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Obama Calls on the Bush Administration to Guarantee Taxpayers Do Not Pay Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac CEO Severance Packages
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director James Lockhart, calling on them to address news reports that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac CEOs will receive millions of dollars in severance packages even as they are removed from their posts. When Congress originally approved the authority for the Treasury Department to step in and rescue these companies this summer, it explicitly included a provision that gave the new regulator the authority to block golden parachute payments to CEOs. As the Bush Administration now takes unprecedented steps to rescue these companies with taxpayer dollars, it would be highly inappropriate and a violation of the public trust to allow windfall CEO severance pay packages.
Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the VA's Decision to Allow Veterans Access to Voter Registration Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reversed its earlier decision to deny voter registration services to veterans in the Department's facilities throughout the country. In July, Senator Obama joined with Senators Feinstein and Kerry to introduce legislation to require the VA to provide veterans access to voter registration: - Read more
Statement of Senators Obama, Reed, and Hagel on Trip to Iraq
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - U.S. Senators Barack Obama, Jack Reed and Chuck Hagel traveled today to Iraq, first to Basra, then to Baghdad. In Basra, they met with U.S., British and Iraqi troops; Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, Commander Multinational Corps - Iraq; Major General Barney White-Spunner (UK), Commander, Multinational Division Southeast; and Major General Abdul Aziz, Commander, 14th Iraqi Army Division. In Baghdad, the Senators met with U.S. troops; Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki; President Jalal Talabani; Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi; and Vice President Adil Abdulmahdi. They received a detailed briefing from and consulted extensively with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and General David Petraeus, Commander, MNF Iraq. They visited with doctors, nurses and patients at the 86th Combat Support Hospital and took part in a helicopter over flight of Baghdad conducted by General Petraeus. - Read more
Federal Assistance for Illinois Flood Victims
My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Illinois who are recovering from June's devastating downstate floods. I traveled to Quincy recently to help with flood preparations and get a first-hand look at the efforts. I was humbled by Illinoisans' steadfast resolve and commitment to save their homes and those of their neighbors. It is the long-term recovery that will be the most challenging and will require the most support. I am working with Senator Durbin and our congressional colleagues to ensure that our state has the resources it needs to assist Illinoisans during this difficult time.
If you need federal assistance due to the flooding, please see the information below. My offices in Illinois and Washington are also ready to assist you, so please don't hesitate to contact me.
Barack Obama
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