{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where year = 2011 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-applauds-administrations-decision-protect-north-alabama-jobs", "Aderholt Applauds Administration's Decision to Protect North Alabama Jobs", "2011-12-29", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, anne_marie.malecha@mail.house.gov or 202.841.0796\n\nAderholt Applauds Administration\u2019s Decision to Protect North Alabama Jobs\n\nChanges to GSP Trade Provision Ensure Manufacturing Jobs Can Remain in the U.S.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced a common-sense policy fix to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP):\n\n\u201cThe changes to GSP announced today, bring great news for jobs in the state of Alabama,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cAmerican sleeping bag manufacturers like Exxel Outdoors, who have struggled with the uncertainty of whether they can continue to afford to do business within the United States, no longer face that fear.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor months Americans have been looking to Washington to allow businesses to retain and create jobs through deregulation and balanced trade agreements that level the playing field for American businesses to compete. Fixing GSP is a great way to start.\"\n\n\"GSP is not just some abstract trade law that affects companies overseas, but an important trade policy that affects jobs right here in North Alabama and allows for companies like Exxel to return good paying jobs back to the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn today's global economy, trade is important to economic growth and success. However, a loophole in GSP has been hurting American sleeping bag manufactures, until today. GSP was designed to be a mutually beneficial trade program between the US and friendly developing nations, and was specifically intended to not harm U.S. domestic manufacturing.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-comments-on-the-passing-of-sanjiv-handa", "Lee Comments on the Passing of Sanjiv Handa", "2011-12-28", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.28.11\n\t\t\t Lee Comments on the Passing of Sanjiv Handa \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tOakland  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released the following statement upon learning of the passing of Oakland activist Sanjiv Handa:\r\n\r\n\tI am saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Handa, who spent many years of his life attending every meeting at Oakland City Hall in the spirit of challenging the status quo and the city's leadership to do what they could to best serve the residents of Oakland.\r\n\r\n\tMr. Handa was a fixture in the community, known throughout the city of Oakland as a man who was determined to do all he could to improve the quality of life of the people of Oakland. Most importantly, Mr. Handa will be remembered for his unrelenting effort to holding public officials accountable for their actions and decisions.\r\n\r\n\tMy thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Handa's family, his many friends and those with whom he worked closely over the years.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-statement-on-the-agreement-to-extend-payroll-tax-cut-and-unemployment-benefits", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Agreement to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits", "2011-12-23", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.23.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Agreement to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits   \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after Congressional approval of a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits: \r\n\r\n\tToday's agreement allows 160 million American workers to keep their payroll tax cut, prevents 48 million seniors from losing access to their doctors, and provides unemployment benefits to millions of American workers who are currently out of a job. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these critical extensions continue through 2012.\r\n\r\n\tLong-term unemployment continues to be a national emergency and I will work to address the needs of those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, cannot find a job in this job market, and have exhausted all their unemployment benefits. While I am pleased that the House Republican plan to end unemployment benefits for millions was flatly rejected by the Senate, it is critical that we protect this critical safety net that prevents millions of families and children from falling into poverty. We must work to create jobs, pass the American Jobs Act, and reignite the American Dream for all.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-introduces-rural-postal-service-preservation-act", "Aderholt Introduces Rural Postal Service Preservation Act", "2011-12-21", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Introduces Rural Postal Service Preservation Act\n\nLegislation Would Ensure the United States Postal Service Continues Delivery Service to Rural Regions\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement after introducing H.R. 3744, the Rural Service Preservation Act in the United States House of Representatives:\n\n\u201cAs the United States Postal Service\u2019s financial picture continues to grow dim and options of reform are being discussed, I along with so many across the nation are increasingly concerned about the prospect of the postal service ending delivery to rural regions,\u201d said Aderholt.\n\n\u201cAs the postal service looks for reform and cost-cutting solutions, I believe rural Americans should not be singled out for postal cuts. To make sure that does not happen, I\u2019ve introduced legislation that would ensure rural delivery continues and directs the postal service not to target rural postal employees for buy-out retirements.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation is vital to the many rural communities of North Alabama and elsewhere across the country. I hope that my colleagues join me in recognizing the importance of this issue to America\u2019s rural regions and support H.R. 3744,\u201d concluded Aderholt.\n\nDetails of H.R. 3744\n\nEnsures that the current level of postal delivery service continue for five years from enactment.\n\nRequires any buy-out used to cut workforce of postal employees be apportioned 10% rural 90% urban.\n\nRequires that any postal office closures also be made in the same 10% rural, 90% urban differential.\n\nDefines rural areas with reference to the most recent decennial census and definitions of \u201crural\u201d from the 2002 and 2008 Farm bills.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=2B213EB6-362A-4C75-9883-20A6A2A03FEE", "Representative DesJarlais Statement on Deal to Extend the Payroll Tax Cut", "2011-12-21", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) issued the following statement upon the announcement that the House and Senate have reached a deal to extend the payroll tax break for two months:\n\n\u201cThe House passed a responsible, bipartisan bill that provided a year-long payroll tax reduction; extended and reformed unemployment insurance; preserved senior\u2019s access to healthcare by preventing a 27% cut to doctors treating Medicare patients; and advanced measures that will boost private-sector job creation.\n\n\u201cRather than use this bill as a template to work from, the Senate simply refused to take part in the normal legislative process. It is disappointing that since the Senate failed to do their job, we will now have to have this debate again in two months. I will continue to fight for long-term solutions that will provide economic certainty for both American workers and American businesses.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/myth-busting-senates-bad-policy", "Myth-busting the Senate's bad policy", "2011-12-20", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nDecember 20, 2011\n\nAUDIO: Another two-month extension does not deal with the realities being faced by Nevadans\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today issued the following statement regarding his yea vote on H.Res. 501, which rejected the Senate's 60-day extenders plan and requested a conference to hammer out differences between the chambers:\n\n\"A week ago on December 13, the House passed the comprehensive H.R. 3630, known as 'The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011.' Contained in that measure, for which I voted YES, were the following provisions:\n\n1. A one-year extension for the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance.\n\n2. A two-year extension of the 'Doc Fix' for Medicare and TRICARE patients.\n\n3. A series of reforms and savings, which paid fully for the above programs, and which did not raise taxes, increase the budget deficit or the federal debt, or raid Social Security payments.\n\n4. A freeze on federal and Congressional pay through 2013.\n\n5. Unemployment reforms, which insured that millionaires, prisoners, and illegal immigrants did not receive unemployment benefits.\n\n\"After a 96-hour review, the Senate essentially said NO to the above policy positions, and amended H.R. 3630 to be a 60-day bill. That decision sets all Nevadans up for a repeat performance in February of 2012. The decision further raises the fees on all those obtaining FHA mortgages in Nevada, one of the hardest hit housing markets in our nation. Those consulting the Congressional calendars for January will see that neither chamber is set to be in Washington much at all that month, instead spending extended time in respective districts.\n\n\"I realize that I've been in Congress for less than 100 days, but it's truly illuminating to see that this has become the story of 'no' and 'the Tea Party' and 'the House killing the Senate bill.' I guess in Washington, D.C., where politics trump policy, Saturday the 17th comes before Tuesday the 13th. The House bill accomplishes what everybody wants, including Democrats, Republicans, and, most importantly, the American people. But because getting the policy right as a fact is a harder edit for the Beltway cultural media, the reality gets lost and the story becomes about political sport rather than good policy.\n\n\"H.R. 3630 as passed by the House is a good bill. It gets the policy right for seniors, veterans, employers, workers, and those on unemployment. Because some smell political blood in the water, the discussion magically takes on characteristics that bear no relation to facts and good policy. Don't believe the hype. It is not good policy.\n\n\"The 60-day extension is not workable from an implementation standpoint. It does not give Nevadans the stability and predictability that they deserve. And if recent history is any indication, waiting 60 days doesn't mean anything will get accomplished. We just went through this with the Super Committee.\n\n\"The last time I checked, this is a bicameral legislature. I look forward to regular order proceeding, as designed by the Founders. Hard-working Americans don't put off for 60-days what they can accomplish today. If we're going to do this, it's worth doing right. The Senate can claim that up is down and left is right, but it doesn't make it so.\"\n\nFor the record:\n\nPrior to their new-found support for the 60-day extension, the following officials said:\n\n\u201cIt would be inexcusable for Congress not to further extend this middle-class tax cut for the rest of the year.\u201d -- President Barack Obama\n\n\u201cHouse Democrats will return to Washington to take up this legislation without delay, and we will keep up the fight to extend these provisions for a full year.\u201d -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi\n\n\u201cI\u2019m disappointed that Senate Republicans would not agree to a longer-term extension of critical policies.\u201d -- House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carson-supports-bipartisan-senate-agreement-says-washingtons", "Congressman Carson Supports Bipartisan Senate Agreement, Says Washington's Political Games are Crippling the Middle Class", "2011-12-20", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 20, 2011\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson Supports Bipartisan Senate Agreement, Says Washington's Political Games are Crippling the Middle Class\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson today voiced his support for the Bipartisan Senate Amendment to H.R. 3630 \u2013 The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011. The agreement passed the Senate with overwhelming support from both parties, yet Republicans refused to offer similar support in the House. Instead, House Republicans voted to delay the bill by sending it to conference for further, unnecessary negotiations with the Senate. If passed, the Senate amendment would have extended through February 29th the current payroll tax cut, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program and Medicare physician reimbursement rates. The two month extension would give the House and Senate a chance to come to a long-term bipartisan agreement that does not include partisan provisions that hurt the American people.\n\nCongressman Carson today expressed his disappointment in the ongoing gridlock in Washington, saying, \"The American people are not asking for Democrats or Republicans to save the day, they are asking Congress as a whole to do our job. They are asking those who claim to represent the people's needs to stop taking jabs at one another and start solving problems.\"\n\nCongressman Carson went on to say, \"It is disappointing that while our colleagues in the Senate were able to come to an agreement that moves us forward, Republicans in the House are yet again using delay tactics and political games to push their ideological agenda. We need a yearlong deal, but it should not come at the expense of critical programs that millions of American families and seniors rely on.\"\n\nSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined with 39 of his Republican colleagues in support of the bipartisan bill over the weekend, but Speaker of the House John Boehner refused to compromise, putting 160 million Americans at risk for an end of year tax increase.\n\n\"Even in this holiday season, it seems that many of my colleagues in Washington have forgotten the people back home. They are concerned with races in 2012, Presidential primaries, and political pride rather than the economic reality facing struggling families all over the country,\" Carson said. \"These political games in Washington are crippling the middle class, and we must put a stop to it.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-calls-out-republican-roadblocks-and-distractions-to-payroll-tax-cut-and-extension-of-unemployment-benefits", "Lee Calls Out Republican Roadblocks and Distractions to Payroll Tax Cut and Extension of Unemployment Benefits", "2011-12-20", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.11\n\t\t\t Lee Calls Out Republican Roadblocks and Distractions to Payroll Tax Cut and Extension of Unemployment Benefits  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after a series of Republican procedural votes to block passage of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011: \r\n\r\n\tI strongly support a plan to extend the payroll tax cut, which would prevent a tax increase directed at 160 million American workers. I strongly support an extension of unemployment benefits for the 13.3 million jobless workers, which would prevent Americans from falling into poverty.\r\n\r\n\tUnless Speaker Boehner can control the extreme Tea Party members of his Republican caucus, working families will see a tax increase next year. Unless Speaker Boehner can stop stalling, the unemployed will lose their lifeline, consumer spending will drop, and poverty will rise.\r\n\r\n\tHouse Republicans have put themselves in a horrendous political situation and have taken sole responsibility for a tax increase on working Americans after spending the past months defining themselves as defenders of tax breaks for millionaires. House Republican leaders are creating another crisis and this one is right before the holidays  brought to the American people by the Republican Do Nothing Congress.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tWatch Congresswoman Lee's floor speech here.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-statement-senate-two-month-extension-deal", "Amodei statement on senate two-month extension deal", "2011-12-19", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nDecember 19, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today issued the following statement regarding the Senate's vote to extend the payroll tax holiday, among other provisions, only two months instead of the remainder of FY2012 as per the House's bipartisan agreement:\n\n\"To enact a 60-day extension of these important programs instead of a year, which would give doctors, patients, seniors, taxpayers and those looking for predictability and stability in their personal lives and jobs, is a can-kick of Olympic proportions. I have yet to hear of a reason for 60 days instead of 12 months. Conclusions for political sport are all that I see so far.\n\n\"I reject the all too familiar political blame game that too many are accustomed to starting at the first opportunity. I sincerely believe that as a part of this process Nevadans deserve to know what the future holds for them on the issues of taxes, unemployment and medical care for longer than the next 60 days. I also believe that Nevadans favor eliminating unemployment benefits to millionaires and prisoners, and implementing means testing for food stamps. The dismissive rhetoric coming out of the Senate seems to ignore the fact that 234 representatives in the House supported the year-long extension.\n\n\"I am still searching for the policy bedrock on which the 60-day timeframe is based. This is not a case of less is better. But don't take my word for it. According to the non-partisan National Payroll Reporting Consortium, the two-month plan may not even be logistically feasible and 'could create substantial problems, confusion and costs affecting a significant percentage of U.S. employers and employees.'\n\n\"If there's one thing that Nevadans do not need more of, it's the 'problems, confusion and costs' created by the 60-day plan. That is why I am more than willing to work for the next two weeks to provide some longer-term certainty so that Nevadans can plan their lives accordingly for the coming year.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-supports-fiscal-year-2012-conference-report", "Aderholt Supports Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Supports Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report\n\nReport Includes Responsible Spending Levels, Calls for Hard Hitting Oversight and Provides Vital Disaster Relief\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the House Committee on Appropriations, today released the following statement in support of the fiscal year (FY) 2012 Conference Report:\n\n\u201cThis Appropriations report was forged out of a very open and transparent debate,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cI am proud to have worked with my colleagues to forge a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that reduces discretionary spending by nearly $94 billion since fiscal year 2010, prevents a potential government shutdown, supports critical domestic programs, reins in government overreach, and puts our nation on a fiscally responsible path, creating a better environment for economic growth and private sector job creation.\u201d\n\n\u201cHomeland security and fiscal discipline are both clear national priorities. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I am pleased to say this report includes critical funding for the Department of Homeland Security, while recognizing that more government and more spending does not necessarily equal more security. It cuts discretionary funding for the Department by $2 billion since fiscal year 2011, prioritizes taxpayers\u2019 limited dollars toward vital security programs, includes meaningful, hard-hitting oversight and provides $8.1 billion for disaster relief across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWithin this Appropriations report funding priority is given to frontline operations, including supporting the highest-ever staffing levels for Border Patrol agents, CBP officers and ICE agents. It also funds and provides statutory direction to ICE to maintain a daily detention bed capacity of 34,000 beds, the highest ever in history, to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase removals.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis agreement includes a total of $8.1 billion for disaster recovery efforts and fully funds FEMA\u2019s disaster relief requirements for FY12. This will ensure devastated areas like Joplin, Missouri, numerous flooded communities along the Mississippi River and East Coast, and tornado-ravaged towns in my home state of Alabama will get the full assistance they need to rebuild and get back on their feet,\u201d concluded Aderholt.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-statement-vote-fund-government", "Amodei statement on vote to fund government", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "The cost to run the government is something that I need to be able to justify to my fellow Nevadans, to whom I clearly communicated a position of discipline in spending and reducing the deficit. While there is much that I can find to support in this bill\n\nIMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nDecember 16, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today issued the following statement regarding his nay vote on the bill to fund the government through FY2012:\n\n\"The cost to run the government is something that I need to be able to justify to my fellow Nevadans, to whom I clearly communicated a position of discipline in spending and reducing the deficit. While there is much that I can find to support in this bill, including disaster relief that is offset so as not to add to the deficit, I am disappointed that it does not do more to reduce overall spending.\n\n\"Every hour, the federal government spends $148 million it doesn't have. I voted against this bill because it only reduces spending from the previous year by less than $8 billion or roughly two days worth of government spending. In fact, the bill passed today actually spends $24 billion more than the budget the House passed earlier this year.\n\n\"As a Member of Congress, the loudest message I can send is through my votes on government spending. With the economy continuing to struggle and Americans look for signs that their government can do something about our $15 trillion debt and avoid another credit downgrade, I could not in good faith vote yes.\n\n\"The answer to every problem is not more federal spending, especially when that means burying future generations under a mountain of debt. And unfortunately, a relatively small spending reduction when we're $15 trillion in the red does not, in my opinion, go far enough in the right direction.\"\n\n# # #\n\n2012-01-06 10:40:00 2012-01-13 11:32:00 2011-12-16 07:39:00 False False", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=A2F0D695-8ED1-4705-8781-2D462CE31641", "Representative DesJarlais Votes Against the Omnibus Appropriations Package", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) issued the following statement after voting against the end of year omnibus package:\n\n\u201cI have made it clear from the beginning that until Harry Reid and Senate Democrats can pass a budget, we need to work off the spending levels set forth in the House-passed 2012 budget. The Path to Prosperity is a credible and commonsense proposal that would put our nation on the path to balanced budgets and debt reduction.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, the spending levels set forth in today\u2019s omnibus package exceed those in the Path to Prosperity and therefore I could not vote in favor of it.\n\n\u201cIt is impossible to get our nation\u2019s fiscal house in order unless we have a budget framework to work from. House Republicans have done their job and passed a budget, it is now time for Senate Democrats to do the same.\n\n\u201cMy constituents sent me to Washington to make the difficult spending decisions, and I\u2019m more than willing to make them. Continuing Resolutions and omnibus packages are not the sort of bold action that the people in Tennessee\u2019s Fourth Congressional District expect. I will continue to fight for long-term solutions to rein in Washington\u2019s out-of-control spending.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-applauds-doe-decision-that-california-receive-race-to-the-top-early-learning-challenge-funds", "Lee Applauds DoE Decision that California Receive Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Funds", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee Applauds DoE Decision that California Receive Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Funds \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement following today's announcement that the State of California will be one of nine states to receive Race to the Top  Early Learning Challenge funds from the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services:\r\n\r\n\tI am very pleased to see this important funding for education be awarded to California. Making sure that all of our children  especially those from low-income and underserved families  are prepared for school by bolstering early childhood education is an important step towards ensuring just and equal access to education in this state and around the country. It is wonderful that the hard work of the applicants and my colleagues in the California delegation will be translated into concrete and positive improvements in the education of our next generation.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-votes-against-2012-funding-bill", "Lee Votes Against 2012 Funding Bill", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee Votes Against 2012 Funding Bill \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tPartisan policy riders a gift to extreme Republican base\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after voting against the Conference Report on H.R. 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act: \r\n\r\n\tWhile the $1 trillion spending bill for 2012 is necessary to make our government function, the insertion of dangerous and short-sighted special interest riders meant to appease Republican Tea Party extremists will hurt millions of poor and struggling individuals and families in this country.\r\n\r\n\tI voted no because I cannot support a bill that distracts from the real work of protecting the American people from hardship and from the real work of investing in a more prosperous future for all Americans.\r\n\r\n\tThis bill reinstates the 1987 federal ban on funding for needle exchange programs which will undermine our efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. This bill includes funding for abstinence only sex education which fails to encourage optimal sexual health outcomes for America's youth. The bill also cuts critical funding for HIV prevention efforts in schools at a time when HIV rates among young men of color are increasing at an alarming rate. This bill is rigged with anti-environment policy riders which will increase pollution in our communities. Stunningly, this bill singles out women in Washington, D.C. by cutting off access to the same health and reproductive services available to women all across the country, which directly affects young women of color.\r\n\r\n\tNot one of these policy riders will raise the falling median incomes of American workers, nor will they create the millions of jobs necessary to grow the middle class. At a time when half of all Americans are either in poverty, near poor or low income, Congress should be focused on lifting these families up and reigniting the American Dream for all.\r\n\r\n\tI could not support a funding bill that continues to fund over $2 billion a week on a war without end in Afghanistan. As we successfully pull out of Iraq, we must allow the political process in Afghanistan to take over and immediately begin to pull our brave men and women in uniform out of harms' way. Let's bring our troops home and spend $2 billion a week on nation building here in our own country.\r\n\r\n\tWe must protect the social safety net and I hope that Congress will wisely extend unemployment compensation for Americans that are currently looking for work, especially for the long-term unemployed. Congress must also extend the payroll tax cut for the 160 million hardworking Americans who can't afford to see taxes go up by $1,000 at the beginning of next year.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLinks to House Floor speech in opposition to H.R. 2055: http://bit.ly/vQdgJZ and http://bit.ly/vuxXFr \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/vote-note-hr-2055-consolidated-appropriations-act-of-2012-no", "Vote Note HR 2055 - Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012: NO", "2011-12-16", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Viewed in isolation, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 reduces total discretionary spending authority (those expenditures that don\u2019t require statutory changes, including war and emergency spending) from $1.209 trillion in FY 2011 to $1.181 trillion in FY 2012), or $28 billion (2.3 percent). Viewed over the past five years, however, this still constitutes an increase of $144 billion, in discretionary spending (13.5 percent).\n\nThis may constitute an improvement over the past year, but begs the question, \u201cDoes it put the nation back on the path to fiscal solvency?\u201d\n\nThe overarching issue is what impact does this bill have in conjunction with total spending levels. Are we reducing spending enough to avert the fiscal collapse of the United States Government? The Ryan budget was only supportable because it included significant reform of mandatory spending that, together with a discretionary spending cap of $1.019 trillion, put us on a trajectory that balanced the federal budget by the mid-2030\u2019s and paid off the national debt by the mid-2050\u2019s. H.R. 3671 would take our annual discretionary spending (in conjunction with all other bills) to $1.181 trillion without any reform of mandatory spending.\n\nAll told, this bill cements total authorized federal spending for FY 2012 at $3.693 trillion with revenue of only $2.635 trillion, assuring another one trillion dollar-plus budget deficit. That means roughly $13,000 of additional debt on every family of four (per capita x 4), which they will be required to repay through their future taxes.\n\nLast year (FY 2011), total authorized spending amounted to $3.650 trillion meaning that total federal spending has increased by $43 billion, or about $550 per family (per capita x 4) in the past year.\n\nProportionally, this is the same as a family earning $26,350 that plans to spend $36,930 next year, putting another $10,580 on a credit card that already carries a balance of more than $150,000. Rather than cutting its overall spending, it has increased it by $43, while cutting only $28 from its \u201cdiscretionary\u201d choices.\n\nThe question on HR 2055 comes down to this: \u201cIs that family acting responsibly?\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-supports-defense-authorization", "Amodei supports defense authorization", "2011-12-15", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nDecember 14, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today voted in favor of H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report, which passed the House 283 to 136 with broad bi-partisan support.\n\n\"This bill represents a commitment to our service men and women and their families, all of whom sacrifice dearly on our behalf,\" said Amodei. \"As we come to terms with the reality of the fiscal crisis, may we never lose sight of their needs, both in the field and at home.