Senate Update
November 30, 2009:The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. and proceed to a period of morning business until 3:00 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak for up to ten minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3590, with Senator Reid, or designee, permitted to offer the first amendment to the Reid substitute; further, that Senator McConnell, or designee, be permitted to offer the next amendment to the substitute with no other amendments in order during Monday's session. There will be no roll call votes during Monday's session.
November 19, 2009
The Senate Health Reform Measure is a ‘Good Deal for America’
by Senator Tom Harkin
Today, the benefits of the Senate health reform proposal came into focus. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides needed insurance reforms, provides health insurance for some 94 percent of Americans and increases access to prevention and wellness so that we keep people well, rather than treat them once they become sick.
We have all heard what is at stake if we do nothing. There are a rising number of uninsured Americans in this country, increasing chronic diseases, small businesses unable to provide coverage to their employees, far too many Americans denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition and for those that can find coverage, a lack of choice in the insurance marketplace and rising premiums. All of which is further straining our economy. This reform measure addresses each of those issues. And it does so all while being fiscally responsible. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its score of the measure and it showed that it not only saves money by cutting the deficit by $127 billion in its first decade but comes in under the President’s budget request at $849 billion over 10 years.
We have had the New Deal. We have had the Fair Deal. With this health reform measure, we have a good deal for America.
November 10, 2009
In Iowa’s Interest: Taking Care of Those Who Protect and Serve Our Nation
Each year on Veteran’s Day we honor those soldiers who have served and protected our country. As we think of our loved ones now gone and salute those among us who have served in the nation’s armed forces, let us also remember to honor our veterans in practical ways, by ensuring that they receive the benefits and recognition that they have earned. As President Abraham Lincoln said in his Second Inaugural Address: “Let us care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan,” and let us never forget those who “laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”
October 23, 2009
Food Safety Reform Gains Momentum Following HELP Hearing
We’re all familiar with the stories: food outbreaks linked to spinach, peppers, peanut products, and cookie dough. These outbreaks have sickened far too many Americans and made two things clear: our current regulatory system does not adequately protect Americans from serious, widespread food-borne illnesses and the dangers associated with food-borne outbreaks are profound.
October 14, 2009
Harkin Emphasizes Prevention’s Role In Health Care Overhaul
Senator Tom Harkin took to the Senate floor today to stress the importance of keeping wellness and prevention measures in the merged health reform bill. Meaningful reform, Harkin argues, means shifting the focus of the system from patching people up after they get sick to keeping them out of the hospital in the first place.
September 22, 2009
Ban On Candy Flavored Cigarettes Goes Into Effect Today
Today marks a milestone in the fight against cancer and tobacco addiction. Going forward, big tobacco companies will no longer be able to market candy flavored cigarettes to our children. Every day in America, another 1,000 kids become regular smokers – and roughly one third of them will die as a result. We owe it to our kids to give them a fair shot and put an end to unethical, insidious marketing techniques that trap them in addiction at a young age. Banning the marketing and use of strawberry, chocolate and other flavored cigarettes will help slow the rate of addiction among young smokers, prevent disease and save millions in health care costs down the line.
September 10, 2009
Senator Harkin Takes The Helm Of Senate Health, Education, Labor And Pensions (HELP) Committee
On Wednesday, I was honored to accept the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee. To serve in this capacity is to carry on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy, who dedicated his life to ensuring that our economy works for all Americans, guaranteeing every child the opportunity to pursue a quality education and, of course, the cause of his life: access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. In this last endeavor, I expect to work closely with Senator Dodd, who has guided the HELP Committee so capably in reporting The Affordable Health Choice Act, and who will continue to play a leading role as health care legislation moves to the Senate floor.
September 4, 2009
Dubuque
Today I started another beautiful Iowa morning by meeting with members of the American Legion Post #6 in Dubuque. I was there to present long sought- after military medals to two area veterans. These medal ceremonies are some of my favorite events to do as I travel across the state.
September 3, 2009
Honoring Our Nation’s Veterans and Service Members
Service to our country takes on various forms and today, I honored two types of service members. I started my day at the Grout Museum District in Waterloo by presenting medals to three veterans and their families. Ensuring all veterans have the honor they deserve is so important on a personal level to me that I introduced legislation to facilitate the expeditious delivery of military medals to veterans.
September 2, 2009
Building Iowa’s Defense Technology and Food Safety
I started off my day by touring the Mechdyne Technical Facility in Marshalltown to learn about a project receiving federal appropriations called Shared Vision. I visited with several employees of Mechdyne including the President and CEO Chris Clover, VP of Operations Jim Gruening and Shared Vision Project Manager Mark Ferneau.
September 1, 2009
Building Iowa’s Economic Future
I kicked off the second part of my August “Building Iowa’s Future tour” in Sioux City today by taking a tour of the local Youthbuild site. Youthbuild is a phenomenal program that helps students who have faced hardships and setbacks get back on track. I have long said that in our society we must provide a ladder of opportunity for people. Sometimes young people might miss a rung or two, but that’s where Youthbuild comes in, providing the necessary training to get these students on a proven career path.
August 26, 2009
On the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy
Today my thoughts are with the Kennedy family as they mourn the loss of their father, grandfather, husband and patriarch. Their grief is shared by all of us in Congress who have lost a friend and role model. I personally was honored to serve with Ted Kennedy and call him my friend.
