Newsroom
September 12, 2012 — Press Item
Throughout the 112th Congress, House Republicans have chosen confrontation over compromise, ignoring job creation, extending middle class tax cuts, and other critical legislation while wasting time on partisan messaging bills. Despite the challenges facing our country, Republicans have refused to govern effectively, instead focusing on their political agenda that won’t create jobs, grow our economy, or address our deficit in a serious way. By refusing to work with Democrats towards responsible solutions, Republicans have walked away from the American people again and again. This has resulted in record low legislative activity, and misguided priorities that favor extreme, partisan talking points over compromise and solutions.
September 12, 2012 — Press Item
"I was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the news from Libya of the tragic death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith and two other American personnel in an attack in Benghazi. Their families are in my prayers today. Ambassador Stevens and Sean Smith were distinguished career diplomats who embodied the best of our Foreign Service and were instrumental in helping Libya’s democratic transition.
September 11, 2012 — Press Item
“I want to congratulate Dan Lipinski for authoring this legislation. It is one of the key pieces of our Make It In America agenda, which my distinguished colleague from North Carolina [Rep. G.K. Butterfield] has discussed. I want to thank my dear and good friend Mary Bono Mack for her leadership on this effort. As the gentleman said, and I could adopt his remarks, the previous speaker, Mr. Kinzinger, we do need a manufacturing policy, we do need a manufacturing renaissance, and we do need a psychology that America’s going to be number one and stay number one and create the kind of good paying jobs for our people that manufacturing provides.
September 11, 2012 — Press Item
“Hopefully [a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff] will come together before the end of the year. I've been working on that. Others have been working on that. Contrary to what I heard Mr. Cantor say, the President of the United States in the 32 years I've been in Congress, has spent more time working with Republicans and frankly with Democrats in the White House around his conference table to try to get to an agreement. The Republicans walked away from the Bowles-Simpson plan. They walked away from the [Vice President] Joe Biden talks. Mr. Cantor himself walked away from those. And they walked away from the [Speaker John] Boehner- [President Barack] Obama agreement. So I'm hopeful that we will come to agreement. I think Moody's is correct - if we don't, we will undermine confidence and undermine credibility of the United States. We need to come to agreement. We need to sit down together and reason together and adopt a balanced plan. That's the trick.”
September 11, 2012 — Press Item
Recently, House Republicans have spent time playing the blame game and attempting to distance themselves from the devastating effects of the upcoming sequestration, designed to force Congress to enact a long-term plan to restore our nation’s fiscal health. But a look at the not-so-distant past shows that sequestration was approved with 174 Republican votes and House Republican leaders were praising the process just a year ago, even claiming credit for the majority of the deal:
September 11, 2012 — Press Item
“On this solemn anniversary, we must never forget those who lost their lives in the most heinous terrorist attack in our country’s history. To the families of those who were killed on that tragic day in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, we will always remember the victims and recount the stories of heroism that will be their legacy. To those who have served in our Armed Forces since 9/11, we remain grateful for their sacrifices. To all who have worked as first responders and kept our communities safe here at home, we offer our thanks for their steadfastness.
September 11, 2012 — Press Item
“Once again, we are seeing evidence of how the Affordable Care Act is benefiting Americans by lowering the costs of care and putting patients first. Today's report that the health reform law enacted by Democrats last Congress has saved consumers $2.1 billion through its rate review provisions and the medical loss ratio affirms that reform is working.
September 10, 2012 — Press Item
“I’m pleased that the District of Columbia’s statue of Frederick Douglass will now be on display in the U.S. Capitol. Douglass, who was born in the state of Maryland, spent his entire life fighting injustice and demanding equality for all in our democracy. This statue will join the halls of the Capitol building as the third statue or bust of an African American, and is a wonderful tribute to a great Marylander and civil rights hero.”
September 7, 2012 — Press Item
“For the thirtieth month straight, our economy continued to add private sector jobs in August. With 103,000 more Americans back to work last month in the private sector and the unemployment rate dropping from 8.3% to 8.1%, our economic recovery is moving forward, and our nation is headed in the right direction.
September 4, 2012 — Press Item
“Today’s Institute for Supply Management report, the third in a row showing contraction in our manufacturing sector, reinforces the need for Congress to address manufacturing competitiveness and job growth in a comprehensive way. Democrats’ Make It In America plan will do just that by investing in education, innovation, and infrastructure to attract well paying manufacturing jobs and keep them here on our shores.
September 3, 2012 — Press Item
“Today, Americans join together to honor the men and women who help make our nation and its businesses so successful. Despite a challenging economy, our country’s workers have continued to show extraordinary innovation and determination to out-produce our competitors. Our nation has a long history of striving to create more opportunities for our people to enter the middle class, and Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to renew our commitment to an opportunity-driven economy that works for working families.
August 30, 2012 — Press Item
“I applaud today’s ruling by the DC District Court that concluded the Texas voter identification law would make it more difficult for citizens to exercise their right to vote. This law is just one example of legislation that is being passed across the country that could disenfranchise minorities, the elderly, and college students. While proponents of these voter identification laws claim they’re targeting voter fraud, there is scant evidence that such fraud exists. Instead, the real purpose of these laws is to make it substantially harder for eligible voters to cast their ballot and have their votes counted.
August 28, 2012 — Press Item
“I applaud President Obama’s action today that reinforced Democrats’ energy policy that strengthens our economic, national, and environmental security. The new fuel standards will benefit the economy through lower costs for consumers, and by ensuring our nation remains on the leading edge of technology and innovation as automakers develop the most fuel-efficient cars. The new standards will also increase our national security as we move away from our dependence on foreign oil, and promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases. This is a bold step, and the right one to help secure America’s future.”
August 25, 2012 — Press Item
I was saddened to learn about the passing of Neil Armstrong today. He was truly an American hero and icon. He represented the ingenuity and the passion for exploration and discovery that is the hallmark of our nation. It may have been a 'small step,' but when he became the first person to set foot on the moon, it changed the course of history, making the impossible possible. His legacy will live on each time we dare to dream beyond what seems possible, and will continue to serve as an inspiration to us all.
August 24, 2012 — Press Item
“This weekend, I will join with Americans across the country in celebrating Women’s Equality Day, marking the anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment’s ratification, which recognized women’s right to vote and participate in our electoral democracy. On this day, we mark the achievements women have made across the spectrum of American society, but we also acknowledge how much work remains.
August 22, 2012 — Press Item
“CBO’s update of its Budget and Economic Outlook released this morning couldn’t paint a clearer picture of our fiscal challenges. If Congress fails to resolve the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ by the end of this year, according to the CBO’s projections, the first half of 2013 will plunge us back into recession and sharply increase unemployment.
