Archive: 2009

“I reiterate, when the Democrats took control of the Congress, we made it a rule of the House that we had to abide by pay-as-you-go. Now, we have a President of the United States who is committed to sign this legislation and we are able to pass it, not as a rule of the House, but as a statute, as a law of the land.”

“When Congress toughened the Bush Administration’s TARP financial rescue proposal last year, we insisted that financial institutions fully reimburse taxpayers–or if possible, reimburse with a profit — when stability returned to our financial system. These taxpayer protections are now bearing fruit.”

“Few have done more to create a sustainable society and a just world than B. Rapoport. B’s causes are diverse; he loves his alma mater, the University of Texas, he’s a dedicated supporter of Israel, and he’s an unabashed liberal. But wherever there is a difficult challenge and an innovative solution, B. Rapoport is there.”

On Monday, Republican Leader Boehner published an Op-Ed on Yahoo! on America's Affordable Health Choices Act — the House health insurance reform bill. This Op-Ed contained many myths about the bill: BOEHNER'S MYTH: More than 100 million Americans would be forced onto… Continue

Today, the House passed the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act 2009 (HR 2920) by a vote of 265-166. This bill requires Congress to offset the costs of tax cuts or increases in entitlement spending with savings elsewhere in the budget. If the net effect… Continue

“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday she is confident Congress will advance an overhaul of the nation’s health care system despite divisions within her own party and mounting opposition from outside groups over its cost.”

“Lim Poon Lee came to these shores from Hong Kong as an infant. Like many immigrants, his family so loved this country and he spent his entire life in public service. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a counterintelligence specialist. He worked in the Public Welfare and Juvenile Court Systems in San Francisco. And Mr. Lee served as one of my predecessors in Congress and a friend to many of us here, Congressman Phillip Burton, as a field representative.”

Today, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing with testimony from Neil Barofsky, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). When the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) was created under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of… Continue

Strengthening education is essential to building a stronger economic foundation for our future. By a vote of 30 to 17, the Education and Labor Committee approved the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (HR 3221) today to ensure that higher… Continue

“I’m pleased to welcome Dick Meltzer back to my staff,” Speaker Pelosi said. “He brings impressive credentials and knowledge of the issues facing Congress, as well as extensive experience to our policy office. I look forward to working with him as we address the priorities of the American people.”