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Gutierrez Joins FEMA Officials on the Ground in Iowa to Assess Flood Damage
Cedar Rapids (July 1)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez is pictured in Iowa with from left to right, FEMA official Pat Ferris, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Vogel and Congressman Dave Loebsack. “There is no doubt that Iowa faces challenges in the days ahead—this has been an immense natural disaster. But from disaster comes the opportunity to rebuild—and to rebuild even better than before. The President and the whole Administration are committed to helping Iowa and the entire Midwest region rebuild,” said Gutierrez.
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Announces Immediate $3 Million in Initial Support to Help Iowa Plan Economic Recovery
Cedar Rapids (July 1)—Twenty-four hours after President Bush signed a multi-billion dollar disaster supplemental spending bill that provides $100 million in targeted economic planning funding in the Midwest region, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez traveled today to Iowa and announced the Commerce Department will immediately provide an initial $3 million in federal funds to quickly help Iowa develop a state-wide economic recovery strategy. Gutierrez is pictured participating in a FEMA briefing on floods and recovery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Release)
Under Secretary Padilla Discusses Need to Pass U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
Washington (July 1)—Under Secretary for International Trade Christopher A Padilla discusses the need to pass the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement at the Heritage Foundation. Since the United States and Colombia signed the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement—almost 600 days ago—U.S. exports to Colombia have faced an estimated $1.1 billion in taxes just to enter the Colombian market. That means that every single day, about $2 million dollars in taxes are placed on a variety of U.S. exports sent to the Colombian market, effectively undermining the competitiveness of American products. (More)
Census Bureau Announces Voter Turnout up Seven Million in 2006
Washington (July 1)—Some 96 million voted in the 2006 congressional elections, an increase of seven million from 2002, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. About 48 percent of voting-age citizens cast a ballot in 2006, the highest since 1994 when the Census Bureau first began collecting this data. These data come from the report Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2006, and are based on responses to the November 2006 Current Population Survey Voting and Registration Supplement. (More)