No Vote This Week On D.C. Voting Rights, Says Hoyer

By Monique Cala Talk Radio News Service/University of New Mexico

Legislation to grant voting rights to D.C. residents will not be considered on the House floor this week, and will likely not even make it on the floor this session, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md) told reporters Tuesday.

“The price was just too high," Hoyer said, a reference to an amendment in the legislation that would have removed the bulk of the district's gun-control laws.

Hoyer, a long time proponent for D.C. voting rights, stated that he was "extraordinarily disappointed," but said that the bill “should not be unfettered by any other provision.”

The D.C. City Council and a number of local advocacy organizations have come out against the bill, which would have granted D.C. a voting member and given Utah another, based on the firearm provision as well.

President Barack Obama and past presidents have supported giving the district a vote in the House. To show his support, President Bill Clinton sported a D.C. license plate that read "No Taxation Without Representation" on the presidential limousine during his time in office.

Although the bill may not come to the floor soon, Hoyer stated he was hopeful there would be some action “in the near future.”

Counter-Protesters Clash With Tea Party Activists At Tax Day Rally

By Sofia Sanchez and Monique Cala University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Conservative activists clashed with counter-protesters Thursday during a Tea Party rally in Washington, D.C.'s Freedom Square.

While the vast majority of attendants were there to represent the Tea Party movement, a handful from the progressive organization The Other 95% showed up as well to publicly tout the tax cuts received by most Americans this tax season.

Tea Party member Laurell Fee, from Las Vegas, Nevada, took issue with the message of the counter-protest.

“What tax cuts are we talking about? Who got a tax cut, and how much? $7 bucks every two weeks? What are you going to do with that?" Fee told Talk Radio News.

Fee added that the counter-protesters should “Get a job, support themselves.”

Alex Lawson, a member of The Other 95%,, brushed off the "get a job" comment.

“They continually yell at us to ‘get a job,'" said Lawson. "I have a job, I am out on my lunch hour."

Added Lawson, “These people come out here continuously ... so I am wondering if the people yelling at me to ‘get a job’ actually have a job.”

Democrats Must Stop "Fanning The Flames" Of Threats Against Congress, Says Cantor

By Monique Cala
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said Thursday that Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chairman Chris Van Hollen are making a ‘partisan issue’ out of recent security threats against members of Congress who voted 'yes' to healthcare reform.

“It is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political game. That is why I have deep concerns that some, Chris Van Hollen and Tim Kaine in particular, are dangerously fanning the flames by suggesting that these incidents be used as a political weapon,” said Cantor.

Cantor insisted that threats to Members, such as angry letters, emails or voicemails, should be treated as security issues and dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement officials.

“I am not naive enough to think that letters, statements or press releases will prevent anyone disturbed enough to commit violence, from acting,” said Cantor. “But I do know that such letters, statements and press releases can very easily fan the flames. Enough is enough, it has to stop.”

Closing Of Yucca Mountain Raises Discrepancy Between Energy Department And Congress

By Monique Cala
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

During testimony Wednesday before the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu defending the process by which his FY 2011 budget request of $28.4 billion will help the U.S. lead in the ‘21st century global economy.'

“It’s going to create new clean energy jobs, expand the frontiers of science, reduce nuclear dangers, and help curb the carbon pollution that threatens our planet,” said Chu.

Concerns were raised about the future of Yucca Mountain and the creation of a second nuclear waste site.

“We have known for years that a second repository was going to be needed, but that shouldn't make us throw away billions of tax and rate payer dollars dedicated to building the first one,” said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.). “Scientific opinion was that Yucca Mountain was a good choice. From where I am sitting, the scientific consensus hasn't changed one bit, nor has the expressed will of Congress or this subcommittee. It is politics that has changed.”

Chu responded that due to the Obama Administration’s intent to close down Yucca Mountain, his department had began to look at the expense of closing the waste site.

Other members of the committee, including Frelinghuysen, explained to Chu that his budget plan is merely a ‘request’ until Congress approves it.

“Mr. Secretary let me perfectly clear, there will be no authority granted unless Congress grants it,” said Frelinghuysen. “The dollars we appropriate are not yours, nor the President’s, but belong to the people we represent. This committee by law will determine how they are spent.”

NFL'er Mendenhall Encourages Rush To Combat Childhood Obestity

By Monique Cala
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Current National Football League (NFL) running back Rashard Mendenhall joined U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin in highlighting the importance of increased physical activity in the lives of young Americans.

Mendenhall, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns last year as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, testified Thursday about the dangers of childhood obesity in a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

“I am committed to supporting the NFL’s goal of combating childhood obesity,” said Mendenhall. “As a professional athlete, I feel I have a responsibility to be involved in this issue, which is why I am active in 'NFL PLAY 60.'”

The 'NFL PLAY 60' campaign encourages young people to get out and play for at least 60 minutes each day. The program represents just one of several efforts nationwide on the part of organizations, businesses and even First Lady Michelle Obama to raise awareness of childhood obesity.

“Since 1980, obesity rates have doubled in adults and tripled in children,” said Benjamin, who also testified at Thursday's hearing. “The problem is even worse among Black, Hispanic and Native American Children.”

Benjamin outlined a ‘blue print for action’ that included providing access to healthy, affordable foods for everyone, giving kids the ability to play in safe neighborhoods, and requiring all schools to offer Physical Education classes.

“Today’s obesity epidemic calls for committed and compassionate citizens to mobilize and demand the health and well-being that they so richly deserve,” said Benjamin. “I have heard their call, we have all heard their call, and with your help I am honored to do everything in my power to help Americans to live long and to live well; to be a healthy and fit nation."