Congressional Briefs: The CBC welcomes Edwards

June 23, 2008, 9:20 a.m. - Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, last week welcomed the CBC's newest member, Congresswoman-elect Donna Edwards.

“Donna Edward’s campaign successfully amassed resounding support from residents of Maryland’s 4^th Congressional district,' said Kilpatrick. "Her training as a spirited activist and grassroots organizer will translate well in the halls of Congress. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus look forward to working collectively with Congresswoman-elect Edwards to build stronger and healthier communities and move America in a new direction.”

She is replacing longtime incumbent Albert Wynn.

Congresswoman Lee Secures Seat on DNC

Congresswoman Barbara Lee was elected to serve as one of California's 19 delegates for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Sunday, June 15. She will begin a four-year term (2008-2012) following the DNC convention on August 28.

Congresswoman was elected to the DNC during a vote by members of the California Executive Board on Sunday. Congresswoman Lee has long been interested in serving as a DNC committee member, and said she decided to seek a seat when one of the 19 incumbent spots opened this year.

Congresswoman Lee promised to bring her commitment to progressive values and coalition building to the DNC so that the voice of California Democrats would be heard in the national spotlight. Congresswoman Lee's progressive values and proven leadership as a party activist, California state assemblywoman, a California state senator and member of Congress will help the DNC move the party and country forward.

"I am extremely excited at the opportunity to represent California as a member of the DNC," Congresswoman Lee said. "It's truly an honor to have the support of California's Democratic E-Board. "As a life long progressive grass-roots activist, I will work to advance the progressive values and vision of the California party members at the national level. It is time for the DNC to re-orient the Democratic Party in the true tradition of democratic values.”

Tubbs Jones opposes new spending

Rep. Tubbs Jones last week opposed the amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations bill providing emergency supplemental funding for the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Tubbs Jones expressed concern that the funding bill contained no significant restrictions on spending, which would fund the occupation in Iraq well into 2009.

"We cannot continue to give blank checks to this Administration for the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Rep. Tubbs Jones. "While I wholeheartedly support our troops, I feel it important that we have a plan for a timely redeployment of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan before we continue funding what has become a seemingly endless war."

Rep. Tubbs Jones voted in favor of an amendment to the same Supplementary Appropriations bill which included provisions to provide a 13 week extension of unemployment benefits for those workers who are unable to find a job in today’s struggling economy and a landmark expansion of the GI Bill of Rights.

For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs and unemployment rose from 5.0% in April to 5.5% in May, with 49,000 jobs lost in May alone—the largest monthly spike in 22 years. The economy has lost nearly 325,000 jobs this year and 1.6 million Americans have been unemployed more than six months, despite looking for work.

More than 53,450 troops from Ohio have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Unfortunately, current benefits pay only about 70 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education for these veterans when they return home. The expanded GI Bill will restore full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II. The legislation will also allow veterans to transfer those benefits to family members.

"This legislation will provide much needed relief to American workers and veterans to help them with rapidly rising gas and food costs," said Rep. Tubbs Jones. "This assistance is long overdue."

Rep. Tubbs Jones expressed her opposition to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that came before the House. While the bill was supported by House leadership, Tubbs Jones expressed concerns with some of the possible threats to American's civil liberties.

"While I understand the need for intelligence security, I am concerned that the bill would take away many 4th amendment rights from Americans as well as provide retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies," said Rep. Tubbs Jones. "I find the provision that permits the government to conduct mass, untargeted surveillance of all communications coming into and out of the U.S., without individual warrants or even a showing of possible cause that they may have broken the law particularly troubling.

"Additionally the fact that the legislation permits only minimal court oversight undercuts the role of the FISA court and trivializes court review by authorizing the government to continue a surveillance program even after an application is denied by the court."

Tubbs Jones, Northeast Ohio Delegation Members Seek Clarification on Realignment of DFAS Jobs to Cleveland

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones along with Sens. Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich and Reps. Steven Latourette, Dennis Kucinich and Betty Sutton last week sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates inquiring about plans regarding the realignment of DFAS jobs to Cleveland, Ohio.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Public Charter Schools Home Rule Act of 2008, to give the D.C. government full jurisdiction and oversight over the District of Columbia Charter School Board. The board’s seven members are appointed by D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, but only from a list of recommendations provided by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The D.C. Board was created in 1996 to provide District residents alternative public learning opportunities.

