Conyers Introduces Two Bills Safeguarding Public Employees, Retirees & Access to Utilities During Bankruptcy Proceedings

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) introduced H.R. 5133, the “Protecting Employees and Retirees in Municipal Bankruptcies Act of 2014,” along with Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), and Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (D-Ga.). Specifically, this legislation amends chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code to strengthen protections for public employees and retirees in municipal bankruptcy cases by: clarifying the criteria that a municipality must meet before it can obtain chapter 9 bankruptcy relief, ensuring that the interests of employees and retirees are represented in the chapter 9 case, and imposing heightened standards that a municipality must meet before it may modify any collective bargaining agreement or retiree benefit. The “Protecting Employees and Retirees in Municipal Bankruptcies Act of 2014” is supported by both the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

Representative Conyers also introduced H.R. 5132, the “Preventing the Termination of Utility Service in Bankruptcy Act of 2014,” along with Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (D-Ga.), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). This legislation would ensure that a consumer who has filed for bankruptcy relief is not forced to pay security deposits to maintain water, electricity, and gas utility service simply because he or she has filed for bankruptcy. The “Preventing the Termination of Utility Service in Bankruptcy Act of 2014” is supported by the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“As the City of Detroit continues to work through bankruptcy proceedings and recover from the aftershocks of the global financial crisis, I introduced today two pieces of legislation to safeguard the earned benefits of public employees as well as retirees, and to protect individuals’ access to vital utilities like water,” said Conyers.

“When a city files for bankruptcy, its dedicated public employees - the policemen, firefighters, and workers who selflessly served their city for years - are at risk of having their hard-earned wages, pensions and health benefits reduced or even eliminated entirely. While the City of Detroit worked to limit the blow of bankruptcy-driven cuts to employee wages and retirees’ pensions, the financial security of Detroit’s public workers was placed in serious jeopardy, and the case set a potentially problematic precedent. Other cities facing these bankruptcy challenges may try to use current bankruptcy law to set aside collective bargaining agreements and worker protections. Today, I introduced the ‘Protecting Employees and Retirees in Municipal Bankruptcies Act of 2014’ to guard against this prospect, and provide guidelines on how to protect public employees in future bankruptcy cases. Specifically, my legislation requires a city to engage in meaningful, good faith negotiations with its employees and retirees before applying for chapter 9 bankruptcy relief, and ensures public employees and retirees have a say in any plan that would modify their benefits.

“In addition, I introduced legislation to defend the public’s right to utility services, and protect against unscrupulous demands from utility companies for water, gas and electricity. At times, individuals - through no fault of their own - struggle to pay for these services often in the face of devastating medical debt or job loss. Current law permits utility companies to force individuals going through bankruptcy, even if they are current on their bills, to pay hefty security deposits - typically two months or more of their average bill - in exchange for the utility continuing to supply service. I introduced the ‘Preventing Termination of Utility Services in Bankruptcy Act of 2014,’ to disallow this injustice. As water rates in some cities such as Detroit have skyrocketed in excess of 100% over the past decade, it is unconscionable to terminate a family’s access to such life-saving services that keeps the lights on, warms homes, and ensures families can bathe, hydrate and prepare meals.”

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Conyers: “Speaker Boehner’s Lawsuit Against President Obama is Unfounded & Unnecessary”

Lawsuit Simply Another Attempt to Undermine the Affordable Care Act’s Protections

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the U.S. House Rules Committee held a hearing on Speaker John Boehner’s resolution, “providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President inconsistent with his duties under the Constitution of the United States.”  Specifically, House Republicans contend that President Obama overstepped his constitutional authority in delaying the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act through executive action. After the hearing concluded, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Members John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) delivered the following statement:

U.S Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Over the last several years, I have been disheartened by the priorities of my conservative colleagues - in the face of widespread unemployment and the lingering damage of the Great Recession - but Speaker Boehner’s lawsuit against President Obama marks a new low point in Congress. Simply put, Speaker Boehner’s lawsuit is little more than a taxpayer-funded, partisan ploy that most legal experts – and some conservative commentators – contend courts do not have the power to decide. Regrettably, this lawsuit is driven by two core motivations: to build on House Republicans’ efforts to further undermine the Affordable Care Act, and channel ultra-conservative Members’ energy into a frivolous lawsuit to avoid politically damaging talk of impeachment,” said Conyers.

