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Tuesday, June 23
Grassley Hosting Fundraiser With Mortgage Industry Lobbyists, After Opposing Cramdown
by
Trish Nelson
on Tue 23 Jun 2009 12:56 PM CDT
Grassley Hosting Fundraiser With Mortgage Industry Lobbyists, After Opposing Cramdown
 Huffingtonpost.com
"Sen.
Grassley appears to be cashing in from the mortgage bankers for his
recent vote to prevent bankruptcy judges from renegotiating the terms
of mortgages in order to prevent foreclosures...." In late April, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment to the housing bill that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to provide relief for troubled homeowners by modifying mortgage payments. Among those who opposed the measure, which was known as "cramdown," was Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.
"It will cause interest rates to go up and will make it more difficult for people to get a mortgage," the Iowa Republican said at the time.
Two months later, the people who benefited from Grassley's vote are poised to shower him with campaign donations. The senator is hosting a fundraiser on Monday evening with lobbyists and a political action committee representing, among others, key players in the mortgage and private equity industries.
The event will take place at the swank Capitol Hill restaurant, The Monocle, steps away from the U.S. Senate, and is soliciting donations of $2,500 to "host" or $1,000 for PAC or personal contributions.
"Sen. Grassley appears to be cashing in from the mortgage bankers for his recent vote to prevent bankruptcy judges from renegotiating the terms of mortgages in order to prevent foreclosures to keep people in their homes," said David Donnelly, national campaigns director of Public Campaign Action Fund. "The lobbyists and PAC hosting this event have made it clear that they will continue to fight against the types of financial market reforms now under discussion in Washington."
(click here to read the entire article on Huffingtonpost.com)
Health Care Reform Update: The House Democrats’ Proposal
by
Alta Price
on Tue 23 Jun 2009 05:00 AM CDT
Health Care Reform Update: The House Democrats’ Proposal
 
 by Alta Price, M.D.
I am home for two days, between one of those non-relaxing, hectic vacations and heading off to D.C. t o lobby for health care reform (see Karen Metcalf’s post from last Thursday to find out about our trip).
Although I wasn’t able to keep up with fast-unfolding events in Washington, I know that the House Democrats did release a draft bill representing the work of three House committees. You can read a summary of the bill and the actual 852 page draft discussion bill at Congressman Bruce Braley’s website (click on Issues and then Healthcare).
The New York Times has an article about the proposal. They bring up the high cost of the proposal (there are no cost estimates yet) and Republican objections based on cost (as well as other objections, of course). Why can’t we just say we’ll get the money from the same place as the defense contractors get their money? When it is for the military or waging war, we can spend money the government doesn’t have, so why can’t we do the same for health care? Yes, I realize this isn’t a long term solution, but once people see their personal health care costs go down, maybe they will be willing to support government health care spending with their tax dollars, just like they support military spending.
We’ll say “hi” to your Representatives and Senators while we are in D.C., but there is no substitute for a phone call or letter from you! Thank your House Democrats for including a robust public plan option, and tell your House Republicans you want them to support it, too!
Alta
Price is a physician practicing Pathology in Davenport, Iowa. One of
the original Deaniacs, she stays involved with Democracy for America,
Iowa, and the Quad Cities. She advocates for quality, affordable health
care for all, primarily as a volunteer with Progressive Action for the
Common Good (Health Care Reform Issue Forum). Watch for Dr. Price's Health Care Reform Update every Tuesday here on Blog for Iowa. E-Mail Alta Price
Tomorrow, we'll have Part II of BFIA's exclusive, in-depth interview with Bob Krause, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate who hopes to unseat Chuck Grassley in 2010. In Part II, we discuss CAFOs, Obama's first Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, campaign strategy, and more.
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