In her introduction statement, Norton said, “While the Charter Board bill itself was written on a home rule basis, the structure was not, and reflects a period before the recovery of the D.C. government from financial and managerial distress. I do not believe any of us could have anticipated the phenomenal growth and success of the D.C. Charter School Board or the level of innovation, diversity of opportunities and excellence of many of the charter schools that have made them a model for the country.

Only D.C. officials should appoint members to the local education board. The board cannot be appropriately accountable if its members are chosen from outside the accountable jurisdiction.

Norton Sees Risk to Federal Employees and Facilities if Congress Fails to Act on FPS Decline this Session

The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management heard shocking revelations at a hearing on the decline of the Federal Protective Service, the official police force that protects more than a million federal employees and 9000 federal facilities nationwide. Subcommittee Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton said, “After today’s hearing, Congress is on notice and we cannot end this session without acting to resolve these issues that put federal employees and property at risk.” Among the most serious revelations were 50 locations around the country that have no FPS officers within the jurisdiction, while at the same time the local police have no knowledge of how or whether to respond to emergencies on federal property; contract security guards that do not leave their post for fear of unknown liability concerns; the elimination of pro-active police patrols; and a demoralized and dwindling numbers of officers within the FPS force.

Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement in response to the announcement last week that U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is adding an additional $25 million in emergency food aid:

“During our recent visit to Haiti, we learned first- hand about the dire situation on the ground, and believe this increase in funding is a step in the right direction.

“I am pleased that USAID acted on our request for additional assistance to address the devastating impact the soaring food prices are having on the Haitian people.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and CBC Chairwoman Carolyn Kilpatrick led a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Haiti on May 16, 2008. They were joined by 10 Members of the CBC and one member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

During their visit, they met with Haitian President Rene Preval, U.S. Ambassador Janet Sanderson, USAID, and representatives from humanitarian and development organizations in Haiti.

In response to the Supreme Court ruling in Boumediene v. Bush, which held that provision in the 2006 Military Commissions Act designed to strip away all habeas rights from detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center are unconstitutional, Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement:

“The Supreme Court has for the fourth time rebuked this administration’s efforts to roll back core constitutional rights. I applaud this decision which recognizes the fundamental right of habeas corpus and its extension to Guantanamo Bay. Congress should now take the next step by requiring the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center. It is far past time to do so.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Philanthropic Funding for Ashland and Cherryland Communities

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is pleased to announce that the Koshland Committee of The San Francisco Foundation has selected 10 community leaders from Ashland and Cherryland communities of incorporated Alameda County as recipients of the prestigious 2008 Daniel E. Koshland Civic Unity Awards program.

The fellowship awards are part of a $300,000 five-year initiative in the Ashland and Cherryland communities that is designed to enhance civic unity and improve the quality of life for residents in those communities, which is achieved by promoting collaboration and increasing understanding among different types of people in those communities and by promoting the concept that nurturing these differences is a crucial element in solving neighborhood problems.

Congresswoman Lee played a critical role in advocating for this vital funding. This is the second year a community in the Congresswoman’s 9^th Congressional District will receive this philanthropic support. Last year, eight civic leaders from Berkeley were selected for the fellowship program.

“I applaud the Koshland committee’s decision to recognize the Ashland and Cherryland communities with these very important fellowships,” Congresswoman Lee said. “I also applaud the fellows who will play critical leadership roles in addressing the pressing needs of their communities and fellow residents.”

The 2008 Koshland Community Fellows, along with their neighborhood colleagues, will distribute an average of $60,000 per year through 2013. The Fellows will be honored for their outstanding efforts in the vibrant and diverse Ashland and Cherryland communities during an awards ceremony on at the Eden Unity Church of Christ in Hayward later this summer.

Beginning this fall, the 10 fellows will participate in a six month leadership training program, followed by a project planning process. This will result in identifying an issue of concern to Ashland and Cherryland residents and designating resources to address this issue.