Obama Care

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Republican Congressman Claims Hammers Could Be Outlawed Under Assault Weapons Ban

Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX)

A Republican congressman lambasted the push for gun control in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, stating on Friday that if lawmakers wanted to ban assault weapons, they would have to outlaw “hammers” and “machetes” as well.

Appearing on the Dennis Miller Show, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) told guest host Larry O’Connor that he “refuse[s] to play the game of ‘assault weapon.’ That’s any weapon,” said the Texas congressman. “It’s a hammer. It’s the machetes.”

O’CONNOR: I want to ask you a question about one of your colleagues, Rep. Peter King in New York. He’s a very passionate guy, a great defender, he’s a great patriot. But he’s on board with this assault weapons ban. He was actually on MSNBC yesterday, openly saying, “I don’t understand why anybody would need an assault weapon.” I personally get nervous whenever a politician is asking me as a citizen why I need my right, but can you answer that question for your colleague? He might need some help here. Why would anyone need an assault weapon as they’re defining it?
GOHMERT: I refuse to play the game of “assault weapon.” That’s any weapon. It’s a hammer. It’s the machetes. In Rwanda that killed 800,000 people, an article that came out this week, the massive number that are killed with hammers.

Listen to it:

According to the FBI, in 2010, there were 8,775 people who were murdered with guns, compared to 540 people who were killed with blunt objects, a small minority of which were people armed with hammers. The exponentially-higher number of people killed by guns also includes many innocent people killed by indiscriminate gunfire, such as drive-by shootings. After all, there are no “drive-by hammerings.”

Still, hammers are not the only “weapon” that conservatives are equating with firearms in an attempt to undermine any gun control legislation. A state representative in New Hampshire, warned of another deadly weapon: credit cards. “Anything can be used as a deadly weapon, said Rep. Dan Dumaine (R). “A credit card can be used to cut somebody’s throat.”

View the original article here

Senate Republicans Stack Judiciary Committee With Two More Constitutional Extremists

Two years ago, when Senate Republicans needed to fill a vacant seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, they tapped Tea Party Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) — a senator who believes that federal child labor laws, FEMA, food stamps, the FDA, Medicaid, income assistance for the poor, and even Medicare and Social Security violate the Constitution. This year, they needed to fill two seats on the Senate body responsible for overseeing the Constitution. Once again, Senate Republicans chose to fill these seats with senators who believe the Constitution in nothing more than a block of clay that can be formed into whatever the Tea Party wants it to say.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is no stranger to conspiracy theories; he published an article last year claiming that the United Nations and George Soros are at the head of a global conspiracy to eliminate the game of golf. (Seriously. We aren’t making this up.) So his understanding of the Constitution is similarly idiosyncratic. As head of a conservative think tank’s Tenth Amendment project, Cruz co-authored an unconstitutional plan to nullify the Affordable Care Act — claiming that two states can ignore the Constitution and federal law simply by joining together in such lawlessness.

Cruz is among the most skilled attorneys in the country, but he devoted his outsized talents to reshaping the Constitution into his own far right image. His first campaign ad touted his successful work to help Texas kill a Mexican national in violation of America’s treaty obligations, and he believed in using lawsuits to tear down the health care safety net long before the Affordable Care Act’s opponents brought a completely meritless legal theory to the Supreme Court and nearly convinced the entire conservative bloc to sign onto it in its entirety. Cruz’s campaign touted his attempt to “to strike down portions of the Medicare Prescription Drug program as an unconstitutional intrusion in the sovereign authority of the States.” Although Cruz is more careful in his rhetoric than Sen. Lee, perhaps the most damning aspect of Cruz’s record is the staunch opponent of national child labor laws and Medicare’s endorsement of Cruz’s constitutional vision. In Lee’s words, “Ted is one of our nation’s leading defenders of the Tenth Amendment. He is a champion for limiting the power, size, and spending of the federal government.”

Cruz is joined on the Judiciary Committee by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who actually thinks his own election to the Senate should be unconstitutional. Flake endorsed repealing the Seventeenth Amendment, which replaced a system that led to “rampant and blatant corruption, letting corporations and other moneyed interests effectively buy U.S. Senators,” with our current system — electing senators.

Like Cruz, Flake also embraced rethinking the Tenth Amendment as a tool to impose Tea Party values on the country long before the Tea Party even existed. In 2000, Flake signed a position statement claiming that the Departments of Commerce and Housing and Urban Development, in addition to the National Endowments for the Arts and for the Humanities, “should be abolished, per the tenth amendment of the US Constitution.” For the record, nothing in the Tenth Amendment renders any of these things unconstitutional.

