By Aaron Richardson-Talk Radio News Service

The Republican Study Committee (RSC) introduced the formation of the Sunset Caucus today. Rep Tom Price (R-Ga.), the Chairman of the Republican Study Committee described the Sunset Caucus as “A new inititive that will continue to bring sensibility to Washington spending.” The Sunset Caucus is made up of Republican House Representatives from across the U.S. including Kevin Brady (R-Texas) who is the co-chairman, and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va).

The members of the Sunset Caucus plan to review certain federal programs and end those deemed wasteful, inefficient, or dangerous. Goodlatte named one program he was anxious to cut.

“The visa lottery program was established in 1990 and awards approximately fifty-thousand permanent resident visas to foreign nationals each year. The State Department’s Inspector General has testified that this program poses a serious national security threat to the U.S,” said Goodlatte.

Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) spoke about against funds going towards the island nation of Palau.

“Our government pledged $200 million in development assistance to Palau. That comes to $12 million per individual detainee. That’s $200 million equals the annual college tuition for over 2,000 students,” Posey stated. “The new slogan for Palau will be: Come tan with the terrorists and pay low.”

For information about the RSC or the Sunset Caucus visit www.rsc.price.house.gov

Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) explains that a new scholarship is named for Gunnery Sergeant John D. Fry. Sergeant Fry heroically disarmed hundreds of bombs in Iraq. His was one of the most dangerous jobs in the service. (1:16)

 

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By Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

The Presidents of General Motors and Chrysler, the two auto-giants that recently declared
bankruptcy, appeared before Congress Friday to defend their decision to close down several hundred dealerships.

“Today’s automotive industry cannot support the number of dealers currently in the market place,” said Chrysler President James Press during his testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. “The old Chrysler dealer network is not profitable and not viable.”

Press expects that closing down the dealerships will save the company $3 billion.

The nation-wide streak of shut-downs, which has been slammed by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) as having ‘zero’ economic benefit, came as a result of Chrysler and GM’s plan to redevelop their distribution network. The company will then presumably be in a key position to take their respective next steps. Chrysler is set to continue production under European auto-maker Fiat while the U.S. government will essentially own the majority of GM.

Chrysler is planning on closing 789 of their franchises. GM is set to close at least 1000 dealerships, although it has recognized appeals from 45 individual franchises. Chrysler has no such appeal process.

A handful of auto-dealers appeared before the subcommittee to voice their concerns over the shut-downs.

“I adamantly believe my constitutional rights have been violated. I think I am a victim of an illegal taking…I am hurt. I feel violated,” said Frank Blankenbeckler, the dealer principal of Carlisle Chevrolet-Cadillac.

Blankenbeckler was visibly choked up and at points appeared to be holding back tears.

A number of auto-dealers used their testimony to announce their support of the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009, which if passed will effectively halt the closings.

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Dick Gephardt former Democratic majority leader of the U.S. House of the Representatives and founder and the president of the Council for American Medical Innovation discusses the importance of placing a higher value on science education and innovation. He says science was considered a cool thing when the U.S. first began space exploration and we have to make it cool again. (0:29)

 

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Talk Radio News Service White House Correspondent Victoria Jones speaks with Bill Lake, the Digital TV Coodinator for the Federal Communications Commission. Bill has all the information on what folks need to do to prepare for the impending transition from analog to digital television service. (7:38)

 

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John Doll, Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, talks about young students’ better grasp of intellectual property at the national K-12 science fair ExploraVision (0:18).

 

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TRNS Managing Editor Victoria Jones speaks with Anita Sharma with the United Nations Millennium Campaign about what her organization is doing to combat world poverty. (11:31)

 

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TRNS Managing Editor Victoria Jones speaks with Chris de Bono with UNICEF about ways in which his organization is providing humanitarian aid around the globe. (9:28)

 

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TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Peter Laarman with Progressive Christians United about what his organization is doing to help Americans prevent foreclosures at the grassroots level. (6:56)

 

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TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner speaks with The American Prospect Co-Founder Robert Kuttner about his latest editorial column entitled, “Tough Love For Obama.” (6:57)

 

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