Headline News

Delahunt Press Conference Today To Announce Resolution Condemning Chinese Repression Of Uighurs (07-09-09)

Today U.S. Reps Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), held a press conference on Capitol Hill to announce the introduction of a resolution to condemn China’s repression of Uighur protests. To read Delahunt's opening satement, please click here. To read a copy of the resolution, please click here.

Delahunt Urges Obama Administration To Join The International Renewable Energy Agency (06-23-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt joined with Ed Markey, the Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, to urge the Obama Administration to join the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and to sign the agreement establishing the organization at the next Preparatory Commission meeting on June 29 and 30. To read more, please click here.

Key House Panel Passes Base Redevelopment Bill (06-22-09)

U.S Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today that the House Armed Services Committee approved legislation that allows the federal government to convey title to surplus military base property at no cost if the redevelopment promotes economic development. For more details, please click here.

Delahunt Re-Introduces Travel Promotion Act (06-18-09)

Today, Congressman Bill Delahunt joined with Congressman Roy Blunt (Mo.) to introduce the “Travel Promotion Act of 2009,” legislation aimed at enhancing America’s international status as a first-rate tourist destination, and reversing what has become a long-term decline in overseas travel to the United States. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Praises President Obama's Financial Re-Regulation (06-17-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt applauded President Barack Obama’s plan to rebuild the regulatory framework and supervision of the country’s financial system. To read more, please click here.

House Approves Supplemental Funds (06-17-09)

By a vote of 226 to 202 the House last night approved a $106 billion supplemental appropriations bill that provided funding for military operations and assistance in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, plus aid to the Middle East, United Nations peacekeeping, and for the IMF to boost the global economy.

Delahunt said "Given my opposition to the war in Iraq, this was a very tough decision. However, I strongly support President Obama's plans to draw down troops in Iraq and this bill provides resources to carry out this plan. The bill should have included provisions calling for a timetable for military operations in Afghanistan and funds to close the detention center in Guantanamo. I am very pleased the bill adds significant humanitarian aid, giving a boost to diplomatic efforts to the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The supplemental goes a long way towards paying our arrears to the UN for its peacekeeping efforts. Such operations have been proven to be a more cost-effective method – in both blood and treasure – than using American troops to address hotspots around the world.”

Delahunt Hearing Tomorrow On TV Marti (06-16-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today that his House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee will hold a hearing on TV Marti, the US government’s television station that broadcasts to Cuba. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Announces Funds For Clean Water Projects On South Shore, Cape & Islands (06-15-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt joined with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, Lt. Governor Tim Murray and other local officials at a press conference at the Deer Island Treatment Plant to announce that Massachusetts will receive over $185 million in stimulus funding for clean water projects. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Hearing On Chinese Claims That Uighur Detainees Are Terrorists (06-10-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today that his House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee will hold a hearing next Tuesday to review the circumstances surrounding the apprehension of the Uighur detainees imprisoned at Guantanamo. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt And Rohrabacher Oppose Return Of Uighurs To China (06-11-09)

Today, U.S. Reps. Bill Delahunt and Dana Rohrabacher urged Attorney General Eric Holder to oppose a reported demand by the Chinese Government for the United States to return the Uighurs currently held at Guantanamo to China. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Holds Hearing On Human Rights Abuses Of Chinese Uighurs (06-10-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt’s House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee is holding the first in a series of hearings on the Uighurs, a Turkic Muslim minority that is still oppressed and persecuted in China. To watch a brief video of the hearing, please click here. To read Delahunt's opening statement, please click here. To read the hearing advisory please click here.

Delahunt Attends Inauguration Of New President In El Salvador (06-01-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, praised today’s inauguration of Mauricio Funes in El Salvador as the country’s first president from the FMLN, a party of leftist former guerrillas who laid down their arms in 1992 after a bitter, 12-year civil war. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Subcommitee Meets Thursday At Mass Maritime (05-19-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today announced that the House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee will meet Thursday May 28, 2009 at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA to hear testimony on efforts to fight the spread of maritime piracy. To read more, please click here.

President Signs Delahunt Bill To Examine Cause Of Financial Crisis (05-19-09)

In an Oval Office ceremony, President Obama today signed into law legislation sponsored by Congressman Bill Delahunt that will create a Financial Markets Commission to fully investigate the near-collapse of the banking system and the loss of tens of trillions of dollars. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Seeks Funds For Transportation Projects (05-15-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt submitted a list of projects to the House Transportation Committee to be included in the upcoming Transportation Bill referred to as the Reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Transportation Equity Act-Legacy for Users or SAFTEALU. These projects are key transportation initiatives aimed at providing significant employment, economic development and environmental benefits to the region. To read a full description of the projects, please click here. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Briefing On International Efforts To Combat Piracy (05-13-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today announced that the House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee will meet tomorrow to be updated on new international plans to fight the spread of maritime piracy. To read more, please click here.

