House

From House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers:

Today, United States District Judge John Bates denied the Administration’s request for a stay of his July 31 ruling that no White House official is immune from Congressional subpoena. The effect of the denial of the stay is that Harriet Miers must appear and testify before the House Judiciary Committee regarding her role in the politicization of the Department of Justice, including the firing of U.S. Attorneys in 2006. The Judge’s July 31 order also requires the White House to produce unprivileged documents on this subject and a reasonable description of any documents being withheld on grounds of Executive Privilege.

(Read the full post about ‘Conyers Praises Court Order Denying Stay of Subpoena Ruling’…)

Today, the Census Bureau released a report on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage. Despite a small increase in 2007, real median household income is still below that of 2000, and the number of people living in poverty grew to 37.3 million last year, up from 36.5 million last year. Other findings include:

The number of Americans living in poverty grew to 37.3 million (12.5 percent) in 2007, up from 36.5 million in 2006, and despite improvements over the past three years, real median American household income is still below that of 2000.

The number of Americans without health insurance totals 45.7 million — even though the percentage of Americans without health insurance did fall from 15.8% in 2006 to 15.3% in 2007.

(Read the full post about ‘Census Report Shows Americans Are Worse Off Because of Bush-McCain Economic Policies’…)

The Chinese government is repeatedly breaking their commitments it made to the international community on freedom of the press and human rights. As the New York Times reported, “the police have detained people who sought permission to protest”, sentenced two women in their late 70s “to an extrajudicial term of ‘re-education through labor’ this week for applying to hold a legal protest in a designated area in Beijing”, and “arrested five Americans on Tuesday after they spelled out ‘Free Tibet’ with blue L.E.D.

(Read the full post about ‘Pelosi: Chinese ‘Protest Zones’ a Ruse for China to Suppress Dissent and Imprison Those Who Speak Out’…)

A new Wall Street Journal/NBC Poll released today shows the American people want a comprehensive energy policy that encourages investment in clean, renewable energy and increases our domestic supply. The Republican “Drill Only” approach is insufficient.

In fact, nearly two and half times as many people said more emphasis should be put on developing alternative energy sources (61 percent) than on exploring and drilling for more in the United States (25 percent).

(Read the full post about ‘Americans Want A Comprehensive Energy Plan: Alternative Energy Resources, More Fuel-Efficient Cars Top New Poll’…)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones:

Today we mourn the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, even as we fondly recall her life and accomplishments. Her passing comes as a shock, but we can take solace in her fulfilling life of service to the people of Ohio and of our nation.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones distinguished herself as a judge, a prosecutor, and one of Cleveland’s African-American leaders. For nearly ten years, I’ve been proud to serve beside her in the House of Representatives. She was a respected Member of Congress who represented her constituents with passion and dedication.

(Read the full post about ‘Leader Hoyer on the Passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones’…)

The Office of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones released the following statement:

Washington, D.C. - It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, beloved mother to Mervyn Jones II, sister to Barbara L. Walker, dear colleague, loyal servant and friend to all. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones passed after being admitted to Huron Hospital having suffered an aneurysm while driving her car in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Tuesday evening. She was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. today. The official cause of death was an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Her death followed a full day of activities, including planning for an upcoming forum on electoral reform and other administrative duties yesterday.

(Read the full post about ‘From the Office of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones’…)

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel issued the following statement on the passing of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones:

Today, we all mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was a strong, principled leader and an outstanding Congresswoman whose commitment to her ideals and the people of Ohio’s 11th Congressional never waivered. As Chairwoman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, she truly was the conscience of the Congress and I was honored to serve with her on the Ways and Means Committee.

I’m lucky enough to say that Stephanie was more than a colleague – she was a friend.

(Read the full post about ‘Democratic Caucus Chairman Emanuel on the Passing of Stephanie Tubbs Jones’…)

On behalf of all Members of Congress, I express my deepest condolences on the sudden death of our friend and colleague, Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, to all who loved her, particularly her son, Mervyn Leroy Jones, II, and her sister, Barbara Walker.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a tremendously vibrant presence in the halls of Congress. She believed in all the best things about our nation, and was a tireless force for justice, equality, and opportunity. As a leader in election reform, she fought on behalf of voting rights to ensure that every American voter can vote. She loved her hometown of Cleveland, and she believed that serving her constituents was the best job in the world.

(Read the full post about ‘On the Passing of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones’…)

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today commented on the passing of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones:

I was stunned by the news today of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. There is a great gap where she stood on behalf of affordable health care, women’s issues, access to quality education and fairness in voting.

Whether you were a presidential candidate, a colleague debating on the floor or a friend passing time, you wanted her on your team for her quick legal mind, tenacious debating skills, her infectious humor and that thousand watt smile. My heart is heavy. She was larger than life and we will all greatly miss the Gentlewoman from Cleveland.

(Read the full post about ‘Democratic Whip James Clyburn on the Passing of Stephanie Tubbs Jones’…)

Speaker Pelosi delivered the Democratic Radio Address this morning. In her address, she discusses energy legislation the New Direction Congress has brought forward to combat rising energy and gas prices and to invest in renewable resources. Speaker Pelosi states, “during the past eight years, our energy policy has been directed by the two oil men in the White House.

(Read the full post about ‘Speaker Pelosi Delivers the Democratic Radio Address’…)