News Releases 2007

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein today applauded the step that the country has taken toward energy independence, as the President signed the Energy Independence and Security Act into law. The law will increase in vehicles' fuel efficiency for the first time in 32 years, make an historic commitment to American-grown biofuels, and invest in job training for 21st century "green collar" jobs in technology and science sectors.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) voted in favor of H.R. 4343, the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007. The bill provides a short-term extension of expiring funding provisions for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Medicare and Medicaid, including replacing the scheduled cut to Medicare physician reimbursement rates, with minor reforms that ensure the legislation is fully paid for."

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein voted Wednesday to support a tax cut that prevents the Alternative Minimum Tax from hitting over 51,000 unsuspecting middle-class families in Florida's 22nd District this year.

Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) voted to oppose the $39 billion in supplemental funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan because it did not reflect a change in strategy in Iraq. Klein voted for the overall spending package, which included for $43.1 billion for veterans' healthcare and assistance and $400 million for port security.

Congressmen Alcee Hastings (FL-23), Robert Wexler (FL-19), Kendrick Meek (FL-17), Ron Klein (FL-22), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) announced that Broward County will receive over $144 million in federal funding in the recently passed Congressional spending bill.

Congressmen Alcee Hastings (FL-23), Ron Klein (FL-22), Tim Mahoney (FL-16) and Robert Wexler (FL-19) announced that Palm Beach County will receive over $238 million in federal funding in the recently passed Congressional spending bill.

Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) announced that Florida's 22nd district will receive over $13 million in local funding in the recently passed Congressional spending bill.

Congressman Ron Klein (FL – 22) will hold a press conference on Friday, December 14, 2007 at Port Everglades with members of Broward county's first responder community, port officials and county representatives to discuss the Administration's proposed cuts and allow the media to hear firsthand what these cuts would mean to the county.

Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) released the following statement after the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report. This bill authorizes $696.3 billion to improve services to wounded warriors and their families, strengthen troop readiness and take a step in the right direction for energy security.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Tuesday voted in favor of H.R. 4343, the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act of 2007. The legislation would repeal an outdated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation that forces airline pilots into retirement at age 60 and allow pilots to serve in multi-crew operations until age 65, provided they meet certain professional and medical requirements. An identical measure is contained in H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, which passed the House on September 20 but has stalled in the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) will hold a press conference on Monday, December 10, to announce the passage of sweeping bipartisan energy legislation, the Energy Independence and Security Act. The press conference will take place Monday, at 3:30 PM, at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 Southwest 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale.

Congressman Ron Klein (FL – 22) will hold a press conference on Monday, December 10, 2007 at the Port of Palm Beach with members of the county's first responder community, port officials and county representatives to discuss the Administration's proposed cuts and allow the media to hear firsthand what these cuts would mean to the county.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) will host two Veteran Advisory meetings today, kicking off the first one in Oakland Park, following by a mid-afternoon meeting in Palm Beach, and hosting a town hall meeting in Boca Raton.

Today, Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) joined Republicans and Democrats to pass the bipartisan Energy Independence and Security Act, legislation that will put our nation on the path to energy independence and aid consumers and families across Florida. The legislation increases vehicles' fuel efficiency (CAFE standards) for the first time in 32 years, makes an historic commitment to American-grown biofuels, and repeals tax breaks for oil companies so that Americans can invest those savings in clean renewable energy and new American technologies.

Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) and Rep. Mike Pence (IN-06), Chairs of the Congressional Taskforce Against Anti-Semitism, released the following statement after Venezuelan police authorities raided a Jewish Community Center in Caracas, Venezuela, La Hebraica, in search of weapons and explosives.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) will hold a press conference on Sunday, December 2, to announce the names of residents living in Florida's 22nd Congressional district who are owed tax refunds by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In Florida's 22nd District, 1,229 individuals are owed an average of $1,200 per claim, for an average total of over $1.475 million. The press conference will take place Sunday, at 11:30 AM, in front of Delray Beach City Hall, 100 NW 1st Avenue, in Delray Beach.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday issued the following statement concerning the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioner's unanimous decision to allocate funds to hire a full-time Army Corps of Engineers employee. A full-time Army Corps of Engineers employee will help expedite a number of critical beach erosion projects that have been awaiting federal approval.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement commemorating our veterans and their families this Veterans Day weekend:

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein Friday voted in favor of a fiscally-responsible tax cut that prevents the Alternative Minimum Tax from hitting middle class families next year, while at the same time, expands critical tax breaks for middle-class Americans.

