E-Newsletter on 4/21

Statement

Dear Friends,

This e-newsletter is designed to provide you with the latest information on the work I'm doing as your elected Representative in Washington and around the Second District.

I invite you to stay connected with me through social media. Follow me on Twitter. "Friend" me on Facebook. Watch my floor speeches and media appearance on my YouTube page. If you're an iPhone user be sure to download my free app. And of course visit my website where you can find information on my sponsored and co-sponsored legislation, policy positions and latest news.

Debt Free America Act
I have offered a serious proposal to get our nation out of crippling debt, H.R. 1125, The Debt Free America Act. This legislation proposes a one percent transaction tax -- a penny on the dollar -- on all financial and retail transactions except all those involving personal checking accounts or financial stock transactions. Americans making under $250,000 would receive a 1% tax rebate every year. All proceeds from the transaction tax would be directed to retire the national debt by 2022. We owe it to our children and our children's children to provide them a Debt Free America. Click here for the text and description of H.R. 1125.

On the Republican Budget Plan
Last week I joined with my Democratic colleagues and voted no on the Republican Road to Ruin Budget Plan that, among other things, would end Medicare as we know it. The plan would increase cost to seniors by $6,000 in order to give millionaires $200,000 more in tax breaks, put insurance companies in charge of seniors' health care and give tens of billions in tax breaks to big oil companies that ship much needed jobs overseas. In response to their budget proposal I challenged the Republicans to support a real strategy to get America's fiscal house in order by first paying off the debt. Read about my challenge here.

Grant Announcement
University City in the Second Congressional District continues to excel as a national leader for scientific research and innovation, as well as the high-tech, professional level jobs that such research creates and sustains. Within the Second Congressional District are such great institutions as the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and the University City Science Center, among others. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, which includes funding oversight of the National Science Foundation, I am a lead appropriator for scientific and medical research. In that role, I am pleased to announce over $4 million in grants for science and medical research for institutions in University City. It is vital that our nation maintain its world leadership in research, technology and innovation. Support for cutting-edge research is an investment in our future competition in the global economy. Click here for information on the latest grants for Penn and Drexel.

Weavers Way Coop Featured on Capitol Hill
A new day is dawning for cooperatives all across our land -- from Northwest Philadelphia to the Cornbelt. Cooperative businesses belong to the people who use it -- people who have organized to provide themselves with the goods and services they need. It's a movement that throughout our history has been associated with rural areas but is now taking hold in our largest cities, with Philadelphia as a prime success story. I recently sponsored a briefing on Capitol Hill on "The Role of Cooperatives in Rural and Urban Communities." The briefing for Members and staff, showcased practitioners, advocates and academics who described the challenges the nation's coops are facing and why federal policy support --which I am developing -- is needed for these unique entities.

Policy makers and stakeholders heard a lot about Mt. Airy's pride, the Weavers Way Coop. Bob Noble of Weavers Way made a presentation along with speakers from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Cleveland Ohio's Evergreen Cooperative Initiative, the National Credit Union Association and others from city, town and farm. Credit Unions -- a major banking alternative in Philadelphia -- are, by the way, the nation's largest co-op sector.

It's an Honor
Big thanks to the Hip Hop Caucus which - in honor of Earth Day - is featuring me on "350 For Earth Day" an online gallery celebrating 350 African Americans enriching life on our planet. Earth Day is this Friday, April, 22. You can find my profile here.

What's in a Name?
In the coming weeks my staff will be changing the frequency and the format of my e-newsletter and we need your help. We're looking for a catchy name for what will become a bi-weekly electronic publication. If you have some ideas on what would be a good title for the e-newsletter let us know. Submit your suggestions to fattahstaff@gmail.com. Thanks for helping out!

Very truly yours,
Chaka Fattah

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