Blog Post

This morning, the Department of Labor released unemployment numbers for July showing that 247,000 jobs were lost last month and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.4 percent, both better results than economists had anticipated:

In our current health care system, women often face higher health costs than men and multiple other barriers to health insurance. Fewer women are eligible for employer-based coverage, and comprehensive coverage in the individual health care market is often unavailable or prohibitively expensive. As a result, many women are under- or uninsured, and simply can't afford the services they need.

This afternoon, Chair of the Joint Economic Committee Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep.

Health insurance reform opponents, like Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, continue to spread myths about components of America's Affordable Health Choices Act. Labeled "key facts" the fact sheet sent by Cantor's office to each member of Congress simply peddles already disproven myths and celebrates the analysis of a discredited insurance industry pawn.

Today is a proud and historic moment for our country. Judge Sonia Sotomayor's life story, including her many years of distinguished service on the federal bench, is a testament to the American values of opportunity and justice. The confirmation of our nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice underscores our nation's commitment to equality, which is our heritage and our hope.

I congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her confirmation, and I am proud that our nation's highest court will soon benefit from her service.

“The world welcomes the joyful news that American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are now home. It is a relief that they have been freed and now are safely reunited with their families..."

'Secretary Shinseki and the Department of Veterans Affairs should be commended for fixing a technical glitch in the Post-9/11 GI Bill that could have prevented thousands of California's veterans from attending the school of their choice this fall..."

Last year, Congress enacted the new GI Bill for the 21st Century (or the 'Post-9/11 GI Bill') to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. On May 1st, veterans were able to start applying for a certificate of eligibility for the new college benefits at the VA website https://www.gibill.va.gov and these benefits started August 1st, available to an estimated 2.1 million veterans.

Health insurance reform opponents, including Republican Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana, continue to spread myths about America's Affordable Health Choices Act's effect on the deficit.

Myth: "The American people know what government-run health care will mean: ... bigger deficit..." -- Congressman Mike Pence, 7/28/09