AirCongress » Social Policy

President Obama’s decision to reverse U.S. policy on embryonic stem-cell research triggered a round of policy tweets from lawmakers both for and against the idea.

Obama lifted restrictions on the research and issued a presidential memorandum designed to insulate scientists from political interference. @LEETERRYNE said embryonic stem-cell research is “inappropriate and immoral” and added that other stem-cell research is a viable option. @SenatorMenendez countered that Obama’s action signals a “new era of hope.”

Others tweeting on the topic included @GOPLeader, @RepMaryFallin, @bobinglis and @RepTomPrice.

Here is a sampling of other Hill tweets from today:

@edlabordems discussed a bill to change the mileage deduction for charities while on Good Morning America.
@TomLatham of Iowa said rural states like his know all about the nation’s nursing shortage.
@clairecmc spoke to whistleblowers, who honored her for backing tough protections. “Need their help to keep contractors honest.”
@kevinomccarthy invited conservatives on Twitter to read a Washington Times profile of him.
@jasoninthehouse noted that actor Rob Lowe was in the House to watch lawmakers vote on school breakfasts.

To get Capitol Hill’s inside scoop from Twitter, subscribe to “Hill Tweet News.” It’s the best and quickest way to learn who sniped at whom, and why; what lawmakers did and said in committee, on the floor, on the news shows and elsewhere; and what articles, shows, Internet videos and more grabbed their attention.

Categories: California, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah, Health, Kevin McCarthy, Robert Menendez, Education, Taxes, John Boehner, Social Policy, Tom Price, Claire McCaskill, Hill Tweet News, Tom Latham, Jason Chaffetz, Bob Inglis

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President Obama today lifted restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research that his predecessor imposed years ago. He also issued a presidential memorandum designed to prevent political interference in the scientific realm.

Categories: Producer's Picks, White House, Health, Technology, Social Policy, Culture

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Carey McClure, an electrician with muscular dystrophy, made the case for strengthening the Americans With Disabilities Act in testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee. The panel set his testimony to music and posted the video online to spread the word about McClure’s experience.

According to McClure, General Motors reneged on a job offer because of his disability. But when McClure sued, a court ruled that he isn’t protected by the ADA because he has adapted to working within his physical limitations.

“Well, you can’t have it both ways,” McClure said. “Am I disabled or not? If I am, then the ADA should have been there to protect me. If I’m not, then I should be working with my father and brother both at General Motors right now.”

The committee is considering an ADA overhaul bill that, among other things, is aimed at preventing the kinds of court rulings that McClure faced.

Categories: Health, Social Policy

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The House today adopted a nonbinding resolution that says the United States has a moral responsibility to help the poor and sets a national goal of cutting poverty in half over 10 years by promoting good jobs at livable wages. The vote was 391-0.

“Our country is a land of opportunity,” said bill sponsor Barbara Lee, D-Calif. “But the sad reality is that income inequality continues to grow and more people are falling into poverty than getting ahead.” She said one in eight Americans now live in poverty.

Categories: California, Labor, Economy, Social Policy, Barbara Lee

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The National Republican Congressional Committee, which is the campaign arm of House Republicans, has produced a series of videos that features GOP lawmakers making the case for putting them in charge of Congress again.

The last of the series, titled “Rediscovering Your Party,” went online Friday. “We’re returning to our roots of fiscal discipline, traditional values, reform, and defense and homeland security,” says Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana.

Other participants in the series were: Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri; Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; NRCC Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma; Jeb Hensarling of Texas; Kevin McCarthy of California; Patrick McHenry of North Carolina; and Candice Miller of Michigan.

The earlier videos covered topics like: earmarks in spending bills; accountability and transparency for federal spending; opposition to the “fairness doctrine” that once required equal time for competing viewpoints on the airwaves; and the Republicans’ prospects for regaining the House majority in 2008.