\"\n\nFunding for the FY 12 NDAA was decreased $21.8 billion from the original House-passed version to comply with the Budget Control Act\u2019s requirement to cut defense spending by an estimated $465 billion over 10 years, beginning in 2013.\n\nSpecific provisions for NV-2 include:\n\n$11,375,000 for the construction of an Army Reserve readiness center at the Fire Science Academy site in Carlin.\n\nThe following Nellis Air Force Base projects:\n\n$35,850,000 for construction and land acquisition.\n\n$21,500,000 for an F-35a age facility.\n\n$11,600,000 for a communications network control center.\n\n$2,750,000 for an F-35 add/alter engine shop.\n\n$97,559,000 for operation of the Nevada Test Site in Nye County.\n\nThe NDAA also strengthens policies and procedures to prosecute, interrogate and detain terrorists. It does not extend any new authority to detain U.S. Citizens or infringe upon Constitutional rights, as previously feared, which enabled Amodei to fully support the bill. The House Armed Services Committee has plans to modify the detention language to further emphasize the Constitutional rights of American citizens. The existing language was from last year's defense appropriations bill and a modification was deferred so as to not delay needed funding to the troops.\n\nFor more information on the NDAA, please go to www.armedservices.house.gov\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/sopa-has-strong-support", "SOPA has strong support", "2011-12-15", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: December 15, 2011 Contact: Kim Smith Hicks, 202-225-3951; Brian Baluta, 202-225-6155\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House Judiciary Committee will mark up the Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261), a bill that stops foreign online criminals from stealing and selling America\u2019s intellectual property and keeping the profits for themselves. According to estimates, IP theft costs the U.S. economy more than $100 billion annually and results in the loss of thousands of American jobs. The Stop Online Piracy Act specifically targets foreign websites primarily dedicated to illegal activity or foreign websites that market themselves as such.\n\nThe bill ensures that profits from America\u2019s innovations go to American innovators. The Stop Online Piracy Act has 31 bipartisan cosponsors.\n\nChairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): \u201cThere is a vast virtual market online run by criminals who steal products and profits that rightly belong to American innovators. These foreign rogue websites not only steal movies and music, they offer counterfeit medicine, automobile parts and even baby food, which harm American industries and put American lives at risk.\n\n\u201cBecause the U.S. produces the most intellectual property, our nation has the most to lose if we fail to address the problem of rogue sites. The Stop Online Piracy Act stops foreign rogue websites from taking jobs and profits away from America\u2019s innovators. The bill\u2019s broad bipartisan support shows Congress\u2019s commitment to combating rogue sites and ensuring that profits go to American innovators, not criminals who steal our products and damage our economy.\u201d\n\nRanking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.): \u201cToday\u2019s markup is a victory for American artists and jobs. Online property crime robs American artists and harms American consumers, and the Stop Online Piracy Act provides important tools to safeguard our jobs and property.\u201d\n\nIP Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.): \u201cIntellectual property is one of America\u2019s chief job creators and competitive advantages in the global marketplace, yet American inventors, authors, and entrepreneurs have been forced to stand by and watch as their works are stolen by foreign infringers beyond the reach of current U.S. laws. The Stop Online Piracy Act will update the laws to ensure that the economic incentives our Framers enshrined in the Constitution over 220 years ago - to encourage new writings, research, products and services - remain effective in the 21st Century\u2019s global marketplace, which will create more American jobs.\u201d\n\nRep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.): \u201cAs a co-chair of the Congressional Anti Piracy Caucus, I know how hard it is to safeguard our Intellectual Property from foreign rogue websites, and as a Representative from Los Angeles, I know what it costs us in terms of well-paying jobs. The Stop Online Piracy Act is a huge step forward, giving legitimate creators a fighting chance against foreign rogue websites who steal their work.\u201d\n\nRep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.): \u201cOnline piracy by foreign websites is a $100 billion a year assault on our already wounded economy. I can't sit idly by when millions of American jobs -- including those in Nevada's gaming technology industry -- are threatened like this. SOPA provides greater protections for targets of online piracy and helps shield American consumers from dangerous counterfeit goods, such as pharmaceuticals.\u201d\n\nRep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.): \u201cSOPA protects American ideas and saves American jobs lost through online theft. There is no difference between stealing a DVD from a store and stealing a copyrighted movie from the Internet. Our founding fathers understood the importance of protecting intellectual property to ensure fair competition in a free market, and they authorized Congress to protect it in Article I of the U.S. Constitution. American ideas and innovation are the foundation of the world\u2019s greatest economy. I support SOPA because it\u2019s a narrowly tailored bill that targets foreign-based rogue websites in order to protect American ideas and American jobs.\u201d\n\nRep. Bill Owens (D-NY): \u201cWhat we are doing here is applying the same legislative policy that we do to the importation of pirated goods, which is set forth in the Lanham Act. The goal of this bill is to stop the theft of intellectual property just like we work to prevent the importation of knock-off goods into the United States.\u201d\n\nBackground information on the Stop Online Piracy Act:\n\nThe Stop Online Piracy Act targets foreign web sites that steal and sell America\u2019s intellectual property and keep the profits for themselves. The manager\u2019s amendment, introduced on Monday, is the result of work with additional groups and stakeholders to address technical concerns with the first draft. The bill takes legitimate concerns into consideration, while still providing strong tools to fight foreign rogue sites. The resulting bill improves the legislation, increases industry support, and ensures the protection of American innovation and jobs.\n\nTo watch the Committee\u2019s markup and learn more about the Stop Online Piracy Act, please visit: judiciary.house.gov/\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carson-praises-end-war-iraq-celebrates-return-us-troops-december", "Congressman Carson Praises the End of the War in Iraq, Celebrates the Return of U.S. Troops by December 31", "2011-12-15", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 15, 2011\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson Praises the End of the War in Iraq, Celebrates the Return of U.S. Troops by December 31\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson today released the following statement regarding the end of the war in Iraq and the return of U.S. troops by the end of the year:\n\n\"Under President Obama's leadership, and thanks to the tireless work of our armed services, we can now stand together in reverent celebration of the end of the Iraq War,\" Congressman Carson said.\n\nOver the past nine years, more than a million U.S. servicemen and women have fought in the Iraq War. During that time, nearly 4,500 \u2013 including 97 Hoosiers \u2013 lost their lives, and more than 23,000 \u2013 including 692 Hoosiers \u2013 were wounded.\n\nCongressman Carson added, \"We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by these brave men and women, as well as those made by their families. The end of this war offers a unique opportunity to now invest in the American people \u2013 creating jobs, empowering the middle class, and pursuing an American future that honors our veterans' sacrifice.\"\n\nIn the 111th Congress, Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson and his fellow Democrats worked closely with President Obama to bring the Iraq War to an end. Since January 2009, nearly 150,000 U.S. troops have been removed from Iraq and hundreds of bases have been shut down. In the next two weeks, the final American military bases will be closed, and for the first time in nearly nine years, no U.S. troops will be preparing to deploy to Iraq.\n\n\"This powerful moment marks a new day,\" Carson said. \"It is a new day not only for the Iraqi people, but for the brave men and women of our military who return home to their loved ones and the lives they selflessly left behind in service to our nation.\"\n\nCarson concluded, \"On this monumental occasion, I join all Americans in honoring the brave men and women of our military, and I congratulate them on bringing this conflict to an end.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/lucas-oil-stadium-agrees-fly-pow-mia-flag", "Lucas Oil Stadium Agrees to Fly the POW-MIA Flag", "2011-12-15", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "On November 15, Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson joined members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation to request that the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag be flown at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.\n\nClick Here to Read the Letter from Congressman Carson to Lucas Oil Stadium Regarding the POW/MIA Flag\n\nOn December 9, Congressman Carson received notice that the flag first flew the week of November 28th, just in time for the Big Ten Championship Football game. The flag will also be on display during the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=3AAB3392-7AB0-4F03-97A8-28CBA7239CC7", "Representative DesJarlais Statement on the United States Officially Ending its Mission in Iraq", "2011-12-14", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN04) issued the following statement regarding today\u2019s announcement that United States military officially declared an end to its mission in Iraq:\n\n\u201cWith our mission in Iraq coming to a conclusion, we should all pause to honor the brave men and women in uniform who so courageously put their lives on the line fighting for our nation in places like Fallujah, Baghdad and Tikrit. Let us also remember to give thanks to their families and vow to never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom.\n\n\u201cAs our efforts in Iraq close, we must continue to focus on the ongoing war in Afghanistan. It is critical that we ensure our troops on the ground have the necessary resources they need to accomplish their objectives and win this war.\n\n\u201cFinally, on this day let us remember those who fought during the first Gulf War over 20 years ago. We have not forgotten the sacrifices they made.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-middle-class-tax-relief-and-job-creation-act", "Aderholt Statement on the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 13, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Statement on the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act\n\nLegislation Cuts Spending, Protects Social Security, Improves Medicare Payments for Doctors, Reforms Unemployment Insurance and Includes Key Job Creation Initiatives\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement in support of H.R. 3060, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011:\n\n\u201cOver the past year House Republicans have passed more than 25 measures to help America\u2019s job creators, however at nearly every turn Democrat leadership in the Senate has blocked these efforts to reverse burdensome regulations and create an environment for sustainable private-sector job growth,\u201d said Aderholt.\n\n\u201cThis nonsense has gone on long enough. It is time that Congress protect American workers and job creators from further tax increase, job killing regulations and put an end to wasteful Washington spending. The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, does just that. This legislation protects all workers from facing a tax increase in January and does so without borrowing from the Social Security trust fund. Our nation\u2019s seniors and future generations should not be left to foot the bill of the Obama Administration\u2019s failed economic policies.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation further protects the Social Security trust fund by freezing pay for government workers, including members of Congress. It also reforms programs in an effort to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the economy fights to recover, it\u2019s important to continue opening the doors for job creation. This bill directly supports measures that will ultimately aid in the creation of private sector jobs, such as the Keystone XL energy pipeline and blocks the EPA\u2019s job destroying Boiler MACT regulations. Additionally, this legislation addresses the need for reform in our nation\u2019s existing Unemployment Insurance program. Recognizing unemployment services should focus on helping Americans get back to work, the bill uses a two-step process to gradually reduce the number of weeks Unemployment Insurance recipients can receive benefits without finding gainful employment from 99 to 59 weeks, a common sense level that is in line with past recessions and economic downturns.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor the past decade, Congress has been operating Medicare\u2019s \u201cdoc fix\u201d payment policy just a few months at a time, providing great uncertainty for Doctors serving patients with Medicare. This legislation includes a two-year doc fix, providing physicians greater stability and paves the way for a permanent solution. Also included with this provision are program updates to further reduce waste, fraud and abuse, as well as a repeal of $8 billion in funding mandated by ObamaCare.\u201d\n\n\u201cBecause Washington must stop spending money our country simply does not have, House Republicans have fully offset the costs of this bill with real, common sense spending cuts. I hope the Senate and the Administration finally answer American\u2019s call to action and swiftly pass this bill,\u201d concluded Aderholt.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-vote-extend-payroll-tax-holiday-and-unemployment-benefits", "Amodei to vote to extend payroll tax holiday and unemployment benefits", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nDecember 13, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) announced today that he will vote in favor of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act of 2011, which would provide a fully offset extension of the current payroll tax holiday, an extension of emergency federal unemployment benefits, as well job creation incentives, among other provisions. The legislation would provide assistance to Americans suffering in the recession, while ensuring that these policies will not add to the ballooning federal deficit.\n\n\"It's important to me that the extension of these benefits, on which many Americans currently depend, does not worsen one of the principle threats to our economy and our nation's future -- that being the $15 trillion federal debt,\" said Amodei. \"This legislation also recognizes that unemployment services should focus on helping Americans actually get back to work rather than subsidizing benefits for an unprecedented, unending period of time.\"\n\nThe cost of the bill is offset by freezing pay for members of Congress and federal workers, reforming unemployment insurance, reducing subsidies, and getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse in some Washington programs. In addition, the bill would provide new incentives for job creation by removing burdensome Environmental Protection Agency regulations and taking action on the bipartisan Keystone XL energy project, which would immediately create 20,000 jobs, with the potential for 100,000 to 200,000 additional jobs.\n\nIn the case of the payroll tax holiday, the measure would, for the first time, protect the Social Security Trust Fund from being harmed by cutting government spending and directing those savings to replenish the trust fund.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carson-names-new-press-secretary", "Congressman Carson Names New Press Secretary", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 13, 2011\n\nCongressman Andr\u00e9 Carson Names New Press Secretary\n\nINDIANAPOLIS (December 13, 2011) \u2013 Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson announced today that he has selected Blake Johnson to serve as his press secretary. Johnson will assume his duties immediately and work from the Indianapolis District Office.\n\nJohnson joins Congressman Carson's staff after working most recently as communications director for the Marion County Democratic Party. Prior to that role, Johnson completed a two-year commitment with Teach for America, a national service corps that places high-performing, recent college graduates in urban and rural school districts around the country. During his time with the organization, Johnson taught English Language Arts at the Indianapolis Public Schools' Coleman Alternative Education Center.\n\n\"Blake's time as a classroom teacher in the Indianapolis Public Schools and his work with the Marion County Democratic Party have given him a unique combination of experience and perspective,\" Congressman Carson said. \"His drive to serve the public and his commitment to our city will serve him well in this new position. I am pleased to welcome him to the team.\"\n\nJohnson holds a degree in Political Science and Communication from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as a Master's Degree from Marian University in Indianapolis.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-carson-votes-protect-indianapolis-job-seekers-and-seniors", "Congressman Carson Votes to Protect Indianapolis Job Seekers and Seniors", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson today voted against H.R. 3630, a measure that drastically cuts unemployment insurance benefits from 99 weeks down to 59 weeks and adds unnecessary obstacles to benefit eligibility. The bill also raises the cost of healthcare for millions of seniors and risks valuable tax cuts for 160 million Americans.\n\n\"Hardworking families in Indianapolis do not have time for political games,\" Congressman Carson said. \"We cannot afford to make sweeping cuts to unemployment insurance benefits when so many Hoosiers are out of work, and we cannot stand for measures that hike up healthcare costs for millions of seniors.\"\n\nCarson went on to say, \"We need a plan that addresses the true concerns of our constituents, not divisive partisanship that will do nothing to help average Americans.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-joins-in-introduction-of-the-restore-the-american-dream-for-the-99percent-act", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins in Introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins in Introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined fellow members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus at a press conference marking the introduction of the Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act. (Summary of bill)\r\n\r\n\tThe Progressive Caucus has again put forward a bill to create an America that we can believe in again. If enacted, the RESTORE the American Dream Act would balance our budget and invest in our nation's future by creating over 5 million jobs and save 2 trillion dollars. We would end the war in Afghanistan, cut bloated and unnecessary Pentagon spending and prohibit permanent bases in Iraq.\r\n\r\n\tWe cannot abandon millions of jobseekers during the middle of a faltering recovery  especially communities of color which have been disproportionately impacted by the economy. Incredibly, Republicans would do exactly that. They would abruptly end unemployment benefits during the holiday season and would strip 2 million customers out of the economy by March and over 6 million customers out of the economy by the end of the year. They would reduce unemployment benefits to 59 weeks  just when people need more assistance not less! It is outrageous.\r\n\r\n\tNot only must we immediately extend the emergency unemployment benefits, as this bill would do, we need to add an additional 14 weeks of unemployment insurance for the millions of Americans who have already completely exhausted their benefits. And I'm pleased that this bill would do so by incorporating legislation, HR. 589 and Congressman Bobby Scott and I have authored.\r\n\r\n\tThere is a growing crisis with the long term unemployed and it is shameful that the Republicans continue to watch as hundreds of thousands more fall out of the middle class and into poverty.\r\n\r\n\tNearly 50 million Americans are already living in poverty. Struggling to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. They are desperately trying to stay one step ahead of disaster, living from paycheck to paycheck and waiting for the other shoe to drop. The American people have run out of time and run out of patience.\r\n\r\n\tLet's pass the RESTORE the American Dream Act to re-invest in the future of this country and build up our roads and bridges and repair the sewer lines and build 21st century schools for all of our students.\r\n\r\n\tLet's put America back on track with American jobs, American manufacturing, American ingenuity and American leadership toward a brighter tomorrow for all Americans.\r\n\r\n\tWe must build these ladders of opportunity and take strong action to implement targeted programs and policies that ensure that we are a nation that truly does provide equal opportunity and equal access to the American Dream.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/vote-note-hr-3630-payroll-tax-cut-extension", "Vote Note HR 3630 - Payroll Tax Cut Extension", "2011-12-13", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "HR 3630 \u2013 Payroll Tax Cut Extension: NO. Although the temporary payroll tax cut doesn\u2019t produce lasting economic growth, I support its continuation because it allows working families to keep more of their earnings at a time of declining incomes, shriveling assets and rising prices. But since the payroll tax funds Social Security, which is already in permanent deficit, these funds must be made up by other means. The healthy way to do so is HR 3551, which I cosponsored, to give every American the choice to receive the year of tax relief in exchange for delaying retirement by a month. HR 3630, however, adds $167 billion to this year\u2019s already crushing deficit, purporting to repay it over the next ten years (in part) by tacking on additional fees to mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This shifts the burden to new homebuyers, who will end up paying far more in new taxes (hidden in their mortgages) than they will get from the tax cut. The average family will save $1,000 in payroll taxes, but pay an extra $2,000 for every $100,000 of mortgage principal they incur in the next ten years.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/carson-statement-lowes-advertising-withdraw", "Carson Statement on Lowe's Advertising Withdraw", "2011-12-12", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson issued today the following statement in response to Lowe's decision to withdraw its advertising support for the TLC reality show \"All-American Muslim\":\n\n\"Lowe's decision is regrettable. It runs contrary to our American ideal of combating expressions of hate and division while defending those oppressed by intolerance,\" Carson said.\n\n\"Lowe's has not only tolerated bigotry, it has given in to the demands of a group who seeks only to ostracize an entire community of faith.\"\n\n\"This show highlights the typical Muslim experience to many Americans who do not have exposure to the Muslim community. It highlights our shared experiences and shows that Muslim lives are the same as anyone else's. The families in the show work hard, support their children in school, celebrate with their families, engage in social activities, work in their community, and labor under the same pressures.\"\n\n\"Lowe's should be celebrating and promoting this show, because it pushes against the misunderstanding that often surrounds the Muslim-American experience. Instead, they succumbed to the demands of a fringe group intent on tearing our communities apart.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=14E827F1-907D-416D-9FC1-CAE1439812D1", "Representative Scott DesJarlais Votes in Favor of the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act", "2011-12-12", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) voted in favor of H.R. 3630, The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act. This legislation addresses a number of provisions that are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Specifically, this bill includes a fully paid-for extension of the payroll tax holiday, substantial reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) program and a two-year freeze on cuts to doctors providing care to our nation\u2019s seniors and disabled enrolled in Medicare. Additionally, this legislation requires the president to make a decision on the approval the Keystone XL Pipeline within 60 days of enactment.\n\nRepresentative DesJarlais issued the following statement upon passage of this bill:\n\n\u201cToday I cast my vote in favor of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011. This legislation contains several important measures that will be of significant benefit to my constituents in Tennessee\u2019s Fourth Congressional District.\n\n\u201cFor starters, this bill will extend the payroll tax holiday for one year for hardworking Americans. The extension of this tax cut will allow my constituents to keep more of their paychecks to invest as they see fit, rather than forfeiting that money over to a federal government that has shown no fiscal restraint when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars on wasteful government programs and policies.\n\n\u201cWhile today\u2019s legislation extends unemployment benefits, it does so while making significant reforms to the program. Certainly, we are a kind and caring nation. We are a nation that understands that at times people need a little help to get back on their feet. But when individuals simply choose not to work and take advantage of these limited resources, it leaves less for those who actually need this type of assistance. The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act will lower the 99-week cap on benefits to 59 weeks and put in place requirements that will ensure that individuals are actively looking for employment.\n\n\u201cAs both a physician and a Member of Congress, I\u2019m committed to preserving and protecting Medicare for our seniors. Unless we prevent the scheduled 27% reduction to the Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians, seniors will have an increasingly difficult time finding quality care. Doctors will simply not be able to afford to treat Medicare beneficiaries if this cut takes place. The GOP Doctors Caucus, which I\u2019m a member of, is committed to reforming the flawed SGR formula, but until we find a permanent fix, we cannot allow these deep cuts to physician reimbursements.\n\n\u201cFinally, this bill will require the president to put politics aside and make a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The president is trying to avoid making a decision on issuing a permit for the pipeline until after the 2012 elections. Americans should not be made to wait a minute longer than necessary for projects that will create badly needed jobs. The construction of the Keystone Pipeline alone could create up to 20,000 American jobs, while reducing our dependency on oil from hostile nations. It is important to note that this legislation will not force the president to approve the pipeline, only to make a decision on whether or not he will allow the project to move forward.\n\n\u201cI hope that Senate Majority Leader Reid will put the American people before politics and allow this legislation to have a fair vote on the Senate floor. These are commonsense, bipartisan proposals that will give the American people a badly needed tax break, reform a government program that is rife with waste and abuse, ensure that seniors continue to have access to quality medical care and create badly needed American jobs.\u201d\n\n*Please see attached document for additional information on the Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act\n\n*This legislation passed the House with bipartisan support: 234-193.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-attends-final-meeting-of-global-commission-on-hiv-and-the-law", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends Final Meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law", "2011-12-12", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends Final Meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) participated in the final meeting of Global Commission on HIV and the Law in Geneva, Switzerland, with the world's policy, human rights, and HIV leaders to discuss the health and human rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tThe effectiveness of the global HIV response will depend not just on the scale up of HIV prevention, treatment and care, but on whether the legal and social environment support or hinder programs for those who are most vulnerable,\" said Congresswoman Lee. This global drive is a significant step in removing the laws that fuel stigma and breed fear, discrimination, and distrust, and I look forward to carry forward the Commission's recommendations for the Unites States and the world.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee is the only U.S. representative to the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. From February 2011 to September 2011, the Global Commission held seven regional dialogues - in Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Arab States, Africa, and High Income Countries (in Oakland, California). Through these regional dialogues, the Commission gathered and generated compelling evidence illustrating how repressive laws, policies and practices, that do not respect human rights, hamper effective HIV responses and how enabling legal environments that promote and protect the human rights can achieve tremendous progress. The Global Commission is expected to release a final report, to the United Nations General Assembly in the first quarter of 2012. Additionally, the Global Commission is expected to participate at the International AIDS conference in DC, July 2012. \r\n\r\n\tAs part of her work on the Commission, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.R. 3053 to require the Attorney General, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Defense to review federal and state laws, policies, regulations, and judicial proceedings that involve criminal cases against people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide support for education and reform initiatives.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=3CC17620-76E4-432D-9254-C4F67469635C", "Representative Scott DesJarlais Announces Winning YouCut Bill", "2011-12-11", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) announced that \u201cStop Rewarding States for Recruiting Additional Food Stamp Recipients\u201d was the winner of last week\u2019s YouCut program. The congressman is now in the process of drafting legislation that will prevent the federal government from issuing bonuses to states for signing up additional food stamp recipients.