/PRNewswire/ -- Five conservation groups praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a bill July 30 that includes an amendment authored by Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-La.) that would provide up to $1.2 billion in funding for Gulf Coast restoration projects. The amendment provides funding for a "Gulf Coast Restoration Program" in Title V of the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources Act (CLEAR Act/H.R. 3534). The amendment is fully paid for by a portion of BP's penalties for violating the Clean Water Act (CWA), so it doesn't increase the deficit.
"The BP oil spill has imperiled the Gulf Coast and its impacts will be felt for years to come by the communities, wildlife, and the environment," said a joint statement by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Environmental Defense Fund, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, National Audubon Society, and National Wildlife Federation. "Much of the oil in the marshes simply can't be cleaned up. Congressman Melancon's amendment recognizes that the long term solution to cleaning the marshes is to bring self-sustaining health back to this ecosystem through long-term investments in restoration. We thank Louisiana Congressmen Melancon and Steve Scalise (R-La.) for working together to ensure bipartisan support for this amendment, and we're grateful to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) and the House leadership for their help to pass the amendment."
HR 3534 creates a restoration task force, comprising the five Gulf Coast governors and representatives of relevant federal agencies. Nine months after the legislation's enactment into law, the task force must submit a detailed Gulf of Mexico Restoration plan. Upon completion, the plan will be submitted to Congress, which will then fund listed projects. The funded projects will be large-scale restoration projects, endorsed by the Gulf Coast governors and federal agency heads.
"These projects will benefit all regions of the Gulf Coast and provide a restoration framework that will restore water quality, protect people, wildlife and reintroduce resilience into the coastal wetlands in the face of the oil spill," the groups concluded. "Nearly five years ago, our nation learned during Hurricane Katrina the important role Gulf Coast wetlands play in protecting people and communities from devastating storms. Now, in the face of the BP spill, America has come to understand the importance of a healthy Gulf ecosystem to wildlife, the economy, and the culture of the region."
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Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Rep. Chris Smith's New Bill is Necessary to Restore Abortion Funding Neutrality
/PRNewswire/ -- D.C. Family Research Council Action today praised U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) for introducing bipartisan legislation to codify federal abortion funding restrictions that have been greatly undermined this year. With passage of a health care law that will fund and subsidize abortion, and with efforts by pro-abortion senators to open up military bases to abortion, Rep. Smith is introducing legislation to enact a government-wide abortion funding ban.
Family Research Council Action Senior Vice President Tom McClusky praised the bill with the following comments:
"In the last year, we have seen President Obama and pro-abortion congressional leaders make repeated attempts to eviscerate the long-agreed line on federal funding of abortion. They began by enacting the abortion funding health care law and are now advancing an abortion agenda that includes turning our military hospitals into abortion facilities.
"The American people have responded swiftly and emphatically that their hard earned dollars should not be used to pay for other peoples abortions. We applaud Congressman Smith and numerous Members on both sides of the aisle for responding to the concerns of the American people by introducing a measure that applies an abortion funding ban across the federal government.
"The American people, regardless of their views of abortion's legality, should not be forced to pay for someone's abortion. The Smith bill would protect the American taxpayer and restore the traditional ban on government funding of elective abortion.
"Despite recent claims by the Department of Health and Human Services that it will not fund abortion, even the non-partisan Congressional Research Service agreed yesterday that there is no statutory prohibition on funding abortion in the high risk pools. Both pro-life and pro-abortion groups agree that the courts are likely to require federal abortion funding unless the law says differently which is why passage of Congressman Smith's abortion funding neutrality bill is so essential.
"We applaud all the Democrats and Republicans cosponsoring the Smith abortion funding ban, and urge all Americans to support this commonsense effort to restore government funding neutrality on abortion," concluded McClusky.
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Family Research Council Action Senior Vice President Tom McClusky praised the bill with the following comments:
"In the last year, we have seen President Obama and pro-abortion congressional leaders make repeated attempts to eviscerate the long-agreed line on federal funding of abortion. They began by enacting the abortion funding health care law and are now advancing an abortion agenda that includes turning our military hospitals into abortion facilities.
"The American people have responded swiftly and emphatically that their hard earned dollars should not be used to pay for other peoples abortions. We applaud Congressman Smith and numerous Members on both sides of the aisle for responding to the concerns of the American people by introducing a measure that applies an abortion funding ban across the federal government.
