TRNS Managing Editor Victoria Jones talks to Pollster James Zogby about how the American public is grading President Obama on his first 100 days+ in office. (7:30)

 

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TRNS Managing Editor Victoria Jones interviews the Rev. Lennox Yearwood from the Hip Hop Caucus about what the Obama administration is doing to increase political awareness in urban communities across the country. (7:50)

 

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U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) points out different events where important documents have been lost by the National Archives. (1:58)

 

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House Minority leader John Boehner (R-OH) discusses about how the knowledge and experience of former Vice-President Dick Cheney “are helpful to the debate.” (0:39)

 

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Attorney General Eric Holder discusses about the offense against Medicare fraud orchestrated by the Justice of Department and the Department of Health and Human Services. (0:26)

 

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By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Energy independence is a must according to United States Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) at his news conference Friday. Stupak introduced revised legislation of the Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices (PUMP) Act that will address excessive energy market speculation and regulation of any future carbon derivatives markets.

“We need the 2009 PUMP Act for two reasons. Number one, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the price of oil and natural gas since the beginning of the year. Secondly, the carbon derivative trading market that’s being proposed…is creating a whole new market,” said Stupak.

The update and revised PUMP Act addresses more current carbon issues and gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) the authority to regulate carbon derivates as an energy commodity. It will also aid in closing the swaps, involving energy transactions loophole, which will eliminate energy transactions to be excluded from the requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Next week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Act will create “an entirely new carbon derivatives market which speculators can manipulate,” according to Congressman Stupak’s office.

Stupak said the carbon derivatives market needs to be “based on a strong regulatory framework.” He also noted that despite the fact that energy costs are down significantly from this time last year, America can not become complacent.”

“I am tired of waiting. We should get it done. I don’t want to create a market and then try to fix the market once it’s functioning. Let’s fix it. Let’s get it frame worked before the market begins,” he said.

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Tony Blair testified Thursday people want a two state solution but simply don’t know how to resolve the well-known issues surrounding it. (1:24)

 

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By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the changes being made to the Department of Justice. The top priority remains to be the safety of the American public but the Department is currently pursuing a very specific set of goals.(0:51)

 

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By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

The Recovery Act is doing just as its name promised, according a press conference Wednesday from the office of Vice President Joe Biden. Biden released his first of a series of quarterly reports to President Barack Obama Wednesday morning.

In an on background conference call, a senior administration official from the Vice President’s Office said the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has shown “early progress providing immediate financial relief for American families.”

The recession has been broad-based, causing unemployment to rise across the country. However, the Recovery Act has been responsible for creation of 150,000 new jobs so far, across all 50 states, including those in areas where it is most needed. “There are programs targeted to specific high unemployment
areas,” the official said.

The report discussions on state fiscal stabilization funds highlights Wisconsin’s application. It is is a good example of how states are “ramping up,” according to the official.

“The report find the anticipated funds are already having an effect on economic and job growth as private sector companies step up to meet expected demand for their projects under the act and state governments adjust their spending plans and they expect to received additional funds,” the
official said.

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

A senior administration official from Vice President Biden’s office discusses how the recession has been broad-based. The Recovery Act’s programs are helping areas that have higher unemployment rates. (0:50)

 

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