Report from the Lame Duck Session

Press Release

This week, members of Congress returned to Washington for organizational meetings and to continue work on legislation to revive our economy, create and save jobs, and help Americans struggling to make ends meet. I was very pleased that the Senate passed H.R. 6867, which will extend unemployment insurance benefits for seven weeks, and for 13 weeks in states where the jobless rate is above 6 percent. I strongly supported this legislation when it passed the House in September and fought along with Congressman Charlie Rangel (NY-15) to include it in the first economic stimulus package back in the spring. The President signed the bill this morning, and it will go into effect immediately.
Additionally, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced yesterday that they are temporarily suspending foreclosures and evictions during the holiday season in an effort to keep people from losing their homes. The companies said they are taking the step so they can include more people in a newly announced program to change the terms of troubled mortgages to make them more affordable. President-elect Obama and Congressional Democrats have called for a freeze in foreclosures to help families struggling in the current economic downturn, so this is a welcome development from the mortgage giants.

I'm sure that many of you heard about the Congressional hearings on a possible bailout plan for our ailing auto industry this week. America's auto industry is a vital part of our economy, and as many as one in 10 American workers depend on it for their jobs. We all understand the consequences its collapse could bring, which is why we are working hard to provide emergency assistance that protects taxpayers and ensures the industry will survive long-term. We are building consensus among leaders from both parties, the automakers, and their workforce. However, we need to be confident that the automakers can survive this crisis. We cannot commit billions of taxpayer dollars without first knowing that they are viable for the long-term. That is why we are insisting that the automakers show the American people exactly how they remain competitive and viable in the 21st century, producing fuel-efficient cars with the latest technology. Congress has asked the car companies for a detailed plan by December 2nd, and both the House and the Senate are prepared to return to consider legislation by December 8th.

Just as Barack Obama has brought change to the White House, the Democrats are bringing change to the way Capitol Hill operates. In a stunning rejection of the traditional seniority system, a transformational shift took place when we voted to replace Congressman John Dingell (MI-15) as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce with Congressman Henry Waxman (CA-30). I have the highest regard for Congressman Dingell, and he is appropriately referred to as a living legend on Capitol Hill, but I do believe that Congressman Waxman will be able to move more quickly on President-elect Obama's priorities. Congressman Waxman showed his leadership skills as the Chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee where he aggressively investigated the actions of our current administration. Additionally, he has built an exemplary pro-consumer, pro-environment record, and I look forward to an aggressive, progressive agenda from the hugely influential Energy and Commerce Committee under his leadership.

In Congress, power is accumulated traditionally on the basis of a legislator's longevity, but the peaceful transfer of leadership in both chambers over the past week (Sen. Byrd gave up his chairmanship to Sen. Inouye on the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well) signifies Democrats' plans to govern more efficiently and pragmatically under the Obama Administration. Sen. Byrd and Congressman Dingell deserve the highest admiration, and in stepping down from their leadership positions gracefully, they have shown the highest dignity.

I learned last week that I was selected to receive the D. Emelio Castelar Work Recognition Award in Madrid, Spain in honor of my work on the passage of H. Res 194, a formal apology for the enslavement and segregation of African-Americans by the House of Representatives, the first of its kind from the U.S. government. The award is given by a Spanish non-governmental organization called The Vida Foundation, which promotes environmental protection and human rights around the globe. I will be travelling to Madrid at the beginning of next month to accept the award and speak at their annual symposium on the abolition of slavery and the slave trade.

Finally, I was very proud to learn that I was included in The Forward newspaper's annual list of the 50 most influential Jewish-Americans this week. The Forward is one of the most respected Jewish newspapers in America, and I was honored to be selected by their staff and readers to be among the "Forward 50," alongside other notable people such as: President-Elect Obama's new Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, the Obama campaign's national campaign finance officer, Penny Pritzker, comedians Jon Stewart and Sarah Silverman, actor Adam Sandler and fellow elected officials such as Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (MA-04) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

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