Currently browsing: Politics

Tanner: Senate Action Is Step Toward Fort Campbell, Montgomery Co. VA Investments

November 20, 2009 |

U.S. Rep. John Tanner today praised the Senate for its passage Tuesday of its version of the Military/VA Construction Appropriations bill. The bill will now be sent to a conference committee to reconcile differences with the House-passed bill, Tanner said.

The House bill passed July 10 includes projects Tanner requested for Fort Campbell facility improvements and to push for construction of a veterans’ nursing home in Montgomery County.

“Passage of the Senate bill gets us another step closer to making these crucial investments at Fort Campbell and to make the VA understand what many of us have long known: that Middle Tennessee veterans deserve a nursing home in Montgomery County,” Congressman Tanner said. “We will continue following the legislative process and encourage the conference committee to realize why these are important commitments.” «Read the rest of this article»

Tanner meets with top NATO leaders

November 18, 2009 |

Presides Over Sessions on Future of Afghanistan Fight

EDINBURGH – U.S. Rep. John Tanner discussed the future of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan in meetings with top NATO leaders while presiding over NATO Parliamentary Assembly sessions in Edinburgh. The Parliamentary Assembly is NATO’s legislative arm. Tanner has served as the body’s President since November 2008.

“The consensus among NATO leaders and member-nation lawmakers is that we are in a crucial point in the alliance’s history and in the war against the spread of radical fundamentalism,” Tanner said after meeting with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, and U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander-Europe, both of whom also addressed the Assembly. “These meetings are extremely helpful as the dialogue continues in the U.S. and in other NATO nations about how best to refocus on the fight in Afghanistan and Pakistan.” «Read the rest of this article»

Senate Democrats honor the volunteer tradition of Tennessee veterans

November 11, 2009 |

Remind Iraq, Afghanistan veterans of scholarship available to them

Leaders of the State Senate Democratic Caucus praised the proud tradition Wednesday of Tennessee’s veterans, past and present.

“When the cause of freedom is on the line, Tennesseans are first to rise to the call,” Senator Lowe Finney of Jackson, the Caucus chairman, said. “Our tradition as volunteers is historic.

“I visited earlier this year with members of the Tennessee Guard preparing to go to the Middle East. Their confidence and dignity reflects the spirit of generations of Tennessee fighting men and women. We have much to be proud of on this day.” «Read the rest of this article»

Kucinich: Why I Voted NO

November 7, 2009 |

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Washington D.C. – After voting against H.R. 3962 – Affordable Health Care for America Act, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement:

“We have been led to believe that we must make our health care choices only within the current structure of a predatory, for-profit insurance system which makes money not providing health care. We cannot fault the insurance companies for being what they are. But we can fault legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for-profit health insurance industry, the very source of the problem. When health insurance companies deny care or raise premiums, co-pays and deductibles they are simply trying to make a profit. That is our system.

“Clearly, the insurance companies are the problem, not the solution. They are driving up the cost of health care. Because their massive bureaucracy avoids paying bills so effectively, they force hospitals and doctors to hire their own bureaucracy to fight the insurance companies to avoid getting stuck with an unfair share of the bills. The result is that since 1970, the number of physicians has increased by less than 200% while the number of administrators has increased by 3000%. It is no wonder that 31 cents of every health care dollar goes to administrative costs, not toward providing care. Even those with insurance are at risk. The single biggest cause of bankruptcies in the U.S. is health insurance policies that do not cover you when you get sick. «Read the rest of this article»

Odom: ‘The court has ruled. Goins, Hargett do your job!’

November 6, 2009 |

House Democratic Leader Gary Odom

Nashville – House Democratic Leader Gary Odom Thursday renewed his call for fair elections in Tennessee by calling on the secretary of state to “do his job” after a state court issued a ruling confirming that state law requires the implementation of paper ballot machines for the 2010 elections to comply with the Voter Confidence Act of 2008.

Odom cited the following ruling from Chancellor Russell Perkins in Davidson County Chancery Court:

“The court finds that the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act does not require the voting system to be implemented by the state of Tennessee to meet 2005 standards,” wrote Perkins.

“The court determines that the state is obligated to take prompt, effective steps to meet the statutory deadline using compliant voting systems.” «Read the rest of this article»

Tanner announces retroactive pay for ‘Stop Loss’ troops

October 24, 2009 |

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Tanner said some military personnel can now apply for special retroactive payments to compensate for stop-loss orders that extended their enlistments. Approved by Congress in the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, the program will provide $500 for each month that a service member served under stop loss since Sept. 11, 2001.

“Our service members and their families have made great sacrifices to serve our country,” said Congressman Tanner, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee National Guard. “Many times, their enlistments were extended involuntarily or their retirements were put on hold because of the strain that was placed on the Armed Forces. With these special payments, we are sending the message that we recognize their sacrifices and greatly appreciate their service.”

The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is available to service members who had their enlistments extended or retirement suspended due to stop loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. «Read the rest of this article»

Women, mothers, families and health care reform

October 23, 2009 |

Our broken health care system that is. That’s right — it’s not working for many women and their families.

In many states, insurance companies can still discriminate on the basis of gender — and not just on costs. In some states, maternity care is not covered because pregnancy can be seen as a “pre-existing condition.” It’s even legal in some states to deny a woman coverage because she’s been a victim of domestic violence!

That’s not right. Nobody in America should be treated that way. That’s why First Lady Michelle Obama is standing up for women and families in this newest video. Take a look:

«Read the rest of this article»

Austin Peay College Democrats awarded health care reform grant.

October 23, 2009 |

Tennessee student group one of four awarded grants nationwide following application process, national vote.

The Austin Peay College Democrats have been awarded a national health care reform grant by the College Democrats of America Alumni Association (CDAAA). Over a dozen school chapters submitted proposals to advocate health care reform in a national application process, resulting in the selection of four College Democrat chapters for the honor. Choosing to submit their proposal around APSU’s annual Greater Halloween Options for Safe Trick-or-Treating (G.H.O.S.T.) event, the student organization won a national runoff vote held to determine the final grant winner.

“After tallying the votes – and weeding out some less-than-scrupulous individuals who tried to vote early and often – one school emerged as the clear winner: Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.” Alex Cornell du Houx, a Maine state representative and member of the CDAAA Board of Directors, said in announcing the winner of the runoff vote. “In addition to Austin Peay, we couldn’t be more excited to award health care action grants to College Dems chapters at Florida International University, Georgetown University and the University of Wyoming. The grant applications we received show just how excited College Dems across the country are to organize for health care reform.” «Read the rest of this article»

Tanner outlines developments in expanding Tennesseans’ local TV options

October 22, 2009 |

Washington – U.S. Rep. John Tanner highlighted recent developments that could help many Tennessee families gain access to additional local television options.

“We feel we are making progress toward ensuring 8th District families have access to news, information and recreational programming that originates from our state and best serves our local communities,” Congressman Tanner said.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently passed the Satellite Home Viewer Reauthorization Act with amendments that help further two of Congressman Tanner’s priorities to impact Tennesseans’ channel lineup options. The bill must still be scheduled for consideration by the full House, and similar legislation must also be deliberated in the Senate.

Congressman Tanner has also discussed with the Federal Communications Commission the difficulties some Tennessee families have experienced in receiving digital TV signals. «Read the rest of this article»

AARP disappointed by Senate’s vote to block protection of access to Medicare doctors

October 21, 2009 |

S. 1776 would have preserved access by replacing flawed payment system

Today the U.S. Senate blocked critical  legislation to protect access to doctors for the 44 million Americans who rely on Medicare.  The Medicare Physician Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have replaced today’s broken doctor payment system, which calls for a 21.5 percent cut in physician pay in January.  The bill failed to pass a key procedural vote in the Senate today.

“While we are disappointed by today’s outcome, we applaud those senators casting a yes vote for voting to preserve access to doctors in Medicare and bring this bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote,” said AARP Tennessee Advocacy Director Patrick Willard.  “This critical legislation would have helped the millions of older Americans in Medicare have access to the doctor of their choice by replacing the flawed doctor payment system.  We look forward to continuing to work with Senators Alexander and Corker and their colleagues to pass health care reform that protects Medicare and ensures older Americans can afford quality health care.” «Read the rest of this article»

© 2009 Clarksville, TN Online is owned and operated by residents of Clarksville Tennessee.
» We are Hosted by Compu-Net Enterprises; In Partnership with Discover Clarksville and Discover Paris