Washington D.C – The $15 billion bill the Senate passed this week, received a stinging rebuke from the head of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“The legislation is disappointing to say the least,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). “Since President Obama’s announcement of the jobs bill in December, the CBC has expressed to the White House, House and Senate leadership interest in ensuring the chronically unemployed be targeted for opportunities to seek training and employment in the jobs bill.

Today the US Supreme Court lifted the floodgates and started dismantling century-old restrictions on corporate electoral activity in the name of the free speech rights of corporations meaning if you are a corporate person (aka a CEO or corporate official), you are now free to hit the corporate ATM and spend whatever of your shareholders’ money it takes to elect the candidates of your choice,” said Anna Burger, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer and Chair of the Change to Win labor federation, condemming the United States Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission:

Washington, DC � As the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission kicks off its first public hearing today, Americans for Financial Reform calls on big banks to not only justify their reckless behavior but also explain why they are working to kill real reforms that would keep them from doing it again.

Washington, D.C. � USAction today praised President Obama�s goal of a concrete end to the war in Afghanistan, coupled with political and military benchmarks for success, but expressed profound concern over plans to commit at least 30,000 new troops to the war effort.

�We support the fact that President Obama has a set exit strategy because the previous administration did not,� said USAction Program Director Alan Charney. �We are concerned that adding 30,000 troops to the Afghan war zone will make the goal of exiting Afghanistan within three years difficult to achieve. We firmly and resolutely oppose expansion of the war in Afghanistan.�

�A public option is essential to ensuring coverage of as many uninsured Americans as possible, as well as cost containment provisions to limit increased premiums for the 85 percent of Americans who currently have health insurance.”

News for the African American Community � 10.14.2009 � First Edition

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President Obama on Passage of Senate Finance Committee Health Care Bill � �A Critical Milestone�
�Today we reached a critical milestone in our effort to reform our health care system. After many months of thoughtful deliberation, the fifth and final committee responsible for health care reform has passed a proposal that has both Democratic and Republican support. This effort was made possible by the tireless efforts of Chairman Max Baucus and the other members of the Senate Finance Committee. It’s a product of vigorous debate and difficult negotiations.� VIDEO/TEXT

IF the FBI doesn�t nab D.C. Councilman Jim Graham in its ongoing investigation into alleged corruption of the District of Columbia taxicab industry, the Washington City Paper will.

The alternative weekly has done a spectacular job unearthing information about the relationship between Graham and his chief of staff, Ted Loza, who was arrested last month on charges of accepting a bribe allegedly in exchange for influencing the outcome of legislation that would affect taxi drivers in the city.

Read the full story by Mike DeBonis and Jason Cherkis.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=37892

We support health care reform that includes a robust public option like Medicare � a component of health care reform for which we are unwavering in our support. We want to strengthen and protect Medicare for our seniors and agree that Medicare services should not be reduced as a means of paying for this health care reform bill. While the proposed provisions for a robust public option will not be implemented until 2013, as early as 2010 many positive reforms will be enacted, such as prohibiting the abusive health insurance practice of rescinding existing coverage in order to avoid future costs, improving preventive care and coverage, making prescription drugs more affordable by eliminating the gaps in coverage and increasing funding for community health centers.

Washington DC�On July 26 at the 50th Annual College Democrats of America (CDA) National Convention in Washington D.C., the College Democrats at The Catholic University of America (CUA) were awarded the 2009 Chapter of the Year Award.

The award goes to the chapter in the country with the most outstanding service and activism to the Democratic Party and is the highest award any College Democrats Chapter can earn.

Washington, DC � The National Black Church Initiative is speaking out in the case involving the murder of Seaman August Provost of Houston, Texas earlier this month. The 29-year-old soldier was found dead at the Southern California military base where he served. Some suspect the murder may have been related to his homosexuality. Acts like this are �unjustifiable, and against the teachings of God,� the leader of the initiative Rev. Anthony Evans said in a prepared statement.