The Energy and Environment Policy Transition Team recently convened a meeting to discuss complex and challenging issues head-on. With advice from some of the most experienced voices in the field, this diverse group of experts is wasting no time in addressing problems like climate change and rising energy costs that we must tackle right away.

Thousands of Americans who are passionate about these issues are also speaking out.

Eric from Hebron, IN, wrote in supporting cap-and-trade measures. He said:

"Based on the enviormental policy video I just watched, I thought I should share my ideas on that subject. First, I think the first and most effective program that should be submitted for appoval is the Cap and Trade system for pollution credits. This program I believe is one of the most easily implemented programs available. Secondly, I would like to see the goverment give serious thought to Carbon Capture, this technology is still in its infancy but with the appropiate funding and research this technology could be a key tool in the global warming battle."

On rising energy prices and the auto industry, Michael from Olympia, WA wrote:

"I think it is very important to provide financial incentives to auto manufacturers to produce plug-in hybrid cars. We also need financial incentives, such as tax credits, for consumers to purchase plug-in hybrids. In my humble opinion, this is the most important first step in changing our nation's energy usage habits, and it will go a long way toward energy independence, providing a cleaner environment, and strengthening the economy."

Others offered up creative solutions that might help American businesses keep up with the growing need for conservation. Susan from Chicago, IL, wrote:

"I would like to see Americans working to design and build state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient public transit vehicles (buses, trams, trains) - technology that could also be exported... We need an energy policy and plan based on energy efficiency, energy conservation, and development of community-based wind, solar, and geothermal power."

Jen from Tempe, AZ, got fired up after watching our latest video, and wrote:

"Your recent video address made me so hopeful the country may actually be able to move away from fossil fuel dependency! I'm so excited!! ....Please do something soon!"

Conversations like these are vital to effective policy development. Your voices will be part of the team's effort to combat climate change and empower Americans to live more sustainable lives.

Make sure to send us your own questions and comments.

Today the Senate passed H.R. 6867, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, which the House passed on October 3rd. The bill provides an additional 7 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits (providing 20 total weeks of extended benefits when combined with the 13 weeks provided earlier this year). The bill now goes to President Bush, who is expected to sign into law this week.

Speaker Pelosi on signing the bill:

With more Americans filing jobless claims than at any time since the 1992, the Senate’s passage of the House’s unemployment insurance extension legislation will help speed relief to more than 2 million workers who continue to search for new jobs in these difficult economic times. No American who is ready, willing and able to work and provide for their family should find themselves cut off from this critical assistance. I look forward to the President signing this legislation into law this week.

While extending unemployment benefits is essential, Congress and the President must continue to work together to help Americans weather this economic storm and strengthen our economy for the long term. We stand ready to work with President Bush and Senate Republicans to enact House-passed legislation that will create new jobs by investing in infrastructure, help states avoid deep cuts to critical services, and provide nutrition assistance to families in need.

Rep. George Miller, Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee:

In light of today’s devastating economic news that new jobless claims rose to their highest level in more than 16 years, the Senate did the right thing for millions of out-of-work Americans. Unemployment benefits for more than a million Americans are set to expire by the end of the year. This extension will provide much-needed help for these families who still have to put food on the table, pay their home and heating bills, and look for a job.

With our nation’s financial wounds deepening by the day, we can’t allow the rug to get pulled out from under workers looking for a new job. Extending unemployment benefits is a no-brainer – it’s one of the most effective things we can do to help workers and stimulate our economy. With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time for the President to give workers and families a helping hand by immediately signing this bill.

Vice-President-elect Joe Biden turned 66 years old today.

To celebrate, President-elect Barack Obama surprised him at the Transition's Chicago headquarters yesterday with cupcakes, candles, and a stirring rendition of Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Joe!

On Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama called California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa to receive an update on the wildfires that have ravaged Southern California. Monday morning, we asked our supporters to help join in the relief efforts, either by volunteering or donating.

