U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.) on Friday, Feb. 17, voted to extend the payroll tax cut through the end of the year for 4.7 million North Carolinians. The vote also extended enhanced unemployment benefits through the end of 2012. The measure passed the Senate 60 to 36 and will now go to the President’s desk for signature.
“Today I was proud to vote to extend the payroll tax cut for working, middle-class Americans that will benefit 4.7 million North Carolinians and ensure an extra $900 in the pockets of our hardworking families this year,” said Hagan. “With families still struggling to make ends meet, this extra money will go along way in helping to afford necessities such as groceries, gas and school supplies. While the entire final bill may not be perfect, I am pleased that Congress reached a bipartisan compromise that didn’t bring Congress again to the 11th hour, leaving middle-class families hanging in the balance.
“With North Carolina's unemployment rate at nearly 10 percent, the unemployment insurance represents a lifeline for many of our families who are trying to get back on their feet.”
To see an interactive map of how families in your county will save from this measure, click here.
See what ended up on The News of Orange County's cutting room floor.
Showing posts with label U.S. Senate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Senate. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Hagan introduces bill to accelerate patient access to targeted treatments
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.) introduced Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Transforming the Regulatory Environment to Accelerate Access to Treatments Act to get targeted treatments to patients with serious or life-threatening diseases in a quick and safe manner. The bill will be referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that oversees healthcare issues. Hagan is a member of the HELP Committee.
“The TREAT Act is a commonsense bill that will get innovative treatments to patients more quickly, while maintaining FDA’s high standards for safety and effectiveness,” said Hagan. “Accelerated approval processes helped HIV and cancer treatments advance by leaps and bounds in the 1990s. For patients suffering today from rare diseases for which there are no current treatments, medical advances can’t come fast enough. This legislation creates a consistent process and a clear and effective pathway at FDA that will encourage the development of innovative treatments for patients otherwise dependent on the uncertainty of medical breakthroughs.
“Furthermore, in this global economy, American innovation means American jobs. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build support for this bill.”
The TREAT Act accelerates the review and approval process for medicines that:
• treat an unmet medical need,
• significantly advance the standard of care or
• are highly targeted therapies for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions.
“NORD appreciates that Senator Hagan and her staff have listened to the concerns of rare disease patients in drafting this proposed legislation,” said Peter L. Saltonstall, president and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. “We look forward to working with Senator Hagan in support of this effort to accelerate the process for bringing safe, effective therapies to patients who desperately need them.”
Dr. Ellen Sigal, Chair & Founder of Friends of Cancer Research also commended Hagan's efforts.
“Friends of Cancer Research would like to applaud Senator Hagan for her continued support of the Food and Drug Administration," she said. "The bill she introduced today addresses some very important issues that will help the FDA enhance its scientific capacity, continue to review new treatments in a timely and efficient manner and assure that patients—suffering from serious illness and disease—have access to the safest and most effective therapies.”
The bill enhances FDA’s access to external scientific and medical expertise. It allows the FDA Commissioner to better utilize waivers when potential conflicts of interest are outweighed by the need to have input from leading medical and scientific experts. It also recommends that patient and disease research organizations have more representation on FDA advisory committees. This is critical in areas where research is on the cutting edge.
The TREAT Act advances regulatory science within the FDA. It ensures that drug sponsors are provided explanations when their drugs are turned down so that they might address concerns, improve the treatment and get approved medications to patients more quickly.
The TREAT Act updates the FDA mission statement to reflect FDA’s role in advancing medical innovation while promoting and strengthening the agency’s safety and effectiveness standards. The bill establishes new positions to promote innovation, integration and oversight as well as a Management Review Board to help FDA keep pace with advancing medical innovation and ensure that safety precautions are adhered to.
For more background on the TREAT Act, click here.
“The TREAT Act is a commonsense bill that will get innovative treatments to patients more quickly, while maintaining FDA’s high standards for safety and effectiveness,” said Hagan. “Accelerated approval processes helped HIV and cancer treatments advance by leaps and bounds in the 1990s. For patients suffering today from rare diseases for which there are no current treatments, medical advances can’t come fast enough. This legislation creates a consistent process and a clear and effective pathway at FDA that will encourage the development of innovative treatments for patients otherwise dependent on the uncertainty of medical breakthroughs.
“Furthermore, in this global economy, American innovation means American jobs. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build support for this bill.”
The TREAT Act accelerates the review and approval process for medicines that:
• treat an unmet medical need,
• significantly advance the standard of care or
• are highly targeted therapies for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions.
“NORD appreciates that Senator Hagan and her staff have listened to the concerns of rare disease patients in drafting this proposed legislation,” said Peter L. Saltonstall, president and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders. “We look forward to working with Senator Hagan in support of this effort to accelerate the process for bringing safe, effective therapies to patients who desperately need them.”
Dr. Ellen Sigal, Chair & Founder of Friends of Cancer Research also commended Hagan's efforts.
“Friends of Cancer Research would like to applaud Senator Hagan for her continued support of the Food and Drug Administration," she said. "The bill she introduced today addresses some very important issues that will help the FDA enhance its scientific capacity, continue to review new treatments in a timely and efficient manner and assure that patients—suffering from serious illness and disease—have access to the safest and most effective therapies.”
The bill enhances FDA’s access to external scientific and medical expertise. It allows the FDA Commissioner to better utilize waivers when potential conflicts of interest are outweighed by the need to have input from leading medical and scientific experts. It also recommends that patient and disease research organizations have more representation on FDA advisory committees. This is critical in areas where research is on the cutting edge.
The TREAT Act advances regulatory science within the FDA. It ensures that drug sponsors are provided explanations when their drugs are turned down so that they might address concerns, improve the treatment and get approved medications to patients more quickly.
The TREAT Act updates the FDA mission statement to reflect FDA’s role in advancing medical innovation while promoting and strengthening the agency’s safety and effectiveness standards. The bill establishes new positions to promote innovation, integration and oversight as well as a Management Review Board to help FDA keep pace with advancing medical innovation and ensure that safety precautions are adhered to.
For more background on the TREAT Act, click here.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Hagan urges action on National Flood Insurance Program reauthorization
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined a bipartisan group of Senators in urging Senate leadership to take up the long-term reauthorization and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program. The Senate Banking Committee approved a unanimous, bipartisan version of the reauthorization in September 2011.
“North Carolinians hold over 137,000 policies through the National Flood Insurance Program,” said Hagan. “The National Flood Insurance Program is critical to homeowners in flood-prone regions, and the bill we passed out of the Senate Banking Committee will restore the program’s solvency while ensuring coverage remains available to homeowners. NFIP is simply too important to operate on short-term reauthorizations, and I urge my colleagues to take up this bipartisan bill that is so important for families in North Carolina and across the country.”
For more information and to see a copy of the letter, click here.
“North Carolinians hold over 137,000 policies through the National Flood Insurance Program,” said Hagan. “The National Flood Insurance Program is critical to homeowners in flood-prone regions, and the bill we passed out of the Senate Banking Committee will restore the program’s solvency while ensuring coverage remains available to homeowners. NFIP is simply too important to operate on short-term reauthorizations, and I urge my colleagues to take up this bipartisan bill that is so important for families in North Carolina and across the country.”
For more information and to see a copy of the letter, click here.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hagan applauds committee passage of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.) applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011. The Act included Hagan’s Violence Against Women Health Initiative, intended to raise awareness of domestic violence among health care providers, allowing them to better assess and treat survivors of domestic violence.
