Para publicación inmediata
1 de julio de 2010
Contacto: Ricardo A. Ramírez, 202-863-8148

IRIS MARTINEZ, PRESIDENTA DEL CAUCUS HISPANO DEL DNC, APLAUDE EL DISCURSO DEL PRESIDENTE OBAMA SOBRE LA REFORMA DE LA INMIGRACIÓN

Washington, D.C. – Tras el discurso del Presidente Obama sobre la reforma integral de la inmigración, la presidenta del Grupo Hispano (Hispanic Caucus) del DNC, Iris Y. Martínez, emitió las siguientes declaraciones:

“El discurso del Presidente Obama sobre la reforma de inmigración es un fuerte recordatorio del compromiso y las medidas de su gobierno para solucionar los problemas del fallido sistema de inmigración por medio de una reforma integral de inmigración de sentido común, que haga al gobierno federal responsable por la seguridad fronteriza, que haga que las empresas rindan cuentas por sus actos y requiera que los inmigrantes ilegales admitan que infringieron la ley, aprendan inglés, paguen sus impuestos y tomen otras medidas para regularizar su situación antes de ponerse en fila para obtener la ciudadanía.

“Pero el discurso del Presidente también es un recordatorio de que, a pesar de las medidas del gobierno y el liderazgo de los demócratas al respecto, los republicanos continúan dándole prioridad a la política: ningún republicano se ha sumado a los demócratas en su esfuerzo por aprobar la reforma. Once senadores republicanos que votaron a favor de la reforma integral de la inmigración en el 2007 son ahora parte del grupo que está haciendo todo lo posible por detener el plan del Presidente y, en sus propias palabras, ‘acabar’ con el Presidente.

“Las calculadas movidas políticas de los republicanos ya no pueden ser a costa de la solución a los problemas de nuestro sistema de inmigración. Estados como Arizona están aprobando leyes de inmigración equivocadas, lo que es indicio de la frustración del pueblo estadounidense con el fallido sistema de inmigración. El estatus quo no funciona para nuestros inmigrantes, nuestras comunidades ni la economía, y está claro que el Presidente Obama no puede reformar solo el sistema de inmigración. Es hora de que los republicanos dejen de postergar el problema y estén dispuestos a hacerles frente a los desafíos del país. Es hora de unirnos al Presidente Obama y los demócratas del Senado para aprobar la reforma integral de la inmigración”.

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2010
Contact: DNC Press (202) 863-8148

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Commends President Obama's Nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court

Washington, DC - Today, President Obama announced his nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. In response, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine - a former civil rights lawyer with extensive trial and appellate-level legal work - issued the following statement:

"I want to commend President Obama for his nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court. People on both sides of the aisle agree that Solicitor General Kagan has a keen legal mind, and I believe she is an excellent choice for this important position.

“Elena Kagan is a trailblazer. Throughout her career as Solicitor General, the Dean of Harvard Law School, Associate Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Clinton, and clerk for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall - Kagan has impressed all who have encountered her with her legal acumen and her ability to build consensus on important and sometimes contentious issues of law and policy. She has a demonstrated history of listening to all sides of an argument and considering all viewpoints, something that will serve her well as a Supreme Court justice.

“Elena Kagan has demonstrated excellence in her study and application of the law, and a commitment to public service. And in her many different positions, she has focused on advancing opportunity and combating injustice in keeping with the Constitution and the laws of the United States. In selecting Kagan to serve as the first female Solicitor General in American history, President Obama knew she would serve America with integrity and tenacity. Over the last year, she has exceeded even those expectations and has worked hard to represent the best interests of the American people before the Supreme Court - I have full faith that she would continue to do so as a member of that body.

“It’s also important to note that the confirmation of Solicitor General Kagan would bring the number of women on the Supreme Court to an unprecedented three - the most ever - and it would ensure that every American who comes before the Court receives a thorough hearing, a thoughtful response, and a full measure of justice.

“I would like to again commend President Obama for his choice of Elena Kagan and wish Solicitor General Kagan the best of luck during the confirmation process."

For Immediate Release
April 29, 2010
Contact: DNC Press – 202-863-8148

DNC Veterans Council Commends President Obama On Support for Veterans

Washington, DC – Today, the Washington Times published a story highlighting President Obama’s progress in meeting campaign promises to America’s veterans. Specifically, the Washington Times notes, “All sides agree the President Obama has made big strides on promises he made in 2008 when competing for military votes against Republican nominee and Vietnam veteran Sen. John McCain - to fully fund the Veterans Administration, expand access to care in rural areas and improve treatment for mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.”

