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@barackobama
@PressSec
@democratsdotorg
@dccc
@dscc
@HouseDemocrats
@SenateDemocrats
@SenateFloor
@whitehouse_rss
@UN_News_Centre
@cqpolitics
MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse
Senate Floor Today
|
A new newsbrief journal has been started
at 07:53 Thursday March 18 2010
Facebook and Twitter feeds from yesterday's
newsbrief journal can be found at the archive here
|
|
dccc:
CBO: Health-care reform bill cuts deficit by $1.3 trillion over
20 years, covers 95% | WashPost's Ezra Klein http://bit.ly/dfYtou
from Twitter / dccc
|
U.S.
Ambassador Says China Ties Will Mend
from BusinessWeek.com -- Asia
|
Health
bill cuts deficit by more than $1 trillion
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
|
Obama
Says U.S.- Israel Relations Aren't Facing Crisis
from Palestinian News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com
|
Palestinian
Official Says U.S. Envoy To Return To Mideast
from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
|
Economic
Report: Factories expand in Philly region for 7th month
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
|
Retail
Stocks: Retail stocks rise as Nike, GameStop top views
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
|
EPA
to begin study on shale gas drilling
from Reuters: Top News
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
was set to announce on Thursday that it will begin to take a
closer look at the environmental and human health impact of shale
gas drilling, according to a U.S. congressman who wants to see
more regulation of the practice.
|
Philly
Fed factory activity index rises in March
from Reuters: Business News
|
SEC_News:
SEC Suspends Trading In Securities Of 10 Companies - http://bit.ly/atNgVl
from Twitter / SEC_News
|
House
leaders: Health-care plan will reduce deficit
from washingtonpost.com - Business by Paul
Kane
|
Economic
Report: Feb leading indicators tick up
from MarketWatch.com - All MarketWatch
News - Personal Finance
|
Mortgages:
30-year fixed-rate mortgage averages 4.96%
from MarketWatch.com - All MarketWatch
News - Personal Finance
|
CANADA
newsbrief journal has been updated and posted
|
Presidential
Memorandum Regarding Finding and Recapturing Improper Payments
|
President
Obama Nominates Judge Leonard Stark and Amy Totenberg to the
United States District Court
|
Presidential
Nominations Sent to the Senate, 3/17/2010
|
Letter
from the President to Congress Concerning a Strategic Communications
Report
|
Statement
from the Press Secretary on the "Trademark Technical and
Conforming Amendment Act of 2010"
|
Letter
from the President to Congress Concerning Declarations to the
IAEA
|
A
Premium on Accurate Information
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on March 17, 2010 at 2:35 PM EDT
|
$3
Million to Protect Big Banks and Keep America's Economy at Risk
Posted by Jen Psaki on March 17, 2010 at 2:39 PM EDT
This week, Senator Chris Dodd introduced
a financial reform bill that would begin to bring accountability
to our financial institutions and ensure that American taxpayers
would never again be on the hook to bail out firms that were
deemed Too Big to Fail. The President immediately
said that he would "work with Chairman Dodd and his colleagues
to strengthen the bill and will fight against efforts to weaken
it." Not surprisingly, opponents of reform went to work
almost immediately taking him up on that fight.
|
Voices
of Reform
Posted by Jesse Lee on March 17, 2010 at 3:30 PM EDT
|
3
Posted by Cammie Croft on March 18, 2010 at 9:42 AM EDT
|
Healthcare
overhaul to cut deficit by over $100B: Hoyer
from Reuters: U.S.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said
on Thursday that sweeping healthcare overhaul legislation was
on track for passage by the U.S. House of Representatives and
would cut the deficit by more than $100 billion in the first
10 years.
|
Leading
indicators rise 0.1% in February
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
|
Dow
industrials gain 24.41 points to 10,758.08
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
|
U.S.
stocks advance after another round of data
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
|
senatus:
Federal grand jury subpoenas Nevada companies w/ Ensign ties
- http://is.gd/aNktd
from Twitter / senatus
|
Meat
Price Spreads
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
New
This data set provides monthly average price values, and the
differences among those values, at the farm, wholesale, and retail
stages of the production and marketing chain for selected cuts
of beef, pork, and broilers. In addition, retail prices are provided
for beef and pork cuts, turkey, whole chickens, eggs, and dairy
products.
|
U.S.
International Reserve Position
from U.S. Treasury
March 17, 2010
2010-3-17-17-40-14-28346
|
U.S.
International Transactions, 4th Quarter 2009 and Year 2009
from U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
The U.S. current-account deficit--the combined balances on trade
in goods and services, income, and net unilateral current transfers--increased
to $115.6 billion (preliminary) in the fourth quarter of 2009
from $102.3 billion (revised) in the third quarter. The increase
was more than accounted for by an increase in the deficit on
goods and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in the surplus on income.
A decrease in net unilateral current transfers to foreigners
and an increase in the surplus on services were partly offsetting.
|
LeaderHoyer:
I challenge you: Can you distinguish GOP attacks from decade
to decade? http://go.usa.gov/lSE #hcr
|
LeaderHoyer:
Momentum is growing for #hcr- more Members said they'll vote
yes today, and more polls show public support on the rise http://go.usa.gov/lhT
|
WisDems:
Senate approves jobs bill: http://nyti.ms/ddU2UH
|
WisDems:
Scott Walker continues grandstanding, puts fat cat donors and
politics ahead of jobs for Wisconsin: http://bit.ly/9dqYVm
|
Twitter
/ whitehouse
|
WaysMeansCmte:
RT @HealthReformNow: Benefits of Health Care Reform by Congressional
District - http://go.usa.gov/lSN benefits for families, seniors,
etc
|
WaysMeansCmte:
Our Markup has concluded. Thank you for clicking in. If you missed
it, you can find information here http://go.usa.gov/lJK
|
WaysMeansCmte:
RT @HealthReformNow - CBO score: Cuts deficit by more than $130
billion in 1st 10 years(2010-19), $1.2 trillion in 2nd 10 yrs
#hcr
|
Twitter
/ washingtonwatch
|
washdems:
It's looking good for health care reform this week, but the battle
won't be over. Learn more: http://ow.ly/1nx8q #hcr #wadem #p2
|
USTradeRep:
Trans Pacific Partnership Negotiations Update: Day Three, http://ow.ly/1nm4D
|
USTradeRep:
United States and India Sign Framework for Cooperation on Trade
and Investment, http://ow.ly/1noqO
|
Twitter
/ usgao
|
usedgov:
Sec Arne Duncan testified to Senate and House committees. Read
testimony or watch video. More resources as available. http://go.usa.gov/lhc
|
Twitter
/ UN_News_Centre
|
TNSenateDems:
Sen. Reginald Tate passes Senate bill to clean up neighborhoods:
http://kl.am/8SSk
|
TNSenateDems:
Video of @andyberke supporting clean energy jobs initiative:
http://kl.am/8Th3
|
SenChrisDodd:
Have questions about Senator Dodd's financial reform legislation?
Find the answers here: http://bit.ly/aXcUOH
|
SenChrisDodd:
Irish Echo Online - Chris Dodd reflects and looks ahead: http://bit.ly/brkTJj
|
Twitter
/ senatus
|
Twitter
/ SenateFloor
|
Twitter
/ SenateDemocrats
|
RepCarnahan:
Here's a write up on that transit jobs bill we're working on
by @eschor: http://bit.ly/cg5mBc
|
PressSec:
some may recall this http://bit.ly/MG1kw - well today the Dow
Jones "climbed to a new 17-month high" http://bit.ly/aDekEV
|
PressSec:
RT @MysteryPollster New polls confirm rising support for health
reform, esp among Dems http://is.gd/aMl95 // for those who how
it's playin'
|
OversightDems:
The House marked #SunshineWeek with passage of open government
legislation http://bit.ly/bI525E #p2
|
OversightDems:
Hearing at 10AM: "Rewarding Bad Actors: Why Do Poor Performing
Contractors Continue to Get Government Business?"
|
OversightDems:
You can watch the webcast of our hearing at: http://oversight.house.gov
|
NVSenateDems:
RGJ: "Region shows job opportunities in many fields"
... http://ow.ly/1nzmD
|
MISenDems:
Sen. Prusi stands up for state employees: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/play.php?id=1052
|
ILCollegeDems:
RT @mmfa: AP "fact check" falsely suggests #hcr would
raise premiums. http://bit.ly/9Eo1wc #hcr #p2 #noisemachine
|
HouseDemocrats:
By the numbers: Republican leadership acting against the best
interests of their constituents http://bit.ly/9GI168 #HCR
|
HouseDemocrats:
GOP obstructionism quiz: identify which GOP quotes were against
Social Security, Medicare or #HCR: http://bit.ly/bBT4v0
|
HouseDemocrats:
Seniors have been a top target for #HCR misinformation. Watch
now as Dems correct the record: http://bit.ly/9qJpbQ
|
HASCDemocrats:
RT @US_Stratcom: Gen Chilton's House Armed Services Subcommittee,
Strategic Forces Subcommittee Testimony: http://bit.ly/b8QfsG
Video: h ...
|
HASCDemocrats:
RT @JIEDDO: @JIEDDO Director Testifies Before the HASC on Protecting
the Force. Release: http://bit.ly/dnO5ZO, Live Video: http://bit.ly
...
|
HASCDemocrats:
Hearing tomorrow at 10am on budget with Gen Fraser, Commander
#SOUTHCOM, @southcomwatch and Gen Renuart, Commander #NORTHCOM,
@noradnorthcom
|
GovContracts:
Renewal of Maintenance for StandGuard Anti-Virus Software: Social
Security Administration Office of Budget, Financ... http://bit.ly/cAUzAr
|
GeorgiaDemocrat:
A message from the Census Bureau http://bit.ly/bv7aBm
|
foreignoffice:
Foreign Secretary @DMiliband launches annual FCO #humanrights
report - see http://ow.ly/1nto6 for excerpts of his speech
|
dscc:
See Jane Lie: http://bit.ly/cm5Nfl
|
dscc:
RT @nvdems Lowden and Tarkanian love tax cuts... but not a bipartisan
jobs bill that cuts taxes for NV businesses? http://bit.ly/dup6oE
|
DNCYouthCouncil:
Join President Obama in Fairfax, VA on March 19th for the final
push for health care reform! http://bit.ly/dkpioS
|
DNCYouthCouncil:
Youth Organizations Ask Congress for Help http://bit.ly/aEOgDq
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
In 9 states there is no specific law making it illegal for insurers
to reject applicants who are survivors of domestic violence.
