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House Sends State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act To President
February 4, 2009
By a vote of 290-135, the House passed legislation to concur with the Senate amendments to H.R. 2, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act, sending the bill to the President's desk for his signature. This legislation reauthorizes and improves SCHIP. The Senate-passed version is very similar to the bill that the House passed on January 14 by a vote of 289-139. SCHIP was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in modest-income families that earn too much for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance. Over the last ten years, it has proven to be a successful and cost-effective program for providing health care.

Chairman Waxman (D-CA):

Blog Post
Markopolos: I gift wrapped and delivered the largest Ponzi scheme in history to the SEC
February 4, 2009
This morning, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises is holding a hearing to assess the alleged $50 billion investment fraud engineered by Mr. Bernard L. Madoff. This is the second in a series of hearings that will help to guide the work of the Financial Services Committee and the Capital Markets Subcommittee in the 111th Congress in undertaking the most substantial rewrite of the laws governing the U.S. financial markets since the Great Depression. Earlier coverage of this hearing on The Gavel>>

Chairman Paul Kanjorski, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises:

Blog Post
Financial Services Hearing: Assessing the Madoff Ponzi Scheme and Regulatory Failures
February 4, 2009
This morning, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises is holding a hearing at 9:30am EST to assess the alleged $50 billion investment fraud engineered by Mr. Bernard L. Madoff. This is the second in a series of hearings that will help to guide the work of the Financial Services Committee and the Capital Markets Subcommittee in the 111th Congress in undertaking the most substantial rewrite of the laws governing the U.S. financial markets since the Great Depression.

Watch the live web cast>>

Read prepared testimony:

Panel One

Press Release
Pelosi Remarks Before Meeting with Fed Chairman Bernanke
February 3, 2009
“Good afternoon. We are pleased to welcome Chairman Bernanke to the Speaker's office to get his thinking on the current state of our economy, of the ideas about how we will go forward in the new Administration to turn the economy around, to create jobs immediately, but also to build a foundation for economic stability as we move forward."
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Press Release
Pelosi Announces Staff Changes
February 3, 2009
“Congress cannot function without the dedication and hard work of Americans who put public service ahead of private gain. The hard work completed by staff is an integral part of making the Congress work for the American people,” Pelosi said. “I welcome our talented new additions to the Speaker's Office and look forward to working together as we continue to move America in a New Direction.”
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Blog Post
Three Homeland Security Bills Pass House
February 3, 2009
Today, the House passed three homeland security bills which were passed in the 110th Congress but not acted upon in the Senate.

The Reducing Over-Classification Act, H.R. 553, enhances accountability by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a strategy to prevent over-classification of security information and improve the access of state and local law enforcement, as well as the public, to DHS documents. The House passed an identical bill on July 30, 2008.

Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA):

Blog Post
New Poll: 75 Percent of Americans Support Economic Recovery Legislation
February 3, 2009
"Americans know that our economic recovery will take years -- not months...Rarely in history has our country faced economic problems as devastating as this crisis. But the strength of the American people compels us to come together." -- President Barack Obama [1/31/09]

In a new Gallup poll released today, 75 percent of those surveyed support economic recovery legislation. But in the face of this escalating crisis, Americans understand there is no quick fix to our economic troubles. A strong majority -- 64 percent -- say President Obama's Recovery and Reinvestment Act will make the economy better though major results will take longer than one year.

Press Release
Pelosi Statement on Black History Month
February 2, 2009
“This Black History Month is especially significant as we recognize three historic events: the Inauguration of Barack Obama; the centennial celebration of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and, the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Each of these milestones illustrates the vibrancy of our nation, and our commitment to progress and equality for all."
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Blog Post
House Democratic Leaders Celebrate Black History Month
February 2, 2009
Speaker Pelosi:

This Black History Month is especially significant as we recognize three historic events: the Inauguration of Barack Obama; the centennial celebration of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and, the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Each of these milestones illustrates the vibrancy of our nation, and our commitment to progress and equality for all.

In his inspirational Inaugural Address, President Obama reminded us that while 'we are in the midst of crisis,' we are united in the common purpose of achieving a greater measure of peace and prosperity for all of our people, and for all citizens of the world.

Articles
San Francisco Chronicle: New Direction For The Economy
February 2, 2009
"In his Inaugural Address, President Obama offered a new direction for our nation. Our new President pledged, 'action, bold and swift...not only to create new jobs, but to lay a foundation for growth.'"
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