Latest Media Releases from John Dingell tag:dingell.house.gov,2009-10-07://1 2012-05-11T20:18:30Z Web site for Rep. Dingell Movable Type Enterprise 4.361 Dingell Meets with Professional Nurses Council; Lauds their work and honors National Nurses Week tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1963 2012-05-11T20:14:48Z 2012-05-11T20:18:30Z  

Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) met with the University of Michigan Professional Nurses Council at a roundtable in Ypsilanti:

“Today’s meeting was productive and I offered my support to these wonderful men and women who care for our sick and injured.  This week, National Nurses Week, provides an opportunity to thank nurses for all they do, and I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of a resolution recognizing National Nurses Week.  The Affordable Care Act, which I authored, supports nurses and puts their profession on a viable trajectory for the future.  Nurses are relied upon in all aspects of health care.  This profession must be supported and protected.”

Dingell shared many of the health initiatives called for in the Affordable Care Act that work to ensure nurses get the support and training they deserve and need to do their job:

•    By expanding investments in primary and preventive care programs, programs in which nurses play a vital role, the Affordable Care Act strengthens the focus on keeping people healthy and managing chronic conditions.

•    With continued support from the Affordable Care Act through fiscal 2014, the number of nurses at health centers will continue to grow.  About 16,000 nurses now work at community health centers, an expansion of about 3,000 nursing positions.

•    The Affordable Care Act funding helps hospitals with nursing schools and non-hospital community-based care settings to provide advance practice registered nurses with clinical training to help strengthen primary care across the country. 

•    In addition to new resources to build new and expand existing community health centers, the Affordable Care Act will establish new nurse-managed health clinics to train nurse practitioners and operate in underserved communities.

Congressman Dingell has for years been a leading advocate for health care reform and believes the Affordable Care Act will reduce the deficit, expand access to health insurance, lower the cost of coverage, and improve the quality of care.   He continues vigorous oversight in the 112th Congress to see that the implementation of and funding for the Affordable Care Act law, of which he is the author, are done in a fully fair manner that benefits all Americans.


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  (Pictured with Congressman Dingell are U-M Nurses Council Chair Katie Oppenheim and Steven Strahle, Vice Chair)

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]]> Dingell: GOP Reconciliation Act Would Do Great Damage to America tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1962 2012-05-10T20:40:56Z 2012-05-10T20:55:33Z
Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement for the record of the House of Representatives regarding H.R. 5652, the Sequestration Replacement Reconciliation Act:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5652, the Sequestration Replacement Reconciliation Act.  We have seen this song and dance before from House Republicans.  This is yet another cynical ploy to slash programs which millions of middle-class families rely on while preserving tax loopholes for corporations and millionaires. 

“Even worse, the legislation reneges on the compromise struck in the Budget Control Act, which provides that future deficit reduction would be evenly split between defense and domestic programs under sequestration.  Unfortunately, H.R. 5652 is an accurate reflection of the priorities of House Republicans: protect the wealthy at any cost, no matter what havoc it wreaks on average Americans.

“I have long believed we need a balanced approach to reduce the deficit and H.R. 5652 strays far from this ideal.   The legislation reads like a laundry list of misguided budget cuts which would do great damage to my constituents and millions of other Americans.  House Republicans propose to cut food stamps by $33.2 billion, which would result in 1.8 million people being kicked off the program and reduced benefits for 47 million people.  The Prevention and Public Health Fund, which helps fund vital health services such as breast and cervical cancer screening, would be eliminated entirely.  This means over 300,000 women would lose access to these services next year. 

“H.R. 5652 also completely eliminates funding for state-based health insurance exchanges, which are marketplaces set to open in 2014 where people will be able to shop amongst several health insurance plans to pick the best one for them.  Cutting this funding will hurt consumers since states will not have the flexibility, or even the funding, to design the exchange that will best meet the needs of their own state, likely resulting in many states having to rely on the federal government to set up an exchange for them.  This is a flawed approach and should be rejected.

“H.R. 5652 continues the assault on the well-being of Americans by completely eliminating the Social Services Block Grant, which means 1.7 million seniors would not receive Meals on Wheels.  Additionally, 1.8 million children would not receive child protective services if this program is eliminated, thereby putting them at risk of abuse or neglect.  Finally, it seems as if House Republicans have completely forgotten the lessons of the recent financial crisis by completely eliminating the government’s authority to shut down a large failing financial institution.  Without this authority, future bailouts would be more likely, an outcome we all want to avoid.