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
Tea parties losing steam? At Tea Party anti-#hcr rally yesterday,
even Fox was underwhelmed by turnout. http://j.mp/3-j
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
For GOPers complaining: process under consideration for passing
#HCR in the House has been used for 8 decades, by Ds & Rs
http://j.mp/9aImES
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
Even senior GOP Rep. @EricCantor says the process being considered
for passing #HCR in the House is legitimate: http://j.mp/aFpcrg
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
.@NYTimes proves that @Senate_GOPs obstruct for the sake of obstruction,
regardless of the consequences for the country. http://j.mp/9NjWtg
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
RT @whitehouse: Dont forget, if youre in DC area
join Obama Friday morning at Patriot Center or RT to spread the
word http://bit.ly/aavNaQ
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
This is what's wrong with DC: @Senate_GOPs like Mitch McConnell,
obstructing the nation's business for political gain. http://j.mp/9NjWtg
|
DemocratsDotOrg:
RT @woodhouseb: #iamherefor uninsured children & their parents
who'll sleep easier at night once they can afford coverage for
the first time
|
democracy_now:
Amy Goodman to appear in Washington, DC on 03/20 http://bit.ly/aEiq8G
|
dccc:
Anti-reform breast cancer claim earns Pants on Fire
rating from Factcheck.org: http://bit.ly/cWKamJ
|
dccc:
Factcheck.org: Anti-reform breast cancer ad contains numerous
falsehoods, is misleading http://bit.ly/cWKamJ
|
BarackObama:
I am here for Natoma Canfield & countless others who need
health reform. Who are you fighting for? #iamherefor http://j.mp/c-d
|
BarackObama:
I am here for the millions who are denied coverage because of
preexisting conditions. #iamherefor http://j.mp/c-d
|
BarackObama:
Join HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for a live video chat on
health reform today at 5:30pm ET: http://j.mp/dvUmn2
|
White
House rips business lobby over financial reform
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House lashed out at a major
U.S. business lobbying organization on Wednesday for spending
millions of dollars to fight legislation that would overhaul
regulation of Wall Street firms.
|
Obama
picks up new support for health bill
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama picked up support
for healthcare reform on Wednesday from a prominent liberal and
a group of Catholic nuns, who broke with bishops on the issue
of abortion and urged passage of the overhaul.
|
U.S.
hopes Obama trip will boost trade with Indonesia
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States hopes President Barack
Obama's visit next week to Indonesia will help spur reforms that
boost trade with Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's
fourth most populous nation.
|
Obama
says Israel home plans not helpful for peace
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday
Israeli plans to build more homes near East Jerusalem were not
helpful for the Middle East peace process, but he said the issue
had not led to a crisis with one of the United States' closest
allies.
|
U.S.
tells China yuan issue is of "real concern"
from Reuters: Politics
BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States kept up pressure on China
on Thursday to let the yuan climb as Beijing disclosed it was
sounding out exporters on whether they could cope with a stronger
exchange rate.
|
Healthcare
overhaul to cut deficit: Hoyer
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
said on Thursday that proposed final healthcare legislation would
cut the U.S. deficit by more than $100 billion over the first
10 years.
|
Left
still wary of Wall St. bill
from Politico.com: congress by Eamon Javers
Obama can't afford to alienate progressives as he negotiates
a financial reform deal.
|
OCC
Assesses Civil Money Penalty Against Wachovia
from OCC News Releases by Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency
|
mayoungdems:
The hardest things to convey is the terrible cost of inaction
both in human & economic terms (@EzraKlein) http://bit.ly/cXV4UV
#YDM #HCR #p2
|
NAACP:
Reflections on the First 100 Years
from Library of Congress: New Webcasts
In commemoration of 100 years of the NAACP (National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People), the Library of Congress
sponsored the symposium "The NAACP: Reflections of the First
100 Years." The symposium explored both the history and
future of the NAACP.
|
France:
Highlights Of Parliamentary Report On The Wearing Of The Full
Veil (BURQA)
from Law Library of Congress: Research
Reports
The Law Library of Congress is proud to present a new item focusing
on the wearing of the full veil in France.
|
Sweden:
Parliament Approves Resolution on Armenian Genocide
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
Monitor
Human rights - On March 11, 2010, the Swedish Parliament adopted
by a majority of one vote (131-130) a resolution that recognizes
|
European
Union: General Court Rejects Challenge to Emissions Trading Directive
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
Monitor
Environment - On March 2, 2010, the General Court of the European
Union rejected a challenge, brought by "the world's largest
steel producer" Arcelor S.A., to the EU's 2003 Emissions
Trading Directive. The Luxembourg-based company argued that several...
|
United
Nations / World Trade Organization: Agreement on Technical Assistance
in Africa
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
Monitor
International law - On March 9, 2010, a memorandum of understanding
was concluded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(UNECA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the UNECA offices
in Addis Ababa. The agreement, which was... The Global Legal
Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news and
developments worldwide.
|
Federal
Agencies Launch Website to Highlight U.S. Participation in the
World Urban Forum
from HUD Press Releases
WASHINGTON - Four federal agencies are launching a new website
today to highlight the increased role the U.S. is playing in
addressing 21st century urbanization, housing and sustainability
issues facing the nations of the world. The White House Office
of Urban Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International
Development, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched
the interagency website featuring World Urban Forum (WUF) roundtable
discussions, web chats, presentations, and workshops at www.hud.gov/wuf.
|
"Neighborhood
Stabilization Boot Camp" to Draw Top Officials from 12 Cities
and The Obama Administration
from HUD
BOSTON - Dozens of local officials from 12 of the regions hit
hardest by the housing crisis are meeting at Harvard University
March 14 -16 to develop new strategies for stabilizing neighborhoods
that experience large numbers of foreclosures.
|
GAO-10-451T,
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability
Office, March 17, 2010
|
GAO-10-529T,
Medicare Part D: Spending, Beneficiary Out-of-Pocket Costs, and
Efforts to Obtain Price Concessions for Certain High-Cost Drugs,
March 17, 2010
|
GAO-10-369,
Media Programming: Factors Influencing the Availability of Independent
Programming in Television and Programming Decisions in Radio,
March 17, 2010
|
GAO-10-500T,
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance: Overarching Guidance
Is Needed to Advance Information Sharing, March 17, 2010
|
GAO-10-484T,
Aviation Security: TSA Is Increasing Procurement and Deployment
of the Advanced Imaging Technology, but Challenges to This Effort
and Other Areas of Aviation Security Remain, March ...
|
FRB
Greenlee, Insurance Holding Company Supervision
from FRB: Speeches and Testimony
Testimony before the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance,
and Government Sponsored Enterprises, Committee on Financial
Services, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
|
Congressional
Record Latest Daily Digest for Wednesday, March 17, 2010
from Daily Digest LOC.gov
Latest update was Wednesday, March 17, 2010
|
World
Leaders - Updates for 10 - 16 Mar 2010
from CIA Library
March 17, 2010 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
of Foreign Governments with updated entries for Afghanistan,
Armenia, Barbados, Chile, Guatemala, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kuwait,
Lithuania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Philippines, San Marino, Senegal,
Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia. Changes reflect
updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of officials'
names in the country listings during the period 10 - 16 Mar 2010.
|
H.R.
3954, Florida National Forest Land Adjustment Act of 2009
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
on Agriculture on March 3, 2010
|
VIDEO:
Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. Hearing on the Ambassador to Syria
Nomination
from C-SPAN Recent Video
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing
on the nomination of Robert Stephen Ford to be U.S. ambassador
to the Syrian Arab Republic.
Length: 1 hr. 24 min.
Published: Tuesday at 8pm (ET)
|
VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing Wed Mar 17
from C-SPAN Recent Video
The State Department said five U.S. citizens arrested last December
in Pakistan have been formerly charged with plotting acts of
terrorism. Spokesman Mark Toner also talked about Secretary of
State Hillary Clintons upcoming trip to Moscow.
Length: 22 min.
Published: Wednesday at 1pm (ET)
|
VIDEO:
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) Press Conference on Health Care Vote
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) said he will vote in favor of health
care legislation making its way through the House. Mr. Kucinich,
who recently said he would vote against the measure, cited pressure
from President Obama and congressional leaders.
Length: 27 min.
Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)
|
VIDEO:
House Appropriations Cmte. Hearing on FBI Budget
from C-SPAN Recent Video
FBI Director Robert Mueller testified about the Presidents
FY 2011 budget request for the FBI. House Appropriations Committee
members also questioned Director Mueller about the attempted
bombing of Flight 253 on Christmas Day. Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV)
chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice.
Length: 2 hr. 14 min.
