Who's awesome?

Morgan Carroll, Jay Leno and Diana DeGette, that's who.

DeGette's stem cell bill will be voted on in the Senate next week, according to the Post. And yesterday I got two press releases from her office. The first reported her urgings that Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt appoint "a new Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Population Affairs who is committed to family planning and women's health." The second read that next Tuesday, DeGette "will host a roundtable discussion on pending federal reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program."

Photo: DeGette speaking at the Point to help launch a new Fannie Mae program to assist minority home ownership in Denver.

Assorted snark, where have I been and congratulations edition

I've been blogging about objectivity in the classroom and Diana DeGette today at SquareState.

Congrats to Drinking Liberally for being bipartisan and popular. And congrats to CoCo, Wash Park Prophet, Progress Now Action, Colorado Media Matters, ColoradoPols and Coyote Gulch for also being very popular.

Diana DeGette: Change America's course in Iraq

A press release from the congresswoman states, in part:

"Today I had the opportunity to support legislation that will change America's course in Iraq," said Rep. DeGette. "The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act shows that Congress is no longer a rubber stamp for President Bush's failed Iraq policy."

H.R. 1591 is legislation that will, for the first time require the President to:
• Set an August 2008 deadline for the removal of U.S. forces from Iraq.
• Enforce established readiness standards for the deployment of U.S. combat forces.
• And certify on July 1, and October 1, 2007 that the Iraq government is meeting political and military benchmarks.

The President has indicated that he will veto HR-1591 if the bill makes it through the Senate.

So much going on...

...and so little time. In my case, actually, no time at all. Fortunately, there are a lot of good people following the stories of the day.

• The governor announced his plan to keep the State Education Fund from going bankrupt. Read about it: Post, Ritter, SquareState, Media Matters

• Diana DeGette. She's the most powerful member of Colorado's congressional delegation. She's working to provide healthcare for children. And she's asking for voter's opinions on the Iraq War.

• The Colorado legislature debates a nonbinding resolution opposing the Iraq War: Pols, Post

• Interesting stuff: Wash Park Prophet, Wild Again, Democracy In Progress, Ave Cassandra

And as always, someone's always blogging at SquareState. That's it. I'll see you Monday.

Diana DeGette makes it easy to stay positive

Coloradolib's 2nd All Positive, All The Time Week stays on track thanks to co-operation between federal and state legislatures, as evidence by CD1 representative Diana DeGette:

Friday, March 2, at 2 pm MT U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, will address the Colorado State Senate Select Committee on Renewable Energy. Rep. DeGette will share with State Senators the Congressional agenda for renewable energy and discuss how federal and state governments can work more closely together to fund and promote clean energy.

For those who missed it, here's a link to my post "The many, many people who are not Diana DeGette."

DeGette to preside over House Thursday

A press release from the congresswoman's office states:

Thursday, March 1, from 11 am to 2 pm MT Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) will preside over the House of Representatives as Speaker Pro Tempore during the debate on the Employee Free Choice Act. This legislation would ensure that workers have a free choice and a fair chance to form unions. The debate will be aired live on C-SPAN.

Assorted snark, policy edition

• Iraq: DeGette, Udall, John Salazar, Perlmutter
• Energy: Ritter, Ken Salazar
• Amendment 41: Ward, CoCo

Diana DeGette to speak out against escalation on House floor

Tune to C-SPAN tomorrow morning between 7:30 and 8:30.

(More: Mark Udall's remarks)

UPDATE: DeGette's full remarks as prepared here and in the comments. Enjoy.

The 2007 federal budget: Colorado edition

Everybody (and everybody and everybody and everybody) has already pointed out that President Bush's new $2.9 trillion budget proposal funds a massive increase in military spending by cutting or underfunding domestic programs. What impact might we see locally? A couple highlights:

The White House's website trumpets funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, but in a press release, Diana DeGette stated that the budget may underfund the program by $10 billion, "putting the nearly 176,000 uninsured children in Colorado at risk."

The budget would sell off federal lands to fund an increase in national park spending. And it would cut expected funding for Golden's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. As Mark Udall said, "Energy independence is so critical to our national security, our energy security and our economy that we cannot afford to shortchange programs that will move us forward."

Cross-posted at SquareState.

Diana DeGette reacts to global warming report

From a press release regarding the report I blogged this morning:

"Climate change will have a devastating impact on Colorado and the West," said Rep. DeGette. "Fire danger will increase precipitously. Reduced snow pack will hurt our economy which is so dependent on tourism, and our reservoirs will empty out. Water is already a precious commodity in our arid climate; we can't afford to take any more chances."

DEC gets kicked off the island...

...and you're next, poll book system. (More: Rocky, SquareState and, for posterity, VoterJones)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, CD1 Democratic representative Diana DeGette has introduced legislation to help avoid a repeat of November 7, 2006. A press release states, in part:

[DeGette's] legislation amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by requiring the development of voluntary standards for electronic poll books. These poll books allow election officials to use electronic means to determine voter eligibility. The standards called for in this legislation provide guidance on how electronic poll books should operate and require these devices to be tested and certified.

The many, many people who are not Diana DeGette

At some point during Democratic CD1 representative Diana DeGette's media luncheon, I realized that many people are not Diana DeGette. Like me. And you. And all the people discussed below.

The 106th Congress was not Diana DeGette.

DeGette started by running down the early accomplishments of the 110th Congress. In just the first 100 hours, Congress passed bills to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, increase the minimum wage, improve America's energy situation, and more.

Then DeGette talked about global climate change and Iraq War escalation. And she listed the leadership posts she'll hold in the House.

One goal she won't pursue: The impeachment of George Bush. She said it would be a distraction from issues like healthcare and global warming.

The contrast between the Democrats of the year 2007 and their Republican counterparts from eight years ago couldn't have been clearer. Imagine how much better off America would have been if the Republican-controlled 106th Congress had put aside its petty and nasty partisan games and focused on moving America forward.

George Bush is not Diana DeGette.

DeGette is an advocate of increased protection for children on the Internet. She is drafting legislation that would require ISPs to keep records for one year, making it possible for police to trace crimes back to the perpetrators. Privacy advocates worry that the bill could infringe on the rights of Internet users. But DeGette, herself an ACLU member, envisions safeguards to protect the innocent. Law enforcement officials would have demonstrate probable cause and obtain a subpoena before accessing records. And Internet providers would be asked to retain identifying data only, not communications.

The President has his war on terror. DeGette has her war on online predators. But DeGette has the skill and vision to wage her war without trampling the Constitution. Bush does not.

Tom Tancredo is not Diana DeGette.

I often tell the story of the elderly African-America woman who stopped me on a Denver sidewalk to tell me how much she loved Diana DeGette. I was doing a lit drop for Bill Ritter. And I asked the lady if she would be voting for him in November.

"I will if he's in the same party as Diana DeGette," she answered.

I asked DeGette how she'd managed to engender this sort of loyalty while leading a national campaign to legalize federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. She talked about her roots in Denver and her passion for seeing the West prosper.

Like DeGette, Congressman Tom Tancredo is a national player with a signature issue. But Tancredo's issue has consumed him to the point where he has lost touch with his district. DeGette's has not.

Joe Lieberman is not Diana DeGette.

DeGette represents a district that's sure to re-elect her as many times as she cares to run. Yet she still listens to her constituents. And makes time to reach out to party leaders, liberal activists and the media.

Joe Liberman lost the 2006 Democratic primary not just because of his opinion on Iraq or his fondness for Bush. He was shown the door because he looked the party faithful in the eye and told them he did not care about their opinions. He thought he was above the democratic process.

Despite the relative safety of her CD1 seat, DeGette is still taking risks and earning and re-earning her election. I don't know how much longer she'll serve. But it's hard to imagine a better representative for Denver.

More at SquareState, Daily Kos and Colorado Confidential.

Diana DeGette teaser post

I just returned from a media luncheon with Diana DeGette. Also in attendance, johne and TakeBackTheHouse from SquareState (which is inconveniently down right now); the intrepid Erin from Colorado Confidential (shown taking notes in this photo); and writers from various media outlets including NPR, La Voz, Clear Channel, The Denver Business Journal, and The Colorado Statesman. I'm going to do a write-up tonight. Stay tuned.

Friday morning, according to Thursday night

I doubt I'll be blogging Friday morning, as I'll be preparing for the Diana DeGette media lunch that's been mentioned on Daily Kos and SquareState.

