Blog Post

The Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing, "Applicability of Federal Criminal Laws to the Interrogation of Detainees." Witnesses include Stephen Saltzburg of the George Washington University Law School; John Radsan of the William Mitchell College of Law; David Rivkin of Baker & Hostetler LLP; and Elisa Massimino, Washington Director of Human Rights First.

While he complained about Congress this morning, even President Bush has to acknowledge the New Direction Congress' accomplishments this year. Just this week, Congress passed a landmark energy bill, provided tax relief for 23 million American families and a budget that begins to restore our domestic priorities. And the House passed a bill that creates higher safety standards for toys and consumer products.

In a letter to EPA today, Chairman Henry Waxman of the Oversight Committee requests that the agency preserve and produce all documents relating to Administrator Johnson's decision to block California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The investigation follows prior committee inquiries on highly questionable attempts by the Department of Transportation to lobby Congress regarding California's efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Full text of the letter:

The Democratic Caucus has produced this chart comparing the first year of the Democratic Congress to the first year of the Republican Congress:

Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel also issued the following statement after President Bush's press conference this morning:

Americans should trust that the products they buy are safe for their families. But headlines revealing lead paint in imported toys, daily recalls of faulty products, unsafe food in our grocery stores, and questionable medicines in our cabinets have made parents and consumers anxious. Government must live up to its responsibility to protect our children. Parents should not have to buy a lead testing kit before letting their children play. Standards must be established, inspections must be rigorous and strict penalties must be enforced.

From the Judiciary Committee:

The Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security has just concluded a hearing, "Enforcement of Federal Criminal Law to Protect Americans Working for U.S. Contractors in Iraq."Rep.

Today the U.S. Congress is sending a strong message that economic pressure on the Sudanese government will continue to intensify until the genocide in Darfur finally comes to an end.

Young people, the religious community, and state governments are leading divestment campaigns all across America. This legislation will empower their efforts and help ensure that money from American citizens will not contribute to a genocidal regime.