June 15, 2010
Senator Harkin at Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
Senator Harkin delivers the Third Annual Living Constitution Lecture at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law.
May 5, 2010
New Regulations on ATM Fees are Needed
Tom spoke on the Senate floor to discuss his amendment to regulate the fees banks can charge users when they utilize an ATM machine.
April 28, 2010
Financial Reform Needed to Hold Wall Street Accountable; Help Main Street
Tom spoke on the Senate floor before the third scheduled procedural vote to bring financial reform legislation up for consideration. The previous two attempts failed due to Republican obstructionism.
April 15, 2010
Opening Statement at the HELP Committee Hearing on ESEA Reauthorization
March 26, 2010
Senator Harkin Talks About the Passage of Comprehensive Health Reform
December 6, 2009
Stories of the Uninsured and Underinsured in Iowa
Tom describes the stories of three Iowans who have fallen victim to our broken healthcare system.
December 4, 2009
Senator Harkin's Holiday Message To The Troops
Tom gives his holiday message to the troops serving abroad
December 3, 2009
Senator Harkin Addresses False Claims That Health Reform Will Hurt Medicare Recipients
Tom speaks on the Senate floor to address false accusations by Congressional Republicans that the Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, will hurt Medicare recipients by making drastic cuts to the program.
December 1, 2009
Tom Talks About The Senate Health Care Reform Package
Senator Harkin talking on the floor of the Senate about health care reform.
November 20, 2009
Health Care Reform Bill In The Senate
Tom talks, on the floor of the Senate, about the healthcare reform bill.
October 14, 2009
Harkin Emphasizes Prevention's Role In Health Care Overhaul
Senator Tom Harkin took to the Senate floor today to stress the importance of keeping wellness and prevention measures in the merged health reform bill. Meaningful reform, Harkin argues, means shifting the focus of the system from patching people up after they get sick to keeping them out of the hospital in the first place.
Treating preventable diseases related to stress, obesity and poor nutrition account for 75 percent of our annual health care expenses. A sharp new emphasis on prevention will improve our public health and rein in sky high health care costs - two goals central to reform.
Septemeber 10, 2009
Remembering Senator Ted Kennedy
August 4, 2009
Protecting Patients From Defective Medical Devices
A hearing of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to discuss the need to better protect patients from defective medical devices.
August 4, 2009
Tom Discusses Health Reform
On Monday evening, Aug 3, 2009, Senator Harkin joined members of the Senate Health, Education, Labors and Pension (HELP) Committee to discuss the benefits of The Affordable Health Choices Act for all Americans. Tom touted the prevention and wellness elements of the bill, which will reduce incidents of chronic disease and rein in the high costs of health care in America. He took to the Senate floor as his staff completed a state-wide listening tour of all 99 counties to hear Iowans concerns about health care.
July 27, 2009
Senator Harkin Talks About The Americans With Disabilities Act Signed Into Law 19 Years Ago
On the 19th anniversary of the ADA, Tom talks about the law and the need to add a community choice provision to it.
July 15, 2009
In Historic Vote, Harkin And Senate Health Committee Approve The Affordable Health Choices Act
Landmark Health Reform Bill includes Tom's Prevention and Wellness Investments
June 18, 2009
Resolution Offers Apology For Enslavement And Racial Segregation Of African-Americans
A bipartisan, bicameral resolution passed by the U.S. Senate today provides an apology for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans. The measure comes as the nation celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery. It was sponsored by Senator Harkin and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and in the U.S. House by Congressmen Cohen.
June 17, 2009
Harkin Attends Progressive States Network Press Conference
Senator Harkin today held a press conference with Iowa State Senator Jack Hatch and a delegation of state legislators who urged Congress to include a public plan in the upcoming health reform legislation. The delegation of state legislators delivered a letter signed by more than 700 legislators from 47 states that calls for any health reform legislation to include the choice of a public health insurance option.
June 17, 2009
Help Committee Markup
Senator Harkin speaking at the Help Committee hearing.
May 1, 2009
The Seasonal Influenza and Pandemic Preparation Act of 2009
Today, Tom introduced legislation to prevent future flu outbreaks in response to the current H1N1 flu outbreak. The Seasonal Influenza and Pandemic Preparation Act of 2009 would establish a nationwide voluntary influenza vaccination program under which any individual may receive an annual influenza vaccine, free of charge.
April 30, 2009
Housing Amendment Could Save Estimated 8000 Iowa Homes
Tom spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of an amendment offered by Senator Dick Durbin to the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act that would offer incentives for the creation of voluntary mortgage modifications. The amendment would prevent 1.7 million mortgages from falling into foreclosure and would preserve over $300 billion in home equity for neighboring homeowners who have made each of their own mortgage payments on time. According to estimates, approximately 8,089 homes in Iowa and $259,474,000 in neighborhood credit would be preserved.