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

Berkley Fights To Extend Helping Hand To Unemployed Nevadans

Votes to Protect Vital Benefits for Jobless Families in Las Vegas, Across the Nation

July 1, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today again voted to extend unemployment benefits for out of work Nevadans as they struggle to make ends meet and keep food on the table. The House approved The Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act (H.R. 5618) on a vote of 270 153.

“Families in Las Vegas who depend on this assistance have been calling my office and asking me to please help because they’re scared at the thought of being on the streets, unable to pay the bills or buy food for a hungry child,” said Berkley. “Those playing politics with this funding claim that extending benefits only keeps people from finding jobs. But when I am home in southern Nevada, that’s not the story that I hear from those who cannot find work and who are relying on these checks to cover their rent and power bill. At a time when our economy at home has still not recovered, Nevadans need this help and those blocking this extension are turning their backs on their neighbors and the nation.”

The Congresswoman has consistently voted for legislation passed by the House that would extend unemployment assistance for the jobless in Nevada and nationwide. Without this extension, an estimated 1.7 million individuals -- including more than 22,400 in Nevada -- will have lost their unemployment benefits by July 3.

Nevadans With Pre-Existing Conditions Can Now Obtain Guaranteed Health Coverage

*** Program Helps Protect Uninsured Nevadans Who Have Been Denied Medical Coverage Due to Cancer, Other Conditions ***

July 1, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today announced that Nevadans can now obtain guaranteed medical coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program was established with Berkley’s support under The Affordable Care Act.

“Nevadans with cancer, diabetes and other pre-existing conditions have been denied access to affordable healthcare for far too long and now we are breaking down these barriers by requiring insurers to provide guaranteed medical coverage,” said Berkley. “U.S. citizens in Nevada who have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and who have remained uninsured for at least six months, can now enroll through this new program to purchase affordable insurance that won’t be taken away because of an illness or need for treatment. One of the top reasons I voted for healthcare reform was to make sure that families in Las Vegas and across the Silver State could access guaranteed medical insurance that was truly affordable, even though a spouse, child or loved one may have cancer, diabetes or other conditions.”

In order to qualify for coverage under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, individuals in Nevada:

Must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States.

Must have been uninsured for at least the last six months before they apply.

Must have had a problem getting insurance due to a pre-existing condition.

PCIP will cover primary and specialty care, hospital visits and prescription drugs. All covered benefits are available, even if it’s to treat a pre-existing condition. Information about the PCIP can be found at berkley.house.gov, which links to the new healthcare.gov site and other sources of information.

“I encourage every Nevadan to go to my website, where there are links to all types of information about the new health reform law and how it helps our community and Americans across the nation,” said Berkley.

In addition to eliminating the ability for insurers to deny coverage as a result of pre-existing conditions, The Affordable Care Act:

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

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

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.

Berkley Votes For Wall Street Reforms To Protect Nevada Consumers, Small Businesses

***** Increases Transparency and Accountability, Ends “Too Big to Fail” *****

June 30, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today voted to pass a final package of reforms that will crack down on reckless Wall Street practices and protect consumers in Nevada and nationwide. The House approved The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173) on a vote of 237 to 192.

“The predatory, greedy and irresponsible actions by some large institutions in the financial markets were a major cause of the worst financial crisis to hit Nevada and the nation since the days of the Great Depression. That is why we are putting these common-sense rules in place to police Wall Street and the big banks and to prevent them from placing the savings of Nevada families at risk through predatory lending and reckless investment strategies. This legislation also includes the creation of a consumer protection agency with real teeth and other reforms that will hold Wall Street and the big banks accountable, end future bailouts and create true transparency,” said Berkley. “The time is now to rein in financial firms that are ‘too big to fail’ before they again threaten America’s economic future.”

The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will stop large financial firms from risking retirement and college savings and home values and will help prevent those risky financial practices that led to the financial meltdown. The bill establishes a process for shuttering large, failing firms whose collapse would put the entire economy at risk. After exhausting all company assets, additional costs would be covered by a “dissolution fund” paid for with contributions from large financial firms.

“Our bill creates a watchdog with real teeth whose job will be protecting consumers in Nevada and across the nation from unfair financial practices. This independent bureau will provide accurate information to families and small businesses so they can ensure that bank loans, mortgages, and credit cards are fair and rates are affordable,” said Berkley, praising the bill’s creation of a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Berkley voted in favor of House Wall Street reform legislation in December 2009. The House package was then combined with legislation approved by the U.S. Senate. The House approval of the Conference report this evening now sends the reform bill back to the Senate for final approval.

