As the debate continues, Congressman Pallone took to the House Floor a short while ago to express his dismay that the House will not vote on emergency funding to help affected states recover from Superstorm Sandy's devastation during the 112th Congress.
His address on the House floor to his colleagues, is the most fiery i've seen Pallone in a very long time. His frustration with the proceedings and his passion for all those affected by the storm are evident.
Showing posts with label US House of Representatives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US House of Representatives. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
OBAMA WINS...
President Obama won reelection last night with a decisive victory - he won by a landslide in electoral votes and with 50% of the popular vote and had the coat tails to pick up a few new seats in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate - but it's not time to gloat. It's time to move forward and look towards the future, to get this country moving again and working for average Americans.
For those who have opposed President Obama and his policies since his first days in office, enough now with all the birther, socialist, communist, fascist, wealth redistributing, Muslim, atheist, American hating, he's not one of us, nonsense; it's time to work towards a common goal. In his first 4 years in office, Obama extended so many olive branches that the tree had none left.
Remember, it was the Republican Tea partiers and extremists in Congress that rebuffed his every overture in order to make him a "1 term President".
Now let's get things accomplished!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
GOP Leader Cantor Responds To SCOTUS ObamaCare Ruling By Setting A Date To Repeal It
In response to today's historic 5-4 Supreme Court decision upholding all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (A.K.A ObamaCare), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) released a statement earlier today vowing to set a date in the House of Representatives to repeal it.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold ObamaCare is a crushing blow to patients throughout the country... On July 9th, the House will once again repeal ObamaCare, clearing the way for patient-centered reforms that lower costs and increase choice..."What a load of horse shit!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Congressman Pallone's Statement on Vote for FDA Reform Act of 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, issued the follow statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in advance of a vote to pass the FDA Reform Act of 2012. The FDA Reform Act of 2012 passed the House with overwhelmingly bipartisan support by a vote of 387-5. Congressman Pallone was an original co-sponsor of the bill which will help bring new drugs and medical devices to the market faster and at lower costs to consumers.
The following is his statement:
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, issued the follow statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in advance of a vote to pass the FDA Reform Act of 2012. The FDA Reform Act of 2012 passed the House with overwhelmingly bipartisan support by a vote of 387-5. Congressman Pallone was an original co-sponsor of the bill which will help bring new drugs and medical devices to the market faster and at lower costs to consumers. The following is his statement:
“Thank you, M. Speaker. Today marks a very exceptional day in this body, one that deserves great praise. The bill before us, H.R. 5651, the FDA Reform Act of 2012, is the product of bipartisanship collaboration and compromise that I am proud to be a part of.
“This bill is the result of more than a year of negotiations between industry, FDA and Congress. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, we held a number of hearings on the critical issues within the bill and, earlier this month, it passed unanimously in both the Subcommittee and Full Committee. The bill is slightly modified from the bill reported by committee, as it now includes a bipartisan provision which results in the bill reducing the deficit by $370 million over the next 10 years.
“The FDA Reform Act will ensure that Americans have access to safe and effective new medicines and medical devices by reauthorizing the user fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices. It will reduce drug costs for consumers by speeding the approval of lower-cost generic drugs with the establishment of new user fee programs for generic drugs and for lower-cost versions of biotech drugs. The bill will also reform and revitalize many FDA programs to improve its regulatory scheme to facilitate a more efficient and predictable review process.
“The bill also makes permanent two complementary programs - the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and the Pediatric Research Equity Act - which both help to foster the development and safe use of prescription drugs for children.
In addition, a significant improvement was made to the FDA’s ability to police an ever-growing global drug supply chain to improve patient safety. These provisions will give the FDA critical tools it needs to keep our medicine safer.
“It also includes important provisions to help prevent and mitigate drug shortages, by requiring that drug makers notify the FDA in advance of any expected disruptions in the supply of certain critical drugs, and for the FDA to inform health care providers of the potential drug shortage.
“Thank you to Chairmen Upton and Pitts, Ranking Member Waxman, Mr. Dingell and my other colleagues on the Committee for their leadership and dedication to this important piece of legislation. A special thanks to the staffs on both sides of the aisle for their hard work – you all should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished.