“This lawsuit is particularly ironic, given Republicans propensity to rail against frivolous litigation. As the legal experts made abundantly clear today before the House Rules Committee, Congress has not suffered any injury that would allow them to have standing in a court of law. Further, this lawsuit would erode our system of checks and balances, while preventing President Obama from implementing a duly enacted legislative initiative - simply because of conservative opposition. Allowing flexibility in the implementation of a new program is neither unusual nor a constitutional violation; it is the reality of administering complex government programs and is part and parcel of the President’s duty to ‘take care’ that he ‘faithfully’ execute the laws.

“At a certain point we must say that enough is enough; it is long past time to discard the toxic rhetoric, end the partisan demagoguery, and recognize that the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. The American people deserve more than a political circus from their elected officials.”

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Reps. Conyers, Wilson, Kaptur to Speak at National Jobs For All Coalition Forum - “Reaching Full Employment: A Strategy Discussion on Job Creation”, July 9, 2014 at 10:00 AM

(WASHINGTON) – Tomorrow - in Rayburn House Building Room 2226 the National Jobs For All Coalition will host a forum entitled “Reaching Full Employment: A Strategy Discussion on Job Creation” at 10:00 am- 12:30pm. Leading members of the Congressional Full Employment Caucus, including Rep. Conyers, Rep. Wilson, and Rep. Kaptur will be speaking at the forum. The event will focus on what national organizations and grassroots activists are doing to parallel efforts of Members of Congress to address the extended unemployment and underemployment crisis effecting millions of American.

This event will be moderated by Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg, Chair of the National Jobs For All Coalition, and will feature Members of the Congressional Full Employment Caucus; Rev. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr. Ph.D, a leader in North Carolina’s MoralMonday Movement; Debby Szerdey, Executive Vice President of  the American Postal Workers Union; Josh Nassar, Legislative Director of the United Auto Workers; Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director of the Coalition on Human Needs; George H. Lambert, Jr., President & CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League; Professor Philip Harvey, Professor of Law & Economics at Rutgers School of Law; Kevin Bradshaw, President of the Bakery, Confectioners, Tobacco, Workers & Grain Millers Union, Local 252G; and Chris Horton, Worcester Unemployment Action Group.  

This meeting will kick off two days of dialogue among national and grassroots job creation advocates for the purpose of developing a coordinated national strategy for job creation. For further information about the Congressional Full Employment Caucus, or its members’ participation in this forum, please contact Erik Sperling (Conyers) at 202-225-5126 orerik.sperling@mail.house.gov or Jenny Perrino (Kaptur) at 202-225-4146 or jenny.perrino@mail.house.gov .

If you are unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed at  the following link: Jobs For All: Building a Movement for Full Employment .

What:	“Reaching Full Employment: A Strategy Discussion on Job Creation”
Who:	Ø  Sponsor - The National Jobs for All Coalition and other nonprofit organizations Ø  Moderator - Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg – Chair, National Jobs For All Coalition Speakers: Ø  Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) Ø  Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) Ø  Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) Ø  Featuring Additional Members of the Congressional Full Employment Caucus Ø  Rev. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr. Ph.D. – Leader in NC Moral Monday Movement Ø  Debby Szerdey – Executive Vice President, American Postal  Workers Union Ø  Josh Nassar – Legislative Director, United Auto Workers Ø  Deborah Weinstein – Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs Ø  George H. Lambert, Jr. – President & CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League Ø  Philip Harvey – Professor of Law & Economics at Rutgers School of Law Ø  Kevin Bradshaw – President, Bakery, Confectioners, Tobacco, Workers & Grain Millers Union, Local 252G Ø  Chris Horton – Worcester Unemployment Action Group
When:	TOMORROW - Wednesday – July  9th at 10:00 am- 12:30 pm
Where:	2226 Rayburn House Office Building

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Conyers Continues Campaign Against Water Shutoffs

Veteran Congressman Stands in Solidarity with Detroit Water Brigade & Shutoff Victims

(DETROIT) – As part of an ongoing effort to stop Detroit’s recent water shutoffs, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) today joined members of the Detroit Water Brigade for a news conference to highlight stories of those affected by the emergency and to call for urgent local, state, and federal action to bring the crisis to an end. Congressman Conyers applauded the Detroit Water Brigade, a volunteer-led citizens’ alliance, for its efforts to provide thousands of gallons of water to areas most affected by the shutoffs.