"The American people, regardless of their views of abortion's legality, should not be forced to pay for someone's abortion. The Smith bill would protect the American taxpayer and restore the traditional ban on government funding of elective abortion.
"Despite recent claims by the Department of Health and Human Services that it will not fund abortion, even the non-partisan Congressional Research Service agreed yesterday that there is no statutory prohibition on funding abortion in the high risk pools. Both pro-life and pro-abortion groups agree that the courts are likely to require federal abortion funding unless the law says differently which is why passage of Congressman Smith's abortion funding neutrality bill is so essential.
"We applaud all the Democrats and Republicans cosponsoring the Smith abortion funding ban, and urge all Americans to support this commonsense effort to restore government funding neutrality on abortion," concluded McClusky.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
FAMM Hails Elimination of First Mandatory Minimum Since Nixon Administration
/PRNewswire/ -- Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed landmark legislation to dramatically reduce the sentencing disparity between federal crack and powder cocaine sentences and to repeal the five-year mandatory minimum for simple possession of crack cocaine. The bill, S. 1789, already won unanimous approval from the Senate in March and now goes to the White House for President Obama's certain signature. Its passage marks the first time that Congress has repealed a mandatory minimum drug sentence since the Nixon administration.
"Members of both parties deserve enormous credit for moving beyond the politics of fear and simply doing the right thing," said Julie Stewart, founder and President of FAMM. "For those of us who have been pushing for reform for nearly 20 years, today's vote is phenomenal. To see members of Congress come together on such a historically partisan issue like this during an election year is heartening.
"The 100-to-1 disparity was an ugly stain on the criminal justice system," Stewart continued. "Nobody will mourn its passing - least of all, the thousands of individuals and families FAMM has worked with over the past 20 years that have been directly impacted.
"I am hopeful that the forces of reason and compassion that carried the day today will prevail again soon to apply the new law retroactively to help those already in prison for crack cocaine offenses," Stewart concluded.
While S. 1789 will not eliminate the mandatory minimum for trafficking crack cocaine, it will substantially reduce racial disparity in cocaine sentencing. The infamous 100-to-1 sentencing ratio will be reduced to 18 to 1. Moving forward, 28 grams of crack cocaine will trigger a five-year prison sentence and 280 grams of crack will trigger a 10-year sentence. Once enacted, the law could affect an estimated 3,000 cases annually, reducing sentences by an average of about two years and saving an estimated $42 million over five years. The bill does not provide any relief for people in prison serving crack cocaine sentences because it does not provide for retroactivity. The bill also provides for enhanced sentences for drug offenses involving vulnerable victims, violence and other aggravating factors.
For more detailed information about the history of the federal crack disparity and the changes that will result for S. 1789, go to the following link at FAMM's web site: www.famm.org.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization supporting fair and proportionate sentencing laws that allow judicial discretion while maintaining public safety. For more information on FAMM, visit www.famm.org.
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"Members of both parties deserve enormous credit for moving beyond the politics of fear and simply doing the right thing," said Julie Stewart, founder and President of FAMM. "For those of us who have been pushing for reform for nearly 20 years, today's vote is phenomenal. To see members of Congress come together on such a historically partisan issue like this during an election year is heartening.
"The 100-to-1 disparity was an ugly stain on the criminal justice system," Stewart continued. "Nobody will mourn its passing - least of all, the thousands of individuals and families FAMM has worked with over the past 20 years that have been directly impacted.
"I am hopeful that the forces of reason and compassion that carried the day today will prevail again soon to apply the new law retroactively to help those already in prison for crack cocaine offenses," Stewart concluded.
While S. 1789 will not eliminate the mandatory minimum for trafficking crack cocaine, it will substantially reduce racial disparity in cocaine sentencing. The infamous 100-to-1 sentencing ratio will be reduced to 18 to 1. Moving forward, 28 grams of crack cocaine will trigger a five-year prison sentence and 280 grams of crack will trigger a 10-year sentence. Once enacted, the law could affect an estimated 3,000 cases annually, reducing sentences by an average of about two years and saving an estimated $42 million over five years. The bill does not provide any relief for people in prison serving crack cocaine sentences because it does not provide for retroactivity. The bill also provides for enhanced sentences for drug offenses involving vulnerable victims, violence and other aggravating factors.
