18 May 2010

1st Congressional District Republican Forum

By Judy Davidson

Scott County Republicans will be hosting a forum / debate for the two candidates vying in the June 8th primary to emerge as the Republican nominee for the First District Congressional race against incumbent Bruce Braley. The two candidates are Will Johnson from Dubuque and Ben Lange from Independence.

The forum / debate will take place in the Bettendorf High School auditorium on Tuesday, May 18 at 7 o'clock in the evening. The event is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

The program involves a series of questions of a topical nature allowing the candidates to both express their views and challenge and differentiate their views from those of their opponents.

Each candidate's contact information is available at the following:


Will Johnson: http://johnsoncampaign.weebly.com/

Ben Lange: http://www.langeforcongress.com/

Scott County Republican Chairman Judy Davidson has stated in advance of the event: "We are looking forward to a spirited presentation by the candidates and are confident a strong contender will emerge from the primary to challenge Bruce Braley."

Scott County Republican Party contact information: Judy Davidson, Chairwoman

563-355-8887,  williamdavidsoniii@mchsi.com or http://www.scottcountyrepublicans.org/
18 May 2010

Governor Quinn Names Acting General Counsel

By Andrew Mason
Deputy General Counsel John Schomberg Gets Top Legal Post
CHICAGO - May 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today named Deputy General Counsel John Schomberg as Acting General Counsel for the Office of the Governor effective May 21. Schomberg is replacing General Counsel Theodore T. Chung, who is returning to private practice.
"John Schomberg is an essential member of my office's legal team, and I look forward to working with him as Acting General Counsel," said Governor Quinn. "In addition, I want to thank Ted Chung for all he's accomplished as General Counsel and wish him every success in the future."
Schomberg has been with the Office of the Governor since 2009, when he was hired as Deputy General Counsel. During his tenure, Schomberg has been involved with the major issues the Governor's legal team has managed and worked on.
Prior to joining the Office of the Governor, Schomberg, 37, was an Assistant Corporation Counsel at the City of Chicago Department of Law and an Associate at Chicago-based Mayer Brown LLP (see attached background information).
Before being named General Counsel to Governor Quinn in February 2009, Chung, 43, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, a Deputy Chief of Staff in the Chicago Mayor's Office, the First Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City's Law Department, and a partner at a private firm in Chicago.
###
10 May 2010

Senators statements on the Nomination of Elena Kagan

By Iowa Senators

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) issued the following statement today after learning that President Obama had nominated Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Elena Kagan is extremely qualified.  She has the intellect and experience necessary to serve on our nation's highest Court and her stellar legal credentials have been recognized by liberal and conservative lawyers alike.  She clerked for two judges for whom I have enormous respect - Judge Abner Mikva and Justice Thurgood Marshall.  I am also encouraged that in this nomination, the President selected a candidate from outside of the Judiciary.  Elena Kagan is recognized as one of the leading legal educators in our country.

"I am confident that, if confirmed, she will be an important voice on our Court for the rule of law and constitutional rights and values.  She will ensure equality and give proper effect to our most important statutes, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Civil Rights Act, so our most vulnerable citizens receive the fullest protections of the law.

"Elena Kagan's nomination comes after a series of firsts in her career - first female Dean of Harvard Law School and first female Solicitor General - setting the stage for what may be only the fourth woman to serve on the Court in our history."

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) made the following comment after the President nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be the next Justice on the United States Supreme Court.  Grassley is a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which will consider the nominee.

"A lifetime appointment requires a thorough vetting and I expect Elena Kagan to receive fair, respectful and deliberative consideration.  The Constitution gives the Senate a tremendous responsibility to carefully review the President's nominees to the Supreme Court.   The Judiciary Committee must take time to ensure that the nominee will be true to the Constitution and apply the law, not personal politics, feelings or preferences.  With no judicial experience, it becomes even more important that we ask thorough questions to determine that Ms. Kagan truly understands the constitutional role of a Supreme Court justice."

10 May 2010

Grassley Amendment Passes, Extends Whistleblower Protections for Credit Rating Agency Employees

By Sen. Charles Grassley
WASHINGTON - The champion for whistleblowers, Senator Chuck Grassley, today said that late last night an amendment he offered with Senator Ben Cardin to extend whistleblower protections to credit rating agency employees, passed the Senate.

The amendment to the financial regulation reform bill would make the employees of Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations - such as Moody's Investor Service, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings - eligible for protection under whistleblower protections signed into law in the Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley).

