Congressional Desk
The Congressional Desk provides information, news, and announcements obtained from governmental and communications offices.
Contact Information
Articles by Congressional Desk
November 14, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement regarding the decision by the Obama administration to bring five terrorists, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (the alleged mastermind behind the September 11th attacks), from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United ...
November 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), criticized President Obama´s decision to bring the self-confessed mastermind of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States to New York City for trial in civilian court. Herger argued that this move indicates that President Oba...
November 14, 2009
Following the passage of historic health insurance reform legislation last Saturday, opponents of health insurance reform continue to spread the same myths this week that they used during floor debate of the legislation. The Mythbusters got a post-vote boost from The Washington Post´s Ruth Ma...
November 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt issued the following statement regarding the Obama Administration´s decision to try the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the American court system:
"The Obama Administration´s decision to try 9-11 mastermind Khal...
November 14, 2009
(Beaufort, SC) – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), member of the House Armed Services Committee, \ released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced their decision to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-confessed mastermind of the September 11th terrorist attacks, to New Yo...
November 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day:
"Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of the bravest among us, recognizing the service of those who wear our uniform, paying our respects to those who perished at war and ...
November 14, 2009
Veterans´ Day Edition: ´Health Reform Reneges On the Promise to Provide Choices to Veterans and Service Members´
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about the recently-passed Affordable Health Care for America Act, including saying that reform will undermi...
November 14, 2009
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback and Congressman Todd Tiahrt sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates regarding the possible acquisition of Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance aircraft.
Following is full text of the letter:
Dear Secretary Gates:
Recent reports suggest t...
November 14, 2009
McKeon: "Time is of the Essence and Failure to Seize the Initiative Risks Failure"
Washington, D.C.— The Army´s top officer said he backs an increase in U.S. forces in Afghanistan despite his long-standing concerns about military readiness. According to a Wall Street Journal story fr...
November 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed outrage over the Obama Administration´s plan to try five 9/11 conspirators in New York City.
"President Obama´s failure to recognize terrorist attacks as acts of war is...
November 14, 2009
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Dick Lugar met with actor Jason Alexander, Palestinian Youth Leader Arwa AbdelRahman and Israeli Youth Leader Guy Lupo from OneVoice.
Alexander, famous for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld, is a member of OneVoice´s Entertain...
November 14, 2009
Crapo and Risch sponsor measure urging recording of veterans´ service
Washington, DC – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are urging Americans to join an effort to record the wartime and service histories of our veterans. Crapo and Risch introduced S. Res. 340, which passed the Senate...
November 14, 2009
Testifying as former Indiana governor who had to balance books, Bayh leads "institutional insurrection" before Senate Budget Committee
Washington – In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) said he would not vote to raise the federal debt limit unless Congress co...
November 14, 2009
Legislation extends tax credits to small businesses employing active-duty
WASHINGTON- United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., cosponsored a bill introduced by Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., to extend through next year a tax credit for sma...
November 14, 2009
Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer and ranking GOP member Jim Inhofe traded fierce fire last week as their committee battled over whether to move forward with a climate change bill.
But behind closed doors, the California liberal and the Oklahoma conservative say they...
November 14, 2009
Indio, CA – In an effort to expand opportunities for local job seekers, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) hosted a job fair at the Workforce Development Center in Indio. Attended by over 700 residents, the job fair helped connect local employers, ranging from the service and hospitality industry...
November 10, 2009
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a health care bill over the weekend that U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said would actually increase the cost of health care for most people in Wyoming and the nation while adding "one of the largest bureaucracies money can buy."
"People i...
November 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today commemorated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall:
"Today, we remember the moment twenty years ago when the sacr...
November 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released the following statement on the Obama Administration´s actions to deal with the California Water Crisis:
"Today, Governor Schwarzenegger is signing milestone water legislation in Fresno County, one of the counties hardest hit...
November 10, 2009
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings´ statement on the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) that passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 220 to 215 on Saturday, November 7, 2009:
"The passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act by the House on Satur...
November 10, 2009
McKeon: Successful National Elections Key to U.S. Redeployment
Washington, D.C.—The New York Times is reporting today that the Government of Iraq approved a law that will allow national elections to proceed in January. According to the story, "The election, only the second national vote s...
November 10, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) extended her support for our veterans, service members and their families on recognition of Veteran´s Day.
"As the daughter of a veteran, I believe we have a moral responsibility to keep our promise to the people who have served ou...
November 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, following up on multiple conversations with the Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, requested over the weekend that Blair and the heads of the FBI, the NSA and the CIA direct th...
November 10, 2009
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement praising provisions in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) that will improve access to Medicaid and reduce Medicare Part D costs for people living with HIV/AIDS. H.R. 3962 passed the House on Saturda...
November 10, 2009
Miami, Florida --- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued the following statement on the unjust and cowardly detention and beating of Cuban blogger, Ms. Yoani Sanchez, at the hands of Cuban State security agents.
Ros-Lehtinen´s statement:
"Yoani has been targeted by the Cuban ...
November 10, 2009
Rep. Wasserman Schultz Votes for Legislation that Lowers Costs, Reduces the Deficit
Washington, DC – Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz voted for an historic bill that reforms our nation´s health insurance system, brings down the deficit and expands access to affordable, quality health care for ...
November 10, 2009
Commitments for UC Merced Medical School funding will ease Valley physician shortage
WASHINGTON, DC – I voted for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This bill is a historic and positive national step forward and offers the greatest improvement to the quality of health care fo...
November 10, 2009
For the first time in U.S. history, House votes to provide quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in America´s history, all Americans will have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation p...
November 10, 2009
... And Send 5.5 million more Americans to the Unemployment Office
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) issued the following statement after the Democrat Majority in the House of Representatives voted 220-215 to pass H.R. 3962, Speaker Pelosi´s plan for a $1.2 trillion governmen...
November 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt, chairman of the House Health Care Solutions Group, voted against the government takeover of health care and released the following statement after House Democrats passed their plan despite bipartisan opposition:
"As I´ve met ...
November 10, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) cast his vote in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This landmark legislation will for the first time address the health care needs of Americans and no longer make health care a privilege, but a right. H.R. 3962 provides acc...
November 10, 2009
Affordable Health Care for America Act Covers 96% of Americans, Reduces the Deficit
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek voted in favor of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, historic legislation that will provide needed insurance reforms for Americans with insur...
November 10, 2009
Lawmaker calls it "an outright assault on my constitutional rights"
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, issued the following statement decrying an anti-choice amendment to HR 3269 – the Affordable Health Care for America Act – offered by R...
November 08, 2009
House Republicans have churned out their latest myths and scare tactics about health insurance reform. In fact, they took time to produce a list of distortions about the Affordable Health Care for America Act before they even released their own ideas—a substitute bill that USA Today calls "a...
November 08, 2009
Bill Clears EPW Committee with Incomplete Cost Estimates
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued this statement following Committee action to pass a climate change cap and trade bill. The bill was reported out of com...
November 08, 2009
Bill would also provide assistance to families impacted by Chinese-made drywall
United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., introduced "The Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery and Reform Act of 2009" (S. 2731), a bill to reform...
November 08, 2009
As debate heats up on the House floor on historic health insurance reform, House Republicans are pulling out all the stops to scare the American public about the Affordable Health Care for America Act, including speeches today saying that Americans who don´t buy health insurance could face jai...
November 08, 2009
House Vote Expected Tonight
Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, delivered the following speech on the House floor today during consideration of Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), historic legislation to reform our nation´s health insurance system and ensure a...
November 08, 2009
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on the decision by the Law Library of Congress to stand by its original findings in an August 2009 report regarding Honduras despite requests made by Congressional Member...
November 08, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Emphasizing the importance of expanding and diversifying America´s energy supply, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) praised the fast tracking of two local solar energy projects. These projects will produce almost 1,500 megawatts of clean energy and will create new jobs a...
November 07, 2009
As the House begins to debate the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the following debunks the false claims that Republicans will be expected to make during floor consideration and debate of the bill:
1. GOP CLAIM: The Affordable Health Care for America Act will lead to a governmen...
November 07, 2009
House Republicans have churned out their latest myths and scare tactics about health insurance reform. In fact, they took time to produce a list of distortions about the Affordable Health Care for America Act before they even released their own ideas—a substitute bill that USA Today calls "a...
November 07, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today released the following statement on the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the Republican substitute amendment to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act:
"CBO has confirmed that the...
November 07, 2009
Lawmaker says "health care reform should improve the quality of care while making the system more affordable and accessible."
Washington, DC – After extensive conversations with her constituents, including her "Medicine Cabinet," Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) today indicated her int...
November 06, 2009
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths – now about the recently introduced Affordable Health Care for America Act. Below is a response to many of the myths repeated today at the U.S. Capitol.
MYTH: The Affordable Health Care for America Act will lead to a "government ta...
November 06, 2009
Moran says measure would protect consumers from industry "tricks".
Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Moran voted to accelerate critical reforms to protect consumers from the abusive practices of the credit card industry late yesterday. The Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act would push up th...
November 04, 2009
Questions Humana, United Health, WellPoint and Aetna About Pricing to Small Business
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, today announced that the Committee will conduct an investigation into the pricing practices of he...
November 04, 2009
In her speech today at the "Forum of the Future" in Marrakesh, Morocco, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the creation of a U.S. Science Envoy Program which will send three of America´s most prominent scientists to travel the world to engage their counterparts, deepen and develop pa...
November 04, 2009
Let´s face it. There is a lot of misinformation swirling around about the health insurance reform proposals pending in Congress. The Senate Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) has launched a new video feature, The Citizens´ Forum, to help Americans find the facts about health reform.
T...
November 04, 2009
Washington, D.C. – One of Wyoming´s own will have a national platform to advocate for student financial aid. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., appointed David Gruen of Laramie to the Student Financial Aid Advisory Committee. The national committee is designed to provide experti...
November 04, 2009
$3 Trillion Gas Tax, Thousands of Job Losses Cited
Washington, DC – Legislation intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions being debated before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee should incentivize and broaden our national energy portfolio in a way that does not come at the ...
November 04, 2009
What Americans can expect from health care bills
Washington, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., highlighted 10 provisions in the majority´s health care bills that would drive up health care costs for American families.
"This health care plan being fo...
November 04, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (Sherman Oaks) announced that California State University, Northridge (CSUN) received $165,000 in federal funding for construction of the Valley Performing Arts Center. Once completed, the Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN will serve as the premi...
November 04, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congressman Adam Schiff, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, commended the appointment of Charlie Beck as Los Angeles Police Chief. Rep. Schiff is the author of comprehensive legislation to fight gang violence and has been a champion in promoting the use of DNA forensi...
November 04, 2009
´Reform Will Undermine the Health Care That Veterans and Military Families Have Now´
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths – now about the recently introduced Affordable Health Care for America Act, including saying that health insurance reform will undermine t...
November 04, 2009
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the House´s passage of H. Res. 867, a measure she authored which expresses Congressional support for Israel and opposition to any consideration or endorsement of the "Re...
November 04, 2009
Washington– H.R. 3962, Speaker Pelosi´s healthcare reform bill, removes important amendments passed in the House Energy and Commerce Committee on which Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) serves.
With the bill set to be considered on the House floor this week, Speaker Pelosi has indicated that there wi...
November 04, 2009
WASHNGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, announced emergency temporary legislation today that will guarantee five paid sick days for a worker sent home or dire...
November 04, 2009
Joins House Republicans to read Pelosi´s 1,990-page bill
WASHINGTON—Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) joined House Republicans in the Republican Reading Room to read H.R. 3962, the latest version of Speaker Pelosi´s government takeover of health care. The bill, which totals nearl...
November 03, 2009
Health Insurance Reform DAILY MYTHBUSTER: ´Public Health Insurance Option Will Lead to Higher Premiums, Not Lower Premiums´
Opponents of reform continue to spread myths – now spreading myths about the recently introduced Affordable Health Care for America Act, including saying that ...
November 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) voted last week to generate and save more than a million American jobs through H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act. The bill, which passed the House 389-32 , enhances lending opportunities for small businesses, the source of...
October 26, 2009
Protects Main Funding Source for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Victims
Washington, DC – Legislation introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) that protects funds for programs that assist victims of domestic violence and sexual ass...
October 26, 2009
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and George LeMieux said today the Northwest Florida region is destined to become a world-class home for new aviation and aerospace jobs. In conjunction with an announcement a new alliance between four states including Florida, Florida's two U.S. senators cited the...
October 26, 2009
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe says the financial hit suffered by Oklahoma's transportation program this month was $15 million more than expected.
By the end of the week, the Oklahoma Republican hopes to have a deal in place to at least halt that downward trend.
"Oklahoma loses on this," ...
October 26, 2009
Deployment of Additional Troops to Afghanistan Gains Key Endorsement
Washington, D.C.—General Stanley McChrystal´s call for the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan gained a key endorsement over the weekend. As the commander of NATO´s International Security Assistance...
October 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, was joined by Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) in questioning the political self-interests of AARP´s endorsement of legislation that will re...
October 26, 2009
Washington, DC – U.S. Postal Service officials informed Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) that four post office branches in the 36th Congressional District will not be closed as a result of the Postal Service´s Station and Branch Optimization study, which could still shutter hundreds of branche...
October 26, 2009
Passage of Rep. Inslee´s H.R. 1641 takes critical next step towards including the Cascadia Marine Trail in the National Trails System
(Washington, D.C.)- This afternoon the House passed the Cascadia Marine Trail Study Act. H.R. 1641, authored by U.S. Rep Jay Inslee (D-Wash), instructs the...
October 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, used a rare, open hearing of a House Intelligence Subcommittee to highlight the fact that nine months to the day after President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order to close Guantanamo Bay...
October 26, 2009
Largest Russian Nuclear Sub Patrolled U.S. Coasts
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar announced the following accomplishments for the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program in September:
· 1 nuclear weapons capable submarine;
· 12 intercontinental ballistic missiles (...
October 26, 2009
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. This week, the mythbusters caught two top Congressional Republicans and a major newspaper trying to mislead America with claims that the House bill would lead to a government takeover of t...
October 26, 2009
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) released a copy of a letter he and two other Representatives sent to the Social Security Inspector General on the issue of fugitive felons receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Herger believes it to be an irre...
October 26, 2009
As you know, water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to our farmers have been significantly reduced in an effort to protect the threatened Delta Smelt. I have consistently maintained that the pumps are not the problem. It is both unfair and illogical to blame our farmers and growers f...
October 26, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) - At a morning press conference, Congressman Jay Inslee and Congressman Norm Dicks announced an agreement on final language on major reform to Medicare reimbursement rates that will transform the payment system for Washington State and other high-quality, low-cost states, and end ...
October 26, 2009
Amendment to Study Coast Guard's Preparedness Regarding Changes in Haitian Immigration Policies Passes House
(Washington, DC)- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) voted in favor of H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2009. Included in the Act was an amendment introduced by Has...
October 26, 2009
Lawmaker says "small boats continue to pose a critical security risk and deserve serious attention."
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, which passed the House by a 385...
October 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Outspoken conservative and former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announced his support for Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard). Santorum was a two-term Senator from Pennsylvania and served as the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the third most powerful leadership pos...
October 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC –The House of Representatives passed a bill to authorize a sharp increase in solar energy technology research. Congressman Adam Schiff offered an amendment that was included in the bill to ensure that the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is eligible to compete for these grants. The bil...
October 26, 2009
(Washington, DC)- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) voted in favor of H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2009. Included in the Act was an amendment introduced by Hastings that ensures the appointment of diverse representation on the Solar Technology Roadmap Committee.
...
October 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, establishing a short-and long-term strategy for solar research and technology developments in the United States. Included in the legislation was an amendment introduced by Congressman Dennis Cardoza that aims...
October 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the House passed the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, which would strengthen the American solar technology industry through a coordinated research and development program and public-private partnerships. The bill passed by...
October 26, 2009
Lawmaker says bill will "make clean, renewable energy more affordable and accessible for all Americans."
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) issued the following statement in support of H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, which passed the House by a 310 to 106 vote.
...
October 26, 2009
New Law Ensures Veterans Will Have the Care and Support They Have Earned
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after attending a ceremony at the White House during which President Obama signed into law the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act.
...
October 26, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) is seeking a meeting with officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Enforcement Administration, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to gather information and ensure they are working to d...
October 26, 2009
Wall Street Journal Editorial Peddles False Talking Points on Public Health Insurance Option
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about America´s Affordable Health Choices Act including on what the public health insurance option is and how it works as a component of co...
October 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the House Financial Services Committee approved legislation to establish a Consumer Protection Financial Agency. The bill, which was approved by a vote of 39 to 29, represents a key part of a broader effort by Congress and ...
October 22, 2009
Legislation Would Require Department of Health to Create Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans of Every Age
Washington, D.C. – Bicameral, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving America´s public health was introduced yesterday by U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sam Brownback (R-KS),...
October 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., mourned the passing of former Wyoming senator and governor Cliff Hansen. They made the following comments about his life and service to Wyoming.
"The state of Wyoming has lost a great leader...
October 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, named Carrie Apostolou to be the new Republican clerk for the Senate Energy and Water Development Subcommittee.
In addition to naming Apostolou, Cochran also announced that Tyler Owens, s...
October 22, 2009
Crapo, Risch announce funding for INL, geothermal, ISU projects
Washington, DC – A number of Idaho initiatives received final Congressional approval as the U.S. Senate approved the conference report for Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations requests. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL...
October 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Wyoming delegation, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., made comments following the National Park Service announcement finalizing a limit on snowmobile and snowcoach access into Yellowstone National Park.
"The snowmobile a...
October 22, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar welcomed the inclusion of language similar to the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Improvement Act of 2009 into the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 that will soon be considered by both the House of Representatives and Senate.
"The con...
October 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Army is ramping up its response to the exposure of U.S. troops in Iraq to the deadly chemical sodium dichromate, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said. He said it has also doubled the Army estimate of the number of U.S. troops who may have been exposed to the cancer-caus...
October 22, 2009
In Oval Office meeting, discusses proposal to create special process to get deficits under control.
Washington – One day after a private Oval Office meeting with President Obama to discuss his concerns about mounting federal deficits, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) urged the leader of the Senate to end...
October 22, 2009
It´s hard to believe that 22 years ago I began sharing with our fellow Ohioans the importance of early detection practices in fighting our ongoing battle against breast cancer. My involvement in this cause began after the disease claimed the lives of my two closest friends within a five-mont...
October 22, 2009
Committee-passed plan fails to address future costs in premiums and care.
Washington, DC – Excessive costs, absence of legislative language, lack of complete scoring estimates and a misleading assessment about a government takeover of the nation´s health system were among the reasons that I...
October 12, 2009
Legislation introduced would end federal funding
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants to cut all funding for the community action group ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). Crapo voted with the majority of the Senate (83 to 7) to block federal funding to ACO...
October 12, 2009
"´Wait and See´ is not a war strategy and certainly not an approach that our senior military commanders are recommending."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following comments regarding the 8th annive...
October 12, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind) will introduce legislation next week encouraging United States officials to initiate Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"The United States should proceed to develop a comprehensive strategy...
October 12, 2009
Public-private group advises on trade, regulatory policy
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will help guide U.S. trade and export policy. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) is appointing Crapo to the President´s Export Council (PEC). The Council, comprised of pri...
October 12, 2009
Bills should be available online with their total cost
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., put their weight behind an amendment that would change Senate rules to increase transparency in the halls of Congress.
The amendment, which is...
October 12, 2009
Joins colleagues demanding a 72-hour review for legislation before the Senate
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined several of his Senate colleagues to demand changes in Senate rules so that final committee votes not be rushed before the public has a chance to review the content and co...
October 12, 2009
There´s an important development regarding the exposure of hundreds of U.S. troops to the deadly chemical compound sodium dichromate in Iraq. The Department of Defense´s Inspector General, has agreed to investigate the Army´s response to that exposure. I requested such an investiga...
October 12, 2009
Crapo, colleagues call for formal review by tax and budget experts
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, continued his push for transparency and accessibility as the Committee moves toward a final vote on health care reform legislation. Crapo, who h...
October 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three Chairmen – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, i...
October 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following recent media reports that brought to light policy changes for the media covering Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo), U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Obama requesting clarification from the ad...
October 12, 2009
What's up with those geniuses in Congress? First they scurry around to get massive stimulus funding in the pipeline in an effort to quickly jump-start the economy, and then they fiddle around and let regular transportation funding that would further aid the recovery lapse.
Not a good recipe for e...
October 12, 2009
U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced legislation to reverse the "resource curse" by requiring companies to reveal payments made to U.S. and foreign governments for oil, gas and minerals. Currently countries ri...
October 12, 2009
When President George W. Bush was in the White House, U.S. foreign policy was widely criticized as arrogantly unilateral, and was branded by critics here and abroad as the "go it alone" approach to international relations.
Now, it seems that a dangerous new strategy for American international rel...
October 12, 2009
Crapo, Risch move $3 million slated for urban parks
Washington, DC – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch supported an amendment to an Interior Department spending bill erasing plans to spend $2.8 million in badly-needed forest fire mitigation funding in Washington, DC. The nation´s cap...
October 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. – As the Senate Finance Committee began consideration of its health care reform bill, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said he would offer amendments to reduce health care costs for average Americans, scale back the total spending in the bill, and protect American workers from new ta...
October 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., made the following comments after a federal judge´s decision to re-list Yellowstone area grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act.
"This is a disappointing decision that...
October 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced his support for Army General Stanley McChrystal, Commander of U.S. and Coalition forces in Afghanistan, and called for the Obama administration to support General McChrystal´s reques...
October 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, added to his initial concerns about President Obama´s cancellation of the third missile defense site. Pointing to the fact that the...
October 12, 2009
Crapo encourages public comment; projected costs are a concern
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants Idahoans and Northwest residents to offer comment on a preliminary feasibility study just released by Amtrak that says passenger rail service may be restored to southern Idaho and easter...
October 12, 2009
Legislation introduced would end federal funding
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants to cut all funding for the community action group ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). Crapo voted with the majority of the Senate (83 to 7) to block federal funding to ACO...
October 12, 2009
Letter asks President to stop such appointments
Washington, DC – Has the White House employed too many special-issue advisers, known as "czars," who are eluding public scrutiny and Congressional oversight? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and a number of his Senate colleagues believe so, and have highli...
October 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. – In a bipartisan effort, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Dodd (D- Conn.) and Richard Shelby (R- Ala.) to introduce the Improving Access to Clinical Trials (I-ACT) Act, a bill to allow patients with rare diseases to participate in clinical d...
October 12, 2009
Strong CBO Report, Positive Poll Numbers for the President, Bad Polls for the Republicans and a Parade of Republican Leaders Coming Out for Reform Provides Significant Momentum for Reform and Puts the "Party of No" on Its Heels.
"...We've got to do something. I don't want the Republicans puttin...
October 05, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following letter calling on Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to rescind the "gag order" issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid...
October 05, 2009
Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation To Increase Nonmilitary Aid To Pakistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) welcomed passage by the United State Senate of a revised version of the Enhanced Partnership with Pak...
October 05, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the cancelled missile defense site in Eastern Europe, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the committee stated, "Obama´s plan makes us more vulnerable."
"Everyone agrees that Iran poses a threat ...
October 05, 2009
Says Finance Committee ignoring review, cost analysis of legislation
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo warned that some members of the Senate Finance Committee are in such a rush to pass a health care reform bill that there may be final votes before the legislation is even written out in ...
October 04, 2009
School wins national recognition from President´s Council
Washington, DC – An Idaho elementary school has received national recognition for attention to fitness and sports. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said he is adding his congratulations to the top award to Ucon Elementary in Idaho Falls. T...
October 04, 2009
Washington, D.C. – As the Finance Committee continues to debate its health reform bill, U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) has expressed concern over not only the impact a reduction in funding for Medicare Advantage plans would have on seniors, but also with the Department of Health and Human S...
October 04, 2009
Don´t get complacent about breast cancer
You may not worry about breast cancer the way you used to. In the U.S. alone there are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors today.
This false sense of security may have led to a decrease of mammograms in recent years, however the numb...
October 04, 2009
National Competition in Search of Tomorrow´s Cybersecurity Leaders
Washington, DC – California will join the U.S. Cyber Challenge, a series of competitions aimed at recruiting and training America's next generation of cybersecurity experts, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and the...
October 04, 2009
Draft under consideration by Finance Committee would violate President´s pledge to Americans
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says the conceptual health care proposal before the Senate Finance Committee creates an undue burden on the middle class by raising taxes on families making...
October 04, 2009
Will also forward comments from Idahoans in response to Pioneer Route study
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is questioning the cost figures cited in a preliminary report Amtrak commissioned on the feasibility of restoring passenger rail service to Idaho along the former Pioneer Route. ...
October 05, 2009
Democrats block Enzi amendment that would lessen the blow of a government mandate
Washington, D.C. – While Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee want to mandate that Americans buy health insurance or face stiff fines and even jail time, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is looking for alternati...
October 05, 2009
International trade panel denies Canada´s remedy for Softwood Lumber Agreement violation
Washington, DC – Idaho´s Congressional Delegation welcomed a ruling by an international arbiter in an ongoing dispute over Canadian softwood exports. The tribunal sided with the U.S. this week ov...
October 05, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar announced the following accomplishments for the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program in August:
· 1 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) destroyed,
· 8 submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) eliminated, and
· ...
October 05, 2009
WASHINGTON- Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., held a hearing on disaster recovery efforts in Galveston, Texas, one year after Hurricane Ike devastated the region and four years after Hurricane Rita. Prior to the hearing, Senator Hutchison and Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas joined the Senator for a tour...
October 05, 2009
Says interested parties should comment on the ag guest worker program
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is encouraging Idahoans to submit comments regarding the U.S. Department of Labor´s H-2A agricultural guest worker program. Earlier this month, the Department of Labor proposed c...
October 05, 2009
Funding for forest restoration, fire fighting, Owyhees included in Interior bill
Washington, DC –Collaborative forest land management and an increase in fire fighting funds were given priority as Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch supported amendments to the Interior Appropriations bill. Th...
October 05, 2009
60,000 Idaho seniors could lose benefits of Medicare Advantage program
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said that senior citizens and state taxpayers will feel the pain if health care reforms envisioned in the Senate Finance Committee are approved by Congress. Crapo, a member of the Fin...
September 13, 2009
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has refused to publish evidence that Iran is "pursuing information about weaponization efforts and a military nuclea...
September 14, 2009
Ryun: "There is no better person for this job for Kansans and true conservatives everywhere"
WICHITA – In a battle of former colleagues, former Kansas Second District Congressman and Olympic great Jim Ryun has endorsed Congressman Todd Tiahrt in his bid for the U.S. Senate.
"I served with bot...
September 14, 2009
Calls on OAS to Do the Right Thing for Once
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the plight of Cuban political prisoners, Ariel Sigler Amaya and Normando Hernandez. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"I am e...
September 14, 2009
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on an unclassified U.S. intelligence report on Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez´s campaign to silence opponents by extending his control of the media. Statement by Ros-Leht...
September 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-CA) praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its announcement that it will change the way it calculates premiums when evaluating Medicare Part D plans. This step will increase the choices that benefici...
September 14, 2009
National standards address foreign imports of formaldehyde in products.
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) to introduce bipartisan legislation intended to protect consumers by establishing national health standards for formaldehyde in composit...
September 14, 2009
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Dick Lugar told Uruguayan President Tabaré Vásquez that today he has introduced legislation to include Uruguay in the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). The two met this afternoon in the ceremonial Foreign Relations Commit...
September 14, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act, including the myth that doctors oppose current health insurance reform proposals. In fact, the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine today released ...
September 14, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. For example, Republicans continue to claim that health insurance reform will undermine America´s small businesses. However, the fact is that small...
September 14, 2009
WASHINGTON - The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, may cut the number of support staff to free up US troops for combat against Taliban insurgents, US officials said.
"The idea is use troops more effectively," a US defense official, who spoke on condition of a...
September 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on President Obama´s speech in New York City today, on the first anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, in which the President discussed the urgent need for financial regulatory reform:
"Less than one...
September 14, 2009
Lauds Report by Human Rights Watch
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) -Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) made the following statement on the release of a Human Rights Watch report entitled, "They Want Us Exterminated: Murder, Torture, Sexual Orientation and Gender in Iraq." The report documents the ex...
September 13, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of the America´s Affordable Health Choices Act, this time about the bill´s impact on doctors. However, the fact is that the America´s Affordable Health Choices Act will put the power ba...
September 13, 2009
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the indictment of Jamal Yousef, a former member of the Syrian military charged with selling military-grade weapons to the FARC in Colombia in exchange for cocaine. Statement ...
September 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, spoke at a town hall meeting in Standish, Mich., where he made the point that the future of Michigan lies in creating jobs in tourism, advanced research and new technology, not "Gitmo Jobs."
...
September 13, 2009
WASHINGTON D.C., – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), a strong advocate for health care reform with a robust public option, released this statement:
"The confusion, misinformation and scare tactics about a ´public option´ that have been trumpeted by the opponents of real health care r...
September 13, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Some opponents of health insurance reform are spreading the myth that reform causes rationing of care – with government bureaucrats deciding what treatments individuals can and cannot receive. The facts are:
· Under America´s Affordable Health Choices Act, th...
September 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, is refusing to sign requests for reprogramming Military Intelligence Program funds, absent a compelling military need, after the Obama administration stonewalled requests for information on i...
September 13, 2009
"A public plan would not destroy the private insurance market but would make it more competitive and lead to the benefits associated with competition. Many private plans would remain attractive because of their ability to be responsive to consumer demands and to be innovative in care management. P...
September 12, 2009
Says we must remain committed, determined, and vigilant.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, marked the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
"Toda...
September 12, 2009
Congresswoman´s Legislation Seeks to Improve Services for Victims of Violence
Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Wasserman Schultz hailed the importance of the Violence Against Women Act on the eve of its 15th anniversary – which falls tomorrow, Sunday, September 13 – and what it has meant for Americ...
September 12, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act, including the thoroughly debunked myth that the House bill will provide taxpayer-financed health coverage for illegal immigrants. The facts disprov...
September 12, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) issued the following statement on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks:
"Eight years ago today America was shaken by an attack, rooted in hatred and aimed at striking at the very heart of our nation, that killed over 3,...
September 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the eighth anniversary of September 11:
"Every year on September 11, we remember the victims and honor the heroes of that fateful morning eight years ago. We are reminded of the nearly 3,000 American lives cut short d...
September 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement in commemoration of the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001:
"It´s no accident that our homeland has not been attacked in the y...
September 12, 2009
I've held more than 40 events across Missouri this month, discussing health care and the ways we can provide higher quality, more competition and access for everyone. I heard from single mothers, small business employees, retirees concerned about Medicare cuts, manufacturers and journalists. They as...
September 12, 2009
WICHITA—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) released the following statement responding to new unemployment numbers released by the Kansas Department of Labor. According to the July 2009 Labor Report, unemployment state-wide rose from 7.1 percent to 7.7 percent. The Wichita MSA hit 9.9 pe...
September 10, 2009
Defense-related funding benefits Idaho universities, businesses
Washington, DC – Idaho funding requests for defense and military-related projects submitted by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch were approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The requests for Fiscal Year (FY) 201...
September 10, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act.
Myth: The House bill will tax you $3,800 for not buying health insurance.
Fact: In the House bill, the small percentage of Americans wh...
September 10, 2009
All parties agree, health reform must be a priority this year.
WASHINGTON—Independents 45-plus felt the President´s speech last night addressed some of their questions by a three-to-one margin according to overnight polling released by AARP today. The same survey found that a majorit...
September 10, 2009
Washington, D.C.---Commemorating the eighth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland, Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, today called on President Obama and the U.S. Congress to fully resource and supp...
September 10, 2009
Rep. Petri has made the following comments in response to President Obama's speech last night:
"I think it was a great speech, but it was about a proposal - and in the past, when Presidents have spoken about proposals that they are asking Congress to adopt, they have accompanied them ...
September 10, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Some health insurance reform opponents are arguing that we can´t afford health insurance reform under America´s Affordable Health Choices Act—in the face of a growing deficit. To the contrary, the single most important thing we can do to improve the long-ter...
September 10, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Some health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about the impact of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act on seniors. The facts disprove these claims.
These facts are why the AARP corrected these myths in a statement, adding "… we are pleased nothi...
September 10, 2009
And on Holder Appointment of a Prosecutor for CIA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement after the Department of Justice released portions of a CIA IG report on terrorist interrogation and Attorne...
September 10, 2009
Washington, DC-- As seniors in South Florida and across the country face the ever-dwindling buying power of their Social Security checks, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) is advocating for changes in how Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are determined and new protections for senior...
