September 2009

The United Steelworkers (USW) Women of Steel organization continues to seek action by the U.S. government to protect Honduran woman who have been brutalized by officials of the coup regime. Last month the organization asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene for Honduran women in the resistance who are being threatened by acts of sexual and physical violence. Full release.

In an article published today in the Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, has sounded an alarm over the excessive prevalence of alcohol marketing and other content to promote dangerous drinking on the popular social networking website Facebook. Full release.

Today, in a vote of 10-13 in the Senate Finance Committee, the Hatch Amendment #C14 was defeated. The amendment would have explicitly prohibited federal funding and coverage of abortions. The Committee also voted down an amendment by Senator Hatch that would have prevented discrimination against any individual or entity who refused to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. Full release.

A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. to address concerns about possible civil rights violations resulting from FBI investigation guidelines instituted in the last days of the Bush administration. Full release.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will hear the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago, and decide whether the right to keep and bear arms secured by the Second Amendment protects Americans from overreaching state and local governments. Full release.

The Hispanic Origin Population in the United States: 2007 and 2008 -- National-level tabulations from the Current Population Survey on this population group are shown by a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. They include information on the generational distribution of the Hispanic population, as well as of specific groups, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban. There are also tabulations on educational attainment, nativity and citizenship status, year of entry of the foreign-born, household type, labor force and employment status, occupation, earnings and poverty, housing tenure, mobility and health insurance status. Full release.

WAM Publishing announces "Looking for Hugh: The Capitalist Guidebook" - a fun book by a "right-wing nut" about capitalism, the right to bear arms, affirmative action, illegal immigration and much more. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer held a press availability this afternoon in the Capitol following a leadership meeting in the Speaker's office. Below are their remarks. Full release.

Regulations on small businesses in California have cost the state an estimated $492 million and 3.8 million jobs, according to a study released last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office. Full release.

When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse, the allocation of federal and state health care dollars is just plain backward, asserts Howard Meitiner, President and CEO of Phoenix House, the nation's leading non-profit alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention agency. In a thought-provoking opinion piece on the Phoenix House blog, Rising Above Addiction, Mr. Meitiner insists that re-appropriating funds toward treating addiction -- rather than treating the expensive symptoms and consequences of addiction -- would save not only lives, but vast amounts of money. Full release.

Today is a critical day in the health care reform battle as the U.S. Senate Finance Committee considers several pro-life amendments filed by Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch that would prevent government funding for abortion and assisted suicide, and preserve current conscience laws for health care workers and providers. Full release.

A new analysis by economists at University of California, Berkeley finds that the pollution reduction and energy efficiency measures contained in the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) - already passed by the U.S. House of Representatives -- could create between 918,000 and 1.9 million new jobs, increase annual household income by $487-1,175 per year and boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $39 - $111 billion by 2020. Full release.

Hundreds of unionized construction workers from all over Pennsylvania gathered today on the steps of the State Capitol building in support of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for use on construction projects funded with tax dollars. Full release.

Republican Governor Bobby Jindal got one thing right yesterday about Bob McDonnell. Jindal, who campaigned last night for Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Bob McDonnell, called the GOP nominee "principled" in a Fox News interview today with Neil Cavuto. Full release.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced nearly $59 million in grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor in fiscal year 2009 to combat exploitive child labor in 19 countries. The grants will help rescue more than 85,000 children from exploitive labor, and offer them hope for the future through education and training. The grants will also help improve collection and analysis of child labor data and support for the development and implementation of national action plans to address the problem. "Protecting children from exploitation and ensuring that their education and healthy development is not compromised is our moral duty," said Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis. "With these new funds, we are furthering our commitment to working with the international community to find effective and lasting solutions to this global challenge." Full release.

Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michele M. Leonhart, the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Michael J. Folmar, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Miami Division of the FBI, announced today the unsealing of two indictments charging a total of 12 members and associates of the 57th Front of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), a Colombian terrorist group, with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and taking a U.S. citizen hostage. The first indictment unsealed today (the "material support indictment") charges Luis Fernando Mora-Pestana, aka "Virgilio Antonio Vidal Mora," aka "Silver" and Julio Enrique Lemos-Moreno, aka "Andres," who are leaders of the FARC's 57(th) Front, along with Front associates Harold Ruben Segura Alvarez, aka "John Jairo," aka "Cientifico;" Juanito Cordoba-Bermudez, aka "Juanito," aka "Chechere;" and Cecilio Costa, aka "Cesar Perea," aka "Costa;" with conspiracy to provide material support to the FARC. Juanito Cordoba-Bermudez is in custody in the Southern District of New York. The material support indictment has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Denny Chin. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on the announcement by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed later this week to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country. ''The decision by Secretary Shinseki and the VA to issue emergency payments for veterans who have not yet received their education benefits under the newly enacted GI Bill for the 21st Century will address an unacceptable situation many of our nation's heroes were facing due to outdated technology. Full release.

More than 100 patient, academic and industry organizations representing millions of Americans have joined the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to support legislation that enables individuals with rare diseases to participate in clinical trials without losing eligibility for public healthcare benefits. The bill is sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Richard Durbin (D-IL), James Inhofe (R-OK), and Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL). Current law prevents many people who receive Supplemental Security Income from accepting research compensation because it makes them ineligible to receive government medical benefits. This penalty stops significant numbers of people with rare diseases from participating in clinical studies. Full release.

President Bill Clinton was joined today by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to close the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). In his remarks, President Clinton announced that by the end of the meeting, which has been underway since Tuesday, CGI members in 2009 have made 284 new commitments valued at more than $9.4 billion dollars. In total, these commitments are projected to improve more than 200 million lives. Since 2005, members of the Clinton Global Initiative have made nearly 1,700 commitments valued at $57 billion dollars. "I think we can say with some certainty that this model actually does work," President Clinton said. "People don't have to have the same politics, the same religion, or speak the same language to work together and to have an impact. We all have things to learn from each other. What we need is a shared mechanism to achieve common goals." Full release.

Today the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care (Alliance) publicly released the nursing, post-acute, short term and rehabilitative sector's first comprehensive report examining quality trends in the nation's nursing homes. The report highlights the positive evolution of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities along with the subsequent benefit to cost-effective seniors' care; consumer and workforce satisfaction; and other key, quantifiable measures of quality, including public policy recommendations for moving quality forward. AHCA and the Alliance stated that this is the first independent report that sets a framework for evaluating quality and provides recommendations for policy changes that will make quality metrics more reliable. AHCA and Alliance leaders also stated that improvements in quality, as highlighted in the report, could not be achieved without a stable economic environment, an important relationship essential to maintaining these positive trends. The organizations urged Congress to recognize the quality improvements that have been achieved in recent years and to understand the crucial role stable Medicare financing plays in ensuring continued enhancements to quality of care and quality of life for millions of seniors being cared for in America's nursing and rehabilitation facilities. Full release.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $164.5 million to 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to make technology upgrades that will improve the operation and security of unemployment insurance systems. "Unemployment insurance programs play a key role in supporting dislocated workers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am pleased that these grants will help states improve their technology infrastructure and better serve those in need. Making sure that claims and benefits are processed and paid in a timely, consistent and secure manner is critical to providing workers with the income security needed to actively seek re-employment." Funds will be used for a variety of projects designed to improve services for both unemployment insurance claimants and employers, including: modernizing systems to improve and speed unemployment insurance benefit payments, tax collections and appeals processing; helping consumers avoid debit card fees when collecting benefits; improvements in information technology contingency and security plans; and strategies to improve overall program integrity. Full release.

CARE, a leading humanitarian organization that fights global poverty by empowering women and girls, applauds the Obama administration's new food security strategy outlined by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The new plan aims to make farming practices more productive and profitable in developing countries while addressing the needs of small-scale farmers, the majority of whom are women. "CARE stands ready to work with the Obama administration and other partners on this critically important effort," says Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. "We urge the U.S. to continue to take a leadership role in this global effort and encourage Congress to take two actions: pass the Global Food Security Act and pass the FY2010 State and Foreign Operations bill, which includes over $1 billion in international agriculture development which is essential to this effort," says Gayle. Full release.

