Larsen Calls Out GOP for Unconstitutional Budget Bill
Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting against a budget bill in the US House of Representatives. Larsen voted against the Government Prevention Shutdown Act of 2011 because the bill violates the constitutional provision of passing the Senate and being signed by the President before becoming a law. Larsen did vote to cut off pay for Members of Congress in the event of a government shutdown.
“Today, the new majority is doing something so blatantly unconstitutional, it’s laughable: they are trying to pass a budget bill into law without being voted on by the Senate or signed by the President.
“My advice to the Republican Leadership is to reread their copies of the Constitution. Article 1, Section 7, Clause 2 which states ‘Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States…’ should be particularly helpful.
“Or, if they can’t find a copy of the Constitution, ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ provides some helpful information about how a bill becomes a law. I suggest they check out the video before trying to make any more laws without the Senate and the President.”
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Senator Murray’s Statement on Job Growth in March

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray released the following statement today on the March employment figures released this morning showing that our economy added 216,000 jobs last month:

“This is a welcome sign that we are moving in the right direction, but also a reminder that we can’t take our foot off the gas. We need to continue focusing on creating jobs through support for small businesses, hiring incentives, and smart investments here at home in job training and infrastructure.

“While this news may provide relief for some, it is little comfort for those in Washington state who continue to look for work after being out of a job for 6 months, a year, or more. Getting these workers back on the job must continue to be priority number one.“

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Murray Cosponsors Resolution Designating April 2011 as “Financial Literacy Month”

Murray will reintroduce her Financial and Economic Literacy Improvement Act later in the month

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Senate resolution designating April 2011 as “Financial Literacy Month,” cosponsored by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), has been introduced and is expected to pass the Senate by unanimous consent.

“As we continue working to create jobs and get our economy back on track, we need to make sure that Americans have the tools they need to manage their finances responsibly,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I am proud to cosponsor this legislation designating April as ‘Financial Literacy Month.’ And I look forward to reintroducing my financial literacy bill that would make sure the federal government steps up to the plate and becomes a true partner in helping Americans gain the skills they need to understand the fine print and avoid mounting debt.”

Senator Murray plans to introduce her legislation, the Financial and Economic Literacy Improvement Act of 2011, in mid-April. This legislation will enhance the teaching of economic and personal finance principals across disciplines in K-12 education, and make practical financial and economic courses more widely available to adults of any age through our higher education system.

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Cantwell: WTO Ruling Shows Airbus Had Large Illegal Advantage Over Boeing
Cantwell: ‘American Sweat Equity Beat Out Massive Illegal Subsidies’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement on the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) release of its final decision regarding the formal complaint the European Union (EU) brought against alleged U.S. government subsidies to Boeing:

“This final ruling confirms what we already knew: Airbus has had a massive illegal advantage over Boeing for years. In today’s ruling, the World Trade Organization rejected 80 percent of the European Union’s alleged subsidy claims.

“Illegal subsidies to foreign competitors harm the U.S. aerospace industry and its workers, and they must come to an end. The results of today’s ruling stand in stark contrast to what the WTO ruled in the Boeing vs. EU case last June: that Airbus had received $20 billion in illegal subsidies, the majority of which came in the form of aircraft-specific launch aid. The EU should put a stop to launch aid, which distorts the true price of products and creates unfair competition in the global marketplace.

“Today’s ruling reaffirms that American sweat equity beat out massive illegal subsidies for the Air Force’s tanker contract. American workers will win every time, if given a fair playing field. The deck was stacked in favor of Airbus – and American ingenuity won anyway.”

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epublicans Turn Deaf Ear to Larsen’s efforts to Keep Military Families in Their Homes

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) offered an amendment to help members of the armed forces and gold star recipients afford to stay in their homes after Republicans brought a bill to the floor that will terminate the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), a critical lifeline to homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes. HAMP currently helps 30,000 families afford to keep their homes every month and 600,000 American families are still in their homes because of this effort. Larsen’s amendment would have preserved this program for active military and gold start families.
“We can all agree that we owe our men and women in uniform a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
“While defending our country, servicemembers should not be afraid that their families will lose the roof over their heads.
“But that’s the very situation a Navy sailor found himself last year as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. 7,000 miles from home in Afghanistan there was little he could do to help his spouse balance the stress of raising two children, work, and household expenses. To top it off their variable-rate mortgage was about to jump to almost $2,300 a month. This family was able to find relief in the Home Affordable Modification Program. They applied for a trial modification under HAMP and began making reduced payments. After a few months their modification became permanent and reduced their monthly payment by almost $400.
“I am disappointed the House let partisan ideology get in the way of ensuring the men and women who fight and die in our wars are able to keep their homes when a bipartisan vote would have protected the homes of the brave servicemembers who protect our nation and our families.”
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Cantwell, Murray Applaud Decision to Bring New Brigade to Joint Base Lewis McChord
1,400 soldiers to form new aviation brigade at JBLM, bring continued growth to the third largest employer in WA state

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statements in response to the U.S. Army’s decision to consolidate existing aviation units to form a Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). The move, which will occur during FY 2011 and is expected to be completed by FY 2014, will bring an estimated 1,400 new soldiers and 44 helicopters to JBLM.

Said Senator Cantwell: “The announcement by the Pentagon to form a new Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis McChord is welcome news for the third largest employer in the state and the largest military installation west of the Mississippi. This decision underscores the importance of JBLM to our national defense and is a testament to the talented men and women that are stationed there and the civilians that support them on base. Just over the past seven years, JBLM has grown from 32,700 total military and civilian personnel to now more than 50,000 stationed at the base; a 43 percent increase.

“With the addition of this brigade over the next few years, Pierce County and surrounding areas will see approximately 1,400 new soldiers and their families join the community, which will bring more dollars into the local economy and contribute to the already growing economic impact of JBLM.”

Said Senator Murray: “I’m very excited to see that JBLM will be expanding once again by adding this critical aviation brigade. This will add an important new capability to the team at our state’s largest military installation. But as the base continues to grow we also need to grow our efforts to care for the servicemembers and their families who make their home on and around the base.

“That means addressing our infrastructure needs along I-5, ensuring that services at Madigan keep pace with new demands, and making sure local schools have what they need to deliver for the children of our men and women in uniform.

“We can’t ever forget that the quality of life for our servicemembers is directly connected to the health and well-being of their families.”

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Cantwell Demands Investigation of Gas Price Spikes
Gas up 40 cents per gallon in WA state over last month, burdening families and economic recovery

Cantwell wants to know why volatile gas prices not linked to supply-and-demand fundamentals, role of Wall Street speculation and possible price manipulation

SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) demanded federal regulators use the authority she granted them in 2007 to ensure skyrocketing prices at the gas pump are not the result of market manipulation or other anticompetitive behavior.

According to AAA figures, Washington state gas prices have gone up 40 cents-per-gallon in just the last month, hurting small business and burdening families and the economic recovery. Every $0.50 increase in gas prices costs Washington households one percent of their annual income, on average, or roughly $565 using 2010 average household income numbers. In the Seattle area, gas prices have risen nearly 60 cents per gallon over the past three months, and diesel prices are a dollar more per gallon over this time last year, hitting truckers, farmers, and transit services particularly hard.

“While oil speculators on Wall Street may be profiting from Middle East turmoil, Washington families and businesses on Main Street are footing the bill at the gas pump,” Senator Cantwell said. “Unlike when gas prices spiked suspiciously in the summer of 2008, the Federal Trade Commission now has the necessary tools to be the cop on the beat protecting consumers from artificial gas price hikes. Today, I’m calling for the FTC to put those tools to use to protect families and businesses across the country.”

“Even a small gas price increase translates to significant costs for consumers in my home state of West Virginia and across America, including higher costs for food and other essentials,” said Senator Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the FTC. “When prices rise, many struggle to make ends meet, and must make difficult decisions about family budgets. Recently, the rapid spike in gas prices has caused more financial woe for already struggling Americans. To reduce the risk that fraud or deceit in the petroleum market could wreak havoc on working families who rely on competitive gas prices to get to work or the grocery store, it is critical that the FTC aggressively use all of its authority to make sure people are paying a fair price.”

Cantwell announced today that she was sending a bipartisan letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) calling for an investigation into any links between rising gas prices and a sharp increase in wholesale oil markets. In August 2009, the FTC finalized its Petroleum Market Manipulation Rule, which was promulgated in compliance with legislation Cantwell authored in 2005 and successfully shepherded into law in 2007, making it a crime to manipulate wholesale oil markets. Today she is calling on the consumer protection agency to use its new authority to meet their responsibility to protect consumers.

In the letter sent today to the FTC, Cantwell noted that the price per barrel of oil over the past four years has varied drastically despite comparatively little change to the world’s supply and demand. She asserts that the FTC must be more proactive and aggressive in enforcing its market manipulation rule, noting the success the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has had in ferreting out bad actors in the electricity and natural gas markets using identical authority, and she details several questions she wants answered to shed light on any illegal activity that is behind the pain at the pump. She continues: “The high gas prices that are hurting American families and businesses today represent the first major test of FTC’s ability to protect consumers in this market. We urge you to use the authority of the Petroleum Market Manipulation Rule aggressively in order to protect consumers from unnecessarily high and volatile gas and diesel prices.” Senator Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation which has jurisdiction over the FTC, also signed Cantwell’s letter. Senators Olympia Snowe (R-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mark Pryor (D-AR), all long-time defenders of consumers, signed on as well.

Last week, Cantwell urged the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to crack down on oil speculation that is likely contributing to recent gas prices spikes. In a letter to CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler, Senator Cantwell and 11 other senators urged him to use the new authority granted in last year’s Wall Street reform law to combat excessive speculation. Commodities experts have said that oil speculators are driving up the cost of oil in the wake of news from the Middle East, with one market saying speculators are responsible for as much as $15 in the price of an oil barrel. (CNBC, 3/8/11)

Cantwell has long fought to prevent market manipulation and excessive speculation from artificially driving up the price of oil and prices faced by consumers at the pump. During last year’s financial market reform debate, Cantwell pushed for tough and effective rules and the elimination of loopholes to prevent speculators from manipulating the oil market. She fought to ensure that the bill required the CFTC to enact position limits to diminish, eliminate, or prevent excessive speculation that disrupts the market. Mandatory speculative position limits, which the CFTC are in the process of setting now, and strong anti-manipulation tools were main contributors to Cantwell’s eventual support of the Wall Street reform law.

Cantwell brought to the larger financial regulatory reform effort the knowledge she gained from a decade of fighting to protect Washington state ratepayers, including her historic battle to expose the ways Enron manipulated West Coast electricity markets to jack up prices. Using the lessons learned, Cantwell helped author provisions in the 2005 Energy Bill that made it a crime to manipulate electricity or natural gas markets. To date, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has used the law to conduct 93 investigations resulting in 45 settlements and civil penalties of $122,230,000 and disgorgement of profits totaling $35,945,000. Cantwell also secured a provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that prevented a bankruptcy court from forcing Snohomish Public Utility District (PUD) and its customers to pay millions of dollars in termination fees for electricity that was never delivered. This measure reaffirmed FERC’s authority to decide whether charges related to manipulated power contracts could be deemed invalid.