The following day, the Washington Post reported:

Barack Obama [on Monday] displayed once again the power of the vast online network he built during the presidential race, giving prominent display on his campaign and transition Web sites to efforts to help the victims of wildfires burning across Southern California.

...Obama's plea contributed to a surge in visitors to the site, a branch of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office that helps coordinate disaster relief efforts. The number of daily hits on the site increased from 15,000 Monday to 179,000 Tuesday, said Karen Baker, Schwarzenegger's secretary of service and volunteering.

Throughout the past 21 months, you've shown again and again your willingness to come together and help those in need, and this time was no different. It's a spirit that was ingrained in the campaign from the beginning, and continues on in the community that you've created.

In a speech in Iowa in December of 2007, Barack Obama explained:

I won't just ask for your vote as a candidate; I will ask for your service and your active citizenship when I am President of the United States. This will not be a call issued in one speech or program; this will be a cause of my presidency.

Relief and recovery efforts in Southern California are still underway, and you can still be take part by volunteering or by making a donation.

Visit CaliforniaVolunteers.org for more information on how you can help.

Rep. George Miller announces Obama Inauguration Ticket Lottery

All CA-7 District Residents Eligible to Win One of Two Pairs of Tickets to Historic Swearing In Ceremony

Washington, DC – Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) today announced a lottery to randomly distribute two pairs of tickets to President-elect Barack Obama's historic inauguration ceremony, which will be held on January 20th, 2009.

“The enthusiasm for this year’s presidential election and historic inauguration has been overwhelming” said Miller. “It is deeply inspiring to see such interest in attending the inauguration. It speaks to both the historic nature of the Barack Obama presidency, but also the sense of urgency the public has for change in our country.”

The lottery will be open to all 7th district constituents who are able to arrange their own transportation to and lodging in the DC area during the January event.

The deadline to register will be Sunday, Nov. 30th 11:59 PM PST on George Miller’s website. Rep. Miller will announce the drawing winner on Monday, Dec. 1st.

These two pairs of tickets are separate from the small allotment of tickets that Rep. Miller intends to distribute to a portion of the constituents who have already requested them.

“This election turned out to be different than any election before,” said Miller. “I want to be able to give every constituent, including those who just recently engaged in the democratic process, a chance to receive a ticket to view Barack Obama’s inauguration.”

Constituents must visit http://www.georgemiller.house.gov/inauguration to register for the lottery.

Miller also reminded 7th district residents that portions of the parade route and sections of the National Mall will be available for those without tickets to participate in this historic occasion. More information about the Inaugural ceremony and other events in Washington can be found at http://www.inaugural.senate.gov.

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Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank sent a letter today to Treasury Secretary Paulson, following up on issues raised at Tuesday’s House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing on the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). In the letter, Chairman Frank continues his call for Secretary Paulson to immediately use funds authorized by TARP legislation to help stem foreclosures.

The full text of the letter:

The Honorable Henry M. Paulson. Jr.
Secretary
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to follow up on the November 18 House Financial Services Committee hearing on the Troubled Assets Relief Program, and to urge you in the strongest possible terms to use TARP funds immediately to support significant steps that can help stem the tidal wave of foreclosures threatening the stability of our financial system and our economy. As a first step, I applaud the regulatory changes in FHA’s Hope for Homeowners program that you and the other members of the Hope for Homeowners Board approved November 19. These changes, authorized by Congress under the TARP legislation, should help expand use of the program.

As I noted in the hearing, however, the TARP statute unambiguously gives you the authority and a mandate to take much more aggressive action on foreclosures. While I support the use of TARP funds to stabilize the financial system through bank capital injections, the root causes of this crisis will remain unaddressed until TARP is deployed aggressively to mitigate the estimated 4 to 5 million foreclosures that will otherwise occur over the next two years. The Administration continues to emphasize HopeNow and other private initiatives, but they are simply not an adequate solution going forward.

