solution within reach. By pushing for safer vehicle design standards and adopting life-saving technologies, it directly addresses the reasons so many people outside of cars are injured or killed. Everyone crossing the street deserves to get home alive."

“At a time when pedestrian deaths account for 18% of all traffic fatalities, protecting these vulnerable road users is paramount to ending the ongoing crisis on our roadways,” said Lorraine Martin, CEO of the National Safety Council. “The Pedestrian Protection Act would improve safety by directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop and implement standards designed to keep those outside the vehicle safe. The National Safety Council applauds Representatives Scanlon, Thompson, and Friedman for reintroducing this lifesaving legislation and urges Congress to support it.”

“After a traffic crash we often hear ‘I just didn't see them.’ People assume bigger cars give them better visibility, when in reality it may mean they are less likely to see a pedestrian right in front of them, even a child in a crosswalk. In crashes, larger cars also put people outside of cars at risk for more serious injuries or death. The Pedestrian Protection Act takes steps towards safety standards and consumer education around vehicle size and blindspots. It is a critical bill that can reduce the heartache of pedestrians, their families, and the drivers who never meant to harm them,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists.

Find the full bill text here.

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Statement from Congresswoman Scanlon on Republican Reconciliation Bill

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today released the following statement on Republicans’ reconciliation bill:

“Today, House Republicans joined their Senate counterparts to pass a partisan budget bill that turbocharges corrupt immigration enforcement, at the expense of Americans’ civil rights and economic security.

Last summer, with the passage of their Bill Ugly Bill, Republicans handed ICE and CBP $170 billion while slashing healthcare and nutrition support for millions of Americans. ICE has spent only $70 billion of that amount, yet our Republican colleagues just voted to send them $70 billion more.

As the abuses of this administration’s immigration enforcement mounted, and were laid bare - to the country, and the world - with the chaos and violence inflicted on American communities by armed and masked federal agents, as law abiding neighbors were detained and deported without due process or humanity, as families were torn apart, and American citizens were killed on our city street by federal agents, Democrats demanded that the responsible agencies be reined in and reformed. Republicans refused to enact any reforms, and chose to send even more money to the rogue agencies.

Republicans also rejected our amendments to ban the President’s use of taxpayer dollars to create a slush fund to cut checks for his allies, whether cop beaters and conspiracists, Proud Boys and pedophiles, or insurrectionists and election deniers.

All of this is happening while gas prices are skyrocketing because of the President’s illegal war in Iran, and life is completely unaffordable for hardworking Americans. Instead of funding ICE and CBP, we should be funding healthcare and bringing down everyday costs.

The American people deserve a hell of a lot better from Congress.”

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Statement from Congresswoman Scanlon on Passage of War Powers Resolution

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today released the following statement after the House passed a War Powers Resolution:

"Last night, the House passed a War Powers Resolution to rein in Donald Trump’s illegal war against Iran. This resolution directs the President to end military actions against Iran unless Congress authorizes it. I was proud to vote in favor of this resolution because I know how detrimental this poorly conceived and executed war has been for the American people.

We are facing a cost of living crisis in the United States, and instead of working to lower costs for hardworking families, the President has spent the last 95 days waging an illegal and expensive war which has significantly undermined our national and economic security. Trump’s war is costing taxpayers over $1 billion a day; while Americans are seeing gas prices skyrocket and inflation soar.

Article I of the Constitution makes clear that Congress is the only governing body with the authority to declare war. President Trump’s actions have not been authorized under the Constitution, nor do they have the best interests of the American people in mind.

I am grateful for this critical first step in reinstating Congress’s role in waging war. We must keep the pressure on to end US military action in Iran and bring down costs for the American people.”