In response to the article, Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (U.S. Army, retired) and Col. Don Fowler (U.S. Army, retired), Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Committee’s Veterans and Military Families Council released the following statement:

“From day one, President Obama made it clear that he would stand with the men and women who have bravely served our country. While national news organizations are only now beginning to take note of the President’s commitment to military service members, his commitment is already yielding substantive benefits for military veterans and their families.

“President Obama and Democratic Members of Congress have worked hard not only to ensure that soldiers and service members have the resources they need on the battlefield – they have fought to ensure they have the care and services they deserve when they come home. The President and Congressional Democrats have vastly increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, allocating new funds for veterans’ health care – including treatment for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other injuries too common among today’s veterans. Thanks to President Obama, last year the VA saw its biggest increase in funding in 30 years, and he is requesting another double digit increase for FY2011. The President has also implemented the Post 9/11 GI Bill, providing historic new educational benefits for America’s veterans.

“We would like to take this opportunity to commend President Obama for his ongoing efforts on behalf of America’s men and women on the front lines. The President’s efforts and achievements on behalf of American service members more than fulfill the President’s campaign promises to veterans. He has made it clear that America’s veterans have an ally and a friend in the White House.”

Para publicación inmediata
23 de abril de 2010
Contacto: Ricardo A. Ramírez, 202-863-8148

Declaraciones del presidente del DNC Tim Kaine sobre la ley de inmigración de Arizona

Washington, DC – Hoy, la gobernadora de Arizona Jan Brewer promulgó una nueva y restrictiva medida que requeriría que los policías de Arizona interroguen a cualquier persona que sospechen que vive ilegalmente en Estados Unidos. En sus declaraciones, el presidente del Comité Nacional Demócrata (DNC) Tim Kaine criticó la medida:

“Hoy, el Presidente Obama destacó el trabajo en curso de su gobierno y los demócratas en el Congreso para lograr una reforma integral de inmigración que ponga énfasis sobre el cumplimiento de nuestras leyes de inmigración y la responsabilidad de las partes involucradas, y a la vez cree una vía para que salgan de las sombras los 11 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que actualmente viven y trabajan en Estados Unidos.

“Desafortunadamente, mientras los demócratas en Washington buscan una solución responsable para los desafíos que todos enfrentamos con respecto a las actuales leyes de inmigración de Estados Unidos, los republicanos han propuesto un conjunto de soluciones extremas e incongruentes que no mejorarán la situación sino que más bien ayudarán a socavar las libertades y derechos civiles de los estadounidenses, y a la vez promoverán la intolerancia. No existe ejemplo más claro de tal extremismo que la ley promulgada hoy en Arizona por la gobernadora republicana Jan Brewer y respaldada por el senador John McCain, quien previamente había sido uno de los proponentes de la reforma integral de la inmigración. La nueva ley de Arizona socava la noción fundamental para los estadounidenses de justicia y le da legitimidad al prejuicio, y además es de mentalidad estrecha y poca visión.

“Tengo la esperanza de que en vez de apoyar medidas tan desacertadas, los republicanos en el Congreso se sumen al Presidente y los demócratas en el Congreso a fin de encontrar una solución responsable para la reforma de inmigración, que promueva que se respeten las leyes, haga que los recursos de las agencias de la ley se sigan dedicando a combatir la conducta criminal y beneficie a todos los estadounidenses”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 23, 2010

Contact: A’shanti Gholar (202) 863-8000

DNC YOUTH COUNCIL CELEBRATES THE HISTORIC SIGNING OF HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Youth Council Co-Chairs Jason Rae and Amber Goodwin issued the following statement following the signing of Health Insurance Reform by President Barack Obama.

“Today, President Barack Obama signed a monumental piece of legislation that will change healthcare for the better for every American, especially young Americans. We extend our sincere thanks to President Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress for their leadership on this historic legislation.

“This is a bill that will positively benefit all Americans, young and old, for generations to come. No longer will young Americans be forced to choose between seeking necessary medical coverage or years of crippling debt.

“We are so thankful for the work of Speaker Nancy Pelosi for making sure that the views of young Americans were heard and answered Sunday night with the historic votes.”

DNC CHAIRMAN TIM KAINE APPLAUDS PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON TODAY’S BIPARTISAN SUMMIT

Washington, D.C. – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement tonight on the President’s bipartisan health reform summit:

“Today’s summit on the future of health care in this country, while far from resolving all of the differences between Republicans and Democrats on reforming our broken health insurance system, was a huge win for the American people.