September 10, 2009
Highlight recent arson that caused the death of two firefighters and massive devastation.
Washington, D.C. – Calling attention to the tragic fire caused by arson that resulted in the death of two firefighters, Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29) and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) urged Congres...
September 10, 2009
Resolution Honors the lives of Captain Tedmund "Ted" Hall and Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones who died while bravely fighting the Station Fire
Washington D.C. – Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and David Dreier (R-CA) paid tribute to Captain Tedmund "Ted" Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo...
September 10, 2009
The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement on health reform legislation:
As the Members of Congress who disproportionately represent the men, women and children who are under-insured and uninsured and whose health and wellness have suffered because of the numerous gaps i...
September 10, 2009
National African-American Leaders and Congressional Black Caucus Members Hold Press Announcement at U. S. Capitol to Dispel Myths and Urge Americans to Support Health Care Reform
Washington, DC – Prior to President Obama´s speech to the joint session of Congress on healthcare reform, nation...
September 10, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, led an effort backed by the Washington Metropolitan Congressional Delegation requesting that House conferees participating in negotiations regarding the FY ´10 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 2647) fight to retain the federal employ...
September 10, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. Republicans, in particular, are showing a recent convert´s zeal for reducing the deficit by claiming we cannot afford health insurance reform now because of the ...
September 10, 2009
WASHINGTON – House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-CA) highlighted a report by Citizens for Tax Justice showing that the $2.5 trillion Bush tax cuts cost two and a half times more than the House Health reform plan. These tax cuts increased the deficit, and overwhelmingly bene...
September 10, 2009
Hoekstra: Administration Response to Guantanamo Bay Visit Request Raises Questions about Commitment to Transparency
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said the Obama administration´s response to his request to take Mi...
September 10, 2009
In letter to Clinton, requests clarification on UAE-Iran ties
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a follow-up letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concerning the proposed U.S.-UAE nuclear agreement as the Sec...
September 10, 2009
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) slammed on Tuesday President Obama's mid-year budget review for making "assumptions that defy logic as much as his spending defies gravity."
The administration announced that it increased the projected budget ...
September 10, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement on the new federal deficit estimates released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the president´s Office of Management & Budget (OMB). Projections now show a cumulative $9 trillion def...
September 10, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the updated deficit forecast:
"Today´s deficit projections are a legacy of Bush Administration fiscal policies that turned our surpluses into deficits and led the way toward an economic and financial crisis that has r...
September 10, 2009
Signals Return to Jimmy Carter´s Stagflation
WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) issued a statement regarding reassessments by the Office of Management and Budget and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that reveal a projected ten-year budget deficit of $9.1 trillion:
...
September 09, 2009
Crapo says reform must address costs and coverage
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo released the following statement after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress regarding health care reform:
"Health care remains one of the highest priorities for the American people...
September 09, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) this evening made the following remarks in response to President Obama´s health care speech to Congress:
"The President´s proposal tonight outlined four major high-cost areas related to health insurance companies. These proposals wil...
September 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Following President Obama´s address to a joint session of Congress on health care reform this evening, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., urged Democratic leaders not to put an early end to productive, bipartisan health care talks, which he said offer the best opportunity to ac...
September 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today issued the following statement in response to the President´s address to a Joint Session of Congress:
"Tonight, we heard a recycled sales pitch for a flawed plan to establish government-run health care and higher taxes," sai...
September 09, 2009
WASHINGTON- Astronomers declared NASA's Hubble Space Telescope a fully rejuvenated observatory with the release Wednesday of observations from four of its six operating science instruments. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., unveiled the images at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Topping the list o...
September 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement tonight after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on the urgent need for health insurance reform:
"Tonight, President Obama made a forceful case to the Congress and the country for long-overdue health ...
September 09, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties) released the following statement on President Barack Obama´s address to Congress this evening:
"President Obama and I agree that health care needs reform. We disagree how to get there.
"President Obama a...
September 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today issued the following statement in response to the President´s address to a Joint Session of Congress:
"Tonight, we heard a recycled sales pitch for a flawed plan to establish government-run health care and higher taxes," sai...
September 09, 2009
The ´Cost´ of the Public Health Insurance Option
Opponents of health insurance reform and some members of the news media continue to repeat a myth that the public health insurance option will cost $1 trillion. In fact, the public option in America´s Affordable Health Choices Act will cost U.S...
September 09, 2009
Lawmaker says: "This program is hugely important to the part of California that I represent."
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) delivered the following statement in support of reauthorizing the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act at today´s Energ...
September 09, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek issued the following statement following President Obama´s address to a Joint Session of Congress on health care reform:
"Tonight´s speech was a game-changer. President Obama brought clarity to the health care debate. His objective is s...
September 07, 2009
Who Can Taxpayers Hold Accountable?
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Spencer Bachus (R-AL) sent letters to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and the Special Inspector General ...
September 07, 2009
With this June´s historic passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the United States took a major step toward a new clean energy economy. In a new Washington Post-ABC New poll, we find that the American people continue to support the action we have taken and the direction in whic...
September 07, 2009
Conservative icon calls Tiahrt "a leader in the conservative movement"
WICHITA - Conservative radio talk show host and former Education Secretary Bill Bennett endorsed 4th District Congressman Todd Tiahrt in his bid for the U.S. Senate.
"Todd Tiahrt is a leader in the conservative movement," ...
September 07, 2009
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) sent the following letter to President Barack Obama regarding a June 22 letter he sent with 76 of his colleagues on "Don´t Ask, Don´t Tell." The White House has yet to respond to the letter urging President Obama to suspen...
September 07, 2009
Last week was one of the most inspiring of my public service career as I participated in four historic town hall meetings across the 2nd Congressional District.
For 25 years, I have hosted numerous district meetings. Traditionally, attendance at such events averaged 50 people. In four town halls ...
September 05, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act.
This time, on August 31, House Republican Leader Boehner issued a "GOP Leader Alert" claiming that the House Democrats´ reform bill is "load...
September 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced that he has introduced legislation that would put patients back in the center of the healthcare debate, help save millions of lives and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs. The Accelerate Cures for Patients Act, H.R. 3475, wou...
September 05, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. They are trying to scare seniors again, this time about the cost of prescription drugs. But the facts—and independent auditors—disprove this m...
September 05, 2009
We don't need radical change. Subsidies and high risk pools can get the job done.
When was the last time you asked your doctor how much it would cost for a necessary test or procedure? In all likelihood, you can't remember. That's because your employer-provided health plan or the government "pai...
September 05, 2009
The voice on an old record is urging listeners to write members of Congress and ask them to oppose this legislation…
"And if you don´t do this and if I don´t do it, one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children, and our children´s children, what it once was ...
September 05, 2009
WICHITA—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported the national unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent in August.
"What these rising unemployment numbers tell us is how ineffective the president´s spending program...
September 05, 2009
WICHITA—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement responding to the World Trade Organization´s (WTO) preliminary ruling finding Airbus guilty of receiving billions of dollars in illegal subsidies from European governments. Congressman Tiahrt received a phone call ...
September 05, 2009
Lawmaker says "the end is now in sight."
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has determined that eight schools in the Lennox School District are adversely affected by aircraft noise from the nearby Los Angeles International Air...
September 05, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER: Impact on Seniors
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. Their efforts to scare seniors have spared no myth, no method and no misrepresentation. It has gotten so bad, the Chicago Tribune´s The Swamp...
September 05, 2009
With Labor Day right around the corner, we are reminded of the contributions and achievements of American workers throughout the course of history. As the basic foundation of our economy, America´s workforce represents the cornerstone of our strength and prosperity.
The history of Labor Day st...
September 05, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. This time they are claiming the bill is a risk to the privacy of Americans´ personal health and financial information. The facts disprove their distortions.
...
September 03, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., today issued the following statement on discussions to reach a bipartisan health care reform bill:
"My position has been consistent from the start. I haven´t walked away from our shared goal of health care reform or compromised the o...
September 03, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement regarding the Obama administration´s investigation into past CIA interrogation practices:
"Earlier this year, President-elect Obama said he did not want h...
September 03, 2009
Bono Mack joins community leaders at expansion of high-tech Exotic Electro-Optics sapphire facility
MURRIETA, CA – Emphasizing the benefits of job creation in the community and advanced technology that is enhancing U.S. national security capabilities, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today pr...
September 03, 2009
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, and Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Europe, sent a letter to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in response to an article recently published by the Swedish...
August 28, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hailed the appointment of the first full-time International Energy Coordinator at the State Department.
"Constant diplomatic attention to energy security at the highest levels of our government is vital for ...
August 28, 2009
A government-run option for health care is not an option for U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., a key figure in the health care debate.
Enzi, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and member of the Senate Finance Committee, repeated his opposition to a...
August 28, 2009
Dorgan, Five Other Senators Request DOD IG Investigation in to Army's Response to Exposure of US Troops in Iraq to Deadly Chemical
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and five other U.S. Senators are calling for a Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General´s investigation into...
August 28, 2009
DAILY MYTHBUSTER
With a 33 million customer list, insurance giant Wellpoint is now actively fueling the misinformation campaign against health insurance reform and America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. In a recent email to customers, California insurer Anthem Blue Cross, a Wellpoint subsidiary...
August 29, 2009
In Letter to Secretary Clinton, Questions How U.S. Approach Serves U.S. Interests
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on a letter she sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressing reports that the U.S. i...
August 17, 2009
Strong Turnout, No Shouting at Vermont Town Meetings on Health Care.
ARLINGTON, Vt. – Hundreds of Vermonters – overwhelmingly in favor of health care reform – today packed spirited but civil town meetings hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at a public park here and at a church in Rutland.
...
DORGAN & FIVE OTHER SENATORS CALL FOR INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATION OF ARMY´S RESPONSE TO EXPOSURE
August 13, 2009
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and five other U.S. Senators are calling for a Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General´s investigation into the Army´s response to the exposure of hundreds of U.S. soldiers in Iraq to a deadly carcinogen. Dorgan said the Army&...
August 12, 2009
Dorgan, Five Other Senators Request DOD IG Investigation in to Army's Response to Exposure of US Troops in Iraq to Deadly Chemical
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and five other U.S. Senators are calling for a Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General&ac...
August 09, 2009
Between the rising cost of heath care and the expanding role of government, Americans are frustrated. Economists predict that we will be spending 20 percent of our gross domestic product on health care by 2017. Now the President wants Congress to approve a scheme that effectively repeals Medicare a...
August 09, 2009
Last month, at a meeting overseas of intelligence service chiefs, one of my counterparts from a major Western ally pulled me aside. Why, he asked, is Washington so consumed with what the CIA did in the past, when the most pressing national security concerns are in the present? It was a very good que...
August 09, 2009
SUPPORTS MOST ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION POSSIBLE
Washington, DC – Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), senior member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, issued the following
statement after voting against an amendment to HR 3200 – America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 – offered by memb...
August 09, 2009
Resolution Will Ensure Metro Receives Matching Funds from Local Jurisdictions
WASHINGTON, DC – The Members of the Washington Metro Area´s House Delegation –Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Frank R. Wolf, James P. Moran, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Van Hollen, Donna F. Edwards and Gerald E. Connolly –...
August 09, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) joined with Frank Gaffney, founder and president of the Center for Security Policy; Representatives Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) and Lamar Smith (R-TX); and Debra Burlingame, co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America and sister of Charles...
August 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Rules Committee Chair Louise Slaughter of New York re-introduced the Coordinated Environmental Public Health Network Act. This legislation would establish a national public health tracking network to allow for the detection and identification of poss...
August 09, 2009
Legislation Amends Tax Code to Allow Baby Formula to be Reimbursed Under a Health Flexible Spending Arrangement for a Mother who has had a Mastectomy and is Unable to Breastfeed;
Wasserman Schultz and Meek: Our Tax Code Should Help – Not Hurt – Mothers Who Have Been Treated for Breast Cancer
...
August 09, 2009
Refuses to give Americans same options they have
WASHINGTON, DC – The majority on the House Energy and Commerce Committee blocked access for all Americans to a plan like the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP). The amendment, introduced by Health Care Solutions Group Chairman Roy Blu...
August 09, 2009
Programs prioritize child safety, law enforcement, transportation, and health and family programs
(Washington, DC) -- Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced that she has secured nearly $40 million in federal funds for South Florida, helping to offset the fact that Floridians regularly p...
August 09, 2009
Concern over the U.S. strategic nuclear stockpile, illustrated by problems with a classified material called "Fogbank," has triggered quiet maneuverings on Capitol Hill related to negotiations to extend the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
That treaty expires at year's end.
"Fogbank" play...
August 09, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Following reports that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has been orchestrating an effort to intimidate members of Congress and Governors who raise legitimate concerns regarding the effectiveness of the stimulus, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Mem...
August 09, 2009
As the political debate about how to pay for and pass health reform grows louder and more contentious, we shouldn't lose sight of the reason we're even having this conversation: We have a huge, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the lives of all Americans, insured and uninsured alike.
...
August 09, 2009
Friday brought to a close the deadliest month of fighting in Afghanistan for U.S. troops since the war´s start eight years ago. As he did every other day of the month, President Barack Obama said nothing about it.
Casualties are mounting in Afghanistan because of a resurgent enemy offe...
August 09, 2009
Paves way for federal funding of family medicine residency program in Stanislaus County
WASHINGTON, DC – Efforts to reestablish federal funding for family residency training in Stanislaus County have received a significant push forward and appear to be on the right track, announced Congressmen De...
August 09, 2009
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on reports that Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez has decided to shut down 32 radio stations and 2 television stations, as he reportedly continues his collaboration with the FARC gue...
August 09, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) issued the following statement on charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that Bank of America failed to properly disclose to stockholders an agreement concerning bonuses ...
August 09, 2009
The Organization of American States took shape after World War II as a mini United Nations for the Western Hemisphere -- and just like the U.N., it has struggled for decades to prove its effectiveness.
Now the OAS faces new criticism that it isn't upholding its mission to defend democracy in the ...
August 09, 2009
Ileana's Cause: The top Republican on the house Foreign Affairs Committee discusses her longtime fight against tyranny in Latin America and why she believes the U.S. needs to take a stronger stand in support of freedom.
Too often we in the United States take freedom and the rule of law for gran...
August 09, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) repeated his call for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to move forward with a subpoena of critical Countrywide VIP documents following the decision of the Senate Ethics Committee to ...
August 09, 2009
Award Recognizes Her Accomplishments as Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) received the Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award from the Lawyers´ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law at the National Bar Association´s 84th Annual C...
August 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) praised the Senate´s confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court, in the following statement:
"As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I proudly congratulate Justice Sonia Sotomayor on her histo...
August 09, 2009
Health insurance reform opponents, like Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, continue to spread myths about components of America´s Affordable Health Choices Act. Labeled "key facts" the fact sheet sent by Cantor´s office to each member of Congress simply peddles already disproven myth...
August 09, 2009
WICHITA—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 68-31 to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court.
"Confirming the first Hispanic-American to the Supreme Court is a historic moment for this country," said Tiahr...
August 09, 2009
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:
"History was made today by Judge Sonia Sotomayor who has earned the distinct privilege of being confirmed as a United States Supreme...
August 09, 2009
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) lashed out at Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) after the Republican congressman pushed the powerful Democratic senator to divulge details about low-interest loans he received from Countrywide Financial.
In letters provided to POLITICO, Conrad has accused Issa of attempting ...
August 09, 2009
House Oversight and Government Reform ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) may be one of the majority´s chief tormentors and an apt political bomb thrower, but the person Democrats have to thank for Issa´s persistence is none other than Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.).
"If you look at He...
August 09, 2009
SHORELINE – U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) announced that up to 2,550 battery charging systems for electric vehicles will be established throughout the Seattle area by Energy Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (ETEC), as part of a $99.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The ET...
August 09, 2009
Lawmaker says "we need to be ready to adapt to potentially catastrophic shifts in the environment."
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) praised a plan by the California Natural Resources Agency calling for statewide preparations for the effects of climate change. The plan offers strateg...
August 09, 2009
Kansas Delegation urges President to see ramifications of Leavenworth as possible site
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, and U.S. Representatives Lynn Jenkins, Dennis Moore, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt sent a letter to invite President Obama and his Gitmo task force t...
August 09, 2009
Michigan Democrats recently unveiled their new economic development plan for Michigan: turning the state into a penal colony for federal prisoners, the detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay and even part of California´s inmate population.
In a rush to fulfill an ill-advised campaign pr...
August 08, 2009
Enzi votes against program again, Senate passes funding extension
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate approved an additional $2 billion for the Cash for Clunkers program. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., voted against the measure.
"We don´t know exactly how much has been spent....
August 08, 2009
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) – Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, member of the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change and Nuclear Safety, and co-chair of the Senate Auto Caucus – released the following statement on Senate pas...
August 08, 2009
Say current compensation systems "shortchange our children"
Washington – As President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan unveil guidelines for states to apply for Race to the Top education funding, ten senators urged leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund Pr...
August 08, 2009
On July 13, 2009, with only a week´s notice, Turkey hosted the celebrated signing of an agreement to move forward on the Nabucco natural gas pipeline. It was a major breakthrough that had seemed unlikely just more than a year ago when Senator Dick Lugar set out to meet with leaders in supplyin...
August 08, 2009
Delegation gives proposed snowmobile numbers a thumbs down, encourages public comment
Washington, D.C. - The Wyoming delegation, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., made comments following the National Park Service announcement about a proposed i...
August 08, 2009
Senate inaction defies American majority
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats blocked the effort of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to consider his amendment that would permanently keep the military-run detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GITMO) open while preventing terrorist detainees fro...
August 08, 2009
Voinovich-sponsored bill will examine tax and entitlements, force long-overdue Congressional action
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) has issued a statement of thanks to President Obama for his endorsement of a commission where "…everything is going to have to be on (the)...
August 08, 2009
Bill authorizes Forest Conservation Bonds as common sense way to bring conservation and timber communities together to protect forest land from development
(Washington, D.C.) –U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) introduced legislation ...
August 08, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) introduced the Carbon Storage Stewardship Trust Fund Act of 2009 to help remove a major barrier to private investment in carbon capture and storage.
"New technology holds great promise for job creation and a cleaner ...
August 08, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar welcomed the inclusion of language similar to the Nunn-Lugar Cooperate Threat Reduction Improvement Act of 2009 into the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 currently being debated on the Senate floor.
"The Senate Armed Services Committee has included...
August 08, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following comments after voting in support of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 that would allow individuals with concealed carry permits to lawfully carry concealed firearms across state lines as lon...
August 06, 2009
Video Uses Humor to Highlight Senate Inaction That Defies American Majority
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate is about to take a month long recess without addressing an important national security issue. While the Democrat lead Senate found time during the last week of business to deal with Cas...
August 06, 2009
Introduces bipartisan bill to give schools increased flexibility
Washington, DC – In response to concerns from Idaho parents, teachers and school administrators, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has reintroduced bipartisan legislation to bring needed reforms to the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Act. The...
August 06, 2009
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today announced his decision regarding the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
"For both Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, then-Senator Obama promot...
August 06, 2009
Washington, DC – During a speech on the Senate floor, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo noted that a strong majority of Idahoans contacting his office stand in opposition to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Crapo reaffirmed that he will vote against Sotomayor´s appointment when the Senate acts o...
August 06, 2009
Bayh heralds $400 million to create thousands of Hoosier jobs; says Indiana will lead national push to design, build clean-energy cars
Wakarusa, Indiana – Senator Evan Bayh returned to Elkhart County with President Barack Obama to announce more than $400 million for Indiana companies developing n...
August 06, 2009
The Obama Administration announced that Kenneth A. Myers III has been appointed by the Secretary of Defense to be the Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). DTRA´s mission is to safeguard the United States from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological...
August 06, 2009
Crapo writes Mountain Home AFB, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes language
Washington, DC – A groundbreaking partnership to transfer unneeded housing units from the Mountain Home Air Force Base to members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes may soon be law, thanks to language added to a defense authorization bill...
August 06, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted to support passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2010. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 87 to 7. Among a vast number of other provisions, the legis...
August 05, 2009
Establishes August 7 as "National Purple Heart Day"
Washington, DC – Purple Heart recipients and their families will receive increased national honors under legislation introduced by Idaho
Senator Mike Crapo. The bipartisan Senate resolution, S. Con. Res. 36, sponsored by Crapo and Senator Blan...
August 05, 2009
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) urged the full Senate to confirm the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In remarks delivered from the Senate floor, Senator Feinstein praised Judge Sotomayor, noting that her ...
August 05, 2009
Helps small businesses access Federal tourism promotion programs
WASHINGTON - The United States Senate passed an amendment sponsored by Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary Landrieu, D-La., to boost tourism revenue for rural small businesses. The "Tourism Promotion for Rura...
August 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said cooler heads need to prevail in the Senate to ensure Americans aren´t stuck with the detrimental consequences of a cap-and-tax program that would create burdensome greenhouse gas emission regulations.
"The House hastily pass...
August 05, 2009
Funding Requests by Crapo, Risch Advanced to Full Senate
Washington, DC – Transportation funding sponsored by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch for road infrastructure and public transportation projects was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Idaho initiatives are included...
August 05, 2009
Washington, DC – The Idaho congressional delegation joined with Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter to respond to the announcement that the Obama Administration has struck a deal to not request any funding for Yucca Mountain in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter said, "T...
August 05, 2009
Nearly $7 Million Awarded Under Farm Bill Grant Program
Washington, DC – A grant program supported by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo in the 2008 Farm Bill has awarded nearly $7 million to four Idaho projects. The grants were awarded under the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), which Crapo ...
August 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., supported a third way to add money to the national highway trust fund without increasing the national debt. The senators were disappointed the Senate defeated their alternative and supported a plan that increases the national...
August 05, 2009
Crapo, Risch advance funding proposals for Idaho medical projects and education programs
Washington, DC – Requests for federal funding by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch to expand medical services and education projects in Idaho have been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. ...
August 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said no bipartisan deal on health care reform is imminent and that members of the Finance Committee still have a number of remaining issues to resolve before they will be able to reach a bipartisan agreement.
Reports in this morning´s ...
August 05, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder seeking justification and clarification for a letter the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent to Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson threatening Oklahoma with a loss of federal fu...
August 01, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee will conduct a congressional oversight hearing, Monday, August 3, to examine whether the U.S. Army responded appropriately to the exposure of hundreds of U.S. troops to a deadly carcinogen at a water injection facility in Iraq.
...
July 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following comments after the U.S. Senate voted 58 to 40 to remove $1.75 billion from the Defense Authorization bill for F-22s. Air Force officials have repeatedly stated that no less than 243 F-22s would be sufficient with a moderate leve...
July 21, 2009
Will Serve as Ranking Member of the East Asian Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), co-chair of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, announced today he has been appointed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to fill the Republican vacancy left by former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman...
July 21, 2009
She Urges Doctors and Nurses to Get Tested for HIV
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) today celebrated National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day and encouraged the nation´s health care workers to be tested for HIV.
"Doctors, nurses, and other clinicians p...
July 21, 2009
Committee Passes Congressman´s Amendment to Ensure California Veterans Receive Equal Educational Benefit
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an ongoing legislative battle on behalf of veterans in California and a number of other states, Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) today successfully incl...
July 21, 2009
House Committee Approves Student Loan Reforms
The House Education and Labor Committee approved legislation Tuesday to end the Federal Family Education (FFEL) program in favor of the Direct Loan program. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), a member of the committee, hailed the move as "long overdue and very ...
July 20, 2009
According to released GAO report requested by Lugar
Venezuela´s cooperation on counternarcotics has deteriorated according to a report released today by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report, requested by U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar in February 2008, is an effort by Lugar to ...
July 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After four days of Judge Sonia Sotomayor´s nomination hearing, Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) commented on the contradictory nature of her testimony compared her past rulings and statements. Sotomayor´s comments have come as the result of intense Republican questioning...
July 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that Amy Rosenbaum, her policy director for the past four years, will step down next month as policy director but will remain in a temporary position to advise on health care reform legislation this fall. Richard Meltzer will assume the role o...
July 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) and Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member Joe Wilson (R-SC) today praised the announcement by the Secretary of Defense that the U.S. Army will be temporarily expanded by up to 22,000 soldiers:
...
July 20, 2009
Report underscores need for strong international intellectual property protections
Washington, D.C.: The Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus, which is chaired by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), com...
July 20, 2009
Even as changes continue to be made to the health insurance reform bill—and despite a negative portrayal by the pollster—a new Washington Post/ABC News poll confirms a majority of Americans want the critical reform the America´s Affordable Health Choices Act delivers for American f...
July 20, 2009
Tax-funding of abortions in Washington, DC would further target Black population
WASHINGTON- Kansas Rep. Todd Tiahrt made remarks in opposition to tax-funding of abortion, which would increase abortion especially among the impoverished, predominately Black communities of Washington, D.C.
Rep. ...
July 20, 2009
In bank profits, less than meets the eye
NEW YORK — The big banks are making big money again, but they won't be back to health as long as they have to deal with a recession and customers defaulting on mortgages and credit cards.
The impressive numbers included a $3 billion second-quarter...
July 16, 2009
Calls on OAS to Do the Right Thing for Once
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on the plight of Cuban political prisoners, Ariel Sigler Amaya and Normando Hernandez. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"...
July 16, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) introduced the Atomic Veterans Medal Act, legislation to honor members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to atomic testing between 1945 and 1963.
"These veterans showed courage and incredible personal sacrif...
July 16, 2009
The American Medical Association (AMA), the leading voice for America's physicians, announced its support for the America´s Affordable Health Choice Act . According to AMA, the America´s Affordable Health Choices Act will curb out-of-control costs, encourage competition among insurance ...
July 16, 2009
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on an upcoming GAO Report that reportedly blames widespread corruption in the Chavez government for increases in cocaine transshipments through Venezuela. Statement by Ros...
July 16, 2009
The House health reform bill maintains Congress´ commitment to rural America by ensuring that all individuals in rural areas have access to the care they need close to home. The bill:
Provides Coverage for Uninsured Rural Individuals: In rural areas, the uninsured rate reaches 23 percent,...
July 16, 2009
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), member of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee, together with Reps. Melissa Bean (D-IL) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), introduced H.R. 3199 – The Experienced Medic Transition (EMT) Act. The legislation seeks to streamline the integration of retu...
July 16, 2009
Moran Language Makes TurboTax-style Program Available to Veterans
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, supported a number of Northern Virginia BRAC-related military facility funding requests in the FY´10 Militar...
July 16, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) was appointed to the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission by House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio.
Gallegly authored the bill that created the commission and is the second person assigned to the 11-member commission. Secretary of Interior...
July 16, 2009
SHORELINE, WA - U.S. Rep Jay Inslee announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has made $6,283,775 available to Washington state for a consumer rebate program to help households upgrade to energy efficient ENERGY STAR appliances. The funding is authorized and appropriated through the American Rec...
July 16, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) announced that the U.S. Department of Energy released $23,818,030 to Washington state for weatherizing homes of low-income families, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"Efficiency is the cheapest fuel," said Inslee. "The ...
July 16, 2009
Under Democratic leadership since 2007, Congress has made historic gains for America´s Troops, Veterans, and Military Families.
It was just over four years ago that our nation sunk to a new low in our treatment of veterans. On June 23, 2005, the Department of Veterans Affairs admitted that...
July 16, 2009
Government-run care will boost deficit, raise costs for Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Health Care Solutions Group Chairman Roy Blunt issued the following statement in response to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Douglas Elmendorf´s confirmation that the Democrats´ plan ...
July 15, 2009
Ros-Lehtinen Statement on Resolution Formally Initiating Congressional Review of UAE Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, submitted a statement for the record upon introducing a joint resoluti...
July 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) issued the following statement after House Democrats introduced their health care plan – the latest attempt by Democrats to grow the size, power, and cost of government on the backs of American taxpayers and small businesses. This comes on the heel of the ...
July 15, 2009
Bill Covers 97 Percent of Americans, Embodies President Obama´s Goals of Lower Costs, More Choices, and Access to Quality, Affordable Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Chairmen of the three Committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced comprehensi...
July 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – The influential House Rules Committee, of which Congressman Cardoza is a member, accepted two of Congressman Dennis Cardoza´s amendments aimed at increasing water flows for agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. This paves the way for passage on the House floor Wednesday as pa...
July 15, 2009
Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement in response to House Democrat´s introduction of their plan for government-run health care:
"Today´s proposal by the House Democrat Leader...
July 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) released the following statement on today´s announcement that the United States and China plan to develop a joint energy research center. Inslee has been a key advocate on this issue, leading an effort in Congress to urge the Administration to e...
July 15, 2009
Rep. Tom Petri expressed reservations Wednesday as the House Education and Labor Committee began work on America´s Affordable Health Choices Act, H.R. 3200, the Democrats' plan to overhaul the nation's health insurance system.
During an opening statement at a committee meeting h...
July 15, 2009
As we celebrated our nation´s birthday, North Korea launched seven missiles, and is now preparing to launch a long range ballistic missile, just months after testing a nuclear weapon. At the same time, Iran is developing both nuclear capabilities and long range missiles, recently disguised as ...
July 15, 2009
Rep. Tom Petri joined Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and others Tuesday in introducing legislation to establish a water trust fund for investing in the nation's drinking water and sewage treatment systems.
"It is no secret to the people of Wisconsin that our aging wastewater infrastruct...
July 15, 2009
Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) has endorsed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, legislation to be introduced today by Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA). This bill would move all new federal student lending to the stable, effective and cost-efficient Direct Loan Program...
July 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Republicans announced today their four appointments to the 10-member Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the causes, handling, and way forward from the current financial crisis. The creation was such a panel was first proposed by Rep. Darrell I...
July 15, 2009
Washington, D.C.— House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today announced their six appointments to the 10-member Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, established by Congress to examine the domestic and global causes of the financial crisis.
"The American peop...
July 15, 2009
Crapo, Risch promote targeted research funding
Washington, DC – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch say research efforts involving energy and agriculture in Idaho have fared well this week as the Senate Appropriations Committee made funding recommendations for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 spendi...
July 15, 2009
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, released the following statement today on the result of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee´s markup of an 18-month extension to SAFETEA-LU. At t...
July 15, 2009
Enzi says bill gets an F, doesn´t meet President´s goals
Washington, D.C. – After 13 days of negotiations, 50 hours and hundreds of amendments, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed a health care overhaul along party lines. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., R...
July 15, 2009
Pleased Obama Shares Interest in Continent
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who has visited Ghana eight times in the last eight years, commented on the speech given by President Obama to Ghana´s Parliament. President...
July 15, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar said that President Obama´s trip to Ghana offers the opportunity to highlight important issues of food security, energy security and the importance of fighting corruption.
"America has important foreign policy and national security interests in seeing that poor cou...
July 15, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar announced that the United States and the Republic of Indonesia, Conservation International and Yayasan Keanekaragaman Hayati Indonesia (KEHATI) have signed a debt-for-nature swap under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA).
This swap agreement, reducing Indonesia&a...
July 15, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar represented the United States at the signing of the Nabucco natural gas pipeline treaty in Ankara, Turkey, on Monday, July 13.
Though the U.S. is not a party to the treaty, it has been a strong advocate for the natural gas pipeline that runs from the Caspian Sea region t...
July 15, 2009
Latest Senate reform bill is scored poorly by CBO
Washington, DC – Some reform of the nation´s health care system is needed to reduce costs and improve access to quality coverage, but whatever plan Congress adopts must make fiscal sense, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo, a memb...
July 09, 2009
Before adjourning for the July 4th recess, House Democrats passed a massive new national energy tax. They are trying to sell this flawed approach under the guise of addressing environmental concerns and creating jobs. Unfortunately, their cap and trade or "cap and tax" scheme would be a failure en...
July 09, 2009
During House consideration of H.R. 2637—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010—House Republicans, led by Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), intend to offer a Motion to Recommit that will provide funding for critical equipment required to support and protect America´s...
July 09, 2009
Profits from Conflict Mineral Used in Many Cell Phones Fuels Human Rights Abuses
Rep. Jim McDermott introduced and the House passed his amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 to address the mining of Coltan (columbite), a rare mineral used in virtually every cell phone, from ...
July 09, 2009
""The whole question of lying to Congress is serious enough that it should always be investigated and taken seriously."
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and member of the House Judiciary Committee sent a le...
July 09, 2009
Black aides are so scarce on some House committees that the Congressional Black Caucus surveyed the panels. Their conclusion: black staffers are most prevalent when African American chairmen do the hiring.
The 31-person Democratic staff of the House Agriculture Committee and the 24-person Democrati...
July 09, 2009
WASHINGTON— U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) led Republican efforts to prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions in Washington, D.C. Tiahrt´s amendment would reinstate a 14-year-old prohibition on publicly-funded abortions that Democrats stripped this year at the req...