For more detailed information about the history of the federal crack disparity and the changes that will result for S. 1789, go to the following link at FAMM's web site: www.famm.org.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization supporting fair and proportionate sentencing laws that allow judicial discretion while maintaining public safety. For more information on FAMM, visit www.famm.org.
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Historic Internet Gambling Regulation Bill Overwhelmingly Passes Committee with Bi-Partisan Support
/PRNewswire/ -- Today the House Committee on Financial Services took a critical step forward in passing Internet gambling legislation by voting to approve the Internet Gambling Regulation and Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267), legislation introduced by Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA). The legislation, which passed by a 41-22 vote would regulate Internet gambling activity in the U.S. and require licensed operators to put in place safeguards to protect against underage and problem gambling.
"The Committee's bi-partisan vote to approve Chairman Frank's legislation is nothing short of historic," said Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "With Congress bitterly divided and only a handful of bi-partisan bills coming out of the Financial Services Committee, we're pleased Committee members from both sides of the aisle were able to come together to advance this important legislation."
During today's mark-up there were several amendments introduced from both sides of the aisle. Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) offered, and the Committee approved, an amendment that would further strengthen the legislation's already strict consumer protections, including a requirement for licensed operators to have each customer choose his or her loss limits before being able to play on-line. Rep. Campbell's amendment also requires licensees to protect customers by ensuring the customer privacy and security and protecting against fraud and money laundering.
Chairman Frank's legislation, introduced in May 2009, would establish a regulatory and enforcement framework for licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S. Beyond an array of required consumer protections, the legislation reinforces the rights of each state to determine whether or not to allow Internet gambling activity for people accessing the Internet within the state and to apply other restrictions on the activity as determined necessary.
As a companion to Rep. Frank's bill, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010 (H.R. 4976) introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) in March 2010, would ensure the collection of license fees and taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities.
Generating significant attention are the economic benefits of online gambling regulation. According to a Joint Committee on Taxation tax revenue analysis, regulated Internet gambling is expected to generate as much as $42 billion in federal government revenue over its first 10 years. Additionally, a recent analysis by H2 Gambling Capital predicts that Internet gambling regulation would create as many as 32,000 jobs over its first five years. There would also be additional economic benefits associated with jobs creation.
"The momentum of today's vote and growing bi-partisan support for online gambling regulation demonstrates to congressional leaders in the House and Senate that this issue is a priority and should be addressed," said Waxman. "Leaving in place a failed prohibition should no longer be the government's misguided policy approach, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable as they continue to find a way to gamble online in a thriving underground marketplace."
The legislation has drawn the support of 69 bi-partisan co-sponsors. Support for the legislation was also announced last week by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Financial Services Roundtable and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
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"The Committee's bi-partisan vote to approve Chairman Frank's legislation is nothing short of historic," said Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "With Congress bitterly divided and only a handful of bi-partisan bills coming out of the Financial Services Committee, we're pleased Committee members from both sides of the aisle were able to come together to advance this important legislation."
During today's mark-up there were several amendments introduced from both sides of the aisle. Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) offered, and the Committee approved, an amendment that would further strengthen the legislation's already strict consumer protections, including a requirement for licensed operators to have each customer choose his or her loss limits before being able to play on-line. Rep. Campbell's amendment also requires licensees to protect customers by ensuring the customer privacy and security and protecting against fraud and money laundering.
Chairman Frank's legislation, introduced in May 2009, would establish a regulatory and enforcement framework for licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S. Beyond an array of required consumer protections, the legislation reinforces the rights of each state to determine whether or not to allow Internet gambling activity for people accessing the Internet within the state and to apply other restrictions on the activity as determined necessary.
As a companion to Rep. Frank's bill, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010 (H.R. 4976) introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) in March 2010, would ensure the collection of license fees and taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities.
Generating significant attention are the economic benefits of online gambling regulation. According to a Joint Committee on Taxation tax revenue analysis, regulated Internet gambling is expected to generate as much as $42 billion in federal government revenue over its first 10 years. Additionally, a recent analysis by H2 Gambling Capital predicts that Internet gambling regulation would create as many as 32,000 jobs over its first five years. There would also be additional economic benefits associated with jobs creation.
"The momentum of today's vote and growing bi-partisan support for online gambling regulation demonstrates to congressional leaders in the House and Senate that this issue is a priority and should be addressed," said Waxman. "Leaving in place a failed prohibition should no longer be the government's misguided policy approach, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable as they continue to find a way to gamble online in a thriving underground marketplace."
