US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega has advised Vietnam victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin to patiently wait and held the US Government responsible for its erroneous acts. Reportedly, the second hearing on Agent Orange, or the defoliants which the US army used in the war in Vietnam,will take place on June 4th in Washington, D.C. The hearing held by the Subcommitee on Asia-Pacific and Global Affairs under the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives is aimed at collecting more information on the consequences of the defoliant on human beings as well as proposing several solutions to the US Administration. The US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, a Vietnam veteran and head of the Subcommittee on Asia-Pacific and Global Affairs, said in the history of the House of Representatives, the subcommittee is the first to hold these two types of hearings. The question we would like to draw attention to is the reason whythis happened 40 years ago, itneeds to be re-considered. Eni … [Read more...] about US House of Representatives to hold second hearing on Agent Orange
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White House expresses concerns over China currency bill
The White House on Wednesday expressed "concerns" over a controversial bill on the so-called "currency manipulation" by China. The legislation raises "concerns about consistency with our international obligations, and we are in the process of discussing those issues with members of Congress," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. … [Read more...] about White House expresses concerns over China currency bill
U.S. House speaker says currency bill on China “dangerous”
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said on Tuesday that the Senate vote to allow debate on a controversial bill on so-called "currency manipulation" by China is "pretty dangerous," indicating a less possibility for the bill to pass the House of Representatives. "It's pretty dangerous to be moving legislation through the United States Congress forcing someone to deal with the value of their currency," Boehner told reporters a day after the U.S. Senate cleared a procedural vote to advance the action. The bill, Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011, sets in motion a process for imposing punitive tariffs on a country with misaligned currencies, noticeably Chinese renminbi, or yuan. … [Read more...] about U.S. House speaker says currency bill on China “dangerous”
Washington state governor to sign gay marriage bill Monday
Governor Christine Gregoire plans on Monday to sign newly passed legislation legalizing gay marriage in Washington state, making it the seventh U.S. state to recognize same-sex nuptials, her office said on Thursday. A statehouse signing ceremony in Olympia, Washington's capital, was slated for 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday (1930 GMT). The bill won final legislative approval from the state House of Representatives on Wednesday by a vote of 55-43. The measure will not take effect before early June. Opponents have vowed to seek its repeal at the polls in November, but they cannot begin collecting signatures for a petition to overturn the measure by referendum until it is signed into law. House approval of the Senate-passed bill came a day after a federal appeals court handed gay rights advocates a legal victory in California by declaring a voter-approved gay marriage ban in that state to be unconstitutional. Democrats, who control both legislative chambers in Olympia, accounted … [Read more...] about Washington state governor to sign gay marriage bill Monday
Republican wave sweeps Democrats from House
Disenchanted voters swept Democrats from power in the House of Representatives and bolstered the ranks of Senate Republicans on Tuesday in an election rout that dealt a sharp rebuke to President Barack Obama. Two years after Obama swept into the White House, voter anxiety about the economy and discontent with his leadership fueled big Republican gains that toppled Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from power and ushered in a new era of divided government. Television networks projected Republicans would pick up at least 50 House seats, more than the 39 they need for a majority that would elevate conservative John Boehner to House speaker and slam the brakes on Obama's agenda. It was the biggest shift in power since the 1994 Republican landslide gave them a 54-seat House gain when Democratic President Bill Clinton was in power. Republican control of even one chamber of Congress would likely spark legislative gridlock, weakening Obama's hand in fights over the extension … [Read more...] about Republican wave sweeps Democrats from House