In 2005, Cantwell first introduced legislation that would create a federal ban on oil market manipulation to prevent Enron-style manipulation schemes from happening to the oil industry. Cantwell’s legislation banning manipulation in the oil and petroleum markets became law in the 2007 Energy Bill. Her provision empowers the FTC to levy civil penalties of up to $1 million per day. Over the course of the FTC’s nearly two-year rulemaking needed to fulfill its Congressionally-mandated responsibility to prevent manipulation in the oil and petroleum markets, Cantwell aggressively pushed the Commission to lay out the strongest rules possible. The final FTC rule went into effect on November 4, 2009 and essentially adopted all of Cantwell’s recommendations.

The full text of the letter sent today to the FTC follows:

March 25, 2011

Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Dear Chairman Leibowitz and Commissioners Kovacic, Rosch, Ramirez, and Brill:

We are writing to inquire whether the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is fully utilizing the regulatory authority granted to it by Congress to ensure American consumers are paying a fair price for gasoline. We urge you to use this authority aggressively to ensure that recent crude oil market price spikes and volatility are not the result of manipulative practices or anticompetitive behavior.

As you know, volatile oil prices have recently driven gasoline and diesel pump prices above $4 per gallon in some regions. High prices are leading our constituents to again question whether widely fluctuating prices can be explained by supply and demand fundamentals. For example, December crude oil prices have varied from $85 per barrel in 2007, to $31 in 2008, to $73 in 2009, to $86 in 2010, with peaks at $147 in June 2008 and around $104 today. Meanwhile, a 20 percent spike in oil prices since the unrest in Libya began in mid-February coincides with Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) data showing that as of March 1st there has been a 25 percent spike in the number of oil futures contracts created by traders without a commercial interest in oil delivery. This finding is supported by data released by CFTC Commission Bart Chilton on March 15th which showed that hedge funds and other speculators have increased their energy market positions 64 percent since June 2008 to the highest level on record. While many businesses are likely engaged in legitimate hedging decisions, the increased market participation must prompt rigorous FTC oversight to ensure that all activity is consistent with a competitive market.

While some oil speculators may be taking advantage of Middle East turmoil, hardworking American families and businesses are footing the bill with more pain at the pump, higher food costs, and inflationary fears, all of which jeopardize our nation’s fragile economic recovery. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reported to Congress recently that “sustained rises in the prices of oil or other commodities would represent a threat both to economic growth and to overall price stability, particularly if they were to cause inflation expectations to become less well anchored.” And according to IHS economist Chris Christopher, every 24-cent increase in gasoline for longer than two years lowers U.S. employment by 410,000.

To protect the integrity of energy markets, family pocketbooks, and our economic recovery, it is critical that the FTC aggressively use all of the tools at its disposal to investigate and prosecute market manipulation. Fortunately, unlike during the oil price spikes of 2008, the Commission has historic new tools to combat any manipulative or deceptive conduct that has a “sufficient nexus” to wholesale oil markets, including such conduct in oil futures markets.

Congress vested the Commission with new oil market anti-manipulation authority in Section 811 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. § 17301) to combat fraudulent and manipulative conduct in increasingly volatile oil markets. The Commission stated in its final Petroleum Market Manipulation Rule that went into effect on November 4, 2009 that its authority reaches manipulative or deceptive conduct that occurs ‘‘in connection with’’ the purchase or sale of petroleum at wholesale, including such conduct in the futures market “provided that there is a sufficient nexus between

the prohibited conduct and the markets for these products.” Specifically, the Commission’s final rule states that:

“…the Commission declines to adopt a blanket safe harbor for futures markets activities. Nonetheless, consistent with its longstanding practice of coordinating its law enforcement efforts with other federal or state law enforcement agencies where it has overlapping or complementary jurisdiction … the Commission intends to work cooperatively with the CFTC to execute the Commission’s objective to prevent fraud or deceit in wholesale oil markets.”

The Commission modeled its market manipulation rule after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) market manipulation rule. Like the Commission, FERC was given nearly identical market manipulation authority in the 2005 energy bill, and to date it has conducted 93 investigations resulting in 45 settlements totaling over $150 million in penalties. FERC’s final market manipulation rule empowered it to look at futures market activities that affect wholesale energy markets within FERC’s jurisdiction and its robust market monitoring division set up after Enron’s manipulations monitors futures markets on a real-time basis in close coordination with the CFTC.

It is critical that the Commission enforce its market manipulation rule with the same proactive aggressiveness that FERC employs, to deter manipulative behavior, prosecute bad actors, and draw a bright line to distinguish legal from prohibited behavior. We request that you provide us a detailed description of the following:

• The FTC’s efforts to enforce the Petroleum Market Manipulation Rule since it was finalized in 2009;

• The steps the Commission is taking and plans to take in response to recent price volatility in the petroleum market; and

• The FTC’s current and planned efforts to work with the CFTC and other relevant agencies to prevent fraud or deceit in the petroleum market.

As Chairman Leibowitz stated when the Petroleum Market Manipulation Rule was finalized, “This new Rule will allow us to crack down on fraud and manipulation that can drive up prices at the pump. We will police the oil markets – and if we find companies that are manipulating the markets, we will go after them.” The high gas prices that are hurting American families and businesses today represent the first major test of FTC’s ability to protect consumers in this market. We urge you to use the authority of the Petroleum Market Manipulation Rule aggressively in order to protect consumers from unnecessarily high and volatile gas and diesel prices.

Sincerely,

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Cantwell, Murray Honor Crew of USS Abraham Lincoln

SEATTLE, WA – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement today marking the return of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to its home port at Naval Station Everett.

“We are proud to join with the friends and families of the entire crew of the Abraham Lincoln in welcoming them home to Everett and congratulating them on a job well done. All of Washington, and all of America, owe the more than 3,200 sailors a debt of gratitude for their heroism and service over the past six months.”

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Murray Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Health Care Reform Being Signed into Law

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on tomorrow’s anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law.

“One year ago, I stood with a little boy from Washington state named Marcelas Owens as we watched President Obama sign health care reform into law. More than 10,000 Washington state residents had sent me their health care stories—about their troubles accessing affordable care, paying for prescription drugs, or covering their employees. And thanks to this important law, our health care system is now working better for them and millions more in Washington state and across the country.

“Thanks to health care reform, seniors across our state are receiving checks to help them pay for their prescription drugs, kids can stay on their parents health care until the age of 26, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage, and small business owners are getting tax credits to help cover their employees. And for the first time, insurance companies will now have to compete for the business of the American people.

“The first year of health care reform has moved us in the right direction, but the work is far from over. As new programs are put in place over the next few years to help Washington state families get the care they need at a cost they can afford, I am going to watch closely to make sure they continue working the way they were intended to. And I will work with anyone who wants to make additional improvements to the health care system to make it work better for our families, seniors, and small business owners.”

Information below released by the White House on March 21, 2011:

Click here for the full report on the benefits of health care reform for Washington state

As One Year Anniversary of Health Reform Law Approaches, White House Report Outlines Benefits for Washington

As the Obama Administration marks the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the White House today issued a report highlighting the benefits of health reform for Washington residents. Signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act has given Washington residents more freedom and control over their health care choices.

The Affordable Care Act is:

Reducing costs for seniors and strengthening Medicare.
More than 62,543 Washington residents who hit the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” received $250 tax-free rebates, and will receive a 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole this year. By 2020, the law will close the donut hole completely. And nearly all 44 million beneficiaries who have Medicare, including 827,000 in Washington, can now receive free preventive services – like mammograms and colonoscopies – as well as a free annual wellness visit from their doctor

Offering new coverage options.
Insurance companies are now required to allow parents to keep their children up to age 26 without job-based coverage on their insurance plans. An estimated 25,900 young adults in Washington could gain insurance coverage as a result of the law. Additionally, most insurance companies are now banned from denying coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition. An estimated 372,000 kids with a pre-existing condition in Washington will be protected because of this provision.

Lowering costs for small businesses.
The law provides $40 billion of tax credits to up to 4 million small businesses, including up to 106,052 in Washington to help offset the costs of purchasing coverage for their employees and make premiums more affordable.

Improving the quality of coverage.
All Americans with insurance are now free from worrying about losing their insurance due to a mistake on an application, or having it capped unexpectedly if someone is in an accident or becomes sick. The law bans insurance companies from imposing lifetime dollar limits on health benefits – freeing cancer patients and individuals suffering from other chronic diseases from having to worry about going without treatment because of their lifetime limits. The law also restricts the use of annual limits and bans them completely in 2014. This will protect 4.1 million Washington residents with private insurance coverage from these limits.

Providing flexibility and resources to States.
The Affordable Care Act also gives States the flexibility and resources they need to implement the law in the way that works for them. Under the law, States have received millions of dollars in Federal support for their work to hold down insurance premiums, build competitive insurance marketplaces, provide insurance to early retirees, and strengthen their public health and prevention efforts. So far, Washington has received $84.6 million from the Affordable Care Act. Grants to Washington include:

• $748,500 to support a consumer assistance program
• $1 million to plan for a Health Insurance Exchange
• $1 million to crack down on unreasonable insurance premium increases
• $31.9 million to support capital development in community health centers
• $8.5 million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund
• $34.1 million in Therapeutic Discovery Project Program Tax Credits and Grants
• $334,295 for Medicare improvements for patients and providers
• $3.7 million for demonstration projects to address health professions workforce needs
• $1.8 million for Maternal, Infant and Childhood Home Visiting
• $1.6 million for Pregnancy Assistance Fund programs

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Columbian Editorial Board Lauds Cantwell’s Hydropower Improvement Act

The Columbian: ‘America needs the renewable energy, and Americans need the jobs.’

In an editorial Sunday, The Columbian praised Senator Maria Cantwell’s bipartisan bill (S.629) to increase our nation’s hydropower capacity to generate more emissions-free electricity and create more clean energy jobs.

“For the senator, boosting the Northwest’s hydropower capacity would be one of the most productive ways to accelerate a recovery from the lingering economic crisis,” The Columbian wrote on Sunday. “She’s correct, of course, and what we like best about her Hydropower Improvement Act (introduced on Thursday) is that it takes a proven success — indeed, the pride of the Northwest — and makes it even better.”

Cantwell, Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Subcommittee on Energy, introduced The Hydropower Improvement Act last Thursday, with Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), ENR Committee Ranking Member, and seven other cosponsoring Senators. The bill would grow the domestic supply of hydropower and spur job creation in an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. A study by Navigant Consulting, Inc. has shown that with the right policies, hydropower could create over 1.4 million cumulative direct, indirect, and induced jobs by 2025.

For more information, see a March 17th press release when Cantwell first introduced the legislation.