Three out of four U.S. adults say the "current economic climate" has affected their charitable giving and one in three is giving less to charities, according to a new Child Sponsorship Survey just released by World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization. Most polled say faith-based organizations (67%) and non-profit foundations (63%) should bear responsibility for helping the world's poor. According to the study, one in five adults (21%) say they're now less likely to sponsor a child because of the economy and more than half (54%) say they would be more likely to sponsor a child if they had more money. Ten percent say they're actually giving more this year, despite the recession. Still, World Vision Child Sponsorship numbers show a modest increase (3%). Revenue forecast is for 8 percent growth in 2009 but private cash donations are expected to be down 3% from 2008. Full release.

New data from the Deep Impact spacecraft and the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), an instrument aboard India's recently ended Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, provide, for the first time, clear evidence that water exists on the surface of the Moon. "The Deep Impact observations of the Moon not only unequivocally confirm the presence of OH/H2O on the lunar surface, but also reveal that the entire lunar surface is hydrated during at least some portions of the lunar day," write University of Maryland astronomer Jessica Sunshine and co-authors in a paper on the Deep Impact data published online in the September 24 issue of the journal Science. "Finding water on the Moon in daylight is a huge surprise, even if it is only a small amount of water and only in the form of molecules stuck to soil," said Sunshine, lead author of the Deep Impact paper and a co-author of a companion Science paper based on data from the M3 instrument that first detected the presence of lunar water. Prevailing scientific opinion long has been that there probably is no water on the Moon and that, even if it does exist, it would be only in permanently cold, shadowed craters at the lunar poles. Full release.

Statement by Eric Halperin, Director CRL, Washington, D.C. on announcement of overdraft policy changes by three major U.S. banks "Americans are fed up with bank overdraft practices. Media scrutiny and proposed legislation in Congress prompted three of the nation's largest banks to unveil changes to their overdraft policies this week. But the changes are far from enough and, in fact, underscore the need for comprehensive overdraft reform as quickly as possible. Only one of the three banks has announced significant improvements: It will stop charging overdraft fees on debit card transactions unless customers have explicitly signed up for that kind of coverage. And it will stop the unfair practice most banks follow of re-ordering a day's debit card transactions to maximize the number of overdraft fees generated. Full release.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has released an enforcement report examining civil rights issues with respect to the mortgage crisis: Civil Rights and the Mortgage Crisis. The Commission addressed the question of whether the actions taken to affirmatively further homeownership unintentionally weakened underwriting standards and lending policies to the point that too many borrowers were vulnerable to financial distress and a heightened risk of default. The report examines federal policies adopted to increase minority homeownership as well as critiques regarding the relationship of such policies to the mortgage crisis. In addition, the report analyzes the policies and activities of various federal agencies charged with enforcing laws against predatory lending, mortgage fraud, and mortgage lending discrimination. The report also examines the role of credit scoring and other factors used by lenders in the granting and pricing of loans and the issue of whether such tools are objective predictors of creditworthiness. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today concerning revelations that Iran has built a covert facility for uranium enrichment: "Iran's effort to conceal a major nuclear facility sends a clear signal that the regime has not worked in good faith to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and around the world. "One of the strongest pillars of America's national security is non-proliferation, and I commend President Obama for standing with fellow leaders to condemn this development and call on Iran to cooperate in our pursuit of a world free of weapons of mass destruction. "An Iran with nuclear weapons is simply unacceptable. It is a threat to the region, to the United States, and to our allies across the globe. Iran must take the necessary steps to demonstrate its willingness to live as a peaceful partner in the international community. And we must use the tools at our disposal -- from diplomacy to sanctions -- to stop Iran's march toward nuclear capability." Full release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), five United Nations organizations (UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNIFEM, WHO) and private sector supporters will join together later today via the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in a new approach to address the rights violations and health impacts of sexual violence against girls. According to the World Health Organization, in 2002 approximately 150 million girls experienced some form of sexual violence with physical contact. "Sexual violence against children is a gross violation of their rights, a moral and ethical outrage and an assault on the world's conscience," said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF. "Sexual abuse can lead to lost childhoods, abandoned education, physical and emotional problems, the spread of HIV, and an often irrevocable loss of dignity and self-esteem." In 2007 CDC, UNICEF and several local institutions partnered to implement a national survey on violence against girls and young women in Swaziland. Swaziland has the highest prevalence of HIV among adults globally. The survey showed that approximately one-third of girls had a history of sexual violence. Additionally, more than 40% of those who experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes had two or more incidences prior to age 18. Full release.

