Press Release

Reforming America’s health care system has been a long-standing priority for the Democrats in Congress.

As Americans continue to struggle under this recession, reducing health care costs is more important than ever.

Today, Americans recognize the 45th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act, a truly historic piece of legislation that remains as profoundly important today as it was in 1964.

Today’s unemployment figures represent the struggles of millions of American families who are working to make ends meet through this historic recession.

Last night, the Senate confirmed my good friend Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher as the new Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Today, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides our military the resources it needs to keep Americans safe, reaffirms our support for our service members, and eliminates waste, fraud and abuse in the contracting process.

I want to thank Chairman Skelton and the Armed Services Committee for their hard work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Democrats have taken action to restore fiscal responsibility in order to reverse years of reckless spending under the Bush Administration, and restoring PAYGO is a central part of that effort.