“One large element missing from the Republican plan is any increased contributions from the wealthiest among us.  Relying on the middle class for deficit reduction is no way to balance our nation’s books.  My friends on the other side of the aisle claim that they are doing this to prevent sequestration from severely cutting the defense budget, which is a worthy goal.  However, this can be done in a balanced fashion where everyone chips in.  The Democratic Alternative, offered by my friend from Maryland, Mr. Van Hollen, does just this. 

“I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 5652 and work together on a balanced deficit reduction plan, not one that damages ordinary Americans at the expense of the wealthy.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
 

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]]> Dingell Applauds Bipartisan Passage FDA Reform Act of 2012; Bill Unanimously Approved by Committee tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1961 2012-05-10T17:57:20Z 2012-05-10T18:08:35Z
Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) applauded the bipartisanship work on the “Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012.”

“This Committee accomplished a lot in a short amount of time and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of Chairmen Upton and Pitts, Ranking Members Waxman and Pallone, and their staffs, for the spirit of bipartisanship through which these negotiations were conducted over the past few weeks,” said Dingell.  “The lack of controversy is a reflection not only of the extraordinary work of the Committee, but of the good work that can be done when both sides cooperate and compromise.”

“We have built upon the good work that FDA is already doing, as well as the strong agreements negotiated by industry and FDA, to produce a product that can and should serve as an example for all of this Committee’s endeavors, and we should be proud of the bill before us,” Dingell continued.  “Advancing this legislation will level the playing field for our domestic drug manufacturers, and provide consumers with the peace of mind that FDA can quickly respond to contaminated, counterfeit, or adulterated drugs.”

The bill was approved unanimously during today’s full committee mark-up in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  The House expects to consider the bill before June. 

Click here to view the video recording of Congressman Dingell’s statement.

Click here to view the markup background memo, legislative text, amendment text, and votes on the Energy and Commerce Committee website.


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]]> Dingell Statement On GOP Obstructing Student Loan Relief tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1960 2012-05-09T19:18:16Z 2012-05-09T19:25:54Z
Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement expressing his disdain at the reckless games the GOP are playing with the interest rates of our students’ loans:

“I am saddened and outraged at the GOP for obstructing needed, indispensible legislation that lessens the burden of obtaining a strong key to our future – education.  Education is supposed to provide American students and their families with opportunities to do more in the world and be more active citizens, not burden them with debt.  We in Congress are sent here to be legislators, not politicking obstructionists.

“Where are the legislators who want to fix this urgent problem?  Where are the legislators who are willing to put their constituents and their families with kids going off to college on better footing, regardless of which side of the aisle you are on?  Where are the legislators who are brave enough to stand up and demand long-term fixes to this problem?

“As I have said many times recently, America is at a turning point, a true crossroads for our future.  Now is not the time for political posturing.  Our children, 25 percent of our population, are 100 percent of our future.  And they are counting on us.   Do we really want to take them down a reckless road to make paying for an education more difficult?  Do we really want to make education a luxury?  Do we really want the negative consequences of a less educated, less trained workforce and more out-sourced jobs?  Do we really have the capacity to stay afloat when another debt bubble eventually pops and devastates not just our economy, but also disintegrates the dreams of a better tomorrow for our youngest citizens?  Do we really desire to put the needs of millionaires ahead of our students and future workforce?  I say no.  My friends, let’s do right by America.   My colleagues, I plead with you to stop this nonsense.

“We need to do right by America.  We need to stand up for our kids’ future.  We need to stand up for adequate training and education for tomorrow’s workforce.  We need to stand up and help families and young people to access the education they need to get good jobs, to educate and train them to lead us into a better future.  The time is now.  My friends, for each year that Congress does not act to keep at 3.4 percent, students add an additional $1000 in debt over the life of their loans.  I strongly urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to cease this game playing, because you are playing with people’s lives and America’s future.”

Click here to view the floor statement Congressman Dingell issued late last month when the House was considering the bill.  Dingell has signed on as a cosponsor of Congressman John Tierney’s (D-MA06) bill, H.R. 4816.  This bill will extend the 3.4 percent rate by an additional one year by closing a corporate loop hole on so-called s-corps.


