The state House Judiciary Committee on Monday approved legislation sponsored by Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, to impose financial penalties against any city, township or other jurisdiction that illegally adopts a local firearm ordinance.Metcalfe introduced his Private Firearm Ownership Protection Act in response to cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that have already violated Section 6120 of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code that specifically prohibits local firearm laws.If enacted, the measure would require the offending local government to reimburse any plaintiff or organization that successfully challenges the illegal ordinance for actual damages, reasonable attorney fees and other legal costs.“The purpose of my legislation,” Metcalfe said, “is to financially deter and/or punish any local government body or official who blatantly violates the clearly established boundaries of our state law and our Constitutions by arbitrarily enacting gun control measures that leave law-abiding citizens disarmed and defenseless against violent intruders.”His bill now advances to the full House for consideration.———U.S. Rep.

Mike Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler was among 154 pro-life members of Congress this week to sign a letter urging Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to suspend the controversial federal birth control mandate.The mandate requires that all insurance plans offer coverage for sterilization, contraceptives, and abortifacients, including FDA-approved drugs such as Plan B and Ella.The letter also asks Secretary Sebelius to explain how the more than 200,000 comments submitted to HHS during the new mandate’s 60-day public comment period were evaluated.“There has been considerable public outcry over this controversial mandate, but it appears to have fallen on deaf ears as far as the Obama administration is concerned,” Kelly said.“This mandate infringes upon the constitutional and conscience rights of all Americans who, despite their moral opposition to abortion in any form, will soon be forced to either provide or accept health insurance coverage for procedures that go against everything they believe is right and just, or pay a severe financial penalty that will force many religiously-affiliated organizations out of business.”———U.S. Reps.

Mike Kelly, R-3rd, and

Jason Altmire, D-4th, voted Thursday for a bill aimed at banning insider trading by lawmakers.The House of Representatives, by a vote of 417 to 2, passed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act.The measure would require disclosure of transactions in stocks, bonds, or commodities and other investments within 45 days while forbidding lawmakers and administration officials from getting preferential treatment in initial stock offerings.The STOCK Act, Kelly said, “will work to restore the public’s confidence in our system of government, which has, at times, been lost or shaken by the unethical and illegal practices of politicians and government officials who have shamefully violated the trust of the American people, as well as the laws of our land.”Altmire said the bill ensures members of Congress “invest their money the same way as families across the country do, with the same information. I am proud to support this legislation and look forward to more opportunities to work in such a bipartisan way.”