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No More Blank Checks
February 13, 2007
This afternoon, Speaker Pelosi opened up three days of debate on the bipartisan resolution on Iraq expressing support for our troops and disapproving of the President's escalation plan, saying:

Friday's vote will signal whether the House has heard the American people: No more blank checks for President Bush on Iraq.  Our taxpayer dollars must go to protect our troops, to keep our promises to our veterans, and to provide for the safety of the American people.

In light of the facts, President Bush's escalation proposal will not make America safer, will not make our military stronger, and will not make the region more stable, and it will not have my support.

Watch her speech:

Read the Resolution >>

Blog Post
Internal Republican Memo on Iraq
February 13, 2007
Republican Representatives John Shadegg and Pete Hoekstra circulated a letter to their colleagues on the Iraq resolution under consideration advising:

The debate should not be about the surge or its details. This debate should not even be about the Iraq war to date, mistakes that have been made, or whether we can, or cannot, win militarily. If we let Democrats force us into a debate on the surge or the current situation in Iraq, we lose...Thanks to the liberal mainstream media, Americans fully understand the consequences of continuing our efforts in Iraq - both in American lives and dollars.

Leader Hoyer responded to the Dear Colleague on winning the war debate stating:

Articles
Associated Press: Pelosi Leads Way in Debate Over Iraq War
February 13, 2007
"Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the way Tuesday as the Democratic-controlled House embarked on an extraordinary debate over the Iraq war, declaring that the public has decided that President Bush's policies 'have not worked, will not work and must be changed.'"
Blog Post
Ethics & the Executive Branch
February 13, 2007
Today, Chairman Waxman introduced two bills to increase government transparency and encourage the discovery of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money. Today's hearing provided an opportunity for the Committee to focus on the issues of lobbying and ethics reform in the executive branch. The Committee heard from noted experts and academics on these issues.

The Executive Branch Reform Act is a comprehensive reform measure that would increase transparency in the executive branch by requiring senior government officials to report significant contacts with lobbyists. The WB Protection Enhancement Act would for the first time extend whistleblower protections to national security officials and employees of federal contractors.

Watch Chairman Henry Waxman's opening remarks:

Blog Post
Natural Resources & the Interior Department
February 12, 2007
The Committee on Natural Resources, known as the "Resources Committee" under the previous Chairman Republican Richard Pombo, has announced a hearing to establish a new direction in fulfilling its Constitutional duties:

House Natural Resources Committee to Conduct Long-Awaited Interior Department Oversight

Washington, D.C. -- In its first full committee oversight hearing of the 110th Congress, the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), will examine a series of ongoing concerns that have affected the performance and management of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the challenges the agency faces in implementing its core programs.

Blog Post
House Approves Solar Energy Project
February 12, 2007
From the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:

House Approves Solar Energy Project

WASHINGTON-Today, the House of Representatives approved by voice vote legislation calling for the installation of a solar energy system at the Department of Energy building in Washington, D.C. The bill had been marked up and reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure last week.

H.R. 798 directs the General Services Administration to install a photovoltaic (PV) system at the Energy Department's headquarters that will convert solar energy into electricity.  This project, known as Solar Net, consists of a 300 foot long, 130 foot high curtain of solar panels that convert energy from the sun into electricity.

Blog Post
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Hearing on Homeland Security Contracting
February 9, 2007
The hearing focused on the Department of Homeland Security's management of large contracts that rely on private contractors as "system integrators." The Committee focused on two examples of multi-billion dollar contracts: the Deepwater program to develop new ships for the Coast Guard and the Secure Border Initiative to integrate technology and personnel to defend the nation's borders.

Watch Chairman Henry Waxman inquire as to how key negative information about ships involved in the Deepwater contract was suppressed:

Watch Comptroller General David Walker give opening remarks, discussing "systemic problems":

Watch Rep. Elijah Cummings and Comptroller General David Walker discuss contractor bonuses for "attitude and effort" as opposed to performance:

Blog Post
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Hearing on Pharmaceutical Pricing
February 8, 2007
In his opening statement, Chairman Henry Waxman describes the purpose of the hearing and the work ahead on fixing Medicare Part D:

Read the transcript (pdf) >>

More information from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform >>

Press Release
Pelosi Names Members for House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
February 8, 2007
"Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today the Members of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. 'With their commitment to the highest ethical standard, this group of Members will serve with integrity, building on our bipartisan efforts to restore accountability, honesty, and openness to the House of Representatives.' Pelosi said."
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Press Release
Pelosi Names New Senior Staff to Speaker's Office
February 8, 2007
"Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today she has named three new senior staff members to her Speaker's office. Cheryl Parker Rose will serve as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, replacing Lorraine C. Miller who was recently elected Clerk of the House. Ellen Qualls will serve in a new position, Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning; and Joseph Onek will be Senior Counsel to the Speaker. “These three individuals bring impressive credentials and knowledge as well as national and state experience to the Speaker's operations. I look forward to working closely with each of them as we address the priorities of the American people,” Pelosi said."
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