The full Columbian editorial is below.
http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/20/electrifying-idea/

Published March 20, 2011

In Our View: Electrifying Idea

THE COLUMBIAN

That do comedian Tim Allen and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell have in common? An abiding love for “More power!” For the comic, that’s the solution to every challenge that might arise in any home-improvement project. For the senator, boosting the Northwest’s hydropower capacity would be one of the most productive ways to accelerate a recovery from the lingering economic crisis.

She’s correct, of course, and what we like best about her Hydropower Improvement Act (introduced on Thursday) is that it takes a proven success — indeed, the pride of the Northwest — and makes it even better. And all of this would be accomplished without adding dams, just through upgrading current power-producing dams, bringing other dams online and enhancing conduit programs, pumped-storage facilities and other power sources. More than just a boost in power, the act would yield a significant increase in jobs. One study mentioned in Cantwell’s bill envisions the current national hydropower work force of 300,000 people bolstered by up to 1.4 million new jobs (direct and indirect) across the country.

Oh, but this proposal surely will become smothered in partisan bickering, you might argue. But consider the bipartisan thrust of the Hydropower Improvement Act. Cantwell chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Her primary co-sponsor on this bill is Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, ranking Republican on that same subcommittee. They are joined by seven other co-sponsors from both parties.

All nine sponsors are working across party lines because they know that hydropower is America’s largest source of clean, renewable energy, one that produces almost a third of the country’s energy. They also know that hydropower has stood the test of time with a track record of more than a century of generating affordable, emissions-free energy. Dams not only yield almost three-fourths of the energy consumed in our state, they also provide irrigation for Eastern Washington farms where apples, cherries, hops, wheat and other crops are grown.

Current hydropower production can be increased by upgrading turbines to produce more power with the same amount of water, and adding power-producing capacity at other dams. (About 97 percent of the nation’s 80,000 dams do not generate electricity.) Modern technology is pioneering other forms of hydropower beyond just dams, with programs that use conduit devices, hydrokinetics and what’s known as closed-loop pumped storage.

The Hydropower Improvement Act, if approved, would establish a competitive grants program and expand research and development programs with the Department of Energy.

Cantwell specified on Thursday how this measure would impact our region: “Emissions-free hydropower is the backbone of Washington’s economy, providing around three-quarters of our electricity, and keeping our rates among the lowest in the country. This bipartisan bill will help find ways to increase our nation’s hydropower capacity without building new dams, improving air quality while creating new clean energy jobs.” Another co-sponsor, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, said: “In addition to putting people to work, we can continue to broaden our alternative energy portfolio and move closer to ending our dependence on energy provided by foreign oil. This legislation is another step in the process.”

Many proposed solutions to the economic crisis deal with the traditional; others deal with the innovative. This measure embraces both: reliable, time-honored hydropower taken into the 21st century.

“More power!” makes sense, because America needs the renewable energy, and Americans need the jobs.

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Cantwell Encourages Flood Preparedness, Marks Flood Awareness Week
Washington is the top Western state for flood damage claims with $140M in damages over 10 years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell encouraged residents in flood-prone areas to re-examine their flood preparation plans, in recognition of Flood Safety Awareness Week. Washington has the highest flood damage claims of any Western state over the past 10 years, with more than $140 million in damages, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data.

From March 14 through March 18, FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are reminding families in flood-prone areas to protect themselves and their property with simple steps, including: having an emergency preparedness kit, storing important documents in a safe place, and considering the purchase of flood insurance

“For generations, floods have posed a serious threat to the safety and property of Washington state residents and businesses,” Senator Cantwell said. “Now is a good time for Washington residents to double-check their flood preparation plans and make sure they’re taking the necessary steps to protect their families and their homes from the nation’s most common natural disaster.”

Since 1970, each Washington state county has received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for flooding, which qualifies the affected area for additional relief funding from FEMA. The Washington counties most impacted by floods include: Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Snohomish, Skagit, Pierce, Thurston, Cowlitz, Whatcom, Clark, Mason, and Pacific.

Floods occur somewhere in the United States nearly every day of the year, killing almost 100 people on average annually, and causing billions of dollars in damage. The risk is especially high in areas where floods driven by extreme weather, coastal storms, and spring snowmelt pose a serious threat.

During Flood Safety Awareness Week, families and individuals are encouraged to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their property. Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover flood damages, and most policies take 30 days to go into effect. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available through thousands of insurance agents located in nearly 21,000 communities across the nation for an average of $570 per year, or as low as $129 per year for lower risk areas. According to FEMA, 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.

Cantwell has long been a strong advocate for improving weather forecasting and flood preparedness for Washington and the Pacific coast, including consistently supporting NOAA’s use of a highly specialized research aircraft to patrol the North Pacific Ocean, ensuring more accurate long-term forecasts for winter storms that threaten Washington state and much of the North American continent. She also secured funding for Washington state’s first coastal Doppler radar station, which will be deployed in September, 2011, a year earlier than originally anticipated, and will help give earlier warning of potentially damaging rain and floods.

Cantwell, Murray Request Independent Review of Sickened Hanford Worker Compensation Program
In letter to DOL, Senators express concern over the program’s ‘many setbacks’ over the years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) joined colleagues in requesting an independent review of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) implementation of a compensation program for sickened former Hanford workers and their families. In a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Solicitor Patricia Smith, the senators expressed disappointment that DOL had failed to adequately address problems identified over the years with the implementation of the program. The senators stated that an independent review is warranted to ensure the men and women exposed to radiation and toxins at the nation’s nuclear facilities have their claims evaluated in a ‘fair and equitable manner.’

The senators wrote: “We write to request that you expeditiously begin an independent review of the Department of Labor’s implementation of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). …We are disappointed that concerns that have been put on the record by Members of Congress, advocates, and workers have not been addressed satisfactorily and we hope that in your role as Solicitor there will be a renewed focus on resolving these important issues within the DEEOIC [Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation]. …we believe that the men and women who were exposed to radiation and toxins at our nation’s nuclear facilities deserve to have their claims evaluated in a fair and equitable manner.”

At question is the Division of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation’s (DEEOIC) implementation of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) in a timely, efficient and transparent manner. EEOICPA is a compensation program for workers sickened by exposure to various toxins and radiation during their service in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities. Also signing onto today’s letter were Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Mark Udall (D-CO).

Last June, Senators Cantwell and Murray sent a letter to DOE and DOL urging the departments to fix inefficiencies slowing down claims processing for former and current Energy workers and contractors. The senators cited recommendations from a 2010 GAO report on improving the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP). The problems identified in the GAO report include: restrictions on DOE site information; incomplete or nonexistent records relating to employment and health; problems with the process to determine the level of one’s exposure, known as dose reconstruction; and new scientific information linking the exposure to cancer, which causes the reconstruction process to take longer. The GAO report confirmed that enhanced oversight and transparency of EEOICP could improve the program’s credibility.

Senator Cantwell has been involved in reforming the compensation program since the fall of 2003, working to speed up worker claims and improve program efficiency. With thousands of people in Washington state affected, Senator Cantwell co-sponsored an amendment to move the DOE management responsibilities over to the DOL, which had a higher success rate in processing its claims. The amendment was included in the FY 2005 Defense Authorization Bill which passed in June of 2004.

The text of the letter follows:

March 17, 2011

The Honorable M. Patricia Smith
Solicitor
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of the Solicitor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room S-2002
Washington, DC 20210

Dear Solicitor Smith:

We write to request that you expeditiously begin an independent review of the Department of Labor’s implementation of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

Since the enactment of the EEOICPA and subsequent creation of the compensation Program, the Department of Labor and the Department of Energy have worked to process the claims of former employees and contractors who were exposed to radiation and toxins during their service at nuclear weapons facilities across the country.

We have monitored the implementation of the EEOICPA for many years, and we are concerned by the many setbacks we have seen. We are encouraged by the recent Ten Year Review that is currently being conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

We understand that the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) conducts an annual review of its own operations, and that the Office of Workers’ Compensation Program issues an annual report to Congress of all programs that it oversees. However, our concerns go beyond the basic issues addressed in these yearly reports. For example, annual reports from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Program have not addressed specific issues that we and our colleagues have raised in the past, including asking if the DEEOIC has implemented the EEOICPA in letter and the spirit of the Act.

The recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that many of us requested, identified areas in EEOICP that need improvement and increased transparency. We also understand that the Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups have recently submitted a letter to your office outlining specific problems with regard to the implementation of both the Part B and Part E programs. We share their concerns, and agree that a full, independent review of the DEEOIC implementation of EEOICPA is warranted.

As you may know, we and our colleagues have been communicating with the Department of Labor and Department of Energy for several years regarding the implementation of EEOICPA. We are disappointed that concerns that have been put on the record by Members of Congress, advocates, and workers have not been addressed satisfactorily and we hope that in your role as Solicitor there will be a renewed focus on resolving these important issues within the DEEOIC.

While we understand the difficulties posed to the Department of Labor and Department of Energy in carrying out this program, we believe that the men and women who were exposed to radiation and toxins at our nation’s nuclear facilities deserve to have their claims evaluated in a fair and equitable manner.

We appreciate your consideration of our request, and your past work and advocacy for workers. We look forward to working with you, and look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Boost U.S. Hydropower Production, Jobs
Cantwell: ‘Emissions-free hydropower is the backbone of WA’s economy’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing legislation to increase our nation’s hydropower capacity to generate more emissions-free electricity and create more clean energy jobs.

The Hydropower Improvement Act, led by Senator Cantwell, Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Subcommittee on Energy, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), ENR Committee Ranking Member, and cosponsored by seven other Senators, would grow the domestic supply of hydropower and spur job creation in an industry that employs more than 300,000 people. A study by Navigant Consulting, Inc. has shown that with the right policies, hydropower could create over 1.4 million cumulative direct, indirect, and induced jobs by 2025.

“Emissions-free hydropower is the backbone of Washington’s economy, providing around three quarters of our electricity, and keeping our rates among the lowest in the country,” Senator Cantwell said. “This bipartisan bill will help find ways to increase our nation’s hydropower capacity without building new dams, improving air quality while creating new clean energy jobs.”

Hydropower is the largest source of clean, renewable energy in the United States, and Washington state produces almost a third of the nation’s total. This affordable, emissions-free, and renewable power source has helped attract new business investments to the Pacific Northwest, including BMW’s selection of Moses Lake, WA, as the home of its only carbon fiber manufacturing facility in North America, and a host of new Internet data centers. Nearly 75 percent of Washington’s electricity is generated from hydropower, and the same dams irrigate Eastern Washington’s farms which produce top crops such as apples, cherries, hops, and wheat.

Much of the nation’s new hydropower capacity can be gained by maximizing existing infrastructure and through the use of new technologies, such as upgrading turbines to produce more power with the same volume of water, and exploring the possibility of producing power at the 97 percent of America’s 80,000 that don’t today. There is also a lot of promise in water power applications that don’t require large dams, such as in-conduit devices, hydrokinetics, and closed-loop pumped storage.