View the original article here

Watson gets FDA application approval

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Thursday that a subsidiary has received regulatory approval for a generic drug designed for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.

The company said that it intends to begin shipping the product immediately.

Watson said the tranexamic acid tablets are the generic equivalent to Ferring Pharmaceuticals' drug Lysteda. Ferring has filed patent infringement lawsuits against Watson, but the litigation is still pending.

Watson cited IMS Health data showing that Lysteda had U.S. sales of roughly $25 million in the 12 months that ended Nov. 30.

Watson, based in Parsippany, N.J., is the world's third-largest generics prescription drug manufacturer with more than 750 products marketed globally.

Shares gained $1.71, or 2 percent, to $85.92. Its stock is near the high end of its 52-week trading range of $55 to $91.47.

View the original article here

Retiring Texas senator tweets 'best wishes' to new Sen. Cruz

By Alicia M. Cohn - 01/04/13 04:34 PM ET

A changing of the guard happened Friday in tweets exchanged by Texas’s newest senator, Ted Cruz (R), and the outgoing lawmaker he replaces.

Greatly appreciated and many thanks for your service. “@kaybaileyhutch: Best wishes on your first full day representing Texas! @tedcruz”
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 4, 2013

Tea Party favorite Cruz takes the seat filled by Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Cruz used social media extensively during his campaign, and Cruz’s social media presence is still flourishing post-election on Twitter and Facebook.

Although not all new members have official Twitter accounts yet, the 113th Congress could be the most socially networked yet. One returning member, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), didn't want to be left out, and announced Friday he is joining Twitter for the first time.

I'm kicking off the #113Congress by joining twitter. It's good to be back doing the people's work.
— Rep. Andy Harris, MD (@RepAndyHarrisMD) January 4, 2013

Harris was one of the few congressional holdouts of the 112th Congress when it came to Twitter, but he has been active on Facebook.

View Comments

View the original article here

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 4310

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 4310 | The White House Skip to main content | Skip to footer site map The White House. President Barack Obama Get Email Updates Contact Us Go to homepage. The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Performances Live Streams Podcasts 2012: A Year in Photos

A unique view of 2012

Briefing Room Your Weekly Address Speeches & Remarks Press Briefings Statements & Releases White House Schedule Presidential Actions Executive Orders Presidential Memoranda Proclamations Legislation Pending Legislation Signed Legislation Vetoed Legislation Nominations & Appointments Disclosures Visitor Access Records Financial Disclosures 2012 Annual Report to Congress 2011 Annual Report to Congress 2010 Annual Report to Congress on White House Staff A Commitment to Transparency

Browse White House visitor logs

Issues Civil Rights It Gets Better Defense End of Iraq War Disabilities Economy Jobs Reform and Fiscal Responsibility Strengthening the Middle Class A Plan for Refinancing Support for Business Education Energy & Environment Ethics Foreign Policy Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Taxes Tax Receipt The Buffett Rule Rural Urban Policy Veterans Joining Forces Technology Seniors & Social Security Service Snapshots Creating Jobs Health Care Small Business PreK-12 Education Women Americans Sharing Their Story

On what $2K means to them

President Obama's Tax Plan

Extend tax cuts for families making under $250,000 a year

The Administration We the People

Create and Sign Petitions Now

President Barack Obama Vice President Joe Biden First Lady Michelle Obama Dr. Jill Biden The Cabinet 2010 Video Reports White House Staff Chief of Staff Jack Lew Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco Counselor to the President Peter Rouse Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett Executive Office of the President Other Advisory Boards About the White House White House On the Go

Download our mobile apps

2012: A Year in Photos

A unique view of 2012

Our Government The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Constitution Federal Agencies & Commissions Elections & Voting State & Local Government Resources /* Maximize height of menu features. */if(typeof(jQuery)!='undefined')jQuery.each($('#topnav'),function(i,v){var o=$(v),oh=o.height(),sh=o.siblings().height();if(oh Home • Briefing Room • Statements & Releases The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 03, 2013 Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 4310

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013, the President signed into law:

H.R. 4310, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013," which authorizes fiscal year 2013 appropriations for Department of Defense programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, and Department of Transportation maritime security programs; authorizes recruitment and retention bonuses, special payments, and other authorities relating to the U.S. Armed Forces; and makes other modifications to national security, foreign affairs, and other related programs.