Published: Wednesday at 2pm (ET)
|
VIDEO:
House Education Hearing on Education Act Reauthorization with
Education Sec. Arne Duncan
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testified before the House
Education and Labor Committee about the reauthorization of the
Education Act. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) chairs the committee.
Length: 1 hr. 55 min.
Published: Wednesday at 2:30pm (ET)
|
VIDEO:
House Financial Services Cmte. Hearing on Fed's Role in Bank
Supervision
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified alongside former
Fed Chairman Paul Volcker at a House Financial Services Committee
hearing on the Fed's role in bank supervision. Committee Chairman
Barney Frank (D-MA) held the hearing to examine the "link
between Fed Bank supervision and monetary policy."
Length: 3 hr. 10 min.
Published: Wednesday at 2pm (ET)
|
H.R.3433
from Bills Presented to the President
To amend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to establish
requirements regarding payment of the non-Federal share of the
costs of wetlands conservation projects in Canada that are funded
under that Act, and for other purposes.
|
Clinton
in Moscow for Mideast, nuclear arms talks
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By ROBERT BURNS
MOSCOW (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
on Thursday opened two days of talks with Russian leaders on
nuclear arms control and other security issues, and separately
with top international diplomats on the outlook for bringing
Israel and the Palestinians back to peace talks....
|
Obama
back to campaign-style politics, a strength
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By PHILIP ELLIOTT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- After a rousing campaign rally for New Jersey
Gov. Jon Corzine last summer, President Barack Obama flashed
a broad smile to an aide as he boarded his helicopter back to
the White House....
|
9/11
Health Bill Clears Another Hurdle
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Mike Hall
|
Senate
Passes Jobs Bill, Obama Signature Next
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Mike Hall
|
Interior
Democrats Caucuses for Districts 6-12
Saturday, March 20th, 9:00am at J.P. Jones Community Development
Center
|
SFYD
invades the California Democratic Party Convention
Friday, April 16th, 6:00pm at Los Angeles Convention Center
|
Fahrenkamp
Lunch
Friday, March 19th, 12:00pm at Westmark Hotel
|
Child
Care Information and Strategizing Session
Monday, March 22nd, 6:30pm at Scadding Court Community Centre,
Rooms 1 and 2
|
Evening
Brown Bag, March 23 | Featuring Barbara Ann Radnofsky
Tuesday, March 23rd, 6:30pm at Harris County Democratic Party
Headquarters
|
4th
Annual Democratic BBQ
Saturday, April 24th, 11:30am at Hays County Courthouse Lawn
|
FINAL
Legislative Lunch with Sen. Kelly and Rep. Rusche
Tuesday, March 23rd, 11:45am at Berryhill
|
The
WhyTuesdaySF " Drive for 5" | Saturday April 3rd |
Ella Hill Hutch
Saturday, April 3rd, 11:00am at Ella Hill Hutch Community Center
|
County
Convention
Saturday, March 20th, 6:00pm at The Home of Dale Henry, 3578
S Highway 183, Lampasas TX 76550
|
Getting
To Know Us Lunch / Tour
Thursday, March 25th, 11:30am at San Antonio Lighthouse for the
Blind
|
Rep.
Moody's Monopoly Buster Ballot
Wednesday, March 17th, 10:00am at Wherever You Are, USA
|
COPE
Boot Camp
Saturday, March 27th, 9:00am at 3360 Airport Rd., Allentown PA
|
Bernanke:
Fed should monitor all banks
Posted: March 17th, 2010 04:29 PM ET
From CNNMoney.com Senior Writer Jennifer
Liberto
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told the House Financial Services panel
said he's 'quite concerned' about proposals to limit the Federal
Reserve's regulatory power to watching out for only the biggest
banks.
Washington (CNNMoney.com) - Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke made his
strongest case yet to Congress on Wednesday for the Federal Reserve
keeping its regulatory oversight powers over banks large and
small.
|
Nuns
break with bishops to support health care bill
Posted: March 17th, 2010 04:37 PM ET
|
Dennis
Kucinich defends his health care position
Posted: March 18th, 2010 07:03 AM ET
|
Clinton
in Russia for nuke, Mideast talks
Posted: March 18th, 2010 07:32 AM ET
|
Biden's
zings Palin, Fox News
Posted: March 18th, 2010 09:32 AM ET
|
Diving
Into C-SPAN's Archives
We noted a few days ago that C-SPAN put its entire video archive
online -- 160,000 hours of footage, all available free of charge.
However, digging out some of the more memorable moments from
our political history has only just begun.
|
Delayed
CBO Score Pushes Health Care Vote
|
Illinois
Moves Back Primary Date
After Illinois set a modern record for low turnout in February's
primary, Gov. Pat Quinn (D) signed legislation to move the date
back to March, the Chicago Tribune reports.
|
Republican Attacks on Health Reform:
Dèjá Vu All Over Again
Republicans say heath reform will impose
economic disaster and create a socialist society that would take
away our freedom and end America as we know it. But didn't they
say the exact same thing in the 30s and 60s in protest of Social
Security and Medicare? And hasn't history has proven them wrong?
Those programs have made our nation stronger and now enjoy widespread
bipartisan support.
Dèjá vu all over again: can you distingush GOP
attacks from decade to decade? Take
the challenge.
###
|
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The US, Northeast, and Boston
Consumer Price Index Data Summary for February 2010 is now available
at
http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro1xg01a.htm
. Please refer questions to
BLSInfoBoston@bls.gov .
|
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The US, Dallas, Houston Consumer
Price Index Summary (Blue Card) for February 2010 is now available
at
http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro6xg01a.htm
. Please refer questions to
BLSInfoDallas@bls.gov .
|
Deputy
Treasury Secretary Wolin Welcomes Paris Club Commitment to Cancel
Afghanistan's Debt
March 17, 2010
TG-593
|
Statement
On FEMA Administrator Fugate's Upcoming Trip To North Dakota
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:49:04 -0500
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig
Fugate will travel to North Dakota on March 22 to meet with the
Governor, members of the state's Congressional delegation, and
local officials about flood preparedness and response in the
region.
|
National
Small Business Week 2010 - Washington, DC (5/23-5/25)
The nation's top entrepreneurs will be honored at the U.S. Small
Business Administration's National Small Business Week events
to be held May 23-25, in Washington, D.C. A series of forums
gives small business owners and entrepreneurs a chance to come
together and celebrate the best that the small business community
has to offer. Attendees will also be able to attend interactive
forums and a town hall to learn about new issues and trends in
the small business community, from innovation to exporting to
social media. Registration is $6.
|
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The US, Midwest, West Region
Consumer Price Index Summary (Blue Card) for February 2010 is
now available
at http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro7xg01a.htm
. Please refer questions to
BLSInfoKansasCity@bls.gov .
|
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The US, South Region, Atlanta,
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale Consumer Price Index Summary (Blue Card)
for February
2010 is now available at http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro4xg01a.htm
. Please
refer questions to BLSInfoAtalanta@bls.gov .
|
Good afternoon,
9 -- that's number of states and the District
of Columbia where there is still no specific law that makes it
illegal for insurers to reject applicants who are survivors of
domestic violence by citing the history of domestic violence
as a pre-existing condition.1
Unfortunately, the gender inequalities
across our broken heath care system don't end there. In many
states, insurance companies can still discriminate on the basis
of gender -- charging women higher premiums than men simply because
of their gender or denying coverage because of so-called "pre-existing
conditions" like being pregnant, experiencing a prior pregnancy
complication, or having undergone a C-section. And health plans
in the individual market often do not cover basic maternity care.
President Obama's proposal for health insurance
reform would end the days of discrimination based on gender.
Insurance companies would be banned from denying coverage because
of a pre-existing condition and would have to cover preventative
care like mammograms.
For America's women and families, the time is now
for health insurance reform.
9 is the latest number in Health
Reform by the Numbers,' our online campaign to raise awareness
about why we just can't wait any longer for health insurance
reform. Help spread the word by sharing this message with your
family, friends and online networks.
Let's get it done.
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Director, White House Office of Health Reform
|
The
United States and Pakistan Strategic Dialogue
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500
|
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The Philadelphia Regional Office
Consumer Price Index Announcement (Blue Card) for February 2010
is now
available at http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro3xg01a.htm
. Please refer
questions to BLSInfoPhiladelphia@bls.gov .
|
DOE
Releases New Report on Benefits of Recovery Act for Small Businesses
in Clean Energy, Environmental Management Sectors
WASHINGTON The Department of Energy today released a new
report highlighting the benefits of the Recovery Act to small
businesses throughout the clean, renewable energy industry and
environmental management sector. The report found that as of
early March 2010, small businesses have been selected to receive
nearly $5.4 billion in funding across a number of Recovery Act
and related programs, including loans, loan guarantees, grants,
contracts and tax incentives, in partnership with the Department
of Treasury. The report highlights 26 small businesses in a range
of clean energy technologies, such as wind, solar, biofuels,
along with critical new infrastructure, like Smart Grid, advanced
batteries, energy storage, and energy efficiency tools. It also
notes small businesses that are helping advance responsible environmental
clean-up efforts.
|
Hoyer Discusses Health Insurance Reform
and Republican Hypocrisy on "Good Morning America"
This morning, Majority Leader Steny H.
Hoyer (MD) appeared on ABC's Good Morning America
to discuss moving toward passage of health insurance reform.
Appearing with Republican Whip Eric Cantor (VA), Leader Hoyer
condemned Republican hypocrisy on process and pointed to their
long record of using the same procedure to pass legislation.
Read excerpts from the interview below and click here
to watch the complete interview.
LEADER HOYER:
This is a procedure that was used almost 100 times under
Newt Gingrich. And over 100 times by Speaker Hastert, which Mr.
