March 15, 2013

Welcome to El Boletín, the official Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force newsletter. Senate Democrats work to advance policies that will improve the daily lives of Hispanic Americans and help them achieve the American dream. El Boletín is designed to provide the most up-to-date information on key legislative proposals of interest to the Latino community. We hope that you will take the time to review this periodic digest and encourage you to share any relevant information to others. We welcome any feedback or suggestions on how to make El Boletín most helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Robert Menendez

Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force Chair

 

In this edition of El Boletín:

I.             Menendez, Reid, Rubio, Becerra and Ros-Lehtinen Reintroduce Legislation to Authorize American Latino Museum on the National Mall

II.           REID REMARKS ON EXTREME, UNBALANCED RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET

English/Spanish text included below

III.          Menendez, Lautenberg Announce More Than $144 Million in Sandy Relief for NJ Transit

IV.         REID SOBRE LA MUERTE DE JESUS CARDENAS

English/Spanish text included below

V.          Menendez Calls on SEC to Expedite Adoption of CEO-to-Median Pay Disclosure Rule

 

United States Senator Robert Menendez

New Jersey

For Immediate Release

March 14, 2013

Menendez Press Office

(202) 224-4744

 

Menendez, Reid, Rubio, Becerra and Ros-Lehtinen Reintroduce Legislation to Authorize American Latino Museum on the National Mall

WASHINGTON D.C. — US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Majority Leader Reid (D-NV), US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives to authorize the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries building on the National Mall as the designated location of the Smithsonian American Latino Museum. This authorization of the museum follows the recommendations of the May 2011 report by the bipartisan Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of American Latino, a Commission that was established by law in 2008.

 

Senator Menendez said: “We are in a new era in which Latinos are a much greater part of our national discourse. Through the years, our numbers have grown as well as our significance to the story of America. A Museum of the American Latino would officially acknowledge our great history in the United States, and educate visitors about how the success of this country could not have been accomplished without the achievements of Hispanic Americans. For years, I have led the push to bring to this long overdue project to fruition. With the reintroduction of this legislation, I am hopeful that – with the help of my colleagues in both chambers – we can finally make a national museum that honors the countless political, cultural, and economic contributions of America’s Latino community a reality.”

 

Senate Majority Leader Reid said: “It is time for our country to have a special place where the Hispanic culture and its people can be honored and recognized for being an integral part of our national identity. Senator Menendez and I have been working hard to make the Latino museum a reality,” Reid said. “For centuries, Americans of Hispanic descent have helped shape the history of Nevada and the country. Latinos have contributed to every facet of our lives and culture, they have spurred progress in our laboratories, playing fields, halls of justice, art, literature and the economy. It’s time to build this museum.”

 

Senator Rubio said: “Authorizing the use of federal land on the National Mall is an important step in laying the ground work to establish the American Latino Museum. This will be an enduring monument as much to the people who have found opportunity and refuge in America as it is a tribute to our exceptional country that has always welcomed people and helped them realize their dreams like no other place in human history. At a time when our nation faces major economic and fiscal challenges, I am pleased that this effort will not rely on taxpayer dollars and that this bill will encourage private fundraising efforts to make it a reality.”

 

Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Xavier Becerra (D-CA) said: “Since our founding, Americans of Latino descent have played an important role in our nation’s story – in every chapter and at every turn. Yet their lives and diverse contributions to our nation’s enduring prosperity remain largely unseen and untold. Today, with the reintroduction of this bipartisan legislation, I continue the decade-long work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to bring the American Latino Museum to the National Mall. America’s past is strongly rooted in the hope, sacrifice, and perseverance of Latinos, and its future will grow with new generations of American Latinos. Let us now move forward in honoring this history for all Americans to witness with pride.”

 

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen said: “Hispanic-Americans have contributed immensely to the social, political, and cultural fabric of this great nation. From our community’s involvement in the armed forces, to the struggles of activists who fought for civil rights, and the accomplishments of leaders in the fields of sports, music, film, science and medicine, Hispanic-Americans have profoundly shaped the history of the United States. Through the Latino belief that nothing is impossible, and anything can be accomplished, we are all compelled to remember that this country was built on the tenets of hard work, perseverance and dedication. For these reasons, I support the efforts to establish the National American Latino Museum as part of the Smithsonian family. As the world’s largest museum and research complex, the Smithsonian is a testament to the power of the human mind and spirit. By celebrating the past successes of the Latino community, this museum will empower the next generation of Hispanic-Americans to continue a legacy of excellence for generations to come.”

