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Congressional Briefs: Fudge, Lee and Lewis
Lee to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education
By Staff
Feb. 9, 2009, 1 a.m.
- Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) was tapped to serve as the
Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education.
“I, along with my colleagues, welcome Rep.
Marcia Fudge to the Committee,” said Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
“We are honored to have Marcia take on a leadership role, as Vice Chair of the
Research and Science Education Subcommittee, and look forward to her input.”
The Subcommittee on Research and Science
Education handles issues related to basic research, science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, science policy, and the health of
the U.S. academic research enterprise. It oversees all programs at NSF and
OSTP. In the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee worked on issues including
nanotechnology, K-12 STEM education programs, international science and
technology cooperation, and gender equity in science and engineering.
“I’m honored by Chairman Gordon's choice
and the Committee's faith in me. We have a very unique opportunity to elevate
science once again. We have a White House and a Congress committed to affording
scientists a platform to develop new innovation and technology for a more
sustainable world. I am ready to work diligently for the residents of Ohio.”
said Rep. Fudge.
Rep. Fudge also serves on the Space and
Aeronautics Subcommittee of the Science and Technology Committee. Additionally,
she was appointed to serve on the Education and Labor Committee, where she is a
member of two subcommittees.
Serrano, Waxman, Lee Urge President to Help End Syringe Exchange Funding Ban
Representatives José E. Serrano, (D-NY); Henry Waxman, (D-CA); and Barbara Lee, (D-CA) sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to join them in working to lift the ban on use of federal funds for syringe exchange programs.
The three Members pointed out that as the nation observes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Saturday, it is more important than ever to lift this federal ban, which needlessly hinders efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS in this and other at-risk groups.
Barbara Lee Supports Postponement of DTV Transition
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) voted in favor of postponement of the Digital Television transition which would have taken place Feb. 18, 2009. This legislation provides for a one-time delay through June 12, 2009. Without this delay, millions of Americans televisions would “go dark” on February 18, 2009, disproportionately impacting low-income, rural, and elderly Americans. The Nielsen Company estimates that there are 6.5 million households, 6 percent, that will lose all TV reception if the February deadline remained in place.
“The federal effort to help people buy converters to prepare for DTV has been insufficient to keep up with the need across the nation,” said Rep. Lee. “On January 30 of this year 3,809 households in my district were on the waiting list for digital converter boxes. By February 2, the number had increased to 4, 234. That’s an increase of 425 households in just four days.
“This delay will allow us the necessary time to ensure that every person, particularly those disproportionately affected by this transition, is prepared for when the switch is flipped to digital television.”
For additional information on the Digital Television Transition call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.DTV2009.gov.
Rep. John Lewis Gains
Unanimous House Support For Issues of Teen
Dating Violence
By a vote of 419
to 0, Rep. John Lewis won passage of a resolution offering federal
acknowledgement for the issues of teen dating violence. February 2-6 is Teen
Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention week.
This resolution
is in conjunction with a bill the Congressman has recently introduced called the
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 789) in the U.S. House of
Representatives. The bill authorizes the Department of Justice to develop
targeted grants to:
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In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control, which resides in the 5th Congressional District of Georgia, launched a public service campaign called Break the Silence: Stop the Violence. The Centers discovered that one out of 11 teenagers was a victim of physical abuse by a partner. And cell phones, the internet and other advanced technology have made stalking and abuse even more accessible. This bill offers some federal means to assist communities in preventing teen violence.
CBC Chairwoman
“All
Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Carter G. Woodson whose frustration
with the lack of Black history in history books lead to the creation of what was
then known as Negro History Week in 1926.
“Eighty-three
years later
“Black
History Month is a time to reflect on many of the more painful moments in the
history of our people that many would just as soon forget—slavery, Jim Crow,
lynchings, segregation, racism and racial discrimination. Yet it is also a time
to celebrate the legacy of so many of our heroes who have tread ‘our path
through the blood of the slaughtered.’
“Black
History Month is also about the future. A future imbued with hope, faith and
through hard-work will ensure that
Story continues below ↓
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Barbara Lee Supports SCHIP Legislation to Provide Health Care for 11 Million Children
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined a majority of her House colleagues in supporting of the final version of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children in modest-income families. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act was approved by a vote of 290-135. Passage by the House today sent the bill to President Obama’s desk for his signature. President Obama will sign the bill later this afternoon. She released this statement:
“Today we will take the long overdue step to expand health insurance coverage to over 11 million children throughout the country. As our nation remains mired in the depths of the worst economic crisis since the great depression, the action we take now could not be more important or more necessary.