Over the past two weeks, Congressman Conyers has taken a series of actions, including: (1) calling on President Obama to make available some of the $200 million still apportioned for Michigan from the Hardest Hit Fund, a reserve made available for relief from impacts of the Great Recession, for water service relief, (2) requesting that US Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell formally designate the water crisis a public health emergency eligible for federal relief, and (3) directly urging an immediate end to the shutoffs by the Detroit Water and Sewage Department. 

Since March, the Detroit Water and Sewage Department has been threatening to cut off water service for up to 3,000 customers per week. Water rates have skyrocketed 119 percent over the past decade, leaving upwards of 90,000 low-income households in arrears and in danger of termination.

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Now is the time for action,” said Congressman Conyers.  “In the 21st Century, in the wealthiest nation on earth, no one should ever go without safe, clean water.  These steps are just the beginning.  We will ensure that this public health crisis is resolved and never repeated.”

Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch added: “We applaud Representative Conyers for taking action to demand that water service is restored to all Detroit residents. When 45 percent of the city struggles to pay for water at home, it is clear that the problems go far beyond delinquent payments. It’s indicative of broader, systemic issues resulting from decades of policies that have culminated in profits before people. Governor Snyder should act to ensure that all residents have their water restored--access to safe, clean, affordable water is a human right.”

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Congressman John Conyers addresses Detroit water shutoffs

U.S. Congressman John Conyers said that water was a human right and the recent rash of shutoffs has led to an “emergency.” He pledged to make ending the shutoffs a top priority.
 
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The Civil Rights Act at 50: A Conversation with Rep. John Conyers

By Deborah J. Vagins, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 2:48pm

Listening to Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) speak is like having a real life history lesson. Mr. Conyers is the second-longest serving member of Congress, having been in office for nearly 50 years.  After participating in the March on Washington in 1963, he entered Congress in the middle of the fight for civil rights and, as a leading civil rights activist himself, has played a key role in passing, protecting and expanding the our nation’s most vital civil rights laws.

Today is the 50^th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This landmark law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. It began to provide equal opportunities in areas like employment, voting, public accommodations, and education. Many know it better as the law that integrated lunch counters and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to protect American workers from discriminatory workplace practices.

I had the honor of speaking to Mr. Conyers about this groundbreaking law. We spoke about what it was like running for office while Congress was debating the bill, the atmosphere in Washington immediately after its passage, what this law means for our country, and what is left to do to fulfill its promise.

The interview has been edited for space. The views expressed in this interview are Rep. Conyers’ own.

Let’s go back to the early days of the Civil Rights Act. You were campaigning for your first term in Congress while the bill was being debated. What do you remember about that time?

Many people don’t remember how violent and dangerous it was in the South at that time. This bill was the culmination of a long list of incidents going on all over America, particularly in the South. The general public was exhausted. The passage of the act was successful because many people, if not most people in the country, were tired of and embarrassed by the violence that accompanied resistance to ending segregation. That message got to a lot of the members in Congress.

I know that some in Congress thought they could undermine the bill’s chances of passage if they added protections for gender, but it passed anyway.

Yes, gender equality and equal treatment of the LGBT community were very remote in those days. But they were [both] recognized in the breadth of the Civil Rights Act.

How did President Lyndon Johnson convince Members who had not been active in civil rights to support this bill?

I think the loss of John Kennedy emboldened Lyndon Johnson to say, “Now the time has come.” Everyone was watching [him], because he hadn’t been that conspicuously in support of civil rights and voting protections as a senator. But he helped persuade a number of senators to calm down and get it over with in as dignified a way as possible. He did a good job in that regard.

Did the presence of the Civil Rights Act change the dynamic in Congress after its enactment?

There were two schools of thought in American politics during that time. There were those who were not willing to throw in the towel and agree that we were coming into a new era. The Southern senators—who were then Democrats—were going to resist to the bitter end bringing about any kind of social equality, and they meant it. One senator filibustered for 14 hours before he finally gave in.

This [division] wasn’t over because we passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These were very turbulent times, and even Washington, D.C. itself was still in the process of fully desegregating. It was very clear to a lot of people that this was something that had to change and it couldn’t go on any longer. But it also meant that there were a large number of people that weren’t for the change.

