The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET March 29, 2011

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.493, the Small Business Jobs bill.

The Senate will stand in recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings.

Roll call votes in relation to amendments to the small business jobs bill are possible during Tuesday’s session. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to S.493, SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011:

– McConnell amendment #183 (Prohibits the EPA from regulating carbon pollution)

– Vitter amendment #178 (require Federal government to sell unused Federal real property).

– Johanns amendment #161 (1099 repeal)

– Cornyn amendment #186 (bipartisan committion)

– Paul amendment #199 (spending cuts)

– Sanders amendment #207 (Social Security)

– Hutchison amendment #197 (Delay health care reform)

– Coburn amendment #184 (GAO Study)

– Pryor amendment #229 (Patriot Express Loan program)

– landrieu amendment #244 to amendment #244 (effective date)

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.114, a resolution honoring Geraldine Ferraro, former United States Representative from New York, and extending the condolences of the Senate on her death.

Passed H.R.1079, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011 (provides a short term extension through June 1, 2011).

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 29, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:56 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:47 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 1148:

to prohibit commodities and securities trading based on nonpublic information relating to Congress, to require additional reporting by Members and employees of Congress of securities transactions, and for other purposes

7:46 P.M. –

RE-REFERRAL – Mr. Bachus asked unanimous consent that H.R. 1148 be re-referred primarily to the Committee on Financial Services and additionally to the Committees on Agriculture, House Administration, the Judiciary, Ethics and Rules. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 839:

to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis

7:45 P.M. –

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 839 as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in amending the bill, to include striking “paragraph (1)” on page 5, line 16, and inserting in lieu thereof “subparagraph (A)”.

7:44 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 252 – 170, 1 Present (Roll no. 198).

7:37 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 185 – 238, 1 Present (Roll no. 197).

7:21 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

7:11 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Larsen (WA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment which adds a new paragraph entitled “CONTINUATION OF PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND GOLD STAR RECIPIENTS”.

Mr. Larsen (WA) moved to recommit with instructions to Financial Services.

7:10 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

7:09 P.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 839.

7:08 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Maloney amendment Failed by recorded vote: 173 – 249 (Roll no. 196).

7:02 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 239 (Roll no. 195).

6:57 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Hanna amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 247 – 170 (Roll no. 194).

6:36 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:34 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 170 and Rule XVIII.

Considered as unfinished business.

6:33 P.M. –

Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 186.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 29.

5:00 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

H.R. 839:

4:58 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 839 as unfinished business.

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

4:57 P.M. –

Mrs. Biggert moved that the committee rise.

On agreeing to the Sanchez, Loretta amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Loretta Sanchez amendment.

Amendment offered by Ms. Sanchez, Loretta.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to add the Sense of Congress language to the end of the bill that banks are encouraged to work with homeowners to provide loan modifications for those qualifying and assist homeowners and prospective homeowners with foreclosure prevention programs and information on loan modifications

4:50 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Maloney amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Maloney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Maloney amendment.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Maloney.

An amendment numbered 8 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to include a list of the number of trial and permanent modifications started under the HAMP program in each state as well as the number of seriously delinquent mortgages across the country that will not be able to be eligible for HAMP modifications because Congress is terminating the program.

4:38 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Matsui amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Matsui amendment.

4:30 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Matsui.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to require mortgage lenders and services participating in the HAMP program to continue to publicly report basic loan modification information.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee(TX) amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee(TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment.

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to require a study and report submitted to Congress determining the successful aspects of HAMP, and legislative recommendations for a replacement loan modification program.

On agreeing to the Waters amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:14 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Waters amendment.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 5 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to send a letter to HAMP applicants that they will not be considered for a modification due to termination of the program and that they can contact their Member of Congress for assistance in negotiating with or acquiring a loan modification from their servicer

4:13 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Miller (NC) amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Miller (NC) amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Miller (NC).

An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to direct the Secretary, upon termination of the Home Affordable Modification Program, to undertake a study of the use of the program by covered homeowners, and also of the effectiveness of the program in assisting these homeowners. Following completion of that study, the Secretary would be required to implement a new program to assist the same group of homeowners based on the study’s findings.

4:07 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Canseco amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:56 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Canseco amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Canseco.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to ensure that all taxpayer funds saved from elimination of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) are used to reduce the deficit.

