John Yarmuth

John Yarmuth

John Yarmuth is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 3rd district of Kentucky.

Background

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Congressman Yarmuth graduated from Atherton High School where he served as student government president. He went on to earn a degree in American Studies from Yale University. He and his wife Cathy have one son, Aaron, who graduated from Indiana University in 2006 and obtained a Masters Degree from American University in 2010.

Career

Yarmuth previously worked on Capitol Hill as Legislative Aide for Kentucky Senator Marlow Cook from 1971 to 1974, before moving back to Louisville, to publish Louisville Today Magazine. He went on to work as Associate Vice President of University Relations at the University of Louisville and Vice President of a local healthcare firm.

In 1990, Yarmuth founded LEO Weekly, a free publication with approximately 150,000 monthly readers. With Yarmuth as editor, LEO won nearly 100 Metro Louisville Journalism Awards, 16 of which were awarded to Yarmuth for his editorial and column writing. He owned the paper from 1990 to 2003, and continued writing his columns through 2005.

On television he debated local and national politics as co-host and commentator on WAVE 3’s "Yarmuth & Ziegler" in 2003 and “Hot Button” in 2004 and 2005.

Effort to Stop Development Projects

Rep. Ro Khanna, Tefere Gebre of Greenpeace, Grace Tuttle of Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights and Naadiya Hutchinson, Government Affairs Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice were listed as speakers for a "Special Town Hall" dated September 15, 2022 sponsored by Our Revolution. The meeting is to discuss strategies to stop the public from using strategic litigation to shut down development prjects. Our Revolution, Greenpeace, Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) and WE ACT for Environmental Justice participated. In a mass email, Our Revolution linked to a letter signed by democrats to thwart development projects.

From the event invitation:

"Our Revolution, America’s largest grassroots progressive organization, is partnering with Greenpeace USA to stop a looming threat to our communities and our planet. together, we are hosting a Town Hall to mobilize our networks of millions of members and hundreds of local chapters to stop a deal negotiated between Senator Joe Manchin, The American Petroleum Institute (API), and Democratic leadership to fast track permitting of fossil fuel extraction projects, leading to potential catastrophic climate impacts.

Join frontline communities and our allies in Congress to learn what you can do to help us stop Manchin's Dirty Deal!

From a mass email sent by Our Revolution dated September 12, 2022:

"Our Revolution is leading the charge alongside frontline communities and environmental justice groups like Greenpeace to kill Joe Manchin’s side deal for more dirty oil favors.

"Manchin is willing to shut down the government for more fossil fuel projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline in WV and strip safeguards from impacted communities.

"Dems can’t celebrate “the biggest climate steps in history” while reversing them by caving to a literal coal baron.

"Our coalition of 650 organizations is urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to detach the deal from the must-pass bill to fund the government — we cannot let Manchin hold us hostage!

"Bernie railed against it on the Senate floor this week and says he’ll vote it down, and Our Revolution is calling for a progressive mutiny in Congress.

"A coalition of 72 US House Reps have signed onto a letter led by US Rep. Raul Grijalva - but we need more of our representatives in Congress to stand in opposition.

John Yarmuth signed the letter.

2018 State of the Union Address

Several Democrats, including John Yarmuth, brought illegal immigrants to the 2018 State of the Union address:

• Kamala Harris brought Denea Joseph, communications coordinator for the UndocuBlack Network.
• Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden brought Daysi Bedolla.
• Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo brought Adrian Escarate.
• Illinois Rep. Bill Foster brought Ana Campa Castillo.
• Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly brought Nicolle Uria.
• Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer boycotted the event, but sent Aldo Solano.
• Oregon Rep. Jeff Merkley brought Leonardo Reyes.
• Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici brought Miriam Vargas Corona.
• Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader brought Juan Carlos Navarro.
• New York Rep. Nita Lowey brought Hugo Alexander Acosta Mazariego.
• Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth brought Leo Salinas Chacon.
• California Rep. Judy Chu brought Jung Bin Cho.

