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Blog Post
November 16, 2007
From Rep. Murtha:

Murtha: "Flawed Policy Wrapped in Illusion"

Two Years after Calling for a Redeployment of U.S. Forces from Iraq --- President Bush Refuses to Provide the American People with a Responsible Exit Strategy

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tomorrow marks the two year anniversary of Congressman John P. Murtha's, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, public call for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. The following is an issued statement:

"Two years ago, I was convinced that the President's lack of strategy in Iraq was harming our military, our international credibility, and the strength of our nation.

"Two years later, the President remains without a plan and I remain convinced that we must begin an orderly redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as practicable.

Blog Post
November 16, 2007
The Oversight Committee will hold a hearing after the Thanksgiving recess to examine whether Howard Krongard, the Inspector General of the State Department, provided truthful testimony at the Committee's November 14th hearing. See the key exchange from the hearing:

Rep. Elijah Cummings: "This is a September 5th email that Eric Prince sent to your brother. It says, quote: 'Welcome and thank you for accepting the invitation to be a member of the board.' My question is this: did you know that your brother, Buzzy Krongard, was on Blackwater's advisory board?"

Krongard: "Sir, I dispute that, as far as I know that is not correct... I don't see anything in here that suggests my brother accepted or attended, and as far as I know he did neither."

Blog Post
November 16, 2007
Once again, the Republican minority in the Senate has blocked the will of the majority of the American people and the Congress.

Congressional Republicans' stubborn refusal to hold the President accountable for his failed Iraq policy is delaying needed funding for our troops and obstructing a New Direction strategy that will bring them home responsibly, honorably, safely and soon.

The New Direction Congress has provided our troops with all of the tools they need and a sound strategy to bring them home. Democrats will ensure that our troops have the resources they require, but we refuse to provide the President a blank check for his 10-year war, $2 trillion war in Iraq.

Press Release
November 16, 2007
"Once again, the Republican minority in the Senate has blocked the will of the majority of the American people and the Congress."
Blog Post
November 15, 2007
Supports Spending $10 Billion Each Month on War Without End in Iraq,

But Vetoes America's Priorities -- Calls Them "Excessive"

Tonight the House will vote on whether to override this cruel veto.

On Tuesday, President Bush vetoed the Labor-Health-Education Appropriations bill -- a bipartisan and fiscally responsible bill that addresses the needs and priorities of the American people -- calling these investments in domestic initiatives dedicated to helping families "excessive."

Below are some examples of key priorities in the Labor-Health-Education Appropriations bill that the President vetoed compared with how many days in Iraq that money would pay for, based on an estimate by the Congressional Research Service that we are spending $330 million in Iraq every day.

Blog Post
November 15, 2007
The House has just passed the RESTORE Act of 2007 (Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective), H.R. 3773 by a vote of 227-189. This bill provides the Intelligence Community with effective tools to conduct surveillance of foreign targets outside the United States but restores Constitutional checks and balances that were not contained in President Bush's bill, the Protect America Act (PAA). See highlights of the debate >>

Read details of the legislation in our current legislation section >>

Speaker Pelosi spoke shortly before passage:

Blog Post
November 15, 2007
The House is currently debating the RESTORE Act of 2007 (Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective), H.R. 3773. This bill provides the Intelligence Community with effective tools to conduct surveillance of foreign targets outside the United States but restores Constitutional checks and balances that were not contained in President Bush's bill, the Protect America Act (PAA).

Read details of the legislation in our current legislation section >>

Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) spoke during debate on the rule this morning:

Blog Post
November 15, 2007
UPDATE: The bill has passed, 291-127, read further details of the bill in our current legislation section.

Today the House will debate the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007, H.R. 3915, sponsored by Rep. Brad Miller (NC-13). This comprehensive anti-predatory lending legislation will help stop bad loans from being made in the first place -- making sure that consumers get mortgages they can repay, strengthening consumer protections against reckless and abusive lending practices, and giving consumers the ability to see redress.

Blog Post
November 15, 2007
From the Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation in response to President Bush's remarks earlier today:

COSTELLO TO BUSH: "THANKS FOR READING OUR BILL"

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement regarding actions his administration has taken to address congestion and delays and the modernization of our nation's airspace:

Press Release
November 15, 2007
"Though we from time to time on occasion differed on issues, we all agree on the importance of public service - the kind of public service that has been the hallmark of Speaker Hastert's career, whether in a classroom or in the Congress of United States."