July 09, 2009
Funds would be re-routed to support the National Endowment for Democracy
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, offered an amendment to the State Department and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 3081) to cut fundi...
July 09, 2009
Would transfer funds to support security assistance for Israel, democracy in Iran
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee offered three amendments to the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriat...
July 09, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – A report released by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform finds that the housing bubble that burst in 2007 and led to a financial crisis can be traced back to federal government intervention in the U.S. housing market. The report´s findings are particularl...
July 08, 2009
Will Work With Colleagues to Pass A Bill This Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded Senators Robert Menendez, Orrin Hatch, and Harry Reid for introducing legislation today supporting vehicles that...
July 08, 2009
Cap and tax = national energy tax. Enzi vows to push back against similar legislation.
Washington, D.C. – Following a week traveling in Wyoming and listening to constituents, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., heard time and again the concern many people have with the energy bill recently passed by ...
July 08, 2009
Critical part of Owyhee Initiative included in appropriations bill
Washington, DC – A critical part of the Owyhee Initiative land management legislation led by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo through Congress received initial funding approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee. In outlining agric...
July 08, 2009
Questions Energy Secretary During Committee Hearing
Washington, DC – Any successful effort at addressing climate change, including cap and trade legislation, must include incentives to increase energy production from nuclear power sources, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo told Cabinet secretaries from th...
July 08, 2009
Senator co-sponsors bill to help Congress legislate within constitutional powers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is backing a bill designed to ensure that Congress legislates only within the bounds of its powers granted by the highest law in the land.
Enzi, along with 19 senators...
July 08, 2009
Says health care reform should do more to prevent and treat substance abuse disorders and mental health illnesses.
Washington, D.C. – Emphasizing the wide-spread economic and health impacts of substance abuse and addiction, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today called on House Energy and Com...
July 08, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - Members of Washington Metro Area´s Senate and House Delegation – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski and Reps. Frank R. Wolf, James P. Moran, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Van Hollen, Donna F. Edwards and Gerald E. Connolly – met today with Washing...
July 08, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) and Jerry McNerney (CA-11) jointly championed legislative language to ensure that small businesses in the Central Valley have access to available federal research and development funds. The language is based on amendments offered by Congre...
July 08, 2009
(Washington, DC) - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is calling on Congress to pass the 2010 Intelligence Authorization Act, especially in the wake of recent attacks on American Web sites. The bill increases spending on a variety of current cybersecurity efforts and provides initial inves...
July 08, 2009
Urges Congressional hearing to explore government and the Internet´s role in protecting human rights and freedom throughout the world.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today urged House Committee on Energy and Commerce leadership to hold a hearing on the role of the I...
July 08, 2009
Science Has Bypassed the Embryonic Stem Cell Debate
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) today called on Congress to consider his Patients First Act, H.R. 877, in light of the Administration´s release this week of final guidelines to expand tax-payer funding of embryonic s...
July 06, 2009
Waxman-Markey's success suggests that House Democrats learned something from 12 years in the minority.
For Democrats with sufficient memory, the party's failure on a key legislative vote in President Clinton's first term flickered like a distant shadow over last week's nail-biting House showdown ...
July 06, 2009
WICHITA – Congressman Todd Tiahrt today released a new video ad expanding on his continued fight against President Obama´s so-called federal stimulus plan. Tiahrt has been running television and radio ads in recent weeks, which have brought attention to his fight against Washington spending an...
July 06, 2009
TOPEKA—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement in response to the job loss numbers released today for June. According to the Department of Labor, another 467,000 workers lost their jobs last month pushing the national unemployment rate to 9.5 percent, the highes...
July 06, 2009
Lawmaker says a "cop on the beat" armed with timely information will prevent the next terrorist attack.
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment, submitted comments on the over-classification of intellige...
July 04, 2009
MERCED, CA – At the request of Congressman Cardoza , U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan toured the City of Merced Thursday. During his time here, he informed the San Joaquin Valley that there will be increased eligibility for mortgage refinancing under the Obama Administratio...
July 01, 2009
Crapo to Discuss Cultural Protection with Tribes, Thursday
Duck Valley Indian Reservation – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation tomorrow to discuss the first phase of funding that will implement provisions of the Owyhee In...
June 30, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on a new initiative that will take effect tomorrow, July 1, that will make student loans more affordable by allowing borrowers to cap their monthly loan payments based on how much income they earn. This initiative, the Inco...
June 30, 2009
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) is pleased to announce that the Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $16 million in conditional loan guarantees to the Berkeley-based Nordic Windpower USA.
The funding will help to underwrite the expansion of Nordic Windpower´s assemb...
June 30, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded over $7.5 million to the California State Coastal Conservancy for the South San Francisco Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. These funds were allocated by the American Recovery a...
June 30, 2009
Oakland, CA – Today, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Unity´s Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington, DC to announce the release of $851 million in grants to address immediate and pressing health center facility and equipment needs and increase access to health care for millions of America...
June 30, 2009
Washington, D.C. – While marking an important security milestone for the Government of Iraq, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) today praised U.S. troops for their courageous service and dedication. McKeon also urged the President and Congress to work to en...
June 30, 2009
Legislation Provides $130 Billion to Support Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Ranking Member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) and the Republican me...
June 30, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) encouraged all Americans to get tested for HIV and educate themselves about the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. She joined other Members of Congress and public health advocates at an event held in advance of National HIV Testing Day (Ju...
June 30, 2009
WICHITA – Congressman Todd Tiahrt´s U.S. Senate campaign continued to gather momentum as the state´s largest pro-life organization officially endorsed Tiahrt in his bid against Jerry Moran.
During press conferences in Overland Park and Wichita, Kansans for Life Federal Political Acti...
June 30, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar today praised the work of the Department of Energy´s National Nuclear Security Administration Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) for the complete removal and secure storage of Romania´s highly enriched uranium.
"The National Nuclear Security Administration...
June 30, 2009
Appropriators include funding for wolf losses
Washington, DC – Ranchers who lose livestock to wolf depredation in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming may be eligible for reimbursement from a fund of $1 million established in part by the efforts of Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch. Idaho´s Se...
June 29, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) voted for the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization bill that includes $8.7 million for McConnell Air Force Base. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Tiahrt secured the funding to help upgrade the Air National Guard&acu...
June 29, 2009
A new survey by the Washington Post and ABC News showed three-quarters of Americans support government action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and found a willingness to tolerate some increased costs. Highlights of the survey include:
· 75 percent think the federal government should "re...
June 29, 2009
Following the Presentation of Articles of Impeachment to the Senate
Washington, D.C. – Lead House impeachment Managers Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) commented on the resignation of Judge Samuel B. Kent.
On Wednesday, Managers on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives deliv...
June 29, 2009
Oakland, CA – Today, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Unity´s Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington, DC to announce the release of $851 million in grants to address immediate and pressing health center facility and equipment needs and increase access to health care for millions of America...
June 29, 2009
Washington D.C. – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement today after the House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act:
"The consequences of global climate change, disastrous trends of environmental d...
June 29, 2009
(Washington, DC) - The House of Representatives passed H.R.2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 by a vote of 389-22. Included in H.R.2647 were two amendments introduced by Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar). Hastings´ first amendment prohibits the recruitm...
June 29, 2009
Allocates Individuals´ Federal Tax Refunds Towards Any Unpaid Local Taxes
Arlington County, Virginia – At a public meeting of the Arlington County Board, Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, announced the introduction of the bipartisan "Local Taxpayers Fairness Act," legislation that w...
June 29, 2009
U.S. House has a choice: Innovation or Taxation
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) introduced an amendment that would replace the entirety of the Energy Tax Bill with his New Manhattan Project, which relies on innovation, rather than taxation to pursue alternative energy and a...
June 29, 2009
WICHITA - After starting statewide television ads last week, Congressman Todd Tiahrt is running radio ads statewide to call further attention to his fight to repeal the "so-called federal stimulus plan". Since the scheme was passed by Congress, more than two million Americans have lost their job...
June 29, 2009
WICHITA – Todd Tiahrt´s decisive 165-46 victory over Jerry Moran in the Olathe Straw Poll Saturday capped a great week for the Tiahrt campaign. Not only did Tiahrt show strong support in a conservative bastion of Johnson County, his campaign organization demonstrated its ability to mobilize vo...
June 29, 2009
Congress and the President are working to enact health care reform legislation that will keep what works in our health care system and fix what is broken. Floridians know that inaction is not an option. Sky-rocketing health care costs are hurting families, forcing businesses to cut or drop health ...
June 28, 2009
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the impending constitutional crisis brewing in Honduras and escalating tensions between the executive and the judicial and legislative branches, as well as the military. Stat...
June 28, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Wally Herger issued the following statement regarding an amendment to the FY2010 Interior Appropriations bill he supported that would provide $25 million for Forest Service law enforcement to combat drug production on federal lands. Drug production on federal lands ...
June 28, 2009
(Washington, DC) - Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) commemorated National HIV Testing Day by highlighting the very real threat the United States continues to face from this disease.
"More than one million people in the United States are living with HIV and someone is infected with HIV i...
June 29, 2009
Every day, sick and injured Americans worry about whether they will be able to get better—and whether they can afford to. Millions more wonder if they can even afford routine care to stay healthy and prevent disease before it starts.
This isn't just a matter of cost or inconvenience.
...
June 27, 2009
Four Mile Run Restoration and Drinking Water Safety Funded
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee announced the following projects were included for Northern Virginia in the FY 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations...
June 27, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Cardoza announced several key legislative provisions that will aid Valley agricultural interests. The provisions were included in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which the House of Representatives passed today with Congressman Cardoza´s support.
T...
June 27, 2009
Washington D.C. – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act:
"The consequences of global climate change, disastrous trends of environmental degrada...
June 27, 2009
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement regarding House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act (H.R. 2454), historic legislation that will create clean energy jobs, combat global warming and puts our country on a path to dramat...
June 27, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt voted against legislation to create a national energy tax. The bill, H.R. 2454, passed by House Democrats contains provisions that would increase energy rates for every American family, farmer and business.
"This bill affects every American that...
June 27, 2009
Legislation that eases regulations limiting federal renewable energy purchases included in energy bill.
Washington, D.C. – The House passed legislation authored by Rep. Adam Schiff which expands the ability of the Federal Government to purchase cheap renewable energy, as part of the American Clea...
June 27, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) issued the following statement shortly before the vote on House Democrats' new national energy tax bill, which will amount to over $3,000 in additional energy expenses per household.
"This is one of the most sweeping, damaging pieces of legi...
June 27, 2009
Washington, DC –Rep. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, and Rep. Barney Frank, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, have introduced landmark legislation to reform the Section 8 voucher program.
H.R. 3045, the "Sect...
June 27, 2009
Four Mile Run Restoration and Drinking Water Safety Funded
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee announced the following projects were included for Northern Virginia in the FY 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations...
June 27, 2009
Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the development of clean, renewable energy sources.
The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a 219-212 v...
June 27, 2009
By a vote of 219 to 212, the House voted Friday evening to approve H.R. 2454, the "Cap-and-Trade" bill to reduce emissions of global warming gases. Rep. Petri voted against the bill.
Rep. Petri has issued the following statement:
"I believe that global warming is a ser...
June 27, 2009
Years of hard work pay off as Inslee authors key provisions and gathers votes for final passage
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives approved climate and energy legislation that will create millions of clean energy jobs and implement the first market-based solution to cut carbon pol...
June 27, 2009
Inhofe Vows to Expose Bill in the Senate as All Cost, No Climate Gain
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, commented on the House passage of the "America's Clean Energy and Security Act," (Waxman-Markey bill) b...
June 27, 2009
Investment will Lower Gas Bills, Boost Economy, Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, joined Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) to introduce bi-partisan legislation that seeks to increase the p...
June 27, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) today blasted Democrats for passing legislation that will increase monthly electricity bills for every Kansas family and will force thousands of Kansas workers to lose their jobs. Tiahrt said President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) w...
June 27, 2009
(Washington, DC) - The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved H. Con. Res. 89 a resolution introduced by Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and a bipartisan group of his colleagues, supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Holocaust Era Assets Conference. The resolution commends ...
June 27, 2009
Rep. Wasserman Schultz Votes to Create Clean Energy Jobs and Create Energy Independence
(Washington, DC)—Rep. Wasserman Schultz voted in favor of new clean energy jobs and energy independence, helping to pass H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. This legislation w...
June 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) joined U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in introducing a bi-partisan adoption bill, the Foreign Adopted Children Equality (FACE) Act (S. 1359), eliminating many of the hurdles internationally adopted children of American citizens currently fa...
June 26, 2009
Modernization and Overall Security Victims of Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed the completion of the Senate Armed Services Committee´s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal yea...
June 25, 2009
(Washington, DC) The House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 by a vote of 389-37. Included in the legislation was an amendment introduced by Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar), to keep open the Federal Emergency Manage...
June 25, 2009
100 Members of Congress Cosponsor Grassroots Movement to Ensure Parents´ Freedom to Raise their Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Constitutional Amendment introduced by U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, to protect the parent-child relationship has reached more than 100 co-sponsors in the Hou...
June 25, 2009
Crapo co-sponsors Western Caucus´ broad-based effort
Washington, DC. – Because Idahoans can´t face another summer of rising energy prices, Congress must act quickly on comprehensive energy legislation, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo is joining with members of the new S...
June 25, 2009
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) have introduced legislation to preserve and enhance federal assistance to crime victims under the Victims of Crime Act. The Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act will ensure that victims of crime, through victim service p...
June 25, 2009
Would compensate victims from Nevada testing in 1950s and 60s
Washington, DC – All four Senators representing Idaho and Montana are sponsoring new legislation that would make residents of the two states eligible for a federal government program that compensates people who lived in affected areas ...
June 25, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar announced the following accomplishments for the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program in May:
· 6 nuclear weapons transport train shipments secured.
Earlier this month Lugar announced that the Nunn-Lugar program will continue working with Kazakhs...
June 25, 2009
Washington—Ten moderate Senate Democrats today sent a letter to President Barack Obama voicing support for his key education goals and pledging to "lend our voices to the debate as proponents of education reform."
The letter was initiated by Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Tom Carper (D-DE), an...
June 25, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) released the following statements following unanimous Senate passage of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act (S. 962), also known as the Kerry-Lugar Bill.
"Pakistan is fac...
June 24, 2009
Joint Project of Congresswoman Lee, East Bay Community Foundation
Oakland, CA – The East Bay Community Foundation in collaboration with the Office of Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) has created a new Web-based resource guide to help East Bay non-profits and faith-based organizations search for fede...
June 24, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, this morning delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives during debate on H.R. 2990, the Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act.
"...
June 22, 2009
Democrats Plan Tax Increases & Benefit Cuts to "Reform" Health Care
America´s health care system is in need of a fix, but the plan being crafted by Congressional Democrats is hardly what most Americans are expecting. Just consider some of the major challenges facing health care and the Amer...
June 22, 2009
77 Members Urge Swift Action to Repeal Discriminatory Law
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, joined with 76 of his colleagues to send a letter to President Obama urging swift action on repeal of the milita...
June 22, 2009
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) and 76 Members of Congress sent the following letter to President Barack Obama urging him to suspend the investigation and discharge of service members in the Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation. Under the discriminatory...
June 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. – A video of Congressman J. Randy Forbes´ (VA-04) recent statement on the floor of the House of Representatives affirming America´s Judeo-Christian heritage has drawn over one million viewers on YouTube. At the time of this release, the video had been viewed 1,391,977 ti...
June 22, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement after House passage of the Supplemental Conference Report.
"Put the troops first, ditch the bailouts and leave the terrorists at Guantanamo Bay where they belong," said Tiahrt. "An emergency war funding bill ...
June 22, 2009
Newly Introduced Legislation Would Reduce Hazardous Fuels, Red Tape
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) introduced legislation, the "California Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention and Community Protection Act," which is designed to address the ongoing threat of wildfire in national ...
June 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Republican efforts to restore funding for key components of the comprehensive missile defense system designed to protect America´s homeland, forward-deployed troops, and allies were repeatedly rejected by Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee. The Obama Administra...
June 22, 2009
Somewhere between the health care extremes — no government involvement and total government control — real reform is possible. And reforming America´s health care system is one of the most pressing challenges that we face.
Serious problems have emerged. Skyrocketing administrati...
June 22, 2009
Rep. Wasserman Schultz hails agreement that will cut costs in half for seniors caught in Medicare Part D – at no additional cost to taxpayers
(Washington, DC) – Today, President Obama announced a historic breakthrough to reduce prescription drug costs by 50 percent for seniors who find themselves...
June 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Cardoza has introduced legislation that seeks to encourage the use of solar power by homeowners and ensure an economic incentive for users. The Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act (SOLAR Act) seeks to cut through the bureaucratic and financial red tape ...
June 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted in support of the FY2010 Commerce, Justice and Science-related Appropriations bill which will appropriate $64.6 billion.
"I am pleased to support this legislation that will provide much needed funding to our communities," said Co...
June 22, 2009
WICHITA -- Congressman Todd Tiahrt is running television commercials statewide to call attention to his fight to repeal the "so-called federal stimulus plan". Since the scheme was passed by Congress, more than two million Americans have lost their jobs, home foreclosures are at record highs, and the...
June 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, President Obama joined key lawmakers and health care stakeholders in announcing an agreement to help reduce out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)...
June 22, 2009
Bring Together Clean Energy Businesses, Lawmakers.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, today hosted the Senate Democratic Green Jobs Summit. Vice President Joe Biden de...
June 21, 2009
Washington, D.C. – During debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Democratic members of the House Armed Services Committee voted largely along party lines to table a Republican amendment to authorize key benefits for America´s military personnel and their familie...
June 21, 2009
Lawmaker calls bill, "a needed course correction from Bush policies..."
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) issued the following statement on the Conference Report of H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. The bill passed by a vote of 226-202.
"We live in difficult ...
June 21, 2009
Congressman Wally Herger issued the following statement regarding the deficit spending undertaken this year in Congress and the decision to restrict debate on future spending bills:
"We´re halfway through 2009 and I am deeply concerned with the excess spending that Congress and the Adminis...
June 21, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on legislation she co-sponsored that would reinstitute statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules, which will restore fiscal discipline to the federal government. Last week, President Obama urged Congress to pass the legislation, wh...
June 21, 2009
"We have learned time and time again that EW saves lives"
Washington– Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16), and Congressman Rick Larsen, (WA-02), Co-Chairmen of the Electronic Warfare Working Group (EWWG), applauded the House Armed Services Committee for agreeing to an amendment to the Defense Authoriz...
June 21, 2009
Introduces resolution to condemn 15th anniversary of Iran/Hezbollah attack
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will meet with Dr. Alberto Nisman, Argentine special prosecutor investigating the bombing of the Argentine Je...
June 21, 2009
In a letter to the AG, Rep. Schiff calls for protection of scientists´ and engineers´ privacy
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff wrote a letter to United States Attorney General Eric Holder requesting that he decline the opportunity to appeal a June 4, 2009 decision by Ninth Circuit C...
June 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Health Care Solutions Group Chairman Roy Blunt issued the following statement after the Solutions Group, joined by Republican Leadership and the Ranking Members on Committees of Jurisdiction, unveiled the common-sense plan to make health care affordable and accessible for al...
June 19, 2009
Washington—With one in three children in the United States living apart from their biological fathers, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) are renewing their efforts to promote healthy families and support American fathers who are trying to earn a livable wage and take...
June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the June 4, 2009 National Marine Fisheries Service biological opinion on the Central Valley Water Project and California State Water Project, Congressman Cardoza threw his full support behind an amendment to prevent the opinion from taking effect.
Congress...
June 19, 2009
Northern Californians who spent last summer breathing smoke or being forced from their home by the blazes that tore through our local forests are well aware that wildfire is one of our most pressing threats. The 2008 fire season saw over a million acres of our forests burned, the tragic loss of sev...
June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) knew there would be fierce Democrat opposition to his amendment to repeal portions of the trillion-dollar Obama stimulus plan. He was right. House Democrats voted against the Republican effort to overturn what Tiahrt calls a "failed stimulus spe...
June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press, introduced a resolution urging North Korea to release American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee on humanitarian grounds. Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee have been held since March 17th when they were detained ...
June 19, 2009
White House Officials Call Firing an Act of "Political Courage"
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) asked Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California Lawrence G. Brown to answer critical questions about communica...
June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and several other Committee members pledged their support to work with Congressman Cardoza to address the economic devastation facing the San Joaquin Valley.
"I could not be more appreciative of Chairman Frank&acu...
June 19, 2009
"By strengthening our travel promotion efforts to the rest of the world, we can see local benefits for our businesses and our community."
Washington, D.C. – Emphasizing the importance of tourism to the local economy, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) joined several of her colleagues in introdu...
June 19, 2009
Schiff and Goodlatte to serve as lead impeachment managers during Senate trial
Washington, D.C. – Today on the House Floor, House Judiciary Committee Task Force on Judicial Impeachment Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and ranking member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), presented the case for impeachment of Judge...
June 19, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today issued the following statement after the House passed a bipartisan resolution expressing support for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the protection of the rule of law:
"I join my collea...
June 19, 2009
Proposal Embodies President Obama´s Goals of Lower Costs, More Choices, and Access to Quality, Affordable Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the chairmen of the three committees with jurisdiction over health policy in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled their discussion draft for healt...
June 19, 2009
Non-Profits, Law Enforcement, and Environmental Efforts Funded
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, announced the following projects which were included today in the House approved version of the FY ´10 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill (H.R. 2847). Mo...
June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt last night offered an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Bill to block payment of any funds to foreign nations as compensation for relocating Guantanamo detainees.
"It seems the Obama Administration is sending the suspected te...
June 19, 2009
White House Officials admit "president's rhetoric shouldn't be taken literally"
President Obama and congressional Democrats are working overtime to sell the American people on a costly government takeover of our health care system.
"If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your docto...
June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON—Farmers and Ranchers achieved an important victory late Thursday night when the House Appropriations Committee adopted the Tiahrt Amendment preventing the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating livestock as a greenhouse gas source. U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) o...
June 19, 2009
Provides State and Local Funding for Land Preservation in Capital Region
Alexandria, VA, – At a press conference this morning in Founders Park along the Alexandria waterfront, Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA), along with leaders from key conservation organizations, announced introduction of the "Nati...
June 18, 2009
Oklahoma Farm Groups Praise Inhofe´s Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led the opposition to a bill that would have huge implications on Oklahoma and rural America. While the bill, S. 787, ...
June 18, 2009
Places Hold on Bill Expanding Federal Control of Water
Washington, DC. – Concerned about significant expansions in the power of the federal government, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today voted against S. 787, the Clean Water Restoration Act, despite its passage by the Senate Committee on Environment ...
June 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan, bicameral resolution passed by the U.S. Senate today provides an apology for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans. The measure comes as the nation celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery. It...
June 17, 2009
Co-sponsors bill that stops government rationing of health care
Washington, DC. – With the process of crafting health care reform legislation underway before the Senate Finance Committee, Committee Member Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says doctors must maintain their critical role in leading health ca...
June 17, 2009
Bring Together Clean Energy Businesses, Lawmakers
WASHINGTON— U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, today hosted the Senate Democratic Green Jobs Summit. Vice President Joe Biden delive...
June 17, 2009
Enzi finds plenty of room for improvement in health care bill that costs $1 trillion, leaves 36 million uninsured
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today said he would use the Committee process t...
June 17, 2009
During my tenure in Congress, few budgets have been as greatly awaited as the details of the Obama administration´s fiscal 2010 request for the Department of Defense, which is expected to arrive on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks. This anticipation was underscored recently with Secretary of D...
June 17, 2009
Washington, DC. Since late 2008, media coverage of problems resulting from toxic drywall imported from China has increased rapidly, with more details unfolding.
This substandard drywall can be found in as many as 250,000 homes in 13 states. As homes sustain corrosion in electrical wiring, H...
June 17, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Herger (R-CA) released the following statement after the House passed legislation he wrote to provide more efficient management of federal lands in the 2nd Congressional District. H.R. 689 would allow the consolidation of federal lands in the Chappie-Shasta Off-High...
June 17, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC—In a White House ceremony attended by former first lady Nancy Reagan and U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties), President Obama signed Gallegly´s bill to honor President Ronald Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The Ronald Reagan Cente...
June 17, 2009
Carving out a relevant, national voice is the preeminent challenge facing Republican leadership in the 111th Congress. Presently, the economy and domestic affairs are at the top of the American political agenda. Yet, the party of Abraham Lincoln needs to focus as well on reclaiming its place as the ...
June 17, 2009
Hijacking the agenda of the Summit of the Americas to proclaim and advance their radical visions was insufficient for the Western Hemisphere´s despotic leaders. These rogues and other apologists for the Cuban regime quickly engaged in an absurd competition to see who could best plead the case ...
June 17, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) issued the following statement this morning after the House Armed Services Committee´s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
"The National Defense Authorization Act is the culmination of a bipartisan effort in the ...
June 16, 2009
Will make decision on Supreme Court nominee following hearings
Washington, DC. – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said today he enjoyed a "pleasant, but brief" meeting this afternoon with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Following the 15-minute meeting, Crapo said he would wait to decide how ...
June 16, 2009
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee today approved the Kerry-Lugar Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 by a vote of 16-0. Following is Sen. Dick Lugar´s statement on the bill:
"I thank all Members of the Committee for working cooperatively on the manager´s package...
June 16, 2009
Washington—Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today issued the following statement in response to the disputed Iranian election:
"I am deeply disturbed by reports from Iran of widespread electoral fr...
June 16, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Cardoza introduced legislation that aims to assist the nation´s community banks, ensuring they continue to play a role in the nation´s economic recovery. Specifically, the legislation would establish the position of Assistant Secretary for Community Financi...
June 16, 2009
The Administration continues to say it wants a bipartisan consensus on health care, but two weeks after Republicans sent a letter to the President requesting a meeting, there´s still no response.
CLAIM: "[M]y hope is that working in a bipartisan fashion we are going to be able...
June 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives took another major step in the long-standing effort to officially recognize Virginia´s Indians, those who greeted the first permanent English colony in the New World at Jamestown. The House approved legislation (H.R. 1385), authored by Rep....
June 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Geological Survey´s (USGS) recent study that revealed clues as to the occurrence of intersex fish in the Potomac River. The study found exposure to estrogen in fish reduces productio...
June 16, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) questioned Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about the government´s role in healthcare during a House Appropriations Committee budget hearing for HHS. After welcoming Sebelius to the Committee as the departmen...
June 16, 2009
If sharks stop swimming, they sink and drown. President Obama seems to view his health-care program the same way. "If we don't get it done this year," he said in a recent pep talk to supporters, "we're not going to get it done." Well, why? If laying "a new foundation" for 18% of the economy really i...
June 15, 2009
Hastings Introduces Resolution
(Washington, DC) Tonight, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding Black-Jewish relations and the June 10, 2009 shooting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. In part...
June 15, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he intends to offer two amendments to the annual defense policy bill tomorrow that would seek to prevent the transfer or release of terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States. The first amendment wou...
June 15, 2009
On March 23, Upon Learning of Medical Mistakes at the Miami VA, Meek Called for an Inspector General´s Report on Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center
Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) released the following statement after learning that fewer than half of Veterans Affa...
June 15, 2009
The men and women who join U.S. intelligence organizations are patriots who choose to serve their country in silence and not for public recognition. Most labor for years in anonymity — some risking their lives in the process — without being able to discuss their work. Their achievements ...
June 15, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) today released an exclusive video of the June 3, 2009 ceremony unveiling President Ronald Reagan´s statue in the Capitol Rotunda. The video gives Californians of the 49th Congressional District an inside look at this historic event honoring one of...
June 14, 2009
"If we see money being misspent, we're going to put a stop to it, and we will call it out and we will publicize it." – President Obama speaking at the White House on March 12, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – As President Obama announces his intention to accelerate implementation of stimulus spending, Ho...
June 14, 2009
South Carolina families were hit hard last summer when gas prices shot up to over $4 per gallon. For many, driving to and from work or the store is not a luxury but a necessary part of one's daily life. In particular, those living in rural areas of South Carolina are disproportionately affected by...
June 14, 2009
(Washington, DC) - Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution encouraging the United States to participate in the 2010 Shanghai Expo.
"The upcoming 2010 Shanghai Expo brings together more than 170 countries, 70 million visitors, and thousands of displays of new and e...
June 14, 2009
It always seems as if one pressing issue dominates each Congress. After Sept. 11, 2001, it was national security. After the 2006 elections it was immigration. Last summer it was our nation´s energy policy.
This year, Congress is expected to fundamentally reform health care. If the Demo...
June 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Cardoza announced that the US Department of Agriculture has accepted the first bid for the recently activated Dairy Export Incentive Program.
The DEIP program was activated in May with the Congressman´s strong support and following several conversations w...
June 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt issued the following statement after Republicans introduced The American Energy Act, alternative energy legislation to the Democrats´ national energy tax:
"This legislation serves as a common-sense alternative to policies so...
June 14, 2009
When it come to Democrats and Health Care "no consensus yet."
House and Senate Democrats unveiled health care legislation drafts, but the reaction was decidedly mixed after House Democrats saw the bill written behind closed doors by liberal Democrat Chairmen Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), George Mille...
June 14, 2009
Last November´s election was in many ways a high point. An energized electorate became engaged in a long and hard-fought campaign, and a young Senator captured the imagination of the nation. Turnout was high.
Yet, on Election Day, an obscure incident in Philadelphia served instead as a low...
June 14, 2009
To Pay for Benefits Promised to America´s Heroes
Washington, D.C. – Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), the Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, called on Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) to utilize the "reserve funds" he imbedded in the ...
June 13, 2009
New Legislation Would Block Feds from Determining Treatment Options Based on Cost
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), Delegate Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), and Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) announced the introduction of H.R. 2824, the Doctor-Patient Relationship a...
June 13, 2009
Says Bill Will Save Lives, Improve Public Health
Washington, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay applauded the overwhelming bipartisan support for H.R. 1256, The Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act, which was approved in the U.S. House by a vote of 307 – 97. "This is a giant step forward f...
June 13, 2009
Funding will help create local jobs and revitalize communities
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Adam Schiff announced that the cities of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena will receive millions of dollars in bonds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), which Congress passe...
June 13, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Despite objective evidence that the President´s Economic Stimulus is failing to meet expectations for creating and protecting jobs, President Obama and other officials continue to claim that the Stimulus has "created or saved" 150,000 jobs and will create or save an additional 600...
June 13, 2009
New Program to Help Northern Virginia Local Governments Finance Economic Development
Washington, D.C., June 12th – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, announced the award of more than $10 million in economic recovery assistance to Falls Church, Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City...
June 13, 2009
Cite benefits to rural communities and forests
Washington, DC. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are asking Senate appropriators to fully fund a program that would create new jobs and renewable energy products in the nation´s forests, while protecting watersheds and wildlife habitat...
June 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – After the Congressional Conferees removed a provision from the supplemental war spending bill that would prevent the public release of prisoner abuse photos, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his disappointment over the...
June 13, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Following The International AIDS Society´s (IAS) announcement of its interest in convening the International AIDS Conference in 2012 (AIDS 2012) in Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released this statement in support of having the world´s largest healt...
June 13, 2009
Legislation Would Restore Funds for Ground-based Midcourse Defense System
The Strategic Forces Subcommittee passed by voice vote the portion of the defense bill that includes a $1.2 billion cut from last year´s ballistic missile defense appropriated level. The Republicans on the Strategic F...
June 13, 2009
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Treasury Department announced $25 billion in bond authority available under the Recovery Zone Bonds program. Of that $25 billion, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) is pleased to announce that the Cities of Berkeley and Oakland and Alameda County will receive over $63 milli...
June 13, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Ten House Ranking Republican Members are requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) give stakeholders more time to respond to the Proposed Endangerment Finding, which is the predicate for regulating carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) through the ...
June 13, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted to protect our kids and families from the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act will grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the advertising, mark...
June 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced legislation with Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to lessen the burdens for small commercial filming on public lands. Specifically, this legislation provides special...
June 11, 2009
Democrats Can´t Write a Bipartisan Bill on their Own
Washington, D.C. – After meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office to discuss health care reform, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said he remains c...
June 11, 2009
Introduces the Repeal the Stimulus Act of 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., today introduced a bill that would save taxpayers a quarter of a trillion dollars. The Repeal the Stimulus Act of 2009 would rescind all unobligated discretionary funding in the Democrats' so-cal...
June 11, 2009
Says Democrat bill takes "Money Now, Reform Later" approach, undermines U.S. security interests and the security of Israel
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on yesterday´s narrow defeat of an amendment t...
