New York - Congressman Charles B. Rangel told reporters Tuesday night that the job of Congress to restore the vibrancy of the American economy remains the same regardless of which party holds control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Now that the election season is behind us, I do hope that we can return to Washington and get back to working together to do what’s right in terms of bringing our military back home, holding on to healthcare and continuing to invest in education and trade not just for my community, but for the entire country”

Congressman Rangel speaks to reporters Tuesday evening

 
Election returns Wednesday indicated a shift in majority control of the House for the first time since 2006. Rangel didn't want to speculate what Republican leadership of the House would mean for progressive legislation or relations with the Obama Administration.

“We don’t know. If the Republicans want to move forward with cooperation with the President, then I assume that compromises would have to be made on both sides of the aisle. But if it has been reported that the next two years is to bring down the President of the United States, then they do that at the expense of our national security and the well-being of the country,” said the Congressman.

Rangel pointed to continuing frustration with the pace of economic recovery for the wave that swept a host of incumbents from both parties out of their seats. However, he insisted that a lot had been accomplished over the last two years not only to bring the nation back from the brink of financial ruin, but also to deal with long-term challenges that threaten to limit opportunities at home and the global competitiveness abroad.

"Two years ago, we elected an African American president who since then made tremendous advancements in terms of leveling the playing field and providing opportunities for all Americans. He and this Congress made important investments in expanding access to affordable healthcare, supporting small businesses and providing the kind of education needed to compete in a high tech world. That's the direction that we were going and that is the direction we need to fight for if we are to move this country forward," said Rangel. "Whatever the current setbacks, I am confident that when it's all said and done, history will record that we were on the right side of the issues."

Proposed Payment Would Replace SSA'S Cost-of-Living-Adjustment for 2011
 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Charles Rangel joined President Obama and the House Democratic leadership in calling for legislation to provide approximately 54 million Social Security recipients with a one-time $250 payment.  The Social Security Administration announced on Friday there will be no automatic Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for 2011, because the consumer price index did not rise.

"I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 5987, the Seniors Protection Act, that will help seniors make ends meet, when housing values are down, other retirement income is volatile, and many are facing rising expenses," said Rep. Rangel. “I urge my colleagues to rise in support of our seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on Social Security to stay above water during this tough time."

For the first time ever, 2011 will be the second consecutive year that Social Security recipients will see no increase in their monthly Social Security, SSI, VA Pension and Compensation, and Railroad Retirement benefits.  The COLA is automatically calculated using data on inflation published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). October 15 is the day BLS releases the final economic factor that the Social Security Administration uses to calculate the annual COLA.  In 2009, Social Security recipients saw a 5.8% increase in their benefits, the largest since 1982, as a result of rising costs; but in 2010, they saw no COLA at all.

"Social Security benefit levels are modest – only $14,000 a year for the average retiree," said Rep. Rangel. "Six in ten seniors rely on Social Security for more than half of their income, and about a third of retirees have little other than Social Security on which to live, reflecting just how much Social Security means to most elderly Americans," Rangel added.

Gains for Seniors

The 111th Congress has worked to strengthen the economic security of America’s seniors.  In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress provided seniors and other
beneficiaries a $250 economic recovery payment to boost the economy and help them weather an anticipated upcoming COLA cutback.  In fact, a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute showed that similar payments to seniors in 2009 strengthened the economy, increasing the nation’s GDP by 0.5% in the second quarter of the year, and creating or saving 125,000 American jobs.

Under health reform, millions of seniors will save thousands of dollars on their prescription drug costs by phasing out the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” coverage gap and Medicare will be strengthened.  In 2010, 4 million seniors who hit the donut hole are receiving a $250 rebate check.  Beginning in 2011, seniors who hit the donut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs, and the donut hole will be completely closed by 2020.  In addition, beginning on January 1, 2011, the Affordable Care Act provides that seniors will receive, under Medicare, free preventive services such as mammograms and certain colon cancer tests and a free annual physical.  The Affordable Care Act also strengthens Medicare by extending the solvency of the trust fund by an additional 12 years, from 2017 to 2029.

Both of these plans to bring greater security to America’s seniors were opposed by Republicans in Congress who created the donut hole and would stop donut hole checks to seniors, and who favor turning over Medicare to the insurance companies, forcing seniors to hunt for their own coverage with vouchers that would decrease in value over time.

Internet Myths

There are several false rumors circulating among seniors on the internet about Social Security and the reasons for the lack of a COLA.  You may find useful the debunking information at the
following links:

•    “Is it true that the Democratic Congress will not allow an increase in the Social Security COLA?”
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/09/social-security-cola/

•    Is SSA spending COLA money on electronic medical records, instead of a COLA?
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/12/electronic-medical-records-for-congress/

•    Debunking myths about the history of Social Security
http://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths.html/
 

Click here to listen to Congressman Range's audio message urging his colleagues to support the bill.

WASHINGTON - Congressman Charles B. Rangel congratulated the House leadership and members of New York's congressional delegation for the passage of legislation, commonly referred to as the 9/11 health care workers bill, that will provide medical treatment for the ailing first responders and recovery workers who were exposed to toxic dust following the collapse of the twin towers in New York City on September 11, 2001. The bill passed in the House today by a vote of 268 - 160.

"At long last, the House has taken firm action on this vital piece of legislation that should have received bipartisan support in the first place," said the Congressman, who managed the bill on the House floor as a member of the Ways and Means Committee. "This is not a tax question, this is a moral question. We hope so badly that this bipartisan issue would get a bipartisan vote," Rangel urged his colleagues. 

Republicans blocked the passage of the bill in July after branding it as another massive government entitlement program that would increase corporate taxes. The bill, which would cost $7.4 billion over the next ten years, however, is fully paid for by a provision preventing foreign multinational firms that are incorporated in tax haven countries from avoiding tax on income earned in the U.S.

As dean of New York's delegation that was pushing such a measure for years, Congressman Rangel has been at the forefront of pressing for bipartisan support of the bill. Few days before the 9th anniversary of 9/11, on September 8, Congressman Rangel joined the New York delegation at Ground Zero, in commending the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, Anthony Weiner and Peter King, and called for immediate action on the legislation.

"Nine years have been too long and morally wrong. I hope the Senate would follow our lead and do what is right." said Rangel. "We have a chance not to talk about loopholes that we have in the tax code but loopholes in the hearts of people that want to say thank you to these brave men and women."

To watch Congressman Rangel speak on the House floor, please click here.

About H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:

First introduced on February 4, 2009, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would provide services to those whose health continue to suffer after working at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Specifically it would:

•    Provide medical monitoring and treatment to WTC responders and survivors (area workers, residents, students) who were exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero.
•    Build on the existing monitoring and treatment program by delivering expert medical treatment for these unique exposures at Centers of Excellence.
•    Reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.
•    Provide liability protections for the WTC Contractors and the City of New York.

The legislation is named in honor of James Zadroga, a police detective who died at age 34 in 2006, from a respiratory disease attributed to toxic chemicals contracted at Ground Zero.

NEW YORK - Congressman Charles Rangel praised his colleagues in the Senate for overcoming yet another Senate Republican filibuster, enabling legislators to pass legislation that looks to create current and future jobs for Americans looking to work again.

"This bill cannot come at a better time for local and state governments struggling to provide services to those who need it the most," said Congressman Rangel. "This jobs bill will not only provide funding to save the jobs of thousands of teachers and nurses, it will also provide funding for urgent services for children and seniors and people with disabilities.

In anticipation of the Senate's passage of the bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called back members of the House of Representatives into session next week in order to send the measure to President Barack Obama for signature.

"I look forward to returning to Washington and working with my colleagues to getting this bill into the President's hands as soon as possible," said Rangel. "In these difficult economic times, we must have the courage to make important investments that will put money in people's pockets, spur both short term and long term job growth and support those who are looking for a leg up, not a hand out,"  

For more information on Congressman Rangel's position on the economy and jobs, please visit his web site at http://www.rangel.house.gov.

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Charles Rangel voted to ensure that veterans and their families get the care and support they need and deserve after they put their lives on the line defending our country. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act will reform and improve veterans? health services by supporting wounded veterans and their families and caregivers, expanding care for female veterans, improving mental health services, and increasing access to health care for veterans in rural areas.

"This Congress made a promise to leave no veteran behind, and every day we continue to fulfill that promise," said Congressman Rangel. "It is our duty to serve the brave men and women in uniform that serve our country."

To address the unique needs of the growing number of returning women soldiers, this bill will improve health services for almost 2 million female veterans. With this legislation, the VA will be able to provide care for female veterans? newborns for the first time in history. It will also improve access to care for veterans in rural areas, ensure that the VA can better treat veterans suffering from mental health issues, and provide the VA with resources to learn more about the tragically high suicide rate among veterans. This legislation will also support family members and caregivers who look after our injured veterans to bring them the relief they deserve.

The bill passed today builds on a record of accomplishments for veterans and troops over the last three years under the Democratic-led Congress - including the new G.I. Bill to provide returning troops with the promise of a college education; historic investments in veterans - health care and providing that funding one year in advance to prevent political or legislative delays; expanding economic opportunities for returning soldiers and improving care for those with PTSD.

"Our soldiers serve with honor and when they come home, they deserve the best services we can offer," said Congressman Rangel. "That's why we've made historic investments to improve veterans' health care, raised our troops' salaries and helped smooth their transition back from the battlefield. This bill will ensure that we can address the changing medical needs of our veterans and that all our veterans have full access to quality health care."

It is supported by a broad coalition of veterans groups including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warriors Project and the National Military Family Association.

WASHINGTON - Congressman Charles B. Rangel today hailed passage by the House of health reform legislation, saying that the historic measure would be a key first step in providing access to all Americans.

"This historic legislation is as important as the enactment of Social Security during the Great Depression and Medicare and Medicaid during the Great Society.  While it might not be the bill that satisfies everyone, it goes far to achieve the fundamental goal of assuring health care for all.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) issued the following statement in response President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address this evening:

“Tonight’s address provided a straightforward, sobering reminder of the challenges we face as a nation. President Obama inherited the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, two wars, and a nation desperate for a leader to rekindle their American dream. Tonight, the President rolled up his sleeves and rolled out specific policy proposals to create jobs, continue our economic recovery and keep American families safe from the threat of terrorism. This economic downturn has lasted longer than anyone would like, but a recession of this depth requires dynamic policy solutions and an enduring commitment to a full recovery. Tonight the President delivered on both.

“Those who support the President and our nation have an obligation to contribute to meaningful solutions to move our country forward. The Ways and Means Committee has been at the forefront of our economic recovery efforts, helping to provide tax relief to working families and businesses, incentives to develop and use renewable energy, and innovative bond programs for State and local governments to create jobs and improve the quality of life in our cities and towns.

“Congress remains committed to job creation and economic recovery that will strengthen opportunities for working families. We share President Obama’s belief that our recovery efforts must focus on small businesses and middle-class families which form the backbone of our economy. We will build on the success of the Recovery Act to provide new incentives for hiring workers which will be a win-win for businesses and families alike.

“While we continue working toward solutions to help rebuild our economy, we cannot – and will not -abandon our efforts to reform our financial system to prevent a repeat of the crisis we now face. There is no question that the Administration and Congress provided unprecedented amounts of aid to financial institutions to prevent a total collapse of our financial marketplace. We must ensure that these companies are held accountable for the aid they received, and the American people are made whole for the help they provided.

“Too many families have experienced job loss or live in fear of losing a living wage and falling further behind the rising cost of living. While our job creation policies will tackle that problem on the front-end, we will also work with President Obama to reduce the burden of education and health care costs on working families. For too long, these costs have kept our children from realizing their true potential and leading healthy, happy and productive lives. If we are to recharge our economy and reassert our leadership in the global marketplace, we must focus our efforts on creating a healthy, well-educated workforce.

“The skyrocketing cost of health care has been a driving force behind a staggering number of bankruptcies and personal stories of pain and suffering. For months now, Congress has been engaged in efforts to reform our health insurance system. Our work continues and I am confident that, with President Obama’s leadership, we can succeed, putting the power back in the hands of the patients, and ensuring that every American has access to affordable care that meets their needs. Immediate investments in health care will help ensure our workers and businesses remain competitive internationally, and will reap benefits for generations to come.

“In addition to making investment in the health of our workforce, we must also make investments in the long-term health of our economy. We must improve our infrastructure to make it easier for goods to reach their destination. I support the President’s commitment to invest in high-speed rail and transportation initiatives and look forward to working with my colleagues to move these projects forward. In doing so, we must find ways to promote the development and use of new, energy-efficient technology so that our future economy will not be dependent on resources of the past. By greening our economy and our infrastructure, we will create a new generation of jobs and technologies that will give a tremendous boost to our economy and working families, helping American businesses compete and win internationally. Our global economy demands global solutions and I applaud President Obama’s commitment to expand export opportunities for America’s manufacturers.

“Tough times demand tough choices, and I hope Republicans will see fit, not to just say ‘no’, but to work with us in a bipartisan way to achieve progress on these fronts. I truly believe the American people expect, and rightly deserve, no less.”

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The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously passed H.R. 4462, bipartisan legislation that would allow individuals who make charitable contributions to victims of the earthquake in Haiti to claim an itemized charitable deduction on their 2009 tax return instead of having to wait until next year to claim these deductions on their 2010 tax return. The legislation, introduced by Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel and co-sponsored by 155 other members, also includes a provision allowing those who text messaged a donation the ability to use a phone bill as proof of donation.

"We all witnessed the horrendous event that took place in our hemisphere last week and have united in a bipartisan way to do what we can to ease the pain of those who are suffering in Haiti," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). "Working together with Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI), House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC), House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), we developed this legislation to make it easier, and encourage people, to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti and I thank my colleagues for their strong support in the House today."