Cantor supported, most of the time, if not all of the time. This
is not an unusual procedure
. The process that the Republicans
used 72% of the time that it's been used.
WHIP CANTOR:
Steny is right. The rules of the House allow for this deeming
provision. It's called a self-executing provision, which means
that once the bill, the rule for the next bill passes, the Senate
bill automatically is deemed as having passed.
###
|
DHS
Unveils Initiatives to Enhance E-Verify
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500
Secretary Napolitano joined U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas to announce a trio
of initiatives to strengthen the efficiency and accuracy of the
E-Verify system.
|
TTB.gov
Homepage for TTB.gov. We have
recently updated this information to announce the establishment
of the Calistoga Viticultural Area, and it is now available.
|
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The US, Northeast Region, and
New York-Northern New Jersey Consumer Price Index data summary
for February
2010 is now available at http://www.bls.gov/xg_shells/ro2xg01a.htm
. Please
refer questions to BLSinfoNY@bls.gov .
|
Federal
Banking Agencies Issue Policy Statement on Funding and Liquidity
Risk Management
The federal banking agencies,1 in conjunction
with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), released
a policy statement today on their expectations for sound funding
and liquidity risk management practices. This policy statement,
adopted by each of the agencies, summarizes the principles of
sound liquidity risk management issued previously and, when appropriate,
supplements them with the Principles for Sound Liquidity
Risk Management and Supervision issued in September 2008
by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.
Given the recent market turmoil, the agencies
are reiterating the importance of effective liquidity risk management
for the safety and soundness of financial institutions. This
policy statement emphasizes the importance of cash flow projections,
diversified funding sources, stress testing, a cushion of liquid
assets, and a formal, well-developed contingency funding plan
as primary tools for measuring and managing liquidity risk. The
agencies expect each financial institution to manage funding
and liquidity risk using processes and systems that are commensurate
with the institutions complexity, risk profile, and scope
of operations.
###
|
Comptroller of the Currency Hosts Community
Bank Directors Workshop in Philadelphia
WASHINGTON The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
will host a workshop for directors of nationally chartered community
banks in Philadelphia, at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia, April
12-14, 2010.
The workshop provides practical information
that expands bank directors' skills and understanding of issues
facing their banks. Entitled, A Directors Challenge:
Mastering the Basics, the workshop is geared primarily
to directors of national community banks with assets of less
than $1 billion who would like to review the fundamental requirements
of their position.
The workshop costs $100. Attendees receive
pre-course reading and course materials, an OCC telephone seminar
CD, a community bank supervision handbook, other supervisory
material, a continental breakfast, and lunch. The workshop is
limited to the first 35 registrants.
For information or to register online,
visit http://www.occ.gov/conference.htm
or call 336-451-0557.
###
|
Comptroller of the Currency Hosts Community
Bank Directors Workshops in Shreveport, Louisiana
WASHINGTON The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
will host workshops for directors of nationally chartered community
banks in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the Hilton Shreveport, April
20-21, 2010.
The workshops provide practical information
that expands bank directors' skills and understanding of issues
facing their banks. The workshops cover compliance risk (Compliance
Risk: What Directors Need to Know) on April 20, and credit
risk (Credit Risk: A Directors Focus) on April
21.
Workshops will be held on consecutive days
and cost $65 each. Individuals may register for one or both of
the workshops. Attendees receive pre-course reading and course
materials, an OCC telephone seminar CD, a community bank supervision
handbook, other supervisory material, a continental breakfast,
and lunch.
Workshops are limited to the first 35 registrants
and are geared primarily to outside directors of national community
banks with assets of less than $1 billion. Management directors
may also find the workshops beneficial.
For information or to register online, visit http://www.occ.gov/conference.htm
or call 336-451-0557.
###
|
Margo
Schlanger's Testimony on Working with Communities to Disrupt
Terror Plots
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500
Testimony of Margo Schlanger, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties, before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee
on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment,
Working with Communities to Disrupt Terror Plots
at the Cannon House Office Building on March 17, 2010.
|
FDA Issues Final Rule Restricting Access
and Marketing of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco Products to
Youth
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard
K. Koh, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr.
Margaret Hamburg, will hold a press briefing to announce a final
rule containing a broad set of federal requirements designed
to both curb access to, as well as to reduce the appeal of, cigarettes
and smokeless tobacco products to children and adolescents in
the United States. The final rule will be published in the Federal
Register on March 18, 2010, and will become effective on June
22, 2010.
WHO: Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary
Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., HHS Assistant Secretary for Health
Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., FDA Commissioner
WHEN: Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 1:30
PM EDT
WHERE: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201
Credentialed media only
|
Hypocrisy: Watch What I Say, Not What
I Do
The rules of the House allow for this type of deeming provision.
Republican Whip Eric Cantor, ABC's "Good Morning
America," 3/17/10
Hypocrisy: A Parliamentary Procedure
As Republicans ramp up efforts to once again distract from the
substance of health insurance reform, experts weigh in on the
hypocritical nature of the GOPs outrage over
procedural tactics they repeatedly used:
Any veteran observer of Congress is used to the rampant
hypocrisy over the use of parliamentary procedures that shifts
totally from one side to the other as a majority moves to minority
status, and vice versa. But I cant recall a level of feigned
indignation nearly as great as what we are seeing now from congressional
Republicans and their acolytes at the Wall Street Journal, and
on blogs, talk radio, and cable news. It reached a ridiculous
level of misinformation and disinformation over the use of reconciliation,
and now threatens to top that level over the projected use of
a self-executing rule by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the last
Congress that Republicans controlled, from 2005 to 2006, Rules
Committee Chairman David Dreier used the self-executing rule
more than 35 times, and was no stranger to the concept of deem
and pass. That strategy, then decried by the House Democrats
who are now using it, and now being called unconstitutional by
WSJ editorialists, was defended by House Republicans in court
(and upheld). Dreier used it for a $40 billion deficit reduction
package so that his fellow GOPers could avoid an embarrassing
vote on immigration. I dont like self-executing rules by
either partyI prefer the regular orderso
I am not going to say this is a great idea by the Democrats.
But even sois there no shame anymore? [Norman
J. Ornstein, 3/16/10]
The speaker is considering the use of a self-executing
rule to create for her Democratic members an opportunity to indicate
that their support of the Senate-passed bill is coupled with
the set of amendments to it that will be considered in a separate
package under the reconciliation bill. Such a rule was used 36
times by the House Republican leadership in 2005-6 and 49 times
by the Democratic leadership in 2007-8
It is a new twist
(like the use of reconciliation to approve changes to the underlying
bill negotiated by House and Senate leaders) to an old and perfectly
legitimate parliamentary tool
[Thomas
E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, 3/16/10]
Republicans who now complain about tactics have very little
to stand on given this history
This is a legitimate mechanism
and Democrats have the right to use it. They also have precedent,
including what Republicans did when they were in power, on their
side
[Julian
E. Zelizer, Professor of History and Public Affairs, Princeton
University, 3/16/10]
In 2006, the former Republican Rules Committees own staff
director called-out Republicans record-breaking use of
self-executing rules:
When Republicans took power in 1995, they soon lost their
aversion to self-executing rules and proceeded to set new records
under Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). There were 38 and 52 self-executing
rules in the 104th and 105th Congresses (1995-1998), making up
25 percent and 35 percent of all rules, respectively. Under Speaker
Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) there were 40, 42 and 30 self-executing
rules in the 106th, 107th and 108th Congresses (22 percent, 37
percent and 22 percent, respectively). Thus far in the 109th
Congress, self-executing rules make up about 16 percent of all
rules. [Don
Wolfensberger, former Republican staff director of the House
Rules Committee, 6/19/06]
|
Internet
Crime: Complaints on the Rise
With the release of IC3's 2009 annual report, it's clear that
the need to be aware of cyber scams is more important than ever.
|
Hoyer Statement on Senate Passage of
the HIRE Act
WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after
the Senate passed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
(HIRE) Act. This job creating legislation will now go to the
Presidents desk.
I applaud the Senates passage of the HIRE Act, a
much-needed piece of jobs legislation that now goes to President
Obamas desk for a signature. The HIRE Act includes tax
credits for businesses that hire and retain unemployed workersone
of the most effective ways to promote job creation, according
to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It also includes
tax incentives to help businesses finance their expansion, as
well as an extension of the highway construction programs that
have created jobs for so many Americans while expanding our infrastructure.
Though passage of this bill is an important step for our
constituents who remain out of work, it does not complete Congresss
job-creating efforts. Today, the House Ways and Means Committee
is considering further legislation to encourage investment in
growing small businesses by exempting their stock from capital
gains taxes, to encourage entrepreneurship by doubling the tax
deduction for small-business start-up costs, and to extend the
successful Build America Bonds, which help state and local governments
finance much-needed, job-creating projects. I look forward to
bringing this legislation to the House floor as early as next
week.
###
|
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood
Announces U.S.-Zambia Agreement on Open Skies
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
today announced that the United States and Zambia have signed
an Open-Skies aviation agreement, liberalizing U.S.-Zambia air
services for the carriers of both countries.
The agreement, the first aviation accord
between the two countries, was reached after discussions between
the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka and the Zambian government.
Zambia becomes the 96th U.S. Open-Skies partner and the 20th
on the African continent. The agreement takes effect immediately.
This agreement paves the way for
future growth in travel and trade between the United States and
Zambia, Secretary LaHood said. We welcome Zambia
as an Open-Skies partner.
Under the new agreement, airlines from
both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations
based on consumer demand for both passenger and cargo services,
without limitations on the number of U.S. or Zambian carriers
that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights
they can operate. It removes restrictions on capacity and pricing,
and provides unlimited opportunities for cooperative marketing
arrangements, including code-sharing, between U.S. and Zambian
carriers.
