Press Releases
March 28, 2012
In order to achieve a big and balanced deficit reduction package, we must build a broad consensus. The budget substitute offered tonight by Reps. Jim Cooper and Steve LaTourette came to the Floor before that broad consensus could be achieved, which is why I voted against it. However, we must continue working to achieve a big and balanced deficit reduction solution in order to set our country back on a sustainable fiscal path. I continue to believe that the Bowles-Simpson model should be a basis for ongoing discussions in the effort to create the needed consensus.
March 28, 2012
Today’s introduction of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act is an important step forward in our continuing effort to prevent domestic violence and protect victims. I was proud to cosponsor the original Violence Against Women Act we passed in 1994, and I commend Rep. Gwen Moore for introducing this measure to reauthorize and expand upon that landmark legislation. Her bill will improve counseling and legal services for victims, provide additional tools to law enforcement to investigate domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, and extend additional health and safety resources to more of those affected. A similar measure has bipartisan support in the Senate. This comes at a critical time when many of the freedoms and legal protections for women have been under attack. As a nation, we must recommit ourselves to reducing – and eventually stamping out – violence against women and to improving the way we help its victims heal, seek justice, and move forward.
March 28, 2012
They have offered a budget that is somewhat a reprise of last year's. It savages Medicare, turns the guarantee into a higher cost, problematic benefit. We don't think that's what the American people want. Secondly, it makes again the tax disparities between our people even greater. It shifts resources from the middle class and poor to the wealthiest in America. It gives $150,000 additional tax cut to millionaires and doesn't say how you're going to pay for that, $10 trillion in additional tax cuts, which clearly means you're going to explode the deficit even more. They pretend they will cut out preference items. They also in that process severely undermine investments in our future, investments in education, investments in research, investments in growing jobs, investments in infrastructure. Clearly, with the result of diminishing the quality of our society in the long run, and don't get to balance.
March 26, 2012
After seeing the disastrous Republican budget put forward last week, which would end the Medicare guarantee and increase costs for seniors, destroy jobs, and cut taxes for the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, Americans want a budget that works for all of us. The Democratic budget proposal does just that by preserving the Medicare guarantee, investing in a strong economy, taking a balanced approach to setting us on a sustainable fiscal path, and asking everyone to pitch in toward investing in America's future. It is the right budget to meet the challenges we face.
March 23, 2012
Today marks the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, a law that is already delivering greater access to high quality care, stronger patient protections, and more predictable health care costs to American families and businesses – all while reducing the deficit. Today, insurance companies can no longer discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions – a protection that will extend to all Americans by 2014. They can no longer impose arbitrary caps on coverage, charge women higher premiums than men for the exact same policies, or drop people from their plans when they get sick. Medicare beneficiaries now pay less for their drugs and nothing for their preventive care, and their premiums have either held steady or outright declined.
March 23, 2012
Two years ago today, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. It was a major step forward in our efforts to provide access to affordable health care to more Americans. Today, millions of Americans are already seeing the benefits.
March 22, 2012
Today’s announcement by the President of an expedited review process for the southern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline builds on the ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy for energy savings his Administration has pursued. Since the President was sworn into office, domestic production of oil and natural gas has increased, while the importation of foreign oil has fallen to less than half of what we consume. During the same period, 75,000 jobs have been created in the oil and gas sector.
March 22, 2012
“The tragic killing of 17-year old Trayvon Martin warrants a thorough investigation, and I commend the Justice Department and Attorney General Eric Holder for opening an investigation into his homicide. Americans from all walks of life are rightly appalled by his tragic death. Trayvon deserves justice, and his family and his community deserve answers. It is my hope that the Justice Department’s investigation will provide those answers and that appropriate action will be taken to punish any wrongdoing to the fullest extent of the law.
March 22, 2012
The American people say to every member of the House and Senate: when are you guys going to get together? When are you going to work together on behalf of the welfare of the country? On behalf of us. Not your politics in Washington, DC, but on behalf of us?
March 21, 2012
Two years ago, we passed a comprehensive health care reform package that is already lowering costs, expanding access, and contributing to deficit reduction. The Affordable Care Act was a significant moment when Congress once again took bold action to constrain the growth in health care spending and make insurance more accessible and affordable for all Americans. In the wealthiest country on the face of the Earth, we ought to make sure people can get insurance and have affordable, accessible health care.
March 21, 2012
I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding time. I'm proud to stand with her and with other Democratic members in support of the women's access to comprehensive, affordable health care. Access that was greatly expanded by the Affordable Care Act, which passed two years ago this week and which my Republican colleagues want to repeal.
March 20, 2012
Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member George Miller, Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, and Rep. John Tierney introduced the Workforce Investment Act of 2012.
March 20, 2012
The Republican budget introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan today is a repeat of last year’s budget: it once again ends the Medicare guarantee while protecting tax cuts for the wealthy. It slashes investments in innovation, education, and infrastructure, which puts our economic recovery at risk and threatens American jobs. It does not reduce the deficit in a responsible way, instead placing the burden of deficit reduction onto seniors, the middle class, working families, and the most vulnerable by refusing to ask the wealthiest among us to contribute.
