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"We are gathered here today because of children's health. It's not an issue, it's an ethic, it's a value that overwhelmingly the American people support."

The Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing, "Jena 6 and the Role of Federal Intervention in Hate Crimes and Race-Related Violence in Public Schools." Witnesses include Donald Washington, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana; Lisa Krigsten, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General; Richard Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer Southern Poverty Law Center; Professor Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School; Reverend Brian Moran, Pastor of the Jena Antioch Baptist Church and President of the NAACP, Jena Chapter; Reverend Alfred C. Sharpton, President of the National Action Network.

Watch the hearing live via committee webcast or on C Span 3.

Chairman John Conyers gives opening remarks:

Today, Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers sent a letter to Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and Assistant Attorney General for National Security Kenneth Wainstein requesting details and documents about potentially unlawful surveillance activities before 9-11 and allegations of retalliation against Qwest Communications for failing to participate in such activities:

October 15, 2007

The Honorable Michael "Mike" McConnell

Director of National Intelligence

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Washington, DC 20511

Honorable Ken Wainstein

Asst. Attorney General for National Security

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

This week, those Republicans in the House who have not already joined this bipartisan compromise will have an opportunity to change their vote and to stand with 10 million children and their families who need and deserve health coverage through SCHIP. Throughout the country, governors, mayors and independent organizations are appealing to Members of Congress to support our compromise bipartisan legislation.

The question is whether some Members will continue to choose partisan obstruction or will they embrace a bipartisan compromise that will provide health insurance to 10 million children. I am hopeful that House Republicans will listen to the American people, join our bipartisan SCHIP coalition, and override the President's veto. Our bipartisan coalition will not rest until those 10 million children have health care.

From the Oversight Committee:

Private Medicare Drug Plans: Seniors and Taxpayers Hurt by High Expenses, Low Rebates

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today Chairman Henry A. Waxman and 12 members of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee released a new report: Private Medicare Drug Plans: High Expenses and Low Rebates Increase the Costs of Medicare Drug Coverage.

"Privatizing the delivery of the drug benefit has enriched the drug companies and insurance industry at the expense of seniors and taxpayers," said Rep. Waxman. "The program's inflated administrative costs and meager drug rebates will cost taxpayers and seniors $15 billion this year alone."