Legislative and Political Affairs

On the Hill: Passage of the State-Aid Measures (H.R.1586)

With a vote of 247-161, the House came back from recess to pass H.R.1586 providing $26.1 billion in State-Aid Measures. Republican House members are furious at the need to return from recess for one vote, and have touted this legislation as another “stimulus” and unnecessary spending. Representative John Boehner even released a 10 point argument against the legislation. Fortunately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made it clear prior to the vote that “this amendment meets every test Republicans claim to be concerned about. They have no more excuses…help these workers keep their jobs and help our economy recover.”

Democrats stepped up and made a powerful statement in support of states, local governments, and labor. This legislation allocates $16.1 billion for a six-month extension of Medicaid (FMAP), $10 billion for education funding, $8.4 billion in spending rescissions, and 2 billion in cuts to Medicaid drug pricing.

These measures insure the retaining of roughly 161,000 education jobs and 158,000 police, firefighters, and other public works employees. In addition, this new funding is paid for through corrections to foreign and domestic tax provisions and reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion.

As time moves closer towards the midterm elections, this step is an encouragement to our continued efforts in promoting and fighting for the rights and aid for everyday hard working Americans. As President Obama made clear earlier today in the Rose Garden, “We can’t stand by and do nothing while pink slips are given to the men and women who educate our children or keep our communities safe.”
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We all know that what is won at the bargaining table can be taken away with the stroke of a pen. Actually, legislation can either add to or take away from our collective bargaining agreements. The Department of Legislative and Political Affairs (DLPA) is charged with representing TWU Members interests with legislators including the President of the United States, Congress, Federal Agencies, and other groups on legislative issues that affect our Members. As advocates we evaluate changes in state and local governments that may affect federal law and vice versa. We strive to uphold the TWU Constitution “to promote legislation advancing the interests of the Union and its members at the local, state and national levels, to engage in political education o f the membership, and to engage in such other activity as may be necessary…”

In January, Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States and began the massive undertaking of stabilizing and reviving our nation’s economy, reforming our health care system to provide affordable healthcare to all, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, strengthening our public education and social security systems and redesigning our energy and climate policy among his top priorities. As your representatives in Washington, we are working to ensure that the members of TWU have their voices heard in the halls of Congress and the White House on all of these critical issues.

Right now, Congress is actively debating proposed legislation that would completely overhaul the health care delivery system in the United States and the House of Representatives just passed the first comprehensive climate change legislation in our nation’s history. This is a transformational time for America and YOU should be involved. Stay involved by reading about issues right here on the Legislative page and responding to “legislative alerts and updates” that will be posted on this page. Also, encourage all Members to participate in grassroot campaigns such as Employee Free Choice Act, the campaign for health care reform, and stay engaged yourself by going to local town hall meetings, events, and writing your elected officials to tell them your opinion. Make your voice HEARD!