Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, said that legislation she coauthored 15 years ago has had a positive impact on the lives of women and families. To mark the anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women Act on September 13, 1994, Slaughter introduced a resolution – which the House unanimously passed – marking the anniversary and vowing to continue working on women’s issues.

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, issued the following statement after the White House announced that President Obama had issued a levy on Chinese made tires. Although the 35 percent levy was less than the 55 percent recommended to him in July by the US International Trade Commission, it was still a significant statement of administration support for organized labor, which has lost jobs and closed factories as tire imports surged. Four U.S. tire plants closed in 2006 and 2007, while three more plants are slated to close this year.

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, released the following statement following President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on health care:

“I'm very glad the President chose to address a joint session of Congress and lend his voice to such an important debate. His address to Congress and the American people was incredible and an important step toward bringing the parties together on such an important issue. Tonight he did what he said he’d do, laying out a framework and a detailed vision of his health care plan.

“President Obama’s voice has been badly needed so that we can clear up the confusion and myths that some are trying to spread about what we are trying to accomplish. Tonight he set the record straight.

“I was so pleased to hear the President remind the American people that reform to our health care system has been tried since Theodore Roosevelt. Many presidents have tried to make health care reform a reality and tonight President Obama vowed to be the last. I’m excited to work with him and my colleagues in the Rules Committee and throughout Congress to make that a reality.”

As August winds to a close, parents and children are getting ready to go back to school. In between buying supplies, trying on new clothes, and sorting out schedules, there is another important step to prepare - getting every child vaccinated. Making sure that school age boys and girls are up to date on their vaccinations isn't fun, but it's absolutely necessary for the public health and the health of the child.

During the August recess, besides many meetings with constituents, I will hold at least two telephone town halls so that I can reach the maximum number of people who have questions or concerns about health care reform legislation. The first event was on August 20th at 7:00 p.m. to talk with people from Monroe and Orleans Counties. The second telephone town hall was on September 1st to talk with people from Niagara and Erie Counties, at 7:10 p.m.

I have put up a recording of the first telephone town hall and the second telephone town hall for those who missed it and want to listen in.

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, applauded news that the family of former Congressman Jack Kemp has announced they will donate his papers to the Library of Congress.

In this time of economic hardship, scams are, unfortunately, taking hold attempting to make a quick buck off of hard-working Americans. Please take caution if you receive a solicitation claiming to distribute funds from the stimulus package. These scams ask you to send a small shipping and offer to accept all major credit and debit cards.

Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter today mourns the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and released the following statement:

“Today marks a truly sad day in America. The passing of Senator Ted Kennedy is painful for all of us whom worked with him, admired him and witnessed his unmatched accomplishment during his nearly 50 years in the Senate. His unparalleled leadership in workers’ rights, the improvement of public education and caring for the middle and working class are landmarks that will stand forever.

“No one fought harder to make health care for all Americans a reality and I intend to work even harder this year to help us achieve that goal.

“I worked with Senator Kennedy for 13 years to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and he carried it the last 5 years in the Senate. He called it the first civil rights legislation of the 21st century and he was right. His effort was tireless and I know firsthand how his fervent leadership achieved real change.

“American politics would not have been the same without him and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kennedy family.”

Click here to see Congresswoman Slaughter share some of her memories of Senator Kennedy.

Click here to read Congresswoman Slaughter's thoughts on Senator Kennedy's legacy and legislative accomplishments

With the recent discussion about the cost of health care reform, Rep. Louise Slaughter today released the following statement:

"It is important for my constituents to know that the House version of the health care reform bill is deficit neutral, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. This is a bill that pays for itself through cost savings. On July 17, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman released a letter highlighting the CBO finding that H.R. 3200 is deficit neutral – if savings in Medicare and Medicaid are taken into account. I’ve told everyone that the deficit neutrality of the health bill is very important to me.”

The Speaker's office has prepared a fact sheet on H.R. 3200 and its impact on the deficit.