National Parks and Wildlife May Be Endangered Under Coburn

By Michael Combier-Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), chairman of the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee, complained this afternoon at a news conference about the “highjacking” of the Credit Cardholder’s Bill of Rights Act by a rider sponsored by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK). This rider would allow individuals to carry weapons such as shotguns, AK-47, and rifles into national parks in concordance with state laws.

The rider is an additional provision annexed to the Credit CardHolder’s Bill of Rights Act bu Senator Coburn. Controversial riders are often attached to a bill in order to prevent it from being passed.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) also took part in the news conference held this afternoon and claimed the rider would be “detrimental to a hundred years of policy for national lands” such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Gettysburg.

The three Representatives sought the support of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and President Barack Obama in order to defend the National Park Rangers who are at risk with this rider. They pointed out that the atmosphere into which families and wildlife intermingled will no longer be the same if individuals are allowed to carry weapons.

To back up the Representative’s complaints, two retired Park Rangers were present and stressed that “parks are for families, not guns.” They added that politicians “should not deter about the specialness and uniqueness” of National Parks and that if the Coburn riber should pass, they would not feel safe to send their own kids.

Grijalva said that the “National Rifle Association is taking over both House and Senate” which McCarthy and Maloney agreed. They added that the news conference was a way for American people to put pressure on their local politicians to oppose the bill. They said it will be a very difficult vote in Congress which is supposed to hit the floor either tomorrow or Thursday.

Hoyer: Democratic Caucus Supports Pelosi

By Michael Combier-Talk Radio News Service

This morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) stressed that the Nancy Pelosi-CIA debate should be left behind and that the media should focus on more important subjects. In a press briefing, Hoyer talked mainly about the Pelosi-Debate and what will be dealt by Congress in the coming days in order to recover from the economic crisis.

“I believe the Speaker when she says she wasn’t specifically briefed on the interrogation techniques,” Hoyer said. After the Democrats met last night, Hoyer pointed out that “the caucus is solid” and that “nobody mentioned the subject.”

Responding to the allegations that the CIA misled Congress, Hoyer said that the House was not advised of the specific techniques and that Leon Panetta, the director of the Intelligence Agency, could not speak truthfully because he was not present when the events happened. Additionally, Hoyer claimed that “Republicans and Democrats made it clear they wanted to have good relations with the CIA” but that they needed to keep updated.

Hoyer claimed the attacks made by Republicans on Pelosi are “a Republican tactic to distract the public from what was done” by the previous administration and as long as the story will make the headlines, the Republicans will not stop talking about the controversy.

Bringing an end to a tumultuous week of debates is necessary to tackle legislations that need to be dealt by Congress such as the Credit Card Bill, Energy or health care,Hoyer said. Congress started on a “very fast start”, he added, and it needs to continue in a fast pace in order to contend with the “substantial agenda” ahead.

Hoyer stated that the Democrats remain committed to economic recovery and responded passionately about how the Credit Cardholder’s Bill of Rights Act “will be on the floor” very soon, possibly before Memorial Day.

A Full House

Coffee Brown, University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News

House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) presented the House Democrats’ agenda for the economy, energy, education and healthcare.

The economy remains the top item, divided between the budget and legislation to address the crisis. “The economy is continuing to suffer, we’re continuing to see the loss of jobs, many Americans continue to be put at risk,” Hoyer said.

The budget focuses on making “strategic investments” and reversing “years of irresponsible Republican policies,” he said. “We believe all of the bills we’ve passed are consistent with trying to create jobs and invest (in economic recovery).”

Two corrective legislations arebeing proposed. The “Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009”, which is designed to require fairer interest rates and practices for consumers. For example, it would require that the highest interest rate-bearing part of a debt be reduced first by payments, rather last, as is now the often the case.

“In addition, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act should come out of committee this week or next,” Hoyer said.

There is a 600 page “discussion document” and four more hearings to shape the American Security and Clean Energy Act, which the House hopes to consider in early summer. He noted that this is this is the 39th anniversary of Earth Day, “I remember because I’ve been working here since the first one.”

The Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and the Education and Labor Committees are all simultaneously working on healthcare reform. Democrats hope to have healthcare legislation on the House Floor for consideration by the August break. The goal is universal coverage and accessibility, though probably not a publicly funded single-payer model.

Hoyer discussed his recent trip to South America. Mexico seems to be committed to working with the U.S. to fight drug smuggling and related violence. Panama is willing to work on their role as a drug smuggling highway, which has increased as American forces become more successful at interdiction at sea, and on money laundering. Columbia has reduced the power of the drug lords. He described the discussions with Brazil as “positive’” “useful” and “engaging,” and said they are interested in advancing a partnership with the U.S.

Gun control may have to remain in the DC voting rights bill, if it is to pass within this session, according to Hoyer, who said, “The biggest objective is to enfranchise the roughly 600,000 citizens of the United States who happen to live in the District of Columbia.” He called their current lack of voting rights “an egregious hole in the integrity of our democracy.”

Next congress looks at hate crimes legislation