Congressman Frank Pallone

Congressman Frank Pallone https://www.dailykos.com/user/Congressman Frank Pallone/rss/index.xml News Community Action Copyright 2005 - Steal what you want Sun, 26 Jan 2020 14:41:10 +0000 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 14:41:10 +0000 Daily Kos rss@dailykos.com (Daily Kos) Daily Kos rss@dailykos.com (Daily Kos) Why I voted against the debt bill https://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/8/3/1002683/-Why-I-voted-against-the-debt-bill    Washington has been consumed with a protracted and distracting debate that tied the need to raise the Nation's debt limit to budget cuts. All reasonable people know that default was not an option. The failure of the country to pay its bills would have a catastrophic effect on the economy and on the lives of all Americans for years to come. This was a debate we shouldn't have been having. Every day and every hour that was spent in this battle was time that wasn't devoted to job creation or economic growth.     I voted against the deal that was made to end the crisis that paralyzed Congress and threatened the economy. A default had to be avoided, but this was not the best way to do it. First and foremost, the plan does nothing to create a single job and does nothing to aid the ailing economy. In fact, it could cause both immediate and long-term harm to the country's economic well being and to our ability to pursue economic opportunities.     In addition, I believe the deal will put vital programs and services at risk of harmful cuts. Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid could be put on the chopping block, along with an array of government services that are needed now more than ever. With a depressed economy making it hard for people to make ends meet, we should not be cutting college loans, unemployment funding, child care, housing or health care. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) Debt Economy FrankPallone JobCreation NJ6 Recommended _1002683 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:11:13 +0000 Historic Health Care Reform https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/9/24/905019/-Historic-Health-Care-Reform It’s been a little over 24 hours since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act went into effect.  Now, we have real reform that lowers costs, holds insurance companies accountable and guarantees more choice for consumers. Together, we fought against and beat back powerful special interests and partisan extremists to deliver real results and meaningful reform for Central Jersey's middle-class families.  Not only were we able to ensure that this reform would be deficit neutral, it will even lower the debt by slowing the growth rate of health care costs.  And this was all done in an effort to bring about better, more-accessible, high-quality health care for all. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone Health Care HealthCare HealthCareReform NJ-6 _905019 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:39:20 +0000 100 Days https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/7/27/888158/-100-Days It’s been a busy 100 days for us in Congress.  From reigning in Wall Street excesses with comprehensive financial regulation reform to protecting and creating American jobs, we are working hard to fulfill the mandate given to President Obama and Congressional Democrats back in November of 2008. <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/volunteer.php">But the next 100 days promise to be even busier.</a> rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) 100 days 100days CongressmanFrankPallone FinancialRegulationReform General Election GeneralElection _888158 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:48:04 +0000 Lessons From Bhopal https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/6/18/877227/-Lessons-From-Bhopal A rogue corporation’s negligence and greed leads to an industrial disaster, exposing their utter disdain for the rule of law, for the environment and for the people whose livelihoods – and lives – are destroyed by their actions. The story is all too familiar, but I’m not referring to BP and their operations in the Gulf Coast. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) Bhopal BP British Petroleum BritishPetroleum CongressmanFrankPallone DowChemical India UnionCarbide _877227 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:05:43 +0000 The Fight Begins Today https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/6/9/874368/-The-Fight-Begins-Today With yesterday’s primary election in the books, the journey to November’s general election starts right now.   While we still don’t know who our opponent will be, we do know she will either be a self-funding billionaire or the darling of the tea party. We also know that, no matter what, we will be facing a well-funded right-wing assault seeking to turn back the clock to the Bush/Cheney policies that have caused so many problems for our state and nation. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone General Election GeneralElection NJ-6 _874368 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:57:10 +0000 Making Wall Street Take Their Medicine https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/5/19/867848/-Making-Wall-Street-Take-Their-Medicine <a href="http://atlanticville.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-20/Front_Page/Pallone_stumps_for_financial_reform.html">Earlier this week, I joined with small business owners and consumer advocates in Red Bank’s vibrant downtown</a> to rally support for passage of a comprehensive reform package that will put the interests of Main Street before those of Wall Street. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone consumerfinancialprotectionact FinancialRegulationReform New Jersey NewJersey NJ-6 _867848 Wed, 19 May 2010 15:17:47 +0000 A Complete 180 https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/5/6/864196/-A-Complete-180 There are only 180 days between now and Election Day.  And we’re going to have to fight tooth and nail to beat back those seeking to bring about a 180 degree reversal from the progress we’ve been making. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) BarackObama CongressmanFrankPallone NJ-6 President Obama _864196 Thu, 06 May 2010 20:31:11 +0000 Every Day...Not Just Earth Day https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/4/22/859664/-Every-Day-Not-Just-Earth-Day Earth Day is a time for us all to come together and celebrate the great beauty of our planet. This is also a day to remember how fragile our environment is and to think about how we can fight back against growing threats and pollution. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) BeachProtectionAct CleanEstuariesAct CongresmanFrankPallone Earth Day EarthDay NJ-6 Offshore Drilling OffshoreDrilling SenatorFrankLautenberg _859664 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:39:44 +0000 A New Medium for Interaction & Input https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/4/1/853179/-A-New-Medium-for-Interaction-Input Going back to my time as a Long Branch City Councilman, I've always believed it was important to give my constituents a direct line to communicate their questions, concerns, and thoughts.  Technology is revolutionizing how we interact, and as the Congressman for New Jersey's 6th District, I want to use these new tools to hear directly from you. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone GoogleModerator New Jersey NewJersey NJ-6 TwitterTownhall YouTube _853179 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:22:19 +0000 No Time for Complacency https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/4/842986/-No-Time-for-Complacency It sometimes feels like a political eternity has gone by since President Obama was sworn-in with a Democratic Congress last January.  After sweeping into office with the most electoral votes since L.B.J in 1964, our country was poised to turn the page on the failed policies of the past. A little over a year later, we have made a lot of progress and realized important achievements on issues long neglected by the Republicans. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) 2010 FrankPallone Midterm Elections MidtermElections NJ-6 Recommended _842986 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:28:34 +0000 End the Insurance Monopolies: Repeal McCarran-Ferguson https://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/19/838583/-End-the-Insurance-Monopolies-Repeal-McCarran-Ferguson On Wednesday I headed over to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick to take part in a discussion with doctors, hospital administrators, and consumer groups about repealing the McCarran-Ferguson Act – a law giving health insurers anti-trust exemptions.   rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) FrankPallone Healthcare Reform HealthCareReform NewBrunswick NJ-06 Recommended RobertWoodJohnson _838583 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:36:55 +0000 Thank You for Participating in my First Twitter Town Hall https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/23/818543/-Thank-You-for-Participating-in-my-First-Twitter-Town-Hall <a href="http://www.bluejersey.com/diary/13949/thank-you-for-participating-in-my-first-twitter-town-hall">Cross Posted on Blue Jersey</a> I want to thank everyone who took part in my first <a href="http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23ttpallone">Twitter Town Hall</a> – <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/twitter-room/other-news/73225-rep-pallone-holding-twitter-town-hall-on-healthcare">I had a great time doing it</a> and I’m looking forward to coming back again to answer questions on different issues. Congress is truly making history by reforming the health care system. Seven presidents tried – none were successful. We are now on the verge of sending President Obama reforms that will lower premiums, increase competition, and increase access to near universal levels. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone Health Care HealthCare NJ-6 Twitter TwitterTownhall _818543 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:50:36 +0000 Twitter Town Hall on Health Care Reform https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/16/815236/-Twitter-Town-Hall-on-Health-Care-Reform As the Senate continues its debate on the long road towards reforming America’s health care system the end is in sight.  Over the past year, there has been discussion, thought, compromise and ideas to get the best solutions to lower costs, reduce premiums, and make sure everyone has access to insurance. This debate has focused on the needs of everyday Americans - those struggling beneath a mountain of debt from medical bills - forced into impossible decisions between filling a prescription bottle or stocking their refrigerator. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone Health Care HealthCare NJ-6 TwitterTownhall _815236 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:39:49 +0000 Yesterday's Mammogram Hearing https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/3/810432/-Yesterday-s-Mammogram-Hearing Cross Posted on <a href="http://www.bluejersey.com/diary/13690/yesterdays-mammogram-hearings">Blue Jersey</a> and <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/Blog/index.php?p=131">PalloneForaHealthyNJ.com</a> Many of you have been following the recent controversy about the US Preventive Services Task Force's new breast cancer screening recommendations - in the news, at the watercooler and around the family dinner table. The implied suggestion that screening should start at age 50 rather than the previous recommendation of 40 is a legitimate cause for concern. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone Energy&CommerceCommittee healtcare JohnDingell Mammograms SubcommitteeonHealth _810432 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:52:20 +0000 The Final Stretch https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/30/798898/-The-Final-Stretch It has all come down to this.  As I am sure you all know, here in New Jersey Election Day is next Tuesday, November 3rd.  So, right now, Jon Corzine and Loretta Weinberg need our help during this final stretch run.  Your support and hard work could make the difference in one of the most important races in the country, and in the most important gubernatorial race I have seen in my lifetime. <a href="http://www.joncorzine09.com/main.cfm?s=corzine&actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=userVolunteer">Please find a Victory 09’ Office near you to pitch in and help out.</a>  With so much at stake, every phone call made, envelope stuffed or door knocked over the next few days could very well make all the difference. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) ChrisChristie elections2009 JonCorzine New Jersey NewJersey NJ-Gov _798898 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:18:28 +0000 We All Need to Fight for Governor Corzine https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/25/786422/-We-All-Need-to-Fight-for-Governor-Corzine This coming November we all have an important choice at the polls.  This election doesn't just impact New Jersey's families; it affects Democratic and progressive causes all over the country.  We are fighting in Washington to make sure that lasting health care reform legislation is ultimately passed and the Republicans have been fighting us every step of the way.  If Chris Christie is elected Governor it will only embolden right-wing Republicans to continue to obstruct and derail our ambitious agenda. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) AlGore ChrisChristie elections2009 FrankPallone JonCorzine LorettaWeinberg New Jersey NewJersey NJ-Gov _786422 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:06:07 +0000 Learning By Listening: An Epilogue https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/1/775164/-Learning-By-Listening-An-Epilogue <a href="http://www.bluejersey.com/diary/12412/learning-by-listening-an-epilogue">Cross Posted on Blue Jersey</a> <a href="http://www.app.com/article/20090826/OPINION01/908270310">We have all seen the news and read the reports about the disruptions and obstructionism taking place at town hall meetings all across the country.</a> However, this did not deter me from coming home from the legislative session in Washington to brief my constituents and neighbors, just as I have done the last 20 years as a member of the House of Representatives. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) CongressmanFrankPallone Health Care HealthCare NJ-6 RedBank Town Halls TownHalls _775164 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:28:09 +0000 Fighting For the Public Option https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/17/743665/-Fighting-For-the-Public-Option Last week marked 6 months on the job for President Obama and the 111th Congress. Together, <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/Blog/index.php?p=43">we've already accomplished a lot when it comes to health care reform</a>. Though we've taken the first major steps to reform our broken health care system, there are still many steps left until we finish the job. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) FrankPallone Health Care HealthCare HealthCareReform New Jersey NewJersey Public Option PublicOption Recommended _743665 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:12:29 +0000 Setting Our Sights on Health Care Reform https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/15/731945/-Setting-Our-Sights-on-Health-Care-Reform <a href="http://www.bluejersey.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=11364">Cross Posted on Blue Jersey</a> It’s been a busy week for those of use working to reform the broken health care system.  Just two days ago, Speaker Pelosi pledged that the House would pass a meaningful reform plan by the end of July.  We all know the cost of health care is too high and that there are far too many people in this country without health insurance.  Now, it is time to do something about it. On Monday, I took part in a live teleconference at Rutgers University with my good friend and fellow health care reform advocate State Senator Joe Vitale.  The focus of the call was to bring together patients and reform advocates from the state and federal levels.  More than 5,000 AARP members dialed in to discuss healthcare reform and the issues they’re facing with the current system.   rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) Barack Obama BarackObama Families USA FamiliesUSA FrankPallone HealthCareReform Nancy Pelosi NancyPelosi _731945 Fri, 15 May 2009 21:17:11 +0000 Making Health Care Work for Working Families https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/21/722821/-Making-Health-Care-Work-for-Working-Families <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/healthcenter.php">We’re working hard in our drive to "Make Health Care Work For New Jersey."</a>  Last Thursday, I was in Trenton with my good friend, AFL-CIO President Charlie Wowkanech, where we heard from working families confronted with  America’s broken health care system. Their stories really hammered home how, now more than ever, we need comprehensive health reform. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) AFL-CIO FrankPallone Health Care HealthCare HealthCareReform New Jersey NewJersey Trenton Twitter _722821 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:53:30 +0000 Fixing a Broken Health Care System https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/14/719986/-Fixing-a-Broken-Health-Care-System It’s common-knowledge that our health care system is broken.  But, here is a fact from a recent report by Families USA that underscores just how bad things have gotten. <a href="http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/publications/reports/americans-at-risk.html">Over the last two years, one-third of all Americans under the age of 65 went without health coverage.</a> This stark statistic underscores the urgent need for national health reform. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) FrankPallone Health Care HealthCare HealthCareReform New Jersey NewJersey _719986 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:03:05 +0000 Let’s Make Health Care Work for NJ https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/25/712980/-Let-rsquo-s-Make-Health-Care-Work-for-NJ Last week I stood on the steps of the Statehouse in Trenton to launch a state-focused initiative to give the people of New Jersey an active role in the Congressional efforts to reform our nation's broken health care system.  I want to Make Health Care Work For New Jersey and I want to get everyone involved in the reform process. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) ChildrensHealth FrankPallone Health Care HealthCare HealthCareReform New Jersey NewBrunswick NewJersey Trenton _712980 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:12:36 +0000 Making Our Cities More Sustainable https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/13/708073/-Making-Our-Cities-More-Sustainable This Monday, I took part in a really exciting event at the Liberty Science Center for <a href="http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-3/123666632216320.xml&coll=3">Jersey City’s second Sustainable Cities Conference</a>. The location was very appropriate – because Jersey City is the most sustainable city in our state. In fact, it is second only to New York in the entire nation.  Mayor Healy, who hosted the event, should be proud of this fact.  And Hackensack Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan, who also took part, should be proud of his record of local environmental stewardship.  Keynote speaker Robert Kennedy, Jr. delivered a rousing keynote address that highlighted the fact that, in this day and age, environmental sustainability isn’t a luxury.  Rather, it is common-sense that can even serve to benefit the bottom line in the public and private sectors alike. I wanted to share a brief video of my comments at the panel discussion, followed by some of my thoughts on the conference below the fold. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) FrankPallone Jersey City JerseyCity New Jersey NewJersey TheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentAct _708073 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:52:30 +0000 A Real Mandate for Change - Now It's Your Turn https://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/11/659540/-A-Real-Mandate-for-Change-Now-It-s-Your-Turn Cross-posted at <a href="http://www.bluejersey.net/">Blue Jersey</a>. A week ago, we made history.  This is what a mandate looks like -- a real mandate for change.  It is undeniable that Barack Obama's victory last Tuesday not only changed our nation's electoral map but also expanded our progressive majorities in the House and Senate. As Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health, I look forward to helping our next President deliver on this mandate.  Since health care is one of the most fundamental pieces of our new progressive agenda, I believe that we should hit the ground running in 2009.  <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/healthcenter-ideas.php">That’s why I want and need to hear from you - your ideas, your concerns, your priorities.</a>  Together, we will turn the promise of Barack Obama’s historic campaign into real change for the American people. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) FrankPallone Health Care HealthCare New Jersey NewJersey _659540 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:15:56 +0000 Fighting for Clean Water and Protecting Appalachia https://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/8/408178/-Fighting-for-Clean-Water-and-Protecting-Appalachia (And now a word from our sponsor.  No, not the site sponsor, but the sponsor of the Clean Water Protection Act -- the one I've been asking you to call about for the last three weeks.  I'm very happy to have these words from Congressman Pallone, and even more thrilled at the support he has given this issue. -- Devilstower) <img width="400" src="http://images.dailykos.com/images/user/3/Pallone.jpg" /> For many years, I have been proud to stand with the people of Appalachia in opposing mountaintop removal, though like many of you here in the DailyKos community, I have seen mountaintop removal mostly from<a href="http://www.ilovemountains.org/multimedia#photo_gallery">photos</a> and satellite imagery <a href="http://www.ilovemountains.org/multimedia/#ge">in GoogleEarth</a>. I’ve also sat with the people of Appalachia and heard firsthand their horror stories about how their health, water, communities and very way of life are immediately endangered by mountaintop removal mining. Good evening to the DailyKos community. I’d first like to thank <a href="http://www.devilstower.dailykos.com">DevilsTower</a> for the invitation to speak with you about an issue I care very deeply about. Let me also extend my gratitude to each of you for the grassroots work you do on behalf of Democrats and important progressive issues, and for your help in building our party across the country. I’ve come to ask for your help in an important effort, which I hope all Democrats (and all Americans) will get involved in – stopping mountaintop removal coal-mining in this country. Mountaintop removal coal-mining is one of the most outrageous assaults on our environment you can imagine. The tops of mountains are literally removed using heavy explosives, turning an incredibly diverse hardwood forest into a moonscape. The toxic rubble is then dumped into the river valleys below, burying and polluting headwater streams, which feed into most of the major rivers of the east. Earlier this year in Congress, I re-introduced H.R. 2169, the Clean Water Protection Act (CWPA).  The CWPA is a simple bill which reverses the Bush Administration’s 2002 decision that the toxic rubble created by mountaintop removal coal-mining can be defined as “fill material,” and dumped into the headwater streams of Appalachia. For communities in Appalachia, this waste has the horrible effect of poisoning water supplies, often turning tap water orange and even black. While the solid waste is dumped into “valley-fills”, liquid waste containing heavy metals like arsenic, lead and selenium is dumped into “slurry impoundments.” These ponds are known to leak and even break, most tragically at Buffalo Creek, when an impoundment break killed 125 people and displaced another 4,000. In 2000, in Martin County Kentucky, another slurry pond broke, leaking roughly 250 million gallons of toxic sludge into the Big Sandy River watershed. For those of us that remember the Exxon Valdez disaster, this spill was 30 times larger! Mountaintop removal waste not only affects the health and water quality of the Appalachian region, but also pollutes American waters from the Mississippi River to the Chesapeake Bay to the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmemorialforthemountains/255171366/in/set-72157594303835505">Map of affected watersheds</a>) If you’d like to get a visual idea of how much damage mountaintop removal has already done, I would suggest looking at the satellite imagery in GoogleEarth. In the “Global Awareness” folder, there is an “Appalachian Mountaintop Removal” layer which shows the scale of destruction mountaintop removal is doing to our country. Members of Appalachian Voices and iLoveMountains.org have put together several tools to show you historic (pre-mining) image overlays, individual mountains, and mountaintop removal site tours. If you have already seen mountaintop removal with your own eyes, then I know you are ready to stand with us and fight for this cause. However, if you would like to learn more, I encourage you to watch this video from our friends at iLoveMountains.org.  I hope you will visit their website, and get involved in our effort to stop the dumping of mountaintop removal waste into our headwater streams: <object width="400" height="344"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rZxVNnFXNpE&rel=1" name="movie"></param><param value="transparent" name="wmode"></param><embed width="425" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rZxVNnFXNpE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="355" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Thanks to the hard work of many people in this community, the Clean Water Protection Act now has 111 bi-partisan co-sponsors.  I am hopeful that as this issue gains more prominence, we will succeed in beating the coal lobby and passing this vital legislation. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) cleanwaterprotectionact FrankPallone Front Paged FrontPaged Mountaintop Removal MountaintopRemoval _408178 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:14:48 +0000 The Road Out of Iraq https://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/18/139433/-The-Road-Out-of-Iraq [Join the <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/frankblog">Live Blog Discussion</a> with Frank tonight at 8pm EST] The political tide is turning. The month of August has refocused American attention on the war in Iraq. With <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8977791/">escalating violence</a> against our troops, President Bush's freefalling approval ratings, one grieving mother's determination to be heard, and the administration's <a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/aw20050815.shtml">own pundits</a> turning against the war, it is clear that the public has taken notice, and the majority do not like what they see. Now is the time for Democrats to take a stand and put forth our own vision. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) _139433 Thu, 18 Aug 2005 18:33:28 +0000 Beware: Bait-n-Switch on CAFTA https://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/27/133960/-Beware-Bait-n-Switch-on-CAFTA [Cross-posted on <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/frankblog">Frank's Blog</a>] I wanted to give you an update on our fight to stop CAFTA. CAFTA is scheduled to be debated on the House floor today. I cannot stress enough how disastrous this trade agreement will be for hard working Americans across our country. CAFTA <a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Jul/20050718News006.asp">threatens small farmers</a>, and further erodes our manufacturing base here at home. CAFTA will also erode worker and environmental rights of those workers abroad. CAFTA is a no-win deal for us here at home or for those in Central America. And the Bush Administration knows it. That's why they're trying the old bait-n-switch with our representatives in Congress. President Bush has been stumping around the countryside making claims that CAFTA <a href=" http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=44163">will help solve</a> our trade problems with China. What does China have to do with CAFTA? <a href="http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0507/18/ldt.01.html">Not a whole lot</a>, but that's not stopping the president from instilling fear into hard-hit American workers. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) _133960 Wed, 27 Jul 2005 18:45:37 +0000 Calling on Congress to Cutoff CAFTA https://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/13/130221/-Calling-on-Congress-to-Cutoff-CAFTA [Cross-posted on <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/frankblog">Frank's Blog</a>] I wanted to give you a brief update on the status of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Since my last posting, the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/29/AR2005062900752.html">Senate approved CAFTA</a> by a vote of 54-45 and the agreement passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee.  Once Ways and Means files a committee report, it will trigger a 15-legislative day clock forcing the full House to vote on the measure.   I believe strongly that we can still win this fight and force CAFTA back to the drawing board.  That is why I have decided to take action by launching an online petition -- to keep the pressure on members to show that the American people oppose CAFTA and demand fair trade policies.   <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/petition/CAFTA"><a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/petition/CAFTA">http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/petition/CAFTA</a></a> rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) _130221 Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:52:27 +0000 Cutoff CAFTA https://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/30/126804/-Cutoff-CAFTA [Cross-posted on <a href="http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/frankblog">Frank's Blog</a>] In 1992, Congress passed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). I opposed NAFTA, but many of my colleagues were won over by the promise of more jobs and new markets for American products. They were convinced that free trade would mean greater opportunities for American workers and the creation of a middle class in counties where previously there were none. But over a decade and a myriad of free trade agreements later, we have come to see that the promises of free trade were hollow.  Instead of a booming market, we have seen massive job losses and a skyrocketing trade deficit.   Free trade has hurt working American families. To many people, NAFTA made it difficult to distinguish the difference between Republican and Democratic values.  We now have an opportunity to distinguish Democrats as the party who is fighting for working families. We as a party and as a nation have a moral obligation to pursue trade policies that improve the lives of workers both here and abroad. rss@dailykos.com (Congressman Frank Pallone) _126804 Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:50:18 +0000