3:55 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Ellison amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:43 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Ellison amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Ellison.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to include Congressional findings on various facts about the HAMP program, including cost and number of permanent modifications.

3:42 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hanna amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Biggert demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Hanna amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Hanna.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 112-34 to include findings detailing the Home Affordable Modification Program’s (HAMP’s) flaws and state that terminating HAMP would save taxpayers approximately $1.4 billion.

2:24 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 839.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 170 and Rule XVIII.

2:22 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 839 and H.R. 861 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measures will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. With respect to each measure, the resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 170.

H.R. 1079:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1079.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

2:09 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

2:06 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

2:05 P.M. –

Committee on Ethics – Pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A) of Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader appointed the following Members to be available to serve on investigative subcommittees of the Committee on Ethics: Ms. Lofgren, Zoe of CA, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Keating, Mr. Schiff, and Ms. CLarke of NY.

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 17, 2011 at 6:52 p.m. stating that that body had agreed to H. Con. Res. 30.

2:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Burgess to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Budget: London Calling

03/28/2011 Nativegrl77

Almost a year ago, the Guardian wrote that Britain was taking “a leap into the political unknown” when the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats “formed the first full coalition government in Britain since 1945.” Many wondered if the new government would chart a unique course in history, pursuing policies that blended those of the old-line conservatives with those of modern progressives. Unfortunately, the resulting Cameron-Clegg government pursued a very old path — that of balancing budgets on the backs of working class people rather than asking the rich to pay their fair share. The coalition government pushed for “the sharpest cuts to public spending since World War II,” which would cost the country more than a half million jobs, dramatically cut back on social welfare spending, and raise the pension age to 66 by 2020, “four years earlier than planned.” These cuts come on top of massive education cuts that doubled or tripled tuition for many students, and which broke one of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s own campaign promises. Yet the citizens of the United Kingdom decided that it was unfair for them to have to pay for a budget crisis that resulted from a global recession they didn’t cause. A massive and renewed progressive movement has erupted across the pond focusing on the government’s failure to make tax dodging corporations and individuals pay what they owe while attacking the poor and middle class. This Saturday, this movement mobilized the largest protests since the Iraq war, with hundreds of thousands of people in London marching against the slash-and-burn coalition agenda. That movement is shaking the foundations of British society and forcing conservative retreats, and, slowly, Americans are learning from their Anglo neighbors and fighting back against the right-wing attack on the middle class on our shores as well.

THE COALITION’S DICKENSIAN VISION: Since taking power, the UK’s coalition government has aggressively rammed through, and continues to push for, massive cuts to social spending and necessities, championing a vision of Britain that has its roots in a Charles Dickens novel — one where the well-to-do have all the opportunities in life while most ordinary people struggle to get by. One of the major campaign promises of the Liberal Democrats’ leader Nick Clegg was that his party would not support increasing tuition at British universities, arguing that doing so would be fundamentally unfair to students. Yet this past winter, coalition lawmakers ignored massive youth protests and pushed through a plan that would effectively triple tuition fees for most students. The coalition also proceeded to make deep cuts to social services and aid to municipalities, continuing to force ordinary British citizens to pay for a recession they did not cause. All over the country, firefighters are being laid off, libraries are being shut down, and hospitals are facing staffing shortages. And these cuts are bad for the economy, removing needed stimulus and threatening to bring the country back into recession. By last fall, these planned cuts amounted to the sharpest cutbacks in public spending since World War II, with shadow chancellor Alan Johnson remarking that the gutting of services would be worse than former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s right-wing policies in the 1980’s. Meanwhile, the coalition has also increased the value-added tax by 20 percent, which primarily hurts middle class and lower-income people.

THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE: When Thatcher pushed through her policies three decades ago, she famously remarked, “There is no alternative.” Yet last Fall, a tiny group of British activists set off a massive movement that proved that there is, indeed, an alternative to brutal cuts to services for ordinary Britons. On October 27, 2010, a small number of protesters — outraged that ordinary citizens were being asked to sacrifice their services while tax-dodging cellphone firm Vodafone owed 6 billion pounds in back taxes it had refused to pay — began a sit-in in one of the company’s largest branches. News of the protest spread like wildfire on the Internet, with activists using Twitter and Facebook to spread the story of Vodafone’s tax dodging. Within three days, almost thirty Vodafone stores were forced to close down as more and more people took part in sit-ins against the company. Soon, this nascent movement, calling itself UK Uncut, exploded throughout the country, with protests against tax-dodging big corporations and wealthy individuals completely reshaping the narrative that the only way to deal with the country’s budget deficit was to ram through budget cuts that disproportionately hurt working people. The only part of the British media “that attacked UK Uncut outright was, predictably, Rupert Murdoch’s empire,” which also owns Fox News in the United States. This isn’t surprising, given that Murdoch’s companies are among the most egregious tax dodgers; his News Corporation has gone entire years without paying a penny in U.S. federal corporate income taxes, despite making billions of dollars in profits. UK Uncut worked in tandem with the country’s trade unions to mobilize as many as half a million people to march on London this weekend, “in the largest protest since the city’s 2003 march against the Iraq war.”

LESSONS FOR MAIN STREET AMERICA: When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), fresh off of passing a $117 million corporate tax cut package, decided to gut public employee collective bargaining rights in the state, he never expected to face a mass movement of thousands of Wisconsinites fighting back. Yet the progressive upsurge in Wisconsin, which may end up unseating Walker and many of his legislative allies, has spread throughout the country, comprising a Main Street Movement of ordinary Americans demanding fair sacrifice. Across the country, Americans are battling unfair budget cuts and demanding just taxation of the super wealthy. Inspired by the British example, activists have launched US Uncut, which is targeting companies like Bank of America — which, despite being the country’s largest bank, paid nothing in federal corporate income taxes in 2009 and 2010. US Uncut had 40 demonstrations across the country over the weekend, with protesters shutting down a major Washington, D.C. branch of the bank. Meanwhile, protests continue across the country as more than a dozen conservative state governments across the country plan to slash corporate tax rates while increasing taxes and/or cutting services for low and middle-income Americans. “We have a deficit problem. It has to be addressed,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in a press release addressing tax fairness. “But it cannot be addressed on the backs of the sick, the elderly, the poor, young people, the most vulnerable in this country. The wealthiest people and the largest corporations in this country have got to contribute. We’ve got to talk about shared sacrifice.”

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Stop Fracking Now

03/28/2011 Nativegrl77

I bet you’re wondering what the heck “fracking” is. That’s a good question.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is a controversial drilling technique used by the oil and gas industry that has injected millions of tons of highly toxic chemical fluids into the ground to break apart shale and release natural gas.

Scientists believe these chemicals are poisoning America’s drinking water.

That didn’t stop Vice President Dick Cheney from exempting fracking from the Safe Water Drinking Act in the 2005 Energy Bill or the natural gas industry from unleashing a massive 34-state drilling campaign.

Now, six years later, with the facts stacking up showing the damage being caused and the American lives being placed at risk, a few members of Congress are standing up to close the loophole and hold the oil and gas production industry to the same standards as any other industry to ensure the safe protection of America’s drinking water.

But they’ll need our help to win. Join us in calling on Congress to pass the FRAC Act now.

Representatives Diana DeGette, Jared Polis, and Maurice Hinchey have introduced the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act in the U.S. House while Senators Bob Casey and Chuck Schumer have introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

In the past, the oil and gas industry has spent millions of dollars fighting against these common-sense regulations and have succeeded in defeating similar bills. This time, we’re not going to let Congress fight the industry alone.

That’s why Democracy for America is building a coalition of grassroots activists and environmental organizations to work together with leaders in Congress to pass the FRAC Act this year.

We’ll educate the public, expose scientific studies that reveal the real risks, hold rallies, meetings, public forums, and organize grassroots action until we win.

Please add your name and join the campaign to protect America’s drinking water right now.

It’s been reported that since 1999 more than 90 percent of the natural gas wells have used the fracking process. Because of the Safe Water Drinking Act exemption, industry is not required to reveal the exact chemicals used in fracking, but researchers in independent scientific studies suspect 65 percent of the compounds used in fracking are hazardous to human health.

It only takes low concentrations of benzene and diesel fuel, two compounds found in fracking studies, to lead to severe health and environmental consequences and illnesses traced to fracking have been documented in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alabama.

As if that wasn’t enough to demand proper regulation and environmental oversight, a recent New York Times article revealed that the inability to properly process wastewater from fracking, may even be allowing radioactive materials into local rivers, streams, and drinking water.