“The rates of violence and abuse in our country are astounding and unacceptable, and I applaud the Judiciary Committee for making progress on the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act,” said Hagan. “Domestic violence is a threat to the health and well-being of our families and our children, and it costs our system over $8.3 billion annually. As a mother of two daughters, I was proud to include my Violence Against Women Health Initiative to streamline efforts to prevent and respond to domestic partner violence, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take swift action on this very important bill.”
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act will now move for consideration by the full Senate. Since its passage in 1994, the original Violence Against Women Act has transformed our criminal justice system and victim support system, helping to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence. This reauthorization strengthens and streamlines crucial existing programs and incorporates new approaches—such as Hagan’s bill—to more effectively combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Hagan’s provision in the bill would consolidate the existing three health programs into one program while increasing evaluation and accountability. Hagan worked with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on including the research portion of her bill. Specifically, her language would:
1. Foster public health responses to intimate partner violence and sexual violence;
2. Provide training and education of health professionals to respond to violence and abuse; and
3. Support research on effective public health approaches to end violence against women
Nearly one in four women in the U.S. has reported experiencing domestic violence at some point in her life. In 2007, there were 248,300 reported incidents of sexual assault in the United States. Young women experience the highest rates of sexual assault and stalking. And sadly, 15.5 million children in the United States live in families in which partner violence has occurred in the past year, with seven million children in families in which severe partner violence has occurred.
Domestic violence has a significant impact on our country’s health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intimate partner violence costs the health care system over $8.3 billion annually.
“The rates of violence and abuse in our country are astounding and unacceptable, and I applaud the Judiciary Committee for making progress on the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act,” said Hagan. “Domestic violence is a threat to the health and well-being of our families and our children, and it costs our system over $8.3 billion annually. As a mother of two daughters, I was proud to include my Violence Against Women Health Initiative to streamline efforts to prevent and respond to domestic partner violence, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take swift action on this very important bill.”
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act will now move for consideration by the full Senate. Since its passage in 1994, the original Violence Against Women Act has transformed our criminal justice system and victim support system, helping to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence. This reauthorization strengthens and streamlines crucial existing programs and incorporates new approaches—such as Hagan’s bill—to more effectively combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Hagan’s provision in the bill would consolidate the existing three health programs into one program while increasing evaluation and accountability. Hagan worked with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on including the research portion of her bill. Specifically, her language would:
1. Foster public health responses to intimate partner violence and sexual violence;
2. Provide training and education of health professionals to respond to violence and abuse; and
3. Support research on effective public health approaches to end violence against women
Nearly one in four women in the U.S. has reported experiencing domestic violence at some point in her life. In 2007, there were 248,300 reported incidents of sexual assault in the United States. Young women experience the highest rates of sexual assault and stalking. And sadly, 15.5 million children in the United States live in families in which partner violence has occurred in the past year, with seven million children in families in which severe partner violence has occurred.
Domestic violence has a significant impact on our country’s health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intimate partner violence costs the health care system over $8.3 billion annually.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hagan invites small business owners to attend Exporter Forum in Greensboro
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.), a member of the Senate Small Business and Banking committees, invites all North Carolina small business owners to attend a Small Business Exporter Forum on Friday, Feb. 24, at the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro. The "Ex-Im Bank Global Access Forum for Small Business," which Hagan will cohost with Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg, will include industry, academic and government experts who will provide North Carolina businesses practical information they need to sell their products and services overseas. Hagan previously hosted a similar exporter forum with Hochberg in Charlotte last summer.
The forum is tailored to address the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses with 500 or fewer employees. All business owners interested in attending must register here.
The exporter forum will serve as another stop on Hagan’s North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour, which is taking Hagan across the state to focus on action and ideas that will get unemployed North Carolinians back on the job as quickly as possible.
WHAT: Hagan invites North Carolina small business owners to attend Small Business Exporter Forum
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon
WHERE: Gateway University Research Park, 2901 E. Lee St. in Greensboro
HOW: Registration is required for participants. Register here.
The forum is tailored to address the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses with 500 or fewer employees. All business owners interested in attending must register here.
The exporter forum will serve as another stop on Hagan’s North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour, which is taking Hagan across the state to focus on action and ideas that will get unemployed North Carolinians back on the job as quickly as possible.
WHAT: Hagan invites North Carolina small business owners to attend Small Business Exporter Forum
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon
WHERE: Gateway University Research Park, 2901 E. Lee St. in Greensboro
HOW: Registration is required for participants. Register here.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hagan comments on Department of Defense report opening more jobs to servicewomen
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, on Friday, Feb. 10, commented on the Pentagon’s decision to allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
“Since coming to the Senate, I have fought to ensure America’s servicewomen are afforded the same opportunities for promotion as their male counterparts,” said Hagan. “The Pentagon’s recommendation is welcome progress and will open up more than 14,000 additional jobs to women in the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, more must be done to provide women in the Armed Services equal opportunities for advancement.
“I have long said that the armed forces must come up with a mechanism to give women the same leadership opportunities as their male counterparts so that they can equitably compete for advancement and promotion. Military women deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have been engaged in activities that are consideredcombat-related, including serving side by side with combat units and engaging in direct combat for self defense. These brave women are exposed to the same risks as their male counterparts—including IEDs—and should be eligible for the same opportunities for advancement. As a proud member of a military family, I have nothing but the utmost respect for our troops—both men and women—and the rigorous training they undergo.”
The Pentagon’s announcement in a Department of Defense report required by the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, which Senator Hagan supported. The report notified Congress that the Department of Defense intends to make two changes to rules in place since 1994 governing the service of female members of the armed forces: first, occupations will no longer be closed to women solely because the positions are required to be co-located with ground combat units; and second, a sizable number of positions will be opened to women at the battalion level in select direct ground combat units in specific occupations. Department of Defense will also continue to assess their experience with these changes to help determine whether future modifications to the 1994 rules are appropriate.
Hagan is proud and honored to have had the aid of four servicewomen in her Senate Office. Navy Veteran Jean Reaves served as a WAVE during the Vietnam era. Today, Reaves provides Veteran Affairs Services for Senator Hagan’s office. North Carolina National Guard Cpt. Jennifer Hartsock is currently Senator Hagan’s Military Liason. Hartsock served more than five years of active duty in the Army after graduating from West Point, including a 2007 Iraq tour as a Battle Captain with a Combat Engineer Unit. Lt. Col. Kristin McCann is a United States Marine and serves as a Defense Legislative Fellow to Senator Hagan. Captain Laura Keenan preceded Lt. Col. McCann as the Senator's Defense Legislative Fellow.
“Since coming to the Senate, I have fought to ensure America’s servicewomen are afforded the same opportunities for promotion as their male counterparts,” said Hagan. “The Pentagon’s recommendation is welcome progress and will open up more than 14,000 additional jobs to women in the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, more must be done to provide women in the Armed Services equal opportunities for advancement.
“I have long said that the armed forces must come up with a mechanism to give women the same leadership opportunities as their male counterparts so that they can equitably compete for advancement and promotion. Military women deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have been engaged in activities that are consideredcombat-related, including serving side by side with combat units and engaging in direct combat for self defense. These brave women are exposed to the same risks as their male counterparts—including IEDs—and should be eligible for the same opportunities for advancement. As a proud member of a military family, I have nothing but the utmost respect for our troops—both men and women—and the rigorous training they undergo.”
