Lawmaker News

So what do we do now in Iraq? We want democracy in Iraq, but Iraqis must want it as much as we do. Our valiant soldiers can’t bring democracy to Iraq if Iraq’s leaders are unwilling themselves to make the compromises that democracy requires.

As our generals have said, the war cannot be won militarily. It must be won politically. No American soldier should be sacrificed because Iraqi politicians refuse to resolve their ethnic and political differences.

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Over the weekend, there has been real movement toward a peace agreement to end the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan. While the government indicated it would accept the agreement, the rebels believe there are issues that still need to be resolved. The key though is there is a real sense of urgency in international community to capitalize on the momentum that the African Union's proposal has brought on. That's why I was glad to see the administration dispatch Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick to Africa today to help get over the final hurdles to a peace agreement that will hopefully end political and ethnic conflict in the Darfur.

We cannot allow the atrocities there to continue, nor let the conditions get worse. Amid the breakdown, things have already started to worsen if you can believe that is possible. Because of funding issues, the UN World Food Program said Friday that it was cutting rations in half for the Darfur region, a region where the population is severely undernurished to start with. We must take advantage of this window while it is open, so we can begin to bring peace and stability back to Darfur.

Three years ago yesterday, President Bush declared Mission Accomplished in Iraq. Because of the Administration's miscalculations and failures, the War in Iraq can be better described as Mission Impossible.

Many experts believe Iraq is on the brink of a civil war, and some believe one has already begun. Thousands of our troops have died, and American taxpayers are spending $11 million an hour to pay for the mission. Elections have not ushered in stability, and instead, the top commander in Iraq last week predicted that insurgent attacks would rise in the coming weeks. According to the State Department, about half of the worldwide terrorist attacks last year were in Iraq. Iran has been strengthened by the dissolution of its arch rival.

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Greetings from Chicago, where we are expecting more than 300,000 men and women to march in support of comprehensive immigration reform this afternoon. I just had the opportunity to address the audience before we begin marching. As I stood on the stage looking out at the sea of people, with its ranks swelled strong with activists and advocates, students and storekeepers, artists and educators - one could not help but be filled with pride. Because what is so impressive, and so special, about this event is that it is not just a Latino event; it is thousands upon thousands of other immigrants -- Irish and Asian and Polish -- who are standing shoulder to shoulder with us in support of equity and equality for all immigrants.

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"The SAFE Port" Act is the rarest type of legislation.  A bipartisan bill introduced to make a law, rather than a political statement.  The unanimous approval of this bill by the subcommittee and the full House Homeland Security Committee was a result of that bipartisan cooperation and the extensive effort that was made to incorporate ideas and suggestions from both sides of the aisle. 

I am pleased the Homeland Security Committee and the Congress have adopted a sense of urgency with regard to this important legislation.  Comprehensive legislation that addresses the vulnerabilities of our sea ports is long overdue.  The SAFE Port Act is that legislation.  National port security has become a very hot topic in recent months, but Congresswoman Jane Harman and I have been working on this legislation since last year. 

Extending our borders out and strategically focusing our resources, SAFE Port improves the safety of the American people and the security of our global supply chain.  Creating multi layered maritime security and dedicating the resources necessary to identify suspect cargo and individuals, this legislation will ensure our shores are our last line of defense, not our first

 

 

More than 10,000 people gathered in the National Mall on Sunday, while thousands more attended rallies across the country, to support the suffering people of Darfur. Music and film stars have helped attract more attention to the cause, and the White House has expressed its concern.All this is good news.

When the Holocaust unfolded, there were no rallies, there were no demonstrations, there was no legislation, there was just silence and indifference. I salute everyone who has stood up during these last few weeks and months to tell the oppressors, "We shall no longer mourn this genocide, we shall stop it."

As the Holocaust taught us, a villainous government that persecutes its own people cannot be counted on to keep its word; it must be compelled to do so. Read more...

Last week, the House passed the rule for H.R. 4975, the Lobby Reform Act, and this week, we expect to take up consideration on the bill. The House version of the Lobby Reform Act bans privately funded travel by House members for the remainder of the 109th Congress. It also requires lobbyists to report twice as often on their clients and activities, and that their reports be available and searchable on the Internet. Lobbyists would have to report all contributions they make to candidates or political groups. The bill denies congressional retirement benefits to House members convicted of felonies related to their official position.

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American families and family-owned businesses must deal with the overwhelming emotional pains and financial agonies that come from the loss of a loved one. The government then asks these troubled families to once again pay taxes at confiscatory rates, for assets that were already taxed when they were earned -- this is simply wrong at the most fundamental level.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) spoke about a lawsuit by House Democrats to test the constitutionality of the Budget Reconciliation Bill which was passed in February.

Every elementary school student knows that the exact same bill must pass the House and Senate before it can be signed into law and have the force of law.  It is an unambiguous requirement in our Constitution.

However, what happened on February 8 was a direct violation of the Constitution.  The President signed a version of the Budget Reconciliation bill that only passed the Senate, but not the House; therefore, that bill is invalid.  This serious constitutional defect occurred with the knowledge of Republican Congressional leaders, and according to media reports, with the knowledge of the White House. 

These actions not only constituted an abuse of power, but undermined the rule of law.  It is not surprising that the Republicans wanted to avoid any further votes on an unpopular budget bill loaded with special interest provisions and that slashed funding for students and health care coverage for children and low-income Americans.  But the Constitution does not permit shortcuts to the process by which the laws under which we live are made.  Adherence to the Constitution protects the American people from arbitrary abuses of power.  That is why this lawsuit is necessary: to uphold the Constitution on behalf of the American people.