June 11, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement regarding the Digital Television (DTV) transition that will take place tomorrow, June 12, 2009.
"In less than 24 hours the Digital TV transition will go into affect," said Congresswoman Lee. "If you have an ...
June 11, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), the Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today called on Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) to utilize the "reserve funds" he imbedded in the House Budget Resolution to pay for key benefits that...
June 11, 2009
Pelosi on Holocaust Memorial Resolution: ´We Commit to Continuing Our Work to Build a World Free of Hatred´
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this afternoon in strong support of a House resolution to condemn the violent attack at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum y...
June 11, 2009
Lawmaker says "We certainly don´t want a new nuclear power called al Qaeda"
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment, spoke on the floor today in support of HR 1886 – The Pakistan Enduring Assi...
June 11, 2009
Washington, D.C. – As the Obama Administration pursues a policy to "reset" America´s relationship with Russia, Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH) and Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA) yesterday introduced the bipartisan NATO First Act (H.R. 2797) to fortify America´s transatlantic security links with our European al...
June 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) was today honored by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) for her leadership and outstanding efforts on behalf of people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. In a meeting on Capitol Hill this afte...
June 11, 2009
Legislation would fix doctor underpayments in 14 counties
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Thursday introduced legislation to fix a flaw in the application of a federal Medicare formula that results in lower Medicare reimbursements for doctors in more than a dozen California ...
June 12, 2009
Measure requires expanded examination of freedom of the press worldwide and creates grants to strengthen press freedom around the globe
WASHINGTON, DC— Late yesterday, the House passed the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410). ...
June 09, 2009
Enzi, Barrasso carry on late senator´s tradition
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., will mark their calendars for the "National Day of the American Cowboy" this July 25, 2009. The resolution, which was introduced on May 12 and passed the Senate unanim...
June 09, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, a Senate Resolution sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and co-sponsored by 13 other Senators marking the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. The Resolution commemorates those that stand for freedom in Chin...
June 09, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - Late last week, Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) introduced H.R.2712, the Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act of 2009. This bill comes on the heels of top Democrats in the House of Representatives threatening to eliminate language preventing the release of the detainee phot...
June 09, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., today led Republican efforts to rescue taxpayers from the Obama administration´s budget-busting stimulus spending. Tiahrt offered an amendment during a House Appropriations Committee meeting to rescind unobligated money in the Democrats' s...
June 09, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Adam Schiff announced that the House Appropriations Committee approved funding for several local law enforcement initiatives to help improve local DNA testing capabilities, reduce the backlog of untested DNA rape kits in the Los Angeles area and upgrade communi...
June 09, 2009
McKeon Statement on Receiving Endorsement of GOP Steering Committee for Lead Republican Post on House Armed Services Committee
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) issued the following statement after being recommended by the Steering Committee to replace Rep. John McHugh ...
June 09, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Cardoza joined President Obama and fellow fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats at the White House to praise the President for his commitment to return to PAYGO, a policy during the 1990s that is credited with reigning in reckless federal spending and r...
June 09, 2009
Good News for Consumers, Automakers and Local Dealers
Washington, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri applauded the passage of H.R. 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, commonly known as the "Cash for Clunkers" act. The bill passed the U.S. House today by a final vote o...
June 09, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) issued the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced they would be encouraging their Democrat colleagues in Congress to follow Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) budgeting rules. President Obama made this announcement a day after his administra...
June 09, 2009
(Washington, DC) – Members of the Congressional TriCaucus – comprised of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus – held a news conference today to introduce The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009, which outlines ...
June 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today in conjunction with June being National Caribbean Heritage Month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation supporting the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/Awareness Day which is recognized every year on June 8th.
The resolution seeks to e...
June 09, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today in conjunction with June being National Caribbean Heritage Month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation supporting the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/Awareness Day which is recognized every year on June 8th.
The resolution seeks to e...
June 06, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, chaired the subcommittee´s second hearing this year to examine a discussion draft of the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA), legislation that Chairwoma...
June 06, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) issued the following statement expressing disappointment that the House of Representatives´ voted to a reject Republican proposal to H.R. 626 that would have allowed Federal employees to ta...
June 06, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) praised the House passage of H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, on a 258-154 vote. The bill responds to the needs of tens of thousands of working families in the federal government by providing 4 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, a...
June 06, 2009
Reps. Cardoza and Costa Shoot Down Biological Opinion on The Central Valley Water Project And State Water Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Marine Fisheries Service finalized a biological opinion on the Central Valley Water Project and State Water Project. The opinion stated fish populat...
June 06, 2009
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) joined every Republican Member of the tax writing Ways & Means Committee on a letter to the Chairman of the Committee urging a full review of H.R. 2454, the Democratic "cap and trade" bill, that has been called a big tax increase even by leading D...
June 06, 2009
Lawmaker decries absence of clear legal framework, cites Posse Comitatus concerns
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Homeland Security Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee, introduced two bills to shut down the National Applications Office (NAO). Housed in t...
June 06, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA), in a letter to former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli, expressed serious concerns regarding the omission of a $35 million offer to purchase the Viper automotive line from the company´s bankrup...
June 06, 2009
TOPEKA—The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Kansas State Lodge has presented U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) with the "Kansas Legislator of the Year" award in recognition of his legislative efforts supporting law enforcement officers. Tiahrt was given the award Saturday in Manhattan,...
June 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. - Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly jobs report for May. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement in reaction to the labor market conditions for the African American community:
"T...
June 05, 2009
Getting health care reform right, more important than meeting arbitrary deadlines
Washington, D.C. – After meeting with other Senate leaders to discuss health care reform, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., again called on Congress to take the time to reach a bipartisan agreement on health care refo...
June 05, 2009
Getting health care reform right, more important than meeting arbitrary deadlines
Washington, D.C. – After meeting with other Senate leaders to discuss health care reform, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., again called on Congress to take the time to reach a bipartisan agreement on health care refo...
June 05, 2009
Five years ago today, Ronald Reagan´s long goodbye came to an end. The former president who lifted the disheartened American people to their feet and brought the Soviet Union to its knees exited the darkness of a decade-long fight with Alzheimer´s in a perfect picture show ending – with...
June 05, 2009
Losing a job is like taking a punch to the gut. And too many of our friends and neighbors -- hard-working and responsible people -- have recently lost jobs through no fault of their own. The May Labor Report indicated that another 345,000 jobs were lost last month and the nationwide unemployment r...
June 05, 2009
Insufficient forces will cause higher casualties
(Washington D.C.)— U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO) requested that the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates immediately reevaluate his war planning for Afghanistan. Coffman, a U.S. Marine Corps Iraq War veteran, spent last week in Iraq a...
June 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – This month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joins the nation in celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
Congresswoman Lee has led the effort to establish June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Re...
June 03, 2009
Twin Falls, Nampa-Caldwell offices get hometown leadership
Washington, DC. – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces new leadership in his Idaho offices in Twin Falls and Nampa-Caldwell. The changes took effect June 1.
AJ Church is Crapo´s new Regional Director in the South-Central Offi...
June 03, 2009
Warns Oklahoma Jobs at Stake, Calls for Immediate Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, called for swift action by the administration and Congress to address a coming shortfall to the Federal Highway Trus...
June 02, 2009
President rescinds budget cuts to Pacific Coastal Recovery Fund
Washington, DC. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have successfully convinced the Obama Administration to restore $50 million in funding to restore Northwest salmon. The President and his staff responded to requests from Cra...
June 02, 2009
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) made the following statement on the brutal murder of Dr. George Tiller:
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms, the cold-blooded murder of Dr. Tiller. To think that even a house of worship is not immune from brutal, ...
June 02, 2009
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) urged Florida residents to plan ahead for the 2009 Hurricane Season, which begins June 1 and runs through the end of November.
"It only takes one storm to wipe out a state. Therefore, we must be prepared early," said Hast...
June 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he and seven Members of the House Armed Services Committee have filed H.Res. 477, a resolution of inquiry to direct the Secretary of Defense to produce an annual shipbuilding plan as required by law.
The legislation ...
June 02, 2009
In yet another desperate attempt to provide political cover for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, several Democratic senators have taken to the airwaves in recent days to distort my response to a tragic incident that led to the deaths of two innocent American missionaries, including a 7-month-old girl.
...
May 31, 2009
Shchuch´ye, Russia -- U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar said that the Nunn-Lugar Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility here is a testament to U.S.-Russian "cooperation and our shared dedication to addressing the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction."
More than a decade in the making, the facility...
May 31, 2009
(Washington, DC) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Chairman of the Technical and Tactical Intelligence Subcommittee, which oversees the technical aspects of cybersecurity, issued the following statement after the release of President Barack Obama´s 60-day "Cyberspace Policy Review...
May 31, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Liliana Nunez, a junior at the Webber Institute of Stockton, has been named as the winner of the 18th Congressional District´s Annual Art Competition.
Her acrylic painting, titled "Purple Mist," depicts Stockton´s famed waterfront and recreation area. It was sele...
PELOSI -- Bipartisan Delegation Meet with Top Officials in Hong Kong, Human and Labor Rights Leaders
May 31, 2009
Hong Kong – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a bipartisan congressional delegation traveled from Beijing to Hong Kong, where they met with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and human and labor rights activists.
The delegation met with Hong Kong Chief Executi...
May 31, 2009
SHORELINE, WA – U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) applauded a new directive from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that protects vulnerable habitats in national forests while permanent protections for roadless areas are developed.
On March 18, 2009, Inslee led a bi-partisan letter to Secretary Vils...
May 31, 2009
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, raised new concerns regarding the authority for U.S. officials to encourage Cuba´s reinstatement into the Organization of American States (OAS).
Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"Th...
May 31, 2009
WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on a U.S. proposal to work towards Cuba´s reinstatement into the Organization of American States (OAS).
Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"Sadly, the U.S. decision to help j...
May 31, 2009
Addition to Boost Local Economy
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) and Lieutenant General Jack. C. Stultz, Chief, U.S. Army Reserve, announced the Army Reserve will soon begin building up a new command and ...
May 31, 2009
Beijing, China – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a bipartisan congressional delegation met with the three top leaders of the Chinese government: President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Wu Bangguo, the Chairman of the National People's Congress.
In separate meetings with each leader, the delegatio...
May 27, 2009
San Diego, Calif. – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, and Alan Bersin, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs, today met with local, state and federa...
May 22, 2009
Crapo co-sponsors legislation to increase funding share
Washington, DC—Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) and Jon Tester (D-Montana) are taking steps to improve how money is distributed to rural transit systems across the country. The Senators have introduced the R...
May 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., praised the President´s signing of a bill that allows law abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons on to National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public lands.
...
May 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., encourages all Americans to take the opportunity to honor the men and women who gave their lives in the fight for freedom and those who continue to serve and protect the country this Memorial Day, May 25.
"This day is important for us to ref...
May 22, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar joined 16 other Republican and Democratic Senators on a bill introduced the other day easing U.S. trade restrictions to Cuba, the Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2009, S. 1089. The bill would help U.S. farmers and ranchers export their product...
May 23, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, supported Secretary of State Hillary Clinton´s comments on Wednesday that Cuba should not be allowed to rejoin the Organization of American States (OAS) until it makes political reforms, releases political pris...
May 23, 2009
Inhofe Continues Push to Keep Detainees off American Soil
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on the speech given by President Obama in which the President reasserted his commitment to closing the detention facili...
May 20, 2009
Washington, DC – President Barack Obama today praised Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) for her role in shaping and passing the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act (S. 896), legislation that will prevent many home foreclosures and strengthen the housing market.
Congresswoman Waters was one of ...
May 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. - Today President Barack Obama signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009. The Act significantly expands protections for whistleblowers who expose fraud in federal contracting.
This new law fixes problems in the False Claims Act, extends whistleblower protections to...
May 18, 2009
WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, at a hearing questioned Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew on U.S. sponsorship of an event at the Buenos Aires 35th International Book Fair that explored the significance of the image of C...
May 19, 2009
WASHINGTON - In a keynote address at an American Enterprise Institute conference on how the tax code affects low-income taxpayers, Rep. Tom Petri outlined his work on the disincentives faced by low-income individuals and families as they try to make their way into the middle class. He further disc...
May 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dennis Cardoza announced that Rayne Pegg, of California, has been appointed to the USDA as Administrator of Agricultural Marketing Service. She is currently a deputy secretary of Legislation and Policy for the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
"Rayne&...
May 20, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, commended Secretary of State Hillary Clinton´s commitment today on two key international energy security initiatives: naming of an International Energy Coordinator and strong support of the Nabucco pipeline.
"U.S...
May 20, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar praised the cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan that has led to the removal of more than 160 pounds of bomb-grade nuclear material from Kazakhstan through the National Nuclear Security Administration´s Global Threat Reduction Initiative.
"In 2007, fo...
May 20, 2009
Crapo says Idaho agriculture could reap benefits
Washington, DC – Idaho agriculture could benefit from better trade opportunities with Cuba under legislation introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and a large bipartisan group of co-sponsors in the Senate. Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Co...
May 20, 2009
Crapo-Johnson bill defers taxes on mutual fund investments
Washington, DC. – People investing for retirement through the use of mutual funds should not pay capital gains taxes until those shares are sold, according to Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). To keep retire...
May 20, 2009
Encourages Colleagues to Remain Vigilant in Preventing Detainee Transfers to U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on his Democrat and Republican colleagues in the Senate to stand by their commitment to pre...
May 20, 2009
Senators to help ranchers stay competitive; New bill would stop manipulative markets
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Tim Johnson, D-S.D., introduced a bill today that would stop years of unfair and manipulative meat packer pr...
May 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs and Senators Brown (D-OH), Brownback (R-KS) and ...
May 19, 2009
Credit card legislation approved by Senate includes measures to protect college students, ensure safety at ATMs ; Senator Feinstein disappointed that legislation includes provision to allow loaded firearms in national parks
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today approved legislation that strength...
May 19, 2009
Introduces Amendment During War Supplemental to Prevent Terrorist Transfers to U.S. Soil
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today introduced an amendment to the war supplemental to prohibit the use of funds to transfer det...
May 19, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) hailed the passage by both the House and Senate today of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act (S. 896), legislation that she believes will help American families and communities weather the current housing and financial crises.
Congresswoma...
May 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today offered an amendment in the House Energy and Commerce Committee to sunset the Democrats´ energy legislation when residential electric rates increase by more than 10 percent.
"The bill the Committee is debating can best be describe...
May 19, 2009
Jim's Journal:
Senate to Take Up Emergency War Spending Bill
The Senate takes up a $91 billion emergency war spending bill on Tuesday that includes partial funding for the shuttering of the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, terror detainee facility.
The issue will be the central fight on the bill,...
House Approves Skelton-McHugh Bill Reforming the Department of Defense´s Weapons Acquisition Process
May 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO), Ranking Member John M. McHugh (R-NY), Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) praised the U.S. House of Representatives´ passage of H.R. 2101, the Weapons Acquisition System reform Through Enhancing Technical K...
May 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the 2009 report of the Board of Trustees of the Medicare Trust Fund:
"The news from the Medicare Trustees earlier today underscores the urgent need for health reform. Wh...
May 19, 2009
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) took part in a community forum regarding the inability to implement balanced forest management and its resulting impacts on our rural forested communities. Held at the Plumas County Fairgrounds, the discussion focused largely on the recent closure o...
May 18, 2009
(Washington, DC) - Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) made the following statement on the passage of H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act of 2009. H.R. 2187 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 275 to 155:
"Today, we are thinking ´gree...
May 18, 2009
Leadership requires vision. Implementing a vision requires strategy. Effective strategies require well-articulated tactics. Executives in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors are expected to exercise sound leadership principles when making important decisions on behalf of stakeholders. There is ...
May 18, 2009
Governor AWOL in Understanding Army Needs
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) issued a statement today in response to Governor Bill Ritter´s announcement, last Saturday, to the Pueblo Chieftain that he intends to sign House Bill 1317 into law. House Bill 1317 w...
May 18, 2009
Department may be paying disability benefits to non-POWs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two U.S. Representatives, who are both combat veterans, sent a joint letter today to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki asking him to investigate allegations of fraudulent Prisoner-Of-War (POW) status claims that...
May 18, 2009
Bill honors Japanese-American World War II veterans
WASHINGTON, DC – The House passed Rep. Adam Schiff´s (D-CA) legislation that will pay tribute to the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, commonly known as the "Go For Broke" regiments. The legislat...
May 18, 2009
Washington, D.C.-Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement on H.R. 2346, FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill:
"For the past several weeks, I, along with other Members of the Progressive Caucus, have held a series of conversations on the security situation in Afgha...
May 18, 2009
Bill reflects a change from failed Bush strategies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the West Bank
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) delivered the following statement on the House floor during rule debate on the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009:
I am keenly aware of the econo...
May 18, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, sent letters to the heads of three major pharmaceutical companies calling on them to moderate advertising for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs such as Viagra and Cialis.
The letters, addressed to the President and CEOs of Pfizer, ...
May 18, 2009
May 17-23 Brings National Small Business Week
Washington, D.C. – As the U.S. Small Business Administration honors the men and women behind our nation´s small businesses for National Small Business Week, Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., took time to recognize the small businesses that keep Wyoming...
May 17, 2009
Funding would be administered by USAID instead of the UN
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) recently offered an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill, H.R. 2346, that would remove $119 million in humanitarian aid for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip from under United N...
May 17, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Cardoza announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs has selected San Joaquin County as the preferred location to build a new, multi-specialty Ambulatory Care Center.
"Throughout the selection process I supported both San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County...
May 16, 2009
SHORELINE, WA – U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee announced that $20 million dollars of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be awarded to Bellevue company Ramgen Power Systems for the expanded development of a carbon dioxide compression project, also known as "carbon capture and storage" (CCS) techno...
May 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. John M. McHugh (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding President Obama´s decision to use military commissions to try terror suspects:
"I welcome the President´s decision today to prosecu...
May 16, 2009
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing this week entitled, "AIG: Where is the Taxpayer´s Money Going?" In the course of the Committee´s investigation of the bailout of AIG, we have learned that billions of dollars in taxpayer money has been filtered through AIG t...
May 16, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) issued the following statement after President Obama yesterday told a town hall audience in New Mexico that there were dangers to borrowing and spending too much.
President Barack Obama, calling current deficit spending "unsustainable," warned of sk...
Concern Over Courtyard Gardens' Objectionable Handling of the Jupiter Care Center Ownership Transfer
May 16, 2009
Reps. Hastings and Wexler Express Concern Over Courtyard Gardens' Objectionable Handling of the Jupiter Care Center Ownership Transfer: Courtyard Gardens to Retain Existing Workforce
(Washington, DC)- Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) and Robert Wexler (D-Delray) sent the follo...
May 16, 2009
Requests CIA Pre-Briefing Notes, E-mails Also be Made Publicly Available
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, welcomed the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who revealed her backing for the public release of the...
May 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. ---This past week, an amendment to allow guns in national parks and wildlife refuges was attached to the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights in the U.S. Senate, reversing a restriction that has been in place since the Reagan presidency. The bill is expected to come back for a vote be...
May 15, 2009
Bipartisan Crane Conservation Act passes committee
Washington, D.C. – Some of the most endangered birds in the world, including whooping cranes, will get needed assistance under legislation approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a memb...
May 15, 2009
Crapo assists Army decision to upgrade attack helicopters, training
Washington, DC. – Following months of consultations involving Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Idaho Army National Guard personnel, and Congressional and Guard representatives from other states, the U.S. Army has agreed on an upgrade of...
May 15, 2009
Establishes new money for water and wastewater improvements
Washington, DC – Legislation to reauthorize critical new assistance for local water and wastewater improvements won approval before a Senate committee. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Idaho Senato...
May 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, welcomed Committee passage of a bill he cosponsored, S. 1005, the Water Infrastructure Financing Act. The bill passed out of Committee by a vote of 17 to 2.
"The overwhel...
May 15, 2009
Now that the cold, grey days of winter are finally behind us, George and I take every opportunity we can to enjoy the outdoors. We can´t wait to get outside into the sunshine to enjoy the natural beauty of Ohio and breathe in the fresh air. Our passion for living an active, healthy lifestyle also me...
May 15, 2009
Bill would provide steady and reliable workforce for farmers
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) re-introduced legislation to provide much-needed relief to the nation´s ongoing agriculture labor shortage.
The Agricultural Job Opportunities and Benefits Act (AgJOBS) woul...
May 15, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, applauded an agreement last week between European Union member states, Turkey and Azerbaijan to move forward on the Nabucco Pipeline project.
"By forging a Nabucco agreement in Prague, leaders in Turkey, Azerbaij...
May 15, 2009
Crapo says 1,200 e-mails he´s received shows patience wearing thin
Washington, DC – Idahoans, 1,200 strong, have made their point: the nation needs to act now to use balance and bipartisanship in crafting a new energy policy of improved conservation and energy resources, according to Idaho...
May 15, 2009
Guns in parks move one step closer to reality
Washington, D.C. – Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both (R-Wyo.), cheered the Senate passage of an amendment which allows law abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons on to National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publi...
May 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the National Language Act of 2009, legislation that calls on the federal government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language. It clarifies that there is no entitlement to receive federal documents and service...
May 12, 2009
Crapo says bipartisan bill improves access to critical care
Washington, DC. – Legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate would increase access to critical care in intensive care units (ICUs) throughout the country. The Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act, sponsored by Senators Mik...
May 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the Second Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, is a co-sponsor of the Military Voting Protection Act of 2009 introduced today by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). The legislation attempts to reduce delays in the current absentee v...
May 12, 2009
Senate honors Thomas´s legacy with "National Day of the American Cowboy" resolution
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., today introduced a resolution honoring the late Senator Craig Thomas and cowboys all over the nation. The resolution designates Satu...
May 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on the announcement by Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates asking for the resignation of the top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan. To replace General McKier...
May 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced an amendment (S.Amdt.1044) to the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act 2009 (S.454), which he has co-sponsored. His amendment was unanimously accepted by the Senate. Senator In...
May 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke calling for the finalizing o...
May 12, 2009
Senate passes bill to shore up FDIC
Washington, D.C. – Following several days of debate, the U.S. senate passed a bill that will help community banks by extending a higher Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limit, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.
The Senate pass...
May 12, 2009
Will establish national commission and force long-overdue Congressional action
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT) introduced landmark legislation aimed at comprehensive reform of our nation´s tax and entitlement systems. The Securing Ame...
May 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) this week introduced legislation that will allow communities to make better use of lands that are part of military base closures.
At the heart of the legislation is the no-cost Economic Development Conveyance, or no-cost EDC. This tool, which tr...
May 10, 2009
Clay Says Ending Predatory Lending is Key to Restoring Stability in Housing Market
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri praised House passage of H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform & Anti-Predatory Lending Act, which was approved by a vote of 300 – 114. Congressman Clay, who serves ...
May 10, 2009
Ranking Member Crapo co-sponsors water infrastructure legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee´s Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, has joined with Subcommittee Chairman Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), full ...
May 10, 2009
"I believe our bipartisan agreement represents the best opportunity in two decades to get a SRF bill signed into law."
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, together with Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chai...
May 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed dismay that President Obama continues to hail the spending ´cuts´ in his budget, while the budge...
May 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed disappointment in the significant defense cuts in President Obama´s budget. The Appendix to his FY2010 budget shows President Obama´s total spending proposals on a lin...
May 11, 2009
Enzi: Cap and tax is similar to Ponzi scheme - there are no winners
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., told a hearing room of his colleagues that the complex implementation of a cap and tax scheme to reduce carbon emissions resembles a Ponzi scheme and needs significant examinatio...
May 11, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Wyoming delegation, Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., reiterated their commitment to ensure that a proposal from President Obama to eliminate all future payments to certified states from the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) fund does...
May 11, 2009
Delegation receives notice from Postmaster General
Washington, DC – Mail delivery will continue for residents of Idaho´s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, announced Idaho´s Congressional Delegation. U.S. Postmaster General John Potter, in separate letters to Senators Mike Crapo and Jim...
May 11, 2009
Support bill to stop gun carry inconsistencies in national parks
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., are pushing to protect second amendment rights in every corner of the nation, including a corner of Wyoming – Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
...
May 07, 2009
Unprecedented interagency collaboration will help save energy cost, lower carbon footprint
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu announced an important step forward in the partnership ...
May 07, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Tara O'Toole, Under Secretary for Science & Technology, Department of Homeland Security and Laurie O. Robinson, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, D...
May 07, 2009
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama would carry heaviest burden
WASHINGTON. D.C. – An analysis of the economic impact of the Waxman/Markey cap-and-trade bill by House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Republican staff has fo...
May 07, 2009
The Army Experience Center (AEC) is an experiment, the first of its kind. The average military recruiting facility is about 800-1200 square feet and it's pretty much an open office with some desks. The Army Experience Center is a 14,000 square foot mini-version of Disney world, with simulation rooms...
May 06, 2009
Announces expansion of CPSC leadership; Agency will receive 71 percent more funding than in FY2007
WASHINGTON – President Obama announced his intent to nominate Inez Moore Tenenbaum as Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Robert S. Adler as a new Commissioner of the Consu...
May 06, 2009
Departments of Agriculture and Energy, Environmental Protection Agency to Lead Efforts
Announcement Includes Biofuels Interagency Working Group, Recovery Act Funds for Biofuels Research and Commercialization, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON – Presi...
May 06, 2009
WASHINGTON – The White House yesterday announced that thirty outstanding men and women from across the country have been selected as National Finalists for the White House Fellows Program – the nation´s most prestigious program for leadership and public service. The National Finalists represen...
May 06, 2009
White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation to Coordinate Efforts
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, in his FY2010 budget, will ask Congress to provide $50 million in seed capital for the Social Innovation Fund to identify the most promising, results-oriented non-profit pr...
May 05, 2009
Senator, staff note Dia del Nino, Cinco de Mayo events
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has co-sponsored a Senate resolution noting the importance children play in promoting Hispanic culture. Crapo´s actions come during a week of events honoring Latino history and cultur...
May 05, 2009
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed S. 345, the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009 originally introduced by U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN), the Committee´s ranking Republican, and Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA). The bill would furth...
May 05, 2009
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee today unanimously passed S.838, U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar´s bill establishing "United States Science Envoys." The bill would highlight our nation´s commitment to scientific research and education, as well as our willingness to collaborate with other...
May 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said efforts to expand health care coverage must be coupled with competition to bring down health care costs.
Enzi made the comments at today´s Senate Finance Committee roundtable on, "Expanding Health Care Coverage".
"Unless we ha...
May 05, 2009
Charges 5 Cents Per Bag to Protect Environment by Encouraging Reusable Bag Use
Washington, D.C., – Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, introduced Earth-friendly legislation that would place a 5 cent fee on "single use" bags from grocery stores and other retail outlets in orde...
May 05, 2009
Says decision to disclose program´s details but not its successes tells incomplete story
WASHINGTON DC --- Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) called on President Obama to declassify information detailing how the CIA Interrogation Program developed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist a...
May 05, 2009
She Commends FTC for Disabling Scam Artist´s Deceptive Web Site
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) commended the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for taking action on her call to disable a deceptive web site purporting to provide loan modifications under the government&acut...
May 05, 2009
While the chattering classes deplore increasing partisan rancor in Washington and around the nation, great strides are being made by political leaders of both parties on issues of great significance to our nation — and the international community.
On a recent fact-finding trip to Afgha...
May 05, 2009
Obama should release the memo on the attacks prevented.
Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair got it right last week when he noted how easy it is to condemn the enhanced interrogation program "on a bright sunny day in April 2009." Reactions to this former CIA program, which was used agai...
May 05, 2009
(Washington, DC) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced the National Commission on Employment and Economic Security Act of 2009. The legislation will establish a national commission to study employment and economic insecurity in our country and its affect on Americans´ mental h...
May 05, 2009
Eight Congressional Democrats from Florida Send Letter to State Senator Jeff Atwater and Speaker Larry Cretul
(Washington, DC) Just days after news that Florida´s unemployment rate has surged to a 30-year high, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) sent a letter to State Senator Jeff Atwater and...
May 05, 2009
Legislation with benefits for water resources in the San Joaquin Valley passed the House of Representatives today, Congressman Cardoza announced.
"As I have said many times before, water is among our most valuable resources in the San Joaquin Valley. It is imperative that we do all we can...
May 05, 2009
Calls for Solutions to Rein in Massive Debt
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) issued the following statement as ´Debt Day´ approaches. Herger has joined with other members of Congress in calling for a spending freeze and a responsible budget that addresses our mounti...
May 05, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) applauded the Senate´s passage of legislation to create a panel to examine the financial crisis and encouraged Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats to adopt legislation he first introduced la...
May 05, 2009
Congressional Leadership Medal was awarded to Reps. Stark and Camp by the American Association of Kidney Patients
WASHINGTON- Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) jointly received the Congressional Leadership Medal from the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) for their wo...
May 05, 2009
Measure enables hiring of forensic analysts to help catch rapists, murderers, and violent felons.
WASHINGTON, DC – The House passed an amendment authored by Rep. Adam Schiff, which will increase the number of forensic analysts and laboratory personnel working to catch rapists, murderers and othe...
May 05, 2009
Washington, DC- In wake of the "swine flu" outbreak, this past February, $900 million for pandemic influenza preparedness was stripped from the American Recovery and Reinvestment.
Ridiculed by Karl Rove and congressional Republicans, the House bill included funds for biomedical advanced research ...
May 05, 2009
WASHINGTON – Senate and House negotiators reached agreement on a budget plan for fiscal year 2010 that embraces the priorities of the President´s budget. Like the House and Senate budget resolutions passed earlier this month, the conference agreement puts the budget back on a fiscally sustaina...
May 05, 2009
Washington, D.C., – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, reintroduced legislation that would create a "U.S. Public Service Academy" modeled after the current military service academies at West Point, Annapolis and Colorado Springs.
"We have world class military service academies, that,...
May 05, 2009
Washington, D.C.,– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, announced that over $17 million in stimulus funding has been released for maintenance and repair projects at Ft. Myer in Arlington County, Virginia and Ft. Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia.
"The American Recovery and Reinvestmen...
May 05, 2009
WILMINGTON, DE – Vice President Joe Biden, United States Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman, Representative Mike Castle, Gov. Jack Markell, City of Wilmington Mayor Jim Baker and representatives from DelDOT, Amtrak and the Federal Transportation Administration officially kicked off the restoratio...
May 05, 2009
Announces expansion of CPSC leadership; Agency will receive 71 percent more funding than in FY2007
WASHINGTON – President Obama announced his intent to nominate Inez Moore Tenenbaum as Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Robert S. Adler as a new Commissioner of the Consu...
May 05, 2009
Washington, DC – Those who own and sell firearms will see increased flexibility from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) under bipartisan legislation introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont). Leahy is Chairman of the Senate Judiciary C...
May 03, 2009
Scott Murphy Wins New York's 20th Congressional District.
DNC Chairman Tim Kaine praised Democrat Scott Murphy's victory over Republican Jim Tedisco in the special election for New York's 20th Congressional District, calling his win in a heavily Republican leaning district a demonstration of bro...
May 01, 2009
Grassroots Movement Behind Ability of Parents to Raise Their Children as They See Fit
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Constitutional Amendment to protect the parent-child relationship introduced by U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, has reached 80 co-sponsors in the House.
"The grassroots movement behin...
May 01, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday evening, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) reintroduced a bill to create a Clean Energy Deployment Administration to finance the development and deployment of cutting-edge renewable energy technologies.
The bi-partisan "21st Century Energy Technology Deployment Act" ...
May 01, 2009
Congressman Accountability: Rep. Issa can secure your car--and your wallet.
Before California Rep. Darrell Issa came to Congress, he founded a company called Directed Electronics, whose most well-known product was the Viper car alarm system. Turns out securing automobiles may be the least of Issa...
May 01, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement after voting against the FY2010 budget conference report passed by Democrats on a vote of 233-193.
"Today we again urged Congress to adopt a fiscally-conservative budget to keep the federal government from co...
May 01, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) voted to protect the First Amendment guarantee of free speech, religious freedom, and states´ rights by voting against H.R. 1913, a bill that would introduce discrimination against victims of certain crimes based on a subjective list of...
May 01, 2009
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives gave its final approval to a budget conference agreement for fiscal year 2010 that embraces the priorities of the President´s budget. The plan puts the budget back on a fiscally sustainable path while making strategic investments to rebuild the e...
May 01, 2009
Urges Iranian Officials to Respond to Administration Letter Requesting Information about Levinson
(Washington, DC) The House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass a resolution, H. Con. 36, introduced by Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), and Congresswom...
