Media Center

March 15, 2006 - E-Newsletter Vol III: Ed IV

Mar 17, 2006 Newsletter

Dear neighbors:

The last few weeks in Washington have been full of activity and were highlighted by a significant victory for our city. Here’s an update.

In this E-Newsletter:

February 23, 2006 - E-Newsletter Vol III: Ed III

Mar 17, 2006 Newsletter

Dear neighbors,

Congress has hit the ground running in 2006. Between the State of the Union, the push for lobbying reform and the various budget debates, the beginning of this year is shaping up to be an active and important one.

In this E-Newsletter:

Shays, Maloney, Udall Fight for Stronger, Well-Funded Civil Liberties Board

Mar 16, 2006 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced legislation that strengthens the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and requires the President to provide a specific funding line for the Board.  The 9-11 Commission Civil Liberties Board Act addresses the concerns the 9/11 Commission expressed in their Final Report Card, in which the Administration received a "D" for its "very little urgency" and "insufficient" funding for the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. 

Reaction to Bush’s FDA Nominee

Mar 15, 2006 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Bush nominated acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to be the agency’s permanent commissioner. The FDA has repeatedly postponed a decision on the application to make the Plan B emergency contraceptive available without a prescription, and that is likely to be a key issue during the Senate approval process.

Rep. Maloney and Colleagues Introduce Landmark Whistleblower Protection Legislation

Mar 14, 2006 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - During a news conference today, lawmakers announced landmark whistleblower protection legislation for federal workers and contractors. The legislation authored by Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Edward Markey (D-MA) in the House (H.R. 4925) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in the Senate will give protection for whistleblowers who risk their careers to stand up for the American people.

Congresswoman Maloney Reiterates Strong Support for Marriage Equality

Mar 14, 2006 Press Release
NEW YORK, NY – Today Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) reiterated her strong support for marriage equality for same-sex couples.  In a statement to the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) -- New York's statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization -- issued in connection with ESPA’s new advocacy campaign, Congresswoman Maloney said:

71 Senators, Members of Congress Ask President Bush to Maintain Survey for Evaluating Living Standards and Government Programs

Mar 10, 2006 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC – Twenty-nine U.S. Senators and forty-two Members of Congress have sent a letter to President Bush asking him to reverse the administration’s decision to eliminate a Census Bureau survey that is critical for evaluating American living standards and the effectiveness of government programs such as unemployment insurance, food stamps, Medicaid, and welfare. The President’s budget would eliminate the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), the only large-scale government survey that collects high-quality, policy-relevant data on the economic well-being of American families over time.

Preventing Another Dubai Ports Fiasco

Mar 10, 2006 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Now that the Dubai ports deal seems to be dead, members of the House Financial Services Committee want to create a stricter foreign acquisition approval process so that the United States does not go down the same road again. New bipartisan legislation (H.R. 4915) would strengthen the national security component of the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States review process.

First Federal Money for 9/11 Health Treatment Announced

Mar 8, 2006 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - The Centers for Disease Control's plan to distribute $75 million for sick and injured 9/11 responders has been unveiled. Among the funds is the first-ever federal money spent on medical treatment for 9/11 health effects. The money is part of the $125 million that the New York Congressional delegation fought hard to save after the administration announced plans to rescind the money last year.

Reaction to Wal-Mart’s Decision to Stock Plan B Contraceptive

Mar 3, 2006 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Wal-Mart announced that it will stock all of its pharmacies with the Plan B contraceptive, commonly known as the morning-after pill. Wal-Mart has been the subject of lawsuits and legislation in various states because of its refusal to carry Plan B.

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