“The fact is that the economic policies of the outgoing administration have left our nation in worse shape than we were eight years ago. Today, more people are living in poverty, more people are living without health insurance, and more people are unemployed than they were eight years ago. As always, it is the most vulnerable, the children, who suffer the greatest during tough economic times like these.
“In my state of California, there are currently 1,253,000 uninsured children. This legislation will reduce the number of uninsured children in California by 55 percent covering an estimated 694,000 children.
“Ultimately we must move our nation towards a universal health care system to cover all children and all Americans. This bill is an important step forward. The nation’s children have waited far too long for this moment.”
Rep. John Lewis Comments on the Death of
Habitat for Humanity
Founder
Millard Fuller, the founder of the non-profit housing program, Habitat for
Humanity, died in Americus, Georgia at the age of 74. Through Habitat for
Humanity, Fuller and hundreds of volunteers built homes for more than 1.5
million Americans in more than 3,000 communities. Rep. John Lewis made
these comments upon hearing of his passing.
“Millard Fuller made a lasting contribution to our society to help alleviate
the lack of affordable housing for hundreds and thousands of our citizens.
He was one man, but he saw a need and he did what he could to answer that
need. He engaged the goodwill of hundreds and thousands of
volunteers to help provide shelter for thousands of citizens of modest means.
His leadership and inclusive vision of humanity will be deeply missed.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Decision to Direct $20 Million Emergency Funding for Humanitarian Relief in Gaza
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released this statement in response to President Barack Obama’s decision to authorize $20.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) Fund to address critical post-conflict humanitarian needs in Gaza.
“I applaud President Obama’s decision to authorize $20.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) Fund to address critical post-conflict humanitarian needs in Gaza. My colleagues and I recently sent a letter to the Administration requesting this authorization of emergency funding, as the situation in Gaza is dire and requires urgent attention and immediate action.
“Specifically, I am pleased that the authorization includes $13.5 million for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), $6 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and $800,000 to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The emergency funding authorized by the President will enable these organizations to continue their humanitarian activities in Gaza, including distributing emergency food assistance, providing medical assistance and temporary shelter, creating temporary employment, and restoring access to electricity and portable water.
I look forward to working with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to ensure that humanitarian needs in Gaza are addressed.”
Rep. John Lewis on Passage
of Stimulus Package
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus package, by a vote of 239 to
186. This package was developed by the Obama Administration and approaches
stimulus by strengthening the economy from the bottom up. This represents a
significant shift from the fiscal policy of the last eight years.
“Americans need help,” said Rep. John Lewis. “They are losing their
jobs, their homes, and their businesses. Through this stimulus package,
Congress is saying, in effect, that “trickle down” economics has not
worked. We are saying that the people’s resources should be used to
benefit the greatest number of citizens in their time of need.”
The bill offers an immediate tax cut to 95 percent of Americans and provides 1
million new job opportunities in an emerging green economy. It increases
Pell grant educational benefits, supports renovation of bridges, transits and
waterways, offers tax cuts to businesses, and lowers health care costs by
supporting health information technology upgrades. Ultimately,
this package would create 3 to 4 million jobs helping to recover the 2.6 million
jobs lost in America just last year.
“There
are tax cuts included in this bill to help create a balanced plan,” said Rep.
Lewis. “But those who criticize spending today did not raise their
voices when the federal deficit was expanding into double digits. Now, are
they asking that the federal government close its doors and turn its back on our
citizens? Congress is charged to make decisions about how to allocate the
people’s resources. And this Congress has decided we must use our
limited resources to benefit, not just a few, but the greatest number.”
“This
Congress has decided we must invest in America to begin economic recovery:
modernize aging schools, expand health care coverage for people who are out of
work, reward excellent teachers, and retrain jobless Americans to participate
fully in a new green economy. We are saying that if you help average
Americans get back on their feet, they will begin to refuel the economy, because
they are the economy. This bill is a first step, but it is not the
only step we must take to resolve this financial crisis.”
The bill also offers unprecedented accountability –strong oversight, a historic degree of public transparency and it includes no earmarks. Following is a table that estimates specific benefits to Georgia from the bill.
Congresswoman Lee Supports Economic Stimulus Package
Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. She released this statement:
“The economic policies of the previous administration have left our nation’s economy in shambles. Today, more people are living in poverty, more people are living without health insurance, and more people are unemployed than they were eight years ago - and it’s only getting worse.
“I applaud President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, the leadership, and Chairman Obey for crafting this robust economic stimulus package. I’m pleased that it includes funding for a number of important initiatives that I fought for, including extending unemployment benefits, expanding the food stamp program, and providing increased Medicaid funding to states.
“It puts our nation on the path to recovery by including $4 billion in job training programs, including $500 million for green jobs and $1.2 billion for youth training programs. It funds a range of transportation and infrastructure projects to rebuild our roads, modernize our schools, rehabilitate our housing stock and prevent foreclosures. It is truly a sizable commitment to putting our nation back on the right track.
