Washington, D.C. -  Yesterday, Congressman Joe Donnelly attended a House Agriculture Committee hearing in which he questioned Acting Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Walter Lukken about the role of speculation in driving up the price of a barrel of oil.

“I asked tough questions of Chairman Lukken about speculation’s role in driving up the price of oil,” Donnelly said. “I was looking for answers as to why hard working Hoosiers are suffering more and more at the pump while speculators on Wall Street are artificially driving up the price of a barrel of oil.”

Speculators, by definition, do not produce or use a commodity, but risk their own capital trading futures in that commodity in hopes of making a profit on price changes. As a result, the price of commodities, such as oil, is often not determined solely by supply and demand, but also by abusive or manipulative practices by these speculators. Part of the CFTC’s role is to prevent these types of abusive practices through regulation.

During the hearing, Chairman Lukken agreed with Donnelly that his commission’s ongoing investigation into abusive speculation practices, which was initiated in December 2007, is necessary and important. He also agreed that speculation has become more widespread in recent years.

According to an analysis of CFTC data by the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, speculators have increased their share of oil futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the world's largest physical commodity futures exchange, to 71 percent this year, up from 37 percent in 2000. Over the same time period, contracts held by traditional oil users have fallen to less than 30 percent from more than 60 percent.

Despite Chairman Lukken’s admission that speculation has become more prevalent, he was unwilling to acknowledge that speculation is adding to the cost of a barrel of oil. In response, Donnelly stressed that factors beyond supply and demand are also impacting the price of oil.

Several experts agree that speculation is playing a role in the rising price of oil, including Michael Greenberger, a former Director of the Division of Trading and Markets at the CFTC, who stated in prior congressional testimony that better oversight of trades by speculators could reduce the price of a barrel of oil by as much as $30.

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Indianapolis, IN—Tomorrow, Congressman Joe Donnelly will receive the Department of Indiana Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 2007-2008 Legislator of the Year award for his work on behalf of America’s veterans.  The Indiana VFW did not present the award last year, making Donnelly the first recipient in two years.

“The Indiana VFW performs exceptional service on behalf of Hoosier veterans who have fought and sacrificed abroad for the very freedoms we hold dear as Americans.  As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I have valued their continued advice and guidance during my first term in Congress, and it is my honor to receive the Legislator of the Year award.”

During his tenure in Congress, Donnelly has been at the forefront of veterans issues.  Not only did he help enact the largest funding increase in history for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but he also introduced several pieces of legislation to improve medical care for soldiers with traumatic brain injury and to help disabled veterans more easily access the benefits they’ve earned.

Donnelly also voted to successfully block proposed out-of-pocket price increases for military and veterans health care, supported a pay increase for military personnel, and this week voted with the House of Representatives in passing a long overdue update of the GI Bill to ensure education benefits keep up with the rising costs of a college education.

Finally, Donnelly has helped to expand access to care for Hoosier veterans by working to open the country’s first Veterans Muti-Use Outreach Center in Logansport, which will provide an array of services under the same roof, and a new Community-Based Outreach Clinic in Goshen that is set to open this year.

“The commitment of our men and women in uniform must be matched and repaid by our commitment to them, and by our never forgetting those who have fallen in service for us,” Donnelly added. “I will continue to fight on behalf of all veterans.”

“The Indiana Veterans of Foreign Wars is honored to be presenting the Legislator of the Year award to Congressman Donnelly,” said Thomas V.  Burks II, member of the National Legislative Committee and Chairman of the Indiana VFW. “We want to thank him for his ongoing support of veterans and their needs as they continue with life after their service.”

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Logansport, IN—Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Multi-Use Outreach Center in Logansport. This outreach center, which is currently in a temporary location, is the first of its kind and will provide an array of services to veterans in the Logansport area.

“Ensuring that America’s veterans have top-quality and accessible care and services is one of my top priorities,” Donnelly said. “I fought hard to get this Multi-Use Outreach Center up and running, so our veterans will have access to many of the services they need under one roof.”

The multi-use center is the first veterans center in the country to offer a combination of services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and Vets Center in the same location. Donnelly has been working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to open this center since the spring of 2007.

The VBA will begin providing its services immediately with a benefits counselor available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The VBA counselors will inform veterans of the benefits available to them, assist veterans in filling out applications for VA benefits, and more fully explain VA decisions to them.

