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Chairman Waxman Queries DOT About Lobbying Congress
June 13, 2007
Last week, Speaker Pelosi stated that any proposal that affects California's landmark efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or eliminate the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions will not have her support. In April, a Supreme Court decision affirmed the authority of the federal government under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases and require upgraded pollution controls on power plants and the EPA is currently considering a request from California for a waiver under the Clean Air Act to establish state motor vehicle emissions standards for greenhouse gases.
Press Release
Pelosi: Appropriations Bills Keep Our Promise to the American People
June 12, 2007
"'Today, we are taking it down a path to the specifics in the Appropriations bill. We always talk about, first and foremost, how we protect the American people. In the Homeland Security bill, when we're talking about first responders, port security, the whole agenda, we have a very strong bill to protect the American people. And as we do that, we honor our promises to our men and women in uniform in the Military Quality of Life bill, to give them the biggest increase in veterans' help since the inception of the Veteran's Administration 77 years ago. It's been said over and over again, but it bears repetition, this really is a breakthrough and the veterans appreciate it."
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Democrats Crafting Legislation to Remedy Injustice ofLedbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber
June 12, 2007
Highlights of today's hearing with Lilly Ledbetter as well as the press conference that followed, courtesy of the Education and Labor Committee:

Lilly Ledbetter:

"The Supreme Court said that this did not count as illegal discrimination, but it sure feels like discrimination when you're on the receiving end of a smaller paycheck. They said that once 180 days passes after the pay decision is made, the worker is stuck with unequal pay for the rest of her career."

Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer pledged on behalf of Democrats to remedy this failing:

Blog Post
Science Subcommittee Asks GAO to Investigate FBI Data Mining
June 12, 2007
Exclusive: FBI Data Mining Program Raises Eyebrows in Congress

Justin Rood, ABC News - June 5, 2007

Lawmakers are questioning whether a proposed FBI anti-terrorist program is worth the price, both in taxpayer dollars and the possible loss of Americans' privacy.

The National Security Analysis Center (NSAC) would bring together nearly 1.5 billion records created or collected by the FBI and other government agencies, a figure the FBI expects to quadruple in coming years, according to an unclassified FBI budget document obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com.

Blog Post
Caucus Chairman Emanuel on GSA Administator Doan
June 12, 2007
Special Counsel Urges GSA Chief's Firing

CongressDaily - June 12, 2007

The head of a federal investigative agency has recommended President Bush fire General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan for encouraging top agency officials at a staff meeting in January to find ways to help Republican candidates in the 2008 election.

In a sternly written letter dated last Friday and obtained by CongressDaily, Special Counsel Scott Bloch advised the president that Doan should "be disciplined to the fullest extent for her serious violation of the Hatch Act."

Under administrative statute, the "fullest extent" for a political appointee such as Doan is termination.

Blog Post
Joint Hearing on the National Flood Insurance Program
June 12, 2007
Blog Post
"Poisoned Patriots"
June 12, 2007
Camp Lejeune Water Under Scrutiny

Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press - June 12, 2007

Marine families who lived at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina over three decades drank water contaminated with toxins as much as 40 times over today's safety standard, federal health investigators said Tuesday.

The government disclosed results from a new scientific study on the same day that some families testified for Congress about cancers and other illnesses they blame on drinking tainted tap water at the sprawling training and deployment base.

The House Energy and Commerce panel, which held the hearing, described the sickened Marines as "poisoned patriots."

Blog Post
Lilly Ledbetter to Testify Today
June 12, 2007
As noted last week, Lilly Ledbetter, the plaintiff in a workplace discrimination lawsuit decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on May 29, will testify about her case before the Education and Labor Committee. Ledbetter sued Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after learning that she was the lowest-paid supervisor out of a group of 16 supervisors at the facility, despite having more experience than several of her male counterparts. In a sharply divided 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled against Ledbetter. The Education and Labor Committee is considering legislation, to be introduced by Chairman George Miller, to reverse the Supreme Court's decision by clarifying workers' rights under federal employment discrimination law.
Blog Post
Oversight Committee Business Meeting
June 12, 2007
The Oversight Committee is currently holding a business meeting to consider two bills. The Carbon-Neutral Government Act (H.R. 2635), is designed to reduce the emissions of the federal government, currently the largest energy consumer in the United States. The Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act (H.R. 404) requires OMB to develop standards and performance measures for federal agencies to provide better customer service. The Committee will also consider several pieces of postal naming and commemorative legislation.

Watch the hearing live >>

Blog Post
Armed Services Hearing on Iraqi Security Forces
June 12, 2007
The Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is currently holding a hearing on the development of the Iraqi Security Forces. Listen to the hearing live via committee audiocast, or watch the hearing live on C-Span 3.

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