June '10 Nevada Government—U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Column

Berkley Praises House Approval Of Tough New Iran Sanctions Bill

*** Restrictions on Gasoline, Technology Needed to Thwart Iranian Nuclear Weapons Drive ***

June 24, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today hailed passage of The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (H.R. 2194). The bill, which was approved on a vote of 408 to 8, tightens restrictions on the sale of gasoline and other refined petroleum products to Iran, blocks the transfer of technology and places other limits on U.S. firms and their overseas partners doing business with the hostile regime in Tehran.

“These economic sanctions are meant to put a halt to Iran’s drive to acquire nuclear weapons. With passage of this package, the U.S. is saying to Iran: we will not be intimidated, we will not be fooled, and we will not allow your nation to gain a nuclear weapon,” said Berkley. “No option is off the table and passage of these sanctions demonstrates to the Iranian regime that America and its allies will use every tool at our disposal to thwart their ambitions of dominating the Middle East,” said Berkley. “Iran’s nuclear program represents as much of a threat to the United States, to Europe, and to the Middle East as it does to Israel.”

Berkley is a cosponsor of The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. Major highlights of the Act include:

Expanding the scope of sanctions now authorized by imposing restrictions on foreign companies -- including insurance, financing and shipping companies -- that sell Iran goods, services, or know-how that assists it in developing its energy sector;

Banning U.S. banks from engaging in financial transactions with foreign banks doing business with the IRGC or facilitating Iran’s illicit nuclear program or its support for terrorism;

Imposing significant financial penalties and travel restrictions on Iran’s human rights abusers;

Establishing three new sanctions, including: (1) a prohibition on access to foreign exchange in the U.S.; (2) a prohibition on access to the U.S. banking system; and (3) a prohibition on property transactions in the U.S.;

Banning U.S. government procurement contracts for any foreign company that exports to Iran technology used to restrict the free flow of information or to disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict freedom of speech;

Requiring a certification from a company bidding on a U.S. government procurement contract that it is not engaged in sanctionable conduct;

Providing a legal framework by which U.S. states, local governments, and certain other investors can divest their portfolios of foreign companies involved in Iran’s energy sector. Strengthen efforts to stop black-market diversion of sensitive technologies to Iran;

Strengthening the U.S. trade embargo against Iran by codifying longstanding executive orders and limiting the goods exempted from the embargo;

Increasing substantially the criminal penalties for sanctions violations by U.S. entities.

Berkley: Senate Republicans Deliver Slap In The Face To Nevada Unemployed

***** GOP Blocks Extension of Vital Benefits to Help Silver State Jobless *****

June 24, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today called a Republican move blocking an extension of unemployment benefits a slap in the face to out of work Nevadans as they struggle to make ends meet and keep food on the table.

“This rejection is a slap in the face to out of work Nevadans who will soon be denied the additional assistance they need just to pay the bills and keep food on the table,” said Berkley. “Republicans are putting raw politics ahead of the needs of families in Las Vegas and across Nevada. This is truly heartless and the result will be more Nevadans losing their homes and being forced to live on the streets and more children going to bed each night without enough to eat. I am shocked that Republican Senators were unwilling to put aside their partisan beliefs and stand-up with the American people so that those who are unemployed can take care of their families. This is a sad day for jobless families and for our nation and I hope that those who voted against extending these benefits will explain how their opposition does one thing to help those Nevadans who are in search of jobs and in need of a helping hand.”

As a result of Senate Republicans blocking the unemployment extension, Nevadans who have exhausted their eligibility will now begin to lose their benefits. Berkley voted for legislation passed by the House that would have extended unemployment assistance for the jobless in Nevada and nationwide.

