Clinton Statement on the Passing of Helen Chavez

On Tuesday, Hillary Clinton released a statement expressing her condolences following the death of activist Helen Chavez. The widow of Cesar Chavez, her and her husband worked to build the farmworkers union and ensure farmworkers were paid and treated fairly. Clinton praised her fight for workers and years of service. A copy of her statement is below:

“Helen Chavez spent her entire life fighting for farmworkers to receive the fair wages and benefits that they deserve. Cesar and Helen’s determination and tirelessness in the face of countless obstacles helped countless workers who wanted nothing more than to be treated with respect and dignity to stand up and fight for their rights. Helen’s drive, her desire to see justice, her indomitable spirit, and above all her love guided Cesar through his years of activism, and her perseverance will never be forgotten. My heart and my prayers go out to the entire Chavez family during this difficult time.”

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News Source: The Los Angeles Times

Hillary Clinton Endorsed by Three California TWU Locals

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton was endorsed by Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Locals 502, 505, and 250-A. Clinton released a statement saying that she is honored to receive the groups’ endorsement. She spoke about the importance of labor unions and ensuring that transportation workers are treated fairly. A copy of Clinton’s statement is below:

“I am honored and grateful to have earned the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union of America Locals 502, 505, and 250-A.

In California and all across the country, the diverse members of the TWU keep our airplanes flying, our trains running, and our buses driving. The members of Locals 502, 505, and 250-A are no exception. They keep passengers and residents alike safe, healthy, and moving every day. In the process, they’ve helped to build the American middle class. And they’ve stood up and demanded the fair treatment and respect that they deserve.

As President, I’ll stand with the workers of Locals 502, 505, and 250-A. I’ll never stop fighting to protect workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. I’ll fight to stop big corporations from padding their bottom lines by cutting workers’ wages and sacrificing health and retirement benefits. And because infrastructure is so vital to our economy, in my first 100 days, I’ll propose the biggest investment in American infrastructure since we built the Interstate Highway System. If I’m elected president, organized labor will always have a champion in the White House and a seat at the table.”

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Hillary Clinton Kicks off “Breaking Down Barriers” Tour in Appalachia

Today, Hillary Clinton began a series of events that she is calling the “Breaking Down Barriers” tour. The goal of the tour is to speak with small groups of voters and get a better understanding of their concerns. During her first event in Ashland, Kentucky, Clinton met with workers at Alma’s Italian Cafe where she outlined her plan to help coal communities. She compared her plan to the “Marshall Plan,” the plan that rebuilt Western Europe following World War II, saying that the three main parts would protect health and pension benefits of miners, research how coal can be a clean part of America’s energy future, and invest in alternative energy. She also spoke about her plans to entice more businesses to keep their manufacturing operations in the United States.

Clinton then traveled to Williamson, West Virginia where she was met by a number of protestors who took issue with recent comments Clinton made about the coal industry. During the event, Clinton apologized for the comments saying that her comments were taken out of context. She said, “What I was saying is that, the way things are going now, we will continue to lose jobs. That’s what I meant to say. I do feel a little bit sad and sorry that I gave folks the reason or the excuse to be so upset with me because that is not what I intended at all.” Clinton visited with miners who have lost their jobs and community leaders who are struggling with unemployed citizens. She vowed to support West Virginia and towns that rely heavily on coal mining for survival even if the state does not support her in the primary or November. Videos from today’s events will be added when/if available.

Meanwhile, fundraisers were being held for Hillary for America across the country. Chelsea Clinton was in Washington, DC where she attended a fundraiser. Also in Washington, DC, Campaign Chair John Podesta attended a fundraiser along with policy advisors Ann O’Leary and Jennifer Klein. In Brookline, Massachusetts, a fundraising event was held at the home of John Reinstein and retired Judge Nancy Gertner. Attending the event was former Attorney General Eric Holder. In Portland, Oregon, Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan and actress Kathleen Turner were on hand to kickoff a phone bank effort.

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News Source: ABC News, The Washington Post, Mother Jones, Lexington Herald-Leader, West Virginia Metro News

Clinton Unveils Plans for VA

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets audience members following a veterans roundtable discussion with the Truman National Security Project at the VFW Hall in Derry, New Hampshire November 10, 2015. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

On Tuesday, Hillary Rodham Clinton attended a round table event with the Truman National Security Project in Derry, New Hampshire. During the event, Clinton outlined her plans to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a department that has been heavily scrutinized for its outdated practices and massive backlog. Clinton said, “These problems are serious, systemic and unacceptable. They need to be fixed and they need to be fixed now.” She made it clear that the VA and its processes would not be privatized, but modernized in a way that honors the commitment of the veterans it serves. Clinton then spoke to veterans in attendance and answered to their questions while listening to their concerns. A video from the event will be posted when/if available.

Clinton’s plan is complex and contains multiple facets. The Clinton campaign released a full outline of the plan, and key points are below. CLICK HERE to read the full plan.

