By Kevin McCarty
June 28, 2010

In his remarks at the June 11 luncheon session, Representative Chaka Fattah (PA), Chair of the Congressional Urban Caucus, reported on key Conference priorities before Congress. On the EECBG program, Fattah said, "When we started on this road, there were not a lot of people on our side. But because of your success with the $3.2 billion [in EECBG funding] and because of the success all around the country, Members of Congress are excited, and Members of the Senate." Pledging his continued support of the Conference in its work with the Secretary of Energy, he added, "We have made major progress with the Department of Energy."

"But there is more work to be done. We have to deal with the question of jobs. Chairman Miller has laid out a bill, and I worked with him on this bill to allow you to make direct hires in needed areas, not just in terms of first responders (e.g., fire and police). We have a piece of legislation now moving in the process but it is not all of what we want. We have to keep working to improve it," he said.

Delivering a message on behalf of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Fattah said, "She is committed to working with you to complete our agenda. We have had some major success, and we are going to build on that as we go forward."

In discussing pending energy and climate legislation, he said, "We are going to make sure that the energy block grants are part of this bill before it becomes the law of the land."