Press Releases from Senator Stabenow's office http://stabenow.senate.gov/ en-us Thu, 8 May 2008 18:34:31 -0400 Thu, 8 May 2008 18:34:13 -0400 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.1) http://www.feedforall.com http://stabenow.senate.gov/images/dshead_2004.jpg http://stabenow.senate.gov/ 100 133 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Conference Committee has completed deliberation on the 2007 Farm Bill, which makes critical investments in alternative energy. This legislation provides tax incentives for the development and production of fuel from cellulosic alcohol, which is made from materials such as the leaves and stalks of corn, switchgrass, and other organic materials that can be grown anywhere. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050808Alternative.htm AEFEEB2F-FBD0-43A2-84B9-B0E6A4A3AFB7 Thu, 8 May 2008 18:34:13 -0400 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Conference Committee has completed deliberation on the 2007 Farm Bill. This legislation includes the Stabenow provision to improve the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, which targets clean-up activities in severely polluted watersheds and restores urban watersheds that have been degraded by development. The Farm Bill will also help implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaborative Strategy, which is dedicated to water cleanliness, combating invasive species, habitat and land conservation, and wildlife protection. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050808Conservation.htm DB1594F8-C169-4714-98BC-278D0EB26E95 Thu, 8 May 2008 18:33:42 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced the Conference Committee has completed consideration of the 2007 Farm Bill, which includes $10.36 billion in new funding for nutrition and food stamp programs. This vital funding will expand and increase access to healthy food options for those most in need— our children and seniors. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050808Nutrition.htm 45A23387-87D0-46FC-909F-AAE0F918F269 Thu, 8 May 2008 18:33:08 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced the Conference Committee has completed consideration of the 2007 Farm Bill, which has for the first time recognized the importance of fruits and vegetables by creating a new specialty crops subtitle and has approved over $3 billion to fund specialty crops provisions. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050808SpecialtyCrops.htm 253E31A4-198F-42A8-B758-0E144EA19C76 Thu, 8 May 2008 18:32:31 -0400 WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) introduced “The Medicare IVIG Access Act” today, which will protect patients who suffer from Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PIDD). The bill will ensure that PIDD patients, who suffer from debilitating and sometimes fatal illnesses, receive quick access to life-saving treatments, spend less time in the hospital and lead healthier, more productive lives. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050708IVIG.htm D73E24E2-AF60-49DC-886B-E90FA84A8D78 Wed, 7 May 2008 17:48:08 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jim Bunning (R-KY), and Evan Bayh (D-IN) today sent the following letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson urging the administration to hold countries that manipulate their currencies accountable. The administration was required by law to submit a report by April 24, 2008 revealing critical information regarding countries manipulating their currency to gain an unfair advantage. Currency manipulation is the practice by which foreign governments achieve unfair advantage by artificially lowering their currency values in order to sell goods at lower prices in the United States. American businesses and workers continue to suffer from this continuing practice. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050708currencyletter.htm 89366DB4-8A11-4443-AEED-6BDF5AC4C51F Wed, 7 May 2008 17:25:28 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (Joint Tax) have released a report finding that the Healthy Americans Act would be roughly budget neutral in 2014 and that implementation of the Act would create surpluses after that year. The bipartisan Act would provide affordable, quality, health coverage for every American, regardless of where they work or live. The findings were released by CBO Director, Peter Orszag, in a closed-door briefing with a bipartisan group of cosponsors. Copies of the CBO/Joint Tax Report are available on the CBO Web site at www.cbo.gov. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050108healthyamericans.htm E3000645-A8CB-47CD-8F0D-307A796A9F5D Fri, 2 May 2008 10:49:39 -0400 WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine)today introduced the Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Act of 2008, which would preserve access to customized medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries with complex needs http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/043008Complexcare.htm DA9AE589-A339-4578-A88E-7D359A769BB1 Fri, 2 May 2008 10:29:25 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Hilary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) have signed on as cosponsors of Senator Stabenow’s legislation to stop the unfair trade practice known as currency manipulation. Currency manipulation artificially lowers prices of exports from offending countries, like China, resulting in a competitive advantage over American manufacturers. The Fair Currency Act would provide U.S. manufacturers with the legal means to fight back against those companies whose governments manipulate their currency. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/050108fairtrade.htm 676C0399-5EE5-4AFA-A5EC-81FF1E2613E6 Thu, 1 May 2008 16:16:48 -0400 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007. The act offers help to veterans through the often complicated transition from combat tours to civilian life. The legislation calls for enhanced life insurance for disabled veterans, increased access to benefits for education, improved housing programs for disabled service members, and encourages the elimination of backlog of cases in the Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/042408Veteransbenefits.htm B5352C04-5BC9-474B-AAEB-E77B05C41BE7 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:35:17 -0400 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today expressed her disappointment in yesterday’s blockage of the Fair Pay Act. The Senate fell just four votes short of bringing the legislation to the floor for a vote. The Fair Pay Act sought to combat pay discrimination by extending the deadline for victims to take action. Under current law, those affected by workplace pay discrimination, have only 180 days from the date of the first violation to file suit. The extension provided by the Fair Pay Act would assist employees who become aware of pay discrepancies much later. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/042208fairpay.htm 657A08A3-70F1-4C38-9458-6A96E792FD6C Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:38:57 -0400 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding Korea’s trade announcement concerning the importation of U.S. beef. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041808koreaannouncement.htm DAEDFBFE-540D-4F80-B709-9BA6A68DF684 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:30:53 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of a bill to provide technical corrections to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The legislation includes language that would provide $8 million in funds to construct an interchange at I-675 and Warren Avenue near downtown Saginaw. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041708Safetealusaginaw.htm C7EEBE03-9A7C-4FAF-A6EB-87719E57EB06 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:53:23 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of a bill to provide technical corrections to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The legislation includes language that would provide $12.6 million in funds to resolve major traffic congestion at the Michigan Road highway and rail crossing in Port Huron. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041708safetealuporthuron.htm 3363F298-BA1B-41AB-ADBE-D66C6FC5D2B0 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:52:59 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of a bill to provide technical corrections to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The legislation includes provisions designating $2,040,000 for projects in the Monroe area. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041708safetealusoutheast.htm C532A70D-FCBC-4165-85B9-87314C223088 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:52:27 -0400 WASHINGTON – A federally funded transportation project for the paving of Alger County Road H-58 in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will be able to move forward thanks to a technical corrections bill that passed the Senate today, Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow (both D-Mich.) announced. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for final passage and then sent to the President for his signature into law. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041708safetealuup.htm 40365AEC-4447-494D-BFAD-5B75C499C990 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:51:24 -0400 WASHINGTON – Two federally funded transportation projects in northwest Michigan will be able to move forward thanks to a technical corrections bill that passed the Senate today, Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow (both D-Mich.) announced. The bill will next go to the House of Representatives for final passage and then sent to the President for his signature into law. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041708saftealunorthernmi.htm 1912FDFF-A251-4053-98D2-81F1FA486E33 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:50:50 -0400 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding her support for legislation by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, calling for a Department of Justice investigation into the 2005 highway bill earmark allocating $10 million to build a Coconut Road interchange inserted after the bill passed Congress but before it received presidential signature. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041708coconutroad.htm EE20FB85-6F35-4FF2-A093-79203BB2A0CE Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:50:15 -0400 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that the Holland Fire Department has been awarded $67,500 for fire prevention and safety programs. The funds are awarded under the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041608firegrant.htm D2423BE7-FCE5-4567-981C-E88DCE78D302 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:26:34 -0400 WASHINGTON – Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI), along with a bipartisan group of colleagues, today sent the following letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, requesting that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) complete the 8.1 million pound purchase of red tart cherry products for donation to its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) program as soon as possible. The USDA announced its intent to purchase the cherry products on January 8, 2008, but has only purchased 5.5 million pounds to date. Michigan produces more red tart cherries than any other area in the world. http://stabenow.senate.gov/index.htm BAE2C754-4416-4C46-9A08-1B26E1EA4E57 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:41:42 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today sent the following letter to President Bush regarding this week’s visit by South Korean President Lee Myung Bak. Stabenow urges the president to address unfair trade barriers in the South Korean trade agreement to create a fair and level playing field and to protect American jobs. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041508SKletter.htm 7744AB1A-793E-412E-BA88-916E26C6E19C Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:46:41 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. The act offers urgent assistance to families and communities devastated by the housing crisis. Included in the legislation is the Stabenow Amendment, co-sponsored with Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), allowing manufacturers to utilize built-up tax credits to invest in their businesses, stimulate the economy and create new jobs. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041008FPA.htm F5AFD1FC-98A0-4C00-8DBE-1B4F690BB7CB Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:44:44 -0400 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) yesterday sent the following letter to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Andrew von Eschenbach, MD., urging the administration to implement her FDA provision, which was signed into law last year. Her provision will put an end to frivolous petitions used by brand drug companies to delay the entrance of generic drugs into the marketplace, robbing consumers and businesses of affordable choices. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/041008petitionsletter.htm 41DA7F98-A434-4100-BE09-D0E2778884CF Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:39:36 -0400 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding President Bush’s Columbia Trade Proposal. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/040708ColumbiaFTA.htm 3AE8FAD5-79DC-467D-B644-783BE3D0B462 Mon, 7 Apr 2008 14:16:45 -0400 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today introduced the Medicare Telehealth Improvement Act, which will improve access for many Medicare beneficiaries. Telehealth telecommunications utilize the latest technology to connect patients and physicians over long distances. Telehealth communications also allow doctors to share patient information, improving access and saving money. The Medicare Telehealth Improvement Act also calls for the expansion of telemental health services, for the first time, to many community mental health centers nationwide. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/040308Telehealth.htm 44410AB1-1FA3-42BE-BA8C-C16F47ED83BE Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:24:19 -0400 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution, which includes Senator Stabenow’s Green Collar Jobs Initiative. Stabenow’s initiative makes critical investments in the newest alternative energy technologies to ensure that the next generation of energy and vehicle production is done in America and, most importantly, creates American jobs. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/031408GreenJobsBudget.htm 151478D8-0F08-46A1-8FCB-5A51993BABA8 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:02:26 -0400 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, which will pave the way for $175 million in critical investments for conservation, restoration and protection of the Great Lakes. This legislation signals a major victory for Michigan by recognizing the need to make crucial investments into one of our nation’s greatest resources. With communities across the state and region relying on the Great Lakes for their economic well being, this investment is important for creating jobs and ensuring a strong economy. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/031408GreatLakesBudget.htm 0E67C76D-BCCD-46E4-8232-B96665D45D93 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:01:49 -0400 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution, which for the second year in a row, will fully-fund veterans’ health care in order to make sure that our country keeps its promises to those who have served our country and will include two Stabenow amendments that put veterans first. One amendment prevents the Bush Administration from doubling the cost of prescription drugs copayments and implementing enrollment fees for our veterans. The other helps lay the groundwork to make the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration’s health record systems combatable, which means lower costs and improved care for those transitioning from active duty to veterans’ service. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/031408veteransbudget.htm 38D52F46-A020-427E-B020-5C8681873B9E Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:01:14 -0400 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced that the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution paves the way for Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) funding. MEP centers assist manufacturers with cutting-edge technologies and product innovation to stay competitive in the global economy. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/031308MEPBudget.htm 077AF8B0-86ED-43BB-9263-147E8EB7F2B0 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:12:58 -0400 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced that the Committee has passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution, which includes Senator Stabenow’s Green Collar Jobs Initiative. Stabenow’s initiative makes critical investments in the newest alternative energy technologies to ensure that the next generation of energy and vehicle production is done in America and, most importantly, creates American jobs. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/030608budgetrelease.htm 3BD16FED-FC3E-43B5-8712-9D786210E13D Thu, 6 Mar 2008 16:33:30 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Senate has unanimously supported her resolution, once again designating March 26 as National Support the Troops and Their Families Day. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) is a co-sponsor of this resolution. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/030608Supporttroops.htm 19E38D1E-F641-4BE2-A2EC-7EFACB030114 Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:03:23 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the state of Michigan has finished as the #5 state in the nation using e-prescribing last year and has been recognized with the Safe Rx Award. Over the past three years, Michigan has climbed from #10 to #6 to #5 in the country. Electronic prescribing, or e-prescribing, is widely acknowledged as a means of enhancing patient safety, decreasing the amount of preventable adverse drug events that put lives at risk, while cutting health care costs. In Michigan, there are nearly 2,500 physician participants writing more than 282,000 electronic scripts each month. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/030408ElectronicPrescriptions.htm 21EB350F-7C80-41FE-94C2-0250BD64C5F0 Tue, 4 Mar 2008 14:07:16 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced that Mission of Peace in Flint will receive $5,503,646 to provide mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance to families in need. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022808nfmcpflint.htm A6BDB479-6E4D-4461-8D5C-CB934F409E4A Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:45:50 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced that Southwest Solutions of Detroit will receive $315,652 to provide mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance to families in need. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022808nfmcpdetroit.htm 3FAB6963-9743-4D6B-A687-C674C6615FD6 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:44:59 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced that Neighborhoods, Inc. of Battle Creek will receive $135,652 and Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. of Kalamazoo will receive $64,980 to provide mortgage foreclosure mitigation assistance to families in need. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022808nfmcpbcandkzoo.htm 8F07B35B-E047-44C1-BD21-2629B88395FD Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:44:21 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with 32 of her Senate Colleagues, including 6 members of the Senate Budget Committee, today sent a letter to Chairman Conrad (D-ND) and Ranking Member Gregg (R-NH) urging full funding of Stabenow’s Green Collar Jobs Proposal. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022708GreenCollarJobs.htm B88DCC76-0425-4E9A-B145-F6A37B3ACB5E Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:36:52 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that three Michigan organizations have been awarded $146,500 through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). The funding will be used to support operations and firefighter safety. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022708FireSafetyEMS.htm BC411C3D-D3AD-4061-8B15-BB323629461D Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:36:21 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that 78 counties and municipalities will receive $8,070,109 to supplement rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs and help feed and shelter homeless individuals. In addition, the state of Michigan will receive $51,062 to distribute to counties and municipalities in need of further funding. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022608ESFgrant.htm 0F29550A-57D6-495A-8F6C-D0024DBE4841 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:13:19 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the report released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) showing projected health care spending through 2017. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022608CMSStatement.htm DA64C3E5-8D8A-457C-B152-DF3D78B37008 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:32:39 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that six Michigan organizations have been awarded $730,339 through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). The funding will be used to support operations and firefighter safety and to purchase vehicles. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/022008firegrant.htm 23817D5A-44E2-4FFC-99E5-F79CFEF3BCCA Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:43:49 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with 31 of her Senate colleagues, including all 16 women senators, today sent a letter to Chairman Kennedy (D-MA) and Ranking Member Enzi (R-WY) urging them to schedule the HEART for Women Act (S.573) mark-up this spring in the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). This important legislation outlines simple but major steps that we can take today to help address the impact of heart disease on women across the country. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/021408HeartforWomen.htm 5E8B20B5-CB1C-4775-AEF6-025A5AF864A2 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:52:44 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the Commerce Department report of last year’s trade deficit of $711.6 billion or 5.1 percent of GDP. The Commerce Department also reported that the United States trade deficit with China grew from $232.6 billion in 2006 to $256.3 billion last year. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/021408deficitnumbers.htm 54AFE6C0-E19C-438F-9A0C-FF7B98E561BA Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:13:49 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the World Trade Organization’s initial finding that China’s auto parts import policies violate WTO rules http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/021308WTO.htm FC4513D1-3786-46D4-A5BC-7D51550F172F Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:24:22 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement after joining President George W. Bush at the White House, as the President signed H.R. 5410 the Economic Stimulus Act. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/021308stimulussigning.htm 04B7FD4D-5082-4C70-8059-0133E9CCD974 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:23:51 -0500 WASHINGTON Democratic Senators Debbie Stabenow, Kent Conrad and Robert Menendez joined senior citizen Judy Cato and recent college graduate Gabe Pendas at a press conference today to discuss the negative impact President Bush’s budget will have on all Americans. His fiscally irresponsible budget would cut needed funding in domestic programs while hiding the true cost of the Iraq war and increasing the national debt. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/021208BushBudget.htm BECDA8CA-D8A4-44E9-9977-8A8871CE1767 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:20:44 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced Senate passage of H.R. 5410, the Economic Stimulus Act. The Act improves on the version passed by the House of Representatives by providing tax rebates for over 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans, left out by the House. In addition, the Act includes provisions to help families facing foreclosure, by allowing increased opportunities to refinance mortgages with high interest rates. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/020708stimuluspassage.htm 42A69FDA-D6E5-4AEC-8AD1-6E8A5E99FBA0 Thu, 7 Feb 2008 17:29:32 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), today announced her appointment to the Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Farm Bill Conference Committee is tasked with merging the Senate Farm Bill and the House of Representatives’ version. The Committee is made up of six Senate Democrats and five Senate Republicans, along with members from the House. This is the first time a senator from Michigan has served on an agriculture conference committee in over 40 years. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/020508farmbillconference.htm BDAF0CF5-05C2-4D7F-A773-2D7C9758369D Tue, 5 Feb 2008 12:13:13 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today issued the following statement on the release of President Bush’s FY 2009 budget: http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/020408Budgetl.htm 31EE9579-2DD3-4762-AF4F-7E221A420D69 Mon, 4 Feb 2008 14:02:40 -0500 WASHINGTON In an annual report to the State Legislature, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality today released a report documenting a 1,101,923 cubic yard reduction in imports of Canadian waste being dumped in Michigan landfills. This reduction is consistent with the benchmarks established in an agreement between Senators Stabenow and Levin in 2006 with Canadian officials to phase out municipally-managed waste from Ontario being dumped in Michigan. While the DEQ report does not make conclusions regarding the reasons for the reduction in waste, the report references Ontario’s commitment to phase out its exports of municipally managed solid waste to Michigan, as a factor in the reduction of waste. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/013108DEQreport.htm 83FEDB99-F0B0-447A-BA06-F60FCA3E5B1E Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:06:29 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with the other members of the Senate Committee on Finance, today approved the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. The Act includes tax rebates for millions of Americans, including seniors and disabled veterans, an extension of unemployment insurance to immediately boost the economy and business tax provisions to encourage investment in and creation of middle-class, American jobs. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/013008StimulusPackage.htm 61A068BB-B9F5-4059-9CE4-18523CA58760 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:51:20 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that five Michigan organizations have been awarded $387,235 through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). The funding will be used to support operations and firefighter safety and to purchase vehicles. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/013008firegranty.htm 68AE5C7C-850C-463A-9585-13FC315E57BB Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:08:40 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Providence Mayor David Cicilline, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today held a press conference to address the needs of our communities and families here at home. Prior to the press conference, the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, chaired by Senator Stabenow, held a meeting where the Senators and Mayors discussed the need for the federal government to invest in the needs of our American cities, especially during this time of economic and budgetary hardship, by allocating funding for local infrastructure, first responder programs, and education. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/012308Mayors.htm 84E04754-86F8-422F-86EA-56C7CB528A43 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:15:23 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the President’s comments today regarding an emergency fiscal stimulus package: http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/011808StimulusPackage.htm 0CA50799-AA09-4759-8531-B2D1B432CA32 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:04 -0500 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that eight Michigan organizations have been awarded $352,261 through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). The funding will be used to support operations and firefighter safety. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/011608Firegrant.htm 4C303A13-C90F-490D-A95E-BCAC80493995 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:03:34 -0500 WASHINGTON Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will buy up to 8.1 million pounds of tart cherry products for donation to its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) program. Michigan produces more red tart cherries than any other area in the world. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/010808USDACherries.htm C46EC027-D55B-40CD-B5D6-31A5341C5FCD Tue, 8 Jan 2008 15:44:25 -0500 Report shows increased availability of generics, but overall health costs still outpace inflation WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the analysis of 2006 National Health Expenditure data, released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Office of the Actuary. The analysis was released today in the journal Health Affair. http://stabenow.senate.gov/press/2008/010808CMSData.htm 3380397C-D35A-49E7-8942-A924C83500ED Tue, 8 Jan 2008 10:30:48 -0500