Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the following letter to House Republican Leader John Boehner today in response to a letter sent yesterday from the House GOP leadership.

Below is a text of the letter:

August 5, 2008

The Honorable John A. Boehner
House Republican Leader
H-204, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Leader Boehner:

Thank you for your letter from the House GOP leadership yesterday on gas prices.

America uses nearly a quarter of the world’s oil, but sits atop less than 3 percent of the world’s reserves. According to the Bush Administration’s own Energy Department, if we repealed the offshore drilling ban today, oil and gas production would not begin there until 2017, and impact on prices before 2030 would be “insignificant.” We cannot drill our way out of this problem.

The facts are clear. The New Direction Congress has repeatedly brought forth proposals to increase domestic supply, reduce the price at the pump, protect American consumers and businesses and promote renewable energy and conservation. To date, Democrats have brought forward 13 major initiatives to accomplish the above goals and each time a majority of House Republicans have voted against these proposals.

One of these proposals would codify Democrats’ call for releasing a small portion of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Releasing a small amount from the government stockpile is a positive short-term step that would provide immediate impact on the price at the pump and ease the pain American families and businesses are feeling every day.

The SPR has been tapped or suspended before by President Bush, President Clinton, and the first President Bush, and each time the impact on prices has been dramatic and immediate. In 1991, oil prices immediately dropped by 33 percent. The 2000 exchange drove oil prices down by 19 percent. And the release by President Bush in 2005 resulted in a 9 percent drop.

While a very small band of your colleagues remain on the House floor to discuss gas prices, their constituents deserve to know why their representatives in Congress have failed to support serious, responsible proposals. These proposals would increase supply, reduce prices, protect consumers, and transition America to a clean, renewable energy independent future. Americans deserve real solutions, not rhetoric. Using yesterday’s solutions to today’s problems will not allow us to achieve energy independence.

Again, thank you for your letter, and I look forward to working together on behalf of America’s working families.

best regards,

NANCY PELOSI

Speaker of the House

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to calls from Senator McCain that Congress resume session to consider energy proposals:

“Senator McCain wants to call Congress back into session to vote on ‘drill only’ proposals that he knows full well will not provide immediate relief to consumers, and yet he was absent from the Senate during critical votes to cut subsidies for Big Oil, help consumers and promote renewables and conservation.

“The New Direction Congress will continue to demand that the President release oil from our nation’s stockpile to provide immediate relief in 10 days, unlike the McCain-Republican-Big Oil plan that lowers prices at the pump by 2 cents in 10 years. Freeing a small amount of our oil from government stockpiles is the only immediate solution to the pain at the pump.

“John McCain could have been the deciding vote in favor of key energy initiatives, but instead he decided to stand by Big Oil. Senator McCain’s absent leadership on energy independence doesn’t match his rhetoric.”

Background:

McCain Only Senator to Miss Vote on Critical Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Package – Measure Defeated By One Vote

The package needed 60 votes under Senate rules to move forward but failed 58 to 41, with 8 Republicans joining 48 Democrats and 2 independents in support of it. McCain aides say he would have opposed the measure. [2008 Vote #8, 2/6/08, Failed 58-41, McCain Absent]

McCain Only Senator to Miss Vote to Repeal Tax Subsidies for Big Oil in Order to Fund Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy – Measure Defeated By One Vote

In 2007, John McCain was the only senator who failed to vote on a motion to limit debate on the 2007 energy bill that would have stripped tax cuts for oil companies to instead fund tax incentives for renewable energy. But the measure failed on a 59-40 vote, falling one vote shy of the 60 votes needed to end debate and move the bill forward.” McCain aides say he would have opposed ending debate. [2007 Vote #425, 12/13/07, McCain Absent]

Democrats offered a real solution to high energy prices that would bring immediate relief within 10 days by forcing the President to free our oil from the nation’s stockpile. The Republicans propose to giveaway public lands to Big Oil, which will not immediately reduce the price at the pump and save Americans only 2 cents 10 years from now. This Republican hoax is unworthy of the serious debate we must have to reduce the price at the pump and promote energy independence.