The legislation has drawn the support of 69 bi-partisan co-sponsors. Support for the legislation was also announced last week by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Financial Services Roundtable and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
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Massachusetts Senate Sends National Popular Vote Bill to Governor
(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Popular Vote convincingly earned second passage in the Massachusetts Senate Tuesday, placing the bill before the Governor for signature and enactment. If signed, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be the sixth state to enact the legislation that guarantees the presidency to the candidate who wins the most votes in all fifty states.
“On the heels of our huge bi-partisan win in the New York Senate, this continues our momentum on behalf of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who support this legislation.”
“We are pleased with the decisive legislative vote from the house and senate bringing Massachusetts that much closer to giving voters a stronger voice in electing the President of the United States,” said John Koza, Chairman of National Popular Vote. “On the heels of our huge bi-partisan win in the New York Senate, this continues our momentum on behalf of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who support this legislation.”
National Popular Vote recently passed the New York Senate with 22 of 27 Republicans and 30 of 32 Democrats voting in favor of the bill. The Massachusetts House and Senate moved the bill with overwhelming majorities.
“We want to extend a warm thank you to the supporters of our legislation and encourage others to closely consider our bill,” said Koza. “We will continue our state-by-state efforts to give every voter – right, center and left - a stronger and more relevant voice in electing the President.”
National Popular Vote legislation replaces current winner-take-all rules, where presidential candidates receive all of a state’s Electoral votes for winning the most popular votes in a given state. Winner-take-all rules result in a system where candidates campaign only to closely divided “battleground” states, while ignoring two-thirds of the states often termed “fly-over”.
When states totaling 270 Electoral Votes pass the legislation, National Popular Vote will award a majority of Electoral Votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all fifty states, guaranteeing the presidency.
“We want to create a system where candidates campaign for every vote, not just battleground votes,” concluded Koza. “National Popular Vote does that while preserving the Electoral College and the intent of the Founding Fathers.” For more information visit www.nationalpopularvote.com.
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“On the heels of our huge bi-partisan win in the New York Senate, this continues our momentum on behalf of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who support this legislation.”
“We are pleased with the decisive legislative vote from the house and senate bringing Massachusetts that much closer to giving voters a stronger voice in electing the President of the United States,” said John Koza, Chairman of National Popular Vote. “On the heels of our huge bi-partisan win in the New York Senate, this continues our momentum on behalf of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who support this legislation.”
National Popular Vote recently passed the New York Senate with 22 of 27 Republicans and 30 of 32 Democrats voting in favor of the bill. The Massachusetts House and Senate moved the bill with overwhelming majorities.
“We want to extend a warm thank you to the supporters of our legislation and encourage others to closely consider our bill,” said Koza. “We will continue our state-by-state efforts to give every voter – right, center and left - a stronger and more relevant voice in electing the President.”
National Popular Vote legislation replaces current winner-take-all rules, where presidential candidates receive all of a state’s Electoral votes for winning the most popular votes in a given state. Winner-take-all rules result in a system where candidates campaign only to closely divided “battleground” states, while ignoring two-thirds of the states often termed “fly-over”.
When states totaling 270 Electoral Votes pass the legislation, National Popular Vote will award a majority of Electoral Votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all fifty states, guaranteeing the presidency.
“We want to create a system where candidates campaign for every vote, not just battleground votes,” concluded Koza. “National Popular Vote does that while preserving the Electoral College and the intent of the Founding Fathers.” For more information visit www.nationalpopularvote.com.
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Governor Cuts State Services Again in Beginning Days of the Fiscal Year
The Office of Planning and Budget is withholding four percent of funds from already stressed state agencies, and has asked agencies to propose budgets for cuts of four, six, and eight percent on top of this year's large cuts. The Georgia Budget &Policy Institute's latest report, Georgia Once Again Faces Budget Shortfall: Governor Orders Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Additional Budget Cuts, details the financial impact of these three levels of cuts.
