Press Releases

“Today's severe job loss numbers are further evidence of why we must continue to move America's economy in a New Direction. Since the recession began almost a year and a half ago, 5.1 million American jobs have been lost. America cannot afford a return to the failed Bush economic policies that have led to recession, unemployment, and the worst economic climate in decades."

“It upholds the principle of fairness with tax cuts for the middle class -- for 95 percent of the American people. It upholds the principle of fairness with health care for all Americans as a right, not a privilege. The budget will not only create a healthier America, but by lowering health care costs, health care reform is entitlement reform. By curtailing the rising costs of Medicare and Medicaid, health care reform will significantly reduce the deficit."

“Every day, Americans benefit from the oversight the FDA provides on the foods we eat and the medicines we take. Despite the fact that tobacco is one of the deadliest products in America, the FDA has no authority to regulate it. That is just not right."

“And the combination of efforts over these first three months -- first quarter of this first session of Congress -- has been investments in health care that are greater than anything we've seen in a decade, investments in education that exceed any other comparable time in history, ground-breaking initiatives in terms of energy that will create a new green economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

“Tomorrow, the House will pass a budget that is a blueprint for economic recovery and new jobs now--and sustainable economic growth and prosperity for years to come. For the first time in years, America will have a budget that: cuts the deficit by nearly two-thirds; cuts taxes for middle class Americans; creates and saves American jobs with investments in health care, clean energy, and education; and reduces spending to its lowest level as a percent of the economy in half a century. That is why nearly two-thirds of Americans support President Obama's priorities, which are at the heart of our budget blueprint."

“Today the House took another step toward better protecting the taxpayer with the Pay for Performance Act. This legislation adds new compensation and bonus restrictions to financial institutions that receive direct investments from the Treasury Department and applies these limits regardless of when the company agreed to pay a bonus."

“The New Direction Congress is the guardian of a promise President Lincoln made to our nation's veterans 144 years ago when he pledged, ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan…"

“Cesar Chavez taught us that dignity and sacrifice can inspire a people and bring about change. He famously believed that ‘to suffer for someone in greater need was human.' It is this belief, along with his struggle on behalf of America's farm workers, that makes Cesar Chavez an American hero."