House of Representatives

Bipartisan Bill Supported by Congressman Space, AARP, AMA

11/10/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fighting to overcome a health care crisis that has crippled Ohio’s seniors, working families, rural health care providers, and small businesses, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) supported a bipartisan health care bill in the House of Representatives that will save consumers who are legal residents more than $5000 in premiums and will save seniors thousands of dollars in prescription drug costs.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act has been endorsed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the nation’s largest seniors group, as well as the American Medical Association (AMA), the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules applauded the American Association of Retired Persons and joined them in praising the Affordable Health Care for America Act, noting it would greatly help senior citizens.

“I’m proud to see that in the many organizations that have signed on to support this bill, AARP has joined our coalition and endorsed our bill,” said Slaughter. “They represent 40 million seniors nationwide and understand that this bill will do more to protect seniors and bring down their medical costs than any other single piece of legislation in decades. The reason health care will succeed this time around is because we have support from so many important groups like AARP.”    » read more »

"Doesn't Provide Enough Reform"

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 3962, the House health care reform legislation.

“There is no question that our nation’s health care system is broken. Over the past few months, I have spoken with hundreds of constituents and received thousands of calls, letters and emails about health care reform. I thank everyone in Western North Carolina who so willingly shared their stories and concerns with me. It is clear to me that we, as a country, are failing to provide enough Americans with affordable options to manage their health care, prevent illness and treat existing conditions.”    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter introduced two pieces of legislation that recognize and honor our nation’s service members and their families. Shea-Porter introduced a resolution that recognizes the contributions of the New Hampshire National Guard (NHNG). She also introduced legislation that honors the spouses of our military men and women who have served in combat zones.

Shea-Porter’s resolution recognizes the NHNG’s service to the State of New Hampshire and their contributions to the domestic and international missions of the Armed Forces.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC -- November 10, 2009 – Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, released the following statement committing herself to vote against health care reform that erodes a woman’s right to choose. As a co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus and member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Schakowsky has fought to expand women’s rights and improve health care for all women. Rep. Schakowsky has added her name to letters that are being sent to the President and the Speaker, plainly establishing her position.    » read more »

Reduce Costs, Expand Coverage, and Preserve Patient Choice

11/07/09 -- Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Tom Perriello voted in support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, to make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and reduce the federal deficit. He released the following statement:    » read more »

Payne Commends Bill for Lowering Costs, Reducing Deficit

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, House Democrats passed an historic bill that reforms our nation's health insurance system, brings down the deficit and expands access to affordable, quality health care to nearly every American. The Affordable Health Care for America Act offers security and stability to all Americans, reduces costs, improves coverage and preserves our choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The health care reform bill approved by the House of Representatives late Saturday night would create jobs, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said on Monday. New funding in health care and the more efficient use of existing funds would result in job creation and a boost to the economy, Congressman Pallone added.

"The health care sector is a significant part of the economy that would gain a major boost under the health reform legislation," said Pallone, a key author of the bill. "More money would be directed to health care at all levels and the funds would be used more efficiently."    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) today applauded the House passage of the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2868), which would increase the security and safety of the country’s chemical plants and water facilities. Maloney is a co-sponsor of the legislation, which passed the House late Friday afternoon by a vote of 230 to 193.    » read more »

11/10/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) and Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Small Business Committee, today announced their introduction of a bill to support small businesses that employ military reservists.

The Small Business and Military Family Assistance Act of 2009 will provide tax incentives for small business employers who make up the salary difference for their reservist employees while they’re serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. While many large businesses can afford to supplement the lower wages reservists earn while in active duty, small business owners struggle to offer the same service.    » read more »

Forum on Financing for Clean Energy Building Retrofits

November 10, 2009 -- Hauppauge, NY – On Monday, Rep. Steve Israel spoke about the need to expand Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bond programs at a forum on financing for clean energy building retrofits hosted by the Long Island Regional Planning Council and the Suffolk County Planning Commission. A PACE bond is a small municipal bond where the proceeds are loaned to commercial and residential property owners to finance energy retrofits and who then repay their loans over 20 years via an annual assessment on their property tax bill.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes praised the New Hampshire National Guard for their service to the Granite State and to the nation. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter and Congressman Hodes have introduced House Resolution 899, to honor the New Hampshire National Guard.

"New Hampshire’s National Guardsmen and women have served at home and abroad with tremendous courage," said Congressman Paul Hodes. "This resolution honors the personal sacrifices that these Granite Staters have made, while recognizing their service to our country during national emergencies and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes called on the United States Postal Service to present a plan to fully reimburse postal workers for the wages they have lost as a result of managers manipulating their timecards. Several weeks ago, an investigation uncovered a scheme at five New Hampshire postal stations to manipulate workers’ timecards, and the individuals responsible for these actions have yet to be held accountable.    » read more »

Hinchey Leads 89 House Members in Calling on Interior Secretary Salazar to Administratively Protect Wild Lands in Utah While Congress Continues to Work on Legislation

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today led a letter from a group of 89 members of the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to protect Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands proposed for wilderness designation in Utah while Congress continues to work on measures to legislatively protect 9.4 million acres of public, wilderness quality land in the state.    » read more »

Says Future Traffic Snarls Will Devastate Residents and Local Businesses

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today called for the formation of a task force to pull together all the various federal, state, local and regional government agencies to come up with a unified action plan to alleviate many of the traffic congestion problems associated with ongoing and future repairs to the Sagamore and Bourne bridges.    » read more »