May 01, 2009
Issuers Must Provide Total Time and Cost of Debt
Washington, D.C.- Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, joined with Representative David Price (D-NC) to successfully offer an amendment to the "Credit Cardholders´ Bill of Rights Act" (H.R. 627). The amendment requires that credit card c...
May 01, 2009
Legislation will protect civilian jobs for Guardsmen on active duty
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) recently introduced legislation that will ensure reemployment protections for National Guardsmen, regardless of whether they are assigned to a homeland security mission or ...
May 01, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) reiterated her call for credit card companies to end unfair practices that hurt American consumers as the House of Representatives passed the Credit Cardholders´ Bill of Rights (H.R. 627). Congresswoman Waters was an original co-sponsor of the leg...
May 01, 2009
Moran Congratulates National Champ William Farley
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement congratulating Arlington resident and Washington-Lee High School student William Farley on winning the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest, a poetr...
May 01, 2009
Act Broadens Federal Protection for Crimes Based on Gender, Sexual Orientation or Disability
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, hailed the passage of expanded Federal Hate Crimes legislation in the U.S. House. H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, ...
May 01, 2009
Legislation Will Provide Relief to Local County Budgets and Defend our Nation´s Criminal Justice System
(Washington, DC) Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), and Rush Holt (D-New Jersey) introduced the Restoring the Partnership for County Health Care...
May 01, 2009
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek Urges Governor Charlie Crist to Call Legislature into Special Session if $444 Million in Recovery Dollars for Unemployment Insurance is Left on the Table During Current Legislative Session
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) today wrote Governor Charlie C...
May 01, 2009
Pushes for Faster Implementation of Consumer Protections by Banks, Credit Card Companies during Colloquy
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted in support of the Credit Cardholder´s Bill of Rights. During a discussion on the House Floor, Congresswoman Lee encourage...
May 01, 2009
Introduce legislation to raise awareness of the importance of substance abuse prevention and treatment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Continuing her efforts to raise awareness about the importance of substance abuse prevention and treatment, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), joined by Congressman Patrick...
May 01, 2009
WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives today approved a Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights bill by a vote of 357 - 70. "Most of us have felt victimized by unfair and arbitrary credit card rate hikes, late fees and the like. This bill proposes some restraint," said Rep. Tom Petri, who voted for ...
May 01, 2009
College student credit card debt is exploding, and Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) joined with Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) Thursday to introduce the Student Credit Card Transparency Act, which would help students and their parents learn how colleges and alumni groups are benefiting.
According to ...
May 01, 2009
Crapo, Risch write to Postmaster after discouraging staff-level discussion over cutting Idaho service
Washington, DC – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch want the U.S. Postal Service to reconsider ending backcountry air mail service to dozens of Idahoans living in the Frank Church River of N...
May 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) along with original co-sponsors Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers introduced a resolution calling for the establishment of a select House committee to "study and make recommendations ab...
May 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today announced that the Capitol Power Plant will improve air quality in the District of Columbia and reduce the carbon pollution impact of Congress by using natural gas as the sole fuel source for steam used at the ...
May 01, 2009
Guidelines Sent to Law Enforcement Don´t Match Administration´s Rhetoric
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) today blasted new guidelines that could severely limit the ability of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcem...
April 29, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) along with members of his staff were joined this morning by 40 other congressional offices to run a three-mile race as part of efforts to raise money for the DC Special Olympics. This is the second year Tiahrt and his staff participated in th...
April 29, 2009
Says All Groups Must be Valued Equally Under Law
Washington, DC – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009:
"Hate can not be eliminated through leg...
April 29, 2009
Himes Rubber-stamps $3.5 Trillion in Big Government Spending at Expense of American Families
Washington- Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) voted today to pass a federal budget that leaves the door wide open for Obama and Pelosi to jam through their costly big government agenda at the expense of struggling mi...
April 29, 2009
The House today approved a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that sets the stage for President Obama's ambitious agenda. The vote was 233-193, with Rep. Tom Petri voting "No."
"This year's budget proposal is truly breathtaking in scope," said Petri. "Understandably, some of the spending plans wil...
April 29, 2009
Extends Federal Protection for Gender, Sexual Orientation & Disability
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement today regarding House passage of legislation extending federal protection to individuals targeted because of their gender, gender iden...
April 29, 2009
Conference committee-approved plan approved by full Senate
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against a recommendation for a $3.4 trillion federal budget. The budget resolution bill, agreed to by a House-Senate conference committee, was approved by the full Senate on a 53-43 vote.
...
April 29, 2009
Budget maxes out spending, leaves spiraling debt for future generations
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., addressed his colleagues today about the downfalls of the Democrat Budget Resolution that taxes too much, spends too much and borrows too much.
"This budget cre...
April 29, 2009
"It is irresponsible; it is reckless; and it is a troubling sign of a Majority party with no checks and balances going on a spending spree that will be paid for by the next generation."
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today voted against the conference report on the fiscal ye...
April 29, 2009
Jim´s Journal
I believe the first 100 days of President Obama´s Administration will be remembered for the unprecedented level of new federal spending and the return of big government. This, together with his advocacy of far left liberal causes, from abortion rights, to gun control, to...
April 29, 2009
Jim´s Journal
CONGRESSIONAL Democrats rolled out climate change legislation last week. The rumble that followed was the sound of party moderates and conservatives heading for the hills.
That´s what you get when your proposal to limit carbon output, a so-called "cap-and-trade" ...
April 29, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 249-175.
"In the long history of the United States, there is much to admire and celebrate. B...
April 29, 2009
Points to local resources that will help families stay healthy and safe during flu outbreak
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Urging local residents to be careful and informed about the Swine Influenza (Flu), Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today highlighted important local, state and national resources that offer...
April 29, 2009
Clay Says First Obama-era Budget Refocuses National Priorities on Working Families, Rebuilding Communities
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri praised passage of the Fiscal Year 2010 House-Senate Budget Conference Agreement. The bill, which will fund federal operations in FY 2...
April 29, 2009
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) voted in support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913). This legislation expands federal law to include protections for crimes directed at individuals because of their gender, gender identity, se...
April 29, 2009
"Shovel-ready" projects help Florida´s environment and creates jobs for Floridians
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) praised the Obama Administration announcement that $96 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will go toward Everglades restoration projects.
"T...
April 29, 2009
Florida law would match new, national safety standard
WASHINGTON- Swimming pool safety advocates scored a major victory Thursday when the state's House of Representatives passed groundbreaking legislation that is a crucial first step toward making their pools among the safest in the country.
B...
April 29, 2009
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer released the following letter restating their support for statutory PAYGO, which was delivered to House and Senate members of the Budget conference committee.
The letter states that the House will not consider any...
April 28, 2009
U.S. Pork Still Safe, Senior Senator Asserts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) called for additional funding for pandemic preparedness as cases of the so-called "swine influenza" (A/H1N1) expanded to 20 confirmed cases in the U.S. The flu has caused 103 deaths and 1,600 illnesses in M...
April 28, 2009
WASHINGTON- Geng He, the wife of kidnapped Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng released an open letter to the U.S. Congress, as Senator Bryon Dorgan, Chairman of the Congressional -Executive Commission on China (CECC), spoke on the case of Gao Zhisheng from the Senate floor. Gao was kidnap...
April 28, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement after the Senate voted 65-31 confirming Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Tiahrt is the Ranking Republican of the House Appropriations Subcommitt...
April 28, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the unveiling of the bust of Sojourner Truth:
"How fitting it is that we gathered today in Emancipation Hall to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the greatest heroines of American history – Sojourner Truth. ...
April 28, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar´s announcement that the two departments are revoking an eleventh-hour Bush administration rule that undermined Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. Their ...
April 28, 2009
WASHINGTON- As debate in the U.S. Senate continues over the nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services, 32 members of the House of Representatives issued a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to withdraw her nomination from consideration.
The r...
Bono Mack Honored with Prestigious Award for Effort to Fight Cancer, Improve Treatment for Survivors
April 28, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today received The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) National Capital Chapter´s prestigious annual award for her support of initiatives for cancer research and patient services. Bono Mack, along with Senator Edward Kennedy (MA), was named ...
April 28, 2009
Legislation will help U.S. evaluate, improve counternarcotics programs
Washington, D.C. – In an effort to better address demand and supply of illegal drugs in the United States, Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) today joined Congressman Eliot L. Engel (NY-17), along with several of her colleagues, ...
April 28, 2009
Cites Importance of Monitoring Epidemic and Encouraging People to Take Precautions
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) today re-introduced the Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 822 in the 110th Congress). This bill would require health insurance plans to cover routine H...
April 28, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on Equal Pay Day, which marks how far into the year a woman must work, on average, to earn as much as a man earned the previous year:
"On Equal Pay Day, we recognize the point in the year it takes a woman to make th...
April 28, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Schiff announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a part of the Department of Justice, has awarded local cities funds that were provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants awarded through BJA´s Edward Byrne Memorial Justic...
April 28, 2009
Jim´s Journal
Saturday, April 25, 2009, Senator Inhofe spoke at an event hosted by the non-profit group, Invisible Children, in which hundreds of participants voluntarily "abducted" themselves in an effort to bring attention to the LRA´s abducted child soldiers. The global rally took place in 100...
April 28, 2009
"Simply put, I could not vote to support the nomination of an individual who holds opinions vastly conflicting with my own and those held by my constituents."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), today voted against the nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of He...
April 28, 2009
Legislation strengthening President Obama´s diplomatic hand will target Iran´s dependence on imported gasoline and refined petroleum
Washington—A bipartisan coalition of 25 U.S. Senators introduced legislation today to provide the president with expanded authority to stop Iran's...
April 28, 2009
Cites double payment in reintroducing fee repeal act
Washington, DC – Legislation to stop Americans from paying twice to access their public lands has been reintroduced in the United States Senate by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Max Baucus (D-Montana). The Fee Repeal and Expanded Access A...
April 28, 2009
Specter Switch, Election of Scott Murphy in Republican Leaning Congressional District in New York, Shows Republican Party Has Lost Touch with the American People.
Washington, D.C. – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement on Senator Arlen Specter´s ...
April 23, 2009
Guest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo
In 2007, the U.S. Department of Health and Human services estimated that over 790,000 children in the United States had been maltreated, that is, subject to neglect, physical or sexual abuse, psychological abuse and medical neglect. That i...
April 23, 2009
BY ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN
Sunday marked the conclusion of the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. This meeting could have offered a valuable opportunity to stand up to the region's despotic leaders who claim that their radical visions -- rather than the voice of the people -- should usher...
April 23, 2009
Urges President Obama to Establish Critical Habitat for the Endangered Florida Panther
(Washington, DC) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) has been awarded the Florida Panther Protection Award from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for his efforts to protect the Florida panther fro...
April 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC –Just in time for Earth Day, the Inslee-Sarbanes Clean Energy Service Corps was signed into law by President Barack Obama as part of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. The Clean Energy Service Corps will give training and skills in the clean energy industry to disadvanta...
April 23, 2009
By Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
On April 22nd, people across the country and around the world will celebrate Earth Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of our natural resources and taking real action to make a difference. For decades,...
April 23, 2009
Department of Energy Will Lead Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles Pilot Program
LANDOVER, Md. – During a visit to the WMATA Carmen Turner Maintenance and Training Facility in Landover, MD, Vice President Joe Biden yesterday announced $300 million in funding from the American Recove...
April 23, 2009
Underscores Urgent Need to Pass Comprehensive Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Obama traveled to Newton, Iowa yesterday to visit Trinity Structural Towers, the former Maytag appliance factory that now houses a green manufacturing facility, which produces towers for wind energy production ...
April 23, 2009
Inhofe Delivers Senate Floor Speech Outlining Major Defense Cuts Proposed by the Obama Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor Monday delivering a detailed review of the Obama administ...
April 23, 2009
Wyoming workforce director testifies on work force services and job training
Washington, D.C. – Programs to develop training for "green jobs" should not hinder existing job training programs and should be part of a comprehensive effort to prepare America´s workforce with the knowl...
April 23, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar introduced a bill establishing "United States Science Envoys" to highlight our nation´s commitment to scientific research and education, as well as our willingness to collaborate with other countries to promote advancements in these fields throughout the world. Science En...
April 23, 2009
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) applauded news from the Bureau of Reclamation that the federal agency has increased the allocation of water for California´s drought-stricken Central Valley. The revised allocations are based on the April 1 runoff forecast from the Cali...
April 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, announced at a press conference with Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), David Vitter (R-Louisiana) and John Ensign (R-Nevada), his intention to introduce an amendment to S.3...
April 23, 2009
Health problems for Tribal members said to double national averages
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, told Indian Health Service (IHS) Director designate Dr. Yvette Roubideaux that Tribal health concerns should be a top priority ...
April 22, 2009
The global credit crisis is having a significant and harmful impact on the availability of finance for micro and small businesses that provide a majority of the jobs in the Hemisphere. This is one of the factors jeopardizing recent hard won gains in reducing poverty. While the region has a wealt...
April 22, 2009
Meek will travel with President Barack Obama aboard Air Force One to attend Summit of the Americas along with five other Congressional chairmen, chairwoman and leadership
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) was selected by President Barack Obama to travel to the Fifth Summit...
April 22, 2009
Will Push Legislation to Complete Border Fence
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) announced that he will introduce legislation to complete the border fence with Mexico. His announcement comes on the heels of a recent trip he made to the Arizona-Mexico border where Coffm...
April 22, 2009
WICHITA-U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) and Vicki Tiahrt traveled across Kansas this week joining with thousands of other Kansans at tea party rallies to protest high taxes, new government programs and bailouts for failing corporations. Speaking in Wichita, Overland Park, Salina, Emporia...
April 22, 2009
WICHITA-U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge reaffirming his commitment to lower taxes and smaller government. American's for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist signed as a witness to the pledge and thanked Tiahrt for his commitment to taxpayers.
In a letter to...
April 22, 2009
WASHINGTON — The Humane Society of the United States hailed a decision Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court granting the U.S. Solicitor General´s petition asking the high court to review of a controversial appellate court decision that struck down a key federal anti-cruelty law as unconstitu...
April 22, 2009
BROOKLYN, NY – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) today, at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee field hearing in Brooklyn, New York, again questioned the divide between President Barack Obama´s promises on tracking stimulus dollars an...
April 17, 2009
Announces plans for nearly $4 billion in technology deployment, monitoring and viability
Washington, DC – Vice President Joe Biden, on a visit to Jefferson City, Missouri, today with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, detailed plans by the Department of Energy to develop a smart, strong and secure...
April 17, 2009
President Obama and President Calderon today announced plans to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation by establishing the US-Mexico Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change. During their first conversation in January 2009, then President-elect Obama and President Calderon discu...
April 16, 2009
Summit to address key issues such as the global economic crisis, energy security and environmental sustainability
WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to address such critical issues as global economic recovery, energy security and enhanced drug control policies, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) i...
April 16, 2009
Oakland – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) testified at University of California, San Francisco´s Mission Bay Conference on Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf. The daylong conference was hosted by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who is exploring new approaches...
April 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today regarding wiretapping activities conducted under President Bush´s Terrorist Surveillance Program, which was reported on today in the New York Times.
"These are disturbing allegations that deserve and are receiving th...
April 16, 2009
U.S. Representative, Barney Frank, announced Thursday that the House Judiciary Committee will be considering hate crimes legislation, H.R. 1913, this coming week of April 20. Frank is expecting the committee to pass the bill which would leave it in the House to vote on later this spring, according t...
April 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. - In a letter today to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp, Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) expressed his disappointment regarding the events surrounding former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo's visit this past Tuesday evening to the Universit...
April 16, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) today, in letters being sent to 73 Federal Inspectors General, asked each Inspector General (IG) to detail:
- Each open recommendation;
- The estimated monetary benefit associated with each r...
April 15, 2009
Sends letter to Idahoans rallying today
Washington, DC – In a demonstration of support, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo told Idahoans who are protesting high federal deficits and tax increases through "tea parties" today that he supports their efforts and has the voting record to demonstrate that. He a...
April 15, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Many Americans spent the past weekend buried in forms, receipts and pencil dust as they prepared their taxes. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., was no exception as he too worked to meet the April 15 deadline. As the only accountant in the Senate, he uses his experience to inform his...
April 15, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar announced the following accomplishments for the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program in March:
· 10 Strategic nuclear warheads deactivated;
· 2 Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos eliminated;
· 4 nuclear we...
April 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed 233 to 196 a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2010 that embraces President Obama´s goal of cutting the deficit – reducing it by nearly two-thirds by 2013 – and supporting critical initiatives in health care, energy, and education.
...
April 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement on Tax Day as Republicans continue to fight against Democrat tax hikes that will punish success and incentivize runaway government spending. Additionally, House Republicans recently offered, as part of our budget proposal, a...
April 15, 2009
Plan Protects U.S. Flagged Ships from Pirates
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) announced today that he believes the Obama Administration should immediately order the deployment of U.S. military personnel to provide security aboard U.S. flagged vessels sailing in the pirate...
April 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As millions of American taxpayers are completing their tax returns today, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) emphasized the need for tax relief measures for middle class families and small businesses, especially during these tough economic times. Saying that Washington needs to...
April 15, 2009
WICHITA-U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) released his fundraising numbers today showing nearly $400,000 raised from January through March this year. Tiahrt filed with the FEC for Senate in early February. Last week he filed with the Kansas Secretary of State to have his name placed on the 2...
April 15, 2009
Says Obama Initiatives Will Heal Families, Help Promote Human Rights
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, strongly praised President Barack Obama´s easing of restrictions for Cuban American families who wish to visit their relatives and send money home to help their lo...
April 14, 2009
Bipartisan Bill Would Limit Government´s Power of Eminent Domain, Restore Rights of Property Owners that Supreme Court Changed in Controversial Kelo Decision
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced the Private Property Protec...
April 14, 2009
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) voted against the FY 2010 budget sponsored by Congressional Democrats. The budget spends slightly less than the original budget submitted by the Obama administration but still nearly doubles government spending over the next ten years.
...
April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) voted for a FY2010 budget plan that would spend less on government programs, lower taxes and reduce borrowing compared to the $3.6 trillion budget proposal by President Obama and the Democrat majority. A Republican budget plan Tiahrt voted fo...
April 14, 2009
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, supported and spoke in favor of the passage of legislation reforming the federal employees´ retirement system. The legislation, H.R. 1804 "The Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009" included three pieces of legislation the Congressma...
April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) went before the House Committee on Rules to offer an amendment to the FY2010 budget that would reduce waste, fraud and abuse by eliminating ineffective government programs. The House is considering the Democrat's $3.6 trillion budget proposal...
April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) successfully placed an amendment to protect severance packages, like those promised to former employees of local bank Washington Mutual, in a House bill that prohibited the payments of any compensation that´s not "performance-based" by recipient...
April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), chair of the House Armed Services´ Strategic Forces Subcommittee, and Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), chair of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, introduced the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 on Tuesd...
April 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, issued the following statement after introducing H.R.1864, bipartisan legislation to raise basic military pay by 3.4 percent. Under the President's budget, basic pay would...
April 14, 2009
"Our greatest ally in the pursuit of job creation, economic vitality, better schools, health care, and energy is the American people."
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement as the House of Representatives debated the budget for Fiscal Year 2010.
"The Dem...
April 14, 2009
In My Own Words: A Column from Congressman Wally Herger
Across Northern California, families, farmers and small business owners are making sacrifices to manage their budgets so that they can ride out this difficult economic climate. In particular, many residents have scaled back on unnecessary ...
April 14, 2009
Wexler Asks Governor Crist to Declare State of Emergency for Homes Affected by Chinese Drywall
Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) took actions to address the growing concern of South Florida families regarding Chinese drywall by introducing legislation in Congress establishing an immediate study an...
April 14, 2009
"Death should not be a taxable event"
Washington–- Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) introduced the Permanent Repeal of the Death Tax Act of 2009, a bill that would permanently repeal the death tax, also known as the estate tax. Congressman Pitts´ statement follows:
"Death should not be a ta...
April 14, 2009
Los Angeles – Teachers and other school workers as well as parents of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) thanked Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) for her leadership in efforts to prevent job cuts proposed in the district´s budget for next year. Congresswoman Water...
April 14, 2009
Presses Energy secretary for update on $27 billion in loans, grants yet to be allocated to U.S. advanced vehicle manufacturers
Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today wrote the Secretary of Energy Steven Chu asking him to explain why the Department of Energy (DOE) has not released a single dollar of...
April 14, 2009
WICHITA—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Kathleen Sebelius´ (D-KS) decision to veto a bill that would allow two coal-fired electrical generating plants to be constructed in Western Kansas by a company from Hays.
"This ...
April 14, 2009
Recognized for Support of Key Business Issues
WASHINGTON— U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) has been awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce´s annual Spirit of Enterprise award for his support of pro-growth legislation during the second session of the 110th Congress.
"I am honored to...
April 14, 2009
Proposal Gives Tax Incentives for Conservation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) announced a new legislative proposal to increase water conservation recently introduced in the Congress. The legislation, House Resolution 1908, The Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestmen...
April 14, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) responded to the Treasury Department´s announcement of additional guidance for potential applicants interested in participating in the Legacy Securities part of the Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP), an effort to bolster the nation&acu...
April 14, 2009
New legislation conditions diplomatic relations, non-humanitarian aid on abandonment of illicit nuclear and missile programs, human rights progress
WASHINGTON, - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the pending introduction...
April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – Every day, more and more Americans are using revolutionary communicating tools like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. These platforms give Members of Congress the chance to connect with constituents of all ages in ways previously unimaginable. Since the advent of AIM (AOL Instant M...
April 13, 2009
Vice President Joe Biden announced that the Obama Administration will make $2.3 billion available for crucial health and human services programs that help to provide care for children and prevent disease. States will receive $2 billion in Recovery Act funding to support child care for working famili...
April 14, 2009
Send Letter Expressing Strong Support for U.S.-Turkish Relations Prior to President´s Turkey Visit
(Washington, DC) - Twenty-nine members of the Congressional Caucus on US-Turkish relations sent President Barack Obama a bipartisan letter urging him to enhance US-Turkish relations and to work more...
April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives passed an amendment offered by Congressman Cardoza aimed at protecting community banks from burdensome federal regulations while also ensuring they have incentives to participate in federal loan programs.
Under Congressman Cardoza´s amendme...
April 12, 2009
Los Angeles – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35), who chairs the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee and has been a leader of foreclosure prevention efforts, joined Shaun Donovan, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during his visit to Los Angeles for a tour of several f...
April 12, 2009
Congresswoman Maxine Waters Celebrates World Health Day And Joins in Declaring Los Angeles a "ONE City" Committed to Fight Against Global Poverty and Disease
Los Angeles – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and local members of the grassroots, glob...
April 12, 2009
(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) commemorated the 19 year anniversary of Ryan Wayne White, who died from complications of HIV/AIDS in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 8, 1990, at the age of 18. White had contracted HIV from a contaminated blood treatment that he used t...
April 12, 2009
Questions Treasury´s Decision to Limit Participation and Eligibility for the PPIP
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) characterized a report released by the Congressional Oversight Panel entitled, "Assessing Treasury´...
April 12, 2009
The spin doctors, talking heads and special interest groups have surrounded energy policy and prices with a rhetorical fog that obscures the real issue: Michigan and the nation need an "all of the above" balanced energy policy that is based upon common sense.
I hoped that we, as a nation, learned...
April 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dennis Cardoza expressed his appreciation that the Obama Administration is planning to crackdown on foreclosure scams across the United States.
The congressman has been requesting such assistance since numerous reports surfaced last year that his constituents wer...
April 12, 2009
Group will craft solutions to lower energy prices for Americans
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) has been selected by House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) to join the newly-formed American Energy Solution...
April 12, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers regarding the framework established by the Administration for the Public Private Inve...
Florida Members Urge President Obama to Establish a Critical Habitat Designation for Florida Panther
April 12, 2009
Washington, DC- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) sent the following letter to President Obama, urging the establishment of a critical habitat designation for the endangered Florida panther. The Florida panther is one of the most endangered species in the world as only 80-100 of them surviv...
April 12, 2009
Coffman Urges Gates to Implement Proposed Defense Budget Changes Cautiously
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Mike Coffman (R- Colorado), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee and its Defense Acquisition Reform Panel, used the briefing by Defense Secretary Robert Gates on proposed chang...
April 12, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statements in response to the Obama administration´s fiscal year 2010 budget proposal for the Department of Defense. The administration and Pentagon budget recommends funding th...
April 12, 2009
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) responded to the Treasury Department´s announcement of additional guidance for potential applicants interested in participating in the Legacy Securities part of the Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP), an effort to bolster the nation´s financi...
April 12, 2009
(Washington, DC)- Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) sent a letter to Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater and Speaker Larry Cretul regarding legislation needed in Florida that would make workers recently laid off by small businesses eligible for the 65 percent federal COBRA subsidy enacted by the Am...
April 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced that Alameda County and the City of Oakland would be receiving over $529,000 in funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), provided through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. Additionally, both the Bay Are...
April 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Counties in the 18th Congressional District will receive more than $780,000 in Emergency Food and Shelter Program grants, Congressman Cardoza announced.
The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, enacted by Congress and part of President Obama´s eco...
April 12, 2009
April is National STD Awareness Month
Ft. Lauderdale, FL- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) applauded the efforts of MTV´s STD testing campaign GYT: "Get Yourself Tested." This is a month-long initiative to encourage every sexually-active person under the age of 25 to get tested f...
April 12, 2009
WICHITA-U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) took the third and final step in making his candidacy for the United States Senate official by filing with the Kansas Secretary of State to have his name placed on the ballot in 2010. Tiahrt announced his candidacy in front of hundreds of Republic...
April 12, 2009
Meetings with Colombian President, Defense Minister, Attorney General, Foreign Relations Minister, Trade Minister, and Labor Officials focused on U.S./Colombian relations, trade, and continued cooperation.
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) has wrapped up a two day visit to Colom...
April 11, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced that Alameda County and the City of Oakland would be receiving over $529,000 in funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), provided through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. Additionally, both the Bay Ar...
April 11, 2009
Growing Support for Inhofe Amendment on Advance Appropriations for Medical Care for the Department of Veterans Affairs
An Inhofe amendment (S.Amdt.742) to the budget resolution introduced on March 31st is gaining support – and fast. American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Vetera...
April 11, 2009
Jim's Journal
Obama's Policies Detrimental to Country
As demonstrated by President Obama's budget, the administration has launched an onslaught of unprecedented policies to restrict access to natural resources and increase taxes on America's homegrown natural gas and oil industry.
The ...
April 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced four amendments to the budget resolution.
As the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public...
April 11, 2009
"Let me be absolutely clear, I will do everything I can in my role as a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee to fight for the Army´s FCS program and the NLOS-Cannon."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, ann...
April 11, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) introduced the Teaching Geography Is Fundamental Act, which would authorize competitive grants through the Department of Education to improve K-12 geography curriculum, teacher training, and materials.
"Rec...
April 11, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar´s Global Food Security Act, S. 384, unanimously cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Cosponsored by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), the bill seeks to improve the effectiveness and expand the reach of U.S. agriculture assistance to the developing world.
First, it ...
April 11, 2009
"Veterans groups are now one step closer to the Senate providing the VA with adequate, timely and predictable funding, resulting in better and smarter quality medical care for America's veterans."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Comm...
April 11, 2009
Wins concessions on alternative energy, nuclear research
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said attempts to pare back the Senate´s budget blueprint for the coming fiscal year fell short and he had to vote against the proposal. Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, saw s...
April 11, 2009
Enzi says budget robs from future, votes against it
Washington, D.C. – Following more than 12 straight hours of back-to-back votes in the Senate yesterday, taxpayers are still facing increased taxes on energy, small business and health care. With the passage of the Senate budget proposal nearly a...
April 11, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Air Force announced that the new Global Strike Command that will oversee all nuclear missions for the Air Force will be housed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, not Wyoming´s F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Governor Dave Freudenthal, U.S. Se...
April 11, 2009
President Barack Obama announced a doubling of assistance for global agricultural productivity and rural development. He also called for a comprehensive food security strategy to alleviate chronic hunger that affects nearly one billion people worldwide.
The announcement tracks provisions of ...
April 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke in support of his amendment, 742, to provide an exception for advance appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the Medical Services, Medical Administration, Medical Faci...
April 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oklahoma's Congressional delegation said they stand united against the Obama Administration´s proposed massive cuts to the defense budget and pledged to work together to ensure Congress does not allow them to take effect.
Senator Jim Inhofe: a Senior Member of the Senate ...
April 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a YouTube video from Afghanistan, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, blasted an announcement by the Obama administration that they propose to make deep, wide-spread cuts to the military budget. The announcement comes as ov...
April 11, 2009
National report ranks Enzi as an ally for American taxpayers
WASHINGTON. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., exercised fiscal responsibility in 2008 according to a report card issued by the National Taxpayers Union. The report gauged lawmakers´ commitment to reduce spending, taxes, debt and regulat...
April 11, 2009
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is now one of seven Senators to serve on the Senate Philanthropy Caucus. The Caucus, with a partner effort in the U.S. House of Representatives, was formed to inform fellow Senators and Representatives about the important role that foundations play across t...
April 11, 2009
Expresses importance of market to U.S. producers
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) led a bipartisan group of Senators, including Idaho Senator Jim Risch, in sending a letter to the President urging him to work toward a swift solution to bring about the rem...
April 11, 2009
"At a time when American families are forced to make tough choices and cut back in their own budgets, it´s simply irresponsible for Washington to add to their financial pain by increasing their taxes and spending more of their hard-earned money."
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Jim Inhof...
April 10, 2009
WICHITA - U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today took the third and final step in making his candidacy for the United States Senate official by filing with the Kansas Secretary of State to have his name placed on the ballot in 2010. Tiahrt announced his candidacy in front of hundreds of Repu...
April 04, 2009
Bill requires annual report on the health of freedom of the press worldwide and creates grants to strengthen press freedom around the globe
WASHINGTON, DC— Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Mike Pence (R-IN), co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press, introd...
April 04, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) this week called on Congress to pass comprehensive legislation that would remove barriers to a more prosperous economy and help all Americans renew their dreams. Tiahrt introduced a House resolution outlining actions both Congress and Feder...
April 04, 2009
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) will visit the U.S. – Mexico border early next week to see first-hand the problems of inadequate border security, drug smuggling, and illegal immigration. Coffman will meet with Border Patrol agents and is scheduled for a tour of new bo...
April 03, 2009
Washington, DC – The House passed a bill to make changes to the Higher Education Opportunity Act which included a provision spearheaded by Congressman Adam Schiff that will ensure that returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans´ G.I. Bill benefits do not count against them when applying for ...
April 03, 2009
Legislation aims to eliminate duplicative and inefficient spending on government programs
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) introduced legislation that would force Congress to vote on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from federal agencies and programs. The Commission on ...
April 03, 2009
Clay Says Bill Will Inspire Americans to Serve Their Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, joined a huge bipartisan majority in support of H.R. 1388, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which passed the U.S. House by a vote of 275-149. "This remarkable bill cha...
April 03, 2009
Constitutional Amendment Would Explicitly Establish the Rights of Parents
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, has introduced a bill with 70 congressional co-sponsors that would amend the Constitution to explicitly state that parents, not government or any other organization,...
April 03, 2009
Bill is" big win for the Puget Sound region," says Executive Director of Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Waxman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a draft of sweeping energy and climate legislation that included many policy proposals from U.S. Rep. Jay Ins...
April 02, 2009
Los Angeles – Teachers and other school workers as well as parents of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) thanked Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) for her leadership in efforts to prevent job cuts proposed in the district´s budget for next year. Congresswoman Waters init...
April 01, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Anne Castle, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Department of the Interior; Mathy V. Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency...
April 01, 2009
Faison, NC – Today, Vice President Biden and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Faison, North Carolina to tour the Goshen Medical Center, which is a community health center receiving Recovery Act funds and serves Duplin, Eastern Sampson and Southern Wayne Counties. The Recovery ...
April 01, 2009
Crapo, Idahoans attend historic White House signing ceremony
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said he was glad to be in the company of fellow Idahoans at the White House as President Barack Obama signed the public lands bill containing Idaho´s Owyhee Initiative legislation. Crapo, me...
April 01, 2009
DOE allocates $468 million that will create new jobs
Washington, DC – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch helped to secure new federal funding that will create hundreds of new jobs and accelerate cleanup at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory. DOE announ...
March 31, 2009
WASHINGTON, - Jonathan Kozol, preeminent authority on educational equity and author of ground-breaking books on education reform including the award-winning Savage Equality, which details the differences between schools in affluent neighborhoods and those attended by the children of the poor, has jo...
March 31, 2009
The President is pleased to announce the launch of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate.
The Major Economies Forum will facilitate a candid dialogue among key developed and developing countries, help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome at the UN ...
