By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Aug. 26, 2009 – Congressional condolences poured in from Black lawmakers when word Sen. Kennedy Edward (D-Mass.) had lost his battle with cancer and died Wednesday.  Kennedy is being remembered for his life’s work in the Senate by his colleagues, friends and sometimes even adversaries. 

But for Black lawmakers, “The Lion of the Senate” was always there for them when issues they cared deeply about needed a lions roar to be heard.   Members of the Congressional Black Caucus reflected on their friendship, respect and admiration of a man Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) called, “One of the finest, most dedicated, and committed political leaders of our time. “ 
 
Lewis, a Civil Rights advocated who marched alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King in the 1960’s has known Kennedy for close to 50 years.  “It has been my greatest pleasure to work with him in the Congress to try to tackle many human problems, but I am especially gratified by his contributions to the cause of civil rights and voting rights.” Lewis said in a statement. 
 
“He was a wonderful, devoted friend—so caring, so sharing, so giving.   I loved him like a brother,” Lewis said.

These sentiments along with condolences to Kennedy’s wife Vicki, his family, and their colleague Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) were found throughout their expressions of sympathy.  Here are excerpts of statements from members of the Congressional Black Caucus:

 
House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.)
 
“America mourns the loss of a legendary leader and public servant, Senator Edward M. Kennedy.  His body of work spans a near half-century, but will live forever. He was the protector of the least of these and the champion of equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all Americans.  Whether it’s civil rights, education, public health or a livable minimum wage, his work has improved American lives in a myriad of ways.  
 
As we move forward with health reform legislation, his absence will be palpable.  But let us use his inspirational words as our guide, to rise to our best ideals and finally provide decent quality health care to all Americans as a fundamental right, not a privilege.”

 
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus

 
“Today we mourn the loss of a man whose life has shown us the true meaning of ‘to whom much is given much is required.’ Ted Kennedy always showed great compassion for those less fortunate and dedicated his life to improving the lives of others throughout the world.
 
“His body of work spans a near half-century, but will live forever. He was the protector of the least of these and the champion of equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all Americans.  Whether it’s civil rights, education, public health or a livable minimum wage, his work has improved American lives in a myriad of ways.”  
 

Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.)

“My father [Rep. William Lacy Clay, Sr.] and I revered Ted Kennedy as a friend and colleague. We send our thoughts and prayers to his wonderful family who must bear this terrible burden.

America has lost a magnificent public servant and I have lost a dear friend. “

Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio)

“He was and will always be one of the single most important public figures in American history for his courage to unfailingly stand for what was right. 

Sen. Kennedy was a champion for justice, advocate for the vulnerable, and proponent of equality. Our Nation is demonstrably better for his selfless contributions and commitment to the public good.”

 
Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D- Va.)

“Last year, in spite of his personal health challenges, Senator Kennedy worked tirelessly to elect Barack Obama our nation’s 44th President, because he felt President Obama embodied the same spirit, hopes and dreams that the Kennedys have represented for over a generation.  His absence on Capitol Hill will be especially felt as Congress and President Obama work towards one of his most important life goals – providing affordable access to health care for all Americans.” 

 
 Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)

“I will miss Ted’s partnership, particularly on the most important District issues.  Ted was always there with us and for us.  No matter how deep the controversy – from public funds for public schools to our struggle for D.C. Statehood, and when statehood was not then possible, for the House and Senate vote, and today for the D.C. House Voting Rights Act of 2009 we are so close to achieving.  Although ill in Massachusetts, he was the first to call to assure me of his continued work on D.C. voting rights, and he continued to help us during his absence from the Senate.  “
 

Rep. Kendrick B. Meek  (D-Fla.)
 
“Senator Kennedy did not simply live for the Senate – he was the heart of the Senate.  Respected by all of his colleagues, Senator Kennedy’s thoughtfulness, conviction and passion were attached to signature pieces of legislation that have profoundly shaped our nation for the better.  From strengthening the quality of education for our students, to improving the quality of health care for our seniors, to ensuring equality and civil rights for all Americans, Senator Kennedy was a leader unparalleled in our nation.”
 
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.)

“Today, I join the world in mourning the loss of a man who will forever be a true American hero. For decades, Senator Kennedy has been a stalwart in our community, fighting for our children, for our seniors, and for the best interests of millions of families across the nation. Through his last day, we witnessed in him the same courage, determination, and selfless service that have characterized his constant efforts to lift up the lives of all Americans.”

Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.)

“The world mourns the enormous loss of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a giant among public servants, and the last of a generation of Kennedy brothers who leave a peerless legacy of public service.   With his passing, Camelot’s flag furls at half-mast for the lion and closes an era of vast accomplishments.

Kennedy immersed himself into the cause of public service. In the U.S. Senate he found his passion, his voice, and his work. He committed himself to establishing a safety net that guarantees the protection and welfare of Americans.”

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Aug. 19, 2009 – The question remains; will the president sign a bill that does not have a public insurance option offered by the federal government?  That’s the question lingering and causing controversy and confusion – and Congress is waiting to hear President Obama’s answer. 

