Press Releases

Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution grants to thelegislative branch the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations."

"The Earned Income Tax Credit brings hundreds of thousands of tax dollarsback to our community," said Congresswoman Kaptur. "The Earned Income Credit isthere for working families who qualify, but to get it, they have to claim it ontheir tax forms.

The Earned Income Credit, Kaptur explained, is a tax credit for people whowork but do not earn high incomes. If they qualify and claim the credit, theycould pass less federal tax, possibly pay no tax at all, or even receive arefund beyond the amount of federal taxes they had withheld.

"As a longtime advocate for ethanol and the development of biodiesel technologies,I am thrilled that our new Democratic Majority has tackled this importantmatter so early in its session. I am pleased that today we are taking someimportant steps in shifting how federal resources are used - taking them awayfrom preferential treatment for an industry with record profits and insteadmaking them available to a new domestic energy industry with record potential."said Congresswoman Kaptur, a Member of the Agriculture AppropriationsSubcommittee and the author of the first energy title in a U.S.

Congresswoman Kaptur, who is currently serving her 13th term from Ohio's NinthCongressional District, was one of 21 Democrats who Speaker of the House NancyPelosi (D-CA) named to the panel.

"Our nation faces daunting fiscal challenges," said CongresswomanKaptur. "I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with ChairmanJohn Spratt (D-NC) in a bipartisan manner to meet those challenges."

"This legislation will make higher education more affordable forstudents-and parents-from working class families throughout our country," saidCongresswoman Kaptur, who voted for the legislation (H.R. 5) that passed theHouse on a vote of 356-71.

"Passage of the College Student Relief act will put higher education withinreach for more students, both traditional and non-traditional students, andmake it more affordable for more than five million Americans," CongresswomanKaptur said.

"It took a Democratic-controlled House to pass this much-neededlegislation," Congresswoman Kaptur said. "In a previous Congress, I had triedto bring forward an amendment on negotiated prices, but was refused a vote bythe Republican leadership. The real winners today are not only the Americantaxpayers but also the estimated 42 million Americans who are eligible forprescription drug coverage through Medicare.

Implementation of the 9-11 Commission recommendations is one of thetop priorities of the Democratic-controlled House and the vote was seenas a sign of the strength of the new majority. On final passage, 231Democrats voted in favor (two were absent). Sixty-eight Republicanssupported the measure, with 128 Republicans opposed.

Late this afternoon, the House voted 315-116 in favor of the bill.Approximately 13 million Americans would enjoy a higher standard of living andincreased purchasing power as a result of raising the minimum wage.

"Raising the minimum wage gives value again to the ethic of work itself,"Congresswoman Kaptur said. "This is a working women's issue and also achildren's issue."

In comments on the House floor, Kaptur framed the issue as one of value.

Congresswoman Kaptur, who has more of the Lake Erie coastline in herdistrict than any other Member, worked together with colleagues on thecongressional Great Lakes Task Force in writing Admiral Thad W. Allen,commandant of the Coast Guard. They expressed concern about the CoastGuard proposal to conduct "live fire" weapons training exercises in 34zones throughout the Great Lakes, including four zones in Lake Erie .

The Coast Guard announced on November 18, 2006 the withdrawal of the live-fire exercise proposal, citing public concern.