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Dear Friend,
The House took a historic step this week toward ensuring the rights of all Americans by passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act contained in the Conference Report for H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The Senate is expected to consider the legislation next week. When President Barack Obama signs the legislation, it will be the first federal law specifically protecting LGBT Americans. This Act is focused on giving state and local law enforcement the tools and resources they need to prevent and prosecute hate crimes. It will help protect Americans against violence based on sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or gender identity by extending the federal hate crimes statute.
Click here to read my statement on its passage. Having been a cosponsor of this important measure during my tenure in Congress, I am proud that it is finally on its way to becoming law.
 I am also pleased that the Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a vote on its health care proposal next week. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its cost analysis of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care legislation determining the legislation will cost $829 billion over the next ten years and reduce the deficit by $81 billion during that time. However, the Senate Finance Committee’s health care proposal does not include a public insurance option as the House version does. I strongly support a public option because it will ensure competition in the marketplace and help bring down rising costs.
Click here to read The Denver Post article about the House and Senate proposals.
As I have mentioned in previous e-newsletters, our food safety system is in dire need of reform. I have been a steadfast advocate of increased food safety standards, including the ability to trace food from the farm to the fork. Last night I appeared on Jim Lehrer’s NewsHour to discuss the Food Safety Modernization Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in July and awaits Senate consideration. Click here to watch the clip.
As always, I will keep you updated on legislation before the U.S. Congress. If you have questions about these issues, please feel free to send me an email.
Sincerely,
Diana DeGette
Member of Congress |
