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January 06, 2009 09:43 PM UTC

My priorities in the 111th Congress

  • 66 Comments
  • by: Diana DeGette

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

    Americans overwhelmingly voted for change just a few months ago, and today, as we open the 111th Congress, our job and that of the incoming Obama Administration, is to deliver on that change. As the Dean of the Delegation, I look forward to working with my colleagues in Colorado and in Congress on bipartisan measures to stabilize our economy, reestablish cutting-edge research, ensure access to quality health care, and develop a comprehensive energy plan. I am optimistic that with hard work and support from you, great things can be accomplished for Colorado. My agenda reflects that of the American people – priorities that will benefit not only our state, but the entire country. As Chief Deputy Whip and the Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I have the unique opportunity to play a significant role in some of our nation’s most pressing debates:

·    Expanding stem cell research so millions of patients and their families can have hope for a life-saving cure;

·    Enhancing and expanding the children’s health care program to provide coverage to millions of low-income children who live daily without health care;

·    Reforming our nation’s health care system so all Americans have access to health care, and as a result, live healthier and longer lives;

·    Ensuring the safety of our food supply so tainted foods are removed from our store shelves immediately;

·    Developing a comprehensive energy plan that addresses global climate change, ensures the safety of our drinking water, protects Colorado wilderness, and invests in alternative sources of energy.

      Embryonic stem cell research is one of my top priorities and it will be at the top of the agenda when President-elect Obama takes office. As the chief architect of legislation overturning President Bush’s restrictions, I have remained committed to reversing this draconian policy and allowing this cutting-edge research to move forward despite two vetoes. There is a need for strong federal leadership by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in carrying out an ethical stem cell research program in order to realize the full potential for stem cell therapies.  In an op-ed in the Denver Post, I recently urged President-elect Obama to overturn the current restrictions immediately by signing an Executive Order. This would send a strong signal to America and to the world that we are ready to move forward with a robust research program. While I support an Executive Order, the New York Times discusses how an immediate Executive Order, complemented by possible legislation later, would be a “win-win situation” ensuring this life-saving research will actually move forward.

     Last year we fought hard to enhance the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Unfortunately, it also met the fate of the President’s veto. The bipartisan compromise bill that passed the House would have provided coverage for more than 10 million low-income kids nationwide – preserving coverage for 6.6 million children currently in the program while providing new health care coverage to nearly 4 million additional kids.  Approximately 60,000 additional children in Colorado would have received new health care coverage.   During this Congress, I hope to ensure the passage of an even stronger SCHIP measure that not only covers as many low-income children eligible for the program, but also covers pregnant women for appropriate pre-natal, post-natal and regular health care, and provides bonus payments to states for signing up children who are currently eligible to receive Medicaid and SCHIP coverage, but are not yet on the rolls.

     Along with children’s health care, I am excited about the opportunity to address national health care reform.  It is unacceptable that over 47 million Americans do not have health insurance. I am strongly committed to the goal of providing access to health care for all Americans and look forward to passing comprehensive health care legislation in the 111th Congress.  

     Last year’s repeated outbreaks of tainted foods sounded the alarm for protecting our nation’s food supply. Sadly, the gaps in the system left us vulnerable to contamination in our foods resulting in thousands sick and wary of the foods we bring home for our families. As I have in the past, I will again move forward with key food safety legislation that will protect American families from tainted food products. It is imperative that we give the government the ability to force a recall immediately when contamination is found in our foods, and the ability to track the source of that contamination from the farm to the fork. If not, we risk more outbreaks that could be deadlier than in the past.

     Finally, I have long supported legislation to combat global warming and look forward to working closely with new Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. My goals also include reintroducing legislation to both protect our drinking water threatened by hydraulic fracturing and Colorado’s wilderness. The first will ensure that oil and gas drilling will be done as safely as possible by making the process of hydraulic fracturing comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Hydraulic fracturing, which is used in most wells, injects chemicals into underground coal seams to blast open rock and increase the efficiency of the well.  While this method increases the amount of gas that can be extracted per well, the chemical residue can be left underground, which can threaten drinking water supplies.  I also plan on reintroducing the Colorado Wilderness Act, which would protect 1.65 million acres of Colorado’s most spectacular public lands.  Along with these pieces of legislation, I look forward to once again leading the passage of a national Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) since Colorado has been at the forefront of alternative sources of energy.

     Throughout the 111th Congress, I hope to keep in touch with everyone – whether you’re a constituent, blogger or in the online community. I plan on adding more videos to my YouTube page, making podcasts available on my website, and speaking directly with constituents through electronic town hall meetings.  If you would like to receive regular updates on my activities in Congress, click here to sign up for my e-news.  If you live in the First Congressional District and would like to contact me about legislation or request help with federal agencies, please send an email through my website.  I look forward to an exciting and productive 111th Congress that will bring a better quality of life for all in Colorado and Americans nationwide.

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66 thoughts on “My priorities in the 111th Congress”

    1. Pluses:

      1. Resume federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. All for it, and Bush’s policy really soured my support for the GOP.

      2. Create a new agency to deal with foodstuffs. FDA is the wrong agency and its culture seems to be too pro producer. Recognize your beef producers aren’t going to support you, as you know.

      Minuses:

      1. SCHIP: Bush was correct to veto. This is just another unneccessary move toward socialized medicine in the U.S. Bad policy.

      2. Global warming is a huge PR gimmick designed to enrich Gore, GE and other greenies. I hope you’ll support open and detailed hearings that accept input from Gorians and numerous highly credible skeptics. Go slow, because rushing into programs that could destroy the economies of the industrialized world and emerging economies.

      2. There was a book review in the Financial Times last summer that sounded like that – a credible, skeptical (not cynical like you AS) look at climate change. Unfortunately I did not copy it down and was unable to find it online later.

    2. Now we’ve got some blogging power! 🙂

      Seriously, I hope you and Rep. Polis (I can say that officially now!!!) continue posting here occasionally, and convince the other members of the Colorado delegation to also drop by and visit once in a while.

      As David notes, the comments can be a bit rough sometimes, but if we’re blunt, it’s because (most of us) care a lot about our government, state, and country.  I hope that you not only continue to post, but also take the time to follow up with at least a few of the posts.

      Glad to have you here.

          1. (See my agreement with Mr. Hasan below.)

            Understand that I have posted decent things about Rep. DeGette, my Congressperson, several times by checking my history of comments.

            Realize that’s it now too late for me to save the snark that I already posted for another post. And to clarify the snark for everyone, including Representative DeGette: it’s been said before on this site that Rep. DeGette only writes letters to businesses that have won “Best of Denver” awards from Westword, not to her constituents. Whether one likes her performance or not, she is addressing her constituents by posting here, and presumably absorbing the feedback.

            Let’s allow people to post what they want to on this site, as long as it’s in accordance with ColoradoPols’ general standards of decency and safety.

  3. How did you manage to post this at the same time you were shaking Nancy Pelosi’s hand on the floor of the House?!  C-Span sees EVERYTHING!  🙂

    Great list of priorities.  Thanks for taking the time to post it here (or at least have one of your staffers do it).

  4. I have no problem with your priorities.  Those are all important things.  But your list seems to ignore the current dismal state of the U.S. economy.

    I believe the number one priority of every member of Congress should be to get Americans back to work.  It’s hard for anyone to enjoy the “quality of life” you mentioned if they don’t have a job.

    At least in the near term, any priorities that don’t have to do with resurrecting the U.S. economy are just nibbling around the edges of what’s really needed.

    First things first.

    1. We have 435 people in the House. Are we really better off if 100% of them are focused exclusively on the economy?

      I think that might be worse both because 435 people are not going to agree on anything and it could slow things down. Also, do we let everything else go to hell due to lack of action & oversight?

      Maybe it should be that they all say they are there for whatever is needed for the economy, and their message to the leadership is it is job 1 for the House.

      2. They can’t do economy 24/7.  

        Yes, high priority to move things through committee and hold hearings, but there’s a lot of time in between for debating sweet vs. dill pickle subsidies.  

        1. by expanding access to health care, especially for kids, we help working parents – who pay taxes and contribute to the economy.

          You cannot fix the economy without addressing the #1 cause of bankruptcy, medical costs. And small businesses are cutting back on employees or only hiring part-time because of the skyrocketing cost of health care.  Imagine how much better it would be for them if their employees had SCHIP to cover their kids.

          So Go Diana!

          2. Let me say that I am as strong a proponent for universal health care for Americans as anyone.

            HC will not be fixed in the next six months. But we can put lots of people to work and those people will (presumably)get HC with their new jobs.

            The nations with universal HC are going down the economic tubes, too.  

            1. The nations with universal HC are going down the tubes too, but our penchant for “private” health care just rubs salt in the wounds.

              In the US the economic situation is only worsened by the fact that health insurance premiums continue to climb for the employed and unemployed (if they can still afford it), people get excluded from coverage for pre-existing conditions, tens of thousands of people even with coverage go bankrupt, and Detroit and thousands of other manufacturers and employers are saddled with healthcare costs as well.  

