Blog Post

The House has just passed the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments, H.R. 3195, by a vote of 402-17. This bill specifically rejects the erroneous Supreme Court decisions that have reduced the protections for people with disabilities under the ADA, restoring original Congressional intent.

Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-02) spoke in favor:

President Bush, Senator John McCain and their Republican allies are calling on Congress to give away more federal lands to Big Oil. But oil companies do not need more places to drill -- they are sitting on 68 million acres of federal lands -- or 81 percent of U.S. oil reserves -- that they have already leased but have not developed for drilling.

Today the Education and Labor Committee held a hearing, "Is OSHA Failing to Adequately Enforce Construction Safety Rules?" The hearing examined the recent spate of construction and crane incidents in the U.S., particularly in New York City and Las Vegas, which have caused dozens of deaths and injuries. The Committee also examined whether the U.S.

Last Wednesday the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing, "From the Department of Justice to Guantanamo Bay: Administration Lawyers and Administration Interrogation Rules, Part II." Douglas Feith, former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, was scheduled to appear, but as Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler explained:

Chairman Nadler: "Despite his prior commitment t

Today's bipartisan and veto-proof vote sends a strong signal that improving care for seniors and ensuring fair payment for providers will not be held hostage to the White House's insistence on bloated, unnecessary subsidies for private health insurance plans that participate in Medicare.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act is essential legislation that will enhance preventive and mental health benefits for our seniors.

The Oversight Committee is currently holding a hearing, "Examination of AEY Contracts with the U.S. Government." The hearing will address failures by AEY, Inc., to provide weapons and ammunition under contracts with the United States Government, and the deficiencies within the government that allowed AEY to be awarded these and other contracts. Representatives of the Defense and State Departments will testify.

Chairman Henry Waxman of the Oversight Committee sent a letter today requesting that President Bush declassify provisions in the "Joint MNF-I/U.S. Embassy-Baghdad Campaign Plan" that refer to U.S. military bases in Iraq and the timeline for their existence, as well as a GAO report issued today regarding this Joint Campaign Plan.

Full text of the letter (pdf):

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on Senator John McCain's energy proposals: