congress

Moran Introduces Childhood Obesity Bill

By ARLnow.com

Late last week, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) introduced a bill that would enable ten states to collect body mass index information from youngsters in immunization registries. The bill would serve as a pilot program for tracking the prevalence of childhood obesity.

Rep. Moran’s office issued the following press release about the bill:

In recognition of Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, today introduced legislation that would establish a pilot program to track the prevalence of childhood obesity. The program would include the accumulation of body mass index (BMI) data in current immunization registries in 10 states.

“Obesity has reached near epidemic levels across the United States. The health of our youngest Americans will impact our economy, health care costs and public health,” said Moran. “In order to track our progress in reducing childhood obesity, we must have accurate and up-to-date information.”

Moran’s legislation would eliminate the need to create an entirely new data system by adding BMI data to current childhood immunization record systems. Body mass index is a non-invasive measurement calculated from height and weight. The legislation requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deliver a report on the results and effectiveness of the pilot program after enactment.

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled – nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. Obesity is a leading factor in diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening health diseases.

President Obama declared September 2012 National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month to encourage all Americans to learn about and engage in activities that promote healthy eating and greater physical activity by all our nation’s children.

Moran Discusses Political Origins As Election Approaches

By Aaron Kraut

Editor’s Note: We will profile Patrick Murray, the Republican challenger for Congress, next week.

Rep. Jim Moran’s conversion from “hardcore economic libertarian” to solidly liberal Democrat began in 1969, more than two decades before his first turn representing Virginia’s 8th District.

As Moran, 67, seeks his twelfth consecutive term amid a divisively bitter atmosphere on Capitol Hill that has severely stunted legislative progress, he spoke about the experience that has informed much of his 33-year political career.

“I was fairly conservative when I graduated from college,” said Moran, who was eyeing a career as a stockbroker when he left the all-male College of the Holy Cross in his native Massachusetts. “I was always pretty progressive on civil rights issues, but from an economic standpoint, I was quite conservative. I used to read Ayn Rand. I thought that life was simple.”

He took a job as a budget officer at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, during the Nixon administration, to take advantage of a federal program that helped pay for his graduate education.

At the department, Moran was sent to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to save the agency money by consolidating migrant worker programs. He found laborers in a “cycle of poverty,” brought on by loans from farmers who would not pay them enough to pay the loans off. He encountered a Kindergarten-aged girl who suffered corporal punishment for blurting out an answer in Spanish during school.

Speaking Spanish was forbidden at that time in the Texas school system.

“That offended me,” Moran said. “It totally conflicted on my sense of what’s right and the way things are to work.”

Moran said he was escorted out of a state Board of Education meeting after speaking out about the unfairness of allowing corporal punishment while prohibiting the use of Spanish. He went back to Stan Pottinger, the head of the agency’s civil rights division and set up an office of migrant farmers at Health, Education, and Welfare.

“It showed me that you could make a difference. That’s why I got involved in politics, why I’ve stayed in politics,” Moran said. “It’s why I became somebody who recognizes the world is not fair and that we should be spending our energies and influence toward achieving some form of economic justice and equality of opportunity.

“The world is not how Ayn Rand said it was.”

(more…)

Congressional Candidates Face Off at Heated Debate

By Katie Pyzyk

The four local candidates for Congress faced off during a rather heated exchange on Tuesday, at a debate sponsored by the Arlington County Civic Federation.

While Independent Jason Howell and Independent Green candidate Janet Murphy focused on changing the current state of affairs by overcoming partisan battles, Republican Patrick Murray largely set his sights on taking jabs at incumbent Jim Moran (D).

Murray said one topic he actually agrees with President Obama on is disgust over certain members of Congress using privileged information to benefit on Wall Street deals. He aimed his insider trading frustrations directly at Moran.

“You know, Jim’s done pretty well. He’s a pretty wealthy guy now. I’m sure that insider trading had something to do with it,” said Murray.

Moran denied any illegal involvement with such deals and downplayed his alleged wealth.

“I was never at this meeting where supposedly insider information was disclosed,” said Moran. “I have zero assets, I live in an apartment in Arlington with my son, and the financial disclosures will show you my asset value of zero.”

Regarding a question to candidates about the situation in the Middle East and strained relations with Israel, Moran said he supports the recent Syria uprising. He doesn’t, however, support sending American troops to assist with the situation.

Following earlier remarks referring to Moran as anti-Semitic, Murray honed in on the topic of relations with Israel. He was the lone candidate advocating increased support for the country.

“We have one solid, strong, democratic ally in the Middle East and that is Israel,” Murray said. “I have a great concern with where we are with our relations with Israel. If I’m your congressman, I will always support Israel 100 percent.”

Murphy was most adamant about not increasing support to Israel.

“I think we’re doing way too much for that ally,” she said. “I think they’re off base in Palestine entirely. I think we’ve had way too much of re-organizing the entire Middle East to their purpose.”

Howell suggested the U.S. foster other relationships in the Middle East, such as with Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

“With all the friends that we have in the Middle East, and all the challenges that there are in the Middle East, we should find better ways and nuanced ways, innovative ways to lean on those partners,” said Howell.

Turning to domestic issues, the candidates discussed the validity of more investments in clean energy. Moran stated his belief that America relies too heavily on fossil fuels, and pushed for more funding in areas like solar and wind energies.

“The fact is that this world is warming, that the climate is changing,” Moran said. “We will all pay the price, but not as steep a price as our children and grandchildren, if we don’t do something today.”

Moran stated that the collapse of Solyndra was an inexcusable, unfortunate incident, but it’s the exception and not the rule. He therefore advocates investing in other clean energy companies.

Also referring to Solyndra, Howell said the government isn’t always proficient at choosing companies to invest in, so he instead advocates “investing in ideas” rather than targeting specific companies to receive funding.

Murphy said America is “late to the game” in promoting clean energy, and she would like to see fossil fuel use end altogether. She would like to impose a 25 cent transaction tax on each Wall Street transaction, which would be set aside for green energy jobs.

Murray said he’s for green initiatives, if they’re functions of the free market. He also favors building the Keystone Pipeline.

“That is 200,000 jobs. And not only that, it is 50 percent of our reliance on OPEC oil right there,” Murray said. “It is the biggest no-brainer we have.”

One debate attendee brought up Americans’ dissatisfaction with Congress, as reflected in the downward trend of its approval rating. The person asked why any incumbents should be re-elected at all.

“Why should you re-elect any of them? You shouldn’t,” said Murphy. “We need to just snap out of it and stop getting dragged around by whatever subliminal messages we’re being told to respond to in these advertisements.”

Murray concurred, claiming current members of Congress are quick to point fingers at others for partisanship, but shirk their own responsibilities. Murray then took another jab at Moran, which garnered some gasps and boos.

“We have a situation now where 144,000 people in Virginia are going to start losing their jobs. It’s all defense spending,” Murray said. “Who sits on the Defense Appropriations Committee? Who’s the Congressman of this district? Who’s been spending money like a crack addict for 22 years?”

For the most part, Moran avoided slinging accusations and attempted to turn attention to what he’s achieved during his time in Congress. He mentioned working in a bipartisan manner to fund projects over the years, such as Metro’s expansion in Arlington.

“When you don’t want to share your policy and vision with your constituents, you rely on personal attacks,” said Moran. “This is one of the finest places to live and work and raise a family in the country. And I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had some small, constructive role in achieving that objective.”

In light of the sometimes nasty atmosphere during the debate, Howell capped off the night by reiterating his focus on civility and working together.

“Some of the problems we have in Congress is just a great deal of disrespect,” he said. “I’m going to bring the same respect to Congress that I’m happy to offer Mr. Moran and the other candidates tonight.”

Howell Vows to Wear Name Tag Until Election

By Katie Pyzyk

A congressional candidate who recently joined the race is trying to get some recognition in an unconventional way. Jason Howell will be wearing a name tag from now until the election on November 6.

Howell, who actually got the ball rolling on his campaign last year, was informed on Monday, June 18, that he had officially made the ballot. He’s up against incumbent Rep. Jim Moran (D), Patrick Murray (R) and Independent Green candidate Janet Murphy in the 8th District congressional race. He’ll be running as an independent.