The Hydropower Improvement Act would improve the development timeline for conduit and small hydropower projects and explore a two-year process for hydropower development at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects. It establishes a competitive grants program and directs the Department of Energy to produce and implement a research, development, and deployment plan for increased hydropower capacity. The bill also calls for studies on increased development at Bureau of Reclamation facilities and in-conduit projects, as well as suitable pumped storage locations. The legislation does not authorize the construction of new dams.

Signing onto the bill as cosponsors are Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), James Risch (R-ID), Mark Begich (D-AK), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

For more information, see www.hydro.org.

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Larsen Votes to Protect Public Broadcasting
Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), voted against H.R. 1076, legislation that would slash funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and other public radio programming.
“I voted against these cuts that will hit PBS, NPR and other public radio broadcasting especially hard because these cuts are misguided attempts to stifle quality sources of information and entertainment,” said Rep. Larsen. “Our local public television (KCTS) and radio stations (KUOW and KPLU, as well as other local public radio stations) are valuable regional assets that deserve our support. I will continue to support public radio and public broadcasting.”

Cantwell Calls for Crackdown on Wall Street Gambling That Drives Up Gas Prices
Cantwell: ‘WA drivers are paying at the pump for reckless Wall Street oil speculation’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to crack down on oil speculation that has contributed to a recent spike in gas prices. In a letter to CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler, Senator Cantwell and 11 other senators urged him to use the new authority granted in the Wall Street reform law to combat excessive speculation.

Washington state gas prices have gone up 40 cents-per-gallon over the last month, from an average of $3.29 to $3.68, according to AAA figures. Commodities experts have said that oil speculators are driving up the cost of oil in the wake of news from the Middle East, with speculators responsible for as much as $15 in the price of an oil barrel. (CNBC, 3/8/11)

“Washington drivers are paying at the pump for reckless Wall Street oil speculation,” Senator Cantwell said. “Last year, we gave the financial cops the tools they need to rein in rampant Wall Street speculation. Today, we’re asking them to put those tools to use. It’s time for Wall Street to stop the reckless gambling on what it costs for Washingtonians to fill up their gas tanks.”

In the letter, the senators stressed that the price of oil has less to do with the traditional laws of supply and demand, and more with speculators artificially inflating the price – and perceived demand – of oil. Since the latest round of civil unrest began late January in North Africa and then the Middle East, oil trades by speculators have jumped dramatically 35 percent to 50 percent in some markets. During that same period, U.S. gas prices have soared by almost 40 percent. Since September 2010, gas prices have skyrocketed nearly 60 cents per gallon in Washington state and nearly 80 cents per gallon on average nationally.

Cantwell has long fought to prevent speculators from driving up the price of oil. During last year’s financial regulatory reform debate, Cantwell fought for tough and effective rules and the elimination of loopholes to prevent speculators from manipulating the oil market. She fought to ensure that the bill required the CFTC to enact position limits to diminish, eliminate, or prevent excessive speculation that disrupts the market. Mandatory speculative position limits and strong anti-manipulation tools were main contributors to Cantwell’s eventual support of the legislation.

Following is the text of the senators’ letter to Gensler:

March 16, 2011

The Honorable Gary Gensler
Chairman
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21st Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20581

Dear Chairman Gensler,

There is strong evidence the recent surge in gas prices has little to do with the fundamental supply and demand for oil. Government data confirm that oil speculators are driving the price increase. We urge you to restore integrity to our energy markets by exercising the CFTC’s authority to require higher margin levels for speculative oil futures contracts.

Speculators are seizing on recent political turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East to drive energy prices to unwarranted levels. The Commitment of Traders Report reveals that speculators have flooded into the market in recent weeks. Since protests began in Egypt on January 25, 2011, money managers have increased their long positions in NYMEX West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures contracts by more than 35 percent, or the equivalent of 75 million barrels of oil. Oil speculators have increased long positions on the Intercontinental Exchange by nearly 50 percent. At the same time, actual true hedgers have reduced their long positions in the oil futures markets.

The loser in this game of oil speculation is the American consumer. Rising oil futures translate into higher gas prices, and that means Americans have less money in their pockets to pay for basic needs.

In the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we empowered your Commission with a number of new tools to rein in excessive speculation and prevent market failures. In addition to mandating speculative position limits, we removed the broad statutory restriction that prohibited the CFTC from imposing higher margin requirements. Section 736 authorizes the CFTC to require higher margin requirements in order to protect the financial integrity of the futures trading markets. Now is the time to exercise that authority. New margin requirements could take effect as soon as July, but the CFTC must begin the rulemaking process now. Higher margin levels would reduce incentives for excessive speculation by requiring investors to back their bets with real capital.

For the same reason we don’t let pharmaceutical companies approve their own drugs, we shouldn’t let futures exchanges self-regulate by setting their own margin requirements. This hands-off, self-regulatory approach has led to a fundamentally inequitable system in which ordinary investors are required to post 50 percent margin to buy a stock, but Wall Street traders post only six percent to purchase a risky and volatile futures contract.

We urge you to act quickly to raise the margin requirements imposed on speculative oil contracts. The margin increase should only apply to speculators, not true hedgers. This is consistent with current exchange policies that apply different margin requirements for investors and bona fide hedgers. With your leadership, we can discourage damaging and excessive speculation in the oil markets and bring down gas prices.

Sincerely,

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
Sen. Jay Rockefeller IV (D-WV) Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

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Senators Murray, Thune Introduce Bill to Speed Up Critical Payments to Schools
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve the federal funding process for schools in tribal and military communities. Their legislation, the Impact Aid Timely Repayment Act of 2011, expedites the Impact Aid allocation process by requiring the Department of Education to make Impact Aid payments to schools within two years of funds being appropriated.
“As states continue to tighten their belts and try to do more with less, making sure school districts in military and tribal communities promptly get the federal support they need is critical to the success of our students,” said Senator Murray. “This bipartisan legislation would set a strict timeline for the completion of the funding allocation process and will minimize the uncertainty school districts in Washington state and across the country face when they look at their budgets for each coming year. The sooner this funding is allocated, the sooner these schools can hire more teachers, purchase more books and supplies, and improve their students’ educational experience.”
“Many school districts in South Dakota are forced to deal with significant delays in receiving their Impact Aid payments,” said Senator Thune. “I’m pleased to cosponsor legislation to help reduce this delay so that school districts in South Dakota and across the country are better positioned to make important budget decisions.”

Impact Aid funding is provided to school districts that educate a significant number of federally-connected children, such as those that live on military bases or reservations. Currently, many school districts are still waiting for Impact Aid that was appropriated as long as five years ago, forcing schools to tighten budgets and increase the burden on local taxpayers.

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Murray Urges Support for Small Business Innovation Bill, Contrasts Democratic and Republican Budget Proposals in Speech on Senate Floor

Watch speech here

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to support the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research Program that has been successfully creating jobs and boosting the economy since it was signed into law in 1982. Murray talked about Infinia, a Tri-Cities business that has received support from SBIR and has successfully grown and added jobs. And she urged her colleagues to support this legislation to give innovative small businesses across the country the certainty they need to expand and create jobs.

Senator Murray also discussed the contrasts between the Republican and Democratic long-term spending proposals. And she urged her colleagues to come together around the Democrats’ plans to cut spending responsibly while not threatening our economic recovery and continuing to make the investments we need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our competitors.

Key excerpts:

“…I strongly support this long-term reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research program, which supports research and development efforts by small businesses that will allow them to grow and create jobs. And…I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure we pass a budget for this year that cuts spending responsibly while continuing to invest in programs that create jobs and boost our economy.”

“…the Small Business Innovation Research Program, or SBIR, is a bipartisan bill that has been successfully creating jobs since it was signed into law by President Reagan in 1982. The resources this program has provided to small businesses over the years have led to new products, new ideas, and new innovations. In fact, small business tech firms that receive SBIR grants produce 38% of our country’s patents, they employ 40% of America’s scientists and engineers, and they have produced many of the most important innovations that have driven our economy forward.”

“One company that’s received support is a small business called Infinia, based in the Tri-Cities in Washington state. Infinia was founded in 1985 as an R&D firm, but they’ve been able to successfully transition to commercial production and have emerged as a leader in our state’s clean-tech industry. And with support from SBIR and other programs, Infinia has been able to develop their products and grow from 30 employees to over 150! These are good, family-wage jobs in the local community. And this is such a great example of what small businesses can do with just a little bit of support.”

“…I’m hopeful that moderate Republicans will say no to the extreme members of their party and come to the table to work with us to pass a responsible, long-term budget that will help us create jobs and invest in middle class families and workers across the country. Because that’s what this is really all about—creating jobs, getting our economy back on track, and setting our great country up for continued success and prosperity now and in the future. That’s why this budget debate is so important. And it’s why passing the Small Business Investment Research Program is so critical.”

The full text of the speech follows:

“M. President—we can’t afford to stop focusing on the most important thing we can do right now for families and small business owners across the county—and that is to continue working to create jobs and boost the economy.

“Last month, our economy added over 200,000 private sector jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to the lowest rate in two years.

“We have a long way to go, but I am confident we have turned the corner and are moving in the right direction. But we need to continue this progress.

“That’s why I strongly support this long-term reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research program, which supports research and development efforts by small businesses that will allow them to grow and create jobs.

“And it’s why I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure we pass a budget for this year that cuts spending responsibly while continuing to invest in programs that create jobs and boost our economy.

“M. President, the Small Business Innovation Research Program, or SBIR, is a bipartisan bill that has been successfully creating jobs since it was signed into law by President Reagan in 1982.

“The resources this program has provided to small businesses over the years have led to new products, new ideas, and new innovations.

“In fact, small business tech firms that receive SBIR grants produce 38% of our country’s patents, they employ 40% of America’s scientists and engineers, and they have produced many of the most important innovations that have driven our economy forward.

“This program has been especially important in my home state of Washington, where over 2,000 grants have been awarded to small businesses, totaling close to $700 million.

“One company that’s received support is a small business called Infinia, based in the Tri-Cities in Washington state.

“Infinia was founded in 1985 as an R&D firm, but they’ve been able to successfully transition to commercial production and have emerged as a leader in our state’s clean-tech industry.

“And with support from SBIR and other programs, Infinia has been able to develop their products and grow from 30 employees to over 150!

“These are good, family-wage jobs in the local community. And this is such a great example of what small businesses can do with just a little bit of support.

“And M. President, there are thousands of companies across the country with similar stories, that have received a critical boost from SBIR.

“But unfortunately, the Small Business Innovation Research Program has been operating under short-term reauthorizations over the last few years, creating uncertainty that makes planning very difficult for companies that want to participate in the program.

“So I urge my colleagues to support this long-term legislation that will help innovative small businesses develop their products, expand, and create jobs.