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was drilled Tuesday on what is being characterized as a major shift in policy by the president.  Gibbs insisted the president maintains his support for a public option calling it the “preferred” method of reaching his goals, but declined to say it was “essential.” 

“He  [the president]cannot envision a scenario in which we live with anything that doesn’t provide choice and competition in a private insurance market that allows people to get the best deal possible on both the price and quality if they enter a private health insurance market,” Gibbs insisted.

“That’s what the President’s bottom line is:  Do we have a system that provides that choice for consumers and that competition among insurers on quality and cost?”

But the bottom line for those Democrats who wanted a single payer system, like the Medicare program, feel they’ve already compromised by accepting the public option and won’t vote for a bill without it. 

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings wants the president to stick to word, “President Obama has emphasized the importance of the public option in the past, and we cannot afford to drop such a critical component of reform in favor of another option that isn’t guaranteed to make any significant difference in the status quo.”
Concerns about the status quo are a reality if the survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is any indication.  The results of the monthly poll to determine consumer confidence in their health insurance coverage and access to care dropped across the board in July.

More than half, 51.9 percent of those surveyed are worried they won’t be able to afford the cost of a serious illness; 41 percent are concerned they won’t be able to pay for routine health care; and 35.6 percent are concerned they won’t be able to afford prescription drugs they need.

 Are you concerned about your health care coverage now or the near future? 

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Aug. 7. 2009 – The jobless numbers released today show fewer workers being laid off, the unemployment rate slowing and for the first time since April of 2008 a fall in the jobless rate.   All good signs unemployment numbers will not hit 10 percent and that the economy is headed toward recovery. 

The Labor Department said the government numbers show 43,000 fewer jobs lost in May and June than once reported and in July the unemployment rate was forecast to be higher than it actually was.  Those numbers coupled with the pace of job losses slowing delivered the decline in the unemployment rate from 9.5 percent to 9.4 percent.    

 President Obama told reporters the economy is moving in the right direction. “This morning, we received additional signs that the worst may be behind us.  Though we lost 247,000 jobs in July, that was nearly 200,000 fewer jobs lost than in June, and far fewer than the nearly 700,000 jobs a month that we were losing at the beginning of the year,” he said.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said these numbers are a good sign. “Today’s job numbers give us a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel and hope that we are beginning to turn our troubled economy around for the first time in many months.”

Economic analysts predicted the worse of the economic downturn was ending and had indicated a slowdown in job loss would be one of the first indicators. 

“The drop in the unemployment rate to 9.4 percent and the ease of job losses by 196,000 make it clear that the new economic policies implemented by President Obama and the Democratic-led Congress are working,” Cummings said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid quickly took to the House floor following the job numbers release to remind Americans that this economy was “inherited” from the previous administration and that Dems have been working to get it back on track.

“The President and Congress acted swiftly and passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has stopped the bleeding and avoided an economic catastrophe,” Reid said.  “This is welcome news and further proof that the economic recovery plan we enacted is producing positive results,” Reid declared.

The Republican National Committee disagrees and put out a statement saying ,“In the month of July alone 247,000 Americans lost their jobs, which means more than 2.8 million Americans have lost their jobs since the president took office. “  They made no mention of the millions of jobs lost during the Bush administration.

Do you have a job, are you looking for one or have you lost one in the last two months?

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

March 27, 2009 – Black lawmakers are skeptical of GOP efforts to draft legislation that could force Michelle Obama and future first ladies to do more of their policy work publicly and with congressional oversight.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has proposed an amendment that would create a  policy requiring Mrs. Obama to disclose any government policy group she were to meet with – and to provide public and media access.

It would also require the First Lady and any that follow to announce in advance any meeting or gatherings when governmental policy would be discussed.

Issa contends this is all about recording history. 

“We are trying actually to protect the historic role of the first lady,” Issa said, adding that this would repeatedly invoke the “transparency” mantra of the Obama administration.

But Rep. William Clay (D-Mo.) disagrees.  “President Obama might see the legislation as a personal provocation that could trigger a fight. Let me… caution my friend from California that, as you’re probably aware, this president is very guarded about his family,” Clay said.

Clay isn’t alone in his calling for caution.  Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings  (D) said, “What is protection to one person may be just the opposite to another.”

Clay agrees, “I think that, no matter what you’re intending with this amendment, that the president may view this as an attack on his wife.”

If Issa is successful in getting his amendment passed, it would overturn a 1993 decision, which ruled that First Lady Hillary Clinton could be considered the equivalent of a federal employee.  In other words, Clinton’s involvement in the presidential Health Care Task Force did require that she report every meeting with outside advisory panels and that she release notes from the meetings.

Issa isn’t giving up. “We should have a set of rules that future presidents, vice presidents, first ladies and spouses of vice presidents, understand what their do’s and don’ts are. Can they have an open meeting? Can they have a closed meeting?” Issa asked. 

I guess that will be another question that may be answered in the courts. Do you think the actions of the First Lady should be monitored by Congress?