Republican Party

Ads Target 10 Members of Congress

April 30, 2009 -- A front group with ties to the energy industry is running misleading radio advertisements in 10 congressional districts to try to undermine support for comprehensive energy and climate legislation that would lower energy costs and create jobs, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

The American Energy Alliance (AEA), which was founded in 1993, is headed by Thomas J. Pyle, who served as a staff member for former House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas). The group's Web site says it is an "independent affiliate" of the Institute for Energy Research, which is headed by Robert L. Bradley, former director of public policy analysis at Enron and a speechwriter for CEO Kenneth Lay.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- "It's clear to us that the right-wing conservatives in control of the leadership of the Republican party in Pennsylvania left Senator Specter long ago and we are pleased that he has decided to do the same.

"Just as he did with his leadership on the economic stimulus bill, Senator Specter has once again demonstrated the political courage it takes to put the interests of the working families of Pennsylvania ahead of partisanship. We have always had tremendous common ground with Senator Specter on issues important to working families including the need for reform to our nation's labor laws.

"We look forward to continuing our long history of working with Senator Specter to create positive change for the working families of Pennsylvania."

Source: SEIU

April 28, 2009 -- "I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.—Today's House Energy & Commerce hearings on the Waxman-Markey Clean Energy Jobs Plan, officially called the American Clean Energy & Security Act, heard testimony from administration officials, business and enviromental leaders, and other experts. As expected, dirty energy's defenders on the committee proved their willingness to say just about anything to try and derail this clean energy jobs plan, including long-discredited attacks on the science of global warming and the economic impacts of clean energy legislation.    » read more »

Bush Plan Neglected Impacts on Marine Mammals, Environment

April 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. A federal appeals court threw out plans to expand off shore drilling in Alaska today. The court sided with environmentalists, ruling that a Bush administration plan opening drilling in Alaska's Chukchi and Beaufort Seas failed to consider impacts on marine life and the environment. The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas are home to roughly one-tenth of the world's polar bears, as well as walruses, seals and whales.

Statement of Sierra Club Lands Director Athan Manuel:    » read more »

April 17, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today objected to a court ruling that undermines the federal leasing program for oil and gas reserves in the Beaufort, Bering and Chukchi seas.

The finding by a three-judge panel in Washington, D.C., in a lawsuit brought by environmentalists against the Interior Department during the Bush administration, comes just three days after Alaskans had an unprecedented opportunity to voice their opinions on off-shore drilling in a hearing before Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.    » read more »

April 15, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement tonight after Senate Republicans blocked the confirmation of three gubernatorial appointees in the past two days. Governor Culver had named Carrie LaSeur to serve on the Iowa Power Fund board, Shearon Elderkin to serve on the Environmental Protection Commission, and Eugene Gessow to serve as Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services. Senate Republicans took down the three appointees without providing specific information on why they would not support the nominees.

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR CULVER    » read more »

March 19, 2009 -- Superintendent Carol Comeau issued the following statement about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s intention to reject $160 million in stimulus funds for education. Included in the governor’s proposal is the refusal of $12.9 million for Title I programs and $12.9 million for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and special education programs for the Anchorage School District.

“We’re shocked and very disappointed that the governor said she would reject the education stimulus money for Title I and IDEA programs. We believe that we can make very good use of the funds, not only in job preservation but also in adding new positions to ultimately use these funds to increase student achievement for our neediest children.    » read more »

March 5, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today released the following statement on Wednesday's House vote against an amendment to expand S-CHIP funding in the FY09 supplemental budget bill:

"Yesterday, the Missouri House of Representatives turned down an opportunity to provide health care to 2,000 Missouri children, eliminate premiums for 19,000 others and take the first step to enroll 20,000 more children.

By refusing to make a minimal investment of $1.9 million in the health of our kids, House Republicans turned away $5.5 million in federal matching funds from the Children's Health Insurance Program and sent a disappointing signal that health care for Missouri children is not one of their priorities.    » read more »

February 18, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today encouraged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to support recently adopted regulations allowing concealed weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges. Secretary Salazar has directed a review of the regulations that were approved by the Bush administration.

In a letter to the Interior secretary, Governor Palin outlined the importance of the possession and use of firearms as a matter of safety.    » read more »

February 16, 2009 -- The following is a statement by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius regarding efforts today by Republican Leadership to derail the State Finance Council:

“This is a difficult time for Kansas families, seniors, workers and business owners who are dealing each day with the economic challenges presented by this historic recession.

“Last week, I called a meeting of the State Finance Council to consider the issuance of a certificate of indebtedness – a routine action dealing with state cash flow, that allows us to move money from one account to another so we can pay our bills on time. The use of these certificates has been approved every year for the last decade.    » read more »

February 3rd, 2009 -- President Obama called Republican Senator Judd Gregg a "master of reaching across the aisle" in announcing him as his choice to lead the Commerce Department today.

"Clearly, Judd and I don't agree on every issue -- most notably who should have won the election," President Obama said. "But we agree on the urgent need to get American businesses and families back on their feet. We see eye to eye on conducting the nation's business in a responsible, transparent, and accountable manner. And we know the only way to solve the great challenges of our time is to put aside stale ideology and petty partisanship, and embrace what works."    » read more »

January 29, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - SEIU Secretary-Treasure Anna Burger tonight issued this statement on U.S. House passage of the economic recovery plan:

"Last week, Americans across the country stood on the National Mall in the freezing cold to support a new president who would do whatever it takes to help the millions of people losing their jobs, including reaching out to House Republicans yesterday in an unprecedented way.

Unfortunately, House Republicans won't return the favor. Their only solution to our economic crisis is tax cuts, but tax cuts only work for people who are working. People who have lost their jobs and watched their futures go up in smoke don't want more hot air ... they want action and got it today from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.    » read more »

President Obama is on Capitol Hill today to hear out Republican ideas for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

January 27th, 2009 -- Upon finishing his meeting with House GOP leaders, he gave the brief remarks below:

Remarks By The President After Meeting With House Republican Caucus
Ohio Clock Corridor, U.S. Capitol
January 27, 2009, 1:41 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. We had a very constructive meeting with the House members, members of the Republican Caucus. I'm a little bit late for my Senate colleagues -- former Senate colleagues.    » read more »

Committee Will Vote Jan. 28 On Holder Nomination

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009) – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) expressed disappointment Wednesday when Committee Republicans requested a one week delay in the consideration of the nomination of Eric H. Holder Jr. to be the next Attorney General of the United States. Holder’s designation was announced on December 1, 2008, more than seven weeks ago. The Committee held two days of hearings on the historic nomination last week, and over the weekend, Holder responded to dozens of questions submitted for the record.    » read more »