\n\nCurrently, the Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp program) pays state governments bonuses \u2013 with taxpayer dollars \u2013 for recruiting additional people to sign up for food stamps. Each year, states with the highest percentage of eligible participants enroll in the program and split $48 million in bonus funds. Additionally, the department awards another $6 million in bonus money to states that are the fastest at signing up new program applicants.\n\nEliminating this program will at least to $480 million dollars over ten years.\n\n\u201cThe fact that our government rewards states for recruiting individuals to be on food stamps is not just wasteful, it is ridiculous,\u201d said Representative Scott DesJarlais. \u201cWhy does the federal government need to incentivize states to spend taxpayer dollars with more taxpayer dollars? Government at all levels should strive to spend funds as efficiently as possible without the need for additional taxpayer funded bonuses.\u201d\n\n\u201cI want to thank my constituents for taking time to participate in the YouCut program. I\u2019m of the firm belief that the solutions to our nation\u2019s problems will be uncovered by directly involving the American people in the legislative process. Programs like YouCut give us another way to listen to the individuals that we represent so that we can bring their voices to Washington,\u201d noted DesJarlais.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/oakland-unified-school-district-to-receive-hhs-grant-to-expand-school-based-health-centers", "Oakland Unified School District to Receive HHS Grant to Expand School-Based Health Centers", "2011-12-09", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.11\n\t\t\t Oakland Unified School District to Receive HHS Grant to Expand School-Based Health Centers \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has been selected to receive a $423,098 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help fund the district's school-based health centers.\r\n\r\n\tOUSD is planning to expand services provided by its school-based health centers, with the goal of increasing the district's ability to service students by 50 percent, and this funding will assist in that endeavor. School-based health centers enable students with acute or chronic illnesses to attend school and improve the overall health and wellness of children through special screenings, health promotion and disease prevention.\r\n\r\n\tThe grant is the second in a series of awards that are being made available to school-based health centers under the Affordable Care Act nationwide. A total of 45 school-based centers are being awarded $14 million in grants, allowing the number of children served by the centers to be increased by nearly 50 percent.\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that the Oakland Unified School District has been selected to receive this important funding, said Congresswoman Lee. Oakland youth suffer disproportionately from a number of health conditions, and this funding will allow OUSD to expand services and provide additional access to important medical, mental health and health education services for students and their families.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-supports-farm-dust-regulation-prevention-act", "Aderholt Supports Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act", "2011-12-08", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Supports Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act\n\nLegislation Provides Regulatory Certainty for America\u2019s Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement in support of H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act:\n\n\u201cFarming and Agriculture are cornerstones of our nation\u2019s history and our economy,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cBurdensome regulations from the EPA and other bureaucratic red tape are hindering our nation\u2019s farmers ability to provide for their families and America\u2019s food needs. In these already tough economic times, we must carefully scrutinize regulations and what their real world affects will be, before they are implemented. I am pleased to be a supporter of this common sense legislation that will reduce the regulatory burden on farmers, ranchers and rural businesses, without compromising environmental standards in the short and long term.\u201d\n\nH.R. 1633 would temporarily prohibit the EPA from issuing any new National Ambient Air Quality Standards for dust, for at least one year, providing greater certainty to Alabama farmers. The legislation would also limit regulation of nuisance dust areas to where it is not already regulated under state, tribal or local law when nuisance dust causes substantial adverse effects and where benefits of federal regulation outweigh the costs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/carson-statement-retirement-chief-justice-randall-shepherd", "Carson Statement on the Retirement of Chief Justice Randall Shepherd", "2011-12-07", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Indianapolis -- Congressman Andre Carson issued the following statement today on Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard's retirement announcement:\n\n__________________________________________________________________\n\n\"Chief Justice Shepard is a nationally renowned jurist, but his impact has been much broader for our state. He made the Supreme Court more accessible to the public by opening its hearings to cameras, he championed diversity in the legal profession by establishing the Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO), and he helped give independent life to the provisions of the IndianaConstitution, thereby expanding many Hoosier rights.\" Carson added, \"Hoosiers should applaud Chief Justice Randall Shepard for his leadership and for the distinguished service he has rendered to our state since 1985.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=660892CD-4A37-463A-A6E0-1C7A262FBBE8", "Rep. DesJarlais Praises House Passage of REINS Act to Address Excessive Regulations that Hurt Job Creators", "2011-12-07", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) released the following statement after the House passed the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 10), a bill that reins in out of control federal regulations by requiring congressional approval for any federal regulation with an economic impact of $100 million or more.\n\n\u201cIn meeting with more than thirty business owners during my Tennessee Job Creators Tour, I can say with certainty that needless bureaucratic red tape and excessive government regulations are hamstringing their ability to grow and create badly needed jobs,\u201d said Representative DesJarlais. \u201cIn times of economic uncertainty, we should be focusing our efforts on empowering job creators \u2013 not increasing the size of Washington\u2019s regulatory authority at the expense of small businesses. The REINS Act will improve the accountability of the regulatory process by requiring regulations with a substantial economic impact to be subject to congressional approval instead of allowing unaccountable bureaucrats to issue new rules without any oversight.\"\n\nThe Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act:\n\n1.Requires Congress to take an up-or-down vote on regulations that have an economic impact of $100 million or more before they can be imposed on the American people and businesses;\n\n2. Stops the practice of allowing unelected federal officials impose huge costs on the economy and American people through burdensome regulations;\n\n3. Reins in the costly overreach of federal agencies that stifles job creation and hinders economic growth;\n\n4. Restores the authority to impose regulations to those who are accountable to the voters, their elected representatives in Congress.\n\n5. According to the Small Business Administration, federal regulations cost our economy $1.75 trillion per year.\n\n6. The Obama Administration\u2019s December 2010 report on federal regulations listed more than 4,200 regulatory actions under development by federal agencies.\n\n7. In 2011, the Obama administration is expected to propose more than 200 regulations costing over $100 million each. Seven of those new regulations will cost the economy more than $1 billion each.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/2011/12/07/congresswoman-barbara-lee-urges-president-obama-to-expedite-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges President Obama to Expedite Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan", "2011-12-07", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges President Obama to Expedite Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tBi-partisan letter to Obama: No military solution in Afghanistan, bring troops home  \r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) were joined by 40 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to speed up the return of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\n\tWe are calling on President Obama to recognize that there is no military solution in Afghanistan, and the longer we keep our troops there the longer we delay the progress of an Afghan-produced political solution, said Congresswoman Lee, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Task Force.\r\n\r\n\tThe latest poll indicates that 59 percent of likely voters want U.S. troops to withdraw within a year. Last week, the Senate adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act offered by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to require President Obama to submit a report detailing how U.S. troops will be quickly withdrawn from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\n\tNow that the President has accomplished every goal that was originally set in Afghanistan, it is time to bring home our brave men and women in uniform, Lee continued. After ten years and $460 billion invested in an unstable country with untrustworthy leadership, it is past time to end this war. The decade long war has already cost $444 billion of taxpayer dollars and taken the lives of 1,848 members of the armed services. Our troops have done everything we have asked of them, but they cannot be tasked with building up a modern nation state. It is time to bring our troops and tax dollars home.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t_______________________________________\r\n\r\n\tDecember 6, 2011\r\n\r\n\tPresident Barack Obama\r\n\r\n\tThe White House\r\n\r\n\t1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. 20500\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tDear Mr. President,\r\n\r\n\tWe write to express our strong support for your recent decision to bring our troops home from Iraq by year's end. We were relieved to learn that our service men and women will be home from Iraq for the holidays.\r\n\r\n\tThe ongoing war in Afghanistan, by contrast, threatens to stretch our commitment into another decade. In August you announced the gradual removal of the surge troops, and yet over 70,000 troops will remain in Afghanistan at this time next year. This is unsustainable and counterproductive. There is unanimous agreement that the future of Afghanistan depends on Afghans and their regional allies implementing a political solution. There is simply no military solution to the current challenges in Afghanistan and maintaining an American military presence only delays the inevitable political process while putting our brave men and women in uniform in harms' way.\r\n\r\n\tFurthermore, it is crucial that Congress plays its proper Constitutional role in any decision to leave U.S. troops in a potential combat zone. While the United States is currently scheduled to hand over full control over security and remove all combat troops by the end of 2014, a new agreement could result in an indefinite military commitment and significant financial costs, all without further Congressional approval. Dating back to 2009, eleven acts authorizing and funding troop presence in Afghanistan have included a provision specifically prohibiting the establishment of permanent bases in Afghanistan. Any agreement that obliges the U.S. to a security commitment in Afghanistan must be bound by the Constitution, and be specifically authorized by an Act of Congress, or with the advice and consent of the Senate.\r\n\r\n\tWhile reports indicate that President Karzai plans on requiring any future strategic partnership agreement with the U.S. to be approved by the Afghan Parliament, a traditional tribal gathering, or both, there is no plan to have similar Congressional input. It is unconscionable that America could make new, lasting military commitments of tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of billions of dollars without express approval from Congress.\r\n\r\n\tRebuilding America must remain our top priority, and this should be reflected in our budgetary priorities. We need to end the wars and invest the savings in job creation for our future.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tRepresentative Barbara Lee Representative Walter Jones\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tBaldwin\r\n\r\n\tBlumenauer\r\n\r\n\tCapuano\r\n\r\n\tClarke (Yvette)\r\n\r\n\tConyers\r\n\r\n\tDavis (Danny)\r\n\r\n\tDeFazio\r\n\r\n\tDeGette\r\n\r\n\tEdwards\r\n\r\n\tEllison\r\n\r\n\tFarr\r\n\r\n\tFilner\r\n\r\n\tGrijalva\r\n\r\n\tHahn\r\n\r\n\tHastings (Alcee)\r\n\r\n\tHolt\r\n\r\n\tHonda\r\n\r\n\tJackson Jr.\r\n\r\n\tJohnson (Tim)\r\n\r\n\tLewis (John)\r\n\r\n\tLofgren\r\n\r\n\tMaloney\r\n\r\n\tMcDermott\r\n\r\n\tMcGovern\r\n\r\n\tMichaud\r\n\r\n\tMiller (George)\r\n\r\n\tMoore\r\n\r\n\tNadler\r\n\r\n\tNorton\r\n\r\n\tOlver\r\n\r\n\tPayne\r\n\r\n\tPingree\r\n\r\n\tRichardson\r\n\r\n\tSerrano\r\n\r\n\tSpeier\r\n\r\n\tStark\r\n\r\n\tTowns\r\n\r\n\tTsongas\r\n\r\n\tWelch\r\n\r\n\tWoolsey \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=314C1F31-57C5-4469-AAD4-1EDB17CC42F3", "DesJarlais Statement on 70th Anniversary of Attack on Pearl Harbor", "2011-12-06", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) issued the following statement on the 70th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor:\n\nOur nation places special importance and reverence on certain dates: July 4th, September 11th and today, December 7th.\n\nIn the early morning hours of December 7th, 1941, our nation was attacked deliberately at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii leading the United States\u2019 entry into World War II.\n\nIn response to this brutal attack, millions of Americans answered the nation\u2019s call and enlisted in our armed forces. This greatest generation selflessly put their lives on the line defending our freedom in the faraway lands of Africa, Europe and the Pacific Islands. At home our fellow American\u2019s did their part to ensure our success. Women joined the workforce to replace the men fighting overseas, families rationed essential products and businesses redesigned their factories to build machinery for the war effort.\n\nIt this indomitable spirit and willingness to sacrifice that is ingrained in the in the collective conscious of our nation that serves to remind me that there is no obstacle too great for the American people to overcome.\n\nIn the fires of Pearl Harbor a nation was forged that would show the world that the principles of freedom, democracy and liberty will always triumph over evil and oppression.\n\nOn this day, let us not only remember those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, but give thanks to all who have or are currently wearing the uniform of the United States Military. We owe them much more than words can adequately describe.\n\nGod bless America and God bless our troops.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/oakland-police-department-welcomes-new-recruits", "Oakland Police Department Welcomes New Recruits", "2011-12-06", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.11\n\t\t\t Oakland Police Department Welcomes New Recruits \n\t\t\t\r\n\tClass recruited for OPD secured through federal funding\r\n\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\r\n\tContact: Ricci Graham\r\n\r\n\t510-763-0370\r\n\r\n\tWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) issued the following statement today in recognition of the 10 police recruits who were welcomed into the Oakland Police Department (OPD) by Oakland Mayor Jean and OPD Chief Howard Jordan.\r\n\r\n\tThe city of Oakland and OPD were able to hire the recruits as a result of a $10 million grant Congresswoman Lee worked to secure through the Department of Justice, Office of Community Policing Hiring Program. With this funding, OPD was also able to rehire 15 officers who were laid off in 2010.\r\n\r\n\tI welcome the new recruits and thank them in advance for their service in our community, Congresswoman Lee said. I also welcome back the 15 returning officers who were laid off last year and who showed their commitment to the city by returning to the department.\r\n\r\n\tCrime is of great concern among residents of the City of Oakland, and it's imperative that we continue our efforts to secure federal dollars that will enhance staffing levels in the department and assist in the continued development of responsible and robust public safety strategies here in the city of Oakland.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/uc-berkeley-awarded-15-million-epa-grant-to-study-factors-in-childhood-leukemia", "UC Berkeley Awarded $1.5 Million EPA Grant to Study Factors in Childhood Leukemia", "2011-12-06", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.11\n\t\t\t UC Berkeley Awarded $1.5 Million EPA Grant to Study Factors in Childhood Leukemia \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release\r\nContact: Ricci Graham\r\n510-763-0370\r\nWashington D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is pleased to announce that the University of California, Berkeley has been selected to receive a $1,511,876 grant from the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to support the work of the University's Integrative Research-Childhood Leukemia and Environment Center.\r\nThe funding will be used by the Integrative Research-Childhood Leukemia and Environment Center to examine the effects of chemical exposure and genetic factors in the development of childhood leukemia. Research funded by this award will build on previous studies that cite exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals, including tobacco and pesticides, in the childhood leukemia.\r\nI congratulate the University of California at Berkeley for being selected to receive this funding, Congresswoman Lee said. In the spirit of environmental justice, this funding will help bring light to the factors that lead to this difficult and complex disease.\r\n###\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-statement-on-november-jobs-report", "Lee Statement on November Jobs Report", "2011-12-02", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on November Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tFor Immediate Release\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact\r\n\tKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a slight decline in unemployment rates:\r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. gained 120,000 new jobs in November and the national unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent from 9.0 percent. While I am pleased that jobs are slowly returning, immediate action must be taken to create the millions of new jobs that are so desperately needed to boost demand in the economy and to keep Americans from falling into poverty.\r\n\r\n\tThere is plenty of discouraging news hidden in the November unemployment figures. The long term unemployment picture is not improving, with the average length of unemployment rising from 39.4 weeks to 40.9 weeks. We must immediately extend the expiring emergency unemployment benefits and we must pass H.R. 589 which would immediately add 14 weeks of unemployment benefits for the millions of Americans who have completely exhausted their benefits while struggling to find work.\r\n\r\n\tIn addition, there was a startling rise of unemployment among African Americans, from 15.1 percent to 15.5 percent in the same time period. There can be no clearer reminder of the ongoing racial and ethnic disparities that continue to plague our nation and keep minority communities suffering disproportionately higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and tragic health disparities like unconscionably higher rates of HIV infection.\r\n\r\n\tThe Bureau of Labor Statistics categorized the 0.4 percent reduction in unemployment as a notable decline,' yet the same 0.4 percent increase in African American unemployment is categorized as little or no change.' African Americans faced a marked increase in their unemployment and it should not be downplayed or ignored. We should be taking strong action to implement targeted programs and policies that ensure that we are a nation that truly does provide equal opportunity and equal access to the American Dream.\r\n\r\n\t100 million people  1 in 3 Americans  live in poverty or the zone just above poverty. We must do more to immediately create millions of new jobs, not just the few thousand that are being slowly generated by the private sector alone. This is nothing short of a national emergency.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-participates-in-panel-discussion-with-obama-clinton-bush-for-world-aids-day", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Participates in Panel Discussion  with Obama, Clinton, Bush for World AIDS Day", "2011-12-01", "2011", "2011-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Participates in Panel Discussion  with Obama, Clinton, Bush for World AIDS Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tLee Commends Administration for New Commitments; Says Congress Must Act to Fully Fund AIDS Programs\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), a founding co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, observed World AIDS Day by participating in a panel discussion with President Barack Obama, who announced new commitments for fighting domestic and global AIDS. The Congresswoman joined leading AIDS advocates including former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, along with Tanzania's President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Bono, and Alicia Keys. The event was sponsored by ONE and (RED), organizations that combat global poverty and AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tWe have worked very hard to target resources to the communities that have been hardest hit by this disease and I am pleased that the President found a way to address the immediate needs of thousands of Americans currently on the waiting list for life-saving drugs, said Lee. At this momentous time in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic, President Obama's leadership is invaluable in our renewed efforts. The commitment from the Administration to scale-up treatment to 6 million people has the potential to transform the international response to this devastating epidemic and making the end of AIDS the legacy of our generation.\r\n\r\n\tWhile the President announced an increase of $50 million for domestic treatment, efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to preserve essential global AIDS programs. Congresswoman Barbara Lee was joined by 102 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requesting robust funding for vital global health programs in Fiscal Year 2012. Specifically, the Members requested that appropriators support the Senate's proposed funding level for bilateral and multilateral global health programs, including $5.25 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and $1.05 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.\r\n\r\n\tThe United States has made tremendous progress in our global and domestic response to AIDS, but we still have a long way to go, said Congresswoman Lee. Now is the time to act boldly and to invest in a future for America and the world that is more prosperous, more equal, and free of HIV and AIDS.\r\n\r\n\tAIDS is still the greatest humanitarian crisis of our lifetime. Thirty-four million people are living with HIV globally, including 1.2 million in the United States. Of the 15 million people medically recommended for anti-retroviral medication, only half have access to the drug treatment. Even in our own country, more than 5,000 people wait to gain access. African Americans especially women of color and young gay/bisexual menstill face the most severe burden of HIV in the United States.\r\n\r\n\tThirty years after the first discovery of AIDS cases, the United States has made tremendous progress in its response to the global and domestic crisis. HIV infections worldwide are at their lowest levels since 1997. Recent scientific advancements have resulted in revolutionary breakthroughs in the AIDS response, including groundbreaking research that shows that treatment can reduce new HIV infections by up to 96%.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a NationalAIDS Strategy, and is a member ofthe Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Educationwith jurisdiction over all domesticHIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme's Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC -to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.\r\n\r\n\t \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-mcclintock-introduces-hr-3544", "Congressman McClintock Introduces H.R. 3544", "2011-12-01", "2011", "2011-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman McClintock has introduced H.R. 3544. The legislation offers litigatory reforms for local communities. The Congressman discussed the legislation in a House floor speech on December 1, 2011:\n\nThe Plunder of Colfax\n\nIn the Sierra Foothills in northeastern California lies the little town of Colfax, population 1,800, with a median household income of about $35,000.\n\nOver the past several years, this little town has been utterly plundered by regulatory and litigatory excesses that have pushed the town to the edge of bankruptcy and ravaged families already struggling to make ends meet.\n\nColfax operates a small wastewater treatment plant for its residents that discharges into the Smuthers Ravine. Because it does so, it operates within the provisions of the Clean Water Act, a measure adopted in 1972 and rooted in legitimate concerns to protect our vital water resources.\n\nThe problem is that predatory environmental law firms have discovered how to take unconscionable advantage of that law to reap windfall profits at the expense of working-class families like the townspeople of Colfax.\n\nIn the case of Colfax, an environmental law firm demanded every document pertaining to the water treatment plant from the date of its inception. It then poured over those documents looking for any possible violation \u2013 including mere paperwork errors. By law, those documents include self-monitoring reports by the water agency itself, and any violation, no matter how minor, establishes a cause of action for which the law provides for no affirmative defense \u2013 even if the violation is due to factors completely outside of the local community's control, including acts of God or acts by unrelated and uncontrollable third parties.\n\nProve one such violation \u2013 and remember, the law allows for no affirmative defense \u2013 and you have just guaranteed the attorneys all of their fees, which in this case were billed at $550 per hour.\n\nAs a result of this predatory activity, the town of Colfax is facing legal fees alone that exceed the town's entire annual budget. Families that are struggling just to keep afloat are fleeced by attorneys charging $550 per hour.\n\nBut that's just part of the problem.\n\nThe law requires constant upgrading of the facilities to meet ever-changing state-of-the-art regulations that have nothing to do with health and safety and with absolutely no concern for their prohibitive costs. In fact, Colfax is now required to discharge water certifiably cleaner than the natural stream water into which it is discharged. In Colfax's case, this required a $15 million expenditure divided among 1,800 working-class residents who are now paying $2,500 per year just for their water connections.\n\nAnd once the town has met this standard, there's no guarantee that in five years it won't be told, \"Sorry, the rules have changed and you'll need to start over.\"\n\nIt is time to restore some form of rationality back to this law, and to stop the plunder of small towns like Colfax. And Colfax isn't alone \u2013 any community that operates a wastewater treatment plant is in the same jeopardy.\n\nNo one disputes that we need to maintain and enforce sensible and cost-effective protections of our precious water resources. But legitimate environmental protections must no longer be used as an excuse for regulatory extremism and litigatory plundering of our local communities.\n\nToday, I am introducing legislation to offer six reforms to protect other communities from going through the same nightmare as the people of Colfax:\n\nFirst, to limit private-party lawsuits to issues of significant non-compliance rather than harmless paperwork errors;\n\nSecond, to shield local agencies from liability for acts beyond their control;\n\nThird, to give local agencies 60 days to cure a violation before legal action can be initiated;\n\nFourth, to allow communities to amortize the cost of new facilities over a period of 15 years before new requirements can be heaped on them;\n\nFifth, to require a cost-benefit analysis before new regulations can be imposed;\n\nAnd sixth, to limit attorney fees to the prevailing fees in the community.\n\nLike many movements, the impetus for stronger environmental protection of our air and water was firmly rooted in legitimate concerns to protect these vital resources. But like many movements, as it succeeded in its legitimate ends, it also attracted a self-interested constituency that has driven far past the borders of commonsense and into the realms of political extremism and outright plunder and I am hopeful that we are now entering an era when common sense can be restored to the Clean Water Act in this session of the Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:13:05Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-demands-relief-for-long-term-unemployed", "Lee Demands Relief for Long-Term Unemployed", "2011-11-30", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.11\n\t\t\t Lee Demands Relief for Long-Term Unemployed  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement at a press conference with unemployed workers, labor activists, Labor Secretary Solis, and members of the House and Senate to call for a renewal of federal unemployment insurance programs, scheduled to expire at the end of the year: \r\n\r\n\tThank you to Ranking Member Levin, Congressman Doggett, Whip Hoyer, Assistant Leader Clyburn, Senator Harkin, Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, and all the other leaders that are working so hard for the millions of Americans struggling to find a job during this holiday season. I would also like to thank Secretary Solis for her leadership and commitment to getting America's work force back to work.\r\n\r\n\tAs this jobless recovery continues, more and more Americans are long-term unemployed and now the jobs crisis has left so many people out of work for so long that most of America's unemployed are no longer receiving unemployment benefits.\r\n\r\n\t\"2 million Americans have exhausted a full 99 weeks of unemployment and still cannot find a job.\r\n\r\n\tIt is critical that we extend the expiring emergency unemployment insurance benefits before the end of the year, but that extension will not help the millions of Americans who have run out of time, the so-called 99ers. H.R. 589 is my bill to extend unemployment compensation for an additional fourteen weeks for the 99ers  and this bill must be included in an unemployment extension package going forward.