Blog Post
Blog Post
December 22, 2008
Several recent news reports highlight the failure of the Bush Administration to protect the taxpayers as Congress intended when we wrote tough accountability in the Troubled Asset Relief Program. It is unacceptable to Congress and to taxpayers that the Treasury Department cannot guarantee that financial institutions are properly using taxpayer assistance to ease the credit crunch. And it is outrageous that those institutions cannot -- or will not -- provide information on how they are spending billions of taxpayer dollars.
Blog Post
December 19, 2008
Today, President-elect Obama nominated Rep. Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor:
Speaker Pelosi:
Blog Post
December 19, 2008
The President's announcement this morning provides an opportunity for the American automakers to become viable and competitive while securing millions of jobs. The auto companies and all other parties now must engage in comprehensive negotiations that will require all parties to make concessions.
The White House proposal unfortunately singles out workers and clearly puts them at a disadvantage before negotiations have even begun.
Blog Post
December 18, 2008
While current law already protects the religious beliefs of health care providers and professionals, the Bush Administration's Health and Human Services issued a 'refusal clause' rule today that is so broad it could limit women's access to comprehensive health care and other services.
Speaker Pelosi:
Blog Post
December 17, 2008
This afternoon Senator Feinstein, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, announced the program for the 56th Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2009:
Musical SelectionsThe United States Marine Band
Musical Selections
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin
Blog Post
December 17, 2008
From the Ways and Means Committee:
Blog Post
December 16, 2008
Today, Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Paulson urging him to adopt accountability protections identical to those passed by the House last week in the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act saying, "given the serious mistakes that senior auto industry executives acknowledge they have made in the past, such safeguards are absolutely necessary to ensure that taxpayers are protected and that the retooling of this critical industry proceeds as quickly as possible."
The letter:
Blog Post
December 15, 2008
Today, President-elect Obama's nominated Steven Chu for Energy Secretary, Carol Browner for White House policy coordinator for energy and climate issues, Lisa Jackson for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Nancy Sutley for Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Speaker Pelosi on the nominations:
Blog Post
December 15, 2008
Today, GAO released a report requested by Reps. Dingell, Rangel, Waxman, Stark, and Pallone on Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service (PFFS). The report finds that PFFS plans expose beneficiaries to serious financial risk, leaving them to bear much of the cost burden of their care. GAO also found that beneficiaries in PFFS plans disenrolled at an average rate of 21% compared to 9% for other Medicare Advantage plans.
Rep. Dingell:
Blog Post
December 15, 2008
President-elect Obama's selection of Shaun Donovan to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development reaffirms the new Administration's commitment to strengthening home ownership, increasing access to affordable rental housing, curbing predatory lending, improving public housing, and tackling the economic crisis by halting the rise in foreclosures.