Labor Secretary, Congressional Democrats Demand Action On Unemployment Insurance

By Kyle LaFleur

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis joined Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders Wednesday to show their support for extending unemployment insurance.

“In no recession have we ended federal extensions with an unemployment rate as high as ours is today,” said Solis during a press conference on Capitol Hill.

Unemployment insurance expired Tuesday and if left on its own would run out, leaving two million American’s and their families without benefits.

“The word is insurance,” said Pelosi, “This is something that is not only good for these families, it’s the right thing to do in a downturn in our economy.”

House Republicans have vowed to vote against extending the bill, leaving many Democrats upset. 

“Where, I ask, is the moral outrage at policies that are going to allow million dollar bonuses to the Wall Street money manipulators and then give them a tax break so they do not have to pay their taxes but deny unemployment benefits to two million unemployed Americans?” asked Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (D). “Where is the sense of moral outrage?”

Senate Rejects Johanns Amendment

By AJ Swartwood - Talk Radio News Service

On its first day back in session, the Senate defeated an attempt to remove a controversial tax-filing provision from the healthcare law passed earlier this year.

The 52-46 vote blocked an amendment by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) aimed at preventing businesses and non-profits from being required to file 1099 tax forms on all capital purchases totaling over $600 per year. That provision, according to Democrats, would generate $17 billion over the next decade to help pay for a prevention and wellness fund established within the healthcare law. Johanns proposed offsetting the cost of his amendment by cutting that fund.

After the vote, Johanns took a partisan tone while expressing disapointment over the failure of his effort.

“Today’s vote signifies that Senate Democrats and the Obama Administration would rather protect a section of their more than 2,400 page unpopular health care bill than stand up for small businesses.”

Meanwhile, the vote was met with applause from Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Health Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee that funds health initiatives.

“This amendment perpetuated the disastrous notion that we can neglect and de-fund prevention efforts without paying a huge long-term cost in unnecessary chronic disease and disability,” Harkin said. “It was Ben Franklin who said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ Today, the Senate upheld that principle and preserved the Prevention and Public Health Fund.”

Several Democrats voted for the amendment, including Evan Bayh (Ind.), Michael Bennet (Colo.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), Mark Warner (Va.), and Jim Webb (Va.).

With the amendment off the table, Senate Democrats will aim to pass a small business assistance bill either by the end of this week or early next week.

Congress Recognizes 20th Anniversary Of ADA

By Alexa Gitler - Talk Radio News Service

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa.), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) joined with several other members Monday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act. 

“The ADA has broken down barriers, created opportunities, and transformed lives,” said Harkin. “Today we recognize that people with disabilities like all people have unique abilities, and talents, and aptitudes, and that our nation is better and fairer and richer when we make full use of those gifts.”

The law allows for equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. 

Langevin, who is disabled after becoming paralyzed almost 30 years ago, will preside over a resolution in the House of Representatives today as Speaker Pro-Tempore. This is the first time in history this role has been filled by a disabled Member.

“I hope people see my act today [presiding over the House] and realize that all things are possible, that all of us have difficulty and challenges in our lives, but if we have single-minded determination, and with the right tools and support to level the playing field there is nothing we can’t accomplish or pursue,” he said. 

This evening, President Barack Obama will host an event at the White House to commemorate the anniversary of the law.

Government Spending Watchdogs Release Annual Pork List

Citizens Against Government Waste released their annual summary of pork-barrel spending Wednesday, shining light on $16.5 billion in earmarks for projects the watchdog group deems unnecessary.

“[Members of Congress] have noticed it’s popular to posture as an anti-earmaker,” Tom Schatz, CAGW president said upon the summary's release. “Unfortunately ... most members of Congress still aren’t willing to eliminate the practice.”

Of the billions spent for pork projects, $490 million came from Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), who was named as one of the top “Oinkers,” or pork-pursuers, of 2010.

Democratic Senators also made it onto the watchdog’s radar. Tom Harkin (Iowa) and Robert Byrd (W. Va.) were both taken to task for seeking approximately $7,000,000 for projects named after them. Arlen Specter (Penn.) was chastised for securing $200,000 for a “small business incubator and multipurpose center.”

A bipartisan push by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas) and Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas) also came under fire. The two Texans were grilled for an allocation of $693,000 for “beef improvement research.”

Hawaii came in at number one for the most pork spent per capita, with a projected $251.78 for each member of the state’s population. Alaska, who earned the dubious top spot last year, dropped to 4th on the list.

Although CAGW acknowledged that there has been a 15.5 percent decrease in pork-barrel spending from 2009, the organization notes that improvements still need to be made, both in the reduction of spending and overall transparency.

Employment Non-Discrimination Act Re-Introduced In Senate

By Marianna Levyash- Talk Radio News Service

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Thursday re-introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill aimed at ensuring employment opportunity for all Americans and banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

According to Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), about 20 states have already enacted laws banning discrimination on sexual orientation, some of which include gender identity.

“Qualified workers should not be turned away or have to fear losing their livelihood for reasons that have nothing to do with their capabilities, skills or performance. Such practices are un-American and it is time for them to stop,” Harkin stated.

Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) also showed their support for the legislation.

“We are on the path for a struggle ... to have full equality under the law.” said Merkley.

Harkin said he hopes the bill will be signed by President Barack Obama by 2010.