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House Passes Congressman Doggett's Wounded Veteran Job Security Act
On June 8, the House passed my Wounded Veteran Job Security Act to ensure no wounded veteran ever has to make the decision between getting well and getting paid. The bill amends existing law to establish the right of veterans who receive treatment for illness, injuries, and disabilities incurred in, or aggravated by, uniformed service to the United States to be retained by their employers. This bill is important to our commitment to our nation's veterans because battlefield injuries often don't end on the battlefield, and neither should our commitment to wounded warriors. The legislation is supported by many organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, and Disabled American Veterans. Click here for video of my remarks on the House Floor about the Wounded Veteran Job Security Act.
Congressman Doggett Questions Fed Chairman Bernanke on Bailout
 On October 20, I returned to Washington to question Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other witnesses at a House Budget Committee hearing about the bailout's implementation. I stated that "Congress has a duty to ensure that the last $700 billion bailout it approved is being used responsibly. Americans would be better served by more accountability, more transparency, and a better return on their substantial investment." Click here to view the video. Earlier, on September 24, I questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke about the Administration's sudden demand for a taxpayer bailout of Wall Street. Click here to view the video.
House Passes Congressman Doggett’s Silver Alert Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed my bill, the National Silver Alert Act (H.R. 6064), to help law enforcement quickly locate missing seniors. Silver Alert is a public notification system similar to Amber Alert that is triggered by the report of a missing senior with Alzheimer's or other mental impairments. Our seniors, who have worked a lifetime and raised a family, need our special help when they can no longer help themselves. Click here for video of my remarks on the House floor about Silver Alert.
Congressman Doggett Cracks Down on $100 million in Government Waste in Medicare Part D
I have been seeking answers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) about whether $100 million paid to private Medicare Part D plans for retroactive coverage for certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries, but for which beneficiaries were not notified of their eligibility, actually made it into beneficiaries’ pockets. During that time, CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have done nothing but pursue a strategy of stonewalling or releasing inadequate information immediately after they could have been questioned about it in a direct and public exchange. I recently questioned the Chairman of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent Congressional agency that advises Congress on Medicare payment policy, about whether CMS has also denied them the information they need to advise Congress. Medicare’s Chief Actuary also testified that releasing this information would be useful, but that internal discussions have not yet resulted in any action. You can view those exchanges by clicking here
Support for our Nation’s Veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, click here for my oped that details efforts to support our veterans with record increases in funding for the Veterans Administration and increased incentives for home ownership among veterans.
Congress Passes College Cost Reduction Act
Click here to view my floor speech about increasing funding for federal student aid. I strongly supported the College Cost Reduction Act, which Congress passed and the President signed into law. As a result, the maximum Pell Grant will increase by $490 next year and by at least $1,090 over the next five years. This law also halves the interest rates of federal need-based loans, saving the average student $4,400 over the life of the loan.
Doggett Speaks in Favor of Health Care for Children and Seniors
Click here to view my floor speech about the endorsement by the Lance Armstrong Foundation of the Children’s Health and Medicare Promotion Act. My remarks are introduced by Congressman Pete Stark, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee.
Doggett Speaks on Airline Passenger Bill of Rights
In response to increasing delays and poor service in airline travel, I have worked with other Members of Congress to enact an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights. This legislation requires airlines and airports to release passengers after excessive delays, and provide passengers with food, clean drinking water, usable bathrooms, proper ventilation and medical care during delays. Click here for my oped on this issue.
Fighting Crime: National Night Out
Every August, I participate in National Night Out activities throughout Central Texas. Click here for my op-ed, “Local Citizens and Local Law Enforcement Fighting Crime Together”
Reform of the Alternative Minimum Tax
Congress is working on efforts to prevent 23 million middle class Americans from being forced to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax. Click here for my oped "AMT Unfairly Burdens Middle Class Taxpayers"
Doggett Speaks in Favor of Lobbying Reform
Click here to view my floor speech to close loopholes that favor "stealth lobbyists.”
Doggett Speaks in Favor of Requiring Department of Health and Human Services to Negotiate for Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Click here to view my floor speech in favor of requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower prescription drug costs.
Doggett Speaks in Favor of Increasing Minimum Wage
Click here to view my floor speech in favor of increasing the Minimum Wage.
Doggett Speaks in Favor of Implementing 911 Committee Recommendations
Click here to view my floor speech in favor of implementing the 911 Committee Recommendations.
Doggett Speaks in Favor of Ethics Reforms
Click here to view my floor speech from the first day of the new Congress. Click here for my oped "Spring Cleaning in Congress Started in January"
For more issues, please visit my homepage by clicking here.
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