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]]> Dingell Applauds Bipartisan Approval of FDA User Fee Agreements tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1959 2012-05-08T19:00:46Z 2012-05-08T19:28:28Z
Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) proudly joined his colleagues to approve the bipartisan discussion draft to reauthorize the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fee agreements for prescription drugs and medical devices and to establish new user fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars considered by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.   FDA uses these fees to help fund its reviews of prescription drugs and medical devices, and moving forward for generic drugs and biosimilars.

“Before us today is a proposal that is a reflection of weeks of negotiations among our staffs, as well as compromises made on both sides of the aisle,” Dingell said in his opening statement.  “This is not a perfect proposal, but it is an example of the good work this Committee can do when we all work together, and I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this legislation.”

Congressman Dingell was the original author of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and one of the co-authors of the Medical Device User Fee Act.  The discussion draft will ensure timely review and approval of medical products, provide greater information to FDA and work to address drug shortages, and encourage the development of innovative new treatments for children and needed antibiotics.  More importantly, the discussion draft includes provisions championed by Congressman Dingell that will provide FDA with up-to-date information on domestic and foreign drug manufacturers, allow FDA to detain or destruct drugs that are found to be counterfeit or adulterated, require importers to register with FDA and comply with Good Importer Practices, prohibit entry of imported drugs that have delayed or denied inspection by FDA, and encourage parity in the inspections of domestic and foreign drug manufacturing establishments, among other authorities.  After weeks of negotiations, the amended discussion draft legislation passed unanimously this morning by a voice vote.  Later this week, the full committee will convene to finalize the five-year reauthorization of these user fees.

“The legislation before us will help to ensure timely access to safe and effective prescription drugs and medical devices, encourage the development of innovative drug treatments for our children, create new user fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and improve FDA’s current authority in regards to drug shortages,” said Dingell.   “I especially want to thank my friend Chairman Upton and Chairman Pitts, as well as Ranking Members Waxman and Pallone, for working with me on the drug supply chain provisions included in the proposal before us. . .This has been a top priority of mine for some time, and I believe we can be proud that advancing this legislation will provide FDA with the needed tools and information to secure our drug supply chain, will level the playing field for our domestic drug manufacturers, and will give consumers peace of mind that FDA can quickly respond to risks in our drug supply chain.”

Click here to view the video recording of Congressman Dingell’s opening statement.

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]]> Dingell Blasts Yet Another GOP Tax Break for the Wealthy tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1958 2012-05-04T14:21:57Z 2012-05-04T14:23:36Z v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";...


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT: Betsy Barrett 202-225-4071 / betsy.barrett@mail.house.gov

Friday, April 20, 2012

Dingell Blasts Yet Another GOP Tax Break for the Wealthy

Legislation Is Another Tax Cut for People Who Don’t Need It

 

Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI-15) made the following remarks about H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut Act, which the House of Representatives passed yesterday by a vote of 235-173, with one member voting “present.”

 

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Cut Act. 

 

“Let me say from the outset that Congress needs to be doing more to help our country’s small businesses get back on their feet.  H.R. 9 is not the way to do that.

 

“The committee report that accompanies H.R. 9 lays bare the bill’s true effects.  I’d like to read a few excerpts from that report concerning H.R. 9’s estimated cost to the taxpayer and its effect on small businesses:

 

“The staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates that enacting H.R. 9 would reduce revenues, thus increasing the federal budget deficits by $46 billion over the 2012-2022 period.”

 

“[…] the one year of tax savings provided by the bill is unlikely to make the costs of much investment in physical capital or labor recruitment and training worthwhile.”

 

“[…] the incentive for long-term capital investment is reduced in the future, putting slight downward pressure on economic growth.”

 

“It is anticipated that the provision will result in an increase in disputes between small businesses and the IRS.  Reasons for such disputes include the complexity of the provision and the inherent incentive for taxpayers to maximize the deduction.”

 

“The provision likely will increase the tax preparation costs for most affected small businesses.”

 

“[…] based on an analysis provided by the Tax Policy Center, approximately ‘49 percent of the tax cut [provided by H.R. 9] would go to the 0.3 percent of the people with incomes exceeding $1 million in 2012.’”