“Given the magnitude of the economic crisis, this bill could and should be much bigger – over $1 trillion at least. And I believe it should have been enacted a year ago when my colleagues and I in the Progressive Caucus first called for a new stimulus package to jumpstart our economy. Instead the previous Administration refused to take action, letting our economy collapse before choosing to bailout their friends in the banking industry.
“By itself, this bill cannot end the economic crisis we are currently facing, but it’s a good start.”
REP. FUDGE PASSES HISTORIC ECONOMIC RECOVERY P
"President Obama and his economic team deserve an opportunity to put in
place an economic package to address the current crisis. While the recovery plan
is not a 'magic bullet' it is a positive first step on the long road towards
recovery." stated Rep. Fudge. "The people of Ohio are crying for
relief and this package begins to address our areas of need."
This historical investment in the nation comes at a time of tremendous financial
strife. In the last year alone, 2.6 million jobs were lost in the United States
– the worst year in more than 60 years.
As a bellwether state, Ohio has felt the economic recession deeply. Ohio's
unemployment rate in December was 7.8%, slightly higher than the national
average. Unemployment has reached levels not seen for 23 years, while the state
continues to rank near the top in foreclosures.
The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Plan will offer much needed relief to millions of working families
and unemployed workers who have been hurt by the economic downturn. It
will also provide incentives for businesses to grow and create new jobs.
"There is something in the recovery plan for every American and direct aide for our cities," said Rep. Fudge. "Of course, the 111th Congress will monitor the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan's real world effect and if it needs modification I will be the first member at the table."
Lee, Olver, Capps Lead Congressional Effort to Draw Attention to Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), Congressman John Olver (MA-1) and Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) were joined by 57 of their House colleagues in writing to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton requesting immediate action by the United States to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Given the extent of the suffering, destruction, and deprivation in Gaza, it is imperative that the United States lead the effort to ameliorate the growing humanitarian crisis,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “I am optimistic that under the leadership of our new President and Secretary of State, concrete steps will be taken to bring much needed relief to the people of Gaza.”
Congressman John Olver said, “The eyes of the world cannot turn away now that there is a ceasefire in effect. The borders must be opened and the international community must ensure that the people of Gaza have the resources they need to treat their wounded and rebuild. While the situation on the ground is dire, the failure to address this humanitarian emergency has the potential to produce a crisis of even more unspeakable proportions.”
“The violence in Israel and Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis calls for the international community to take swift and decisive action to alleviate human suffering,” said Congresswoman Lois Capps. “It is imperative that we work with Israel to open the borders so the wounded can be treated, basic aid can reach those in need, and rebuilding can begin. Addressing the humanitarian needs of this emergency and restoring hope to Palestinian civilians is the only way to build a lasting peace in the region.”
In their letter, the Representatives noted the need for the opening of border crossing into Israel to allow supplies to enter Gaza, as well as for the critically ill to be transported out of Gaza to receive medical treatment. They also reminded the Administration that rebuilding Gaza will depend on the international community making significant financial contributions.
The Representatives additionally requested that Secretary Clinton, or her staff, share with the signatories the actions taken to date and the strategy that will be pursued to address the humanitarian crisis. The Representatives requested that this information from the Obama Administration be provided to the signatories prior to Congress recessing on February 13th, 2009.
Congresswoman Lee to Serve on Two Foreign Affairs Subcommittees
Congresswoman Barbara Lee was appointed to two subcommittees on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. She will serve on the subcommittees on Western Hemisphere and Africa and Global Health.
Having served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs for many years, Rep. Lee has used her platform to address many issues around the world, including combating the global HIV/AIDS crisis, family planning and reproductive rights for women around the world, and ending the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
“I look forward to working with Chairman Berman and President Obama as we continue to strengthen our global community so that America can once again be respected in the world,” said Rep. Lee.
Congresswoman Lee also serves on the House Appropriations Committee.
REP. FUDGE COMMENTS ON
CLOSING OF GUANTANAMO BAY
"I commend President Obama's decision to close the infamous Gitmo prison facility and suspend all pending military commission trials. Never has it been constitutional or moral to deny human beings humane treatment and due process. Torture, interrogation and intimidation are not and will never be acceptable in America's legal system. We must swiftly prosecute and sentence the guilty and free the innocent. For both the American people and those imprisoned, justice delayed is justice denied. We have seen in times past that we can simultaneously have a secure nation and nation of due process. President Obama’s decision to close the prison camp at Guantánamo and halt all pending military commission trials demonstrates America's commitment to upholding this truth. Indeed, this is the change that all Americans and the world want to see."—Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
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