Source: Forbes, Sarah Chamberlain Over my next few columns, I’ll be addressing some issues that the President-Elect and 117th Congress need to be prioritizing as it relates to equity for women and families. We need to undo some damage that has been done over the past few years but also talk about how we can ensure everyone can live and work free from discrimination based on sex. Let’s start with safe and stable housing, given the very real possibility that 40M people are at risk of eviction in the coming months. This is not only a gender issue; it’s also a racial justice issue since black women face eviction at more than double the rate of white renters, according to a report released earlier this year by the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and Data Analytics team... Read More

(image credit Steuben County Hall of Fame) It is with deep sadness that the Republican Main Street Partnership announces the passing of its Founder and Chairman Emeritus Hon. Amory Houghton Jr., former Representative for New York’s 29th congressional district. “Amo knew that American progress can only be made when we shift politics back to the civility of the center. A resolute beacon of bipartisanship, Amo’s unyielding commitment to country over party manifested into the Republican Main Street Partnership almost 23 years ago. Main Street has since institutionalized Amo’s vision as the solution-oriented, governing wing of the Republican Party and continues to thrive as a living testament to his legacy. We are eternally indebted to former Congressman Amory Houghton Jr. for his courageous service and dedication to this country, and are deeply saddened by his passing. However, we take great comfort in knowing that his life’s work will forever be cemented in American history.” Under Amo, the Main Street entities collectively raised and spent more than $100 million to educate, elect and defend governing Republicans. Through the John Quincy Adams Association, Amo hosted and honored world leaders like Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Alan Greenspan, and Katharine Graham; and later, under Republican Main Street Partnership, honored everyone from Speakers to Senators, presenting the Houghton Award to former House Speaker John Boehner and, most recently, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. For more on Amo and his career, you can go here...

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is pleased to announce the establishment of the “Main Street Leadership Advisory Group” with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Rep. David McKinley (WV-01), Rep. Carol Miller (WV-03), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. Tom Reed (NY-23), Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06), and Rep. Greg Walden (OR-02) serving as its initial group members. These nine Congressmen and women are deeply committed to RMSP’s mission of prioritizing common-sense policy solutions for kitchen-table issues, and will help streamline its effectiveness and promotion. “We are thrilled to have these nine Members coalesce as leaders within our network of over 50 Congressmen and women,” said Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership. “They will lead as instrumental representations of what it means to be ‘Main Street’, and we look forward to working closely with them throughout the rest of this 116th Congress.” Main Street is home to more than 50 bicameral Members of Congress committed to passing bipartisan legislation on kitchen-table issues. More info on Main Street and its members can be found on this website.

No one encapsulated the spirit of a Congressman quite like Mike Fitzpatrick. Throughout his career, Mike worked tirelessly on behalf of Bucks County, Pennsylvania's 8th District, and our country to ensure American idealism was represented to its fullest extent. Though Mike will be remembered for a host of landmark achievements, including his leadership in counter-terrorism, medical safety, and combating human-trafficking, his legacy rests in his unwavering and unparalleled commitment to bettering the everyday lives of his constituents. Mike Fitzpatrick will forever define what it means to a man of honor, integrity, and service. May his example be followed and never forgotten. Mike passed away Jan. 6, 2020, at the age of 56.