Recent News | House Democrats

The benefits of health insurance reform for seniors (VIDEO)

March 18, 2010

House Democrats are closer than ever to reforming our nation's broken health insurance system with a plan that benefits our nation's seniors by strengthening Medicare, closing the "donut hole" to lower seniors' prescription drug costs, and improving the coordination and quality of care.

Watch as Members talk about how seniors will benefit from health reform.

Republican obstructionism quiz: economic disaster and socialist society!

March 17, 2010

In the 30s and 60s Republicans claimed that Social Security and Medicare would bring about economic disaster and a socialist society. History has proven them wrong about both of those widely supported programs, yet today they are claiming the same thing about health care reform.

Can you figure out which Republican quotes are attacking Social Security, Medicare or health care reform?

By the numbers: Republican leadership acting against the best interests of their constituents

March 17, 2010

Here’s a look at what health care reform will do for the constituents of House Republican leaders.

In Minority Leader John Boehner’s District (OH-8):

With the finish line in sight, Members explain what health care reform will mean for American families

March 16, 2010

We are closer than ever to reforming our nation's broken health insurance system with a plan that puts Americans back in control of their health care choices, holds insurance companies accountable, and makes coverage more affordable.

Democratic Members took to the floor today, explaining how our health care reform will improve the lives of the American people.

Representative Dennis Moore

The Top Ten Immediate Benefits You’ll Get When Health Care Reform Passes

March 16, 2010

As soon as health care passes, the American people will see immediate benefits. The legislation will:

Prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions for children in all new plans;
Provide immediate access to insurance for uninsured Americans who are uninsured because of a pre-existing condition through a temporary high-risk pool;
Prohibit dropping people from coverage when they get sick in all individual plans;
Lower seniors prescription drug prices by beginning to close the donut hole;
Offer tax credits to small businesses to purchase coverage;
Eliminate lifetime limits and restrictive annual limits on benefits in all plans;
Require plans to cover an enrollee’s dependent children until age 26;
Require new plans to cover preventive services and immunizations without cost-sharing;
Ensure consumers have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal new insurance plan decisions;
Require premium rebates to enrollees from insurers with high administrative expenditures and require public disclosure of the percent of premiums applied to overhead costs.

A historic moment in time: Congress closer than ever to making health care reform a reality (VIDEO)

March 15, 2010

Americans have waited for meaningful health care reform for more than six decades. Today, House Democrats are closer than ever to reforming our nation’s broken health insurance system with a plan that puts Americans back in control of their health care choices, holds insurance companies accountable, and makes coverage more affordable.

“At this moment in time, we have the opportunity, on behalf of the American people, to accomplish what Roosevelt, Nixon, Truman and Clinton wanted to do,” Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson noted.

FDR’s first fireside chat still relevant today

March 12, 2010

On this day, in 1933, President Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt gave his first fireside chat in the face an economic crisis of massive proportion. Here’s a bit of what he said:

Representatives Read Across America on Dr. Seuss’ birthday

March 3, 2010

In celebration of the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, Democratic Representatives across the country went to schools in their Congressional Districts to read to students.

A tribute to John Murtha

March 3, 2010

Congress will honor Representative John Murtha, who passed away last month, at a Memorial service today at noon. Watch Chairman Larson pay tribute to this great patriot.

Senate Republicans Block Unemployment Extension, Putting American Families At Risk

March 2, 2010

Due to Republican obstructionism, legislation to provide millions of families with emergency relief has been blocked in the Senate after it passed unanimously in the House.

Democrats stand up to unreasonable health care industry rate hikes

February 26, 2010

The Energy and Commerce Committee held health insurance company executives’ feet to the fire this week for trying to raise premiums on consumers by a whopping 39%. That’s right, California’s largest insurer wants to raise premiums by more than 1/3 – proof that we need health insurance reform now to reign in insurance abuses.

Watch as Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) grills executives about their extreme increases in premium rates.

Intelligence Bill Passes, Strengthening National Security and Intel Gathering Capacity

February 26, 2010

Building on Democrats’ national security successes, today the House passed the Intelligence Authorization Bill, introduced by Silvestre Reyes (TX-16). The bill will strengthen our national security capacity by increasing funding for U.S. intelligence agencies. It increases funding for critical language programs, such as those that have assisted our intelligence gathering in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and boosts programs to protect our cyber-security.

Bipartisan Health Care Meeting with President Obama

February 25, 2010

Today Democrats from the House and Senate will join President Obama in the White House to listen to and engage with our Republican colleagues’ on their ideas for health insurance reform.

Watch as Democrats and Republicans come together to discuss the urgency of reforming our health insurance system:

Dems Pass Legislation to End Health Insurance Industry Abusive Practices, Restore Competition

February 24, 2010

Today the House passed the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act to give the American people more choice in their health care by requiring health insurance companies to compete fairly and adhere to the same anti-trust laws as other companies.

Watch as one of the bill’s lead sponsors, Congressman Tom Perriello (VA-05), talks about his legislation:

Larson Commends Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Act

April 29, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives passed legislation today that will protect all Americans by expanding the definition of a hate crime and providing law enforcement officers with the tools they need to prosecute such crimes. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said:

Larson: Recovery Begins in our Communities

March 18, 2009

Congressman Larson hails passage of GIVE Act to promote volunteerism

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed landmark legislation that will expand the culture of volunteerism in this country.

Caucus to Hold Informational Discussion on Climate Change Policy Today

March 16, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, will host a meeting of the Caucus today that will be an in-depth discussion and consideration of climate change policy.

Congressman Larson said, “Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time. We must address it immediately.

Larson: Today, We Took a Step Towards Saving Families' Home

March 5, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed fair legislation to help keep American families who are facing foreclosure in their homes. Without spending any taxpayer money, the legislation gives bankruptcy court judges the chance to modify existing mortgages for families who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 is not an easy way out of debt. It is a cumbersome and invasive process that requires a family to open up their finances to the oversight and management of the courts for five years.

Larson: Today We Begin the Steep Ascent Out of Our Economic Crisis

February 13, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, released the following remarks after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Eight years of the Bush Administration’s failed policies have left our economy in a deep and cavernous hole. The climb out will be steep. With the strength and courage of President Obama, this Congress and the American people it will be steady. Today we are voting on one bold and historic step out of this hole.

Larson Commends Dingell- Longest Serving House Member

February 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, made the following remarks in honor of Congressman John Dingell (MI-15) becoming the longest serving member of the House of Representatives.

“As our country struggles with some of the greatest challenges in a generation, I am honored to have Congressman John Dingell by my side. As a student of history, the importance of this milestone is not lost on me. He has seen our nation through wars and recessions, innovations and triumphs.

Larson: Recovery Package is a First Step in a Long Climb to Economic Stability

January 28, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives will vote on America’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said on the floor of the House:

“Last week President Obama stood on our nation’s front lawn in front of 2 million Americans and delivered a message that was clear and realistic but hopeful.

“We face a rendezvous with reality. The Bush Administration left us with the worst financial crisis this country has seen since the Great Depression.

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