“M. President, I also want to mention another issue we are discussing on the floor this week because it is directly connected to Senate Democrats’ efforts to get workers back on the job. And that is the need to pass a long-term budget bill to keep the government open through the end of the fiscal year.

“I am disappointed that the same Republicans who came into office saying they would focus on the economy, have put forward a damaging and short-sighted budget proposal that would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, devastate workers and small businesses across the country, and threaten to undermine our economic recovery.

“I am disappointed that at a time when middle class families still need some support to get back on their feet after the economic crisis, Republicans proposed a highly politicized, slash-and-burn budget that would pull the rug out from under these families.

“And I am disappointed that while Senate Democrats have put forward ideas to make responsible and prudent budget cuts that will allow us to continue out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our competitors—Republicans proposed a budget that would hack away at investments that strengthen our ability to compete now and improve the quality of life for our children in the future.

“Their proposal would: Slash education programs like Head Start; Decimate housing and economic development; Eliminate community health centers that serve the most vulnerable families; And cut off critical investments in our workers and infrastructure.

“And independent analysts have said their plan would destroy up to 700,000 American jobs across the country—including an estimated 15,000 in my home state of Washington.

“This would be absolutely devastating—and we simply can’t afford to let it happen.

“That’s why, M. President, Senate Democrats have put forward a proposal that goes in a very different direction.

“Our plan would also cut spending—billions of dollars, in fact—but it would do so in a responsible and measured way that protects middle class families and doesn’t kill jobs.

“And it would continue making the investments we need as a country to compete and win in the 21st century economy.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to pass our proposal—and now we have to pass a short-term funding bill to keep the government from shutting down.

“But weekly spending bills are no way to run a government.

“So I’m hopeful that moderate Republicans will say no to the extreme members of their party and come to the table to work with us to pass a responsible, long-term budget that will help us create jobs and invest in middle class families and workers across the country.

“Because that’s what this is really all about—creating jobs, getting our economy back on track, and setting our great country up for continued success and prosperity now and in the future.

“That’s why this budget debate is so important. And it’s why passing the Small Business Investment Research Program is so critical.

“So I urge my colleagues to support this reauthorization to support small business and invest in innovation and growth in Washington state and across the country.

“Thank you. I yield the floor.”

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Chairman Murray Urges Pentagon to Carefully Track Radiation Exposure among U.S. Servicemembers Aiding in Japanese Relief Efforts

Military’s dismal record of maintaining appropriate exposure information prompts Veterans’ Affairs Chairman to call on Secretary Gates to properly record exposure incidents as U.S. servicemembers aid in Japanese disaster response

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, yesterday sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates underscoring the importance of knowing the extent of exposure to radiation to servicemembers aiding the Japanese people in the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent damage to coastal nuclear reactors. Chairman Murray’s concern is based on the military’s track record of failing to monitor exposures, which has impeded previous generations of veterans from obtaining benefits.

“The failure of DoD to properly identify and maintain records on exposure impaired the ability of radiation-exposed servicemembers from World War II and various test sites to obtain VA benefits,” Chairman Murray wrote in the letter. “Therefore, I cannot underscore the importance of monitoring, measuring, and accurately recording any such incidents.”

The full text of Senator Murray’s letter follows:

March 15, 2011

The Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000

Dear Secretary Gates:

Our servicemembers are serving with distinction providing critical disaster response for Japan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred last week.

American Navy officials said early Monday that 17 military personnel who had been aboard three helicopters assisting in the earthquake relief effort have been exposed to low levels of contamination when they flew through a plume of radioactive contaminants from a damaged nuclear power plant. Given the serious health consequences of radiation and other environmental toxins, it is critical that the Department of Defense monitor, measure, and accurately record such exposures in servicemembers’ personnel and health records.

During my time on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have worked to address the needs of veterans who were exposed to environmental toxins during their military service. The Committee has found that the failure of DoD to properly identify and maintain records on exposure impaired the ability of radiation-exposed servicemembers from World War II and various test sites to obtain VA benefits. Therefore, I cannot underscore the importance of monitoring, measuring, and accurately recording any such incidents.

I urge DoD to create a database of U.S. servicemembers supporting the relief effort in Japan to track data related to exposure to radiation and other environmental toxins. This information will aid DoD and ultimately VA as care and benefits are provided to those who suffer ill-effects from any such exposures.

Providing care for our servicemembers and veterans is a top priority. Careful surveillance of this issue now will allow VA to provide the best possible care and benefits to those affected later. I thank you for your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Patty Murray
Chairman, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Cantwell Fights to Save High-Tech Jobs in the Tri-Cities
House budget threatens PNNL, which has helped create more than 2,000 private-sector jobs in the Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, WA – Proposed cuts to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) would threaten private-sector job growth in the Tri-Cities, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said Saturday in Richland. Cantwell said she would oppose proposed House budget cuts, which could endanger up 600 jobs at PNNL and harm private-sector job growth in the region.

Speaking from InnovaTek, Inc., a small high-tech business in Richland, WA that was founded with technology developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Cantwell expressed concern that innovative, job-creating research at national laboratories could be jeopardized under the House budget (H.R.1). Innovative research and development at PNNL has helped create or strengthen 100 companies and 2,000 jobs in the Tri-Cities.

“PNNL is an incubator for private-sector job growth here in the Tri-Cities, having created more than 2,000 jobs at 100 different companies in this region,” Senator Cantwell said. “In the U.S. Senate, I will fight for high-tech jobs here in the Tri-Cities. Limiting the potential of innovative national technology research labs, such as PNNL, is not the way to boost job creation or improve our international competitiveness.”

On February 19th, the House passed H.R.1 by a 235 to 189 vote. In the Senate, Cantwell joined with the majority of her colleagues in rejecting H.R. 1 on March 9th by a 56 to 44. The current spending package, known as a continuing resolution, expires on March 18th. As Congress works on a compromise spending plan, Cantwell will be fighting to save critical investment in the country’s national laboratories. Half of the U.S. economic growth since 1945 can be attributed to investments in science and technology, according to PNNL.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s innovative work pays dividends in the local economy and is important to Washington state and the nation. PNNL is the single largest employer in the Tri-Cities, and the second largest east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state, after Fairchild Air Force Base. Since 1997, PNNL employment has increased 46 percent (from 3,360 to 4,907 jobs), of which 4,500 are located in Richland with local payroll totals of $410 million. PNNL spends about $27 million a year with merchants in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, and Walla Walla, and a total of $57 million statewide.

PNNL is serving the nation by developing clean energy technology and performing groundbreaking research that increases the nation’s national security capabilities. Some examples of technologies created at PNNL include computer technology that creates an integrated, remotely accessible database of information from multiple cargo inspections, enhancing our national security capabilities, and a new grid that balances household appliance energy supply on the power grid, lessening the potential for power outages. To learn more about technology developed at PNNL, click here.

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Cantwell Leads On Anti-Bullying Bill to Keep Children Safe in Schools
Cantwell: ‘Learning in a safe environment is every student’s right’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined this week in co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would help prevent bullying in schools by improving reporting standards for bullying incidents, working with schools to adopt anti-bullying codes of conduct, and defining cyber-bullying as part of schools’ policies.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA), led by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and cosponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 16 other Senators, would require schools and districts that receive designated federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including conduct based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

“Learning in a safe environment is every student’s right,” Senator Cantwell said. “With social media and text messaging being such an integral part of students’ lives, it is vital that we have 21st century solutions to bullying. This legislation will address the issues of bullying and harassment by putting policies in place that will further protect our children, so they can continue to excel in school without fear of discrimination.”

The Safe Schools Improvement Act was introduced last Tuesday, and yesterday, President Obama held the first-ever White House Conference on Bullying Prevention with a strong message: “If there’s one goal of this conference, it’s to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up. It’s not.”

The Safe Schools Improvement Act would ensure that schools and school districts implement effective prevention programs to help prevent and better respond to incidences of bullying and harassment. The bill would also require states to report data on incidences of bullying and harassment to the Department of Education.

Additional cosponsors of the Safe Schools Improvement Act include Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

The Safe Schools Improvement Act has broad support from educators, administrators and civil rights organizations, including Equal Rights Washington, American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, American School Health Association, National Association of School Psychologists, National Education Association, National Parent Teacher Association, American Association of University Women, Asian American Justice Center, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Human Rights Campaign and the National Council of La Raza.

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DEMOCRATS STAND WITH VETERANS ADVOCATES TO OPPOSE REPUBLICANS’ EXTREME PLAN THAT WOULD DENY HOUSING TO 10,000 HOMELESS VETERANS
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators from across the country stood with advocates for homeless veterans to oppose a provision in Republicans’ reckless spending proposal that would cut 10,000 housing vouchers that would keep homeless veterans off the streets next year.
The Republican’s proposed cut would eliminate funding for the successful HUD/VASH grant program that provides homeless veterans with a year-long rental voucher. These cuts would seriously threaten efforts by Congress and the Obama Administration to end homelessness among our veterans, and would leave local providers without the resources they rely on to fight veteran homelessness.

Click here for a fact sheet on Republican cuts to homeless veterans

Click here for state-by-state info on this successful voucher program

Click here for current state-by-state info on veterans homelessness

Click here for video highlights of the event

“I am extremely disappointed that the Republicans’ budget proposal slashes this critical program that has helped so many veterans move off the streets and into permanent housing,” said Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Conference Secretary. “We owe it to our veterans to provide them with the resources and support they need to put a roof over their heads. And this is just one more example of the Republicans’ reckless budget that puts politics and ideology over families, communities, and even those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.”

“Republicans’ extreme budget proposal would halt a program that has successfully taken 600 Nevada veterans off the streets and put them into safe, permanent housing. If Republicans had their way, veterans like these would be out on the streets,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “Homelessness among veterans is a serious problem. Our nation’s veterans were there when we needed them, and they put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. We owe it to them to be there when they need us.”

“Last night in Illinois, 2,000 homeless veterans were on the street,” Sen. Dick Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader. “We need to make sure that when our fighting men and women return home, they are treated with dignity and respect they have earned. It’s time for us to reject this bragging rights contest of who can cut the most, and focus instead on what those cuts mean to the lives of the men and women who have served us so well.”

“We need to make cuts, but the sacrifice must be shared. We shouldn’t balance our budgets on the backs of veterans who have already sacrificed for our country,” said Senator Charles Schumer, Vice Chair of the Conference and Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Center.

“We face a difficult budgetary environment where we will have to make tough choices with limited resources,” said Senator Jack Reed. “But eliminating $75 million that would keep 10,000 veterans from becoming homeless next year is short-sighted and wrong. Our veterans fought for us, and we will continue to fight for them by investing in this vital program that makes a real difference in their lives. This is one small down payment on our important obligation to our veterans.”

“The House Republicans’ decision to slash funding for housing assistance to thousands of homeless veterans shows a total lack of humanity,” said Senator Barbara Boxer. “These cuts would be devastating to veterans in California, which has the largest population of homeless veterans. These brave men and women deserve the best.”