“For over seven hours today, the President led a vigorous, respectful and historic discussion with representatives from both parties and houses in Congress about how best to reform this country’s broken health insurance system. At every opportunity, the President displayed genuine devotion to delving into the specifics of the proposals and sought, wherever possible, to resolve key differences and find common ground.

“During today’s meeting, the President continued to seek bipartisan agreement on issues of importance to the American people. Of course, differences do remain. Democrats made the case for their comprehensive approach that lowers costs, increases coverage and curbs unfair and discriminatory insurance industry practices. The Republicans have not offered comprehensive counter-proposals that achieve these goals and continue to favor a piecemeal approach that has empowered insurance companies to increase the numbers of uninsured, provide less security for those who are insured and increase health care costs for all Americans.

“It continues to be clear, and today both parties agreed, that we can no longer defer action on addressing this country’s broken health insurance system. This country cannot continue to wait for comprehensive action on health insurance reform and incremental steps will not achieve the type of meaningful reform American families and businesses so desperately need. Accordingly, I echo the President’s call today for Republicans to dig deep and identify areas where agreements can be forged on issues like expanding insurance coverage for the millions who lack it and guaranteeing that all consumers have access to care.”

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Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine today echoed the President’s call for Congress to take swift action to finish the job and deliver hard-working Americans the health insurance reforms they so desperately need.

“Today, the President outlined the way forward on health insurance reform and called on Congress to act with dispatch to pass historic and long overdue reforms to our country’s health insurance system,” said Kaine. “Almost a year has passed since this process began, marking another year that American families and businesses have struggled under the budget-breaking reality of sky-rocketing health insurance costs, another year in which insurance companies have made decisions based on their bottom lines rather than the health of the American people and another year in which millions of Americans lack any coverage at all. Today, the President made clear what most Americans know all too well: we cannot delay any longer. The final march for reform begins now.

“Fortunately, there seems to be widespread agreement across the political spectrum that we must enact reform this year. And, as President Obama’s health care summit demonstrated last week, there are a number of areas of agreement between the parties on what steps must be taken to address critical problems within our health insurance system. Where possible, the President has sought to incorporate Republican ideas into his proposal and I don’t believe anyone could argue in good faith that this President has made anything less than a sincere effort at bipartisanship.

“At the same time, President Obama is one hundred percent right to disagree with the Republicans’ approach of maintaining the status quo which allows insurance companies to call all the shots instead of patients and doctors - leaving consumers vulnerable to discrimination and denial of coverage. Absent the critical consumer protections the President has proposed, insurance companies would still have the freedom to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and to raise premiums on struggling Americans without cause or explanation. That is simply unacceptable.

“Republican leaders from Michael Steele to Mitch McConnell have said that they will hold Democrats responsible for these reforms come November. I hope they do. If Republican leaders want to campaign on the belief that there is nothing wrong with the way insurance companies currently do business, then that’s a fight Democrats are ready to have.

“President Obama has clearly laid out the much needed changes his proposal will make and the American people deserve an up-or-down vote on these critical reforms. And today, I am proud to stand firmly with the President in calling on each and every member of the United States Congress to join us on this final march for reform.”

The President’s plan when signed into law will do three things:

First, it would end the worst practices of insurance companies. No longer would insurers be able to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop your coverage because you got sick. And they wouldn’t be able to charge unlimited amounts for out of pocket expenses or arbitrarily raise premiums.

Second, it would give small businesses and people who don’t get insurance at work the same choice of private health insurance that Members of Congress will get. And for those who still can’t afford insurance in this new marketplace, the plan will offer tax credits based on income to purchase coverage.

Third, the President’s proposal would bring down the cost of health care for millions – for families, businesses, and the federal government – and it would extend the life of Medicare and go after waste and abuse while reducing errors and improving care for people.

For Immediate Release
March 3, 2010

Contact: Ricardo A. Ramírez (202) 863 – 8148

DNC CHAIRMAN KAINE JOINS PRESIDENT OBAMA IN CALLING ON CONGRESS TO FINISH THE JOB, PASS HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

“Final March For Reform” Begins Today, Says Chairman Kaine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine today echoed the President’s call for Congress to take swift action to finish the job and deliver hard-working Americans the health insurance reforms they so desperately need.

“Today, the President outlined the way forward on health insurance reform and called on Congress to act with dispatch to pass historic and long overdue reforms to our country’s health insurance system,” said Kaine. “Almost a year has passed since this process began, marking another year that American families and businesses have struggled under the budget-breaking reality of sky-rocketing health insurance costs, another year in which insurance companies have made decisions based on their bottom lines rather than the health of the American people and another year in which millions of Americans lack any coverage at all. Today, the President made clear what most Americans know all too well: we cannot delay any longer. The final march for reform begins now.