Historic legislation authored by U.S. Reps. Ron Klein (FL-22) and Tim Mahoney (FL-16) that provides a national solution to the growing crisis in the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a bipartisan vote of 258 to 155. The Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007 creates a national catastrophic program to stabilize the catastrophe insurance market by expanding private industries capacity to cover a natural disaster and helping states to better manage risk. This is not only the first time the U.S. House of Representatives has considered national catastrophe legislation, but is the first time legislation that offers a national solution to the homeowners' insurance crisis has passed the full House.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday introduced two key tax relief bills that will provide critical support and assistance to American families, teachers, members of the U.S. military and their families.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement Tuesday evening following the House's override of President Bush's recent veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. To override a veto, two-thirds of the Members in both Chambers of Congress must vote in favor of the override. The House voted to override Bush's veto by a vote of 361 to 54.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Monday announced that his Palm Beach County and Broward County district offices will begin collecting toys that will be distributed to needy children throughout the holiday season. The toy drive will begin Monday, November 13th and will end Friday, December 14th. Toys may be dropped off between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein continued his efforts to improve the quality of air travel in South Florida Friday by urging the Deputy Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to respond to a previous letter Klein wrote last month asking the FAA to look into over-scheduling problems at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). So far, the FAA has not responded to Klein's previous letter.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Monday spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in support of the National Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007, which provides a number of provisions that will strengthen protections that are currently in place of nation's our coral reefs. The House will vote for the legislation, which Klein co-sponsors, under suspension Monday evening.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday issued the following statement regarding President Bush's veto earlier this morning of the State Children's Health Reauthorization Bill. Commonly referred to as SCHIP, the program provides health care coverage to over 6.6. million children.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Friday issued the following statement concerning President Bush's directive to the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to come up with a plan that will improve the government's system for handling passengers' complaints and boost the quality of air travel.

Homeowners throughout Florida and the United States are one step closer to getting the relief they need when it comes to the high-cost of their homeowners insurance, following the House Financial Services Committee's passage of Reps. Ron Klein and Tim Mahoney's groundbreaking bill, The Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007. A bipartisan majority on the committee passed Klein and Mahoney's bill Wednesday, which offers a unique and innovative approach to addressing the growing crisis in the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance.

Following up on his quest to improve the quality of air travel, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday issued a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), asking the FAA to request winter and spring flight schedules from the major airline carriers that operate in and out of Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Continuing his mission to restore fairness and courtesy to air travel, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) successfully passed an amendment on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday that strengthens the rights of airline passengers by expanding the government's ability to investigate fraudulent and reckless airline practices.

Concerned about the unacceptable state of air travel in America, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein Tuesday will be introducing an amendment to H.R. 2881, the "FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007," which will strengthen consumer protections to airline passengers by expanding the government's ability to investigate fraudulent and reckless airline practices. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 2881 along with amendments on Thursday.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Monday on a resolution introduced by U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22), that honors the life and heroism of Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved more than 600 children from their deaths during the Holocaust. The resolution, H.RES.583 is passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote Monday evening.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement Monday regarding the testimony given by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker today to a joint committee hearing between the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

U.S. Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) and Ron Klein (D-Boca Raton) sent a letter today to the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) expressing concern over the sharp rise of wild Burmese pythons in and around the Everglades National Park. The Burmese python is an exotic constrictor species that has been found breeding in increasing numbers in natural areas of Southern Florida. More than 350 of the South Asian snakes have been found invading the park since 2002, with others appearing along Florida's west coast and farther north in Florida. Invasive species such as this python have the potential to adversely affect Everglades restoration efforts and all of the ecosystem's inhabitants.