The oil and gas industry is too big and too powerful for us to let members of Congress take them on alone. It’s up to us to stand with them, fight back, and make sure they have the support they’ll need to win.

Join the campaign at www.StopFrackingNow.com today.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair 

Democracy for America

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Support RAN …they support rainforests …a message from Executive Director

03/28/2011 Nativegrl77

A home for Indigenous communities. A sanctuary for endangered species. A priceless ecosystem.

That’s what Indonesia‘s rainforests are to me. But for unethical logging companies Asia Pulp & Paper and APRIL, these forests are nothing more than a source of cheap paper—and their bottom line is wiping out rainforests that can’t ever be replaced. We need your support today to stop this tragic destruction.

Many U.S. children’s book publishers have been using paper from these unethical companies, pitting children’s books against the survival of Indonesia’s rainforests. But, thanks to your actions and generous support, this is changing.

Already eight major publishers committed to get Indonesian rainforest destruction and human rights violations out of their supply chain. That’s major. Your support made this possible.

Disney Publishing and HarperCollins, on the other hand, have been lagging behind. Finally, last week Disney announced their new policy. Though this is a step in the right direction, their policy is terribly weak—and HarperCollins has ignored all calls to change their ways. With your support, we can push Disney and HarperCollins to go the distance to protect rainforests.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TVtEorsQa1urJhdD7OQGg2Q0%2FaHxGn20

Disney’s new policy does not begin to address the rights of forest communities or really help to protect rainforests. If we can move Disney and HarperCollins, it will mean that the top ten children’s book publishers will no longer have Indonesia’s rainforests in their books, and that you and I will have shifted the status quo for an entire industry.

Just two more to go. We can do this!

Please make a generous donation today to get these major publishers on board to protect Indonesia’s rainforests.

Believe me when I say there is no time to lose in this battle. Indonesia is losing its forests at an alarming rate., If we don’t act quickly, these forests—this home, this sanctuary, this precious ecosystem—will be lost forever. Please make an urgent contribution today.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TVtEorsQa1urJhdD7OQGg2Q0%2FaHxGn20

Thank you for your support,

Rebecca Tarbotton

Executive Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rep. Chris Van Hollen …CRITICAL FEC DEADLINE: Fight the Radical Republican Agenda

03/28/2011 Nativegrl77

It’s a sham.

House Republicans think they can impose their right-wing agenda — privatizing Social Security and ending Medicare as we know it — under the pretext of deficit reduction.

And here’s the scary part: if we don’t stop them, that’s exactly what they’ll do.

The DCCC is up with ads calling Republicans out on their real agenda, but with only 3 days until the FEC deadline hits, they are still more than $200,000 short of hitting their Million Dollar grassroots goal.

Contribute $3 or more right now and my fellow House Democrats and I will match every dollar you give with $2 of our own, tripling your impact.

http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63cb4c/1b9dd8ab/57a3a5e6/4e0d1563/1704337409/VEsE/

Republicans are not serious about deficits. If they were, then why give huge tax breaks to the Big Oil companies and the wealthiest Americans that will add a trillion dollars to the deficit?

I’ve seen their budget plans. Here’s what they are really serious about:

**Stopping Planned Parenthood from offering cancer screening and family planning services.

**Repealing Health Insurance Reform

**Ending Medicare as we know it and imposing the cost of rising health care on senior citizens. Under their scheme, seniors would lose their current Medicare guarantees and be left to the whims of the insurance industry.

We can’t stand by and let House Republicans launch this risky experiment with our seniors’ health care.

Contribute $3 or more right now and my fellow House Democrats and I will match every dollar you give with $2 of our own, tripling your impact.

http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63cb4c/1b9dd8ab/57a3a5e6/4e0d1563/1704337409/VEsE/

As a former DCCC Chairman and current Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, let me tell you from experience: the numbers that each party reports after these FEC deadlines can make all the difference. The media, pundits, and Members of Congress here on Capitol Hill will be watching to see which side has the momentum. We can’t fall short now — Contribute today.

Thank you,

Rep. Chris Van Hollen

P.S. The first FEC quarterly deadline of the year is just 3 days from now. We must exceed our $1 million grassroots goal to show Republicans, their special interest backers, and pundits that we are united, strong, and determined to fight back against the right-wing Republican agenda. Contribute now.