Tagged: Congressman John Yarmuth

Speaking on the House floor Wednesday, Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth encouraged the Senate to pass legislation creating stricter background checks before purchasing a gun.

Yarmuth cited a constituent's letter in The Courier-Journal that criticized lawmakers for being beholden to the National Rifle Association over common sense gun laws. Poll numbers did indicate a large number of Americans backed tighter gun restrictions, but as NPR reported last month those figures began to wane to pre-Newtown levels in recent weeks.

But Yarmuth says the Senate needs to listen to the "vast majority" of Americans and Kentuckians and pass background checks for gun purchasers.

Watch:

Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth is joining a bipartisan group of eight House members who are voicing support for fixing the country's immigration system.

Efforts for comprehensive reform in the Senate was backed by President Obama this week after a group of eight senators reached an agreement and unveiled their legislative package.

Among the notable compromises in the measure is giving the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants a pathway to U.S. citizenship, but only after stricter border security standards are made. The legislation would also crack down on American employers who hire illegal immigrants.

The statement from Yarmuth's office says lawmakers in the House are also working on drafting a similar bill with Democratic and Republican support.

From Yarmuth's office:

"Americans want to see the nation’s broken immigration system fixed, and they know it will take bipartisanship to solve this problem in a sensible and rational way. This week, a bipartisan group of Senators stepped forward to introduce their proposal, and we applaud their effort.

For the sixth consecutive year, Democratic U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, Ky-3, is giving away his entire congressional salary to almost two dozen non-profit groups in Louisville.

Since taking office, Yarmuth has donated nearly $750,000 to local charities since an initial 2006 campaign pledge to do so. This year's salary is being distributed at various amount among 21 different organizations including the Louisville NAACP, Metro United Way and the Louisville Zoo.

"These remarkable organizations, their staffs and volunteers enrich the Louisville community, and I am fortunate to be in a position to offer some assistance," Yarmuth said in a news release. "With drastic cuts to federal funding for essential community services, it is more critical than ever to do what we can to support the organizations that provide so much for Louisville."

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth and his counterpart from Michigan have wagered bourbon, beer, fried chicken and a deli lunch on the winner of the NCAA national title game between the University of Michigan and the University of Louisville.

Yarmuth (D-Ky.) put up a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon and a bucket of KFC against a wager by U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) of Ann Arbor's Arbor Brewing Company beer and lunch from Zingerman's Deli, a Michigan institution.

Actress Ashley Judd is not running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky next year

The actress writes via Twitter:

Dear Friends, Thank you for these months of remarkable support & encouragement, for your voices, exhortations, & prayers. I have decided.

— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 27, 2013

After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family.

— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 27, 2013

Regretfully, I am currently unable to consider a campaign for the Senate.I have spoken to so many Kentuckians over these last few months ~

— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 27, 2013

~ who expressed their desire for a fighter for the people & new leader.While that won't be me at this time, I will continue to work as ~

— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 27, 2013