U.S. Reps. Ron Klein (FL-22) and Tim Mahoney (FL-16) introduced the Homeowners Defense Act of 2007 to address the growing crisis in the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance. The legislation focuses on stabilizing the catastrophe insurance market by expanding private industries capacity to cover a natural disaster and helping states to better manage risk.

During a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein pledged his support in favor of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act, but expressed his concerns regarding cuts the bill makes to some Medicare Plans.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein enthusiastically lauded the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Conference Report (WRDA) today, which contains nearly $2 billion dollars in funding for the Florida Everglades, as well as millions of dollars in funding to protect South Florida beaches and restore Peanut Island.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22), along with Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21) introduced a resolution on Friday honoring Sir Nicholas "Nicky" Winton, who helped 669 children escape from Nazi refugee camps in Czechoslovakia and find safety in Great Britain and Sweden. Sir Nicholas' actions saved the lives of these children, since most of their families who remained in Czechoslovakia perished.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) joined an enormous bipartisan majority late Friday afternoon and voted in favor of legislation that will strengthen the safety of American families by enacting the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. The Conference Report on H.R. 1, Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, was passed by a vote of 371-40.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) will submit testimony and ask questions during a joint subcommittee hearing of the House Science Committee concerning recent actions between the National Hurricane Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday titled, "Tracking the Storm at the National Hurricane Center." The joint hearing between the subcommittees on Energy and Environment, and Investigations and Oversight, will take place this Thursday at 10 a.m. in room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday to commemorate the one year anniversary of three Israeli soldiers who were captured by Hizbullah terrorists. Below is the text of his remarks:

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday testified to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which held a hearing on Weather and Environmental Satellites. During the hearing, Klein testified on the need to provide the most advanced tools that will allow meteorologists to accurately forecast and detect hurricanes, which includes funding to launch a new QuikSCAT satellite.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement Monday concerning Bill Proenza's removal as the director of the National Hurricane Center.

In response to reports that the Department of Commerce has initiated an investigation into the operations surrounding the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, expressing his concerns surrounding the timing and purpose of the investigation.

Honoring Florida's boating community and industry, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Monday introduced a resolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the American people to observe National Boating Day. House Resolution 505 unanimously passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote Monday afternoon. Klein will speak on the House floor about the resolution following votes Monday evening.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Klein sent a letter to President Bush, urging him to sign the Stem Cell Enhancement Act into law. President Bush has signaled he will veto this bill, which would be the second time he has vetoed a stem cell funding bill passed by the majority of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and supported by a strong majority of the American people.

oncerned that a satellite used to track hurricanes is in danger of malfunctioning in the near future, and that the agency tasked with managing this satellite does not have an adequate back-up plan in place, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) and Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-3) urged in a letter to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Science Committee today to immediately hold a hearing to address these issues.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement Friday, applauding the efforts of Governor Crist and other Florida lawmakers for passing and signing into law the Protecting Florida's Investments Act (SB 2142/HB 703), which would divest Florida's $150 billion pension fund from Iran's energy sector.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein will participate in a number of events and town hall meetings throughout South Florida between Tuesday, May 29th and Monday, June 3rd.

Concerned that the most accurate hurricane tracking satellite is in danger of falling into disrepair, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein joined Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) today in introducing the "Improved Hurricane Tracking and Forecasting Act of 2007." This bill would authorize the necessary NASA funding to design and launch a replacement satellite for QuikSCAT. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen's Mary Landrieau (D-LA), Bill Nelson (FL-22), Mel Martinez (R-FL), and John Kerry (D-MA).

