June 12, 2008

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is deeply disappointed in the failure of the cloture vote on Medicare legislation proposed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT). The vote represents a troubling defeat for America's poor seniors in greatest need. Full release

The nation's leading veterans organization reacted to today's Supreme Court ruling that foreign terrorists have U.S. constitutional rights. The ruling came as the result of a challenge by detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who want hearings in U.S. civilian courts. Full release

The California Court of Appeal ordered the Cintas Corporation to pay more than $1.18 million in back wages and interest to hundreds of Northern California workers for violating the city of Hayward's Living Wage Ordinance. This historic judgment, affirming a September 2005 Alameda Superior Court ruling, is believed to be the largest living wage award in U.S. history. Full release

In just under a year's time, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative approved more than $150 million in loan guarantees to nearly 1,500 veterans and their spouses who are using the SBA-guaranteed funds to establish and expand their small businesses. Full release

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey will participate in a press conference at the G-8 Ministerial Summit on FRIDAY, JUNE 13 at 11:45 A.M. JST / 10:45 P.M. EDT (JUNE 12). Full release

The Supreme Court ruled this morning that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts. Today's 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court is a complete victory not only for our clients but for all Americans and citizens the world over, and, most importantly, for the rule of law," said Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman attorney David Cynamon, lead counsel on Al Odah v. United States. Full release

John McCain says an important part of his economic plan is "cutting taxes for the middle class." But a new study by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center shows that a quarter of Senator McCain's tax cuts would go to households making $2.8 million or more and that Senator Obama's tax cuts would provide three times the middle class tax relief that Senator McCain's would. [johnmccain.com, accessed 6/12/08] Full release

Eric Holder, Another Member Of Obama's Vice Presidential Vetting Team, Engaged In Controversial Activity: Eric Holder Is Another Member Of Obama's Vice Presidential Vetting Committee. "But Johnson is not the only member of Obama's vice presidential vetting committee that Republicans have targeted. They also are preparing a case against former deputy attorney general Eric Holder for his role in the granting of a pardon to fugitive financier Marc Rich in the last days of the Clinton White House." (Jonathan Weisman and David S. Hilzenrath, "Obama's Choice Of Insider Draws Fire," The Washington Post, 6/11/08) Full release

John McCain may be trying to sell himself as a "maverick" and a "straight talker" who will tell the truth no matter the consequences, but independent, non-partisan watchdog groups aren't buying it. Since Senator McCain wrapped up his Party's nomination, hardly a week has passed without at least one non-partisan fact checker criticizing McCain for distorting his record on something. McCain has consistently mischaracterized his record on the war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, tax cuts, the budget, earmarks and health care reform. Full release

The following Op-Ed, written by Karl Rove, is from The Wall Street Journal and is being released by the Republican National Committee: "Don't tell me words don't matter!" Sen. Barack Obama thundered at a Wisconsin Democratic Party dinner in February. He should have remembered that at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference last week. Full release

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