House Passes Bill Giving Benefits To Merchant Mariners (05-13-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt announced that the House of Representatives passed legislation last night establishing a Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund and allows qualifying Merchant Mariners to receive monthly payments of $1,000 out of that fund. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Supports Bill For Exit Strategy In Afghanistan (05-13-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today he is co-sponsoring legislation authored by Rep. Jim McGovern requiring the Defense Dept to report to Congress an exit strategy for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. "We cannot get caught in another war without a clear end in sight" Delahunt said. "I am a strong proponent of the Powell Doctrine that suggests we should never fight a war without an exit strategy in hand.”

Delahunt, Patrick, Chu Announce Funds For Test Center (05-12-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt joined with Governor Patrick and Energy Secretary Steven Chu to announce a $25 million grant to fund a new Wind Blade Testing Facility which will boost the clean energy industry in Massachusetts. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Cosponsors Base Redevelopment Bill (05-11-09)

Today, U.S Rep. Bill Delahunt announced his co-sponsorship of legislation aimed at easing the redevelopment of closed military bases. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt, LaTourette Introduce Financial Markets Commission (05-05-09)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt(D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) introduced legislation to create a Financial Markets Commission that will fully investigate the near collapse of the banking system and the loss of tens of trillions of dollars. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Urges Funding For MA Wind Blade Test Center (05-05-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt is joining with Senator Kennedy and the Massachusetts delegation to urge Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to fund the federal Wind Blade Testing Facility, a project envisioned to boost the renewable energy industry in Massachusetts. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Urges Release of Interrogation Memos (05-05-09)

Delahunt joined key House leaders in requesting the release of documents that reportedly challenged the decision to use methods critics have likened to torture. Delahunt is urging officials at the State Department and the National Archives to produce a May 2005 memo that contested the legality of waterboarding and other measures. To read more click here. To read the letter, please click here.

Delahunt Sponsored Bill On Truth Commission Advances (04-29-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt joined with House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. in January in calling for a bipartisan commission to examine potential abuses of war powers by the Bush administration, including the torture of detainees and warrantless wiretaps. The bill now has over 40 cosponsors. To read H.R.104, please click here.. To Delahunt's statement, please click here. To read a recent news story, please click here.

Delahunt Announces Land Acquisition Grant In Orleans (04-28-09)

U.S Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today that the Town of Orleans has received a matching grant award $318,312 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for acquisition of a 5 acre land parcel for open space. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Hearing On International Efforts To Combat Piracy (04-24-09)

In the wake of the capture of the MV Maersk Alabama and the dramatic rescue of Captain Richard Phillips, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today announced that the House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday April 30 to examine international efforts to combat piracy. For more details, please click here.

Credit Card "Bill Of Rights" Gets Key Committee Vote (04-22-09)

Today the House Financial Services Committee considered and passed legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt that works to curb unfair and deceptive credit card lending practices. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Applauds Relaxation Of Cuba Restrictions (04-13-09)

U.S. Representative Bill Delahunt today applauded a decision by President Barack Obama to end restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Announces $674,793 To Expand Community Health Centers (04-09-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today announced the release of $674,793 to expand services offered at community health centers on the South Shore and Cape Cod. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt, Flake & Cuba Working Group Call For Lifting Travel Ban (03-31-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), the co-chairs of the bipartisan House Cuba Working Group, will be joined by Cuban-American leaders to urge passage of their legislation to end the ban on US travel to Cuba at a press conference on Thursday April 2, 11am in Room 2255 of the Rayburn Building. To read more, please click here.

Offshore Renewable Energy Zone Proposal Advances (03-25-09)

In the aftermath of Secretary of Interior Salazar’s call for designating areas off our coast for renewable energy projects, Congressman Delahunt announced that he and Rep. Capps filed a bill to do just that. Under their plan, states will designate areas for offshore projects. The plan will streamline the lengthy permit process, boost production of offshore renewable energy and revitalize coastal communities. Delahunt has filed similar bills since 2003. To read more, please click here. To read a copy of the legislation, please click here.

Delahunt & Miller Introduce Financial Product Safety Bill (03-23-09)

In the wake of President Obama’s endorsement of the idea, Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC) formally introduced the Financial Product Safety Commission Act today. To read more, please click here. To read more from Reuters, please click here. To read Delahunt's statement, please click here. To read a copy of the bill, please click here .

Delahunt Hails Administration Decision To Drop Vets Proposal (03-18-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt today applauded a decision by the Obama Administration to drop a proposal that would have forced private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who suffered service-related disabilities and injuries. Please click here to read more.

Delahunt Announces Funding For Local Projects (03-11-09)

U.S. Rep Bill Delahunt today announced final approval for several local projects in the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill that President Obama signed today. For more details, please click here.