With the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) right around the corner, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) delivered recommendations to the Chairman of the House Education Committee, Congressman George Miller (CA), urging the Committee to adopt changes to the legislation that reflect the interest and priorities of children, teachers and schools throughout Florida.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Thursday spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the revised Iraq Supplemental, which the House will consider later today. The following are the Congressman's remarks:

On the heels of a recent joint NBC-Telemundo investigative report detailing Hizbollah's growing influence in Latin America, U.S. Rep.'s Ron Klein (FL-22) and Connie Mack (FL-14) introduced a resolution today in the House of Representatives calling on the U.S. government to work with countries in the Western Hemisphere to combat terrorism. The resolution, which has over 30 cosponsors, is fully supported by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

The last hurdle to rebuilding the devastation to Palm Beach County's beaches from Subtropical Storm Andrea was passed late Tuesday afternoon when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took federal jurisdiction of a critically eroded section of Jupiter Inlet. It followed similar measures by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) earlier in the day for Singer Island, the Town of South Palm Beach, and the Town of Lantana. Now all four areas of Palm Beach County can begin rebuilding their beaches for the upcoming hurricane season, which commences in sixteen days. According to one County official, work can start as early as next week.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Thursday called on Governor Charlie Crist to declare the areas of Jupiter, Singer Island, and Lantana/South Palm Beach in Palm Beach County a State of Emergency. Those areas were severely damaged as result of dangerous waves from Subtropical Storm Andrea that crashed against Palm Beach County's already eroded shoreline.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday joined members of the House Leadership at a press conference to demand an end to price gouging at the pump and to reiterate the need for America to eventually become energy independent.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) today announced that Joseph Perri, a junior at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, has been chosen by a group of judges as the 22nd congressional district winner of the 26th Annual Congressional Art Competition. Perri's art piece titled, "Where the Sky Meets the Shore," will join other winning art pieces from districts across the country on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year, following a ribbon cutting ceremony in Washington D.C. June 28th.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement today concerning his vote in favor of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, which the House of Representatives is expected to pass Wednesday evening. The Senate is expected to pass the measure Thursday. The measure will then go to the President, who will be faced with a choice to either stay the course in Iraq or support a new direction.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) joined members of Congress at a press conference on Capitol Hill Tuesday to unveil the Innovation Agenda, a package of legislative proposals that will ultimately make our nation more competitive in the ever-changing global economy.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Thursday night voted in favor of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which provides millions of dollars for water-related projects across the country, including significant funding for Everglades restoration, shoreline projects, and other water-related projects environmental restoration hurricane storm damage reduction projects throughout South Florida.

Following up on his concerns that the QuikSCAT satellite used to accurately forecast hurricanes is on the verge of failure, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein Wednesday sent a letter to the Air Force Reserves, requesting a meeting to discuss the status of Hurricane Hunter aircraft, which are used as a secondary source to forecast hurricanes.

Deeply concerned by reports that a critical satellite, QuikSCAT, used in the forecasting of hurricanes at the National Hurricane Center is, according to news reports, "on its last legs," U.S Rep. Ron Klein issued the following statement today, vowing to press hard in Congress to get the funding necessary to provide the tools to track and forecast hurricanes.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) will participate in a number of public events throughout Florida's 22nd Congressional district during the first two weeks of April, when Congress observes Spring recess.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) today issued the following statement concerning the passage of the House Budget Resolution, which puts our nation back on track toward reclaiming a balanced budget, and reflects the priorities of all Americans.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) testified to Members of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Tuesday on the need for Congress to support a federal natural disaster program. During the hearing entitled, "Perspectives on Natural Disaster Insurance," Klein's remarks focused on the critical for Congress to address the skyrocketing rates of homeowner's insurance rates throughout the United States.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee Tuesday approved a resolution, by U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) and other Members of the Congressional Iran Working group, calling on the Iranian government to immediately release 15 British troops who were captured in the Persian Gulf late last week. Due to the urgency of the resolution, Committee Chairman Tom Lantos moved the measure quickly through committee. The resolution is expected to reach the House floor in the very near future, with the possibility of a full vote by the House of Representatives this week.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Friday voted in favor of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R. 1591). Klein supported the measure because it strengthens accountability standards for Iraq, boosts funding for our troop readiness, and addresses the crisis in veteran's health care services.