“Reauthorizing and revitalizing the FDA user fee system is a critical investment to our nation’s public health. M. Speaker, I urge all Members of the House to vote aye.”
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Kucinich to liberals: Vote or surrender to the ‘forces of nihilism’
From RawStory.com-
WASHINGTON – As Democrats fear a wave of losses in next Tuesday's elections, due in part to a lack of enthusiasm within their base, one progressive champion made an impassioned plea for liberals to head to the polls and and vote.
"We can get out there and make our voices heard, or we can let the forces of nihilism take over," Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) told Raw Story in an exclusive interview late Tuesday afternoon.
The Cleveland Democrat warned progressives that a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives – a likely scenario, according to election experts – could surrender the levers of power to "megalomaniacal neoconservatives who are more in need of mental attention."
"There's no question about it," he said. "We have to vote."
Kucinich, a seven-term congressman who seems to be in no danger, sympathized with liberals who are disenchanted with the Democratic Party, but insisted they must "work within the system" to achieve the results they want, arguing that tuning out wasn't a better solution.
"I would never try to minimize their concerns. I understand them," he said. "I wish we had broader options. I certainly don't like our political system, but I'm not prepared to walk away."
If there's anyone in Congress who shares liberal misgivings about the Obama administration, it's Kucinich. From health care to the economy to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, he has been outspoken about his criticisms. "But this election is a choice," he said.
Studies reveal that both of the major parties are unpopular with the public – some even say Americans still prefer Democrats – but polls consistently show that Republicans are far more likely to vote next Tuesday.
An NBC/Wall Street Journal survey last week found that Republicans are more likely to head to the polls on Nov. 2 than Democrats by a whopping 20 percentage points.
Kucinich, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2004 and 2008, said he doesn't envision any circumstance in which he'd run again in 2012.
"I don’t see it," he said. "I think anybody who runs against Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination would be handing the presidency to the other party on a silver platter."
WASHINGTON – As Democrats fear a wave of losses in next Tuesday's elections, due in part to a lack of enthusiasm within their base, one progressive champion made an impassioned plea for liberals to head to the polls and and vote.
"We can get out there and make our voices heard, or we can let the forces of nihilism take over," Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) told Raw Story in an exclusive interview late Tuesday afternoon.
The Cleveland Democrat warned progressives that a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives – a likely scenario, according to election experts – could surrender the levers of power to "megalomaniacal neoconservatives who are more in need of mental attention."
"There's no question about it," he said. "We have to vote."
Kucinich, a seven-term congressman who seems to be in no danger, sympathized with liberals who are disenchanted with the Democratic Party, but insisted they must "work within the system" to achieve the results they want, arguing that tuning out wasn't a better solution.
"I would never try to minimize their concerns. I understand them," he said. "I wish we had broader options. I certainly don't like our political system, but I'm not prepared to walk away."
If there's anyone in Congress who shares liberal misgivings about the Obama administration, it's Kucinich. From health care to the economy to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, he has been outspoken about his criticisms. "But this election is a choice," he said.
Studies reveal that both of the major parties are unpopular with the public – some even say Americans still prefer Democrats – but polls consistently show that Republicans are far more likely to vote next Tuesday.
An NBC/Wall Street Journal survey last week found that Republicans are more likely to head to the polls on Nov. 2 than Democrats by a whopping 20 percentage points.
Kucinich, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2004 and 2008, said he doesn't envision any circumstance in which he'd run again in 2012.
"I don’t see it," he said. "I think anybody who runs against Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination would be handing the presidency to the other party on a silver platter."
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Are Democrats "Dropping Like Flies"? Not Really
Political Wire-
With news of four Democrats dropping their bids yesterday, ABC News says that Democrats "are dropping like flies."
But Steve Benen notes that Republican retirements, at least for now, still outnumber Democratic retirements.
"In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement... In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement."
"Among governors, several incumbents in both parties are term-limited and prevented from running again, but only three Democrats who can seek re-election -- Parkinson in Kansas, Doyle in Wisconsin, and Ritter in Colorado -- have chosen not to. For Republicans, the number is four -- Douglas in Vermont, Rell in Connecticut, Crist in Florida, and Pawlenty in Minnesota. (Update: the GOP number is five if we include Palin in Alaska.)"
With news of four Democrats dropping their bids yesterday, ABC News says that Democrats "are dropping like flies."
