Experienced and Effective Leadership
Senator Kennedy’s illness gives us all pause to hold those we love a little closer. We never know what the fates have in store for us. All we can do is do our best. Sen. Kennedy has given this country his best. I pray for his recovery and strength for his family.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our event yesterday! The weather wasn’t perfect, but our host and my good friend Mohammad Sheikh throws a great party - the food alone more than made up for the rain. Count Senators George Barker and Creigh Deeds, Delegates Paul Nichols and Steve Shannon, and Russell County Supervisor Jon Bowerbank among those who couldn’t resist a fresh-cooked kabob.
For Release: May 12, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
703-537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org
Byrne: “It’s time to end waste, fraud, and abuse in defense contracting”
On Monday, May 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., the Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold an oversight hearing on waste, fraud and corruption in Iraq. The following is a statement from Leslie Byrne, Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 11th District, on ending the abuses in Iraq contracting.
“I am encouraged to see the Senate Democrats take the lead on investigating the impact of waste, fraud and abuse on our efforts to end the bloodshed in Iraq. And I’m outraged that there is a need for such an oversight hearing. American taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for unethical defense contractors who want to bolster their bottom lines at our expense.
“The American people are being asked to continue spending billions, perhaps even trillions, on the war and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, and far too much of that money has been disappearing. According to a report from the Government Accountability Office, approximately $10 billion has already been lost — $4.9 billion through contract overpricing and waste.
“The Iraq War has cost over $456 billion through fiscal year 2007. Taxpayers in Virginia’s 11th congressional district will pay $2.1 billion of the total Iraq War spending approved to date. For the same amount of money, we could have provided 592,123 people with health care or paid 30,786 new elementary school teachers. We also could have hired 33,420 port container inspectors or 45,160 public safety officers, doing much more to actually promote our national security.
“No more swindling of the American taxpayer. It’s time to end the waste, fraud, and abuse in defense contracting. I wholeheartedly endorse the War Profiteering Prevention Act. In the event that it is not approved by the Senate, I will actively work to pas it again in the 111th Congress.
“The people of the Virginia 11th deserve a representative they can trust, and who is free of any conflict of interest, to see this fight through. I’ve been publicly opposed to the Iraq War since the very beginning, and as a signatory to the Responsible Plan to End the War I am part of a coalition with practical ideas on how to heal the wounds our invasion has caused. Throughout my years in the House of Delegates, the State Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives, I have never been afraid to stand up for what I believe. After years of public service, Northern Virginians know I can be trusted to do what’s right.”
To view Policy Committee chairman Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)’s statements on the hearing, CLICK HERE.
For Release: May 1, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
703-537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org
Leslie Byrne outlines plan for peace in Iraq
Former Congresswoman was one of first to speak out against war
Fairfax, VA– On the fifth anniversary of “Mission Accomplished,” former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne released her plans for ending the quagmire in the Middle East. She is calling for the swift withdrawal of all of our troops and a new diplomatic and economic offensive in the region.
“For five years, we’ve pursued military options. The current policy has cost more than 4,000 American lives and as many as one million Iraqis their lives. Today we’re no closer to a stable democracy in the region. It’s time to give diplomacy a chance,” she said.
Byrne was among hte earliest to sign onto “A Responsible Plan To End the War in Iraq,” which lays out a path to peace through diplomacy and cooperative effort. More than 50 other candidates for Congress and some of our nation’s leading military experts have now endorsed this plan.
“With so many members of the new Congress in agreement on how to repair the damage, we’ll be able to start making progress immediately. We can’t afford to waste any more time dithering about the correct path, and with the ‘Responsible Plan,’ we won’t have to,” Byrne said.
Byrne has been publicly opposed to the war from the very beginning, joining 75 other former congressmen in calling on President Bush to put more effort into diplomacy before the invasion took place. Her leadership on this issue has earned her the endorsements of Senator Jim Webb and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus.
“It was clear to me in 2003 that the White House was rushing to war, and I said so publicly at that time. I’m the only candidate in this race who had the judgment and leadership to take that step,” Byrne said.
Leslie Byrne is a former member of Congress who has fought for economic and social justice in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate, and as the Consumer Advocate of the United States under former President Bill Clinton. She and her husband Larry have two grown children and two grandchildren, all living in Northern Virginia.
Byrne’s full plan for ending the war can be found online at http://www.lesliebyrne.org/issues_iraq.php.
And to think, now we’re only 22 days away from the primary!
This is a decisive moment in this race. We are now less than five weeks away from Primary Day, and we’re working harder than ever.
Life at Byrne Campaign HQ has never been busier or more exciting. We’re out knocking on doors and meeting new supporters every day. In a race where every vote really will count, we’re taking the campaign right to the heart of the community and its working.
As the campaign picks up momentum heading towards the June 10th primary, the endorsements keep rolling in. State senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke) has come on board in support of his former colleague, and Fairfax City school board member Janice Miller will be backing Leslie.
