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Blog Post
October 1, 2007
In advance of tomorrow morning's scheduled hearing, the Majority Staff of the Oversight Committee issued a memo to Members of the Committee (pdf) regarding additional information about Blackwater USA.
Press Release
October 1, 2007
"Just as I have opposed the war from the outset, I am opposed to a draft and I am opposed to a war surtax."
Press Release
October 1, 2007
"After discussions with congressional leaders and organizations supporting passage of ENDA, we have agreed to schedule mark-up of the bill in the Committee on Education and Labor later this month, followed by a vote in the full House."
Blog Post
September 28, 2007
Today, Reps. Chris Murphy (CT-5) Anna Eshoo (CA-14) led an effort to organize Members of Congress to send letters to Republican Governors to ask them to use their unique positions to call President Bush and ask him to put down the veto pen. The President is threatening to veto bipartisan legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) program to cover ten million children nationwide. The House passed the final version of the bill on Thursday with an overwheming bipartisan vote of 265-159, and the Senate followed with a veto-proof majority on Thursday.
Blog Post
September 28, 2007
As the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, the United States must lead by example and take the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gases. An effective initiative must be based on mandatory standards to protect our planet, not the voluntary goals and incremental approach supported by the Administration.
While I look forward to being briefed on the results of the President's meetings with the world's biggest polluter nations, I hope that his efforts will not be used to circumvent the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.
Press Release
September 28, 2007
"As the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, the United States must lead by example and take the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gases."
Blog Post
September 28, 2007
Today Chairman Waxman of the Oversight Committee wrote to State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard regarding reports that senior staff attempted to coerce employees not to cooperate with the Committee's inquiry and threatened their jobs and careers. Investigators working for Howard Krongard, the State Department Inspector General, say they were told "Howard can fire you" and "You have no protection against reprisal" if they cooperate with the Oversight Committee's investigation.
Press Release
September 28, 2007
"For my 20 years in Congress, ending discrimination against gays and lesbians has been a top priority of mine. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA, sponsored by Congressman Barney Frank, is an historic advancement for gays and lesbians and their families. I am proud to be the first Speaker to bring this legislation to the House floor, which was first introduced in 1994."
Blog Post
September 27, 2007
"Someone should tell chicken-hawk Rush Limbaugh that the only phonies are those who choose not to serve and then criticize those who do. I served proudly, so did two of my fellow paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne who spoke out and died just weeks ago. Generations of American veterans have worn the uniform with pride and we know it is no contradiction to serve your country and still disagree with the Bush-civilian leadership that mismanaged this war."-- Rep. Patrick Murphy, Iraq Veteran of the 82nd Airborne where he was awarded the Bronze Star for service
Blog Post
September 27, 2007
The House has just passed the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 by a vote of 263-146. The bill reauthorizes for five years the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was brought to the fore after Hurricane Katrina. The bill addresses many of the issues regarding insurance companies classifying damage as flood rather than wind so as to force the federal government to pay claims, which were brought up during extensive hearings in the new Congress. The bill addressed the issues by expanding the NFIP to provide for multiple peril coverage (wind and flood), and with an amendment introduced by Rep.