Georgia is in the first month of its 2011 fiscal year, yet it is already facing a potential budget shortfall of between $413 million and $613 million. This shortfall is on top of the $2.5 billion in budget cuts already implemented since pre-recessionary FY 2009. This budget gap is due to several factors:
1) the U.S. Congress has not extended the enhanced Medicaid match which would have provided Georgia $375 million;
2) the state transferred $37.7 million in Education Stabilization Recovery Act funds budgeted for FY 2011 into FY 2010; and
3) there is a projected shortfall in the State Health Benefit Plan of as much as $200 million.
The education QBE funding formula is exempt from the withholding allotment. In addition, the Department of Education has been instructed to submit a FY 2011 Amended Budget proposal with a two percent QBE budget cut.
Lawmakers had already cut the fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget by over 12 percent since FY 2009, despite a growing population, increasing infrastructure problems, and significant needs for services from those families hardest hit during the recession.
"Particularly concerning is the fact that vital state agencies that educate and protect our children, protect the health and safety of vulnerable Georgians, and plan the state's economic development have already faced crippling cuts," said Alan Essig, the Institute's executive director and author of the latest policy report.
"Most of the additional cuts can be avoided if Congress passes the enhanced Medicaid funding which our state is counting on."
Even if congress approves the enhanced Medicaid match, all Recovery Act state stabilization funds expire the end of June. According to the Georgia State University Fiscal Research Center the state of Georgia will be facing a structural deficit of between $1.8 billion and $2 billion in FY 2012.
"We have high expectations that the recently formed Tax Council will develop recommendations to solve Georgia's immediate fiscal crisis as well as fix Georgia's long-term structural deficit," said Essig. "Its decisions affect Georgia's economy and its people."
Also, read an update of an analysis by Deputy Director Sarah Beth Gehl that details tax legislation passed during the 2010 legislative session, Adding Up the Fiscal Notes 2010: Governor Vetoes Revenue Drains on Future Budgets, but Signs Bill That Reduces Low Income Tax Credit.
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Georgia is in the first month of its 2011 fiscal year, yet it is already facing a potential budget shortfall of between $413 million and $613 million. This shortfall is on top of the $2.5 billion in budget cuts already implemented since pre-recessionary FY 2009. This budget gap is due to several factors:
1) the U.S. Congress has not extended the enhanced Medicaid match which would have provided Georgia $375 million;
2) the state transferred $37.7 million in Education Stabilization Recovery Act funds budgeted for FY 2011 into FY 2010; and
3) there is a projected shortfall in the State Health Benefit Plan of as much as $200 million.
The education QBE funding formula is exempt from the withholding allotment. In addition, the Department of Education has been instructed to submit a FY 2011 Amended Budget proposal with a two percent QBE budget cut.
Lawmakers had already cut the fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget by over 12 percent since FY 2009, despite a growing population, increasing infrastructure problems, and significant needs for services from those families hardest hit during the recession.
"Particularly concerning is the fact that vital state agencies that educate and protect our children, protect the health and safety of vulnerable Georgians, and plan the state's economic development have already faced crippling cuts," said Alan Essig, the Institute's executive director and author of the latest policy report.
"Most of the additional cuts can be avoided if Congress passes the enhanced Medicaid funding which our state is counting on."
Even if congress approves the enhanced Medicaid match, all Recovery Act state stabilization funds expire the end of June. According to the Georgia State University Fiscal Research Center the state of Georgia will be facing a structural deficit of between $1.8 billion and $2 billion in FY 2012.
"We have high expectations that the recently formed Tax Council will develop recommendations to solve Georgia's immediate fiscal crisis as well as fix Georgia's long-term structural deficit," said Essig. "Its decisions affect Georgia's economy and its people."
Also, read an update of an analysis by Deputy Director Sarah Beth Gehl that details tax legislation passed during the 2010 legislative session, Adding Up the Fiscal Notes 2010: Governor Vetoes Revenue Drains on Future Budgets, but Signs Bill That Reduces Low Income Tax Credit.
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Friday, July 23, 2010
NACD Concerned with Toxic Chemicals Safety Act
/PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) is deeply concerned with the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act (H.R. 5820) and the impact it will have on the entire United States economy. H.R. 5820 mandates a series of new standards and regulations that would be simply unworkable for chemical distributors and their customers, increasing costs for consumers while sacrificing jobs.
"NACD had hoped that lawmakers would work towards creating a true risk-based system that would continue to encourage innovation and growth in our nation's chemical industry while emphasizing the safety of our nation's citizens," said NACD President Chris Jahn. "While NACD appreciates the introduction of H.R. 5820 as one step in this process, the legislation introduced unfortunately creates a system far too burdensome and unworkable for the chemical distribution industry and its customers."
