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Super Committee, spectacular failure
November 23, 2011We shouldn't be surprised that the "Super Committee" was unable to reach an agreement on a comprehensive deficit-reduction plan. The blame game now begins, unabated until the next time Congress needs to make tough decisions about spending.< Read more > -
Jobs for Vets
November 11, 2011As our nation commemorates Veterans Day and we reflect on the incalculable sacrifices made by American servicemen and women, I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know about a significant challenge facing our nation's returning veterans.< Read more > -
Ackerman Helps Bring Home American Held Captive by Egypt
November 4, 2011I just wanted to make sure you had seen the great news about our neighbor, Ilan Grapel, who is now redeemed from captivity.< Read more > -
Getting NY Vets the Services They Deserve
November 3, 2011Thousands of New York servicemen and -women already have earned veterans' benefits in Iraq and Afghanistan. With thousands more yet to return, we need to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs can handle the workload.< Read more > -
The Assault on Clean Air Continues
October 14, 2011Over the past month, the Republican-led House of Representatives has pushed three bills that are an unprecedented and dangerous attack on some of our most critical clean-air regulations that prevent polluters from poisoning the air we breathe.< Read more > -
Come Together, Right NOW
July 27, 2011Monday night, the President had it exactly right: We need a balanced approach to raise the debt limit and to grapple with our nation's deficit and long-term debt situation.< Read more > -
Support Vets, Not Private Developers
June 17, 2011Right now, our veterans desperately need more health services. They certainly don't need private developers to lease acres of the only Veterans Affairs (VA) facility in Queens.< Read more > -
Support Big Oil Companies or Firefighters?
June 9, 2011It's easy for politicians to say we support firefighters. Apparently, it's a bit harder for some of us to actually back up those words.< Read more > -
Honoring and Remembering
May 29, 2011Through the years, Memorial Day has become more synonymous with barbeques and outdoor festivities, shopping malls and clearance sales, and a day off from work and relaxing with family, than with the true intention of the holiday: honoring those who have fallen in defense of our country.< Read more > -
You Deserve Transparency
May 27, 2011As a Senior Member of the House Financial Services Committee, one of my highest priorities is to increase transparency in the financial marketplace. It's true: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.< Read more > -
No More Taxpayer $$ for Big Oil
May 13, 2011It's bad enough to pay $4 for a gallon of gas at the pump, but did you know that your tax dollars are also subsidizing the oil companies at a time of record-breaking profits across the industry? That's just adding insult to injury!< Read more > -
No to Ending Medicare
May 5, 2011The last time the Republicans were in the Majority in the House, they tried to "privatize" Social Security. They failed. Now they're back, and this time their budget plan would not only "privatize" Medicare, it would "voucherize" it, too. Their recently passed budget proposal for fiscal year 2012 would end Medicare for everyone under the age of 55. Medicare's historic guaranteed benefit would be replaced with a voucher towards the purchase of private health insurance. This voucher is a glorified grocery-store coupon. You'd be on the hook for all of your medical costs over and above the value of your voucher.< Read more > -
License Plates Shouldn't Fund Politics
May 3, 2011The Supreme Court's misguided Citizen's United decision gave corporations the First Amendment right to anonymously unleash unlimited amounts of money in our elections. Emboldened by this devastating blow to our electoral system's integrity, opponents of campaign-finance reform are undermining the remaining campaign-finance protections by finding new ways to infuse even more money into politics.< Read more > -
A Double Whammy
April 15, 2011Last week, the Republican majority crammed through the House of Representatives two bills that are a double-team smackdown of the environment, safety-net programs, Medicare, Medicaid, and other vital priorities.< Read more > -
Save Net Neutrality
April 11, 2011Last week, the Republican House Majority passed legislation that would hand over the internet to big corporations. Their measure would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from implementing "Net Neutrality" rules–essential consumer protections that preserve a free and open internet.< Read more > -
Just Say NO (to Environmental Riders)
April 7, 2011As the Republican House Majority continues its assault on America's environment and public health, I wanted to make you aware of a letter that I–along with 55 colleagues–sent to Speaker Boehner to make clear that anti-environment policy restrictions have absolutely no place in any fiscal year 2011 spending bill.< Read more > -
One Year Ago, The Affordable Care Act
April 6, 2011It's been a year since President Obama signed the landmark health-care bill, the Affordable Care Act, into law. What a difference a year makes! Despite what the gloom-and-doom naysayers predicted, the sky hasn't fallen and the world hasn't come to an end. In fact, if you're like most New Yorkers, your health-insurance coverage is better today than just a year ago.< Read more > -
Flip Tax Victory, We Did It!
February 11, 2011I have some very good news for you: We got the federal government to reverse its position on flip taxes. We did it!< Read more > -
Protecting Your Health Care Freedom
January 21, 2011This week the new House Majority kept its misguided promise to try to repeal the landmark new health-care law. This unfortunate action would, if it were to pass the Senate and be signed into law, take away critical new health-care freedoms and consumer protections from you and your family that are now law under the Affordable Care Act. I voted against this repeal legislation because it would allow insurance companies once more to be the sole judge in rationing your health care and making your medical decisions for you.< Read more >