Hate Crimes
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 249-175. This bipartisan bill focuses on providing new resources to help state and local law enforcement agencies prevent and prosecute hate crimes. The current federal hate crimes law authorizes federal aid in cases of hate crimes committed because of a person’s race, color, religion, or national origin. This bill closes gaps in existing federal law by adding legislative language that includes hate crimes committed because of a person’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Throughout our history, this nation has sought to uphold the ideals of our Founding Fathers- that all are created equal and endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With the passage of federal hate crimes legislation, we have affirmed these ideals and the inclusiveness that our nation stands for by extending the protection of its laws to all: ‘one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’

Congress has been debating federal hate crimes legislation for 17 years. It was more than 10 years ago that Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered. The time for debate is long over. I am proud that the House has acted to honor this nation’s commitment to the ideals of justice, equality and opportunity.

All Americans have a right to feel safe and secure, and it is the obligation of the government to protect this fundamental right. Violence—especially violence fueled by bigotry—has no place in America.

Budget
On Wednesday, I spoke on the House floor in support of the final House-Senate Budget Resolution for fiscal year 2010, which passed by a vote of 233-193. This budget makes critical investments to strengthen our economy and our country while cutting the deficit by nearly two-thirds by 2013.

Click here to watch Speaker Pelosi speak about the budget

For eight long years of failed Bush economic policies we waited for, worked for, and hoped for a time when we would be able to pass a budget that is truly a statement of our national values. Finally, that time has come.

The budget conference report reflects President Obama’s economic plan, a blueprint for economic recovery and new jobs now—and sustainable economic growth and prosperity for years to come. And as it does so, this visionary budget focuses on the three pillars of the Obama agenda—education, health care, and energy.

For the first time in years, we will have a budget that creates jobs with targeted investments in affordable health care, clean energy, and education; cuts taxes for middle-income families by more than $1.7 trillion over 10 years; cuts the deficit by nearly two-thirds in four years; and cuts non-defense discretionary spending as a percent of the economy.

By passing this budget, Congress will once again turn our nation toward the future and launch a new era for America: a new prosperity built on the time-honored American values of hard work, accountability, sacrifice, and concern for our neighbors.

H1N1 Flu Resources
On Monday, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and I were briefed by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on the Obama Administration’s preparations to deal with the public health emergency caused by the H1N1 flu virus.

The Secretary also briefed us on the efforts that are being made to combat the spread of the disease. As Administration officials have indicated in various briefings, this is a constantly evolving situation and government officials are prepared to change the response as the situation warrants.

On Thursday morning, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee held a hearing on the Swine Flu Outbreak and the U.S. Federal Response. Congress will continue to closely monitor this situation and take appropriate action as we learn more about this public health emergency.

All Americans who have questions about the flu or what they should do should visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site, which will be updated regularly. The California Department of Public Health is also monitoring the swine flu in California.

Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my Web site.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

Better to pick Sunstein or some other heavyweight who has a chance of actually changing the future.

The rethugs have set up our government over the years to work strictly for them, not for the people. And this is a sad thing to learn when you’ve been in the dark for centuries.