Plaintiffs learned this week that the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Edith H. Jones, immediately approved their request to convene a three-judge panel in District Court regarding a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the current size of the United States House of Representatives. The lawsuit argues that the provision in the United States Code (2 USC section 2a) that freezes the size of the House at 435 members is unconstitutional, egregiously violating the well-established principle of "one person, one vote" affirmed in multiple Supreme Court decisions. Convening a three-judge court is rare, and only occurs in cases of apportionment. The implications are significant. If the plaintiffs prevail in District Court with this three-judge panel, the case will move directly to the Supreme Court of the United States. Full release.

President Bill Clinton today announced the launch of the Global Impacting Investing Network (GIIN), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting more effective impact investing around the world, at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City. Impact investing is the use of for-profit investment to address social and environmental problems. The GIIN will promote the infrastructure, activities, education, and research that enable more effective impact investing, and will ultimately lead to a coherent, well-developed marketplace for the impact investing industry. Two major initiatives begin this work: The GIIN Investors' Council -- a group of leading impact investors representing a diverse range of institutions from around the world. The Investors' Council will provide leadership in the industry, disseminate the latest research and best practices in the field, and support the creation and adoption of industry infrastructure, including impact metrics. The Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS) -- initiative to provide a common framework for measuring social and environmental impact of investments. IRIS addresses a major barrier to the growth of the impact investing industry -- the lack of transparency and credibility in how funds define, track, and report on the social and environmental performance of their capital. Full release.

Eight stars from the four major broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC - join together in new public service announcement that encourages viewers to tune in to an unprecedented week of television, October 19 -25, as part of EIF's iParticipate national initiative to promote service and volunteering. EIF is mobilizing the entire entertainment community around the ground-breaking, multi-year iParticipate campaign, which promotes a new way of thinking about service and seeks to persuade millions more Americans to volunteer regularly. As a centerpiece, the major broadcast networks and others will spotlight service through scripted programming, segments and PSAs with inspirational messages and storylines about volunteerism. More than 60 shows have signed up to participate. Full release.

On Wednesday, at the 5th Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, Philip Berber was one of three members to present a progress report during the Economic Empowerment Session emceed by James Carville. Berber was selected from the hundreds considered because his Austin, Texas-based organization - A Glimmer of Hope - exemplifies the CGI's mandate to turn ideas into action. Since 2006, the organization has fulfilled two commitments to the CGI by issuing $2.25 million in microloans to more than 6,000 rural Ethiopians. Full release.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has revealed frozen water hiding just below the surface of mid-latitude Mars. The spacecraft's observations were obtained from orbit after meteorites excavated fresh craters on the Red Planet. Scientists controlling instruments on the orbiter found bright ice exposed at five Martian sites with new craters that range in depth from approximately 1.5 feet to 8 feet. The craters did not exist in earlier images of the same sites. Some of the craters show a thin layer of bright ice atop darker underlying material. The bright patches darkened in the weeks following initial observations, as the freshly exposed ice vaporized into the thin Martian atmosphere. One of the new craters had a bright patch of material large enough for one of the orbiter's instruments to confirm it is water ice. Full release.

