Democratic Blogs

“Americans who are fighting to find a good job will finally get the support they need”

News from the DNC blog - Fri, 07/23/2010 - 12:36

After weeks of Republican obstruction, the President last night signed an extension to unemployment benefits for those looking for job amidst the tough economic climate.

Not only is extending a hand to the millions of long-term unemployed the right thing to do, it has also one of the most effective ways to stimulate the economy. The Michigan Messenger reported: 

Studies show conclusively that unemployment benefits are one of the most effective ways of stimulating the economy because those who receive it need it to pay bills and buy basic necessities, thus immediately putting that money back into circulation.

Every dollar of unemployment compensation paid creates $1.90 in economic stimulus, according to the CBO. Since the unemployment benefits lapsed on June 2, more than $10 billion has been lost in economic stimulus.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Speaker Pelosi Asked Me To Make This For You

DCCC Blog - Fri, 07/23/2010 - 12:14

Diane von Furstenberg just sent this message to DCCC supporters:

Friend --

I have some exciting news to share. Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently asked me if I would design a limited edition tote bag. With everything Speaker Pelosi has done to move our country forward, I was more than happy to oblige.

But what makes this tote bag even more special is that every dollar toward its purchase price will be used to support Speaker Pelosi and courageous House Democrats who are under increased attack by those who wish to take our country back to the policies of former President George W. Bush.

With only a limited number of my Team Pelosi bags available, I wanted to offer you, one of the Speaker's strongest grassroots supporters, the first chance to receive one.

Show your support for Team Pelosi by picking up your limited edition Team Pelosi summer tote bag. Shop today and save 25% using the special discount code DVF2010.

And thank you again for standing with Speaker Pelosi,

Diane von Furstenberg

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Scott Rigell Says ‘Yes’ to Wall Street and ‘No’ To Main Street

DCCC Blog - Fri, 07/23/2010 - 11:26

The Virginia Democratic Party just issued this press release:

Does Rigell join Boehner in supporting repeal?

In the latest sign that protecting Wall Street special interests is his top priority, Scott Rigell has made clear his opposition to tough new Wall Street reforms approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month. Choosing to side with Wall Street special interests, Rigell opposed reforms that put consumers first, hold the biggest banks accountable, and end the era of tax-payer funded bailouts and 'too-big-to-fail' institutions. Rigell opposed putting a stop to big bonuses on Wall Street and a stop to the type of risky financial deals that led to the current economic mess.
 
Democrats demanded that Rigell make clear if his opposition to Wall Street reform means he supports Republican Leader John Boehner in his call for a repeal of Wall Street reform.
 
"Scott Rigell's outrageous refusal to hold Wall Street special interests accountable or put a stop to the era of taxpayer funded bailouts and big bonuses is another reminder that Rigell's agenda is to put Wall Street and Big Business before the hardworking middle class families of Virginia," said Dave Mills, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia.   "Hardworking families who played by the rules and still saw their jobs and life savings wiped out by Wall Street's recklessness deserve better than Rigell voting to put Wall Street banks and credit card companies first. Hampton Roads families deserve to know if Scott Rigell will follow his party and back a repeal that removes the protections placed on Wall Street special interests.  Business and families on Main Street in Virginia will forever remember that Rigell wants to stand up for Wall Street and protect lavish bonuses instead of standing up to them."
 
Representative Glenn Nye (VA-02) supported Wall Street Reform.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Friday Open Thread

News from the DNC blog - Fri, 07/23/2010 - 09:00

Good morning.

President Barack Obama talks with Michael Froman, NSA deputy for international and economic affairs, during a working dinner at the G8 Summit in Muskoka, Canada, June 25, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

President Obama Signs Unemployment Benefits Extension for 2.5 Million Americans

News from the DNC blog - Thu, 07/22/2010 - 20:04

President Obama signed the unemployment benefits extension into law tonight, delivering badly-needed help for Americans who have lost their job in the recession.

Today’s good news comes after weeks of obstruction by Republicans, who decided to put political game playing ahead of doing the right thing to help those in need. President Obama had called on the GOP to put these folks before partisan tactics, and last night the Senate finally overcame the Republican filibuster.

Upon signing the bill the President also called on Congress to take action and pass aid to states and support for small businesses:

"Today, I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession.  After a partisan minority used procedural tactics to block the authorization of this assistance three separate times over the past weeks, Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times.  Now it’s time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses.  Small businesses are the engine of job growth, and measures to cut their taxes and make lending available should not be held hostage to partisan tactics like those that unconscionably held up unemployment insurance."

Today's benefits extension brings relief to folks who had gone without assistance for up to seven weeks, who could begin receiving retroactive assistance as early as next week.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

House Passes Unemployment Benefits

News from the DNC blog - Thu, 07/22/2010 - 16:01

The House just voted 272-152 to restore unemployment benefits for 2.5 million of out-of-work Americans—sending the bill to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

President Obama and Democrats in Congress overcame months of Republican obstruction that put politics ahead of those looking for work—and these folks will soon see their benefits restored.

As President Obama made clear to Republicans who had been holding up the bill:

“When storms strike Main Street, we don’t play politics with emergency aid.  We don’t desert our fellow Americans when they fall on hard times.  We come together.  We do what we can to help.  We rebuild stronger, and we move forward.”

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Making Government More Efficient

News from the DNC blog - Thu, 07/22/2010 - 15:45

Today, President Obama signed the Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Act bill into law.

The new law is the latest Administration effort to save taxpayers money by using its resources as efficiently as possible and ensuring that no funds that could be used to help students or support job creation are being otherwise misspent. Specifically, the Improper Payment Act requires all federal agencies to determine yearly which programs might be making improper payments, and would require agencies to audit more of their programs in order to recapture more taxpayer money. In addition, the law ensures more vigorous enforcement mechanisms that will hold agencies accountable for the money they spend.

At the signing ceremony, the President said:

“Back when I first started campaigning for office, I said I wanted to change the way Washington works so that it works for the American people. I meant making government more open and more transparent and more responsive to the needs of the people. I meant getting rid of the waste and inefficiencies that squander the people’s hard-earned money. And I meant finally revamping the systems that undermine our efficiency and threaten our security and fail to serve the interests of the American people...[That’s why] we’ve begun an unprecedented effort to put an end to a problem known as improper payments, which is the purpose of the bill that I’m signing into law today.”

As the President noted, the new savings tools created by the Improper Payment Act should enable government to reduce wrongly-spent money by $50 billion between now and 2012. But although that alone is an incredible savings, the Improper Payment Act is only the latest of the Administration’s many efforts to cut government waste, increase government efficiency, and cut the deficit. As the Associated Press reports:

“Since taking office, Obama has taken steps to cut wasteful spending in part by reducing improper payments. Last month, he ordered creation of a federal "Do Not Pay List" — a database that agencies ultimately must search before cutting checks to individuals and contractors.

“Toward the broader goal of trimming federal spending overall, Obama has proposed a three-year freeze in spending not tied to national security. He also has instituted changes in how government contracts are awarded to save billions in such costs, and has directed agencies to sell excess or underused real estate.

“Obama also has established a special commission that is due to report after the November midterm elections on what spending cuts, higher taxes or combination of the two are needed to control future budget deficits.”

Categories: Democratic Blogs

NRCC Continues Shooting Blanks with Young Guns

DCCC Blog - Thu, 07/22/2010 - 10:37

The NRCC promoted 33 candidates in its 'Young Gun' program. Considering the flawed candidates that have already come out of this program and the fact that their new additions lack momentum, we have to ask, what low bar do these candidates have to pass to get included in an NRCC program anyway? 

"Republicans continue to talk a big game about the strength of their candidates but the latest finance reports show a surge in support for Democrats who are standing up for the middle class," said Ryan Rudominer, National Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "The NRCC isn't fooling anyone if they think their flawed candidates with anemic fundraising can mount a credible challenge to our battle-tested incumbents."

Key points:

• Of the 33 new On the Radar and Contender candidates, 28 are at a cash on hand (COH) disadvantage
• Average COH for the 33 Republican candidates is $246,800, the average COH for their Democratic opponents is $1.03 million

TX-25:  37:1 Advantage

Representative Lloyd Doggett has $3,166,940 COH, Young Gun On the Radar Donna Campbell has $84,518 COH.

NY-02:  19:1 Advantage

Representative Steve Israel has $1,952,505 COH, Young Gun On the Radar John Gomez has $103,313 COH.

PA-13:  11.5:1 Advantage

Representative Allyson Schwartz has $3,319,292 COH, Young Gun On the Radar Dee Adcock has $285,273 COH

AZ-05:  10:1 Advantage

Representative Harry Mitchell has $1,112,525 COH, Young Gun On the Radar Susan Bitter Smith has $111,538 COH

PA-03:  10:1 Advantage

Representative Kathy Dahlkemper has $1,014,736 COH, Young Gun Contender Mike Kelly has $103,508 COH.

