By press@spotlightpr.org 

Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) joined a bipartisan congressional delegation in Selma, Alabama, this weekend to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, honoring the 600 marchers attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965.  

Landsman joined the bipartisan pilgrimage from Selma to Montgomery, led by Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC-06), to honor Civil Rights icons and reflect on our nation’s history. 

Paul Booth Sr., a Cincinnati community leader and public servant, joined Landsman on the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage.

During the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when the threats to our multi-racial democracy are unyielding, Race Forward released the following statement:

“On this day 60 years ago, our ancestors endured brute physical violence,” said Glenn Harris, president, Race Forward. “Civil Rights activists were beaten for no reason other than having the audacity to demand the right to vote. While those who opposed voting rights assaulted the bodies of brave freedom fighters, they could never extinguish our ancestors’ yearning for the ballot box. In the same way our ancestors persisted, we must persist today in our fight against those determined to turn back not only the progress of the past decades, but the very notion that everyone deserves the right to thrive in this country’.

Many state legislatures have proposed or enacted restrictive voting laws. The Brennan Center for Justice reported that “ in 2024, between January 1 to December 31, 10 states enacted 19 restrictive voting laws, 3 states enacted 3 election interference laws, and at least 21 states enacted 32 expansive voting laws. Between 2021 and 2024 the number of restrictive voting laws has nearly tripled the amount passed between 2017 and 2020.” 

“While our struggle may look different from that of our ancestors, make no mistake that we are indeed in the same struggle,” Harris added. “The good news is that the fight of our ancestors shows us how to organize and prepare for this moment.  We have the persistence, stamina, and hope needed to continue our righteous organizing for justice.”

“Our job in this moment is to harness the courage, the tenacity and the drive of people like Martin Luther King Jr., Amelia Boynton Robinson, John Lewis, and so many others. We don’t need to be perfect, but we do need to be tenacious.”  

“Regardless of how dire the circumstances may appear, we must never give up,” Harris concluded. “We will win if we remain in the struggle. This is not a battle we fight alone, but together in solidarity. Our collective power is what will carry us through these times and toward the just, multiracial democracy we all deserve.”

The post Landsman and Booth Sr. join 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Alexa Helwig, alexa.helwig@mail.house.gov

Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) while President Trump’s proposal for the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip may or may not be serious, he still is an unserious person and it’s an unserious plan. 

“There are three huge problems with his ‘proposal,’ Landsman said. “First, he’s added a third list of places he would send American troops without any real consideration – Greenland, Panama and now Gaza.

“Second, the path to peace is through Saudi Arabia and other Arab Nations who will not work with us or Israel if this is the plan. The effort to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel, bring a coalition of Arab nations together to help rebuild Gaza and establish a legitimate governing authority in Gaza, is essential. Trump’s rhetoric undermines this path to peace.

“Third, we’re in the middle of a ceasefire and need that to hold so every single hostage, including Americans, are brought home.”

Landsman has traveled to Israel and the Middle East over a dozen times, including four times in his first term as a member of Congress. He also worked in Israel from 2015-2020, prior to becoming a member of Congress, supporting philanthropic efforts.

The post Rep. Landsman comments on President Trump’s proposal for Gaza  appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) and Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03) introduced commonsense legislation to increase veterans access to non-opioid pain medications.

The opioid epidemic has impacted every demographic in the United States. In response, Congress passed the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act in 2022 so seniors on Medicare have access to and never pay more for non-opioid pain management medications.

To ensure veterans have the same access, Congressman Landsman and Congressman Van Orden introduced the NOPAIN for Veterans Act – legislation that would reform the way the Department of Veterans Affairs offers and covers non-opioid pain management drugs.

The NOPAIN for Veterans Act would require that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs list and cover all non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits. It would also mandate that these drugs be included on the VA Drug Standardization List, preventing them from being substituted with alternatives.

Congressman Landsman:

“By making non-opioid pain management options more affordable and available to veterans, we can take a big step in preventing addiction and substance abuse. These lists will provide safer alternatives, prioritize the health of veterans, and contribute to the overall effort of ending the opioid epidemic.”

Congressman Van Orden:

“Veterans deserve the best care possible, and that does not include getting them addicted to opioids with overly aggressive pain management treatments. The men and women who have bravely served our nation deserve better. That is why I am proud to join Congressman Landsman in introducing the NOPAIN for Veterans Act so veterans can access safe, effective treatments that provide relief without running the risks associated with opioid prescriptions.”

Tom Synan, Newtown Chief of Police and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Hamilton County Addition Response Coalition:

“I have seen firsthand how the opioid epidemic has affected our area. Cincinnati was one of the hardest hit areas in the country by the opioid epidemic. Although we have had a reduction in overdose deaths, there are still too many people, including our veterans, who are suffering. As a veteran, I applaud Congressman Landsman and Congressman Van Orden for introducing this legislation, which will provide greater access to FDA-approved non-opioids to my fellow veterans and give them a choice instead of opioids and reduce the amount of opioids in our communities.”

Chris Fox, Executive Director of Voices for Non-Opioid Choices:

“Voices believes that all patients in all settings should be afforded access to all FDA-approved and clinically appropriate non-opioids. This is especially true for those who so bravely served this country in our military. We must do better by them and, when it comes to pain management, it means that they deserve access to the full suite of non-addictive pain management options.”

The full text of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act can be found here.

The post Landsman, Van Orden introduce bill to increase veterans access to meds appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Ali Rizvi  

Social Worker

Hundreds of Cincinnatians gathered in the West End community of Cincinnati on April 6 for a walk, town hall, and concert in honor of Dominic Davis, an 11-year-old shot and killed in the West End, and in support of several children and a parent who were also injured in the shooting.