Verite, the global NGO, together with the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET), announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative a commitment aimed at stemming forced labor and human trafficking world-wide. The joint commitment, entitled, Brokering Results in the Prevention of Slavery, will mobilize effective approaches to preventing human trafficking in supply chains, including manufacturing and material sourcing with companies, NGOs, regulators and other stakeholders. The organizations seek to recruit three companies initially to take the lead in examining and addressing risks, and then share the learning that results. Today, human trafficking and slavery ensnare the lives of more than 25 million people. Forced labor, child labor and trafficking permeate many of the world's supply chains and are an emerging concern in the private sector. Verite and ASSET's joint commitment is aimed at providing tools for corporations, governments, and civil society to address the business processes that lead to slavery through debt bondage and other risk factors. Full release.

The American Red Cross sheltered more than 420 people in Georgia and Tennessee overnight, a signal that even though flood waters are slowly receding, many are still unable to return to their homes. The Red Cross has more than 200 volunteers and staff and 18 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) in the area with more on standby. Clean up and comfort kits are being distributed and almost 2,000 meals have been served to those affected by the flooding. Officials say early estimates show as many as 3,000 homes may be affected with damages estimated at $250 million. Red Cross is partnering with Southern Baptist Convention, which has one mobile kitchen in operation and another on alert if needed. Other partners include Samaritan's Purse, Georgia Association of Food Banks, Church of Latter Day Saints, Church World Service, and NECHAMA. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts announced that he has appointed Paul Kirk as the interim successor to the late Senator Ted Kennedy: "Paul Kirk will be a voice of reason and passion in the United States Senate. His belief in public service and commitment to the causes of social justice, equality, and opportunity for every American make him an outstanding choice to carry on the torch of Senator Ted Kennedy. "Paul Kirk will be an effective advocate for the people of Massachusetts, and I look forward to welcoming him to Congress and working with him to advance the cause of health care for all, energy independence, and economic growth in the coming months." Full release.

Results of a Mayo Clinic survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that while physicians are open to being involved in health care reform discussions, some opposition may exist. The results appear in the Sept. 14, 2009, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine and are the result of a national survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. physicians conducted by Mayo Clinic. A majority of physicians who responded to the survey agree that physicians have a professional obligation to address health policy issues, are obligated to care for the uninsured or underinsured, and are willing to accept limits on reimbursement for expensive drugs and procedures for the sake of expanding access to basic health care. However, the survey also showed that some health care reform measures such as scenarios in which patients are underinsured (such as Medicare) and using cost-effectiveness data in treatment decisions may face opposition from segments of the medical profession. Concerns were raised by some physicians especially surgical and procedural specialists who may be more likely to oppose these measures either because they believe physicians' decision-making autonomy may be limited or they may feel like they might not be adequately reimbursed for costly services they provide. Full release.

The Justice Department today announced that Najibullah Zazi, 24, a resident of Aurora, Colo., and legal permanent resident of the United States from Afghanistan, has been indicted in the Eastern District of New York on a charge of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction (explosive bombs) against persons or property in the United States. FBI agents in Colorado first arrested Zazi on Sept. 19, 2009 pursuant to a criminal complaint charging him with knowingly and willfully making false statements to the FBI in a matter involving international and domestic terrorism. Zazi made an initial court appearance on those charges in the District of Colorado on Sept. 21, 2009. The government will ask that those charges be dismissed and that Zazi be transferred to New York to face this new charge. Full release.

Today the American Legacy Foundation(R) (Legacy) urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prohibit menthol in cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products as one of its first priorities related to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the Act). Legacy highlighted menthol as a top priority, indicating that menthol products account for one-fifth of the U.S. cigarette market and highlighting that approximately 80 percent of African-American smokers smoke menthol cigarettes. Legacy's comments submitted to the FDA today as part of the agency's request for public input related to the Act on the topic of menthol states: The success of menthol cigarettes is hardly an accident. Literally many hundreds of tobacco industry documents conclusively establish that the tobacco industry has for decades systematically developed and marketed menthol products to attract and keep as long-term customers millions of "starter" and youth smokers; racial minorities and African-Americans in particular; and smokers seeking health reassurances. One study demonstrated a 17.5 percent increase in youth menthol cigarette use between 2000 - 2002. Despite a 22 percent decline in overall packs of cigarettes sold in the United States between 2000 and 2005, menthol sales remained stable. Full release.

