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Democrats –Senate Newsroom


June 10, 2010

Reid Spokesman: Do Senate Republicans Agree With John Boehner That Taxpayers Should Pay To Clean Up BP’s Mess?

Washington, DC— Jim Manley, spokesman for Nevada Senator Harry Reid, released the following statement today calling on Republicans to explain whether they agree with House Republican Leader John Boehner’s comments that taxpayers should pay to clean up the BP oil spill:

“Leader Boehner just took Republicans’ defense of special interests to a whole new level by saying taxpayers should pay to clean up BP’s mess. This may explain why Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats’ attempts to hold BP accountable, and why today they’re trying to hand a $47 billion giveaway to Big Oil.

“Senate Republicans should tell the American people whether they agree with Leader Boehner’s comments.  The public deserves to know whether Republicans are going to join Democrats to hold BP accountable, or just continue to protect big oil companies — the same way Republicans have protected big banks and health care companies.”

June 10, 2010

Baucus, Bingaman, Whitehouse Join Seniors Advocate To Highlight First Wave Of Rebate Checks And Other Benefits Of Health Reform For Seniors

Washington, DC— Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, Senator Jeff Bingaman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joined Barbara Easterling of the Alliance for Retired Americans and Stella Johnson, a retired Washington, D.C. school teacher at a press conference today to discuss how America’s seniors will benefit from health care reform.  As part of the new health insurance reform law, seniors across America will be mailed the first wave of rebate checks to help close the Medicare Part D donut hole today. Almost 3.8 million American seniors are affected by the donut hole every year.

“Beginning today, as a result of health care reform, seniors who hit the donut hole will find a $250 check in their mailboxes to help them afford their prescription medicines.  For seniors in my home state of Montana and across the country, these checks will provide real relief from the rising cost of prescription drugs,” said Chairman Baucus said. “The health care reform law we worked to pass will also provide seniors in the donut hole with a 50-percent discount next year and continue working to close the donut hole so all seniors have access to the medicines they need.  These checks are a real victory for America’s seniors and we will continue working to implement all the provisions in health care reform, including those that strengthen Medicare for America’s seniors.”

“The ‘donut hole’ was a major flaw in Medicare Part D,” said Senator Bingaman.  “The new health insurance law will eventually close the gap entirely, but in the meantime these $250 checks are being sent to help seniors to cover the cost of their life-saving prescriptions.”

“Since I ran for the Senate in 2006, I’ve heard countless horror stories about folks affected by the dreaded Medicare Part D doughnut hole,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “Far too many seniors are forced to choose between taking their medication and putting food on the table or paying their bills.  This is unacceptable, and today marks the first step toward fixing the problem.  For Rhode Island seniors who have been hit hard by the long recession, this will be welcome relief.”

“This new law will help Americans of all ages live longer, healthier lives,” said Barbara Easterling.  “Many seniors are still unaware of the specific ways this law will benefit them.  We must all work together to make sure retirees know about these $250 rebate checks and all other parts of the new law.”

“The new health reform law will help me, my family, and my friends by phasing out this Medicare donut hole,” said Stella Johnson.  “I am delighted that the health care bill recently became law and that the benefits for seniors are already upon us. This new law is phasing out the Medicare prescription drug donut hole.  I want to thank the people who stood up for me and every senior in America when they supported the new health reform law.”

June 10, 2010

Reid Statement On Meeting With Clean Energy Legislation Leaders

Washington, DC—Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement this afternoon following a meeting today with key Senate Democratic leaders on clean energy legislation:

“There is a clear need for the Senate to act on comprehensive clean energy legislation that addresses the recent disaster on the Gulf Coast, reduces our nation’s heavy reliance on oil, creates clean energy jobs and enhances our environmental and national security.  In Nevada, we have seen how critical investments in solar, geothermal and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency, are already strengthening and diversifying our economy as well as creating reliable Nevada jobs that can never be outsourced.

“Today’s meeting with key committee chairs and clean energy leaders was another productive step, and we all share the hope that Republicans will join our effort to bring this important bill to the Senate floor.  But Republicans need to stop focusing their efforts on protecting big corporations who want to continue the same polluting energy policy that we know is inadequate.

“There are a variety of opinions within our caucus about how to develop a bipartisan bill that can gain the necessary support, but there is also resolve to move forward with this effort.  I am committed to working with Democrats and Republicans to pass clean energy legislation this year.”