 

PDF OF THE LEGISLATION (S. 1868): http://www.menendez.senate.gov/download/?id=6c101bda-f80e-4dcc-84b7-6970e006c079

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION:

The Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Summary

 

Following the work of the bipartisan Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino, a Commission established by law on May 8, 2008, Senators Menendez and Reid are introducing legislation that would authorize the Arts and Industries building of the Smithsonian Institution as the designated location of the Smithsonian American Latino Museum.

 

This museum has widespread support from the Hispanic community across the nation, and would tell all Americans the story of American Latinos, who have contributed to the political, social, cultural and economic vitality of the United States since the founding of this nation.

• Site Designation: The bill designates the Arts and Industries Building (AIB) as the location of the museum, including an annex that would be constructed underground and adjacent to the AIB. The bill requires that the planning, design and construction of the museum be harmonious with open space and visual sightlines of the National Mall.

• Site Development: The legislation gives the Board of Regents 18 months to conduct a plan of action study to determine the best way to plan, design, fund and construct the Museum of the American Latino, taking into account the Commission’s report.

• Funding: As written, the bill simply authorizes a site to allow for private fundraising to begin for the planning, designing and construction of the museum.

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REID REMARKS ON EXTREME, UNBALANCED RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET

 

“The Ryan Republican budget is anything but balanced. And it reflects the same backwards values Americans rejected in November.”

 

“These drastic cuts will literally cost lives. They will also cost jobs.”

 

“Congressman Ryan’s cuts will buy more tax breaks for the wealthiest among us. This budget isn’t a serious attempt to reduce the deficit.”

 

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today regarding Republican Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget proposal. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

 

Yesterday Americans got their first look at this year’s Ryan Republican budget. Turns out it looks a lot like last year’s Ryan Republican budget. And I wasn’t the only one with a case of déjà vu. Here’s the headline from Bloomberg news: “Ryan Budget Replays Republican Hits.”

 

Indeed, this is the same budget plan we saw from Congressman Ryan last year and the year before that. Even the name is the same. If anything, this new version is even more extreme than the last two Ryan Republican budget proposals – proposals that sought to end the Medicare guarantee and raise taxes on middle class families all while handing out more tax breaks to the wealthy.

 

The Ryan Republican budget is anything but balanced. And it reflects the same backwards values Americans rejected in November. Instead of asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute their fair share, the Ryan Republican budget demands middle-class families pay more in taxes each year. Instead of ending wasteful corporate tax loopholes, it ends Medicare as we know it.

 

In fact, the Ryan Republican budget takes special aim at health care. It would eliminate free preventive health services for 34 million Americans. The Ryan Republican budget would increase prescription drug prices for seniors by $2.5 billion next year alone. It would end the guarantee of coverage for 3.1 million young men and women who are on their parents’ health plans. The budget would end coverage for mammograms, cervical cancer screenings and contraception for more than 47 million women. And it would allow insurance companies to deny care for 17 million children simply because they were born with a heart defect or other illness.

 

Today Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray will introduce a budget that reflects that principle of balanced. Senator Murray’s plan – the Democratic plan – will cut wasteful spending, reduce the deficit and close tax loopholes that benefit the rich. And it will invest in the things that help our economy grow – education, preventive health care, worker training and roads and bridges. It will invest in a strong middle class. And, unlike the Ryan Republican plan, it won’t leave you wondering if it’s Groundhog Day all over again.

 

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FECHA: Jueves, 14 de marzo del 2013

CONTACTO: José Dante Parra/Jorge Silva, 202-224-2939

 

REID SOBRE EL EXTREMO PRESUPUESTO DEL REPUBLICANO PAUL RYAN

 

“El presupuesto del Congresista republicano Ryan es todo menos balanceado. Fueron precisamente las ideas anti-estadounidenses que el país rechazó en noviembre”.

 

Washington, D.C. – El Líder de la Mayoría del Senado Harry Reid hizo las siguientes declaraciones en el pleno del Senado sobre el presupuesto del Representante republicano Paul Ryan. A continuación, apartes de su discurso:

 

“Ayer los estadounidense vieron por primera vez el presupuesto del Representante republicano Paul Ryan. Resulta que este presupuesto se parece mucho al presupuesto del año pasado. Y no fui el único que pensó que ya habíamos visto algo similar. Algunos encabezados de periódicos dijeron: ‘El Presupuesto de Ryan es una Repetición de ideas Republicanas.

 

“Está claro, que este es el mismo presupuesto que vimos el año pasado del Congresista Ryan, y el del año previo también. Incluso el nombre no cambió. Si acaso hubo algún cambio es que esta versión es aún más extremista que las anteriores. Estas propuestas buscan terminar con algunos de los beneficios del Medicare y al mismo tiempo subirle los impuestos a la clase media mientras le recorta aún más los impuestos a los más ricos

 

“El presupuesto republicano de Ryan es todo menos balanceado. Fueron precisamente las ideas anti estadounidenses que el país rechazó en noviembre. En lugar de pedirles a los estadounidenses más ricos que contribuyan lo que les corresponde, el presupuesto republicano de Ryan les exige a las familias de clase media que paguen más impuestos cada año. En vez de terminar con las innecesarias lagunas fiscales termina con el Medicare tal como lo conocemos.

 

“De hecho, el presupuesto republicano de Ryan ataca particularmente al sistema de salud. Su presupuesto eliminaría los servicios preventivos para 34 millones de estadounidenses. Su plan también incrementaría los costos de las medicinas para los retirados por un monto de 2,5 mil millones de dólares, solo en el próximo año. También terminaría con la cobertura de seguro de salud que tienen 3.1 millones de jóvenes bajo el plan de sus padres. Este presupuesto terminaría que los planes de salud cubran mamografías, chequeos de cáncer cervicouterino y anticonceptivos para 47 millones de mujeres en el país. Además, le permitirá a las compañías de seguros negar cobertura a niños simplemente por que nacieron con un problema cardiaco o alguna otra enfermedad.

 

“Ayer, la Presidenta del Comité del Presupuesto del Senado, la Senadora Patty Murray, introdujo un presupuesto que refleja el principio del balance. El plan de la Senadora Murray, el presupuesto demócrata, terminará con gastos innecesarios y elimina las lagunas fiscales usadas por los millonarios y las corporaciones. También, el presupuesto hará inversiones en programas enfocados en mejorar nuestra economía, como la educación, cuidado médico preventivo, programas de entrenamiento para trabajadores y la reconstrucción de nuestra infraestructura. A diferencia del presupuesto republicano de Ryan, este presupuesto no es una repetición de las mismas cosas que ya hemos visto”.

 

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United States Senator Robert Menendez

New Jersey

For Immediate Release

March 14, 2013

Menendez Press Office

(202) 224-4744

 

Menendez, Lautenberg Announce More Than $144 Million in Sandy Relief for NJ Transit

Funding will cover costs of repairs, temporary bus/ferry service provided in the wake of Superstorm Sandy

 

WASHINGTON – US Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced more than $144 million in federal Sandy relief has been awarded to NJ Transit to help the agency cover the costs of equipment repairs and temporary bus and ferry service provided in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

 

“We know how NJ Transit and other transportation systems were profoundly affected by Superstorm Sandy. This funding will allow NJ Transit to pay for some of the costs related to responding to the storm’s immediate impact,” said Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. “But as we continue working toward New Jersey’s long-term recovery, we are reminded that it is not enough to simply rebuild what was lost. We need to build better, stronger and smarter so that we can be prepared to protect our transportation resources during future severe weather events, and get New Jersey moving as quickly as possible after they pass. I am committed to continuing the fight for the federal funding New Jersey needs to come back better and stronger than we were before the storm.”

 

“This federal funding is an important step toward ensuring that New Jersey Transit has the resources to repair damage, recover costs and rebuild stronger than ever,” said Sen. Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the Sandy relief legislation. “Superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey’s transit systems, which serve commuters from across the State and region. Because transit is critical to the entire region’s economy, this funding is essential to a full recovery. We will continue working hard to ensure that aid gets to New Jersey so we can keep making needed investments for our commuters.”

 

A total of $144,416,559 was awarded to NJ Transit through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.

 

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REID STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF JESUS CARDENAS

 

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) released the following statement on the passing of Cardenas Supermarket founder and CEO, Jesus Cardenas. Cardenas came to the United States from Mexico as migrant worker as a teenager and in 1981 he opened the first Cardenas Market in Ontario, California.