Organizers said, “We are walking in honor of all of those affected by the plague of gun violence. The event began with a walk through the West End and was followed by a town hall and community dialogue event, providing an opportunity for city leaders, community leaders, and residents to engage in open discussions about creating impactful change.

Speakers and panelists who participated in the Town Hall are Mayor Aftab Pureval; Michelle Mueller, Moms Demand Action; Fanon Rucker, Civil Rights lecturer and attorney; and Congressman Greg Landsman.

Performers for the Concert for Peace were Triibe, TV Showez, Deuces II and local worship singers and choirs.

At the Concert for Peace, local nonprofits and community organizations set up tables to offer resources and support to students and their families. They included Animal Companion Counseling, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, ROMAC and House of Joy.

The post West end community unites against gun violence appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Ali Rizvi | Social Worker

For those of you who don’t know, we are walking on April 6 in honor of Dominic Davis, an 11-year-old shot and killed in the West End. Several children and a parent were also injured in the shooting.

We are walking in honor of all of those affected by the plague of gun violence. The event will begin with a walk through the West End and will be followed by a town hall and community dialogue event, providing an opportunity for city leaders, community leaders, and residents to engage in open discussions about creating impactful change.

Speakers and panelists will participate in the Town Hall are Mayor Aftab Pureval; Michelle Mueller, Moms Demand Action; Fanon Rucker, Civil Rights lecturer and attorney; and Congressman Greg Landsman (tentative).

Performers for the Concert for Peace are Triibe, TV Showez, Deuces II and local worship singers and choirs.

At the Concert for Peace, local nonprofits and community organizations will set up tables to offer resources and support to our students and their families. They will be include Animal Companion Counseling, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, ROMAC and House of Joy

Anyone wanting to set up a table should contact Ali Rizvi.|

The event schedule includes: 

• 9 a.m. Coffee and Donuts at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy parking lot. 
• 10 a.m. Walk to End Gun Violence begins on Linn Street, goes around the West End and ends CSPA
• 11 a.m. Town Hall/Community Dialogue event at CSPA Auditorium
• 12:30 p.m. Concert for Peace at Ezzard Charles Park: Live music, food trucks and stations set up by nonprofits to provide resources and encourage alternatives to gangs and gang violence

If you plan on attending, register for free at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/walkcincinnati.

Volunteers are needed to help with printing posters/banners, advertising, coordinating with local nonprofits, etc. If you are interested in helping or volunteering, please reach out to Ali Rizvi by email at ali.rizvi@nyu.edu. Rizvi can also be reached at 513 557-6572.

The post Cincinnati community unites to end gun violence appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Alexa Helwig 

alexa.helwig@mail.house.gov 

Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) released the following statement after voting in support of bipartisan legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit and cut taxes for small businesses. 

Congressman Landsman joined Republicans and Democrats in voting to pass H.R.7024 – the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. The bipartisan legislation increases the Child Tax Credit from $1,600 per child to $1,800 per child in 2023, $1,900 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025.

The bill restores tax credits for certain business expenses, including research and development, interest and equipment purchases 

Landsman said, “Working families and small businesses need support, and we’re coming together in a bipartisan way to deliver real tax relief. In Ohio’s First District, 35,000 children and families will have more money thanks to the expanded Child Tax Credit.

“And small business owners across Southwest Ohio will benefit from tax changes that make it easier to grow and hire employees. We need more of this bipartisan work in Congress, and I’ll keep working to bring Republicans and Democrats together to deliver for our children and families.” 

The post Landsman votes for tax relief for families, small businesses appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

Isabella Guzman, Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration was recently  invited by Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-1stD) to Southwest Ohio to tour small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, to celebrate August as Black Business Month.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to talk with Ms. Guzman at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce,” said Eric H. Kearney, president of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce. “She discussed federal resources that are available to help our businesses to thrive.”

The visit was meant to highlight how President Biden’s Investing in America economic agenda has led to a historic small business boom in Ohio.

To start the day, Administrator Guzman and Congressman Landsman had breakfast at Sleepy Bee Restaurant in downtown Cincinnati before participating in an Investing in America Small Business Roundtable hosted by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, where Administrator Guzman and Congressman Landsman were able to hear firsthand from local leaders and entrepreneurs about the issues business owners in southwest Ohio face every day. 

Following the roundtable, Administrator Guzman and Congressman Landsman visited Rover the Rhine, a full-service veterinary hospital in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, to meet with its owner, Dr. Kamaria Catalan (“Dr. Cat”). With a second location in Anderson Township, Rover the Rhine is a Black and woman-owned small business. To finish off the morning, Administrator Guzman and Congressman Landsman stopped by AJL Group, a woman-owned roofing and construction company, to learn more about their operations and current projects. 

In the afternoon, Administrator Guzman and Congressman Landsman had lunch at local favorite Just Q’in BBQ, a Black-owned business, before ending the day at Water Lily Learning Center LLC. A five-star rated childcare facility, Water Lily Learning Center serves hundreds of children in the Cincinnati area, with the vast majority of students receiving state assistance. Center Director Regina Morris provided a tour of the facility as well as an overview of their services and operations. 

President Biden’s first 31 months in office have been the greatest period for new small business growth in American history, with 13.1 million new business applications nationwide, including 355,800 in Ohio alone. 

Landsman said, “The visit by Guzman was meant to build strong coalitions. Minority-owned businesses are facing a number of challenges, namely access to affordable capital and a workforce shortage. These are big priorities in our work on the House Small Business Committee and alongside the Small Business Administration.

“This to me is the best part of the job: meeting people where they are and learning how we can be more helpful.

The post Small business administrator visits Ohio to celebrate Black Business Month and federal resources appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .