The big news this week was the $700 billion rescue bill, and Sen. Kerry, as a member of the Finance Committee, was in the thick of it, with a speech on the Senate floor, an interview with O'Reilly, and a press conference. The bill passed in both the House and Senate, which was good, but it's only a start. It's going to take our new President, Congress and the rest of us a lot of work to turn the economy around.
Speaking of lots of money, Sen. Kerry gave $1 million to the DSCC this week. I guess he's pretty serious about getting a whole bunch of new Dem colleagues, because he sent an email asking the rest of us to send money, too.
The Senate passed JK's resolution on the crisis in Georgia, a bill to prohibit the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) from funding propaganda, $163 million in home heating aid for Massachusetts, and significant tax breaks, including immediate relief for taxpayers and incentives for alternative energy.
Senators Kerry and Harkin sent a letter to the SBA questioning loan rates, and Sen. Kerry sent a letter to NOAA insisting on protection for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The Senator and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray also announced some good news for Massachusetts rail service.
JK also scheduled two debates with Beatty, his Republican challenger in the upcoming election. That should be fun.
Enjoy.
