Yesterday, Speaker Pelosi, Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Jan Schakowsky, Doris Matsui and Charlie Wilson held a press conference following a meeting with advocates for seniors:

The advocates included Bonnie Cramer of AARP, Patricia “Trish” Nemore of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Ed Coyle of the Alliance for Retired Americans, Larry Minnix of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the Medicare Rights Center, AFSCME Retirees, National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, American Federation of Teachers Program on Retirement and Retirees, Easter Seals, and others. Trish talked about how health insurance will strengthen, not weaken as some opponents claim, Medicare:

My name is Trish Nemore. I’m a senior policy attorney with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. I’m here today on behalf of my boss Judy Stein who is not able to be here. I also happen to be a Medicare beneficiary and I’m the parent of a 27 year old son who has no health insurance. So I have many reasons to support this bill — both professionally and personally.

Since 1985, the Center has each year helped thousands of Medicare beneficiaries get access to the services they need through Medicare. We know from our clients how important Medicare is to them and the peace of mind that the programs’ existence brings to their families. That their parents have health coverage allows adult children to focus on other priorities in their families, such as educating their children.

One of our priorities at the Center is to promote the continued existence of a strong Medicare program — both for current and future beneficiaries. We believe that health reform legislation advances this goal by strengthening Medicare’s guaranteed benefits and by extending the life of the trust fund.

Because the legislation produces savings from Medicare, some people believe that that means benefits will be cut and the program will be weakened. President Obama addressed this very issue in this comments yesterday in Ohio. The opposite is true — not a single guaranteed benefit in Medicare is touched by any of the health reform legislation that’s being moved through Congress right now. And in fact, benefits are improved. Reducing payments to private plans means that beneficiaries and taxpayers are no longer subsidizing a few variable benefits that can change from year to year for a portion of the Medicare population at the expense of the entire Medicare population. Provisions in the legislation will slow the growth of Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, improve access to preventive benefits, by eliminating cost-sharing and reducing cost-sharing for them, and starting to close to the gap in the donut hole that other speakers have referred to.

The legislation also promotes delivery system reforms to encourage high-quality coordinated health care. Most of our clients have chronic conditions. In fact, nearly all Medicare beneficiaries have chronic conditions. We know, from our experience, that well-coordinated care is critical to our client’s well-being. We’ve been advocating on this issue for many years. Other provisions in the bill will include access to long-term supports and services through the CLASS Act and through improvements in Medicaid that allow for people to stay at home to get their long-term care. And will expand Medicaid coverage, to among other people, those people who can’t get Medicare because they’re in the waiting period for people with disabilities before they’re able to get access to Medicare benefits.

The Center for Medicare Advocacy urges Congress to pass health care reform now. The legislation will strengthen Medicare, realize the promise for health coverage for younger people, and increase the economic security of all Americans. It is a matter of fundamental fairness.

Watch video highlights of the press conference:

Read Speaker Pelosi’s full remarks»

St. Patricks Day at the White House
President Obama and Vice President Biden are joined by Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen at a White House reception celebrating St. Patricks Day. March 17, 2010. From: whitehouse Views: 200 28 ratings Time: 24:48 More in News & Politics

This afternoon, Speaker Pelosi hosted President Barack Obama and Taoiseach Brian Cowen of Ireland at the Speaker’s annual congressional Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon in the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol:

The Office of the Clerk explains the origins of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon:

Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill of Massachusetts hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day lunch. President Ronald W. Reagan and other House and Senate Members attended the event. The House arranged the festivities to ease tension between the two Irish-American leaders, who embodied distinctive conservative and liberal political persuasions. By excluding the press, O’Neill fostered the feel of an informal bipartisan celebration rather than a political summit. “I’m going to cook you some Boston corned beef and I’m going to have an Irish storyteller there,” O’Neill promised Reagan. “I’ll have to polish up some new Irish jokes,” the President quipped. The luncheon became an annual event on Capitol Hill for people of all political affiliations and ethnicities. It did not, however, mark the first celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at the Capitol. In 1884, Members donned green ribbons—distributed on the floor by Representative John O’Neill of Missouri—in honor of the Irish holiday.