March 15, 2012
I've had the honor of serving alongside Gary Ackerman in Congress for nearly thirty years, and during that time I have come to know him as a faithful public servant, a fighter for New York families, and a dear friend. As a public school teacher, Gary taught students the workings of our system of government and the value of justice for all. Later, as a community journalist, he helped bring people together and remain informed about issue affecting their neighborhoods. As a State Senator and U.S. Representative, Gary brought that same concern for his community, its families, and future generations to legislating.
March 15, 2012
Today, the President came to Maryland to reiterate his commitment to an all-of-the-above strategy to combat rising energy costs. He is right to say that there is no one silver bullet that will bring down the price of oil or gasoline, but that we ought to keep building on the gains we have made over the past three years in increasing domestic energy production and making investments in new vehicle, alternative fuel, and energy production technologies that harness power from solar, wind, and biofuels. This Administration has already made significant progress in reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil, and we now import less than half the oil we consume. At the same time, millions of acres in this country are now open to new oil and natural gas exploration.
March 14, 2012
"After weeks of watching House Republicans attempt unsuccessfully to bring a highway bill to the Floor, today the Senate passed bipartisan legislation in the long tradition of working together on investing in our transportation infrastructure...
March 10, 2012
"I want to thank Jay Inslee for his years of service in Congress. He is a good friend, and it has been an honor to be his colleague in the House. Jay is a leader on clean energy issues, working for policies that create clean energy jobs and protect our environment ...
March 9, 2012
President Obama’s announcement today of a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation represents a major step in our efforts to revitalize manufacturing in this country and remain the world’s innovation leader.
March 9, 2012
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Report out today, February marked two years of consecutive month-to-month growth in private sector employment. This is a strong sign that our economy is recovering and that our country is on the right path forward. Last month the American economy added 233,000 private sector jobs. This is progress, but as long as millions of Americans remain out of work we cannot afford to let our focus shift away from those still out of work and trying hard to find jobs.
March 7, 2012
Today the President announced measures to help businesses and consumers upgrade to advanced vehicles, moving us closer to energy independence and economic security. This initiative is one step our nation can take to maintain our edge in innovation, which is a key part of House Democrats’ Make It In America plan to create jobs and strengthen American manufacturing. Innovation, especially in clean energy technologies, will help fuel our long-term economic competitiveness and add jobs in new and expanding sectors. It is an essential component of the all-of-the-above energy strategy being pursued by the President and Democrats in Congress to ensure that this nation has sufficient energy available to meet its needs today and for many years to come.
March 6, 2012
Right now, Congress ought to be doing everything it can to help our businesses compete in the global marketplace so they can create jobs here in America. A big part of that is making sure they can also compete domestically. I have always believed that our workers create the best products, which will always do well when there is a level playing field, and when countries unfairly subsidize their companies exports, we must use all the WTO-consistent tools at our disposal to level that playing field.
March 6, 2012
“Today the people of New Jersey lost a beloved public servant, and the House of Representatives lost a respected member. As his state's first African American elected to Congress, Donald Payne was a trailblazer who helped pave the way for many to follow throughout the country. Don was a tireless campaigner for justice. Whether it was for the men and women from urban communities in Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties, the millions of American students who benefited from his service on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, or those suffering from poverty and oppression in Africa for whom he was a vocal advocate, his fight for justice at home and human rights around the world will be Don's lasting legacy. His many travels to the Sudans brought hope to those experiencing the bitterness of war, hunger, and displacement, and his efforts drew Americans’ attention to the genocide in Darfur and ongoing violence across the Sudans. All of us who had the honor of serving with him will dearly miss him and the energy and passion he brought to his job. My thoughts are with his family today.”
March 5, 2012
“This bill reflects the immutable and enduring bond between our two nations,” Whip Hoyer said. “It is a bond that reflects the shared values of our people and our shared interests in preserving stability in the Middle East. The threat from Iran’s nuclear ambitions is real and demands serious, cooperative effort by both the United States and Israel. I am proud to put forward this legislation along with Majority Leader Cantor, and I am hopeful it will pass with strong support from across party lines. It is a reminder that support for Israel is not and should never be a partisan issue.”
March 2, 2012
For three decades, Norm Dicks and I have served together in Congress, and he is not only a respected colleague but a dear friend. I’m saddened that Norm has decided to retire at the end of the 112th Congress. He will be greatly missed in the halls of the Capitol by Members on both sides of the aisle.
March 1, 2012
“I join today in celebrating the start of Women’s History Month, when Americans mark the progress we have made as a nation breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings. From marching for equal rights to contributing to our prosperity as leaders in business and entrepreneurship, from serving our nation in uniform and giving their lives in every war to making important discoveries in science and medicine, women have carried forward the work of building America since its earliest days. Describing the suffrage and equal rights movement she led early in the last century, Alice Paul said: 'Each of us puts in one little stone, and then you get a great mosaic at the end.' Today, the mosaic of America is rich and inspiring because of the contributions of millions of ordinary and extraordinary women to the history of this country, including the many outstanding women I have the privilege of serving with in Congress.
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Latest From the House Floor
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First votes expected: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Last votes expected: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
H.R. 1062 – “SEC Regulatory Accountability Act”