The first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell bus in service east of the Rocky Mountains debuted in Connecticut’s 1st district this week. A remarkable first step towards energy independence and integration of green technology in public transportation in my state, this project serves as proof that it is possible for America to achieve energy independence. We have before us the technology to provide clean, reliable energy for every person, home, business, and vehicle in the United States. Everyone must do their part to make the United States more “green.
For too long, government has turned a blind eye to online pornography, which has allowed this industry to expand. Parents should have more control over the content children view in their own home. Schools and libraries should too. That’s why Sen. Baucus (D-Mont.) and I have proposed basic protections, such as requiring adult websites to use age verification software and clean homepages. This legislation is part of a multifaceted approach we need to take in order to help clean up the internet for kids.
Many reports have Congress preparing to revisit the issue of immigration again this year, but the majority of the American public is calling for a stronger focus on assimilation. Fueled by an intense call by the public, and governments at the state and local level, nearly 90 members of Congress have co-sponsored H.R. 997, legislation to make English the official language of the United States.
While immigration remains a touchy and controversial subject, official English remains overwhelmingly popular. A June 2006 survey by Rasmussen Reports found that 85 percent of the American population supports making English the official language of the United States. This is a far higher percentage of support than for issues which recent Congresses have dealt with, such as supporting stem cell research, banning gay marriage, and building a border fence.
Over the last 12 months, official English legislation has passed the U.S. Senate, been considered in dozens of towns and cities, and was introduced in 20 state legislatures in 2007 alone, including Texas, Rhode Island, Nevada, Michigan and Washington. It was enacted by wide margins in a border state (Arizona) and a non-border state (Idaho).
Online video service YouTube is providing presidential candidates with a virtual soapbox that allows them to interact with the online community.
The Google-affiliated website launched the You Choose ’08 Spotlight that encourages two-way dialogue between candidates and voters. The Spotlight feature debuted Wednesday and allows a different candidate each week to create a video for the Spotlight to encourage responses from YouTube users.
This week features Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) asking users "What do you believe is America's single greatest challenge?"
Stem cell research has the potential to help find cures for some of life's most devastating diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. The Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 (S.5) will remove the restrictions imposed by President Bush that have effectively stopped this research.
This research must be conducted in the sunshine. We need a national framework to establish bioethical standards based on sound science and ethical principles. Without national standards, this research will be conducted outside of the public eye and without national scrutiny. This is where I fear dark and ghoulish things can occur.
Every year we wait to pass this bill, our research falls three years behind. That's another patient who may have been saved, another family that may not have to watch a loved one suffer. This is not about ideology. It's not about party. It is about the American people and trying to help save lives everywhere.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Wednesday backed the Bush Administration's war efforts and slammed the Democrats' growing opposition to it.
"In Washington, Democrats view it as a political opportunity and Republicans view it as a political burden," McCain said to an audience of cadets at the Virginia Military Institute. "Our nation's interests should prevail over any parochial or party interests we might have, or any election."
As early as next Tuesday, an independent prosecutor in Italy is expected to try in absentia U.S. Army Specialist Mario Lozano of New York for the friendly-fire death of an Italian secret service agent in Iraq in 2005.
The Italian independent prosecutor is moving forward with the trial despite a joint investigation by the United States Army and Italian officials, which cleared Lozano of any wrongdoing in the death of intelligence officer Nicola Calipari.
As the former co-chair of the Italian-American Inter-Parliamentary Exchange, I sent an urgent request to the Italian Ambassador yesterday asking for a meeting with my counterparts in the Italian Parliament as well as Italian government officials to prevent Spc. Lozano from being tried in absentia for murder.
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Surrender the border plan - a "bought and paid for citizenship" plan just encourages more illegal immigration and discriminates against those who lawfully come to our country. This is just another amnesty plan no matter how you dress it up. This plan offers more lip service to ending illegal immigration by allowing those who illegally entered our country to stay. Once again, there will be no consequences for not "buying your citizenship" and following this law either.
Hurricane season is less than two months away. My district in Florida contains 70 miles of coastline. Therefore, hurricane preparedness is something we take very seriously. That is why I became very concerned when I learned of recent reports that a satellite important to forecasting hurricanes, the QuikSCAT satellite, is in danger of going off line in the near future.
Last week, I spoke with General David Johnson, who serves as the Director of the National Weather Service and the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services. General Johnson confirmed newspaper reports that the QuikSCAT satellite currently in orbit is at risk of deteriorating, and that this particular satellite provides crucial data that increases the accuracy of hurricane forecasting.
I told General Johnson that addressing this problem is a top priority of mine, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get the federal funds needed to increase hurricane predictability. We cannot afford to take any steps backward. I am disappointed that this problem is only now being addressed.
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