Health Care Legislation

H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, has been introduced and is currently under consideration in committee.

Go to HR 3200 to see the complete bill text on THOMAS, the Library of Congress Web site.

A vote on this legislation is expected in September.

What’s New – 12th District

FEMA DENIES INDIVIDUAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COUNTIES, COSTELLO URGES APPEAL
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today expressed frustration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny the state of Illinois’ application for individual disaster assistance for counties in Southern Illinois affected by a serious storm on May 8. — Read more ->

COSTELLO URGES PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DECLARE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COUNTIES A FEDERAL DISASTER AREA
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today urged President Obama to immediately consider Governor Quinn’s request that Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Randolph, Saline and Williamson counties in Southern Illinois be declared a federal disaster area.— Read more ->

COSTELLO ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ART COMPETITION
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced the winners of this year’s 12th Congressional District High School Art Competition.— Read more ->

For details on the Congressional Art Competition go to my Art Competition page.

COSTELLO APPLAUDS GOVERNOR FOR DECLARING COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS A STATE DISASTER AND PLEDGES HIS SUPPORT
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-12) applauds Governor Quinn for his quick action for declaring Franklin, Jackson and Williamson counties a state disaster area.— Read more ->

What’s New – Press

Here are press releases of more general interest throughout our district. Visit my Press page for a list of all my press releases.

DAN SIMMONS, PRESIDENT OF UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1899, TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL STEEL CAUCUS
United Steelworkers Local 1899 President Dan Simmons testified today before the Congressional Steel Caucus at a hearing on the state of the U.S. steel industry.— Read more ->

COSTELLO: “WE WERE RIGHT, BUSH DECISION ON FUTUREGEN WAS WRONG”
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), who was outraged when the Bush Administration pulled the plug on the FutureGen project in December 2007 after years of planning and spending millions of dollars, said a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today confirms that the Bush administration’s decision was not based on cost.— Read more ->

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S JOINT SESSION ADDRESS
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress tonight:— Read more ->

What’s New – DC

COSTELLO INTRODUCES BILL TO FREEZE FLOOD INSURANCE RATES
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) has introduced legislation, H.R. 3415, that would prevent changes to the current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps from being implemented in areas where there is an active effort underway to fix levees.— Read more ->

COSTELLO INTRODUCES AVIATION SAFETY BILL
U.S. Congressman Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, today led a bipartisan group of legislators in introducing H.R. 3371, The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009.— Read more ->

COSTELLO VOTES NO ON CAP AND TRADE BILL
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today voted against H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, when it was considered by the full House of Representatives.— Read more ->

HOUSE COMMITTEES APPROVE SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE PROJECTS
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the House Armed Services Committee and the House Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee have approved projects for Scott Air Force Base.— Read more ->

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEWS REGIONAL AIRLINE PILOT TRAINING, RELATIONSHIP WITH MAJORS AND INDUSTRY SAFETY
The House Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing today to examine a variety of issues brought to the forefront by the February 12, 2009, crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York.— Read more ->

Visit my Aviation Subcommittee page for more information on the subcommittee.

News You Can Use

DTV CONVERSION

On Friday, June 12, over the air television broadcasts began transmitting only in digital formats.
Visit my DTV Conversion page to see what this may mean to you and what your options are.

H1N1 Flu
We have now seen that the H1N1 flu is similar in severity and mode of transmission to the regular, seasonal flu. It is still a serious health concern that is being tracked by national and international health organizations. Please visit my H1N1 Flu page for the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.