Peace Action

Peace Action endorsed John Yarmuth in the 2018 election cycle.

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth

John Yarmuth has ties to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.

Committees of Correspondence connections

John Yarmuth is close to members of the Kentucky Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism. A leader of that organization, Ira Grupper, has described his long time ally John Yarmuth as "a decent progressive Democrat". ,

Brat connection

Brat Magazine was a youth-run zine in the 90's that offered a critical youth perspective on politics and culture. Starting with a 500 copy press run and ending with a distribution of 10,000 copies per issue, it became a nationally prominent political zine. In its later years, staff members became the go-to resource for the local media when seeking youth opinion.

The magazine began in 1995 when 19-year-old Liz Palmer, a journalism student, attended a community meeting at Twice Told Coffee, hosted by the Highlands Business Association and Alderman Tom Owen. The meeting was called in response to Bardstown Road business owners who complained, as a coinciding LEO Weekly article headline suggested, that "youth were ruining the Highlands." Seeking to provide a balance of opinion at the public meeting, Liz spoke against anti-youth policies, suggesting that the city invest in the youth instead and recognize the value of the youth cultural influence in the district.

In the following months, Liz connected with Mike Harpring, Nathan Tobin, Corey Lyons, and other youth in the area and launched the first issue of Brat, a tongue-in-cheek "reclamation" of the word, in 1996. Supported entirely by local advertisers, Brat shifted from a local zine to a national magazine with mail-order distribution and independent bookstore distribution in a dozen states in the midwest and east coast. It was given starred mentions in zine review publications like Factsheet Five. Coinciding with the rise of Brat was a local and nationwide shift to implement dress codes, city curfews, and skateboarding bans.

Brat staff members rallied the youth of the city to these causes through protests and rallies, including hosting a First Amendment Rally in downtown Louisville. The zine attracted more staff members to youth causes and related issues. Other actions included a Fairness Ordinance civil disobedience action that resulted in the arrest of two members who refused to move from Sixth Street outside of City Hall. Among other actions, members participated in public awareness campaigns with Anti-Racist Action Louisville, and took part in a national protest against the World Trade Organization in Washington, D.C. On numerous occasions, local civil rights leader and Committees of Correspondence activist Anne Braden and other members of the Braden Center worked with the group on issues relating to youth, race, gender, and sexism.

As the zine raised its profile, the local and national media took interest. A number of publications wrote about Brat or interviewed its members, including NPR's All Things Considered, Utne Reader, the Courier-Journal, Louisville Magazine, and LEO Weekly. Staff members appeared as guests on future U.S Representative John Yarmuth's local talk show.

The Ragged Edge

In the late 1990s The Advocado Press Inc. of Louisville Kentucky produced a "diasabilities rights' magazine called "The Ragged Edge: The Disability Experience in America", edited by Mary Johnson. According to the Sept/Oct 1997 issue, the Advocado officers were;

• Gerry Gordon-Brown, Pres.
• Ira Grupper, Vice-Pres. (a Committees of Correspondence leader).
• Barrett Shaw, Secretary
• John Yarmuth, Treasurer
• Oliver H. Barber
• Wayne Marshall
• Marcellus Mayes
• Donna Morton Stout
• David Richart

Healthcare "meltdown meeting"

On Saturday morning, June 10, 2006, an estimated 140 people joined elected representatives, public health officials, and health care providers at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Louisville to hear the testimonials of individuals who understand the real costs of our national health care "meltdown."

The two-hour event, billed as a "Citizens' Congressional Hearing on the Health Care Crisis," was sponsored by Kay Tillow's Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care and the Kentucky Chapter of the socialist led Physicians for a National Health Program . Co-sponsors included 33 labor and social justice organizations including several Committees of Correspondence controlled or influenced organizations such as the Coalition for the People's Agenda, Fairness Campaign, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

The featured speaker, Dr. Ewell Scott, an internist from Morehead, KY and also a Physicians for a National Health Program outlined "the single payer solution." He explained how a national nonprofit health insurance system would work,and why attempts at short-term fixes will not. Two other PNHP members Dr. Edgar Lopez, and Dr. Garrett Adams, also spoke.

