Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania Endorses U.S. House of Representatives Candidates (by Erin Gabriel)
At Little Lobbyists we know our most powerful advocacy tool is our vote. My own children, Collin, Bridget, and Abby, have learned from a very young age that advocacy is not just about working with the legislators you have, but about electing the right people for the job. This year, with so much at stake for our families, supporting and electing candidates to all levels of government who will fight for our children with complex medical needs and disabilities is critical.
As the Pennsylvania State Chapter Leader, I am proud to announce that Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania endorses the following candidates for the United States House of Representatives. These candidates have demonstrated a commitment to supporting health care, education, and community inclusion for kids with complex medical needs and disabilities. Each of these candidates has a strong commitment to the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA).
Image description: Blue graphic with Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania logo at top. Text reads: “Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania endorses the following candidates for the United States House of Representatives who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting health care, education and inclusion for kids with complex medical needs and disabilities.” On a lighter blue square candidates’ names, districts & photos: “Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Susan Wild (PA-7), Matt Cartwright (PA-8), Eugene DePasquale (PA-10), Kristy Gnibus (PA-16), Conor Lamb (PA-17), Mike Doyle (PA-18). Bottom text reads, “Advocating for kids with complex medical needs and disabilities. www.littlelobbyists.org”
Madeleine Dean standing with Erin & Bridget. Abby is using her speech generating device.
Madeleine Dean (PA- 4), the incumbent, is always receptive to Little Lobbyists families. She has proven to be a true ally for our children with complex medical needs and disabilities, supporting legislation to defend and strengthen the ACA, as well as supporting the Elijah Cummings Lower Drugs Costs Now Act (H.R. 3). She is an original co-sponsor of the CHIPPER Act (H.R. 6797), which would increase federal funding for CHIP programs andsafeguard children’s access to health care during the pandemic. Little Lobbyists mom Christine says, “Madeleine Dean appreciates the inherent value of all individuals, and the need for everyone to be included in their community. She recognizes disability as one aspect of diversity, and understands that health care and education are rights and a vehicle for all Americans to live full lives.”
Mary Gay Scanlon is seated between Kevin and Abby, who are both in their wheelchairs. Little Lobbyists moms stand in the back, with Collin at center.
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), the incumbent, began her advocacy for children at the Support Center for Child Advocates, where she has served as a volunteer attorney or board member since 1985. Her work continued as an attorney for the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania, where she fought for access to a quality public education and the rights of students with disabilities. At the Education Law Center, she led two class action lawsuits to enforce the rights of students with disabilities. As a congresswoman she focuses on disability rights and voting rights, supporting legislation to strengthen the ACA and lower the price of prescription drugs through the Elijah Cummings Act (H.R. 3). Congresswoman Scanlon authored the Disability Voting Rights Act (H.R. 1573). She regularly welcomes Little Lobbyists for meetings and genuinely listens to our concerns, as well as those of the broader disability community. At her disability town halls, she’s invited Little Lobbyists families to share their stories. Little Lobbyists Freida, age 14, says, “Mary Gay Scanlon cares that I have a future. I admire her for her hard work in making sure I have one.” Little Lobbyists know that Congresswoman Scanlon will continue to listen to and advocate for children with complex medical needs and disabilities.
Chrissy Houlahan stands with Little Lobbyists moms Lisa and Sharon as well as Bridget. Abby is seated in her wheelchair and clapping her hands.
Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), the incumbent, has been a strong advocate for affordable healthcare, working to support and improve the ACA through her co-sponsorship of the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 (H.R. 748), and the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act (H.R. 987). Her constituents report that she is focused on serving the people of her district. Little Lobbyists mom Victoria says, “Representative Houlahan truly cares about her constituents and takes the time to respond to us in a thoughtful way, always keeps us informed, and asks for constituent feedback on important issues.” Little Lobbyists mom Lisa adds, “She is a force to be reckoned with and a joy to have as the voice of her constituents.” Little Lobbyists mom Sharon says, “She hires staff members who share her warmth, intelligence, and empathy, which makes her office a reliable and effective resource we can count on. Her directness and action-oriented manner are refreshing, and it is a joy to work with her.”
