Mary Gay Scanlon
DSome important dates to remember for the upcoming midterm elections! Mark your calendars, make a plan, and visit https://t.co/9mKVvY4nQ3 for more info. https://t.co/moeASbwK3J
Proud to stand with @GovernorShapiro to announce over $800 million in federal, state, and private funding for a transformational expansion of @PhilaPort, including $200 million in federal funding secured by our Philadelphia Congressional delegation to build two new berths! This collaboration between public, private, and labor leaders is critical to ensuring our region's growth and success.
Science overwhelmingly shows that if we "ditch the switch," permanent standard time is the right choice for health and safety. That's why I introduced the Sunshine for Our Kids Act. https://t.co/va6bnWHo8D
Ballot drop boxes are now open all across PA-05! Make your voice heard! Visit https://t.co/9mKVvY3Q0v to find your closest ballot drop box. https://t.co/8imhL9zqt6
My constituent service team works hard to resolve the issues PA-05's veterans and active-duty service members are having with federal agencies. We were able to help a constituent get mental health appointments closer to their college campus. Need help with a federal agency? Call my office at (610) 626-2020.
The Trump Administration is pulling out all the stops to silence political opponents. Sending federal agents to execute a pre-dawn raid at the home of a sitting US Congresswoman - and citizen - three weeks before an election is just the latest abuse of power by Trump’s DHS. This grotesque political theater is what we should expect from a tin pot dictatorship, not the United States of America. This raid was an attempt to intimidate @IlhanMN because she won’t back down from opposing Trump’s cruel and reckless policies - he’s terrified and flailing. https://t.co/bUDZmeWnRg
I was happy to participate in a voter registration drive with the League of Women Voters and the Media area NAACP at Cheyney University! Check your registration and make a plan to vote this November! https://t.co/xmkpcpIx3v
We love it when a good plan comes together! I secured $1.5 million in federal community project funding to help restore the Lansdowne Theater so that it could anchor redevelopment of the Lansdowne Business District, and that’s exactly what is happening. https://t.co/0MjEZJzccp
Are you registered to vote? Head to https://t.co/9mKVvY3Q0v to get all the information you need! https://t.co/wgmThdUuu3
Great things are happening at PHL, from art and music that enliven the terminals to infrastructure improvements and exciting new destinations. It was inspiring to gather with our intergovernmental champions of PHL at the 2026 Business Opportunity Forum to highlight regional small businesses and economic development connected to PHL, and celebrate the significant federal investment we have secured for the airport.✈️
Secretary Hegseth’s announcement of a public execution is barbaric and un-American. His proposal to livestream a firing squad serves no legitimate government purpose and should be condemned by all, regardless of political party or religion. https://t.co/1h9inthTCG
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, today joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Congressman Dave Min (CA-47), Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Anti-Corruption Task Force, in raising questions about the role of cabinet members in securing presidential pardons, as part of their ongoing investigation into executive clemency actions since January 20, 2025. The bicameral group of lawmakers are looking into whether U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin used their access to inappropriately influence President Trump’s decision to grant full presidential pardons to convicted felons Trevor Milton and Troy Lake. “Public reports of high-profile individuals—including yourself—appealing directly to the President on behalf of pardon recipients risk subversion of the established pardon review processes by financial influence and political access,” write the lawmakers. “Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the President to ‘grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.’ The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized executive clemency as ‘an act of grace’ exercised for the ‘public welfare.’ President Trump’s use of this authority appears to deviate from this traditional purpose.” The lawmakers conclude: “Congress has a compelling interest in ensuring that the constitutional pardon power is exercised with fairness and transparency. Given these circumstances, we are seeking additional information to better understand the extent to which influence and access have overridden the standard pardon review process.” In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers request answers about Secretary Kennedy’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to pardon convicted fraudster Trevor Milton, who defrauded and misled investors regarding technology and products related to his company, Nikola Corporation. The victims of Mr. Milton’s fraud include individuals who lost their retirement savings and others who had never invested in the stock market before. President Trump’s pardon eliminated Milton’s obligation to potentially pay $660 million in court-ordered restitution to his victims. Milton did not serve any of his four-year prison sentence. “According to public reporting, you personally appealed to the President to grant Mr. Milton a pardon, arguing that he had been unfairly prosecuted by the previous administration’s Justice Department. Days before granting Mr. Milton’s pardon request, President Trump reportedly told him to call you and thank you for convincing the President to grant him a pardon,” write the