The Pentagon’s announcement in a Department of Defense report required by the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, which Senator Hagan supported. The report notified Congress that the Department of Defense intends to make two changes to rules in place since 1994 governing the service of female members of the armed forces: first, occupations will no longer be closed to women solely because the positions are required to be co-located with ground combat units; and second, a sizable number of positions will be opened to women at the battalion level in select direct ground combat units in specific occupations. Department of Defense will also continue to assess their experience with these changes to help determine whether future modifications to the 1994 rules are appropriate.
Hagan is proud and honored to have had the aid of four servicewomen in her Senate Office. Navy Veteran Jean Reaves served as a WAVE during the Vietnam era. Today, Reaves provides Veteran Affairs Services for Senator Hagan’s office. North Carolina National Guard Cpt. Jennifer Hartsock is currently Senator Hagan’s Military Liason. Hartsock served more than five years of active duty in the Army after graduating from West Point, including a 2007 Iraq tour as a Battle Captain with a Combat Engineer Unit. Lt. Col. Kristin McCann is a United States Marine and serves as a Defense Legislative Fellow to Senator Hagan. Captain Laura Keenan preceded Lt. Col. McCann as the Senator's Defense Legislative Fellow.
Hagan votes for long-term FAA reauthorization
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.) on Monday, Feb. 6, voted for a bipartisan agreement that authorizes funding for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next four years. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which passed the Senate by a vote of 75-20, authorizes $15.9 billion annually for federal aviation programs. It now goes to the President’s desk.
“In the last five years, Congress has funded the FAA with 23 separate short-term extensions,” said Hagan. “Today, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass legislation that significantly improves federal aviation programs and provides certainty to the millions of workers across the country—including more than 88,000 in North Carolina—whose jobs depend on the aviation industry. While this bill is not perfect, it does demonstrate that Democrats and Republicans are capable of putting political posturing aside and advancing legislation important to the American people. I will continue working across party lines on initiatives that get people in North Carolina and across the country back to work.”
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act will provide stable funding for FAA programs, enhance safety, expand access to air service in rural areas and help modernize the national air system. For example, the bill will accelerate the deployment of NextGen, the FAA’s air traffic control system that uses satellite-based global positioning system capabilities. This new technology will reduce delays, increase safety and make flying quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient.
The bill also allocates $13.4 billion over four years for the Airport Improvement Program. The AIP provided more than $1.2 billion in critical planning and development grants to North Carolina’s public airports between FY2007 and FY2011.
“In the last five years, Congress has funded the FAA with 23 separate short-term extensions,” said Hagan. “Today, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass legislation that significantly improves federal aviation programs and provides certainty to the millions of workers across the country—including more than 88,000 in North Carolina—whose jobs depend on the aviation industry. While this bill is not perfect, it does demonstrate that Democrats and Republicans are capable of putting political posturing aside and advancing legislation important to the American people. I will continue working across party lines on initiatives that get people in North Carolina and across the country back to work.”
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act will provide stable funding for FAA programs, enhance safety, expand access to air service in rural areas and help modernize the national air system. For example, the bill will accelerate the deployment of NextGen, the FAA’s air traffic control system that uses satellite-based global positioning system capabilities. This new technology will reduce delays, increase safety and make flying quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient.
The bill also allocates $13.4 billion over four years for the Airport Improvement Program. The AIP provided more than $1.2 billion in critical planning and development grants to North Carolina’s public airports between FY2007 and FY2011.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Hagan, Bass comment on Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D—NC) and North Carolina Public Transportation Association President Randy Bass on Friday, Feb. 3, commented on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s approval of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012. Hagan, who sits on the Banking Committee, fought to include over $200 million in the bill for important North Carolina infrastructure investments. The two-year reauthorization and reform of federal public transportation programs was passed with unanimous, bipartisan support. The legislation will be included in a broader surface transportation reauthorization bill.
“Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure is about creating jobs, not just in the construction sector, but in the businesses, plants and factories that rely on our ports, roads, rails and airports to get American-made products to markets around the globe,” said Hagan. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure will enable our economy to grow and keep our country competitive.”
Bass also commended the Senate Banking Committee for approving the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012.
“Our association represents public transportation systems in all 100 counties in North Carolina," he said. "Despite the challenges we face in these tough economic times, North Carolina’s public transportation infrastructure is a testament to how public and capital investments can create a network of transportation services critical to the economic vitality of our state. We are proud and grateful to have the exceptional leadership of Sen. Hagan and her colleagues on the Banking Committee to keep public transportation a priority of our nation.”
The Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 provides funding for critical investments in North Carolina’s infrastructure. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 for competitive grants to help communities develop and plan public transportation projects designed to enhance economic development, increase transit ridership, and promote multi-modal connectivity and accessibility.
Few communities exemplify the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development better than Charlotte. Since its opening, there has been $1.4 billion in development adjacent to the LYNX light rail Blue Line. It is anticipated that through 2035, there will be approximately $5 billion in new development adjacent to the Blue Line Extension—a continuation of the LYNX Blue Line to the UNC-Charlotte campus.
The bill streamlines and includes a slight increase in funding for rural transit. In fiscal year 2010, North Carolina received $47.61 million in rural transit grants, more than any other state except California.
The bill also includes $20 million for a New Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program. The funds are to be distributed across the Appalachian region—including 29 counties in North Carolina—to increase and enhance public transportation opportunities to residents in these areas.
“Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure is about creating jobs, not just in the construction sector, but in the businesses, plants and factories that rely on our ports, roads, rails and airports to get American-made products to markets around the globe,” said Hagan. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure will enable our economy to grow and keep our country competitive.”
Bass also commended the Senate Banking Committee for approving the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012.
“Our association represents public transportation systems in all 100 counties in North Carolina," he said. "Despite the challenges we face in these tough economic times, North Carolina’s public transportation infrastructure is a testament to how public and capital investments can create a network of transportation services critical to the economic vitality of our state. We are proud and grateful to have the exceptional leadership of Sen. Hagan and her colleagues on the Banking Committee to keep public transportation a priority of our nation.”
The Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 provides funding for critical investments in North Carolina’s infrastructure. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 for competitive grants to help communities develop and plan public transportation projects designed to enhance economic development, increase transit ridership, and promote multi-modal connectivity and accessibility.
Few communities exemplify the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development better than Charlotte. Since its opening, there has been $1.4 billion in development adjacent to the LYNX light rail Blue Line. It is anticipated that through 2035, there will be approximately $5 billion in new development adjacent to the Blue Line Extension—a continuation of the LYNX Blue Line to the UNC-Charlotte campus.
The bill streamlines and includes a slight increase in funding for rural transit. In fiscal year 2010, North Carolina received $47.61 million in rural transit grants, more than any other state except California.
The bill also includes $20 million for a New Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program. The funds are to be distributed across the Appalachian region—including 29 counties in North Carolina—to increase and enhance public transportation opportunities to residents in these areas.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Hagan comments on mortgage settlement announcement
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, on Thursday, Feb. 9, commented after an agreement was reached on a national settlement to bring relief to American homeowners.
“Foreclosure affects every aspect of a family’s life," Hagan said. "Today’s settlement is a piece of welcome news for those North Carolina homeowners who have acted responsibly but have been wrongfully foreclosed on or who owe more than their homes are currently worth.
