Newsletter: The 118th Congress Begins

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

My work as a Congressman isn’t just about passing laws in Washington — some of the most important work I do is delivering for you right here at home. I'm proud to share that my team and I are beginning 2023 having returned over $14 million to our constituents since I took office. We were also proud to recently secure $16.8 million in funding for community improvement projects that will directly impact the 6th District this year.

Our team works full-time on constituent services. In 2022 alone, they handled 3,000 individual cases. They track down money owed to you, help you cut through bureaucratic red tape (including a 99% passport success rate!), and serve as watchdogs and ombudsmen on executive branch agencies like the IRS and Veterans Affairs.

We are here to help the community solve problems where we can. As always, get in touch to tell us how we can help.

All the best,

Rep. Seth Moulton
Member of Congress
Massachusetts' District Six
 

January Updates

Six Months of 9-8-8

The 9-8-8 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline passed its six-month milestone this month. So far it has surpassed all expectations.

• More than two million calls, texts, and chats have been answered since the July 2022 launch. Calls answered increased by 48%, chats answered increased by 263%, and texts answered increased by 1,445% in December 2022 versus 2021.
• Shorter wait times mean that more people are getting the help they need when they need it.

These numbers translate directly to tens of thousands of lives saved already. Numerous studies show callers feel less suicidal and more hopeful after speaking with a counselor.

I fought so hard to write and pass the bill that created the 9-8-8 lifeline because I believe in faster, more accessible mental healthcare in America. This is a healthcare crisis and we have to treat it like one.

6th District in the News

• Editorial: Read, Act on Mental Illness Warning Signs (Lowell Sun)
• Essex Heritage Leaders Celebrate Passage Of Federal Funding Bill (Patch)
• From Kyiv to Marblehead: A mother and son find a safe haven (Marblehead Current)
• Free emergency mental health care for veterans at any hospital after VA rule change (Boston Herald)
• Feds Plan to Dredge Essex River (Gloucester Times)
• U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton says two years after insurrection, Congress and the country are still divided (WBUR)
• Moulton calls timeline for new bridge 'absurd' (Salem News)
   

The View from Washington

How I'm Voting

Despite the prolonged process to elect a new Speaker of the House, Congress is officially underway. Each vote that I take is carefully considered and debated. A few of the votes I have taken so far this year include:

• The Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act (H.R. 23):  I voted no on this bill because it would rescind $72 billion in much-needed funds for the IRS to improve customer service, update its technology, and prevent tax cheats from gaming the system.
• Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act:  I voted in favor of this bill, which prohibits the sale and export of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. U.S. exports of crude oil to China increased nearly 100-fold under President Trump.

I will be posting a running list of explainers for key votes on my website for anyone to read. The first batch is posted now and will be updated regularly.

Read Vote Explainers Here

Bill Spotlight: The HEAL Act

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I joined a bipartisan group of more than 60 colleagues to introduce the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act. There is mounting evidence that knowledge about the Holocaust is beginning to fade.  The legislation will direct the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in public schools nationwide.

Helpful Things to Know

VETERANS INSURANCE: The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new life insurance program called VA Life Insurance (VALife). You can learn more about VA Life and whether it’s the right choice for you and your family HERE.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OPEN ENROLLMENT: The open enrollment period is open from now until March 31st. Spread the word about Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment where Medicare beneficiaries with Massachusetts plans can switch to another plan with or without Part D coverage or dis-enroll from Massachusetts and return to Original Medicare and enroll in a Part D plan. More details HERE.

2023 TAX SEASON: Tax planning is for everyone. Get ready today to file your 2022 federal income tax return. Planning ahead can help you file an accurate return and avoid processing delays that can slow your tax refund. More information HERE.

UPCOMING TOWN HALL: I'll be hosting an in-person town hall meeting on Thursday, March 2nd, at 6:00 PM in Andover. This event was rescheduled due to last week's snowstorm. We will meet at Old Town Hall (20 Main St., Andover). I hope to see you there!