Susan Wild speaks outdoors at a podium
Susan Wild (PA-7), the incumbent, has worked tirelessly on health care issues, including the rights of people with mental health disabilities. Susan is the author and original sponsor of the CHIPPER Act (H.R. 6797), which would increase federal funding for CHIP programs andsafeguard children’s access to health care during the pandemic. She is a sponsor of the Expanding Disability Access to Higher Education Act (H.R. 4577), as well as numerous other bills. She has spoken at many events in defense of our families’ access to affordable health care.
Congressman Matt Cartwright (head shot)
Matt Cartwright (PA-8), the incumbent, has worked tirelessly to protect the ACA, as well as expand Medicaid. Congressman Cartwright also supports the expansion of disability rights through the Disability Integration Act (H.R. 555), which would give people with disabilities the choice to receive care at home instead of in a nursing home or institution--something that has become increasingly important during this pandemic. Protecting people with pre-existing conditions has been Congressman Cartwright’s top priority since he first ran for Congress in 2012, and Little Lobbyists families know we can rely on his steadfast advocacy for ACA protections for our children with complex medical needs and disabilities.
Eugene DePasquale (center) standing in front of a blue curtain with a group of Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania families.
Eugene Depasquale is challenging Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10). Congressman Perry has repeatedly voted against our families, including multiple votes to repeal the ACA, while Eugene Depasquale grew up as the sibling of a child with complex medical needs and disabilities, so he understands first hand how policies that affect health care and disability rights can impact a family’s ability to survive and thrive. He has made defending the ACA a priority in his work as Auditor General, and now in his congressional race. Little Lobbyists are excited about his candidacy and the work he will do in Congress on behalf of our families.
Abby meeting Kristy Gnibus at an outdoor event. Abby is seated in her wheelchair between Conor Lamb, kneeling beside her and wearing a face mask, and Kristy Gnibus, wearing a mask that says “Vote.” Abby is smiling broadly and reaching out to touch Gnibus’ face.
Kristy Gnibus is challenging incumbent Congressman Mike Kelly (PA-16), who has repeatedly voted to repeal the ACA. Kristy Gnibus is a mom, teacher, and a cancer survivor who understands what Medicaid and the protections of the ACA mean for families. Affordable health care and a good education for every child are the top priorities of her campaign. She understands first hand the difficulties of navigating the pre-ACA health care system and what is at stake if we lose the ACA now. She believes it is important to lower the cost of prescription medications, so she supports the Elijah Cummings Act (H.R. 3). Kristy Gnibus has gotten to know Little Lobbyists families and listen to our stories and concerns. In speaking with Kristy, I have found the rare Congressional candidate who already understands, on both personal and policy levels, just how critical Medicaid is to so many families, and especially to Pennsylvania families of children with complex medical needs and disabilities. Kristy Gnibus really gets it, and I know she will hit the ground running when she gets to Congress.
Conor Lamb drumming on his desk in Washington DC with Abby seated in his chair drumming excitedly along with him. Both are smiling broadly.
Conor Lamb (PA-17), the incumbent, has been a tireless ally for Little Lobbyists families, always making time in his schedule to listen to our concerns and proactively seek our opinions on new legislation. Congressman Lamb was one of the first legislators to speak out against the Administration when it tried to deport children with complex medical needs who came here legally for life-saving medical treatment. He is one of the original cosponsors of the CHIPPER Act (H.R. 6797). He has repeatedly defended the ACA and voted for the Elijah Cummings Act (H.R. 3). Conor Lamb has taken the time to develop relationships with and really listen to our children, giving them confidence to advocate for themselves and their friends at the highest levels of government.
Mike Doyle standing (center) with several Little Lobbyists families in his local district office.
Mike Doyle (PA-18), the incumbent, has been a consistent advocate for health care, and for families of children with disabilities. He regularly makes time to meet with his constituents, including Little Lobbyists, to discuss the issues affecting us. He is the original author of the Autism CARES Act (H.R. 1058) and has been working alongside the disability community to adapt this legislation to be more responsive to the needs of autistic individuals across the lifespan. Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania is confident that Mike Doyle will continue to learn from and work alongside the disability community, fighting for the affordable health care our children with complex medical needs and disabilities need to survive and thrive.
Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania is proud to endorse these candidates for the United States House of Representatives. We ask that you offer them your support, and most importantly your vote, so that they can fight to protect the health care, education, and community inclusion children with complex medical needs and disabilities need to survive and thrive.
Erin Gabriel is Director of Advocacy for Little Lobbyists, and State Chapter Leader for Little Lobbyists Pennsylvania.