Politics

Nov. 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - While Congress has debated legislation to reform Wall Street, the financial services industry has showered members of the Senate and House banking committees with about two and a half times as much money, on average, as other members of Congress, according to a new Public Citizen report.

The industry - including banks, investment firms, insurance companies and real estate companies - has given $42 million in campaign contributions to lawmakers and their leadership political action committees since the current election cycle began in November 2008. The industry has concentrated its contributions on members of the House and Senate banking and the congressional leadership, the report showed.    » read more »

Recent Actions Give Obama Boost Among Democrats & Independents

UTICA, New York - For the first time since early June, President Barack Obama's job performance receives majority approval in a Zogby Interactive poll of likely voters. A Sept. 25-28 interactive survey of 4,183 found 52% of likely voters approving, 47% disapproving and 1% undecided.

Obama picked up 10 points in his approval rating since his low point of 42%-48% on August 31. At that time, Obama's approval was down among groups that were key to his election.

Both Republicans and conservatives continue to rate Obama's performance as poor. In the Sept. 28 survey, only 10% of Republicans and 6% of conservatives indicated they somewhat or strongly approve of Obama's performance.

The poll also found that:    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- "These videotapes that are the excuse for this amendment understandably have offended most who have heard about them, including me. I detest the stupidity and crassness that they depict. If people have acted improperly, they should be fired, and if they have acted illegally, they should be prosecuted, period. The Obama Administration has been equally critical.

ACORN is not the reason for my vote. There is not even an ACORN office in my entire state. Nor, for that matter, is there any reason to believe that this group ever has or ever would have any interest or expertise in applying for competitive grants under the programs funded in this Interior Appropriations Bill.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- Following the adjournment of the 2009 Legislative Session, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson reflected on the progress Kansas made despite a national recession.

“We have proven that we can put politics aside and accomplish a great deal when we work together. In just the past ten days, together we have taken action to put our state on the road to economic recovery. We have approved legislation that helps many struggling Kansas workers. We took a giant step toward a renewable energy future for our state. And finally, we created a bi-partisan solution to our budget situation that protects vital services, but still reflects a shared sacrifice for everyone – all without raising taxes.”

Highlights of the 2009 Legislative Veto Session include:    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- "I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.    » read more »

Washington, DC - 04/15/2009 - The 2008 election was the first in which more than half the voting-age population used the Internet for political purposes. Some 55% of all adults – and 74% of all Internet users – said they went online for news and information about the election or to communicate with others about the race.

This is among the findings of a new report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, which also found that social media platforms such as blogs, social networking sites and video-sharing sites played a key role in 2008 as voters went online to share their views with others and try to mobilize them to their cause. Among some of the key activities and technologies that grew in prominence in the election:    » read more »

April 16, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - The 26th Alaska Legislature today rejected Governor Sarah Palin’s nomination for attorney general. Lawmakers failed to confirm Wayne Anthony Ross by a vote of 23 to 35.

“I believed I knew what Alaskans wanted when I selected an individual who is a strong backer of 2nd Amendment rights, a staunch supporter of the state Constitution and a defender of life,” Governor Palin said.

“Wayne Anthony Ross supports responsible, ethical development of Alaska’s rich resources. I’m surprised that legislators in this case really did not seem to represent their constituents and allowed themselves to be swayed by side issues. Mr. Ross is a fine Alaskan. He is held in high esteem by many Alaskans. I appreciate his willingness to serve the public.”    » read more »

Washington, D.C. March 30, 2009 -- Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar praised President Barack Obama’s signing of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 into law at the White House. The measure put into law the 26-million acre National Landscape Conservation System within the Bureau of Land Management and adds 2 million acres of new wilderness across the country. It will also preserve 1,000 new miles of wild and scenic rivers.

Secretary Salazar’s introduction of President Barak Obama and remarks at today’s signing, as prepared for delivery, are below:

Remarks of Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
At the Signing of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009
March 30, 2009    » read more »

Statement by Francesca Grifo, Union of Concerned Scientists

WASHINGTON (March 9, 2009)—Today President Obama issued a memorandum that follows Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recommendations to prevent the abuse, manipulation and suppression of federal science.

The following is a statement by Dr. Francesca Grifo, director of the UCS's Scientific Integrity Program:

"Just a few years ago, almost 15,000 scientists across the country signed a UCS-sponsored statement denouncing the politicization of federal science, and today's memorandum is proof that the Obama administration heard their cry. Federal policy decisions that affect public health and the environment must be based on robust scientific analysis free of political interference and manipulation.    » read more »

February 16, 2009 -- The following is a statement by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius regarding efforts today by Republican Leadership to derail the State Finance Council:

“This is a difficult time for Kansas families, seniors, workers and business owners who are dealing each day with the economic challenges presented by this historic recession.

“Last week, I called a meeting of the State Finance Council to consider the issuance of a certificate of indebtedness – a routine action dealing with state cash flow, that allows us to move money from one account to another so we can pay our bills on time. The use of these certificates has been approved every year for the last decade.    » read more »

The Office of Management and Budget should use Obama directive as an opportunity to seek input from diverse interests with regulatory expertise.

(WASHINGTON) February 3, 2009 — President Barack Obama today announced his administration will reform the way the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) reviews federal regulations. Obama has asked OMB Director Peter Orszag to consult with regulatory agency representatives and recommend a new executive order addressing regulatory review.

The following is a statement by Dr. Francesca Grifo, senior scientist and director of the Scientific Integrity Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists:    » read more »

September 28, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Statement of Barack Obama on Financial Plan Breakthrough:

"The breakthrough between Congress and the Administration is the culmination of a sorry period in our history, in which reckless speculation and greed on Wall Street and lax oversight from Washington led to a meltdown of our financial markets.

Barack Obama: Photo: Barack Obama campaign

But regardless of how we got here, a failure to deal with the current crisis would have devastating consequences for our economy, costing millions of Americans their jobs and retirement security.    » read more »

September 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, requesting that he release critical information and data relating to veterans health care, disability claims and Vet Center activity. Since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, veterans have faced unique challenges as they return to their families and communities, including health-related needs as well as community readjustment concerns.    » read more »

September 25, 2008 -- IL - Below is a Statement from Senator Barack Obama on Washington Mutual

"The government-brokered sale of Washington Mutual is the latest sign of the perilous situation facing our financial system and our economy. Although Americans with deposits at Washington Mutual should rest assured that they are safe under this arrangement, the failures of our financial institutions threaten economic instability, jobs, and the incomes of American families.

This is a time to rise above politics for the good of the country. We cannot risk an economic catastrophe. This is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem - this is an American problem. Now, we must find an American solution," said Senator Barack Obama.

Source: Senator Barack Obama

September 01, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - "I welcome the results of today's emergency summit of European Union leaders in Brussels. The EU made clear, as I have repeatedly insisted, that Georgia's territorial integrity must be respected, that Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states must be rejected, that the six-point peace plan of August 12 must be implemented in its entirety, and that Georgia must be given substantial humanitarian and economic assistance.    » read more »