Has the Civil Rights Act fulfilled its promise 50 years later?

It’s become clear that this struggle isn’t over. Much of the violence is gone, which provoked and embarrassed so many people, but we’re still trying to make sure that we aren’t losing rights. Traditional civil rights groups [like] the NAACP [and] the ACLU are making sure we continue this and we don’t let the Act be treated as a bit of unsavory history in that past.

The voting rights battle, the battle for gender equality, all of these fights find their basis in the Civil Rights Act. And there’s been a few setbacks in recent years, but it’s clear that the president and his administration are relentless in fighting for these rights.

Turning to next year, we’re coming up on the 50^th anniversary of theVoting Rights Act. You’re one of the biggest champions for updating and modernizing the law after one of its most powerful provisions was struck down by the Supreme Court last year. What was it like being in Congress when that passed originally in 1965?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was the first large measure that I was able to participate in as a member of Congress in my career. At that time, there was a lot of cooperation between Republicans and Democrats. We were working together pretty well. It was a huge vote, and we now are trying to keep it in repair so that we can continue forward with the progress.

Many of us in Congress were stunned by the United State Supreme Court decision in Shelby County vs. Holder, when they knocked out the Voting Rights Act. But the battle isn’t over, and we’re still trying to make sure that everybody under the Civil Rights Act has the ability to vote and make it as easy as possible to vote so that we get more people out.

As one our strongest voices in Congress for civil rights, what advice do you have for this generation in working to protect and expand our rights?

It’s like moving forward with all progressive issues. What we have to do is make sure that people understand that the battle isn’t over. We’ve had some incredible circumstances here.  It means that we have to look and learn and mak[e] people understand that this isn’t over by a long shot. It’s a little bit more sophisticated now, but the struggle continues.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice-womens-rights/civil-rights-act-50-conversation-rep-john-conyers

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Conyers: “Overwhelming Scientific Evidence Makes Clear - Congress Must Act to Save America’s Bees”

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) weighed in on the pollinator crisis resulting from the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, as his congressional staff attended a press conference unveiling of a new study demonstrating the damaging effects that these types of pesticides have on honey bee populations. This event comes on the heels of a new study - entitled “Gardeners Beware of 2014” - which found  bee-killing pesticides in 51% of “bee-friendly” plants from garden centers across the U.S. and Canada. Last July, Representative Conyers and Early Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 2692, the ‘Saving America’s Pollinators Act,’ to immediately suspend the use of certain neonicotinoid pesticides until the government had made conclusive health and safety determinations. After the press conference in Detroit, Representative Conyers issued the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“As more and more research continues to be published, the evidence is increasingly clear: neonicotinoid pesticides are damaging American pollinators and causing a precipitous drop in the number of honey bees. Worse still, neonicotinoid pesticides’ impact on honey bees and other pollinators have become a direct threat to our food system and overall agriculture industry. For these reasons, Representative Blumenaeur of Oregon and I introduced, H.R. 2692, the ‘Saving America’s Pollinators Act,’ directing the EPA Administrator to immediately suspend the registration of certain neonicotinoids until experts have determined that these insecticides will not cause adverse effects on pollinators. Rather than rely on industry talking points, my legislation will direct the EPA to evaluate peer-reviewed scientific evidence and complete a thorough field study,” said Conyers.

“It is deeply troubling that retail garden centers like Home Depot and Lowes continue the sale of neonicotinoid pesticides, seedlings and plants pre-treated with such pesticides as supposedly ‘bee-friendly’ products. This is an unfair and deceptive practice; many consumers are not made aware that the ‘bee-friendly’ products they purchase have been pre-treated with neonicotinoids, or that - as rigorous scientific reviews have continued to demonstrate - neonicotinoid pesticides are directly responsible for the alarming rate of honey bee decline and colony losses. I call on retailers to immediately remove the sale of neonicotinoids and any products pre-treated with such pesticides.

“Following much scientific evidence and activism, President Obama recently announced the creation of a Pollinator Health Task Force to conduct research on pollinator declines including the impact of pesticide exposure on bees and other insects. While I applaud the Obama Administration’s first steps, I urge my colleagues in Congress to take up the mantle and support the ‘Saving America’s Pollinators Act.’ Our nation’s fragile pollinators and food systems cannot wait any longer.”

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