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Category: On the Hill

WA Members Participate in Baseball Game for Charity

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On a rainy Wednesday evening in the nation’s capital, Members of Congress took the field at Nationals Park for the 48th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. Democrats faced off against Republicans in a battle no less spirited than is typically seen on the Hill. Heading into the game, Republicans held an impressive 33-14 win-loss record. However, shaky Republican pitching and errors led the underdog Democrats to a 15-10 victory.

The game featured Washington’s own Rep. Adam Smith (9th Congressional District), Jay Inslee (1st Congressional District), and Brian Baird (3rd Congressional District). Congressman Smith sported his UW baseball uniform, drawing applause from the Huskies in the stands. Democrats took an early lead with a 6 run 2nd inning, featuring 3 lead off walks (one to Brian Baird) and more than 50 pitches from Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.). However, Republicans quickly answered with 6 runs of their own in the very next inning, off of several clutch hits. Tied at 6 in the bottom of the 3rd, the flood gates opened and Democrats scored 9 runs off of 5 walks, two base hits and error. The 15 runs put on the board by Democrats in the first three innings would be enough to secure their first victory in nearly a decade.

The game benefitted several DC area charities including the Washington Literacy Council and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers Possible Ranking Member on Education and Labor

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**UPDATE** The new Ranking Member on Education and Labor is John Kline (R-MN).

Earlier this week, it was announced that Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon (R-CA), the Ranking Member on the House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee, is leaving the panel to take the same position on the House Armed Services Committee. McKeon’s departure is particularly significant because the Education and Labor Committee is considering President Obama’s proposal to eliminate the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) in favor of a direct lending program that would cut banks and guarantee agencies out of the student loan process and result in savings that would be utilized to make the Pell Grant an entitlement. Congressman McKeon has long been viewed as a defender of financial institutions. Next week, the House Republican Steering Committee will meet to chose a new Ranking Member for the Education and Labor Committee.

Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Judy Biggert (R-IL) and John Kline (R-MN) are seen as the finalists for the Education and Labor Committee Ranking Member spot. McMorris Rogers’ position on the steering committee that will make the decision is likely to boost her chances.

Congressman Reichert Recognizes UW School of Medicine on House Floor

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UW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE                                

HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

of washington

in the house of representatives

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the University of Washington School of Medicine and their incredible standing as one of the best medical schools in the world. According to US News & World Report, the University of Washington tops the list of national primary care medical schools for the 16th consecutive year.

The groundbreaking and life-saving work done at the UW School of  Medicine is beyond extraordinary. I feel a sense of pride to know that the best primary care medical school in the nation is located in my home state of Washington.

The School of Medicine was also ranked first in family medicine and  rural medicine for the 18th straight year, fourth in women’s health medicine, sixth in geriatric and pediatric medicine and eighth in internal medicine. Additionally, six active and retired members of the UW community are among 210 new Fellows named to the American Academy of  Arts & Sciences: David Baker, William Gerberding, Andrew Meltzoff, Ed Miles, James Truman and Gunther Uhlmann.

Previously, the University of Washington was ranked the 17th best university in the world by the Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and 22nd among the top 100 global universities by Newsweek. The University of Washington has proven itself to be a world-class institution and it is truly a privilege to represent a region boasting some of the greatest minds in the world. I congratulate them on the honor for the School of Medicine and look forward to continue working together to make sure we provide the best medical care and training possible.

Bill Would Create National Climate Service

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The House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment is expected to mark up draft legislation today that would create an office similar to the National Weather Service to predict changes in climate.  The new “National Climate Service” would be established within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  A National Climate Service (NCS) would provide a single point of contact of information for the user-community.  An NCS would provide climate forecasts and support for planning and management decisions by federal agencies; state, local, and tribal governments; and the private sector.

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco has indicated that an NCS is a high priority for the administration.  Similar legislation is included in a draft climate and energy bill that the House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to mark up before Memorial Day.

Some members in the scientific community worry that an NCS would duplicate existing programs and others worry that the service should not be housed within NOAA because other agencies and departments hold more of the required expertise. Continue reading “Bill Would Create National Climate Service”

Senator Specter Switches Parties

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Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) announced today that he is switching parties and will run for re-election as a Democrat in 2010, drastically altering the balance of power in the Senate.  Specter has been a Republican for more than 40 years. His switch would make him the Democrats’ 60th vote in the Senate if Democrat Al Franken is seated (Franken is still in the midst of a legal recount battle in Minnesota).  Specter’s switch comes as he faced an increasingly unfavorable electoral environment in Pennsylvania.

Senator Specter is currently the Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and has long been an advocate for increased funding for health research through NIH.  It is unclear at this point how his switch will affect his committee assignments but he is sure to have an even larger role in determining funding levels for federal health and education programs.

Read Senator Specter’s statement here.