As the G-20 Summit commences in nearby Pittsburgh, Lancaster-based Franklin & Marshall College announced findings of a new Franklin & Marshall College Poll, produced in partnership with Hearst Television. Among the findings: Americans' attitudes on economic and governance issues have shifted noticeably. Half say the "economy/personal finances/cost of living" remains the #1 "problem" facing them and their families - down from 65 percent (of registered voters) in October 2008. The second greatest problem cited - "healthcare/insurance" - jumped to 19 percent from 9 percent in October 2008. "Government/politicians" ballooned as a "problem" from 1 percent in October 2008 to 5 percent today, while "gasoline/oil/energy prices" evaporated as a "problem" - to zero today from 4 percent in October 2008 and 22 percent in June 2008. Additionally, only 54 percent say these "problems" can be solved with the help of government, down from 68 percent in October 2008. Full release.

A Phase III clinical trial involving more than 16,000 adult volunteers in Thailand has demonstrated that an investigational HIV vaccine regimen was safe and modestly effective in preventing HIV infection. According to final results released by the trial sponsor, the U.S. Army Surgeon General, the prime boost combination of ALVAC(R)( )HIV and AIDSVAX(R) B/E( )lowered the rate of HIV infection by 31.2% compared with placebo. "This is the first HIV vaccine candidate to successfully reduce the risk of HIV infection in humans. We are very excited and pleased with the outcome of this trial and congratulate all those who participated in it," said Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, Surgeon General, U.S. Army. "In addition, this study is an outstanding example of international and interagency collaboration involving many partners from the Thai and U.S. governments, private companies, non-profit organizations and volunteers." Full release.

The Fair Elections Now Coalition, which represents seven national campaign reform organizations, today praised Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) for his leadership in tackling the issue of special-interest money in Washington, D.C. by cosponsoring the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, H.R. 1826. The groups issued the following statement: "As the health care reform debate enters a critical stage, the health care industry continues to spend millions on campaign contributions to get what it wants. The best way to ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard is to change the way congressional elections are financed, and that's why we are greatly appreciative of Rep. Michaud for signing onto the Fair Elections Now Act. Full release.

Today, the Council on Competitiveness unveiled "Drive. Private Sector Demand for Sustainable Energy Solutions: A Comprehensive Roadmap to Achieve Energy Security, Sustainability and Competitiveness." It was also presented to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu as part of the Council's National Energy Summit & International Dialogue. The report features recommendations designed to drive private sector demand for sustainable energy solutions, encourage market-based innovation and enhance U.S. energy security. It also represents the culmination of the first phase of the Council on Competitiveness Energy Security, Innovation & Sustainability (ESIS) Initiative, which was launched two years ago in recognition that secure, sustainable energy will be the defining competitiveness challenge-and opportunity-of the 21st century. Full release.

The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute released its third survey on "Trust and Satisfaction with the National News Media." The national survey of 800 Americans was fielded from Sept. 8-11 and covered new subjects as well as updating results from 2003 and 2007. Respondents were asked if they believed all, most, some, little or none of news media reporting. Just 24.3% indicated they believe all or most news media reporting. While this is up from 19.6% in 2007, it remains lower than the 27.4% recorded in 2003. Just over half of all respondents, 54.0%, said they believe "some" news media reporting. This is down slightly from 55.3% in 2007. Those believing little or no news media reporting dropped to 20.4% in 2009 from 23.9% in 2007. Full release.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has provided certificates of eligibility to nearly 200,000 applicants for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Over 61,000 payments totaling over $50 million to schools and students have been issued since the August 1, 2009, implementation of the new program. "Our top priority is providing our students and schools with accurate and timely benefit payments so Veterans can focus all of their energy on studies," said Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne. The Post-9/11 GI Bill authorizes the most extensive educational assistance opportunity since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944. The maximum benefit allows every eligible Veteran, Servicemember, Reservist, and National Guard member an opportunity to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost. Full release.