PA-04:  7:1 Advantage

Representative Jason Altmire has $1,466,074 COH, Young Gun On the Radar Keith Rothfus has $201,681 COH

IA-03:  7:1 Advantage

Representative Leonard Boswell has $733,991 COH, Young Gun On the Radar Brad Zaun has $100,400 COH.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Thursday Meetings

DCCC Blog - Thu, 07/22/2010 - 10:08

Paul Begala just sent this message to DCCC supporters:

Friend --

Want to know the GOP's grand 2010 plan? Bring back the same exact failed Bush agenda!

The GOP's point person for winning the House this November even admitted it outright on TV on Sunday.

They talk about it at their regular Thursday meetings with fat cat lobbyists who bankroll their campaign to bring back the Bush agenda and who promise to repeal Wall Street reform, health insurance reform and raise the retirement age.

With enough fat cat cash, they think they can make this election a referendum on all the problems we're facing right now (y'know, the ones they created).

We are just days away from our 100 days deadline -- the world is watching House Democrats' totals to see if they have what it takes to win in November. Please help my friends at the DCCC have the strongest showing possible -- they are just $346,328 away from their goal.

Contribute $5, $10 or more today to show the world House Democrats have what it takes in the next 100 Days and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Sarah Palin is counting down. So is Karl Rove.

And so is Joe 'My Apologies to you, British Petroleum' Barton, who if the Republicans win control of Congress would be the person put in charge of...you guessed it, regulating oil companies!

They're all counting down 100 days until they think Republicans will win back the House so they can bring back the failed Bush agenda.

Contribute today to show the world House Democrats have what it takes in the next 100 Days and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Democrats will keep the House this year, but only if we highlight the choice in this election and only if we work harder than ever to help our folks under attack by Palin and Rove and their vast network of special interest cash.

We need to make it clear to voters they have a choice: Republicans working to bring back the Bush-Rove agenda for the special interests or Democrats helping President Obama lead our country in a New Direction.

That's America's choice this year.

Thanks,


Paul Begala

P.S. Democrats will keep the House this year, but only if we highlight the choice in this election and only if we work harder than ever to help our folks under attack by Palin and Rove. With the world watching, help Democrats raise just $346,328 more by Sunday at Midnight.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Morning Open Thread

News from the DNC blog - Thu, 07/22/2010 - 09:00

Good morning.

President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron prepare to board Marine One at the Deerhurst Resort landing zone in Muskoka, Canada, following the conclusion of the G8 Summit, June 26, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Senate Approves Extension for Unemployment Benefits—Despite GOP Delay

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 20:11

The good news is that the Senate this evening cast its final vote to approve extending unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. We’re now one step closer to helping those hit hardest by this recession get the assistance they need to get back on their feet.

But the vote happened despite an extra day of obstruction by the GOP—who had already spent several months blocking the benefits extension from moving forward. Republicans stalled throughout the day by filing motions to delay the vote, increasing the amount of time before out-of-work Americans will see their benefits resume.

Ezra Klein called it particularly “cruel” for Republicans to hold up the vote as they did once it became clear yesterday the vote had the support to pass. Not to mention the time it’s taking from accomplishing real business: “The more floor time Republicans can chew up in procedural maneuvers like this one, the less time there is for Democrats to actually accomplish things,” writes Klein.

Next, the extension will go for a vote in the House before heading to President Obama’s desk.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Chairman Kaine Celebrates President Obama’s Signing of Historic Wall Street Reform Legislation

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 20:01

Today, President Obama signed Wall Street reform legislation into law. Following the signing ceremony, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement:

“Today, President Obama put the final stamp of approval on historic reform that will rein in risky Wall Street practices, reward sound financial practices, and lay a solid foundation for Main Street growth.

“I want to thank President Obama and Democrats in Congress for their leadership on this issue and their efforts to pass reform that will make a difference in the lives of Americans.

“As a result of Democrats’ unceasing efforts, Americans will now have protection against unfair practices and greater access to information they need to help make the right financial choices for their families. The types of financial practices that helped lead to the economic crisis will be regulated and brought into the light, and American taxpayers will no longer be left holding the bag for Wall Street’s bad bets.

“This legislation is a major victory for the American people – but it didn’t come without a battle. For months, President Obama and Democrats in Congress fought against lobbyists, special interests and their Republican allies in Congress to enact the strongest possible reforms. At every stage they were defeated by Democratic leaders who stood up for American workers and their families.

“Republicans have made it clear that they intend to go back to the ‘exact same agenda’ that led some on Wall Street to use an 'anything goes' attitude that ended up eating into our savings, costing us millions of jobs, and endangering our economy.

