Giving Power Back To The People

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa) and Congressman George Miller (D-Ca) held a press conference to discuss the progress of the “Employment Free Choice Act: Strengthening the Middle Class.”

Senator Harkin’s said: “We are introducing legislation that puts the power back into the hands of the people who are truly the backbone of our country. Today, Congressman Miller and I along with our co-sponsors are introducing the Employment Free Choice Act and we intend to pass this act not in a matter of years, but in weeks or months.”

Senator Harkin’s added: “In 2004 the average CEO made 431 times that of the average worker.

Congressman Miller said: “Under this bill the employees can choose to organize either through the National Labor Relations Board Election Process or through a majority sign up. Under the current law the CEO can veto employees choice when they use majority sign up. Under this bill the employee’s choice will be respected.”

The two said that from discussions they anticipated that the Senate would be first to vote on the Act and Senator Harkin’s said that by the time the vote comes he “believes” that there will be the 60 votes required for the legislation to pass.

The vote in the Senate is expected to take place after Easter recess.

Democrats Discuss the Advantages of their Budget

Democratic Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Max Baucus (D-MONT.), Representatives John Spratt (D-SC) and George Miller (D-CA) held a press conference today talking about the Democratic Budget. Sharon Patterson-Stallings, a recipient of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Carmen Berkley, a recent graduate from Pittsburgh University and Vice-President of the United States Student Association also joined the Senators and the Representatives to show their support to the Budget. This week, the Senate and the House will be debating the Democrats’ plan to cut taxes for the middle class, create jobs at home and strengthen the economy.

The plan is concentrated on education tax cuts, energy tax cuts, Alternative Minimum Tax relief and infrastructure. The objective is to restore fiscal responsible balance by 2012/2013.

This budget promises to secure both complex domestic society and economic leadership, “where Bush has failed” said Chairman Miller. It also promises to help homeowners, by property tax deduction, not only itemizing it, helps soldiers get houses, helps families with children and helps College graduates with their loans.