House Republicans have opposed forcing oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they already control, new investments in renewable energy, increasing vehicle fuel efficiency standards, making mass transit more affordable, cracking down on price gouging, and releasing oil from the government’s stockpile. When it comes to energy policy, Republicans are once again promoting the interests of Big Oil and the Bush Administration that has resulted in $4 a gallon of gasoline.

Democrats in Congress are aggressively addressing the range of economic issues confronting American families, and in the past few weeks alone, protected homeowners from foreclosure, invested in college affordability, ensured women receive equal pay for equal work, protected our children from toxic toys and products, and made another historic investment in veterans care. Democrats are producing and passing real economic solutions for the American people.

From the Majority Leader’s Office:

Some in GOP Engage in Stunts, After House GOP Blocks Real Efforts to Combat High Gas Prices

WASHINGTON - House Majority Leader Hoyer Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today:

“A smattering of House Republicans are engaging in stunts on the House floor in a transparent political effort to manufacture headlines. Meanwhile, most of their Republican colleagues returned home burdened with trying to explain why they blocked efforts to combat high gas prices. Republicans voted against expanding drilling in Alaska, against promoting renewable energy, against establishing the first new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years, against repealing taxpayer subsidies for major oil companies that are making record profits, against cracking down on price gouging, and against curbing excessive speculation in energy markets.

“For six years, Republicans controlled every branch of government and did nothing while America became more dependent on foreign sources of oil. House Republicans now want to dust off old proposals, rejected by Congress on a bipartisan basis as bad ideas, and claim they have put forward ’solutions’.

“Democrats today are pro-actively offering short-term solutions to high costs at the pump, as well as a long-term strategy to break our dependence on foreign oil. It’s a shame Republicans are more interested in playing games than enacting real solutions.”

Chairman Chet Edwards of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs denounces Republican attempts to derail critical military and veterans funding in order to try and pass drilling legislation that would do nothing to help with gas prices. Rep. Edwards reads the urgings of the veterans organizations not to meddle with the legislation in such ways on the floor, prompting boos from Republican Members.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Chet Edwards Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Drilling
Added: August 4, 2008

On Friday on the floor, Chairman Chet Edwards of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs denounced Republican attempts to derail critical military and veterans funding. The maneuver was part of their ongoing attempts to pass drilling legislation that would do nothing to help with gas prices. He read the urgings of the veterans organizations not to meddle with the legislation in such ways, prompting boos from Republican Members.

The Republicans’ unsuccessful attempt to derail the veterans bill comes after President Bush threatened to veto the legislation over excessive spending on veterans and our troops and after Senate Republicans blocked the National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate over the same issue. The House did pass the FY 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, H.R. 6599 despite the Republican obstruction. This bill provides another much-needed funding increase for veterans’ care (11 percent more than last year and $2.9 billion more than the President’s request) – building on last year’s largest ever increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans’ Administration. All of the major veterans groups endorse the measure.

As Chairman Edwards explained, Veterans’ organizations also called for its swift passage: “we urge that no impediments are put in its way and that its passage can come quickly and smoothly. The issues in this bill …are not controversial, and they have broad bipartisan support. Attaching non-germane issues to the veterans funding bill that serve to delay or block passage would truly be wrong.” [VFW, 7/25/08] Nonetheless, Republicans attempted to derail the bill by attaching drilling provisions that would destroy some of the nations most pristine areas forever in exchange for savings of only pennies per gallon more than 15 years from now, according to President Bush’s own Energy Department. The provisions, however, would provide billions of dollars in profits for the oil industry.