 

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Jesus Cardenas, a true American dreamer who built a successful and iconic supermarket chain in Southern California and Southern Nevada. Like so many immigrants, Mr. Cardenas came to the country with very little, but full of hopes and dreams. This willingness to dream took him from farm worker, to founder and CEO of a supermarket chain that impressed me from the first time I set foot in one of them in Las Vegas.

 

“Mr. Cardenas’s life is the definition of the American Dream and is a clear example of how immigrants contribute to our country.  My thoughts are with his wife of almost 50 years, Luz, and with his four children, Lupe, Jesus Jr., José and George.”

 

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FECHA: Martes, 12 de marzo del 2013

CONTACTO: José Dante Parra/Jorge Silva, 202-224-2939

 

REID SOBRE LA MUERTE DE JESUS CARDENAS

 

Washington, D.C. – El Senador por Nevada Harry Reid hizo las siguientes declaraciones después de la muerte del fundador y presidente de la cadena de supermercados Cárdenas, Jesús Cárdenas. Cárdenas emigró a los Estados Unidos de México cuando era solo un adolecente y en 1981 abrió su primer supermercado Cárdenas en Ontario, California.

 

“Me entristeció enterarme de la muerte de Jesús Cárdenas. Jesús fue un gran ejemplo del Sueño Americano ya que fundó la  icónica cadena de supermercados Cárdenas en el Sur de California y en el Sur de Nevada. El Sr. Cárdenas inmigró al país con muy poco, pero lleno de esperanzas y sueños. Su perseverancia y voluntad para salir adelante lo llevaron de ser un trabajador agrícola a fundador y presidente de una cadena de supermercados que me impresionó bastante desde que la visite por primera vez en Las Vegas.

 

“La vida del Sr. Cárdenas es una perfecta definición del Sueño Americano y representa un ejemplo de cómo los inmigrantes contribuyen a la economía del país. Mi más sentido pésame para toda su familia incluyendo a su esposa de casi cincuenta años, Luz, y sus cuatro hijos, Lupe, Jesús Jr., José, y George”.

 

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United States Senator Robert Menendez

New Jersey

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2013

Menendez Press Office

(202) 224-4744

Menendez Calls on SEC to Expedite Adoption of CEO-to-Median Pay Disclosure Rule

Menendez’s compensation reform was included in Dodd-Frank, but has yet to be implemented

 

WASHINGTON – Today at a Senate Banking Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) reiterated the need for publically-listed companies to disclose the amount of its CEO pay, the amount of the median company worker pay, and the ratio of the two in their annual U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

 

“It’s evident that excessive compensation schemes provided part of the fuel for the financial crash. And by requiring companies to disclose just how much, and how skewed, CEO pay can be, there’s a strong possibility they’ll think more about their compensation structures,” said Menendez who sits on the Senate Banking and Finance committees. “A company’s treatment of their average workers is not just a reflection of their corporate values, but is also material information for investors. So, it’s time Wall Street shine a light on their CEO pay and it’s past time for the SEC to make this rulemaking a priority.”

 

Senator Menendez drafted a provision requiring disclosure of this information included as Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. While Wall Street Reform was passed nearly a year and a half ago, to date, the SEC has failed to act on this required rulemaking. While there is no deadline by which the rule must be finalized, some companies are against it claiming it increases compliance costs and is overly burdensome.

 

“Income inequality is a real, growing concern in our nation, as it should be. We have middle class Americans that have gone years without seeing a raise, while CEO pay is soaring,” Menendez added. “And the excuse used by the industry that this rule is too costly and too burdensome for companies just doesn’t pass muster when their CEOs are raking in multi-million dollar bonuses. What’s too costly here are the big paydays for CEOs. And the burden is falling on workers with stagnant wages.”

 

Over the last decade, median family income fell for the first time since the Great Depression. While comprehensive data will not be available until Senator Menendez’s provision takes effect, there is no question that CEO pay is soaring compared to that of average workers. In 2010, large company CEO pay had skyrocketed to 319 times the median worker’s pay, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Menendez has written two letters (January 2011 and March 2012) to the SEC urging strong and quick implementation of the rule and, today, Menendez was able to directly ask Mary Jo White about it at her nomination hearing to chair the SEC. CLICK HERE for video of Menendez’s Q&A at the hearing.

 

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