U.S. House and Senate Democrats have passed two sweeping 2,000 page bills that would fundamentally and dramatically change our health care. There are significant differences between the two bills, but the more moderate Senate bill has the best chance of passing through the conference committee and being signed by the President. Both bills passed on a strict party-line vote, with essentially no support from minority Republicans.
To add insult to injury to working America, in came the earnings reports from Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. At these mega banks, balance sheets are healthy, profits are up and bonuses for top executives are bigger than ever. JPMorgan Chase just reported $11.7 billion in profits and $26.9 billion in compensation and bonuses. Goldman Sachs made a record-high profit of $13.4 billion in 2009 and is slated to hand out $16.2 billion in compensation and bonuses.
More than 320,000 people in Washington are out of work, the highest unemployment in our state in more than two decades. In November, nearly 6,500 people filed for unemployment benefits within the 31st Legislative District. To put that in perspective, that’s far more people unemployed in the district than the entire city of Buckley.
Last session, Senate Bill 5808 was passed and signed into law. It created an additional way for counties and cities…
Last year, in our tough economy, many of us asked for necessities and basics as holiday gifts. Among the gifts that would mean the most to families is the passage of the Healthy Families Act, introduced by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, along with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, in the 111th Congress this past May.
Rain poured relentlessly as Cyndi and Bruce Fields gazed out the window of their dark and empty restaurant. Some lunch-pursuing…
The Washington state Legislature convenes Monday. Its members face a daunting task the state’s projected deficit is $2.6 billion.
In March 2003, I traveled to Afghanistan to facilitate a leadership training for a group of Afghan women who were hoping to help lead their country away from the abyss that had been Taliban rule.
I get excited when the Christmas season arrives. I enjoy seeing the lights on my neighbors’ houses when I’m out after dark, and I especially like the opportunity to help the underprivileged.
He was one of my most unforgettable friends. His name was Hayes Holman and he was superintendent of Auburn public schools.
NOTE: This is the final in a series of four solutions-oriented health care op-eds from Congressman Dave Reichert.
Over this past weekend, crews finished the last sandbag wall needed to replace our current capacity loss in the White River.
This is the third in a series of four solutions-oriented health care op-eds from Congressman Dave Reichert.
Aside from health-care reform, probably the most divisive issue in Washington today is the $787 billion economic stimulus program.
On Tuesday, I took the opportunity to view the 3½-hour procession preceding the memorial for the four slain Lakewood police officers.
As the debate in the United States Congress continues over needed health care reform, much of the conversation turns on aspects legislators oppose, rather than proposals for the innovative ideas and creative solutions that will carry us down the path to meaningful, effective reform.
