Key Policy Issues

Improving our economy

In June, the private sector created 83,000 (including 9,000 manufacturing jobs), lowering the unemployment rate to 9.5 percent. That was the sixth straight month of job growth in the private sector. It was also the 11th consecutive month that the manufacturing sector expanded. We also saw home prices increase across the country. This data shows how far we’ve come since last year, but it also points to how much work remains to be done. (Click here for more...)

Dealing with the Gulf oil spill

Five years after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, all eyes are once again on the Gulf Coast as we watch news reports of devastated wildlife, environment and economy. It’s heartbreaking to see the damage that humans can do when plans go wrong. Capping the well and drilling relief wells may stop this gusher, but we’re no closer to a comprehensive energy plan, and that troubles me. (Click here for more...)

Financial reform

President Obama recently signed into law the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, ending an era of abuse by “too big to fail” banks that cost our country more than 8 million jobs and more than $17 trillion in retirement savings and net worth. (Click here for more...)

Afghanistan and Iraq

I continue to oppose the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and applaud President Obama for making clear his intention to withdraw troops from both countries. Our presence only aggravates the situation and delays the inevitable time when locals must take control of their own futures. (Click here for more...)

Veterans

Democrats in Congress continue to champion the cause of veterans across the country. We’ve seen historic budget increases directed toward caring for our veterans, including an additional $23 billion devoted to health care and other benefits. This year won’t be any different. (Click here for more...)

Child nutrition

This is an important year for child nutrition, with implications for families and schools nationwide. The Child Nutrition Act is up for reauthorization (after a one-year extension last year), an opportunity to revise not only how we feed our children in school, but also how we distribute food and what food we provide. (Click here for more...)

Ocean policy

President Obama on July 19 signed an executive order creating a National Ocean Policy and the National Ocean Council and implementing other provisions that largely mirrored my Oceans-21 legislation. The executive order was based on final recommendations drafted by the Ocean Policy Task Force. (Click here for more...)

News You Can Use

Health care provisions

This year saw the passage and enactment of the Affordable Care Act, a comprehensive law that reforms our health insurance system. While the past year has been filled with contentious debate, I wanted to lay out some of the specific provisions in the law that are either already in effect or will become effective in the next few months. (Click here for more...)

Helping new and expecting mothers

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, known as HMHB, recently launched an exciting new service to help expecting and new mothers care for their babies. Known as “text4baby,” this free service allows pregnant women and new mothers to receive text messages on their cell phones reminding them of upcoming appointments, the need for prenatal care and how to care for newborns. (Click here for more...)

Healthcare.gov

In July, the Obama administration unveiled a new website that provides easy-to-understand information about health insurance reform. HealthCare.gov brings health insurance to a level we can all understand. (Click here for more...)

Visiting Washington?

If you’re visiting our nation’s capital, my office stands ready to help you plan a memorable trip. My staff can help identify and reserve tours for many of the most popular sites in Washington including the White House, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon, the Kennedy Center and the Department of State Diplomatic Reception Rooms. (Click here for more...)

Election resources

No matter who you vote for, I encourage you to make it to the polls in November. (Click here for more...)

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Thank you for reading this, and I hope to see you at a town hall soon.

SAM FARR
Member of Congress