On Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 2:00p.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing entitled, "The Three R's of the Postal Network Plan: Realignment, Right-Sizing, and Responsiveness." The hearing will examine the Network Plan's potential impact on the public, the postal workforce, the mailing industry and the future economic health of the Postal Service. For further information regarding the hearing, please contact the Subcommittee Clerk, Marcus A. Williams, at ext – 65845.

2 Bills   H.R. 3221 - American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Frank / Financial Services Committee)     ***Note: More information on 'H.R. 3221 -  American Hou

This morning, the Washington Post exposed the Bush administration’s latest ploy that could radically change the way health and safety regulations are issued. This secret regulation is a clear attempt by the Bush administration and the business community to fundamentally weaken the scientific process for enacting new regulations that protect American workers. 

Today, Senator Kennedy and I demanded that Labor Secretary Elaine Chao withdraw this rule immediately and turn over all communications with outside special interests and other documents relating to proposed rule. You can read the letter here.

As we state in our letter, it is disturbing that the Department of Labor is moving this proposal over the objections of career staff in the relevant health and safety agencies. Such career staff have the objective, technical expertise and experience to fully understand the proposal’s implications for workers.   

The Bush administration will stop at nothing to rush through a secret rule that will tie the hands of health and safety experts when responding to our nation’s critical health and safety threats.

But, that’s really no surprise at all. For nearly eight years, this administration has consistently failed to respond in a meaningful way to the real health and safety threats workers face while on the job. We’ve seen it when it comes to failing to protect workers who handle a dangerous artificial butter flavoring, ensuring that underground miners are sufficiently protected, and making sure construction workers are able to return home safe after their shift.

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johnculberson: I can't see your responses from my Blackberry - I am still on House floor breaking the rules

johnculberson: Total unfunded laibilties of USA over 56 trillion yet today House voted to increase this liability by nearly 10 percent

johnculberson: Mortgage bail out also added 800 billion to national debt limit TODAY

johnculberson: America's annual budget 2 trillion - mortgage bail out taxpayer guarantee of 5 trillion in home loans - US could only pay for it w new debt

johnculberson: No reporters and few visitors were in the gallery to see America's gov't go into the home building and loan business - just another day

johnculberson: Mortgage bill creates an open ended line of credit for Freddie/Fannie to withdraw as much taxpayer cash as they want w/o repaying us ever

johnculberson: I am on the House floor behind current speaker breaking the rules by posting this Tweet

johnculberson: If you like the way FEMA handled Katrina you will love the way the fed gov't handles home loans and remodeling -

johnculberson: Biggest expansion of gov't since New Deal just passed House 272 to 152 - this may be the best no vote I ever cast - 5 trillion new liability

Notice of Action: H. Res. 1367 - Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules
H. Res. 1368 - Relating to the House procedures contained in section 803 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003

The Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee is currently holding a hearing, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Review." The hearing will include testimony from military veterans on the effects of the policy. Former Naval intelligence officer Captain Joan E. Darrah, USN, (Ret.) gives testimony.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Ask Don't Tell Gays Military Captain Joan Darrah
Added: July 23, 2008

The Armed Services Committee is currently holding a hearing, "On the Comptroller General's progress report on Iraq." Witnesses are Gene Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General of the United States, and Joseph Christoff, Director of International Affairs and Trade for the Government Accountability Office. Dodaro explains why the GAO believes a new strategy is necessary now.

Author: NancyPelosi
Keywords: Democrats Congress Skelton GAO Dodaro Iraq New Strategy
Added: July 23, 2008

On Thursday, July 24, the Committee will vote on legislation to help end the discriminatory practice of paying men and women differently for performing the same job.  The Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338), introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility of discriminatory pay.  Although the wage gap between men and women has narrowed since the passage of the landmark Equal Pay Act in 1963, gender-based wage discrimination remains a problem for women in the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. The Institute of Women’s Policy Research found that this wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages.

Markup on "H.R. 1338, Paycheck Fairness Act"
Thursday, July 24, 2008, 1:00 p.m. EDT

See the Committee's schedule page for more information and potential updates »
 

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