March 31, 2009
Partnerships & Targeted Media to Focus On African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Other Hard to Count Populations
WASHINGTON, DC. – Chairman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, pressed the Acting Census Director and the media group in charge of national and local census advertising to detail how they pl...
March 31, 2009
Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Sen. Klobuchar introduce the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act - or "the EARLY Act"
Washington, DC – At a press conference in the Capitol building, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) was joined by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN), to announce legislation th...
March 31, 2009
Legislation will improve technology to track down nuclear traffickers and identify sources of nuclear material
Washington, DC – On March 24th the House passed Rep. Adam Schiff´s Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act (H.R. 730). The legislation will strengthen efforts in the Department of H...
March 31, 2009
Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) says 'democracy in orbit' should govern NASA's new space nodule
WASHINGTON, - Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) says every vote counts, even if it's for an election that is out of this world.
"NASA decided to hold an election to name its new room at the internationa...
March 31, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) today sent a letter to Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner questioning the impact an impending greenhouse gas "endangerment finding" will have on thousands of A...
March 31, 2009
WASHINGTON - The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that President Obama's proposal to end the guaranteed student loan program and instead encourage students to take out identical loans through the Direct Loan Program would save the government $94 billion over ten years. ...
March 31, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Brad Sherman today introduced legislation to impose a 70% surtax on all excess compensation over $1,000,000 per year paid to executives of all the big bailed-out firms.
Sherman´s legislation applies to all financial institutions which receive over $500 million unde...
March 31, 2009
Washington, DC – Concerned that minority and women- owned business enterprises could be excluded from participating in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the Term Asset Backed Securities Lending Facility (TALF), and other federal programs designed to strengthen the nation´s financial ma...
March 29, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, Department of Defense; Donald Remy, General Counsel of the Army, Department of Defense; J. Randolph Babbitt, Administrator, Federal Aviati...
March 29, 2009
"As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…We are in Afghanistan to confront a common enemy that threatens the United States, our friends and allies, and the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan who have suffered the most at the hands of violent extremists. So I want...
March 29, 2009
Funding in Omnibus Appropriations Bill Will Aid Projects in the 13th District
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) released a list of appropriations requests for the 13th District that were included in the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations bill that was signed into law by President Obama last week.
...
March 29, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA), in a letter to President Barack Obama, requested that the Administration provide information about when senior administration and White House officials first became aware of imminent bonus payme...
March 29, 2009
Introduces Willing Seller Act to allow land owners to sell land to government, help trail systems
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) recently introduced legislation aimed at allowing willing land owners to sell their property to the government in order to aid the comple...
March 29, 2009
Admiral tells Senate that Iran steps up efforts in region
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on testimony by a senior military official that Iran is increasing activity with extremists in Latin America. S...
March 29, 2009
Bipartisan Commission Would Put ´Everything´ on Table for Examination; Enacting Legislation Requires Congress to Vote on Panel´s Recommendations
Washington, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation to create a national commission aimed at addressing entitlement spending an...
March 29, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – After nearly 20 years of costly litigation, Congressman Dennis Cardoza announced a close to the battles over flows in the San Joaquin River. Specifically, the House and Senate have enacted the settlement agreement between the Friant Water Users Authority, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamat...
March 29, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) is demanding that current AIG CEO Edward Liddy and an Administration official attend and answer critical questions at a hearing scheduled for April 2.
"More than a week ago, I asked the W...
March 29, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Congressman Dan Boren (OK-02) issued the following statement following a press conference to highlight their efforts to close the gap in early retirement eligibility for National Guard and Reserve soldiers. Congressman Wilson, with the support of Cong...
Schiff Amendment to Bolster Law Enforcement's Investigative Capabilities Passes House Judiciary Com.
March 29, 2009
Measure enables hiring of forensic analysts to help catch rapists, murderers, and violent felons.
WASHINGTON, DC – The House Judiciary Committee passed an amendment authored by Rep. Adam Schiff, which would increase the number of forensic analysts and laboratory personnel working to catch rapis...
March 29, 2009
Resolution urges Obama Administration to use all diplomatic tools including engaging Iran to return Levinson to the United States
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs voted unanimously to pass a resolution introduced by Congressman Robert Wexler (FL-19), Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-23),...
March 29, 2009
Washington, FL - Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), along with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), asked President Obama to promptly grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals living in the United States in the wake of the destruct...
March 29, 2009
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced The Clean Environment and Stable Energy Market Act of 2009, which offers a practical and pragmatic solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and will reduce emissions by 80% by the middle of the century. The breakthrough proposed by the s...
March 29, 2009
Underfunding, understaffing has led to large backlog for disability claims, delayed delivery of benefits
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) pressed the Social Security Administration (SSA) to reduce a backlog of 1.3 million disability claims. The House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Social Sec...
March 29, 2009
The sworn duty of elected officials, the President and Members of Congress alike, is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. This budget fails that test. Fiscal restraint on defense in the midst of fiscal excess for other areas of the federal government reflects a fundamenta...
March 28, 2009
Washington, DC- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution to recognize the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping wounded veterans´ live more independent lives, and expresses gratitude and support to the Tower of Hope organization for its considerable contribution to this...
March 28, 2009
WASHINGTON – The House Budget Committee passed by 24 to 15 a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2010 that embraces President Obama´s goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2013 and funding critical initiatives in health care, energy, and education.
Chairman John Spratt stated: "Presiden...
March 28, 2009
Bill will provide workers with 12 weeks of paid benefits
WASHINGTON- Representatives Pete Stark (D-CA), George Miller (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Family Leave Insurance Act of 2009, to provide 12 weeks of paid benefits to workers who need to take time off...
March 28, 2009
Washington, D. C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement following passage of H.R. 146, the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009, by a vote of 285 to 140. The bill was passed by the Senate last week and now goes to President Obama for his signature into law:
"Today, the House pa...
March 28, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) announced the U.S. Department of Energy's release of $4,212,500 in funding in the 13th District for energy efficiency and conservation projects in the 13th District. Seven cities will receive grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant progr...
March 28, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) sent a letter along with Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and other members of the Kansas Congressional Delegation to President Barack Obama asking for his support of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBA...
March 28, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), announced the reintroduction of the DREAM Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will restore the States´ rights to determine residency requirements for higher education benefits – giving states the...
March 28, 2009
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) issued a statement in response to the House Budget Committee´s approval of the President´s budget. The budget, which passed out of committee without any Republican support, will be debated and voted on by the full House of Representativ...
March 28, 2009
Harman says "energy savings that will flow from these efficiency improvements are stunning"
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA), together with Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), both members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced legislation (H.R. 1732) that will result ...
March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urging the State Department to investigate and sanction international companies providing support to Iran.
"Iran's development of a nuclear weapon is a serious roadblock to future st...
March 27, 2009
Clay Cites Productivity, Quality of Local UAW Members
WASHINGTON, DC. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, joined by a bipartisan coalition of regional Members of Congress, is petitioning the Chief Advisor to President Obama´s Domestic Automobile Taskforce to save the Chrysler Fenton p...
March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, critically questioned President Barack Obama´s plan for Afghanistan in a closed door unclassified briefing to the House Armed Services Committee yesterday.
"It is irresponsible for ...
March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON- U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) co-sponsored the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Bill (H.R. 197). This legislation would protect the rights of licensed firearm permit holders by allowing them to carry firearms across the country without a confusing patchwork system.
"The ...
March 27, 2009
Washington, DC – Continuing their ongoing efforts to combat arson across the country, Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29) and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) re-introduced the Managing Arson Through Criminal History (MATCH) Act of 2009 (H.R. 1727), which will create a comprehensive, nation-wide da...
March 27, 2009
Warns plan backtracks on commitment made in 2008 Farm Bill
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, is warning against unwarranted cuts in the safety net for Idaho and American agriculture as Congress considers proposals for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 bud...
March 27, 2009
Enzi applauds bill that rewards volunteer service
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., credited true bipartisanship for the passage of a bill that will make sure everyone who is called to national service has the opportunity to volunteer in programs that address the needs of their c...
March 27, 2009
OCA monies released in committee-passed FY 2010 Budget Resolution
Washington, DC - In a voice vote during the FY 2010 Budget Resolution mark-up, the Senate Budget Committee unanimously approved an amendment by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo that would prevent Congress from shifting money away from vict...
March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) today announced the Department of Health and Human Services' release of $1,445,169 for six community health centers serving residents of the 13th District. The funding was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1).
"Community ...
March 27, 2009
Funding to create local construction jobs
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Adam Schiff lauded the Department of Transportation's announcement that the Bob Hope Airport will receive $3.5 million for safety upgrades on three taxiways. The funding is part of the stimulus package approved by Cong...
March 27, 2009
Jim´s Journal
There´s a way to decide whether Guantanamo detainees should be released inside the United States, which U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said last week is being considered by the Obama administration. Vote on it.
That´s it. Put the idea to a vote in Congress and let the people´...
March 27, 2009
Legislation Would Save Taxpayers $30 Billion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) spoke on the Senate Floor to introduce legislation (S.630) that would freeze that the remaining $30 billion of the initial $150 billion of taxpayer dollar steered to AIG by Congress and the Adminis...
March 27, 2009
Encourages Participation in Earth Hour on March 28 at 8:30 PM
Washington, DC- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) made the following statement recognizing the importance of the World Wildlife Fund´s (WFF) Earth Hour Movement, which will take place on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM.
"The rapi...
March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON — A key US lawmaker on Friday cautiously welcomed President Barack Obama's new Afghan war plan but urged the White House to "sell" the strategy to NATO in a bid to get more allied help.
"We welcome the president´s strategic direction for the fight in Afghanistan," Represent...
March 27, 2009
(Washington, DC) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) gave the keynote address on the Iraqi refugee crisis at a conference presented by the International Human Rights Law Clinic and the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law at American University´s Washington College of Law.
...
March 27, 2009
Co-Sponsored Legislation Demanding Practice Stop and Bonuses Recouped
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) co-sponsored legislation that would require the U.S. Treasury Department to implement a plan within the next two weeks to recoup the payment of AIG bonuses, and require t...
March 27, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, highlighted the importance of missile defense during an Armed Services Hearing on the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM). Senator Inhofe met with General J...
March 27, 2009
Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined with U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN), the ranking Republican on the Committee, to reauthorize a vital foreign policy and economic development tool – the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
Kerry and...
March 26, 2009
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate today joined with the U.S. House of Representatives in passing historic national service legislation (ServeAmerica Act S. 277) which, like the House GIVE Act, includes a key provision that would formally authorize federal support for establishing the anniversary of the ...
March 26, 2009
Wins support of protections for crime victims fund
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted no today as the Senate Budget Committee approved a Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Budget Resolution on a 13-10 vote along party lines. The daylong markup in committee included yes votes on two key amendment...
March 26, 2009
Washington, DC – Idaho´s Congressional Delegation lauded a plan announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today to utilize approximately 200 million pounds of nonfat dry milk for nutrition programs and assist the dairy industry to withstand current challenges with decreased dairy ...
March 26, 2009
Vows to Fight Against Drastic Cuts In Defense Budget – Including FCS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke out on the need to modernize our military and voiced his opposition to major cuts to the defense budget. ...
March 26, 2009
Says local collaboration and bipartisanship key to success
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said local collaboration and a commitment to working in a bipartisan fashion are the reasons Idaho will soon have its first land management and wilderness legislation in nearly 30 years. The U.S....
March 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services; Phyllis C. Borzi, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security, Depa...
March 26, 2009
Block Grants to Support Jobs, Cut Energy Bills, and Increase Energy Independence
WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects in U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and...
Vice President Biden Announces $250 Recovery Payments to Go to Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries
March 26, 2009
Vice President Joe Biden and Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced today that the federal government will send out $250 economic recovery payments to people who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in early May 2009 and continuing ...
March 26, 2009
Jim´s Journal
Well, if you, like me, thought that things couldn´t get much worse than the trillion dollar bailout messes we´ve gotten into over the past few months, you were probably outraged upon learning the news about the taxpayer funded bonuses being given to AIG execs. The House passed a bil...
March 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced the introduction of a resolution recognizing and commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The resolution calls on the President and the U.S. Government to properly recognize the atrocities that occurred in Armenia beginning in 1915, and whi...
March 25, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Vice President Joe Biden announced the following key staff appointments: Edward DeSeve, Special Advisor to the President, Assistant to the Vice President and Special Advisor to the OMB Director for Implementation of the Recovery Act; Jon Wolfsthal, Special Advisor to the Vice Presi...
March 25, 2009
(Washington, DC) Congressman Robert Wexler, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009. The legislation is a response to dozens of cases in which threats to public health from defective toys, automobile parts, pharmaceuticals, and other produ...
March 25, 2009
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Neal S. Wolin to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and Lael Brainard to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. In addition, the President announced that Stuart A. Levey, the current Under Secretary for Te...
March 23, 2009
"I have told each of my Cabinet, as well as mayors and governors across the country, that they will be held accountable by me and the American people for every dollar they spend."
– President Barack Obama, 2/24/2009, Address to Joint Session of Congress
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Ov...
March 23, 2009
City Begins Cleanup of Destroyed Sylmar Mobile Home Park
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (Sherman Oaks) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) approved $1,633,700 in public assistance funding to the City of ...
March 23, 2009
Last Soldiers Discharged By the Bush Administration
Washington, D.C., Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released information detailing the number of U.S. troops discharged from military service under the "Don´t ...
Bachus, Blunt Urge SEC to Protect Taxpayers, Family Savings by Adopting Common-Sense Accounting Rule
March 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To protect taxpayers and family savings, Financial Services Ranking Member Spencer Bachus (Ala.) and Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt (Mo.) sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Schapiro urging the agency to adopt common-sense accounting changes so companies...
March 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) announced that Washington state will receive over $120 million to fund weatherization, energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, as the federal government continues to fulfill its responsibilities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. ...
March 23, 2009
Today, President Obama will meet with clean energy entrepreneurs and leaders of the research community to discuss his strategy for building a clean energy economy and creating the industries and jobs of the future.
The American Reinvestment Recovery Act and his FY10 budget dramatically increase i...
March 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: David H. Stevens, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Harold Hongju Koh, Legal Adviser, St...
March 23, 2009
Washington, D.C. – R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry has been invited to testify on animal identification systems before the House Agriculture Committee´s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. Thornsberry will voice the organization´s opposition to the U.S. ...
March 23, 2009
New to the pilgrimage will be a program examining the strong affinity between the Jewish and African-American communities during the civil rights movement
Montgomery, AL – Rep. Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) is joining other Members of Congress as a member of the 9th Congressional Pilgrimage to Alabam...
March 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC—The House of Representatives passed a bill by Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties) to honor President Ronald Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The bill passed on a 371-19 vote, with one Member voting present.
The Ronald Reagan Cente...
March 23, 2009
The hollow defense budgets, peace dividends and the procurement holiday that marked the Clinton administration's defense policy appear to be making a comeback.
The message hidden between the lines of the 2010 Defense Department budget released last week is that defense spending will decline in th...
March 23, 2009
Washington, D.C., Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, has organized a bipartisan Congressional effort calling for U.S. and international action to confront the grave humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka. Over 200,000 civilians are trapped in the Vanni region of northern Sri Lanka amid f...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki asking him to clarify the Veterans Affairs Department´s position on reports the Obama Administration is considering billing veterans for the treatment of service-connected injuries instead ...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama announced that Jon Wellinghoff, currently serving as Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will be designated as Chairman. President Obama also announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration po...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Dr. Steven E. Koonin, Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy; David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, Department of Energy; Amb...
March 22, 2009
Medical Care: Nearly $2 billion of Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding has been made available to California, helping provide medical care for the state´s poorer residents, and relieving some strain on the state budget. And $15.6 million has been made available to California f...
March 22, 2009
DOE Support for Advanced Battery Manufacturing and Electric Vehicle Deployment to Create Tens of Thousands of U.S. Jobs
POMONA, CA - President Barack Obama announced the availability of $2.4 billion in funding to put American ingenuity and America's manufacturers to work producing next generation...
March 22, 2009
Washington, DC- On the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) made a motion for the House to immediately consider H.R. 1577, legislation to recoup the unconscionable AIG bonuses recently made to that company´s executives with taxpayer-provided funds. The ...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) gave the following statement in an effort to encourage state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to apply for federal grants through the COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). The grant application period closes April 14th.
"Like many organizations...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), author of the recently enacted tuition tax credit which will help millions achieve their dream of a college education and the architect of the college awareness and access program GEAR UP, introduced legislation for an innovative plan to prime the pump...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), lauded the bipartisan passage of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, by a vote of 321-105. Below is the text of Rep. Stark´s floor statement.
"Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R....
March 22, 2009
St. Louis Blogger Tells AIG Exec "You Have Really Missed the Boat"
WASHINGTON, DC. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay took AIG Chairman and CEO Edward Liddy to task for $165 million in retention bonuses paid to over 400 executives in the company´s troubled Financial Products Unit. In questioning before ...
March 22, 2009
Documents Show Company Policies Tossed Aside to Accommodate Loans for Sen. Dodd, Sen. Conrad, Others
WASHINGTON. D.C. – An Oversight and Government Reform Committee Republican report Countrywide Financial Corporation´s infamous VIP and Friends of Angelo Program offers new insight into the inner w...
March 22, 2009
Washington, DC- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution calling for long-term care to be made a part of our nation´s comprehensive health care reform agenda.
"We are tasked with solving one of the most serious financial and health care crises of our era, Co...
March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – As the recession continues, the San Joaquin Valley will be able to receive assistance from national volunteers who are answering their nation´s call to serve in communities hit hardest by the economic crisis.
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 1388, the GIVE Act,...
March 21, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) introduced the Veterans Healthcare Commitment Act of 2009. The bill would prohibit the Veterans Administration from billing a veteran´s personal insurance company for hospital care or medical services associated with a service-connected disab...
March 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – In order to make our communities safer and ensure our youth are on a path to success, Rep. Schiff introduced the "COPS and KIDS Act" (HR 1568). The measure will balance funding for crime fighting and enforcement efforts with funding for prevention and intervention efforts for troubl...
March 21, 2009
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) released the following statement on the AIG bonus bill.
"This vote is meant to absolve Washington Democrats of their responsibility for allowing the taxpayer-funded executive bonuses to pass. The GOP bill rejected by House Democrats t...
March 21, 2009
Meek: "Congress should not be required to legislate commonsense, but today, we did exactly that."
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek voted to pass bipartisan legislation to tax bonuses given by companies such as AIG that received government rescue funds.
"Congress should not be...
March 21, 2009
Republican Bipartisan Solution Would Return 100% of Taxpayer Dollars
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement after the Democrat leadership passed a constitutionally-questionable tax increase in response to their own spending bill which cleared the way for bonu...
March 21, 2009
As White House efforts to manage the financial bailout seemingly spin out-of-control, another crisis of major proportions is brewing behind the scenes. In a surprise move announced last week, the Obama administration revealed that it is seriously considering releasing terrorists currently held at Gu...
March 21, 2009
Votes to recover 100 percent of AIG bonus pay
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement following votes in the House of Representatives responding to bonuses paid to AIG insurance company executives totaling $165 million. Tiahrt harshly criticized th...
March 20, 2009
Crapo-Baucus legislation could also increase wildlife funds
Washington, DC – Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) of the Senate Finance Committee introduced legislation to stop a discriminatory tax collection practice affecting the nation´s firearms manufacturer...
March 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), reintroduced the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA) this week with a bipartisan group of 44 original co-sponsors. Speaker Pelosi released the following statement:
"Effective drug treatme...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON— Members of the Kansas Congressional Delegation are asking the Air Force to support a new high-priority modernization project in its fiscal year 2010 budget that would support hundreds of aircraft jobs in the Wichita area. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) an...
March 20, 2009
Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) applauded the announcement of nearly $30 million in federal funding for homeless prevention, housing and services for Alameda County, including $7.5 million in new funds through the economic recovery package.
"With the California unemployment ...
March 20, 2009
Praises "surge" strategy that enables withdrawal from Iraq
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) today announced his support for President Barack Obama´s new withdrawal plan from Iraq. The plan gives the President flexibility in withdrawing troops while ensuring security fo...
March 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the Income Equity Act which would limit the tax deductibility of executive compensation packages. The tax code already limits the deductibility of wage income at $1 million, which is exactly why complex compensation packages ...
March 20, 2009
In his opening statement, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) said it was "shameful" and "a disgrace" that a number of private corporations who received a portion of the billions in capital infusion through the controversial Troubled Asset Relief Pr...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), praised the bipartisan passage of H.R. 1586, a bill that would impose a 90 percent tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients, by a 328-93 vote. Below is the text of Rep. Stark´s floor statement.
"Madam Speaker, I rise today i...
March 20, 2009
Clay Calls Payments Offensive & Irresponsible
WASHINGTON, DC. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, joined a huge bi-partisan majority to enact H.R. 1586, The Bonus Recoupment Tax Act, which passed the U.S. House by a vote of 328 – 93. The special legislation imposes a 90 percent excise tax o...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – The federal Housing Department removed a significant roadblock, paving the way for Merced County and several of its cities to receive nearly $9.2 million in direct funds through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
HUD had blocked those funds after it took issue with the Sta...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – As part of an effort Treasury Secretary Geithner first outlined in introducing the Financial Stability Plan (FSP) in February, President Obama and Secretary Geithner will announce plans to take immediate action to help ensure that credit gets flowing again to entrepreneurs and busin...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the White House, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Daniel Rooney as the Ambassador to Ireland.
President Obama said, "I am honored and grateful that such a dedicated and accomplished individual has agreed to serve as the representative of the United Sta...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Judge David Hamilton to the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Hamilton has served for 14 years as a federal district judge in Indiana. He was appointed United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana...
March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Obama announced his intent to nominate Rose Gottemoeller for Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance.
President Obama said, "Turning the tide on the threat of nuclear weapons and strengthening the international non-proliferation regime is one of t...
March 18, 2009
Moves to reverse provision included in the stimulus package that allowed AIG executive bonuses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today called for action to strike a provision that allowed AIG executives to accept outrageous bonuses. A recent report revealed that the provision to pr...
March 18, 2009
Senator applauds awareness of need to reduce federal spending
Washington, DC – Idaho students are speaking out on the national debt and student dropout rates in a big way this week—taking their message all the way to the U.S. Capitol and carrying petitions with more than 400 names. Student...
March 18, 2009
Service program included in GIVE Act, the national service bill
WASHINGTON, DC – The Clean Energy Corps, a program introduced earlier in March by U.S. Reps. Inslee (D-Wash.) and John Sarbanes (D-Md.), was approved by the House of Representatives as part of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating ...
March 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today re-introduced common sense bipartisan legislation with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to address a problem faced by a number of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma and around the country when they drive their goods acro...
March 19, 2009
Crapo says public lands bill has many Idaho projects
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today again approved a public lands package, H.R. 146, containing Idaho Senator Mike Crapo´s Owyhee Initiative Legislation and several other projects to benefit Idahoans. With Crapo on the Senate floor to manag...
March 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, responded to remarks by Attorney General Eric Holder who said that detainees from Gitmo could be released into the United States. In February, Senator Inhofe introduced legislation (S...
March 19, 2009
Enzi prepared to amend budget, ensure protection
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., laid out how the Administration´s budget would hurt, not protect, Wyoming´s small businesses. Enzi called for his colleagues to make significant changes to the Senate budget to nurture,...
March 18, 2009
15 Democrats unite to pursue pragmatic solutions to nation´s problems
WASHINGTON – A diverse group of 15 Senate Democrats today announced the formation of a new moderate coalition that will meet regularly to shape public policy. The group´s goal is to work with the Senate leadership a...
March 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), responding to recent media reports, expressed his strong opposition to the Obama Administration´s consideration of a plan to make veterans pay for the treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance.
"Any consi...
March 18, 2009
State leaders make case for F.E. Warren to house nuclear warfare command
Washington, D.C. - The Air Force is shopping around for a home for the new Global Strike Command Center (GSCC) that will oversee all nuclear missions for the Air Force. In order to further make the case that Wyoming´s F.E....
March 18, 2009
Jim's Journal
When it comes to AIG, outrage doesn´t even come close.
But let´s be clear on where the outrage should be targeted – the 74 Senators, including now President Obama, who voted in favor of handing over an unprecedented amount of money and power to an unelected bur...
March 18, 2009
Enzi Urges Follow Through on Action for Main Street Retailers
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., took part in a forum today at the White House aimed at helping the millions of small business owners and employees in the U.S. get through the economic downturn.
"The o...
March 18, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar announced the following accomplishments for the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program in February:
· 8 Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) destroyed;
· 4 nuclear weapons transport train shipments secured; and
· ...
March 16, 2009
Washington, DC – Standing at Washington, DC´s Union Station, one of the most traveled railway stations in the nation, Vice President Joe Biden announced that Amtrak will receive $1.3 billion in grant funding from the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to expand pass...
March 16, 2009
The President is pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow as White House Advisor for the Summit of the Americas.
As President Obama said on February 10 he will attend the Summit of the Americas to be held in Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19. The President is looking for...
March 16, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Tom Perez, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice; Linda A. Puchala, Member, National Mediation Board; James W. Miller, Under Secretary fo...
March 16, 2009
WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama announced the appointments of Dr. Margaret Hamburg as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Joshua Sharfstein as the Principal Deputy Commissioner, as well as the creation of a new Food Safety Working Group. This Food Sa...
March 16, 2009
On March 19th in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Middle Class Task Force will hold a town hall meeting, titled "Road to Recovery: Building a Strong Middle Class through the Recovery Act." The focus of the town hall will be to discuss ways the Recovery Act implementation will help the middle class.
The ...
March 15, 2009
WASHINGTON D.C. – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Darrell Issa (R-CA) today criticized AIG´s practice of taking billions of government dollars to bailout themselves out while handing out $100 million in bonuses.
"If this is how AIG is going to use bailout funds, I t...
March 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, reacted to the Department of Justice filing an unvetted new standard for the government´s authority to hold detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.
"Just as it did when it announced that it intended to close the Guantanamo ...
March 15, 2009
WASHINGTON—Two Congressmen who have led the House effort to push for an American-built aerial refueling tanker are asking Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to follow several key guidelines in the next source selection process for replacing the Air Force´s aging tanker fleet.
In a letter sen...
March 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – The San Joaquin Valley would receive a greater emphasis for future wastewater treatment projects, potentially creating much-needed new jobs, announced Congressman Dennis Cardoza.
The House of Representatives passed the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009, which authorizes n...
March 15, 2009
Schiff Introduces Legislation to Make Background Checks for Volunteers Working with Children Reliable and Accessible
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation to create a nationally-accessible background check system for youth-serving organizations. The Child Prot...
March 15, 2009
Group asks Americans for input, ideas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Republican Health Care Solutions Working Group launched a website in an effort to seek input from American families and small businesses as it works to craft solutions to increase Americans´ access to quality, affordable hea...
March 15, 2009
Reps. Harman, Tauscher, Royce and Connolly Introduce Bi-Partisan Bill Conditioning Military Aid to Pakistan on U.S. Access to A.Q. Khan and Assurances he is Being Monitored
Harman says, "Khan is … a loose nuke scientist with proven ability to sell the worst weapons to the worst people."
WASHI...
March 15, 2009
Tells Treasury Secretary not to discourage investment in the economy
Washington, DC – Arguing that investors need certainty and not tax increases, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has introduced legislation, S. 567, to make permanent the tax relief on capital gains and dividend payments originally approv...
March 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) voted against the nominations of David Ogden to be United States Deputy Attorney General and Thomas Perrelli to serve as Associate Attorney General. Senator Inhofe expressed deep concerns with these Justice Department nominees, noting their strong ...
March 15, 2009
Lugar urges completion of a U.S.-Brazil Tax Treaty in advance of meeting between U.S. and Brazil Presidents
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar introduced a United States Senate Resolution calling for the strengthening of U.S.-Brazil economic relations through the means of an International Tax Treaty.
"...
March 15, 2009
Lugar re-introduces Western Hemisphere Energy Compact in advance of meeting between U.S. and Brazil Presidents
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar today introduced a bill that would expand energy security cooperation between the United States, Brazil and other nations in the Western Hemisphere.
"A fundame...
March 15, 2009
Crapo questions Energy Secretary at Senate Budget Committee hearing
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo won a commitment from Energy Secretary Steven Chu that the Idaho National Laboratory will play an ongoing role in advancing nuclear research that could change the way the nation handles n...
March 15, 2009
Omnibus bill on path to steal money from rural, southern HIV/AIDS patients;
Senate fails to fix funding with Enzi amendment.
Washington, D.C. – Following a battle on the Senate floor, San Francisco may once again receive a disproportionate amount of HIV/AIDS funding if the omnibus appropriat...
March 13, 2009
Washington, DC – Vice President Biden announced that President Obama will nominate Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the new Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
"With escalating violence along our Southwest border and far too many suffering from the disease of addiction...
March 13, 2009
President Obama signed an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. The mission of the Council will be to provide a coordinated federal response to the challenges confronted by women and girls and to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider how their pol...
March 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry as Ambassador to Afghanistan and Christopher R. Hill as Ambassador to Iraq.
The President also announced his intent to nominate Ivo Daalder as United States Permanent Representative on the ...
March 13, 2009
Will support energy efficiency efforts nationwide that will create 87,000 jobs and cut energy bills for families
Washington DC -- Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Chu detailed an investment of nearly $8 billion in state and local weatherization and energy efficiency efforts as part o...
March 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Demetrios Marantis, Nominee for Deputy United States Trade Representative; Kristina M. Johnson, Nominee for Under Secretary of Energy; Gina McCarthy, Nominee for Assistant ...
March 13, 2009
President Obama met with the Chinese Foreign Minister in the Oval Office. Prior to the meeting, the Foreign Minister met with National Security Advisor Jones and also met at the State Department with Secretary of State Clinton.
During the meeting, President Obama and Foreign Minister Yang discuss...
March 12, 2009
ASHINGTON, DC -- The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) applauds the bill introduced today by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Kennedy (D-MA). The "Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009" (S. 577) would make it a Federal crime to defraud individuals – citizens and non-citizens alike – i...
March 12, 2009
Today Rep. Van Hollen Reintroduced A Bill Extending Whistleblower Protection To All Federal Employees.
Washington D.C. - The National Whistleblowers Center thanks Representative Van Hollen (D-MD) for his continued support and strongly urges Congress to enact this critical legislation immediat...
March 10, 2009
Also notes duplicate spending in stimulus, omnibus bills
Washington, DC – Out-of-control spending by the U.S. Congress has taken on new significance, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. On a voice vote following a cloture vote of 62 to 35 to stop debate, the Senate tonight voted to pass an ...
March 10, 2009
Urge President to use his veto power
Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed the $410 billion omnibus spending bill today. U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., did not support the bill. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., voted against the bill last month in the House...
March 10, 2009
Democrats´ Billion-Dollar Spending Spree Continues
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today voted against the $410 billion Omnibus Appropriations for FY09. The Senate voted 62 to 35 in favor of the bill, which will now go to the President for his signature.
"Once again, ...
March 10, 2009
Inhofe-Thune-DeMint Continue Push to End Liberals Attempt at Stifling Free Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) speaking on the Senate Floor against liberal attempts to regulate speech, warned that a new stealth attempt by Democrats could result in radio licenses being revo...
March 10, 2009
Key Senate leaders and advocacy groups join effort to urge farm loan restructuring
SOMERVILLE, Mass., March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While the Obama Administration begins to implement the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Program, Farm Aid and farm, rural and housing advocates from acros...
March 10, 2009
"Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. It´s time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore America´s place as the world leader in science and technology." - President Bar...
March 10, 2009
REMOVING BARRIERS TO RESPONSIBLE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
INVOLVING HUMAN STEM CELLS
Yesterday, in conjunction with the issuance of a new Presidential memo on scientific integrity, President Obama signed a Presidential Executive Order removing barriers to responsible scientific research involving hum...
March 10, 2009
"In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity, it is a pre-requisite. That is why it will be the goal of this Administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education ...
March 09, 2009
Congressman Tom Cole's Column
Coming on the heels of a $789 billion stimulus package, and a $410 billion Omnibus spending bill, President Obama has now presented the nation with the largest federal budget in our nation's history. The staggering $3.5 trillion budget proposal will raise taxes, gro...
March 09, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today issued the following statement on President Obama´s executive order Monday allowing taxpayer funds to be used for controversial embryonic stem cell research.
"Federal tax dollars should not be used for the highly controversial ...
March 09, 2009
Key House Committee Expected to Consider Next Week
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, today reintroduced his long-standing legislation to grant federal recognition of the Virginia Native American tribes. Last Congress, the legislation passed the House but action in the S...