“We owe so much to those who have served in our military. Cutting funding that is helping to keep our veterans from being homeless is no way to express our gratitude but that is exactly what the House budget proposes,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “We have a moral obligation to the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform to stop these irresponsible cuts from ever taking affect.”

Cantwell Introduces Small Business Tax Cut to Help Craft Brewers Expand and Create Jobs
With 139 small breweries, WA has one of the biggest small brewing industries in the country

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined in introducing bipartisan legislation that would help small American craft brewers grow their businesses and create jobs. The Brewers Employment and Excise Relief (BEER) Act, led by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) and cosponsored by 15 Senators, would reduce the excise tax for small, domestic beer producers, promoting growth and job creation within an industry that employs nearly 100,000 people nationwide.

This bill would benefit both small business craft brewers and hop farmers. Washington state has one of the biggest craft brewery industries in the country, with approximately 139 small breweries across the state, including Pyramid Breweries Inc., Elysian Brewing Co., Georgetown Brewing Co., Redhook Ale Brewery, Schooner EXACT Brewing Co., and Mac & Jack’s Brewery Inc. Washington state also grows the majority of the country’s total hop production – 77 percent in 2010, according to the Hop Growers of America.

“This bill is a winner for Washington small business jobs and for the Washington agricultural industry,” Senator Cantwell said. “Even during these tough economic times, Washington state continues to have a thriving small craft brewing industry that contributes jobs and dollars to our local economy. This bill will build on their success, helping to level the playing field so these small businesses can expand and create jobs in communities across the country.”

The BEER Act would reduce the excise tax for small, domestic beer producers from $7 per barrel to $3.50 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels produced each year. This reduction would provide approximately $19.9 million per year to help strengthen the nation’s smallest brewers and support their efforts to maintain and create jobs.

In addition, the legislation would reduce the excise tax from $18 per barrel to $16 per barrel on beer production between 60,000 and 2 million barrels, providing small brewers with an estimated additional $27.1 million per year to grow their businesses and create jobs.

The legislation would also raise the production ceiling that defines a small brewer from two million barrels per year to six million barrels per year to more accurately reflect the state of the industry. Since the small brewer tax rate was established in 1976, the annual production of America’s large brewers has grown from approximately 45 million to 105 million barrels while the ceiling defining a small brewer has remained the same.

A March 2010 economic impact study by Dr. John Friedman of Harvard University, which assumed a passage date of January 1, 2010, found that the proposed reduction in the federal excise tax on beer produced by small brewers would increase economic activity by $116 million in 2010 and $734 million over five years. The same study found that the bill would create 4,200 jobs over the next five years, with 2,700 of those jobs created in the first year and 375 in each subsequent year. The study also listed Washington state as one of ten states that would receive the highest impact in terms of increased economic activity and jobs created in the state.

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Murray Statement on Locke Nomination

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after President Obama announced that he has nominated Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to be Ambassador to China.

“I am very excited that President Obama has nominated Gary Locke to be the next U.S. Ambassador to China. He has been an outstanding Secretary of Commerce and those of us from Washington state know how hard he has worked over the course of his career for our state and nation.

“As Chair of the U.S.-China Interparliamentary Group, I understand the many ways our relationship with and policies toward China impact the lives and livelihoods of families and businesses in Washington state and across the country.

“Making sure this partnership continues to work for both our nations is absolutely critical to ensuring our ability to compete and succeed in the 21st century global economy. I am confident that Gary has the skills and experience required to get the job done.

“Washington state is the most trade-dependent state in the nation and China is our most important trading partner. Gary knows this well and that’s why, as Governor, he worked with Asian leaders to open up markets for Washington state products. And as Governor during Washington’s tech boom, he understands what innovative companies need to succeed at home and across the world. He understands what businesses large and small need to create jobs, and throughout his career he has fought to make sure they had the support to succeed.

“Gary is a passionate and outspoken advocate for our country, our families, and our values. I look forward to his Senate confirmation and working with him to ensure our nation’s relationship with China helps our economy, businesses, and farmers in Washington state

Senator Murray: “Republican Budget Proposal Would Devastate Middle Class Families and the Economy”

Highlights estimated impact of Republican proposal: 700,000 jobs lost across country, 15,000 in Washington state

Calls on colleagues to come together around long-term proposal to cut spending responsibly, invest in the future

Watch Senator Murray on Senate floor here

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor to contrast the Republican and Democratic spending proposals currently being debated on the Senate floor. Murray told the stories of Washington state workers and students to highlight the impact that the Republicans’ extreme proposal would have on families across the country. And she urged her colleagues to come together around the Democrats’ plans to cut spending responsibly while not threatening our economic recovery and continuing to make the investments we need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our competitors.

Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s speech:

“…our nation’s budget is a statement of our values, our priorities, and our vision for what kind of country we will be handing off to our children and grandchildren.”

“I am extremely disappointed that Republicans who came into office talking about the economy, have proposed an extreme budget that would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, devastate workers and small businesses across the country, and threaten our fragile economic recovery.

“I am disappointed that at a time when middle class families still need some support to get back on their feet after the Wall Street Crisis, Republicans have proposed a highly politicized, slash-and-burn budget that would pull the rug out from under these families and their children.

“And I am disappointed that while the Senate Democratic proposal makes responsible and practical budget cuts that will allow us to continue out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our competitors—Republicans are proposing a budget that would hack away at investments across the board and threaten our nation’s ability to compete now and in the future.”

“…not only will the Republican proposal devastate middle class families across the country—it would also halt the beginnings of an economic recovery that our families and small business owners desperately need to take root. Last month, our economy added over 200,000 private sector jobs and the unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in two years. We have a long way to go, but I am confident we have turned the corner and are moving in the right direction. But economists on both the left and the right have come out and said that if the Republican proposal were to pass, the economic recovery and millions of jobs across the country would be threatened.”

“I urge my Republicans colleagues to come to the table and work with us to pass a responsible, long-term budget that reflects our priorities, gets workers back on the job, and invests in America’s future. “

The full text of Senator Murray’s speech follows:

“M. President, our nation’s budget is a statement of our values, our priorities, and our vision for what kind of country we will be handing off to our children and grandchildren.

“Working together to pass a responsible and forward-looking budget that works for the American people is one of the most important jobs we have here in the United States Senate.

“The outcome of this process will affect millions of families across the country, and the decisions we make this week will go a long way toward determining if our economy will continue moving in the right direction.

“So I would like to speak about two very different budgets being debated today, with two very different statements about what we should be focused on as a country, and two very different visions for how we need to be positioned to compete successfully and win the future.

“M. President, this shouldn’t be a partisan process. And I am still hopeful we can work together on budget plan that cuts spending responsibly and works for the American people.

“But I am extremely disappointed that Republicans who came into office talking about the economy, have proposed an extreme budget that would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, devastate workers and small businesses across the country, and threaten our fragile economic recovery.

“I am disappointed that at a time when middle class families still need some support to get back on their feet after the Wall Street Crisis, Republicans have proposed a highly politicized, slash-and-burn budget that would pull the rug out from under these families and their children.

“And I am disappointed that while the Senate Democratic proposal makes responsible and practical budget cuts that will allow us to continue out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our competitors—Republicans are proposing a budget that would hack away at investments across the board and threaten our nation’s ability to compete now and in the future.

“M. President, we are going to hear a lot of big numbers here today—I am going to mention some myself. But I think it’s important we keep in mind that this debate is about more than dollars and cents—it’s about real people, with real lives.

“I recently heard from the South Central Workforce Development Council in Washington state, who told me about a man they worked with named Damon.

“Damon had been laid off from his job testing machine equipment—work he had held for almost ten years. He and his wife had to move back in with his father, and no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn’t find work that matched his skills.

“So Damon decided to do something about it. He went to his local one-stop career center, sat down with counselors who talked him through what local employers were looking for—and decided he was going to learn computer networking.

“Damon studied hard and graduated from a local computer technology program—and despite the tough economy, he was able to work with the one-stop center to find a new job in his new industry.

“Damon was able to get back on his feet and support his family because of this program—and he’s not alone.

“Millions of Americans depend on workforce training programs to get the skills they need to get back to work and help our economy grow —including nearly 400,000 in my home state of Washington.

“But House Republicans have proposed eliminating these critical programs and cutting off services for the workers who depend on them. And at a time when so many workers are fighting to get back on the job, this would be simply devastating.

“M. President, I also recently met with a woman named Tiffany, from Chehalis, Washington.

“Tiffany told me that her stepson, Rodney, had some difficult family circumstances and had fallen behind his peers—but that she and her husband couldn’t afford the private education they thought he would need to catch up.

“Then she heard about Head Start from a friend, and enrolled Rodney in her local program.

“Tiffany told me she saw the difference within months. And just a short time later, Rodney was ready for Kindergarten, and is now the top reader in his first grade class!

“Tiffany and her family got the support they needed—and they too are far from alone.

“Nearly one million families and their children depend on Head Start—but the Republican proposal would eliminate services for about 218,000 children—including more than 3,000 in my home state of Washington, close 16,000 classrooms across the country, and cause up to 55,000 teachers and staff to lose their jobs.

“Again, this extreme, slash-and-burn approach is simply wrong—it would hurt the most vulnerable children and families in our country, and leave us at a competitive disadvantage in the future.

“M. President, the Republican proposal also slashes Community Development Block Grants by 62%, which would eliminate services and decimate housing and economic development programs in communities across the country.

“It guts the community health centers that so many Americans depend on for their care, eliminating funding outright for 127 clinics in 38 states, reducing services at over 1,000 centers nationwide, cutting off health care for almost 3 million Americans, and causing up to 5,000 workers across the country to lose their jobs.

“But M. President, not only will the Republican proposal devastate middle class families across the country—it would also halt the beginnings of an economic recovery that our families and small business owners desperately need to take root.

“Last month, our economy added over 200,000 private sector jobs and the unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in two years. We have a long way to go, but I am confident we have turned the corner and are moving in the right direction. But economists on both the left and the right have come out and said that if the Republican proposal were to pass, the economic recovery and millions of jobs across the country would be threatened.

“In fact, one independent analyst said the Republicans’ plan could destroy up to 700,000 American jobs across the country. Including an estimated 15,000 in my home state of Washington.

“This would be absolutely devastating—and we simply can’t afford to let that to happen.

“That’s why, M. President, the Senate Democratic proposal would take our country in a very different direction.

“It would also cut spending—billions of dollars, in fact—but it would do so in a responsible and practical way that protects the middle class families who need it most.

“And M. President—our proposal also continues to make the investments we need as a country to compete and win in the 21st century economy.

“Take the highly successful TIGER program I helped create, for example. Communities across the country have been competing hard for resources from this program so they can invest in transportation projects that make a significant contribution to the nation, their region, or their metropolitan area.

“The TIGER program is putting workers on the job, and it is helping lay down a strong foundation for economic growth across the country.