The agreement also allows U.S. and Zambian
carriers to operate all-cargo flights between the other country
and third countries without a stop in their home countries.
|
Soyuz
Landing Caps Milestone Space Station Mission
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:00 -0500
Expedition 22 Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Max
Suraev landed their Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft on the steppes of
Kazakhstan Thursday, wrapping up a five-and-a-half-month stay
aboard the International Space Station.
|
Guard
Flood Duty
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:37:27 -0500
Hundreds of National Guard troops from North Dakota and Minnesota
are deployed along the Red River to help fight the rising flood
waters.
|
SEMINAR:
How Different Jurisdictions Treat Foreign Law in their Jurisprudence
Tuesday, March 23
8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Panel Presenters
Law Library of Congress
Stephen Clark- Senior Foreign Law Specialist, Canada
Ruth Levush- Senior Foreign Law Specialist, Israel
Edith Palmer- Senior Foreign Law Specialist, Germany
Lunch Speaker
Vicki C. Jackson
Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Constitutional
Law
Georgetown University of Law
To register, visit http://www.llsdc.org/en/cev/233
For more information, send email to Leon Schioscia at the Law
Library of Congress at lsci@loc.gov.
|
Expedition
22 Crew Lands
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:00 -0500
The Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition
22 Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev near
the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Thursday, March 18, 2010.
NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams and Russian Cosmonaut Maxim Suraev
are returning from six months onboard the International Space
Station where they served as members of the Expedition 21 and
22 crews. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
|
Statement
for National Poison Prevention Week
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:15:00 -0500
FDA Committed to Addressing Growing National Overdose Problem
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes the five-fold
increase in unintentional drug overdose deaths noted by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention between 1990 and 2006 as a
serious public health concern. Much of this increase follows
from increases in the deaths from the use of opioid drugs, which
in 2006 accounted for more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine
combined. The agency is also concerned about misuse of benzodiazepines
(e.g., Valium and Xanax), which accounted for 272,000 emergency
department visits in 2008 (compared to 306,000 for opioids).
|
More
Bankruptcy Judgeships Approved by House
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:14:00 -0500
The House of Representatives passed a bill that, if passed in
the Senate, will create 13 additional permanent bankruptcy judgeships,
convert 22 existing temporary bankruptcy judgeships to permanent
status, and extend two current temporary judgeships.
|
Experts Call Out GOP on Hypocrisy, GOP
Owns Up To Legitimacy of Rule
Republicans Cry Crocodile Tears On Legislative Process to
Distract From Unfair Insurance Process
With final passage of health insurance
reform quickly approaching, Republicans are making another desperate
attempt to distract from the substance of the health care debate.
The GOP is hypocritically crying foul on a legislative process
that they used more than 200 times under the last two Republican
Speakers. Republicans clearly are trying to distract from the
unfair insurance process that they support continuing:
Process that allows insurance companies to cancel coverage
when a person gets sick
Process that allows insurance companies to filibuster
consumers claims to fair coverage
Process that makes Americans fight for their health insurance
even as they are fighting for their lives.
If Republicans are so sensitive to fair process, they should
oppose those unfair insurance procedures and support passage
of health insurance reform. And if they dont do that, then
their record on using the same House rules to pass major legislation
should be enough to end the legislative process debate.
Republicans Use Self-Executing Rules to Pass Major Legislation
When Republicans complain about process whether on reconciliation
or self-executing rules they conveniently ignore their
own record on using the same procedures to pass major legislation.
In fact, according to Don
Wolfensberger, former staff director under a Republican House
Rules Committee, Republicans have used self-executing rules hundreds
of times in recent history:
104th & 105th Congresses: Under Speaker Newt Gingrich
(R-GA), Republicans used 90 self-executing rules.
106th, 107th & 108th Congresses: Under Speaker Dennis
Hastert (R-IL), Republicans used 112 self-executing rules.
109th Congress: Under Speaker Hastert and Rules Committee
Chairman David Dreier (R-CA), Republicans used self-executing
rules more than 35 times. [Norm
Ornstein, 3/16/10]
Republican, Experts Acknowledge Legitimacy of Rule
[D]espite Republican claims that such parliamentary gymnastics
as reconciliation and self-executing rules are somehow in violation
of House rules or rare, neither is the case, says congressional
scholar Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institution. On the
self-executing rule, Republicans in their last Congress that
they controlled, the 109th, used it 36 times; the Democrats,
in the next Congress they controlled, used it 49 times,
Mann said. And in many cases, Mann says, they were on some pretty
major bills. The reauthorization of the Patriot Act, the
Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, the Deficit Control Conference
Report; all kinds of major measures have been approved through
self-executing rules, which means the House votes indirectly
rather than separately on these measures. [NPR,
3/17/10]
The deeming procedure that the Democrats may
use was in fact routinely used by House Republicans to conduct
business when they were in the majority
[Timothy
Stoltzfus Jost, Law Professor at the Washington and Lee University,
3/16/10]
The rules of the House allow for this deeming provision.
It's called a self-executing provision, which means that once
the bill, the rule for the next bill passes, the Senate bill
automatically is deemed as having passed. Republican
Whip Eric Cantor, 3/17/10
Click here
to view a printer-friendly PDF.
Click here to follow
@LeaderHoyer on Twitter.
###
|
U.S.
Joins Other Creditors, Cancels Afghanistan Debts Owed to Paris
Club Members
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500
|
The latest Consumer Price Index news release
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf)
was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights
are below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U
was unchanged in
February after increasing 0.2 percent in January. The index
for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in
February after falling 0.1 percent in January.
|
Border
Security
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:47:13 -0500
National Guard helicopters and crews are supporting aviation
missions along the Rio Grande River following the recent rise
in violence along the Texas-Mexico border.
|
ADA.gov
Site Map (text only) for U.S. Department of Justice. This information has recently been updated, and
is now available. A new issue of Enforcing the ADA: A Status
Report from the Department of Justice has been posted, and direct
access to the new Status Report is available at this
link.
|
US-CERT Current Activity
Zeus Trojan Campaign Warning
Original release date: March 17, 2010 at
1:52 pm
Last revised: March 17, 2010 at 1:52 pm
US-CERT is aware of public reports of malicious
code circulating via
spam email messages impersonating the Department of Homeland
Security
(DHS). The attacks arrive via unsolicited email messages that
may
contain subject lines related to DHS or other government activity.
These messages may contain a link or attachment. If users click
on
this link or open the attachment, they may be infected with malicious
code, including the Zeus Trojan.
US-CERT encourages users and administrators
to take the following
measures to protect themselves:
* Do not follow unsolicited web links or attachments in email
messages.
* Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
* Refer to Cyber Security Tip ST04-014 - Avoiding Social Engineering
and Phishing Attacks
* Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document
for more information on avoiding email scams.
Relevant Url(s):
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html>
<http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/emailscams_0905.pdf>
====
This entry is available at
http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#us_cert_warns_against_zeus
|
United
States Breaks Ground on 100th Diplomatic Facility with the New
Embassy Compound in Bujumbura, Burundi
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:44:59 -0500
|
Ambassador
CdeBaca to Deliver Keynote Remarks at the Freedom Networks Eighth
Annual Conference in Washington, DC
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:50:51 -0500
|
Friend --
I wanted to take a moment to thank you
directly for the outstanding work you've been doing as part of
Organizing for America's Final March for Reform. I can tell you
that your voice is heard in Washington every day. I see how your
efforts are moving us toward victory.
But I also know that with just days remaining,
the final vote is shaping up to be extremely close. Everything
we've worked for is on the line, and your voice is needed now
more than ever before.
Raise your voice today: We must all speak out together
to finish the job.
In these final, crucial days, much more
will be asked of us. Our resolve will be tested.
During moments like this, I believe it's
important to remember why we have worked so hard for so long.
That's why I spoke to the country Monday at a gathering in Ohio
and said it plainly: I'm here for Natoma.
Natoma Canfield is like most of us: She
works hard, and tries to do what's right. Years ago, she had
battled back from cancer, so she always maintained health insurance
in case she ever really needed it again. But because of her medical
history, the insurance company kept raising her deductible and
her premiums.
Last year alone, Natoma paid over $10,000
in monthly premiums and co-pays, while her insurance company
chipped in just $900. And then they hiked up her rates another
40%. She simply couldn't afford it -- she had to cancel her policy.
That's when she wrote to me. I read her letter, and shared her
story with insurance company CEOs as another reason why the system
has to change.
That was two weeks ago. Then, just last
week, the unthinkable happened: Natoma collapsed, and was rushed
to a hospital. It's leukemia -- the cancer has returned. Now
she's in the hospital, worried sick not just about her condition,
but how she'll financially survive.
So why am I still in this fight? Simple.
I'm here for Natoma.
I'm here because of the countless others
who have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
I'm here for the small business owners forced to chose between
health care and hiring. I'm here for the folks who are forced
to watch helplessly as their premiums skyrocket with no reason
or recourse.
And I'm here for my mother. She died of
cancer, and in the last six months of her life, I saw her on
the phone in her hospital room arguing with insurance companies
instead of focusing on getting well and spending time with her
family.
As I was finishing my remarks Monday, a
woman in the crowd called out, "we need courage." She's
right.
The politicians in Washington need courage
to face down the powerful interests who have held back progress
for far too long. And all of us who share this cause need courage
to speak up with persistence and clarity in these final days.
I've always found that courage comes from
remembering that we fight for something and someone beyond ourselves.
It comes from our faith. And it comes from our commitment to
those we love.