“With the most sweeping financial regulatory reform since the Great Depression, Democrats will not allow Republicans to reward outsized risk, minimize protections for customers and small businesses, and leave taxpayers on the hook when those risks fail.

“With Wall Street reform as the latest accomplishment of the most productive Congress in a generation, President Obama and Congressional Democrats have helped to put the country back on track. We simply can’t afford to go backward.”

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Wall Street Reform? Check.

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 15:27

This morning, President Obama added Wall Street reform to his administration’s growing list of accomplishments delivered during 18 months in office. The new law represents the strongest protections for consumers in history, and ensures taxpayers never are forced to foot the bill for Wall Street’s reckless behavior.

For today’s bill signing, President Obama was joined by several folks who represent all of the Americans who will benefit from this bill. The President explained exactly how it will help:

For all those Americans who are wondering what Wall Street Reform means for you, here’s what you can expect.  If you’ve ever applied for a credit card, a student loan, or a mortgage, you know the feeling of signing your name to pages of barely understandable fine print.

But what often happens as a result, is that many Americans are caught by hidden fees and penalties, or saddled with loans they can’t afford.  That’s what happened to Robin Fox, hit with a massive rate increase on her credit card balance even though she paid her bills on time.  That’s what happened to Andrew Giordano, who discovered hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees on his bank statement – fees he had no idea he might face. Both are here today.

Well, with this law, unfair rate hikes, like the one that hit Robin, will end for good.  And we’ll ensure that people like Andrew aren’t unwittingly caught by overdraft fees when they sign up for a checking account.

With this law, we’ll crack down on abusive practices in the mortgage industry.  We’ll make sure that contracts are simpler – putting an end to many hidden penalties and fees in complex mortgages – so folks know what they’re signing.

With this law, students who take out college loans will be provided clear and concise information about their obligations.

And with this law, ordinary investors – like seniors and folks saving for retirement – will be able to receive more information about the costs and risks of mutual funds and other investment products, so that they can better make financial decisions that work for them.

All told, these reforms represent the strongest consumer financial protections in history.  And these protections will be enforced by a new consumer watchdog with just one job: looking out for people – not big banks, not lenders, not investment houses – in the financial system.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

DNC Condemns Republican Delay of Unemployment Insurance Extension After Losing Cloture Vote

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:18

Yesterday, Senate Democrats in the face of Republican obstruction voted to successfully impose cloture and bring extended emergency unemployment insurance for millions of Americans to a vote, but despite losing that vote Republicans continue to obstruct passage of that critical extension and are using parliamentary tactics to delay the vote for yet another day. In response, DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan issued the following statement:

“Republicans may be frustrated that their obstructionist games have once again been overcome by Democrats in Congress who will do whatever it takes to ensure that the needs of middle class Americans don’t fall victim to the partisan politicking of the Republican Party. But it’s time for Republicans to realize that they have lost the debate on unemployment insurance. Republicans never had the moral high ground on this issue and now they’re taking the low road – denying millions of Americans money they desperately need for as long as they possibly can. Preventing those Americans from paying their bills or purchasing food for their families for yet another day won’t make Republicans any less wrong, but it will cause needless suffering. Republicans need to wake up and realize that their actions are not only hurting their image as a party – they’re hurting real Americans.

“Republicans lost the election. Republicans lost the debate. And now they’ve lost any moral authority they may have had. This is the kind of small minded, mean-spirited typical Washington politics that the American people are sick of. It’s petty. It’s mean. And come this November it will no longer be tolerated.”

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Watch this Morning: Wall Street Reform Becomes Law

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:49

Update: The event has ended, and Wall Street reform is now the law of the land.

At 11:30 a.m. ET this morning, President Obama will sign Wall Street reform into law—enacting the toughest consumer protections in history and the greatest financial industry overhaul since the Great Depression.

Watch the signing live starting at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time:

And before the event starts, check out 10 things you should know about the new law, via the White House blog:

1. Stronger protections for consumers against unfair credit card practices like rate hikes for existing credit card balances.
2. Mortgage brokers will be prohibited from making higher commissions by selling mortgages they know consumers can’t afford.
3. Free annual credit scores so people can stay on top of their finances.
4. No more taxpayer-funded bailouts. If a company can’t make it, it will have to liquidate.
5. Greater input by company shareholders over how much a CEO gets paid.  And companies’ compensation boards are now required to be truly independent.
6. Brokers who offer investment advice will have to act in the best interests of their customers, not their own financial interests.
7. Financial firms won't be allowed to grow so large that if one fails, it will affect the entire financial system.
8. There will be one agency whose sole job is to make sure that consumers get the protections they deserve and to set clear rules to hold banks, mortgage companies, payday lenders, and credit card lenders accountable.
9. Businesses can't be charged extra fees for debit card “swipe fees” that exceed the cost of processing transactions.
10. You can learn plenty more here at WhiteHouse.gov  or at financialstability.gov.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

GOP’s Stunning Admission

DCCC Blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 11:05

Executive Director Jon Vogel just sent this message to DCCC supporters:

Friend --

House Republicans have now admitted what we've known for a long time: They intend to bring back the exact same George W. Bush agenda which drove our economy into the ditch.