Candidate John Yarmuth urged voters to boldly confront candidates on health care, to track campaign donations from the health care industry, and to vote for those who support a national single payer system. Facing an incumbent well-funded by the for-profit health care sector, he acknowledged that it is not easy "to discuss a complex issue like health care reform in sound bites." Mr. Yarmuth is, however, encouraged by the fact that "on this issue, I believe the people are out in front of the politicians."

Don't worry--we'll be back in Frankfort for the next session," said Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care Coordinator Kay Tillow, issuing an urgent call for grassroots action. Ms. Tillow has been successful in gaining endorsements for HR676 from labor organizations around the country.

Louisville Media Reform connection

Circa 2006, Code Pink's Trudi Kubick and Louisville Media Reform Group activists John Wilborn (a Committees of Correspondence member, John Hicks, Victoria Strange and Mark McKinley recently met with KY 3rd Congressional District Representative John Yarmuth at his local office to advocate for the preservation of net neutrality.

Our friends at Free Press scheduled the visit as part of the full court press to keep the internet free.

Representative Yarmuth said he supports equal access to the internet but expressed questions about ISPs funding capacity upgrades without tollbooths.

Don't let John get snookered by telco kool-aid. A team of researchers at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business Administration concluded in their report:"...the INCENTIVE to upgrade capacity is HIGHER under net neutrality."

Contact John - tell him to "just say NO!" to Big Media spin. Press John to talk with Rep. Ed Markey, and to support Markey's efforts to preserve net neutrality.

At the time, prominent Louisville Media Reform Group activists included Cherise Williams, Anita Solomon, and Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism members Ira Grupper, and Walter Tillow.

Donating to CCDS causes

LEO Founder and Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth, KY-3, announced Jan. 4, 2008 that he’s donating his salary to 38 local organizations "that can probably use it more than the independently wealthy first-time Congressman can". Yarmuth pledged in 2006, during his race against former Rep. Anne Northup, to donate all $120,000 to charity.

Two of the groups he pledged to were connected to the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, including the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and the Fairness Campaign.

In 2012 Yarmuth donated his salary to several local causes, including the CCDS connected Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research.

I Love Mountains Day

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth's I Love Mountains Day 2009 saw another strong turnout in Frankfort as hundreds marched and rallied in support of clean water and protections for Kentucky's mountains and coalfield communities.

The crowd marched about a half mile to join a another crowd waiting for them on the front steps of the state capitol, greeted by music from Ben Sollee and David Martin Moore. Speeches by Sen. Kathy Stein, Rep. John Yarmuth, Committees of Correspondence supporter K. A. Owens, Randy Wilson, Silas House, Ashley Judd, Lyle Snider, Willa Hood, Emily Gillespie and Teri Blanton.

IUS event

May 30, 2009 Congressman John Yarmuth co-sponsor of HR 676, single payer healthcare, introduced Congressman John Conyers , at a New Albany, IN/Louisville, KY single payer event with, Dr. Claudia Fegan, Dr. Rob Stone, chaired by The Rev. A. David Bos, at IUS. Over 150 people attended. This is one of the 10 national single payer seminars supported by the Presbyterian Church USA. The event was sponsored by Kay Tillow's Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare, Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan, and Physicians for a National Health Program-KY.

