Digital TV Transition
Some of the TV stations in the US will transition from analog to digital broadcasting on Feb 17th. The remaining stations will transition from analog to digital broadcasting between Mar 14th and Jun 12th.
Get more information about the digital TV transition from Senator Harkin's resource center.
Senate Update
July 06, 2009:The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. and proceed to a period of morning business for one hour, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2918, the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.
At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed to conduct two roll call votes in relation to H.R. 2918: the McCain Amendment No. 1366; and passage of the H.R. 2918, as amended, if amended.
July 1, 2009
The American Dream Lives
by Senator Tom Harkin
On the wall of my Washington Senate office, I have two simple framed items. One is a postcard dated July 19, 1939, inviting my unemployed coalminer father to report for work with FDR’s Works Progress Administration. The other is a picture of dirt-floor house where my mother was raised in Slovenia, before she immigrated to America.
My siblings and I were brought up in very modest circumstances in Cumming, Iowa. But, as we became adults, we were each able to realize a piece of the American Dream. Sure, we all worked hard. But, let’s be honest, the real key to our success was the fact that we were born in America, a land of opportunity, prosperity, and upward mobility – even for kids raised poor.
On July 4 – and every other day, for that matter – I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given as an American. I benefited from Iowa’s excellent public schools. I was able to receive advanced training in the Navy. I attended an excellent public university, Iowa State, with the help of low-interest loans under the G.I. Bill. In other words, I was the beneficiary of an extraordinary ladder of opportunity.
And notice I said a ladder of opportunity. I didn’t say an escalator. Americans don’t believe in a free ride. We believe in people pulling themselves up by their own hard work and struggle and determination. After all, that’s also part of the American Dream.
The ladder of opportunity has many rungs. It starts at an early age, with programs like Head Start. It means good public schools for every child; access to quality, affordable public universities and community colleges; and student grants and loans. It means small-business loans, job training programs, and affordable public transportation to help people get to work.
I believe that it is a cardinal responsibility of government to ensure that this ladder of opportunity stays firmly in place for each new generation of Americans. It is a great investment in our people. It is also the key to a vibrant economy and a healthy democracy.
So, this Independence Day, as we celebrate our freedoms, let’s also celebrate America’s success in providing amazing opportunities for hundreds of millions of people. And let’s recommit ourselves to strengthening the ladder of opportunity that gives everyone a shot at the American Dream.
June 25, 2009
Yahoo! News Carries Harkin Message Of A New “Wellness Society”
Yahoo! News (www.news.yahoo.com), the most-visited overall news site on the Internet, posted an exclusive op-ed feature from Senator Tom Harkin, the lead Senator in drafting the Prevention and Public Health section of the landmark health reform bill. Senator Harkin shares the statistics and reasons he feels this legislation is necessary to American’s health and well-being.
June 23, 2009
HELP Committee Readies Largest Investment in Prevention and Public Health
Over the past week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on which I serve, has begun work on one of the most important bills in decades – the Affordable Health Choices Act. The goal of the bill is to reform our health care system to improve care, lower costs and make health care work for all Americans.
June 18, 2009
Harkin Delivers Remarks On S. Con. Res. 26, An Apology For Enslavement And Racial Segregation Of African-Americans
Today, Senator Tom Harkin delivered remarks on the Senate Floor just prior to the passage of S. Con. Res. 26, which he introduced and co-sponsored. The transcript follows.
June 15, 2009
Prevention Efforts Touted in President’s AMA Speech Are Part of the “Affordable Health Choices Act”
When President Obama spoke to the American Medical Association (AMA) about health reform today, he mentioned the importance of investing in prevention and wellness to fight chronic disease and reduce rising health care costs.
June 11, 2009
Harkin Hails Passage Of Landmark Legislation To Allow FDA To Regulate Tobacco
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today praised the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, legislation that will allow the FDA to regulate what tobacco companies put into their products for the first time and dramatically reduce the number of young Americans who become addicted to tobacco. In 1998, Harkin introduced the first comprehensive, bipartisan bill to give the FDA authority to regulate tobacco and was an original cosponsor of the legislation that passed today.
May 26, 2009
The Nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court
Judge Sotomayor is extremely qualified. She has the intellect and experiences necessary to serve on our nation’s highest Court. In addition to her nearly 17 years on the federal bench – having been appointed by both Presidents Bush and Clinton – she has unique life experiences that I believe are critical to ensure that the Court truly embodies the diversity of our country and understands how the law impacts ordinary Americans.
May 23, 2009
Honoring America’s Veterans All Year Long
As this year’s Memorial Day weekend draws near, it is important to remember that there is far more to this holiday than your typical three-day weekend. While this weekend will likely be filled with family, friends and cookouts, let us be sure to take a moment and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today.
May 19, 2009
Harkin Rally’s with Faith Leaders in Support of EFCA
I want to thank Rev. Steve Copley, Rev. Sue Gaeta, and all the other faith leaders who have joined us, this morning, in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.
May 12, 2009
On The One-Year Anniversary Of The Raid On Agriprocessors, Inc.
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the mass arrests at Agriprocessors, Inc., in Postville. I commend St. Bridget’s Church, local charities, and the entire Postville community for coming together with compassion and generosity to assist the families of those arrested in the raid.
May 1, 2009
Senator Harkin Introduces Flu Prevention Legislation
Tom introduced legislation today to prevent future flu outbreaks in response to the current H1N1 flu outbreak. The Seasonal Influenza and Pandemic Preparation Act of 2009 would establish a nationwide voluntary influenza vaccination program under which any individual may receive an annual influenza vaccine, free of charge.
