Progressive Democrat Issue 122: IOWA FOCUS: News Updates
Here are some press releases from the Iowa Democratic Party keeping you updated on what they are doing:
Braley Calls for Independent Ethics Commission in House
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Braley and the freshmen Democrats are cosponsors of HR 1754, the House Ethics Commission Establishment Act of 2007.
The bill would establish an independent commission to enforce ethics rules in the House of Representatives. Membership in the 12-person commission would be bipartisan and comprised of 6 Democrats and 6 Republicans.
“One of the messages voters sent last November was that the time had come to change the way business was being done in Washington,” Braley said. “Establishing an independent commission to enforce House ethics rules is the best way to provide tough ethics oversight in the House—because the old system of self-policing is not working.
“The American people deserve to have the highest confidence that their Representatives are doing their jobs in a professional and ethical manner. That’s why I’m pushing for this new direction in House ethics.”
Summary of HR 1754, the House Ethics Commission Establishment Act
· Establishes a 12-member, bipartisan commission to enforce House ethics rules.
· Commission is comprised of 6 Democrats and 6 Republicans
· Democrats appoint Republican commission members; Republicans appoint Democratic Commission members.
· Commission members serve two-year terms; members may not serve more than 6 years.
House Passes Braley Amendment for National Guard and Reserve Families Amendment a “Critical First Step” for Soldiers’ Families
Thursday, May 17, 2007
(1) a peer-to-peer National Guard and Reserve spouses’ counseling program, and
(2) a program to collaborate with health and advocacy organizations to provide support services for the children of Guard and Reserve members.
Similar provisions were originally included in HR 1541, the Coming Together for Guard and Reserve Families Act, a bill Braley and Sen. Tom Harkin introduced in March.
“The passage of this amendment is a critical first step in providing much needed support services to the families and children of National Guard and Reserve troops,” Braley said. “These families have unmet mental health and support needs that must be addressed as soon as possible. Taking care of military families who have sacrificed so much for our nation’s benefit is a promise we must keep.
“By requiring the Pentagon to study how to bring peer-to-peer spouses’ counseling programs and children’s support services to National Guard and Reserve families, Congress is acknowledging that the time has come to ease the burdens of deployment shouldered by our military families.
“I hope that this amendment will spur more positive action for our Guard and Reserve families in the future. It’s something I will continue to fight for.”
Guard and Reserve troops are shouldering a large share of combat responsibility in Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, many Guard and Reserve troops are experiencing extended deployments and repeated tours of duty. As a result, the stress on their families is severe. Adding to the problem, Guard and Reserve families often do not live near a military base and thus do not have access to the same support services as active-duty families.
The Braley Amendment for National Guard and Reserve Families was an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Braley’s amendment passed the House last night by voice vote, and the amended bill went on to pass the House today 397-27.
REP. LOEBSACK VOTES TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND VETERANS, BETTER EQUIP OUR NATIONAL GUARD AND INCREASE OVERSIGHT ON THE WAR IN IRAQ
Thursday, May 17, 2007
"We have a moral responsibility to provide the best support, resources and care for those currently serving in our Armed Services and our veterans," said Congressman Loebsack. "I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that our men and women in uniform are served by their country with the same dedication and honor with which they have served our nation."
Our service members are our most valuable national security asset. They and their families sacrifice every day. Unfortunately, reports of armor shortages for those serving in combat zones and tour extensions have become all too common. Additionally, recent reports have also surfaced on the systemic failures at Walter Reed Army Medical Facility and the Veterans Administration.
This legislation sets out to better support our troops and military families by increasing military pay, providing more funding for body armor and Humvee protection, and adding more funds for military training. Veterans' and military healthcare issues are also addressed by prohibiting fee increases for veterans healthcare (TRICARE), establishing a Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative to provide the opportunity for emerging technologies and treatments and providing the resources and oversight necessary to ensure service members receive excellent care, rehabilitation services, and system-wide support.
The continued war in Iraq has transformed the mission of the National Guard, and now across the country National Guard units are ill prepared to respond to in-state emergencies including natural disasters like floods and tornados. Personnel, equipment, and training readiness for the National Guard have fallen dramatically since 2001. This critical situation is not acceptable, and puts Iowa and our National Guardsman at risk.
The National Guard must be given the resources and authorities necessary to meet all demands placed on them. Accordingly, this bill provides increased funding for National Guard training and equipment.
"Congress must fulfill its responsibility to carry out oversight of the United States combat operations," asserted Congressman Loebsack. "I am proud that I was able to work with my colleagues to ensure Congress receives regular updates on the status of American operations in Iraq."
For too long Congress failed to hold the administration accountable for the mismanagement of the war. Going forward, Congress will fulfill its responsibility to carry out its oversight roll. In part because of an amendment Congressman Loebsack offered with Congressman Cummings of Maryland, this legislation provides oversight and requires accountability of American military efforts and the Iraqi Government.
The Cummings-Loebsack Amendment requires Secretary Gates, General Petraeus, and Ambassador Crocker to report to Congress every six months until United States combat forces have been redeployed from Iraq starting in September 2007 on the status of the implementation of the Joint Campaign Plan and on the Iraqi Government's efforts to implement political reform.