• Ensure that Veterans have access to timely and quality health care
• Create a new framework for heath care delivery by the VHA
  • Refocus as a veteran-centric provider of service-connected care
  • Synchronize and coordinate VHA benefits with other programs
  • Strategically purchase private-sector care
  • Establish a VHA Strategic Oversight and Governance Board
• Ensure better communication between the Department of Defense (DoD) and VA
  • Streamline the DoD-VA health care footprint
  • Synchronize procurement to find cost savings
  • Streamline VA and DoD IT Systems
• Improve healthcare for women at the VHA
  • New funding to ensure women equal and respectful access to health services
  • Requiring the provision of reproductive services
  • Broadening initiatives to provide childcare at VA medical facilities
• End the veteran suicide epidemic
  • Increase funding for metal health providers and training
  • Expand programs targeted at providing effective mental heath treatment
  • Promoter better prescriber and treatment practices
  • Ensure that Military Sexual Trauma is acknowledged as a valid form of PTS
  • Encourage state VA departments to include mental health programs
  • Provide proper legal assistance to review and upgrade other than honorable discharge categorizations for those separated from service due to service-connected mental health and cognitive issues, such as TBI, PTS, and addiction
• Continue to identify and treat invisible, latent, and toxic wounds of war
  • Maintain presumptions of service for latent and invisible connected wounds from the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq war, and Afghanistan war
  • Expand the current VA burn pit registry
  • Dedication research funding and provide mechanisms for collaborative efforts to improve veteran treatments
• End disability benefits and appeals backlog
  • Streamline and simplify the claims process
  • Improve the VA’s partnership with the DoD
  • Launch an Innovation Initiative to develop innovative solutions for sustainably managing the claims and appeals process
• Bring sustained and focused White House leadership to attention
  • Create a standing President’s Council on Veterans
  • Conduct an end-to-end evaluation to optimize the full scope of benefits afforded to our veterans
  • Convene a White House Summit on Veterans
  • Continue to engage private and philanthropic sectors
• Support and broaden initiatives that provide educational benefits, job training, and support for veteran entrepreneurs.
  • Make the post-9/11 GI Bill part of the nation’s social contract with those who serve
  • Expand tax credit for veterans’ employment
  • Improve concurrent certification and credentialing programs
  • Strengthen veteran entrepreneurship programs
  • Create pathways and platforms for service member to enter growing career fields
• Protect veterans
  • Fight back against schools that prey on veterans and the GI Bill
  • Enforce zero tolerance for firms that overcharge service members and veterans
  • Strengthen non-discrimination laws
• Move decisively to end veteran homelessness
  • Increase funding for reducing homelessness while expanding public-private partnerships
  • Expand complementary programs and services
  • Address the needs of homeless women veterans and homeless veteran families
• Support Veterans Treatment Courts nationally
• Recognize the honorable service of LGBT veterans
• Create a culture of accountability, service, and excellence
  • Hold every employee accountable for their performance and conduct
  • Revamp the performance evaluation system
  • Bolster critical whistleblower protections
• Provide budgetary certainty
• Ensure our veterans are buried with the honor, distinction, and integrity they deserve
• Support smart compensation and benefits reform
  • Ensure reforms to military compensation and retirement benefits improve readiness for quality of life
  • Modernize the military health system
• Adopting modern and inclusive personnel policies
  • Attracting millennials to military service
  • Zero-tolerance for Military Sexual Assault and Harassment
  • Welcoming women to compete for all military positions
  • Supporting the DoD policy review on transgender service
• Promote family policies
  • Increase access to child care
  • Create flexibility around military moves
  • Expand military spouse employment initiatives
• Champion efforts to care for our military members and families
  • Ensure continued focus on mental health for military members and their families
  • Remain committed to extended leave policies
  • Continue to support Gold Star Families

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News Source: The Wall Street Journal, The Briefing

Clinton Outlines Climate Plan in Des Moines

In Des Moines, Iowa Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined her plans to combat climate change and invest in clean energy after touring green-certified transit station. In her plan, she called for cutting incentives to oil companies, extending tax credits for clean energy development, and continued investment in solar and wind energy. Clinton indicated that her plan would move the economy toward decarbonization by 2050 and provide enough renewable energy sources to power every American home by 2027.

The plan is ambitious, and she said that in the coming weeks she will outline plans to pay for the changes she is planning on making. She said, “A lot of these changes will pay for themselves. So there will be front-end money needed. But there are ways of making those investments and getting a return on those investments that will redound to the benefits of the American taxpayer. So I will be talking about energy and climate security, modernizing North American infrastructure, about safe and responsible production, especially making sure tax payers get a fair deal for development on public lands and areas that I think are too sensitive for production that should be taken off the table.”

A video from today’s speech will be posted when/if available.

Clinton will attend the National Urban League Convention in Florida later this week. Until then, follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

News Source: Politico (1) (2)

Renew September 11 Health Benefits Event

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke at event working to convince Congress to renew health care benefits for September 11 victims. Clinton spoke in favor of extending the Zadroga Act, which assists those who have health problems related to the September 11 attacks. The programs within the Zadroga Act are set to expire in 2015 and 2016. Immigration protestors outside of the event stole the headlines as they were on hand hoping to question Clinton’s stance on deportation.

The video above is incomplete. A video of her full speech will be posted when/if available.

Video Source: YouTube

News Source: The Hill