April 12, 2007
04.12.07 Housing for Homeless Veterans
Senator Obama discusses the Homes for Heroes Act, a bill that would expand housing and rental assistance for homeless veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that approximately 200,000 adult veterans live on the streets or in shelters on any given day, and nearly twice as many are homeless at some point during the year.
March 22, 2007
03.22.07 Dignity for Our Wounded Warriors
Senator Obama discusses the serious problems uncovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the need to ensure the men and women recovering at military hospitals across the world get the best care we can offer.
January 31, 2007
01.31.07 Iraq War De-escalation Act
Senator Obama discusses legislation he introduced yesterday: the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007.
"This plan would not only place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and stop the escalation, more importantly, it would begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces with the goal of removing of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008 - consistent with the expectations of the bipartisan Iraq study group that the President has so assiduously ignored."
January 8, 2007
01.08.07 Ethics Legislation: A Chance to Change the Game
Senator Obama discusses the need for new ethics legislation with the start of the 110th Congress.
"On Election Day, the American people sent a clear message to Washington: Clean up your act.
After a year in which too many scandals revealed the influence special interests wield over Washington, it's no surprise that so many incumbents were defeated and that polls said "corruption" was the grievance cited most frequently by the voters."
January 3, 2007
01.03.07 Against an Escalation in Iraq
Senator Obama discusses President Bush's plan to escalate the Iraq war with a so-called "surge" of troops. By doing so, the President would be overriding the expressed concerns of Generals on the ground, Secretary Powell, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and the American people.
December 7, 2006
12.07.06 Iraq Study Group
Senate Obama discusses the Iraq Study Group report that was just released and his own thoughts on how to move forward in Iraq. You can read the speech he gave in November to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs here.
November 15, 2006
11.15.06 Senate Democratic Majority
Senator Obama discusses the new Senate Democratic majority and upcoming legislation, including an increase in the minimum wage, implementing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and a real energy policy.
September 26, 2006
09.26.06 Transparency Act and Chemical Plant Security
Senator Obama discusses the "Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act" being signed in to law today, as well as the chemical plant security legislation agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators last week that is far too weak and fails to adequately protect American lives.
September 20, 2006
09.20.06 Energy Independence Speech - MoveOn Progressive Vision Series
Senator Obama delivered this speech to 700 students of Georgetown University today as part of the MoveOn Progressive Vision series.
"In the middle of the Cold War, we built a national highway system so we had a quick way to transport military equipment across the country. When we wanted to beat the Russians into space, we poured millions into a national education initiative that graduated thousands of new scientists and engineers. If we hope to strengthen our security and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, we can offer no less of a commitment to energy independence."
September 14, 2006
09.14.06 Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill
Senator Obama discusses the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill, which creates a public searchable website of all federal spending. This will allow the American people to find out where their tax dollars are going. It's been passed by both the House and the Senate and the President has indicated he'll sign it in to law, possibly next week.
September 6, 2006
09.06.06 Africa Trip Recap
Senator Obama just returned from a 15-day trip to Africa where he visited South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad. He discusses his tour of Robben Island prison, meeting with U.S. troops, visiting refugee camps of those fleeing the genocide in Darfur and the need for addressing Africa's growing AIDS epidemic.
July 27, 2006
Partnership for Public Service: Q and A with Tim Russert
Yesterday, Senator Obama took part in a question and answer session hosted by Meet the Press host Tim Russert at the Warner Theatre in downtown Washington. It was part of the fourth annual summer intern event sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service.
Senator Obama talks about how he got his start in public service and the need for young people to get involved with their government.
For more information on the Partnership for Public Service, please visit www.ourpublicservice.org.
July 20, 2006
Fuel Economy Reform Act
The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 seeks to break the decades-long logjam on increasing fuel economy standards by taking a new, more flexible approach. Learn more about the bill.
July 13, 2006
Homeland Security Appropriations
Senator Obama discusses the Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
"Common sense dictates that the areas at greatest risk deserve our greatest attention, but unfortunately, too many in Congress are focused more on political handouts than strategic funding. The Senate will likely again vote down legislation I cosponsored to make homeland security funding more risk based."
June 28, 2006
Call to Renewal Keynote
Senator Obama spoke at the Call to Renewal Conference sponsored by Sojourners earlier to day. He spoke of the role of religion in politics.
"This is why, if we truly hope to speak to people where they're at - to communicate our hopes and values in a way that's relevant to their own - we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse.
Because when we ignore the debate about what it means to be a good Christian or Muslim or Jew; when we discuss religion only in the negative sense of where or how it should not be practiced, rather than in the positive sense of what it tells us about our obligations towards one another; when we shy away from religious venues and religious broadcasts because we assume that we will be unwelcome - others will fill the vacuum, those with the most insular views of faith, or those who cynically use religion to justify partisan ends.
June 22, 2006
Senate Iraq Resolutions
The Senate is debating two resolutions on Iraq this week. Senator Obama discusses his support for the Levin amendment.
"Despite the fact that there have been some differences within the Democratic party, there is unity at this point that we need to bring our troops home as quickly as possible and that the Bush administration's simple-minded refrains of "we know best" and "stay the course" are simply not acceptable. It's not acceptable to conduct a war where our goals and strategies drift aimlessly regardless of the cost in lives or dollars spent. And that is where the Democrats are absolutely unified. That the Administration has not only poorly conceived this war but also poorly managed this war."
June 15, 2006
Katrina Reconstruction Contracts/US toll in Iraq at 2,500
Senator Obama discusses the amendment he and Senator Coburn will offer to the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization bill which would require that all Federal contracts in excess of $500,000 for Katrina reconstruction be competitively bid. Also, the Senate takes a moment of silence to mark the passing of 2,500 American service men and women in Iraq.
June 8, 2006
Network Neutrality
Senator Obama discusses Senators Snowe and Dorgan's legislation to protect network neutrality on the internet.
"It is because the Internet is a neutral platform that I can put out this podcast and transmit it over the Internet without having to go through any corporate media middleman. I can say what I want without censorship or without having to pay a special charge.
But the big telephone and cable companies want to change the Internet as we know it. They say that they want to create high speed lanes on the Internet and strike exclusive contractual agreements with Internet content providers for access to those high speed lanes.
Everyone who cannot pony up the cash will be relegated to the slow lanes."
Read More
- No Tolls on The Internet - Washington Post
- Foes unite in battle over net neutrality - CNN
- Save the Internet Coalition
May 18, 2006
Honoring Our Commitment to Veterans
Senator Obama discusses the steps he's taken to make sure veterans get the support they've earned for serving their country.
"For decades, Illinois veterans have received less disability pay than they earned simply because of where they live," said Senator Obama. "I strongly encourage veterans who feel like the VA made a mistake in their claim to call 1-800-827-1000 or visit a special website the VA set up at Senator Durbin and my request at: www.vba.va.gov/SpecialOutreach."
Read More
- Obama Helps Springfield Veteran Get $12,500 in Veterans Benefits Back-Pay
- VA Informs Veterans On Low Compensation, Appeals
May 11, 2006
A Real Solution for High Gas Prices
Senator Obama discusses the high price of gasoline and offers steps designed to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and bring down prices for good.
"By now, the only thing as predictable as rising gas prices are the short-term political solutions that come along with them. It seems like every year, as soon as headlines start announcing “Pain at the Pump�? and Americans start emptying their wallets to fill up their tanks, politicians revert to their Rolodex of responses, from tax rebates and tax holidays to investigations into price gouging by oil companies."
May 4, 2006
Immigration Rallies
On Monday, all across the United States, thousands of people attended immigration rallies. Senator Obama talks about the Chicago rally and the status of immigration reform in Congress.
April 27, 2006
Updates on Darfur, Immigration, Gas Prices
Senator Obama talks about the current situation in Darfur and the upcoming Save Darfur rallies, his meeting with President Bush on immigration reform, and finally, the high price of gasoline and the Senate's reaction.
April 20, 2006
Loyola University Town Hall Meeting
During the Senate recess, Senator Obama has been using his time to meet with constituents in Illinois. So far he's held 49 town hall meetings since he took office 16 months ago.
Today's podcast is the audio from the April 10th town hall meeting at Loyola University. Topics include Iraq, energy policy, education, Darfur, and immigration reform. If you're interested in additional information on any of the topics discussed, please use the links below.
Note: Total run time: 65 minutes.
Related information
Energy
Speech:Energy Independence and the Safety of Our Planet
Speech: Energy Security is National Security
Veterans
Issue Paper: Honoring Our Veterans
Darfur
Podcast: Darfur: Current Policy Not Enough
Iraq
Speech: Moving Forward in Iraq
Immigration
Podcast: Immigration Reform
Education
Speech: 21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy
April 5, 2006
Immigration Reform
Senator Obama discusses the debate currently going on in the Senate over comprehensive immigration reform.
"It behooves us to remember that not every single immigrant who came into the United States through Ellis Island had proper documentation. Not every one of our grandparents or great-grandparents would have necessarily qualified for legal immigration. But they came here in search of a dream, in search of hope. Americans understand that, and they are willing to give an opportunity to those who are already here, as long as we get serious about making sure that our borders actually mean something."
March 29, 2006
Improving Chemical Plant Security
Senator Barack Obama will introduce legislation to drastically improve security at our nation’s chemical plants.
"There may be no greater failure of our government than the fact that we have done almost nothing to secure one of America's most vulnerable targets - the 15,000 chemical plants in America," said Obama. "These chemical plants represent some of the most attractive targets for terrorists looking to cause widespread death and destruction."
March 16, 2006
21st Century Schools for a 21st Century Economy
Senator Obama discusses the need for both additional resources and reform in American schools if students are to compete in the 21st century economy. You can read about the legislation he's introduced to create 20 Innovation Districts across the country.
March 1, 2006
Energy Security is National Security
"Our enemies are fully aware that they can use oil as a weapon against America. And if we don't take this threat as seriously as the bombs they build or the guns they buy, we will be fighting the War on Terror for a long long time."
February 15, 2006
Darfur: Current Policy Not Enough
Security and political conditions continue to deteriorate in Darfur. If the United States does not change its approach, an already grim situation is likely to spiral out of control. Senator Obama discusses why this is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also an issue of national security.
Resources
Information and Analysis:
The International Crisis Group's Darfur page brings together their careful analysis, photographs and recommendations for individual action.
Nick Kristof's excellent coverage of the situation in Darfur is archived on his New York Times columnist page.
(NOTE: You need to subscribe to TimesSelect to access these articles.)
Get Involved:
The Genocide Intervention Network and Save Darfur are two (of several) groups that are working to build constituencies in support of action in Darfur.
The International Rescue Committee is just one of the many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with the people of Darfur both within the province and just across the border in Chad
Daily News:
The website of the Sudan Tribune provides daily news and opinion coverage of Darfur from sources around the world.
ReliefWeb is an on-line repository of documentation and information on current humanitarian emergencies and disasters maintained by the UN's Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance and designed to assist the international humantiarian community in effective delivery of emergency assistance. The Sudan pages contain detailed maps, daily wire news stories, UN and NGO reports, and other useful Darfur-related material.
Podcast TranscriptFebruary 9, 2006
Lobbying and Ethics Reform
Senator Obama discusses legislation he has introduced to help increase transparency and accountability in government and help clean up Washington.
January 31, 2006
Supreme Court Nomination of Samuel Alito
Later this morning the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. Senator Obama discusses his decision to vote against the confirmation.
Related: Obama to Vote No on the Nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court
Podcast Transcript
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