Archive: 2007

“‘We told the American people that Democrats would ‘drain the swamp’ and change the way business is done in Washington,’ said Speaker Pelosi. ‘In the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress, we restored accountability by imposing the toughest ethics standards ever: no gifts, no private jets, and no meals from lobbyists.”

“‘Tonight, with the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act, the House is taking crucial steps toward addressing our nation’s need for affordable housing and restoring accountability that has been missing for too long.

‘The recent scandals at the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-funding enterprises are clear evidence of the need for a change in how business is done in Washington. This legislation will restore accountability while addressing management and accounting problems that have undermined the mission of these government-sponsored enterprises – to expand access to housing for the American people.”

“‘That means we must secure our borders and enforce our laws, while also protecting against discrimination and adhering to the rule of law. It means that we must regularize the status of the 12 million undocumented immigrants who now work and live here, and establish a rigorous but real path to citizenship. It means we must promote family values and family unification. And it means that we must meet our economy’s need for additional workers when there is evidence that they are needed, and there are strict labor protections for all workers.”

“‘I wish to associate myself with your remarks in praise of this very important budget today. I want to join you in commending the exceptional leadership of Chairman Kent Conrad and Chairman John Spratt.”

“‘In passing the defense authorization bill today, the House acted to make our military stronger and the American people safer. The bill provides our troops with more than the Bush Administration requested, including a pay raise more in keeping with what they deserve, while rejecting increases in medical care costs the Administration had sought.”

This afternoon, the House passed S.Con.Res. 21, the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget – a return to fiscal responsibility and accountability after six years of Republican fiscal mismanagement that turned record surpluses into deficits and ignored critical priorities. For two out of the… Continue

Speaker Pelosi released the following statement today on H.R. 1585, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which passed in the House today by a vote of 397 to 27: In passing the defense authorization bill today, the House acted to… Continue

Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales urgently requesting answers to specific questions as well as greater access to information on the… Continue

Yesterday the Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a PTSD Health Care Symposium to discuss improved ways to provide mental health care services to veterans. Mental health care providers, medical doctors and researchers discussed how families, school systems, business owners, law enforcement and the… Continue

An amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill sponsored by Reps. Jason Altmire (PA-04) and Tom Udall (NM-03), which would ease the burden on military families struggling to balance new responsibilities brought on by deployments, has been agreed to. The amendment allows spouses,… Continue