\r\n\r\n\tThe AP reports that Early last year, 75 percent (of the unemployed) were receiving checks. The figure is now 48 percent  a shift that points to a growing crisis of long-term unemployment. Nearly one-third of America's 14 million unemployed have had no job for a year or more.\r\n\r\n\tProviding support for America's long-term unemployed will not only boost our stalled economy, but it will keep millions of families out of poverty which is the morally right thing to do. We need to reignite the American Dream and work to provide ladders of opportunity for all. We need UI extension and we need it now. Not just for the millions about to run out, but for the millions who ran out a long time ago.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-thanks-service-academy-selection-committee", "Amodei thanks service academy selection committee", "2011-11-29", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 29, 2011\n\nRENO -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today recognized the members of his Service Academy Selection Committee, who interviewed 38 potential service academy students for Congressional nominations on Saturday, November 19.\n\n\"This is an impressive group of individuals who have all honorably served their country,\" said Amodei, who was an Army JAG officer. \"I thank them for their service and I'm grateful that they agreed to be a part of this inspiring process of nominating young people for application to our nation's service academies.\"\n\nApplicants to all service academies, except the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, are required to obtain a nomination to the school. Nominations may be made by Senators, Representatives, the President, and the Vice President. The members of Amodei's Service Academy Selection Committee interview potential candidates from Nevada's 2nd Congressional District and advise the Congressman on his nominations.\n\nChief Master Sergeant Evelyn Anderson is a resident of Carson City. She serves as the Chief of Personnel, Manpower and Classification for the Nevada National Guard Human Resources Office. Chief Anderson joined the United States Air Force in March 1986 and transferred to the Nevada Air National Guard in December 1987.\n\nLieutenant Colonel Caesar R. Garduno is a resident of Reno. He currently serves as the commander of the 192nd Airlift Squadron, Nevada Air National Guard. Lt Colonel Garduno received his regular commission in the Air Force upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989. He is a command pilot with more than 5,300 hours in the C-130H, KC-130H, C-130E, T-38, T-37, and T-41 aircraft.\n\nDr. Steve Hull is a resident of Reno. He is the former Principal of Hug High School and McQueen High School. Dr. Hull recently retired as chief communication director for the Reno School District. He is a former Reserve Navy Captain and taught at the US Naval Academy. His daughter graduated in the top five of her class at West Point and is currently an Army Major serving in South Korea.\n\nAssemblyman Randy Kirner is a resident of Reno. He currently represents District 26 in the Nevada Legislature. Assemblyman Kirner served in the Army as an Infantry Officer from 1967 until 1972 and was a trained U.S. Army Ranger and Master Paratrooper. He served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 and was awarded a Bronze Star.\n\nCaptain Tammy Sparkes is a resident of Virginia City Highlands. She currently serves as the Commander of the 150th Maintenance Company, Nevada Army National Guard. Captain Sparkes is a graduate of Gerlach High School. After receiving her bachelor\u2019s degree, she earned her commission through Officer\u2019s Candidate School. Captain Sparkes deployed to Iraq in 2009 where she served as an operations officer.\n\nMr. Cliff Yeater is a resident of Stagecoach. He retired from the Marine Corps as a First Sergeant in 1991 after 27 years of service. Mr. Yeater's service included tours in Vietnam and Desert Shield.\n\nFor more information on service academy nominations, please contact Amodei's Reno office at 775-686-5760.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=74D61C6D-9750-4491-8471-A01760E11DE0", "Representative Scott DesJarlais Tapped to Lead this Week's House Republican YouCut Program", "2011-11-29", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "This week (November 30th- December 7th), Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) has been selected to lead House Republican\u2019s YouCut program. YouCut is an effort launched by Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Republicans over a year ago as a way for the American people to play a direct role in cutting wasteful government spending.\n\nIndividuals can visit the YouCut Web site (https://www.majorityleader.gov/YouCut) where they will have seven days to vote to cut one of three wasteful government programs. These programs include:\n\n1. Stop rewarding States for recruiting additional Food Stamp recipients\n\nPotential Savings: up to $180 million over ten years\n\nThe Department of Agriculture\u2019s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp program) pays state governments bonuses for recruiting additional people to sign up for food stamps. Each year, states with the highest percentage of eligible participants enrolled in the program split $12 million in bonus funds. Additionally, the Department awards another $6 million in bonus money to states that are the fastest at signing up new program applicants. As of August, 2011, nearly 46 million Americans were on food stamps, or 15 percent of the population. Benefit costs were over $71 billion between September of 2010 and August of 2011. Program participation has grown steadily since the economic downturn began, and increased by 8 percent in 2011. There is no need to pay states for increasing the number of food stamp recipients they enroll in the program.\n\n2.Terminate \u201cenvironmental literacy\u201d programs run by the Forest Service\n\nPotential Savings -- up to $50 million over ten years\n\nThe Forest Service runs numerous programs aimed at schoolchildren and classroom teachers under the rubric of \u201cenvironmental literacy\u201d or \u201cconservation education.\u201d These programs include such initiatives as \u201cGreen Schools\u201d which \u201cempowers students to lead the movement of sustainability and environmental responsibility at school, at home and in their community.\u201d While students may benefit from some of the outdoors activities these programs provide, using taxpayer dollars to generate issue-oriented advocacy among school children and college students is inappropriate.\n\n3.Eliminate production of duplicative workplace safety training materials\n\nPotential Savings \u2013 up to $107 million over ten years\n\nThe Department of Labor\u2019s Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] provides more than $10 million annually in grants to labor organizations and community groups to produce workplace safety training materials for employees and employers. Under the Susan Harwood Grant program, hundreds of sets of training materials have been developed since 2003 for the construction industry on avoidance of falls, for industries dealing with hazardous chemicals, and for farmworkers on avoiding injuries when working with farm machinery. Many of the annual grants repeat subject matters covered in training materials previously produced by earlier grantees. The repetitive nature of many of the subject matters suggest that the program is failing to widely disseminate products funded by the earlier grants, and instead simply acting as a funding source for grantees.\n\nRep. DesJarlais will announce the winning program on December 8th and introduce legislation eliminating that particular government program.\n\n\u201cSince the beginning of the 112th Congress, I\u2019ve been proud to introduce, cosponsor and vote on numerous pieces of commonsense legislation that will cut wasteful government spending in order to give small businesses the confidence they need to start creating jobs,\u201d said Representative DesJarlais. \u201cAs a Member of Congress, I believe that the best solutions to our nation\u2019s problems often come directly from the people that we represent. YouCut is an excellent tool in allowing our constituents to get more involved in the process of getting Washington\u2019s spending under control. I look forward to having my constituents in Tennessee\u2019s Fourth Congressional District join Americans across the country in making their voices heard.\u201d\n\n\"At a time when our national debt exceeds $15 trillion and Washington borrows more than 40 cents of every dollar it spends, it is more important than ever that we start getting America's fiscal house in order and cut wasteful spending. YouCut is an innovative program that allows hard-working taxpayers around the country to help choose how Washington cuts wasteful spending and allows them to track the legislative process from start to finish. I applaud Representative DesJarlais for his efforts to keep federal spending in check and leading the YouCut program this week,\" said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-fccs-latest-move-proposed-attt-mobile-usa-merger-demonstrates", "Aderholt: The FCC's Latest Move in the Proposed AT&T/T-Mobile USA Merger Demonstrates Yet Another Disconnect Between Administration and the Need for Job Creation", "2011-11-25", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt: The FCC\u2019s Latest Move in the Proposed AT&T/T-Mobile USA Merger Demonstrates Yet Another Disconnect Between Administration and the Need for Job Creation\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement regarding the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile:\n\n\u201cWhile the Obama Administration\u2019s $1.17 trillion stimulus package and failed Solyndra loans clearly demonstrated that the government cannot create jobs,\" said Aderholt. \"The FCC and DOJ are demonstrating that the federal government actually can eliminate them.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt a time when millions of Americans are looking for work, it appears that the Administration is looking to stifle job creation in one of the few industry sectors we\u2019re ahead. The record is clear that this merger will allow an American company to purchase a foreign owned company that would create jobs here in the U.S. building and operating the new high-speed, nation-wide wireless broadband network and opening the way for everyone to have access to high-speed wireless broadband, including in rural areas like my district.\u201d\n\n\u201cJust last week the FCC stated that the expansion of high-speed broadband would add 500,000 new jobs across the country, and now they have inexplicably moved to try to block a merger that would generate up to 96,000 new jobs from AT&T\u2019s direct investment alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for national commerce and justice-related programs, we should be constantly looking for ways to facilitate cost-effective investment in critical infrastructure to spur job creation and advance America\u2019s global competitiveness, and this merger would accomplish both without costing the taxpayers a dime.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FCC\u2019s order would condemn Americans to staying in an era of slower speeds, slower deployments of this revolutionary technology, and fewer jobs. While all mergers must be reviewed I think the Administration should rethink this decision and encourage the investment in high-speed wireless broadband, not deter investment by throwing up roadblocks,\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/oakland-unified-school-district-one-of-23-districts-named-as-2011-grant-recipients-by-us-department-of-education", "Oakland Unified School District One of 23 Districts Named as 2011 Grant Recipients by U.S. Department of Education", "2011-11-23", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.23.11\n\t\t\t Oakland Unified School District One of 23 Districts Named as 2011 Grant Recipients by U.S. Department of Education \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is pleased to announce that U.S. Department of Education has named Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) one of the 23 highest-rated Investing in Innovation grant applicants in the nation, setting the district up to receive vital federal funding to improve student performance.\r\n\r\n\tOUSD was among 600 applicants for the 2011 Investing in Innovations funding. As a highest-rated applicant, OUSD stands to receive $3 million in funding, provided that the district is able to secure the equivalent of 15 percent of the award in matching funds by December 9, 2011.\r\n\r\n\tUnder the grant's guidelines, the U.S. Department of Education will award funding to districts that work to improve the participation and success of underserved students in advanced academic programs, develop new interim assessment strategies for students, and use the results of assessments to implement innovative educational programs.\r\n\r\n\tIt is a tribute to the leadership of OUSD that the district is among 23 finalists in the nation selected for this important grant program, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. As we all know, investing in innovative educational programs helps to dramatically improve student achievement and increases their chances of securing a college education.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://jordan.house.gov/media/press-releases/jordan-responds-super-committees-lack-agreement", "Jordan Responds to the Super Committee's Lack of Agreement", "2011-11-22", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Jim Jordan", "J000289", "jordan.house.gov", "jordan", "https://jordan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, offered the following statement after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction failed to come to agreement, triggering $1.2 trillion of automatic spending cuts over a ten year period beginning in 2013.\n\n\"Throughout the year, the Republican Study Committee has offered solutions to address the debt crisis, including the Cut, Cap and Balance plan that passed the House with bipartisan support. But instead of a solution, Washington wanted a deal, and thus the Super Committee was created.\"\n\n\"I want to thank our Republican leadership for holding the line on taxes. Higher taxes do not create jobs \u2013 they only serve to feed Washington's insatiable appetite to spend.\"\n\n\"I also want to thank Co-Chairman Jeb Hensarling for his leadership in trying to find bipartisan solutions to stop the out-of-control spending in a town that has only balanced its budget five times in the past 50 years. Unfortunately, this exercise has further proven that the liberal appetite for bigger government and higher taxes outweighs everything else.\"\n\n\"Though President Obama acknowledged that entitlement programs are some of the biggest drivers of our debt, he has failed to show any leadership in trying to save them. Predictably, the tax-and-spend Democrats on the Joint Select Committee fell in line right behind him. Their failure of leadership could doom these important safety net programs.\"\n\n\"Moving forward, there are clear and responsible ways to solve our debt and economic problems without raising taxes. I encourage Congressional leaders to advance the Republican Study Committee's concrete solutions to create jobs, reduce spending, and balance the budget.\"\n\nSolutions from the Republican Study Committee\n\n-H.R. 408, the Spending Reduction Act, identifies over 100 unnecessary programs, provides a head start towards balancing the budget, and saves taxpayers trillions of dollars over the next decade.\n\n-The RSC Budget for FY 2012 balances the federal budget in less than ten years and institutes reforms that will protect seniors and help save Americans' health care safety net.\n\n-H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, cuts spending immediately, caps it in future years, and requires Congress to send a Balanced Budget Amendment to the American public for approval.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-joined-by-100-members-in-calling-on-appropriators-to-preserve-essential-global-aids-programs", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joined by 100+ Members in Calling on Appropriators to Preserve Essential Global AIDS Programs", "2011-11-22", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.22.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joined by 100+ Members in Calling on Appropriators to Preserve Essential Global AIDS Programs \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was joined by 102 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations requesting robust funding for vital global health programs in Fiscal Year 2012. Specifically, the Members requested that appropriators support the Senate's proposed funding level for bilateral and multilateral global health programs, including $5.25 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and $1.05 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.\r\n\r\n\tU.S.-funded research resulted in enormous progress in shaping the response to AIDS and malaria worldwide, said Congresswoman Lee, co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. PEPFAR and the Global Fund are reducing disease burden in low and middle-income countries, and these programs have important national security and diplomatic elements for the United States. Global health programs amount to a fraction of one percent of the federal budget, but they affect the lives of tens of millions, guard against future conflicts, open up developing markets, and will have lasting impact on the global AIDS epidemic in the long term. As a recent UNAIDS report shows, 34 million people are living with HIV globally. Only 50% of all people eligible for HIV treatment in the world now have access, while 7.6 million people await treatment, including more than 5,000 people in the United States. Additionally, in 2010 alone, 1.8 million people died of AIDS-related illness, underscoring that AIDS remains the greatest humanitarian crisis of our lifetime.\r\n\r\n\tThe science of AIDS prevention has been transformed over the last 18 months, and America cannot abandon these efforts now, Lee continued. Now more than ever, we must leverage our scientific tools with our will to defeat this epidemic  and provide adequate funding to reduce transmission rates, save lives, and remain a global leader in this fight.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tNovember 21, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Chairmen Leahy and Granger, and Ranking Members Graham and Lowey:\r\n\r\n\tAs you begin negotiations on a final Fiscal Year 2012 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill, we write to respectfully request that you secure funding for bilateral and multilateral HIV/AIDS programs at the levels proposed in S.1601, Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2012.\r\n\r\n\tWe urge support for $7.9 billion for global health programs contained in the Senate mark. More specifically, we urge you to support, at the very least, $5.25 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and $750 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as explicitly allocated in S. 1601. In total, we support $1.05 billion for the Global Fund (of which $300 million is contained in the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill). Moreover, we are strongly opposed to language contained in the House Subcommittee Mark prohibiting funding for syringe exchange programs, which are proven to reduce the incidence of HIV infection.\r\n\r\n\tU.S. global health programs including PEPFAR, along with U.S. contributions to the Global Fund, are reducing disease burden in low- and middle-income countries, and these programs have important national security and diplomatic elements for the United States. Global health programs directly impact American security interests by stabilizing parts of the world where extremism and a lack of alternatives are a recipe for future conflict. The economic impact of global health activities is also felt in the U.S., providing thousands of jobs to help plan and implement global health programming and to conduct health-related research at colleges and universities.\r\n\r\n\tThanks to the help of the United States, the Global Fund has grown into a proven, country-driven, performance-based mechanism which ensures that countries themselves are responsible for building their own sustainable programs. The Global Fund has a robust history of improving its function and continues to do so through its recent announcement of an improvements agenda to further ensure every dollar is utilized effectively, remains accountable, and is transparent in operation. \r\n\r\n\tWe also welcome PEPFAR's leadership on advancing combination HIV prevention approaches and urge the conferees to ensure that these interventions are implemented to their fullest and meet the needs of those most at-risk, especially marginalized populations. Moreover, integration of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs--and, where appropriate, other critical global health programs funded by this bill, including maternal health, child survival, family planning/reproductive health, and nutrition--is critical for ensuring that the health needs of individuals are met and the impact of funding is maximized.\r\n\r\n\tIn recent months, US-funded research has made enormous progress in shaping the response to AIDS and malaria worldwide. These remarkable scientific advances call for a renewed emphasis on ensuring that we maintain robust support for PEPFAR and the Global Fund and continue the vital U.S. commitment to the fight against global HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.\r\n\r\n\tThese programs amount to a fraction of one percent of the federal budget, but they affect the lives of tens of millions, guard against future conflicts, open up developing markets, and will have lasting impact on the global AIDS epidemic in the long term.\r\n\r\n\tThank you for considering this request.\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee  \r\n\tMember of Congress\r\n\r\n\tGary Ackerman  \r\n\tJoe Baca  \r\n\tTammy Baldwin  \r\n\tKaren Bass  \r\n\tShelley Berkley  \r\n\tHoward Berman  \r\n\tSanford Bishop  \r\n\tEarl Blumenauer  \r\n\tMadeleine Bordallo  \r\n\tRobert Brady  \r\n\tBruce Braley  \r\n\tCorrine Brown  \r\n\tG.K. Butterfield  \r\n\tLois Capps  \r\n\tMichael Capuano  \r\n\tRuss Carnahan  \r\n\tAndre Carson  \r\n\tDonna Christensen  \r\n\tJudy Chu  \r\n\tDavid Cicilline  \r\n\tHansen Clarke  \r\n\tYvette Clarke  \r\n\tWm. Lacy Clay  \r\n\tEmanuel Cleaver  \r\n\tSteve Cohen  \r\n\tJohn Conyers  \r\n\tJoseph Crowley  \r\n\tElijah Cummings  \r\n\tDanny Davis  \r\n\tDiana DeGette  \r\n\tRosa DeLauro  \r\n\tTheodore Deutch  \r\n\tDonna Edwards  \r\n\tKeith Ellison  \r\n\tEliot Engel  \r\n\tSam Farr  \r\n\tChaka Fattah  \r\n\tBob Filner  \r\n\tBarney Frank  \r\n\tMarcia Fudge  \r\n\tJohn Garamendi  \r\n\tAl Green  \r\n\tRaul Grijalva  \r\n\tLuis Gutirrez  \r\n\tColleen Hanabusa  \r\n\tAlcee Hastings  \r\n\tMaurice Hinchey  \r\n\tRuben Hinojosa  \r\n\tRush Holt  \r\n\tMike Honda  \r\n\tEddie Bernice Johnson  \r\n\tHank Johnson  \r\n\tDale Kildee  \r\n\tDennis Kucinich  \r\n\tSheila Jackson Lee  \r\n\tSander Levin  \r\n\tJohn Lewis  \r\n\tZoe Lofgren  \r\n\tCarolyn Maloney  \r\n\tDoris Matsui  \r\n\tJim McDermott  \r\n\tJames McGovern  \r\n\tGregory Meeks  \r\n\tGeorge Miller  \r\n\tGwen Moore  \r\n\tJames Moran  \r\n\tJerrold Nadler  \r\n\tGrace Napolitano  \r\n\tEleanor Holmes Norton  \r\n\tJohn Olver  \r\n\tEd Pastor  \r\n\tDonald Payne  \r\n\tEd Perlmutter  \r\n\tJared Polis  \r\n\tDavid Price  \r\n\tMike Quigley  \r\n\tCharles Rangel  \r\n\tLaura Richardson  \r\n\tCedric Richmond  \r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard  \r\n\tBobby Rush  \r\n\tTim Ryan  \r\n\tJohn Sarbanes  \r\n\tJanice Schakowsky  \r\n\tDebbie Wasserman Schultz  \r\n\tBobby Scott  \r\n\tDavid Scott  \r\n\tJose Serrano  \r\n\tTerri Sewell  \r\n\tAlbio Sires  \r\n\tLouise Slaughter  \r\n\tJackie Speier  \r\n\tPete Stark  \r\n\tBetty Sutton  \r\n\tBennie Thompson  \r\n\tEdolphus Towns  \r\n\tChris Van Hollen  \r\n\tMaxine Waters  \r\n\tMelvin Watt  \r\n\tHenry Waxman  \r\n\tFrederica Wilson  \r\n\tLynn Woolsey", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-super-committee-progress", "Aderholt Statement on Super Committee Progress", "2011-11-21", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Statement on Super Committee Progress\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the \u201cSuper Committee,\u201d meets before the impending November 23rd deadline:\n\n\u201cThe goal of the Super Committee is simple, reign in wasteful Washington spending and start chipping away at our nation\u2019s $15 trillion debt, so that our children and grandchildren will have the same economic opportunities we did,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cSadly, it looks like that will not happen. Failure by the Super Committee to reach an agreement will be a clear indication of the continued stalemate in Washington and further evidence some Democrats still do not recognize Washington does not have a revenue problem, Washington has a spending problem.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile Democrats may blame the failure of the Super Committee on Conservatives unwillingness to raise taxes, the dismal unemployment numbers and failed bailouts and stimulus of the past three years are clear proof we must put an end to Washington\u2019s revolving door of debt, by cutting spending. Our economy is finally showing faint signs of economic recovery, we must capitalize on that momentum. Although there will be disappointment and concern if an agreement is unable to be reached, I am proud my colleagues continue to stand their ground and are fighting to not raise taxes on hardworking Alabama families and small businesses.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the past three years alone, the national debt has increased a staggering 34 percent, under the current Administration. The federal government cannot continue borrowing 42 cents of every dollar spent and expect our economy to turn around. And although it is clear House Republicans may not be able to undo all the damage done, including the many burdensome regulatory and job crushing policies put in place by the Administration over the last three years, I can assure you that House Republican continue to fight tirelessly to try reverse these burdensome regulations and put forth pro-active policies that promote economic growth and private-sector job creation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-statement-on-joint-select-committee-on-deficit-reduction", "Lee Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction", "2011-11-21", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.21.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tOakland, CA  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Super Committee) announced that an agreement was not reached: \r\n\r\n\tIf there was ever any doubt that Republicans were in the pocket of the Tea Party, that doubt is gone with the failure of the Super Committee. Congress has missed yet another opportunity to create jobs because the number one priority for Republicans is protecting the rich at all costs.\r\n\r\n\tDemocrats consistently support a big, bold, and balanced plan to reduce the deficit and grow the economy. The best way to eliminate the deficit is to get America working again. Americans want leaders who work for all of us, not just the top one percent.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-supports-balanced-budget-amendment", "Aderholt Supports Balanced Budget Amendment", "2011-11-18", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Supports Balanced Budget Amendment\n\nOpportunity to End to Washington\u2019s Spending Binge, Grow America\u2019s Economy and Create Jobs\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement in support of H.J. Res. 2, the Balanced Budget Amendment:\n\n\u201cFor the first 140 years of our nation\u2019s history, except during times of war, the federal government operated a balanced budget,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cHowever, in 1934 things began to change. Since then, the federal government has only had 12 balanced budgets, resulting in a $15 trillion national debt.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile Alabama families and small business continue to tighten their belts and live within their means, the federal government is borrowing 42 cents of every dollar spent. Washington is in a spending-driven debt crisis and a balanced budget amendment would require Washington to live within its means from here on out, no excuses, no gimmicks.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the past three years alone the national debt has increased a staggering 34 percent. If our economy is to recover and grow, our nation\u2019s small businesses are to create sustainable private-sector jobs and our children and grandchildren are to have a prosperous future, the buck must stop here. I am proud to cosponsor this vital legislation and look forward to its passage,\u201d concluded Aderholt.\n\nBill Highlights:\n\nRequires the President\u2019s budget submission be balanced;\n\nRequires a super majority 3/5 vote for total spending for any fiscal year that exceeds total revenue;\n\nRequires a super majority 3/5 vote for any future debt limit increase;\n\nRequires a majority vote for any tax increase; and\n\nIncludes a waiver for war.\n\nThis resolution currently has 242 bipartisan cosponsors also previously passed the House of Representatives in 1995 with 300 bipartisan votes.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-supports-fy12-mini-bus", "Aderholt Supports FY12 Mini-Bus", "2011-11-17", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Legislation Includes Support for NASA\u2019s SLS Rocket, Disaster Relief Funding and Provides $7 Billion in Spending Cuts\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), released the following statement in support of the Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture; Commerce, Justice and Science; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bills and Continuing Resolution, keeping the government in operation until December 16, 2011:\n\n\u201cThis legislation, also known as the mini-bus, is another step in the right direction of reigning in wasteful spending and getting our economy back on track,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cThis mini-bus fulfills what we have promised: it cuts discretionary spending for the second year running and establishes much needed priorities. Given the state of the economy, now more than ever, it is imperative to institute responsible spending levels, creating a better environment for economic growth and private sector job creation.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to say that North Alabama is not left out of this spending bill as there is an increase of $60 million in FY12 for the development of the SLS rocket, for a total of $1.86 billion. In addition the bill requires quarterly reports on the SLS project from NASA Headquarters. Specifically this provision limits spending on infrastructure and requires NASA demonstrate sufficient progress on the SLS project, before receiving all commercial crew funding. The continued development of the SLS rocket is a critical to human spaceflight and exploration and important to Alabama\u2019s economy and I look forward to continuing to work on this project,\u201d concluded Aderholt.\n\nBill Highlights:\n\nResponsible Funding Levels \u2013 The bill provides responsible funding for integral federal agencies and departments, maintaining the critical services and programs our citizens rely on. These programs facilitate public safety and health, improve our infrastructure, protect our most vulnerable citizens, and help grow our economy.