Organized labor has continued to line up behind the campaign, as the Utility Workers Union, the Plasterers and Cement Workers Local 891, and the national organization of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have recognized Leslie’s longtime commitment to Fair Trade and fair treatment for working people. That brings our total union endorsements to 23 – dynamic unions all. We greatly appreciate their support and their willingness to get out there and bring this race home for Leslie Byrne.
Leslie has been able to outshine her opponents at forums held by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the Democratic Women of Clifton and on Kojo Nnamdi’s “The Political Hour,” highlighting her experience as an effective advocate for Northern Virginia.
Voters around the 11th have been buzzing about our last two mailings, which emphasized Leslie’s courage in speaking out against the invasion of Iraq early in 2003. We’ve just released her full plan for bringing our troops home and ending the conflict. Leslie Byrne is part of a group of more than 50 congressional candidates who have endorsed the acclaimed “Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq,” a proposal by military experts on how we can use diplomacy and economics to stop the bloodshed and make sure America doesn’t travel down this road again. She’s made it clear that she won’t back down from making the hard choices required to get us out of that quagmire.
Leslie is the undisputed darling of the Virginia Netroots, and the only candidate in this race with the support of the national progressive blogosphere—an important factor going into the general election in November. As one of the districts most likely to go red to blue in 2008, the eyes of much of the country—and certainly the progressive blogosphere— will be on Virginia’s 11th District this fall. We’re excited and proud to be in a position to rally the troops and work with the Netroots to ensure a Democratic victory in November.
There is no mystery as to why so many of the voters Virginia’s 11th Congressional District are coming on board – We’ve had the strongest presence of any candidate in the race. But we’re not taking anything for granted, and with 34 days to go there’s no slowing down now. We’ll be going to door-to-door, making phone calls, putting up yard signs, and writing letters every day until June 10th, and we’d love to have your help.
Please give us a call at 703-537-0470 or stop by the office at 11216 Waples Mill Road in Fairfax if you’re interested. We hope to see you down here soon.
Sincerely,
Joe Fox
Campaign Manager
Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for the honor of being a Mom. When my children were little, they made handmade cards (many of which I still have) with little scrawls in crayon saying “I love you, Mom”. Of course, my heart would melt.
Like most Mothers (and Dads) I would do anything to allow these kids to grow to their full potential. Now I’m a grandmother and have those same feelings about my grandchildren. I want them to have secure jobs, affordable and accessible health care, educational opportunity. In other words, peace and prosperity for all our children. I think that is worth fighting for, now and in the future.
Now if you will excuse me, I have to call my Mom (that’s her below).
Today, I got news that the American Postal Workers Union has endorsed our campaign for Congress. I was also notified that our friends at Northern Virginia Branch 3520 of the National Association of Letter Carriers have endorsed me. I welcome them and their families to our campaign. “Neither rain, snow or dark of night” will keep them from their appointed rounds and voting on June 10th!
Last Friday our friends in the labor movement gave me a nice surprise when I walk into the Sheraton Hotel in Tysons Corners. This welcoming committee was organized by CWA, a very dynamic union in Virginia. I was also notified that the Utility Workers Union of America were endorsing me for the 11th District. This brings our union endorsements to 23! They are ready, willing and able to do what they do best–organize.
Saturday, I spent two hours fielding very good questions from the Progressive Democrats of America chapter here in Northern Virginia. We talked about the Iraq occupation, health care, the economy, energy independence and many other issues. Afterward I was notified of their unanimous endorsement. I welcome the intelligence and hard work that PDA exhibits in every campaign for which they work.
The Democratic Women of Clifton hosted a candidates forum Sunday afternoon and Leslie Byrne reminded people why she’s the best candidate in the race: From her staunch opposition to the War in
This was the second formal candidates forum of the campaign, but the first one with all four Democratic candidates. The first one, sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, can be viewed here, and at both, Leslie displayed the strength of character and thoughtful resolve that have made her so effective everywhere she has served. And in both cases, those in attendance couldn’t help but be impressed with Leslie’s honest appraisal of the critical issues our government faces and her thoughtful solutions.
Today, about fifty people listened as all four candidates answered questions on
Regards,
Joe Fox
Byrne for Congress
Two days ago, Senate Republicans killed the Equal Pay Bill, which would have undone the Supreme Court’s goofy decision in a case last term called Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Lily Ledbetter sued Goodyear for sex discrimination because she earned less than men in similar positions—which she proved in court. But on appeal, the Supreme Court found that Ledbetter’s suit was too late, by setting the clock according to Ledbetter’s first unfairly low pay check, rather than the ongoing low salary she continued to receive years later. It didn’t matter when she found out she was being shortchanged the court ruled—only when Goodyear started doing so. The court basically said, “Tough Cookies” Ledbetter didn’t know she was being discriminated against. So the House of Representatives passed a bill to undo this wrong (225-119 with Tom Davis voting against it). The bill then went to the Senate where Republicans invoked the rule that requires a super majority of sixty votes to pass instead of the normal 51 votes.
As someone who has worked for equal pay for equal work for years, it astounds me that we are still working for this principle. I will continue to fight for this legislation in the next Congress.