Congress

Vote Expected This Week; Bill Repeals Broken Physician Payment Formula That Hurts Access to Care for Seniors and Military Families

Nov. 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. –Today, leading advocates for seniors, military families and physicians joined together to call for passage of legislation in the House that will preserve access to care for seniors, baby boomers and military families through repeal of the broken Medicare physician payment formula.

A vote on H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009, is expected this week, and the American Medical Association (AMA), AARP and the Military Officers of America (MOAA) call on members of Congress to honor the federal government's obligations to seniors and military families and pass the bill.    » read more »

Federal Reserve action does not stop significant overdraft loan abuses; FAIR Act is needed to provide comprehensive consumer protections.

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- The Consumer Federation of America today urged the Senate to protect consumers from unauthorized and extremely expensive overdraft loans. Jean Ann Fox, Director of Financial Services for the Consumer Federation of America testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the need for Congress to pass the FAIR Overdraft Coverage Act, S. 1799, to rein in overdraft loan abuses.    » read more »

Washington, DC, Nov 17 -- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced H. Res. 910 today, National Memory Screening Day, to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, to support the development of a national health policy on dementia screening and care, and to encourage Americans concerned about memory loss to be screened. The resolution has bipartisan support.

“I am promoting awareness of Alzheimer’s disease because scientific research has demonstrated that early medical treatment would be beneficial to millions of Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s and early access to counseling and support services is helpful to those who are caregivers,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Awareness and early detection of memory loss therefore are essential.”    » read more »

Affordable Health Care for America Act Will Provide Tax Credits to 11,700 Small Businesses in Ohio’s 18th Congressional District

11/17/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Continuing his efforts to ensure that health reform legislation is good for consumers, small businesses, rural health providers, and seniors in Ohio’s 18th Congressional District, U.S. Representative Zack Space (OH-18) today reiterated his support for H.R. 3962, legislation that will help small businesses struggling with rising health care costs.

The Space-supported legislation will allow 13,100 small businesses in OH-18 to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to reduce health insurance costs for 11,700 small businesses.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of House Resolution 891, which she authored, honoring the victims of a recent military aircraft crash between a Coast Guard plane and a Marine helicopter off the coast of California. The House passed the resolution in a unanimous vote earlier this afternoon:

"I introduced this resolution on the one week anniversary after the tragic events that occurred off the coast of California.

"On Thursday, October 29, the Federal Aviation Administration reported that a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine Corps AH-1W Cobra helicopter crashed off the coast while conducting separate missions.    » read more »

"Chevron's Lobbying Efforts Look Like Extortion"

November 17, 2009 -- Washington D.C. - Ways and Means member Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) testified today before the Trade Subcommittee hearing on trade preference systems. Rep. Sánchez, a long time advocate for a new trade model, took the opportunity to discuss what works about U.S. trade preferences policy as well as what does not.    » read more »

North Haven resident Chellie Pingree says Maine project is “example” for the nation

November 17, 2009 -- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Governor John Baldacci, House Speaker Hannah Pingree and others to cut the ribbon on the Fox Islands Wind Project in Vinalhaven today. Pingree, a resident of nearby North Haven Island, said the wind turbines will serve as an example for the rest of the country.

“This project is a perfect example of what we can do across this country,” Pingree said. “Instead of paying some of the highest electric rates in the country to buy power generated in part by oil we’ve had to import from overseas, our communities will produce their own electricity right here at home. It’s a home-grown solution to our energy needs.”    » read more »

Chrysler’s Congressman Says He’ll take Former Presidential Candidate up on His Offer, “anybody believes that Chrysler is going to survive, I'd like to meet them”

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gary Peters, whose district is home to Chrysler Group LLC World Headquarters in Southeast Michigan, today challenged Senator John McCain’s prediction that Chrysler will soon fail and that preventing the collapse of American auto companies was a mistake.

As reported in the Detroit News this week, while serving as grand marshal of a NASCAR race in Arizona, Senator McCain said “anybody believes that Chrysler is going to survive, I'd like to meet them.”    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) will introduce amendments to the Financial Stability Improvement Act (HR 3996) aimed at helping prevent future economic downturns.

The first amendment enables regulators to limit the size of financial firms that could pose a risk to the system on an institution-by-institution basis. Once a financial holding company becomes subject to stricter standards, the amendment would allow the regulators to work with the company to divest its commercial or investment banking activities in an orderly manner without causing the traditional banking side of the organizations to fail.    » read more »

Just the Beginning of a Sustained Commitment to Science

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Rush Holt, Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon, Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Chairman Edward Markey, Congressman Bill Foster, and Robert Shelton, President of the University of Arizona, held a press conference this afternoon to highlight the benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the science and research community.

The Recovery Act provided $22 billion for scientific research and development at universities, to establish new facilities, and to purchase lab equipment. Below are the Speaker’s remarks as prepared:    » read more »

Requires Ships to Report Crimes Committed on Board and Adopt Crucial Security Measures

17 November 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell today applauded passage of the Cruise Vessel Safety Act of 2009 by the House of Representatives. Mitchell voted for the bill which passed by a vote of 416 to 4.

The legislation, H.R. 3360, would close a major loophole in federal law by beginning to require cruise ships to report crimes committed on board to proper authorities. In addition, the bill would require cruise ships to adopt additional security measures such as latches and peep holes for guest rooms, video surveillance to document criminal activity, as well as be equipped to provide emergency assistance to victims of sexual assaults.    » read more »

November 17 2009 -- Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that DOE is awarding $9,593,500 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Maine to support clean energy projects across the state. Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, the state will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.    » read more »

Drywall Victims Insurance Protection Act will Prevent Cancellation of Homeowners Insurance

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) introduced legislation today to aid Louisiana homeowners with defective Chinese drywall in their homes. The Drywall Victims Insurance Protection Act would prevent insurance companies from cancelling or failing to renew homeowners’ policies as the result of Chinese drywall in the home. The bill would also prevent insurers from changing rates or altering the type or amount of coverage based on problems stemming from Chinese drywall.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- Washington - Rep. Ron Kind returned Sunday from a congressional fact-finding trip to Pakistan - a weeklong visit that comes at a time when the Obama administration is turning up the heat on Pakistan to do more to fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban.

The trip also comes as President Barack Obama prepares to unveil a new strategy for Afghanistan that could include a significantly increased troop presence in the region.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - The Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment (SURE) Act, which was introduced by Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy on October 16th, was passed today by the House Committee on Homeland Security.

The SURE Act, which will allow first responders to maintain the capabilities necessary to prepare and protect their communities against acts of terrorism and other emergencies, has gained the support of 25 cosponsors including Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson.    » read more »