Diana DeGette named Vice Chair of Energy and Commerce Committee

A press release begins like so:

Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) announced today that she has been asked by Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) to serve as Vice Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. DeGette also announced today that she has been asked by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the U.S. House Page Board.

The wheels in my brain spin for several seconds as I consider adding a House page joke. I think better of it. I hit the publish key.

DeGette, Dems pass CLEAN Energy Act of 2007

Like their colleagues in the Colorado legislature, national Democrats are making renewable energy an early priority. Today's press release from Congresswoman Diana DeGette states:

"Today Congress took the first real step towards giving our nation a 21st Century energy policy," said DeGette. "For too long, the only type of energy plan Republicans advanced involved drilling in the Arctic or giving more handouts to Big Oil. This bill starts to correct those shortsighted policies by repealing taxpayer funded giveaways to oil companies and redirecting that money towards clean renewable energy."

The bill, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6), takes important steps towards a smarter energy future by:

1. Repealing $14 billion in subsidies given to the largest oil companies and investing those funds in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

2. Ensuring oil companies that were awarded the 1998 and 1999 leases for drilling pay their fair share in royalties.

3. Closing loopholes and ending giveaways for Big Oil in the tax code and in the 2005 Energy bill.

4. Creating a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to invest in clean, renewable energy resources and alternative fuels, promote new energy technologies, develop greater efficiency and improve energy conservation.

Allard, Salazar, DeGette, Udall, other Salazar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Perlmutter seek blizzard relief for farmers

Meanwhile, Tom Tancredo is busy proving he's a maverick. The Rocky explains.

DeGette-Castle bill met with rightwing deception

Yesterday, the House passed CD1 representative Diana DeGette's Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. And the far right responded with lies. KOA's Gunny Bob even told listeners stem cells from amniotic fluid are the "[s]ame type of stem cells that you get out of an embryo." Wrong.

I've called George Bush the "Wishing Makes It So" President. And some days it appears much of the GOP has joined him. On Iraq. On global warming. On healthcare. They see the same facts as everybody else. They just don't care. To them, dogma trumps truth.

House passes DeGette-Castle Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

The vote was 253 to 174.

Diana DeGette speaks out on war escalation, terrorism

A press release from the congresswoman leaves no doubt where she stands on the President's plan:

"...President Bush is sending us in the wrong direction on Iraq. Instead of announcing a specific plan on how we are going to get out of the Iraq quagmire, he is escalating troop levels and deepening our commitment. A majority of the American people and military experts alike do not agree with this military escalation. Unfortunately, as we have seen time and time again, President Bush refuses to listen to anyone who disagrees with his position. I will not support any escalation of troops in Iraq. My colleagues in Congress and I intend to ask hard questions and exercise increased oversight of the President's Iraq policy.

DeGette favors protecting America by actually protecting America. She supports implementation of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. A press release from Tuesday states, in part:

[DeGette] has conducted strategy sessions with first responders in Colorado and participated in field hearings on port security through her position on the Energy and Commerce Committee. "The Republican Administration chose to largely ignore the 9/11 Commission recommendations and because of their inaction our nation is still not as safe as it should and must be," said Rep. DeGette. "Democrats are moving to fix that failure."

DeGette gains support of freshmen legislators, scientists

A press release from Colorado CD1 representative Diana DeGette states that today "Democratic Members of the 110th Congress' Freshmen class will join the lead sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.3), Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) to discuss their support for the bill. Many of these new Members campaigned on expanding stem cell research and have signed on as original cosponsors to the bill."

President George W. Bush used the only veto of his administration to dismiss DeGette's first attempt at the legislation.

Recently, some have tried to portray the work of Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University as a way to render embryonic stem cell research unnecessary. From CNN:

Stem cell researchers reacted with enthusiasm and reservations to a report that scientists have found stem cells in amniotic fluid, a discovery that would allow them to sidestep the controversy over destroying embryos for research. Researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University reported Sunday that the stem cells they drew from amniotic fluid donated by pregnant women hold much the same promise as embryonic stem cells.

But yesterday Atala blasted that assertion in a letter, which was provided to me by DeGette's office. Atala wrote:

"I understand that some may be interpreting my research as a substitute for the need to pursue other forms of regenerative medicine therapies, such as those involving embryonic stem cells. I disagree with that assertion... It is essential that National Institute of Health-funded researchers are able to fully pursue embryonic stem cell research as a complement to research into other forms of stem cells.