"People who know of wrong doing should feel comfortable to come forward without fear of retaliation," Grassley said.  "Providing whistleblower protection to credit rating agency employees is another way to shore up public trust in our financial system and help prevent history from repeating itself by ensuring those who know of problems feel free to speak up."

Grassley secured the provisions in the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley law after the fall out of several Enron-like scandals led to a crack down on corporate fraud and abuse.  The provisions made federal whistleblower protections available to employees of publicly traded companies for the first time ever.

 

 

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06 May 2010

Braley Supports Transparency in Election Spending

By Amanda Crawford

Washington, DC - May 4, 2010 - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) today signed onto legislation promoting transparency and openness in government in response to the Citizen's United Supreme Court decision in January. The DISCLOSE (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections) Act will require campaigns to release financial information to the public. The legislation was introduced by Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Castle (R-DE), Walter Jones (R-NC), and Robert A. Brady (D-PA).

"We have an obligation to be open and honest with our constituents throughout the political process," Braley said. "This Supreme Court decision allows big corporations to spend unlimited treasury funds to advocate for or against candidates. I believe Iowans deserve to know who is financing their elected officials. This bill provides that transparency and access to information."

The key directives of the bill are:

  • Enhance requirements for disclosure of political spending
  • Require sponsors and funders of political ads to identify themselves
  • Strengthen prohibition on coordination of political activities
  • Prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections
  • Ban pay-to-play
    • Prevent government contractors from spending money on elections
    • Prevent corporate beneficiaries of TARP from spending money on elections

 

# # #

03 May 2010

Populist Caucus Applauds Passage of Workers' Memorial Day Resolution

By Rick Martin

Washington, DC - April 29, 2010 - Today, the Populist Caucus applauds the passage of a resolution honoring America's workers. The Resolution, introduced by Reps. Bruce Braley (IA-01), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-39) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), honors the legacy of those who have suffered injury or death in the workplace. Braley and Sánchez are members of the Populist Caucus.

"This legislation recognizes the importance of ensuring safe and secure work environments for hardworking Americans," Braley said. "Each year, millions of Americans suffer work related injuries and thousands more lose their lives on the job. Our country has made tremendous strides to improve workplace safety, but our work is not complete until we can end preventable on-the-job injuries and deaths."

In the United States, 5,000 workers are killed each year because of workplace related injuries. Millions more suffer from work-related injuries or illnesses. Worldwide, an estimated 2 million workers die in work-related incidents each year.

# # #
03 May 2010

Iowa's First Congressional District Candidate Mike LaCoste Signs Death Tax Repeal Pledge

By Rick Martin

Commits to Fight for Repeal in Congress

 

WASHINGTON, DC- Iowa's First Congressional District candidate Mike LaCoste has signed the American Family Business Institute's (AFBI) "Death Tax Repeal Pledge."  By signing the pledge, LaCoste commits to vote for permanent repeal of the Federal Estate Tax, commonly referred to as the "Death Tax."

 

AFBI's President Dick Patten praised LaCoste for signing the pledge, saying "By supporting estate tax repeal, LaCoste will help save local jobs and businesses."

 

A recent study from the American Family Business Foundation, AFBI's research and education arm, found that repealing the Death Tax would increase nationwide employment by 1.5 million jobs.  In Iowa alone, repealing the Death Tax would add nearly 17,000 new jobs.

 

"LaCoste has been a strong advocate for permanently repealing this unfair double tax. He understands that the Death Tax penalizes family farmers and business owners when they die. I'm encouraged that he has committed to taking a more active role in the repeal fight," Patten added.  "With the economy in the midst of a prolonged recession, we need to be helping family businesses and farmers, not hitting them with an additional tax."

 

The estate tax is a tax on the net value of a decedent's estate, including all personal and business assets, before distribution to their heirs. Because business assets are included, the Estate Tax hits family business owners and farmers - the engines of economic growth -- particularly hard.

 

The Federal Estate Tax has expired for one year in 2010, but will return at a 55 percent rate on all assets over $1 million in 2011 unless Congress acts first.  Most political observers expect a heated legislative battle over the tax this year. 

 

The American Family Business Institute is a national, non-partisan organization of farmers and business owners who are committed to permanent repeal of the Death Tax.