"We applaud Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) for taking this step towards modernizing our nation's chemical management system, and thank them for reaching out to industry groups like NACD," said Jahn. "However, we hope that is just a first of many steps that will continue in this Congress and the next towards reforming our nation's chemical safety laws."
In particular, NACD is greatly concerned with the treatment of mixtures and products containing mixtures, as well as a lack of adequate protection of confidential business information.
"As a result of H.R. 5820, not only would chemical distribution companies be significantly impacted, but their customers as well," said Jahn. "NACD members distribute products to over 750,000 industrial customers, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, food and beverage, and textiles. All customers of chemical distribution companies would feel the negative effects of this legislation."
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"NACD had hoped that lawmakers would work towards creating a true risk-based system that would continue to encourage innovation and growth in our nation's chemical industry while emphasizing the safety of our nation's citizens," said NACD President Chris Jahn. "While NACD appreciates the introduction of H.R. 5820 as one step in this process, the legislation introduced unfortunately creates a system far too burdensome and unworkable for the chemical distribution industry and its customers."
"We applaud Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) for taking this step towards modernizing our nation's chemical management system, and thank them for reaching out to industry groups like NACD," said Jahn. "However, we hope that is just a first of many steps that will continue in this Congress and the next towards reforming our nation's chemical safety laws."
In particular, NACD is greatly concerned with the treatment of mixtures and products containing mixtures, as well as a lack of adequate protection of confidential business information.
"As a result of H.R. 5820, not only would chemical distribution companies be significantly impacted, but their customers as well," said Jahn. "NACD members distribute products to over 750,000 industrial customers, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, food and beverage, and textiles. All customers of chemical distribution companies would feel the negative effects of this legislation."
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Statement by President Barack Obama on Signing the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010
Today, I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession. After a partisan minority used procedural tactics to block the authorization of this assistance three separate times over the past weeks, Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times. Now it’s time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses. Small businesses are the engine of job growth, and measures to cut their taxes and make lending available should not be held hostage to partisan tactics like those that unconscionably held up unemployment insurance.
President Barack Obama
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President Barack Obama
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House Financial Services Committee Schedules Mark Up of Internet Gambling Regulation Bill
/PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the House Committee on Financial Services announced that the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267), legislation introduced by Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) that would regulate gambling in the United States, will be marked up on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 10:00 am in Room 2128 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The mark up, which comes on the heels of Wednesday's hearing on the legislation before the full Financial Services Committee, is a critical next step for the bill to become law.
"This mark up demonstrates that Congress is serious about moving Chairman Frank's bill forward and establishing a strict regulatory framework for Internet gambling activity," said Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "The passage of this legislation would be a win-win as it will protect consumers, create an estimated 32,000 new jobs over five years and provide federal and state governments with as much as $72 billion in new revenues over ten years."
The legislation, introduced by Chairman Frank in May 2009, would establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers from individuals in the U.S. In addition to mandating an array of consumer protections, the legislation reinforces the rights of each state to determine whether or not to allow Internet gambling activity for people accessing the Internet within the state and to apply other restrictions on the activity as determined necessary. Since its introduction, a bi-partisan group of 69 co-sponsors has signed onto the legislation. A recent analysis by H2 Gambling capital predicts that Internet gambling regulation would create as many as 32,000 jobs over its first five years.
In May 2010, the House Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing to discuss a companion piece of legislation to the Frank bill introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010 (H.R. 4976). This legislation would ensure the collection of license fees and taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities. According to a tax revenue analysis conducted by the Joint Committee on Taxation, regulated Internet gambling is expected to generate as much as $42 billion in federal government revenue over its first 10 years.
"During this difficult economy, the revenue and job creation potential that regulated Internet gambling provides will go a long way to help states and families alike balance their budgets," said Waxman.
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"This mark up demonstrates that Congress is serious about moving Chairman Frank's bill forward and establishing a strict regulatory framework for Internet gambling activity," said Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "The passage of this legislation would be a win-win as it will protect consumers, create an estimated 32,000 new jobs over five years and provide federal and state governments with as much as $72 billion in new revenues over ten years."
The legislation, introduced by Chairman Frank in May 2009, would establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers from individuals in the U.S. In addition to mandating an array of consumer protections, the legislation reinforces the rights of each state to determine whether or not to allow Internet gambling activity for people accessing the Internet within the state and to apply other restrictions on the activity as determined necessary. Since its introduction, a bi-partisan group of 69 co-sponsors has signed onto the legislation. A recent analysis by H2 Gambling capital predicts that Internet gambling regulation would create as many as 32,000 jobs over its first five years.
In May 2010, the House Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing to discuss a companion piece of legislation to the Frank bill introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010 (H.R. 4976). This legislation would ensure the collection of license fees and taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities. According to a tax revenue analysis conducted by the Joint Committee on Taxation, regulated Internet gambling is expected to generate as much as $42 billion in federal government revenue over its first 10 years.
"During this difficult economy, the revenue and job creation potential that regulated Internet gambling provides will go a long way to help states and families alike balance their budgets," said Waxman.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Kelly Nguyen Thanks Supporters for Hard Work
The Committee to Elect Kelly Nguyen would like to thank all the supporters who have donated their time and resources to spreading the message of limited government in Georgia’s 5th Congressional district. With Kelly receiving 40.4 percent in last night’s Republican primary election, the hard work of our volunteers showed at the polls.
The Kelly Nguyen campaign centered on the US Constitution and limited government. Kelly Nguyen advocates a return to a sound monetary system and an end to corporate bailouts and stimulus packages. She also supports ending the IRS and conducting a fully transparent audit of the Federal Reserve System.
“We made a great showing at the polls yesterday and it proves that the ideas of limited government and the Constitution are still popular in Georgia,” Nguyen said this morning. “We gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from this experience and we are glad we ran a fair and open campaign,” she added.
Since qualifying for the Republican ballot over two months ago, Kelly and her volunteers have met many of the 5th District’s voters. “We have knocked on doors in the District almost every day since qualifying, and it has been a privilege to meet so many warm and friendly people,” Nguyen said.
Campaign manager Travis Jones also believes the campaign has ended well. “We ran a strong campaign with many dedicated volunteers backing our efforts. We learned far more than we expected and we made some great friends along the way,” Jones said.
Jones also expressed his gratitude to the campaign’s volunteers. “Above all, I want all the people who donated their time and resources to know how grateful we are for their contributions. In the end, this was only possible thanks to their hard work and we are grateful for their dedication,” he said.
Kelly Nguyen echoed Jones’ comments. “As we wrap up the campaign, I want all the volunteers and contributors to know this was only possible with their help. I will be forever grateful for their dedication to the campaign and its ideals.”
For more information please visit www.votekelly2010.com.
Committee to Elect Kelly Nguyen
P.O. Box 5703, Atlanta, GA 31107
Tel: (678) 694-7219
www.votekelly2010.com | info@votekelly2010.com
The Kelly Nguyen campaign centered on the US Constitution and limited government. Kelly Nguyen advocates a return to a sound monetary system and an end to corporate bailouts and stimulus packages. She also supports ending the IRS and conducting a fully transparent audit of the Federal Reserve System.
“We made a great showing at the polls yesterday and it proves that the ideas of limited government and the Constitution are still popular in Georgia,” Nguyen said this morning. “We gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from this experience and we are glad we ran a fair and open campaign,” she added.
Since qualifying for the Republican ballot over two months ago, Kelly and her volunteers have met many of the 5th District’s voters. “We have knocked on doors in the District almost every day since qualifying, and it has been a privilege to meet so many warm and friendly people,” Nguyen said.
Campaign manager Travis Jones also believes the campaign has ended well. “We ran a strong campaign with many dedicated volunteers backing our efforts. We learned far more than we expected and we made some great friends along the way,” Jones said.
Jones also expressed his gratitude to the campaign’s volunteers. “Above all, I want all the people who donated their time and resources to know how grateful we are for their contributions. In the end, this was only possible thanks to their hard work and we are grateful for their dedication,” he said.
Kelly Nguyen echoed Jones’ comments. “As we wrap up the campaign, I want all the volunteers and contributors to know this was only possible with their help. I will be forever grateful for their dedication to the campaign and its ideals.”
For more information please visit www.votekelly2010.com.
Committee to Elect Kelly Nguyen
P.O. Box 5703, Atlanta, GA 31107
Tel: (678) 694-7219
www.votekelly2010.com | info@votekelly2010.com
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