The Speaker’s remarks:

“Thank you all for being here. We come together to celebrate the feast of Saint Patrick. We honor him for his faith and his good work as he is an inspiration to us.

“We have the honor of honoring the friendship between our two great nations. Ireland has been the adopted homeland of Saint Patrick. We claim him. The Italian-Americans claim him. We all claim Saint Patrick. [Laughter.]

“I was telling the Taoiseach earlier that I was speaking to a young gentleman who just moved here from Turkey and he told me that his children went to school today wearing the green. So this has been a very unifying feature of our lives in America. America is the great melting pot. Saint Patrick, certainly, was important to the mix, bringing us all together.

“The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade, you may wish to know, was in 1737. Taoiseach, Dublin didn’t have its first parade until 200 years later. So we’re very proud in leading in the way with the enthusiasm of the Irish-Americans. [Applause.]

“George Washington, commanding soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, gave them a holiday, a day off, on March 17 in 1780. It took Ireland until 1903 to give its citizens a day off in honor of Saint Patrick. I want you to know how much this means to us.

“Again, nearly 40 million Americans trace their ancestry back to Ireland, and many, many more claim to the Irish today wearing green.

“As a symbol of the enduring friendship between the United States and Ireland, we’re honored to be joined by the Taoiseach — Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Taoiseach Cowen, this tradition began as a small one, many years ago with the President Reagan and Speaker Tip O’Neill and was held in a small room all at one table. Over time, it has grown and it was enhanced enormously with the idea that the Taoiseach could join the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. It’s grown so much that we’re pretty cozy here today. It’s almost as full as it can be, but with many more clamoring to claim Irish heritage ancestry — real or imagined. I, myself, have Irish grandchildren as my connection.

“But I want to welcome all of our friends who are here. And let’s give a special welcome to our friends from Northern Ireland. [Applause.]

“I talked about the history of this lunch — its beginning. Let me say, here today, sadly, that this is the first Saint Patrick’s Day luncheon that is not attended by Senator Ted Kennedy. We are honored to be joined by Vicki Kennedy and Patrick Kennedy who are with us. Thank you. [Applause.]

“Senator Kennedy said: ‘We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make.’ Thank you for being with us. We promise to honor that heritage.

“The future is one of great optimism: optimism for continued peace in Northern Ireland, and great optimism for the lasting friendship, of course, without question, between the United States and Ireland.

“So now, I now have the high privilege, distinct honor, and personal pleasure to introduce the leaders of our countries.

“I do so proudly in the presence of our Democratic Leader, Steny Hoyer, and our Republican Leader, John Boehner, who is with us. And we’re so proud that the Vice President is here as well, and his granddaughter Finnegan who is interning. [Laughter.]

“So many friends and Members of Congress. Saint Patrick has brought Democrats and Republicans together today and we all will join in giving the most enthusiastic welcome to the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. [Applause.]

“So enthusiastic are we about introducing the Taoiseach, that the President wants to join in that welcome as well. It is my high honor, distinct privilege, to present the President of the United States.” [Applause.]

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GOPLeader: Boehner Congratulates Idaho on Decision to Opt Out of Unconstitutional ObamaCare Mandates http://bit.ly/ce1tot #hcr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obama's Economic Team Says Economy Improving; House Members Doubtful Democratic

Congresswoman Calls Testimony 'Dismaying and Out of Touch'

By Matthew Jaffe

March 16, 2010 

Three of the Obama administration's top economic officials today said the country has bounced back from the depths of the recession but still faces serious obstacles such as high unemployment, rising foreclosures, and a soaring budget deficit.

"We're seeing some encouraging signs of progress, but we face many, many daunting challenges ahead," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at a House Appropriations Committee hearing this morning.

Joining Geithner at today's hearing were the other two members of the so-called "troika" of economic policymakers: Council of Economic Advisers chair Christina Romer and Office of Management & Budget director Peter Orszag.

"We expect to begin seeing job gains sometime this spring," Romer said, citing the administration's forecasts that the labor market will add about 100,000 jobs per month this year, 200,000 per month next year, and 250,000 per month in 2012.

