I began the day with a radio interview. We highlighted my differences with Sen. Hutchison on Iraq, but the emphasis was on key Texas issues: drought and water management, the Agriculture Relief bill - mired in Committee - with no effort from the state's US senate leadership to bring it out as farmers wait for two years of relief for production years 2005-06. We discussed the upcoming Farm Bill and the inadequacy of sole reliance on an unaffordable insurance based system from 2002's bill, and inadequate relief which profits the insurance companies, but provides insufficient protection for our aging farmers, as a younger generation seeks profitable work elsewhere.

We concluded with a spirited discussion of horse slaughter. I emphasized the need for the banning of horse slaughter for human consumption. It's encouraging horse theft with ready market for slaughter and contrary to our western values. My opponent won't lift a finger on the issue. Read more...

It is long past time for Congress to convene a modern-day Truman Commission so that we can aggressively reign in the waste and corruption that are bogging down the American reconstruction effort in Iraq.

I first called for the creation of such a body in May of 2005. It was obvious then, as it is now, that the substantial failures of our own contractors were subverting America's efforts abroad. Consider what we have learned in recent years:
In early 2005, a report issued by the Special Inspector General for the Iraqi Reconstruction found that $9 billion spent on reconstruction work was unaccounted for.

For months before this, accusations of price gouging by Halliburton had been gaining momentum, as the public had gradually become aware that the White House-connected corporation had been overcharging the U.S. Army for gasoline in order to inflate its profits by millions of dollars. By May of 2005, new reports revealed that yet another $100 million earmarked between 2003 and 2004 for small building projects throughout Iraq was completely unaccounted for, much of it likely lost to fraud. Read more...

It still amazes me that people continue to question the potential of embryonic stem cell research.

Countless scientists, researchers and medical experts have said that this specific type of research has the potential to improve the lives of tens of millions of patients suffering from diseases, paralysis, and other debilitating conditions.
Earlier this year, Senator Arlen Specter and I asked the top scientists at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) for their thoughts on the issue, and every single one of them said that embryonic stem cell research offers enormous potential in addressing critical health needs.

This reflects the opinion of more than 70 percent of Americans who support expanding funding in this area.
So it’s my hope that this same 70 percent expresses this sentiment at the ballot box. When they make their choice for who they want to represent them in Congress, I hope they choose the candidate who will side with science and give millions a reason to dream. Read more...

There’s a "perfect storm" gathering that may well sweep away Republican control of the Congress this fall. It is a storm fueled by three developments:

First, profound economic trends have strained working families to the breaking point. Workers have been left out of our nation’s economic recovery -- and their disenchantment is exacerbated by the failures they see in Iraq and Washington.

Second, voters are painfully aware of these problems and pocketbook issues will be top voting issues this fall. And finally, the AFL-CIO is making the largest effort in our history in an off-year election, driving home these pocketbook issues with a huge ground campaign. Read more...

The administration seems poised to take the much needed step of requiring manufacturers to make portable generators safer for use after hurricanes and other disasters. I recently received word that the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission will be making such a recommendation this week. The staff says manufacturers could reduce dangerous carbon monoxide emissions or install sensors that shut off generators automatically when CO levels reach dangerous levels. There have been too many needless deaths in Florida and other states for the commission not to act quickly on this recommendation.

When Congresswoman Schmidt attacked Congressman Murtha, she embarrassed our entire district. During her one year in Congress, she has failed to unite the people of our district and has failed to represent us honorably.

I'm running against her because the people of the 2nd District deserve better. They deserve leaders who will listen to their concerns, serve their interests, and make them proud. During my career as a public health doctor, I've worked to bring people together and find solutions. In Congress, I'll work to do the same.

The administration’s announcement of a new strategy to work with Iraqi officials to establish a broad set of stabilizing political, economic and military benchmarks in Iraq is a welcome approach. I have promoted establishing measurable goals in Iraq for many months now. I don’t support arbitrary dates for troop withdrawal nor do I think we can idly “stay the course

As the Democratic Party candidate for Congress in the Third District of Pennsylvania, I have lamented the Republican mantra that all we do on this side of the aisle is criticize, criticize, criticize without an agenda of our own.

Untrue.

There are sane alternatives to the insanity of the current "leadership," if one wishes to use that word, and in this blog, I would like to offer some issue-by-issue. Read more...

Our pay-for-play Congress, which is largely dependent upon huge contributions from for-profit Corporations seeking special treatment in order to enhance their bottom line at taxpayer expense, must be reformed. As the Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative from TX-13, if elected, I will work with others in Congress to limit the influence that big money plays on our system of government.

Maintaining power and seeking re-election has become the obsession of politicians who have forgotten how to put loyalty to their constituents as their top priority. Many have ignored their responsibility to provide oversight, and instead have found it easier to just go-along-to-get-along. Congress has become less popular and trusted less than used car salesmen. Credibility can only be restored with hard work, due diligence and a resolve to reduce the influence of lobbyists for the greedy and powerful who would line their own pockets at the expense of the common good. We need more Veterans to oversee the Armed Services Committee, more intelligence experts to oversee Intelligence, more educators to oversee Education, and more exceptional citizens with common sense to step up and serve in a Congress that has sold-out to lobbyists for special interests.

It’s time for intelligent, competent leaders to step forward and straighten out the mess!