\n\nThe conference agreement for the three bills upholds the overall regular base discretionary level of $1.043 trillion as agreed to in the Budget Control Act (BCA). This funding level is a decrease of $7 billion from last year, and represents a savings of $93 billion compared to the President\u2019s request.\n\nImportant Policy Items \u2013 This Conference Report contains important policy items that will discourage government overreach in the daily lives of Americans, provide better oversight on the use of precious taxpayer dollars, protect our citizens and our homeland, and tighten the reins on harmful, job?killing federal regulations that make it harder for employers to create jobs. Some of these items include:\n\n- Bolstering Trade and Job Creation \u2013 The report includes language to bolster U.S. trade and strengthen the marketplace, including language encouraging free trade agreements, manufacturing growth, a better import-export trade balance, and repatriation to bring jobs back to the U.S.\n\n- Deportation Funding \u2013 The report provides additional funding for judges to expedite deportation hearings of illegal immigrants.\n\n- \u201cGIPSA\u201d Rule \u2013 The report places restrictions on the implementation of a proposed rule by the Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) that would have allowed harmful government interference in the private market for livestock and poultry.\n\n- Second Amendment Rights \u2013 The conference agreement includes numerous provisions that protect the right to keep and bear arms. Three of these protections are made permanent beginning in FY 2012. These three provisions prohibit Department of Justice (DOJ) from consolidating firearms sales records, electronically retrieving the records of former firearms dealers, and maintaining information on persons who have passed firearms background checks. In addition, the conference agreement contains numerous one-year firearms protections, and new language prohibiting DOJ from requiring imported shotguns to meet a \"sporting purposes\" test.\n\n- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Oversight \u2013 The Conference Report includes new oversight reforms at HUD, including: oversight reports on how community development program funds are used, reforms to the mismanaged HOME Investment Partnerships Program, required reports on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse; a 37.5% funding cut for the mismanaged HOME Investment Partnerships Program; and no funding for the unauthorized \u201cSustainable Communities\u201d program.\n\n- Gitmo - The report continues provisions related to Guantanamo Bay \u2013 including a prohibition on the transfer or release of any detainee into the U.S., and a prohibition on the acquisition or construction of any new prison to house detainees.\n\n- Federal Home Loan Reform \u2013 The bill does not increase the maximum loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These entities have been under public scrutiny for their questionable businesses practices and use of billions in federal bailout funds, some of which have been used for extravagant management bonuses. The bill limits the increase in the conforming loan limits to only the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), which is subject to greater congressional scrutiny and oversight.\n\n- Climate Change \u2013 The conference agreement does NOT include funding to establish a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Service. The Administration requested $322 million to establish this new entity within NOAA.\n\nDisaster Funding \u2013 Numerous major natural disasters this year have cost states and communities billions \u2013 requiring historic levels of relief and recovery assistance. Federal agencies are receiving relief requests from nearly every state, and it is critical that Congress provide necessary funds to help families, businesses, and communities recover from these devastating disasters.\n\nAfter close scrutiny of disaster funding needs within the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Agriculture, the Conference Report provides $2.3 billion in disaster relief funding for these agencies \u2013approximately $850 million less than the Senate-passed legislation. These funds will be used solely for recovery related to natural disasters and catastrophes and will not grow the underlying budget or size of these agencies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-balanced-budget-amendment-breaks-washingtons-spending-addiction", "Amodei: Balanced Budget Amendment breaks Washington's spending addiction", "2011-11-17", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "MMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 17, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today issued the following statement in support of H.J. Res. 2 -- Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States:\n\n\"Washington, D.C. has a fatal spending problem, which is every American's problem because it's dragging down our economy and our way of life. Unless we get spending under control now, the country we give our grandchildren will be in far worse shape than the one we inherited.\n\n\"This is a town where a spending increase can be called a spending cut, because it wasn't as big as desired. This is a town that's proven time and again that it can't help itself -- it's addicted to spending. The Balanced Budget Amendment says to Congress and the President, 'Enough is enough. Mortgaging the future of our grandchildren is not an option.'\n\n\"Unfortunately, like any addict, there are people in Washington that don't want to quit spending. Instead, they want more taxes, more of your money, and more of your company's money to spend. They'll tell you that they only want to tax the rich and corporations, but when taxes are raised, we all pay more in the form of fewer jobs, lower wages and higher prices for goods and services.\n\n\"So strong is their addiction to spending, they'll also resort to claiming that a balanced budget will end Medicare and Social Security, which is a lie. The truth is that if Washington keeps spending like it does, debt and liabilities will consume the federal budget. A sure fire way to end Medicare and Social Security is to maintain the status quo, ignore the problem, and keep spending like there's no tomorrow.\"\n\n\"We need to break the addiction. Federal government spending is not the answer to every problem. And I firmly believe that Nevadans want less federal spending, not more.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nIf approved by a two-thirds majority of each chamber of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures, H.J. Res. 2 would amend the Constitution to prohibit federal spending in any fiscal year from exceeding receipts for that year. The balanced budget requirement could be waived in a given year if three-fifths of both chambers approve a law to allow spending to exceed revenues.\n\nIn addition, the amendment would require a vote of three-fifths of both chambers to increase the statutory debt limit. The amendment would also require the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress each fiscal year and would require a majority vote of Congress to approve any tax increase. Total spending would include all U.S. outlays except those for repayment of debt principal.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=758D5C0A-BC6F-4528-9079-63396DBCB795", "Representative DesJarlais Votes for Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution", "2011-11-17", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) today voted in favor of H.J. Res. 2: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.\n\nThe following statement can be attributed to Rep. DesJarlais:\n\n\u201cRecent polls show that 74% of Americans are in favor of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. With that level of overwhelming support, it amazes me that many of my colleagues could vote against this bill today and claim they are putting the American people before political interests. I hope that voters will take a long, hard look at what Members of Congress refused to support this commonsense measure to get our nation\u2019s fiscal house in order and hold them accountable.\n\n\u201cAfter casting 859 votes in the United States House of Representatives, I can honestly say that the failure of this bill hurt the most. I\u2019ve never walked off the House Floor with such a heavy heart.\n\n\u201cAlthough I am deeply disappointed that today\u2019s legislation fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for passage, I will continue to fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment to our Constitution. It is the right thing to do.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-votes-support-second-amendment-rights", "Amodei votes to support Second Amendment rights", "2011-11-16", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 16, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today voted in favor of H.R. 822 the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, which passed the House with bipartisan support 272 to 154. This legislation would require states that permit carrying concealed firearms to recognize such permits from other states.\n\nAmodei had previously voted in support of this legislation as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, where all anti-gun amendments offered to weaken the legislation were defeated. Data presented in the committee markup conclusively showed that individuals who go through the process of getting permits are not committing crimes.\n\n\"Americans are citizens, not subjects,\" said Amodei. \"All Americans have the Constitutional right to defend themselves, their families and their property. This legislation would enable millions of law-abiding permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense when traveling outside their home states.\"\n\nPresently, 49 states have laws to permit citizens to carry concealed firearms. Only Illinois completely denies residents the right to carry a concealed firearm outside their homes or businesses for self-defense.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-congressional-progressive-caucus-hold-hearing-on-job-creation", "Lee, Congressional Progressive Caucus Hold Hearing on Job Creation", "2011-11-16", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.16.11\n\t\t\t Lee, Congressional Progressive Caucus Hold Hearing on Job Creation  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee urges extension of unemployment benefits for jobless workers\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus at an ad hoc hearing to discuss America's top priority: job creation. The hearing is in response to the secret meetings of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) over the last few months. The Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year. \r\n\r\n\tI want to thank the witnesses for their insight, said Congresswoman Lee. It is critical that we publicly air the voices of Americans that support a plan that is balanced and helps creates jobs and grows the economy. For more than 300 days in the House majority, the GOP has refused to put forward a clear jobs plan.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee raised the important issue of maintaining the current extension of unemployment benefits which are set to expire at the end of the year. She also urged the passage of her bill, H.R. 589, which would extend unemployment compensation for an additional fourteen weeks for the millions of Americans who have completely exhausted their benefits. Not only do unemployed workers need assistance for food and shelter month to month, but unemployed workers immediately spend the assistance received which stimulates the economy and contributes to job growth.\r\n\r\n\tMembers received testimony from Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, economist Dr. John Irons with the Economic Policy Institute, Robert Borosage, co-director of the Campaign for America's Future, and Dr. Rob Johnson of the Roosevelt Institute and Patriotic Millionaires. The experts discussed policy measures that will create jobs and invest in the future of working Americans and their families.\r\n\r\n\tI do not believe that another round of tax cuts for the wealthy will create the demand we need to restore growth and reignite the American Dream for millions of Americans, said Congresswoman Lee. A real solution would lift up the nearly 50 million Americans' struggling in poverty by protecting our social safety net, continuing jobless benefits, and investing in education, public infrastructure projects, and job training.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-statement-supreme-court-review-health-care-law", "Amodei statement on Supreme Court review of health care law", "2011-11-15", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "I believe that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and it is my hope that the Supreme Court will overturn it. Already, during my short time in Congress, I voted to repeal a provision of the President's health care law that raised eligibility f\n\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 15, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision to take up the challenges to the President's health care legislation:\n\n\"I believe that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and it is my hope that the Supreme Court will overturn it. Already, during my short time in Congress, I voted to repeal a provision of the President's health care law that raised eligibility for Medicaid far beyond the intended poverty level. This correction is estimated to save taxpayers at least $13 billion over 10 years. I eagerly await the Court's decision and from there we'll be able to assess the path for repealing what amounts to government control of 16% of our economy.\"\n\n# # #\n\n2012-01-06 10:23:00 2012-01-13 11:36:00 2011-11-15 07:28:00 False False", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/congressman-amodei-host-meet-and-greet-fernley", "Congressman Amodei to host 'meet and greet' in Fernley", "2011-11-15", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 15, 2011\n\n*MEDIA ALERT*\n\nRENO -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) announced today that he will host a \"meet and greet\" event in Fernley on Saturday, November 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Fernley City Hall. It will be open to the public and media. For additional information, please contact the Reno district office at 775-686-5760.\n\nFernley\n\nSaturday, November 19\n\n9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.\n\nFernley City Hall\n\n595 Silver Lace Boulevard\n\nFernley, Nevada 89408\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/carson-votes-suspend-excessive-executive-pay-and-bonuses", "Carson Votes to Suspend Excessive Executive Pay and Bonuses", "2011-11-15", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today Congressman Andre Carson voted as a member of the Financial Services Committee to pass a measure that would suspend bonuses for executives with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the two mortgage companies operating under U.S. government control.\n\n\"Today I voted to rein in extravagant pay and bonuses at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,\" Congressman Carson stated. \"Since the start of our financial crisis, taxpayers have paid billions to prop up these struggling mortgage giants. Unfortunately, $100 million intended to prevent collapsing mortgage markets was diverted for executive pay and bonuses.\"\n\nCarson added, \"Fannie and Freddie need to attract top talent to address our mortgage crisis, and this requires competitive pay. But as companies across the country have cut salaries and bonuses just to make ends meet, Fannie and Freddie should follow suit, especially when using tax dollars.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-invites-elko-county-commission-chairman-testify-natural-resources-hearing", "Amodei invites Elko County Commission Chairman to testify at Natural Resources hearing", "2011-11-14", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 14, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today announced that at his invitation, Elko County Commission Chairman Demar Dahl will testify on Tuesday, November 15 before the Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.\n\nDahl, who is the County's lead negotiator with the Forest Service on travel management, will be a witness at a hearing on \"U.S. Forest Service Regulatory Roadblocks to Productive Land Use and Recreation.\"\n\n\"Agencies in Washington, D.C. tend to proceed as if they know best and can ignore their legal responsibilities to coordinate with local stakeholders,\" said Amodei. \"Living with the consequences of public land designations is something that we Nevadans know a lot about, which is why I want to thank Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva for the opportunity to bring an expert from Nevada to provide feedback on this vital issue.\"\n\nDahl has extensive experience coordinating with the Forest Service and has also worked on key legislation pertaining to water rights. He was a charter Member Federal Land Conference, president of the Nevada Cattlemen\u2019s Association, and member of the Nevada State Environmental Commission.\n\nThe hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, November 15.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-hosts-jobs-event-in-oakland", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts Jobs Event in Oakland", "2011-11-10", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.10.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts Jobs Event in Oakland \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tContact Ricci Graham (510) 305-2954\r\n\r\n\r\n\tOakland  Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted the Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday, November 10, 2011. More than 100 employers seeking to fill current job openings participated in the event, which also featured workshops on using the Internet to enhance job-seeking techniques and on-site resume review and critique. Job seekers had the opportunity to meet directly with employers to discuss the more than 500 positions attempted to be filled at the jobs fair, the second Congresswoman Lee has hosted this year. The Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair represents a collaboration between Congresswoman Lee, Assemblyman Sandre' Swanson, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland City Council President Larry Reid, the Oakland Private Industry Council, the Oakland Workforce Investment Board, the City of Oakland Enterprise Zone, the Alameda County Labor Council, and the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. Congresswoman Lee offered the following statement to kick-off the event: I would like to thank the community groups and local employers who have made this event possible today. The jobs crisis is nothing short of a national emergency and that is why it is critical that Congress pass President Obama's American Jobs Act which would invest in worker training programs, provide tax incentives to employers, and put workers back on the job while rebuilding and modernizing America. The jobs crisis has left so many people out of work for so long that most of America's unemployed are no longer receiving unemployment benefits. Supporting unemployed Americans is critical and Congress must pass H.R. 589  my bill to provide an additional fourteen weeks of relief to Americans whose have exhausted all their benefits and are now in desperate need. There are those of us in Congress who still believe that we can indeed reignite the American Dream. We are fighting to build ladders of opportunity and we are committed to tearing down the barriers that prevent progress. So, while too many Americans are asking the Republican leadership, where are the jobs?'  I am happy to be here today with local leaders and businesses and I hope that we can provide a number of those jobs today at the Good Jobs Now! Jobs Fair.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-administrations-approval-nationwide-christmas-tree", "Aderholt Statement on Administration's Approval of Nationwide Christmas Tree Tax", "2011-11-09", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "USDA Approval of Christmas Tree Tax Reveals Concern About the Administration\u2019s Continued Tax-and-Spend Policies\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement in wake of the Administration\u2019s approval of a new 15 cent on all Christmas trees, that is slated to pay for a nationwide, government sponsored ad campaign to promote the benefits of live Christmas trees:\n\n\u201cThe federal government in the midst of the worst budgetary situation in recent history and while Congress looks to make $1.2 trillion in critical spending cuts and implement policies promoting private-sector job growth, the Administration\u2019s new Christmas tree tax and ad campaign is clear evidence of misaligned and misguided priorities in Washington,\u201d said Aderholt.\n\n\u201cAs the House continues to fight for additional spending cuts and free-market solutions, the Administration is once again challenging American liberty and now defaming the real meaning and spirit of Christmas. The size and role of government has already grown to epic proportions over recent years and the Administration\u2019s use of the holidays to promote their goals of increased government intervention and a tax-and-spend agenda is simply unacceptable,\u201d concluded Aderholt.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/2011/11/09/barbara-lee-honors-troops-veterans-on-veterans-day", "Barbara Lee Honors Troops, Veterans on Veterans Day", "2011-11-09", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.09.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Honors Troops, Veterans on Veterans Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\r\nOakland  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) offered the following statement in support of America's troops and veterans in honor of the 92nd Veterans Day:\r\n\r\n\"In light of President Obama's recent decision to follow through on his commitment to execute a complete withdrawal of troops in Iraq, it is essential that we continue to work to provide quality housing, health care, and education for our veterans as they return home. Let us further dedicate ourselves to providing all of our veterans, military troops, and their families around the world who continue to proudly serve our country the necessary support and resources that they have earned and deserve. \r\n\r\nAs the daughter of a veteran, I believe we have a moral responsibility to keep our promise to the people who have served our nation. Veterans, service members, and their families deserve our full support and I will continue to fight to keep the promises made to our veterans who have served selflessly and answered our nation's call to duty in times of peace and war.\r\n\r\nCongresswoman Lee has joined many of her colleagues in supporting the American Jobs Act. This legislation takes another step in keeping our promises to our troops and veterans with the inclusion of the Returning Heroes Tax Credit which gives employers tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans. Additionally, Congresswoman Lee supports H.R. 287, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2011, which would expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families and provide 20,000 additional rental vouchers for homeless veterans.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-administrations-policies-stand-way-job-creation", "Amodei: administration's policies stand in way of job-creation", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 4, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to today's jobs numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) said that it's time for the President Obama to recognize that his promised economic recovery has not materialized and that his administration's economic policies do not work.\n\n\"The first step toward recovery is admitting that you have a problem,\" said Amodei. \"This administration needs to admit that its policies of record spending, uncontrolled debt, excessive regulations, and the threat of higher taxes are not the solution. They are the problem.\"\n\nFrom February 2009, when the President's \u201cstimulus\u201d was signed into law, through October 2011, the economy has shed 2,047,000 jobs -- an average of 62,030 jobs lost each month. The administration claimed national unemployment would be 6.5 percent today if the stimulus was enacted. According to the latest BLS figures, it is 9 percent.\n\nThe Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of that failed program will reach $825 billion and interest on the debt will be at least $347 billion. As of September 2011, unemployment in Nevada is 13.4% -- the highest in the nation. The October numbers by state will be released November 22, 2011.\n\n\"Our country now ranks 13th in the world for 'ease of starting a business' according to a World Bank report,\" said Amodei. \"In 2007, we ranked third. Stymieing entrepreneurship is not going to get people back to work.\"\n\nThis year, the Republican majority in the House has passed numerous pieces of legislation to liberate job creators from the destructive polices of the administration. Twenty-two of those bills, which would foster economic growth and job creation, are stuck in the Democrat-controlled Senate.\n\nWhile the Senate stalls, there are:\n\n\u2022 1,293,000 job seekers who are new to the workforce and have yet to find a job. The number of new workers who cannot find a job has been above one million for two years.\n\n\u2022 5,876,000 Americans unemployed and searching for work for more than 27 weeks in the month of October. Since President Obama took office, the number of people unemployed for more than 27 weeks increased by 139 percent.\n\n\u2022 45,837,824 Americans receiving food stamps -- the most in any month in history, which is an increase of 40 percent since President Obama took office.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=698F0AFB-6CC0-4E51-B019-9F35B0F238C1", "Representative DesJarlais Statement on October Jobs Report", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) issued the following statement in response to the October Jobs Report. Since President Obama took office, the nation\u2019s unemployment rate has gone from 7.8 percent to 9.1 percent and the number of unemployed Americans has increased by two million. Additionally, the federal debt has increased from $10.6 trillion to $14.9 trillion.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s jobs numbers are a grim reminder that President Obama\u2019s failed economic policies have done little to create jobs in this country. For over two years now our nation\u2019s unemployment rate has exceeded 9 percent despite the passage of the president\u2019s nearly trillion dollar stimulus package that he assured us would keep unemployment under 8 percent.\n\n\u201cNow, we see President Obama back on the campaign trail promoting even more government spending through a second stimulus package, which he calls a \u201cjobs plan.\u201d Unfortunately for him, it seems that even Congressional Democrats have begun to distance themselves from this president\u2019s misguided economic policies and have been more than hesitant to embrace his stimulus package. Perhaps they are just as alarmed as I am that this president has already increased the amount of debt per person from $34,731 to $47,796.\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans understand that we need real solutions that will give America\u2019s job-creators the tools and confidence they need to start creating jobs in local communities. I\u2019ve visited more than 40 businesses as part of my \u201cTennessee Job Creators Tour\u201d and the message I get from them is clear: stop over-spending, stop over-taxing and, above all, stop over-regulating.\n\n\u201cTo date, House Republicans have passed more than 20 bipartisan jobs-bills specifically aimed at creating an environment that will allow small businesses to grow and hire. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has blocked these commonsense pieces of legislation from even being voted on. Rather than continuing to push for more government spending that will do little to spur job creation, President Obama should encourage Senate Democrats to take up the House-passed jobs bills.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-statement-on-occupy-oakland", "Lee Statement on Occupy Oakland", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.04.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on Occupy Oakland \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Occupy Oakland and the Day of Action: \r\n\r\n\t\"I want to applaud the historic showing of the thousands of people who marched peacefully on Wednesday in Oakland for economic justice and for reigniting the American Dream. The destructive actions of a small minority of protestors are unacceptable. I continue to call for non-violence and support the free speech rights of the protestors, as well as the small businesses, local workers, and the 99 percent.\"\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-statement-on-october-jobs-report", "Lee Statement on October Jobs Report", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.04.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on October Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a slight decline in unemployment rates: \r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. gained just 80,000 new jobs in October and the national unemployment rate remains distressingly high at 9.0%. We must target investment and focus our efforts at rapidly reducing unemployment, especially among those hardest hit which continue to be communities of color  African Americans (15.1%), Hispanics (11.4%), and youth (24.1%).  \r\n\r\n\tFor 300 days in the majority, House Republicans have failed to enact any jobs measures or put forth any clear jobs agenda. Congress must enact President Obama's American Jobs Act and put people back to work. We must ensure that the work of the Supercommittee (the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction) is focused on economic growth, job creation, and preservation of the social safety net.\r\n\r\n\tI reiterate my call to Speaker Boehner to allow an up or down vote on H.R. 589, a bill I introduced that would provide fourteen weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and are now off the books and in desperate need.\r\n\r\n\tAmericans are waiting; Democrats have been prepared to act; and Republicans must join us in creating jobs and reigniting the American Dream for all. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/balanced-budget-amendment-introduced", "Balanced Budget Amendment Introduced", "2011-11-04", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-04) and 11 cosponsors today introduced House Joint Resolution 84, a balanced budget constitutional amendment. The amendment consists of 27 words and prohibits the government from increasing U.S. debt except for a specific purpose and with the approval of three-fourths of Congress.\n\nCongressman McClintock discussed the legislation in a House Floor speech. The remarks are attached below.\n\nBack to Basics with the Balanced Budget Amendment\n\nHouse Chamber, Washington, D.C.\n\nNovember 2, 2011\n\nMr. Speaker: The International Monetary Fund estimated that as of Halloween night, the debt of this nation surpassed its entire economy for the first time since World War II. We all know that if you live beyond your means today you must live below your means tomorrow. That\u2019s the tomorrow that our generation has created for the children who were dressed up as princesses and cowboys when they came calling on Monday. That is our generation\u2019s eternal shame, and something that our generation must set right.