Health Care Reform Forum

On April 25th 2011, the Louisville Metro Disability Coalition, Inc. convened a Health Care Reform Forum, at the First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th Street Louisville, KY. According to an email to fellow board members, Catheine Nagel-Senn; Cheryl Medley ; Chuck Rogers; Dick Dickerson; George Williams; Gerry Gordon-Brown; Jennifer Henderson; Ira Grupper; Judge David Holton; Marcellus Mayes; Maurice Jeffries; Rich Stenberg; Ronnie White; from Erin Spalding, Paralegal, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights;

Marcellus has asked me to send an email to all Board Members about the upcoming Health Care Reform Forum being held on Monday, April 25th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the First Unitarian Church, 809 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40203. We have put together a great panel!! Congressman John Yarmuth will be in attendance as well as Dr. Garrett Adams, President of Physicians for a National Health Plan; Rick Mitchum, CEO of Preferred Health Plan, Inc.; Vicki Yates Brown, Attorney and Co-Author of "Health Care Reform in Kentucky; Setting the Stage for the Twenty-First Century?"; and Beth Walker, Nurse Practitioner...

A panel was convened to discuss the issue of health care reform. The panelists included Rep. John Yarmuth, Dr. Garrett Adams of Physicians for a National Health Program, Kay Tillow of Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, Rick Mitchum, CEO of Prepared Health Plan Inc., and Vickie Yates Brown, attorney and co-author of Health Care Reform in Kentucky.

Congressman Yarmuth gave the group an overview of the new Health Reform Law, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). Congressman Yarmuth stated this was not the law House Democrats wanted, but it is the “best we could get.”

Kay Tillow urged continued support for Congressman John Conyers bill, H.R. 676. HR 676, also called the “U.S. National Health Insurance Act,” is a bill to create a single-payer, publicly funded, privately delivered universal health are program. Kay urges community support of HR 676. Rep. John Yarmuth has signed on to the bill prior to passage of President Obama’s health care reform law.

Yarmuth praises Fairness Campaign

Oct. 26, 2011 Rep. John Yarmuth rose in the House to praise the Fairness Campaign.

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Louisville's Fairness Campaign--Kentucky's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization. This month the Fairness Campaign is celebrating 20 years of fighting against discrimination, inspiring hope, and protecting our citizens.

Thanks to Fairness, in 1999 Louisville became one of the first cities to prohibit housing and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Now Fairness is working tirelessly to secure these protections for all Kentuckians. Because of Fairness, more Kentuckians are seeing that the lines once drawn between us because of sexual orientation and gender identity are only imaginary, and they're realizing that hate has no place in our Commonwealth.

That's a message that needs to be heard not just from Pikeville to Paducah, but from coast to coast. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Fairness Campaign on two decades of service. It's truly thrilling how much progress they have made.

I would also like to individually honor the 10 brave Louisvillians who co-founded the Fairness Campaign in 1991 to seek equal protections for all citizens under the law: Jim Adams, Eric Graninger, Lisa Gunterman, Ken Herndon, Jane Hope, Pam McMichael, Susan Remmers, Jeff Rodgers, Thom Snyder, and Carla Wallace.

Communist contact for Yarmouth

In 2013 Progressive Democrats of America assigned activists to deliver their material to every US Congressman. Kay Tillow, who has ties to both the Communist Party USA and the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, was assigned as the contact for Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth. In June 2013, the PDA contact was Colleen Clemons.

Communist propaganda for high school juniors

High school juniors who win the 2014 University of Louisville Yarmuth Book Award will be given UofL associate professor Catherine Fosl’s book about Kentucky civil rights activist Anne Braden, a member of the Communist Party USA who went on to join the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism in later life.

The book, “Subversive Southerner: Anne Braden and the Struggle for Racial Justice in the Cold War South” (Palgrave Macmillen, 2002), is the biography of Kentucky native Braden, a southern white woman who in the late 1940s rejected her segregationist and privileged past to become a lifelong crusader against racial discrimination.

Fosl is an associate professor of women’s and gender studies and director of the Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research at UofL.

The award began in 1987, and funding is provided by an endowment from the family of U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth in honor of his father, Stanley Yarmuth.