But Steve Benen notes that Republican retirements, at least for now, still outnumber Democratic retirements.
"In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement... In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement."
"Among governors, several incumbents in both parties are term-limited and prevented from running again, but only three Democrats who can seek re-election -- Parkinson in Kansas, Doyle in Wisconsin, and Ritter in Colorado -- have chosen not to. For Republicans, the number is four -- Douglas in Vermont, Rell in Connecticut, Crist in Florida, and Pawlenty in Minnesota. (Update: the GOP number is five if we include Palin in Alaska.)"
Sunday, February 8, 2009
President Obama's Weekly Address: 2/07/09
Friday, February 6, 2009
Obama warns Dems sacrifice necessary on stimulus
WILLIAMSBURG, VA. -- President Obama on Thursday told House Democrats to ask not what the economic stimulus plan can do for them, but what they can do to pass the economic stimulus plan.
Harking back to the themes of sacrifice laid out in his inaugural address, Obama, keynoting the House Democratic Caucus issues conference, called on Democrats to be prepared to yield on some of their priorities in order to get a near-trillion dollar stimulus plan onto his desk as soon as possible.
“This package is not going to be absolutely perfect,” Obama told a packed room of over 200 Democrats in Williamsburg, Va. “And you can nit and you can pick, you know that’s the game we all play here. You know how to play that game.”
“What I’m saying is, now we can’t afford to play it,” Obama continued.
The timing of the President’s remarks could not have been more apt. Since the House passed its $819 bill last week – without a single Republican vote – fractures in the Democratic caucus have only grown. Progressives began to balk at the addition of tax cuts and removal of certain spending items – done to placate Senate Republicans – while conservatives complained ever more forcefully about the total amont of spending in the bill.
In the Senate, Democratic leaders hope to have a vote on a different version of the stimulus on Friday. The Senate version is more than $900 billion, which has made centrists in both parties nervous.
In preparing the House to accept a final bill that may end up far different than the one they passed – and that Democratic leaders have forcefully defended -- Obama called on Democrats to “not let the perfect be the enemy of the absolutely necessary.”
“We’ve got to pull together,” he continued. “They're going to be some things that don’t get included that each of us would like to see. All of us are going to have to make some sacrifices. And we have to accommodate the interests of a range of people. And the House is going to have to work with the Senate.”
What changes the House may have to accept remain to be seen. The Senate added a one-year patch to prevent more middle class taxpayers from being hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax. The Senate bill also includes a $15,000 tax credit for home owners intended to spur on the housing market.
Read more >>>Here
Harking back to the themes of sacrifice laid out in his inaugural address, Obama, keynoting the House Democratic Caucus issues conference, called on Democrats to be prepared to yield on some of their priorities in order to get a near-trillion dollar stimulus plan onto his desk as soon as possible.
“This package is not going to be absolutely perfect,” Obama told a packed room of over 200 Democrats in Williamsburg, Va. “And you can nit and you can pick, you know that’s the game we all play here. You know how to play that game.”
“What I’m saying is, now we can’t afford to play it,” Obama continued.
The timing of the President’s remarks could not have been more apt. Since the House passed its $819 bill last week – without a single Republican vote – fractures in the Democratic caucus have only grown. Progressives began to balk at the addition of tax cuts and removal of certain spending items – done to placate Senate Republicans – while conservatives complained ever more forcefully about the total amont of spending in the bill.
In the Senate, Democratic leaders hope to have a vote on a different version of the stimulus on Friday. The Senate version is more than $900 billion, which has made centrists in both parties nervous.
In preparing the House to accept a final bill that may end up far different than the one they passed – and that Democratic leaders have forcefully defended -- Obama called on Democrats to “not let the perfect be the enemy of the absolutely necessary.”
“We’ve got to pull together,” he continued. “They're going to be some things that don’t get included that each of us would like to see. All of us are going to have to make some sacrifices. And we have to accommodate the interests of a range of people. And the House is going to have to work with the Senate.”
What changes the House may have to accept remain to be seen. The Senate added a one-year patch to prevent more middle class taxpayers from being hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax. The Senate bill also includes a $15,000 tax credit for home owners intended to spur on the housing market.
