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House Democrats on the Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health & Iraq Accountability Act
March 8, 2007
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U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act
March 8, 2007
For more information on the Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, click here >>
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U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act
March 8, 2007
From the Appropriations Committee:

Democratic Leaders Announce Iraq, Veterans Proposal

WASHINGTON -- Today, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI), Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha (D-PA), and Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) held a press conference to announce a response to the President's war time supplemental funding request.

Their proposal would:

  • Redirect more resources to the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan,

  • Attack the neglect of returning troops and veterans who are badly in need of healthcare, and

  • Set a timeline for bringing the United States participation in Iraq's civil war to an end.

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The Accountability in Contracting Act
March 8, 2007
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Subcommittee Chairman Murtha Holds Hearing on Walter Reed
March 7, 2007
The Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Murtha (PA-12), held a hearing on the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center this afternoon. The witnesses were Lieutenant General Kevin C. Kiley, M.D, Army Surgeon General, who was in charge of Walter Reed during much of the period in question, and General Peter Schoomaker, Army Chief of Staff. In his opening remarks, Chairman Murtha singled out Dr. David Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, as bearing responsibility as well. Mr. Chu was quoted on January 25, 2005 by the Wall Street Journal saying veteran's benefits were "taking away from the nation's ability to defend itself."

Watch an excerpt of Chairman Murtha's opening remarks:

Chairman Murtha:
Blog Post
The People's House
March 7, 2007
As a strong advocate for open and transparent government, I am pleased that C-SPAN is expanding access with "Creative Commons" licensing to its extensive video coverage of federal government activities.

The House of Representatives is called the People's House for a reason and as Speaker, I am committed to ensuring our government is fully accessible and transparent. This decision, along with our work to webcast committee hearings, is a solid start.

I am proud to join citizen journalists and bloggers in the rapidly expanding field of web video, and you will continue to find video coverage of what Congress is doing for the American people right here on The Gavel.

Blog Post
Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Hearing on Walter Reed
March 7, 2007
Chairman John Murtha's (PA-12) hearing on Walter Reed, which was originally scheduled for Monday but was postponed due to witnesses continuing to testify at the field hearing, will be held today at 1:30. It will be webcast at the Appropriations Committee web site.
Blog Post
New Allegations of Corruption in the General Services Administration
March 6, 2007
In June of 2006, David Safavian, former chief of staff at the General Services Administration (GSA), was found guilty of lying and obstructing justice in the probe surrounding former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
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Subpoenas Not Needed
March 6, 2007
Investigation report on NASA inspector to be released

Mark K. Matthews, Orlando Sentinel - March 6, 2007

White House officials have agreed to release a confidential report by April 2 that details a federal investigation of NASA Inspector General Robert Cobb, congressional sources said.

The decision comes after more than two months of wrangling between Congress and an oversight group on whether federal lawmakers could have access to the longstanding Cobb probe.

Launched last year following complaints to the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the inquiry reportedly was completed by the end of last summer and examines dozens of allegations against Cobb in his role as inspector general.

Blog Post
Libby Guilty Verdicts Not Solely About Acts of One Individual
March 6, 2007
Today's guilty verdicts are not solely about the acts of one individual.

This trial provided a troubling picture of the inner workings of the Bush Administration. The testimony unmistakably revealed -- at the highest levels of the Bush Administration -- a callous disregard in handling sensitive national security information and a disposition to smear critics of the war in Iraq.