Louisville Climate Action Network

In 2007 Louisville, Rep. John Yarmuth spoke at the event which was cosponsored by a new organization called the Louisville Climate Action Network (LCAN) that hosted Louisvlle’s participation in Step It Up 2007.

Supported by Council for a Livable World

The Council for a Livable World, founded in 1962 by long-time socialist activist and alleged Soviet agent, Leo Szilard, is a non-profit advocacy organization that seeks to "reduce the danger of nuclear weapons and increase national security", primarily through supporting progressive, congressional candidates who support their policies. The Council supported John Yarmuth in his successful 2008 House of Representatives run as candidate for Kentucky. He has also been previously supported by the Council.

Populist Caucus

The Populist Caucus was founded on February 11, 2009 in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Bruce Braley of Iowa. The caucus originally included 26 other Democrats in the House, including John Yarmuth.

J Sreet endorsement

In 2008 Yarmuth was endorsed by JStreet PAC.

The socialist infiltrated, anti-Israel "two state solution" JStreet PAC endorsed John Yarmuth in his 2014 Congressional race.

JStreet endorsed him again in 2016.

Yarmuth has been a consistent and outspoken advocate for bold US leadership to broker a two-state solution. JStreetPAC is proud to re-endorse Yarmuth, a five-time endorsee.

Supported Lifting the Gaza Blockade

On Jan. 27, 2010, U.S. Representatives Keith Ellison and Jim McDermott led 52 other members of Congress in signing a letter addressed to President Barack Obama, calling for him to use diplomatic pressure to resolve the blockade affecting Gaza. John Yarmuth was one of the signatories of the letter. The entire letter together with a complete list of signatories can be read by clicking here.

Communist Party enthusiasm

According to a report to the National Committee of the Communist Party USA June 24, 2006;

There were also some outright victories for peace candidates.

In Kentuckys Third Congressional District centered in Louisville, John Yarmuth won a three-way primary. He calls for withdrawal from Iraq and for taxing the rich.

"Progressive" record

In an article in People's World January 30, 2011, Kentucky Communist Party USA activist Derek Souleotes wrote of Yarmuth;

Though HR 2, "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law" passed in the House of Representatives on January 19, Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., voted against the repeal, voicing the opinion of the Kentucky working class against the corporate interests of the Republican Party. Yarmuth, who represents Louisville and the surrounding area, stood by his earlier vote for the historic health care law passed by the 111th Congress last March.

Yarmuth has shown his support for other progressive causes. Before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2006, he founded the Louisville Eccentric Observer (known as the LEO), a free weekly newspaper, in 1990. He also wrote a political column that was progressive-oriented, that would often appear on the first page of the LEO.

In December, Yarmuth voted for the pro-worker Mine Safety Act, which did not pass the House, but would have put more responsibility on mine owners to protect their workers. He also voted to extend unemployment benefits for workers devastated by the recession, voted for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," voted for the DREAM Act, and in August voted for a failed resolution directing the president to removed armed forces from Pakistan.

Jobs with Justice connections

John Yarmuth is very close to Kentucky Jobs with Justice.

Minimum wage rally

August 2014;

Erinn Lee, Owner of Smokey's Bean (#Louisville's & Kentucky's 1st & only #union coffee shop); Kentucky Jobs with Justice Director, Bonifacio Aleman

With Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Joni Jenkins, Bonifacio Aleman, Pam Newman, Buddy Cutler and Lavel D. White

Lunch and Learn

John Yarmuth, Attica Scott, Lunch and Learn

Metro Louisville Councilwoman Attica Scott’s proposed ordinance to raise the minimum wage in Jefferson County received its first committee hearing Sept. 2014, bringing with it a fuller debate from its supporters and opponents.