So please take a moment to remember those
who inspire you -- those who give you the strength to march on.
There's very little time left, and still
much to do. But I believe to my core in the power of Americans
to change history when we put our mind to it. And if you'll stay
with us in these final days, I know we can do it again:
http://my.barackobama.com/speakout
Thank you for making it possible,
President Barack Obama
|
Hoyer Statement on Congressional Black
Caucus Hearing on Unemployment
WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on
the Congressional Black Caucuss public hearing on chronic
unemployment:
Today, the Congressional Black Caucus held an important
public hearing dedicated to chronic unemployment. This economic
downturn has seen millions of Americans out of workbut,
as the CBC reminds us, the roots of chronic unemployment in so
many American communities go far deeper. They include, most glaringly
of all, subpar education and the economic insecurity caused by
our failing health care system.
So Im grateful that the CBC is considering a wide
range of policy solutions to persistent inequality and joblessness,
including youth summer jobs, vocational education, and job training
programs. I believe that policies like thosecombined with
Congresss recent efforts to strengthen job-creating infrastructure
projects and encourage small businesses to grow and add new workerswill
create significant new employment opportunities, both in the
short and long term.
###
|
U.S.
and Plaintiff States v. Ticketmaster and Live Nation
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:14:25 -0500
|
DOD
Identifies Army Casualty
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:15:00 -0500
|
FDA
Approves First Totally Implanted Hearing System
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:23:00 -0500
|
National
Guard (In Federal Status) And Reserve Activated as of March 16,
2010
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:12:00 -0500
|
U.S.-Japan
Relations: Enduring Ties, Recent Developments
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500
|
Under
Secretary Maria Otero for Democracy and Global Affairs to Hold
Water Policy Teleconference Press Call
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:28:09 -0500
|
The
FBI Budget for Fiscal Year 2011
Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, FBI, Before the House Committee
on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,
and Related Agencies
|
USDA
Retail Distribution List for Recall FSIS 017-2010
|
The latest Real Earnings news release
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/realer.pdf)
was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights
are below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real average hourly earnings rose 0.1 percent
from January to February, seasonally adjusted. This increase
stems from a 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings
for all employees while the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers (CPI-U) remained unchanged. Real average weekly earnings
fell 0.2 percent over the month.
|
Former
Independence Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Deprivation of Rights
Under Color of Law
|
Social
Media Sites Provide Morale Boost, Official Says
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:43:00 -0500
|
McChrystal
Reports on Progress in Afghanistan
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:44:00 -0500
|
Announcement
of Changes to PRM Funding Process for NGO Programs Targeting
the Prevention of and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV),
including Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (SEA)
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:46:03 -0500
|
Speeches:
The United States and Turkey: A View from the Obama Administration
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:51:41 -0500
|
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
announces the following:
You can now access the March 2010 Survey of Current Business
at http://www.bea.gov/scb/index.htm.
|
March
18, 2010 - DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, (PDF, 26 pages - 192 KB)
|
The HUD HOME program's monthly reports as
of 2/28/10 are now posted at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/reports/index.cfm
|
US
CYBERCOM Stand up
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:15:38 -0500
Preparations for the establishment of U.S. Cyber Command are
underway. The formal launch is currently awaiting approval from
Congress.
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert
Programming Information for Weds. 3/17 - Thurs. 3/18, 2010
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Highlights
Tonight:
* Pres. Obama Remarks on the Passage of the Jobs Bill (10pm)
* Rep. Kucinich (D-OH) News Conference on Health Care (10:02pm)
* Washington Journal: Peter Kiley, C-SPAN, Vice Pres. (10:30pm)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. House: In Session (10am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN2 Highlights
Tonight:
* Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner (8:50pm) - LIVE
* House Hearing with FBI Dir. Mueller on the FY 2011 Budget (9:35pm)
* Washington Journal: Peter Kiley, C-SPAN, Vice Pres. (12am)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN3 Highlights
Tonight:
* Pres. Obama on Jobs Bill; Hearing with Fed Chair Bernanke (7pm)
* Rep. Kucinich on Health Care; Hearing with Education Sec. Duncan
(7:40pm)
* Hearing with FBI Dir. Mueller; Hearing on Iraq & Afghanistan
(8:35pm)
Tomorrow:
* House Hearing on the U.S. Secret Service FY 2011 Budget (10am)
- LIVE
* Senate Hearing on the U.S. Postal Service Financial Situation
(2:30pm) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
|
NIH
Clinical Center to Open State-of-the-Art Pharmaceutical Development
Facility
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:06:00 -0500
|
Commanders
Tout Value of Training Indigenous Forces
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:01:00 -0500
|
Statistics
for the U.S. Department of Labor.
This information has recently been updated.
The following statistics were updated:
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
View the latest DOL statistics.
|
Nuclear
Review Nears Completion
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:13:00 -0500
|
Unemployment
Insurance Weekly Claims Report for the U.S. Department of Labor. This information has recently been updated.
In the week ending March 13, the advance figure for seasonally
adjusted initial claims was 457,000, a decrease of 5,000 from
the previous week's unrevised figure of 462,000. The 4-week moving
average was 471,250, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's
unrevised average of 475,500.
Read the full news release.
|
Cross posted to the listservs LLSDC, Govdoc-L,
Law-Lib, and FedLib:
The Law Librarians' Society of Washington,
D.C., Inc. (LLSDC) is pleased to
announce the availability on its Legislative Source Book Website
(http://www.llsdc.org/sourcebook/)
of a new title called "Sources for
Finding Mandated Reports to Congress by U.S. Federal Agencies"
(
http://www.llsdc.org/fed-agency-reports/).
The site briefly describes and
links to sources that list or may make available reports from
Federal
agencies mandated by Congressional statute. Other matters discussed
include
where the text of report provisions can be found in the law,
who receives
the reports, sunsetted report provisions that remain in the U.S.
Code,
general reporting provisions applicable to most agencies, and
other
matters.
As questions about locating these mandated
reports have arisen recently on
various listservs, it is hoped that this site will be helpful
in answering
future queries.
LLSDC's Legislative Source Book (http://www.llsdc.org/sourcebook/)
has many
other helpful guides and listings. Of recent note is the expansion
of the
site "Legislative Histories of Selected U.S. Laws on the
Internet" (
http://www.llsdc.org/Leg-Hist/)
so that the site had to be broken into four
related sites: 1) legislative histories on the free Internet,
2) commercial
legislative histories by popular name order, 3) commercial legislative
histories by public law number order, and 4) explanatory notes.
Combined,
the sites list and directly link to more than 200 legislative
histories.
Rick McKinney
Assistant Law Librarian
Federal Reserve Board Law Library
Washington, DC 20551
rick.mckinney@frb.gov
|
U.S.,
Finland Sign Agreement to Prevent and Combat Crime
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500
Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute joined Finnish Interior
Minister Anne Holmlund to sign a Preventing and Combating Crime
(PCC) Agreementallowing for the enhanced exchange of biometric
and biographic data to bolster counterterrorism and law enforcement
efforts in both the United States and Finland while protecting
individual privacy.
|
OCC Assesses Civil Money Penalty Against
Wachovia
WASHINGTON The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
announced today a $50 million Civil Money Penalty and a Cease
and Desist Order against Wachovia Bank, N.A. for violations of
the Bank Secrecy Act as part of a coordinated action with the
Department of Justice, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Center
and other federal agencies.
Wachovia also entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with
the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Florida
and the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the
Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and agreed to
forfeit $110 million to the United States. The Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network assessed a $110 million Civil Money Penalty
that is deemed satisfied by the forfeiture to the U.S. government.
Related Links:
U.S. Department of Justice News Release (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2010-30a.pdf)
Consent Cease and Desist Order (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2010-30b.pdf)
Consent Order for a Civil Money Penalty (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2010-30c.pdf)
|
Enforcement
Actions for FinCEN Updates.
This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
|
DoD
Contracts for March 17, 2010
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:00:00 -0500
|
Upcoming
Meetings and Recently Posted Materials web page for Advisory
Committees of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This information has recently been updated, and
is now available.
|
Health Care is a Civil Right
Click here
to view video.
Each generation has had to take up the question of how to provide
for the health of the people of our nation. And each generation
has grappled with difficult questions of how to meet the needs
of our people. I believe health care is a civil right. Each time
as a nation we have reached to expand our basic rights, we have
witnessed a slow and painful unfolding of a democratic pageant
of striving, of resistance, of breakthroughs, of opposition,
of unrelenting efforts and of eventual triumph.
I have spent my life struggling for the
rights of working class people and for health care. I grew up
understanding firsthand what it meant for families who did not
get access to needed care. I lived in 21 different places by
the time I was 17, including in a couple of cars. I understand
the connection between poverty and poor health care, the deeper
meaning of what Native Americans have called "hole in the
body, hole in the spirit." I struggled with Crohn's disease
much of my adult life, to discover sixteen years ago a near-cure
in alternative medicine and following a plant-based diet. I have
learned with difficulty the benefits of taking charge personally
of my own health care. On those few occasions when I have needed
it, I have had access to the best allopathic practitioners. As
a result I have received the blessings of vitality and high energy.
Health and health care is personal for each one of us. As a former
surgical technician I know that there are many people who dedicate
their lives to helping others improve theirs. I also know their
struggles with an insufficient health care system.
There are some who believe that health
care is a privilege based on ability to pay. This is the model
President Obama is dealing with, attempting to open up health
care to another 30 million people, within the context of the
for-profit insurance system. There are others who believe that
health care is a basic right and ought to be provided through
a not-for-profit plan. This is what I have tirelessly advocated.