Berkley Urges Senate Republicans To Back Medicare Payment Fix, Unemployment Help For Nevadans

**** GOP Opposition Stalls Tax Relief for Small Businesses, Silver State Families ****

June 24, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today called on Senate Republicans to support an unemployment extension package that also contains vital tax relief for Nevada families, incentives to promote jobs and a fix to stop a 21% cut in Medicare reimbursements to America’s doctors. Berkley’s remarks can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypC-t9qaLxY and the text of her statement appears below:

“It’s time to put partisan politics aside and pass the jobs bill that would do the following: extend unemployment benefits to the thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens that find themselves unemployed due to no fault of their own, that would protect the health of our seniors dependent on Medicare by restoring a 21% cut in Medicare reimbursement to our doctors and extend tax credits and benefits essential to the American people.

“Surely there are three Republican Senators that are willing to break with their partisan beliefs and stand up with the American people so that those that are unemployed can get their benefits and take care of their families. The doctors can continue to take care of Medicare patients. Our seniors will continue to see their doctors and we can provide the necessary tax credits and benefits that the American people are demanding and asking for. I ask everybody to think of the American people instead of their own narrow interests. Let’s get this thing done.”

Berkley has repeatedly warned that seniors and military families in Nevada and nationwide could lose access to their doctors if Congress does not approve legislation to stop the pending cut in Medicare payments to physicians. Berkley voted to pass The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which will protect Nevadans by stopping these drastic reimbursement cuts. The bill remains in the Senate, where it has been blocked by Republican opposition.

Berkley Applauds $100 Million In “Hardest-Hit” Funding To Aid Nevada Homeowners

***** Resources Will Aid Nevadans Underwater on their Home Loans *****

June 23, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today applauded the announcement that Nevada has been approved to receive more than $100 million to provide relief to homeowners in Las Vegas and statewide who are caught in the foreclosure crisis and have seen their home values plunge. Nevada was awarded the funds through the Housing Finance Agency Innovation Fund for the Hardest Hit Housing Markets (“Hardest Hit Fund”).

“More than $100 million is now available to fund innovative approaches designed to help families in Las Vegas and across Nevada hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis,” said Berkley. “The State of Nevada will use this funding to prevent foreclosures and stabilize housing markets so that more families can stay in their homes and emerge from debt. Among those who qualify for this help are borrowers who are unemployed, homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages and Nevadans struggling with second liens,” said Berkley.

The “Hardest Hit Fund” was established in February 2010 to provide targeted aid to families in Nevada and other states hit hardest by the housing downturn. The states approved to receive aid each experienced a 20 percent or greater decline in average housing prices.

The fund was designed to allow the maximum possible flexibility to Housing Finance Agencies in designing locally-focused programs that have foreclosure prevention and housing market stability as their primary objectives. The fund is designed to address housing problems in Nevada and other states that have experienced the most severe home price declines. Programs are designed to protect home values and preserve homeownership.

Nevada Specifics

Nevada will create a mortgage modification program using a combination of forgiveness and forbearance with a goal of reducing principal to less than 115 percent of LTV (loan-to-value) and lowering payments to 31 percent of DTI (debt-to-income).

The State will also offer assistance to reduce or eliminate second liens with earned forgiveness over a three-year period.

Additionally, Nevada will provide allowances for appraisal and transaction fees, moving fees, a legal allowance for up to three months, and a combination of incentives for borrowers and servicers to facilitate short sales.

Total “Hardest Hit” funding: $102.8 million

Patient’s Bill Of Rights Enhances Healthcare Protections For Nevada Families

*** Stops Insurers from Dropping Sick Patients; Blocks Lifetime Limits on Coverage ***

June 22, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today applauded the release of new Patient’s Bill of Rights protections required under the Affordable Care Act which was signed into law 90 days ago.

“Nevadans will see better healthcare as a result of this Patient’s Bill of Rights which blocks the ability for insurers to drop those who get sick and ends limits on lifetime coverage,” said Berkley. “Three months ago this landmark healthcare reform was signed into law and families in Las Vegas and across the nation are being protected against practices that put profits ahead of patient health. These changes strengthen medical coverage for Americans of all ages, from juvenile diabetics and cancer survivors to seniors on Medicare.”