"North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and I am pleased that this settlement includes a number of provisions designed to protect servicemembers and veterans. I am also proud that Joseph Smith, North Carolina’s widely-respected Commissioner of Banks, will oversee the settlement fund.
“While today’s settlement is a step in the right direction, we know it will not be enough to turn around our sluggish housing market. The housing crisis continues to be the main driver of our economic downturn, and many North Carolina families are hurting. We need to take a serious look at reforming our housing finance system to get more private capital into the system and make sure credit is available for well-qualified, responsible borrowers.”
Hagan is a co-sponsor of the Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage Abuses Act of 2011, which would incentivize financial institutions to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Enacted in 2003, SCRA is intended to prevent active duty military from certain financial and legal hardships as a result of their absence due to military service. Financial institutions have repeatedly failed to comply with the SCRA. Major loan servicers have been responsible for mistakes that led to thousands of mortgage overcharges and a number of unlawful foreclosures and evictions.
Since taking office, Hagan’s constituent services team has worked on 851 mortgage assistance cases for North Carolinians. Hagan’s office cannot file modifications, but it can follow up on pending applications with bank regulators. If you need assistance following up on a pending mortgage modification, please contact Hagan’s office toll-free at 1-877-852-9462.
“Foreclosure affects every aspect of a family’s life," Hagan said. "Today’s settlement is a piece of welcome news for those North Carolina homeowners who have acted responsibly but have been wrongfully foreclosed on or who owe more than their homes are currently worth.
"North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and I am pleased that this settlement includes a number of provisions designed to protect servicemembers and veterans. I am also proud that Joseph Smith, North Carolina’s widely-respected Commissioner of Banks, will oversee the settlement fund.
“While today’s settlement is a step in the right direction, we know it will not be enough to turn around our sluggish housing market. The housing crisis continues to be the main driver of our economic downturn, and many North Carolina families are hurting. We need to take a serious look at reforming our housing finance system to get more private capital into the system and make sure credit is available for well-qualified, responsible borrowers.”
Hagan is a co-sponsor of the Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage Abuses Act of 2011, which would incentivize financial institutions to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Enacted in 2003, SCRA is intended to prevent active duty military from certain financial and legal hardships as a result of their absence due to military service. Financial institutions have repeatedly failed to comply with the SCRA. Major loan servicers have been responsible for mistakes that led to thousands of mortgage overcharges and a number of unlawful foreclosures and evictions.
Since taking office, Hagan’s constituent services team has worked on 851 mortgage assistance cases for North Carolinians. Hagan’s office cannot file modifications, but it can follow up on pending applications with bank regulators. If you need assistance following up on a pending mortgage modification, please contact Hagan’s office toll-free at 1-877-852-9462.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Hagan supports bipartisan Iran Sanctions Bill
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee and Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, supported the bipartisan Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act during a markup yesterday in the Senate Banking Committee.
“As the Chair of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, I know that the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran is a clear concern for our country, our ally Israel and the stability of the Middle East,” said Hagan. “It is important that we cut off resources that would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. The Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act is an important step in choking off funding for Iran's national oil and shipping companies, and in restricting its ability to tap into electronic banking services.”
The bipartisan bill expands and broadens the President’s authority to increase pressure on Iran to comply with its international obligations. The legislation will:
o Broaden the list of available sanctions,
o Require intensified targeting of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps,
o Require firms traded on U.S. stock exchanges to disclose Iran-related activity to the Securities and Exchange Commission,
o Sanction energy and uranium mining joint ventures with Iran’s government outside of Iran,
o Penalize U.S. parent firms for certain Iran-related activities of their foreign subsidiaries,
o Mandate sanctions for those who supply Iran with weapons and other technologies used to commit human rights abuses, and
o Provide other similar measures designed to increase pressure on Iran’s government.
“As the Chair of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, I know that the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran is a clear concern for our country, our ally Israel and the stability of the Middle East,” said Hagan. “It is important that we cut off resources that would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. The Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act is an important step in choking off funding for Iran's national oil and shipping companies, and in restricting its ability to tap into electronic banking services.”
The bipartisan bill expands and broadens the President’s authority to increase pressure on Iran to comply with its international obligations. The legislation will:
o Broaden the list of available sanctions,
o Require intensified targeting of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps,
o Require firms traded on U.S. stock exchanges to disclose Iran-related activity to the Securities and Exchange Commission,
o Sanction energy and uranium mining joint ventures with Iran’s government outside of Iran,
o Penalize U.S. parent firms for certain Iran-related activities of their foreign subsidiaries,
o Mandate sanctions for those who supply Iran with weapons and other technologies used to commit human rights abuses, and
o Provide other similar measures designed to increase pressure on Iran’s government.
Hagan launches North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.) on Friday, Jan. 27, launched her North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour to determine the most effective ways to get North Carolinians back to work right now.
Hagan began the tour in Scotland County, where unemployment stands at 16.6 percent—the highest of any county in North Carolina. She toured Service Thread Manufacturing, a textile company that employs approximately 75 people and manufactures industrial yarns and sewing threads, converted multifilament yarns and engineered specialty textile products.
“Jobs are my No. one priority,” said Hagan. “Everywhere I go in our state, unemployment is the issue I hear about from North Carolinians. I am launching my North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour to focus on action and ideas that will get unemployed North Carolinians back on the job as quickly as possible. With unemployment at almost 10 percent in our state, and as high as 16.6 percent in Scotland County, we don’t have a minute to waste in rolling up our sleeves to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to get employment back on track.”
The North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour included stops in communities across North Carolina. Hagan met with small business owners, workers, veterans, manufacturers, workforce development officers, community college administrators and others to gain input and feedback about concrete steps that can put people back to work right now. The tour explored many aspects of the unemployment crisis, including a strong emphasis on job training and job readiness.
“With North Carolina’s outstanding community colleges and workforce training centers, it is unacceptable that middle-class families are struggling to make ends meet while employers are struggling to fill open jobs.," Hagain said. "I want to continue bringing together all the stakeholders—business owners, workforce training administrators, unemployed workers and veterans—so that we can get people back on the job. I want to connect job seekers and employers to the many resources and incentives of which they may not be aware.”
Hagan’s AMERICA Works Act encourages national industries—like construction, automotive and aerospace—to come together and agree on the skill sets necessary for employees. When the industries have agreed upon standards, curricula will be developed for training programs at community colleges that will offer industry-recognized credentials. When workers have earned an industry-recognized credential, they will be qualified for employment in any state. For more about the AMERICA Works Act, please click here.
Hagan began the tour in Scotland County, where unemployment stands at 16.6 percent—the highest of any county in North Carolina. She toured Service Thread Manufacturing, a textile company that employs approximately 75 people and manufactures industrial yarns and sewing threads, converted multifilament yarns and engineered specialty textile products.
“Jobs are my No. one priority,” said Hagan. “Everywhere I go in our state, unemployment is the issue I hear about from North Carolinians. I am launching my North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour to focus on action and ideas that will get unemployed North Carolinians back on the job as quickly as possible. With unemployment at almost 10 percent in our state, and as high as 16.6 percent in Scotland County, we don’t have a minute to waste in rolling up our sleeves to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to get employment back on track.”
The North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour included stops in communities across North Carolina. Hagan met with small business owners, workers, veterans, manufacturers, workforce development officers, community college administrators and others to gain input and feedback about concrete steps that can put people back to work right now. The tour explored many aspects of the unemployment crisis, including a strong emphasis on job training and job readiness.