“But M. President— the Republican proposal would not only eliminate this program completely and slam the door on communities that want to invest in their infrastructure, it would also take back every penny of funding already promised in last year’s budget—which would halt 75 projects in 40 states that are ready to go, and put over 33,000 jobs at risk.

“This doesn’t make any sense—and the Democratic proposal would protect this critical investment.

“M. President, the Republican proposal would also jeopardize public health and the environment by gutting the laws that keep our air and water clean.

“It cuts nearly $2 billion in funding for clean water infrastructure which local communities need to keep our families safe from dangerous pollution. And it slashes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which uses revenue from offshore oil leases to protect some of the most treasured places in our country.

“But M. President, that’s not all—the extreme Republican proposal would also slash investments in our students and children—including a $700 million cut to Title I funding, which would affect 2,400 schools serving 1 million students, and a 15% cut to Pell Grants, which would make it harder for low-income students to go to college.

“Their proposal would even slash some of the bipartisan programs we’ve created to keep our families safe, including massive, 66% cuts to both the transit security grant program that helps communities keep their trains and subways safe, as well as the port security grant program that helps protect critical economic and national security assets across the country.

“And this just doesn’t make sense.

“If a terrorist attack were to occur at one of our ports or transit systems, it would be absolutely devastating for our families and our economy—which is why the Democratic proposal protects these critical national security investments.

“M. President—these are just a few examples of the radical and irresponsible cuts proposed in the Republican budget—there are many more.

“We absolutely need to cut spending and bring down the deficit. Democrats and Republicans agree about that.

“But we need to do that responsibly. And we can’t allow it to happen on the backs of middle class families across the country.

“M. President, I believe the Republican proposal fails to meet those standards.

“It would hurt middle class families, it would threaten our economic recovery, and it would devastate our ability to compete now and in the future.

“So I urge my colleagues to support the Democratic proposal.

“And if we can’t pass something today, I urge my Republicans colleagues to come to the table and work with us to pass a responsible, long-term budget that reflects our priorities, gets workers back on the job, and invests in America’s future.

“Thank you. I yield the floor.”

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Cantwell Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Nominate Gary Locke as Ambassador to China

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement in response to news reports that President Obama is planning to nominate Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke as the Ambassador to China:

“Gary Locke is uniquely qualified to be Ambassador to China. As a former governor from a state with strong economic ties to China, Locke has had a long understanding of issues in Asia. As Commerce Secretary, Locke has been in many of the Obama Administration’s discussions with China on energy, trade, and technology piracy issues.

“This is good news for Washington state, because it will further enhance the relations between our state and China. And this is good news for the United States because Locke credentials give him the opportunity for even more frank dialogue between America and China.”

Larsen Statement on EADS not Protesting the Tanker Decision
Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), released the following statement after EADS announced that they will not protest the Air Force’s decision to award Boeing with the tanker contract.

“Last week, the Air Force pronounced Boeing the ‘clear winner’ in the tanker competition. Today’s news that EADS will not protest this decision confirms that the Airforce made the right decision and Boeing will build the best tanker for our military at the best value for taxpayers.

“This announcement paves the way for Boeing to start putting thousands of people to work building the highest quality tanker for our service members and our national security.

“This contract will have an immediate impact on the NW economy, protecting and supporting 11,000 manufacturing jobs in WA specifically for the tanker – 9,800 jobs in the Second District alone. This doesn’t count the thousands of jobs created by the multiplying effects of the Tanker among the other small businesses and manufacturers around the region.”

Cantwell on EADS Announcement:
‘A Proud Day for Washingtonians’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement today after the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) announced it would not protest the U.S. Air Force’s decision to award the KC-X tanker contract to Boeing.

“Today is a proud day for all Washingtonians. Today’s announcement makes official what Washingtonians know in our bones: We build the best airplanes in the world. Even with the deck stacked against them, Washington aerospace workers prevailed over long odds, stiff competition and illegal foreign subsidies. Boeing, its workers and my colleagues in Congress never gave up in fighting for these 11,000 jobs.”

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Senator Murray’s Statement on Airbus Decision Not to Protest Tanker Contract Award

“There is no doubt about it, the tanker will be built in Washington state by Washington workers.

“While this is a tremendous win for jobs and the economy of our state, it’s also a huge step forward toward meeting the needs of our men and women in uniform.

“I made sure that the Pentagon put the needs of those who will fly and maintain these tankers first. I told them our Air Force needed a straightforward process that would lead to a clear winner, not the subjective decision making that has continually delayed getting these planes into the hands of our men and women in uniform.

“Thankfully, this competition produced a clear winner ready to deliver for our military and, as we see today, it greatly reduced the possibility of a protest that would have left those charged with defending our country empty-handed once again.

“I know that Boeing is ready to start building these tankers immediately. Just last week I spoke to many of the workers on the floor of the 767 plant in Everett who are hungry to deliver for our military, and I saw the major investments Boeing has made to their plant to prepare for this undertaking.

“It’s time to get these tankers into the hands of our men and women in uniform, and there is no one I would rather have driving that effort than the workers of our state.”

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Cantwell Applauds Plan to End Mexican Tariffs on Washington Products

Tariffs Had Hurt Washington State Agriculture Jobs, with Exports Dropping $82 Million over 2 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the announcement Thursday that President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have agreed on a plan to end Mexico’s 2009 retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.

The Mexican tariffs on potatoes, pears, apples, and other food goods took a toll on Washington state’s agriculture industry. Since the tariffs have been in place, state exports have dropped by at least $82 million, according to the Washington Department of Commerce. Washington farmers have seen a $39 million decline in potato exports, a $39 million drop in pear exports and $2 million declines in both cherry and apricot exports.

“Today’s agreement takes a major step toward removing a crushing burden on Washington state farmers,” said Senator Cantwell. “Resolving this dispute will boost Washington exports and agricultural jobs. With the removal of these barriers, Washington farmers would be better able to compete fairly in the Mexican market.”

The fiscal year 2009 Omnibus appropriations bill prohibited the Department of Transportation from expending funds on a program to allow Mexican trucks into the United States, in contravention of the requirement to allow Mexican trucks into the U.S. negotiated as part of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). When the pilot program allowing Mexican trucks in the United States ended, Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs on 89 U.S products, including pears and potatoes, and those tariffs have since been rotated to include apples, certain cheese products, and a variety of other agricultural items.

Cantwell has long fought to resolve the Mexican trucks dispute and to improve Washington farmers’ access to the Mexican market. In January 2011, Cantwell applauded the Department of Transportation’s release of a draft proposal for a new cross-border truck demonstration. In March 2010, Cantwell questioned U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on the administration’s plan for assistance on the issue [Questioning starts at 4:19]. She also led a letter to President Obama in September 2009, explaining the disproportionate impact the tariffs are having on Northwest farmers and businesses. In April 2009, Cantwell sent a letter to President Obama requesting he discuss the issue with the President of Mexico.

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Cantwell Introduces Resolution Recognizing Importance of Cooperatives in WA Economy

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing a resolution recognizing the importance of cooperatives in economies around the world. In Washington state, 582 cooperative businesses employ thousands of people across many different industries, including agriculture, rural development, education, and environmental advocacy. In 2007, the gross cooperative business volume for agriculture products in Washington was $2.5 billion.

“Washington state’s cooperatives employ thousands of people and make substantial contributions to our economy and local communities,” said Senator Cantwell. “Washington state is a pioneer for the cooperative model, with more than 100 years of tradition. Today, Washington serves as the headquarters for successful cooperatives such as Group Health and Costco. Continuing to support cooperatives is vital to our state’s economic growth.”

The resolution introduced today designates 2012 as the “International Year of Cooperatives” and establishes a year-long theme of “Cooperative Enterprise Builds a Better World.” More than 29,000 cooperatives employ two million Americans in the United States. Across the nation, cooperatives have a combined sales value of $652 billion and assets of $3 trillion.

Also signing onto the resolution, led by Senators Tim Johnson (D-ND) and Thad Cochran (R-MS), were Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Al Franken (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Jon Tester (D-MT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Max Baucus (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

The full text of the resolution follows:

Title: Designating the year of 2012 as the “International Year of Cooperatives”

Whereas in the United States, there are more than 29,000 cooperatives with 120,000,000 members;
Whereas cooperatives in the United States generate 2,000,000 jobs and make a substantial contribution to the economy of the United States with annual sales of $652,000,000,000 and assets of $3,000,000,000,000;
Whereas the cooperative business model has empowered people around the world to improve their lives through economic and social progress;
Whereas cooperatives are a major economic force in developed countries and a powerful business model in developing countries, employing approximately 100,000,000 people;
Whereas there are millions of cooperatives, which are owned and governed by more than 1,000,000,000 members, operating in every nation of the world;
Whereas the economic activity of the largest 300 cooperatives in the world is equal to that of the 10th largest national economy;
Whereas United Nations Resolution 64/136, adopted by the General Assembly on December 18, 2009, designates the year 2012 as the “International Year of Cooperatives”;
Whereas the theme of the International Year of Cooperatives is “Cooperative Enterprise Builds a Better World”; and
Whereas cooperatives are the businesses of the people, and for more than a century, have been a vital part of the world economy: Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate—
(1) designates the year 2012 as the “International Year of Cooperatives”;
(2) congratulates cooperatives and members of cooperatives in the United States and around the world on the recognition of the United Nations of 2012 as the “International Year of Cooperatives”;
(3) recognizes the vital role cooperatives play in the economic and social well-being of the United States;
(4) urges the establishment of a National Committee for the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives to be comprised of representatives from each Federal agency, all cooperative sectors, and key stakeholders;
(5) recognizes the importance of raising the profile of cooperatives and demonstrating the manner by which cooperatives build local wealth, generate employment, and provide competition in the marketplace; and
(6) encourages highlighting the positive impact of cooperatives and developing new programs for domestic and international cooperative development.

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Larsen Votes to Repeal Burdensome Reporting Requirements in Health Care Law to Help Small Businesses
Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to help small businesses by repealing new 1099 requirements established by the Affordable Care Act.

“I have heard from many small business owners in my district that the 1099 reporting requirement in the new health care law will force them to spend their much-needed time and energy on burdensome paperwork,” said Rep. Larsen. “In this tough economy, the last thing business owners need is more paperwork when they need to be focused on how to grow their business. I voted to repeal this requirement and cut red tape so small business owners can put their energy toward expanding their business and creating jobs in the community.”

“The 1099 reporting requirement will consume far too much of the time I spend running my business. While I do not agree with the way the House of Representatives is paying for this bill, it is important that this legislation moves forward and is paid for so small business owners like myself can focus our energy on growing our business instead of filling out paperwork for the IRS,” said Chuck Robinson, owner of Village Books in Bellingham. “I support Representative Larsen’s vote on this bill and appreciate the work he is doing to protect local small businesses.”

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Cantwell on House GOP Budget: ‘Instead of creating jobs, they have launched a war on women’
In floor speech, Cantwell opposes proposed cuts to women’s health programs, workforce investment
****VIDEO AVAILABLE****

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) delivered remarks today on the Senate floor in opposition to the proposed House Republican budget cuts to women’s health and workforce investment programs. The proposed budget cuts in H.R.1 would disproportionately affect low-income women, working families, and the elderly.