Rep. Pete Sessions, the point-person in charge of winning Congress for the GOP, admitted it on Meet the Press last Sunday and we captured the video so you can see it for yourself!

Our rapid response team is ready to launch an all-out campaign exposing Republicans' plans to take us back to the disastrous Bush years. We're just $413,677 short of our "100 Days Out" campaign kick-off goal.

The media, the pundits and our opponents are claiming Republicans have the momentum to win in November. We have what it takes to retain our majority but we are going to need urgent resources to do it before our 100 days deadline.

We must show them Democrats are standing strong and have what it takes. Can you help put us over the top?

Contribute $5, $10 or more before our 100 Days Deadline hits on Midnight Sunday and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Enough of letting the Republicans get away with trying to make this election a false choice.

Now they've admitted exactly what the choice really is: Democrats and President Obama moving the country in a New Direction or a Republican majority that would bring back the exact same agenda as George W. Bush.

Your dollars will help us call them out on it while making a powerful show of grassroots strength heading into the final 100 days of this election.

Contribute before our 100 Days Deadline hits on Midnight Sunday and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

The Republicans have a not-so-secret plan to bring back the same policies that got us into this mess -- tax cuts for the wealthy that add billions to the deficit, tax breaks for Big Oil, removing new rules for Wall Street, and rewarding companies that ship jobs overseas.

Check out the video to hear it in their own words and help us call them out.

Thanks,


Jon Vogel
DCCC Executive Director

P.S. Sunday's 100 Day Deadline is the most important one we have ever faced. Help us raise just $413,677 more to make our grassroots goal so we can expose the Republicans' plan to bring back the Bush Agenda.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

President Obama: 'Americans who are struggling to find a job and get back on their feet deserve more than the same political game-playing'

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 09:40

The Senate voted yesterday to break the Republican filibuster on unemployment benefits, setting up a final Senate vote today on extending assistance to millions of out-of-work Americans. Following today's vote, the bill will go to the House and then to President Obama's desk later this week.

President Obama hailed yesterday's vote as a critical step in helping those hurt by the recession, and pledged to continue fighting to create new jobs and foster economic recovery:

"[The vote] marks an important step toward passing the unemployment insurance extension which is critical to millions of Americans fighting to find a job, put food on the table and make ends meet during this tough economic time.  After a partisan minority blocked this critical aid to our nation’s families three separate times, the Senate has moved forward on restoring benefits to the 2.5 million Americans whose livelihood has been held hostage by obstruction and game playing over the past weeks.

I will continue to fight for economic policies that will lead us out of this mess, and press Congress to act on more proposals to create new American jobs and strengthen our recovery, including a small business jobs bill, aid for struggling states to prevent layoffs, and tax cuts for middle class families.   Americans who are struggling to find a job and get back on their feet deserve more than the same political game-playing and failed policies that helped cause this recession.  And I thank the members of the Senate who stood on the side of these working families today."

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Morning Open Thread

News from the DNC blog - Wed, 07/21/2010 - 09:00

Good morning.

People react as President Barack Obama and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel ride an escalator en route to a press conference during the G20 Summit in Toronto, Canada, Sunday, June 27, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Senate Breaks Republican Filibuster on Unemployment Benefits

News from the DNC blog - Tue, 07/20/2010 - 17:34

The Senate voted 60-40 to end the Republican filibuster and move forward with providing benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. After two months of obstruction by the GOP, Senate Democrats were able to gain enough votes to break the filibuster—retroactively providing benefits for folks whose checks had been held up since June 2nd.

After a final Senate vote later today, the bill will go to the House tomorrow, and then to President Obama for his signature.

Categories: Democratic Blogs

Video: 'Exact Same Agenda'

News from the DNC blog - Tue, 07/20/2010 - 14:49

The Democratic National Committee today released a new thirty-second video showcasing Republican Party leader and NRCC Chairman Jeff Sessions’s call to return to the Bush-era policies that exploded the deficit, nearly toppled the economy and allowed for the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Watch it:

Categories: Democratic Blogs