“With North Carolina’s outstanding community colleges and workforce training centers, it is unacceptable that middle-class families are struggling to make ends meet while employers are struggling to fill open jobs.," Hagain said. "I want to continue bringing together all the stakeholders—business owners, workforce training administrators, unemployed workers and veterans—so that we can get people back on the job. I want to connect job seekers and employers to the many resources and incentives of which they may not be aware.”
Hagan’s AMERICA Works Act encourages national industries—like construction, automotive and aerospace—to come together and agree on the skill sets necessary for employees. When the industries have agreed upon standards, curricula will be developed for training programs at community colleges that will offer industry-recognized credentials. When workers have earned an industry-recognized credential, they will be qualified for employment in any state. For more about the AMERICA Works Act, please click here.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Hagan hails federal, state partnership protecting the military community
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D—N.C.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Banking Committees and an advocate for consumer protections, Friday, Jan. 27, hailed a new federal-state partnership and the development of a database to combat consumer financial fraud directed at military members, veterans and their families. The Repeat Offenders Against Military Database was developed by the Department of Defense, the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
“The development of this database is a huge service to North Carolina, which has the third largest military footprint in the nation,” said Hagan, who sits on the Senate Armed Services and Banking Committees. “Too often, our servicemembers and their families become victims of unlawful or predatory financial practices. Last May, I was proud to host a roundtable at Fort Bragg with Holly Petraeus, who heads the CFPB's Office of Servicemember Affairs, to hear from military leaders and families about the unique financial challenges facing our military communities. I will continue working to ensure that our servicemembers and their families, who sacrifice so much for our country, are protected from predatory financial practices.”
The ROAM Database will track completed enforcement actions against companies and individuals who repeatedly scam military personnel. Law enforcement officials across the country—including state attorneys general, United States attorneys, and judge advocates from all five branches of the armed forces—will be able to search the ROAM Database for publicly available information about completed civil and criminal legal actions against perpetrators of financial scams aimed at military personnel, veterans and their families.
Law enforcement officials can contribute data and request access to the database, which should be up and running by early February, by sending an email to ROAMDatabase@cfpb.gov.
Hagan is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Banking Committees, and she is a founding member of the Military Family Caucus. She cosponsored the Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage Abuses Act to protect military families from wrongful foreclosures.
Hagan hails from a strong military family—her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General; her brother and father served in the Navy; her husband, Chip, is a Vietnam veteran who used the GI Bill to help pay for law school; and she has two nephews who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The development of this database is a huge service to North Carolina, which has the third largest military footprint in the nation,” said Hagan, who sits on the Senate Armed Services and Banking Committees. “Too often, our servicemembers and their families become victims of unlawful or predatory financial practices. Last May, I was proud to host a roundtable at Fort Bragg with Holly Petraeus, who heads the CFPB's Office of Servicemember Affairs, to hear from military leaders and families about the unique financial challenges facing our military communities. I will continue working to ensure that our servicemembers and their families, who sacrifice so much for our country, are protected from predatory financial practices.”
The ROAM Database will track completed enforcement actions against companies and individuals who repeatedly scam military personnel. Law enforcement officials across the country—including state attorneys general, United States attorneys, and judge advocates from all five branches of the armed forces—will be able to search the ROAM Database for publicly available information about completed civil and criminal legal actions against perpetrators of financial scams aimed at military personnel, veterans and their families.
Law enforcement officials can contribute data and request access to the database, which should be up and running by early February, by sending an email to ROAMDatabase@cfpb.gov.
Hagan is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Banking Committees, and she is a founding member of the Military Family Caucus. She cosponsored the Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage Abuses Act to protect military families from wrongful foreclosures.
Hagan hails from a strong military family—her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General; her brother and father served in the Navy; her husband, Chip, is a Vietnam veteran who used the GI Bill to help pay for law school; and she has two nephews who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Hagan ranks 20th in office funds returned
Politico ranked senators based on the amount of their annual authorized budgets returned in the combined fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Hagan ranked 20th out of 95 Senators in returned money. Hagan returned 14.34 percent, or $890,952, of her budget for those two fiscal years.
For more information, see the rankings online.
Hagan is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Congressional Budget Accountability Act, which ensures that unspent funds from Senate office budgets will help pay down the national debt or reduce the deficit.
Hagan said of the bill: “Our nation’s mounting federal debt demands bipartisan solutions, which is why I am cosponsoring the Congressional Budget Accountability Act to ensure our unneeded office funds are used to help pay down our national debt. It is imperative that we work together—and my office staff is trying to do its part—to find commonsense solutions to put our fiscal house in order. On my statewide Budget Listening Tour last summer, North Carolinians told me that they wanted Congress to stop the bickering and get to work on balanced, bipartisan measures to lower the deficit and to help put people back to work.”
For more information, see the rankings online.
Hagan is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Congressional Budget Accountability Act, which ensures that unspent funds from Senate office budgets will help pay down the national debt or reduce the deficit.
Hagan said of the bill: “Our nation’s mounting federal debt demands bipartisan solutions, which is why I am cosponsoring the Congressional Budget Accountability Act to ensure our unneeded office funds are used to help pay down our national debt. It is imperative that we work together—and my office staff is trying to do its part—to find commonsense solutions to put our fiscal house in order. On my statewide Budget Listening Tour last summer, North Carolinians told me that they wanted Congress to stop the bickering and get to work on balanced, bipartisan measures to lower the deficit and to help put people back to work.”
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hagan votes to prohibit Congressional insider trading
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D-N.C.) on Thursday, Feb. 2, voted for bipartisan legislation to prohibit members of Congress from using information they gain from their position for personal benefit. The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act passed the Senate today by a vote of 96 to 3. Last year, Hagan cosponsored similar legislation barring insider trading by Members of Congress.
“Using privileged information to gain an upper hand has no place in the chambers of Congress,” Hagan said. "By passing the bipartisan STOCK Act, the Senate today reaffirmed that members of Congress must play by the same rules as the people of North Carolina. Now we can hopefully move on to action to help middle-class workers and families throughout the country, starting with a year-long extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits."
The STOCK Act would bar all members of Congress and their staffs from using nonpublic information acquired through their position for personal benefit. Members and staff are also prohibited from sharing this type of privileged information for the purpose of trading. In addition, members would be required to publicly report any major financial transactions within 30 days.
Hagan has long been committed to promoting a government that is as open and accessible as possible. One of the first bills she cosponsored in the Senate was the Senate Campaign Disclosure Disparity Act, which supported greater transparency for Senate financial disclosures.
“Using privileged information to gain an upper hand has no place in the chambers of Congress,” Hagan said. "By passing the bipartisan STOCK Act, the Senate today reaffirmed that members of Congress must play by the same rules as the people of North Carolina. Now we can hopefully move on to action to help middle-class workers and families throughout the country, starting with a year-long extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits."
The STOCK Act would bar all members of Congress and their staffs from using nonpublic information acquired through their position for personal benefit. Members and staff are also prohibited from sharing this type of privileged information for the purpose of trading. In addition, members would be required to publicly report any major financial transactions within 30 days.