 

# # #

03 May 2010

Grassley Delivers Message from Iowans to DHS Secretary: Enforce Immigration Laws

By Sen. Charles Grassley

Highlights need to focus on visa security and protecting American workers

WASHINGTON - During an oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security, Chuck Grassley this week told Secretary Janet Napolitano that during his town hall meetings in March and April, Iowans were upset that federal immigration laws weren't being enforced.

Grassley also brought to Napolitano's attention legislation that he has introduced that would treat visa revocations similar to visa denials, because the right of that person to be in the United States is no longer valid.  Already, if an individual is denied a visa by the consular officer, there's no judicial review of that decision.  The Grassley bill would apply the same standard for individuals on U.S. soil who should not have been granted a visa, limiting their rights to judicial review of such a decision.

"The Christmas Day bomber highlighted the need to review U.S. visa policies, especially how agencies handle visa revocations when alarming information is provided to authorities," Grassley said.  "The Secretary has the authority to revoke a visa to any individual who is a threat to the country, however if a foreign national is already on U.S. soil, there's concern about that person accessing the U.S. court system and challenging the revocation."

During his questioning of Napolitano, Grassley also continued to highlight abuses within the H-1B and L Visa programs.  He pointed out that some of the problems previously highlighted by congressional oversight of the H-1B Visa program have led applicants to use the L Visa program.  The L Visa program has no wage protections, no annual numerical limits, fewer obligations on employers, and fewer protections for American workers.

Grassley is the author of H-1B and L Visa reform legislation which would increase enforcement, modify wage requirements, and ensure protection for visa holders and American workers.  The bill would not eliminate the program or change the numerical cap of visas available to petitioning employers.

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29 Apr 2010

Braley Votes to Block Congressional Pay Raise

By Amanda Crawford

Washington, DC - (Apr 28, 2008) Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) today voted to block a Congressional pay raise that would take effect on January 1, 2011.  The bill, H.R. 5146, will block the annual cost-of-living adjustment for members' salaries, saving taxpayers about one million dollars.

"Our nation is on the road to recovery after an historic economic crisis," Braley said.  "As Americans work to get back on their feet, our job in Congress is to strengthen the middle class and create jobs."

Congress' action today continues the pay freeze already in place for 2010. The Senate passed identical legislation last week.

# # #

22 Apr 2010

1,200 Muslims to Head to Springfield and Advocate for Policy Reforms

By CAIR
Press Conference in the Capitol Building will Discuss Goals of the Muslim Community

(CHICAGO, 4/21/10) Over 1,200 Muslims from across Illinois will be assembling in Springfield tomorrow for the second annual Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day (IMAD). Muslim youth and adults will ride buses to the state capitol to meet with Governor Pat Quinn and legislators. Over 20 American Muslim high school students will also be serving as Senate Pages.

Participants will be advocating for policies that will help Illinois' families and most vulnerable residents. Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day aims to address four main issues:

1. Equitable Access to Healthy Food in the inner cities
2. Foreclosure Prevention and Counseling
3. Introduction of Arabic into the Illinois public schools
4. Preserving Immigrant Integration Services such as English and Citizenship classes

A press conference in the Capitol Building will discuss these goals in greater detail:

WHAT: Press Conference on Illinois Muslim Action! Day
WHERE: Mezzanine Press Room, Illinois Capitol Building
WHEN: Thursday, April 22nd, 2010, 10:00am

"All Politics is local. In order to affect policy we need to work locally first and build strong relationships with our legislators," said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, chair of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago - who are leading the effort. "We are encouraging Illinois Muslims to contact their legislators and ask for a meeting on April 22 to listen to our concerns. They are elected to serve all of us. They are accountable to their constituency. This is our chance to reflect the great values of unity, solidarity, advocating for good and abhorring evil."

"Being civically engaged is an important milestone the Muslim communities of Illinois have worked hard to reach" emphasized CAIR-Chicago Government Affairs Coordinator Reema Ahmad. "It is not only a need, but a responsibility for Muslim Americans to be active participants in the process of government that impacts our daily lives. Meeting with our elected officials to convey the issues we care about and exhibiting our willingness to work hard for these causes is a critical step towards greater civic involvement from current and future generations of Muslim Americans."

With its estimated over half a million Muslim residents, Illinois continues to serve as a crucial hub for mobilizing the emergent American Muslim community. Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day signifies the Muslim community's integration and increased participation in American politics. Through proactive initiatives such as this, the American Muslim community endeavors to move from the fringes of the American political narrative, to the forefront of the dialogue.

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