A spate of new state and local programs that have emerged over the last year requiring mediations or conferences before foreclosures sales take place have great potential to help homeowners, but are suffering from the same lack of industry accountability that has plagued voluntary federal mortgage modification programs, according to a major new study from the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). Titled "State and Local Foreclosure Media Programs: Can They Save Homes?," NCLC's new review of 25 foreclosure mediation programs in 14 states -- California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania --- warns: "Our review raised concerns about the kind of expectations that these programs may be encouraging. For example, there is as yet no data to confirm that foreclosure mediation programs anywhere have led to a substantial number of affordable and sustainable loan modifications . . . [W]e (also) found that the existing programs routinely fail to impose significant obligations on mortgage servicers. Without the imposition of these obligations, it is unlikely that mediations will lead to fewer foreclosures. The programs we considered often lack mandatory rules and fail to impose sanctions for non compliance with what minimal rules exist. The programs do not require servicers to provide information substantiating a right to foreclose. They do not mandate analyses of loan modification alternatives. Many set unreasonable procedural barriers that restrict large numbers of homeowners from participating . . ." Full release.

In the year since the crash on Wall Street, fewer Americans are reporting stress attributed to financial concerns despite rising unemployment levels and ongoing economic uncertainty, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). In a poll surveying 2,160 adults conducted by Harris Interactive(R) between April 8 and 10, 2009, 75 percent of adults reported that the economy caused stress in their lives, down from 82 percent last November. Similarly, fewer Americans reported stress associated with work (from 69 percent to 67 percent) and money (from 82 percent to 78 percent). However, the consistently high rates associated with Americans reporting stress attributed to financial concerns suggest that many Americans are still suffering significantly from economic stress. Full release.

As the debate over health care reform continues on Capitol Hill, a new national poll shows broad, bipartisan support for ensuring that all Americans have access to alcohol and drug addiction treatment. More than three-quarters of all Americans, including 72 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Independents, support including addiction treatment in health care reform, according to a new poll released by the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) initiative during National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month. "Addiction treatment is a gaping hole in our current health care system," said former Rep. Jim Ramstad, who served as co-chair of the House Caucus on Addiction, Treatment and Recovery. "If we fail to treat alcohol and drug addictions, we are not only failing those in need, but are adding to the already heavy burden on our communities, our emergency rooms, our prisons, and our families. Americans across the country and the political spectrum have spoken loud and clear: treatment for alcohol and drug addiction should be fully covered in health care reform." Full release.

Filmmaker Angelo Lobo's important documentary about flaws in the nation's family court and child support systems comes to Atlanta on September 26, 2009. Lobo says "Support? System Down" (www.supportthemovie.com) tells a side of the story that is not yet heard adequately, but it urgently needs to be told. "How is it that society accepts the idea of 'standard visitation' which often allows children of divorce or separation to see their beloved parent, usually fathers but sometimes mothers, only 4 days a month, if that? It's not enough time," said Lobo. See "It's About the Kids": http://www.supportthemovie.com/images/flash/trailerD.html "Support? System Down" comes to the Peachtree Village International Film Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 4 PM, Eastern at Underground Atlanta Event Loft. http://www.supportthemovie.com/news/. Full release.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Karen P. Hewitt announced that Rachelle Lynette Carlock pleaded guilty today in federal court in San Diego before the Honorable Margaret M. McKeown to one count of possession and use of a destructive device to commit a crime of violence, to wit: conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), arising from the bombing of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse in San Diego on May 4, 2008, and other acts. As part of her guilty plea, Carlock admitted that she conspired with others to construct a series of pipe bombs, including the bombs used against the Schwartz Federal Courthouse. In her plea, Carlock admitted that she purchased explosive material and stole pipes for the purpose of constructing pipe bombs. She also admitted that, on May 4, 2008, she personally planted and detonated three pipe bombs at the Schwartz Federal Courthouse. Full release.

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