June 10, 2010

Reid Introduces Amendment To Extend Transaction Closing Date For First Time Homebuyers

Amendment would extend first time homebuyer tax credit transaction closing date from June 30th to September 30th

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today joined with Senators Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Chris Dodd of Connecticut to introduce an amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 that would extend the deadline for closing home purchases in order to qualify for the first time homebuyer tax credit.  The current deadline for purchases made using the popular tax credit is June 30, 2010.  There is growing concern that because of the time it takes for banks to complete transactions such as short sales, many of these home purchases would not be complete before the deadline through no fault of the homebuyer.  The Reid, Isakson and Dodd amendment would extend the deadline to September 30, 2010, to ensure the completion of the sales.

“The first time homebuyer tax credit was very popular and successful in Nevada,” Reid said.  “In addition to making it easier for thousands of Nevadans to purchase their first home, it helped reduce the sitting inventory of homes.  By extending the transaction deadline, we can ensure that everyone taking advantage of this credit can complete the purchase of their new home.”

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#FF in Congress …Not


The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m.ET June 14, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 3:00 p.m. 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.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the House Message to accompany H.R.4213, Tax Extenders. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate. However, the bill Manager will continue working through amendments on the Extenders bill.

Possible action on the floor of Senate next week: China Free Trade Act, A scaled back Jobs bill-final vote and 60 votes to block the final attack on the Clean Air Act by Republicans/Murkowski

The next meeting in the House is June 14, 2010 12:30pmET

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Murkowski’s last stand


Call your Senators and ask them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski’s Dirty Air Act.

Senator Cantwell: 202-224-3441
Senator Murray: 202-224-2621

Report your call here.

Today is a crucial day for your engagement. This afternoon, the Senate votes on Senator Lisa Murkowski’s “Dirty Air Act.”

This vote represents a clear choice: A choice between protecting the American people or padding the pockets of the oil companies; between supporting clean, renewable energy or digging ourselves deeper into fossil fuel dependence; between proven pollution control legislation or another big oil bailout.

As oil continues to gush into the Gulf, it’s essential that we defend the Clean Air Act and make sure our leaders side with the American people, not big oil.

Call your Senators and demand that they vote NO on Senator Murkowski’s attack on the Clean Air Act.

Your Senators can be reached at:

Senator Cantwell: 202-224-3441
Senator Murray: 202-224-2621

When you’ve made your call, please report it by clicking here.

Once you’re connected, remember to tell the staff member you’re speaking to that:

  • You’re a constituent
  • The Deepwater Oil Disaster is just further tragic proof that we need to take action now to reduce our dangerous dependence on oil and dirty fossil fuels.
  • Lisa Murkowski’s “Dirty Air Act” is exactly the wrong approach. Your Senator must side with the American people, not the oil companies, and vote NO.

Please, call your Senator right now and report your call here.

Thanks,

Maggie L. Fox
Chief Executive Officer
The Climate Protection Action Fund’s Repower America campaign

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UNDER THE RADAR

BUSINESS — FORMER BUSH OFFICIAL JOSH BOLTEN ADVISING BP ON HOW TO ‘DEFEND ITS INTERESTS’ AND RESTORE ITS REPUTATION: Oil giant BP has embarked on an aggressive campaign to repair its public image in the wake of its disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has repeatedly run full-page ads in major newspapers, retained high-powered lobbying and public relations firms, and launched a series of television ads with CEO Tony Hayward trying to apologize. The company even hired Anne Womack-Kolton, a former top aide to Vice President Cheney, to be its new spokesperson. Now, the London Times reports that former chief of staff to President Bush Josh Bolten is on BP’s team. Bolten is a member of an “international advisory board” assisting BP “to defend its interests against a fierce onslaught from the US Government.” Last week, President Obama excoriated BP for its lavish spending on public relations after the oil disaster. “My understanding is, is that BP has contracted for $50 million worth of TV advertising to manage their image during the course of this disaster,” the President said, adding, “And what I don’t want to hear is, when they’re spending that kind of money on their shareholders and spending that kind of money on TV advertising, that they’re nickel-and-diming fishermen or small businesses here in the Gulf who are having a hard time.”

thinkprogress.org

~ my 2cents ...

