Republicans again showed their duplicity in their treatment of the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage. Rather than let the proposal stand on its merits - to offer a just wage to millions of low-wage workers, House Republicans packaged a wage increase into a bill they knew would die in the Senate. By engaging in this frivolous exercise, vulnerable Republicans can face their constituents and claim they tried to raise the minimum wage. It is sad to see Republicans in Congress playing political games with the real life struggles facing America's working families.

As far as what would be most beneficial for Americans, the numbers tell it all: the estate tax cuts will help 8200 people - 8200 people who are already among the wealthiest 0.1% of Americans. Meanwhile, while the Dick DeVos's of the nation are counting their millions and billions, America's low wage earners - all 6.6 million of them - will be left behind to find a way to make their $10,700 yearly income livable.

The purpose of a democracy, and the mission of Democrats, is to respond to the voices and needs of the majority of the people. Clearly, this latest Republican tactic turns a deaf ear to that majority. The people must make their voices heard in the next election - by voting Republicans out of office and putting an end to their charades.

Families whose lives were overturned by Hurricane Katrina now may be getting sick because of the chemicals used in manufacturing their government-provided housing. Tests of the air in FEMA-issued emergency housing trailers in Mississippi and Louisiana revealed that 94% of the trailers had high levels of formaldehyde gas that exceeded EPA guidelines. Additional recent tests found the problem in trailers in Alabama as well. Formaldehyde exposure, even at low levels, can trigger coughing, wheezing, and even asthma attacks. Formaldehyde is also a known human carcinogen.

This is unacceptable.  Today Rep. Charlie Melancon and I wrote a letter to FEMA demanding answers: Did FEMA know that formaldehyde had been used in treating the wood in the trailers? Did FEMA cut corners in buying trailers treated with the chemical? What is FEMA doing to address the problem?

Katrina victims have already been through too much. They shouldn't have to worry about getting sick from the air in their FEMA-provided homes.

Campaigning for Vermont’s sole seat in the U.S. House has brought me to all corners of our beautiful Green Mountain State. Vermonters expect a personal connection with their elected officials and I’ve listened to their concerns about health care, ethics reform, controlling the federal budget and homeland security. These are issues facing not only Vermont but all Americans.

My message of reform is resonating. Every poll has showed this race to be a statistical dead heat and the most recent independent poll has me leading my opponent by a narrow margin.

But the news today of a foiled plot to blow up airplanes in Britain should remind all Americans that our national security must remain a top priority for all of our elected officials. Read more...

Democrats in Connecticut's Second District went to the polls in record numbers to cast their votes for the Party's Senate nominee and they have embraced Ned Lamont who will join me in fighting for a change of direction for our nation. This primary serves notice to my opponent Rob Simmons, the Bush Administration and national Republicans that eastern Connecticut has had enough.

We will no longer accept a failed policy and no oversight over the war in Iraq, an energy policy that only exacerbates our dependency on hostile foreign nations for oil, and the absence of adequate health care for all Americans. Connecticut Democrats are demanding change and we are energized and united in our message - we will restore integrity and accountability in Washington, DC.

Unfortunately, I think in September not a whole lot of substance will be done.  I would like to see movement on the minimum wage.  But I think not much will be done on a whole lot of issues like healthcare reform and education.

When I decided to run for Congress, the pundits and journalists said I had no chance.

But all along my supporters, my family, and I had faith that the people of the 4th were ready for a fresh start. Together, we did what we were told we could not do and defeated an entrenched incumbent. I am looking forward to an earnest and vigorous race against a worthy Republican opponent this fall.

As I've traveled from one end of my district to the other, asking voters for their support, I've encountered a spirit of concern and determination in my community. There is a growing sense of vulnerability as we make our way through these uncertain times, but there is also a growing sense of purpose. Yesterday's results reflect that sense of purpose.

The people of the 4th District have made a powerful statement. Yesterday, we said with a resounding and united voice that the time for leadership is now and the time for change is now. A new era of commitment and progress is beginning in my community – and by necessity, for the state of the world leaves us no choice. Read more...

On Friday I had the opportunity to return to Santa Rosa Island for a day long tour of the island with representatives from the National Park Service.

Santa Rosa has been in the news a lot lately because it is threatened by a controversial proposal by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) to continue indefinitely a lucrative private trophy hunting operation set to shut down in 2011. This hunting operation currently closes off public access to 90% of the island for up to 5 months a year. Once hunting permanently ends the Park Service can complete its plans to restore the island, improve visitor facilities and promote year-round access to the park.

Santa Rosa Island, purchased by taxpayers for $30 million in 1986, is part of a unique National Park that is fairly close to large populations but is still very remote and rustic, with only a few buildings and rough dirt roads. The isolated nature of Santa Rosa is part of its appeal and once I set foot on the island I felt I had been transported to another world far away from the complicated trappings of modern life. Read more...

If there was any doubt that the angry, fringe left has taken over the Democrat Party, yesterday’s ousting of Joe Lieberman puts the issue to rest.  Lieberman was the Party’s co-standard bearer in 2000, and just six years later, Democrat leaders are issuing press releases explaining why they have abandoned him.  Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid should take a good, long look at what their Party has become: a hostage of the ultra-liberal, pacifist movement that is using the internet as a clubhouse, and which was fathered by Howard Dean during his presidential bid.

The Democrat Party that once stood for strength in the international arena is officially dead.  The new retreat and defeat Democrats are firmly in control, and with Lieberman’s defeat have removed the last vestiges of reason from within their ranks.  Lieberman’s loss will send shockwaves across the nation, and will make mainstream Democrats across the nation fully aware of what has happened to their Party.

For the next Congress, once we get back here in January, we need an energy bill that moves us rapidly toward energy independence.  The tax incentives in the energy bill from last summer are for only two years.

Job 1 in the next Congress is Phase 2 of the energy bill that includes new fuels and flexible fuel vehicles.  We need competitive forces to drive down the cost of gasoline.