Congressman Henry Waxman of California, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, delivered the Democratic Radio Address this morning. In his address, Congressman Waxman discusses critical legislation passed by the House this week that addresses the health and safety of America's children.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Waxman Congress Democrats Radio Address Oversight Health Safety
Added: August 2, 2008

This morning, Congressman Henry Waxman of California, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, delivered the Democratic Radio Address. In his address, Congressman Waxman discusses critical legislation passed by the House this week that addresses the health and safety of America’s children. Chairman Waxman explains, “on one single day, we passed two critically important pieces of legislation. The first, to reinvigorate the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and strengthen its ability to assure safe toys for our children. The second is legislation that provides the authority to regulate tobacco and stop tobacco companies from targeting our kids.”

Listen:

Full transcript:

Good morning. This is Congressman Henry Waxman of California, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

This was a great week in the House of Representatives for the children of America. On one single day, we passed two critically important pieces of legislation. The first, to reinvigorate the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and strengthen its ability to assure safe toys for our children. The second is legislation that provides the authority to regulate tobacco and stop tobacco companies from targeting our kids.

Over the last eight years, the key federal agencies responsible for protecting the public health have been muzzled. The CPSC became almost defunct. The Safety Commission failed to protect children against dangerous levels of lead in toys, and it did nothing to stop the use of dangerous chemicals in plastic toys. This was one of the reasons that Senator Barack Obama and I introduced legislation in 2005 to make sure we banned lead from toys, and we have been fighting these issues ever since.

When the science says that products that babies put into their mouths could be a threat to their health, the Safety Commission is supposed to act. But they did nothing.

The Food and Drug Administration is another example. That agency has floundered under chronic underfunding and weak leadership. It has been slow to recall dangerous drugs and ineffective in protecting the food supply. At the Environmental Protection Agency, opportunities to advance protecting the environment have repeatedly been squandered.

Too often, our watchdog agencies have been captured by special interests. And the people put in charge have been Republican cronies who have had little experience or interest in their government duties. Remember FEMA and Hurricane Katrina.

But this week, Congress said the public interest must come first. The House and the Senate passed the bill to protect our children and say that the Safety Commission must keep lead out of toys; ban plastic-softening chemicals, called phthalates, from the toys kids can put in their mouths; and require science, not politics or corporate interests, to guide its actions.

We also finally stood up to the tobacco companies. Fourteen years ago, I chaired the hearings at which the tobacco company CEOs swore under oath that nicotine was not addictive, cigarettes did not cause disease, and they did not target our children. Well, they of course lied.

When the Republicans took control of the Congress in the next year and controlled it for the next 12 years, efforts on tobacco were stopped.

But last year, Democrats regained the majority in the House, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made taking on the tobacco companies a top priority. And this week, we achieved an important milestone.

With strong bipartisan support, we passed long-overdue legislation to stop advertising and promotions targeted to our kids; to stop the marketing of candy-flavored cigarettes clearly designed to attract our kids to smoking; to give the FDA the power to both regulate marketing and the manufacture of tobacco products to make sure that we can remove dangerous additives like formaldehyde and ammonia and begin the process of figuring out how to make cigarettes less addictive.

Tobacco is the only product that when it’s used as intended kills. Every day, 1,000 kids take up this deadly habit. And each year, over 400,000 Americans die from smoking.

I am proud to say that the House has finally passed legislation to protect our children from tobacco addiction and its devastating toll of death and disease.

We are in the final months of President Bush’s last term. But through our legislative efforts, we are giving the next Administration the tools it will need to start putting public health — and especially the health of our children — first.

Government at its best can work. It was a very good week for the American public. And best of all, it was a very good week for our kids.

This is Congressman Henry Waxman. Thanks for listening.

From the Judiciary Committee:

Conyers Seeks Compliance with Judge’s Ruling on White House Subpoenas

(Washington, DC) – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) wrote to White House counsel Fred Fielding and counsel for Harriet Miers and Karl Rove calling for quick compliance with yesterday’s ruling in Committee on the Judiciary v. Miers et al. Chairman Conyers also stated to Fielding his willingness to resume discussions towards cooperatively resolving the entire matter, as Judge Bates has urged the parties to do, and proposed that he and Fielding meet in person to discuss the matter.

