Pallone Statement on Selection as Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2014


Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement today after being nominated by the House Democratic Caucus to become the next Ranking Minority Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to lead my party in promoting the values that first compelled me to enter public service and that continue to motivate me today. I am fully committed to developing real solutions to the challenges that average Americans face, while building an agenda that will make our party stronger for years to come.

“Over the last year, it has been a privilege to speak with members of the caucus about our shared vision for the futures of both the committee and our party. I am excited to work together to make this vision a reality.

“I want to extend my profound appreciation and deepest gratitude to the entire Democratic Caucus, especially those who have encouraged me along the way. The outpouring of support has been humbling.


“I look forward to working closely with Congresswoman Eshoo and all of my colleagues to continue delivering on the Democratic promise to the American people.”

***********

Congratulations Congressman Pallone on being selected as the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee over Nancy Pelosi's wishes!!

Obama warns Dems sacrifice necessary on stimulus

The Hill - Leading the News

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