“Fortunately, there seems to be widespread agreement across the political spectrum that we must enact reform this year. And, as President Obama’s health care summit demonstrated last week, there are a number of areas of agreement between the parties on what steps must be taken to address critical problems within our health insurance system. Where possible, the President has sought to incorporate Republican ideas into his proposal and I don’t believe anyone could argue in good faith that this President has made anything less than a sincere effort at bipartisanship.

“At the same time, President Obama is one hundred percent right to disagree with the Republicans’ approach of maintaining the status quo which allows insurance companies to call all the shots instead of patients and doctors - leaving consumers vulnerable to discrimination and denial of coverage. Absent the critical consumer protections the President has proposed, insurance companies would still have the freedom to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and to raise premiums on struggling Americans without cause or explanation. That is simply unacceptable.

“Republican leaders from Michael Steele to Mitch McConnell have said that they will hold Democrats responsible for these reforms come November. I hope they do. If Republican leaders want to campaign on the belief that there is nothing wrong with the way insurance companies currently do business, then that’s a fight Democrats are ready to have.

“President Obama has clearly laid out the much needed changes his proposal will make and the American people deserve an up-or-down vote on these critical reforms. And today, I am proud to stand firmly with the President in calling on each and every member of the United States Congress to join us on this final march for reform.”

The President’s plan when signed into law will do three things:

First, it would end the worst practices of insurance companies. No longer would insurers be able to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop your coverage because you got sick. And they wouldn’t be able to charge unlimited amounts for out of pocket expenses or arbitrarily raise premiums.

Second, it would give small businesses and people who don’t get insurance at work the same choice of private health insurance that Members of Congress will get. And for those who still can’t afford insurance in this new marketplace, the plan will offer tax credits based on income to purchase coverage.

Third, the President’s proposal would bring down the cost of health care for millions – for families, businesses, and the federal government – and it would extend the life of Medicare and go after waste and abuse while reducing errors and improving care for people.

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For Immediate Release

March 2, 2010

Contact: DNC Press, 202-863-8148

DNC Chairman Congratulates Bill White, Linda Chavez-Thompson on Texas Democratic Primary Victories

Washington, D.C. – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement following news that Bill White and Linda Chavez-Thompson tonight won the Democratic nominations for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively, in the Texas primary:

“I congratulate Bill White and Linda Chavez-Thompson on their victories tonight, important steps in our march toward victory this November. Bill’s skill as an executive was clear during his time as mayor of Houston, when the Houston area led in job growth and crime dropped to its lowest level in more than 25 years. And Linda has fought tirelessly on behalf of working families during her years of service to the AFL-CIO. White and Chavez-Thompson are proven leaders who have stood up for middle class families in their public lives, and they are just what Texas needs to move forward.

“For far too long Texans have suffered because they have had an out-of-touch ideologue as Governor—one who is all too willing to put politics ahead of Texans. This has resulted in a population where a higher percentage of people lack health insurance than in any other state and a large number of students drop out of school every year. It seems that over the past few years, for Texans the American Dream has become more and more out of reach.

“Texas deserves better. They need leaders who will advocate for policies that will create opportunities for families and businesses alike. In Bill White and Linda Chavez-Thompson, Texans have strong, pragmatic leaders who will put results ahead of extreme ideology. That’s a winning combination for a strong ticket and for the people of Texas.”

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For Immediate Release
February 24, 2010

Contact: DNC Press (202) 863-8148

KAINE CONGRATULATES THE SENATE ON PASSING A BIPARTISAN BILL TO CREATE JOBS

Legislations Continues The Path To Economic Stability That The President Began Over A Year Ago When He Signed The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act

Washington, D.C. – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement in response to the Senate’s vote today in favor of a new bill to create jobs and bolster economic progress:

“Today’s Senate vote marks another critical step on the path to economic stability. This time last year, the economy was shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs each month and the country was in an economic spiral. One year later, the CBO reports that the Recovery Act saved up to 2.1 million jobs in the fourth quarter of 2009 alone and grew the economy by 3.5 percent while holding unemployment to 2.1 percent lower than it would have been without the President’s swift action last year.

“This legislation will support ongoing investments in infrastructure and boost small businesses, both of which are major drivers of job growth. Jobs remain priority number one for the President, for Democrats in Congress and for the Party at-large and I am grateful to those Republicans who joined us in supporting the President’s effort to rebuild our economy through job creation. Nothing could be more central to the American dream than a job. That is why I am urging swift passage of this legislation by the House of Representatives so that the President may sign the bill and we can continue our historic effort to build a 21st century economy.”

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