NAACP Joins Fight to End SLAPP Suits

Statement

This week the NAACP expressed their support for legislation I authored to provide uniform protection against SLAPP lawsuits, which are used to silence and harass critics.

NAACP
The NAACP recently sent me a letter expressing its support for legislation I authored -- the Citizen Participation Act. The measure would provide uniform protection against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, also known as SLAPP suits, which are used to silence and harass critics.

The NAACP's support of the Citizen Participation Act will help move the measure forward in Congress. SLAPP suits have long been used to intimidate critics with meritless defamation lawsuits. The Citizen Participation Act is needed to stop those who swindle consumers, steal fiduciary funds, or endanger public health or the environment from using the courts to silence citizens who would speak out against them. My bill would help put an end to this deplorable practice.

Donut Hole
More than one million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries have received "donut hole" checks to close their prescription drug coverage gap. The fourth round of checks since health care reform took effect has gone out over the last few days. Under the Affordable Care Act -- for which I voted -- seniors whose prescription drug costs are so high that they fall in the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole" coverage gap in 2010 are receiving this one-time tax-free $250 rebate check, and the gap will be closed fully in 2010.

These checks are being mailed out every few weeks. An estimated one in 10 seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries hit the "donut hole" coverage gap created by President Bush's prescription drug reforms. Experts estimate that a total of 4 million seniors will receive a "donut hole" check over the next few months. For more information about the "donut hole" rebate checks, please visit www.HealthCare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE.

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