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Blog Post
January 9, 2009
Today, the Congressionally mandated Oversight Panel on the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) released its second report.
From the Congressional Oversight Panel:
"Because the questions we asked one month ago are important as ever, in this second report we lay out exactly what questions have been answered, what haven't been answered and why these questions are important," said Elizabeth Warren, the Chair of the Oversight Panel. "The American people have a right to know how their taxpayer dollars are being used, and so far, they have not gotten the transparency and accountability they deserve."The report highlights four key areas that demand special attention:
1) Bank Accountability -- the Panel still does not know what banks are doing with the taxpayer money they have received.
Blog Post
January 9, 2009
Economic statistics released by the Labor Department today show that 1.9 million Americans have lost their jobs in the last four months and that the unemployment rate has risen to 7.2 percent, the highest level since 1993. In total, 2.6 million jobs were lost in 2008 (75% of them in the last four months) making last year the worst year for employment since 1945. Over 11 million workers are currently unemployed.
Speaker Pelosi:
Press Release
January 8, 2009
“Good afternoon. It is with great excitement that we come by and say how honored we all were to be part of history this afternoon. The House of Representatives and the Senate meeting together witnessed the count of the Electoral College, making Barack Obama and Joe Biden the next President and Vice President of the United States. The outcome was not surprising, but it's wonderful to have it official."
Blog Post
January 8, 2009
The House is reconvening at 1:00 pm EST today for a Joint Session with the Senate to count and certify the Electoral College Ballots. The Vice President hands the state certificates to the tellers and the tellers then read the certificates to the House chamber. The Vice President, at the conclusion of the reading of certificates, directs the tellers to deliver the results of the count. The Vice President will announce the certified election results for the positions of President and Vice President of the United States - officially announcing Barack Obama the President-Elect and Joe Biden the Vice-President-Elect.Press Release
January 7, 2009
“Today we have sworn in 25 members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including two new Members. Congressmen Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico and Delegate Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico will join the rest of the Hispanic Caucus as the national leaders of the Hispanic community. Their new energy will strengthen our work in Congress."
Press Release
January 7, 2009
Without Large-Scale Recovery Package, Economy Could Shut Down, Economists Tell Lawmakers
Without comprehensive action, experts predict 3 million jobs will be lost in 2009, real GDP losses of $750 billion
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A large scale economic recovery package is needed to create jobs quickly, provide relief for workers and families, help states facing severe budget shortfalls, and invest in innovation and emerging industries, a bipartisan panel of economic experts and scientists told lawmakers on Capitol Hill today. Economists warned that, unless comprehensive action is taken, the economy will shed another 3 million jobs in 2009, real Gross Domestic Product could drop by $750 billion, and the unemployment rate will top 10 percent.
Press Release
January 7, 2009
“The New Direction Congress enacted sweeping ethics, lobbying and earmark reforms because Americans deserve a government that is open, honest, and accountable to its citizens. Today, we continue our reform efforts by ensuring meaningful and timely access to presidential records and the disclosure of big money donations to presidential libraries."
Press Release
January 7, 2009
“Today's bleak Congressional Budget Office deficit projections reflect the devastating economic policies of the Bush Administration that rewarded a wealthy few while undermining economic opportunity for the majority of Americans."
Press Release
January 7, 2009
“Nothing could be clearer than the fact that we need action, and we need action now. A failure to act quickly can only lead to more job losses and more economic pain for Americans."
Articles
January 7, 2009
"President-elect Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress are already signaling a welcome new seriousness in Washington about protecting civil rights after eight years of erosion."