March 09, 2009
"Vital Research Could Help Close Healthcare Disparities Gap"
WASHINGTON, DC. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay hailed President Barack Obama´s executive order lifting the previous administration´s ban on federal funding for research on new stem cell lines. "By lifting the ban on federal...
March 08, 2009
Jim´s Journal
By U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Last week I joined 86 of my colleagues and passed Senate Amendment 573, offered by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) to the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act, which prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstituting the fair...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement Friday following the release of February´s unemployment numbers by the U.S. Department of Labor. The national unemployment rate climbed to 8.1 percent, the highest level in 26 years. Tiahrt today also voted to f...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) issued the following statement regarding President Obama´s nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Tiahrt serves as the Ranking Republican on the House Appropriati...
March 08, 2009
Lack of proper oversight may have cost billions of taxpayer dollars
Washington, D.C. – Troubled by a report that federal regulators ignored problems at IndyMac Bank which may have cost taxpayers billions of dollars, Representative Adam Schiff has requested Congressional action. In a letter to ...
March 08, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John M. McHugh (R-NY) and Strategic Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member Michael Turner (R-OH) today joined with more than forty of their Republican colleagues, including the top three Republicans in the House of Representatives, to send ...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON - Today Representatives Tom Petri (R-WI) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Troops to Teachers Improvement Act of 2009. This proposal would allow more schools across the nation to benefit from the Troops to Teachers (T2T) program, which assists retiring military personnel to star...
March 08, 2009
Condemns Abuse of Legal System by Fringe Groups
Washington, DC– Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA) released the following statement regarding the announcement that Sierra Pacific Industries´ has been forced to close its Quincy, CA small-log saw mill. The mill was built after the passage of th...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – While speaking about the need to reform the federal contracting and procurement process, President Obama talked about the fiscal disaster he "inherited" and spoke about the need to "turn the tide on an era of fiscal irresponsibility so that we can sustain our recovery."
"...
March 08, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation that will close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and make use of the military courts-martial to prosecute detainees who are unlawful enemy combatants. Rep. Schiff´s Terrorist Detainees Procedures Act would ensure...
March 08, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Wally Herger, (R-CA), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, released a statement in response to the testimony of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orszag. Congressman Herger, along with other...
March 08, 2009
Firm Pled Guilty to Criminal Act in Oil-for-Food Scandal
WASHINGTON -Congressman Brad Sherman and a group of colleagues sent a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu, requesting that he have the Department review a January, 2009 contract awarded to the energy firm Vitol to provide oil for the St...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama named Vivek Kundra the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the White House.
The Federal Chief Information Officer directs the policy and strategic planning of federal information technology investments and is responsible for oversight of federal tech...
March 08, 2009
Miami, Fla. – Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz today announced the availability of $8.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to states and local transportation authorities to repair and build America´s publ...
March 08, 2009
President and Mrs. Obama will visit the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic March 31-April 5, 2009. In the United Kingdom, the President will continue discussions on important bilateral and global issues with British leaders and work with other G-20 Leaders to address the global...
March 08, 2009
The President declared a major disaster exists in the State of Indiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm during the period of January 26-28, 2009.
Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments ...
March 08, 2009
"Today (Friday) we learned that our economy lost another 651,000 jobs in February, bringing the unemployment rate to 8.1 percent. 4.4 million Americans have now lost their jobs since this recession began last year, and there are now nearly 3 million Americans who have been unemployed for six months...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Building on Thursday´s White House Forum on Health Care Reform, President Obama announced a series of Regional White House Forums on Health Reform that will bring the conversation about health care reform directly to communities across the country. In keeping with the Obama ad...
March 08, 2009
President Barack Obama announced that Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice are making available $2 billion Recovery Act 2009 funding allocations for state and local law enforcement and criminal justice assistance, available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG...
March 08, 2009
Washington, DC – On Thursday, March 12th, President Obama and Vice President Biden will hold a White House Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference to ensure that dollars invested and spent as part of the Recovery act are effective, transparent and efficient. Each state´s Gover...
March 08, 2009
WASHINGTON – President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key State Department posts: Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary for International Organizations; Phil Gordon, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs; and Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large fo...
March 06, 2009
Today the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a report on the future of the Nunn-Lugar Program. U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar hailed the report as a "critically important set of recommendations that should guide the Obama Administration´s efforts to expand the Nunn-Lugar Program around the world."
...
March 06, 2009
Interior Dept. to keep wolf on endangered list in WY but not MT or ID
Washington, D.C. - Today Interior Secretary Salazar agreed to move forward with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decision to remove the Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the Endangered Species list in Montana and Idaho, but not ...
March 05, 2009
Energy Secretary asked to uphold plans for waste removal agreement
Washington, DC – Idaho´s Congressional Delegation has written Energy Secretary Steven Chu to express concern over the Obama Administration´s plan to scale back funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear storage facility in Nevada. Yu...
March 05, 2009
(Washington, DC) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) made the following statement on the passage of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act (H.R. 1106), which passed by a vote of 234 to 191:
"This legislation not only addresses our current housing market crisis, it also precisely tar...
March 05, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara voted in favor of the Help Families Save Their Homes Act, a bill that takes a key step in implementing President Obama´s comprehensive Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.
This legislation seeks to help more families obtain affordable mor...
March 05, 2009
Keep Americans Out of Foreclosure and In Their Homes:
Rep. Wasserman Schultz co-sponsors key legislation, outlined by the President, that allows modification of the terms of home mortgages
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Wasserman Schultz, who is one of 19 original co-sponsors of key anti-foreclosure ...
March 05, 2009
Making Home Affordable Program Will Offer Help to Up to 9 Million Homeowners
Washington, DC – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, praised the Obama Administration´s announcement of detailed guidelines for the "Making Home Affordable" program. The President´s new initiative will help bring r...
March 05, 2009
The President declared major disasters exist in the States of Illinois, Oregon and Washington and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas struck by severe winter storms in Illinois during the period of January 26-28, 2009, in Oregon during the period of Dece...
March 05, 2009
WASHINGTON – President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
On the nomination of John Berry, President O...
March 05, 2009
The Vice President and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Note that $16 Billion for Weatherization Projects Will Save or Create Good-Paying Jobs in Illinois and Across the Country
(Washington, DC) The Vice President commended the new owners of Republic Windows and Doors, a Chicago window manufacturing pl...
March 05, 2009
Leading Health Care Expert Nancy-Ann DeParle to serve as Director of White House Office for Health Reform
President Barack Obama officially announced his intent to nominate Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In this role, Sebelius will oversee a departmen...
March 05, 2009
WASHINGTON – President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Jon Leibowitz, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission; Charlie Rose, General Counsel at the Department of Education; and Roy Keinitz, Under Secretary for Policy at the Department o...
March 05, 2009
Washington, DC – The White House Task Force on Middle Class Families, led by Vice President Joe Biden, is holding its inaugural meeting today in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania. The Task Force has a simple mandate: to find, highlight and implement solutions to the economic challenges ...
March 05, 2009
Seeks to Prevent UN Global Tax, ESA Global Warming Provisions, Funding Prison Upgrades for GITMO Transfers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, spoke on several amendments he plans to offer to the omnibus appropria...
March 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – While Americans are tightening their budgets and spending more wisely, the U.S. Senate is breaking the bank and spending more money than it has, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., who voted for an alternative government agency funding bill to replace the House-passed omn...
March 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday, March 4.
Speaker Pelosi last met with Prime Minister Brown during a bipartisan congressional delegation to the United Kingdom in March 2008 to ...
Congressional Record Statement by Congressman Kendrick Meek Honoring Miami Banker Leonard Abess, Jr.
March 03, 2009
Below is a copy of the Congressional Record submitted by Congressman Kendrick Meek honoring Mr. Leonard Abess Jr. who was referenced tonight by President Obama.
Mr. MEEK of Florida.
"Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Leonard Abess, Jr. a Miami, Florida banker who openhandedly and...
March 03, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, issued the following statement calling on President Barack Obama to support expanded health care and retirement benefits for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers. During ...
March 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that Mike Sheehy, her National Security Advisor for the past six years, will depart the Speaker´s office this week for the private sector after more than 30 years of service in the House of Representatives.
"I want to thank Mike Sheehy ...
March 02, 2009
A new Washington Post/ABC News poll released highlights the broad support among Americans for the economic recovery package and Democrats in Congress.
Results from the poll:
· 64 percent support the economic recovery package; 35 percent oppose the plan. [Washington Post, 2/23/...
March 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John M. McHugh (R-NY) responded to a new Pentagon report, directed by President Obama, showing that the treatment of detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base meets the requirements of the Geneva Conventions. The report, co...
March 02, 2009
Budget needs to set stage for savings, responsible spending: Cautions against misleading short term spending goals
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., made the following comments after reviewing President Obama´s nearly $3.6 trillion Fiscal Year 2009 budget request sent to Congres...
March 02, 2009
New Bill Will Lift Restrictions; Complement President's Expected Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) today will reintroduce the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, legislation to lift the Bush Administration's restrictions on stem cell research. The bipa...
March 01, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) requesting that she join him in protecting charities and the work they do from a damaging provision in President Barack Obama´s budget.
"Under President Obama´s proposal, mi...
March 01, 2009
Funding for local infrastructure project and job assistance centers passes House
Washington, D.C. –Today, Rep. Schiff announced the House passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 1105) which sets funding levels for the 2009 federal budget. The bill works in conjunction with t...
March 01, 2009
Delegation Will Protect 2nd Amendment
Washington, D.C. - The Wyoming delegation, Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., are firing back at a renewed push by Attorney General Holder to reinstate the assault weapons ban.
"This new administ...
March 01, 2009
Delegation blasts budget item that nixes future AML payments
Washington, D.C. - The Wyoming delegation, Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., are upset to see an item in President Obama´s budget request that would eliminate all future payments t...
March 01, 2009
Bipartisan bill boosts short line freight transportation through tax incentives
Washington, DC – Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have introduced legislation to extend the tax credit to increase the necessary investment in rehabilitation and upgrades for short line r...
March 01, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement Thursday regarding President Obama´s proposed $3.9 trillion budget:
"The American people know what we should do when times get tough," Senator Inhofe said. "We should prudently examine every dollar we spend, spend ...
March 01, 2009
Says bipartisan efforts needed for better path forward.
Washington, DC – Noting that President Barack Obama´s new budget proposals seek an increase in both federal spending and taxes, at a time when Idahoans are having to cut back on their family budget, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo called for new bi...
March 02, 2009
Amendment aims to stop threat to talk radio
Washington, DC – Free speech on radio stations across Idaho and the nation must be protected, says Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. That´s why Crapo joined with 29 other Senators to introduce legislation to ensure broadcasters are protected against effo...
March 01, 2009
Jeffrey S. Crowley will join Domestic Policy Council as Top Advisor on HIV/AIDS issues
President Barack Obama today announced the appointment of one of the nation´s leading public health policy experts as the Director of Office of National AIDS Policy. Jeffrey S. Crowley, MPH, Senior Resear...
March 01, 2009
Sends Letter to Vice President Biden Calling for Aggressive Oversight of Stimulus Funds
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) who was named to the newly-formed House-Senate Fiscal Responsibility Working Group, today sent Vice Pres...
March 01, 2009
President Barack Obama officially nominated former Washington Governor Gary Locke for Secretary of Commerce. In this key role on the administration´s economic team, Locke will work to foster and promote the nation´s economic development at home, and serve as an influential ambassador for...
March 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman John M. McHugh (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement for President Obama´s Fiscal Year 2010 budget submission to Congress:
"Republicans welcome the President´s budget submission and look forward to worki...
March 01, 2009
President Obama held in-depth consultations with the Prime Minister of Japan on the global economic crisis and other areas for bilateral cooperation. The President underscored his firm commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and called for continued progress in modernizing the Alliance by implementin...
March 01, 2009
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act up for Consideration in House Today
(Washington, DC) Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, has expressed his support for the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which is up for consideration today in the House ...
March 01, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today voted to reject a bloated $410 billion omnibus bill that represents an 8.3 percent spending increase from last year. In stark contrast to President Obama´s call for fiscal constraint during his address to Congress Tuesday night...
March 01, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dennis Cardoza convened a meeting with newly-appointed Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan Tuesday to share his concerns over the Central Valley´s housing crisis. Congressman Cardoza requested the meeting to express his concerns that the communities most in need of fed...
March 01, 2009
Lead Republican on financial, water, trade subcommittees
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will take a leadership role on key committees during the 111th Congress. In addition to retaining his role as Deputy Whip, leading policy discussion for western state Senators, Crapo will be R...
March 01, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar made the following remarks today at the Global Agricultural Development Project´s release of the report: "Sustainable Foreign Assistance: Helping the World Feed Itself."
Thank you for inviting me to be part of the release of the Chicago Council´s report ...
March 01, 2009
Fears of a return to the Fairness Doctrine usually focus on conservative talk radio shows, like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck. But, often overlooked is the potential impact the Fairness Doctrine would have on Christian radio, specifically religious speech.
Since the beginning of ...
March 01, 2009
Americans spent a record $453.3 billion on imported petroleum in 2008, a figure representing two-thirds of the U.S. trade deficit of $677.1 billion, according to new statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The 2008 import average price per barrel of crude oil was also a record high of $95.23...
Kendrick B. Meek Introduces Legislation Providing Tax Relief for Individuals Harmed by Ponzi Schemes
February 26, 2009
Meek legislation allows investors to recoup taxes paid on ´phantom´ income reported in earlier years
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) introduced legislation amending the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief to individuals harmed by Ponzi schemes who have paid taxes on "...
February 26, 2009
Private charities helping during economic downturn will be hurt
Washington–- Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16) released the following statement today in response to President Obama´s fiscal year 2010 budget. Among other problematic policies, the plan includes major tax increases during an econ...
February 26, 2009
Tiahrt Introduces No More Bailouts Resolution
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) is calling on Congress to put an end to taxpayer-funded bailouts. Tiahrt introduced a resolution in the House today that calls on Congress to stop passing massive billion dollar bailouts for pr...
February 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Schiff announced that the House approved funding for three important efforts to use technology to take murderers and rapists of the street: a local forensic DNA laboratory in the City of Glendale, a forensic science institute at California State Universi...
February 26, 2009
Says, "a system for tracking deadly agents … should be a staple component of our national defense"
Washington, DC – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Homeland Security Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), Member of the House Intelligence Committee...
February 26, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday evening, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) introduced a bill to help communities take back unused pharmaceuticals in a safe and environmentally responsible way. In response to constituent feedback, Inslee´s bill works in conjunction with Washington state efforts led by...
February 26, 2009
Secures Over $41 Million for District Projects
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted in favor of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009. The legislation passed the house by a 245 – 178 vote. She released this statement:
"When we originally began this process ov...
February 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – During today´s Congressional Black Caucus meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama, Congressman G. K. Butterfield sought assurances that working families would be protected as part of any greenhouse gas reduction policy.
"What the American people may not realize i...
February 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – During today´s Congressional Black Caucus meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama, Congressman G. K. Butterfield sought assurances that working families would be protected as part of any greenhouse gas reduction policy.
"What the American people may not rea...
February 24, 2009
Jim´s Journal
By Mitch Meador, Staff Writer
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe toured the Regional Correctional Facility at Fort Sill on Wednesday as he builds a case to keep the Guantanamo Bay detention facility open and prevent possible relocation of detainees to U.S. soil.
A list that appeared in Ma...
February 25, 2009
President Obama today held in-depth consultations with the Prime Minister of Japan on the global economic crisis and other areas for bilateral cooperation. The President underscored his firm commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and called for continued progress in modernizing the Alliance by imple...
February 25, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following statement after voting against the largest spending bill ever to be considered before the United States Congress.
"Democrats must be held accountable fo...
February 25, 2009
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, President Barack Obama announced the following White House Staff: Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, White House Research Director; Daniella Gibbs Leger, Director of Message Events; Macon Phillips, Director of New Media; Christina Reynolds, Director of Media Affairs; Dag Vega, Director ...
Vice President Biden to Oversee the Administration's Implementation of the Recovery Act's Provisions
February 25, 2009
President Barack Obama announced Vice President Joe Biden will oversee the Administration´s implementation of the Recovery Act´s provisions and the appointment of Earl Devaney as Chair of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board in a meeting with the Nation´s Governors yesterday mornin...
February 24, 2009
Jim´s Journal
When President Dwight Eisenhower first conceived the interstate system more than 50 years ago, he envisioned a system to connect the nation and enhance national defense. The enormous economic benefits provided by the system were not fully understood for some time.
Today, however,...
February 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) made the following statement in response to President Obama´s Joint Address to Congress tonight [Tuesday, February 24]:
"There are three things that were in President Obama´s address that should not have come as a huge surprise to m...
February 24, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama´s address to the joint session of Congress.
"Families and unemployed workers are hurting, Washington spending is out of control, and Americans are waiting for relie...
February 24, 2009
Final verdict on Bush Administration's Pakistan Policy shows failure, according to new government report unveiled by Sens. Menendez and Harkin: Despite $12.3 billion spent since 9/11, U.S. "has not met its national security goals" and "lacked a comprehensive plan"
WASHINGTON – Today [Sunday, Feb...
February 24, 2009
Moving swiftly to bring real relief to Americans hit hard by the economic crisis, President Barack Obama announced yesterday that states will be able to access the first two quarters of Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funding (FMAP) starting this Wednesday, February 25. FMAP – the federal matc...
February 25, 2009
Stark Praises Policies That Will Increase Accountability of Medicare Advantage Plans
WASHINGTON – House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-CA) praised the Obama Administration´s draft call letter, which was issued today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The c...
February 24, 2009
WASHINGTON – House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-CA) today commented on a new report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), America´s Uninsured Crisis: Consequences for Health and Health Care.
"With this well-timed report, the Institute of Medicine shines a spotlight ...
February 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dennis Cardoza praised President Obama yesterday for his commitment to fiscal responsibility. Specifically, President Obama said that he intends to return to statutory "PAYGO," which has long been advocated for by Cardoza and other fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat...
February 24, 2009
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) called for a newfound commitment to address waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in the federal bureaucracy at yesterday´s White House "Fiscal Responsibility Summit." Issa participated in the "...
Chet Edwards Responds to Criticism of Veterans Funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
February 22, 2009
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representative Chet Edwards released the following statement in response to criticism of veterans funding in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"It has been said that it is easier to kick down a barn than to build one. That appears to be the case regarding critici...
February 22, 2009
WASHINGTON – Friday, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and National Economic Council (NEC) Director Larry Summers convened official designees to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry to discuss recently submitted restructuring plans from Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corporation.
The T...
February 22, 2009
President Obama announced Friday the appointment of one of the nation´s top rural health care professionals as Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Dr. Mary Wakefield, Director of the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, will oversee t...
February 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C– Reps. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Elton Gallegly (R-CA) announced today that they will co-chair the newly formed "Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC)," a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress. CAPC replaces the Friends of Ani...
February 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Chairman of the Congressional Modeling & Simulation Caucus, announced that he has reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Patrick Kennedy (RI-01) to increase the use of medical modeling and simulation (M&S) across the United States...
February 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC -- Signed Tuesday by President Barack Obama, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act marks the start of a clean energy revolution in America -- thanks in part to hard work by the new Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (S.E.E.C.), a group of forty members of the U.S. Hou...
February 20, 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed the United States and Canada will pursue economic recovery measures and efforts to strengthen the international financial system to counter the global economic recession.
"I value our strategic partnership with Ca...
February 17, 2009
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar has called for the formal inclusion of China and India in the International Energy Agency (IEA). Yesterday, Lugar met with IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, who is a proponent of Chinese and Indian membership.
"After the 1973-74 oil crisis, import dependent countries...
February 15, 2009
WICHITA—U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) this week announced Chuck Knapp has returned to his staff as his senior advisor. Knapp worked for Tiahrt from 2001 through 2007 as his communications director before leaving to pursue business opportunities in the private sector. Tiahrt asked...
February 15, 2009
Ros-Lehtinen Comments on Venezuelan Referendum; Urges responsible nations to stand for freedom, democracy, not for corruption and vote that clears way for Chavez to hold power indefinitely.
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Commit...
February 15, 2009
Votes Against Final Passage of $787 Billion Economic Bill
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said simple math may show why the overwhelming majority of Idahoans contacting his office oppose the economic stimulus plan that was passed by the United States Senate and sent to the President fo...
February 15, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today issued the following statement after voting against the largest individual spending bill in the history of the United States, a bill economists warn could do more long-term harm than short-term gain to our economy:
"I know that our economy...
February 15, 2009
WASHINGTON - By a vote of 246 to 183 Friday, the House of Representatives approved the $789 billion economic stimulus package. Rep. Tom Petri voted against the bill, and made the following comments:
"I hope the emergency stimulus legislation works, and that it helps the economy move forward, bu...
February 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — "Americans are hurting, our economy is in crisis, and we need to do better than pass a spending bill that is unfocused, spends heavily on social programs and is light on economic stimulus," Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties) said today after voti...
February 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed a massive spending agenda that will create half as many jobs as the Republican economic package and cost twice as much to the American taxpayers.
"There has not been one mom...
February 15, 2009
Pelosi: Today, We Have Passed Legislation That Takes ´Swift, Bold Action´ on Behalf of the American People
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leaders and Committee Chairs held a press conference in the Capitol this afternoon following the House passage of ...
February 15, 2009
Clay Says American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Will Save & Create 3-4 Million Jobs, More than 69,000 in Missouri
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri applauded the final passage of H.R. 1, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which was approved in the U.S. House today by...
February 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after voting against the final Pelosi-Reid stimulus that passed today.
"This bill is a recipe for disaster," Congressman Cole said. "To paraphrase Winston Churchill, never have so few spent so much so quickly to do so litt...
February 15, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today sent a letter to Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) asking her to reconsider her opposition to the construction of two coal-powered electrical generating plants in Western Kansas in light of President Obama´s $2 billion earmark for a coa...
February 15, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), along with Congressman Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), today announced that they have reintroduced the Patients First Act, H.R. 877, in the 111th Congress. The bill would intensify research and human clinical trials using stem cells that are ethicall...
February 15, 2009
Introduces Resolution Condemning the Recent Acts of Violence Against Jewish Communities in Venezuela, Argentina, and Bolivia
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution condemning the spread of anti-Semitism in South America and the recent acts of vio...
February 10, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on today´s announcement by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that the public comment period on the Bush Administration´s offshore drilling plan would be extended by 180 days, and that the Obama Administration will develo...
February 08, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Cardoza today wrote to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger requesting that he take immediate action to blunt the impact of the California water crisis.
Also signing the letter were fellow Central Valley Congressmen Jim Costa and George Radanovich.
"The drou...
February 06, 2009
In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Senator Feinstein asks for a review of any last-minute conversions in the Office of Detainee Affairs.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to review allegations that political appointee...
January 28, 2009
Wyoming program can continue to expand, reach more.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, believes covering low-income, uninsured children is a priority. He supports legislation that wo...
January 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Senator Jim Risch cast his first floor vote in the U.S. Senate at an unusual time – Sunday afternoon. The cloture vote, which ended debate on S. 22, came at 2 p.m.
Senator Risch cast a "yes" vote to end debate on a public lands bill that contains several items important t...
January 08, 2009
Washington, DC - Following a meeting today of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) will serve as the Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. She will continue to serve as the Cardinal (Chair) of the Appropria...
November 07, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), announced the theme for the 2009 presidential inaugural.
"A New Birth of Freedom" commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln´s birth. The words come ...
November 03, 2008
Journal: New Mexico´s Problems Won´t Be Solved with "Black-and-White, Ideological Thinking."
Albuquerque, N.M. – The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico´s largest daily newspaper, endorsed Tom Udall for Senate. The Journal praised Udall´s tolerance for differing opinions, hi...
September 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said Monday the U.S. Army is asking a senior-level Army panel and the independent Defense Health Board to investigate the exposure of U.S. troops and contractors to sodium dichromate at the Qarmat Ali water facility in Iraq. Dorgan requested the re...
August 10, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On Monday Mayor Newsom signed San Francisco´s groundbreaking green building ordinance that imposes strict new green building requirements on newly constructed residential and commercial buildings, and renovations to existing buildings. The ordinance specifically requires ne...
January 16, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) applauds negotiators from the Senate and House Armed Services Committees for approving strengthened whistleblower protections for employees of Department of Defense (DoD) contractors and grantees. The whistleblower protections w...
December 18, 2007
Bipartisan resolution has support across Idaho.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Annual efforts to raise awareness of the crime of teen dating violence nationwide received resounding reinforcement late last night when a Senate Resolution authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo declaring February 4 - 8, 2008, "...
December 18, 2007
GAP Hails Senate "Christmas present to the taxpayers."
Washington, D.C. – The Government Accountability Project (GAP) applauds the Senate for approving by unanimous consent yesterday S. 274, legislation to restore and strengthen the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) for federal government w...
November 08, 2007
Rep. Robert Wexler sent his constituents this beautiful and admirable Email today:
As a person who supports holding this Administration accountable for their deceptive actions, you may be interested to know about the recent votes in the House regarding H.Res. 333, "Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, V...
October 31, 2007
Leaders Call For Ouster Of Nation´s Top Product Safety Official. More and more Americans exposed to deadly products, report says.WASHINGTON – More and more American consumers are at risk from products that are not produced in America or subject to American safety standards, according to a new ...
October 26, 2007
As Congress weighs funding for Bank, Bayh expresses broad concerns
over effectiveness, corruption-fighting, lending practices, excessive staff pay.
WASHINGTON — Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) yesterday urged World Bank President Robert Zoellick to implement a series of substantive reforms to mor...
October 24, 2007
The following is U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar’s FRESH Act press conference statement deleivered yesterday:
Over the past ten years, farm subsidies have gone to just one out of three farmers with only six percent of farms receiving more than 70 percent of that money – namely $120 billion. Subsidy prog...
October 24, 2007
Will Reps. Bilbray, Doolittle and Herger Stand With the 607,000 More California Kids That Would Be Covered Under the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act – or Will They Once Again Enable Backwards Bush Policy of “Half a Trillion Dollars for Iraq War, But Veto for Kids’ Healthcare?...
October 23, 2007
(Washington, DC) – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H. Res. 721, a resolution commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Mendez v. Westminster case, which ended segregation of Mexican and Mexican-American students in California schools. This historic case, which would ...
October 11, 2007
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today he has introduced legislation with House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-21) and Reps. Howard Coble (NC-06), Elton Gallegly (CA-24), and Frank Wolf (VA-10) to better protect the United States from espionage. T...
October 11, 2007
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) announced Fairfield University will receive a grant of $29,011 over four years through the US – Brazil Higher Education Consortia Program. This funding will allow Fairfield University to partner with the University of LaVerne, Universidade Est...
September 06, 2007
Dennis Kucinich, Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate, recently issued the following statement about the Bush administration's plans to give Mexican trucks unlimited access to U.S. highways.
If my colleagues in the Congress had had the common sense to see what a disaster NAFTA ...
September 03, 2007
Miller also launches interactive map of workplace fatalities.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To honor America’s workers this Labor Day, the country should commit to stopping the preventable toll of workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses that affects workers across industries and occupations each year, s...
August 07, 2007
WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives approved legislation early Sunday morning to fund programs under the Department of Defense including several defense-related projects supported by Congressman George Miller (D-CA).
The legislation provides U.S. troops a 3.5 percent pay hike – highe...
August 05, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC -- The House of Representatives is expected to approve ambitious new energy legislation tonight that represents the Democratic Congress’ continuing effort to achieve energy independence and reduce global warming. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the Education and Labor Commi...
August 03, 2007
Includes Carper-Voinovich Proposal to Improve America’s Infrastructure.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At midnight last night, the Senate unanimously passed the “National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2007” – legislation to address the deteriorating condition of America’s roads, bridges, drinking ...
August 03, 2007
Washington, DC- The General Accountability Office (GAO) today released its final report on the quality assurance program managed by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) for the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The program was reviewed by...
July 24, 2007
Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is applauding a vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee to continue funding for a fruit and vegetable program in Idaho schools that is helping both farmers and students. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, worked to bring the program to...
July 24, 2007
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today said the Senate is debating key higher education reforms that are critical to expand access to college, protect students from bad actors in the stud...
July 24, 2007
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today announced the Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education appropriations bill contains $1,250,000 for many South Central Kansas Projects. Rep. Tiahrt, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured the funding in the House-...
July 24, 2007
Also raises issues about failed Human Rights Council.
(WASHINGTON) – During meetings at UN headquarters in New York today, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged speedier progress to solve the humanitarian and security c...
July 24, 2007
WASHINGTON – On the heels of a high-profile congressional hearing on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) failure to protect the nation’s food supply, two key Members of Congress introduced legislation that would require that meat that is blasted with carbon monoxide (CO) be labeled as such so c...
July 24, 2007
WASHINGTON – On the heels of a high-profile congressional hearing on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) failure to protect the nation’s food supply, two key Members of Congress introduced legislation that would require that meat that is blasted with carbon monoxide (CO) be labeled as such so c...
July 24, 2007
Chicago, IL – During an address at the National Council of La Raza’s annual conference yesterday, Barack Obama called for a new initiative to protect homeowners from mortgage fraud.
Senator Obama’s plan, the STOP FRAUD Act, cracks down on lenders and brokers found guilty of fraud by increasing e...
July 24, 2007
(Washington, DC) -- Community-based health centers throughout the country will be able to continue family centered HIV care because of an amendment to the Labor, Health and Education spending bill offered by Rep. Wasserman Schultz, and passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, July 19...
July 16, 2007
Workers Exposed to Asbestos beneath Capitol Hill; Achieve Settlement of Whistleblower Claims against Architect of the Capitol.
Washington, D.C. – Attorneys for ten U.S. Capitol Tunnel Shop workers have announced a settlement in the workers’ whistleblower retaliation case against the Archit...
July 10, 2007
Applications are due for the Fall Semester on July 18, 2007.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dennis Cardoza is calling for applicants to be nominated for a position as a House of Representatives Page for the Fall Semester (September 2, 2007 – January 25, 2008). Applications are due b...
June 14, 2007
(Washington, D.C.) – The Government Accountability Project (GAP) applauds members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for advancing legislation today that would plug a government accountability loophole created last year when the Supreme Court’s Garcetti v. Ceballos de...
June 14, 2007
(Washington, D.C.) – The Government Accountability Project (GAP) applauds members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for advancing legislation today that would plug a government accountability loophole created last year when the Supreme Court’s Garcetti v. Ceballos de...
June 12, 2007
WASHINGTON - The House Education and Labor Committee will consider amendments Wednesday to the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, proposed by Chairman George Miller (D-CA). Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) plans to offer amendments to improve student loan delivery and repayment. Petri said the legislation, ...
June 11, 2007
The energy bill being debated this week in the Senate includes major provisions initiated by U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar.
“I am pleased that we have been able to work with the Energy Committee and Majority Leader Reid to include important provisions in this bill,” Lugar said. “Our nation will co...
June 11, 2007
Washington D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) today announced that public schools in Ada, Oklahoma have been selected to receive $225,725 in funding under the United States Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education Program.
"I am proud to represent the Ada schoo...
June 11, 2007
“Green” Federal Buildings & Digitized OPM Retirement Records Also.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, announced today that the House Appropriations Committee has passed its FY’08 Financial Services Appropriations bill which contains pay parity (3.5%) for federal ...
June 11, 2007
Trona is Key Ingredient in Mirant’s Pollution Reduction Strategy.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, included language in the FY’08 Interior Appropriations bill to study the health effects of trona, a naturally found mineral used by a number of power plants to tra...
May 30, 2007
It was reported today that Sen. Fred Thompson will take formal steps next week to run for president.
According to the Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468506/), the only theatrical link between Sen. Dick Lugar and former Sen. Fred Thompson (AKA President Charles Ross) is...
May 14, 2007
Bridgeport, CT - Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) today announced the Department of Education has awarded Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT a $283,142 Upward Bound grant.
"I am grateful to the Department of Education for selecting Sacred Heart to receive this funding," said Shays....
May 14, 2007
Washington, D.C. - The City of Stamford will receive $159,500 in a Brownfields grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for community-wide cleanup of hazardous materials, Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) announced today.
"The Brownfields Program is one of the smartest and mos...
May 14, 2007
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar today told the Deloitte Energy Conference in Washington, DC that “Only the President has the visibility to elevate a cause to national status, and only the President can leverage the buying power, regulatory authority, and legislative leadership of an administration behind solvi...
May 14, 2007
Washington, DC - Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) has been recognized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for his dedicated work promoting and protecting human rights.
Shays, a former Peace Corps volunteer, was presented with the AJC's Congressional Leadership Award during its 101st a...
