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July 8, 2008 -- Democratic Senators Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln and Ken Salazar held a press conference this week with Dr. Willarda Edwards from the National Medical Association and Merwyn and Barbara Reaves, two Medicare recipients, to call on Senate Republicans to join the effort to pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. The House overwhelmingly passed a good bill in bipartisan fashion that ensures Medicare works better for every American senior and saves taxpayers billions of dollars - but Bush-McCain Republicans insist on standing with the President to protect insurance companies at the expense of patients and providers.
"Forty-four million American seniors, in my home state of Montana and all across the country, are watching to see if the Senate will do what's right on Medicare," said Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "Seniors want to know whether the Senate will stand for them, or whether some will stand in the way of a good Medicare bill. Senators should seize the opportunity for bipartisanship and vote for the House-passed Medicare bill this week. It's time to stop the squabbling, and to vote for legislation that can improve Medicare and reverse the cut in doctor payments now." All Senators will have the chance this week to stand with seniors as the Senate votes again on the House-passed Medicare bill. Read more.
Celebrating A Historic G.I. Bill
Democrats Deliver A Victory For Our Troops
June 27, 2008 -- This week the U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century G.I. Bill. Earlier in the week a bipartisan group of lawmakers held a press conference with leaders of veterans groups to discuss the historic G.I. bill - cosponsored by more than half of the Senate, more than half of the House, and most of our nation's leading veterans' organizations - that will give this newest generation of veterans the same opportunities enjoyed by World War II veterans.
"At a time when two million men and women have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and when our troops have had to endure multiple deployments, stop-loss policies, insufficient equipment and an unclear strategy, giving them the opportunity to fuel our future economy is the least we can do," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid following the passage of the bill. The bipartisan G.I. bill helps our servicemen and -women readjust to the civilian life we enjoy because of the sacrifices they make and help them afford an education so they will have the tools to succeed at home and grow our economy.
Working To Revive The American Dream
Democrats Address The Housing Crisis
June 24, 2008 -- Democratic Senators John Kerry and Sherrod Brown held a press conference this week with housing experts today discuss widespread support behind legislation that will address the housing crisis.. The bipartisan bill would keep thousands of people at risk of foreclosure from losing their homes, help stabilize the housing market, create new jobs here at home and modernize the Federal Housing Administration.
"This urgent, complex problem requires real solutions, not broken promises or empty political rhetoric. While not perfect, this legislation will reduce foreclosures; increase access to safe and fair mortgage credit for all homebuyers; and help our economy by creating critically-needed housing construction jobs," Kerry said. Added Brown, "The American Dream is slipping away from thousands of middle class Ohioans due to the rise in foreclosures. We must act swiftly to reverse this trend and invest in our neighborhoods. This week, I'll be fighting for legislation that will help families hold onto their homes and assist in the rebuilding of communities." Read more.
Senate Democratic Women Unveil The Checklist For Change
June 18, 2008 -- This week Senate Democratic women launched the Checklist for Change website to highlight their fight for middle class families and an affordable American dream. Senate Democratic Women for Change held a press conference to discuss Democrats' commitment to provide equal pay for working people, keep good jobs in America, fight global climate change, take care of our veterans, restore America's image around the world and other crucial issues. Senator Debbie Stabenow said, "During the coming months we will release videos and other content to communicate the challenges our constituents face all over America and what must be done to help them."
"We have come together to offer America a checklist for change. We are a voice for the women of America. We are a voice for families of America. And we are here to fight for change," said Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, Dean of the Women Senators. She invited all Americansto join Senate Democratic women "in the fight to bring about the change that the American people need and deserve." Explore the "Checklist for Change" website by going here.
Working To Make the American Dream Affordable - Democrats Champion Innovation
June 12, 2008 --With oil and gas prices expected to remain near record highs in the near future, rapid technological innovations in the transportation sector are critically important to help end our nation's addiction to oil and reduce global warming pollution. This week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senators Debbie Stabenow, Amy Klobuchar and David Sandalow, an energy expert from the Brookings Institute, held a press conference showcasing new automotive technologies that can help reduce our dependence on oil.
