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Rep. Patrick Murphy on Iraq and the Troops
April 20, 2007
Last night, after the House sent the Iraq Accountability Act to conference committee for negotiations with the Senate for a final bill, Rep. Patrick Murphy (PA-08), the only Iraq veteran in Congress, took to the House floor to speak about his own experiences in Iraq and those he served with:
Rep. Patrick Murphy:
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Iraq Accountability Act Goes to Conference
April 19, 2007
Tonight Republicans, led by Rep. Jerry Lewis, attempted to strip provisions in the Iraq Accountability Act holding the Iraqi government accountable and providing for a responsible redeployment from Iraq before it goes to conference committee for reconciliation with the Senate version of the emergency supplemental. Republicans offered a motion to recommit the bill reasserting the timelines, which the Republicans voted against, hoping that Democrats would join them.
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Democrats Launch 100 Percent Carbon Neutral 'Green the Capitol Initiative'
April 19, 2007

"The environmental challenges we face are as local as our neighborhoods and as global as our planet. The House must lead by example and it is time for Congress to act on its own carbon footprint. Today, we announce our intention to operate the House in a carbon neutral manner at the earliest possible date with a deadline of the end of this Congress."

- Speaker Pelosi, April 19, 2007

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House Passes the DC Voting Rights Act
April 19, 2007
The D.C. Voting Rights Act has passed by a vote of 241 to 177.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
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Debate on the Rule for the DC Voting Rights Act
April 19, 2007
Debate on the rule for the DC Voting Rights Act, managed by Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-25), has begun. Once the rule passes, full debate of the bill will begin.

Rep. Michael
Arcuri (NY-25):

"The fact that approximately 600,000 US citizens live under taxation without representation within the United States today is repugnant to the very notion of democracy. How can the United States deny democracy in its capital while promoting democracy abroad?"

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DC Voting Rights Act Back on the Floor Today
April 19, 2007
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Debate on the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act
April 18, 2007
This morning we covered the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, introduced by Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, which would allow shareholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation plans and new "golden parachute" arrangements. The final vote on the bill is scheduled for Friday.

More information from our current legislation page >>

Rep. David Scott (GA-13) discusses the merits of the bill:

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A Letter from Anonymous Justice Employees
April 18, 2007
Today the House and Senate Judiciary Committees received a letter from anonymous Justice Department employees concerning widespread politicization at the Justice Department. Read the full letter here (pdf). The opening excerpt:

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We Came in the Spirit of Hope That the President Would Take Yes for an Answer
April 18, 2007
I concur with the view of the distinguished Senate Majority Leader that this was a productive meeting with the President. He took the time to hear our views and shared his with us. We came here in a spirit of hope, recognizing that this is an historic opportunity for the President and the Congress to work together to wind down this war and to ensure the security of our country and the stability of the region.

We came in the spirit of hope that the President would take yes for an answer. The legislation that we will send to his desk certainly supports the troops.

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Oversight Hearing on Electronic Voting
April 18, 2007
The Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives is currently holding a hearing on ensuring fairness in elections involving electronic voting machines.

Watch the hearing live >>

Subcommittee Chairman Lacy Clay gives opening remarks:

Subcommittee Chairman Lacy Clay:

"I have serious concerns about how the EAC [Election Assistance Commission] is handling its stewardship role within our federal election system."