May 13, 2007
Akin Effort Would Have Restored $200 Million of $867 Million Army Modernization Cut.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO), ranking Republican on the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, and Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee criticized Democrat members of ...
May 13, 2007
The war in Iraq has had a serious impact on the National Guard and its ability to protect and assist Americans in times of disaster here at home.
On Friday May 4th, a massive tornado ripped through the town of Greensburg, Kansas, killing at least 10 people and leaving the town in ruins. Kan...
May 11, 2007
Washington, DC - Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) received the Certificate of Excellence from the National Breast Cancer Coalition for his work in 109th Congress in support of breast cancer awareness and research for a cure. The certificate is awarded in recognition of a legislator's perfect sc...
April 30, 2007
Air Cargo Still Vulnerable.
April 30, 2007 (Washington, DC) -- Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) released a report conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Federal eff...
April 26, 2007
Cole opposes Majority's Emergency Spending Bill that sets benchmarks for withdrawal.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, last night strongly opposed the House Majority's Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill. While the supplemental...
April 26, 2007
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary marked-up and reported legislation authored by Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) aimed at ensuring that federal agencies lower their flags to half-staff when a governor proclaims this honor for fallen soldiers.
"...
April 26, 2007
Seeks action on financial markets.
Washington, DC – Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) have included an amendment to S. 761, the America COMPETES Act, to call attention to challenges facing U.S. financial markets. The first part of the amendment highlights findings...
April 26, 2007
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar has asked the Bush Administration to broaden U.S. relations with Chile into energy cooperation.
“Energy partnerships with Chile could contribute to reducing the potential for tension over energy resources, expanding reliable energy supplies, expanding the use of renewab...
April 25, 2007
Sovereignty Momentum Builds as Jamestown Celebration Approaches.
Washington, D.C. – The House Natural Resources Committee today approved legislation (H.R. 1294), authored by Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), granting the six Virginia tribes their long awaited recognition from the U.S. federal government. ...
April 25, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his continuing efforts to support troops returning home from combat, Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) today introduced legislation to expand peer support programs for veterans. The Heroes Helping Heroes Act provides veterans’ service organizations and ...
April 25, 2007
Small business loans would be available for sustainable building designs.
WASHINGTON - Under a measure authored by U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) that was approved unanimously in the House today, small businesses across the nation could apply for loans to reduce the environmental impact of thei...
April 25, 2007
Washington, DC — Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Christopher Shays (R-CT), yesterday introduced the “Employment Non-Discrimination Act” (ENDA). The bipartisan legislation will extend federal employment discrimination protections that are currently provide...
April 21, 2007
Washington, D.C. -- Today, music legend Carole King joined Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) in announcing the introduction of the bipartisan Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA, H.R. 1975). NREPA, which has been cosponsored by 73 other Members of Cong...
April 06, 2007
Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) expressed serious concern over the latest reports of abuse in the student lending industry. On April 4, the New America Foundation's Higher Ed Watch reported that it had found that several financial aid administrators had "significant personal investments in a publicly traded,...
April 04, 2007
Legislation will Empower Homeowners to Put Money Away for Future Disasters.
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Weston) and Tom Feeney (R-Oviedo) have introduced legislation to create Catastrophe Savings Accounts (CSA). Catastrophe Savings Accounts will empowe...
April 04, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The House of Representatives, on a 368-39 vote, last week passed a bipartisan bill by Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) that makes violations of federal animal fighting law a felony punishable by up to three years in prison, makes it a felony to tra...
April 04, 2007
"SOLAR Act" would increase consumer access to alternative energy.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) have introduced new legislation to give fair treatment to consumers seeking access to solar power. The So...
April 04, 2007
Promises made to coal miners and their families to improve mine safety have not yet been met, witnesses told the House Education and Labor Committee today.
Forty-seven coal miners died in mining accidents in the U.S. in 2006, the largest number of fatalities since 1995. In response to those tra...
April 04, 2007
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act.
Washington, DC - Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mary Bono (R-CA) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced in the House the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (H.R. 1727) to improve the lives of and ...
April 04, 2007
Legislation Aids Injured and Wounded U.S. Servicemembers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Armed Services Committee Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Republican John McHugh (R-NY) hailed the House passage of the bipartisan Wounded Warriors Assistance...
April 04, 2007
"We knew 16 months ago about the lack of checks and balance...and we knew of the almost non-existent congressional oversight," says the Southern California legislator.
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice), chair of the Homeland Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Shari...
April 04, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Pete Stark (D-CA) and Dave Camp (R-MI) last week introduced the William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act. In recognition of Organ Donation Awareness Month in April, the bill would create a commemorative medal honoring organ donors and their families. Sen...
March 29, 2007
WASHIGNTON, D.C. – Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced legislation today to reauthorize a program focused on improving writing education. The National Writing Project was originally authorized in 1991 by legislation introduced by Senator Cochran and remains the only F...
March 23, 2007
More Than 210 Law Enforcement, Civil Rights, Civic and Religious Organizations Support Bill to Take Violent Criminals Off the Streets.
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes PreventionAct, a critical piece of legislation providing local police and sheriff’s departments w...
March 21, 2007
Calling members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus this week, one gets the impression that their staff are a little uncomfortable speaking about their bosses' positions on the upcoming vote for or against the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill. Not true at the office of Rep. John Lewis. His ...
March 05, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) announced last Thursday that from now on he would not only comply with the new House rules on the disclosure of earmarking of federal funds in legislation, but will post the funding requests that he submits on his official website. Congressman...
March 05, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) introduced on Thursday the Teaching Geography Is Fundamental Act, which authorizes competitive grants through the Department of Education to improve K-12 geography curriculum, teacher training, and instructional ma...
March 04, 2007
Below is a letter to Congress signed by a broad coalition of organizations covering the political spectrum who have joined together to oppose a military attack on Iran. The coalition lists the numerous likely negative consequences to such a war and urges Congress to take action including the use of...
February 14, 2007
Legislation Would Strengthen America's Middle Class by Helping Workers Bargain for Better Pay, Benefits.
WASHINGTON, DC – As part of Democrats’ goal of strengthening America’s middle class, the House Education and Labor Committee today approved legislation that would enable workers to bar...
February 14, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Last week, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32), introduced the California Wild Heritage Act of 2007, legislation that would protect over 2.4 million acres of federal public lands in California.
...
February 14, 2007
Secretary of Energy to sign Record of Decision with Governor Barbour today.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chip Pickering applauds the Department of Energy as it moves forward with establishing the 160 million barrel strategic petroleum reserve in the Richton salt domes in south Mississippi...
February 14, 2007
Washington, D.C. – By a unanimous 28-0 vote today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved landmark legislation to overhaul the law protecting federal government whistleblowers. Lead sponsors for H.R. 985, the “Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007,” include Committee...
February 06, 2007
Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee released statements regarding President Bush's Fiscal Year 2008 budget request for national defense. The $481.4 billion base budget request for Fiscal Year 2008 includes ...
February 06, 2007
(Washington, DC) - By a vote of 396-0, the House of Representatives approved a resolution on Monday introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to recognize and support the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is this Wednesday, February 7th.
"Twenty-five years...
February 06, 2007
Budget Also Includes Unacceptable Funding Cuts for Children with Disabilities, Early Childhood Education.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush’s federal budget request for 2008 restores funding for the No Child Left Behind law that he and the Republican Congress cut in 2006, but his...
February 03, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that she will appoint Daniel P. Beard as the new Chief Administrative Officer. Beard, who recently served as a senior advisor for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., has more than three decades of experience in policy affairs and ma...
February 01, 2007
Governor Includes $32.5 Million in Budget to Pay for Optical Scan Machines.
(Delray Beach, FL) - Today, Congressman Wexler (D-FL) and Governor Charlie Crist announced that the Governor's 2008 budget recommendation would include $32.5 million in dedicated funding to convert fifteen Florida ...
February 01, 2007
Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve as a member of the United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators representing NATO Members and associate countries.
"I look forward to stren...
January 31, 2007
Panel Oversees Securities, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) was elected by his colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee to serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored E...
January 26, 2007
Bill to Bring Transparency to Oil Futures Markets.
WASHINGTON - Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) announced that he re-introduced last week legislation aimed at better regulating the multi-billion dollar energy derivatives market.
"At least half of this vast futures market operates ...
January 25, 2007
Senators say U.S. should apply anti-subsidy laws to all foreign companies.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Evan Bayh (D-IN) today called on Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to crack down on illegal subsidies that give industries in China and elsewhe...
January 17, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced this evening that she has selected the Democratic members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. "These distinguished Members will give to our nation's intelligence programs and activities the aggressive oversight necessary to ensu...
January 17, 2007
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said the Senate should act on ethics legislation that would increase scrutiny of federal spending earmarks.
Enzi supported an amendment offered by Senator Jim DeMint, R-S.C., that would enhance disclosure requirements for congress...
January 17, 2007
Announces Imminent New Troops to Teachers Bill.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Petri announced the reintroduction of Troops to Teachers legislation today at a Troops to Teachers Conference in Washington, D.C.
The Troops to Teachers program provides considerable financial assista...
January 17, 2007
Will Have Oversight of 2010 Census, Information Policy & National Archives.
-WASHINGTON, DC. - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay was unanimously chosen by his Democratic colleagues to chair the powerful House Subcommittee on Information Policy, the Census and the National Archives. The chairmanship, wh...
January 17, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the House’s passage of the interest rate reduction bill:
“I applaud my colleagues in the House for passing this vitally important measure...
January 17, 2007
Defense Threat Reduction Agency responds to request for information on Nevada test.
Washington, DC – Idahoans will have the opportunity to hear firsthand about the Divine Strake experiment proposed for later this year at the Nevada Test Site. The Idaho Congressional Delegation has won a c...
January 17, 2007
College Student Relief Act of 2007 Would Make College More Affordable for Low- and Middle-Income Students at No New Cost to Taxpayers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 5 million students nationwide would each save thousands of dollars in college loan interest costs under legislation overwhelmi...
January 17, 2007
Leads group to encourage reduction of military service extensions.
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) today expressed concern to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Robert Gates about the use of "stop-loss," or forced extension of a soldier's activation. Shays, with...
January 17, 2007
If Boeing wins air refueling tanker contract, the project will support an estimated 800-1000 jobs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) and U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Dodge City) on Tuesday announced that Boeing will locate the KC-X finishing center in Wichita i...
January 17, 2007
Panel Has Jurisdiction Over Key Valley Crops; Cardoza Will Advocate for Central Valley Farmers in New Leadership Post.
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) was today named Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture for the 110th Congr...
January 17, 2007
Will Announce New Troops to Teachers Bill.
WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) will announce the reintroduction of Troops to Teachers legislation this afternoon at a Troops to Teachers Conference in Washington, D.C. Petri will discuss his proposal during his keynote address, wh...
January 16, 2007
GAP Hails Quick Action by Civil Service Leaders to Restore Whistleblower Rights.
(Washington, D.C.) – The Government Accountability Project (GAP) applauds members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for acting quickly last Friday to plug a government accounta...
January 16, 2007
Bill Is Designed to Lower Drug Costs For Thousands of South Florida Seniors and People with Disabilities.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz voted to cut the cost of health care and improve access to medicines by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) t...
January 10, 2007
After a Decade with no Increase, Nearly 13 Million Workers Would See Wages Rise under Democratic Legislation Approved Today.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After nearly a decade during which Congress failed to increase the national minimum wage, 13 million American workers are set to get a pay raise ...
January 10, 2007
H.R. 2, with no assistance to small business, would have a devastating impact on Nevada's economy.
Today, Congressman Jon Porter voted against H.R. 2, a minimum wage increase without assistance to small businesses.
On July 29 2006, the House passed, with Congressman Porter's support, H.R. ...
January 10, 2007
Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. today issued the following statement: "I'm vigorously opposed to President Bush's plan to send additional troops into Iraq. His decision to escalate American involvement in the Iraq War goes against the interests of the United States and the will of the American pe...
January 10, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin released the following statement tonight on President Bush's address to the nation on the war in Iraq:
"Last November, the Amer...
January 10, 2007
"The President had no plan when he ordered the invasion of Iraq over 25,000 U.S. casualties ago, and his "New Way Forward" is nothing less than another way to fail. Almost four grim years later, there are at least 21,500 new reasons to oppose this--- that's the number of additional U.S. soldiers th...
January 10, 2007
Statement of Senator Webb to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The following is the opening statement of Senator Jim Webb before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, “A Current Assessment of Iraq and the Region”:
The series of hearings that we begin today provide a...
January 09, 2007
Washington, DC - Chairman Tom Lantos (D-CA) today announced that the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a series of hearings on Iraq this month.
"Democrats have heard the message of November 7: The public wants a top-down review of what our country is doing in Iraq, and why, and ho...
January 09, 2007
WASHINGTON - Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) was elected today Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. The "O/I" Subcommittee, as it is commonly called, has subpoena power and all of its witnesses are sworn in to testify under oath.
...
Rep. Tom Allen: Democrats Put Our Nation's Security First by Implementing 9-11 Comm. Recommendations
January 09, 2007
New House Majority completes "unfinished business" of the previous Congress vitally important to homeland security.
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Tom Allen today praised House passage of H.R. 1, a bill to implement recommendations from the blue-ribbon 9-11 Commission which the 10...
January 09, 2007
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar yesterday introduced legislation to remove restrictions on the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Similar legislation passed the Senate in the last Congress, but failed to be approved by the House. Temporary waiver of the restrictions has been allowed but has crea...
January 09, 2007
Idaho Delegation, Governor Otter note success of cooperative conservation agreements.
Washington, DC – The decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to withdraw the listing of slickspot peppergrass as an endangered species in Idaho could greatly increase cooperative conservation effor...
January 09, 2007
No Child Left Behind, health care, energy, Iraq among topics Enzi discussed with President Bush
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee took part in a series of separate meeti...
January 09, 2007
Position Will Give Central Valley a Strong Voice in 110th Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced), now serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, was appointed today to serve on the influential Committee on Rules. The Rules Committee is one of five exclu...
January 09, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that the House Democratic Steering Committee approved second committee assignments for freshmen Members. "Our new Members will bring a spirit of renewal and hope for the American people that will energize and invigorate the Democratic Caucus a...
January 08, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) today has re-introduced bipartisan legislation to improve a program that helps schools adjacent to federal lands pay for construction projects.
Terry's bill addresses the school construction funding portion of the Impact Aid program, which compens...
January 08, 2007
Sens. Harkin, Lugar, Biden, Dorgan, Obama Introduce BioFuels Security Act.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the first day of the new Congress, Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard G. Lugar (R-IN), Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE), Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) and Barack Obama (D-IL) introduced legislation that wi...
January 08, 2007
Also to serve as member of Financial Services Subcommittee in House Appropriations.
Washington, D.C. – On the first day of the new 110th Congress, the House Committee on Appropriations recommended Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz serve as a “Cardinal,” chairing the Legislative Branch Subcommittee ...
January 08, 2007
Democrats deliver on their promise to "make government live within its means just like America's families and America's businesses."
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Tom Allen hailed House action on Friday to reestablish the "pay-as-you-go" (PAY-GO) rules ...
January 08, 2007
KENNEDY DISCUSSES BENEFITS OF EXPANDED LEARNING TIME AND THE MASSACHUSETTS MODEL.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy discussed the critical importance of improving student performance and closing the achievement gaps for all students through expanding time for learning and ...
January 08, 2007
No Child Left Behind celebrates fifth anniversary today.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, met with President Bush at the White House to discuss reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. The landmark...
January 08, 2007
Rockville, MD -- DraftObama.org, a grassroots movement encouraging a presidential run by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), announced today that it has launched a national group called "Independents for Obama" in response to the strong support received for its effort from independent voters. The move come...
January 07, 2007
Budget and spending reform, fair livestock markets, small business protection.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., started the first day of the 110th Congress by attending the swearing in of recently elected members. Enzi hopes to work with those members to bring about ...
January 07, 2007
Bipartisan bill modernizes electronic surveillance authority to prevent attacks and clarifies that FISA maintains exclusive means to conduct domestic surveillance.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the first day of the 110th Congress, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) offered a bipartisan...
January 05, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) today introduced six bills to fight illegal immigration in the United States.
"A top priority for this new Congress and any Congress, for that matter, should be to reduce the high levels of illegal immigrants enter...
January 05, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) today has re-introduced bipartisan legislation to improve a program that helps schools adjacent to federal lands pay for construction projects.
Terry's bill addresses the school construction funding portion of the Impact Aid program, which compens...
January 05, 2007
Democratic Leadership Identifies New GI Bill as Priority.
Washington, D.C., January 4 – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) launched his career in the United States Senate Thursday by introducing a sweeping expansion of the education and training benefits currently available to the nation’s 2.4 mill...
January 05, 2007
First Bill Dropped by Nebraska Delegation Emphasizes Need for an Additional Federal Judge in Nebraska.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Adrian Smith (R-NE) today introduced legislation that would create a fourth federal judgeship to ease Neb...
January 05, 2007
Washington, D.C- Congressman Jon Porter applauded the announcement today that Las Vegas is once again eligible for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) but is deeply concerned by the lack of thoughtful analysis and competent procedure in asses...
January 03, 2007
Joins with Common Cause to explain importance of new ethics rules.
Portland, Maine -- U.S. Representative Tom Allen joined with Jon Bartholomew of Common Cause today to describe the ethics reforms the House of Representatives will enact as part of its “hundred hours” agenda. Rep. Allen an...
December 09, 2006
Network Says Revised Magnuson-Stevens Act Strengthens Many Critical Measures, But Falls Short On Others.
PORTLAND, OR – The Marine Fish Conservation Network yesterday thanked Congress for its efforts to strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, our nation’s primar...
December 09, 2006
Major bills await President's signature.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Significant health-related measures championed by Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-California, are on the way to becoming law after winning final Congressional approval early Saturday in the frenzied last hours of the 109th Congress.
"Out ...
December 05, 2006
Washington, D.C.--U.S. Representative Tom Allen today announced that he has nominated 26 outstanding young Maine men and women for appointment to the Class of 2011 at the Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine academies.
“It is a great honor for me to recommend such a talented and bright ...
November 16, 2006
Washington, DC - Congressman-Elect Jerry McNerney (D- Pleasanton), the newest member of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation (CDCD), was selected by his Northern California colleagues today to represent California's 2nd region on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in the 110t...
November 10, 2006
Crapo to honor veterans, volunteers on Veterans Day, November 11.
Washington, DC – Seventeen Idahoans will be honored this Veterans’ Day with the Spirit of Freedom Award during ceremonies held in Boise, Lewiston, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo established ...
November 10, 2006
Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in honor of Veterans Day:
"On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I will join elected officials and grateful Americans at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery to pay t...
November 06, 2006
There have been many misreports in the media concerning whether voters are required to have identification to vote.
“The law is clear,” said Jay Myerson, General Counsel of the Democratic Party of Virginia. According to the State Board of Elections, if a voter is willing to sign...
November 06, 2006
In a letter to Phyllis Busansky endorsing her campaign for U.S. Congress, Sam A. Cabral, President of the International Union of Police Associations, praised Busansky's record of service saying, "Your record of pubic service is well documented and should serve the people of Florida well when you rea...
October 31, 2006
(Arlington, VA) – Sen. George Allen is coming dangerously close to destroying any legacy and reputation he might have had left following what increasingly looks like a loss in next Tuesday’s General Election against Jim Webb.
We already know that Allen’s Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse, D...
October 31, 2006
Hong Le Webb, Lynda Johnson Robb, Toddy Puller, Megan Beyer and Others Cite Webb’s Leadership, Character and Principles.
(Arlington, Virginia) — Some of Virginia’s most prominent women—including the wives of former Senator Chuck Robb and former Lt. Governor Don Beyer, as well as many other ...
October 31, 2006
Virginia’s bizarre Senate contest took another weird turn last week when incumbent George Allen accused challenger Jim Webb of resembling his fictional characters.
If character X, Y or Z had a salacious thought or a nasty habit, or treated women with disrespect, then the creator of said character...
October 31, 2006
(Arlington, VA.) – Senator George Allen routinely tells Virginians one reason they should vote for him is that they "know" him. And now Allen says he's finally ready to run on his record and ideas.
Really?
Do Virginians know that in the past year Allen voted four times against re...
October 30, 2006
(Arlington, Virginia) — Senator George Allen routinely tells Virginians one reason they should vote for him is that they “know” him. And now Allen says he’s finally ready to run on his record and ideas.
Really?
Do Virginians know that Senator Allen has a long history of cutting s...
October 30, 2006
In a desperate attempt to shred Jim Webb’s character one week before the election, George Allen has taken excerpts from various works of fiction authored by Webb and presented them out of context to fool the public into believing Webb does not have the temperament to be Senator. These campaign tact...
October 30, 2006
(Arlington, Virginia) – Pop Quiz: Of all the Senate campaigns in the country, which campaign has been so sleazy, so deceiving, so poorly run that it was voted the worst campaign by an overwhelming majority of Democratic and Republican insiders? That’s right, George Allen’s campaign.
National Jo...
October 29, 2006
(Arlington, Virginia) — Senator George Allen routinely tells Virginians one reason they should vote for him is that they “know” him. And now Allen says he’s finally ready to run on his record and ideas.
Really?
Do Virginians know that Senator Allen used to believe that a gay marr...
October 29, 2006
Eric Massa is leading incumbent Rep. Randy Kuhl by a margin of 12 percentage points in a new poll conducted by the independent organization Majority Watch. The poll shows Massa ahead in the race with 52% of likely voters preferring him compared to only 40% selecting Kuhl.
Among voters in the nort...
October 29, 2006
Race Seen As Even 12 Days Before Election.
CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY - Democratic Congressional candidate John Hall has pulled even with Rep. Sue Kelly in 19th District polling, and the National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced it now considers the Hall-Kelly contest in t...
October 29, 2006
CALDWELL — The recent vote by Congress to build a 700-mile wall along the border with Mexico was nothing more than a cynical political ploy, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said Tuesday.
Sanchez, who represents California’s 47th District, was in Idaho Tuesday campaigning for Democrat Larry Grant in...
October 29, 2006
FRUITLAND - The campaign for Idaho’s First District seat in Congress is now Red to Blue.
The Democratic National Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Friday promoted Larry Grant’s bid for Congress from an ‘Emerging Race’ to its next higher level, ‘Red to Blue,’ citing the candidate’s better-than-even cha...
October 29, 2006
Another sign of growing voter dissatisfaction in Eastern Washington came on Friday when the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee designated the Goldmark race as "Red to Blue."
The designation by the national committee signals a major shift in a race that had been considered by political p...
October 29, 2006
Sterling, VA – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last week enrolled Judy Feder in their “Red-to-Blue” program highlighting the strongest Democratic challengers in the country.
The DCCC has backed this show of support with campaign dollars, this week adding $75,000—the maximum allow...
October 29, 2006
Jason Altmire is a candidate for Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District in the 2006 November election. He was the Acting Vice President for Government Relations and Community Health Services for UPMC, an 18-hospital system with 40,000 employees and $5.5 billion in annual revenue. On June 30, 2005...
October 29, 2006
State Senator Charlie Wilson currently serves in the 30th Senate District and is the Democratic nominee for Ohio's 6th Congressional District.
A Jefferson County native, Charlie is a graduate of Ohio University and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. As owner of Wilson Funeral and Furnitu...
October 29, 2006
ANOKA, Minn. – Representatives Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), University of Minnesota researcher Dan Kaufman, PhD, MD, and patient advocates joined 6th District congressional candidate Patty Wetterling today to discuss the benefits of stem cell research.
Wetterling says that ...
Wetterling trusted by police, firefighters and nurses; will fight to keep families, communities safe
October 29, 2006
ANOKA, Minn. - At a state Capitol press conference today, Minnesota's first responders declared their support for 6th District congressional candidate Patty Wetterling, while Wetterling proclaimed her commitment to keeping families and communities safe and fighting to give first responders the tools...
October 29, 2006
Newark, NJ – Citing the candidate’s starkly differing positions from Representative Mike Ferguson on top consumer concerns, New Jersey Citizen Action's Political Action Committee announced today that it has endorsed Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-22) to represent the 7th Congressional District in th...
October 29, 2006
Zack Space believes that faith, a commitment to family, and hard work are important values and should be exemplified by our elected representatives. Born in Dover, Ohio in 1961, Zack is the son of Socrates Space and Sandra Gallion.
After graduating from Dover High School in 1979, Zack attended Ke...
October 29, 2006
Investment Firm to Highlight Need for New Leadership on Energy, the Environment, and Business.
Media, PA — On Wednesday, former Vice Admiral Joe Sestak, received the coveted endorsement of the Sierra Club, the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with mor...
October 29, 2006
Radnor, PA — On Thursday, former Vice Admiral Joe Sestak, the Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, and Senator John Kerry, a fellow Navy veteran and Democratic Presidential candidate, joined fellow veterans to denounce shameless swiftboat attacks from Curt Weldon.
D...
October 29, 2006
O'Donnell Should Call on Beauprez to Reveal Source of Illegal Information.
(Golden, CO) – Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District, Ed Perlmutter, called on Rick O’Donnell to hold his campaign chairman, Rep. Bob Beauprez accountable for apparently using information that was acces...
October 29, 2006
Iraq & O'Donnell's Call for 75,000 More Troops Seen as the Defining Issue of Campaign.
(Golden, CO) – With thirteen days left in the election, Ed Perlmutter, Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District, unveiled a new campaign commercial that he said deals with the defining issue of ...
October 29, 2006
Patrick Murphy wants to bring change to Washington - because if you want to change Washington, you need to change who you send to Washington. Patrick Murphy is a leader of character. He is an Iraq War veteran, former West Point professor, criminal prosecutor, and most importantly, a good family man....
October 29, 2006
A poll released earlier this week by Global Strategies shows Patrick Murphy leading incumbent Republican Mike Fitzpatrick by 2 points (45%-43%). Murphy has continued to increase his positive name recognition, and is now viewed favorably by 48% of voters (up from 40% less than one month ago). This ...
October 29, 2006
Phil Kellam has been in public service since he was first elected Virginia Beach's Commissioner of the Revenue in 1997. Since then, his primary focus has been on cutting costs through better management and operating efficiencies, while expanding services and advocating common-sense public policies ...
October 29, 2006
NRCC uses Foley's tainted money against Kellam.
(Virginia Beach, VA) - Phil Kellam, the Democratic candidate for Virginia's second Congressional district, has called upon his opponent, Congresswoman Thelma Drake, to donate tainted money she has received for her campaign for Congress. Two membe...
October 29, 2006
Christine Jennings has never been one to shy away from a challenge. She worked her way up from bank teller to president of the bank she founded at a time when women executives were rare. On her way to the top of the banking world, Christine served in numerous leadership positions with various bank...
October 29, 2006
As a husband, father, small businessman, and graduate of Notre Dame, Joe Donnelly understands the Hoosier values of faith, family and hard work. His father was a small business owner and his mother was a homemaker. After moving to South Bend and graduating from Notre Dame in 1977, Joe went on to gra...
October 29, 2006
A Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserve, Chris Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Southern Watch.
After 9/11, Chris served at the Pentagon as an intelligence analyst and senior advisor on intelligence and cou...
October 29, 2006
Clarks Summit, PA - Chris Carney out-raised Don Sherwood in the last three months. Carney reported raising $433,895 in the last quarter, which spans from July 1-September 30, more than doubling the amount he has raised throughout the race. Carney also outraised his opponent, Don Sherwood, during thi...
October 29, 2006
Waterloo, Iowa – Iowa First District Democratic Congressional candidate Bruce Braley joined Colorado Representative Diana DeGette to hold a roundtable discussion on stem cell research in Davenport.
“I support expanding federal funding for life-saving stem cell research,” Braley said. “It’s time f...
October 29, 2006
Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell, Iowa, in 1957. He grew up in the small rural town of Brooklyn, Iowa, in Poweshiek County. Bruce married Carolyn Kalb of Dubuque in 1983 and he currently lives with his wife and three children—Lisa, David, and Paul—in Waterloo.
Bruce learned the value of hard wor...
October 29, 2006
Utica, NY – Last week at the Utica Police Department’s Child Advocacy Center, U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (D-Alabama) and Democratic candidate Mike Arcuri talked about the importance of crime prevention and child protection services.
“Serving as Oneida County District Attorney for the last 13 ...
October 28, 2006
Malvern, PA — Last Saturday, Lois Murphy and Jim Gerlach met for their first debate, sponsored by AARP, which covered a variety of issues including Social Security, the Medicare Part D program, the war in Iraq, and tax reform. Lois offered a wealth of proposals for fixing what’s wrong in Washington...
October 28, 2006
NEW BRITAIN – Nancy Johnson’s campaign today sunk to a new low by running a television commercial that attempts to mislead viewers into thinking it is actually a Murphy for Congress ad.
The ad begins with footage from an actual Murphy ad, then switches to the use of an impersonator depicting Chris ...
October 28, 2006
New Britain, CT – Yesterday Chris Murphy, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Fifth District, and Carol Browner, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, made the case for a Democratic Congress in Washington for the sake of environmental protection. Browner, local support...
October 28, 2006
Lobbyist Wined and Dined Hayworth, Delivered Campaign Cash.
TEMPE − A corrupt former lobbyist who wined and dined U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth "was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison for lying and concealing unethical dealings with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff." [Source: Washington...
October 28, 2006
Heather Wilson Named to Page Oversight Committee in 2001; ABC Says Pages Warned About Rep. Foley in 2001.
According to a news release on Rep. Heather Wilson's official website, she was appointed in May of 2001 to the House Page Board, the organization that oversees the U.S. House of Representat...
October 28, 2006
Representative Trying to Hide Record of Lock Step Support War.
For more than three years, Rep. Heather Wilson has consistently supported George Bush's failing war in Iraq, but now that polls show her behind in her floundering campaign to hold on to her congressional seat, Wilson is attempting t...
October 28, 2006
While in Congress, I worked hard to protect our farm families so that they could continue to provide all of us with safe, American grown products and maintain a way of life that is an important part of our history. Our farm families grow food to feed families across America and around the world. The...
October 27, 2006
Ex-Staffer Stands by Charges Porter Dialed for Dollars on Taxpayer Time.
Henderson — Third Congressional District challenger and native Nevadan Tessa Hafen last week issued the following statement in response to a story in today’s Las Vegas Review-Journal regarding allegations that Jon “Yes Man...
October 27, 2006
James Carville, the Democratic political strategist who masterminded the 1992 election of Bill Clinton, joined Diane Farrell, 4th Congressional District Democratic nominee, for a breakfast fundraiser during which he underscored the theme of Farrell’s campaign.
“The people in Connecticut wa...
October 27, 2006
GOP candidate called "unaccountable for the war in Iraq.
(Cincinnati – OH-1) Last cycle, Republican Candidate for Ohio's First Congressional District took $6,000 more from Halliburton, while the infamous Iraq War Contracting company bilked the American taxpayers with exorbitant overhead costs.
...
October 27, 2006
(Cincinnati, OH-1) US Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) was in Cincinnati today to support Democratic Congressional Candidate John Cranley. Rep. Crowley serves on the House International Relations Committee with Steve Chabot, the Committee responsible for oversight of our policy on Iraq. Councilman Cranley...
October 27, 2006
Joe Courtney has been "enthusiastically" endorsed by The New York Times and simultaneously endorsed by The Hartford Courant because of Courtney’s "ethic of hard work, compassion and integrity -- and his leadership on health care."
Last week, Courtney received the endorsement of The Providence Jou...
October 27, 2006
Reichert becoming increasingly irritable during public appearances with Burner.
Bellevue, WA - Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) and Democratic challenger Darcy Burner attended their third, and what is likely to be their final, joint public appearance. Last week's candidate forum, hosted by the...
October 27, 2006
Candidate Spotlight
Senator Bob Menendez believes that the protection and safety of our people is the paramount duty of government. After September 11th, Bob earned national recognition for his leadership in reforming America's intelligence. And, today Bob remains firmly committed to guaranteeing...
October 27, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times and Pioneer Press add to Duckworth endorsements.
LOMBARD – Sixth District Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth has now swept the endorsements of the area’s major newspapers, picking up the backing of the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday and the Pioneer Press today. In recent we...
October 27, 2006
DeWine dismisses economy, Iraq, levels Blackwell-style attacks that are beneath Ohioans.
CLEVELAND, OH -- Incumbent Republican Senator Mike DeWine abandoned the critical issues facing Ohio in the final debate of the campaign and instead leveled Blackwell-style attacks that were base, false, and...
October 27, 2006
In a candidates debate Wednesday on News 8 in Washington D.C., Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R-MD) reaffirmed his support for President Bush’s agenda on a range of issues, including his support on the war in Iraq and staunch opposition to embryonic stem cell research and universal health insurance.
“T...