The right has a long history of twisting science to meet its own ends. (Remember The Competitive Enterprise Institute?) It appears that neither DeGette or the newly elected Congress is going to let partisan politics stand in the way of research that may save millions of lives.

DeGette vs. Bush, round two

A press release from Congresswoman Diana DeGette's office states:

Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 10 a.m., Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mike Castle (R-DE), along with Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) will hold a press conference on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.3 and S.5), legislation to expand the current federal funding policy for stem cell research. Both bills are identical to the bill that both houses of Congress passed last year, with strong, bipartisan majorities. Regrettably, President Bush chose to exercise the first - and, so far, the only - veto of his administration to reject the bill.

Brownback to filibuster DeGette, Owens backs Romney, Allard loves Reagan

According to Colorado Confidential:

Kansas Senator Sam Brownback is planning to lead a "mini-filibuster" of Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette's reintroduction of a bill to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

It's likely that Brownback, who has Presidential aspirations, is staging the maneuver to re-establish his bona fides with the GOP's far right wing.

As long as I'm discussing the GOP's 2008 contenders, I may as well admit that I was listening to the Hugh Hewitt Show last night when Governor Bill Owens came perilously close to endorsing Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's run for the Presidency. He then backtracked a bit, saying something very close to, "I'm not against McCain, but I'm for Romney."

Colorado's Senator Wayne Allard plans to introduce a super-important bill to honor a past Republican President, Ronald Reagan. Allard's bill would give Reagan's likeness a place of honor inside the Capitol, next to former President George Washington. The Rocky reports, "Similar legislation didn't move when Allard first introduced it last year, back when Congress was under Republican control."

I think it's safe to say there isn't a bill I could care less about.

Legislative session linkmania

The Ritter inauguration and the start of the national and Colorado 2007 legislative sessions are almost here. And with the Democrats in control, the right is already spreading misinformation about impending doom and annoying liberals. But the Democrats aren't likely to run afoul of any astute observers. They're mostly planning to "play fair" and stick to the popular agenda that won over voters in November.

Today's Rocky Mountain News has more on the goals of individual members Colorado's delegation, including Diana DeGette's resumed advocacy for stem cell research:

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, will be thrust back into a national spotlight as she tries to build a veto-proof majority for her legislation expanding federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. In 2006, she won majority passage but didn't have enough votes to reverse the president's first-ever veto.

Hat-tip to TalkLeft for the "annoying liberals" link. And, as always, much thanks to the Progress Now Action daily news digest.

Diana DeGette fights for Michael J. Fox

In the left corner, CD1 Democratic representative Diana DeGette and Michael J. Fox. In the right corner, Rush Limbaugh. From today's press release from DeGette:

"By attacking someone suffering from Parkinson's disease Rush Limbaugh has reached a new low, and that's saying a lot... Parkinson's is a severely debilitating disease that robs it's victims of their motor functions. Embryonic stem cell research could hold the key to curing this and other debilitating diseases. Michael J. Fox should be applauded for speaking out on this important and life saving research, not ridiculed. Rush Limbaugh should beg the forgiveness of Michael J. Fox and the millions of Americans and their families who suffer though this disease every day."

I have always suspected that Limbaugh is a despicable person. I also suspect that Tom Tancredo is a racist, George W. Bush is an idiot, and Dick Cheney is the Penguin from the Batman comics. The first of these suspicions has been confirmed. We should all be glad Fox is out there fighting for us. And we should all be glad a Colorado representative is leading the charge for stem cell research.

Ask Allard, Salazar to help DeGette wake up Bush

The U.S. Senate is beginning debate on CD1 Democratic representative Diana DeGette's bill to expand funding for stem cell research. Make sure to contact Senators Allard and Salazar and tell them to vote for the bill.

Why go to the trouble when our theocrat-in-chief has threatened to use his first-ever veto on the bill? Because you owe it to DeGette, for standing up to Bush. You owe it to the 70% of Americans who support her bill. And you owe it to all those who are fighting diseases like Parkinsons, paralysis and diabetes.

Bush is hiding from reality. Let's make sure it finds him.

Photo of Diana DeGette and Michael J. Fox courtesy of Congresswoman Diana DeGette.