Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Congresswoman Moore Receives “Everyday Hero” Award

Congresswoman Gwen Moore is set to receive an “Everyday Hero” award tonight at an annual event celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that secured a woman’s right to choose. Congresswoman Moore is a recipient of the award for her years in public office as a champion of reproductive rights, particularly for her work in the Wisconsin State Senate to require insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptives. The award is being given by NARAL Pro-Choice America, one of the nation's leading advocates for privacy and a woman's right to choose.

Barbara Lee and Progressive Caucus Offer Alternative State of the Union, Concrete Plans for Change in America

Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus were joined by other Caucus members in presenting a clear alternative, inclusive, and uplifting vision for the United States of America during a press conference on Capitol Hill today.

Barbara Lee Responds to the State of the Union Address

"Americans have not forgotten that the President used the State of the Union to make the case that Iraq had WMD, and to insist that it was his highest priority to privatize Social Security. Given his track record of using the speech to mislead the public or to announce policy initiatives that American people then resoundingly rejected, I'm not sure why anyone would put much stock in anything he said in tonight's speech, least of all his sudden appeal for bipartisanship."

Health Savings Accounts Benefit Corporations,

“The President’s health care plan is not about covering the uninsured, making health insurance affordable, or even driving down the cost of health care. Its real purpose is to make it easier for businesses to dump their health insurance burden onto workers, give tax breaks to the wealthy, and boost the profits of banks and financial brokers. As we have seen with the disastrous Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, health care policies concocted at the behest of special interests do nothing to help the average American. In many cases, they can make health care even more inaccessible."

Congressman Clay on State of the Union

“Tonight, we heard more empty promises from a President who no longer enjoys the trust of the American people. The culture of corruption that is embedded at the heart of this administration and the Republican leadership distorts the truth, sacrifices the public interest for private profits, and tramples on the constitution."

Congresswoman Brown Reacts to State of the Union Address

“Once again, President Bush stands before the American people with a message we have heard all too often: that he is working to improve our nation’s health care system, that he is striving to make our country more secure, and that, ironically, he is working to decrease our nation’s dependence on foreign oil by calling for the development of alternative fuel for automobiles. These goals, although ostensibly lofty at first glance, are mere rhetoric from a President that has spent the last five years doing precisely the opposite of the aforementioned goals. "

Monday, January 30, 2006

Delegate Expresses Disappointment at New EDC Regulations

Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen said today that she is disappointed that the final regulations issued today by the U.S. Treasury Department to govern the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission (EDC) tax program, did not provide more of the relief that the territory had requested.

Christensen said that she will press Congress, even more vigorously than she has been, to provide relief for beneficiaries of the tax program now that final residency regulations have been issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Rep. John Lewis Applauds Mall Location for Museum

Rep. John Lewis was delighted to hear that the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution determined to follow the leading recommendation of the Presidential Commission to locate the site on the National Mall. Congressman Lewis worked for 15 years to gain passage of the bill that would authorize the museum. He submitted legislation in every session of Congress to establish the museum, and the bill finally passed the House in 2001. It was signed into law in December of 2003. A prestigious founding council has been chosen to lead the efforts to build the museum, and today, after much speculation, a prominent site was chosen to house the museum.

Congresswoman Johnson on State of the Union ...

“President Bush has repeatedly promised to reduce the number of uninsured – but every year of his presidency, the number of Americans without health insurance has gone up – now having reached 46 million. Here in Texas, health insurance costs have increased by $994 – a 56 percent increase since 2000. There are also 5,478,000 people without health insurance in Texas, increasing by 827,000 since 2000.”

Delegate Expresses Disappointment at New EDC Regulations

Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen said today that she is disappointed that the final regulations issued today by the U.S. Treasury Department to govern the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission (EDC) tax program, did not provide more of the relief that the territory had requested.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Rep. Curtis Richardson Introduces Paternity Bill

HB 221 - Paternity
GENERAL BILL by Richardson (CO-SPONSORS) Kendrick; Stargel
Paternity: Permits a sworn petition to set aside a determination of paternity prior to the child's 18th birthday; specifies contents of the petition; provides standards upon which relief shall be granted; provides remedies; provides that child support obligations shall not be suspended while a petition is pending; provides for genetic testing; provides for assessment of costs and attorney's fees.
Effective Date: July 1, 2006.
Last Event: Now in Future of Florida's Families Committee on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:35 PM
Referred Committees and Committee Actions:
- Civil Justice Committee


On agenda for: 01/25/06 9:30 AM
Notice
Favorable (final action)
See Votes
- Future of Florida's Families Committee
- Justice Council

Monday, January 23, 2006

NAACP Issues 109th Congress Legislative Report Card

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

The CLEAN UP Act Introduced by Sen. Obama

S.2179 Title: A bill to require openness in conference committee deliberations and full disclosure of the contents of conference reports and all other legislation. Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/18/2006) Cosponsors (8)