James Oberstar (D-MN)

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Democratic U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, and James Oberstar sent a letter urging President Obama late last week urging him to use diplomatic pressure to resolve the blockade affecting Gaza. Spearheaded by Ellison and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., the letter acknowledges the difficult position facing Israel and notes that the blockade is strengthening Hamas. Fifty members of Congress, as well as a number of religious groups and denominations, have signed on to Ellison’s letter. “The unabated suffering of Gazan civilians highlights the urgency of reaching a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and we ask you to press for immediate relief for the citizens of Gaza as an urgent component of your broader Middle East peace efforts,” the letter urges. “The current blockade has severely impeded the ability of aid agencies to do their work to relieve suffering.”

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From Oberstar's Website:

Landmark legislation to create and save 3.5 million jobs is expected to be on President Obama’s desk to be signed into law by Monday. Last night, House and Senate conferees completed the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The compromise legislation is expected to win approval in both houses of Congress in time to be sent to the White House by President’s Day.

“First and foremost, this is a jobs bill. It will put Americans to work at jobs that pay a living wage; by this June, we could see as many as one million new jobs nationwide,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar. “In Minnesota, the road and bridge investments alone will generate over 15,000 jobs in the next year.”

The White House estimates that the legislation will create or save 66,000 jobs in Minnesota. However, a recent analysis of the recovery bill by Moody’s Economy.com concluded that the economic recovery bill could create as many as 91,000 jobs in Minnesota by 2010, and hold unemployment down by 1.8 percent. “Unemployment in Minnesota is 7.6 percent, and if we don’t take action, unemployment levels could climb into the double digits,” said Oberstar. “The recovery bill will hold unemployment down, put people to work, and give them the money to pay bills, mortgages and educate their children. That is the economic activity that will help our economy recover sooner rather than later.”
 

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From Oberstar's Website:

Landmark legislation to create and save 3.5 million jobs is expected to be on President Obama’s desk to be signed into law by Monday. Last night, House and Senate conferees completed the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The compromise legislation is expected to win approval in both houses of Congress in time to be sent to the White House by President’s Day.

“First and foremost, this is a jobs bill. It will put Americans to work at jobs that pay a living wage; by this June, we could see as many as one million new jobs nationwide,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar. “In Minnesota, the road and bridge investments alone will generate over 15,000 jobs in the next year.”

The White House estimates that the legislation will create or save 66,000 jobs in Minnesota. However, a recent analysis of the recovery bill by Moody’s Economy.com concluded that the economic recovery bill could create as many as 91,000 jobs in Minnesota by 2010, and hold unemployment down by 1.8 percent. “Unemployment in Minnesota is 7.6 percent, and if we don’t take action, unemployment levels could climb into the double digits,” said Oberstar. “The recovery bill will hold unemployment down, put people to work, and give them the money to pay bills, mortgages and educate their children. That is the economic activity that will help our economy recover sooner rather than later.”
 

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From Oberstar's Website:

On March 19th, Congressman Jim Oberstar appeared on the FOX Business Channel to discuss the Bonus Recoupment Tax Bill (HR 1586). Oberstar supported the legislation which was introduced as a result of the decision by insurance giant AIG to use federal bailout funding to pay for large executive bonuses.

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Washington Times

Rep. James L. Oberstar, Minnesota Democrat and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, cheered the end of the truck program.

"I am pleased that Congress has reclaimed its ability to have some bearing on the obligations contained in the surface transportation provisions of NAFTA and has voted for this step forward for highway safety," Mr. Oberstar said.

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Senate rejects move to kill 'Buy American' clause, but softens provision

But some U.S. legislators said they would not have allowed the legislation to move forward without the "Buy American" clause.

"I have no belief that it will be taken out or weakened," said Indiana Democrat Pete Visclosky following the vote.

"If it's not in, I'm not supporting this package and I'll bring a lot of votes with me," said Minnesota Democrat James Obestar.

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H.R. 1:
111st Congress 2009-2010
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Cosponsors [as of 2009-01-29]
Rep. Edolphus Towns [D-NY]
Rep. Henry Waxman [D-CA]
Rep. John Spratt [D-SC]
Rep. Barney Frank [D-MA]
Rep. Barton Gordon [D-TN]
Rep. James Oberstar [D-MN]
Rep. Charles Rangel [D-NY]
Rep. Nydia Velázquez [D-NY]
Rep. George Miller [D-CA]

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From ProjectVoteSmart:

X a) The federal government should consider race and gender in government contracting decisions.
X c) The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.

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From Oberstar's Website:

In our Minnesota communities there is a common consensus about the need to change adolescent sexual behavior. We all prefer that young people delay sexual activities, and we all want to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

In light of recent studies about the efficacy of both models, I stand by my belief that federal dollars are best spent on comprehensive programs that both stress the value of abstinence and teach thorough, accurate information on sexual activity and contraception. While this approach may not be popular with either side of the debate, it is one that seems to offer hope for progress.
 

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From Oberstar's Website:

I emphatically support legislation that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.

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From Oberstar's Website:

I oppose on-going efforts to privatize Social Security. I am very concerned that proposals to invest Social Security funds in the private market will undermine the integrity of the Social Security system. Disparities between Social Security recipients would develop, which would put Social Security at risk when the market falters.

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From Oberstar's Website:

President Bush has enacted a misguided tax policy that provides tax breaks for those who do not need help and fails to assist those families who do need tax relief. This ineffective attempt to create economic growth results in tax reductions for the wealthy and an irresponsible borrow and spend program that will put our nation even deeper into debt. I recently supported The Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007, a correction to the Alternative Minimum Tax, though I was disappointed that President Bush blocked Democratic attempts to pay for the AMT correction by closing tax loopholes on hedge fund managers.
 

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From Oberstar's Website:

I do not support a voucher system that would permit public funds to go to private and religious schools, because I believe such a program undermines the public school system. "Competition" and "choice," despite their positive connotations, are not universal cures, and private school vouchers drain much-needed resources away from public education where all children can benefit.
 

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From Oberstar's Website:

In our Minnesota communities there is a common consensus about the need to change adolescent sexual behavior. We all prefer that young people delay sexual activities, and we all want to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

In light of recent studies about the efficacy of both models, I stand by my belief that federal dollars are best spent on comprehensive programs that both stress the value of abstinence and teach thorough, accurate information on sexual activity and contraception. While this approach may not be popular with either side of the debate, it is one that seems to offer hope for progress.
 

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From Oberstar's Website:

I believe that America's energy problems need to be resolved through environmentally-sound practices, not through shortsighted quick fixes that damage the environment. I am very troubled that the Bush administration continues to view pristine and fragile coastal ecosystems as a solution to our nation's energy needs.

Our nation must refocus energy policies on efficiency, conservation, and renewable sources. In contrast, drilling in the arctic refuge would provide only limited benefits to the nation's energy supply and great risks. I will continue to work to strike a balance between protecting our nation's environment and promoting new sources of energy.