A Housing Rescue Plan That Includes Low Income Americans
Chairman Rangel and Subcommittee Chairman McDermott Praise Passage of Housing Bill
July 23, 2008

Passage of the American Housing Rescue & Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R. 3221) today was hailed as major victory for the American people by Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel and Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA), who fought to ensure that the comprehensive housing legislation included provisions to help low-income and vulnerable Americans to secure access to affordable housing. 

The provisions were passed out of the Ways and Means Committee in a separate bill in May, and the Democratic leaders worked throughout the legislative process to keep attention focused on assisting low income and vulnerable Americans as the comprehensive housing legislation took final form. 

Read More >

Rep. McDermott Introduces Gas Stamps Legislation to Assist Vulnerable Americans
July 22, 2008

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, introduced legislation today to provide financial assistance to vulnerable Americans struggling to survive under crushing gasoline prices.

The Emergency Gasoline Assistance Act (H.R. 6561) would create a program to provide $5 billion to states as a one-time grant with the money designated to provide assistance to families of modest means to purchase gasoline.  This program could provide every family that is currently living below the federal poverty threshold with $500 in assistance.  State governors would have the flexibility to use the money to create programs that target the specific needs of their communities. 

“Today’s punishing gasoline prices are hard enough on American families with above average income, but the prices are devastating on Americans who are living at or near poverty,” Rep. McDermott said, “and I don’t intend to stand idly by and do nothing.” 
 
Click here to read a copy of the proposed legislation

Read More >

Speech on Single Payer Health Care
July 15, 2008

Mr. Speaker---
We have bailed out Wall Street once already this year and we may be doing it again before long. Now, it’s time to bail out Main Street, by doing what should have been done 50 years ago.  And that is, provide Americans with single payer health care. It is the fastest and most effective way Congress can sure up the American family, because we all know that Americans are either paying too much for health care, can’t afford to buy enough coverage, or can’t afford any coverage at all.

Read More >

Floor Remarks: Energy Prices
July 16, 2008

Mr. Speaker,

When the President took office, gasoline cost less than $1.50 a gallon and a barrel of oil was selling for around $30.  But on this President’s watch, gas has jumped to a staggering $4.50 a gallon and oil is nearly $150 a barrel.

Despite these facts, the President would like the American people to believe that he has proposed a credible new plan to lower energy prices.  But, consider this. The President’s invasion ofIraq, and tacit military threats againstIran, have destabilized theMideast and driven oil prices out of control.

Read More >

Statement on the House Medicare Veto Override Vote
July 15, 2008

Today, I was proud to vote with an overwhelming majority of House Democrats and Republicans, 383-41, to override the President’s veto of Medicare legislation earlier in the day.

While the President stubbornly clings to misguided policies of the past, a bipartisan consensus recognized we have a responsibility to protect America’s distinguished citizens by ensuring the elderly have access to health care by assuring that doctors are not singularly cut in fees for medical service.  We stood up for the American people today, but sadly the President stood up for the insurance companies. 

America has a health care crisis that must be solved, but the President vetoing Medicare doctor reimbursement will only make matters much worse.

Floor Remarks: The Same Iraq Treaty 78 Years Later
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
July 9, 2008

Mr. Speaker,

The reports out of Iraq these days make 2008 sound an awful lot like 1930.  That’s when the British strong armed a so-called treaty to take control of Iraq’s oil wealth. And it remained that way for decades until the people in the Middle East nationalized their oil wealth to end outside control.  But western oil interests and the Neocons have wanted it back ever since.                                                                           Read More >

Rep. McDermott's Emergency UI Legislation Signed into Law
June 30, 2008

Unemployed Americans who are struggling to regain employment in the current economic downturn will receive an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits because of legislation by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) that was included in H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, and signed into law today by the President.  

Read More >