\n\nThe House is expected soon to vote on a balanced budget amendment that is critical to stop this plunder of our children. There are a number of excellent proposals out there and I would have no trouble supporting any of them.\n\nI do rise, however, to express the hope that the final product of these deliberations proves worthy of the wisdom that guided the drafting of the Constitution.\n\nThe beauty of the American Constitution is in its simplicity and its humility. The American Founders recognized Cicero\u2019s wisdom that \u201cthe best laws are the simplest ones.\u201d And they realized that they couldn\u2019t possibly foresee the circumstances and conditions that may confront future generations and therefore they resisted the temptation to micro-manage every decision that might be made centuries in the future. Instead, they set forth general principles of governance and erected a structure in which human nature itself would naturally guide future decisions to comport with those principles.\n\nIn crafting a balanced budget amendment, we need to maintain these qualities. We should not attempt to tell future generations specifically how they should manage their revenues and expenditures in times that we cannot comprehend. The experience of many states that operate under their own balanced budget amendments tells us that the more complicated and convoluted such strictures become, the more they are circumvented and manipulated.\n\nMany have quoted Jefferson\u2019s 1798 letter to John Taylor as support for a balanced budget amendment. Here\u2019s what he actually wrote:\n\n\u201cI wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government to the genuine principles of its Constitution; I mean an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.\"\n\nWhat is a balanced budget? It\u2019s simply a budget that doesn\u2019t require us to borrow. Then why not just say so, as Jefferson did?\n\nInstead of trying to define fiscal years, outlays, expenditures, revenues, emergencies, triggers, sequestrations and on and on, I hope we would consider 27 simple words:\n\n\u201cThe United States government may not increase its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of both Houses of Congress.\u201d\n\nThat\u2019s it.\n\nSuch an amendment, taking effect ten years from ratification, would give the government time to put its affairs in order and thereafter naturally require future Congresses to maintain both a balanced budget and a prudent reserve to accommodate fluctuations of revenues and routine contingencies. It trusts that three-fourths of Congress will be able to recognize a genuine emergency when it sees one and that one-fourth of Congress will be strong enough to resist borrowing for light or transient reasons. The experience of the states has warned us that a 2/3 vote is insufficient to protect against profligacy.\n\nSome advocate going much farther and establishing limitations on spending and taxation as well, but if borrowing is prohibited, there exists a natural limit to the ability and willingness of the people to tolerate taxation and therefore spending. The real danger is when run-away spending is accommodated by borrowing \u2013 a hidden future tax \u2013 and the best and most effective way to invoke that natural limit is a simple prohibition.\n\nAt the end of the week, I will introduce this 27-word amendment and ask my colleagues to consider it with the many others that are now before the Congress. As I said, I like virtually all of them \u2013 they all accomplish the purpose of restraining the reckless deficits that our generation has produced. But in drafting an amendment to guide not only this generation, but all those to follow, I would hope that we would do as the Constitutional Convention would have done if it had the benefit of Jefferson\u2019s wise counsel: set down the general principle only and allow future generations, with their own insight into their own challenges, to put it to practical effect.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/rep-amodei-host-meet-and-greet-events-reno-elko-and-winnemucca", "Rep. Amodei to host 'meet and greet' events in Reno, Elko and Winnemucca", "2011-11-03", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nNovember 3, 2011\n\n*MEDIA ALERT*\n\nRENO -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today announced that he will host three \"meet and greet\" sessions in Northern Nevada on Monday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 8. Each stop is open to the public and media. In addition to his local team, Amodei's entire Washington, D.C. staff will be on hand to meet constituents. For additional information, please contact the Reno district office at 775-686-5760.\n\nMonday, November 7\n\nReno\n\nBruce Thompson Federal Building\n\n400 S. Virginia Street, Suite 502\n\n9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. -- Media Availability\n\n9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. -- Open House\n\nElko\n\nCity Hall, City Council Chambers\n\n1751 College Avenue\n\n5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. -- Meet and greet for public and media\n\nTuesday, November 8\n\nWinnemucca\n\nCity Hall\n\n90 W. 4th Street\n\n4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. -- Meet and greet for public and media\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-stands-behind-women-affected-by-climate-change", "Barbara Lee Stands Behind Women Affected by Climate Change", "2011-11-03", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.03.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Stands Behind Women Affected by Climate Change  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced a Congressional resolution to bring attention to the greater economic, agricultural, and health-related hardships faced by women arising from climate change. H.Con.Res. 84 recognizes the disparate impact of climate change on women and the efforts of women globally to address this issue. The direct and indirect effects of climate change continue to have a disproportionate impact on marginalized women, including refugee and displaced persons, sexual minorities, religious and ethnic minorities, adolescent girls, women and girls with disabilities and those who are HIV positive, said Congresswoman Lee. While women are bearing the brunt of climate change's effects, they are often underrepresented in the development of climate change adaptation policy. This is unacceptable. Due to climate change, women farmers, who are estimated to produce 60 to 80 percent of the food in most developing countries, face issues of scarcity and lack of accessibility to primary natural resources and arable land for food production. Also troubling, infectious disease epidemics, such as malaria, are expected to worsen and spread, due to variations in climate, putting women and children who do not have access to preventative and medical services at greater risk. Sadly, it is no secret that women and children are also more likely to die than men during natural disasters. Our goal is to empower women who are particularly vulnerable to climate change and to encourage a more gender-sensitive approach in climate change policy, said Lee. Women must be included in creating and implementing climate change policies and practices if we hope to help communities adapt to climate impacts and embark on a path towards clean and sustainable development.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/2011/11/02/congresswoman-barbara-lee-and-senator-frank-r-lautenberg-introduce-bill-to-expand-comprehensive-sex-education", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Introduce Bill to Expand Comprehensive Sex Education", "2011-11-02", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.02.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Introduce Bill to Expand Comprehensive Sex Education \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act, legislation that would give America's youth the knowledge they need to make educated decisions about theirhealth. The bill would expand comprehensive sex educationprograms inschools, while ensuring that federal funds arespenton effective, age-appropriate, medically accurate programs.\r\n\r\n\tComprehensive sex education programs are successful at reducing behaviors that put young people at risk,said Congresswoman Lee. Research has shown programs that combine information about abstinence and contraception effectively delay the onset of sexual intercourse, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase contraceptive use among teens. These programs also reduce unintended pregnancy and the transmission of STIs, including HIV.\r\n\r\n\tUnintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to threaten the health and well-being of our nation's youth. The United States still has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world, and recent reports have shown that teen birth rates are on the rise. In 2009, there wereapproximately 19 million new cases of STIs, almost half of them occurring in young people between 15 to 24 years old.\r\n\r\n\tGrowing up isn't easy and our kids find themselves in tough situations every day,said Senator Lautenberg.They need all the information to make smart choices and abstinence-only' programsdon't work. It's time to bring sexeducation up-to-date to reflect the real life situations facing young Americans.\r\n\r\n\tThe Real Education for Healthy Youth Act would help schools implement and expand age-appropriatecomprehensive sex education programs that are medically accurate and evidence-based, train teachers and educators to effectively educate teenagers in order to reduce unintended pregnancy and the transmission ofSTIs,and expand sexeducation programs at colleges and universities. The bill would also prevent federal funds from being spent on ineffective, medically inaccurate sex education programs.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-legislation-to-cut-poverty-in-half-in-ten-years", "Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Cut Poverty in Half in Ten Years", "2011-11-02", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.02.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Cut Poverty in Half in Ten Years \n\t\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced the introduction of H.R. 3300, a bill to help create pathways out of poverty and realize the goal of cutting poverty in half in a decade. In 2008, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H. Con. Res. 198, which called on Congress to commit to cutting poverty in half in a decade. The Half in Ten Act of 2011 provides the plan to help accomplish this goal.\r\n\r\n\tAmericans all across the country are struggling, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. It is clear that our policies and programs addressing poverty have not kept pace with the growing needs of millions of Americans. It is time we make the commitment to confront poverty head-on. This bill will help tear down the barriers of poverty and work to reignite the American Dream by providing ladders of opportunity for all.\r\n\r\n\tThe U.S. Census Bureau released data showing that 2.6 million Americans fell into poverty over the last year and an estimated 46.2 million Americans faced poverty in 2010. Fifteen percent of Americans lived in poverty last year, including one in five of America's children. Communities of color continue to face disturbingly higher rates of poverty, with 36% of African American children and 31% of Latino children facing poverty.\r\n\r\n\tThe Half in Ten Act of 2011 will establish the Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Poverty. The Working Group will develop and implement a national plan to reduce poverty in half in ten years while working to eliminate extreme poverty, child poverty and the historic disparity in poverty rates in communities of color.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee, founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus, concluded: We need to create jobs to give Americans economic security and grow our economy. Our economy will not recover quickly from the Great Recession with 46.2 million Americans living in poverty, but if we give those millions of Americans support and a pathway out of poverty, our economy will grow.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee  \r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tTo see the Half in Tens Campaign's report Restoring Shared Prosperity: Strategies to Cut Poverty and Expand Economic Growth, click here: http://halfinten.org/indicators/publications/2010report\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-floor-statment-god-we-trust", "Aderholt Floor Statment: In God We Trust", "2011-11-01", "2011", "2011-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution reaffirming ``In God We Trust'' as the official motto of the United States of America.\n\nThe motto is more than just a slogan. It defines the sentiments, I believe, of the Founding Fathers. While they never intended there to be an official state religion, they fully endorsed the idea of the acknowledgement of God.\n\nFrom the opening of each day in the House and in the Senate with prayer, to the private prayers of the individual Founders, the Founders indeed did put their trust in God. I believe they knew in their hearts that God had a special place for the United States of America and this new Nation.\n\nAnd while they knew that a Christian and godly Nation could never be achieved by any legislation that Congress could pass, they knew it was the people of the Nation who would individually receive God in their hearts for this to be truly a godly Nation.\n\nSo today, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution that's before us reaffirming our motto ``In God We Trust.''", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:58Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/-barbara-lee-stands-in-solidarity-with-occupy-oakland-day-of-action", "Barbara Lee Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Oakland Day of Action", "2011-11-01", "2011", "2011-11", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.01.11\n\t\t\t   Barbara Lee Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Oakland Day of Action \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Occupy Oakland Day of Action:\r\n\r\n\tOccupy Oakland's November 2nd day of action is aimed at bringing attention to the great inequalities that exist in the United States. I join in solidarity with Occupy Oakland to confront the greed of Wall Street and the major banks and demand that the 1% pay their fair share.\r\n\r\n\tAs the movement grows, we are likely to see more actions aimed at underscoring the inequalities faced by the 99% and we should support actions with these aims in mind. I continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-lithium-agreement-path-jobs-and-economic-growth-nevada", "Amodei: lithium agreement is path to jobs and economic growth for Nevada", "2011-10-31", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nOctober 31, 2011\n\nRENO \u2013 Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today praised an agreement between Reno-based Western Lithium and the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s Argonne National Laboratory as a major step toward the commercialization of lithium carbonate from the company\u2019s Kings Valley lithium project in Humboldt County. Western Lithium estimates that the mine will employ 150 full-time workers.\n\n\u201cThis partnership is an important step in leveraging our region\u2019s mineral wealth to create jobs and economic growth for Reno, Humboldt County, and Nevada,\u201d said Amodei. \u201cWe are uniquely positioned to meet the rising global demand for lithium, which is used in everything from mobile devices to hybrid and electric vehicles.\u201d\n\nUnder the agreement, Argonne will analyze and develop Western Lithium\u2019s products for battery applications. The Kings Valley lithium deposit is potentially one of the world\u2019s largest sources of high quality lithium carbonate.\n\n\u201cWe believe that the industry will continue to require improved product specifications for current and future lithium-ion battery applications,\u201d said Western Lithium President Jay Chmelauskas. \u201cOur work with Argonne is intended to develop lithium specifications suitable to engage potential customers for lithium carbonate off take agreements and ultimately to advance the Kings Valley project into production.\u201d\n\nArgonne is a leader in advanced battery and energy storage research and development. In the last three years, the research laboratory has executed several licensing deals for a lithium-ion battery technology with General Motors, BASF, Envia, LG Chem and Toda America.\n\nFor more information about the agreement, please go to www.westernlithium.com/news-items/4618\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/celebrate-silver-state-rep-amodei", "Celebrate the Silver State with Rep. Amodei", "2011-10-27", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nOctober 27, 2011\n\nCarson City, Nev. \u2013 Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) will participate in the Nevada Day festivities in his hometown of Carson City on Saturday, October 29.\n\nHe will attend the pancake breakfast at the Governor's Mansion, hosted by the Carson City Republican Women's Club from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., to help raise scholarship funds for two high school seniors -- one from Carson City and one from Dayton.\n\nAmodei will drive his 1986 GMC truck down the parade route, which is scheduled to being at 10:00 a.m. He will be accompanied by his mother Joy, his daughters Erin and Ryanne, his nephew Riley, his niece Abby, and his two dogs.\n\n\"Anytime the House is not in session, I'm back home in Nevada, so I'm happy to join my neighbors to celebrate this year's theme -- Nevada's Great Outdoors -- which is one of my favorite things about the Silver State,\" said Amodei.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-comments-on-occupy-oakland", "Barbara Lee Comments on Occupy Oakland", "2011-10-27", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Comments on Occupy Oakland \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer  \r\n\t(202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Occupy Oakland:\r\n\r\n\tI shared my outrage and grave concern about the police brutality in Oakland directly with the Mayor. My thoughts go out to the injured and especially Scott Olsen. I strongly support the occupy movement and continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality. \r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\t\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-joins-faith-leaders-in-taking-the-food-stamp-challenge-2011", "Barbara Lee Joins Faith Leaders in Taking the Food Stamp Challenge 2011", "2011-10-27", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.27.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Joins Faith Leaders in Taking the Food Stamp Challenge 2011 \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 or (202) 225-4783\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined national faith leaders from the Fighting Poverty with Faith coalition, senior members of the Obama Administration, and many of her Democratic colleagues at a Washington, D.C. supermarket to announce the start of the Food Stamp Challenge 2011.\r\n\r\n\tThe Food Stamp Challenge is a nationwide event intended to preserve funding for vital nutrition benefits during a time of record poverty and unacceptably high unemployment. Fighting Poverty with Faith challenges everyone to live for one week on the food budget of someone surviving on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or what is commonly called, food stamps.\r\n\r\n\tThe average benefit for an entire month is $133.79, which works out to $4.50 a day or $1.50 a meal. Participants are being asked to limit their entire food budget for the week of October 27 to November 3 to $31.50.\r\n\r\n\tI am again taking part in this challenge because I believe that it is unconscionable to make cuts to programs that feed America's poor and our nation's children during the height of an economic crisis, said Congresswoman Lee. We must fight against any efforts to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable Americans. I hope that everyone will consider joining the Food Stamp Challenge and joining the effort to end poverty in America.\r\n\r\n\tAs co-chair of the Congressional Poverty Caucus, Congresswoman Lee plans to introduce legislation next month to cut poverty by half in ten years. The bill would create an interagency working group tasked with developing and enacting a national plan to better coordinate anti-poverty and job creation programs.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tDetails on how you can participate can be found at: http://fightingpovertywithfaith.com/\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-announces-fourth-congressional-district-ag-and-industry-tour", "Aderholt Announces Fourth Congressional District Ag and Industry Tour", "2011-10-26", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Announces Fourth Congressional District Ag and Industry Tour\n\nTwelfth Annual Event Showcases Business in Cullman and Walker Counties\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced the dates and locations for the twelfth annual Fourth Congressional District Agriculture and Industry Tour. Taking place on Thursday, November 10th and Friday, November 11th the event will highlight businesses in Cullman and Walker Counties of Alabama.\n\nAmong the business and sites Congressman Aderholt and tour participants will visit are: in Cullman, Cullman Cabinet and Supply, Gold Vine Farms and Stone Bridge Farms; in Jasper, Smith Dam and Hydroelectric Facility; in Bremen, HH Technologies; and in Hanceville, the Burrow Museum for the Fine and Performing Arts at Wallace State Community College.\n\n\u201cNorth Alabama\u2019s various industries, small businesses and agriculture have a vital impact on our region and I believe it is important to support and learn as much about them as possible,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cIn addition to being a wonderful learning experience for me, this tour also gives me the opportunity to meet and visit with constituents from across the district. I encourage anyone who has an interest in participating to call the Cullman district office for further details.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom farms to fine arts, each of these locations is an example of the economic impact being made in the Fourth Congressional District and the great state of Alabama. At each stop we will take a walking tour and receive an overview of the business at that location. I look forward to another successful, engaging tour.\u201d\n\nThe Fourth Congressional District Agriculture and Industry tour visited sites in Marshall and DeKalb counties in 2010, Walker county in 2009, Marshall and DeKalb counties in 2008, and Cullman and Winston counties in 2007. Congressman Aderholt hosted the very first Ag and Industry tour in 2000 in Blount, Marshall and DeKalb counties.\n\nThe Agriculture and Industry Tour is open to anyone who would like to attend, however space is limited. Anyone interested in attending should contact Jennifer Taylor in the Cullman District Office at (256) 734-6043. The registration fee for the two-day event, which includes transportation, dinner and lunch, is $100, or $50 for only one day.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-appoints-senior-district-and-washington-staff", "Amodei appoints senior district and Washington staff", "2011-10-26", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nOctober 26, 2011\n\nRENO, Nev. and WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) announced the appointment of his senior district and Washington, D.C. staff.\n\n\"I'm very pleased with the talented team that we were able to assemble to serve the people of the 2nd Congressional District of Nevada,\" said Amodei. \"I want all my constituents to know that they shouldn't hesitate to contact either my Nevada or Washington offices with their questions and concerns related to the federal government.\"\n\nSworn in to office on September 15, 2010, Amodei moved quickly to establish his personal and district offices and hopes to open an additional district office shortly. His virtual office is www.amodei.house.gov.\n\nTo date, his team includes:\n\nReno Office: 400 S. Virginia St., Suite 502, (775) 686-5760\n\nStacy Legarza Parobek, District Director\n\nA Reno resident, Parobek has experience in both Carson City and Washington, D.C., including official and campaign positions with former U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt. A 1985 graduate of the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, Parobek is the mother of three children, ages 12, 17 and 20.\n\nWashington, D.C. Office: 125 Cannon House Office Building, (202) 225-6155\n\nRick Goddard, Chief of Staff\n\nA veteran of six U.S. House, Senate and Presidential campaigns, with official positions in the House and Senate, Goddard joins Amodei's office after six years with a professional trade association. A 1998 graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, he is the father of one with one on the way.\n\nBruce F. Miller II, Legislative Director\n\nWith more than nine years of campaign and legislative experience, Miller comes to Amodei's office from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) where he advised RSC members and staff with analysis and vote recommendations. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.\n\nBrian L. Baluta, Communications Director\n\nBaluta brings more than 12 years of communications experience in the private sector and the U.S. House of Representatives to Amodei's office. Most recently he oversaw a public outreach team for the U.S. Department of Justice. Baluta is a 1999 graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations.\n\nPaige E. Hensgens, Operations Coordinator\n\nA 2009 graduate of Louisiana State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication, Hensgens comes to Amodei's team from the Office of Congressman Charles Boustany, where she held several positions including staff assistant, legislative correspondent and systems administrator.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-assigned-natural-resources-committee", "Amodei assigned to Natural Resources Committee", "2011-10-26", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nOctober 26, 2011\n\nWASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today announced Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) as the newest member of the committee. This is Amodei's third and final committee assignment in addition to the Judiciary and Veterans Affairs committees.\n\n\"With our vast mineral wealth and expansive public lands, a seat on the House Natural Resources Committee is important for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District,\" said Amodei. \"How best to leverage those resources for job creation and economic growth, while preserving the uniqueness of our landscape and our way of life, is a top priority.\"\n\n\"I\u2019m pleased that the newest member of the Republican majority - Rep. Mark Amodei - will be joining the Natural Resources Committee,\" said Hastings. \"Mark\u2019s sprawling Nevada congressional district is comprised of large portions of public lands and his knowledge of western land issues is a welcome addition to the Committee. Committee Republicans welcome Mark and are looking forward to working with him to create jobs and keep America\u2019s public lands and waterways open and accessible for all forms of use.\"\n\nThe House Natural Resources Committee considers legislation about American energy production, mineral lands and mining, fisheries and wildlife, public lands, oceans, Native Americans, irrigation and reclamation. Additionally, Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee are working on a wide range of important issues, including:\n\nIncreasing America's economic competitiveness and creating new jobs.\n\nOversight of the Obama administration.\n\nAll-of-the-above energy approach.\n\nSecuring our border on federal lands.\n\nFor more information on the House Natural Resources Committee, go to naturalresources.house.gov.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=5A41B93D-4405-41BD-BE7E-6090997A4C8C", "Representative DesJarlais Cosponsors \"One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2011\"", "2011-10-25", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) has signed on as cosponsor of H.R. 1848, the \u201cOne Percent Spending Reduction Act,\u201d introduced by Representative Connie Mack (FL-14). This plan, commonly referred to as the \u201cMack Penny Plan,\u201d would balance the federal budget in 2019 by eliminating one penny out of every dollar spent for six years and then cap spending at 18% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 7th year. In total, the \u201cMack Penny Plan\u201d is estimated to save taxpayers around $7.5 trillion over ten years.\n\n\u201cThis plan will force the federal government to do something that it should have done a long time ago \u2013 prioritize its spending. While the Penny Plan would ensure that we make the real cuts that the American people expect, it also provides flexibility by allowing Congress and the president to identify where those cuts come from as long as they equal 1% of total spending. Wasteful programs could see significant cuts, while programs that run efficiently may not be cut at all,\u201d said Representative Scott DesJarlais. \u201cSurely, with trillion dollar deficits and rampant waste, fraud and abuse, we can at least cut one percent out of every federal dollar spent? Individuals in Tennessee\u2019s Fourth Congressional District have had to cut much more out of their own budgets and it\u2019s beyond time for Washington to do the same.\u201d\n\nKey Provisions of the One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2011:\n\nCuts federal spending by 1% each year for 6 years;\n\nCaps spending at 18% of GDP in the 7th year;\n\nBalances the federal budget in the 8th year; and\n\nSaves taxpayers $7.5 trillion over 10 years.\n\nEnforcement of Spending Cuts: The one percent spending cuts would be achieved one of two ways: either 1) Congress and the President work together to enact program reforms and cut federal spending by one percent each year; or 2) If Congress and the President fail to do so, the bill triggers automatic, across-the-board spending cuts to ensure the one percent reduction is realized.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful that Scott has signed on as a cosponsor of this legislation. His strong record of fighting for commonsense fiscal reforms is exactly the type of leadership that we need and I look forward to working with him in moving the Mack Penny Plan through congress,\u201d said Representative Connie Mack. \u201cClearly his constituents in Tennessee are telling him the same things that mine are in Florida \u2013 get Washington\u2019s spending problem under control.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is absolutely no way that we can continue to borrow 40 cents out of every dollar to finance the federal government\u2019s reckless spending binge. This legislation is yet another item in a long list of good ideas that House Republicans have to get our nation\u2019s fiscal house in order. The Democrat\u2019s strategy of taxing and spending has led to nothing but trillion dollar deficits and a downgrade of our credit rating by Moody\u2019s,\u201d noted DesJarlais. \u201cI hope my Democratic colleagues have finally gotten the message that the American people expect them to work with House Republicans in enacting real spending reforms like the One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2011.\u201d\n\nClick here to see a video of Representative Mack discussing the \u201cPenny Plan\u201d with Sean Hannity.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/herlong-post-office-to-remain-open", "Herlong Post Office to Remain Open", "2011-10-25", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "The United States Postal Service (USPS) has confirmed to Congressman McClintock\u2019s office that the Herlong post office is no longer on the list of postal facilities slated for closure.