Hagan has long been committed to promoting a government that is as open and accessible as possible. One of the first bills she cosponsored in the Senate was the Senate Campaign Disclosure Disparity Act, which supported greater transparency for Senate financial disclosures.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Column: Greeting from Sen. Kinnaird
Dear Friends,
Last week I attended a news conference of the coalition of Partners Against Human Trafficking on the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. The campaign runs through Feb. 1, the date the 13th Amendment ending slavery was passed. Information may be found by writing to pathnc@mindspring.com. In addition to bringing to the public’s attention the devastating human trafficking business, they recognized people who have worked to stop this unspeakable activity. The recognition included a young Asheville high school girl who is raising money for a shelter for trafficked teens, the Salvation Army and local groups throughout the state that are providing shelter for rescued victims. Legal Aid provides legal help to keep the victims from being deported back to the country that trafficked them to the U.S.
Human trafficking is the largest criminal enterprise after drug trafficking. In fact, many of the major drug traffickers also deal in human trafficking. This horrific activity that occurs throughout the world, including the United States, preys on young girls and some boys who are then subjected to rape and sexual abuse. North Carolina has both sex and labor trafficking, where Interstate 95/40 is a major route. The press conference emphasized that this is modern-day slavery. Part of the awareness campaign is to stop the buying of the victims, asking, “who is the buyer?”
I was the author of both the criminal statutes on trafficking and services to provide shelter, sustenance and legal protection to victims.
I serve on the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Crime Control and Public Safety. One of the recurring questions is how to measure workload to determine pay for our court personnel: clerks, judges, district attorneys, etc. Studies on those groups have been done in the past, and this year the Judicial Department Workload Formulas were brought before the committee by the Administrative Office of the Courts to determine Superior Court workload to pay. The report, requested by the General Assembly, looked at workload indicators from the past and a 2007 collaboration with the National Center for State Courts. To determine a formula that is data driven, the report focuses on the most common work performed.
The questions are whether some counties and districts have more judges than they need while others are severely shorthanded. (Of course, this will stop the practice of legislators getting extra judges for their district to satisfy constituents.) Judges will be asked to keep track of their tasks and the time spent on each task for a month. In addition, there is a weighting system as not all cases use the same amount of time to complete. The cases range from traffic, to DWI all the way to sex crimes and first-degree murder. They have assigned the time in minutes, e.g. traffic cases at four to six minutes all the way to 10,172 minutes for first-degree murder.
Using this formula, the budget should have (but didn’t) included the addition of 354 assistant and deputy clerks, 69 additional district court judges, 100 district attorneys and 47.5 victim witness/legal assistants. This study of our court system shows the legislature takes the use of tax-payer money into consideration on a continuing basis.
I am relieved we have left Iraq and now hope we will leave Afghanistan as soon as possible (though not 2014.) The shocking allegations against four Marines that emerged this last week remind me of Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D- CA) statement explaining her vote against the Afghanistan war, “Let us not become the evil that we deplore."
A general, while in no way condoning the acts of the Marines, pointed out that it is a difficult situation when young men are taught to kill, to keep parameters on war-time actions. On this weekend honoring Martin Luther King Jr., we remember that the Rev. King was excoriated for opposing the Vietnam War, but, as the case with so much of his vision, he was proved right. His words inspire us today. “A nation that continues year after year to spend more on military defense than on social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”
Let us affirm our beliefs in spiritual uplift.
Ellie
Last week I attended a news conference of the coalition of Partners Against Human Trafficking on the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. The campaign runs through Feb. 1, the date the 13th Amendment ending slavery was passed. Information may be found by writing to pathnc@mindspring.com. In addition to bringing to the public’s attention the devastating human trafficking business, they recognized people who have worked to stop this unspeakable activity. The recognition included a young Asheville high school girl who is raising money for a shelter for trafficked teens, the Salvation Army and local groups throughout the state that are providing shelter for rescued victims. Legal Aid provides legal help to keep the victims from being deported back to the country that trafficked them to the U.S.
Human trafficking is the largest criminal enterprise after drug trafficking. In fact, many of the major drug traffickers also deal in human trafficking. This horrific activity that occurs throughout the world, including the United States, preys on young girls and some boys who are then subjected to rape and sexual abuse. North Carolina has both sex and labor trafficking, where Interstate 95/40 is a major route. The press conference emphasized that this is modern-day slavery. Part of the awareness campaign is to stop the buying of the victims, asking, “who is the buyer?”
I was the author of both the criminal statutes on trafficking and services to provide shelter, sustenance and legal protection to victims.
I serve on the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Crime Control and Public Safety. One of the recurring questions is how to measure workload to determine pay for our court personnel: clerks, judges, district attorneys, etc. Studies on those groups have been done in the past, and this year the Judicial Department Workload Formulas were brought before the committee by the Administrative Office of the Courts to determine Superior Court workload to pay. The report, requested by the General Assembly, looked at workload indicators from the past and a 2007 collaboration with the National Center for State Courts. To determine a formula that is data driven, the report focuses on the most common work performed.
The questions are whether some counties and districts have more judges than they need while others are severely shorthanded. (Of course, this will stop the practice of legislators getting extra judges for their district to satisfy constituents.) Judges will be asked to keep track of their tasks and the time spent on each task for a month. In addition, there is a weighting system as not all cases use the same amount of time to complete. The cases range from traffic, to DWI all the way to sex crimes and first-degree murder. They have assigned the time in minutes, e.g. traffic cases at four to six minutes all the way to 10,172 minutes for first-degree murder.
Using this formula, the budget should have (but didn’t) included the addition of 354 assistant and deputy clerks, 69 additional district court judges, 100 district attorneys and 47.5 victim witness/legal assistants. This study of our court system shows the legislature takes the use of tax-payer money into consideration on a continuing basis.
I am relieved we have left Iraq and now hope we will leave Afghanistan as soon as possible (though not 2014.) The shocking allegations against four Marines that emerged this last week remind me of Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D- CA) statement explaining her vote against the Afghanistan war, “Let us not become the evil that we deplore."
A general, while in no way condoning the acts of the Marines, pointed out that it is a difficult situation when young men are taught to kill, to keep parameters on war-time actions. On this weekend honoring Martin Luther King Jr., we remember that the Rev. King was excoriated for opposing the Vietnam War, but, as the case with so much of his vision, he was proved right. His words inspire us today. “A nation that continues year after year to spend more on military defense than on social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”
Let us affirm our beliefs in spiritual uplift.
Ellie
Monday, January 9, 2012
Hagan announces North Carolina wins Race to the Top
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-N.C.) announced Dec. 16 that North Carolina is one of nine states to win a Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant. The up to $70 million grant will allow North Carolina to continue its innovative advancements in early childhood education. Thirty-five states, D.C. and Puerto Rico originally applied for the grant program.
Hagan led a group of her North Carolina congressional colleagues—including Reps. Butterfield, McIntyre, Shuler, Watt and Miller—in supporting North Carolina's application in a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in November.
“We have long understood in North Carolina that our investments in education cannot wait until kindergarten or first grade. North Carolina’s selection as a winner of the Race to the Top—Early Learning Challenge Grant solidifies our state’s place as a national leader in early childhood education,” said Hagan, a member of the Senate committee responsible for education policy. “This grant will allow our state to continue the remarkable progress we’ve seen through programs such as Smart Start and More at Four. I am proud to have joined other members of the NC delegation in supporting the state's application, and I thank all of our North Carolina teachers and education leaders for their service to our students.”
The state will use the funding to meet its goal of ensuring every child in North Carolina is prepared for kindergarten. It will build upon North Carolina’s existing nationally renowned early education programs, such as its quality-starred rating system, to make sure families in high-need areas have access to high-quality early education. The state will also take additional steps to measure the progress of its early childhood education programs and provide professional development support to early childhood educators.