H.Res. 1190 - Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the Rules (Rep. Slaughter - Rules); Dispose of H.Res.__ - Raising a question of privileges of the House (Rep. Flake - Privileged Resolution); Suspensions

H.Res. 1190 - Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the Rules (Rep. Slaughter - Rules); Dispose of H.Res.__ - Raising a question of privileges of the House (Rep. Flake - Privileged Resolution); Suspensions

BarackObama: I am here for the millions who are denied coverage because of preexisting conditions. #iamherefor http://j.mp/c-d

Rep. Davis Discusses Health Care and the Slaughter Solution on the House floor
While managing the House floor debate on HR 4851 - Continuing Extension Act of 2010 on March 17, 2010, Rep. Davis highlights the problems with the proposed health care reform bill and the "Slaughter Solution." From: CongressmanDavis Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 04:33 More in News & Politics

Open for Questions: The Home Stretch on Health Reform
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius takes questions about health insurance reform submitted through Yahoo! News and Ustream. March 17, 2010. From: whitehouse Views: 170 30 ratings Time: 31:22 More in News & Politics

GOPLeader: RT @Drudge_Report Obama Endorses 'Slaughter Solution'... http://drudge.tw/bzm37b #hcr

GOPLeader: RT @Drudge_Report Obama defends 'Louisiana purchase'... http://drudge.tw/9WUBqt #hcr

Congressman Davis Manages the Floor Debate on the Unemployment Extension
Congressman Geoff Davis Manages the Floor Debate on HR 4851 - Continuing Extension Act of 2010 From: CongressmanDavis Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 04:32 More in News & Politics

Click here to see the video.

Following her cover story for Newsweek, the First Lady talked with Newsweek’s Editor Jon Meacham about her Let's Move campaign at the Newseum in Washington D.C. today. She discussed the magnitude of the problem of childhood obesity, especially during current times as a busier culture.

We’re also a culture and a society right now that snacks a lot more.  Just some of the statistics I talked about in my speech yesterday was that the average snack amount when I was growing up was one snack a day, if you were lucky.  And now it’s averaging two to three.  They say the average school-age kid is getting six snacks a day.  So we’re taking 200 more calories than we were 40 years ago, 30 years ago just from snacks alone.

She explained the importance of food manufacturing industries providing clear food labels so people can easily make decisions about what foods are healthy. “Parents have to understand what’s in the Twinkie; again, how does it fit into the overall diet.  So we don’t need a warning, we need information.  And we need information that’s easy to understand.”

The First Lady also talked about passing legislation that will set nutritional guidelines for school lunch programs and vending machines. President Obama signed an Executive Order creating the Council on Childhood Obesity that will review every program and policy regarding education and nutrition.

Visit LetsMove.gov to learn more about the initiative to address the growing health epidemic of childhood obesity.
 

Earlier today, the Senate passed a bill to help small businesses hire workers and provide highway funding to encourage job growth. The bill, one of many proposals to spur job creation, now goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The Associated Press reported:

Companies that hire unemployed workers will get a temporary payroll tax holiday under a bill that easily won congressional approval Wednesday in what Democrats hope is just the first of several election-year measures aimed at boosting hiring.

The 68-29 bipartisan vote in the Senate sent the legislation to the White House, where President Barack Obama was expected to sign it into law Thursday. Eleven Republicans voted for the legislation, an impressive tally considering the politically charged atmosphere on Capitol Hill.

..."It is the first of what I hope will be a series of jobs packages that help to continue to put people back to work," Obama said after the vote.

The bill contains about $18 billion in tax breaks and a $20 billion infusion of cash into highway and transit programs. Among other things, it exempts businesses that hire people who have been unemployed for at least 60 days from paying the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax through December and gives employers an additional $1,000 credit if new workers stay on the job a full year. Taxpayers will have to reimburse Social Security for the lost revenue.

"This is just the first, certainly not the last, piece of legislation that we will put forward in relation to jobs," said its sponsor, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "If we don't create jobs, the economy will not move forward."

It also extends highway and mass transit programs through the end of the year and pump in $20 billion in time for the spring construction season. That money would make up for lower-than-expected gasoline tax revenues.

GOPLeader: GOP continues to push for cameras in the Rules Committee http://ow.ly/1nxuL #hcr #readthebill