Sanctuary Cities

This week, I asked the Senate to adopt my proposal to protect the American people and communities from dangerous criminals. My amendment would withhold certain federal funds from "sanctuary cities" - jurisdictions that forbid their local law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials, even when they want to do so. Unfortunately, the Democrats blocked my effort to get a vote on this commonsense measure.

Leaders from across the political spectrum agree that sanctuary cities pose a serious threat. Just a few weeks ago, President Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, traveled to Philadelphia to ask Mayor Jim Kenney to add a small exception to the city's sanctuary city policy, so police may help the Obama administration find violent felons and suspected terrorists. Ed Rendell, former Governor of Pennsylvania and lifelong Democrat, also criticized Philadelphia's sanctuary city policy, yet Mayor Kenny has refused to make any changes.

My effort to protect Americans from dangerous criminals is inspired by the tragic death of Kate Steinle (pictured above). Kate was walking with her father on a San Francisco pier when she was gunned down by an illegal immigrant who had been previously convicted of at least seven felonies and deported on five separate occasions. Three months prior to Kate's death, federal officials had requested San Francisco turn over the illegal immigrant, but the city refused and instead released him.

As the father of three young children, I cannot imagine the pain of Kate's father, watching his daughter die in his arms as she begged him to help her. Sadly, the Steinle family is not alone. I will not give up this fight. The American people deserve better.

You can read more about my effort here, and watch my floor speech from Wednesday here.

Taking care of Pennsylvania's veterans has long been a priority of mine. This week, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that will increase VA funding to help our veterans. The legislation, which I supported, will provide additional resources to improve veterans' health care and reduce the benefits backlog.

I am pleased that this bill also includes a bipartisan amendment I authored along with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to help ensure the VA is providing adequate care to today's severely disabled veterans.

You can learn more about my work on behalf of America's veterans here.

During my time in the Senate, I have worked across the aisle with Senator Bob Casey to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. Together we have vetted, recommended, and worked to confirm 14 federal district court judges and two judges for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Only two states - California and New York - have had more judges confirmed during this time.

I am proud to be ranked the 16^th most bipartisan Senator by the non-partisan Lugar Center, and I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and improve the lives of everyone in the Commonwealth. You can learn more about my efforts working across the aisle on federal judges here.

President Obama honored fallen Philadelphia Police Officer Sgt. Robert Wilson III for his sacrifice to protect the lives of innocent Pennsylvanians. Sgt. Wilson's grandmother, Constance Wilson, accepted the National Medal of Valor on his behalf at a solemn ceremony at the White House on Monday.

Sgt. Wilson is the first Philadelphia Police officer to receive this prestigious award. According to those attending, Sgt. Wilson's grandmother received a heartfelt and sustained applause. We owe Sgt. Wilson and his family a debt of gratitude we can never repay. His sacrifice serves as a reminder of the immense risk our law enforcement officers face every day to keep us safe.

Sgt. Wilson will never be forgotten. You can read more here.

Eager to show off the best of Pennsylvania's agriculture, my wife Kris has been planning since last fall to make Corn Chowder with Shrimp for the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala in Washington. The event was this week, and using corn that she froze from Newhard Farms Corn Shed right outside Allentown, Kris's chowder was a big hit at this annual event that benefits the fight against birth defects. Our daughter Bridget joined us too. It was a great opportunity to showcase a Pennsylvania-grown delicacy. The recipe is below.

Corn Chowder with Shrimp

Ingredients

4oz prosciutto, chopped

1c onion, chopped

1/2c celery, chopped

1t fresh thyme, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

4c fresh corn kernels

2c chicken broth

3/4lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp

1/3c half-and-half

1/4t ground black pepper

1/8t salt

Preparation

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add prosciutto to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until it begins to brown. Remove 2 teaspoons of prosciutto, reserve for later. Drain on paper towels. Add onion and next 3 ingredients (through minced garlic) to pan, and sauté for 2 minutes. Add corn, and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth; bring to a boil, and cook for 4 minutes.

2. Place 2 cups of corn mixture in food processor. Process until smooth. Return pureed corn mixture to pan. Stir in shrimp; cook 2 minutes or until shrimp are done. Stir in half-and-half, pepper, and salt. Serve in bowls and crumble reserved prosciutto over soup.