Hagan, who is leading a group of moderate senators in advocating for commonsense principles in education reform, has made education a key legislative priority since her time in the North Carolina General Assembly as a state senator. In October, she included a number of important provisions in the Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee’s legislation to reform No Child Left Behind. For more on Hagan’s work on the bill, click here.
Hagan led a group of her North Carolina congressional colleagues—including Reps. Butterfield, McIntyre, Shuler, Watt and Miller—in supporting North Carolina's application in a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in November.
“We have long understood in North Carolina that our investments in education cannot wait until kindergarten or first grade. North Carolina’s selection as a winner of the Race to the Top—Early Learning Challenge Grant solidifies our state’s place as a national leader in early childhood education,” said Hagan, a member of the Senate committee responsible for education policy. “This grant will allow our state to continue the remarkable progress we’ve seen through programs such as Smart Start and More at Four. I am proud to have joined other members of the NC delegation in supporting the state's application, and I thank all of our North Carolina teachers and education leaders for their service to our students.”
The state will use the funding to meet its goal of ensuring every child in North Carolina is prepared for kindergarten. It will build upon North Carolina’s existing nationally renowned early education programs, such as its quality-starred rating system, to make sure families in high-need areas have access to high-quality early education. The state will also take additional steps to measure the progress of its early childhood education programs and provide professional development support to early childhood educators.
Hagan, who is leading a group of moderate senators in advocating for commonsense principles in education reform, has made education a key legislative priority since her time in the North Carolina General Assembly as a state senator. In October, she included a number of important provisions in the Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee’s legislation to reform No Child Left Behind. For more on Hagan’s work on the bill, click here.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Hagan joins group of senators urging USTR Kirk to fight for U.S. poultry producers in India
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) on Thursday, Dec. 22, joined a bipartisan group of 19 Senators in urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to fight for the nation’s poultry producers on his upcoming visit to India in mid-January. In a letter sent Wednesday, Dec. 21, the Senators requested that Kirk continue to work with top Indian officials on resolving India’s non-scientifically based trade policies that deny the American poultry industry access to India’s market.
Poultry is North Carolina’s top agricultural commodity. North Carolina ranks second in the country in total turkey production and third in the country in total poultry production.
"North Carolina's hardworking poultry producers are missing out on valuable export opportunities because of India's current trade barriers," Hagan said. “I urge Ambassador Kirk to stand strong on this issue on his upcoming trip to India and to fight for our farmers and our families, not just in North Carolina, but across the country.”
Over the past five years, Indian trade policies on the viral disease avian influenza have prevented the import of poultry from a number of countries, including the United States. This policy, which makes no distinction between low-pathogenic AI and highly-pathogenic AI, is not backed by scientific evidence and is not in line with standards from the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE). The National Chicken Council estimates that U.S. poultry farmers lose out on at least $300 million a year in exports because of this restriction.
“The U.S. has set the gold standard on this issue and has a track record on AI that is unsurpassed around the world,” the Senators said in their letter to Kirk. “Despite the United States’ track record on AI and the very effective measures in place for AI, India continues to use this non-scientifically based position to prohibit U.S. poultry to access the Indian market. With two of the United States’ top poultry markets having been severely disrupted in the past three years, it is especially important that efforts be undertaken to replace them.
“We respectfully request that, during your upcoming discussions with the government of India, you strongly explain the important biosecurity measures that have been implemented in the U.S. and that the continued use of non-scientifically based measures to prevent trade is unacceptable.”
In addition to Senator Hagan, the bipartisan letter was signed by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.), Joe Manchin, III (D-W.Va.), Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jim Webb (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-W.Va.), James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Mark. R. Warner (D-Va.)
Poultry is North Carolina’s top agricultural commodity. North Carolina ranks second in the country in total turkey production and third in the country in total poultry production.
"North Carolina's hardworking poultry producers are missing out on valuable export opportunities because of India's current trade barriers," Hagan said. “I urge Ambassador Kirk to stand strong on this issue on his upcoming trip to India and to fight for our farmers and our families, not just in North Carolina, but across the country.”
Over the past five years, Indian trade policies on the viral disease avian influenza have prevented the import of poultry from a number of countries, including the United States. This policy, which makes no distinction between low-pathogenic AI and highly-pathogenic AI, is not backed by scientific evidence and is not in line with standards from the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE). The National Chicken Council estimates that U.S. poultry farmers lose out on at least $300 million a year in exports because of this restriction.
“The U.S. has set the gold standard on this issue and has a track record on AI that is unsurpassed around the world,” the Senators said in their letter to Kirk. “Despite the United States’ track record on AI and the very effective measures in place for AI, India continues to use this non-scientifically based position to prohibit U.S. poultry to access the Indian market. With two of the United States’ top poultry markets having been severely disrupted in the past three years, it is especially important that efforts be undertaken to replace them.
“We respectfully request that, during your upcoming discussions with the government of India, you strongly explain the important biosecurity measures that have been implemented in the U.S. and that the continued use of non-scientifically based measures to prevent trade is unacceptable.”
In addition to Senator Hagan, the bipartisan letter was signed by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.), Joe Manchin, III (D-W.Va.), Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jim Webb (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-W.Va.), James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Mark. R. Warner (D-Va.)
Hagan efforts help delay post office closures
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) applauded the decision of the U.S. Postal Service to delay until mid-May 2012 the closing of 3,700 post offices and 252 mail processing centers. According to the USPS announcement, their decision came in response to multiple requests from U.S. Senators, including a letter to the postmaster general from Hagan.
“The delay gives us in Congress the opportunity to study this problem more closely,” Hagan said. “Post offices in our North Carolina rural areas provide more than just stamps and package pick-up services, they are gathering centers and lifelines for these communities. Most importantly, this delay will help protect American jobs.”
Following the USPS announcement on July 26 that 20 North Carolina Post Offices face potential closure, Hagan sent a letter to the postmaster general urging the USPS to give her North Carolina constituents a full opportunity to voice their concerns before any final decisions are made. A copy of Hagan's full letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe is available here. Hagan staff have participated in numerous USPS community hearings throughout the state over the past five months.
“The delay gives us in Congress the opportunity to study this problem more closely,” Hagan said. “Post offices in our North Carolina rural areas provide more than just stamps and package pick-up services, they are gathering centers and lifelines for these communities. Most importantly, this delay will help protect American jobs.”
Following the USPS announcement on July 26 that 20 North Carolina Post Offices face potential closure, Hagan sent a letter to the postmaster general urging the USPS to give her North Carolina constituents a full opportunity to voice their concerns before any final decisions are made. A copy of Hagan's full letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe is available here. Hagan staff have participated in numerous USPS community hearings throughout the state over the past five months.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Hagan votes for National Defense Authorization Act
Hagan/Portman combat Casualty Care Amendment aims to provide troops better care and increase mortality
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D-N.C.) on Thursday, Dec. 1, voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and all military and defense related activities. Hagan’s Combat Casualty Care Amendment was included in the final NDAA bill. Hagan also voted in favor of provisions under NDAA that would clarify the applicability of requirements for military custody with respect to detainees. The NDAA bill passed the Senate by a vote of 93 to 7.
“I am committed to ensuring our servicemembers, veterans and their families have all the resources and support they need and deserve,” Hagan said. “This bill provides our troops those resources, support, protections and authorities they need to carry out their missions.”
