Blog Post

Blog Post
On the Student Loan Sunshine Act
May 9, 2007
Today, the House will take much needed action to clean up the student loan industry and ensure that students and their families can trust the student aid system they rely on to afford college.

Corrupt practices among lenders, schools, and public officials have undermined our student loan programs. At a time when students and their families are facing mountains of debt to earn a higher education, some lenders are filling their pockets.

Blog Post
Hearing on the Endangered Species Act
May 9, 2007
The Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), is currently holding an oversight hearing: "Endangered Species Act Implementation: Science or Politics?" Julie MacDonald, deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks in the Interior Department was scheduled to testify, but resigned last week.
Blog Post
Student Loan Sunshine Act Comes to the Floor
May 9, 2007
UPDATE: The bill has passed, 414-3.

New legislation helping to clean up the student loan industry, the Student Loan Sunshine Act, comes as a key figure resigns:

Education Department's Financial Aid Chief to Resign

Matthew Keenan, Bloomberg - May 8, 2007

Blog Post
Hearing on Employee Classification
May 8, 2007
Today the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing, "Are NLRB and Court Rulings Misclassifying Skilled and Professional Employees as Supervisors?" Artificially classifying employees in categories such as "supervisor" is a technique often used to avoid affording employees certain benefits, such as overtime pay.
Subcommittee Chairman Rob Andrews:
Blog Post
Energy Independence is Essential to Reducing the Price at the Pump
May 8, 2007
Image removed.

Gas prices hit a record nationwide average of $3.07 per gallon this week. For six years, President Bush and the previous Republican Congress failed to enact a comprehensive energy strategy that would help stabilize the cost of gas and make America more energy independent.

Blog Post
Reps. Blumenauer & Andrews on the Budget
May 8, 2007
During a House debate on a Republican Motion to Instruct Conferees on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget, Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Rob Andrews explain the distinction between the Democratic and Republican approaches:
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03):
Blog Post
Hearing on the Secondary Market and Subprime Mortgage Lending
May 8, 2007
The Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Committee is currently holding a hearing, "The Role of the Secondary Market in Subprime Mortgage Lending."

Witness List & Prepared Testimony: Ms. Cara Heiden, Division President, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; Mr. Warren Kornfeld, Managing Director, Moody's Investors Service; Mr. Howard Mulligan, Attorney at Law, McDermott, Will and Emery; Mr. Donald C. Lampe, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC; Mr.

Blog Post
National Guard Readiness
May 7, 2007
The war in Iraq has had a serious impact on the National Guard and its ability to protect and assist Americans in times of disaster here at home. On Friday May 4th, a massive tornado ripped through the town of Greensburg, Kansas killing at least 10 people and leaving the town in ruins. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius told the media that the recovery effort has been hampered by the National Guard's lack of equipment as a result of the Iraq war:

Blog Post
Justice Department Would Not Object to Goodling Immunity
May 7, 2007
Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has received a letter from the Department of Justice indicating it would not object to the House Judiciary Committee's grant of use immunity for Monica Goodling. Chairman Conyers had the following statement:

Blog Post
Whistleblowers, Oversight and Student Loans
May 7, 2007
Whistle-Blower on Student Aid Is Vindicated

Sam Dillon, New York Times - May 7, 2007