\n\n\u201cI have vigorously opposed attempts to close rural post offices while the USPS maintains its monopoly on first-class mail delivery,\u201d remarked Congress McClintock. \u201cIf the USPS wants to close rural post offices or reduce services and leave residents with no alternatives, I believe \u2013 and will insist \u2013 that it should surrender its monopoly status so that energetic entrepreneurs can fill the breach and offer these communities more efficient and more economical service than the current bureaucratized arrangement.\u201d\n\nIn communication with the Postmaster General in support of keeping the Herlong post office open, Congressman McClintock stated that the closure of post offices in small towns not well-served by other facilities would run contrary to the mission of the USPS to provide prompt, reliable and efficient service to patrons in all areas without discriminating against rural communities. Specifically, Congress has stipulated that \u201cno small post office shall be closed solely for operating at a deficit, it being the specific intent of Congress that effective postal services be ensured to residents of both urban and rural communities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/statement-congressman-amodei-presidents-visit-las-vegas", "Statement from Congressman Amodei on president's visit to Las Vegas", "2011-10-24", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Mark E. Amodei", "A000369", "amodei.house.gov", "amodei", "https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases", "scraper", "I'm happy that the President has changed his mind about the propriety of visiting Las Vegas, but with all due respect, between his harmful comments about our tourism industry in 2009 and 2010 and the continued failure of his economic policies\n\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta (202) 225-6155\n\nOctober 24, 2011\n\nToday, Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) issued the following statement:\n\n\"I'm happy that the President has changed his mind about the propriety of visiting Las Vegas, but with all due respect, between his harmful comments about our tourism industry in 2009 and 2010 and the continued failure of his economic policies, I think he's done enough already for Nevada.\n\n\"When the President and his party controlled Washington, they could have done anything that they wanted to encourage economic growth and address the mortgage crisis. Instead they drove up record debt, squandered taxpayer dollars on bailouts for politically-connected companies, and froze job-creation with harmful regulations like Obama-care and Dodd-Frank.\n\n\"Now, with bipartisan opposition to the President's economic plan, he wants to bypass Congress in order to advance more misguided policy. Such a move ignores the basic message that was sent with my election in September and the turnover of the House last November: Nevadans and the American people don't want more of a political agenda. They want results on the ground.\"\n\n# # #\n\n2012-01-04 13:43:00 2012-01-13 11:42:00 2011-10-24 10:45:00 False False", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/huge-victory-troops-coming-home-from-iraq", "Huge Victory! Troops Coming Home from Iraq!", "2011-10-21", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.21.11\n\t\t\t Huge Victory! Troops Coming Home from Iraq! \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer 202-225-1882\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee Applauds News that Obama Administration Will Bring Troops in Iraq Home by Year's End\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the President Obama's announcement that the U.S. will honor the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Iraq that called for all U.S. troops to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011:\r\n\r\n\tThis is a huge victory for those of us who have been pushing for an end to the war in Iraq. I look forward to welcoming our brave men and women back home for the holidays. We will never forget the enormous sacrifices made by so many of our brave men and women and their families. We must honor our commitment to our veterans.\r\n\r\n\tThis move fulfills the call of a letter to the President that I spearheaded in July, along with 92 members of Congress, urging the Administration to maintain our nation's SOFA agreement with the government of Iraq that commits our nation to bringing all of our troops and military contractors home at the end of this calendar year. It also fulfills the objective of legislation I introduced, H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, which would prohibit funding for any extension of the December 31, 2011 deadline.\r\n\r\n\tAgain, I am extremely pleased with the decision by President Obama to follow through on his commitment to execute a safe, responsible, and complete withdrawal of the troops in Iraq. This move will save tens of billions of dollars, reduce regional instability, and enhance our standing throughout the world.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-applauds-news-that-obama-administration-will-bring-troops-in-iraq-home-by-years-end", "Barbara Lee Applauds News that Obama Administration Will Bring Troops in Iraq Home by Year's End", "2011-10-17", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.17.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Applauds News that Obama Administration Will Bring Troops in Iraq Home by Year's End \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's announcement that it will honor the SOFA agreement with Iraq that called for all U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011:\r\n\r\n\tI am pleased that the Obama Administration has chosen to fully withdraw the U.S. military force from Iraq. In the face of pressure to extend the counterproductive presence of combat troops, we should follow the lead of the people of both Iraq and the United States, who overwhelmingly agree that it is time for the remaining U.S. armed forces to return home.\r\n\r\n\tThis move fulfills the call of a letter to the President that I spearheaded in July, along with 92 members of Congress , urging the Administration hold to our nation's Status of Forces Agreement with the government of Iraq that commits our nation to bringing all of our troops and military contractors home at the end of this calendar year. It also fulfills the objective of legislation I introduced, H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, which limited military funds to solely supporting the swift and safe withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.\r\n\r\n\tI applaud President Obama for following through on our commitment to execute a safe, responsible, and complete withdrawal of the 47,000 troops in Iraq. This move will save tens of billions of dollars, reduce regional instability, and enhance our standing throughout the world.\r\n\r\n\tAs the author of provisions signed into law prohibiting the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq, I will remain vigilant about any U.S. presence in Iraq.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-recognizes-national-latino-aids-awareness-day", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day", "2011-10-14", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.14.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes National Latino AIDS Awareness Day \n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\tKristal DeKleer 202-225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released a statement in honor of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on October 15th. Latinos represent 16% of the U.S. population but account for an estimated 18% of people living with HIV and 18% of new infections. In 2006, Latina women were almost four times as likely as white women to test positive for HIV and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) comprised 19% of the HIV positive MSM population.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"As we mark National Latino AIDS Awareness day, I am reminded of the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS has had on communities of color in the U.S.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"Latinos progress to AIDS faster than any other racial or ethnic group with 42% being diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months after learning of their positive HIV status -- compared to 34% late diagnosis among non-Hispanic whites. In my own district, Latinos are among the most late diagnosed people living with HIV with up to 58% progressing to AIDS within 12 months of diagnosis. In light of this daunting statistic, this year's theme is 'Latinos Unite! Let's Stay Healthy! Get Tested for HIV!'\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\"If we ever hope to end this epidemic, we must prioritize testing, treatment, prevention, and education to decrease the number of new HIV cases among communities of color. I encourage all of my constituents to find a testing center near them at www.hivtest.org and know their status.\"\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tOctober 15th was established in 2003 as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) in response to the devastating impact HIV/AIDS has on Hispanic/Latino communities across the country. It was established to draw attention to the critical role HIV testing and prevention education plays in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos. It is a day during Hispanic heritage month that organizations around the country use to promote and sponsor activities that respond to the state of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos in their specific communities.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee Reconoce el Da Nacional Latino Para La Concientizacin del SIDA\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.- Hoy, la Congresista Barbara Lee (Demcrata-CA), Co-Presidenta del Caucus Congresional contra el SIDA/VIH hizo la siguiente declaracin en honor del Da Nacional Latino Para La Concientizacin del SIDA,que tendr lugar maana, el 15 de octubre 2011. Los latinos representan el 16% de la poblacin estadounidense; sin embargo, representan aproximadamente el 18% de las personas que viven con VIH y el 18% de nuevas infecciones. En el 2006, era cuatro veces ms probable que una mujer latina obtuviera un resultado positivo en una prueba de VIH que una mujer blanca, y los hombres latinos que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) representaron el 19% de la poblacin de HSH que dieron positivo.\r\n\r\n\t\"Al conmemorar el Da Nacional Latino por la Concientizacin del SIDA, reflexiono sobre los efectos devastadores que el VIH / SIDA ha tenido en las comunidades de color en los Estados Unidos.\r\n\r\n\t\"Los latinos tienen la tasa ms alta de progresin de VIH a SIDA de cualquier grupo racial o tnico. Un 42% de los latinos son diagnosticados con SIDA menos de un ao despus de enterarse de su estado positivo de VIH, comparado con 34% de los blancos que reciben un diagnstico tarde. En mi propio Distrito Congresional, los latinos se encuentran entre las personas con diagnstico tarde de VIH, con un porcentaje de 58% que progresan a SIDA menos de 12 meses despus de dar un resultado positivo de VIH. A luz de esta estadstica chocante, el tema de este ao es 'Latinos Unidos y Saludables! Hazte la prueba del VIH!'\r\n\r\n\t\"Si tenemos la esperanza de algn da ponerle fin a esta epidemia, debemos dar prioridad a las pruebas, el tratamiento, la prevencin y la educacin para finalmente disminuir la incidencia de casos nuevos de VIH entre las minoras raciales y tnicas. Animo a todos mis constituyentes a que encuentren un centro de pruebas cercana en www.hivtest.orgy que se enteren de su estado.\"\r\n\r\n\t***\r\n\r\n\tEl 15 de octubre se declar en el ao 2003 como el Da Nacional Latino Para La Concientizacin del SIDA como respuesta a los efectos devastadores del SIDA/VIH en la comunidad Latina/Hispana en los Estados Unidos. Se cre para llamar la atencin a la importancia de hacerse la prueba de VIH y a la educacin preventativa en la campaa para detener la propagacin del SIDA entre los hispanos. Es un da durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana durante el cual las organizaciones en todo el pas promueven y patrocinan actividades que reaccionan al estado del SIDA/VIH entre los Hispanos en sus respectivas comunidades. \r\n\r\n\t##\r\n\r\n\tSgame en Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-bipartisan-leaders-urge-common-sense-defense-spending-reforms", "Lee, Bipartisan Leaders Urge Common Sense Defense Spending Reforms", "2011-10-14", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.14.11\n\t\t\t Lee, Bipartisan Leaders Urge Common Sense Defense Spending Reforms  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer \r\n\r\n\t(202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tHouse Members pen letter to Supercommittee asking for restraint on military spending\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Forty-one Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to seek out savings and work to end wasteful spending by considering cuts to the Department of Defense. Realizing that significant savings can be found without compromising national security, leaders urged for common sense defense spending reforms as Supercommittee Members form a plan to reduce the deficit in the federal budget.\r\n\r\n\tOne of the main drivers of our deficit is military spending and it must be on the table for the Supercommittee to consider as it seeks to reduce our deficit, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. We now have an opportunity to bring defense spending in line with our legitimate security needs. Taking serious steps to resolve our fiscal imbalance must include the Pentagon's budget, which should be subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of the discretionary budget.\r\n\r\n\tThe Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year, allowing for a unique opportunity to bring defense spending in line with legitimate national defense needs while getting the nation on a path to a balanced budget free of deficit.\r\n\r\n\tIn the ten years since the 9/11 attacks, spending on defense and security has increased 96% and totaled almost $8 trillion. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost $1.36 trillion, and taken the lives of over six thousand men and women while leaving over thirty thousand wounded. In the same time frame, the base budget for the Pentagon has mushroomed to $5.6 trillion. A recent report from the General Accountability Office detailed hundreds of billions of dollars in duplicative programs with little oversight. Significant savings could be realized by auditing the Pentagon and requiring that it produce financial documents like any private sector business.\r\n\r\n\tDefense spending should absolutely be considered in any plan to reduce to the federal deficit  and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle agree, said Congresswoman Lee. While we approach military spending differently, we all agree that it is time to take an honest look at efforts to reform the way that the Department of Defense spends its budget.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t____________________________\r\n\r\n\tOctober 13, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:\r\n\r\n\tAs you begin your work, we respectfully suggest reexamining our defense and security spending priorities as pathways to reducing our deficit and debt. You have been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year. You have a unique opportunity to bring our defense spending in line with our legitimate national defense needs while getting our nation on the path to a balanced budget free of deficit. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted last year, paraphrasing President Dwight D. Eisenhower, The United States should spend as much as necessary on national defense, but not one penny more.\r\n\r\n\tIn the ten years since the 9/11 attacks, spending on defense and security has increased 96% and totaled almost $8 trillion. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost $1.36 trillion, and taken the lives of over six thousand men and women while leaving over thirty thousand wounded. In the same time frame, the base budget for the Pentagon has mushroomed to $5.6 trillion.\r\n\r\n\tAs the 9/11 attacks demonstrated, the kinds of threats we face today are very different than those of previous eras. We live in an age where a few determined individuals with minimal financing, good planning and training, and a willingness to die can inflict billions of dollars in damage and kill thousands in a matter of hours. None of the billions of dollars of Cold War-era weaponry in our arsenal on September 11, 2001 stopped Al-Qaeda.\r\n\r\n\tThe continued reliance on Cold War weaponry and conventional tactics two decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union makes little strategic or fiscal sense. The June 2010 report of the Sustainable Defense Task Force detailed proposals to reduce our nuclear stockpile substantially, realizing savings of over $100 billion without compromising our national security.[1] The report proposed over $960 billion in defense department savings over the next decade.\r\n\r\n\tSignificant savings could also be realized by auditing the Pentagon and requiring that it produce financial documents like any private sector business. Waste, fraud and abuse are endemic at the Pentagon, with the recent report from the General Accountability Office detailing hundreds of billions of dollars in duplicative programs with little oversight.[2] The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been characterized by poor planning, no-bid contracts, and lack of oversight leading to massive cost overruns. In August, the Commission on Wartime Contracting released its final report finding that an estimated $30 and $60 billion has been wasted during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This level of mismanagement is simply unacceptable.[3]\r\n\r\n\tThere are multiple reforms proposed that would save hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. The Bowles-Simpson commission outlined $750 billion in suggested defense cuts in the next decade. Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb has proposed $1 trillion in cuts to the Pentagon over the next 10-12 years. These reductions in defense spending would come out of $6.5 trillion in proposed spending between 2011 and 2020.\r\n\r\n\tWe are not urging reductions that in any way would cut resources and supplies necessary to protect American troops in the field. Similarly, while we are not opposed to an honest look at efforts at reforming the way that the Department of Defense provides health care and other services to personnel, we are opposed to cuts in services and increased fees for our veterans and military retirees.\r\n\r\n\tOur economic recovery is vital to our strategic interests. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, has warned that ongoing debt accumulation is undermining our economic strength and threatening our national security. Taking serious steps to resolve our fiscal imbalance must include the Pentagon's budget, which should be subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of our discretionary budget as you look for savings. As Members on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, we urge you to think openly and act boldly to reduce our deficit and get our nation back on the right track. Bringing our defense spending in line with our legitimate security needs must be considered along with other measures to regain our economic footing.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBarbara Lee\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEarl Blumenauer\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBruce Braley\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Campbell\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLois Capps\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tYvette D. Clarke\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLacy Clay\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Conyers, Jr\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDonna Edwards\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tKeith Ellison\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBob Filner\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBarney Frank\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Garamendi\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRaul Grijalva\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRush Holt\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMike Honda\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJesse Jackson Jr.\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTim Johnson\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDennis Kucinich\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Lewis\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCarolyn Maloney\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEdward Markey\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJim McDermott\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJames McGovern\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tGwen Moore\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJerry Nadler\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEleanor Norton\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Olver\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tRon Paul\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDonald Payne\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tChellie Pingree\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJared Polis\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tCharles Rangel\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tBobby Rush\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJos Serrano\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJackie Speier\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPete Stark\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEdolphus Towns\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPeter Welch\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLynn Woolsey\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Yarmuth\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\t  \r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t[1]See Debt, Deficits, and Defense: A Way Forward at http://www.comw.org/pda/fulltext/1006SDTFreport.pdf\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t[2]See full March 1, 2011 GAO report Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11318sp.pdf\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t[3]See full August 2011 Commission report Transforming Wartime Contracting: Controlling Costs, reducing risks at: http://www.wartimecontracting.gov/docs/CWC_FinalReport-lowres.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-supports-protect-life-act", "Aderholt Supports The Protect Life Act", "2011-10-13", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Supports The Protect Life Act\n\nLegislation Would End Taxpayer Funded Abortion In Federal Health Care Law\n\nclick here to watch\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 358, the Protect Life Act. The bill prohibits federal funding of abortions and abortion coverage under the recently enacted health care law.\n\n\u201cProtection of unborn life is a universal issue that has become one of the most unifying causes over the past several decades,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cThere is one thing a majority of Americans can agree upon and that is that they do not want to see taxpayer dollars used to pay for abortions and I whole-heartedly agree.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe healthcare legislation that was signed into law in 2010 does not protect the unborn and in no way included clear or direct provisions that would prohibit federal funding of abortions, and the President\u2019s Executive Order 13535 on this issue was wholly inadequate. Executive Orders can be rescinded at any time and cannot be relied upon to clarify such a critical matter.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to have cosponsored the Protect Life Act and its passage today is an important step in ensuring the right to life of each and every human being is preserved and protected in our great nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-calls-on-supercommittee-to-protect-social-safety-net", "Lee Calls on Supercommittee to Protect Social Safety Net", "2011-10-13", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.13.11\n\t\t\t Lee Calls on Supercommittee to Protect Social Safety Net   \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Sixty-four Members of Congress joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to protect the vital programs that comprise our social safety net. The Members of Congress penned a letter urging the Supercommittee to protect the programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans, including but not limited to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.\r\n\r\n\tIt is imperative that we protect vital safety net programs and programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans, including those facing or living in poverty, said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Key federal programs are instrumental in serving as the last line of defense after a job loss, injury, or disability. Programs like unemployment insurance, food stamps, and Medicaid assist people in obtaining or maintaining their access to basic human needs including food, shelter, and health care. They provide the rungs of the ladder for opportunity for struggling families.\r\n\r\n\tThe Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year, putting the most vulnerable in our society at risk of losing their safety net. The Census Bureau released data on September 13, 2011, revealing that 15 percent of Americans  46.2 million people across this country  lived in poverty in 2010. This is the largest number of Americans living in poverty since the Census started collecting this data 52 years ago. For our nation's children under 18, 22 percent lived in poverty in 2010. That is 16.4 million children who do not know where their next meal is coming from, where they might be sleeping that night, and who are anxious overall about their well being and that of their parents.\r\n\r\n\tWe have a moral and an economic obligation to care for our nation's most vulnerable, those facing or living in poverty, said Congresswoman Lee. For the last 25 years, there is a reason that when we have come to deficit reduction agreements, we protect low-income programs. These programs both support and create consumers, which result in increased demand and job creation. In the end, this reduces our deficit by enabling people to participate in our economy.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\tOctober 13, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:\r\n\r\n\tWe are writing to request that you protect vital programs that comprise our social safety net, including but not limited to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, as well as the programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans.\r\n\r\n\tVital safety net services and programs support those people hit the hardest by the Great Recession. These services help people and families maintain housing or find shelter, keep food on the table, assist in access to health care, and support those looking for employment, including the long-term unemployed. Examples of federal programs that provide such services include programs which assist disabled veterans to find an accessible home, ensure seniors receive food to eat, help people access our health care system, connect people seeking jobs with employment, give shelter to homeless families, and ensure that children get meals in school.\r\n\r\n\tIt is imperative that we protect vital safety net programs and programs that provide economic security and opportunity to millions of Americans, including those facing or living in poverty. The Census Bureau released data on September 13, 2011, revealing that 15 percent of Americans  46.2 million people across this country  lived in poverty in 2010. This is the largest number of Americans living in poverty since the Census started collecting this data 52 years ago. For our nation's children under 18, 22 percent lived in poverty in 2010. That is 16.4 million children who do not know where their next meal is coming from, where they might be sleeping that night, and who are anxious overall about their well being and that of their parents.\r\n\r\n\tAccording to the recent Census data release on poverty, the poverty numbers would have been worse had it not been for key federal programs like unemployment insurance, food stamps, and Medicaid (Census Bureau slide 25 located at http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/2010_Report.pdf).\r\n\r\n\tFor the last 25 years when we have come to deficit reduction agreements, these agreements have protected low-income programs. Beyond that, we have a moral and an economic obligation to care for our nation's most vulnerable, those facing or living in poverty. We respectfully implore that as you work through ways that our nation can reduce the deficit that you sustain our nation's safety net programs that assist people in obtaining or maintaining their access to basic human needs including food, shelter, and health care, and that provide ladders to opportunity for struggling families. These programs both support and create consumers, which result in increased demand and job creation. In the end, this reduces our deficit by enabling people to participate in our economy.\r\n\r\n\tAgain, we respectfully implore that as you work through ways that our nation can reduce the deficit that you sustain the vital human needs programs found across the federal government and accomplish deficit-reduction in a way that does not exacerbate poverty or inequality. \r\n  \r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tJoe Baca\r\n\r\n\tRobert A. Brady\r\n\r\n\tCorrine Brown\r\n\r\n\tG.K. Butterfield\r\n\r\n\tAndr Carson\r\n\r\n\tDavid N. Cicilline\r\n\r\n\tDonna M. Christensen\r\n\r\n\tHansen Clarke\r\n\r\n\tYvette Clarke\r\n\r\n\tSteve Cohen\r\n\r\n\tJohn Conyers, Jr.  \r\n\tElijah E. Cummings  \r\n\tDanny K. Davis  \r\n\tRosa L. DeLauro\r\n\r\n\tTheodore E. Deutch\r\n\r\n\tMichael F. Doyle\r\n\r\n\tDonna F. Edwards\r\n\r\n\tKeith Ellison\r\n\r\n\tBob Filner  \r\n\tMarcia L. Fudge\r\n\r\n\tCharles A. Gonzalez\r\n\r\n\tAl Green\r\n\r\n\tRal M. Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tLuis V. Gutierrez\r\n\r\n\tJanice Hahn\r\n\r\n\tMaurice D. Hinchey\r\n\r\n\tMichael M. Honda\r\n\r\n\tJesse L. Jackson Jr.\r\n\r\n\tHenry C. Hank Johnson, Jr.\r\n\r\n\tDennis J. Kucinich\r\n\r\n\tSheila Jackson Lee\r\n\r\n\tJohn Lewis\r\n\r\n\tCarolyn B. Maloney\r\n\r\n\tDoris O. Matsui\r\n\r\n\tEdward J. Markey\r\n\r\n\tJim McDermott\r\n\r\n\tJames P. McGovern\r\n\r\n\tBrad Miller\r\n\r\n\tGwen Moore\r\n\r\n\tJerrold Nadler\r\n\r\n\tEleanor Holmes Norton\r\n\r\n\tJohn W. Olver\r\n\r\n\tDonald M. Payne\r\n\r\n\tCharles B. Rangel\r\n\r\n\tSilvestre Reyes\r\n\r\n\tLaura Richardson\r\n\r\n\tCedric L. Richmond\r\n\r\n\tSteven R. Rothman\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tBobby L. Rush\r\n\r\n\tGregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\r\n\tRobert C. \"Bobby\" Scott\r\n\r\n\tJos E. Serrano\r\n\r\n\tTerri A. Sewell\r\n\r\n\tFortney Pete Stark\r\n\r\n\tJohn F. Tierney\r\n\r\n\tPaul D. Tonko\r\n\r\n\tEdolphus Towns", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-congressional-leaders-urge-protection-of-womens-health-during-supercommittee-negotiations", "Lee, Congressional Leaders Urge Protection of Women's Health During Supercommittee Negotiations", "2011-10-13", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.13.11\n\t\t\t Lee, Congressional Leaders Urge Protection of Women's Health During Supercommittee Negotiations \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Sixty-nine Members of Congress joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) in a request to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Supercommittee) to protect women's health. The Members of Congress penned a letter to the Supercommittee stating the importance of protecting what many consider one of the important public health programs in our nation: Title X Family Planning. The Supercommittee has been tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over a ten-year period by November 23 of this year, putting the most vulnerable segments of our country under the greatest risk of bearing the brunt of most of these cuts.