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Chairman Spratt on President Bush's Budget
February 8, 2007
From the House Budget Committee:

Overview by Chairman Spratt

"While the President has endorsed the goal of balancing the budget, under realistic assumptions the budget he released earlier this week remains in deficit every year. The deficit for fiscal 2006 was $248 billion, and deficits will hover in roughly that range over 2007, 2008, and 2009. When the surplus in Social Security is excluded, as it should be, on-budget deficits over those three years will exceed $400 billion.

Blog Post
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Hearing on Private Military Contractors
February 7, 2007
Family members of four Blackwater employees killed in Fallujah testified to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about what they view as profiteering by Blackwater USA, including the company's alleged failure to provide armored vehicles and other critical safety equipment. The Committee also examined the costs of Blackwater's security operations to the taxpayer and the adequacy of federal oversight of Blackwater and other security contractors, interviewing several Blackrock and contractor executives.

Full witness list and background >>

Opening Statement of Chairman Henry A. Waxman >>

Press Release
Pelosi Recommends Members to House Administration Committee
February 7, 2007
"Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that she will recommend to the Democratic Caucus Members to serve on the House Administration Committee. 'This talented group of Members brings the experience and knowledge that is necessary to ensure the vital functions of the House continue to run efficiently and effectively,' Pelosi said."
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House Passes Bill to Help Communities Clean Up Methamphetamine
February 7, 2007
From the Committee on Science and Technology:

House Passes Bill to Help Communities Clean Up Methamphetamine

(Washington, DC) Legislation designed to stem the scourge of methamphetamine (meth) in local communities was approved today by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

"We have a duty to protect innocent families not only from the criminals who make and use this illegal drug, but also from the after effects of that crime," said the bill's author, House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).

Blog Post
The Student Loan Sunshine Act
February 7, 2007
From the Committee on Education and Labor:

Democratic Lawmakers Seek to Put a Stop to Unethical College Loan Lending Practices

Student Loan Sunshine Act Requires Full Disclosure of Lender Relationships with Colleges and Universities, Bans Lender Gifts 

Wednesday, February 7, 2007 

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking to put a stop to unethical measures taken by private lenders to curry favor with colleges and universities - measures that can ultimately decrease student and parent borrowers' choices in how to pay for college.

 

Blog Post
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Iraq Reconstruction Hearing
February 6, 2007
Throughout the course of the Iraq War, a steady stream of reports have indicated widespread and massive fraud and abuse of taxpayer funds in Iraq.   Today, Ambassador L. Paul Bremer and Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, testified to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on management of U.S. funds in Iraq. They answered questions about an audit report issued in 2005 by Mr. Bowen that concluded that more than $8.8 billion in cash was disbursed without adequate financial controls.

Watch Opening Remarks from Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), in which he discusses the absence of the Administration's point person for Iraq reconstruction:

Transcript:

Blog Post
Broadband for All
February 6, 2007
Rep. John Dingell, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, wrote an op-ed in The Hill yesterday.

Affordable broadband for everyone

The Hill - February 6, 2007

Advanced high-capacity communications networks will boost our economy and revolutionize our lives at home, at work, and at play. High-bandwidth networks have already allowed American businesses to improve productivity, create jobs and increase wages. America should be the undisputed world leader in broadband innovation and deployment.

Blog Post
The Employee Free Choice Act
February 6, 2007
From Chairman of the Labor and Education Committee, George Miller:

Lawmakers Introduce Employee Free Choice Act in the House 

Legislation Would Strengthen America's Middle Class by Helping Workers Bargain for Better Pay, Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As part of Democrats' goal of strengthening America's middle class, senior U.S. lawmakers today introduced legislation that would enable workers to bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions by restoring their rights to form unions.

Press Release
Pelosi Statement on the Passing of Leo T. McCarthy
February 5, 2007
"Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement this evening on the death of Leo T. McCarthy, former Lieutenant Governor of California: 'Today the state of California, and indeed the nation, has lost a great leader. Leo McCarthy was a statesman, he was a great champion for justice, and he was a dear friend and purposeful mentor to me."
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Press Release
Pelosi: President's Budget Is More of the Same Fiscal Irresponsibility and Misplaced Priorities
February 5, 2007
"Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on President Bush's budget and Supplemental Appropriations request: 'Today's budget from the President is just more of the same fiscal irresponsibility and misplaced priorities; it takes our country in the wrong direction."
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