The Combat Casualty Care Amendment that Hagan introduced on Nov. 17 with Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) requires the Department of Defense to carry out a study on measures to improve combat casualty care and increase the number of lives saved on the battlefield.
“This amendment will help guarantee those serving in combat zones receive the very best combat casualty care, and could help save lives on the battlefield,” Hagan said. “It is our duty to do everything we can to provide our the men and women serving on the frontlines with the absolute best care. They deserve nothing less.”
To view the Hagan/Portman Combat Casualty Care Amendment in full, please click here.
Hagan also voted in support of amendments to the NDAA introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein that would clarify provisions related to detention of terrorists. Feinstein Amendment No. 1456 passed the Senate by a vote of 99 to 1 and was included in the final NDAA.
"My top priority is to provide our country with the authority and flexibility needed to guard against terrorist threats," Hagan said. "I believe that these were reasonable modifications to ensure that the provisions only applied to individuals captured outside the United States and upheld existing U.S. law."
Hagan hails from a strong military family—her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General; her brother and father served in the Navy; her husband, Chip, is a Vietnam Veteran who used the GI Bill to help pay for law school; and she has two nephews who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and, as the chair of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, Hagan is working to keep it that way.
U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D-N.C.) on Thursday, Dec. 1, voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and all military and defense related activities. Hagan’s Combat Casualty Care Amendment was included in the final NDAA bill. Hagan also voted in favor of provisions under NDAA that would clarify the applicability of requirements for military custody with respect to detainees. The NDAA bill passed the Senate by a vote of 93 to 7.
“I am committed to ensuring our servicemembers, veterans and their families have all the resources and support they need and deserve,” Hagan said. “This bill provides our troops those resources, support, protections and authorities they need to carry out their missions.”
The Combat Casualty Care Amendment that Hagan introduced on Nov. 17 with Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) requires the Department of Defense to carry out a study on measures to improve combat casualty care and increase the number of lives saved on the battlefield.
“This amendment will help guarantee those serving in combat zones receive the very best combat casualty care, and could help save lives on the battlefield,” Hagan said. “It is our duty to do everything we can to provide our the men and women serving on the frontlines with the absolute best care. They deserve nothing less.”
To view the Hagan/Portman Combat Casualty Care Amendment in full, please click here.
Hagan also voted in support of amendments to the NDAA introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein that would clarify provisions related to detention of terrorists. Feinstein Amendment No. 1456 passed the Senate by a vote of 99 to 1 and was included in the final NDAA.
"My top priority is to provide our country with the authority and flexibility needed to guard against terrorist threats," Hagan said. "I believe that these were reasonable modifications to ensure that the provisions only applied to individuals captured outside the United States and upheld existing U.S. law."
Hagan hails from a strong military family—her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General; her brother and father served in the Navy; her husband, Chip, is a Vietnam Veteran who used the GI Bill to help pay for law school; and she has two nephews who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and, as the chair of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, Hagan is working to keep it that way.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Hagan introduces coin legislation to commemorate the March of Dimes’ 75th anniversary
U.S. Senators Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and Susan Collins (R-ME) were joined by Senate co-sponsors Chuck Schumer (NY), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI) on Thursday, Dec. 1, in introducing bipartisan legislation to commemorate the work and legacy of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2011 would mint coins in celebration of the organization 75th anniversary in 2014. Proceeds from the commemorative coin will be used to support the March of Dimes’ Prematurity Campaign, an intensive multi-year initiative to find the causes of prematurity and raise awareness among health professionals and the general public.
“I cannot think of a more appropriate way to recognize the March of Dimes than to mint actual coins honoring its work,” said Hagan. “From its efforts to help end the polio epidemic to its work today to prevent birth defects and the number of babies born prematurely, the March of Dimes has made a difference in the lives of our families for more than seven decades. A commemorative coin will serve both as a celebration of the March of Dimes’ 75 years of accomplishments and a reminder of the work we still need to accomplish to combat diseases that strike our youngest children."
Collins agreed.
“Since its beginning, the March of Dimes has made monumental vaccine breakthroughs, invested in research to study and prevent premature births and provided essential aid to mothers-to-be,” she said. “This coin, which will be minted at no cost to American taxpayers for the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes, is a fitting tribute to the organization’s truly outstanding work.”
The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis at a time when polio was on the rise. The foundation established a polio patient aid program and funded research for the vaccines that effectively ended epidemic polio in the United States. Since that time, the March of Dimes has focused on preventing birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.
“For 75 years, the March of Dimes has done critical work in protecting the health of our nation’s children,” Schumer said. “This commemorative coin would help mark the invaluable role that March of Dimes has played in our country’s history, starting with its work to end polio up to today’s fight against birth defects and premature births. What’s more, this commemorative coin would help fund new research into the causes of premature births and would allow March of Dimes to continue its incredible work for years to come.”
The March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 500,000 $1 coins in recognition and celebration of the founding of the March of Dimes. The design of the coin will be selected by the Treasury Secretary in consultation with the March of Dimes and the Commission of Fine Arts.
“Once again, a coin has the opportunity to help this nation fight a threat to its children,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “During the Great Depression, citizens sent their precious dimes—four billion of them—to the White House to fund research in the successful fight against polio. This time, the sale of these commemorative coins will help fund research and programs to identify the causes of premature birth. A dime defeated polio; this special dollar will help fight premature birth. We thank Sen.s Kay Hagan and Susan Collins for introducing the March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act.”
“I cannot think of a more appropriate way to recognize the March of Dimes than to mint actual coins honoring its work,” said Hagan. “From its efforts to help end the polio epidemic to its work today to prevent birth defects and the number of babies born prematurely, the March of Dimes has made a difference in the lives of our families for more than seven decades. A commemorative coin will serve both as a celebration of the March of Dimes’ 75 years of accomplishments and a reminder of the work we still need to accomplish to combat diseases that strike our youngest children."
Collins agreed.
“Since its beginning, the March of Dimes has made monumental vaccine breakthroughs, invested in research to study and prevent premature births and provided essential aid to mothers-to-be,” she said. “This coin, which will be minted at no cost to American taxpayers for the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes, is a fitting tribute to the organization’s truly outstanding work.”
The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis at a time when polio was on the rise. The foundation established a polio patient aid program and funded research for the vaccines that effectively ended epidemic polio in the United States. Since that time, the March of Dimes has focused on preventing birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.
“For 75 years, the March of Dimes has done critical work in protecting the health of our nation’s children,” Schumer said. “This commemorative coin would help mark the invaluable role that March of Dimes has played in our country’s history, starting with its work to end polio up to today’s fight against birth defects and premature births. What’s more, this commemorative coin would help fund new research into the causes of premature births and would allow March of Dimes to continue its incredible work for years to come.”
The March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 500,000 $1 coins in recognition and celebration of the founding of the March of Dimes. The design of the coin will be selected by the Treasury Secretary in consultation with the March of Dimes and the Commission of Fine Arts.
“Once again, a coin has the opportunity to help this nation fight a threat to its children,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “During the Great Depression, citizens sent their precious dimes—four billion of them—to the White House to fund research in the successful fight against polio. This time, the sale of these commemorative coins will help fund research and programs to identify the causes of premature birth. A dime defeated polio; this special dollar will help fight premature birth. We thank Sen.s Kay Hagan and Susan Collins for introducing the March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act.”
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