Head down to SoNo on Saturday for a block party celebrating 100 days till the November election at SoNo’s Barcelona on North Main Street. You can even meet Congressman Himes too.

The details:

Saturday July 24th

2:30 – 4:30 pm

Barcelona at 63 North Main Street, Norwalk 06854

from a press release:

Himes Helps Craft and Pass Legislation to Rein in Wall Street, Protect Consumers

Wall Street Reform ends taxpayer funded bailouts, protects consumers and investors, increases transparency

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today helped pass legislation to end taxpayer bailouts of big banks, protect consumers and investors, and increase transparency in the American financial system.  The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act addresses the root causes of the economic crisis, which cost 8 million jobs and $17 trillion in savings, to help ensure we never again face the near collapse of the national economy.

“Families in Connecticut and across the country lost their homes, their jobs, and their retirement savings as a result of the financial crisis,” said Himes.  “We learned the hard way that what happens on Wall Street affects everyone’s economic livelihood, and this legislation will restore our financial security and faith in the system.”

The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will end the concept of “too big to fail” so that taxpayers will never again be asked to bailout irresponsible private companies.  The bill creates a process to shut down large, failing firms whose collapse would put the entire economy at risk. This program will operate much like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the organization that manages the seamless restructuring and sale of failing local banks.

“Lax regulation allowed big firms to make risky bets and offer loans to people who couldn’t pay them back,” said Himes. “These reforms will put rules in place to monitor and clamp down on risky behavior that could endanger our financial system.”

For too long, huge markets in complex securities such as derivatives were dangerously opaque and unregulated. This legislation will finally drag into the light of day these risky markets. In its prime, this market was six to ten times the size of the stock market. Himes worked hard to ensure that Wall Street Reform would hold derivatives dealers to strict standards while protecting end users like farmers and manufacturing companies that need to insure against risks such as fluctuations in the price of soy beans or foreign currency.

“Our economy thrives when everyone—from consumers and small business owners to large corporations and financial institutions—has access to the necessary information to make smart financial decisions,” said Himes. “Transparency is key to making any market work well. That means consumers need to understand their mortgages, and banks can’t be permitted to hide their riskiest activity from the people whose money they are managing or the regulators trusted with keeping our financial system safe.”

Also key to this reform is the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will unite consumer protection rules under one roof.  Currently, a variety of laws and the authority to enforce them are scattered throughout the regulatory structure, and no single entity determines whether products, features, or practices are unfair, deceptive, abusive, or unsustainable. The creation of the CFPB will, for the first time, establish a regulator tasked with the job of creating and enforcing one comprehensive set of rules to protect consumers.  This consolidated approach will promote honest competition, protect the economy, and most importantly, provide a safety net for consumers.  Moreover, this new agency will ensure that there is a quick response to emerging harmful practices, before they undermine a family’s financial stability or become a systemic risk. To ensure small businesses are able to meet these new requirements without undue burden, Congressman Himes passed an amendment to create an Ombudsperson within the CFPA.

“Wall Street Reform addresses the causes of the financial meltdown while putting in place strong protections to prevent another collapse,” said Himes. “I’m proud to have helped craft this legislation. It will protect consumers, increase transparency, control dangerous risk, and eliminate the possibility that the American taxpayer will ever again be asked to bailout irresponsible private companies.”

The bill has been endorsed by the AARP, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Council of Institutional Investors, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Restaurant Association, Public Citizen, SEIU, and US PIRG, among other organizations. The bill was publicly debated for more than 50 hours, and includes over 70 bipartisan amendments.

from a press release:

Himes Announces $250 Checks for Seniors in Rx Donut Hole Start Tomorrow

Washington, DC –Tomorrow seniors who have fallen into the Medicare Part D “donut hole” coverage gap will begin to receive $250 checks to lower their prescription drug costs, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) reminded constituents. More than 4 million seniors who fall into the donut hole will get checks throughout the rest of the year.

“Helping seniors manage out-of-control prescription costs was one of the biggest accomplishments of health care reform,” said Himes. “These checks could cover a few months of drug costs for some seniors. In combination with the 50 percent discount on brand name drugs, seniors should feel some badly needed relief.”

The first $250 checks are being mailed June 10 to Medicare beneficiaries who entered the Medicare Part D coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole,” in the first quarter of 2010.  The donut hole is the period in the prescription drug benefit in which the beneficiary pays 100 percent of the cost of their drugs until they hit the catastrophic coverage.

Health care reform is improving access to quality, affordable care for seniors across the board. Most importantly, reform reins in drug costs and extends the solvency of Medicare by a dozen years.  Reform will also mean better chronic care for seniors, with doctors coordinating more on treatment, and free preventive care.  It will help more seniors stay in their homes with expanded access to community-based care.  For early retirees, reform means important new benefits to help them and their employer afford coverage. Congress is also working to guarantee seniors can keep the Medicare doctor of their choice.

This morning’s inbox was full of poll press releases. “We gained,” said Malloy’s team. “We’re ahead,” said Lamont’s team. We irrelevant said the missing GOP press releases from Foley’s team. So until the Democratic deathmatch primary occurs in August, or until Mike Fedele figures out he has to er, campaign more visibly, this race is all Lamont promising to be about as effective as Rell has been in creating jobs in Connecticut (really think about it what was that tech company he ran) and Malloy promising to be a different type of candidate.

Continue Reading

from a press release:

Himes’ Government Reform Plan Helps Restore Accountability, Transparency to Congress
Proposal will hold require Members of Congress to play by the same rules as regular citizens, federal employees

NORWALK, CT—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) outlined today at a press conference in Norwalk a set of priorities to restore accountability and transparency to the United States Congress. The plan he spearheaded, supported by a broad coalition of new Members of Congress, puts in place strict rules regarding earmarks, requires better accounting of expenses both from Members’ offices and for congressional travel, and improves transparency across government.

“As elected officials, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard, and that commitment needs to begin in the United States Congress,” said Himes. “For too long, scandals and conflicts of interest have been swept under the rug, and lackluster accountability requirements have left the door open to abuse. I went to Washington to change the way this country is run, and this proposal makes that changes a reality.”

At the press conference, Himes explained that little accounting is required for official trips taken as part of a Congressional Delegation (CODELs). When Himes returned from a trip to Afghanistan for oversight responsibilities associated with his position on the Homeland Security Committee, there were no instructions provided as to how or where to return $400 in per diem funds he did not use. In fact, it took Himes and his staff several weeks and nearly two dozen phone calls to determine the appropriate method to return the funds. Eventually, Himes returned the excess allowance via personal check to the State Department; however, it became evident no clear process was in place to either require or track these remittances.

“If you go on a business trip, you may be given petty cash, but you’re usually required to account for every expense with receipts and reimbursement forms. When you travel with a CODEL,” explained Himes, “not only is no expense reporting required, but there is no system in place to track whether or not you return excess funds. This must change.”

Himes worked with other first-term Members of Congress to craft a set of policy changes that require Members of Congress to play by the same rules one would expect to follow as a regular citizen or federal employee. The polices reduce the influence of campaign contributions on federal funding and ensure that government information—whether from agencies or regarding representatives’ spending—is easily accessible.
The complete package includes changes to:
· Make earmarks more transparent
· Make Members’ expenses more transparent and return any unused funds
· Improve ethics investigations
· Improve public access to vital information
· Reform Congressional travel
· Minimize conflicts of interest and close the revolving door
· Allow more stringent state ethics reforms
· Enact a voluntary small donor campaign funding system

Himes has been committed to improving accountability in Congress since he was sworn into office last year. Beginning with crossing party lines over 10 times to call for ethics investigations into the tie between earmarks and campaign contributions to the strict appropriations policy he adopted in his own office to being among the first lawmakers to return campaign contributions from former Ways & Means Committee Chair Charlie Rangel, Himes has led by example.

“Whether we’re fixing the economy, reforming health care, or seeking federal investment for local projects, the American people need to be able to trust their leaders to act in their best interest,” said Himes. “While we have made some progress in this area, recent events have shown we need to do more. I am committed to restoring that trust.”

A fact sheet with more specific information on the above proposals AND a list of other representatives who have already signed onto the plan follow this release.

from a press release:

Himes Changes House Travel Policy to Save Taxpayer Money

New policy will require Members of Congress to now return excess per diem funds

WASHINGTON, DC�”At the urging of Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), the United States House of Representatives will now require Members of Congress who travel on official business as part of a congressional delegation (CODEL) to return unused per diem funds to the United States Treasury. No clear procedure for remitting unused per diem funds was in place prior to this change.

“We need to tighten up the rules, accounting, and spending throughout government, and that needs to start with the United States Congress. Upon returning from my trip to Afghanistan early this year, I realized clear rules were not in place to handle these matters as they pertain to Congressional travel. I personally raised concerns with the Speaker regarding the lack of rules and am gratified that that they were taken seriously,” said Himes. “These new rules will help ensure the taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for any member or staff’s personal expenses�”we need to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.”

Late last year, Himes participated in a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan in association with oversight related to his position on the Homeland Security Committee. Due to the fact that the trip was conducted by the U.S. Military, Himes did not incur many normal expenses associated CODEL travel, and he returned with nearly $400 in unspent per diem allowance and no clear instructions as to where and how to return unspent funds. Determining the process for and remitting the funds took over a month, and it became clear that no entity was charged with accounting for these type of remittances. Himes immediately contacted House leadership and began working to change the rule.

“Jim Himes is committed to changing the way businesses is done here in Washington,” said Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8). “I appreciate the attention he has given this matter, both in terms of improving accountability for Members of Congress and saving taxpayer dollars.”

from a press release:

Himes Votes to Block 2011 Congressional Pay Raise, Gives Back $90K in Operational Expenses to Taxpayers
Himes continues work to restore fiscal discipline and accountability in Washington

Washington, D.C. � Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today helped pass legislation that will block a previously-set 2011 pay raise for Members of Congress. The legislation is expected to save the taxpayers $1 million, and an identical bill passed the Senate last week. Himes has championed fiscal responsibility and personal accountability for lawmakers throughout his tenure in Congress. In addition to helping block pay raises for lawmakers, Himes returned to the taxpayers $90,000 in 2009 operating expenses for his Washington and Connecticut offices.

“At a time when Connecticut families and businesses are still struggling, I can’t permit a pay raise for Members of Congress,” said Himes. “If this means one more road or school is built or 100 more workers get the unemployment assistance they need, we’ll have made a far better contribution to the economy than putting this money in our own pockets.”

Himes is committed to trimming his own operations in the same way the tough economy is forcing businesses to cut back. Himes returned over $90,000 in operating expenses allotted to staff and support his Congressional offices in 2009. In addition to helping block a Congressional pay raise for next year, Himes supported similar legislation last year that blocked an increase for 2010. Having not been a Member of Congress when the 2009 compensation was determined, Himes donated the cost-of-living increase he received for 2009 to charities in the 4th District.

In addition to tightening spending in his office operations, Himes has fought for measures to restore fiscal and personal accountability throughout Congress. Himes has voluntarily instituted a policy in his office that forbids campaign contributions from entities for which he secures an earmark, and he has frequently crossed party lines to oppose Democratic spending increases or join Republicans in supporting targeted cuts. Himes was among the first lawmakers to return campaign funds from former Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (NY-15). Additionally, he has regularly voted against Democratic Leadership in calling for investigations by the House Ethics Committee.

Himes began his effort to eliminate even the appearance of conflicts of interest during his first month in Congress. The week he was appointed to the Financial Services Committee in 2009, Himes voluntarily completely divested himself of all of his holdings in the financial services industry.

Okay so Jim Himes is opening his campaign headquarters in Bridgeport. Must be a political calculation on being on the ground of getting the vote out in the densest location of true blue Dems. The problem for Himes is that Fairfield County is rife with the opposite of yellow dog Dems, which in political lingo, a Yellow Dog Dem is is someone who would vote for a yellow dog if they were registered as a Democrat. That would mean that the corollary would be the, er, the Pink Elephant Republican, someone who would vote for a pink elephant if it were registered at a Republican, or something like that.

That leaves the vast majority of the 4th Congressional District as hopeful that any candidate for office is neither a pink elephant or a yellow dog.

from a press release:

Himes for Congress Campaign Headquarters Opening!
Monday, May 3
6pm to 8:30pm
350 Fairfield Ave, 4th floor
Bridgeport, CT 06604

The building’s at the corner of Lafayette and Fairfield in downtown Bridgeport.� Feel free to RSVP toteamhimes@himesforcongress.com or 203-450-9395.

We hope to see you at the opening, but there’s plenty of work to do before that – we have to get the office ready to open for business.� If you can spare some time to help put the office together, staff need plenty of volunteers.� We’ll be working the evening of Friday, April 30 from 4pm to 8pm.� If you’re able to drop by for a bit, please shoot a note to�Tom.� We’re also hosting phonebanks all across the 4th District over the next few weeks – if you want to get involved in your town, please email�volunteer@himesforcongress.com.� And there’s plenty of other opportunities to volunteer – tell us what you do best by signing up at�http://www.himesforcongress.com/page/s/volunteer.

