Congress

Building Progressive Staying Power

Bill Goold | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics


Bill Goold

The resurgent progressive movement needs to think more long-term, come together quickly, and systematically build a Progressive Legislative Exchange to share the best ideas.

Seven Members Of House Defense Subcommittee Scrutinized By Ethics Investigators

washingtonpost.com | Carol D. Leonnig | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics


Nearly half the members of a powerful House subcommittee in control of Pentagon spending are under scrutiny by ethics investigators in Congress, who h...

Time for Net Neutrality

Rep. Ed Markey | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics


Rep. Ed Markey

Since its earliest days, the Internet has been guided by the principles of non-discrimination and freedom. And as it continues to evolve, we are now faced with a choice.

House Report Reveals Details Of Investigations Into Lawmakers, Aides

AP | LARRY MARGASAK | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics


WASHINGTON — Dozens of lawmakers have drawn scrutiny from their ethics monitor this year for everything from financial dealings to travel and ca...

LGBT Rights: The Time Is Now

State Rep. Julie Hamos | Posted 10.29.2009 | Chicago


State Rep. Julie Hamos

I hope the abolition of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is immediate. But there is still one crucial step that this country needs to take: We must make civil marriage equality the law of the land.

Afghanistan: A Whole New Approach

Jim Wallis | Posted 10.29.2009 | World


Jim Wallis

When you massively intervene in a country as much as the U.S. has in Afghanistan, you can't responsibly just walk away. We must lead with what works -- development.

Congress and TBTF: Bring in the Bomb Squad

Joshua Rosner | Posted 10.29.2009 | Business


Joshua Rosner

This bill is one more act of sleight of hand by a Congress that, to the detriment of the public, fails to see that banks are there to serve the public good and can be regulated with such a goal.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Wants an Exit Strategy out of Afghanistan

Kathleen Wells, J.D. | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics


Kathleen Wells, J.D.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee gained international acclaim for being the only member in Congress who courageously voted against the authorization of the use of force following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

An Historic and Emotional Moment

Rep. Earl Blumenauer | Posted 10.28.2009 | Politics


Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Today, after too many years of delay, President Obama signed into law a bill that makes it a federal hate crime to assault people based on sexual orientation.

Giving Credit Where Credit Will Do: How the Banks Have Changed the Rules Halfway Through the Game

Nelson Montana | Posted 10.29.2009 | Business


Nelson Montana

The way it stands with credit card companies these days, you might be better off dealing with loan sharks. At least they'll warn you before breaking your legs. The banks sneak up behind you and do it.

Early Reports: Stimulus Saved, Created 388,000 Jobs

USA Today | By Brad Heath and Matt Kelley, USA TODAY | Posted 10.28.2009 | Business


States have reported using stimulus money to create or save more than 388,000 jobs so far this year, buttressing the Obama administration's claim that...

It's the Economy, Stupid: U.S. Can Cash in on Clean Energy Legislation

Rob Perks | Posted 10.28.2009 | Green


Rob Perks

New analysis shows that adopting comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation could create up to 1.9 million new jobs.

California Would Lose Seats Under Census Change

New York Times | SAM ROBERTS | Posted 10.28.2009 | Politics


A Republican senator's proposal to count only United States citizens when reapportioning Congress would cost California five seats and New York and Il...

An Entire Generation at Stake

Janet Murguía | Posted 10.30.2009 | Politics


Janet Murguía

Today, more than one-fourth of Latino children live in poverty. Three-fifths live in low-income families. One in five does not have health insurance. Only 55% graduate from high school.

2010: The Year Main Street Sticks It to Wall Street and Washington

Don McNay | Posted 10.27.2009 | Business


Don McNay

If anyone has ever dreamed of being an office holder, 2010 is the year to do it. There are going to be several situations where voters elect a complete unknown, just to express their anger about the incumbent.

Media's Credibility (Not Public Option) Is What Is Dead

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.28.2009 | Media


Chris Weigant

The media has been pushing the "public option is dead" theme for so long, it's no wonder they're so astonished by yesterday's news that a public option will be included in the Senate bill.

Breaking Up the Big Banks, and Why Congress Won't Do It

Robert Reich | Posted 10.27.2009 | Business


Robert Reich

Two ideas are floating around Washington regarding how to handle 'too big to fail' banks, but only one is supported by the Treasury and the White House. Unfortunately, it's the wrong one.

New Study: Online Congressional Townhall Meetings Can Move Voters

Micah Sifry | Posted 10.26.2009 | Technology


Micah Sifry

Using cheap and easily accessible technology, members of Congress can effectively connect with their constituents -- including those are typically more cynical about politics -- and hold serious and valuable discussions.

"Too Big To Fail" Legislation Is On The Way

New York Times | STEPHEN LABATON | Posted 10.26.2009 | Politics


A senior administration official said on Sunday that after extensive consultations with Treasury Department officials, Representative Barney Frank, th...

Independent Voters Shifting Away From Obama, Democrats

RealClearPolitics | Salena Zito | Posted 10.25.2009 | Politics


A poll of opinion polls shows Americans' attitudes are changing rapidly. They are less and less thrilled about the country's direction and Congress, ...

A New Crossover Hit: "Break Up the Big Banks"

George Goehl | Posted 10.24.2009 | Business


George Goehl

We've reached an incredible moment when Alan Greenspan, Michael Moore, FDIC head Sheila Bair and Elizabeth Warren are all singing the same tune: calling for breaking up the big banks.

Friday Talking Points [99] -- Misdirection

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.26.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

The real head-scratcher for serious media-watchers right now is what the "war" between the White House and Fox News was meant to distract us from this week. The "war" itself is laughable, for a number of reasons.

Congressional Fail: Don't Let Congress Take Credit

Harry Moroz | Posted 10.23.2009 | Politics


Harry Moroz

Even as consumers suffer the housing crisis and an abysmal job market, they face the prospect of hundreds or even thousands more dollars of credit card debt because of Congress.

Citigroup Taxpayer Ownership Doesn't Prevent Lobbying

Bloomberg.com | Jonathan D. Salant and Lizzie O’Leary | Posted 10.23.2009 | Business


Citigroup Inc., which has yet to repay $45 billion in federal assistance, has more lobbyists than any other company who registered to try to shape leg...

Let's Be on the Right Side of History

Deepak Bhargava | Posted 10.22.2009 | Politics


Deepak Bhargava

Faced now with an incredible opportunity to reform health care, we must ensure we are on the right side of history and our truest values of inclusion.