Full letter from Chairman Conyers to White House counsel Fielding:

August 1, 2008

Fred Fielding, Esq.
Counsel to the President
White House Counsel
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Fielding:

I am writing to follow up on Judge Bates’ ruling in the Committee’s civil case seeking enforcement of the subpoena issued to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten regarding documents relevant to the Committee’s investigation into allegations concerning the politicization of the Department of Justice.

Fred, at the outset, I want to assure you that, consistent with Judge Bates’ suggestions and the course of our relationship, I am committed to working this dispute out expeditiously and without the need for further litigation. As such, I remain ready, willing, and able to work with you cooperatively to resolve these issues, as we have attempted many times previously, and would welcome a meeting with you directly at your earliest convenience to resolve the matter.

In the meantime, Judge Bates’ ruling requires production of all non-privileged documents subject to the subpoena and further requires “a specific description of any documents withheld from production on the basis of executive privilege consistent with the terms of the Memorandum Opinion.” Order at ¶ 4. The Opinion explains that the description must include a “list” of the relevant documents as well as a “more detailed” description of their “nature and scope” than that contained in Mr. Clement’s June 27, 2007 letter. Memorandum Opinion at 92-93.

Because the parties are to appear before Judge Bates at a status conference on August 27, 2008, it is important that we move quickly on these matters. For that reason, I hope that you will provide the non-privileged documents and the required listing and description of any documents withheld on the basis of privilege by Friday August 8, 2008. Given that the documents have already been collected, identified, and reviewed, this should be ample time. In particular, timely production of these materials is essential so that we may have productive negotiations regarding the document issue ahead of our appearance before Judge Bates, as he has urged us to do. See Memorandum Opinion at 77. I have written a similar letter to Ms. Miers’ attorney concerning any documents in her possession and concerning her obligation to testify before the Committee pursuant to the subpoena issued to her.

Please direct any questions or communications to the Judiciary Committee office, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 (tel: 202-225-XXXX; fax: 202-225-XXXX).

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.
Chairman

cc: The Honorable Linda Sánchez
The Honorable Lamar S. Smith
The Honorable Chris Cannon
George T. Manning, Esq.
Carl Nichols, Esq.
Irvin Nathan, Esq.

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the following letter today to President Bush, ahead of his trip to Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, urging him to make human rights and freedom of the press in China top priorities of his visit.

Below is a text of the letter:

August 1, 2008

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.

Dear President Bush:

On the eve of your trip to China to attend the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the human rights situation in China and Tibet is worsening and new restrictions are being imposed on international journalists as they attempt to cover the Olympic Games. I am writing to ask that you make human rights and freedom of the press top priorities of your visit.

The Olympic Charter states that the goal of the Olympic Games should be to promote “a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” Sadly, the Chinese government has failed to create an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness. In fact, human rights conditions have worsened in the time leading up to the Olympic games as Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to detain and imprison people who have publicly spoken out about conditions in China and Tibet.

In exchange for the privilege of hosting the Olympic Games, the Chinese government made commitments regarding freedom of the press, human rights, and the environment. Many of these commitments have been violated repeatedly and blatantly. Prominent human rights defenders have been arrested and imprisoned. International and Chinese journalists have been censored, threatened, and detained. Most recently, we have learned that international journalists are being blocked from accessing websites deemed offensive by the Chinese government. This action is in direct contradiction of Beijing’s commitment to allow international media free access to cover the Olympics in China.

The recent dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama did not result in any progress. Thousands of peaceful Tibetans still languish in prisons in the aftermath of protests that began in March. Chinese authorities stepped up their so-called “patriotic education” campaigns that require Tibetan Buddhists — regardless of their true thoughts, beliefs, and convictions — to publicly denounce the Dalai Lama.

On the international front, the Chinese government’s policies of supporting the genocidal regime in Sudan and the military junta in Burma run counter to the interests of peace and stability in the world. It is my hope that you will persuade China to end its support for the human rights abuses in these countries.

