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Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing:

"The Olympic Charter states that the Olympics should seek to foster 'respect for universal and fundamental ethical principles.' Sadly, the Chinese government has not lived up to its commitments to improve the human rights situation in China and Tibet. I believe the International Olympic Committee made a mistake in awarding the 2008 Summer games to China, and I sponsored a Congressional resolution expressing that view at the time.

"However, I believe a boycott of the Beijing Olympics would unfairly harm our athletes who have worked so hard to prepare for the competition.

From the Oversight Committee:

Chairman Waxman Statement on EPA's Greenhouse Gas Decision

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today Chairman Henry A. Waxman released the following statement in response to a letter from EPA Administrator Johnson:

"This is a transparent delaying tactic and a major reversal of EPA's position. In December, Administrator Johnson found that CO2 emissions endanger the environment and proposed new standards for motor vehicles. Today's action repudiates those efforts.

President Bush's speech today on Iraq failed to offer any plan for the safe return of our brave men and women. In fact, the Administration reportedly is preparing to tell the American people that we must maintain 140,000 troops in Iraq indefinitely.

The war will cost Americans more than $3 trillion and continues to jeopardize our military's ability to respond to threats anywhere else on the globe. Money spent in Iraq is desperately needed at home to educate our children, rebuild our infrastructure and provide health care for millions of Americans.

Rather than offering more rhetoric that continues to be divorced from reality, the President owes it to those bravely serving in Iraq today, and to their fallen comrades, a plan to bring an end to this tragedy.

From the Oversight Committee:

Oversight Committee Announces Hearing on Arms Contract

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today Chairman Henry A. Waxman announced that the Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, April 17, 2008, to examine federal contracts awarded to AEY Inc. to supply weapons, ammunitions, and munitions to military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This year's trustees report again makes clear that Social Security will be able to pay its full benefits through 2041. However, this trustees' report, the last to be issued by the current administration, reveals another squandered opportunity by President Bush. The Bush Administration decided to place tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans ahead of putting Social Security and Medicare on more solid footing.

When he inherited a projected $5.6 trillion surplus upon entering office, President Bush could have used some of this surplus to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for the baby boomers and future generations.

Reps. Tim Ryan (OH-17), Kendrick Meek (FL-17), Jay Inslee (WA-01), and Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) take a light-hearted look at the Energy Independence and Security Act.