\r\n\r\n\tSadly, the precedent has already been set, said Congresswoman Lee. Just two weeks ago, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS released its draft FY 2012 funding bill which includes a total elimination of the Title X family planning program and marks the continuation of a slow march towards elimination of all preventative services for women. We are here to fight that march.\r\n\r\n\tTitle X services are proven-effective programs; they prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year, almost half of which would otherwise end in abortion. For every public dollar invested in family planning, nearly $4 is saved in Medicaid-related costs. Study after study has shown that eliminating funding for the Title X family planning program will result in millions of women across the country losing access to basic primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, annual exams, and STD testing and treatment.\r\n\r\n\tIn 2009 alone, Title X health centers provided 2.2 million Pap tests, over 2.3 million breast exams, 5.9 million STI tests, and nearly 1 million confidential HIV tests, said Lee. These preventative services save lives and at the end of the day, they save money spent by taxpayers on curative care. Any cost savings derived from phasing out or eliminating the Title X program would be outweighed by tragic and costly consequences in the lives of American women.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tOctober 13, 2011\r\n\r\n\tDear Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:  \r\n\t  \r\n\tAs you proceed in fulfilling your charge to issue a formal recommendation on how to reduce the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over the next ten years, we write to encourage you to protect the Title X program, a vital part of the public health safety net  providing family planning and other preventive health services to millions of poor and low-income Americans.  \r\n\t  \r\n\tTitle X of the Federal Public Health Service Act is the only federally funded, dedicated family planning program for the low-income and uninsured. For the over 5 million patients served at 4,500 health centers across the country, Title X provides critical preventive health services such as cancer screenings and confidential sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and treatment. In 2009, Title X health centers provided 2.2 million Pap tests, over 2.3 million breast exams, 5.9 million STI tests, and nearly 1 million confidential HIV tests. In addition, the contraceptive services provided at Title X clinics allow women and men to plan for their futures, helping to prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year.\r\n\r\n\tThese centers, like many in the safety net, are under extreme pressure. Due to the struggling economy, Title X health centers saw an increase of over 130,000 patients in 2009, the largest increase in 10 years. Health centers are seeing a growing number of patients who cannot afford their care, and a growing number of patients report struggling with the cost of prescription birth control.\r\n\r\n\tIn light of your mission, we highlight the fact that Title X is a cost-effective program. Every dollar invested in Title X saves nearly four dollars in Medicaid-related costs. In just one year, Title X health centers saved the state and federal governments $3.4 billion. This equates to over $30 billion in savings over a ten year period. It is fiscally responsible to support and strengthen this preventive health program. For 40 years, Title X has proven itself one of the nation's public health success stories, but Title X-funded health centers cannot continue to meet the health care needs of our communities without adequate funding. We urge you to support access to care for millions of underserved Americans and recognize the longtime success of Title X by protecting this effective program. \r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tTammy Baldwin\r\n\r\n\tShelley Berkley\r\n\r\n\tHoward Berman\r\n\r\n\tEarl Blumenauer\r\n\r\n\tLeonard Boswell\r\n\r\n\tRobert Brady\r\n\r\n\tBruce Braley\r\n\r\n\tCorrine Brown\r\n\r\n\tLois Capps\r\n\r\n\tAndre Carson\r\n\r\n\tDonna Christensen\r\n\r\n\tJudy Chu\r\n\r\n\tYvette Clarke\r\n\r\n\tLacy Clay\r\n\r\n\tEmanuel Cleaver\r\n\r\n\tSteve Cohen\r\n\r\n\tJohn Conyers\r\n\r\n\tJoe Crowley\r\n\r\n\tSusan Davis\r\n\r\n\tDiana DeGette\r\n\r\n\tRosa DeLauro\r\n\r\n\tLloyd Doggett\r\n\r\n\tDonna Edwards\r\n\r\n\tKeith Ellison\r\n\r\n\tChaka Fattah\r\n\r\n\tBob Filner\r\n\r\n\tBarney Frank\r\n\r\n\tCharles Gonzalez\r\n\r\n\tRaul Grijalva\r\n\r\n\tLuis Gutierrez\r\n\r\n\tJanice Hahn\r\n\r\n\tAlcee Hastings\r\n\r\n\tBrian Higgins\r\n\r\n\tMaurice Hinchey\r\n\r\n\tRush Holt\r\n\r\n\tMike Honda\r\n\r\n\tSteve Israel\r\n\r\n\tJesse Jackson, Jr.\r\n\r\n\tSheila Jackson-Lee\r\n\r\n\tJohn Lewis\r\n\r\n\tDave Loebsack\r\n\r\n\tNita Lowey\r\n\r\n\tCarolyn Maloney\r\n\r\n\tDoris Matsui\r\n\r\n\tJim McDermott\r\n\r\n\tJerry McNerney\r\n\r\n\tGwen Moore\r\n\r\n\tJerrold Nadler\r\n\r\n\tEleanor Norton\r\n\r\n\tDonald Payne\r\n\r\n\tChellie Pinigree\r\n\r\n\tMichael Quigley\r\n\r\n\tCharles Rangel\r\n\r\n\tSilvestre Reyes\r\n\r\n\tLaura Richardson\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tJan Schakowsky\r\n\r\n\tLouise Slaughter\r\n\r\n\tJackie Speier\r\n\r\n\tPete Stark\r\n\r\n\tMike Thompson\r\n\r\n\tPaul Tonko\r\n\r\n\tEd Towns\r\n\r\n\tNiki Tsongas\r\n\r\n\tPeter Welch\r\n\r\n\tFrederica Wilson\r\n\r\n\tLynn Woolsey\r\n\r\n\tJohn Yarmuth\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-passage-trade-agreements", "Aderholt Statement on Passage of Trade Agreements", "2011-10-12", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2011\n\nCONTACT: Anne Marie Malecha, 202.225.4876\n\nAderholt Statement on Passage of Trade Agreements\n\nHouse Passes Colombia, Panama and Korea Free Trade Agreements\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement after the House passed the extension of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and trade agreements between the United States and Colombia, Panama and Korea.\n\n\u201cThis is a global economy and there has to be a market for Alabama goods such as beef, chicken and agriculture products,\u201d said Aderholt. \u201cHowever trade agreements only work if it is equally beneficial to both countries. And lately it seems that the biggest export for the United States has been jobs in the manufacturing and textile industries. Therefore, I voted against the Korean Free Trade Agreement, due to the possibility of even more of these jobs could be sent overseas.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn addition, with the extension of the Generalized System of Preferences in its current form, American sleeping bag manufacturers, like Exxel Outdoors, are now facing a grim reality of whether they can afford to do business within the United States. GSP was designed to be a mutually beneficial agreement between the US and friendly developing nations that would provide lower costs to American operations but also protect our import sensitive industries. However a loophole is hurting American sleeping bag manufacturers like Exxel Outdoors and compelled me to vote no on this provision.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe extension passed today, was passed without addressing GSP\u2019s current flaw and the result of this inaction could mean another 100 plus people could be standing in the unemployment line in North Alabama, a region that has been devastated by natural disaster and is already facing an unemployment rate of over 15 percent.\u201d\n\n\u201cCompanies like Exxel Outdoors that have fought to bring overseas jobs, back to the United States should be celebrated and rewarded for invigorating our nation\u2019s economy, instead with the passage of this provision they are being punished and once again those American jobs could become a thing of the past,\u201d concluded Aderholt.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=3A7400EF-0408-4253-836D-BF1F0E9630F4", "Representative DesJarlais Returns from Healthcare-Focused Congressional Delegation Trip to Afghanistan", "2011-10-12", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Scott DesJarlais", "D000616", "desjarlais.house.gov", "desjarlais", "https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center", "scraper", "Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) returned on Tuesday, October 11, from a five day Congressional Delegation trip to Afghanistan. The purpose of this trip was to learn more about the healthcare services provided for our nation\u2019s armed forces from forward operating medical facilities in Afghanistan. Rep. DesJarlais, who traveled with members of the GOP Doctor\u2019s Caucus and Veterans Affairs Committee, had an opportunity to visit several medical facilities and assess the conditions of troops in the field.\n\nThe following quote can be attributed to Rep. DesJarlais:\n\n\u201cIt is hard to even put into words just how proud I am of our brave men and women in uniform. While visiting our troops serving in Afghanistan I was incredibly impressed by the level of professionalism and dedication they displayed despite adverse conditions. Without a doubt, we have the finest fighting force in the world and we should take a moment every single day to give thanks for these brave individuals who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedom.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m also pleased to report that our medical resources in Afghanistan are second to none. I had a chance to view where soldiers arrive from the battlefield, like the trauma units at the hospital at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. I also had an opportunity to visit Landstuhl Medical Center in Ramstein, Germany where wounded warriors receive further care and are ultimately transported home. As a physician, I was extremely impressed by the quality of these facilities and I hope that the families of our deployed servicemen and women can take comfort in the fact that their loved ones are receiving the best medical care possible. In fact, we learned that if a wounded soldier is transported within one hour from the site of injury to a hospital, they have over a 95% chance of survival. This is made possible, in part, by numerous gifted surgeons like Dr. James Richardson of Columbia, TN and Dr. William Obremskey of Vanderbilt University, who have volunteered to serve their country by caring for our troops overseas.\n\n\u201cThis visit truly reinforced my appreciation for all that our military does. Their selflessness and willingness to make sacrifices for the good of our nation is inspirational. They are absolutely America\u2019s finest and I will continue to work to ensure that these heroes always receive the highest quality of care. May God bless America and may God bless our troops.\u201d\n\nClick here to download photos of Rep. DesJarlais\u2019 trip to Afghanistan.\n\n*Other members of the delegation who took part in the October 6, 2011 trip included Rep. Phil Roe (TN-01), Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-19), Rep. Dan Benishek (MI-01) and Rep. Tim Walz (MN-01).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-california-democratic-congressional-delegation-call-on-president-obama-to-act-on-housing", "Barbara Lee, California Democratic Congressional Delegation Call on President Obama to Act on Housing", "2011-10-12", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.12.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee, California Democratic Congressional Delegation Call on President Obama to Act on Housing  \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to President Obama urging him to act immediately to address our country's troubled housing market. Specifically, the letter calls on President Obama to:\r\n\r\n\t Urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency to establish a plan to refinance all mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.\r\n\r\n\t Push for a major principal reduction plan for underwater homeowners, such as modifications in coordination with Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings.\r\n\r\n\t Institute a Homeowner's Bill Of Rights that would apply to HAMP, FHFA, HUD, VA and private servicer modification programs and include the following:\r\n\r\n\to Make the process homeowner-friendly: Ensure a single point of contact; require servicers to review documents within a timely fashion and disclose information; and ban advanced fees.\r\n\r\n\to Eliminate needless obstacles to effective modifications: Allow for flexibility in the debt to income ratio; end the requirement that homeowners be delinquent in order to be eligible for a loan modification; end dual tracking; and require that servicers not report adverse credit information while trial or permanent modification is underway;\r\n\r\n\to Ensure accountability and establish an appeals process: Create an Office of Consumer Advocate; conduct random audits of modifications; and establish an independent appeals process for homeowners who believe their modification has been improperly rejected or handled in violation of program rules\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tOakland continues to have one of the highest metro foreclosure rates in the country, said Congresswoman Lee. Oakland homeowners are estimated to have lost $12.3 billion in home values as a direct result of the foreclosure crisis. We must make a real effort at making millions of permanent modifications and refinancing as many homes as quickly as we can. Too many are on the brink of default and foreclosure and refinancing at today's historically low rates would save hundreds of thousands, if not millions of homes. Finding a way to quickly refinance millions of mortgages would stabilize housing markets and go a long way to kick starting our economy and vital job growth. I hope the Administration hears the cries of the people and takes immediate action.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\r\n\t\r\n  \r\n\r\n\tOctober 11, 2011\r\n\r\n\tThe President  \r\n\tThe White House  \r\n\tWashington, DC 20500\r\n\r\n\tDear President Obama:\r\n\r\n\tAs Members of Congress from California, we are writing to express our continuing concerns about the ongoing housing market decline and the manner in which the financial institutions are handling delinquent mortgages, mortgage modifications, and foreclosures. We believe that these institutions are failing to act in good faith and that there are immediate steps your Administration should be taking to address the devastating problems facing homeowners.\r\n\r\n\tOn October 4, 2010, we wrote to your Administration requesting help for struggling homeowners who were at the mercy of mortgage servicers. Our letter included dozens of cases from throughout California that highlighted systemic problems in the way financial institutions handle mortgages and the foreclosure process. Since then, we have held meetings with the Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and others outlining the enormous obstacles facing our constituents who are trying to save their homes. Additionally, in March 2011, a group of Members requested a meeting with the Vice President to discuss ways the Administration can be helpful. We continue to hear from our constituents that servicers are uncooperative, misleading and even deliberately obstructive and we have not seen successful efforts from your Administration in response.\r\n\r\n\tIn September 2011, RealtyTrac released data that showed that one in every 226 housing units in California had a foreclosure filing during the month of August alone  more than twice the national average. The data also showed that California had a staggering 55% increase in foreclosure notices in August, the second highest in the nation. Numerous reports indicate that our housing troubles are worsening. Each foreclosure represents a missed opportunity for a family to stay in itshome. We cannot afford to allow this to continue.\r\n\r\n\tWe therefore respectfully urge you to take the following actions:\r\n\r\n\t Urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to use its conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow all mortgages currently owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that meet basic criteria the opportunity to refinance at historically low market rate. This would allow homeowners to reduce their monthly mortgage payment by hundreds of dollarsreducing the number of defaults and preventing foreclosure.\r\n\r\n\t Secure a far greater number of meaningful principal reductions for underwater homeowners. One promising possibility would be a temporary reduction in the interest rates of certain homeowners who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, so that the entirety of their monthly payments would go to paying down their principal balances for five years. Coordination with the bankruptcy process would make these reductions more likely to succeed than other types of loan modifications, while also limiting the program to those who truly need it and avoiding the administrative failures that have plagued many other initiatives. Such a plan could be implemented for mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as we believe that such a plan would be entirely consistent with FHFA's obligation to minimize taxpayer losses in the Enterprises. This plan could also be implemented as part of the nationwide settlement currently being negotiated by a group of state attorneys general. \r\n\r\n\t Institute a Homeowner's Bill Of Rights that would apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Home Affordable Mortgage Program, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and private servicer modification programs and include the following:\r\n\r\n\to Make the process homeowner-friendly:Establish a single point of contact; require servicers to review documents within a timely fashion and disclose information about the process; and ban advanced fees.\r\n\r\n\to Eliminate needless obstacles to effective modifications:Allow for flexibility in the debt to income ratio; end the requirement that homeowners be delinquent in order to be eligible for a loan modification; cease dual tracking; and prohibit servicers from reporting adverse credit information while trial or permanent modification is underway.\r\n\r\n\to Ensure accountability and establish an appeals process:Create an Office of Consumer Advocate; conduct random audits of modifications; and establish an independent appeals process for homeowners who believe their modifications have been improperly rejected or handled in violation of program rules.\r\n\r\n\tThese are actions that can be taken immediately by your Administration to help address the overwhelming problems facing our constituents. We understand that these are not the only actions that must be taken, and we will continue to work in Congress on behalf of struggling homeowners to encourage recovery in the housing market and to prevent similar problems in the future.\r\n\r\n\tOur current economic crisis began in the housing market. Until the housing market is stabilized, our economy will not be able to fully recover. We hope you will act in the best interest of the American people who are facing extreme hardships to keep homeowners in their homes and stabilize the economy.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tJoe Baca\r\n\r\n\tKaren Bass\r\n\r\n\tXavier Becerra\r\n\r\n\tHoward Berman\r\n\r\n\tLois Capps\r\n\r\n\tDennis Cardoza\r\n\r\n\tJudy Chu\r\n\r\n\tJim Costa\r\n\r\n\tSusan Davis\r\n\r\n\tAnna Eshoo\r\n\r\n\tSam Farr\r\n\r\n\tBob Filner\r\n\r\n\tJohn Garamendi\r\n\r\n\tJanice Hahn\r\n\r\n\tMike Honda\r\n\r\n\tBarbara Lee\r\n\r\n\tZoe Lofgren\r\n\r\n\tDoris Matsui\r\n\r\n\tJerry McNerney\r\n\r\n\tGeorge Miller\r\n\r\n\tGrace Napolitano\r\n\r\n\tLaura Richardson\r\n\r\n\tLucille Roybal-Allard\r\n\r\n\tLinda Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tLoretta Sanchez\r\n\r\n\tAdam Schiff\r\n\r\n\tBrad Sherman\r\n\r\n\tJackie Speier\r\n\r\n\tPete Stark\r\n\r\n\tMike Thompson\r\n\r\n\tHenry Waxman\r\n\r\n\tLynn Woolsey\r\n  \r\n\r\n\tThe California Democratic Congressional Delegation consists of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California. This group outnumbers all other state House delegations - Republicans and Democrats combined.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/roseville-town-hall-meeting", "Roseville Town Hall Meeting", "2011-10-12", "2011", "2011-10", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman McClintock will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday, October 20th at 6:00 PM in Roseville. The meeting will be held at Oakmont High School, in the auditorium. The high school is located at 1710 Cirby Way, Roseville.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:12:51Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-congratulates-2011-nobel-peace-laureates", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Congratulates 2011 Nobel Peace Laureates", "2011-10-10", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.10.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Congratulates 2011 Nobel Peace Laureates \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tToday we celebrate three outstanding non-violent leaders from Africa and Middle East.\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Congresswoman Barbara Lee responded to the announcement that three women were together awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Two Liberians, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first female president, and Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a non-violent peace activist, were recognized for their role in bringing an end to civil warfare by leading an organized peace movement. The third recipient is Tawakkul Karman of Yemen.\r\n\r\n\tI extend my wholehearted congratulations to President Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkul Karman for the Nobel Prize Committee's recognition of their outstanding role in bringing about non-violent change in their home countries,\" said Lee.\r\n\r\n\tLiberia, a country with strong historical ties to the United States, has benefited greatly from the leadership of President Sirleaf and Ms. Gbowee. I congratulate them both for playing such a critical role in transforming their country from a land of strife to a model for progress in democracy and development.\r\n\r\n\tCongresswoman Lee met with President Sirleaf last year and was glad to see her recognized with humanity's most prestigious award. I have been pleased to see her leadership in land ownership reform, education, poverty reduction, and cracking down on corruption, and look forward to her continued work for peace in her nation and beyond.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/lee-statement-on-passing-of-oakland-raiders-owner-al-davis", "Lee Statement on Passing of Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis", "2011-10-08", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.08.11\n\t\t\t Lee Statement on Passing of Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the loss of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis: \r\n\r\n\t\"Today, sports fans in the Bay Area and throughout the nation mourn the loss of an iconic American sports figure, Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Mr. Davis was a driving and visionary force behind the merger of the National and American Football Leagues. He will be remembered as a fierce competitor and innovator on the field who led his team to three Superbowl championships and numerous playoff appearances. Mr. Davis will also be remembered for his unwavering love of his players and uncompromising commitment to Raider Nation. My thoughts are with the family and fans of Al Davis, along with entire Oakland Raiders organization.\"\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-end-the-war-now", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee: End the War Now", "2011-10-07", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.07.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee: End the War Now \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tCPC Peace & Security Task Force holds hearing on 10th anniversary of U.S. invasion of Afghanistan\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted a special hearing entitled Ten Years On: Why the War in Afghanistan Must End Now. Academics, experts, and advocates joined Members of Congress to present opposition to the ongoing war in Afghanistan at a panel event.\r\n\r\n\tAfter ten years and $460 billion invested in an unstable country with untrustworthy leadership, it is past time to end the war in Afghanistan, said Congresswoman Lee. Ten years is ten years too long for this wasteful war; it is time to bring our troops and our tax dollars home. That's why I introduced HR 780 to safely and swiftly redeploy all combat troops and military contractors from Afghanistan.\r\n\r\n\tPanelists discussed the cost of ten years of endless warfare since the overly broad Authorization of Use of Military Force was approved in 2001. Thousands of soldiers' lives have been lost, civilian Afghani casualties continue to destabilize efforts for peace, and the United States has committed to borrowing trillions of precious dollars to an open-ended military commitment. Civil liberties have been compromised, there have been illegal wiretaps, unlawful detentions, the use of torture  all justified in the name of fighting the war on terrorism.\r\n\r\n\tBoston University Professor of Political Science and United States Foreign Policy Neta Crawford provided the following testimony at the hearing: The costs in blood and treasure in Afghanistan for the U.S., its allies, and for Afghans have been underestimated and undercounted. A comprehensive accounting shows that the intensity of the war is increasing, not decreasing.\r\n\r\n\tPanelists also discussed peaceful alternatives to military action in Afghanistan. Ria Dellawar, an expert on Afghanistan testified that with the surge, the violence has escalated and any opportunity for dialogue has closed. Despite the failure of counter-insurgency to stop the Taliban and rising civilian and troop casualties, the U.S. continues to pursue its military-first strategy.\r\n\r\n\tAfghan civil society leaders want a shift in military strategy, said Lisa Schirch, Director of 3P Human Security: Partners for Peacebuilding Policy. Excluding key stakeholders, especially diverse sectors of civil society, will create a recipe for failure.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-statement-on-september-jobs-report", "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on September Jobs Report", "2011-10-07", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.07.11\n\t\t\t Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on September Jobs Report \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing stagnant unemployment rates:\r\n\r\n\tFor 276 days in the majority, House Republicans have failed to enact any jobs measures or put forth any clear jobs agenda. The economy will only continue to worsen if we do not act quickly to address it. The jobs crisis is a national emergency and Americans cannot afford to wait any longer. The national unemployment rate remains distressingly high at 9.1%. While African American unemployment decreased slightly from 16.7% in August, we must be vigilant in targeting the unemployment of America's African Americans (16%), Hispanics (11.3%), and youth (24.6%) that have been hit hardest by the Great Recession.  Jobs are the pathway out of poverty. We must invest in our people. Congress must enact President Obama's American Jobs Act and put people back to work. We must ensure that the work of the Supercommittee (the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction) is focused on economic growth, job creation, preservation of the social safety net, identification of revenue raisers that are fair, and cuts to a bloated Pentagon budget.\r\n\r\n\tI reiterate my call to Speaker Boehner to allow an up or down vote on H.R. 589, a bill I introduced that would provide fourteen weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and are now off the books and in desperate need.\r\n\r\n\tAmericans are waiting; Democrats have been prepared to act; and Republicans must join us to create jobs now.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-statement-on-the-passing-of-steve-jobs", "Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Steve Jobs", "2011-10-06", "2011", "2011-10", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.06.11\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Steve Jobs \n\t\t\t\r\n\tContact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs: \r\n\r\n\tMy thoughts are with the family of Steve Jobs. He changed the way we live, receive information, and connect with one another. Regardless of his success in business, he continued to share his brilliance with others, invest in those around him, and was dedicated to making this world a better place. On behalf of many of my constituents who work at the Pixar studios in my district, Steve Jobs and his visionary and creative leadership will be greatly missed.\r\n\r\n\t###\r\n\r\n\tFollow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee\r\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 390, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"year\" = :p0 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "2011"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2011", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 229, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 161, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2011", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 390, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2011", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 221, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=CA", "selected": false}, {"value": "TN", "label": "TN", "count": 60, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=TN", "selected": false}, {"value": "IN", "label": "IN", "count": 35, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=IN", "selected": false}, {"value": "OH", "label": "OH", "count": 27, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=OH", "selected": false}, {"value": "AL", "label": "AL", "count": 24, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=AL", "selected": false}, {"value": "NV", "label": "NV", "count": 22, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=NV", "selected": false}, {"value": "IL", "label": "IL", "count": 1, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&state=IL", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?year=2011", "results": [{"value": "2011", "label": "2011", "count": 390, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2011-10-06,https~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fbarbara-lee-statement-on-the-passing-of-steve-jobs", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2011&_next=2011-10-06%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Flee~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fbarbara-lee-statement-on-the-passing-of-steve-jobs&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1380.576314870268, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}