Foreclosure Legislation Passes House (03-06-09)

This week the House of Representatives approved legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Bill Delahunt that addresses the foreclosure crisis and stems the widespread erosion of real estate property values. The proposal is a change to the law to give bankruptcy courts the power to restructure mortgages on primary residences as is done with other assets, including vacation homes, family farms, and boats. To read Delahunt's remarks on the House floor, please click here.

Delahunt Announces Funding For Local Projects (02-25-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill passed by the House today contains over $36 million in federal assistance for the South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt: George Mitchell Is Right Man At The Right Time (02-04-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt and 30 co-sponsors introduced a bipartisan resolution today supporting President Barack Obama’s appointment of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell as his Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Hails Humanitarian Assistance For Gaza (01-30-09)

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today hailed President Barack Obama's decision to release $20.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) Fund to address the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Posts Summary of “Stimulus” Plan (01-26-09)

This week the Congress begins debate on an economic recovery or “stimulus” plan. The purpose of the plan will be to create jobs and help provide a boost to the economy. To review the House Appropriations Committee summary, please click here. For a fact sheet from Speaker Pelosi's office, please click here. Please check back for further updates...

Delahunt Urges End To Coast Guard Licensing Delays (01-15-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt is urging the United States Coast Guard to end delays mariners are experiencing an renewing their licenses. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Posts Report Documenting Bush Abuses (01-14-09)

Today, Congressman Delahunt posted to his web site a nearly-500 page report documenting numerous abuses and excesses of the Bush Administration. The Report is titled, “Reining in the Imperial Presidency: Lessons and Recommendations Relating to the Presidency of George W. Bush.” To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Pushes Investigation Of Bush War Powers (01-08-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt joined this week with House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) to introduce legislation that will establish a bipartisan commission to examine potential abuses of war powers by the Bush administration, including the torture of detainees and warrantless wiretaps. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Announces Heating Oil Program To Continue For 2009 (01-07-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt was informed today by officials from the Venezuelan government that they have agreed to his request to continue the CITGO discount home heating oil program for the 2009 winter season. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Urges Feds To Increase Dogfish Quota (01-05-09)

Congressman Bill Delahunt announced today that he is urging the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to increase the fishing quota for spiny dogfish. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Votes No On Latest Financial Bailout Legislation (10-03-08)

Today, Congressman Bill Delahunt voted against the financial bailout package that passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 263 to 171. To read Delahunt's statement, please click here. To read an analysis by a variety of economic experts, please click here. For coverage from the Falmouth Enterprise, please click here. To read coverage from the Martha's Vineyard Gazette, please click here.

Delahunt Votes No On Financial Bailout Package (09-29-08)

Today, Congressman Bill Delahunt joined with 228 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote against the financial bailout package which would have given Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson broad authority to purchase troubled assets from financial institutions on the idea that it would calm the markets and provide insurance to creditors. To read more, please click here for an interview that Delahunt did with the Cape Cod Times where he discusses his reasons for voting against the legislation. To read a summary of this package, please click here. To read the bill, please click here.

This week Delahunt also announced his co-sponsorship of H.R. 7125, the "Let Wall Street Pay for Wall Street’s Illiquid Assets Act of 2008." This proposal is an alternative to the bailout package that was proposed by the Bush Administration. Please click here, for more information about the bill.

Delahunt Pushes Georges Bank Protections (09-26-08)

This week, Congressman Bill Delahunt joined with his colleagues in the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to sponsor the Georges Bank Preservation Act which will protect Georges Bank from any oil or natural gas drilling and ensure long term protection of the area for the New England Fishing Industry. To read more, please click here .

Key House Panel Passes Delahunt-Blunt Travel Bill (09-16-08)

A key House Subcommittee today unanimously passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt and Minority Whip Roy Blunt that will address the steep decline in overseas visitors to the United States. To read more, please click here .

Delahunt Urges Bush To Commute Sentences For Ramos And Compean (07-31-08)

Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt joined with his colleagues in both parties to urge President Bush to commute the sentences of U.S. Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos. Delahunt believes that the severity of their sentences is unjustified. Earlier this year, he also filed a resolution, which asks for the sentences to be commuted.

Delahunt Urges "Use it or Lose it" on Oil Leases (06-19-08)

With oil supplies tightening and prices rising, U.S. Rep Bill Delahunt is joining a national effort to compel the oil and gas companies to develop energy on 68 million acres of land that are currently being stockpiled and currently unused. Developing these sources of energy could double domestic production and bring down fuel prices. To read more, please click here.

Delahunt Releases Committee Report On Declining U.S. Image (06-11-08)

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight will release a new report -- The Decline in America’s Reputation: Why? To read the report, please click here. To read Delahunt's opening statement, please click here.

Delahunt Urges Action On GPO/WEP (05-08-08)

Recently, Congressman Bill Delahunt called on his collegues to address the Government Pension Offsett and Windfall Elmination Provision which unfairly penalizes public service retirees and their spouses. To read his remarks, please click here.