The legislation has been endorsed by the AARP, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Council of Institutional Investors, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Restaurant Association, SEIU, among other organizations.

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension Passes With Berkley Backing

*** Gives Qualified Buyers Until End of September to Complete New Home Purchase ***

June 29, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today applauded passage of legislation that extends eligibility for a tax credit that enables first time homebuyers in Nevada and nationwide to save. The House approved H.R. 5623, the Homebuyers Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010, on a vote of 409-5.

“This package extends the ability for qualified first time homebuyers in Nevada and across the nation to take advantage of the savings created by this tax credit,” said Berkley. “Nevada needs these home sales and families benefit from the extra savings when they can take advantage of this first time homebuyer tax credit. We are extending the deadline so that a first time buyer in Las Vegas with a signed contract now has until the end of September to complete their transaction and remain eligible for this tax savings. We know this credit has helped to stimulate home sales by giving first time buyers an added incentive to make a purchase. We don’t want these families to lose the opportunity to save because of delays and I am hopeful that the end result will be more homes sold and more Americans owning a place of their very own for the first time.”

Under current law, taxpayers who entered into a written binding contract to purchase a home prior to May 1, 2010 are eligible for the homebuyer tax credit, provided the sale is completed prior to July 1, 2010. The legislation supported by Berkley extends this closing date. As a result, taxpayers who entered into a written binding contract prior to May 1, 2010 will have until September 30, 2010 to complete their home purchase transactions in order to be eligible for the homebuyer tax credit. The legislation also includes an important provision to crack down on reported instances of fraud identified in a recent report by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Berkley Backs Renewed Effort To Extend Unemployment Help For Jobless Nevadans

** Republicans Again Block Extension of Benefits Vital to Silver State Families in Search of Work **

June 29, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today voted for new House legislation that protects unemployment benefits for more than 22,400 Nevadans who will lose assistance if action is not taken before July 3, 2010. Berkley spoke in favor of the legislation from the House floor and her remarks can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=x8VBFrPt-2k. The House failed to pass the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act (H.R. 5618) with the required two-thirds majority necessary under a suspension of the rules.

“Nevadans were stunned last week when Senate Republicans callously turned their backs on families who rely on unemployment assistance for their very survival. I sincerely hope those who blocked this extension the last time will think about children in Las Vegas going to bed on an empty stomach because Mom or Dad no longer has a way to buy groceries once these unemployment benefits disappear,” said Berkley. “These aren’t just numbers on a page. These are our neighbors and members of our community who need this helping hand. Unless we act before July 3, more than 22,400 Nevadans will see an end to their unemployment benefits, so this is a real issue that impacts the lives of real Nevadans living in Las Vegas and throughout the Silver State.”

In her floor speech, Berkley emphasized the need for extended unemployment benefits to help Nevadans who want work, but remain in search of jobs.

“Nevada's unemployment rate went up last month. We are the highest in the country. Officially over 14%, probably closer to 20%, which means a fifth of the people living in the State of Nevada have no jobs. And the problem is, there are no jobs to have. When I hear people say ‘well, we shouldn’t extend unemployment benefits because people are going to get accustomed to being on unemployment.’ Not one of the people I represent that’s unemployed has come to me and told me what a picnic it is living on the brink with their unemployment benefits. You know what they are saying to me: find me a job Congresswoman, I want to work! Until this economy recovers, until people can go back to work, we have an obligation, a responsibility, to keep these families afloat.”

The Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act extends unemployment benefits to millions of American in Nevada and nationwide. The bill was introduced in response to a move by Senate Republicans last week that blocked an unemployment insurance extension. Failure to act on the extension before July 3 will leave approximately 1.7 million unemployed workers without benefits.

The legislation extends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits programs through November 30, 2010. The legislation would also retroactively restore benefits to recipients who may have started losing their benefits as early as the end of May.

Berkley: Yucca Fight Will Not Stop

Proposed Nevada Dump Still a Massive Security Threat, $100 Billion Budget-Buster, Scientific Failure

June 29, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today vowed to continue her fight to stop efforts to turn Nevada into a nuclear waste dump following a ruling that the Secretary of Energy cannot withdrawal a license for Yucca Mountain submitted under the Bush Administration.

“Nevadans have been told before that it’s time to end the fight against Yucca Mountain and we aren’t going to surrender now just because of this one ruling,” Berkley said. “While those seeking to turn Nevada into a nuclear waste dump are celebrating this decision, I continue working to slash funding for Yucca Mountain and to highlight the danger from shipments of radioactive garbage that will cross the U.S. under this dangerous proposal. This ruling is by no means the final word when it comes to building this $100 billion boondoggle in the Nevada desert and we still have more than a few weapons in our arsenal to battle this threat to the future of Nevada and its families.”

