House Tightens Rules on Foreign Takeovers of U.S. Firms

On February 28, the House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation [H.R. 556] to reform the process by which the Federal government reviews proposed foreign investments in the United States.  The bill responds to the key failures identified in the aftermath of the Dubai Ports World scandal last year, in which mid-level officials of the Bush Administration signed off on a $6.8 billion deal - with only minimal review, and no consultation with Congress - that would have put a government-owned United Arab Emirates company in charge of six major U.S. ports.  The decision generated a firestorm of criticism from Congress and the public, and the Administration eventually was forced to drop the deal.  The legislation approved by the House this week seeks to ensure that future transactions of this type receive a full national security review and requires timely consultation with Congress.  For additional information on this legislation from the measure's sponsor, Rep. Maloney of New York, click here.

House Adopts Employee Free Choice Act

On March 1, the House approved legislation [H.R. 800] to make it easier for American workers to organize unions.  Despite several years of economic growth and high corporate profits, middle-class American families have actually lost ground.  Giving workers a free choice to join together to bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions is an important step for strengthening the middle class.  The House-passed legislation, which was approved on a vote of 241 to 185, seeks to reform the current system for forming unions which allows employers to intimidate, harass, coerce, reassign, or even fire workers who participate in a union organizing campaign.  Speaking in favor of H.R. 800, Rep. Levin said, "the current system governing the formation of unions is badly flawed, and permits an unfair process greatly tipped in favor of employer efforts to block unionization drives.  At present, organizers can present cards signed by a m! ajority of the workforce in support of union representation, but the employer has absolutely no obligation to recognize this effort.  Instead, employers can force a National Labor Relations Board election, which can take months to take place, during which time employers are free to erode union support using company resources through mandated anti-union activities at the workplace."  To view the full speech, click here.

Key House Committee Holds Hearing on Global Warming

On February 28, the House Ways and Means Committee held its first hearing on the issue of climate change.  Rep. Levin is a senior member of this Committee.  For the past decade, there has been significant debate regarding the topic of global warming.  Recent scientific evidence indicates that our dependence on fossil fuels as a source of energy is having an adverse impact on the environment.  The new Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Rangel, called the hearing to listen to the views of leading scientists and academics and also lay the groundwork for the Committee to move forward with policies to accelerate the development of clean, renewable energy.  At the hearing, one of the nation's leading climate scientists, Dr. Ronald G. Prinn, testified, "Ten years ago, I gave testimony . . . in which I stated that I was not convinced at that time that the human signal had arisen from the noise of natural variability.  I am now convinced tha! t the human influence is proven with significant probability.  The observations of continued rapid warming over the last 12 years, which include the 2 warmest years, and 11 of the 12 warmest years since 1850, and the recent improvements in climate theory and number and quality of models, are among the reasons for the change in my conclusion."  To read all the witnesses' testimony, click here.

Bush Budget Cuts Would Hurt Michigan Communities

Early last month, President Bush submitted his 2008 Budget request to Congress.  A number of the spending cuts in the proposed budget would harm communities in Michigan, including Macomb and Oakland counties.  Some of these cuts target Clean Water programs that have been critical to cleaning up Lake St. Clair.  Other cuts target programs that help provide home heating and food assistance for low-income families and seniors.  To view a recent Macomb Daily story on this issue, click here.

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