Despite intense pressure from anti-war activists and Bush administration opponents, Mr. Obama selected a National Security team headlined by pragmatists who recognize the importance of success in Iraq and Afghanistan. His choices of Secretary Gates and General Jones in particular appear to represent the President-elect’s refusal to commit himself to the obstinate opinions of some of his supporters. As the nation’s next wartime Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Obama understands that the eventual outcome of our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan will be as much his responsibility as President Bush’s. Hopefully these Cabinet nominations communicate his desire to make decisions informed by conditions on the ground and foreign policy objectives, not by political rhetoric.

Secretary Gates assumed his position as head of the Defense Department at a time when many would have fled from such a post. His steady hand, professionalism, and keen managerial skills steered the Department through uncertain times and seemingly ubiquitous obstacles. He supported his commanders in the field and ensured they had what they needed to succeed. He understood what was at stake in Iraq and didn’t give in to the critics who proclaimed the war to be lost. Instead, he played an integral role in shaping the strategy that turned the war around and inspired Americans to believe that victory was possible.
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In 1941, car manufacturer Willys-Overland demonstrated the strength and sturdiness of its new Army scout vehicle – the Jeep — to Congress by driving it up the U.S. Capitol steps.

Invented and manufactured in the USA, the Jeep would become an icon of American ingenuity, durability and mechanical ability. Soldiers loved the lithe little vehicle for its uncanny capacity to go anywhere. The New York Museum of Modern Art would exhibit it in 2002 and describe it as a masterpiece of functional design. Now it’s 58 and constructed by United Auto Workers for Chrysler in Toledo, Ohio.

Disregarding Jeep’s help in securing this country against fascists, conservatives like former Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are calling for its execution. Romney and his conservative compatriots want Congress to deny Chrysler, GM and Ford federal loans so that the Big Three go bankrupt. Using false wage information, these conservatives have persuaded the public that auto workers are overpaid. That has resulted in polls showing 61 percent of Americans oppose aid to the Big Three. And now Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed is saying he fears he can’t muster the votes necessary for a loan.
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Video of war protesters briefly shutting down a Senate debate on the budget on Wednesday.

I am taking to the road next week to draw attention to the nation’s health care crisis and the steps Congress can take to wrangle health care costs in America.

From March 17 through March 20, I will cover more than 1,100 miles, stopping in 10 Wyoming towns, to discuss my health care reform bill, “10 Steps to Transform Health Care in America,� legislation that builds on numerous health care proposals to expand access to insurance and providers while improving the quality of health care in the United States.

With 46.1 million Americans living without health insurance, we cannot continue to allow partisan politicking to stand in the way of real reform. We must begin a national debate to examine the whole health care system, and together we must put forward a bold and comprehensive solution that addresses our health care crisis now. Read the rest of this entry »

Tonight, the Imagen Foundation will host the annual Latina Leaders — Celebrating our Voices event at the Library of Congress.  At this year’s event, seven extraordinary Latinas and Latina Magazine will be recognized for their leadership and work.

As Honorary Chair of the event, I’m very proud that we can recognize the important contributions of Latinas during Women’s History Month.  Tonight’s honorees have achieved significant accomplishments in the areas of journalism, health, environment, media, entertainment and advocacy.

I was the first Latina co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and the first Latina to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  There are only 7 Latinas currently serving in Congress, and only 73 women Members and 16 women Senators, but we continue working to increase the number of women and Latinas in Congress. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s time to act quickly and set politics aside because Americans deserve to know the toys their children play with are safe. Giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission the tools it needs to ensure that products are safe for our children should be a top priority. The House passed a truly bipartisan bill last year and the Senate should have taken it up long ago. But some of my colleagues want to use this emotional issue to add a number of politically motivated giveaways for trial lawyers, organized labor and other special interest groups. Unfortunately, these provisions will harm American workers and consumers.

I hope the Senate will recognize that passing Speaker Pelosi’s bill is the most responsible thing to do. The President could sign it tomorrow, instead of waiting months to work out differences in the House and Senate bills and without adding harmful political giveaways. Let’s set politics aside and protect our children.

It is a solid step toward preventing a national recession. Interestingly, however, after the passage of this bi-partisan legislation which returned tax dollars to American families, the public gave Congress a record low approval rating. Let’s hope some members don’t re-think their commitment to civility and bi-partisanship.

The Hill’s Chris Good highlights the events of MLB Pitcher Roger Clemens hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday.

I first met Chairman Lantos in 1993, when we both served on the House International Relations Committee. I was honored to join the Human Rights Caucus that he created.

Chairman Lantos was a courageous leader, a Holocaust survivor who triumphed over evil to become a strong voice and living symbol of religious tolerance in America. In the mid 1990s, we traveled together to Europe as part of an interparliamentary exchange in which I witnessed firsthand the strength and conviction of his love for the United States when he challenged a group of Europeans who had questioned the American effort in World War II.

Personally, Chairman Lantos was a good friend and colleague. Freda and I send our thoughts and prayers to Tom’s wife, Annette, his daughters, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren on the passing of this great man and champion of human rights in the world.