December 15, 2008

A new public-private HIV-prevention initiative aimed at disadvantaged young people in Nairobi will rely on Rotarians for Fighting AIDS (RFFA) to help improve access to health care and provide educational and economic development opportunities. Full release

Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to instruct the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to reconsider the lawsuit of four former Guantanamo Bay detainees -- Shafiq Rasul, Asif Iqbal, Rhuhel Ahmed and Jamal Al-Harith. The men are British citizens or residents and were returned to the United Kingdom in 2004. Full release

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,190,122 grant to Oklahoma to provide services to approximately 550 civilian defense workers impacted statewide by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions. "This $4 million grant will provide these Oklahomans with job placement assistance, skills training and other re-employment services to help them get started in new careers," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Full release

Three weeks before a new Congress is sworn in, USAction and allies are mobilizing across the country to build support for a big, bold and broad economic recovery plan to address the nation's economic crisis. Full release

A federal lawsuit was filed this morning against U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. and the Federal Reserve Board to stop all bailout funds from going to American International Group, Inc. ("AIG"). According to the lawsuit, the U.S. government, through its ownership of AIG, is not only violating the Constitution, but also promoting and financing the destruction of America using American tax dollars. Full release

If the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves forward with plans to create a government-operated nationwide wireless network provider at an up-coming meeting scheduled for Dec. 18, it will create yet another government-mandated entity at risk for failure and future taxpayer bailout. Full release

Small businesses that invest in energy efficiency and cutting wasteful pollution will garner long-term advantages by reducing expenses and protecting themselves against spiking energy costs in the future, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today. The Governor announced that 81 businesses statewide will use more than $454,000 in state investments to purchase equipment that will increase energy efficiency or prevent pollution while adding to profitability. The grants are being made available through the state's Small Business Advantage program. Full release

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), a world leader in building materials systems and glass fiber reinforcements, today partnered with T. Boone Pickens by endorsing the Pickens Plan to advance energy independence and energy efficiency in homes and buildings. The Pickens Plan calls for reducing the United States' dependence on foreign oil through the investment in domestic renewable resources, such as wind and solar, and the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. For the first time, the Plan will now also call for increased energy efficiency in homes and buildings. Full release.

The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush to the Troops: THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for coming out to say hello. General, thank you for the introduction, I am honored to be at Camp Victory. AUDIENCE: Hoo-ah! THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I have been having a lot of Christmas parties at the White House, so I thought it would be kind of neat to change the scenery. Full release

This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of December 15, 2008. On the WashingtonWatch.com Blog - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's attempt to sell the Senate seat formerly occupied by Barack Obama has captured the headlines. The WashingtonWatch.com blog has an unusual take on it in a post called "The Blagojevich-Obama Connection." Full release

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