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Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Prevent the Postal Inspection Service from Conducting Mass Surveillance

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today announced the introduction of the Postal Data Privacy Act, legislation that requires law enforcement to obtain a court order to legally access certain postal information through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Current law states that law enforcement agencies can request a “mail cover” investigation from USPIS without a stated reason, and if approved, postal workers can record information on the exterior of letters and parcels before delivery and provide it to the requesting law enforcement agency. This information can include an individual’s bank, subscribed publications, and even political and religious affiliations that can be used in a court of law and stored for up to 8 years.

“Millions of Americans rely on the U.S. Postal Service to handle personal information like tax documents, medications, and mail-in ballots,” said Rep. Scanlon. “It is vital that unregulated surveillance powers be reined in to further prevent this administration’s weaponization of federal agencies. The American people deserve to know that their First and Fourth Amendment rights remain protected.”

Following the Trump Administration’s order to divert USPIS resources to assisting with aggressive deportation efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Rep. Scanlon led 44 of her House colleagues in condemning these actions.

The Postal Data Privacy Act would impose a court-order requirement on any mail-cover investigation, require law enforcement to show that mail covers are relevant to an ongoing investigation, and limit the amount of time law enforcement may retain mail cover records from 8 years to 180 days.

The bill is endorsed by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Find the full bill text here.

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Scanlon, Larson Lead House Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Impact of Social Security Staffing Cuts

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Rep. John Larson (CT-01), Ranking Member of the House Social Security Subcommittee, are leading 74 House Democrats in demanding answers on the impact of broad Social Security Administration staff reassignments.

Earlier this year, SSA reassigned employees from its Disability Adjudication, Financial and Management, Field Office Services, Risk and Quality, Digital Services, and Chief Information Officer units to assist in monitoring its public call-in phone line in an attempt to address high wait times. These staff cuts have resulted in reduced in-person services, office closures, and service delays for beneficiaries.

“We write to express our deep concern with the Social Security Administration’s decision to reassign thousands of Social Security Administration (SSA) employees away from their primary, essential duties in order to address excessive wait times on SSA’s toll-free number for customer service,” the members wrote. “While we understand the need to reduce wait times for calls, the blanket reassignment of personnel from other high-priority tasks appears to have exacerbated backlogs and extended overdue processing times in other critical areas of the SSA. We, along with our constituents, are gravely concerned that these reassignments are creating new barriers to prompt service and delivery of benefits to the public, and request additional information on the full impact of this policy.”

“These employee reassignments have the potential to cause massive service delays and add to SSA’s already overwhelming case backlog, which stands at 6 million pending cases at SSA processing centers and 12 million transactions in field offices,” the members continued. “While on paper, the reassignment may shorten wait times for calls regarding unprocessed claims and paperwork, if the people responsible for processing those claims are unable to do their jobs, it will only delay the receipt of benefits and lead to worse outcomes for the individuals SSA is meant to serve.”

Reassigned employees are also receiving less-than-adequate training - often only receiving three hours of training before being assigned to phone duties the same day - and are unable to professionally handle cases for individuals in crisis or with time-sensitive needs. With a loss of 74,000 employees due to staffing cuts in 2025, the reassignment of employees with little to no training is a major concern.

“Under these circumstances, reassigning staff away from critical benefit processing is deeply harmful to the 73.9 million retirees, disabled workers, their spouses, and their children who rely on Social Security’s assistance,” the members concluded.

The members requested information regarding the impact of the staff changes, including:

1. What does the training given to displaced staff include?

2. What impact does SSA project the staff reassignments will have on field office appointment times?

3. What has the impact of this reassignment been on caller satisfaction rates?

4. What other assessments is the SSA conducting to track the efficacy and impact of reassignments?

Find the full letter here.

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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.

Coffee With Your Congresswoman

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:00:00 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: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Event Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Upper Darby Township Library - Municipal Branch, 501 Bywood Avenue, Upper Darby, PA 19082
NOTE: Upper Darby Township Library - Municipal Branch 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.

Coffee With Your Congresswoman

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 20:30:00 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: Monday, August 4, 2025
Event Time: 4:30 PM
Location: ACLAMO, 801 W. Marshall Street, Norristown, PA 19401

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