Thursday thoughts …&some News


It’s day 52 of the BP oil disaster and though the reports state BP will start to expedite the payments, everyone needs to keep monitoring the effort so that they keep promises to the people.   Today, the President will have families from the Gulf Coast oil disaster come to the White House and while it is a moment to give condolences to this families lets hope they take and record info to use later; hopefully BP will be held accountable sooner than later because the buzz going on is that BP will go bankrupt possibly stall paying the insurance claims and then leave… that’s a rumor but it can be a completely avoided reality if someone can get a hold of funds faster than we all are hearing on the airwaves …We all have seen those commercials that BP conjured up and you have to wonder who in their right mind would say oh yeah that makes sense… spend millions to say i’m sorry when you haven’t organized payments to the people whose living you have destroyed yet …oh but making BP look good is more important –it’s offensive and any station playing those commercials should stop and give that money to the victims of the Gulf Coast instead of being so self-serving… it just seems wrong to play those disparate attempts to make BP/Halliburton/TransOcean look better… it ain’t working.

In this great mess of oil; the push and pull of who did what to whom and why is so grade school.  The part that is  such an incredible disappointment to see politics get pushed into the fight.  I wonder how the 1st nation peoples feel; and standing corrected the area is of diverse culture; i have relative there i know the Creole Cajuns, French, Spanish all have and still inhabit the area… and they didn’t own the land they used it and they kept it safe &healthy; their knowledge of how to use the Gulf not abuse it was a lesson current stewards didn’t learn or care to.   We all know back in the day the Gulf Coast lands were pristine then were taken by folks who saw the money, the profit and have abused it and now have caused irreparable damage to a whole way of life started out by 1st nation peoples now almost everyone depends on the Gulf bed, the fishing industry,  tourism and everything that makes money off them… people of the Gulf Coast will need to find other ways of making a living.  The healing of the Marshes, the Wetlands and Estuaries will take years; hopefully the people there know they won’t be able to just get back out there and fish and or take shrimp and oysters from the Gulf and expect everything to be ok… there is a good possibility the food source will need to go through months or years of healing before humans can fish, trap and or net fresh without it being toxic.


Other News …

Earlier this week, President Obama told NBC that he had not yet talked to BP CEO Tony Hayward. ABC’s Jake Tapper reports that will change next week. White House officials say Obama is planning to say “a few words” to Hayward when he visits Washington, D.C. next week.

Following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas yesterday, President Obama called “for sharply limiting Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip” and “announced a $400 million aid package for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.” “The key here is making sure that Israel’s security needs are met but that the needs of people in Gaza are also met,” said Obama.

“One day after the Security Council approved new sanctions against them,” Iranian authorities threatened “to revise their relationship with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, using familiar language that has in the past presaged moves to limit global oversight of Iran’s nuclear program.” Iranian leaders also lashed out at China’s support for the sanctions, saying it would “affect its standing in the Muslim world.”

C-SPAN …

Conferees Begin Negotiations Toward a Final financial regulation bill

The House-Senate conference on financial regulation legislation formally meets today. Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), along with other lawmakers, Read More »are tasked with reconciling the competing versions of the financial bills that passed each chamber. The committee plans to work for the next few weeks, with the hope that it will conclude by the time President Obama leaves for the G20 summit later this month.

Mayors in affected areas describe oil spill impact

Local mayors are testifying in front of the Senate Homeland Security Committee to describe the extent of the damage and the challenges their communities are facing due to the Gulf oil spill. The committee aims to explore the planning that took place prior to the spill and the coordinated response efforts between federal, state and local governments. Congress is holding four hearings today on the oil spill to discuss a range of topics, including safety management, short and long term effects and potential environmental harm to humans. In his daily update, Adm. Thad Allen announced that yesterday BP collected 15,800 barrels of oil which he said continues a trend of capturing more oil each day.

Senate reviews deputy FBI director as head of TSA

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a hearing to review Pres. Obama’s third nominee for the head of TSA, John Pistole, a deputy FBI director. Pistole faced questions on airport security, intelligence coordination and terrorism. Another major issue of discussion was his views regarding collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), the top Republican on the committee, said “allowing screeners to collectively bargain could have dire consequences on the agency’s fundamental security mission.” Obama’s first nominee, Errol Southers of the FBI, withdrew in January, blaming critics motivated by “political ideology” for the troubles surrounding his nomination. The second nominee, Maj. Gen. Robert Harding, withdrew in March, citing “distractions caused by my work as a defense contractor would not be good for this Administration nor the Department of Homeland Security.”