On July 30, the U.S. House of Representatives considered a resolution calling on the Chinese government to end abuses of human rights, cease its repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens and end its support for the governments of Sudan and Burma. The resolution also calls on the President to make strong statements on human rights and meet with the families of jailed prisoners of conscience while in Beijing. It passed by a vote of 419-1.

Your recent meetings with Chinese dissidents at the White House are to be commended. However, your participation at the opening ceremony of the Olympics will send a signal to the Chinese people and the international community that could be misperceived as your approval, and that of the American people, for the draconian policies of the Chinese government. Therefore, it is essential that you unambiguously speak out for human rights and meet with the families of jailed prisoners of conscience while you are in Beijing.

Thank you for your attention to these concerns.

Sincerely,

NANCY PELOSI

Speaker of the House

cc: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

After debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act, Rep. Rob Andrews and George Miller denounce a Republican parliamentary motion to kill the bill. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Women Equal Pay Paycheck Fairness Act George Miller Andrews
Added: July 31, 2008

The House debates the Paycheck Fairness Act. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. Rep. George Miller speaks in favor.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Women Equal Pay Paycheck Fairness Act George Miller
Added: July 31, 2008

The House has just passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 1338, by a vote of 247-178. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women’s Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay.

Learn more in our current legislation section >>

Read Speaker Pelosi’s statement: “Tonight, Congress Sent a Message to Women Across the Country: ‘Your Work is Valued’” >>

Chairman George Miller and Rep Rob Andrews (NJ-01) denounce a Republican motion to recommit:

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Chairman George Miller, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-28) and Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-09) spoke in favor of the bill.

The House debates the Paycheck Fairness Act. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. Rep. Barbara Lee speaks in favor.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Women Equal Pay Paycheck Fairness Act Barbara Lee
Added: July 31, 2008

The House debates the Paycheck Fairness Act. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer speaks in favor.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Women Equal Pay Paycheck Fairness Act Steny Hoyer
Added: July 31, 2008

The House debates the Paycheck Fairness Act. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. Rep. Rosa DeLauro speaks in favor.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Women Equal Pay Paycheck Fairness Act Rosa DeLauro
Added: July 31, 2008

Congressional and military leaders joined together in the Capitol Rotunda to commemorate President Truman's executive order 60 years ago that marked the beginning of racial integration in the armed services. To read the Speaker's full remarks visit: http://speaker.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0760

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Congress US Capitol Gates Powell Pelosi Reid Clyburn Military Armed Forces Integration Civil Rights
Added: July 31, 2008

The House debates the Paycheck Fairness Act. Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women's Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Furthermore, loopholes created by courts and weak sanctions in the law have allowed many employers to avoid liability for engaging in gender-based pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. Rep. Louise Slaughter speaks in favor.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Women Equal Pay Paycheck Fairness Act Louise Slaughter
Added: July 31, 2008

High tuition prices and other obstacles are putting a college degree further out of reach for America’s students. In addition to rising tuition, students and their families face an overly complex federal student aid application process and a student loan industry mired in conflicts of interest and corrupt lending practices. Today, the House passed the final conference report on the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HR 4137), which makes college more affordable and accessible. This legislation is the first reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in 10 years and encourages colleges to rein in tuition increases, restores integrity and accountability to student loan programs, simplifies the federal student aid application process, and expands college access and support for low-income and minority students.

Learn more about the bill in our current legislation section or on the Education and Labor website.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act Is Coming:

The Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs holds a hearing, "Sexual Assault in the Military." Panel one is Reps. Louise Slaughter (NY-28) and Jane Harman (CA-36); panel two is Ingrid Torres, MSW, CSW and Mary Lauterbach, Mother of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach; panel three includes representatives of the Defense Department, the Army, and the GAO. Torres, a victim of sexual assault during her service, testifies. Subcommittee Chairman Tierney and Full Committee Chairman Waxman threaten Michael Dominguez, Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Defense, with contempt after he reveals that he has ordered Dr. Kaye Whitley of the DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office to defy a subpoena to appear.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Hearing Sexual Assault Military Waxman Tierney
Added: July 31, 2008