Howell believes part of the problem with campaigning, particularly as an independent, is the lack of name recognition. To remedy that problem, he’ll wear a name tag every time he’s in public until the election. Howell hopes he’ll get enough exposure so people will recognize his name by the time they get to the polls. He said there’s only one exception to the name tag rule: “When I’m wearing a campaign t-shirt in the gym.”

A major sticking point for Howell is the partisan nature of politics today.

“People don’t vote for the people they know, they vote for the ‘D’ or the ‘R.’ They vote for the branding,” said Howell. “Unfortunately the politicians have figured that out. They don’t have to be the best candidate, they just have to have the ‘R’ or the ‘D.'”

Howell believes being an independent in Congress would give him the ability to make changes that current members struggle with.

“The ability to go in there and create relationships without parties’ strings is what I bring to the table,” said Howell. “The biggest problem we have is our politics. It’s not that we don’t have enough money to take care of problems or we don’t have enough ideas, but the partisanship has locked them out of solutions.”

Howell views America’s current economic situation as something that needs fixing right away. Howell, who started out with a career in accounting and is now a writer and speaker, says the financial crisis prompted him to run for Congress. He doesn’t think current lawmakers are handling the situation well, and believes it’s time for Congress to sport fresh faces from a younger generation.

“Someone from my generation needed to get involved,” he said. “I decided to step up and be a part of the solution.”

Murray Campaign Claims Advantage Among Independents

By ARLnow.com

The campaign of Republican congressional candidate Patrick Murray is claiming an advantage among independent voters — a claim his opponent’s campaign is vigorously disputing.

Murray is facing off against incumbent Rep. Jim Moran (D) in the Nov. 6 general election. The race will be a rematch of the 2010 race, in which Moran defeated Murray by a 24 point margin.

This time around, the Murray camp says they hold a convincing advantage among independent voters. In an email to supporters this week, the campaign said Murray holds an “astonishing” 26 point margin advantage against Moran among independent voters in Virginia’s Eighth District.

“The information we emailed out was based on thousands of phone calls the campaign has made to independent voters,” Murray spokesman Reece Collins told ARLnow.com. “From those who have responded to the survey, Patrick is ahead by a margin of 58 percent to 32 percent with 10 percent saying that they are undecided.”

“The results show that these swing voters are unhappy with the current Congressman and his hyper-partisan approach,” Collins continued. “Conversely, Patrick’s message of creating jobs and responsible government is clearly resonating.”

The Moran campaign, however, questioned the method by which the poll numbers were generated.

“Unless they have an actual firm willing to stand by the numbers and share methodology, they’re just making it up,” said Moran spokesman Austin Durrer. “Moran just won his primary… in a deep blue seat, one that Murray couldn’t come within 22 points of Jim in the worst year for Democrats in electoral history. In 2012, with the President and Tim Kaine at the top of the ticket, that challenge is even steeper.”

Moran defeated Democratic primary challenger Bruce Shuttleworth by a 48 point margin on Tuesday. Murray did not have a Republican primary opponent.

Candidate Essay: Bruce Shuttleworth

By ARLnow.com

Last week we asked the two Democratic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Eighth District of Virginia, to write a sub-500 word essay on why the county’s residents should vote for them during tomorrow’s (Tuesday, June 12) primary.

Here is the unedited response from Bruce Shuttleworth:

To any of the ARLnow community who I may have “robocalled” during your dinner hour — sorry!

I’m Bruce Shuttleworth. I’m running for Congress, and I’d be honored to earn your support. I say that about a thousand times a day at Metros, Farmer’s Markets and gatherings across the 8th District. Now I say it to you — and I deeply mean it. Your vote is incredibly important and I know that you don’t cast it idly.

I think serving in Congress is incredibly important too; and I won’t ever forget that it isn’t my office — it is yours. And you will always be welcome in it.

If I am so honored to become your Congressman, I will protect the vulnerable. And fellow Arlingtonians, we are all vulnerable. If you breathe air and need healthcare, you are vulnerable.

Both my parents died of lung cancer, both as non-smokers. I see the cost of unclean air in terms of life and death — and I intend to do something about it.

If America can show the determination and grit to put man on the moon in the 1960s, then we can certainly build a National energy supergrid that will finally enable the effective use of clean, green technologies. That technology exists today. But it is drowned out by the big money of oil, gas and coal — and our Congress that takes it.

At stake is nothing but air quality, climate change, energy security, jobs, better health and more than a hundred billion dollars a year in defense department savings when we finally don’t have to protect our foreign sources of oil.

Want to do something nice for your kids? Do this. We simply must break our addiction to carbon-based fuels — it is slowly killing us.

And if you need healthcare, you are vulnerable. We are in a treatment trap where too many fee-for-service doctors over treat (which is dangerous) and too many insurance providers under treat (which is pathetic). Caught in the middle are the suffering citizens paying too much and getting too little — with 45,000 of us dying unnecessarily each year.

This is a life and death issue; this is about promoting the general welfare.

Universal Healthcare is within reach; but it is being drowned out by the big money of big insurance – and our Congress that takes it.

But I don’t blame special interests for representing their special interests. This is America and free speech is broad and deep. I blame our Congress for not keeping conflicts of interest at arm’s length. In no other organization would this be tolerated — not with our CEO’s, not with our Judges, not with our President.

For all the great things we want to accomplish — we must reform Congress. I encourage the American People to have no tolerance for this ethical tomfoolery. If we want a different result, then we will need different Congressmen. With your support, and perhaps that of your friends, I’ll be honored to lead this effort.

Thank you.

Candidate Essay: Rep. Jim Moran

By ARLnow.com

Last week we asked the two Democratic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Eighth District of Virginia, to write a sub-500 word essay on why the county’s residents should vote for them during tomorrow’s (Tuesday, June 12) primary.

Here is the unedited response from incumbent Rep. Jim Moran:

I’ve dedicated my adult life to fighting for Northern Virginia; to strengthen our economy, promote social progress and safeguard our environment for future generations. Northern Virginia’s economy has been highly resilient through one of the worst downturns in U.S. history. Our proximity to the federal government, capitalizing on a creative class of technology entrepreneurs, government contractors and a diversity of small businesses has provided steady growth. We are now being challenged by conservative attempts to hollow out the federal government, regardless of the serious, negative, economic and societal impact it would have. I am using my role on the Appropriations Committee to fight to overcome these challenges and ensure that the 8th District remains the best place to work and live in the country.

Yorktown Student Wins Local Art Competition

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:25 a.m. on 5/21/12) A Yorktown High School student has won the honor of having his artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Yorktown student Ryan Carroll was announced the winner of Rep. Jim Moran’s Eighth District Congressional Art Competition during a ceremony at Artisphere in Rosslyn last night. The annual nationwide Congressional Art Competition was started in 1982 to “provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.”

Carroll will soon have his work, entitled “Lady of Rain,” displayed inside the Capitol building for the next year, along with the winners from other states across the country. The second place winner, Washington-Lee High School student Erin Daniell, will receive $100 to go toward art supplies.

This year’s competition in the 8th District featured more than 60 finalists, whose work is now on display at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd) through June 17. Though the district also includes parts of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax County, 37 of the finalists were from Arlington high schools. That includes 3 from the Arlington Career Center, 6 from H-B Woodlawn, 6 from Wakefield, 8 from Washington-Lee, and 14 from Yorktown.

The winners of the competition were judged by arts professionals from the Arlington Arts Center.

Certain photos courtesy the office of Rep. Jim Moran, as noted

1/18

Pence’s Arlington Home Causing Indiana Election Flap

By Katie Pyzyk

An election battle is brewing in Indiana over Rep. Mike Pence’s home in Arlington.

The Republican congressman is running for governor in his home state of Indiana. According to The Journal Gazette — a publication in Fort Wayne, Ind. — accusations are flying due to Pence’s house in the Williamsburg neigborhood.

His Democratic opponent, John Gregg, claims Pence spends too much time in the D.C. area and not enough time in Indiana. Gregg acknowledges that Pence is a legal resident of Indiana, but believes his time living in Arlington may have caused him to become out of touch with Indiana residents.

The article quotes Gregg as saying, “It’s a question of whether or not they’ve gone Washington with them being out there.”

Although he hasn’t offered a specific breakdown of how much time he spends in each location every year, it’s common knowledge in political circles that Pence’s family lives in Arlington while Congress is in session. His two younger children attend school in Arlington, and his oldest attends Purdue University in Indiana.