I have carried the banner of national health
care in two presidential campaigns, in party platform meetings,
and as co-author of HR676, Medicare for All. I have worked to
expand the health care debate beyond the current for-profit system,
to include a public option and an amendment to free the states
to pursue single payer. The first version of the health care
bill, while badly flawed, contained provisions which I believed
made the bill worth supporting in committee. The provisions were
taken out of the bill after it passed committee.
I joined with the Progressive Caucus saying
that I would not support the bill unless it had a strong public
option and unless it protected the right of people to pursue
single payer at a state level. It did not. I kept my pledge and
voted against the bill. I have continued to oppose it while trying
to get the provisions back into the bill. Some have speculated
I may be in a position of casting the deciding vote. The President's
visit to my district on Monday underscored the urgency of this
moment.
I have taken this fight farther than many
in Congress cared to carry it because I know what my constituents
experience on a daily basis. Come to my district in Cleveland
and you will understand.
The people of Ohio's 10th district have
been hard hit by an economy where wealth has accelerated upwards
through plant closings, massive unemployment, small business
failings, lack of access to credit, foreclosures and the high
cost of health care and limited access to care. I take my responsibilities
to the people of my district personally. The focus of my district
office is constituent service, which more often than not involves
social work to help people survive economic perils. It also involves
intervening with insurance companies.
In the past week it has become clear that
the vote on the final health care bill will be very close. I
take this vote with the utmost seriousness. I am quite aware
of the historic fight that has lasted the better part of the
last century to bring America in line with other modern democracies
in providing single payer health care. I have seen the political
pressure and the financial pressure being asserted to prevent
a minimal recognition of this right, even within the context
of a system dominated by private insurance companies.
I know I have to make a decision, not on
the bill as I would like to see it, but the bill as it is. My
criticisms of the legislation have been well reported. I do not
retract them. I incorporate them in this statement. They still
stand as legitimate and cautionary. I still have doubts about
the bill. I do not think it is a first step toward anything I
have supported in the past. This is not the bill I wanted to
support, even as I continue efforts until the last minute to
modify the bill.
However after careful discussions with
the President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Elizabeth my wife and close
friends, I have decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation.
If my vote is to be counted, let it now count for passage of
the bill, hopefully in the direction of comprehensive health
care reform. We must include coverage for those excluded from
this bill. We must free the states. We must have control over
private insurance companies and the cost their very existence
imposes on American families. We must strive to provide a significant
place for alternative and complementary medicine, religious health
science practice, and the personal responsibility aspects of
health care which include diet, nutrition, and exercise.
The health care debate has been severely
hampered by fear, myths, and by hyper-partisanship. The President
clearly does not advocate socialism or a government takeover
of health care. The fear that this legislation has engendered
has deep roots, not in foreign ideology but in a lack of confidence,
a timidity, mistrust and fear which post 911 America has been
unable to shake.
This fear has so infected our politics,
our economics and our international relations that as a nation
we are losing sight of the expanded vision, the electrifying
potential we caught a glimpse of with the election of Barack
Obama. The transformational potential of his presidency, and
of ourselves, can still be courageously summoned in ways that
will reconnect America to our hopes for expanded opportunities
for jobs, housing, education, peace, and yes, health care.
I want to thank those who have supported
me personally and politically as I have struggled with this decision.
I ask for your continued support in our ongoing efforts to bring
about meaningful change. As this bill passes I will renew my
efforts to help those state organizations which are aimed at
stirring a single payer movement which eliminates the predatory
role of private insurers who make money not providing health
care. I have taken a detour through supporting this bill, but
I know the destination I will continue to lead, for as long as
it takes, whatever it takes to an America where health care will
be firmly established as a civil right.
Thank you.
Dennis Kucinich
|
Transcom
Provides Key Advantage, Commander Says
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:15:00 -0500
|
NATO
Seeks More Trainers for Afghan Forces
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:55:00 -0500
|
Export
Requirements for Meat & Poultry Products for USDA Food Safety
and Inspection Service. The
export requirements for Egypt and Chile have been revised. This
information has recently been updated.
You may view a copy of the updated information.
|
Has the GOP Thrown the Kitchen Sink
at Health Reform Yet? Theyve Tried Everything Else
As we head into the final stretch on health
reform, what else will the Republicans come up with to try and
deceive the public, try to derail reform, and protect the insurance
companies and the status quo? Does the health reform bill cede
Texas to Mexico? Use tax dollars to cover care for French poodles?
August 2009 Former Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah
Palin makes a ludicrous claim that the reform bills include death
panels. Many in the GOP help spread the outrageous fabrication,
including Sen. Grassley (R-IA), a leading GOP negotiator on health
reform, who says government may pull the plug on grandma.
September 2009 GOP repeatedly claims the health
reform bills will provide health care for illegal immigrants,
despite all experts repeatedly debunking the claim. Rep. Wilson
(R-SC) shouts at President Obama on the House floor during an
address to Congress, calling the President a liar on the issue.
Fall 2009 GOP repeatedly calls health reform efforts
socialism, saying they will lead to an economic disaster and
will end to America as we know it.
Fall 2009 GOP repeatedly claims that the Democratic
health reform bills are unconstitutional, despite an overwhelming
consensus of legal experts repeatedly debunking the claim.
Fall 2009 GOP repeatedly claims that the health
reform bills add to deficit, despite CBO - the official referee
of Congress - confirming they reduce the deficit.
February 2010 GOP is outraged about the use of
reconciliation in the Senate, even though it was used many more
times in the past by them.
March 2010 GOP is outraged about the use of a floor
procedure that they used hundreds of times in the past.
###
|
U.S.
International Reserve Position
|
More
Dwell Time Coming in 2011, Army Vice Chief Says
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:49:00 -0500
|
CBP
Summer 2009 Issue - Interactive Version
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:09:32 -0500
|
CBP
Current Issue - Interactive Version
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:09:32 -0500
|
Kepler:
One Year Anniversary
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:00:00 -0500
|
U.S.
Department of State Daily Press Briefing - March 17
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:27:49 -0500
|
Officials implement second DOS rollback
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Office
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas Air
Force officials announced today the need for a Phase II enlisted
date of separation rollback with a mandatory DOS of June 30,
2010. This program is part of an overall effort by the Air Force
to maintain a quality enlisted force and meet the congressionally
mandated end strength.
In November, officials announced plans
to conduct a DOS rollback for enlisted members with fewer than
14 or more than 20 years of service as of April 30. The second
rollback will also accelerate the date of separation for Airmen
based on their years of service and re-enlistment eligibility
or assignment availability codes.
Under the second DOS rollback, Airmen must
separate no later than June 30 or retire no later than July 1
if they possess a code preventing their re-enlistment. Officials
said that the June 30 DOS rollback differs from the April 30
rollback by allowing commanders to conduct early consideration
under the Selective Re-enlistment Program for Airmen who possess
select re-enlistment codes.
Airmen separated or retired under the DOS
Rollback are authorized transition assistance benefits that include
180 days of extended medical care for themselves and their families
and an ID card permitting base commissary and exchange privileges
for two years.
Those separated with more than six years
but less than 20 years total active service are eligible for
one-half the amount of separation pay but must sign an Individual
Ready Reserve agreement to serve for a minimum three years. Those
declining to serve in the IRR will be ineligible for separation
pay.
The Air Force will not recoup unearned
portions of education assistance funds special pay, bonuses or
other monetary incentives under the DOS Rollback Program. Additionally,
most Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits will not be impacted; however,
the transferability of benefits to dependents may be affected.
Airmen should consult their local education centers or the VA
concerning transferability.
Airmen with more than 20 years of service
who are affected by the DOS rollback must request a retirement
date via the virtual Military Personnel Flight.
For more information visit the Air Force
Personnel Center personnel services Web site and enter DOS
rollback in the search engine or call the Total Force Service
Center at (210) 525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.
-- 30 --
|
Louisiana
Woman Guilty of Forging Seal of Department or Agency of the U.S.
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:38:49 -0500
Stephanie O. Langlois, of Metairie, Louisiana, pled guilty to
forging and counterfeiting the Office of Management and Budget
seal and then printing the seal on documents purporting to be
grant award letters for the purpose of misleading clients into
thinking that they had been awarded grant money that would assist
them in rebuilding their businesses which sustained damage in
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
|
Hospital
Purchasing Official Pleads Guilty in New York to Bid Rigging
and Fraud
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:35:13 -0500
Salvatore Scotto-DiVetta, a former New York Presbyterian Hospital
purchasing official, pled guilty in Manhattan to conspiring to
rig bids on re-insulation services contracts.
|
Nexus
Technologies, Three Employees Guilty of Bribing Vietnamese Officials
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:24:54 -0500
Nexus Technologies Inc., a Philadelphia-based export company,
pled guilty in connection with a conspiracy to bribe officials
of the Vietnamese government in exchange for lucrative contracts
to supply equipment and technology to Vietnamese government agencies,
in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The president
and owner of the company, Nam Nguyen, and his siblings and fellow
Nexus personnel, Kim Nguyen and An Nguyen, also pled guilty in
connection with the conspiracy.
|
Maryland
Men Indicted on Charges Related to Operation of Bail Bonds Company
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:59:34 -0500
Milton Tillman, Jr. and his son, Milton Tillman, III, both of
Baltimore, Maryland, were indicted for conspiracy to defraud
the Treasury Department, making false statements on tax returns,
and unlawfully engaging in the business of insurance. Milton
Tillman, Jr. is also charged with wire fraud in connection with
a scheme to defraud Ports America Baltimore, Inc., where he worked
as a member of the International Longshoremen's Association AFL-CIO.
|
Pharmaceutical
Company to Pay $42.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Charges
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:54:28 -0500
American pharmaceutical manufacturer Alpharma Inc. has agreed
to pay $42.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations
in connection with the marketing of the morphine-based drug Kadian.
|
Highlights:
U.S.-Pakistan Will Hold Strategic Dialogue
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0500
|
Secretary
Clinton Leads Cabinet-Level Delegation to Mexico
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:13:41 -0500
|
Today
in the Department of Defense, 3/18/2010
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:20:00 -0500
|
DOD
News Briefing with Gen. McChrystal and Ambassador Sedwill from
Afghanistan
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:45:00 -0500
|
MOMENTUM GROWS FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM
Democrats from across the spectrum are
announcing their support for passing health care reform
Oberstar
Latest to Lend Support For Health Bill
Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar
(D-Minn.), one of the staunchest anti-abortion-rights Democrats
in the House, said Wednesday he will now back the health care
overhaul saying the bill prohibits the use
of federal funds for abortion.