              So the healthcare situation in our country makes a bad problem (recession, depression) and just makes it worse.

              I am sure the health insurers are still happy as pigs in shit though.

  5. Please understand that even if the 47 million uninsured in the US somehow get health insurance, that dosen’t necessarily mean they will have access to quality health care.  

    Health insurers are a big part of our national health care crisis, and their influence on the system needs to be greatly curtailed.  The interests of private health insurers are directly at odds with the interests of American families.

    My two cents.  Good luck to you !

        1. For what purpose?

          Candidates who have no shot at winning and don’t mount real, credible campaigns do not deserve to be allowed to debate just because they figured out how to fill out some paperwork making them a candidate.

            1. Register mine, I’ll use yours to take on Lamborn(are you in 5?).  We’ll screw up some numbers and entertain a few people.  2010’s going to be the greatest!

                1. Where the hell were you last month?

                  I did assume you were south of Tomah until you set your sights on CD-1, then I got confused.

                  Anyway, do it!  I can’t think of a single reason why not.

                3. I mean, I voted for a Repub for the first time since the 2000 Primary in California ( I liked McCain v 2k) went I went for Mr Lilly.

                  Does this mean there’s going to be GOP Bloodbath for a primary? Pistols at 15 paces?  

          2. I think refusing to debate your opponent because you are in a “safe” seat is un-democratic. It’s saying that regardless of what you do, you own the seat. And that’s wrong.

            You don’t need to go have 40 debates. But I think there should be a minimum of say 3 – 5 debates between all candidates polling 10% or more. If you are running for office, you need to put yourself out in the arena.

            My mom could shoot someone on live TV and still win re-election. But she debates her opponent, and treats them with the respect of a credible challenger. It’s a responsibility of being an elected official.

    2. Read Sandy Pipes. Don’t screw up health insurance for the middle income buyers of private insurance plans just to make yourself feel good about helping the uninsured, most of whom don’t exist when you count them correctly.

          2. Calling me a fascist has suddenly made you worth taking seriously. Everybody knows disagreeing with you is the same as shouting you down, which is in turn the same as shooting you.

            Oh wait, misspelling “lemmings” has suddenly made you an idiot again. Never mind.

          1. Wash, rinse, repeat. Oh, and accuse anyone of opposing him of being an operative for a special interest while failing to disclose anything about his own line of work.

  6. Will look forward to hearing from you again here and at town hall meetings. Great way to stay in touch with folks here in Colorado.

    And kudos to you for being at the forefront of passing meaningful stem cell research. From diabetes to Alzheimer’s, we can change the world if this country and our great scientists are allowed to continue their research and put it into practical use.  

  7. I am going to end the love-fest here, and direct some harsh criticism on your past and future position as my(?) representative in Congress for Colorado House District One.

    1) Your are at least consistent in ignoring or devaluing input from the people you claim to represent. You’ve cancelled numerous town hall meetings with us, especially in the face of the criticism you would be getting for your various non-votes on Iraq War Funding, the GI Bill, Impeachment and many other issues.  We have clearly told you and your staff what is important to us in CD1, and you’ve ducked and dodged us.

    2) Yet again, you’re purporting to be in favor of health care reform in the United States, but I find it hard to believe that “this time” you’ll actually deliver on any legislation that doesn’t take care of Big Pharma or Big Med first. Why? In the last election cycle, you took almost as much money from those industries as “Big Oil” Bob Schaffer took from the Energy Industry. Over your entire term in Congress,    Big Med and Big Pharma has donated more money to you than any other industry. What’s going to “change” this session?

    3) The People of CD1 have been at the bottom of your priorities whenever there’s a national election. In 2006, you let all of us know that being in Sen. Clinton’s camp was more important than meeting with us, or delivering on any inquiries we make with your office. Compare your indifference to the responses given by Rep. Perlmutter or Rep. Udall’s office, and it feels like I’m a Satanist trying to get an audience with the Pope.

    Rep. DeGette, if this is going to be another session of empty promises to us in CD1, save it. You can regain my faith in you by doing what the people of this district want, as opposed to whatever “DC Insider” skullduggery you’ve been doing the last few years.

    Make a trip back to your district, and drive around the neighborhoods. There’s not a lot of signs that say “Stem Cell Research NOW!” They say “End the War in Iraq” or “Bring The Troops Home NOW.”

    That  is, if you can remember where that is.

