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Federal Assistance for Illinois Flood Victims
My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Illinois who are recovering from June's devastating downstate floods. I traveled to Quincy recently to help with flood preparations and get a first-hand look at the efforts. I was humbled by Illinoisans' steadfast resolve and commitment to save their homes and those of their neighbors. It is the long-term recovery that will be the most challenging and will require the most support. I am working with Senator Durbin and our congressional colleagues to ensure that our state has the resources it needs to assist Illinoisans during this difficult time.
If you need federal assistance due to the flooding, please see the information below. My offices in Illinois and Washington are also ready to assist you, so please don't hesitate to contact me.
Barack Obama
Obama Demands VA Investigate Allegations of PTSD Misdiagnoses to Reduce Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, calling on him to investigate reports that a psychologist at a Texas Veterans Affairs (VA) facility told staff members to refrain from diagnosing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce costs. According to today's Washington Post, the psychologist, Ms. Norma Perez, apparently emailed Teague Center staff members suggesting the alternative diagnosis to limit the number of tests required to diagnose PTSD. Since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, thousands of service members have returned home suffering from combat-related psychological injuries like PTSD, which require much-needed treatment. - Read more
Obama Joins Levin and Coleman to Introduce Bill to Stop Misuse of U.S. Companies
WASHINGTON - Today Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), and Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Chairman, Ranking Minority Member, and Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, introduced the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act to help law enforcement stop the misuse of U.S. corporations. - Read more
EPA Accepts Obama Proposal to Eliminate Lead Paint from Schools, Childcare Facilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to require lead-safe practices during the renovation and repair of housing, child-care facilities, and schools: - Read more
News Stories
Housing Aid Bill Passes Senate Test
June 24, 2008
WASHINGTON -- A bill aimed at helping hundreds of thousands of homeowners in danger of foreclosure cleared an important test vote in the Senate on Tuesday, raising the prospects for final passage of an aid bill by mid-summer.
On the Issues
Ethics
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in fighting for open and honest government. During his first year as an Illinois State Senator, he helped lead the fight to pass Illinois' first major ethics reform bill in 25 years. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal.Read more
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Speeches
Obama: Culture in Washington Must Change, Implement Tough Ethics Reform
August 2, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor in support of the Honest Government and Leadership Act. This legislation would provide increased transparency and accountability, reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests, and bring about the concrete changes we need in Washington. In January, Obama joined with Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) to introduce Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act, which set a standard for strong ethics legislation this Congress.