Press Releases

“The EPA's announcement today is a significant step forward in the Obama Administration's plan to reduce our dependence on oil, create clean energy jobs, and reduce global warming. This waiver affirms California's role as a trailblazer in environmental protection and energy efficiency and sets the stage for new national goals for vehicle fuel efficiency."

“Today marks a critical step toward the responsible withdrawal of American forces by December 2011 and the end of the war in Iraq, a war that tragically began more than six long years ago. This action is in keeping with the pledge made by President Obama and the Status of Forces agreement with the Iraqi government."

“Our nation's economic competitiveness depends on young Americans having access to the highest quality education available, regardless of financial need. That is why it is so significant that tomorrow we are launching a new initiative that will cap student loan payments in light of a borrower's income."

"I congratulate Senator-elect Al Franken on his long and hard-fought victory. Minnesota now has the full representation in the Senate that its residents deserve. I look forward to working with Senator-elect Franken as the New Direction Congress works to turn the economy around by reforming our health care system and leading America toward an effective and affordable clean energy future.”

"Since 1982, the annual Congressional Art Competition has provided an opportunity for high school students across the country to exhibit their creativity and compete for a chance to represent their Congressional district and exhibit their artwork in the Capitol. This year's local competition was hosted by the San Francisco Unified School District during the annual Young at Art festival displaying more than 2,000 pieces of art in at the DeYoung Museum located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park."

“On behalf of all Members of Congress, I congratulate our friend and colleague, Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, on her new role as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The House will certainly miss Congresswoman Tauscher's leadership, but the entire nation will continue to benefit from her expertise, talent, and experience."

"Today, we look forward to a discussion about the importance of the U.S.-Germany partnership, which is very important to us here in the Congress and in the United States. We can continue to work together to bring security, development, and good governance to Afghanistan as we fight together in the war on terrorism. We can work together to resolve the financial crisis, and Germany being one of the leading exporting countries in the world, the Chancellor's insights on globalization will be very important to us, and have been."

“Naval Station Treasure Island was first identified for closure in 1993. Completion of the process to transfer this land from the Navy to the City and County of San Francisco will strengthen the local economy and is long overdue. Thanks to the magnificent leadership of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri, language is included in this year's National Defense Authorization Act that will significantly accelerate the transfer process for Treasure Island and dozens of similarly situated former bases across the country."