If you have an opinion on these issues, please contact your local media and tell them what you think.
Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.
Braley Calls for Independent Ethics Commission in House
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Braley and the freshmen Democrats are cosponsors of HR 1754, the House Ethics Commission Establishment Act of 2007.
The bill would establish an independent commission to enforce ethics rules in the House of Representatives. Membership in the 12-person commission would be bipartisan and comprised of 6 Democrats and 6 Republicans.
“One of the messages voters sent last November was that the time had come to change the way business was being done in Washington,” Braley said. “Establishing an independent commission to enforce House ethics rules is the best way to provide tough ethics oversight in the House—because the old system of self-policing is not working.
“The American people deserve to have the highest confidence that their Representatives are doing their jobs in a professional and ethical manner. That’s why I’m pushing for this new direction in House ethics.”
Summary of HR 1754, the House Ethics Commission Establishment Act
· Establishes a 12-member, bipartisan commission to enforce House ethics rules.
· Commission is comprised of 6 Democrats and 6 Republicans
· Democrats appoint Republican commission members; Republicans appoint Democratic Commission members.
· Commission members serve two-year terms; members may not serve more than 6 years.
House Passes Braley Amendment for National Guard and Reserve Families Amendment a “Critical First Step” for Soldiers’ Families
Thursday, May 17, 2007
(1) a peer-to-peer National Guard and Reserve spouses’ counseling program, and
(2) a program to collaborate with health and advocacy organizations to provide support services for the children of Guard and Reserve members.
Similar provisions were originally included in HR 1541, the Coming Together for Guard and Reserve Families Act, a bill Braley and Sen. Tom Harkin introduced in March.
“The passage of this amendment is a critical first step in providing much needed support services to the families and children of National Guard and Reserve troops,” Braley said. “These families have unmet mental health and support needs that must be addressed as soon as possible. Taking care of military families who have sacrificed so much for our nation’s benefit is a promise we must keep.
“By requiring the Pentagon to study how to bring peer-to-peer spouses’ counseling programs and children’s support services to National Guard and Reserve families, Congress is acknowledging that the time has come to ease the burdens of deployment shouldered by our military families.
“I hope that this amendment will spur more positive action for our Guard and Reserve families in the future. It’s something I will continue to fight for.”
Guard and Reserve troops are shouldering a large share of combat responsibility in Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, many Guard and Reserve troops are experiencing extended deployments and repeated tours of duty. As a result, the stress on their families is severe. Adding to the problem, Guard and Reserve families often do not live near a military base and thus do not have access to the same support services as active-duty families.
The Braley Amendment for National Guard and Reserve Families was an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Braley’s amendment passed the House last night by voice vote, and the amended bill went on to pass the House today 397-27.
REP. LOEBSACK VOTES TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND VETERANS, BETTER EQUIP OUR NATIONAL GUARD AND INCREASE OVERSIGHT ON THE WAR IN IRAQ
Thursday, May 17, 2007
"We have a moral responsibility to provide the best support, resources and care for those currently serving in our Armed Services and our veterans," said Congressman Loebsack. "I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that our men and women in uniform are served by their country with the same dedication and honor with which they have served our nation."
Our service members are our most valuable national security asset. They and their families sacrifice every day. Unfortunately, reports of armor shortages for those serving in combat zones and tour extensions have become all too common. Additionally, recent reports have also surfaced on the systemic failures at Walter Reed Army Medical Facility and the Veterans Administration.
This legislation sets out to better support our troops and military families by increasing military pay, providing more funding for body armor and Humvee protection, and adding more funds for military training. Veterans' and military healthcare issues are also addressed by prohibiting fee increases for veterans healthcare (TRICARE), establishing a Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative to provide the opportunity for emerging technologies and treatments and providing the resources and oversight necessary to ensure service members receive excellent care, rehabilitation services, and system-wide support.
The continued war in Iraq has transformed the mission of the National Guard, and now across the country National Guard units are ill prepared to respond to in-state emergencies including natural disasters like floods and tornados. Personnel, equipment, and training readiness for the National Guard have fallen dramatically since 2001. This critical situation is not acceptable, and puts Iowa and our National Guardsman at risk.
The National Guard must be given the resources and authorities necessary to meet all demands placed on them. Accordingly, this bill provides increased funding for National Guard training and equipment.
"Congress must fulfill its responsibility to carry out oversight of the United States combat operations," asserted Congressman Loebsack. "I am proud that I was able to work with my colleagues to ensure Congress receives regular updates on the status of American operations in Iraq."
For too long Congress failed to hold the administration accountable for the mismanagement of the war. Going forward, Congress will fulfill its responsibility to carry out its oversight roll. In part because of an amendment Congressman Loebsack offered with Congressman Cummings of Maryland, this legislation provides oversight and requires accountability of American military efforts and the Iraqi Government.
The Cummings-Loebsack Amendment requires Secretary Gates, General Petraeus, and Ambassador Crocker to report to Congress every six months until United States combat forces have been redeployed from Iraq starting in September 2007 on the status of the implementation of the Joint Campaign Plan and on the Iraqi Government's efforts to implement political reform.
If you have an opinion on these issues, please contact your local media and tell them what you think.
Click here to go back to THOUGHTS section and Table of Contents for this issue.
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