Pence, who has been in Congress since 2000, bought his house in Arlington in 2002 for almost $400,000. Currently, records show the property to be assessed at nearly $620,000.

Photo via Google Streetview

Moran Introduces Autism Legislation That Could Benefit Arlington Schools

By ARLnow.com

Rep. Jim Moran (D) introduced legislation today that would provide funding to schools for additional training for teachers who work with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

At a press conference this morning, Moran was joined by officials from Arlington Public Schools, along with several Arlington parents of autistic children. The bill — the “AUTISM Educators Act” — could specifically benefit Arlington schools, where more than 10 percent of the special education population has been diagnosed with ASD, according to Moran’s office.

From a press release:

Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, today introduced legislation, the “Autism Understanding and Training In School Methodologies for Educators Act of 2012,” or the “AUTISM Educators Act,” to establish a pilot program to train teachers who work with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Moran was joined at the bill announcement by original cosponsor Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) parents, children with ASD, and local officials from Arlington County and City of Alexandria Public Schools.

“This legislation is the product of a grassroots effort by parents, instructors, school officials and caring communities,” said Rep. Moran. “Autism Spectrum Disorders are being diagnosed at an exploding rate. We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to provide the best education for our children.”

Autism Spectrum Disorder is now the fastest growing serious developmental disorder in the United States, increasing the number of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) taken out of special education and placed in mainstream classrooms.

Moran’s legislation will create a five-year grant program to allow local school systems to partner with experienced university or non-profit programs to establish a training program for general education teachers who have large numbers of HFA students. The programs will also incorporate parental involvement and retention of skilled educators.

The AUTISM Educators Act has received endorsements from a wide range of organizations including Autism Speaks, the Arlington County School Board and Arlington Special Education Parent Teacher Association.

“Congressman Moran’s bill will provide much needed funding for local school districts as they strive to meet the needs of the growing population of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In Arlington, as across the nation, we have seen a significant increase in the number of students with ASD: from 100 students in 2003 to more than 350 students this year with ASD,” said Abby Raphael, Chair of the Arlington County School Board. “Providing general education classroom teachers and others with additional training is essential to ensuring that students with ASD are successful. The Arlington School Board appreciates Congressman Moran’s leadership and recognizes the work of our very active parent community in working with him, which has resulted in this important legislation.”

In March the Centers for Disease Control released a new study citing the growing rate of ASD. One in 88 children in the United States are diagnosed with ASD before their eighth birthday. Boys are five times more likely as girls, with one in 54 diagnosed with ASD.

“Congressman Jim Moran has brought renewed hope to families across Arlington who have a child on the autism spectrum,” said Alex Arriaga, Arlington resident and parent of a child on the spectrum. “The AUTISM Educators Act of 2012 can help bring essential training to classrooms across the country, improving the outcomes for students on the autism spectrum and making it more likely that they can fulfill their great potential.”

The targeted pilot program would be available only to schools with high incidences of ASD; qualifying school systems must have 10 percent or more of the special education population diagnosed with ASD.

Morning Poll: Accelerated Withdrawal from Afghanistan?

By ARLnow.com

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) took to the House floor yesterday to call for an accelerated drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

“The time to accelerate our withdrawal from Afghanistan has arrived,” said Moran, a senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “Afghanistan is not a threat to the United States — Osama bin Laden is dead and there are fewer than 50 al Qaeda operating along the border with Pakistan.”

Moran then referenced a week-long trip he took to the Afghanistan/Pakistan region last month.

“My recent trip to the region reaffirmed my belief that every day our brave men and women in uniform remain in Afghanistan is another day they risk their lives for an undeserving cause,” Moran said. “Our military has undertaken a valiant fight to do what we have asked them to do, we have a responsibility to make sure no lives are lost in vain. Ultimately, Afghanistan’s future will be determined by Afghans, not Americans.”

Yesterday the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan told Congress that the existing timetable to withdraw troops from the county is still on track, despite recent setbacks like the killing of 16 Afghan civilians by a rogue U.S. soldier.

As it stands now, 23,000 of the 90,000 troops in Afghanistan are scheduled to come home by the end of September, with a complete withdrawal by December 2014. Do you agree with Rep. Moran that the timetable for withdrawal should be accelerated?


View More Stories