Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, today issued the following statement in response to news that President Obama had created a task force to work with the European Community on antimicrobial resistance. The White House announcement signals a greater understanding of the dangers posed by antimicrobial resistance, which is at the core of Slaughter’s legislation to limit the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock.

“It’s good to see recognition from the Administration and the European Community that the rapid expansion of bacteria resistant to our best antibiotics is a serious public health threat,” Slaughter said. “I have asked President Obama to consider taking administrative action to limit the use of antibiotics in farm animals to help slow the growth of this trend. In the meantime, it’s my strong hope that a high level task force addressing this issue is the best way to raise awareness and stop the problem from getting even worse.”

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that assists low income households in meeting the high costs of heating. As winter approaches, many Western New Yorkers will face rising heating bills. My office can assist you with questions you may have about applying for aid from this program.

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, today said that historic legislation reforming the health care system will help ordinary Americans afford quality medical care. The new legislation will help families across the country and in Western New York by offering a level of security to people who have previously struggled with rising and sometimes unaffordable health care costs. Slaughter appeared with House Leadership today on the front lawn of the Capitol to unveil the plan.

Click here to read the bill.

Click here to learn about what health insurance reform means for you.

The House Democratic leadership unveiled H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This bill is the product of the three committees, with important new improvements such as a ban on insurers using a history of domestic violence as a preexisting condition.

In the 28th District of New York, H.R. 3962 would:

• Improve employer-base coverage for 338,000 residents.
• Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 180,000 households
• Improve Medicare for 107,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 9,000 seniors
• Allow 146,000 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 12,7000 small businesses
• Provide coverage for 30,000 uninsured residents
• Protect up to 1,000 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs
• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $270 million

For more on how H.R. 3962 would affect the 28th district, please click here.

Click here to learn more about what health insurance reform means for you.

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, said that new legislation will support increased bank lending to small businesses each year. Slaughter, who moved the legislation to the House floor today, said the bill will help save or create 1.3 million jobs nationally each year with a direct benefit on the Western New York economy.

“The small businesses in our communities are the lifeblood of our economy and we need to do all we can to make sure they have access to loans and technical assistance programs to help them through this difficult time,” Slaughter said. “Our bill will help small firms buy new equipment and inventory, while creating new opportunities for businesses to spend dollars that go directly into the local economy.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter joined with state and national leaders in calling for the immediate resignation of State Senator Hiram Monserrate, who was convicted on October 15 of third-degree assault for attacking his girlfriend with a broken wine glass.

“As a coauthor of the Violence Against Women Act, I find it offensive that Sen. Monserrate has not already resigned, “ Slaughter said. “Domestic violence is unacceptable from anyone, let alone from an elected official of the State of New York. Sen. Monserrate should resign immediately for this serious offense, and if he does not, he should be removed from office by the Senate.”

On the anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening, Rep. Louise Slaughter said that high-speed rail can be the next Erie Canal opening Western New York to new trade and economic development opportunities.

“On this date 184 years ago we opened the Erie Canal which over the last century has become a vital transportation artery for Buffalo, Rochester and much of Upstate New York,” said Slaughter. “The economic vitality created by that accessibility is a major reason Western New York became the hub of business, culture and innovation at the turn of the last century. Today we have a new opportunity to build on our proud tradition and make our city more accessible. We can rebuild the Western New York region as a competitive center for economic development and strengthen cross-border trade. Our opportunity comes from high-speed rail.”

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, said that new Coast Guard legislation includes numerous benefits for the Great Lakes region. The bill authorizes $153 million for the design and construction of a new replacement icebreaker for the Great Lakes.

“This legislation is good news for the Great Lakes region and any coastal area that relies on the Coast Guard for protection and patrols,” Slaughter said. “The Great Lakes are a vital commerce corridor and I’m particularly pleased about the purchase and construction of a new icebreaker that will allow commerce to flow through our majestic lakes. I am proud to move this bill to the House floor for a final vote and work with leadership to get the legislation through the Senate and to the President for his signature.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) today called on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to help Tonawanda Coke develop a benzene reduction plan as soon as possible.

In a letter addressed to DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis, Slaughter said, “I appreciate the Department of Environmental Conservation’s efforts to address this issue thus far and urge your continued action to ensure that Tonawanda Coke is in compliance with state and federal regulations. Specifically, I ask that your office help develop a benzene reduction plan as soon as possible to significantly reduce benzene emissions from the Tonawanda Coke plant.”

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) touted the passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.  The bill passed by a vote of 408-9, and reauthorizes the Ryan White program for four years authoring the continuation of federal money coming to the Rochester area to combat HIV/AIDS.

“This program has been serving Americans living with HIV/AIDS for nearly 20 years. The Ryan White program has provided assistance to local organizations in Western New York committed to fighting this terrible disease and providing primary care to those in need of help,” said Slaughter.