Trumka Condemns Threats and Violence Directed at Health Care Supporters
There has been a frightening wave of threats and violence during the past several days against members of Congress who support health care reform. The Washington Post reports that at least 10 House Democrats have received 10 death threats or suffered harassment and vandalism at their district offices.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says the threats and the violence being directed at elected officials who had the courage to take a stand represent “an ugly appeal to fear and division.”
Racial and homophobic slurs, death threats and guns have no place in civil discourse.
The New York Times reports that Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.),
received a phone message threatening sniper attacks against lawmakers and their families.
House Passes Emergency Loan for Automakers
The U.S. House last night approved and sent to the Senate a $14 billion emergency bridge loan for the nation’s Big Three automakers. The 237-170 vote marks a big step in the effort to prevent the shutting down of one or more of the automakers, which could lead to the loss of more than 3 million jobs in the first year.
The Senate could take up the bill as early as today. Although the loan enjoys strong support from both sides of the aisle and the Bush White House, a small minority of Republican senators have threatened to try and block the legislation when it comes to the floor.