The regulations unveiled by the White House today include the following new Patient’s Bill of Rights protections:

Preserves the ability for Nevadans to see the doctor of their choice.

Removes insurance company barriers to life-saving emergency department services.

Bars insurance plans from denying coverage or limiting benefits for children with pre-existing conditions.

Bans insurance companies from arbitrarily dropping people who get sick and need coverage most.

Prohibits insurance plans from placing lifetime limits on coverage.

Restricts the annual dollar limits on coverage by insurance plans.

In addition, seniors caught in the Medicare prescription drug ‘donut hole’ coverage gap are receiving checks to help lower their costs and young adults are allowed to stay on a parent’s insurance plan until age 26.

Berkley Announces $170,000 In Funding To Help Homeless Veterans Obtain Employment

June 22, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today announced that U.S. VETS Las Vegas will receive $170,000 in grant funding to help homeless veterans obtain employment. The funding was awarded under the federal Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“America owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who served in our armed forces, and that includes job training and assistance. This grant funding will enable U.S. VETS in Las Vegas to continue working with homeless veterans to help them find permanent jobs,” said Berkley. “This program is one part of on-going efforts to assist local veterans with needs like permanent housing and employment opportunities and this $170,000 will help ensure this outreach continues.”

The HVRP provides services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible applicants such as: State and local Workforce Investment Boards, public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and non-profit organizations, including faith based and community based organizations.

Grantees provide an array of services utilizing a case management approach that directly assists homeless veterans as well as provide critical linkages for a variety of supportive services available in their local communities. The program is "employment focused" and veterans receive the employment and training services they need in order to re-enter the labor force. Job placement, training, job development, career counseling, resume preparation, are among the services that are provided.

Supportive services such as clothing, provision of or referral to temporary, transitional, and permanent housing, referral to medical and substance abuse treatment, and transportation assistance are also provided to meet the needs of this target group.

U.S. VETS - Las Vegas is the result of an effort by U.S. VETS to create an environment where veterans, both men and women, can find meaning in life and strive to achieve their highest level of independence. The program, in conjunction with the VA Southern Nevada HealthCare System, brings much needed assistance to the more than 4,300 homeless veterans in Las Vegas by providing them employment assistance, job development, case management, sobriety support, and low cost rental housing, accompanied by a variety of support services designed to help them achieve stability. (For more information see: www.usvetsinc.org/locations/location.asp?id=6)

Berkley Statement On Nevada Unemployment

June 18, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today issued the following statement on new unemployment figures for Nevada:

“I know how hard it is for Nevadans struggling in this economy, especially those who remain without jobs, and I am doing everything in my power to make it better. These new unemployment figures are the reason I continue fighting for programs that promote hiring and give small businesses the help they need to grow.

“With the jobless rate in the Silver State now at 14%, we desperately need an extension of unemployment benefits for our neighbors who remain without work and who count on these checks for food and rent.

“In Congress, I am working every day to pass critical legislation that gives businesses incentives to put workers back on the job and that puts money back in the pockets of Nevada families through tax relief. My package extends the ability for Nevadans to save through the sales tax deduction, child care credit, property tax deduction and the college tuition credit and helps restore the flow of credit so that small businesses can expand and hire new workers.

“Nevada must also continue to tap our clean energy potential -- which is already creating new business opportunities and jobs in harnessing solar, geothermal and wind to power our economy. I also support more funding for retrofitting homes and offices in Las Vegas and across Nevada as a means to increase energy efficiency, put workers back on the job and reduce power bills.

“The economic challenges we face in Nevada are great, and when mom or dad is unemployed, families have a hard time just making ends meet. I hope that we can come together and pass an extension of unemployment assistance to help those who are struggling, while also providing tax savings to Nevada families and incentives for small businesses to create jobs.”

Berkley voted in favor of The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which extends unemployment benefits and protects important tax relief for Nevada families and small businesses. The package remains before the Senate, where it has been stalled by Republican opposition.