Kucinich
Is Now a Yes on Health Care Reform
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), the outspoken House liberal
who opposed passage of health care reform last year, announced
Wednesday morning that he will support an overhaul the chamber
is expected to vote on later this week.
As support across the country grows
NBC
News/WSJ poll [3/16/10]:
A majority 46% - 45% support the Presidents
plan and want to see it passed
Economist
poll [3/11/10]:
53% - 47% favor the current proposal
###
|
DOT
Secretary's Blog - Welcome to the Fast Lane for Department of
Transportation. This information
has recently been updated; you can read more at fastlane.dot.gov
|
HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR MARCH 17, 2010
Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (11):
1) H.Res.
1089 - Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College
(Rep. Hare - Education and Labor)
2) H.Res.
1167 - Expressing the support of the House of Representatives
for the goals and ideals of Professional Social Work Month and
World Social Work Day (Rep. Shea-Porter - Education and Labor)
3) H.Res.
1184 - Congratulating the 2009-2010 University of Maryland
Men's Basketball Team on an outstanding season (Rep. Hoyer -
Education and Labor)
4) H.Res.
1141 - Honoring the accomplishments of Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the United States
Supreme Court (Rep. Giffords - Judiciary)
5) S.
1147 - A bill to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the
collection of all tobacco taxes (Sen. Kohl - Judiciary)
6) H.R.
946 - Plain Language Act of 2009 (Rep. Braley - Oversight
and Government Reform)
7) H.R.
1387 - Electronic Message Preservation Act (Rep. Hodes -
Oversight and Government Reform)
8) H.R.
4825 - To require any amounts remaining in a Member's Representational
Allowance at the end of a fiscal year to be deposited in the
Treasury and used for deficit reduction or to reduce the Federal
debt (Reps. Kirkpatrick/Peters - House Administration)
9) H.R.
3954 - Florida National Forest Land Adjustment Act of 2009
(Rep. Boyd - Agriculture)
10) H.R.
4851 - Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (Rep. Levin
Ways and Means)
11) H.R.
4853 - Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010
(Rep. Oberstar Transportation and Infrastructure)
Postponed Suspension Votes (3):
1) H.R.
4214 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, California,
as the "Roy Wilson Post Office" (Rep. Bono Mack - Oversight
and Government Reform)
2) H.R.
3542 - State Admission Day Recognition Act of 2009 (Rep.
Lungren - House Administration)
3) H.R.
3509 - Agricultural Credit Act of 2009 (Rep. Peterson - Agriculture)
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 18,
2010
House Meets At
First Vote Predicted
Last Vote Predicted
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business 11:00
a.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 4:00 p.m.
One Minutes (10 per side)
H.Res.
1190 - Providing for consideration of motions to suspend
the Rules (Rep. Slaughter Rules)
Suspensions (7 Bills)
1) H.R.
3671 - Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act (Rep.
Kind - Natural Resources)
2) H.R.
4252 - Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment
Act of 2009 (Rep. Baca - Natural Resources)
3) H.R.
4003 - Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act (Rep.
Hinchey - Natural Resources)
4) H.Res.
1173 - Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Vermont Long
Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States,
and congratulating the Green Mountain Club for its century of
dedication in developing and maintaining the trail (Rep. Welch
- Natural Resources)
5) H.R.
2788 - Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act (Rep.
Calvert - Natural Resources)
6) H.R.
1769 - Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle
Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (Rep. Reichert - Natural
Resources)
7) H.R.
4395 - To revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National
Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station (Rep. Platts
- Natural Resources)
Dispose of H.Res. __ - Raising a question of privileges of the
House (Rep. Flake Privileged Resolution)
Postponed Suspension Votes (3 Bills):
1) H.R.
4214 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, California,
as the "Roy Wilson Post Office" (Rep. Bono Mack - Oversight
and Government Reform)
2) H.R.
3542 - State Admission Day Recognition Act of 2009 (Rep.
Lungren - House Administration)
3) H.R.
3509 - Agricultural Credit Act of 2009 (Rep. Peterson - Agriculture)
* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.
* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.
* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.
|
Young Democrats of Georgia Stonewall
Caucus.
Edmund Thornton III March 17, 2010 at 4:06pm
Subject: Healthcare reform and reasons for its necessity.
Dear Young Democrats of Georgia Stonewall Caucus,
Today, I'm going a little left-of-center
(okay a lot left), and laying out, in no uncertain terms, why
the healthcare reform bill is so absolutely vital to the forward
progress of the United States of America. I will admit that this
is the construction of my personal opinions and be recognized
as such. There are no nice or redeeming messages for the Republican
Party. This is not my standard "sunshine and butterflies"
message.
This reform is vital and I felt a strongly,
if not verbose, response was in order. Thank you for your time
and your continued support of the Young Democrats of Georgia
Stonewall Caucus.
Edmund Thornton III
Chair, YDG Stonewall Caucus
________________________________________________________
Friends, Members of the Stonewall Caucus
and Concerned Citizens,
Im writing today because, throughout
the entire healthcare reform battle that has been waged, I have
been largely silent. Today, the final straw hit and I felt the
need to come out and give my two cents on the matter. This is
purely my opinion, but I am officially at the point where I can
no longer remain silent on the matter.
To discuss how we got to this point, I
think that there has been so much mud-racking throughout this
entire process; Democrats inability to maintain spotlight on
message and equal inability to respond rapidly and properly to
the lies and shadow campaigns of the Republican party, and their
contributing lobbyist groups, that the whole issue has been covered,
mixed and blended to a point where most people have no idea what
is going on anymore.
I have to give it to the GOP, Big Healthcare,
the US Chamber of Commerce and all of their extremely well paid
lobbyist cohorts. They did an excellent job convincing people
that, "Grandma is going to be killed by a 'Death Panel'
consisting of 'Government bureaucrats'". The truth being
that the true 'Death Panels' consist of medical adjusters that
work for insurance companies, denying claims for treatments that
very well would save lives.
The very same goes for "pre-existing
conditions". That full load of bull-hockey is ridiculous,
unethical and downright immoral. To tell someone that they can't
have a liver transplant because they forgot to disclose that
they had been treated for acne ten years ago (yes, there are
cases of this happening) are beyond out of this world. People
need treatment and to discriminate against a disturbingly valid
need for help is just... I don't have the words.
I myself have recently been struggling,
fighting tooth-and-nail to try to get health insurance. I have
waged battles before, but this was the scale of which I could
have never imagined. I first tried to get standard off
the shelf insurance. Thankfully, I thought to call the
company before I signed the dotted line and handed off the debit
card number.
___________________________________________________
To read the remainder of this message,
please copy and paste this link in your browser.
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=2383415489&topic=13696
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Petraeus
on Afghanistan
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:42:53 -0500
General David Petraeus says the U.S. and its NATO allies should
expect a tough year ahead in Afghanistan.
|
Medicare.gov-
Supplier Directory for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS). This information has
recently been updated, and is now available.
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Medicare.gov-
Hospital Compare for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS). This information has
recently been updated, and is now available.
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Medicare.gov-
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder for Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services (CMS).
This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
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Medicare.gov-
Medicare Options Compare for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS). This information
has recently been updated, and is now available.
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Pennsylvania Young Democrats.
David SlavickMarch 17, 2010 at 7:04pm
Subject: PAYD On CNN's AC360 This Friday!
Dear Members,
As you may have heard we proudly announced
that the PAYD Event this past Friday at Finnigin's Wake was to
be featured on CNN's AC360 this evening at 10:00 PM.
The segment has been postponed until Friday
at 10:00. Be sure to watch. To find out more about CNN's AC360
got to http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/
Please spread the word this is great publicity
for the great work you all make possible with your time and efforts.
Thanks again for being a member, we appreciate all you do.
Sincerely,
David Slavick
Web Director
PA Young Democrats
PS Though Earth Day is almost a month away,
it's never too early to think about what you can do to make your
self heard.
Our friends Earth Day Action have something for you to do to
show your support for all the issues we care about. The following
message is from Jessica Garson Mid-Atlantic Director at Earth
Day Action:
Heard: Give Voice to Climate Reform!
Make the 40th Anniversary a turning point in the environmental
movement. Tell Washington it's time to stop protecting polluters,
and enact comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation
that will create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and sec...ure
America's future.
Join Earth Day Network on the National
Mall on April 25 to call on Congress to pass climate legislation
in 2010!
Contact: Jessica Garson, Mid Atlantic Organizer,
(301) 704 1328
Earth Day http://action.earthday.org/
Thank you,
Jessica Garson
(301) 704- 1328
|
GOV JOB VACANCIES, GRANTS and GOV CONTRACT
OPPORTUNITIES have been posted at www.usdemocrats.com/ticker/jobs/
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Press
Releases from the U.S. Fire Administration. This information has recently been updated and
is now available.
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