 

“Now, I may be just a poor Polish lawyer from Detroit, but H.R. 9 sounds like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  As my Democratic colleagues on the Committee on Ways and Means have pointed out, H.R. 9 doesn’t even include a requirement that small businesses that get this tax break be required to hire new U.S. employees.  At the end of the day, it’s very possible that businesses which reduce employment or off-shore it still may be eligible for H.R. 9’s tax break.  That’s not only ludicrous, but it’s also downright shameful.

 

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 9 is another in a long line of GOP bills that pick the pockets of the middle class and enrich the well-to-do.  Vote down H.R. 9, and let’s get to work on real legislation that creates a responsible path for economic growth.”

 

The Small Business Tax Act would provide a qualified small business of 500 or fewer employees a deduction for 20 percent of the qualified domestic business income of the taxpayer for tax year 2012, or taxable income for 2012, whichever is less.  Because the bill bases eligibility for the tax cut only on a business’s number of employees, rather than including other relevant factors such as annual revenues, H.R. 9’s tax cut would also apply to hedge funds, professional sports teams, lawyers, and lobbyists.  Further, H.R. 9 includes no provision that requires businesses receiving the tax cut hire new employees in the United States.

 

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]]> Dingell Presents Awards to Taylor Police Department tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1957 2012-05-03T19:35:25Z 2012-05-03T19:37:14Z  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT: Betsy Barrett 202-225-4071 / betsy.barrett@mail.house.gov

Thursday, May 03, 2012

 

 

Dingell Presents Awards to Taylor Police Department

Celebrates their achievements and acknowledges their selfless, courageous acts to keep Michigan communities safe

Washington, D.C.  – Last night, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) met with police officers and local officials at the Taylor Police Department Annual Awards ceremony.

 

Dingell told the crowd of police and local officials, “I am honored to be here today in a room filled with true hometown heroes.  This police department has an outstanding record, and each and every one of you should feel proud to be a part this department.  These awards come a week before the nation recognizes National Police Week, where we celebrate the achievements of police officers across the U.S., and thank them for their tireless work and selflessness to put them in harm’s way in order to keep our neighborhoods safe and ensure a better, safer future for our children and their children to come.  You do this every day.”

 

Congressman Dingell has always been steadfast supporter of our nation’s police officers, and has supported the COPS program and the Byrne/JAG program.  He recently signed onto a bipartisan letter urging adequate funding for both the COPS and Byrne/JAG programs.  The COPS program helps hire and place offices in the communities that need them the most, in addition to updating officer technology, strengths school safety, and performs numerous other functions.   The Byrne/JAG program is of the utmost importance because it is an expeditious way to allocate funds to the areas of law enforcement that need it the most at any given time.

 

Before presenting the awards, he closed his remarks by acknowledging that their selfless acts as police officers.  He told them that he understands, “More must be done.  Know that I will continue to fight for you in Washington and my door is always open.  I thank you again and I look forward to meeting each one of you tonight.”

 

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]]> Dingell Congratulates 2012 15th Congressional District Congressional Art Competition Winners tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1956 2012-05-02T13:08:09Z 2012-05-02T13:25:43Z v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT: Betsy Barrett 202-225-4071 / betsy.barrett@mail.house.gov

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

 

Dingell Congratulates 2012 15th Congressional District Congressional Art Competition Winners

Taylor, Mich. – Last night U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) congratulated all of the 15th Congressional District students who participated in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition at the final judging and awards presentation at Wayne County Community College in Taylor, Michigan.   A total of 48 students from 14 area high schools participated and 71 pieces of art were submitted this year.

 

During his presentation, Dingell spoke directly to the students, “I am so honored to be here tonight.  Young people are 25 percent of our population, but 100 percent of our future, and looking out at you all, I feel good about our future.  Art is a beautiful and functional way to express one’s self and I encourage each of you to continue being passionate and devoted to your talent.  You all are winners today.” 

 

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the winners and offer my congratulations to Natalie Truman of Jefferson High School in Monroe, who took top honors for her water color self portrait entry ‘Bird and His Girl’; Eugene Kutz of Ida High School in Petersburg, who took second place for his oil painted art piece, ‘Istanbul As It Was’; and third place winner Emily Phillips of Airport High School in , for her acrylic painting entry named, ‘The Dog Days of Summer at Greenfield Village’.  This year the judge also chose two honorable mentions:  Jessica Collins of Jefferson High School in Monroe for her work entitled, ‘Watching’, and Ruomeng Zhang of Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor, for a mixed media piece named, ‘Observation.’”  