    1. But if you asked most of those people if they’d rather see stem cell research or not, they generally say they would. Lots of people voted against Bush in 2004 specifically because of his stem cell position (not enough, of course). People with relatives who have serious diseases are very concerned about it.

      The point is not whether DeGette should be against the war. Of course she should, and to my knowledge she is. But other Congresspeople aren’t waiting to hear from her to find out what to do, nor is the President. People ARE looking to her on stem cell research.

      You want her to fly back to Denver so you can personally tell her to single-handedly end the war and single-handedly impeach the President and whatever else. Great, but I think she might conceivably have better things to do.

      1. …but I damn sure expect her to make her own scheduled town hall meetings, esp after blowing some key votes like Iraq War Funding.

        DeGette likes to hoot about her position as Deputy Whip –  if she fails in that job, esp on such a key issue, she needs to face the criticism afterward.

    2. Where were you last fall when DeGette participated in candidate forums with George Lilly?  You could have asked her your questions if you had shown up at those events.

      The people of the 1st C.D. want an end to the Bush-imposed limits on funding for stem cell research.  DeGette is the number one national leader on this issue.  There is no indication that any campaign donations affected her votes on health care issues.  

      Impeachment would have a futile distraction from the many more important issues affecting the country — unless your real goal was to put Dick Cheney in the Oval Office.  

      1. Many viable plans were floated, among them that both of the men be impeached.  That would have put Nancy Pelosi in th WH two years ago.

        What Dan is saying, I think and that I concur with, Rep. DeGette expresses great concerns but then does nothing brave about them.  One of the reasons Congress has scored so low since 2006 is because of the lilly livered Democratic leadership not doing what the people want.  How will we ever reform health care when she is writing thank you notes for Big Med donations?

        A definite kudos for her work on stem cell legislation.  

      2. …one of the few with almost 100% turnout of the Federal and State Candidates. The only no-shows on the Fed side were the ones will miserable vet records – Marilyn Musgrave, Bob Schaffer and Diane DeGette.

        We had a lot of questions that day. She wasn’t there to answer them.

        I’m guessing she missed that forum because we weren’t one of those key demographics, and that she wouldn’t like the questions.

        2. and even David can laugh about how silly a standard that is for politicians to meet. No politician can go to every interest group’s forum.

          Of course veterans are important. But so are lots of other people. Police are important. Firefighters are important. Educators are important (just kidding, no we’re not). Doctors and nurses are important. Construction workers are important. Children are important. Small businesspeople are important. Ranchers are important. Farmers are important. Sixteen professions I haven’t thought of are important.

          And if every one of them hosts a forum, no competent politician could attend every one of them.  

          1. I wish they all would agree to be interviewed by me. But I realize that there are way more invites than time and that’s why I am always appreciative of those that say yes and understanding of those that say no.

            (Now Perlmutter’s flack that wanted me to only post the interview on Pols – that I didn’t think well of.)

          2. With the exception of the three mentioned, everyone else running for Federal and State office managed to make it.  Their absence had more to do with their shameful records on the issue than “scheduling” issues.

            Crap, even “Never attended a deployment or redeployment” Lamborn made it to take on the tough questions.  Whatisname, the Repub running against Polis had the balls to come out and defend his policy of dismantling the VA.

  10. My wife lost her father last July from Parkinson’s. He was one of the kindest people on this planet. His death and his suffering was painful beyond words. Thank you for your leadership on this issue. Please focus on the economy and bringing green collar jobs to Colorado as well. Thanks for the post here. Congressman Polis posted the other day from his car (with moving boxes). I think he said he was in Okla. City on his way to D.C. Did you car pool with Jared to D.C.? 🙂

    2. .

      is this intentional ?

      Bush didn’t BAN embryonic stem cell research.

      If a private corporation wants to do it, bombs away.

      He just said that tax dollars, including those collected under threat of imprisonment from folks who find the practice morally abhorrent,

      would not be used to pay for it.

      If you want to support the degradation of what it means to be human, send a check to the March of Dimes (does Dr. Mengele still work there ?) or some such research organizarion,

      but please don’t force people who believe humans are created by God to pay for your mad science.

      .

  11. When Rep. Polis threw out his incendiary (but excellent) idea about saving the Auto Industry, he stuck around and defending (or expounded) on his thoughts.

    It seems Rep. DeGette is true to her M.O., and has done the equivalent of a web-post drive-by…a nice sounding series of sound bites strung together for release, and then a steadfast refusal to to answer or defend any of it.

    Rep. DeGette – you (or one of your staffers) threw this out. You need to be a big girl and stick up for it.

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