Read more >>>Here
Saturday, January 31, 2009
President Obama's Weekly Address: 1/31/09
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Breaking News: House Approves President's Stimulus Plan
House, in 244-188 Vote, Approves President's Stimulus Plan
The House voted, 244-188, on Wednesday evening for President
Obama's package of federal tax cuts and spending worth $819
billion and meant to jump-start the economy out of its worst
crisis in decades.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
HOLT, CHAIRMAN MILLER: INTERNATIONAL STUDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO IMPROVE MATH, SCIENCE EDUCATION
December 9, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) issued the following statement today on a new report that shows that while American students are making some strides in math achievement, students in other countries still outrank U.S. students in overall math and science performance. The study, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS),compares achievement among 4th and 8th grade students in math and science. The lawmakers said the report was the latest proof that the U.S. must re-double its commitment to improving math and science education, in part by drawing effective, qualified teachers to these subject areas.
“While it is good news that fourth graders have made significant gains in math, it’s troubling that our students are still behind their international peers in both math and science – fields that are key to our country’s economic vitality and competitiveness” said Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “It’s increasingly clear that building a world-class education system that provides students with a strong foundation in math and science must be part of any meaningful long-term economic recovery strategy.”
“How many red flags, how many alarms, how many reports will it take to understand that we significantly need to strengthen math and science education? Without math and science training, we cannot meet society’s needs and compete in a global marketplace. This has been urgent for a long time, but we keep behaving like it doesn’t matter” said Holt, a scientist and member of the House Education and Labor Committee, who has been a long time advocate for stronger science, technology, engineering, and math education.
According to the study, while both fourth and eighth grade students showed improvements in math, neither grade level improved in science over the past decade. The report also found that overall fourth and eighth graders in the U.S. performed above average in math and science, and that the lowest-performing fourth graders showed improvement in math between 1995 and 2007 and between 2003 and 2007.
Last summer, Congress enacted the America COMPETES Act which provides education and job training for students and workers in math, science, technology, and engineering fields. The law builds upon principles unveiled by Chairman Miller and Democratic leaders in their Innovation Agenda in November 2005. For more information about the COMPETES Act, click here.
Last year, as part of the landmark College Cost Reduction and Access Act, Congress enacted TEACH grants, which provide up-front tuition assistance of $4,000 each year – for a maximum of $16,000 – to students who commit to teaching in public schools in high-poverty communities or high-need subject areas, such as math and science. For more information about the law, click here.
“While it is good news that fourth graders have made significant gains in math, it’s troubling that our students are still behind their international peers in both math and science – fields that are key to our country’s economic vitality and competitiveness” said Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “It’s increasingly clear that building a world-class education system that provides students with a strong foundation in math and science must be part of any meaningful long-term economic recovery strategy.”
“How many red flags, how many alarms, how many reports will it take to understand that we significantly need to strengthen math and science education? Without math and science training, we cannot meet society’s needs and compete in a global marketplace. This has been urgent for a long time, but we keep behaving like it doesn’t matter” said Holt, a scientist and member of the House Education and Labor Committee, who has been a long time advocate for stronger science, technology, engineering, and math education.
According to the study, while both fourth and eighth grade students showed improvements in math, neither grade level improved in science over the past decade. The report also found that overall fourth and eighth graders in the U.S. performed above average in math and science, and that the lowest-performing fourth graders showed improvement in math between 1995 and 2007 and between 2003 and 2007.
Last summer, Congress enacted the America COMPETES Act which provides education and job training for students and workers in math, science, technology, and engineering fields. The law builds upon principles unveiled by Chairman Miller and Democratic leaders in their Innovation Agenda in November 2005. For more information about the COMPETES Act, click here.
Last year, as part of the landmark College Cost Reduction and Access Act, Congress enacted TEACH grants, which provide up-front tuition assistance of $4,000 each year – for a maximum of $16,000 – to students who commit to teaching in public schools in high-poverty communities or high-need subject areas, such as math and science. For more information about the law, click here.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Kilroy win gives Dems 79-seat House majority
Ohio Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy has won the last outstanding House race, handing her party a 79-seat majority and putting its gains for November’s general election at 21 seats.
House Democrats’ majority now stands at 257-178.
Kilroy was declared the winner over Republican state Sen. Steve Stivers after the counting of outstanding provisional ballots put her up more than 2,000 votes. Stivers has conceded.
