Washington News
Hispanic Caucus Applauds Step in Creating National Latino Museum
The House of Representatives Sept. 27 unanimously approved H.R. 2134, The Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage Act.
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Menendez, Kennedy Introduce Legislation to Address Medicare "Donut Hole"
Sens. Robert Menéndez (D-N.J.) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) Sept. 27 introduced S. 3954, the Honest Medicare Act of 2006 to monitor the Medicare Part D “donut hole”? and its effect on senior citizens.
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Salazar Pushed for Change in Reimbursement Policy for Independent, Rural Pharmacists
Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) Sept. 25 renewed his efforts to help independent, rural pharmacists by pushing the Senate Finance Committee to act on legislation requiring pharmacies to be reimbursed every 14 days, instead of every 30. Under the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program, most prescription drug plans reimburse pharmacies for the drugs they sell to Medicare patients once every 30 days or longer. Salazar said this delay is too long for smaller, independent pharmacists to bear. The senator also urged the Committee to investigate claims that the current reimbursement rates for medications dispersed through Medicare are inadequate.
To view the full story, visit The Capitol Standard.
Martinez Unveils National Hurricane Research Initiative
Sen. Mel MartÃnez (R-Fla.) Sept. 29 introduced legislation to implement a national hurricane research initiative designed to better research, predict and prepare for hurricanes. MartÃnez crafted the proposal working from recommendations presented by the National Science Foundation’s new draft report titled, Hurricane Warning: The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative. The bill’s original cosponsors include senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), David Vitter (R-La.), and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).
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Latino Senators OK Bill to Allow Prez To Convene Military Tribunals
All three Hispanic members of the U.S. Senate, Republican Mel MartÃnez of Florida and Democrats Robert Menéndez of New Jersey and Ken Salazar of Colorado voted with the majority to pass legislation that allows President Bush to convene military tribunals to prosecute alleged terrorists under certain guidelines. While the bill provides definitions of abusive treatment of detainees, it does not specify what methods would be allowed. Under the legislation, interrogators would be prohibited from engaging in “waterboarding,”? or simulated drowning, and deprivation of food, among other methods.
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Border Bills Packaged into DHS Appropriations Legislation
The 109th Congress adjourned last week after voting on a series of border security measures, including $1.2 billion for the construction of a border wall along 700 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, and increasing the penalties for the building of illegal border tunnels between the two countries, a measure that was co-sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Feinstein recently sent a letter to Mexico President Vicente Fox, asking him to open an investigation into a recently discovered border tunnel on Mexican Customs property across from the San Diego region in San Ysidro, and the alleged involvement of a Mexican Customs agent in the construction of the tunnel.
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Foley 'absolutely not a pedophile,' his lawyer says
By AMIE PARNES
Former Congressman Mark Foley is "contrite and remorseful" and sent e-mails to male teenage pages while under the influence of alcohol, but he is "absolutely, positively not a pedophile," his lawyer said Monday night.
The disgraced Florida Republican, who entered an alcohol treatment center Sunday evening, is devastated by the allegations that have surfaced over the last few days, said the lawyer, David Roth.
Foley flak leads to fingerpointing
By LISA HOFFMAN
House Speaker Dennis Hastert came under increasing flak Monday for his handling of suggestive e-mails sent by former Florida Rep. Mark Foley, as some Republican lawmakers scrambled to ditch campaign contributions they had taken from Foley and otherwise distance themselves from the erupting scandal.
Even the FBI came in for criticism.
Leaders of missing children movement slow to criticize Foley
By THOMAS HARGROVE
The resignation of Florida Republican Rep. Mark Foley, after disclosure of his sexually explicit Internet communications with a former House page, sent shock waves through the missing-and-exploited-children community, which had once counted on Foley's support.
Nowhere was the confusion more obvious than at the National Center for Missing Children, which on Friday called Foley's resignation "a great loss to Florida and the nation" and concluded, "He will be missed."
"We were trying to do the right thing," said the center's president, Ernie Allen on Monday.
