Blog Post

By vetoing the Water Resources Development Act, President Bush is attempting to prohibit much-needed investments in our water infrastructure, at a time when many regions in our country face serious threats from natural disasters caused by flooding, storm surge, and hurricanes.

The WRDA bill will help protect Americans from these disasters -- repairing a levee or dam can prevent enormous loss of human lives and property by preventing a catastrophic flood.

From the Homeland Security Committee:

The Financial Services Committee is currently holding a hearing, "Progress in Administration and Other Efforts to Coordinate and Enhance Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention." The hearing will examine recent progress in coordinating lenders, mortgage servicers, and nonprofit organizations to prevent mortgage foreclosures, encourage modifications of troubled loans, and assist at-risk homeowners.

The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming is currently holding a hearing examining the scientific link between a changing climate and the frequency and intensity of wildfires. As the Committee noted in its hearing announcement:

Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-28), Chairwoman of the Rules Committee, has been a leading protection for our troops. Today Rep. Slaughter issues a statement on the indictment officials of body armor manufacturer Point Blank Solutions:

Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17) speaks in favor of the package of appropriations bills soon to be sent to the President:

Rep. Ryan: "You know, I think all that rhetoric maybe nice but what we're trying to do here is run the government, and has been stated several times, when the Republicans were in charge, they put bills together and got them passed. And now all of a sudden they take a stand here like this has never happened, I think is a tad bit disingenuous.

The House has just passed the Trade and Globalization Assistance Act, H.R. 3920 by a vote of 264-157. The bill would overhaul the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program -- expanding opportunities for job training to transition workers into 21st Century jobs to take advantage of increasing globalization. The White House has issued a veto threat on the bill.