CONGRESS HAS RECESSED UNTIL SEPT. 3 - AND LOOK WHAT THEY'VE LEFT UNDONE…

No Agreement on a Prescription Drug Benefit - The House and U.S. Senate could not come to an agreement on a plan to help our seniors pay for prescription drugs. Watch for this to be a campaign issue if it is not done before the fall elections.

Patients' Rights Legislation is left Undone - Congress has not yet reached an agreement on Patients' Bill of Rights. We must continue to work towards a real patients' bill of rights.

Social Security - No one is talking about privatization anymore due to the downturn of the economy. Since this issue hasn't been addressed, it looks like it won't be until after the November elections.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - (TANF) is due to expire December 31st, and Congress has yet to agree on a plan to help the most in need.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ECONOMY
Sluggish economy, record stock market losses, corporate scandals, government policies that cater to the rich and make middle class pay the bill.
It's time that we send the message to Washington that this country is heading in the wrong direction. Take a moment and write or call your U.S. Senator and Congressman and tell them we don't need to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, and we don't need new tax cuts.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE

Generic Drug Reform Bill - A bill proposed by our Senator Charles Schumer passed the Senate last week, which will help fight for affordable prescription drugs. It will help to bring generic prescription drugs to the market place at a more affordable cost to seniors. Stay tuned for the next hurdle in the House of Representatives.

KUDO'S

• Rutha Bush, Region 1
• Patricia Metzger, Region 2
• Debbie Downey, Region 3
• Maggie McCafferty, Region 4
• Lori Nilsson, Region 5
• Marie Prince, Region 6
• Anne Maywalt, PEOPLE Representative for the Retiree Division

WHY PEOPLE?
PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) is our federal political action program. PEOPLE is your voice in Washington D.C.
We fight for better wages, job security, safe workplaces, health care, social security and making sure we get our fair share of the federal budget for programs for our members. JOIN PEOPLE TODAY!
Call the Political Action Department at 1-800-342-4146 ext 1404 for more information.