In January of 2005, Congress enacted this type of relief for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it must be passed before it can be signed by President Barack Obama.

BILL SPECIFICS

H.R. 4462 allows individuals making a charitable contribution after January 11th and before March 1st to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti to claim these charitable contributions on their 2009 tax returns. This includes donations made by text message.

“The road to recovery in Haiti will not be short, but the Haitian people should know that their big sister America is here to comfort them in their time of need,” said the Congressman.

Rangel stressed that without this change, taxpayers would need to wait until next year to claim a deduction for these contributions.

“This bill is a good bill, a small token to those families who have given of themselves to help others, those families whose donations have enabled charitable organizations to expedite the care and services needed for the wounded and the homeless, to help our neighbors get to safety and begin picking up the pieces and rebuilding their lives,” said Rangel.

• For a copy of the legislation, please visit http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/RANGEL_080.pdf

• For a list of the legislation’s original co-sponsors, please visit http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/Cosponsors_4462.pdf

• To find out more information on relief efforts in Haiti, please visit http://rangel.house.gov/helping-haiti.html

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Congressman Rangel signs on as an original co-sponsor of comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the House of Representatives

Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the following statement as Rep. Luis Gutierrez and other members of Congress introduced comprehensive immigration reform legislation on Tuesday, December 15. Rep. Rangel is one of several lawmakers who have signed on as original co-sponsors of the measure known as the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009:

"The challenges that that this country faces must be met by leaders who are unwilling to shrink from their responsibilities, not just to their constituents, but to history," said Congressman Charles Rangel. "This bill helps repair our broken immigration system by balancing our need to secure our borders with our moral obligation to keep families together and the economic reality of incorporating those who only seek a better life for their children.

The improvements pushed in this bill helps bring millions who are already making valuable contributions in our communities out of the shadows, every one of which we will need to rebuild our economy and outpace our global competitors. It renews the promise of the American Dream for future generations, reminding them that a nation built on the sacrifice of immigrants --immigrants not just from Europe, but from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean -- will not abandon its legacy for political expediency or because of fear-mongering.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, deserves a lot of credit for bringing such a diverse group of legislators on this bill and to this fight. Over the last two years, he has traveled to almost every part of this country, listening and documenting the stories of hardworking families whose lives have been forever changed by unfair deportations and other problems of the current system. So too do members of our own New York delegation who have in the past introduced legislation that has made its way into the current bill. Representatives like Rep. Jose Serrano, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Rep. Joe Crowley and Rep. Jerry Nadler, as well as Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Kristen Gillibrand.

I look forward to working with not only all of them, but also the scores of local activists that have been part of this fight. Neighborhood groups like Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform and East Harlem Against Deportation; City-wide institutions like Families for Freedom and the New York Immigration Coalition; and organizations like the NAACP, the AJC, the American Friends Service Committee to name a few. I also look forward to seeing more of our spiritual leaders, locally and nationally, get involved with what is not just an economic issue, but a moral one as well.

Certainly, the road to getting meaningful legislation past the House and Senate and to the President for signature has only just begun. Skeptics might even wonder if the Congress will have enough energy and resolve for such a large task so soon after completing work on health care reform. Let the political pundits debate over whether there is every an imperfect time to do what is just. What we need to remember is how we answer our children and grandchildren is when they ask us what we did to ensure that our  laws mirror the ideals we hold so very dear."

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For the first time in America’s history, all Americans will have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today. The legislation will cover 96 percent of Americans by 2015, while reducing the deficit by tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. The House approved the measure by a vote of 220 to 215.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), blends and revises the three versions of reform legislation passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July. It embodies President Obama’s key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth in out-of-control health costs, and introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest. Additionally, it will protect people’s choice of doctors and health plans, and assure all have Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the net cost of expanding coverage at $891 billion, consistent with the $900 billion coverage mark laid out by President Obama in September. The legislation will be fully paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years, not counting the additional deficit reduction generated by the CLASS Act.

“God has been good to our country and this Congress and that means we have a responsibility to extend our power to make certain that every American has access to quality, affordable health care,” said U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “We are so proud of this bill because it will cover 96 percent of our nation and ensure that no one will be denied health care because they have a pre-existing condition, or lose their coverage because they lose their job. This is truly an historic effort to improve the health and well-being of our nation, create jobs and grow our economy.”

Click here to read more about this historic vote.

Click here to view a copy of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962.

Cick here to view the immediate benefits for Americans that kick in under this legislation

Click here to read detailed summaries, fact sheets and other materials…

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