The proposed budget, which passed the House on February 19, 2011, would eliminate funding for the Title 10 program, which has been providing vital health services to low-income women through Medicaid for 40 years. The budget also eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood centers, which provide access to critical preventative health services to more than three million women nationwide and 130,000 Washington state women each year. The budget would also cut $4 billion from Workforce Investment Act job training programs, which have helped 4.3 million people nationwide find jobs. In Washington state, WIA-funded programs have helped 78 percent of jobseekers find jobs.

Below are a few excerpts from Cantwell’s floor remarks:

“I think the American people have sent a clear message. They want us to focus on creating jobs, promoting innovation, and putting people back to work. And that’s what we’re trying to do here in the United States Senate. But in the House, the Republicans seem like they are saying, let’s cut programs and vital services to working women and families and somehow that will generate economic growth.”

…

“Instead of creating jobs, all they have done is launch a war on women.”

…

“Cutting programs that support working mothers, like job training, like child care, like education, like health care, will impact those families’ ability to be productive members of our economy.”

…

“Workforce development is economic development, and when people are trained and skilled, the employers get what they need, the community prospers, and everybody truly wins and what the president has called for, winning the future.”

…

“We should not cut what are the healthy elements of our economy but make sure that we are helping women and families do what will help them survive and help them help us with an economic recovery.”

Click here to watch a video of Cantwell delivering her remarks today on the Senate floor.

Cantwell’s remarks as delivered are below:

Ms. Cantwell: And I come to the floor to join my other colleagues today because I think the American people have sent a clear message. They want us to focus on creating jobs, promoting innovation and putting people back to work. And that’s what we’re trying to do here in the United States Senate. But in the House, the Republicans seem like they are saying, let’s cut programs and vital services to working women and families and somehow that will generate economic growth. Well, Mr. President, instead of creating jobs, all they have done is launched a war on women.

And H.R. 1 that they are proposing would eliminate funding for Title 10, which would provide health services, including family planning and breast and cervical cancer screening and preventive health, and certainly would impact low-income women, and it doesn’t create jobs. There’s nothing in what I just said in the cutting of that that would create jobs. How are jobs created out of cutting those services? It’s actually an attack on the access to health care. And when you don’t have healthy people, I guarantee you, Mr. President, you end up with bad economic consequences.

The bill also cuts funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs and federal funding for Planned Parenthood centers that service more than three million women each year, jeopardizing, again, access to critical health preventive services. Just in the state of Washington we have 39 centers that serve over 130,000 patients annually and administer over 170,000 tests for sexually transmitted infections.

And one of my constituents, who was diagnosed at 22 years old with abnormal growth on her cervix wall, came to a planned parenthood clinic. Why? Because she didn’t have health insurance. In fact, quoting her, she said, “I have not had a scheduled exam — I would not have had a scheduled exam on my own. Without Planned Parenthood, I may have died or lost my ability to have children in the future. And aside from these personal effects, as an uninsured student, I would have been a huge financial burden on my family and on my community.”

There it is, Mr. President. Planned Parenthood has been effective in preventing over 40,000 pregnancies and diverting $160 million dollars back to the state, which we need in these tough economic times. So instead of supporting women and families so they can be productive parts of our economy, Republicans are continuing to turn the clock back on what are hard-fought accesses to healthy service by attacking women’s right to choose. Their proposal would deny women using flexible spending accounts or from using pretax dollars for insurance to cover their wide-range of reproductive choices.

It denies small businesses their tax credits if they choose employee health care coverage if it includes reproductive health care and would disallow tax deductions for health insurance for the self-employed if insurance included reproductive health care choice. So the Republicans’ answer to the economy is an attack on reproductive health care? It seems to me that these proposals are really just about attacking the most vulnerable in our society, including the elderly, where you would have an impact on services for elderly, including meals and housing and employment services, and these are women that compromise two-thirds of our elderly.

And they would be harmed most by these cuts. For example, Mr. President, in 2009, 25 percent of all families with children were female head of households and 78 percent of mothers with children between the ages of 6 and 7 were in the labor force. So that’s a big percentage. Therefore, cutting programs that support working mothers, like job training, like child care, like education, like health care, will impact those families’ ability to be productive members of our economy.

I personally don’t understand why in the world at this point in time with this high of an unemployment rate we would ever cut the job training programs. I can tell you, I traveled the state of Washington, and I constantly hear, even in these high economic times, employers who can’t find the workforce that they need to do the jobs. And when you think about that, when a company can’t find the workforce that it needs because there’s a skills gap, that’s holding that company back from producing higher revenues, from meeting their goals, and from adding stimulus to the economy.

All because they can’t find the workforce. And yet we here in the Senate are trying to promote workforce training and to have programs that have been tested successes, like the Workforce Investment Act, that are investing for every dollar invested by the Workforce Investment Act, it’s $10 dollars in stimulating more in our economy. So it’s a one-to-ten ratio. Why would we cut such programs? And in Washington state, over 78 percent of those job seekers who have found jobs have been — I should say, of the workforce center, 78 percent of the workforce centers end up finding jobs. So it’s a very high percentage of helping people and placing them. I just look at this example of this big decision we just had with Boeing on winning the refueling tanker decision. Here we are with 11,000 jobs in Washington state and a supply chain that is going to also have more jobs created.

And yet, if we don’t make investment in workforce investment, that supply chain won’t be able to find the people to fill those jobs, to help fulfill this contract. Now, here we are, something that is as big as a $35 billion dollar contract that we’re involved in, because it is the Department of Defense, and yet on the same side, the Republicans over in the House are saying, let’s cut the Workforce Investment Act, even though we know we have a plane to deliver, even though we know it has a military purpose that we support, and yet we’re going to say, let’s cut programs because somehow that is going to make our economy healthier.

Well, I can give you an example. General Plastics would not have been able to keep its current staff level or grow its business in the past year without the help of workforce investment dollars. They were in partnership with Tacoma Community College and trained the workforce in the improvement and techniques that allowed the company to streamline its production and grow its business effectively. And during this last year they grew 10 to 15 percent and became more competitive.

They also added about 22 new employees because of additional new businesses. And these are programs that would be cut by the proposal in H.R. 1 that the House Republicans are trying to push. I don’t think it would improve our economy. I think it would stall what is a very, very fragile recovery. Workforce development is economic development, and when people are trained and skilled, the employers get what they need, the community prospers, and everybody truly wins and what the president has called for, winning the future.

So I think we need to make sure that we here in the Senate stand up and say ‘no’ to these cuts, like the Workforce Investment Act, like in family health, like the cuts in the Pell Grant program which would be cut by more than $800 dollars per student or the Head Start or Early Head Start that, again, would impact thousands of children in Washington state. In addition, we should not cut what are the healthy elements of our economy but make sure that we are helping women and families do what will help them survive and help them help us with an economic recovery.

Mr. President, I know some people think this is the way to get our economy going again, but I can tell you, our economy certainly in 2008 hit the iceberg. But what H.R. 1 does, instead of saying women and children first, they are basically cutting them off of the lifeline that they need and cutting off what are essential programs to help us grow jobs and have a healthy economy.

I thank the president, and I yield the floor.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Murray Press Office
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 (202) 224-2834

VETERANS: Chairman Murray Confronts VA Secretary on Rules that Deny Benefits to those who are Caring for Injured Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

Chairman Murray airs serious concerns over VA’s decision to ignore the will of Congress and restrict eligibility for support to those who have left jobs and lost their health care in order to provide care for their loved ones

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Patty Murray, pointedly questioned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki over the VA’s decision to limit a benefit for the caregivers of severely injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The VA’s decision, which cuts back stipends for those who have left careers behind to care for their injured loved ones, ignores the will of Congress in passing the caregivers law last year. The questioning took place in a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing on the VA budget.

“I have already discussed the caregivers issue with you, with Jack Lew, with senior staff at the White House, and I have spoken directly with the President,” Senator Murray said at today’s hearing. “VA’s plan was overdue and once submitted it hardly resembled the bill that unanimously cleared this Congress.

“Rather than following the law, the Administration set forth some overly stringent rules — bureaucratic hurdles that would deny help to caregivers. We are hearing from veterans and caregivers from all across the country who fall outside of this new line in the sand that the VA has drawn or who have been left in limbo – and now don’t know if the benefit they have been advocating for will support them.”

After questioning Shinseki about why the VA is not complying with the law, Murray also pointed out that the VA has only set aside a fraction of the funding authorized for the caregiver program. Secretary Shinseki acknowledged that all of the funding is not being used because of the narrowing eligibility requirements. Secretary Shinseki also acknowledged that the benefit has taken too long to implement.

TO WATCH SENATOR MURRAY QUESTION SECRETARY SHINSEKI VISIT: http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=5ee43015-815c-4f30-a682-7fa0115ebb63

The caregivers question appears at the 77 minute mark.

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Murray’s Statement Following Vote Against Short-Term Funding Extension

“Operating two weeks at a time – under constant threat of a shutdown – is no way to govern. We need to sit down and negotiate a real budget solution, not kick the can down the road by cutting programs that didn’t contribute to our long-term debt, won’t help us get out of it, and may require us to spend even more in the future.

“Sadly, this proposal will have almost no effect on the overall deficit. It doesn’t deal with the largest pieces of our budget, as it doesn’t touch defense spending or entitlement reform. It also doesn’t deal with revenue losses like those caused by the irresponsible tax breaks for the wealthy that were extended last December.

“We rejected the House Republicans’ long-term budget proposal because it would devastate millions of families and small business owners across the country. And I voted against this proposal today because it was simply a gimmick – a two-week version of that longer proposal that focuses cuts on a small portion of the overall budget that disproportionately affect Washington workers and families.

“I know that we will have to make painful cuts in some areas. I have accepted that many of the locally targeted investments that have brought federal funds back to projects in Washington state won’t be available in the coming years. I have also worked with other Democrats to support deep but responsible cuts to the President’s 2011 budget.

“We need to come together and find common ground. But we simply cannot slash investments in education and in our workers that will create jobs, ensure that our workers have the skills to fill those jobs, and grow our economy.”

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Larsen Applauds SSA Marine for Moving Forward with Project to Create Jobs, Help Local Economy

Rep. Rick Larsen released the following statement after SSA Marine announced it is submitting key documents to move forward with the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal project.

“Exports are a surefire way to get our economy moving and grow good jobs in the community.

“I am pleased to see a Washington-based company making a major private investment in our nation’s export infrastructure. The Gateway Pacific Terminal will make US companies more competitive in the global market and create hundreds of local family wage jobs.

“A project of this magnitude is required to go through a thorough permitting process. I am optimistic that this project will be a model for how job creation and the environment can exist in harmony and how groups can work together to facilitate responsible industrial development.”

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