"We need a clean energy revolution to unleash our brightest and most creative scientists, engineers and corporate leaders because we cannot afford the status quo any longer," said Reid, adding "These cars are a great start. They represent the kind of innovation that America desperately needs to cure our addiction to oil and reduce the risks of global warming." While Democrats are working to make the American Dream affordable, Bush-McCain Republicans continue to demonstrate how out of touch they are with the concerns of American families. This week, given the chance to strengthen our economy, address the energy crisis, cut taxes and create jobs, they once again ran away from the debate.
Democrats Working To Address Energy, Economic Crises
June 10, 2008 -- Senate Democrats continue to work to make the American Dream affordable again for middle-class families struggling with the rising cost of living and a shrinking job market. As gas prices continue to break record highs, Democrats are working to reverse seven years of the Bush Administration's oil-friendly economic policies. But given the opportunity to invest in renewable energy, create millions of good-paying green jobs here at home and address the root causes of high energy prices, Republicans have said no every time. This week Democratic Senators Richard Durbin, Patty Murray and Byron Dorgan held a press conference with a broad coalition of labor, environmental and citizens' advocacy groups to discuss the Consumer First Energy Act of 2008.
"Democrats have been fighting for policies that will help cut gas prices, create jobs, and keep our air and water clean - and our nation secure. We're committed to taking strong action that will stop rewarding oil companies - and that will start looking out for American families," Senator Murray said. Experts and advocates agree that the Democrats' legislation will address the root causes of gas prices, spur innovation and development of alternative energy, and reduce America's dependence on oil. Read more.
Labor & Business Leaders Join Democrats To Support Climate Security Act
June 3, 2008 - Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer, Charles Schumer, Dianne Feinstein and Bob Casey held a press conference with labor and business leaders this week to discuss the Climate Security Act of 2008. With record high energy prices and stagnant wages squeezing the middle-class, Democrats' comprehensive plan to stimulate the economy will create good-paying green jobs here at home and reduce our dependence on oil while capping carbon pollution that causes global warming.
"The Climate Security Act has earned the support of American business and labor organizations because it gives us the tools to create an American economic renaissance with clean energy and green jobs," Boxer said. "We can successfully address global warming, while maintaining a strong economy, and our nation and the world will be better for it." Read more.
21st Century G.I. Bill Congress Delivers A Historic Victory For America's Veterans
May 23, 2008 -- This week the U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century G.I. Bill by a bipartisan and veto-proof 75-22 vote. The bipartisan G.I. Bill - cosponsored by more than half of the Senate, more than half of the House, and most of our nation's leading veterans' organizations - will give this newest generation of veterans the same opportunities enjoyed by World War II veterans. "This is an historic victory for America's veterans. It further strengthens the finest military in world and enhances America's security and economy. It is also a testament to what we can accomplish when we drop the futile and fruitless fight over which party supports our troops more and we work as partners in a bipartisan way," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Senator Reid added, "I hope President Bush watches closely what happened here today, and I hope he heeds the call of a bipartisan, veto-proof majority of Congress and the thousands of veterans who know we owe our veterans the support they deserve." Click here to watch a video released by the Senate Democratic Communication Center entitled, "Supporting Our Troops: Delivering a GI Bill for the 21st Century," which highlights how Democrats remains committed to providing this new generation of troops and veterans with the gratitude they deserve: a change of course in Iraq that makes America and its service-members safer, and the care and benefits our veterans need.
Democrats Unveil Consumer-First Energy Act Of 2008
May 7, 2008 -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Jeff Bingaman, Max Baucus, Charles Schumer, Byron Dorgan, Maria Cantwell and Bernie Sanders held a press conference this week to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices. Seven years of the Bush Administration's disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers. "Even as it costs Americans more every day to fill up their gas tanks, Bush Republicans only offer more of the same failed energy policies that brought us to this point," Reid said.
He added, "But with this bill, Democrats are protecting consumers. Instead of helping Big Oil make more money at the expense of average Americans, we are forcing oil companies to change their ways. We will hold them accountable for unconscionable price-gouging and force them to invest in renewable energy or pay a price for refusing to do so." Democrats are committed to providing relief to consumers and strengthening our economic, energy and national security. Read more.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 6304, the FISA legislation.
The Senate will recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.for the weekly caucus luncheons.
In order to accommodate Senators attending the funeral of former Senator Jesse Helms, there will be no roll call votes during Tuesday’s session of the Senate. Senators should expect votes in relation to the FISA legislation to begin around 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9th.
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