The same day, Kentucky Jobs with Justice hosted a discussion of the minimum wage at Old Louisville coffee shop Smokey’s Bean, Lunch and Learn, featuring Scott and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd. Citing gridlock in Congress and Frankfort stalling legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, Yarmuth argued the best option left to immediately help workers making a sub-living wage in Louisville is action at the council level. Responding to skepticism from some council members — including Democrats — that paying more than $7.25 an hour will hurt businesses, Yarmuth said taxpayers already are subsidizing low-wage businesses because workers must rely on government assistance to survive.

“If your business model requires you to pay people less than a living wage, then you shouldn’t be in business,” said Yarmuth.

"Put the middle class first"

House Ethics Committee

John Yarmuth is a member of the Republican chaired House Ethics Committee as of August of 2011. It is well known that he is anti-Israel in his leanings. He voted to bar members of Congress from attending Glenn Beck’s Restoring Courage rally in Jerusalem, Israel on during the week of August 24th, 2011. Also during this time he received substantial campaign cash from the George Soros funded J Street.

Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter

December 16 2021 , House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY), House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy Chair Bobby Rush (D-IL) led 114 Members of Congress in a letter to President Biden asking him to prioritize the well-being of the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history...

In the wake of this year’s protests, the members urged the administration to support the Cuban people by suspending U.S. regulations that prevent food, medicine, remittances, and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Cuban people...

Signatories included John Yarmuth.

Cuba

John Yarmuth and Steve Cohen with Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez

Edwards, Ricardo Alarcon,President of the National Assembly of People's Power Yarmouth, Cohen, March 23 2011

Front row John Yarmuth, Steve Cohen, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Donna Edwards, Sarah Stephens

Just back from a trip to Cuba, in March 2011, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth said that it's time for the United States to normalize relations with its island neighbor.

"Nobody is winning from our policy there," the 3rd District Democrat said in an interview. "We aren't winning and they aren't winning. There's no question it's time to normalize relations."

Yarmuth and Democratic Reps. Steve Cohen of Tennessee and Donna Edwards of Maryland spent four days in Cuba. They met in Havana and other cities with government leaders, U.S. officials, scholars, economists, foreign diplomats, physicians,artists, farmers and journalists.

The trip was sponsored by the Center for Democracy in the Americas, whose goal is to open Cuba and improve U.S. relations with that nation and others in Latin America.

Meeting Marc Frank

Marc Frank, center, blue shirt, on left

0n March 23rd, Steve Cohen, John Yarmuth, Donna Edwards, and Sarah Stephens of Center for Democracy in the Americas, met with Reuters, and Financial Times journalist Marc Frank - former writer for the Communist Party USA's People's Daily World, and a propagandist for the Castro regime.

Lifting travel ban on Cuba

A May 03, 2013 Press release from the radical controlled and Institute for Policy Studies affiliated Latin America Working Group's Cuba Team stated:

Due to your action/emails/phone calls we have 59 signatures from House representatives urging President Obama to support travel to Cuba by granting general licenses for ALL current categories of travel.

By eliminating the laborious license application process, especially for people-to-people groups, that is managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the majority of the bureaucratic red tape that holds up licensable travel to Cuba would disappear and actually facilitate what the President wanted to see in 2011, liberalized travel regulations.

Signatories included Rep. John Yarmuth.

CDA connection

Sandra Whitehouse, John Yarmuth, CDA event

Rep. John Yarmuth attended the Center for Democracy in the Americas' 8th Anniversary Event, June 19, 2014.

ARA endorsement, 2014

The Alliance for Retired Americans Political Action Fund endorsed John Yarmuth in 2014, also 2012.