By Rep. Jim Himes

Last week at the White House, I sat next to John Lewis, hero of the civil rights movement, and watched the President sign health care reform into law. For Congressman Lewis it was the fulfillment of the promise of a just society for which he was nearly beaten to death in Selma, Alabama in 1965. The President’s signature ushered us into the company of every other industrialized nation on the planet in offering each of our citizens a basic level of healthcare.

It’s odd that this was so controversial. It is a core American value that we defend and protect our own. When terrorists fly planes into our buildings and murder thousands of our innocents, we stop at nothing to find and destroy them. If fire threatens your life or property, we stop at nothing to protect you. If you are assaulted, we never hesitate to send people and equipment to save you.

Previously, if you got breast cancer, kidney disease, or diabetes, you might have gotten help. Maybe—if you were employed and had insurance; were 65 or older and had Medicare; or didn’t have any pre-existing conditions. If not, you, like tens of thousands of other Americans each year, may have died from inadequate access to health care.

I believe that America looks after its own. On values, I believe that America leads, not follows. But not everyone does. Congressman Lewis was taunted with racial epithets as he walked, still bearing the scars of his Selma beating, to the Capitol last week. And now, as we turn the page on a year of consideration and debate, the American people will finally begin to see their health care system change for the better.

Starting right now, our families, small businesses, seniors, and young people will begin to feel the benefits of health care reform. Immediate benefits include a 35% tax credit to small businesses that provide coverage to their employees and a $250 rebate on prescription drugs for seniors paying thousands of dollars for their prescriptions in the “donut hole.”

Other reforms kick in soon. In June, Americans formerly shut out by pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable coverage provided through a high-risk pool. In September, young people up to the age of 26 will be able to join their parents’ health insurance, and health insurance companies will be banned from dropping someone’s coverage when that person gets sick. There will also be no more lifetime or annual caps on expenditures for the exceedingly ill.

Despite the misinformation peddled by opponents of health care reform, this legislation will not harm Medicare. While the opposition outrageously tried to scare our seniors into believing that their benefits would be cut and that they would face “death panels,” the reality is that seniors will now benefit from a more secure Medicare and from the comfort that the donut hole will be completely closed over time. Remember, the AARP, our nation’s lead advocate for our senior citizens, enthusiastically endorsed the reform.

In terms of reducing the out-of-control increases in health care costs, nearly every proven idea for controlling costs is contained in this bill. These include new requirements for insurers to disclose and justify premium increases; the creation of insurance exchanges to promote competition that will result in more competitive rates for coverage; national pilot programs to increase payments for doctors and hospitals who deliver high-quality care at a lower cost; and new incentives for wellness and preventive care. Over time, some of these provisions will lead to much more efficient care.

Finally, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this reform is the largest deficit reduction measure in decades. Over the course of the next 10 years, it will reduce the federal deficit by�$138 billion. In the ensuing decade, that savings grows to over $1 trillion. The CBO is appropriately required to be conservative, and to substantially discount uncertain savings. Because of this policy, nearly $600 billion in savings over the next decade, as estimated by leading Harvard economist David Cutler in the Wall Street Journal, doesn’t show up in CBO’s budget scores. We know—and economists agree—that these cost savings exist.

Like all major change, health reform is not without risk. Some cost savings ideas will fail. The system will be subject to political pressure just as it is today. But the risks associated with maintaining the status quo far outweigh the risks of reform. Health care costs currently consume one in every six dollars we spend. We spend twice per person what the average industrialized country spends with far worse results, the very definition of inefficiency.

Perhaps most importantly, after a century of failed attempts by Presidents going back to Teddy Roosevelt, through Eisenhower, Nixon, and Clinton, we are finally able to offer all Americans access to life-saving medical care. Now, we can say without reservation that we Americans look after our own.

Nothing has changed since the 1920s except maybe there’s more trees, but last week the Danbury News Times reported this curious factoid:

In the 1920s, it took about 42 minutes to ride a train from Danbury to Norwalk.

Now, after eight decades of progress and technological innovation, it takes about 50 minutes.

The report centered on the Congresscritters Jim Himes-D fourth CD, Chris Murphy-D fifth CD, press tour along the line.

“You would think it would be shorter,” said�Dave Hannon, the deputy director of the�Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials last week.

Hannon was among a group of area leaders — includingU.S. Congressmen Chris Murphy and�Jim Himes — who rode the rails last week to promote the need to improve the Danbury-to-Norwalk line.

Better train service, they said — more modern, faster, more frequent — is essential for the region to thrive.

“If we do this right, it can represent a tremendous change for the region,” said Murphy, D-5th District.