Berkley has highlighted a list of issues (below), including scientific shortcomings and transportation dangers, that the backers of Yucca Mountain fail to discuss. The Congresswoman is also working to block efforts underway to revive Yucca Mountain through renewed massive spending.

ISSUES YUCCA MOUNTAIN SUPPORTERS STILL DON’T WANT TO DISCUSS

1) Decades of Transportation Dangers: On a daily basis for decades, lethal high-level nuclear waste would be shipped through residential communities in more than 40 states and hundreds of Congressional Districts, close to schools, hospitals, neighborhoods and houses of worship. Each of these shipments represents the distinct possibility for a catastrophic accident or incident of terrorist sabotage. One incident involving deadly nuclear waste could unleash radioactive contamination the likes of which our nation has never faced before. The sheer number of fiery crashes on America’s highways and reoccurring accidents involving rail shipments demand we not ignore this very real threat to thousands of communities along waste transportation routes.

2) $100 Billion Budget Busting Price Tag: The Department of Energy has forecast Yucca Mountain’s total cost will reach $100 billion. A decade ago, DOE estimated it would cost only $28 billion. The fact remains that no one knows the true final price tag for what would be one of the most expensive projects ever undertaken by the federal government. While billions have already gone into failed efforts to open Yucca, the dump's current final price tag is nearly ten times MORE than what’s already been spent. Our nation cannot afford more reckless spending on a $100 billion bloated-budget project which is more than 20 years behind schedule and that threatens the safety of Americans.

3) Yucca Dump is Geologically Unsafe: Yucca Mountain is on a fault line subject to major earthquakes. This scenario could easily result in the release of massive amounts of radioactivity. Only two years ago it was revealed that planners for the dump actually had to make substantial changes because the fault line was located even closer than previously thought. The release of this amount of radioactivity would threaten the water supplies and the environment of the population centers of the entire Southwest.

4) Nuclear Operators Say No Need: Nuclear plants are already utilizing dry-cask storage and operators say there has been no effect on power production as a result of waste remaining at nuclear plants.

5) On-site Storage Offers True 100 Year Solution Today: On-site storage is available as a means to safeguard waste while a true solution is developed. Experts and regulators agree that by using hardened dry-cask storage containers, waste can be secured for the next 100 years. This avoids the transportation dangers and eliminates the need to spend $100 billion on Yucca Mountain, at a time when our nation is still recovering from an economic crisis.

6) A False Solution: Even if Yucca Mountain were built, waste would still remain in communities for decades awaiting transport to Nevada. More importantly, as long as a nuclear plant is producing energy, nuclear waste will still remain at reactor sites in communities across the country. So unless a reactor is 100% shut down, radioactive waste will continue to build up at any nuclear plant. And no magic wand can be used to suddenly transport waste all at once to the proposed dump. It is critical to understand that even if Yucca is completed, the Department of Energy has stated waste shipments could take a half-century before cities and towns would see existing waste stockpiles removed.

7) Yucca Based on Flawed Science: The law requires that Yucca Mountain’s geology alone would protect Americans from the high-level nuclear waste to be stored there. But as scientists discovered that Yucca Mountain could not meet the standards set forth by Congress, nuclear waste project managers began unilaterally changing the rules in order to overcome flaws in the site. For example, once it had been determined that water would penetrate Yucca Mountain, plans were altered to include the use of robots to install high-tech umbrellas. A clear lack of technology also continues to plague plans for Yucca Mountain, including the fact that no canister exists that is capable of containing high-level radioactive waste given the rapid corrosion that studies have shown will occur once inside the dump. As casks corrode, radioactivity will be released, tainting essential water supplies.

8) Yucca Means Higher Energy Costs for Consumers: Families in nuclear states pay higher energy bills as a result of the monthly tax added to cover the cost of Yucca Mountain. Continued spending on Yucca Mountain will only raise energy costs for consumers as they are forced to cover the skyrocketing cost of the proposed dump.

9) Storage On-Site Safe for New Nuclear Plants, Safe at Existing Locations: Under the law, no new reactor waste can come to Nevada. New nuclear plants will be required to keep their high-level waste on-site for decades under current contracts. The nuclear industry and its allies support this method of securing waste at new nuclear plants and it can be used to safely do the same at existing facilities.

10) Ending Yucca Won't Force Nuclear Waste on other States: Proponents of Yucca Mountain falsely claim that eliminating Yucca Mountain will force nuclear waste to be moved. Nothing in the law requires that South Carolina, Washington or other states be forced to take additional nuclear waste.