Condemning Criticism of Islam legislation

On December 17, 2015, Rep. Don Beyer, Jr. introduced legislation condemning "violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States." The legislation is based on unsourced claims that there is a "rise of hateful and anti-Muslim speech, violence, and cultural ignorance," and a "disproportionate targeting" of "Muslim women who wear hijabs, headscarves, or other religious articles of clothing...because of their religious clothing, articles, or observances." The resolution, H.Res.569 - Condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States

The legislation was cosponsored by Rep. Michael Honda, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Joseph Crowley, Rep. Andre Carson, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Brad Ashford, Rep. Alan Grayson, Rep. Mark Takai, Rep. Brian Higgins, Rep. William Keating, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Rep. Michael Quigley, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Grace Meng, Rep. Al Green, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Alcee Hastings, Rep. Sam Farr, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Donna Edwards, Rep. Robert Brady, Rep. Frederica Wilson, Rep. Michael Doyle, Rep. Albio Sires, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Jared Polis, Rep. Dave Loebsack, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, Rep. John Yarmuth, Rep. Niki Tsongas, Rep. Jim Langevin, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Tim Ryan, Rep. Jose Serrano, Rep. Hank Johnson, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Lois Capps, Rep. David Price, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Denny Heck, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. John Carney, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. John B. Larson, Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Peter Welch, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. Matt Cartwright.

CPC

In March 2016, John Yarmuth was listed as a new member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Health lobbyists

Kay Tillow, February 21, 2017;

With Michael Gasser, Medical Student, Mallika Sabharwal, President of U of L Students for a National Health Program, Rina Perlin, Medical Student at Congressman John Yarmuth's Office.

Letter on US-Mexico security Co-operation

From Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice;

Urgent alert from our friends at CISPES- Los Angeles Chapter : "The US plans to expand cooperation between Mexico and the United States to unfairly and inhumanely target Central American migrants and asylum seekers at the upcoming "Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America".

We asked Representative Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach to author a letter to Secretary Tillerson calling for to put the human rights of Central Americans and all migrants and refugees front and center, and he's circulating a letter now. To have the biggest impact possible we need as many Members of Congress as possible to sign this letter!

Call or email your representative today and ask them to join Mr. Lowenthal as a co-signer.

Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) led 37 Members of Congress, including top Democrats from the Armed Forces, Judiciary and Appropriations committees, in sending a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to raise red flags about “suggestions that the United States deepen security collaboration with Mexico along its southern border [with Guatemala] due to evidence that Mexico’s Southern Border Program has led to wide-spread human rights violations and abuses against migrants and asylum-seekers.”

Signers: Don Beyer (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mike Capuano (D-MA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), John Conyers (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, DC), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA) , Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Jose Serrano (D-NY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Adam Smith (D-WA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), John Yarmuth (D-KY).

Impeaching Trump

A group of six Democratic House members introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump Wednesday November 15, 2017, claiming the president has violated federal law, the public trust and should be charged with high crimes and misdemeanors.

Democratic Reps. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, Al Green of Texas and Adriano Espaillat of New York introduced five articles of impeachment at a press conference at the Capitol Wednesday. The articles have two more co-sponsors: Reps. Marcia Fudge of Ohio and John Yarmuth of Kentucky.

The congressmen list a number of charges against the president, including: obstruction of justice, a violation of the Constitution’s foreign emoluments clause, a violation of the Constitution’s domestic emoluments clause, undermining the federal judiciary process and undermining the press.

The articles focus primarily on Trump’s handing of the termination of former FBI Director James Comey, and potential conflicts of interest with Trump’s businesses and properties while he’s served as president.

DSA connections

Singlepayer discussion

In KENTUCKY, Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare participated in a community celebration of Martin Luther King on Jan. 17. The following week, the University of Louisville SNaHP chapter hosted a panel discussion on single-payerhealth care, which included Dr. Wayne Tuckson, a colorectal surgeon and president of the Greater Louisville Medical Society; radiologist Dr. Karen Berg; Dr. Barbara Casper, internist and professor of medicine; family physician Dr. Charles Kodnar; and state Sen. Morgan McGarvey.

In February, KSPH leaders, along with PNHP co-founder Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, met with House Budget Chair Rep. John Yarmuth to discuss Medicare for All hearings in his committee.