lawmakers. “Your reported involvement in this matter is particularly troubling, given that Mr. Milton reportedly donated $750,000 to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Political Action Committee (PAC), which was launched in late 2024 by senior members of your presidential campaign to unite your supporters behind President Trump. Public reporting also indicates that Mr. Milton and his wife donated approximately $1,800,000 to President Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign a month before the election.” In their letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin, the lawmakers demand answers about the administrator’s reported role in President Trump’s decision to grant a full presidential pardon to Troy Lake, and a subsequent corporate pardon to Lake’s company, Elite Diesel Service Inc. Lake’s conviction arose from allegations that he and his company disabled the monitoring components of emissions control systems on hundreds of heavy-duty commercial trucks. The lawmakers write: “According to public reporting, two friends of Mr. Lake petitioned you in an August 2025 email, urging you to reach out to the President to request a pardon. Mr. Lake’s wife publicly attributed progress on her husband’s pardon efforts to your subsequent intervention. Such progress included a phone call with Sean Hayes, a White House attorney who works closely on pardons.” The lawmakers’ letters seek information from HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin regarding: The nature of their relationships with the pardoned felons; The process by which clemency requests were initiated and considered; Whether intermediaries, lobbyists, or advocates were involved; Any contacts with Trump Administration officials or associates; Their role in any other clemency decisions made by the Trump Administration; Whether financial contributions or payments were made in connection with clemency efforts; and The extent of third-party advocacy supporting the requests. Read the lawmakers’ full letters to HHS Secretary Kennedy and EPA Administrator Zeldin. ###
So exciting to hear about the career development center opening at Philadelphia Youth Basketball's campus! The Generator for Career Development and Economic Opportunity will give young adults a path into the building trades, healthcare, manufacturing, and tech. It's been a pleasure to support the development of this project for over a decade. When we invest in our community, everyone benefits.
More than 500 US citizens have been arrested because of DHS’ lawless behavior. The erosion of OUR constitutional rights should concern all Americans. https://t.co/DXYkGQqkzf
I’m excited to announce that additional safety measures are coming to the “truck eating” bridge on SR420 in Prospect Park! I secured $425,500 in the 2026 federal budget for a new project in Prospect Park that will add warning signals before the bridge to reduce traffic accidents and bridge collisions. This early alert system will help prevent disruptive bridge strikes and traffic jams on Lincoln Avenue! Thank you to Council President Paul Johnson for joining me to announce this exciting project!
Three years after the horrific October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, we mourn those who were taken from their families and pray for all those who continue to grieve. Now more than ever, we must demand peace for the region.
This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am standing with survivors as we push for a future free from violence, fear, and abuse. Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, in relationships, and in their community. Know that you have options and you are not alone. Free, confidential help is available at https://t.co/ZNRcCjMzsQ or call 800-799-SAFE.
I had a wonderful visit with students in Haverford College’s Intro to Politics class! They had a ton of fantastic questions about congressional oversight, constituent feedback and decision-making, the challenges of being in the minority, and what Democrats want to prioritize in the next Congress. I appreciated their thoughtful questions and genuine curiosity about how our government works!
This week, the Trump Administration continued its extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean, bombing another small boat and bringing the total deaths to more than 230. While the White House claims that those killed are "narco-terrorists," it has failed to provide factual or legal justification for these summary executions to either Congress or the American people. https://t.co/IyJ14NZnDr
Deranged and indefensible.
Children deserve strong legal representation and to be treated with respect as they navigate our broken and challenging immigration system. Proud to stand with @RepLouCorrea in demanding answers from Trump Administration officials about the legal process to which unaccompanied migrant children are subjected and the quality of their legal representation.
The Trump Administration has issued a series of executive orders and legislative proposals ahead of the midterm elections, which appear designed to suppress voter turnout. In response, I’m proud to lead my colleagues in introducing a package of bills to advance more equitable and just voting policies for all Americans. Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter is able to participate, and these bills will remove barriers that too often make it more difficult for American citizens to vote.
Stories have the power to open minds, build empathy, and bring people together. This Banned Books Week, we reject efforts to suppress free speech and continue the fight to protect the freedom to read, learn, question, and imagine. Every American should have the freedom to read, learn, and discover new perspectives.
Abortion healthcare IS on the ballot. "The DOJ has consistently asked federal judges to pause ongoing lawsuits that seek to restrict access to the abortion drug mifepristone ... a departure from that strategy would create unfavorable headlines just before voters head to the polls, the White House officials made clear to Blanche." https://t.co/LTyhmLEKJw
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) yesterday introduced a package of bills designed to improve support for state and local election offices to improve voting access for Americans in future elections. The Accessible Voting Act will support state and local efforts to expand voter access, while the Dropbox Access Act will create a new standard by which localities must provide ballot dropboxes. “Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter is able to participate, and these bills will remove barriers that all too often make it more difficult for Americans to cast their ballots. I’ve seen how expanding accessibility and access to ballot boxes has improved voter turnout and engagement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m proud to introduce these bills to advance more equitable and just voting policies for all Americans.” The Accessible Voting Act, which Scanlon co-leads with Reps. Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12), would support state and local election efforts through the establishment of the Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Specifically, the bill would ensure through the Office of Accessibility that state and local election officials are taking steps to obtain, deploy, and maintain voting systems, expand the number of options to cast a ballot in federal elections for older voters and voters with disabilities, and establish an online national resource center on accessible voting. The bill would also create a new state grant program through the Office of Accessibility for the improvement of accessible voting options, and reauthorize and expand grants through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve voter accessibility for older Americans and people with disabilities. The Dropbox Access Act, co-led by Reps. Simon and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), would require each state to provide county-level secure drop boxes where individuals may drop off their completed ballots for federal elections. Specifically, the bill would prevent states from restricting voters’ access to drop boxes by requiring counties to provide, at minimum, one drop box per 20,000 voting-age residents, ensure that drop boxes are available 24 hours a day beginning 45 days before each election, and create more accessible options near public transit and for individuals with disabilities or with limited English-language proficiency, and for voters living in rural communities and tribal lands. Scanlon introduced the voting accessibility bills package as the Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders and legislative proposals apparently designed to suppress voter turnout ahead of November’s midterm elections. Those proposals largely have been rejected by the courts. According to Scanlon, “now more than ever, it’s important that our elections reflect the will of the people, and that we challenge efforts by the current administration to undermine our election integrity.” Recently, Congresswoman Scanlon convened hearings in her congressional district, at Widener University, and at the U.S. Capitol, to counter efforts by the Trump administration to spread disinformation about elections and disenfranchise voters with voter roll purges and by restricting access to mail-in voting. At both hearings, Members of Congress heard from election protection experts on voter protection and election security. Those experts expressed confidence in the safeguards and resiliency of our elections, and the importance of expanding access to the ballot box. Recordings of those hearings are available here: at Widener University, Chester PA and in Washington, D.C. “American democracy works best when all citizens can participate and vote, no matter where they’re from, what language they speak or whether they live with a disability,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our Accessible Voting Act strengthens access to the ballot box and addresses a wide range of systemic deficiencies, so no eligible voter is left alone to overcome barriers to casting a ballot.” “Our elders fought for our voting rights with blood, sweat, and tears – and yet too many people, particularly older Americans and Americans with disabilities, still face barriers to voting such as inaccessible polling locations or access to voter information. Both the Accessible Voting Act and Dropbox Access Act will improve voter accessibility for requesting mail-in ballots, accessing voter registration info, and when showing up to the ballot box,” said Rep. Simon. “As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, improving accessibility to ensure that all Americans can equally access resources and participate in society is a top priority of mine. I am proud to lead on these bills with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon to ensure ALL individuals can equally participate in local and federal elections to make their rightful voices heard.” “The ability for everyone to have their voice heard is central to our American ideals—yet too often people with disabilities face unnecessary barriers in both registering to vote and casting their ballots, preventing them from fully participating in our democracy,” said Rep. Dean. “This legislation will help improve registration processes and eliminate barriers to voting, including by reauthorizing grants to improve voting accessibility for older Americans and those with disabilities. By breaking down these barriers, our communities can be better represented by every voice. I'm thankful to partner with Congresswoman Scanlon and Congressman Raskin to pass these essential bills.” “We should be making it more accessible for Americans to vote, not harder,” said Rep. Garcia. “But the Trump administration and its Republican allies continue to attack voting rights and put up new barriers to the ballot box. That is why I am proud to once again co-lead the Dropbox Access Act, a practical bill to make sure voters have fair, accessible options to return their ballots. We should be protecting the right to vote, not suppressing it.” Find the full text for the Accessible Voting Act here. Find the full text for the Dropbox Access Act here. ###