Blog Post

From the Oversight Committee:

Waxman and Kennedy Request GAO Examination of FDA Resource Shortfalls

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy wrote to Comptroller General of the United States David Walker requesting an examination of the staffing, information technology, and other resources necessary for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to successfully carry out its oversight of foods, drugs, biologics, and medical devices.

The House has just passed H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act by a vote of 385-35-1, a bipartisan economic stimulus legislation to help hardworking Americans who are struggling with the high costs of gas, health care and groceries, and to jumpstart our slowing economy. The bill would put hundreds of dollars into the hands of 117 million American families -- who will spend it immediately to reinvigorate the economy.

The Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties is currently holding a hearing, "Reform of the State Secrets Privilege."

Watch the hearing live >>

Greater Use of Privilege Spurs Concern

Last night, I attended President George W. Bush's final State of the Union address.

With a struggling economy and the continuing war in Iraq, I was looking to hear the President offer some fresh ideas to solve many of our country's most pressing problems.

Unfortunately, all I heard was more of the same.

The Congress will continue to work with President Bush in a bi-partisan manner to meet the needs of the American people. However, for a nation that is facing a potential economic crisis, I was dismayed that the President offered no new ideas to the American people and no perspective on the span of his Administration.

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released the following statement following President Bush's State of the Union Address. Below are their remarks:

In just a few weeks, we will mark the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq. Five years later, the political and economic situation on the ground has changed little, while the rest of the world, including the United States, has changed significantly.

Last year, in his State of the Union Address, President Bush called for the creation of an "Opportunity Scholarships Program" -- which was actually just a clever name for a proposal to drain much-needed money away from cash-strapped public schools and use it to fund private school vouchers.