Students at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine hosted a panel discussion about single payer that included state Sen. Reggie Thomas, Dr. Ewell Scott, and Dr. Glen Mays, who is a professor of health policy and administration. In April, Dr. Garrett Adams published an op-ed in the Louisville Courier Journal, where KSPH treasurer Charles Casper also published a letter to the editor.

To get involved in Kentucky, contact Kay Tillow, R.N.

Common goals

From LEO July 24 2019, by Danielle Grady:

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, who has represented Louisville in Congress for 12 years and founded LEO Weekly, has been at odds with the DSA. He said it is true the group has recently gained a significant voice in the Democratic Party, but that their main goals are unlikely to pass.

“I share virtually every one of their objectives,” he said, “It’s just a question of details and how you get there.”

In May, Yarmuth decided to co-sponsor four Medicare for All bills, but he has yet to back the Green New Deal.

Radical intern

From August 2016 – December 2016, Hayden Flanery served as an intern Office of Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY): Draft formal correspondence to constituents, advise the Congressman on select legislative issues, and prepare reports for legislative assistants on policy.

Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founders

In August 2018 Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founding members included Representative John Yarmuth.

DSA pressure

Louisville Democratic Socialists of America's pressure campaign paid off when Rep. John Yarmuth also signed on to co-sponsor H.R. 1384 alongside other progressive healthcare proposals. We're not thrilled to see his support for the public option, but our comrades in Kentucky are keeping the pressure on. You can listen to Louisville DSA members hold Rep. Yarmuth's feet to the fire on this episode of the LEO weekly podcast.

In early 2019, Louisville DSA publicly urged U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth to endorse Medicare-for-all. First on social media, by threatening a primary from the left (in the spirit of young socialist icon and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), and then in person, when two members appeared on a podcast with the seven-term Democrat from Louisville. Just over a month later, Yarmuth signed on as a co-sponsor of four bills to expand Medicare. “I would consider that a win,” Jo Smiley says.

LEO podcast with DSA

LEO Podcast #76: U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth and the DSA talk healthcare. March 26 2019.

BY LEO WEEKLY

LEO Executive Editor Aaron Yarmuth and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth discuss the future of healthcare with Mandy Bell and Nick Conder, two members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

NIAC Action Commends Resolution on JCPOA

July 16 2019 Washington DC – Moments ago, Reps. Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, and David Price introduced a resolution calling for the United States to return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran deal, from which President Trump withdrew in May 2018.

In response, NIAC President Jamal Abdi issued the following statement:

“Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal has put the U.S. on the brink of war with Iran and threatened to undo the hard won constraints against Iran’s nuclear program. Thankfully, many Members of Congress recognize that there is no military solution to the present crisis, and that the best way to de-escalate is for the U.S. to return to compliance with the nuclear deal. Representatives Lee, Schakowsky and Price should be commended for their years of leadership in advancing peace and diplomacy, including by introducing this important resolution.

“There remains strong political will in Congress to restore U.S. credibility and engage Iran diplomatically–despite Trump and Bolton’s push for war. For Members of Congress and Presidential contenders, it is good and important to call out Trump’s dangerous moves that have taken us to the brink of war. Yet, the root cause of this crisis was Donald Trump’s decision to kill a strong nuclear agreement with Iran, which is why signaling support for a return to compliance is so important. The Lee-Schakowsky-Price resolution helps solidify the growing consensus for a JCPOA return while signaling that the window for diplomacy is not shut, nor is the opportunity to restore U.S. credibility with both the international community and the Iranian people.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Reps. Don Beyer, Earl Blumenauer, Steve Cohen, Gerry Connolly, Lloyd Doggett, Anna Eshoo, Ruben Gallego, Raul Grijalva, Deb Haaland, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Andy Levin, Alan Lowenthal, Donald Payne, Jr., Mark Pocan, Jamie Raskin, Peter Welch, John Yarmuth.

External links

• Yarmuth's website with the House of Representatives

References

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