Very concerned about a Bush Administration budget proposal that would cut $38.7 billion from Medicare over the next 10 years, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein sent a letter to the Chairman of the House Budget Committee John Spratt today, urging him to reinstate the cuts in the FY 2008 budget.

U.S. Reps Ron Klein (FL-22) and Tim Mahoney (FL-16), along with Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank and Members of Congress representing geographically diverse areas held a press conference Thursday to announce their unified support toward reducing homeowner's insurance rates. During the press conference, the Members discussed developing legislation that would create a national catastrophe program for property insurance, with the ultimate goal of increasing coverage and reducing homeowners' insurance rates.

Following a joint session of Congress today featuring a speech from Jordan's King Abdullah II, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) expressed his appreciation toward King Abdullah's overall message of regional peace. However, Klein was disappointed that King Abdullah's speech did not realize the realities on the ground between the Palestinian Authority's position toward Israel, and failed to address the threat of Iran and its hatred toward the United States and Israel.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued a statement today concerning poor and severely inadequate conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center, the nation's primary facility for wounded veterans returning from service. Klein also responded to recent news reports that indicate that conditions such as those at Walter Reed are a widespread problem at other veteran hospitals throughout the country.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) today voted in favor of the National Security FIRST Act, which will strengthen the security of our ports and key infrastructure while at the same time, allow foreign investment in our country that promotes economic development but does not compromise our national security. Klein co-sponsored the legislation.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) announced a series of events and activities that he will host and participate in throughout South Florida this coming weekend and the following week, February 19-26.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) will speak on the floor the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday concerning the H.R. 63, a resolution that opposes President Bush's decision to send additional troops to Iraq. During his remarks, Klein will honor veterans throughout his district, paying homage to a resolution endorsed by the Broward County Veterans Council.

Today during the House Financial Services Committee hearing on foreign investments in U.S. ports, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein held Administration officials accountable in the wake of the Dubai Ports Deal and in an environment of continued security concerns at our Nation's ports.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement today regarding President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2007. The President's budget significantly reduces funding for Medicaid and Medicare and under-funds critical services to our veterans, while at the same time, maintains the President's tax cuts that only benefit the top income earners in our country.

Two nonpartisan reports released today depict a dismal picture on the future situation in Iraq, and unfortunately, it appears there is little outside forces can do to change the outcome.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) was appointed by the House Leadership Wednesday to serve on three subcommittees on the House Financial Services Committee.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement concerning Governor Crist's announcement Wednesday that he will not support funding for embryonic stem cell research.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) Wednesday voted in favor of a fiscally-responsible measure that will begin the process toward restoring fiscal discipline to our nation's budget by holding government funding to 2006 levels and providing additional funds for critical needs, including veterans programs and scholarship programs.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) on Tuesday was appointed to three subcommittees on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, a committee he was appointed to earlier this month by the House Leadership. Klein will serve on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement regarding President Bush's State of the Union Address tonight.

Congressmen Ron Klein (FL-22) and Tim Mahoney (FL-16) today held a joint press conference on key measures passed in the First 100 Hours Legislative Package to improve the everyday lives of Floridians. They also discuss their new role as leaders on insurance reform in Congress.

Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank today said that Reps. Klein and Mahoney will be among those taking the lead on developing and promoting property insurance reform legislation through the 110th Congress.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) was appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to preside over the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in her absence this Friday, Jan. 12th. Klein, who is scheduled to take the gavel between 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., will be one of the first newly-elected Members of the 110th Congress to receive this opportunity.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement Wednesday night that he plans to send more troops to Iraq.

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, who represents Florida's 22nd Congressional District, today was officially sworn in as Member of the United States Congress. The swearing-in ceremony took place on the House Floor of the United States Capitol.