Blog Post
Blog Post
April 20, 2010
Today is Equal Pay Day, marking how far into the year a woman must work, on average, to earn as much as a man earned the previous year. President John Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 when women who worked full-time, year-round made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. More than 40 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women continue to be paid less for performing the same job as their male colleagues. On average, women earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
Blog Post
April 20, 2010
Small businesses have felt the brunt of the broken health care system and during the economic crisis, many small businesses operate close to the margin, making health care coverage even harder. On average, small businesses pay up to 18% more than large firms for the same health insurance policy and only 45% of America's small businesses can afford to offer health benefits--which means the majority of uninsured Americans are small business owners, employees, and their families.
Blog Post
April 20, 2010
Early this morning, civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy I. Height passed away in Washington, DC. Speaker Pelosi:
Blog Post
April 19, 2010
Fifteen years ago, the people of our nation witnessed the destruction of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, and came together in strength out of this moment of tragedy. Today, we continue to mourn the loss of the 168 Americans; many were federal workers who came to work that morning to serve the public -- to help our veterans and the elderly, farmers and the disabled. Our prayers still rest with the families, neighbors, and loved ones of the men, women, and children who died that day.
Blog Post
April 16, 2010
The Democratic-led Congress continues working to create American jobs and strengthen the economy--because we must bring down the unemployment rate and restore American job security. Congressional Republicans continue to vote in lock step against job creation, tax cuts and recovery efforts and instead support the special interests--Wall Street banks, Big Oil and insurance companies.
Blog Post
April 16, 2010
Last night, President Obama issued a presidential memorandum regarding the visitation rights of hospital patients and the ability to designate surrogate decision makers in the case of emergencies. The New York Times recently profiled a couple denied visitation rights:
Blog Post
April 15, 2010
The tax cuts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Obama last February, gave 98% of American working families and individuals a tax cut, and encouraged new job-creating investments by businesses large and small. Many of these tax credits will transform our economy for years to come, such as in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Blog Post
April 15, 2010
This afternoon, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) was sworn in:
Rep. Deutch was elected April 13, 2010 in special election to fill the 19th district seat of Florida left open when Representative Robert Wexler resigned to become the President of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. Rep. Deutch brings the House to 431 Members (254 Democrats and 177 Republicans) with four vacancies remaining (GA-9, NY-29, HI-1, PA-12).
Blog Post
April 14, 2010
The thoughts and prayers of Members of Congress are with the people of China and Tibet, and the loved ones of those lost in the powerful earthquake that struck the region yesterday. Many of the victims were students, teachers, and workers; and thousands remain trapped beneath the rubble.
I hope it is a comfort to those affected by this terrible tragedy that so many around the world are praying for them at this difficult time.
Blog Post
April 14, 2010
This afternoon, the House unanimously passed a resolution expressing condolences to the people of Poland mourning the loss of President Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady and the 94 others who died in the tragic plane crash on Saturday. Speaker Pelosi also visited the Polish Embassy in Washington, DC today and signed the condolence book expressing her condolences to the people of Poland: