Media

This afternoon, Representative Bill Owens was sworn in on the House floor to fill the 23rd district seat of New York left open when John McHugh resigned to become the United States Secretary of the Army:

Rep. Owens brings the House to 258 Democrats and 177 Republicans.

The cost of inaction to our fiscal health is clear--family premiums are projected to increase an average of $1,800 each year, the number of the uninsured will reach 61 million by 2020, and with employers unable to afford rising health care costs, our country could see an additional 3.5 million people unemployed and without benefits in the next 4 years.

“Mr. Speaker, words fail when a tragedy of this magnitude comes in such an unexpected way. That someone who had the confidence of the military, within its own walls would perpetrate such a tragedy on people whose lives are dedicated to protecting the American people. It was an unspeakable tragedy, of course, for the families, soldiers, civilians, and support staff on the base at Fort Hood. But it was also a wound to our entire country."

“Within the next few days, the House will vote on the most comprehensive health care legislation in our history. Our bill will provide affordability to the middle class, security to our seniors, and responsibility to our children by not adding a dime to the deficit."

“Congress has taken critical - and necessary - steps to protect the middle class and set the stage for economic growth. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created or saved nearly 1 million jobs so far, and our rescue efforts have placed the financial system on firmer footing."

This afternoon, Representative John Garamendi was sworn in on the House floor to fill the 10th district seat of California left open when Ellen Tauscher resigned to become the State Department's Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs:

Rep. Garamendi brings the House to 257 Democrats, 177 Republicans, and one remaining vacancy which will be filled tomorrow when Congressman-elect Bill Owens of New York is sworn in. Rep.-elect Owens fills the 23rd district seat of New York left open when John McHugh resigned to become the United States Secretary of the Army.