 

Natalie Truman, the first place winner, will have her winning work displayed in the underground corridor connecting the U.S. Capitol to the Cannon House Office Building for one year starting this June.  The artwork of Eugene Katz and Emily Phillips will be proudly displayed in Congressman Dingell’s Washington, D.C. office, and Jessica Collins and Ruomeng Zhang will have their works displayed at Congressman Dingell’s District Office in Dearborn, Michigan.  

 

An Artistic Discovery, coordinated by Members of Congress, is the annual Congressional High School Art Competition.  Congressman Dingell has hosted “An Artistic Discovery” every year since it was first launched in 1982.

 

 

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]]> Dingell Announces HHS Funding To Build and Expand Community Health Centers in Carleton and Taylor tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1955 2012-05-01T21:53:56Z 2012-05-01T22:13:00Z Awards are made possible by the Affordable Care Act
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Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) announced two HHS grant awards for Community Health Centers in the 15th Congressional District.  Made possible by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), these grants will help build, expand, and improve community health centers nationwide.  The Family Medical Center of Michigan in Carleton, Michigan, was awarded $5 million and the Western Wayne Family Health Centers in Taylor, Michigan, was awarded $370,000. 

“I am grateful to HHS for providing this critical support to the Community Health Centers in Carleton and Taylor,” said Dingell.  “Community Health Centers have been on the front lines of helping American families during this economic recession.  As the number of patients served at these centers has risen, Congress and the Administration is working to ensure that there are federal resources available to help these centers meet this new demand.  This funding will aid renovation and construction projects so that these centers can continue to ably serve more patients.”

Community Health Centers provide primary care health care services for those who would otherwise go without. These centers are integral to improving the well-being of these underserved communities.  Because of the investments made in the ACA, 1.3 million additional new patients can get care at a Community Health Center over the next two years.  The grants announced today are part of a wide new grant rollout to support 398 projects at Community Health Centers nationwide, enabling these facilities to serve nearly 900,000 more patients.  Further, the federal funding announced to create new sites will support an additional 6,000 American jobs.  Without the Affordable Care Act, these investments and new centers would not be possible. 

“The importance of protecting the ACA cannot be overstated because, like the Community Health Centers, the ACA is truly making our health system stronger,” said Dingell.  “And you can count on me to fight those in Congress who want to repeal this great law.”


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]]> Dingell: Republicans Ask the Sick to Fall on Morton’s Fork for Students tag:dingell.house.gov,2012://1.1953 2012-04-27T20:40:33Z 2012-04-27T20:42:22Z
Bill Robs Prevention and Public Health Fund for Student Loans
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Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement in opposition to H.R. 4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act, that raids the Prevention and Public Health Fund to keep interest rates low on Stafford student loans:

“As we continue to recover economically, we must ensure that students can afford a higher education.  In 2007, as we were dealing with the worst of the recession, I voted in favor of legislation to reduce interest rates on Stafford loans from 6.8 to 3.4 percent.  On July 31, interest rates will go back to 6.8 percent if Congress does not act.

“There are nearly 48,000 students attending a university or college in my district who have a Stafford subsidized student loan.  Those loans total over $212 million.  Doubling the interest rate will add an unnecessary burden on those students as they graduate and enter the workforce.  It may prevent them from starting a family, buying a home, or getting a new car.  We must do everything we can to help as they get started.

“The cost of the student loan bill is $6 billion.  Unfortunately, Republicans have chosen to pay for it by repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund included in the Affordable Care Act that invests in innovative programs, practices and treatments to prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.  We should not have to choose how we are going to invest in our country’s future; how do you decide to cut investments in the education for the workforce of tomorrow versus the health of that very same workforce?

“I support the Democratic alternative negotiated between the White House and Congressional Democrats that pays for the student loan interest rate by closing a corporate tax loophole.  I hope that the House leadership will allow a vote on this commonsense alternative so students and their families aren’t left paying for higher interest rates to go to school.  Republicans know that their proposal cannot be supported by Democrats.  They don’t seem to know that by not finding a compromise, they are playing politics with students, families, and the future of our country.”


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