The VHA and Vets Center will begin providing their services as soon as they receive the necessary approval from the Veterans Administration. Donnelly has been in close contact with the VA to make sure the necessary approval is granted as soon as possible.

The VHA initially will offer outpatient group therapy twice a month, especially targeting those veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Services likely will be expanded to include other treatments, such as substance abuse counseling. All services will be provided by a clinical psychologist and/or a social worker.  The Vets Center will have a counselor available two days per month to provide psychological assessments and readjustment counseling. 

“I’m pleased that, starting today, area veterans will be able to come to this center for assistance with their benefits,” Donnelly added.  “Over the years, our veterans have served our country and, in doing so, not asked for anything in return. Despite their selflessness, there is no doubt that we owe them—and more than just a debt of gratitude. Opening centers like this one is just one way we can thank our veterans for all they have done for us.”

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Washington, D.C. -  Today, the House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Joe Donnelly recognizing the importance of manufactured housing as a sustainable and affordable housing option. The resolution recognizes the third week of June as “Manufactured Housing Week,” which was created to celebrate the role manufactured housing plays in offering hardworking American families the option of purchasing quality homes at affordable prices.

“I am proud to have authored this resolution celebrating the role manufactured housing plays in providing Hoosiers and Americans alike with a high-quality affordable housing option,” Donnelly said. “The industry’s prominence in and around Elkhart is a point of pride for all those who live in north central Indiana. “

The text of House Resolution 1010 is included below:

Whereas manufactured housing plays a vital role in meeting the housing needs of the people of the United States and is an important source of quality, affordable housing, including both homeownership and rental housing;

Whereas the manufactured housing industry in the United States has approximately $6,000,000,000 annually in sales and employs approximately 70,000 people in factories and retail centers alone;

Whereas 18,000,000 people in the United States, representing all segments of the population, including emerging demographics, live in manufactured homes;

Whereas because it is an important source of affordable housing, manufactured housing is a critical part of the solution to the ongoing crisis in the housing market in this Nation;

Whereas the factory production process provides manufactured housing with technological advantages, value, and customization options for consumers seeking quality housing and sustainable homeownership;

Whereas manufactured homes are built to a national standard under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, which governs construction, engineering, quality, safety, and systems performance;

Whereas that Act supports innovation, consumer safety, efficiency, and quality while preserving the affordability and customization of manufactured housing;

Whereas creating affordable homeownership opportunities helps build communities and requires the cooperation of the private and public sectors, including the Federal Government and State and local governments;

Whereas the laws of the United States, such as the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000, encourage manufactured housing homeownership and should continue to do so in the future;

Whereas June is designated as National Homeownership Month; and

Whereas the third week of June is recognized as Manufactured Housing Week: Now, therefore, be it Resolved,That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in providing decent, sustainable, and affordable housing;

(2) recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in contributing to homeownership in the United States;

(3) recognizes the importance of homeownership, including homeownership of manufactured homes, in building strong communities and families; and

(4) recognizes and fully supports the goals and ideals of Manufactured Housing Week and National Homeownership Month.

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Washington, D.C. -  Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced the creation of a 13-member Rural Health Advisory Committee to assess current VA programs for rural veterans and identify barriers to good health care and make recommendations to the secretary for improvements.  Congressman Joe Donnelly, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, introduced legislation last year to create a similar committee focused on the unique health care needs of rural veterans.

“I was happy to learn that the VA is creating a Rural Health Advisory Committee to help veterans residing in rural areas,” Donnelly said. “Over 40 percent of our veterans returning home from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan come from rural communities, and they often lack sufficient access to services provided by the VA. Ensuring high quality and accessible services for all those who serve and have served our country is one of my top priorities.  This new advisory committee will provide expert advice on how we can do better for veterans in rural America.”

H.R. 2190, The Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans Act, would establish an advisory committee comprised of government officials, outside experts and members of the general public who are representatives of rural and disabled veterans.  The legislation was approved by the House of Representatives last year by a vote of 421 to 0.

“The idea for this legislation came from the Veterans Advisory Board that I meet with regularly.” Donnelly said. “The advice and feedback I receive from the veterans on my board has been invaluable in conducting my work as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. I believe strides will be made in providing care to rural veterans now that the Secretary has a similar committee. I commend the VA for not waiting for my bill to become law before acting to improve care for rural veterans.”

“This distinguished panel includes strong advocates for the needs of VA patients in rural areas,” Secretary Peake said. “This is an important step in expanding access to VA’s world-class health care system for veterans.”

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