Kilroy, a Franklin County commissioner, will replace retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio). Kilroy fell just short of unseating Pryce in 2006.
"In Washington, I will work together with Democrats, Republicans, and President-elect Obama to tackle the real problems that our community faces,” Kilroy said in a statement. “Over the next few days I will be in contact with Rep. Deborah Pryce to begin a smooth transition so that no constituent services are delayed during these tough economic times."
Stivers said in a statement: “While I am extremely proud of the race I ran, ultimately, [it] was not enough. I have called Commissioner Kilroy to congratulate her for her hard-fought victory, and I wish her well in Washington.”
Republicans stole a seat from Democrats on Saturday in the delayed congressional races in Louisiana, when GOPer Joseph Cao shocked indicted Rep. William Jefferson (D) in a low-turnout affair.
In the other Pelican State race delayed by Hurricane Gustav, Republican John Fleming holds a 356-vote lead with all precincts reporting and appears to have defeated Democrat Paul Carmouche, but there might be a recount.
House Democrats’ majority now stands at 257-178.
Kilroy was declared the winner over Republican state Sen. Steve Stivers after the counting of outstanding provisional ballots put her up more than 2,000 votes. Stivers has conceded.
Kilroy, a Franklin County commissioner, will replace retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio). Kilroy fell just short of unseating Pryce in 2006.
"In Washington, I will work together with Democrats, Republicans, and President-elect Obama to tackle the real problems that our community faces,” Kilroy said in a statement. “Over the next few days I will be in contact with Rep. Deborah Pryce to begin a smooth transition so that no constituent services are delayed during these tough economic times."
Stivers said in a statement: “While I am extremely proud of the race I ran, ultimately, [it] was not enough. I have called Commissioner Kilroy to congratulate her for her hard-fought victory, and I wish her well in Washington.”
Republicans stole a seat from Democrats on Saturday in the delayed congressional races in Louisiana, when GOPer Joseph Cao shocked indicted Rep. William Jefferson (D) in a low-turnout affair.
In the other Pelican State race delayed by Hurricane Gustav, Republican John Fleming holds a 356-vote lead with all precincts reporting and appears to have defeated Democrat Paul Carmouche, but there might be a recount.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Dems lower expectations
LEADING THE NEWS- The Hill
Democratic leaders are tamping down on expectations for rapid change and trying to signal they will place a calm hand on the nation’s tiller.
“The country must be governed from the middle,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday. Repeating themes from election night, she said she plans to emphasize “civility” and “fiscal responsibility.”
Her comments emphasized that after an election consistently referred to as “historic,” Democrats face the daunting task of dealing with the plunging economy and two wars.
Yet, they face massive expectations for change and deep-seated fears of overreaching. But senior aides say they’ve learned from the mistakes of the past. Nearly every member of the current Democratic leadership in the House served through the 1992 election, when Bill Clinton was elected president. Two years later, the GOP gained control of Congress.
More recently, they’ve watched Republicans go from complete dominance to minority status in the space of two elections.
“The difference is we have the benefit of experience in seeing what happens when you gain control,” said a senior Democratic aide. “I do not envision a scenario where we’d go off on an ideological mission in an undisciplined way.”
There are similar sentiments in the Senate.
Democratic leaders are tamping down on expectations for rapid change and trying to signal they will place a calm hand on the nation’s tiller.
“The country must be governed from the middle,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday. Repeating themes from election night, she said she plans to emphasize “civility” and “fiscal responsibility.”
Her comments emphasized that after an election consistently referred to as “historic,” Democrats face the daunting task of dealing with the plunging economy and two wars.
Yet, they face massive expectations for change and deep-seated fears of overreaching. But senior aides say they’ve learned from the mistakes of the past. Nearly every member of the current Democratic leadership in the House served through the 1992 election, when Bill Clinton was elected president. Two years later, the GOP gained control of Congress.
More recently, they’ve watched Republicans go from complete dominance to minority status in the space of two elections.
“The difference is we have the benefit of experience in seeing what happens when you gain control,” said a senior Democratic aide. “I do not envision a scenario where we’d go off on an ideological mission in an undisciplined way.”
There are similar sentiments in the Senate.
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