At least four programs or proposals already exist that you could fund and operate through TARP to provide significant foreclosure relief:

FDIC Chairman Bair has proposed a broad program to modify and provide credit guarantees for troubled mortgages that could prevent an estimated 1.5 million foreclosures in the next year alone. Chairman Bair believes, as do I, that the authority already exists to run such a program through TARP under Section 109 of the legislation.

At the hearing economist Martin Feldstein proposed a “mortgage replacement program” allowing the government to substitute new loans for portions of existing troubled mortgages. These new government loans would replace 20% of the borrower’s existing loan, with the remaining private mortgage (now for 80% of the original amount) being “full recourse,” giving the creditor access to the borrower’s assets beyond the security value of the home itself. This will lower borrowers’ monthly payments and provide protection against falling into negative-equity positions that encourage default and foreclosure.

The recently approved changes to the FHA Hope for Homeowners program, as noted above, will help enhance participation. However, Treasury should augment these changes by using TARP funds (under the authority in Section 109) to reduce the high level of upfront and annual fees required under Hope for Homeowners loans. These high fees are depressing program use, and using TARP funds to pay them down could significantly increase the number of foreclosures averted.

TARP also mandates that Treasury implement a plan to maximize modifications to mortgages that it acquires. Because mortgages in danger of default clearly qualify as “troubled assets,” I urge you to begin buying whole loans on a large scale for the specific purpose of modifying those loans and keeping the borrowers in their homes.

We can not afford to miss this opportunity to act. Please let me know if my staff or I can be of help in getting these initiatives up and running as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

BARNEY FRANK
Chairman

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi speak at a press conference on aid to auto industry.

Author: SenateDemocrats
Keywords: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Speaker Nancy Pelosi Auto Industry Workers
Added: November 20, 2008

Featured in tomorrow’s Washington Times:

House Republican Leader John A. Boehner said Democrats’ use of secret ballots to chose its leadership was ironic because the party wants to nix workers’ rights to a secret voting in deciding whether to unionize.

“The secret ballot election is a cornerstone of our American democracy,” Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican, said Thursday. “If it is good enough for House Democrats to rely on during today’s high-stakes vote, shouldn’t it be good enough for millions of American workers across America who value their workplace privacy?”

He vowed Republicans would stand firmly against the Democrat’s “card-check” legislation - dubbed the Employee Free Choice Act or EFCA. It would allow organizers to unionize a workplace by gathering enough singed cards rather than the current process of employees deciding by secret ballots…

…Enacting the card-check law is a top priority for organized labor and the unions are confident it will be passed by the Democrat-led Congress and signed by President-elect Barack Obama, a top AFL-CIO lobbyist told The Washington Times this week.

“I have no doubt it will pass and will be singed,” AFL-CIO government-affairs director William Samuel said in an exclusive interview.

Mr. Obama and House Democratic leaders supported the bill during House and Senate votes last year.  Critics of the card check process say it leaves workers vulnerable to coercion and intimidation from either the management or the union organizers.

Mr. Boehner highlighted House Democrats’ use of a secret ballot Wednesday in deciding a bitter showdown between two Democratic titans - Rep. Henry A. Waxman of California and Rep. John D. Dingell of Michigan - over control of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

House Democratic Caucus voted 137 to 122 to install the fiercely liberal Mr. Waxman and outs Mr. Dingell, whose close ties to U.S. automakers and the utility industry had put him as odds with the environmental agenda of Democratic leaders, including Mrs. Pelosi.

Mr. Boehner noted that Rep. Louise Slaughter, New York Democrat, earlier in the week expressed relief her vote in the Dingell-Waxman conflict would not be public. “It’s a secret ballot, thank the Lord,” she told Congressional Quarterly.

“Killing secret ballot rights in the workplace may be a priority for the special interests that have placed Democrats in charge of Washington, but it is not in the best interest of workers or our democratic system,” Mr. Boehner said.