Blog posts on this issue January 04, 2013 6:12 PM ESTJoin President Obama in a National Day of Service

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announces a National Day of Service on January 19, 2013

January 04, 2013 6:05 PM ESTJoin President Obama in a National Day of Service

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announces a National Day of Service on January 19, 2013

January 04, 2013 2:55 PM EST2012: A Year in Photos

Each January, Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer and Director of the White House Photography Office selects his favorite images from the past twelve months, and now, we're sharing them with you.

En español Accessibility Copyright Information Privacy Policy Contact USA.gov Developers Apply for a Job

View the original article here

President Obama Re-nominates Thirty-Three to Federal Judgeships

President Obama Re-nominates Thirty-Three to Federal Judgeships | The White House Skip to main content | Skip to footer site map The White House. President Barack Obama Get Email Updates Contact Us Go to homepage. The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Performances Live Streams Podcasts 2012: A Year in Photos

A unique view of 2012

Browse White House visitor logs

On what $2K means to them

President Obama's Tax Plan

Extend tax cuts for families making under $250,000 a year

The Administration We the People

Create and Sign Petitions Now

Download our mobile apps

2012: A Year in Photos

A unique view of 2012

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 03, 2013 President Obama Re-nominates Thirty-Three to Federal Judgeships WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama re-nominated thirty-three individuals who he previously nominated for federal judgeships in the 112th Congress.

“Today, I am re-nominating thirty-three highly qualified candidates for the federal bench, including many who could have and should have been confirmed before the Senate adjourned,” said President Obama. “Several have been awaiting a vote for more than six months, even though they all enjoy bipartisan support. I continue to be grateful for their willingness to serve and remain confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity. I urge the Senate to consider and confirm these nominees without delay, so all Americans can have equal and timely access to justice.”

CIRCUIT COURT NOMINEES

Judge Robert E. Bacharach: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Caitlin Halligan: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

William J. Kayatta, Jr.: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Jill A. Pryor: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Judge Patty Shwartz: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Srikanth Srinivasan: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Richard Gary Taranto: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

DISTRICT COURT NOMINEES

Judge Elissa F. Cadish: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Nevada

Valerie E. Caproni: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Judge Sheri Polster Chappell: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Pamela Ki Mai Chen: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Judge Brian J. Davis: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Shelly Deckert Dick: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

Jennifer A. Dorsey: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Nevada

Katherine Polk Failla: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Kenneth John Gonzales: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico

Andrew Patrick Gordon: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Nevada

Ketanji Brown Jackson: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Rosemary Márquez: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona

Judge Michael J. McShane: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon

Raymond P. Moore: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Colorado

Judge Troy L. Nunley: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Central District of California

William H. Orrick, III: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California

Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Judge Nelson Stephen Román: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Judge William L. Thomas: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Judge Analisa Torres: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Derrick Kahala Watson: Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii

COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE NOMINEES

Mark A. Barnett: Nominee for the United States Court of International Trade

Claire R. Kelly: Nominee for the United States Court of International Trade

Blog posts on this issue January 04, 2013 6:12 PM ESTJoin President Obama in a National Day of Service

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announces a National Day of Service on January 19, 2013

January 04, 2013 6:05 PM ESTJoin President Obama in a National Day of Service

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announces a National Day of Service on January 19, 2013

January 04, 2013 2:55 PM EST2012: A Year in Photos

En español Accessibility Copyright Information Privacy Policy Contact USA.gov Developers Apply for a Job

View the original article here

Bet on Health Care to Beat the Market?

Highlight transcript below to create clipTranscript: Print | Email Go Click text to jump within videoFri 04 Jan 13 | 12:30 PM ET Deutsche Bank upgrades Johnson & Johnson, with the FMHR traders. Also discussing whether health care's momentum can continue, with Edward Yoon of Fidelity.

View the original article here

Obama Care

Donations Are Always Welcome and Appreciated

Translate

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Republican Congressman Claims Hammers Could Be Outlawed Under Assault Weapons Ban

Senate Republicans Stack Judiciary Committee With Two More Constitutional Extremists

Watson gets FDA application approval

Retiring Texas senator tweets 'best wishes' to new Sen. Cruz

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 4310

President Obama Re-nominates Thirty-Three to Federal Judgeships

Bet on Health Care to Beat the Market?

About Me

Blog Archive